Friday, February 13, 2026

Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.

Sir Chris Wormald, the UK's top civil servant, quits in another major exit from Sir Keir Starmer's team, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for claiming Britain has been 'colonised' by migrants, and a date has been set for Trump's libel case against the BBC.

Top stories

1 | Chris Wormald quits civil service role in another major exit from PM’s top team

Read more

2 | Ratcliffe apologises for claiming Britain ‘colonised’ by migrants

Read more

3 | Date set for Trump’s libel case against BBC to go to trial

Read more

4 | Reform by-election candidate calls for ‘young girls’ to be given ‘biological reality’ check

Read more

5 | Nursery paedophile who used work iPad to record abuse of toddlers jailed for 18 years

Read more

Editors’ picks

If Starmer were forced to step aside, who should replace him as Labour leader?

The vast majority of the electorate want him gone. Even millions who he hoodwinked into backing Labour in July 2024. With the promise of long needed reforming change. And the longer he refuses to accept the reality he is in. the more likely the UK will be governed by Farage and his chaotic party. Probably with even less support than Starmer got in July 2024.