Sky News Daily

The prime minister has resisted calls to hand back £10m donated to the Conservative Party by businessman Frank Hester. 

Speaking in the Commons, Rishi Sunak condemned Mr Hester's reported remarks about MP Diane Abbott as "racist" and "wrong" but insisted he had shown "remorse". 

Labour is calling on the Conservatives to give the money back.   

Today on the Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Labour MP Dawn Butler and Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates about the matter. 

Plus, Sky correspondent Amelia Harper takes us through her report uncovering a WhatsApp network of children who are filming themselves killing and torturing animals. 

Warning: this episode contains references to animal cruelty
 
Producer: Soila Apparacio and Sydney Pead
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker 
Editor: Philly Beaumont 
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After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the imposition of sanctions on the country meant direct exports of British-made luxury vehicles fell to zero.

However, Sky News analysis shows that hundreds of millions of pounds worth of luxury cars are being sold to Russia through neighbouring countries.   

Notably, Azerbaijan on Russia's southern border, where Britain recorded an unprecedented increase in car exports. In turn, Azerbaijan reported an unprecedented increase in car exports to Russia.
 
Niall Paterson is joined by our economics and data editor Ed Conway on the Sky News Daily, to explain why luxury vehicles are still finding their way into Russia, and what can be done about it. 

Producer: Alex Edden 
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker 
Editor: Philly BeaumontÂ

The Princess of Wales has apologised "for any confusion" after she admitted "editing" a Mother's Day image of her and her children.  
  
Major international picture agencies told media outlets to "kill" the photo from their systems 12 hours after the picture was released by Kensington Palace on Sunday. AP told Sky News the photo broke their manipulation rules as it shows an "inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand".  
  
Kill notices are uncommon and usually due to issues with copyright or journalistic process – and this has never happened to a royal picture.  
  
On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Sarah-Jane Mee speaks to Adam Parker from our data and forensics unit, who reveals what the team have learned after analysing the photo’s metadata.  
  
Plus, PR expert Mark Borkowski on whether this has fanned rather than extinguished online rumours, and our Royal Correspondent Rhiannon Mills on where this leaves the royal family. 
 
Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce 
Podcast producer: Sydney Pead 
Promotion producer: David Chipakupaku 
Editor: Wendy ParkerÂ

The biggest night in Hollywood promised glitz and glamour, but there were no surprises when it came to the big Academy Award winners.

Oppenheimer took home seven awards, including best picture, best actor and best director for Britain’s Christopher Nolan, with Emma Stone winning best actress for her role in Poor Things.   

Sky News Arts and Entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer and Arts and Entertainment editor Claire Gregory were on the Vanity Fair red carpet for some celeb-spotting, with all details from this year’s Oscars. 

Podcast producer: Sydney Pead 
Promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John   
Editor: Paul StanworthÂ

Freddie Scappaticci was Britain's most highly prized IRA informant.   

His codename was 'Stakeknife' and the unit he led - ironically in charge of hunting informants like him - was called the 'nutting squad' as it shot people in the head after abducting and torturing them. 

Scappaticci never faced trial and lived under witness protection in England until his death last year, aged 77. 

Now, a seven-year investigation has concluded his actions probably resulted in "more lives being lost than saved", with the UK government being urged to acknowledge that many murders were avoidable and to apologise to bereaved families. 

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson examines what we know about the British mole and gets reaction to the Operation Kenova report with our senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins.

Podcast producer: Sydney Pead  
Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles  
Promotion producer: Jonathan Day 
Senior producer: Annie Joyce 
Editor: Wendy ParkerÂ

After cutting national insurance for the second time in yesterday's Budget, the prime minister has said it's his "long-term ambition" to eventually scrap the tax.

As only those in work pay it, it's seen by many – including the Chancellor - as an unfair double tax on those in the workforce. But, completely abolishing it would cost the government £46bn.

Labour have criticised the plans, saying the move would cost more than the cuts unveiled in Liz Truss' chaotic mini-budget and the director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies called it unrealistic.

On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Greg Thwaites from the Resolution Foundation and Linda Yueh, broadcaster and economist, to explore how realistic scrapping NI would be and why it's so tricky to simplify the tax system.

And, political editor Beth Rigby pops in to discuss how this idea is playing out politically.

Producer: Sydney Pead
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker
Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles
Promotion Producer: David Chipakupaku
Editor: Wendy Parker

It was a budget of few surprises. As promised, the chancellor cut the rate of National Insurance tax by 2p in every pound but admits the overall tax burden is still higher than it has been in the last 70 years. The cuts have been labelled "Tory con" by Labour, which leaves people paying "more for less".

On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by data and economics editor Ed Conway to break down the changes in tax and childcare, and if the chancellor's plan will help the economy.

Plus, hear from political editor Beth Rigby about whether the budget can save the Tories from election defeat.

