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Sebastian Payne

Whitehall Correspondent

Sebastian Payne writes about British politics for the FT. He was previously political leader writer and digital opinion editor. Before he joined the FT, he was a reporter and editor at The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph.

He also presents the weekly FT Politics podcast and writes a regular notebook column for the opinion pages.


Email Sebastian Payne @SebastianEPayne (link opens in a new browser window)
Email Sebastian Payne @SebastianEPayne (link opens in a new browser window)

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  • Wednesday, 19 February, 2020
    Brexit Briefing
    Why is UK arguing about a matter that is already agreed?

    Downing Street and Brussels in a tweet spat over future relationship

  • Tuesday, 18 February, 2020
    Labour Party UK
    Andrew Murray quits as adviser to Jeremy Corbyn

    First of Labour leader’s coterie of ‘four Ms’ to step down ahead of conclusion to leadership contest

  • Tuesday, 18 February, 2020
    AnalysisUK politics & policy
    Adviser’s resignation puts focus on Johnson’s governance

    Sabisky controversy leaves Tory MP questioning judgment of PM’s inner circle

  • Tuesday, 18 February, 2020
    HM Treasury
    Chancellor confirms Budget will go ahead on March 11

    Announcement follows speculation of a delay because of Sajid Javid’s exit

  • Monday, 17 February, 2020
    Brexit
    UK Brexit chief rejects EU’s ‘level playing field’

    Negotiator David Frost says Britain will never agree to oversight in exchange for a trade deal

  • Monday, 17 February, 2020
    UK politics & policy
    No 10 adviser quits in row over comments about eugenics

    Andrew Sabisky had questioned black people’s IQs and called for ‘universal contraception’

  • Monday, 17 February, 2020
    UK floods
    UK government defends flood planning after Storm Dennis

    Ministers say defences working but not all properties can be protected from climate change

  • Friday, 14 February, 2020
    UK Government
    Cummings picks housing expert for Downing Street unit

    Liam Booth-Smith will lead team co-ordinating policy between Number 10 and Treasury

  • Friday, 14 February, 2020
    UK politics & policy
    Gove to oversee UK constitutional review

    Cabinet Office minister expected to look at alleged political interference by judges

  • Promoted Content
  • Thursday, 13 February, 2020
    UK Government
    Sajid Javid resigns as UK chancellor

    Decision to quit follows battle with PM over who controls the economy

  • Thursday, 13 February, 2020
    UK Government
    Boris Johnson rewards trusted allies in shake up

    Prime minister picks loyalists and ‘punishes’ department heads who ‘failed to deliver’ 

  • Thursday, 13 February, 2020
    Julian Smith
    ‘Minister of the year’ Julian Smith sacked by Boris Johnson 

    Politician credited with restoring Northern Ireland assembly dismissed in reshuffle

  • Thursday, 13 February, 2020
    UK politics & policy
    Johnson’s reshuffle to bring in more women

    PM will refresh junior ministerial ranks rather than opt for full-scale cabinet clear-out

  • Wednesday, 12 February, 2020
    Brexit Briefing
    Global Britain’s first mis-step?

    One country will be oddly (almost) absent from ‘Davos for defence’ event

  • Wednesday, 12 February, 2020
    Labour Party UK
    Labour faces battle in the south too

    As it searches for a new leader, the party is discovering how much ground it has to make up

  • Sunday, 9 February, 2020
    UK infrastructure
    Chinese diplomat accuses Tory MPs of Huawei ‘witch hunt’

    Boris Johnson faces mounting criticism over plan to use group’s 5G technology

  • Saturday, 8 February, 2020
    UK politics & policy
    Senior Tories sound alarm over Huawei role in UK 5G network

    Former ministers call for Chinese hardware to be removed from critical infrastructure

  • Friday, 7 February, 2020
    Brexit Briefing
    The differences between US and UK pile up

    Donald Trump faces the prospect of other countries ignoring his warning against Huawei

  • Thursday, 6 February, 2020
    Huawei Technologies
    Trump ‘apoplectic’ in call with Johnson over Huawei

    Exclusive — livid president lambasted PM for allowing China group a role in UK 5G

  • Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
    Brexit Briefing
    Calm down, Brexit trade deal can be done

    Boris Johnson has accepted one of the key consequences of leaving the bloc: friction

  • Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
    Climate change
    Cameron and Hague turn down offers to lead climate summit

    Disputes mount over Glasgow event as Sturgeon demands role in preparations

  • Wednesday, 5 February, 2020
    AnalysisUK Government
    Budget raises tensions between Javid and Cummings

    Boris Johnson’s chief adviser at loggerheads with chancellor over spending plans

  • Monday, 3 February, 2020
    Brexit
    Johnson ready to spurn EU deal over rule-setting

    Barnier says extensive accord depends on UK abiding by European standards

  • Sunday, 2 February, 2020
    Terrorism in UK
    Man shot dead after two stabbed in London terror attack 

    Suspect had just been released early from prison sentence for extremism-related offences

  • Sunday, 2 February, 2020
    Brexit
    UK and EU begin sparring with bruising talks ahead 

    Johnson vows high standards ‘without treaty’ — Barnier wants alignment on rules 

Previous You are on page 1 Next

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