No compensation for 3.8 million Waspi women, government says

Women affected by changes to the state pension age have accused the government of treating them with “utter contempt” after ministers rejected their claim for compensation once again.

Campaigners say as many as 3.8 million “Waspi women” lost out on money because of the way in which changes to the state pension age were communicated.

The government had previously vowed not to offer compensation, but work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden announced in November last year that the case was being reconsidered after a new document came to light. However, he told MPs today that the government had again reached the conclusion that no money should be paid.

The decision prompted a furious backlash, with Sir Keir Starmer’s own MPs hitting out, describing it as a “shameful day” for the Labour Party.

Announcing that the women concerned would not receive compensation, Mr McFadden apologised that women born in the 1950s were not sent individual letters about the changes to their state pension earlier.

But he warned that a flat-rate compensation scheme would have cost more than £10bn.

He told the Commons there were “legitimate and sincerely held views” about whether the decision to accelerate the equalisation of the state pension age “was the right thing to do or not”. But the issue of compensation is based on “how changes to the state pension age were communicated”, not past policy decisions, he said.

He also pointed to a conclusion reached by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), “that women did not suffer any direct financial loss from the delay”.

Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi), which has long campaigned for compensation, accused the government of treating 1950s-born women with “utter contempt”, branding the decision a “disgraceful political choice by a small group of very powerful people who have decided the harm and injustice suffered by millions of ordinary women simply does not matter”.

The group also said it was taking legal advice and that all options “remain on the table”.

But MPs told the government the decision was “frankly wrong” and would feel like a “punch in the stomach” to those affected.

Labour’s former shadow chancellor John McDonnell told The Independent: “The government shouldn’t underestimate the anger there will be amongst large numbers of women who will feel betrayed. The refusal to accept the ombudsman’s findings of the injustice these women suffer, and adopt even the ombudsman’s moderate proposals, will be seen as an appalling snub to women.

“These women will recall the MPs, including current government ministers, who appeared on Waspi platforms before the election promising support.”

The Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, Brian Leishman, said it was a “shameful day for a great party” and an “absolute disgrace”, while Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson told The Independent that the decision amounted to “nothing less than blatant contempt”.

Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey, the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on state pension inequality for women, said the decision was “frankly wrong”, while her fellow backbencher Andy McDonald added that it “will be a very bitter pill to swallow” for those affected.

While in opposition, senior Labour figures said compensation should be paid to women whose retirement plans were hit when their qualifying age for the state pension was increased by six years, from 60 to 66.

The Tories accused the government of performing a “series of handbrake turns” and claimed that it could have compensated the women by scrapping its controversial Chagos Islands deal or reforming welfare.

Shadow Treasury minister Mark Garnier said: “Before getting into government, it seemed that Labour MPs did think that an injustice had been done. No wonder, therefore, that the Waspi women who were promised so much are so angry. The people who used to stand beside them have turned against them.

“If the government really believed that these women had faced a great injustice, they would have found a way to compensate them,” he added.

Steve Darling, the Liberal Democrats’ work and pensions spokesperson, accused the government of putting Waspi women’s pensions in the “‘too hard to do’ file”, and said that many would feel the result “as if it were a punch in the stomach”.

In November, Mr McFadden said his department would review the previously announced policy not to compensate the women. He said that “evidence” had emerged that had not been shown to his predecessor, Liz Kendall, and that it had to be considered.

In 2023, the PHSO released the findings of a five-year investigation and, in a damning assessment of the Department for Work and Pensions’ handling of the issue, said there had been “maladministration”.

The report accepted that the department’s poor communication had caused some women to lose “opportunities to make informed decisions”, though it made clear that it did not believe this had led to “direct financial loss”.

However, the then work and pensions secretary, Ms Kendall, rejected the ombudsman’s recommendation that those affected be awarded between £1,000 and £2,950 each.

Great Ormond Street surgeon harmed nearly 100 children

Nearly 100 children suffered harm at the hands of orthopaedic surgeon Yaser Jabbar, a Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) review has concluded.

Hundreds of children were treated by Mr Jabbar, who specialised in lower limb construction, between 2017 and 2022, and a panel of experts found that his surgery fell below the standard expected.

Of the 94 children harmed, 36 experienced severe harm, 39 moderate harm and 19 mild harm. Many were left in pain, with several going on to need further surgery.

The hospital’s review noted that 642 patients under Mr Jabbar’s care did not suffer harm directly attributable to him.

