Latest United Kingdom government News
Mauritius wants to rethink a deal with the UK over remote islands housing a key US base
LONDON (AP) — The British government said Wednesday it still plans to hand over a contested Indian Ocean archipelago, which is home to a strategically important military base, to Mauritius, after that country’s new leader backed away from the contentious deal. The U.K. and...
World's oldest Sunday newspaper, the UK's Observer, sold in face of journalistic opposition
LONDON (AP) — The owner of Britain’s Guardian newspaper confirmed Wednesday that it has sold The Observer, the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper, to Tortoise Media for an undisclosed fee. The Scott Trust, which owns the Guardian Media Group, said in a statement that Tortoise...
Lawyer accused of being Chinese spy loses legal case against UK intelligence agency
LONDON (AP) — A lawyer accused of trying to interfere in British politics on behalf of the Chinese government has lost a legal challenge against the U.K.'s domestic intelligence agency MI5. Britain's Security Service issued a security alert to all lawmakers in January 2022 warning...
Who is the alleged Chinese spy with close ties to Britain's Prince Andrew?
LONDON (AP) — An alleged Chinese spy who cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew said Monday he has done “nothing wrong or unlawful” as Britain's government faced questions about what it is doing to thwart security threats from China. British authorities allege businessman...
UK government approves $4.6-billion takeover of Royal Mail by a Czech billionaire
LONDON (AP) — Britain's government gave the go-ahead Monday for the sale of Royal Mail's parent company to a Czech billionaire, paving the way for the postal service to pass into foreign ownership for the first time in its 500-year history. Authorities confirmed Monday that the 3.6...
A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew is barred from UK
LONDON (AP) — A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he poses a threat to national security. A British immigration tribunal upheld the decision on Thursday in a ruling that revealed the Chinese national had...
UK leader Starmer invited to EU meeting in latest sign of post-Brexit thaw
LONDON (AP) — Keir Starmer will attend a meeting of European Union leaders early next year, becoming the first U.K. prime minister to do so since the country’s departure from the bloc in 2020. Starmer was invited to the “informal” Feb. 3 meeting in Brussels by European...
UK gay veterans win compensation as government calls their treatment a 'moral stain' on nation
LONDON (AP) — British military veterans who were discharged or suffered other forms of discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity will receive up to 70,000 pounds ($89,300) under a government compensation program announced Thursday. Prior to 2000, service...
Britain indefinitely bans puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria
LONDON (AP) — The British government on Wednesday indefinitely banned puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria after independent experts found there was an unacceptable safety risk in prescribing the medication. The decision, which will be revisited in 2027, effectively...
Britain will provide intel to Cyprus to help fight Russia's sanctions evasion
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Britain will provide intelligence to a newly formed unit in Cyprus tasked with preventing Russia evade international sanctions, according to an agreement Tuesday following talks between visiting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Cypriot counterpart. ...
