The co-manager for Donald Trump's presidential election campaign has called Lord Mandelson an "absolute moron" - as the peer was officially announced as the next UK ambassador to the US.

This is awkward for Downing Street to say the least. The person chosen by the British government to be the keystone in the most important of bilateral relationships is, according to one of the incoming president's close aides, a "complete moron".

Pensioners have until the end of Saturday to apply for benefits which could unlock access to the winter fuel payment, or risk missing out on up to £300.

Sir Keir Starmer has nominated his former top adviser Sue Gray for a peerage.

Sir Keir Starmer has nominated 30 former Labour MPs, staff and union leaders to the House of Lords.