One seven-year-old boy was subjected to a “completely unsuitable” leg-lengthening surgery which will affect him for the rest of his life. A 12-year-old was left with a pin going into his thigh due to Mr Jabbar’s “poor surgical skill”.

“There were instances of premature removal of fixation devices, the combination of procedures without clear rationale, inadequate counselling on fracture risk, and an over-reliance on junior staff,” the report said. “There were some serious problems found, including poor planning before surgery, not making the area stable enough, unclear or incomplete notes, and putting implants in the wrong place.

“Other issues were making cuts in the bone at the wrong level or using the wrong method, making decisions that didn’t match what was seen in the scans during surgery, problems with how frames and pins were used, and not involving the wider team when dealing with infections.”

James Wood, 19, from Great Yarmouth, first encountered Mr Jabbar when he was referred to him at the age of 12. Mr Wood was born with multiple pterygium syndrome, a rare congenital condition that mainly affects neuromuscular and skeletal functions. It causes skin webbing across the joints and, in Mr Wood’s case, it limited movement in his knees and ankles.

He was referred to Mr Jabbar in September 2018 and underwent an operation in April 2019 in which a frame was fixed to his leg with the aim of stretching the tissues in his knee. He also underwent an achilles tendon lengthening procedure.

Weeks later, Mr Wood began to suffer extreme pain and swelling in his right thigh. An ultrasound identified a large collection of fluid and medics discovered one of the pins used to secure the frame had protruded into Mr Wood’s thigh. When it was removed, there was a lot of bleeding and surgeons noted damage to his femoral artery. The frame was removed and Mr Wood was then placed in a permanent full-length leg cast to support his leg.

An independent review for Gosh into Mr Wood’s treatment found that “poor surgical skill” by Mr Jabbar had resulted in a pin going into Mr Wood’s thigh when the frame was fitted. It said the type of pins used had increased the risk of vascular injury, and other pins should have been used.

Mr Wood, a student at the University of East Anglia, said: “I missed a lot of my formative, high school experiences and it left me quite lonely in my childhood because I spent my early teenage years in recovery. It was all incredibly traumatic and the pain is still horrifying and has had a long-term impact.”

Analysis of the independent expert case reports into the surgeon’s practice “identified that Mr Jabbar was highly inconsistent in his approach to clinical care with recurrent deficiencies in documentation, assessment, and surgical decision-making”, the report said.

“Many families said they were not given clear explanations about treatment options, risks, or why certain decisions were made. They were often confused about the purpose of procedures, expected results, and alternatives. Several families reported raising concerns directly with Mr Jabbar, but they felt these were usually dismissed.”

Mr Jabbar is understood to live abroad and no longer has a licence to practise medicine in the UK.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are in contact with Great Ormond Street Hospital in relation to this matter. We will review the report commissioned by Gosh and assess whether there is any requirement for police involvement.”

Matthew Shaw, chief executive of Gosh, said in a statement: “We are profoundly sorry to all the patients and their families who have been affected by the care provided by Mr Jabbar. The report we have published today sets out in full what happened, what we found in our review of patients, what we have learnt and what we have done as a consequence.

“We have made significant changes to both the orthopaedic service itself and across the hospital to minimise the chance of something like this happening again. Many of these changes are designed to help spot potential issues before they become a risk to patient care.

“We know this comes too late for the families affected by this issue, but we are committed to ensuring our hospital is a better and safer place for all current and future patients.”

Armed gangs rampant in Gaza killing Hamas members with Israeli weapons

Armed gangs are running rampant across the Gaza Strip and using Israeli weapons to kill Hamas operatives and members of the public, according to a new report.

One group, named the Helles Gang, forced Palestinians out of a residential block at Israel’s request, according to Saudi outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, leading Hamas to ambush some of their members on the outskirts of Gaza City on Monday morning.

Several Palestinians were also killed as they approached the yellow line in the Shejaia and Tuffah neighbourhoods by the gang, the newspaper said.

Raad al-Jamal – one of the earliest members to join the group – was killed, gang leader Rami Helles wrote in a Facebook post.

Multiple criminal gangs have emerged as the strip grapples with a power vacuum left by a Hamas depleted by intense Israeli bombardment. The factions vying for power have taken it upon themselves to kill senior Hamas members, with claims that some have been supported by Israel.

They have dubbed themselves “Popular Forces” or “Counterterrorism” as they continue to fight Hamas and others across the region.

The report suggests that Israel had high hopes for cooperation with the most prominent gang led by Yasser Abu Shabab, who was notorious for seizing humanitarian aid and later formed an armed group that spread under regions controlled by Israel.