Jeremy Hunt has delivered his last spring budget before a general election, hoping to revive the UK economy and his party's hopes of re-election.

Producers: Soila Apparicio and Sydney Pead
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker
Promotion producer: David Chipakupaku
Editor: Paul Stanworth

For most of us, our council tax bills are going up - with nearly every local authority in the country increasing it by the maximum amount.

Nottingham City Council is the latest to declare itself bankrupt and has already approved huge cuts. Today, councillors in Birmingham consider whether to do the same.

On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined from Birmingham by Midlands correspondent Becky Cotterill and local campaigner Shuranjeet Singh to look at what's gone wrong in the city and how it's affecting residents.

Plus, Jessica Studdert from the thinktank New Local discusses why so many councils are struggling with their finances.

Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker
Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles
Promotion Producer: David Chipakupaku
Editor: Wendy Parker

As the country gears up for the general election, Wednesday's budget may be the last before the voters go to the polls. Hailed as "a budget to save the Tory party", speculation has been mounting that the chancellor will cut taxes as a last-ditch attempt to boost the Conservatives' plunging support.

To afford the move, funding to public services could be slashed - but Jeremy Hunt has insisted any cuts will be done "responsibly".

On today's episode, Sophy Ridge looks ahead to the budget. She's joined by deputy political editor Sam Coates and pollster Scarlett Maguire to unpack whether cutting taxes really is the way to a Conservative election win.

Producer: Soila Apparicio
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker
Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles
Promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Today, something different – we're bringing you the first episode of an exciting new podcast from Sky called Electoral Dysfunction.

Beth Rigby. Jess Philips. Ruth Davidson.

With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.

Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election. 

With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you.

Here's the first epsiode. For more, follow Electoral Dysfunction now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Warning: some explicit language.

In a national address, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons if NATO countries were to join a ground offensive in Ukraine.

The suggestion of NATO forces was made by France's President Emmanuel Macron but quickly dismissed by the US, Britain, and Germany.

However, it comes amid calls to show more strength against the Kremlin from Baltic leaders, as Russian troops ramp up military operations along land and sea borders in the region.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are now bolstering their civilian armies and have urged other NATO countries, including the UK, to do the same.

Today on the Daily, Anna Jones speaks to Sky's international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to unpack what Mr Putin said in his latest speech.

She also speaks to security and defence editor Deborah Haynes about how Russia's neighbours are readying themselves for battle.

Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce
Podcast Producer: Sydney Pead
Assistant producer: Evan Dale
Podcast promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Ecuador has become the deadliest country in South America with drug gangs and their Mexican cartel bosses murdering people, detonating car bombs and terrorising communities.

The violence exploded earlier this year with gangs promising insurrection after the president of Ecuador put in place a nationwide crackdown following the escape of a drug lord from prison, and armed attack on a TV station.

On this edition of Sky News Daily, Tom Cheshire speaks to our chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, who has had rare access to a prison in the coastal city of Esmeraldas, as the government tries to get a handle on the violence that's taken over Ecuador.

Producer: Sydney Pead
Assistant producers: Iona Brunker, Evan Dale
Promotion Producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John
Editor: Philly Beaumont

It's been years since the extent of the Post Office Horizon scandal became clear - but hundreds of sub-postmasters, who were falsely convicted of fraud or financially crippled in the process, are still waiting for financial redress.

Today, key players in the scandal - including former sub-postmaster Alan Bates and recently ousted chairman Henry Staunton - gave evidence to MPs about the government's compensation scheme - and why it's taken so long to pay it.

But proceedings were somewhat overshadowed by an unexpected revelation by Mr Staunton. When asked about the investigation into his behaviour while at the Post Office, he claimed the main investigation was actually into current CEO Nick Read.

On the Sky News Daily, Sophy Ridge is joined by business correspondent Paul Kelso to discuss the drama unfolding at the Post Office, and Labour MP Ian Lavery who's on the committee looking into the major miscarriage of justice.

Producers: Alex Edden, Sydney Pead
Assistant producers: Iona Brunker, Evan Dale
Promotion Producer: David Chipakupaku
Senior producer: Annie Joyce
Editor: Wendy Parker

The former Tory deputy chair, Lee Anderson, has refused to apologise for comments that saw him suspended from the party.

He said he believed "Islamists" had "got control" of London's mayor Sadiq Khan - a remark Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called "unacceptable".

But Mr Anderson isn't the only politician stoking racial divides, with Azhar Ali standing in this week's Rochdale by-election despite making antisemitic remarks that cost him Labour's backing.

The tensions have left many MPs fearing for their personal safety as security has had to be ramped up for several of them.

On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Jonathan Samuels speaks to deputy political editor Sam Coates about the toxicity in politics.

Plus, Anna Firth, the Conservative MP for Southend West - where the late MP Sir David Amess was killed by an Islamic State sympathiser - describes what it's like to be a member of parliament in the current political climate.

