Downing Street says Starmer still has ‘confidence in his top team’ after Rayner and Mandelson departures – UK politics live

Scotland secretary Douglas Alexander said of Rayner's departure that MPs feel quite acutely that sense of loss'

Speaking at the Reform press conference in Caerphilly, Nigel Farage said he had a very expensive week" seeking advice from tax experts, reports the PA news agency.

The Reform UK leader said last year he had bought a home in his Essex constituency, but it was later reported that his partner had actually made the purchase. Questions over the home have resurfaced after Angela Rayner resigned last week over underpaying stamp duty on a seaside flat she bought this year.

The money was legally hers, she bought the house. I don't have any financial stake in it whatsoever - other than she lets me stay there.

I have paid a lot of money to make sure we have done everything right.

I have done everything I can to prove everything I have done has been legal and correct.