Abu Shabab was later killed by Hamas, and leadership of the group was passed down to Ghassan al-Dahini.

The report also found that the groups have assassinated members of the Hamas security services and the al-Qassam Brigades. The first such killing was carried out by Shawqi Abu Nseira’s group. An officer in Hamas’s Internal Security Service, Ahmed ZamZam, was killed in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.

Sources told the newspaper that gang members in Gaza have obtained Israeli weapons, as well as food.

On 12 January, Hamas’s head of investigations Mahmoud al-Astal was killed in Khan Younis in an orchestrated assassination by a gang led by Housam al-Astal. Al-Astal is reported to have been a relative of the victim.

Abu Nseira and Al-Astal’s gangs are reported to display a stronger loyalty to Israel, sources told Asharq al-Awsat. They suggested that gunmen who carried out the attacks wore body cameras and used pistols with silencers. They also said the leaders had been trained by Mossad and recruited by Shin Bet.

Last year, 28-year-old journalist Saleh Al-Jafarawi was reportedly killed by the Dughmush clan amid clashes in the Sabra neighbourhood.

Al-Jafarawi’s body, with a “press” flak jacket, was recovered from the back of a truck.

British girl, 7, missing after being swept out to sea in Morocco

A British family is desperately searching for their seven-year-old daughter after she was dragged out to sea in Morocco while on holiday with her family.

Inaayah Makda, from Blackburn, is missing after a wave suddenly crashed onto the rocks and swept her into the ocean in Casablanca on Wednesday night.

Other family members were reportedly also dragged out by the wave, but managed to get back to shore.

Her father, Zubair Makda, told Blackburn-based UCTV that their family was on rocks half a metre high at the time. He said: “Inaayah was on the rock behind me. We got swept to the right and she got swept to the left. Before that, I did not see where Inaayah was, as she got swept away so quickly.

“I couldn’t find her at all. We are trying to get help.”

Blackburn MP Adnan Hussein, who has spoken to Inaayah’s father and aunt, said he was urgently raising this matter with the UK authorities, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), as well as the Moroccan ambassador.

Mr Hussein told The Independent: “This is an utterly heartbreaking and deeply distressing situation. In this unimaginably difficult time for the family, my thoughts are with them, with Inaayah, and with everyone who loves and cares for her.

“The whole of Blackburn is holding Inaayah and her loved ones in their prayers. I will continue to do all that I possibly can to support the family during this devastating time.”

A family member in the UK told the Lancashire Telegraph: “We are all really worried. You can understand this is really distressing for everyone.”

They told the paper that their family had not been made aware of any dangers of going onto the rocks, and were caught by surprise when a large wave crashed down.

Inaayah’s parents remain in Casablanca, where they are reportedly turning to a privae search operator to help with their search.

A FCDO Spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British national reported missing in Morocco and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Moroccan authorities have been contacted by The Independent for comment.

Former Radio 1 DJ Andy Kershaw ‘unable to walk’ after cancer diagnosis

Popular former BBC Radio DJ Andy Kershaw is “unable to walk” after being diagnosed with cancer that affected his spine.

The presenter, 66, has been undergoing treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, physiotherapy and “a lot of scans and painkillers”, his friend and podcast producer Peter Everett shared on Facebook this week.

Kershaw, who hosted shows for Radio 1 and also co-presented the BBC’s TV coverage of Live Aid in 1985, was diagnosed last August.

“Although we’ve not been able to put together any podcasts in the last six months, we are very grateful to all the patrons and supporters who have stuck with us,” Everett said.

He then shared a message from Kershaw himself, who said: “I am in good spirits, feeling very positive and planning another podcast.

“I am determined not to die before Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Ant’n’Dec. That should keep me going for a while.”

Everett said the many messages of support and good wishes sent to Kershaw were “hugely appreciated”.

Born in Rochdale, Kershaw – the brother of fellow broadcaster Liz Kershaw – grew up a fan of artists such as Bob Dylan and went to university with the aim of becoming a journalist.

After arriving in London in 1984, where he secured a job as roadie and driver for singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, he was enlisted as a new presenter for BBC 2’s Whistle Test.

He then got his own show on Radio 1 the following year, which he presented for 15 years before being sacked, as his website states, “to be replaced by another dance music programme”.

Kershaw went on to work at Radio 3 while also making travel documentaries for Channel 4.

He became a tabloid fixture in 2008 after his 17-year marriage ended over infidelity on his part, which he admitted to.

