Summary

  • Theresa May announces judge-led public inquiry into Grenfell Tower tragedy

  • MPs now quizzing minister about response to the tragedy

  • Queen's Speech to take place on Wednesday 21 June

  • Tim Farron is to step down as Lib Dem leader

  • MPs being sworn in to the House of Commons

  • Deal between Tories and DUP delayed because of the tragedy

  1. May's cabinet: Who's in and who's out?published at 17:07 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Theresa May reshuffles her cabinet after the departures of Priti Patel and Sir Michael Fallon.

    Read More
  2. What are the UK's Brexit trade options?published at 15:16 British Summer Time 14 August 2017

    What is the difference between a free trade area, a single market and a customs union?

    Read More
  3. May and DUP deal: What you need to knowpublished at 13:34 British Summer Time 26 June 2017

    Theresa May has done a deal with the DUP which means she stays as UK prime minister. Here's a guide to what's going on.

    Read More
  4. Corbyn: Seize empty flats for Grenfellpublished at 09:33 British Summer Time 16 June 2017

    Empty properties owned by the rich should be used for the homeless of Grenfell Tower, Labour's leader says.

    Read More
  5. May: 'Time running short' for Northern Ireland agreementpublished at 19:35 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    The prime minister has released a statement after meeting Northern Ireland's main parties saying agreement can be reached to restore a power-sharing executive at Stormont "if there is good will on all sides".

    "But time is running short and the parties must come together by the 29 June for the return of a strong voice at Stormont and for a brighter future for everyone in Northern Ireland."

    She said Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire would keep talking to the parties "and if no resolution is reached then we will need to consider what steps we need to take, to ensure Northern Ireland has the political stability it needs".

    Devolved government in Northern Ireland broke down in January.

  6. Harriet Harman: PM should have met Grenfell residentspublished at 19:03 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    Former Labour deputy leader tweets ...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  7. Laura Kuenssberg: Political challenge of Grenfell tragedypublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the Grenfell Tower disaster was an emergency of such gravity that it had already become a significant issue for the government, at a very volatile time.

    The priority was to focus on getting help to where it was needed - with the announcement that a scheme to provide extra cash for the council - before getting on with a full public inquiry, which would get going "pretty soon".

    But the handling of such an awful situation was very risky for politicians and uncomfortable truths could emerge from the public inquiry.

    "Potentially, some people expect, it may well show that not just this government but previous governments have simply not done enough to make sure this kind of housing is safe," she said.

  8. Thursday evening recappublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    The Grenfell Tower block disaster has again been dominating the news agenda. Here's a round-up of the latest developments on this and other political stories today:

  9. Lib Dems express concern over Brexit negotiationspublished at 17:33 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    The Lib Dems have warned the Conservatives they "cannot go from weak and wobbly to business as usual" after the government announced formal Brexit negotiations will begin on Monday.

    Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael said:

    Quote Message

    If the government cannot even secure a deal with the DUP, how on earth can they get a deal with the EU? Theresa May must immediately create a cross-party joint cabinet committee to negotiate Brexit. It is the only way to unite the country and strengthen our bargaining power with the EU.”

  10. London mayor is heckled during Grenfell Tower visitpublished at 17:32 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    BBC political editor tweets...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  11. 'Sinn Fein won't back Tory-DUP deal that undermines peace agreement'published at 17:08 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    Sinn Fein politicians line up at Downing Street

    Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams says his party will oppose any pact between the UK government and the DUP "that undermines the Good Friday Agreement".

    He said all parties in Northern Ireland "need to be consulted on all of this".

    "A little side bargain to keep Theresa May in power - a temporary little arrangement - won't have any integrity and certainly isn't as important as the needs of the people who live in Ireland and particularly in the north of Ireland," he said.

  12. Coveney appointed Irish foreign ministerpublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    Simon Coveney is the new Irish minister for foreign affairs, with special responsibility for Brexit.

    Read More
  13. DUP: No deadline for Conservative deal discussionspublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    Mark Devenport
    BBC News NI Political Editor

    The DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds says the setting of a date for the Queen's Speech is separate and not relevant to his party's discussions over a deal with the Conservatives.

    Questioned about whether a deal would be announced before the Queen's speech next Wednesday, Mr Dodds said there's no deadline for the discussions.

    Mr Dodds reiterated that the DUP wants to strengthen the UK, deliver Brexit in a proper and sensible manner for Northern Ireland and spread prosperity around the UK.

    Asked if the Treasury was "nitpicking" over the financial details, Mr Dodds said he'd seen the reports in the newspapers but wouldn't comment on speculation.

  14. Brexit: Formal talks to start on Mondaypublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    More on the Brexit talks. Formal negotiations will begin on Monday, the UK and EU say.

    The announcement by Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU negotiator Michel Barnier follows preliminary talks in Brussels between officials.

    The formal negotiations were already due to start on Monday but doubt was cast by the general election result and ongoing talks between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionists.

    The UK is due to leave by the end of March 2019.

  15. Harriet Harman: Public inquiry must not mean delaypublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    Labour MP Harriet Harman has been speaking to the BBC after the Westminster Hall session earlier.

    The former party deputy leader is an MP in the London borough of Southwark, where the 2009 Lakanal House fire killed six people.

    She said tower blocks needed to be fitted with sprinklers and questions needed to be asked about whether refurbishing blocks could compromise fire safety - and whether the official "stay put" advice for people in burning buildings should be changed.

    Of the public inquiry, she said:

    Quote Message

    There doesn't have to be a delay. It's wrong if there is a delay because people are living in thousands of tower blocks all around the country and they need to know the lessons are going to be learned quickly."

    She also said it was up to opposition parties to make sure the government "doesn't slip off the hook" in terms of providing resources to make sure buildings are safe.

  16. Government confirms Brexit negotiations start on Mondaypublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    BBC political editor tweets...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  17. Health Secretary 'listening on nurses' pay'published at 16:28 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    BBC political editor tweets...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  18. Rudd: We must ensure a tragedy like Grenfell never happens againpublished at 16:22 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    Evening Standard

    Amber RuddImage source, Reuters

    Home Secretary Amber Rudd has urged people "not to rush to judgement" over the Grenfell Tower disaster.

    Hailing the UK for having "some of the most rigorous fire safety regulations in the world", she stressed: "We need to establish how such a tragedy could have occurred in a major capital in the early 21st century."

    Writing in the Evening Standard, external, she said: "Of course we need to know more about how this tragedy could have happened and there will be a full investigation.

    "But at this early stage, with firefighters still picking their way through the debris, I would urge everyone not to rush to judgement. If there are lessons to be learned we will learn them."

    She praised the bravery of the emergency services and conceded "these are challenging times" for Londoners, with "heartbreaking images of suffering" filling TV screens.

    "My heart goes out to every person affected by this tragedy..." she said.

    "We have to dig deep inside ourselves in order to keep going. But even in its darkest days, the spirit of London prevails."

    Expressing her "deepest condolences" to those suffering "unimaginable grief", she writes that "history has shown us how strong London is".

    "The shadow of this tragedy will stay with us forever — we will stay strong for everyone affected and not be afraid to ask vital questions to ensure this can never happen again."

    Read more, external

  19. Commons officials publish high-rise safety guidepublished at 16:03 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    The House of Commons library has just published a briefing note on fire safety in high-rise acommodation.

    It explains the role of building regulations and the government's response to calls for these to be reviewed after another fatal fire, in south-east London in 2009.

    Read it here, external

  20. Lammy: Vacant homes should be used to rehouse Grenfell victimspublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 15 June 2017

    Former Labour minister tweets...

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post