A major Ukrainian drone offensive set a Russian oil terminal and a data centre in St Petersburg on fire, coming after Donald Trump’s decision to waive sanctions and “slow down” satellites.

One person was killed and five others were injured, while flames spread to industrial warehouses across the city, St Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov said on Sunday.

Russian e-commerce giant Ozon said its logistics hub in St Petersburg had caught fire. A data centre in the Leningrad region, operated by internet company VK, was also targeted.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said Vladimir Putin’s air defence forces had intercepted 1,015 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight.

State-run news agency TASS reported that the attacks also disrupted departures at Pulkovo, St Petersburg’s main airport.

The strike is likely to further strain relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his US counterpart, Mr Trump.

The US president this week signed an executive order blocking what he called “hellish sanctions” approved by Congress against Russia over the war.

The proposed 500 per cent tariffs on Russian energy supplies had threatened to complicate Mr Trump’s plans to increase the flow of Russian diesel to global markets.

Mr Trump wants to bring down fuel prices in the United States ahead of the crucial midterm elections on November 3.

His decision came after reports that Starlink internet access for Ukrainian forces had been partially restricted, along with threats to suspend intelligence sharing with Kyiv. Mr Zelensky criticised both measures.

After Mr Zelensky renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries this week, Mr Trump described the strikes as a “disgrace” and said he was “more difficult to deal with than [Vladimir] Putin”.

Speculation has grown that the relationship between the two leaders is at “breaking point”, and the latest drone attacks are unlikely to improve the situation.

Images from St Petersburg showed towering clouds of orange and black smoke spreading across the sky and lighting up the city.

VK said its services had returned to normal and were available to users following the attack.

“A large-scale UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attack continues to be repelled,” Leningrad region governor Alexander Drozdenko wrote on Telegram.

He said debris had landed on houses, cars and power lines, briefly cutting electricity in some areas, but reported no injuries.

Governor Alexander Beglov said the Ukrainian assault had started a fire at the St Petersburg Oil Terminal, which was also struck by Ukraine in June.

Pulkovo airport was meanwhile restricting operations “for safety reasons”, Mr Beglov said.

Russia has attacked Ukraine’s energy, oil and gas sectors 76 times in the week since Mr Trump announced a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, Mr Zelensky said on Sunday.

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Neither Kyiv nor Moscow confirmed Trump’s announced ceasefire agreement.

The attack follows quickly on from a relentless Ukrainian drone attack which prompted unprecedented airport chaos in Russia.

Ukraine flew dozens of drones into Moscow’s airspace to deliberately wreak havoc.

Fury and frustration grew as travellers faced hours or even days of delays caused by Putin refusing to halt his war.

Footage showed angry passengers forced to sleep on floors at Moscow’s four airports, which suffered more than 1,000 hours of closures this month.

Check-in staff were reduced to tears as Mr Zelensky started to carry out his threat to close the skies around the Russian capital.

Sheremetyevo Airport was hit by more than 100 disruptions on Saturday while Vnukovo Airport suffered 150 delays or cancellations.

Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin said: ‘Seventy-five drones heading towards Moscow have been destroyed. Emergency services specialists are working at the crash sites.’ 

On Monday, Kirill Dmitriev, special presidential envoy, described Mr Trump’s decision to waive the US sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia’s energy revenues as a ‘historic moment’.

Mr Dmitriev said: ‘The Trump administration’s suspension of the Graham Act is an important and truly historic moment.’

He added that the sanctions would have caused ‘serious damage first and foremost to the US economy and global markets’.

The Graham Act, named after the late senator Lindsey Graham, the primary backer of the legislation, was due to be implemented in two days, and was set to introduce sanctions on Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving.

Speaking to broadcaster Newsmax this week, President Trump blamed Mr Zelensky for the war, claiming he – not Putin – had ‘destroyed’ Ukraine. 

In an interview with the Financial Times, the Ukrainian leader said the cutting off of US intelligence sharing and the simultaneous weakening of the Starlink satellite internet service was ‘dangerous’ for civilians.