His ex-wife, Juliette Banner, left him and obtained a court order to keep him away from their two children; Kershaw repeatedly broke the terms of the order and was imprisoned three times before going on the run.

He ended up developing an alcohol dependency and was temporarily homeless: “Nobody, not even my allies within the serious media, bothered to look at what was really going on,” he told The Independent at the time. “All I wanted to do was see my children, so why was I in jail? Why was I on the run? It was ridiculous, insane.”

In 2012, he published an autobiography, titled No Off Switch, which detailed his improbable rise through UK media, including his work as a war correspondent.

“It’s an insatiable curiosity, basically, a nosiness,” he told The Independent that year of his approach to music and life. “I think initially Radio 1 wanted another [John] Peel, but I got quickly bored of those awful, insipid demo tapes I was receiving from Liverpudlian indie acts, especially as I was beginning to discover properly fantastic, amazing music from Malawi, the Congo, South Africa.

“The way I saw it, this was music that would have an appeal way beyond the circle of African music aficionados. And the letters I received from enthusiastic listeners suggested I was right.”

What the future of travel looks like in 2026

Are we done with viral hotspots? According to travel comparison site KAYAK’s WTF (that’s What The Future, by the way) 2026 trends report, the era of copy-paste travel may finally be winding down. Not because people are travelling less – quite the opposite – but because they’re travelling differently.

Drawing on billions of user searches, an independent survey from more than 14,000 Gen Z and Millennial travellers – including over 2,000 next-gen UK travellers – and exclusive TikTok community insights, KAYAK’s report shows a shift away from headline destinations and performative travel. In their place? Shorter breaks, quieter cities, better value and experiences that feel personal rather than pre-approved.

Here’s what that looks like in practice, and where those trends could take you.

The next “it” destination, it turns out, is the one you haven’t already seen 50 times on your phone. According to KAYAK, 71 per cent of Gen Z and 75 per cent of Millennials actively want to visit places they’ve never been before, while TikTok posts tagged #hiddengems are up more than 50 per cent. Saturation is the new turn-off.

Cork fits that brief neatly. Long treated as a stopping point on the way to somewhere else, Ireland’s second city still flies under the algorithmic radar. Yet it rewards curiosity in small, satisfying ways: a walkable centre, a burgeoning food scene and easy access to coastline and countryside without the fanfare.

Base yourself near Shandon rather than around the busier quays, and start the day with a stroll along the River Lee before the city fully wakes up. For dinner, follow locals to the English Market at lunchtime, then head out to Ballycotton or Garretstown the next morning.

Travellers aren’t cancelling trips in 2026, they’re financing them more creatively. Nearly 30 per cent of Gen Z and Millennial travellers say installment plans will determine how many trips they take, while KAYAK data shows international fares from the UK sitting almost exactly where they were last year. Add a 52 per cent rise in the use of flight price alerts and the picture becomes clear: deal-hunting has gone mainstream.

This shift favours cities that deliver substance without sticker shock. Bilbao still fits the bill, but it’s the city’s everyday pleasures that offer the real value. Skip the Guggenheim café and eat at Gure Toki or Sorginzulo for pintxos done properly. Better still, cross the river into Deusto at lunchtime, where menus del día feel resolutely local and prices soften noticeably. Savvy travellers are stretching budgets without sacrificing experience, and places like Bilbao are making it easy for them.

Forget souvenirs. In 2026, it’s goosebumps people are packing for. More than half of travellers say natural wonders will shape their plans, and 34 per cent list awe-inspiring experiences as a top priority. That’s driving renewed interest in northern landscapes, but not always the obvious ones.

While Tromsø continues to top bucket lists, travellers looking for something fresher are turning towards Christchurch, New Zealand as a gateway rather than a destination in itself. From here, the night skies of the Canterbury plains offer serious dark-sky credentials without the premium price tags of more famous stargazing spots. Pair it with a drive to Lake Tekapo or a night at Mt John Observatory, and prepare to be amazed as the universe puts on one of its more impressive galactic light shows.

AI has officially replaced your mate who “went once and loved it”. Nearly six in 10 travellers say they’d change destination if AI suggested somewhere better, and half would do so for a better deal. Notably, 44 per cent of AI prompts are now about value, not inspiration.

