Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from London and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk.

Migrant sex offender paid £500 to leave UK quietly

30 October 2025 2:08 am

The case of Hadush Kebatu has plagued the Labour government for months. In summer, it emerged the Ethiopian asylum seeker…

Watch: Starmer blasts Reform as ‘Putin-friendly’

30 October 2025 1:15 am

It was a punchy Prime Minister’s Questions session today, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch landing some punches on the PM…

Hermer takes aim at Kemi over China spy case

29 October 2025 11:07 pm

Back to the collapsed China spy case. Attorney General Lord Hermer is this morning giving evidence to the joint committee…

Tories throw kitchen sink at two-way Reform race

29 October 2025 3:01 am

To Barnet, where a council by-election will take place on Thursday. Former councillor Joshua Conway lost his Hendon ward seat…

Kruger: Pirate ship Reform has an ill-disciplined crew

29 October 2025 12:57 am

Another day, another Reform press conference. Today the central London meet-up saw former Conservative MP-turned-defector Danny Kruger take to the…

Andy Burnham attacks Starmer (again)

29 October 2025 12:17 am

Andy Burnham is back. After his humiliation at Labour conference, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has returned, hawking his conscience…

Labour polls at record low

28 October 2025 11:51 pm

When it rains for the Labour lot, it pours. Today’s YouGov poll for the Times shows Nigel Farage’s Reform UK…

Housing Secretary refuses to rule out mansion tax

28 October 2025 3:20 am

There’s less than a month until Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils her autumn budget and speculation is abounding about what taxes…

Katie Lam’s trans musical raises eyebrows

28 October 2025 2:30 am

This month, a Sunday Times headline dubbed the 34-year-old MP for Weald of Kent, Katie Lam, the ‘Tories’ new hope’.…

Kamala: I could run in 2028

27 October 2025 8:11 pm

Well, well, well. It seems Kamala Harris has finished licking her wounds after her defeat in last year’s presidential race…

NHS slammed for sharing Sandie Peggie data with SNP

25 October 2025 12:17 am

Oh dear. NHS Fife has come under fire yet again after it emerged that the health board shared details of…

TfL chief accused of ‘lying’ over tube graffiti claims

24 October 2025 6:04 am

Well, well, well. TfL Commissioner Andy Lord has been accused of lying about graffiti on the underground, after he made…

Will Jess Phillips resign?

24 October 2025 12:33 am

The grooming gang inquiry is becoming more chaotic by the day as people continue to step away from the process.…

Tories launch new crime attack ads

23 October 2025 2:41 am

There is a spring in the step of some Tories these days. After the recent downfall of Angela Rayner and…

Watch: Starmer backs Prince Andrew probe

23 October 2025 12:58 am

To the Commons, where Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) has just wrapped up. The focus on Prince Andrew continues – and…

Farage to upstage PMQs with gallery stunt

22 October 2025 10:54 pm

It’s been a funny old time for Nigel Farage in parliament. Elected to the House of Commons at his eighth…

Tories raise £500k post Kemi speech

22 October 2025 6:28 am

Tomorrow marks a fortnight since Kemi Badenoch’s conference speech. After a difficult first year when the Conservatives have sometimes struggled…

Backlash after Lords restrict assisted suicide evidence

22 October 2025 5:59 am

Well, well, well. Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide bill has made it to the House of Lords, where the legislation will…

Full list: MPs attacking Prince Andrew

22 October 2025 12:53 am

The government is facing a rather strange dilemma: what to do about Prince Andrew. Last week the royal voluntarily gave…

YouGov: Green support surges to record high

21 October 2025 11:58 pm

Whisper it, but it appears Zack Polanski’s eco-populism strategy is working. After his election as the new leader of the…

Louis Theroux’s bizarre Bob Vylan interview

21 October 2025 11:30 pm

To veteran BBC documentary-maker, Louis Theroux. On The Louis Theroux Podcast, the longtime interviewer spoke to Bobby Vylan – one…

Sunak bags new gig as Sunday Times columnist

21 October 2025 9:41 pm

Rishi Sunak was expected to set sail for the US after leaving No. 10, but it turns out his post-prime…

The Economist: legalise cocaine

21 October 2025 3:36 am

Well, well, well. While the issue of drug decriminalisation has reared its head in recent months thanks to an intervention…

Reform suspends four councillors after leaked infighting clip

20 October 2025 10:32 pm

Uh oh. There’s trouble in paradise as Reform UK has suspended four councillors on Kent county council after a leaked…

Tory councillors attack their own party

20 October 2025 1:27 am

It’s a difficult time for Tory members. Down to barely 123,000 at the last count, the annual conference passed off…