The Times first reported the lack of permission. The newspaper said, as a result of the UK's reticence, Donald Trump had withdrawn his support for a deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer to hand the Chagos Islands, which include Diego Garcia, over to Mauritius. US military plans to strike Iran involve the use of a British and American military base on Diego Garcia as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which hosts a US fleet of heavy bombers. Under long-standing agreements between London and Washington, the Pentagon is only able to launch operations from the two sites, as well as other air bases in the UK that are home to US warplanes and personnel, with advance approval from the British government. This has not yet been given in relation to any potential strike against Iran because of concern that such a mission would be a breach of international law, according to The Times. President Trump on Thursday said the world would find out "over the next, probably, 10 days" whether the US would reach a deal with Iran to end its nuclear ambitions - or take military action. He has been surging forces to the Middle East - including two giant aircraft carriers and supporting warships and jets - to increase his options for launching a significant military operation against the Islamic Republic should talks fail. Mr Trump spoke on Tuesday evening by phone with the British prime minister. The topics covered included the Iran crisis, but not the Chagos Islands. However, the following day, the president launched a new attack on Mr Starmer over the Chagos Islands deal, even after his own State Department had said it supported the UK's decision to give the territory to Mauritius and lease back Diego Garcia. In a post on social media, Mr Trump explicitly mentioned the utility of Diego Garcia and Fairford for US military operations against Iran, and appeared to suggest why it would be within international law for the UK to grant such deployments, given that it too could be under threat. "Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime" Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. "An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries." He then said: "We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the UK, but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them." Read more:Why is the Chagos Islands deal controversial?Trump to PM: 'Do not give away Diego Garcia' The UK is not thought to be preparing to support the US in any military offensive against Iran. However, the Royal Air Force has deployed six F-35 warplanes to RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, and sent four Typhoon jets to Qatar, as part of efforts to bolster its own defences in the event of any Iranian counterattack in response to American strikes. On the Chagos Islands deal, the government has repeatedly defended its decision to hand over the territory to Mauritius, saying it would avoid a costly legal battle while securing access to Diego Garcia for 100 years.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested whilst Harriet and Ruth were in the middle of answering your questions for a half-term special whilst Beth is off on her holidays. So in this episode, they react to the news that the former prince has been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office and discuss what it means for the rule of law. Later, they tackle questions on the government's latest U-turn over postponed local elections, and whether Reform UK is facing proper scrutiny over the Equality Act. Plus, as Sir Keir Starmer appoints the first woman head of the civil service, they ask why female public figures still face misogyny. And with major Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms expected next week, Harriet and Ruth hear from parents who fear change could make a broken system worse, not better. Responding to Harriet's comments about Reform, a Reform UK spokesman said: "Unlike Harriet, we don't need a pink bus to attract women to our party. "Reform has high-profile women throughout our cabinet and senior women in our party staff, unlike Starmer." And on the Equality Act, the spokesman added: "Reform UK remains committed to supporting workplace protections against discrimination. No one should be treated unfairly because of their sex, race, if they are pregnant or have a disability. "That's why we will introduce a new 'Workplace Fairness Act' to replace the Equality Act and ensure workplace protections are maintained whilst also re-asserting the rights of individuals rather than groups under the law. "The Equality Act has been damaging to our economy, our society, and the way government works. It has unleashed the burdensome and unfair DEI culture that plagues workspaces and has enforced discrimination and equality of outcome. "This has led to the unacceptable situation of unfair recruitment policies, positive discrimination and anti-white working-class bias, pitting different groups against each other and dividing our country." Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk. And if you didn't know, you can also watch Beth, Ruth, and Harriet on YouTube.

