Politics

The Tory MP was probed over whether Ben Houchen deliberately distanced himself from the party as part of his campaign.

Just when Rishi Sunak thought things couldn't get worse, this happens - and Labour are now celebrating a victory 'in the PM's backyard'.

Second-placed Jamie Driscoll had quit Labour after he was barred from standing as the party’s candidate in the North East.

The winning candidate in the Tees Valley contest also praised the Opposition’s position on devolution, saying it would give him ‘more autonomy’.

"Once again Hamas are the real villains", a senior party source said.

Simon Harris dismissed the suggestion and made clear Ireland would pursue its own policy on migration.

The Reform UK MP was forced to field questions about politicians having regular broadcasting slots on GB News.

The Tees Valley result is due to be announced on Friday afternoon.

Richard Holden admitted it had been a disappointing night for his party, but insisted the widespread losses are ‘typical for a Government in midterm’.