He added: ‘The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done.’

‘Well, I think that’s a disgrace,’ Trump said yesterday, adding that Kyiv’s recent strikes were driving up global energy prices.

Ukrainians wanted a deal with Russia but ‘they’re not going to do it with him,’ he added. ‘He says he wants to settle but he doesn’t. No, I’m not a big fan of Zelensky.’

Chinese food is one of the UK’s favourite takeaway choices—but do you stick with the same order every time, or find yourself unable to choose from the extensive menu?

A YouGov survey published earlier this year found that Chinese cuisine is officially Britain’s second-favourite foreign food, beaten only by Italian.

Now, two leading Chinese chefs have shared the industry “red flags” they watch for—including dishes they would never order and details diners should pay close attention to.

1. Roast duck

Duck pancakes may be a firm favourite across the country, but both experts say diners should approach roast duck with caution.

Cheong Yew, co-founder of Three Uncles and better known as Uncle Lim, explained: “Good Cantonese roast duck takes time, and much of the important work happens long before the duck goes anywhere near the oven.

“The fat beneath the skin needs to render properly, while the meat remains juicy and packed with flavour.

“A well-cooked roast duck should taste delicious by itself. You shouldn’t have to smother it in sauce to compensate for bland meat.

“Rubbery skin, an overly thick layer of fat and dry, chewy meat should all be treated as warning signs.”

Emily Tang, owner of Banquet 88, shared the concern, saying: “Roast meats should have crisp skin and juicy meat—it’s really important.

“If the skin is soggy or leathery, that may indicate the food has been kept in storage or reheated, possibly in a microwave.

“You don’t want to eat something that has been left sitting out and then microwaved.”

2. Mixed fish or mixed veg 

Emily also urged diners to be wary of “vague ingredient descriptions”, a problem she said she encounters on many menus.

She said: “One common example is ‘mixed vegetables’. But what exactly is included? Is it bok choy or Chinese broccoli?

“And is it simply listed as ‘steamed fish’? There are so many different types of fish, after all.

“The restaurant should be able to tell you exactly what goes into a dish. Even if the details aren’t printed on the menu, the waiter should be able to explain.”

3. Minced prawn dumplings

Emily added that texture is central to Chinese food culture and is almost as important as flavour.

“With a prawn dumpling, the filling should be bouncy and juicy, creating a contrast with the delicate wrapper,” she said.

“If a restaurant uses very finely minced prawns and the filling lacks that characteristic texture, it’s something to be cautious about.

“If they are mincing the prawns, there’s a chance they’re using other ingredients to bulk out the filling.”

Uncle Lim agreed, adding: ‘In pork and prawn siu mai, one thing I always look for is the texture of the filling.

‘You should be able to recognise pieces of prawn rather than everything being processed into a completely smooth paste.

‘A good siu mai should have a satisfying bite, with the pork and prawn working together.’

4. Sweet & sour chicken that’s ‘too sweet’ or ‘too crispy’

Sweet and sour chicken is another national favourite, with Emily describing it as a ‘classic’ dish.

But she warned: ‘When it’s done well, it’s like a texture explosion.

‘You should have a not too thick sauce. It should be not overly sweet, but not overly sour. The batter should be crisp and the chicken should be soft.

‘A really well known dish like that actually balances a lot of care and attention.

‘Everything should be in harmony. Nothing should be overwhelming. So if it’s too crispy, then maybe they’ve deep fried (the chicken) or fried it twice.’

Uncle Lim echoed her thoughts, saying: ‘One thing I’m always wary of is a Chinese dish where the sauce is overwhelmingly sweet.

‘Sometimes people associate Chinese takeaway food with very sticky, sweet sauces, but that’s only one small part of a much broader food culture.

‘If the only flavour you get is sugar, you’re missing out on the complexity and balance good Chinese cooking can offer.’

5. Dim sum if there’s only three or four choices

Big dumpling fan? It’s best to Google the restaurant before you go, and check how extensive their options are.

