Legal

The prime minister has promised a crackdown on criminal gangs making money from dumping waste Hello and welcome to the UK politics live blog.The days of criminal gangs making easy money from dumping waste are “over”, the prime minister will say on a visit to a waste site in Yorkshire later today.These toxic dumps have blighted communities for too long. I said we would clean them up – and that’s exactly what we’re announcing today.These mountains of rubbish have been a clear sign to communities that politics hasn’t been working for them or their area.This government is going to tackle the issues that have been ignored by Westminster for too long and bring back hope.Andy Burnham has said government money alone may not be enough to get rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas, as he issued a “rallying call” for councils, charities and communities to help solve the problem. Speaking on a visit to the north-east of England, he said he felt “very passionately” about tackling homelessness and wanted the wider society to play a part in wiping it out.Burnham is “too chicken” to approve the controversial Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gasfields, the Tories have claimed. Production had been approved by the previous Conservative government, but those decisions were quashed after a legal challenge by Greenpeace, leaving Labour ministers to decide whether drilling should go ahead.Labour could lose dozens of seats to the Green party if the government allows new drilling in the North Sea, according to internal research shared with the Guardian. Green party analysis suggests up to 50 Labour MPs – including key Andy Burnham ally Louise Haigh – could lose their seats at the next election if the government fails to make urgent climate action a priority or allows new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.The Tories believe they can cut energy bills by £540 a year for the next two decades by prioritising cheap energy over net zero. Speaking in London, the shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said, when she was a minister, civil servants had been unable to prove to her that wind and solar energy was cheaper than fossil fuels.Burnham has warned of the dangers of open-water swimming as he called the deaths of a mother, father and their teenage daughter who got into difficulty in water off Sussex “a terrible family tragedy”. The prime minister expressed his sympathies as a young girl from the same family remained in a critical condition in hospital. Continue reading...

Andy Burnham promises drive to tackle toxic waste, raise fines and use AI-powered drones to detect illegal activityIllegal dumps in West Yorkshire, Surrey and Kent will be cleared up using taxpayer money, Andy Burnham has announced, as the prime minister promises a new drive to tackle toxic waste.Ministers have identified dumps in Bradford, Runnymede and the Isle of Sheppey, which collectively contain about 22,000 tonnes of illegal waste, to be cleared in the next phase of the government’s national clear-up effort. Continue reading...

• Median Strategies admitted to releasing a fake Los Angeles mayoral poll, claiming the stunt was a "social experiment" to see how misinformation spreads through political ecosystems. • Legal analysts state that the firm's actual motive will be the decisive factor in determining if the phony poll violated any election laws. • Mayor Karen Bass's campaign spokesperson condemned the act, calling it a "bad faith attempt to influence elections" that should be prosecuted.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres marked World Humanitarian Day 2026 by warning that attacks on aid workers are illegal and demanding immediate global action. • The campaign emphasizes the need for accountability for those targeting humanitarian staff and urges the world to respect existing protections. • This call for action comes as rapidly evolving military technology and shifting warfare dynamics make it harder for aid organizations to identify threats and maintain safe routes.

Staff members said Free Speech Union would “need to explain” how it spent money donated by its supportersStaff at a campaign group that claims to defend free speech in Britain said it would “need to explain” how it spent roughly £60,000 that was crowdfunded for a legal case that was ultimately fought by a pro bono lawyer.The Free Speech Union (FSU), an activist group founded by Conservative life peer Toby Young, last year took up the case of Julian Foulkes, a 71-year-old retired police officer who had been arrested 18 months earlier after writing a social media post about antisemitism Continue reading...

• Eli Lilly and Company is urging online platforms, payment processors, and regulators to dismantle the illegal black market for retatrutide. • Retatrutide is currently an investigational molecule in Phase 3 clinical trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes and has not been approved for human use by any global regulatory agency. • The company warns that "research-use only" products are of unknown quality and potentially harmful, noting that the FDA has declared the sale and compounding of the drug illegal.

