UK

A British man who drove to Ukraine to be with his family has said he was “one hundred per cent willing” to take up arms against the Russians if it became necessary. Ian Umney, from Manchester, has travelled to Nikopol in the southeastern part of Ukraine and told Sky News how he was “shook to

Prince Charles has likened the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the killing of Sir David Amess as he fulfilled the MP’s long-held wish of making his constituency town of Southend a city. As he handed over the document which turned the Essex town into a city, he said: “What we saw in the terrible tragedy

The Queen has hosted two virtual engagements just over a week after testing positive for COVID-19, Buckingham Palace has said. Earlier on Tuesday, she received His Excellency Carles Jordana Madero, who presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as ambassador from the Principality of Andorra to the Court

The UK has announced further sanctions on Moscow, while Britons have been advised against all travel to Russia. ShortlyljForeign Secretary Liz Truss said three more Russian banks will be sanctioned over the invasion of Ukraine, including Russia’s largest – Sberbank. She also announced the UK will ban exports to Russia from the UK across a

Moscow has claimed that Vladimir Putin decided to put Russia’s nuclear deterrence forces on high alert following statements from Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. According to the Interfax news agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news briefing: “Statements were made by various representatives at various levels on possible altercations or even collisions and clashes between

Immediate family members will be able to join Ukrainians settled in the UK as they flee the Russian invasion, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. Downing Street said the move – which comes after the government faced intense criticism over failing to relax the visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals earlier this week – will “benefit

The Ukraine conflict could last “a number of years” and the UK needs to be “prepared for a very long haul” in facing down Russian aggression, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has told Sky News. Speaking to the Trevor Phillips On Sunday show, Ms Truss praised the “very, very strong and brave” Ukrainian resistance against Russian

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has announced that he is handing stewardship of the club to trustees of its charitable foundation. Roman Abramovich will no longer be involved in club matters on a day to day basis and long term strategic decision making powers will instead be handed over to the Chelsea Foundation. In a statement,

British Airways has said all of its short-haul flights from Heathrow are cancelled until midday today following ongoing “technical issues”. The airline said customers due to travel later today should check their flight status on ba.com before coming to the airport as “we anticipate further disruption during the day”. It said its long-haul services at

British Airways has suffered a major outage, causing several flights to be cancelled and leaving passengers stuck on planes after landing at Heathrow. The airline’s website and app were down for hours on Friday evening, leaving customers unable to check in online or book flights. The airline confirmed that the outage was not due to

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has received a questionnaire as part of the police inquiry into alleged COVID lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street. During the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing Operation Hillman, more than 50 people have been sent a document to ask for their account and explanation of participation in “partygate” events. Scotland Yard has warned recipients that

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will not only affect the eastern European nation but the UK will also feel repercussions. Boris Johnson said the invasion is a “catastrophe for our continent” after Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine on Thursday morning. The attacks may be in a country more than 1,000 miles away from the UK but

Boris Johnson has described Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “catastrophe for our continent” as he prepares to unveil fresh sanctions against Moscow. The prime minister will make an address to the nation this morning after explosions were heard in Ukrainian cities as Russia launched a military offensive. He will also speak to fellow G7

The Queen has held her weekly telephone audience with the prime minister despite having COVID-19, Buckingham Palace said. The monarch, 95, has been suffering mild COVID symptoms after testing positive for the virus on Sunday. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Her Majesty did speak to the prime minister this evening.” On Tuesday, she cancelled her

A stalker who trekked 23 miles to Emma Raducanu’s home and stole her father’s shoe as a souvenir has been handed a five-year restraining order. Amrit Magar was found guilty of stalking the 19-year-old British tennis star between November and December last year. Bromley Magistrates’ Court heard how the 35-year-old went to the world number

Boris Johnson has made clear the UK will not send troops to Ukraine if Russia launches a full-scale invasion, but there are other ways of aiding the European ally. Moscow sent “peacekeeping” forces into Russian-backed rebel-held areas of western Ukraine on Monday night, after President Vladimir Putin said the country would recognise the self-proclaimed republics