Emily said: ‘If the menu only has three or four (options) or just one platter, that would be a bit of a red flag to me.

‘Because if you’re making your dim sum freshly on site, you should have a team, and they will be skilled in a repertoire of steamed and grilled and various types.

‘It doesn’t really make sense to have a team making it fresh if they’re only going to make three or four things, right? So I would say that might be a sign they’re not made in house.

‘If they’re saying it’s fresh or it’s made in house daily, that’s what you should be getting. And if the menu only has three or four then honestly economically it doesn’t make sense.’

6. Greasy or soggy rice

Rice is often an afterthought to customers, but Emily insists it tells you the MOST about the kitchen’s standards.

She said: ‘A really simple dish to tell the skill of the kitchen is fried rice, because it sounds really simple, but actually it shows a lot about control.

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‘With a good fried rice, each grain of rice should be separate. The ingredients you get — chicken, vegetable, whatever — should all be dispersed evenly.

‘So if it’s too greasy or too soggy, that misses the mark of what fried rice is supposed to be.

‘I think it can tell you so much about the kitchen from how much effort they’re putting into it, even though it’s a bestseller.’

7. Bright red char siu

Uncle Lim warns readers not to be ‘fooled’ by a bright red brine. He said: ‘One of the first things I’d tell people is not to judge char siu by how red it looks.

‘Many people associate that bright red colour with authentic Cantonese BBQ pork, but colour alone doesn’t tell you anything about how well it’s been prepared.

‘The real secret lies in what happens before and during roasting.

‘What you’re really looking for is beautifully caramelised edges, a glossy finish and meat that’s juicy and tender.

‘The flavours should be balanced, with sweetness, savouriness and the flavour of the pork all coming through.

‘If the pork looks impressive but tastes bland or dry, that bright red colour isn’t going to save it.’

8. ‘Dense’ or underfilled bao

Uncle Lim said: ‘A steamed bao can look enormous and beautifully fluffy, but the real test is when you bite into it.

‘A good bao should have soft, light dough and a generous, well-seasoned filling. The two need to work together.

‘One disappointing thing is biting into a big steamed bun and finding hardly any filling inside.

‘You end up eating mouthfuls of plain dough rather than enjoying the balance of flavours and textures.

‘The bun should be soft and fluffy, not heavy or dense, and there should be enough filling to make every bite satisfying. If you’re paying for a pork bun, you should be able to taste the pork!’

9. Anything off a large menu from a small kitchen

One of Emily’s cautions comes more from the restaurant layout than the menu itself.

She said: ‘Chinese food culture often focuses on communal eating, and eating bits of lots of dishes.

‘You often see three generations of a family dining, and that’s what a large menu provides.

‘But what you need with a large menu is space — a large kitchen area and large prep areas. If I went to a very small place with a really huge menu, that’s a red flag.

‘If you’ve got roast meats and dim sum and wok dishes but then they’ve got a tiny space, you just think “how are you doing all of that?”’

Victoria Street is one of London’s busiest thoroughfares, crowded each day with highly paid commuters rushing to catch trains home to the surrounding counties.

Many stop at nearby bars and restaurants for a drink after work. But for a scruffily dressed man sitting on the pavement, food and refreshments appear to be far from his thoughts.

Instead, he concentrates on packing a short pipe. He pushes material from a paper wrap into the bowl, presses it down and struggles to find a lighter. After finally igniting it, he takes a deep draw before slumping forward, appearing barely conscious.

The grim scene was filmed on Victoria Street early one evening this week, as the surrounding area remained busy with commuters and passers-by.

It offers a stark glimpse into London’s worsening drug problem, where synthetic cannabinoid Spice has become a substance of choice among some of the capital’s rough sleepers.

The Class B drug has become notorious for leaving users almost immediately incapacitated, prompting comparisons with “zombies”. Once associated with troubled inner-city communities in the United States, Spice later spread to Europe and became particularly prevalent in British prisons. 

