Scott Duffield
@scottduffield.bsky.social
Senior Journalist BBC Politics
📺 ex STV News & BBC Scotland
🎥 Producer “Who is Nicholas Rossi?” on STV
📍 London 🏡 Glasgow/Taynuilt
📺 ex STV News & BBC Scotland
🎥 Producer “Who is Nicholas Rossi?” on STV
📍 London 🏡 Glasgow/Taynuilt
FCDO spokesperson: “The deal to secure the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia military is crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies & to keeping the British people safe. The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base”
BREAK: President Trump has said the UK is making “a big mistake” with its Chagos Islands deal
The President has said on Truth Social: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!”
The President has said on Truth Social: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!”
February 18, 2026 at 8:27 PM
FCDO spokesperson: “The deal to secure the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia military is crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies & to keeping the British people safe. The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base”
BREAK: President Trump has said the UK is making “a big mistake” with its Chagos Islands deal
The President has said on Truth Social: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!”
The President has said on Truth Social: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!”
February 18, 2026 at 6:53 PM
BREAK: President Trump has said the UK is making “a big mistake” with its Chagos Islands deal
The President has said on Truth Social: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!”
The President has said on Truth Social: “DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!”
NEW: The BBC has seen documents that show several people made allegations a decade ago about the conduct of Dame Antonia Romeo, the senior civil servant who is now frontrunner to become the Cabinet Secretary.
February 17, 2026 at 6:29 PM
NEW: The BBC has seen documents that show several people made allegations a decade ago about the conduct of Dame Antonia Romeo, the senior civil servant who is now frontrunner to become the Cabinet Secretary.
Nigel Farage has set out some of his senior team at Reform UK:
🔹 Richard Tice MP - Deputy Leader and Business, Trade & Energy Spokesman
🔹 Robert Jenrick MP - Treasury Spokesman
🔹 Zia Yusuf - Home Affairs Spokesman
🔹 Suella Braverman MP - Education & Skills and Equalities Spokeswoman
🔹 Richard Tice MP - Deputy Leader and Business, Trade & Energy Spokesman
🔹 Robert Jenrick MP - Treasury Spokesman
🔹 Zia Yusuf - Home Affairs Spokesman
🔹 Suella Braverman MP - Education & Skills and Equalities Spokeswoman
February 17, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Nigel Farage has set out some of his senior team at Reform UK:
🔹 Richard Tice MP - Deputy Leader and Business, Trade & Energy Spokesman
🔹 Robert Jenrick MP - Treasury Spokesman
🔹 Zia Yusuf - Home Affairs Spokesman
🔹 Suella Braverman MP - Education & Skills and Equalities Spokeswoman
🔹 Richard Tice MP - Deputy Leader and Business, Trade & Energy Spokesman
🔹 Robert Jenrick MP - Treasury Spokesman
🔹 Zia Yusuf - Home Affairs Spokesman
🔹 Suella Braverman MP - Education & Skills and Equalities Spokeswoman
A MHCLG spokesperson said:
“Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May.
“Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
“Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May.
“Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
BREAK: The government has abandoned plans to delay 30 council elections following legal advice.
February 16, 2026 at 2:42 PM
A MHCLG spokesperson said:
“Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May.
“Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
“Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May.
“Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
BREAK: The government has abandoned plans to delay 30 council elections following legal advice.
February 16, 2026 at 2:37 PM
BREAK: The government has abandoned plans to delay 30 council elections following legal advice.
The Prime Minister has ordered the Cabinet Office to investigate claims that Labour Together commissioned a report to investigate the background of a journalist.
The group paid APCO Worldwide £30k to "investigate the sourcing, funding and origins" of a Sunday Times story about the Think Tank.
The group paid APCO Worldwide £30k to "investigate the sourcing, funding and origins" of a Sunday Times story about the Think Tank.
February 16, 2026 at 11:08 AM
The Prime Minister has ordered the Cabinet Office to investigate claims that Labour Together commissioned a report to investigate the background of a journalist.
The group paid APCO Worldwide £30k to "investigate the sourcing, funding and origins" of a Sunday Times story about the Think Tank.
The group paid APCO Worldwide £30k to "investigate the sourcing, funding and origins" of a Sunday Times story about the Think Tank.