Democracy campaigners say a "historic" measure within the flagship legislation has gone under the radar, which is a move to "criminalise lying" by senior politicians. That is through a new standalone offence of "misleading the public", punishable by up to two years in jail. This will apply to heads of government departments, civil servants and public officials such as police and NHS staff, if they intentionally mislead the public in a way that is "seriously improper". MPs and peers are currently exempt - but dozens of backbenchers argue that should not be the case. Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan told Sky News: "MPs shouldn't be above the law. Politicians have such a low standing with the public and that's got to change." Mr Duncan-Jordan is one of over 30 MPs who have backed an amendment by Labour MP Luke Myer, calling for the remit to be extended to all members of both houses of parliament. Mr Myer is understood to have held discussions with ministers and backbench colleagues to ramp up support for his plan ahead of the bill returning to the Commons for its report stage. 'No-brainer' One Labour source described it as "turkeys voting for Christmas", but independent MP Rosie Duffield, who resigned from the party in 2024, said backing the amendment should be a "no-brainer". The Canterbury MP said trust is at an "all-time low" and the new offence could stop ministers lying or withholding information about connections to certain people or companies. She said that level of transparency should also apply to "ordinary backbenchers" to restore trust, as "when a few at the top are embroiled in scandal, it besmirches us all". Bill's delayed journey through parliament Hillsborough Law's passage through parliament was pulled last month following a row between the government and Hillsborough families over how it would apply to the security services. Liverpool MP Ian Byrne, who has led work on Hillsborough Law and supports Mr Myer's amendment, this week urged the prime minister to apply it in full to all public officials "without further delay", saying the Peter Mandelson scandal shows exactly why it is necessary. The bill - officially known as the Public Office Accountability Bill - follows a decades-long campaign by families bereaved by the 1989 football stadium disaster, which claimed 97 lives and led to a cover-up of police failings. Much of its focus has been on the duty of candour, which establishes new requirements for public officials to act with honesty during investigations and inquiries into the state. This duty is under pinned by the misleading the public offence, but the offence itself is not limited to inquiries. Campaigner Marcus Ball, who tried to prosecute Boris Johnson over claims on Vote Leave's "Brexit Bus", described this as a "historic" move which would "criminalise lying in politics" for the first time. However, he called for the offence's remit to be extended, saying it is "completely illogical that this same law does not extend to backbench MPs or Lords". Free speech concerns The government argues MPs and peers should be exempt as they do not make decisions on behalf of the state. Experts said this is still a significant step towards a better culture of accountability, though not as straightforward as punishing ministers for "telling fibs". The government has added a clause which requires proof of harm or potential harm in order to be charged with misleading the public, which some MPs argue could weaken its effectiveness. However, other MPs have expressed concern about free speech. Conservative MP Mike Wood argued in the Commons that the new offence may subject ministers to "politically motivated lawfare", and disagreements "must be a matter for the ballot box rather than the courtroom". Read more from Sky News:Andrew released after arrestSky News gains rare access to Bank's gold vaults Officials stress the offence is intended for serious cases, such as public officials spreading false narratives about events - as happened with Hillsborough. It won't apply to words said in parliament as that is covered by privilege, a long-standing convention that allows politicians to debate freely. A government spokesperson said: "We are committed to delivering this vital piece of legislation, changing the balance of power, so the state must always act for the people it serves. The Hillsborough disaster will remain in our national consciousness for its tragedy and disgraceful injustice. "The bill will lead to a public service that truly acts in the public interest. But for those who don't, there will be criminal sanctions for the most serious breaches, including for misleading the public in a way which is seriously improper."

