General election 2024 latest: Rishi Sunak rocked by gambling scandal as Tory chief Tony Lee steps back from campaign

New poll suggests nearly three in five (59%) UK adults have very little or no confidence that the political parties have run honest campaigns.

But the perception is most strongly felt amongst people who are undecided on how to vote on 4 July, more than three-quarters of whom (77%) said the campaigns have not been honest.

The snap poll by Savanta for Full Fact suggested that the campaign may have hit undecided voters hardest with 78% of people not confident that the parties have run honest campaigns.

Chris Morris, Chief Executive of Full Fact, said: “Political parties need to stop hammering away at one another with misleading statistics and start an honest dialogue with the country about the issues at stake.

“In these last weeks of the campaign, politicians need to realise that the people yet to make up their mind are amongst the most likely to think that political parties haven’t been straight with them. And the window to persuade them that more honest, transparent politics is on the ballot is closing fast.”

Michael Gove has said he hopes General Election candidates “wouldn’t need to be told” not to make bets on an election they may have insider knowledge of.

Asked whether whips or the Conservative Party had warned campaigners not to engage in gambling behaviour linked with an election, the Levelling Up Secretary said: “I would hope you wouldn’t need to be told.

“Obviously, if as a private individual I put a bet on the Grand National or on the Euros, that’s one thing, but using privileged inside information is wrong.

“As a general rule, one certainly shouldn’t place commercial bets on political matters if you’ve got that sort of information. I can imagine, between two friends, you might have a bet on the, you know, price of dinner, something over which you’ve got no influence, so I could imagine, for the sake of argument, two politicians having a bet over whether or not it’s going to be (Donald) Trump or (Joe) Biden, something like that.”

Mr Gove added he would not want to be “puritan” about betting but said: “It is concerning if people use inside information in the way that’s been alleged or reported.”

Sir Keir Starmer has declined to say whether he would meet former US president Donald Trump at the Nato summit in Washington D.C.

The Labour leader said: “Well, I’m not going to get ahead of myself by suggesting what might happen the other side of the election.

“What I will say is this – that the Labour Party has a proud history when it comes to Nato.

“We were a founding signatory to the treaty, which was in Brussels, with (Ernest) Bevin’s signature on it. We’re absolutely committed to Nato. That’s an unshakable commitment.

“We will, of course, work with others in relation to anything to do with Nato, which we are already doing in opposition.”

After ending his campaign speech to rural voters, the right-wing politician attempted to shoot clay pigeons at Catton Hall.

After hitting three out of four, he told the crowd to “quit while you’re ahead” and told his team to “never point a gun at someone’s chest”.

The candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East Joanna Hart reportedly posted comments accusing the royal family to “benefit scroungers”.

Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy has now written to Reform’s chairman Richard Tice urging him to suspend Hart immediately.

In his letter, Mr Hoy said: “If you do not act, you are saying these anti-Britain statements are acceptable. You are sending a clear message that Reform seems to tolerate sickening insults towards the late Queen and shameful anti-monarchy views. You must publicly condemn this candidate and suspend them immediately.”

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said a Labour government would host a “major global investment summit” in its first 100 days.

She told the Times CEO Summit: “I don’t believe that you can tax and spend your way to higher growth. Growth will always rely on a successful private sector.”

She added: “We will host a major global investment summit in our first 100 days to send a simple message – Britain is open to business.”

Ms Reeves later stated: “I want to bang the drum for Britain and for all the great potential that we have as a country.

“One of the privileges of this job, shadow chancellor, is I’ve had the opportunity to go and visit countless businesses around the country, including during this election campaign. I see the potential everywhere we go.”