Cabinet secretary frontrunner previously spoken to about management style
📲 Exclusive by Harry Farley ⬇️
📲 Exclusive by Harry Farley ⬇️
Cabinet Secretary front runner Antonia Romeo previously spoken to about management style
Dame Antonia Romeo was found to have no case to answer over one complaint nine years ago.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Cabinet secretary frontrunner previously spoken to about management style
📲 Exclusive by Harry Farley ⬇️
📲 Exclusive by Harry Farley ⬇️
NEW: The former SNP chief executive - Peter Murrell - is facing a charge of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a period of more than 12 years, it has emerged.
He is accused of illicitly purchasing items including luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome.
He is accused of illicitly purchasing items including luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome.
February 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM
NEW: The former SNP chief executive - Peter Murrell - is facing a charge of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a period of more than 12 years, it has emerged.
He is accused of illicitly purchasing items including luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome.
He is accused of illicitly purchasing items including luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome.
NEW: The High Court has ruled that the ban of Palestine Action under terrorism legislation is unlawful - but the ban remains in place for now
February 13, 2026 at 10:23 AM
NEW: The High Court has ruled that the ban of Palestine Action under terrorism legislation is unlawful - but the ban remains in place for now
NEW: The UK's most senior civil servant, Sir Chris Wormald, is to stand down "by mutual agreement" with the Prime Minister
He was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer in December 2024
He was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer in December 2024
February 12, 2026 at 4:52 PM
NEW: The UK's most senior civil servant, Sir Chris Wormald, is to stand down "by mutual agreement" with the Prime Minister
He was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer in December 2024
He was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer in December 2024
PM says Lord Doyle [Matthew Doyle] did not give 'full account' over links to sex offender
PM says peer did not give 'full account' over links to sex offender
Sir Keir Starmer was asked at Prime Minister's Questions about his decision to award a peerage to Lord Doyle.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:30 PM
PM says Lord Doyle [Matthew Doyle] did not give 'full account' over links to sex offender
The PM has said he 'will never walk away from the mandate' he was given by the electorate
Sir Keir was making a speech in Hertfordshire where he vowed to keep fighting for working people.
Sir Keir was making a speech in Hertfordshire where he vowed to keep fighting for working people.
February 10, 2026 at 2:59 PM
The PM has said he 'will never walk away from the mandate' he was given by the electorate
Sir Keir was making a speech in Hertfordshire where he vowed to keep fighting for working people.
Sir Keir was making a speech in Hertfordshire where he vowed to keep fighting for working people.
NEW: PM told political cabinet “the whole of the Labour Party wants Anas Sarwar to become FM and will fight for a Labour government in Scotland”.
It comes after Sarwar called for the PM to resign.
The PM thanks political cabinet colleagues for their support and said “they were strong & united”.
It comes after Sarwar called for the PM to resign.
The PM thanks political cabinet colleagues for their support and said “they were strong & united”.
February 10, 2026 at 12:25 PM
NEW: PM told political cabinet “the whole of the Labour Party wants Anas Sarwar to become FM and will fight for a Labour government in Scotland”.
It comes after Sarwar called for the PM to resign.
The PM thanks political cabinet colleagues for their support and said “they were strong & united”.
It comes after Sarwar called for the PM to resign.
The PM thanks political cabinet colleagues for their support and said “they were strong & united”.
Chris Mason: Labour sticks with Starmer for now but this is not over
Chris Mason: Labour sticks with Starmer for now but this is not over
The prime minister has come through a political near-death experience, the BBC's political editor writes.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Chris Mason: Labour sticks with Starmer for now but this is not over
Seeing quite a lot of the Cabinet now publicly posting their support of the PM
Eyes will now be looking to see who stays silent 👀
Eyes will now be looking to see who stays silent 👀
NEW: Deputy Prime Minister posts his support on X (Twitter) backing Sir Keir Starmer
February 9, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Seeing quite a lot of the Cabinet now publicly posting their support of the PM
Eyes will now be looking to see who stays silent 👀
Eyes will now be looking to see who stays silent 👀
NEW: A Downing Street spokesperson says Starmer “has a clear 5yr mandate from the British people to deliver change and that is what he will do”.
This is evidently in response to Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, calling for the PM to resign.
This is evidently in response to Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, calling for the PM to resign.
February 9, 2026 at 2:41 PM
NEW: A Downing Street spokesperson says Starmer “has a clear 5yr mandate from the British people to deliver change and that is what he will do”.
This is evidently in response to Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, calling for the PM to resign.
This is evidently in response to Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, calling for the PM to resign.
