Overview

• Paul Ovenden resigned as No 10 director of strategy after 2017 messages relaying lewd jokes about Diane Abbott surfaced, which Downing Street called appalling and unacceptable.
• Keir Starmer said he would never have appointed Peter Mandelson had he known the nature and extent of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and said he was angry to have been put in that position.
• A dispute over the timeline intensified as No 10 said the prime minister learned the contents of Mandelson’s emails on Wednesday before sacking him, while reports suggest Downing Street was alerted earlier.
• The Conservatives secured a three‑hour emergency Commons debate for Tuesday on the appointment and demanded publication of vetting records and related communications.
• President Trump arrives for a state visit on Tuesday as Labour infighting grows, with some MPs warning Starmer could be ousted if results next May are poor.