Vulnerable people and those aged 75 and over will be offered a fourth COVID jab this spring, says Health Secretary Sajid Javid. It comes after a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Immunity from vaccination declines over time and many older adults received their most recent vaccine dose in September or

The Queen has cancelled her planned virtual engagements as she continues to suffer mild COVID symptoms, Buckingham Place has said. The Palace confirmed the monarch tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday and was planning to continue carrying out “light duties” at Windsor Castle. It said today: “As Her Majesty is still experiencing mild cold like

A number of people have been rescued from stranded cars, at least one river has burst its banks and train operators are continuing to advise commuters not to travel as Storm Franklin causes havoc across the UK. Firefighters in North Yorkshire saved a number of drivers stuck in their vehicles on the A61 at Harewood

What a week it’s been for the Royal Family and what a start to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. In the past ten days her son and heir Prince Charles, and her daughter-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall have both had COVID-19, Prince Andrew has signed what’s rumoured to be a multi-million pound agreement to settle

The Queen has tested positive for coronavirus, Buckingham Palace has said. The monarch, 95, is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms and expects to continue light duties at Windsor this week, the palace said. She is understood to be triple vaccinated. COVID news live: Messages of support pour in for Queen The Queen was in direct contact

People in England will no longer have to self-isolate after testing positive for coronavirus by the end of next week, Downing Street has said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce the decision on Monday, which also applies to close contacts, as he moves to scrap all remaining COVID-19 restrictions. When he unveils his

At least two people have been killed by Storm Eunice in the UK. One of them was a woman in her 30s, who was hit by a falling tree in north London while she was a passenger in a car. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver, a man in his 30s,

A wind gust of 122mph has been recorded on the Isle of Wight in what is thought to be a new record for England, the Met Office said. The wind speed was reported at The Needles on the Isle of Wight as millions of Britons were urged to stay at home as Storm Eunice hit

A red weather warning has been issued for Storm Eunice, as it looks set to batter the UK with gusts of wind of up to 100mph. The warning has been issued from 7am to 12pm on Friday in parts of the country and warns of “flying debris resulting in danger of life” and damage to

British couples undergoing fertility treatment in Ukraine face being separated from their children by an impending war – but many have said they not deterred by travelling warnings. Hundreds of people from the UK and Ireland visit Ukraine every year to undergo fertility treatment or use Ukrainian surrogates. But with the threat of an impending

A rare red weather warning has been issued for Storm Eunice as it looks set to batter the UK with gusts of up to 100mph. The warning has been issued along the coastline of Devon and Cornwall as well as the south coast of Wales as extremely strong winds are predicted. The high alert for

More than 14,000 people suffered power outages and uprooted trees created chaos on roads and train lines as Storm Dudley pummelled the UK and Ireland with winds of more than 80mph. Northern Powergrid, which maintains electricity networks across northern England, said on Wednesday evening that it had reconnected 10,000 homes within hours, but it could

An investigation into a bid to give honours and citizenship to a Saudi national linked to the Prince of Wales’ charity has been launched, police have said. The Metropolitan Police Service said it is investigating allegations of offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925. It said in a statement: “The decision follows an

Prince Andrew and his accuser Virginia Giuffre have settled out of court over her civil sex assault claim filed in the US, according to court documents. The Duke of York has always denied the allegations. In the documents, the prince has said he “regrets his association” with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The settlement amount

A man who claimed he was repeatedly raped as a teenager by monks at a Scottish boarding school, has been awarded £1.4m in damages, believed to be a record amount for a victim. In the civil claim, the 54-year-old man, identified only as AB, said he had been sexually assaulted on multiple occasions by Brothers

The Welsh government has announced a £330m package to help people with the rising cost of living, support it says goes “above and beyond” that provided by Boris Johnson’s government in England. All households in council tax bands A to D, as well as those in receipt of the council tax reduction scheme, will receive

Police are searching for a sex offender who escaped from prison on Sunday morning – with the force warning he poses a “particular danger to women and young children”. Lincolnshire Police have said Paul Robson can cause “real harm to anyone he comes across” as they urged people to dial 999 if they see him.