January had the biggest budget surplus since records began in 1993, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It meant the government received more money than it spent last month, leaving £30.4bn left over. Money blog: Every Michelin-starred restaurant with a less than £50 meal It's £15.9bn more than the surplus in January 2025, although the figures are not adjusted for inflation. The surplus is even higher than anticipated by independent forecasters the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) - about £6.3bn bigger. Why? While there was little change in government spending, the highest-ever recorded surplus resulted from revenue being "strongly up" and lower interest rates, the ONS said. Self-assessed tax revenues were nearly £6bn more than planned for and capital gains tax receipts surged. Lower interest rates have meant borrowing money cost less. The cost of borrowing was £1.5bn in the month, £5bn lower than the time last year. A relief for Reeves It's been described as a "welcome relief" and "good news" for Chancellor Rachel Reeves by analysts from Big Four accounting firm PWC and economic research firm Pantheon Macroeconomics. "This decline eases immediate pressure on the public finances", PWC's economist Nabil Taleb said. Paying more on debt can mean public finances are more exposed to economic shocks. But the path ahead is not without hazards for Ms Reeves. The room she has to spend money before breaking her self-imposed fiscal rules - to bring down government debt and balance the budget by 2030 - has narrowed since the November budget. Lower gross domestic product readings, a key economic measure, may already have eroded the sums Ms Reeves has to spend before breaking her fiscal rules. Anaemic economic growth and a rising unemployment rate could mean tax takes stall. And the January tax revenue figures could be a one-off. The month is key for the exchequer because of the influx of self-assessed income tax receipts. Further evidence economy 'picked up smartly' Good news for the economy also came in the form of retail sales, which recorded a far better than expected January. The total volume of retail sales, which measures the quantity bought, increased by 1.8% last month, the ONS said. It was the largest increase since May 2024. There continued to be "strong" sales at online jewellers as they reported "demand had hit unprecedented levels", the ONS added. Also selling well were works of art, furniture and technology, This data gave "further evidence that economic growth picked up smartly in the New Year as budget uncertainty fades", Pantheon's chief UK economist Rob Wood said. Retail sales figures matter as they measure household consumption, the largest expenditure in the UK economy.

It follows the former prince being taken into custody by Thames Valley Police on Thursday - his birthday - over allegations of misconduct in a public office. He has previously denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Speaking on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Harriet Harman said: "I think it also makes it even more important that Prince Andrew agrees to go to give evidence to Congress on the investigations that they're doing there." Andrew latest - follow live The US Congress has been publishing documents relating to deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein over recent months, the so-called Epstein files. In November, Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee wrote to the former prince, asking him to travel to Washington DC to testify before them about his relationship with the disgraced financier. This followed Mountbatten-Windsor being stripped of his royal titles. You can listen to the full episode of Electoral Dysfunction tomorrow morning - follow here to listen wherever you get your podcasts. Speaking following his arrest, Baroness Harman told Sky News: "Well, I think it was inevitable once there was started to be investigation on Peter Mandelson for leaking information, which was supposedly confidential government economic and commercial information, that if those emails appeared to show Prince Andrew when he was trade envoy doing the exact same thing, that he would have to be investigated and arrested as well." Lord Mandelson remains under police investigation over allegations he leaked government information while serving as business secretary - under then-PM Gordon Brown - something he denies. Politics latest - follow live Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed by the government as a trade envoy in 2001. He held the role - which gave him had access to senior ministers and business contacts - for a decade, in which time he travelled the world promoting the UK. Baroness Harman continued: "I think that this is an absolutely unprecedented moment of huge implications because I think what's happened is that Epstein emails have broken open the secrecy about how very rich, powerful, and sometimes royal men behave. "Remember that Andrew has been arrested by police who are part of His Majesty's constabulary. These are the King's police. If it were to go to court, it is His Majesty's court. But as the prime minister said, nobody should be above the law." She said the arrest would have "huge implications" for the Royal Family. Her podcast co-host, former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, agreed, saying images of police cars arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to arrest Mountbatten-Windsor are the "sort of pictures you never thought you would see". She added: "The human side of me is thinking, thank God the late queen didn't live to see this, because it would have broken her heart. "But then the kind of, the rational side of my brain kicks in. People who may have committed crimes - that we're finding out about through the Epstein trials being opened - should face that in the same way." Ms Davidson added: "Even the investigations happening now, none of them are touching at the fundamental question of why were young women and girls trafficked around the world to be abused by rich and powerful men and why are no rich and powerful men being questioned about that element of any of this."