NEW: Anas Sarwar, Leader of Scottish Labour, has called for Sir Keir to resign
He says the “distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change”
He says the “distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change”
February 9, 2026 at 2:38 PM
NEW: Anas Sarwar, Leader of Scottish Labour, has called for Sir Keir to resign
He says the “distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change”
He says the “distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change”
NEW: Deputy Prime Minister posts his support on X (Twitter) backing Sir Keir Starmer
February 9, 2026 at 2:29 PM
NEW: Deputy Prime Minister posts his support on X (Twitter) backing Sir Keir Starmer
NEW: Leader of Scottish Labour is expected to call on the Prime Minister to resign.
Anas Sarwar MSP has hastily arranged a press conference for this afternoon. It’s understood he will set out his position on Sir Keir Starmer
Anas Sarwar MSP has hastily arranged a press conference for this afternoon. It’s understood he will set out his position on Sir Keir Starmer
February 9, 2026 at 1:22 PM
NEW: Leader of Scottish Labour is expected to call on the Prime Minister to resign.
Anas Sarwar MSP has hastily arranged a press conference for this afternoon. It’s understood he will set out his position on Sir Keir Starmer
Anas Sarwar MSP has hastily arranged a press conference for this afternoon. It’s understood he will set out his position on Sir Keir Starmer
Morgan McSweeney quits as PM's chief of staff following Mandelson scandal
Morgan McSweeney quits as PM's chief of staff following Mandelson scandal
McSweeney says he takes
www.bbc.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Morgan McSweeney quits as PM's chief of staff following Mandelson scandal
Three African countries agree to UK migrant returns after visa penalty threat
The government had previously warned it would stop granting visas to people from Angola, Namibia and the DRC if their governments did not improve co-operation on removals.
The government had previously warned it would stop granting visas to people from Angola, Namibia and the DRC if their governments did not improve co-operation on removals.
Three African countries agree to UK migrant returns after sanctions threat
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia and Angola have said they will cooperate on migrant returns.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Three African countries agree to UK migrant returns after visa penalty threat
The government had previously warned it would stop granting visas to people from Angola, Namibia and the DRC if their governments did not improve co-operation on removals.
The government had previously warned it would stop granting visas to people from Angola, Namibia and the DRC if their governments did not improve co-operation on removals.
Starmer 'sorry for having believed Mandelson's lies' on Epstein as anger grows over appointment
The PM says he shares "the anger people feel" when those in positions of power escape scrutiny. "I am sorry", he says to victims.
The PM says he shares "the anger people feel" when those in positions of power escape scrutiny. "I am sorry", he says to victims.
Starmer says no-one knew 'depth and darkness' of Mandelson-Epstein relationship
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Starmer 'sorry for having believed Mandelson's lies' on Epstein as anger grows over appointment
The PM says he shares "the anger people feel" when those in positions of power escape scrutiny. "I am sorry", he says to victims.
The PM says he shares "the anger people feel" when those in positions of power escape scrutiny. "I am sorry", he says to victims.
Dark mood among Labour MPs as PM tries to contain Mandelson scandal - via Henry Zeffman
Dark mood among Labour MPs as Keir Starmer tries to contain Mandelson scandal
The chaos of the parliamentary debate about the former Labour minister is just one sign of how quickly the mood in the party has soured this week.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Dark mood among Labour MPs as PM tries to contain Mandelson scandal - via Henry Zeffman
“Morgan McSweeney is an essential part of my team. He helped me change the Labour Party and win an election. Of course I have confidence in him”
The Prime Minister throws his support behind his Chief of Staff when questioned by Kemi Badenoch
📲 More from PMQs via BBC News ⬇️
The Prime Minister throws his support behind his Chief of Staff when questioned by Kemi Badenoch
📲 More from PMQs via BBC News ⬇️
Mandelson lied repeatedly to my team and I regret appointing him as ambassador, Starmer says
The PM also says he will release all material relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador in 2024, barring national security exemptions.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:18 PM
“Morgan McSweeney is an essential part of my team. He helped me change the Labour Party and win an election. Of course I have confidence in him”
The Prime Minister throws his support behind his Chief of Staff when questioned by Kemi Badenoch
📲 More from PMQs via BBC News ⬇️
The Prime Minister throws his support behind his Chief of Staff when questioned by Kemi Badenoch
📲 More from PMQs via BBC News ⬇️