Day Headlines in Politics News: 2026-02-04
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Ban on asylum seekers using taxis for medical appointments comes into force (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 22:03:08)
It comes after a BBC investigation which showed people travelling long distances at high cost. -
Mandelson offered to help Epstein get Russian visa, documents suggest (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 21:41:07)
Emails released by the US government suggest the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein planned to use the visa to meet young women in Moscow. -
'I never left your side': Emails reveal more about Mandelson's Epstein friendship (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 21:28:40)
Emails between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein appear to show their friendship was closer than suspected. -
MPs back plan to release Mandelson files after Labour anger forces climbdown (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 21:11:43)
The PM is forced to back down over a plan to withhold some documents about the ex-minister's appointment as US ambassador. -
Joining Reform would be like swapping football clubs, says mayor (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 18:28:02)
Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen says joining Reform would be like swapping Boro for NUFC. -
Starmer to release sensitive Mandelson files after pressure (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 17:18:57)
The PM backs down over a plan to withhold some documents about the ex-minister's appointment as US ambassador. -
Mahmood defends immigration reforms amid Labour opposition (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 16:10:51)
Around 40 Labour MPs have raised concerns about the impact of the government's proposals. -
Dark mood among Labour MPs as PM tries to contain Mandelson scandal (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 15:58:07)
The chaos of the parliamentary debate about the former Labour minister is just one sign of how quickly the mood in the party has soured this week. -
New party Advance UK unveils by-election candidate (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 13:19:27)
Author Nick Buckley, 47, says he wants to clamp down on knife crime and anti-social behaviour. -
Starmer to release files on Mandelson appointment (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 12:00:27)
It comes ahead of a Commons vote to disclose documents about the ex-minister's appointment as US ambassador. -
Reform: Ready to Rule? (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 06:00:00)
Laura Kuenssberg examines whether Reform UK is ready to be a party of government. -
Inside Reform: Laura Kuenssberg follows Farage's party as it experiences the glare of scrutiny (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 05:58:38)
The BBC has spent time interviewing senior figures and witnessing Reform's work at the largest council it runs. -
Court system on 'brink of collapse', former senior judge warns (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 04:28:18)
An independent review made 130 recommendations - including creating a new criminal justice adviser to the PM - to improve the efficiency of the system. -
Ban on phones in schools backed by House of Lords (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 03:15:34)
The move comes just weeks after peers supported legislation to ban under-16s in the UK from social media. -
Chris Mason: Mandelson revelations a scandal on another level (BBC News - Politics 2026-02-04 02:14:20)
Sir Keir Starmer's decision to send Lord Mandelson to Washington a year ago gives this row political salience, the BBC's political editor writes.