AI can also steer travellers toward lesser-visited cities that prioritise authentic, local experiences over familiar tourist circuits. Fukuoka, in particular, remains one of the country’s most liveable and engaging destinations, offering a compelling blend of modern convenience and rich cultural heritage. Base yourself near Hakata Station for better-value hotels, then eat like a local at the yatai food stalls along the Naka River. It’s informal, affordable and far more revealing than a booked-out tasting menu. Leveraging AI-led planning tools helps today’s savvy travellers to unlock the city’s true potential, moving beyond generic guidebook recommendations.

Luxury, redefined, looks suspiciously like a good night’s sleep. KAYAK’s report shows 69 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials travel primarily for mental reset, while wellness-led luxury continues to rise. The emphasis has shifted from showing off to switching off.

The Greek island of Zakynthos excels here, particularly inland. Head to villages such as Kiliomenos, where evenings are cooler and dinner at family-run tavernas like Latas stretches lazily into the night. No playlists, no dress code, just plates refilled without fuss. For one in five travellers, it’s the small comforts that matter most: a quiet morning, decent coffee, and nowhere you’re expected to be. Wellness travel isn’t about spa breaks and luxury escapes anymore; it’s about coming back better than you left.

The big-city rush is out. In 2026, 84 per cent of younger travellers say they’d rather visit a smaller city or rural area than a major hub. Lower prices help, but the real appeal is authenticity that doesn’t need explaining.

Bastia, in northern Corsica, perfectly exemplifies the trend. Mornings on the old port unfold naturally with fishermen unloading and café chairs scraping into place. Walk up to the Citadelle before the heat builds, then lunch at U San Ghjuvà for unfussy Corsican cooking. These are places where life hasn’t been edited for visitors. Yes, social media still nudges people towards them, but only once they’re already halfway there.

In 2026, the destination is wherever the action is. An overwhelming 95 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials plan to travel for a major event, whether that’s a concert, a sporting tournament or a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

Cities that flex around calendars are winning. In Canada, Toronto works as a terrific base. But those thinking ahead are looking beyond the obvious to places like Halifax, where festivals, touring acts and sporting events are easier to access and far less inflated by demand. Stay near the waterfront, eat at The Bicycle Thief, and let the event anchor the trip rather than dominate it.

Over half of travellers say slower travel helps clear their head, and #slowtravel content has surged by almost 330 per cent on TikTok. But the aim isn’t inactivity, more a break from decision-making.

The Azores remain a benchmark, but similar benefits can be found in places like Praia in Cape Verde. The rhythm is gentle, the beaches walkable, and long lunches at Quintal da Música turn into evenings almost by accident. Headspace holidays aren’t about ticking boxes, they’re about removing friction and the demand for constant optimisation.

Adventure hasn’t disappeared, it’s simply grown up. Nearly one in four travellers now combine light outdoor activity with proper rest, while searches for amenities like terraces, hot tubs and gyms continue to rise. The Great Outdoors is now more likely to be paired with a Quite Decent bottle of wine.

Hilo, on Hawaii’s Big Island, captures that softer approach to adventure perfectly. Base yourself here and mornings might mean walking the edge of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park or taking an easy hike through the stunning scenery of Akaka Falls rainforest. Afternoons are for slowing down: soaking in naturally warmed ocean pools, lingering over poke bowls or fresh fish, and letting yourself reset.

Who says holidays have to be long? Nearly two-thirds of travellers plan to take several shorter trips in 2026, with searches for one-to-four-day breaks continuing to rise. The appeal is immediacy: quick resets, minimal planning and maximum reward.

Milan makes for an excellent Nanocation. Trains run on time, neighbourhoods are compact, and finding good food rarely requires much research. Rather than chasing the Duomo and moving on, spend a night in areas like Isola or Porta Venezia, where the city feels lived-in rather than visited. Grab a seat for aperitivo along the Navigli as the working day winds down, eat late without ceremony, and walk everywhere. Milan rewards restraint; do it right, and even 24 hours can feel like a proper break.

With billions of user searches across its platforms, KAYAK helps travellers find their perfect flight, stay, rental car or holiday package. Download the app here and start exploring.

Raducanu sacks latest coach after scathing Australian Open criticism

Emma Raducanu has split from her coach, Francisco Roig, after lamenting that she had lost her tennis “identity” following her tame second-round defeat at the Australian Open.

The former US Open champion said following her loss to Anastasia Potapova that she wanted to “re-evaluate” her game and work on playing like she did when she was younger, in comments that appeared to signal her unhappiness at some of Roig’s instructions.

The Spaniard, who was part of Rafael Nadal’s team for 16 of his 22 grand slam titles, joined the Raducanu camp in August and before the US Open, but the British No 1 will now head in a different direction after confirming her latest coaching change.