• Trump-endorsed Michigan gubernatorial candidate John James has accused opponent Jocelyn Benson of allowing hundreds of illegal aliens onto jury rolls. • James further alleged that more than a dozen non-citizens were discovered to have cast votes in Michigan elections. • These accusations highlight ongoing tensions regarding election integrity and voter eligibility in the lead-up to the gubernatorial race.

Exclusive: More than 100 homes on King Charles and Prince William’s inherited estates have EPC ratings of F or G• ‘It’s archaic’: the struggle to heat poorly insulated homes let by royal estatesMore than 100 homes on the inherited royal estates of King Charles and Prince William fail to meet the legal minimum energy standards for landlords, the Guardian can reveal.An analysis of a large sample of domestic lets on the duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall and the Sandringham estate found that one in five have Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of F or G. Continue reading...

Lawyer says restriction comes at ‘significant moment’ in appeal process for White House Farm murder convictionThe legal team of Jeremy Bamber, who has served 41 years in prison for murdering five members of his family, has challenged Wakefield prison’s decision to ban him from talking about his case to the media and long-term supporters.His lawyers have issued a claim for judicial review against the secretary of state for justice and the governor of the category A high-security prison, arguing that it is violating his right to free speech and obstructing his access to justice. Continue reading...

Brittany Boltinhouse’s attorney says removal of title and crown ‘another troubling example of cancel culture’A lawyer for beauty queen Brittany Boltinhouse, dethroned as Miss North Carolina USA last week, is threatening legal action, claiming the actions of pageant organizers were “wrongful and unjustified”.The attorney, Patrick Mincey, described the removal of her title and crown “another troubling example of cancel culture”. Continue reading...

Reform deputy leader condemned for seeking disclosure of documents that could reveal reporter’s sourcesRichard Tice has been accused of using “nasty tactics” in an attempt to intimidate journalists and deflect attention from his own financial affairs after issuing a legal threat to the Guardian.In a letter sent from his lawyers, a Guardian correspondent was singled out for her reporting on a series of Tice’s financial transactions that were referred to the National Crime Agency. Continue reading...

• Lam Research Corp (LRCX) has disclosed a new operational risk stemming from its increasing reliance on AI tools across R&D, manufacturing, and service sectors. • The company warns that unsettled intellectual property laws in the U.S. and internationally may prevent it from securing or defending rights to AI-generated technologies. • This legal uncertainty creates a vulnerability where competitors could potentially appropriate AI-driven innovations, threatening the firm's reputation and financial stability.

More than double number of arrests made since 2024 compared with previous two-year periodPrimary schools in England should be required to identify children at risk of leaving education at 16 without finding a job, a government review is to recommend.Alan Milburn, who is leading a review into Britain’s crisis in youth worklessness, said he would call for sweeping changes in education policy alongside a shake-up of the benefits system to address the problem. Continue reading...

Reform say employers would be held responsible even if they were unaware of the worker’s immigration statusHello and welcome to the UK politics live blog.Reform UK says it will fine firms 10% of their global revenues and imprison bosses who employ illegal migrant workers under the party’s latest plans to bring down immigration.Under a Reform government, Britain will have the harshest penalties in the world for employing illegal migrants.Bosses of companies employing illegal migrants will be sent to prison, and their companies fined 10% of their global revenues.Illegal working undermines honest business, exploits vulnerable individuals and fuels organised immigration crime.We are already closing the loopholes that allow illegal migrants to work in the UK by extending right to work checks to the gig economy and delivery sector.Jewish leaders have turned down a meeting with a former antisemitic internet troll as Kemi Badenoch defended his selection as a Conservative council candidate. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) have declined an offer from the Conservatives to meet Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who has been selected to fight the Crewkerne South ward in Somerset next May.But they said they would meet with the Conservatives to “discuss their decision-making process” and urge them to drop Mr Bonehill-Paine as a candidate. Bonehill-Paine was jailed in 2016 after he was convicted of racially aggravated harassment of Labour peer Baroness Luciana Berger, who is Jewish.Ministers continued to defend the release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers as part of the government’s early prisoner release scheme, despite a potential legal challenge from the Police Federation. Justice minister Jake Richards acknowledged the “unimaginable pain” of the deceased officer’s family but said “difficult decisions” must be made because law and order could “collapse” without a functioning prison system.The government is not “actively” considering an inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein’s UK activities, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson has confirmed. They said that while the department was “reviewing what is possible” and would “look at all options to support victims”, a public inquiry was “not being actively considered”. Continue reading...

