Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Conservative MP Paul Bristow has been sacked from his government job after breaking ranks to publicly urge Rishi Sunak to push for a “permanent ceasefire” in Gaza.
The ministerial aide at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology had written to the Prime Minister saying it would save lives.
He has said that Palestinian civilians are facing “collective punishment” as a result of Israel’s siege and air strike campaign following Hamas’s attacks.
Downing Street said that the MP for Peterborough has been asked to leave his job as a parliamentary private secretary.
“Paul Bristow has been asked to leave his post in government following comments that were not consistent with the principles of collective responsibility,” a No 10 spokeswoman said.
Mr Bristow told the BBC he completely understood the Prime Minister’s decision that he regretted having to leave a job he enjoyed.
“But I can now talk openly about an issue so many of my constituents care deeply about,” he added.
“I believe I can do this better from the backbenches rather than as part of the government payroll.”
Much has been made of the splits in Labour over Keir Starmer’s position on the conflict between Israel and Gaza but the sacking is evidence of Tory divisions, too.
Mr Bristow’s letter, dated Thursday, appears to have been deleted from his website but remains on Facebook.
He wrote that he is grieved “by the heartbreaking and devastating humanitarian crisis” unfolding in Gaza, having spoken with constituents and meeting members of the Peterborough Joint Mosques Council.
The MP said he welcomed Mr Sunak calling for what he has termed “specific pauses” in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, home to more than two million people.
“A permanent ceasefire would save lives and allow for a continued column of humanitarian aid to reach the people who need it the most,” Mr Bristow added.
“The brutal Hamas attacks against innocent civilians are unforgivable.
“Hostages need to be released.
“It is challenging to understand how the present strategy of bombing Gaza will lead to the release of hostages.”
He accompanied an image of the letter on social media saying that Palestinians should not “suffer collective punishment for the crimes of Hamas”.
Labour suspends Andy McDonald after speech at pro-Palestine rally
Labour has suspended its MP Andy McDonald, claiming comments he made at a pro-Palestine rally were “deeply offensive”.
Mr McDonald, who will sit as an independent MP for Middlesbrough while an investigation takes place, used the phrase “between the river and the sea” in a speech during a demonstration at the weekend.
He said his choice of words was part of a wider “heartfelt plea for an end to the killings”.
“The comments made by Andy McDonald at the weekend were deeply offensive, particularly at a time of rising anti-Semitism which has left Jewish people fearful for their safety,” a Labour spokesman said.
“The chief whip has suspended the Labour whip from Andy McDonald, pending an investigation.”
In a video shared by Mr McDonald on X, formerly known as Twitter, of his speech at the rally, he said: “We will not rest until we have justice. Until all people, Israelis and Palestinians between the river and the sea can live in peaceful liberty.”
He went on to chant “free Palestine”, alongside the crowd.
In a statement published on social media, Mr McDonald said he was saddened to be suspended, but would co-operate fully with Labour’s investigation.
“These words should not be construed in any other way than they were intended, namely as a heartfelt plea for an end to the killings in Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and for all peoples in the region to live in freedom without the threat of violence,” he wrote.
“I will be happy to explain these views to the investigation when it convenes and trust that the whip will be restored.
“In the meantime, for the sake of humanity, I hope and pray that we see an end to the war in Gaza, and steps are taken towards a lasting peace.”
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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More on Palestine-Israeli relations
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Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
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Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.
Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.
The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.