A Raducanu statement on social media read: “Francis, thank you for our time together. You have been more than a coach to me and I will cherish the many good times we spent together on and off the court.

“While we have come to the conclusion together that we ought not to move forward, please know that I am very grateful for all you have taught me and fond of our time together.”

Last season, Raducanu enjoyed her best run of results working under coach and commentator Mark Petchey, as she reached the quarter-finals of the Miami Open, but he was unable to commit to a full schedule on tour due to his TV commentating commitments.

Raducanu is now looking for another permanent coach as the carousel of appointments since her US Open triumph in 2021 continues, having made the decision to not stick with Andrew Richardson following her remarkable grand slam victory as an 18-year-old qualifier.

She went into Wimbledon in 2022 under the short-term guidance of mentor Jane O’Donoghue, having dismissed Torben Beltz after six months. Dmitry Tursunov warned of “red flags” following a short trial period, and Sebastian Sachs only lasted 10 matches as Raducanu underwent wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023.

When Raducanu returned, there was an improvement under another former childhood coach, Nick Cavaday, but after working together for the entire 2024 season, he was forced to step down following last year’s Australian Open due to health reasons. Slovenian, Vlado Platenik, was then dismissed following a 14-day trial.

Although Raducanu spoke highly of Roig and their partnership was extended following a more positive 2025 season where the 23-year-old returned to the world’s top 30, there appeared to be differences when it came to her forehand shot, with the Spaniard pushing for a longer swing and Raducanu preferring a shorter, earlier strike.

After her defeat to Potapova, where the British No 1 was subdued and barely interacted with her coaching box, Raducanu said: “I think I want to be playing a different way, and I think the misalignment with how I’m playing right now and how I want to be playing is something that I just want to work on.

“At the end of the day, I just want to hit the ball to the corners and hard. I feel like I’m doing all this variety and it’s not doing what I want it to do. I need to just work on playing in a way more similar to how I was playing when I was younger.

“I always just changed direction, took the ball early, and went for it. I think I do have the ability to do many things on the court, but I feel like as I’m learning all those skills, it’s like I need to stick to my guns a bit as well and work on that.”

Raducanu is next expected to play at the Transylvania Open in her father’s home country of Romania. The indoor hard-court WTA 250 event begins on 1 February, with Raducanu set to appear there for the first time since 2021.

Reform demands Badenoch apologises to Braverman over health claim

Reform UK has ordered Kemi Badenoch apologise to Suella Braverman over Tory claims about her mental health – or face legal action.

In a letter to Conservative Party headquarters on Wednesday, Reform’s lawyers said Ms Braverman “reserves all her rights” if Ms Badenoch failed to issue a public apology to her by Friday at 4pm. A spokesman told The Independent this included legal proceedings.

It follows a statement sent out by the Tory party on Monday that made claims about the former Tory home secretary’s mental health after she had defected to Nigel Farage’s party.  

The statement, which Ms Badenoch later admitted should not have gone out and apologised for, said: “The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella’s mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy”.

Reform said the Tory party leader’s explanation that the statment was sent out in error was wholly inadequate, and said she had not issued an apology to Ms Braverman.

The letter said: “It is entirely unclear why it was published other than to harm Ms Braverman with malice.”

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Ms Braverman said: “It is a bit pathetic. As I said, it says more about them than it does me. I’m not really going to dignify it. It is, I’m afraid, just more sorry signs of a bitter and desperate party that seems to be in free fall.”

In its demands set out in the letter sent on Wednesday, Reform also demanded that the Conservative Party accept that the reference to Ms Braverman’s mental health is untrue.

The letter said: “That allegation is plainly capable of carrying a defamatory meaning, namely that Ms Braverman was suffering from a mental health condition affecting her judgement or fitness, and that this was known to, and managed by, her former party.

“The statement is untrue. Ms Braverman does not suffer, and has not suffered, from any mental health condition and accordingly there was no factual basis whatsoever for the allegation made.” 

When approached on Thursday night, the Conservative Party declined to comment.

Mental health charities and politicians criticised the Conservative Party statement earlier this week, with Brian Dow, deputy chief executive of the Rethink Mental Illness charity, warning that the issue of mental health should not be “used as a political football”.

“Employers should never disclose any details about the mental health of their employees or former staff,” he said.

“Doing so says far more about them than the person they are referring to. People living with mental ill-health do not deserve to have their experiences trivialised or used as a political football.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.