• A new study indicates that a significant majority of Americans possess a "legal blind spot," failing to understand the judicial philosophies they claim to support. • The research highlights a disconnect between the political labels citizens adopt and their actual comprehension of the underlying legal theories. • This gap is critical as it suggests that public distrust of the Supreme Court and views on political movements may be based on misconceptions rather than informed legal perspectives.

Thames Valley chief says he may join Police Federation in court if Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers are freed from prisonThe chief constable of Thames Valley police has said he will consider joining legal action against the government if it fails to block the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.The Police Federation is contemplating going to court in its attempts to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in prison. Continue reading...

Data shows victims of torture and trafficking among those prosecuted for crossing Channel by irregular meansMore than 1,100 people, including survivors of torture and trafficking, have been convicted of illegally arriving in the UK since 2022, according to freedom of information data.The Home Office introduced the offence of illegal arrival in 2022 in a bid to deter those planning to come to the UK by small boat or by other irregular means such as lorries. Continue reading...

Jake Richard acknowledges ‘unimaginable pain’ of Harper’s family but says government faces an ‘unenviable position’Good morning and welcome to the UK politics blog.Ministers continue to defend the release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers as part of the government’s early prisoner release scheme, despite a potential legal challenge from the Police Federation.Well, look, we understand that people are angry. The Harper family are, of course, angry. The police are angry too.We’re angry that we’re in this situation where we face the unenviable position of having to make sure that we have a sustainable prison system, which is so vital to a functioning law and order system in our country, but also that we do right by victims as far as possible.Because without a functioning prison system, it means it’s difficult for police to make arrests, it’s difficult for our courts to try cases, and it could mean to the collapse of law and order in this country.We cannot be in that situation, so that is the challenge that we face as government ministers and the prime minister faces ultimately.I feel sick to my stomach, if I’m really honest with you. I’ve had a gut wrenching feeling in my stomach the past couple of weeks with this, and it doesn’t go away.And arguably, I would say that many of my members across Thames Valley also have this gut wrenching feeling, even at the prospect of these two killers being released in the space of weeks, potentially.Ministers will scrap the requirement for companies to prove their green and progressive values before they are awarded government contracts, and instead ask firms to prove they will help young people back into work.Women should not feel pressurised into experiencing an “ideal birth”, the new health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said, promising a root-and-branch reform of standards after several damning maternity scandals.An official investigation has been launched into charities in England and Wales donating funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.Andy Burnham has inherited a Labour membership that is sceptical about increased welfare spending, supportive of higher defence spending, and ranks the climate crisis as one of the country’s biggest challenges, according to new polling.BP’s chief executive has urged Andy Burnham to make use of the UK’s oil and gas resources even as the oil company prepares to sell its North Sea business after 60 years in the ageing basin.The Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has defended the selection of a former neo-Nazi activist as a candidate for a local election in Somerset despite him being jailed in 2016 after he was convicted of racially aggravated harassment of the former Labour MP Luciana Berger.Pupils in Scotland’s schools received their exam results this morning, with exam pass rates at all levels having risen this year, including a record number of National 5 passes. Continue reading...

