Reeves came out fighting in the Commons, delivering a confident defence of herself and her policies, and making Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, look a little foolish. Stride had no alternative policy to propose, but he had some Shakespearean flourishes: “To resign or not to resign, that is now the question,” he said.
It turned out that this was a question for a different minister, who was at that moment putting the finishing touches to a resignation letter, while No 10 was finalising the announcement of a new economic secretary to the Treasury and a promotion from the back benches.
The operation was carried out with speed and some precision. Laurie Magnus, the prime minister’s adviser on ministerial standards, carried out his investigation more quickly than journalists expected, and Siddiq was allowed to resign to avoid further “distraction from the work of the government”.
This story is from the January 15, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 15, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
United boosted by lucky victory but remain flawed
“They were lucky to win tonight,” Marco Silva said after Fulham’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Second Australian Open title in a row for Sinner
Zverev says rival in 'different universe' after straight sets loss
GOING ORGANIC
The Independent's expert Rosamund Hall explores if grapes grown without pesticides are all they are cracked up to be
Peace deal only chance’ to free hostages, say families
Those waiting for relatives and friends to come home after being held in Gaza urge Israel and Hamas to honour ceasefire
Presence of Zelensky ally at inauguration shows Trump backs Ukraine, say insiders
Concerns that Donald Trump may be prepared to ditch America’s support for Ukraine and president Volodymyr Zelensky are wrong, insiders have claimed.
The rise, fall and rise of an actor too good to be ignored
As Adrien Brody mounts a comeback courtesy of ambitious drama ‘The Brutalist', Louis Chilton explores why the Oscar winner endured years of cinematic Siberia after 'The Pianist'
Leicester outsmart Spurs as Postecoglou under pressure
Two goals in four second-half minutes helped Leicester earn a first Premier League win since 3 December with a 2-1 victory at Tottenham to pile more pressure on Ange Postecoglou.
How Trump’s tech bros sucked the life out of Texas
A new broligarchy’ of the super-rich has emerged in the US but it is the ordinary citizens and the cities they live in who will suffer from unrestrained growth, warns Alex Hannaford
China pours tens of millions into the top UK universities
Top British universities have received tens of millions of pounds from Chinese organisations, The Independent can reveal, as experts warn the UK is increasingly becoming a target for Beijing as it looks to increase its global influence and stifle criticism.
If Russian spies are in UK waters, we have to respond
There have been strong words from Defence Secretary John Healey after a British submarine had to warn off a Russian spy ship in UK waters. His message for Russia was: “We know what you are doing.