Common election 2024 newest: Rishi Sunak branded ‘man with no integrity’ as Labour slams Frank Hester donation to Tories

Solely the Liberal Democrats can beat the Tories within the ‘blue wall’ seats within the south of England, celebration chief Sir Ed Davey has claimed.

Sir Ed refused to be drawn on whether or not questions on whether or not his celebration could possibly be “kingmakers” within the occasion that Labour of the Tories fall wanting an total majority.

Talking to reporters in Wiltshire whereas out on the marketing campaign path, he stated: “

“Once I turned chief of the Liberal Democrats, I made it very clear that my prime precedence was to defeat Conservative MPs. This authorities is out of contact, out of concepts and out of excuses.”

Referring to the ‘blue wall’, he added: “We’ve been fairly sturdy in these areas.

“Within the West Nation, everybody will bear in mind, we used to have lots of Liberal Democrat MPs right here, and folks can see that we’re coming again.”

Sir Ed Davey has stated Rishi Sunak ought to “grasp his head in disgrace” for accepting extra contemporary money from disgraced Frank Hester.

Sir Ed stated: “I don’t understand how low the Conservatives are going to go – and that is the fault of Rishi Sunak.

“Why did Rishi Sunak take this donation? He took it after the earlier scandal round Frank Hester and he went forward.

“I believe lifelong Conservative voters will probably be appalled by this. I believe all these different folks donating cash to the Tory celebration ought to ask for his or her donations again. Rishi Sunak ought to grasp his head in disgrace.”

The Scottish Conservative celebration deselected David Duguid the final minute to make means for Douglass Ross after he beforehand claimed to solely deal with Holyrood.

The U-turn has sparked a wave of furore with SNP marketing campaign director claiming the choice represents a “day of disgrace for the Tories”.

Mr Duguid had current had spinal surgical procedure however was on track to make a full restoration, however he was able to marketing campaign throughout his constituency earlier than being blocked.

In response, Stewart Hosie blasted: “Three-jobs Douglas Ross taking a seat from David Duguid to maintain his third wage at Westminster.

“The best way the Tories have handled Mr Duguid is indefensible. The nasty celebration simply bought nastier.”

The folks of Aberdeenshire North and Moray East “deserve a devoted, full time MP and native champion”, he added.

Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride has refused to say whether or not the Tories will return the £5m donation from disgraced Frank Hester.

Mr Strike declined to remark, including: “I’m not going to get drawn in these sort of points.”

Rishi Sunak got here beneath hearth for accepting the cash regardless of condemning alleged racist feedback Mr Hester made towards Diane Abbott.

He added: “Any racist remark is totally, totally unacceptable. I consider that Mr Hester has proven appreciable regret since making these remarks, which had been totally unacceptable.

“I’ve taken nice private pleasure in the truth that I’ve sat round a cupboard desk that’s the most various in our historical past, with a British-Asian prime minister at its head that I supported throughout his management marketing campaign, and supported very strongly to be our prime minister.

“So that’s the very clear place that I’ve and that the Conservative celebration has on these sorts of points.”

The row over taxes retains rumbling on and Jeremy Hunt is now difficult Sir Keir Starmer to vow to not increase property taxes.

It comes because the chancellor revealed a brand new Conservative pledge to not increase capital positive factors tax and stamp responsibility.

Mr Hunt referred to as on the Labour chief to match his celebration’s “household residence tax assure”.

The tax row erupted after Rishi Sunak insistingly accused Labour of plotting to lift family’s taxes by £2,000.

Dismissing the claims, Sir Keir stated the accusation was “rubbish” and accused the Mr Sunak of breaking ministerial code.

The UK statistics regulator is now investigating the PM’s claims after he was accused of mendacity to voters.