Official action by regulator for England and Wales comes after formal complaint made by Labour MP about the fundsAn official investigation has been launched into charities in England and Wales donating funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.The Charity Commission will aim to establish the amount of charitable funds going to illegal settlements, whether the spending was in furtherance of their purposes and any regulatory action that may be necessary. Continue reading...

£2.2bn project will allow about 100,000 more flights a year to use Britain’s second busiest airportBusiness live – latest updatesGatwick airport is to start development of its second runway after campaigners lost a legal challenge to the plans.The court of appeal on Tuesday dismissed a bid by local campaign groups to challenge an earlier high court ruling that the scheme could proceed. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Environment Agency is considering whether to prosecute Huntsman Polyurethanes over emissions of carcinogenic benzeneA plastic manufacturer in the north of England is facing potential legal action over emissions of benzene, a carcinogenic chemical with no safe level, the Guardian can reveal.The Environment Agency (EA) is considering taking legal action against Huntsman Polyurethanes in Teesside for a potential breach of licence, which is a criminal offence. Continue reading...

The Home Office has made a fresh request for ‘back door’ access to encrypted iCloud data belonging to British usersApple has launched a new legal challenge against a UK government demand to access its customers’ highly encrypted data, a year after the Home Office agreed to abandon its previous request.The US tech company launched the legal complaint last month at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), an independent court that has the power to investigate claims that the UK intelligence services have acted unlawfully. Continue reading...

• Thousands of migrants recently attempted to enter Europe by swimming and using makeshift flotation devices to cross the short distance into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. • The crisis has produced harrowing images of people braving rough seas, highlighting the desperation of those attempting to migrate from Morocco into the European Union. • This surge in illegal migration underscores the volatility of the global migration crisis and the geopolitical tensions surrounding border control in North Africa.

• Spain has condemned Italy and France after the two nations implemented stricter border controls and targeted checks on arrivals from Spanish territory. • The diplomatic tension follows a massive migrant crisis in Ceuta, where between 50,000 and 60,000 people attempted to enter Spain from Morocco. • Spain has labeled these unilateral security measures as "selfish" and "unlawful," arguing that the actions undermine European solidarity.

Hancock Prospecting says chair Kim Williams among those ‘on notice’ for failing to remove program that joked about turning Rinehart’s insides into a sausage rollGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGina Rinehart has threatened the ABC with legal action over crude comments aired on the national broadcaster, including a joke about mixing her guts into a sausage roll.The four-minute film, titled A Very Relaxing Video, aired on the Race Around the World program on 12 July and concluded with the film-maker, Kate McGuinness, making crude and offensive comments about Rinehart. Continue reading...

Claimants’ insurance might not cover Associated Newspapers’ costs for defending phone-hacking case, high court hearsThe Duke of Sussex and his co-claimants could be millions of pounds out of pocket after losing their privacy case against the publishers of the Daily Mail, as their insurance may not cover costs incurred by Associated Newspapers defending the case, the high court in London heard.The seven claimants, who include Prince Harry, Doreen Lawrence and Elton John, sued ANL over allegations of unlawful information gathering, with their claims dismissed in their entirely by Mr Justice Nicklin on 7 July. Continue reading...

Australian government insists legal costs should be paid by former senator as FoI fight escalatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe government will insist Rex Patrick pays up to $150,000 to cover its legal costs if he loses a fight to access documents about the Aukus agreement, escalating a battle in which several crossbench MPs have swung behind the former senator.The transparency campaigner has used freedom of information laws to seek details on where nuclear waste from the submarine fleet will be stored, and won an administrative appeal on the matter in May. Continue reading...

• The 2024 U.S. presidential election has seen a significant shift in focus, moving from traditional policy debates to legal battles and courtroom proceedings. • Central to this volatility are complex judicial questions regarding presidential immunity, executive accountability, and the timing of criminal trials during an active campaign. • This trend of "lawfare" is testing the resilience of U.S. institutions by placing the judiciary at the center of the political narrative.