Producer: Alex Edden
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker
Editor: Wendy Parker
Promotion producer: David Chipakupaku

Two years on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the war is largely at a stalemate but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's troops face acute shortages of ammunition.

Ukraine's cities still come under regular Russian bombardment, thousands of lives have been lost and many more displaced across Europe.

Around 300,000 Ukrainians have applied for visas to come to the UK alone. Many more are in Poland and Germany.

Tom Cheshire speaks to international correspondent John Sparks in Kharkiv about what life is like on the ground in Ukraine now and how Ukrainians are ready to continue the fight for their country.

And we hear from Anfisa Vlasova who fled Kharkiv after the invasion to come to the UK on what life has been like here and how she and her fellow Ukrainian refugees feel about returning to their homeland.

Senior producer: Annie Joyce
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker
Promotion producer: David Chipakupaku
Editor: Wendy Parker

The third largest party in the House of Commons, the SNP, says it doesn't have confidence in its Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle.

The Speaker himself says he took decisions about how MPs debated and voted on calls for a ceasefire in Gaza because he wanted as broad a discussion as possible.

He's apologised but said the safety of MPs on such a divisive issue was also on his mind.

With thousands dead in Gaza and war continuing, the optics of MPs rowing about Commons procedure - rather than debating important international issues - have not sat well with everyone.

Niall Paterson speaks to Dr Hannah White from the Institute for Government about why she thinks it's another example supporting the case for parliamentary reform.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood describes it as his "worst day in Parliament". He recently had dozens of anti-Israel protesters gather outside his home.

And chief political correspondent Jon Craig picks over how the chamber moves on from this - and whether Lindsay Hoyle will stay in his job.

Producers: Soila Apparicio, Alex Edden
Assistant producer: Evan Dale
Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles
Editor: Paul Stanworth

The former chair of the Post Office, Henry Staunton, who was dismissed last month, claims he was told by a top civil servant to "hobble into the election" and delay payouts to sub-postmasters, in a newly released memo.

But Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch told MPs there's "no evidence whatsoever that this is true", and called his allegations "a disgrace".

The row comes as only 5% of sub-postmaster claimants have received compensation for the Horizon IT scandal so far.

Late on Wednesday evening, the government published a letter from Sarah Munby, the former permanent secretary to Kemi Badenoch, responding to claims in The Times that government officials told Mr Staunton to stall on compensation payments to wronged postmasters. The letter stated: "It is not true that I made any instruction, either explicitly or implicitly, to Mr Staunton to in anyway delay compensation payments. I did not."

On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Labour MP and chair of the Business and Trade Committee, Liam Byrne, who says it's now his job at next Tuesday's committee to "flush out who is telling the truth".

Plus, our deputy political editor Sam Coates discusses the fallout from the row.

Podcast producer: Alex Edden
Assistant producer: Evan Dale
Promotions producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John
Editor: Philly Beaumont

One of the world's most prolific cyber crime gangs has been taken down by law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Europol and the UK's National Crime Agency.

Lockbit is an extortion website that held its victims' data for ransom - some of the biggest UK bodies affected were the Royal Mail and the NHS.

Five Russians have been charged by US authorities and dozens of crypto accounts frozen.

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by science and technology editor Tom Clarke and crime correspondent Martin Brunt to discuss what Lockbit is, Operation Cronos and what this means for other cyber gangs.

Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce
Promotions Producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John
Editor: Wendy Parker

Hundreds of Russians have been detained at memorials to opposition politician Alexei Navalny.

Navalny's mother and lawyers have been denied access to his body and authorities have not confirmed its exact whereabouts.

Host Adam Parsons is joined by Sky News' Moscow correspondent, Diana Magnay, who has followed Navalny's journey for much of the past decade.

She describes what’s happening in Russia, Navalny's legacy and the mood as people continue to pay their respects at makeshift memorials across the country.

Adam also hears from Ekaterina Schulmann, a Russian political scientist in exile who has been marked as a foreign agent by Putin's government.

Plus, Dr Maxim Alyukov, a political sociologist at King's College London, talks about the upcoming Russian election.

Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Alex Edden
Assistant Producer: Evan Dale
Interviews Producer: Melissa Tutesigensi
Promotions Producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Alexei Navalny, the most prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has died in jail. Barred in 2018 from running in elections, he remained Mr Putin's most powerful political opponent.

He survived a novichok poisoning, after being treated in Germany. But still he chose to return to Russia knowing he would be arrested. He was just 47 when he died while serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism in a prison near the Arctic circle.

Today on Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto speaks with our Moscow correspondent Diana Magnay about Mr Navalny's life and how his death will have an impact on his supporters in Russia.

We'll also unpack Labour's win in two by-elections overnight with our political correspondent Rob Powell who is in Wellingborough, and what the results could mean for the next general election.

Producers: Soila Apparicio, Sydney Pead
Assistant Producer: Evan Dale
Editor: Wendy Parker