General election live news: Keir Starmer says he’ll strike a trade deal with former President Trump if he wins US election

Rishi Sunak said Nigel Farage has “some questions to answer” after being hurt and angered by racist comments made by reform campaigner Andrew Parker.

During a campaign visit to a school in Teesside, the Prime Minister said: “My two daughters have had to see and hear Nigel Farage’s reformist campaigners calling me a bastard. It hurts and angers me. I think Mr Farage has some questions to answer.”

“I do not repeat these words lightly. I do so intentionally because this is too important not to say it loud and clear.”

Asked if he was frustrated that some former Conservative supporters were turning to the Reform Party, Mr Sunak said: “I think it says something about the culture of the Reform Party when we see Reform Party candidates and campaigners using racist and misogynistic language and views with no reaction.”

“Andrew Tait is not a meaningful voice for men. He is a vile misogynist. Our politics and country are better than that. As Prime Minister and more importantly as a father of two young daughters, it is my duty to condemn this corrupt and divisive behaviour.”

Independent is offering readers the opportunity to chat directly with candidates from each of the major parties in our special general election series “Ask Me Anything” events.

The second Q&A session of the day will begin at 6pm and will feature Green Party candidate Ellie Chowns.

The Greens have pledged to build 150,000 social housing units each year by the end of this parliament, abolish the “right to buy” scheme, introduce rent control and abolish no-fault evictions.

The party also promises to cancel “all new fossil fuel projects”, impose a yearly wealth tax of 1% on assets over £10 million, invest £50 billion in health and social care (including making personal social care free at the point of use), and nationalise water companies, railways and the big five retail energy companies.

Sir Keir has said he is ready to negotiate with President Donald Trump if US voters return him to the White House in November, the political editor said. David Maddox I will report.

“Yes! If there is a trade deal, we will have a trade deal with the US,” he told The Independent.

“A president is temporary, a nation or an agreement may not be permanent, but it is certainly long-term.”

Referring not only to the possibility of Trump’s reelection but also to the possibility of right-wing leaders in European allies winning, he added: “We will negotiate with other leaders elected by their voters, whether in the United States or elsewhere in Europe.”

This reflects his repeated message of “country first, party second.”

The Reform UK leader will appear on ITV’s Loose Women programme at 1.30pm.

He has faced significant backlash after several members of his party were sacked for making racist and homophobic comments.

Reform UK campaigner Andrew Parker, who is also an actor, said he regretted making the comments, which were caught on camera by an undercover journalist.

Parker claimed he was “provoked” and made the comments in an “emotional” manner.

He said: “Obviously I regret what I said. I’m not a racist at all. I have a Muslim girlfriend. It was a typical blokes in a pub chat.”

Asked if he wanted to apologize, he replied: “Of course I’m sorry. It was just something that was said on the spur of the moment, like any other thing you might say.”

He added that he has many “Pakistani friends” and “Muslim friends” and said he was “sick and tired” of being asked about the footage.

Parker acknowledged that he was an actor but said he became involved with Reform UK because he believed in their message and so contacted the party and volunteered to distribute leaflets, without mentioning that he was an actor.

Jonathan Ashworth attacked the Conservative Party while campaigning in south London.

Speaking alongside Labour’s deputy election campaign manager Ellie Reeves, he accused Rishi Sunak of publishing a manifesto “full of promises that he cannot keep”.

The shadow minister claimed the plans meant the Prime Minister would be set to make “exactly the same mistakes” as Liz Truss.

He added that re-election would lead to “Liz Truss 2.0” and urged people to “vote for change next Thursday”.

John Swinney said politicians should not bet on the outcome of elections.

Speaking on Scotland’s BB Radio, the First Minister said: “I don’t think people in politics should bet on the outcome of an election.”

“We as individuals have knowledge that we have gained while campaigning, and that obviously informs our judgement more than most other people who probably don’t know what’s going on.

“I think there’s a parallel with football, where players aren’t allowed to bet on the matches they’re involved in. I think the same thing applies in politics.”

Asked if any SNP candidates had bet on the election, Mr Swinney said: “I don’t know of any and it’s never been brought to my attention.”