Despite its powerful effects, enough Spice to fill a pipe like the one used on Victoria Street can reportedly be bought for as little as £3.

During a patrol of Westminster this week, we saw evidence that the drug is being used widely across the area.

At nearby Grosvenor Gardens, a group of male and female rough sleepers climbed over the perimeter fence after the gardens had closed. They then gathered around the benches, turning the secluded spot into an open-air drug den.

Inside, they prepared similar-looking pipes and passed them between one another, taking turns to smoke.

Almost at once, one man bent forward and appeared unable to move as the drug’s effects took hold.

Elsewhere, two men were found slumped in a pub doorway after what appeared to be a hit. Nearby, two others moved slowly and aimlessly, behaviour that has helped fuel the drug’s zombie-like reputation.

Those caught in the cycle are often deeply resistant to offers of support. Some respond angrily, while others retreat when offered a safe, clean bed for the night.

Claire Dunn, of Westminster Council’s public protection team, said Spice’s availability at an exceptionally low price had made the problem even more difficult to tackle.

“People can get a small amount for around £3,” she said. “If a group can raise £30, they can often buy it more cheaply because dealers offer discounts on larger quantities.

“That means the cycle of supply and demand simply continues.”

She said the consequences of the drug’s use can be horrific.

‘You see people slumped on the floor. They have been sick on themselves. Sometimes we have seen people who have urinated or defecated on themselves because they have lost control of their bodily functions.

‘Sometimes people look as though they are not breathing. They are not moving and they are not communicating.’

The Daily Mail joined Westminster Council members, enforcement specialists and outreach workers on a walk through Victoria to see the problem first-hand.

Even before the patrol began, the scale of the challenge was impossible to miss.

A woman was spotted squatting against the side of Westminster City Hall, using the council’s own headquarters as a toilet before wandering away in an apparent daze.

Just yards away, another rough sleeper was dozing in a tent directly outside the building.

‘When you don’t tackle things quickly, they fester,’ Councillor Caroline Sargent, Westminster’s deputy leader and cabinet member for enforcement. ‘That is why we are trying to do something about this.’

Ms Sargent said Conservative-run Westminster is trying to tackle homelessness but often encounters reluctance from the very people they are trying to help.

She said: ‘Around Victoria, for example, there is a cohort of people with very complex needs, often involving addiction, who have been offered a great deal of support.

‘Some repeatedly refuse that support and remain on the street, where we see antisocial behaviour including public defecation, urination and open drug use.

‘That has a real impact on residents and businesses.

‘What we want people to understand is that this is not always simply a homelessness problem. Some of the people involved actually have accommodation available to them, including hostel places.’

As the patrol moved towards nearby Grosvenor Gardens, several men were slumped against a wall appearing to smoke drugs.

Council enforcement officers approached to check what was happening and one of them threw their paraphernalia over the fence into locked gardens.

One rough sleeper, 31, originally from Bedford, gave a harrowing account of his experience as a Spice user.

He told us: ‘When I can’t even muster a few quid I’ve often sat on the pavement scavenging up bits of Spice and ash just so I can smoke whatever is left. That’s how desperate it gets.

‘I’ve been so desperate for it that dignity just disappears. You’ll beg, borrow, search the floor, whatever it takes.

‘Every time you take it, it can be different. Sometimes it feels amazing but it can also be horrible. I have seen spiders everywhere, or heard voices, or thought I was going to die.

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‘I developed a nervous tic after using it. My speech also started to go.

‘You start telling yourself “This is the last one” – but then an hour later you’re trying to find money for another hit.

‘I’ve used heroin before as well, and Spice can be just as hard to off as that is – you tell yourself you’re going to stop, but then you wake up and you’re looking for it again.’

Councillors say Spice is frequently adulterated with other substances – creating ‘Frankenstein’ concoctions so users may have little idea what they are actually taking.

Supplying the addicts often involves a growing number of naive and exploited young people, referred to as ‘runners’.

Ms Dunn said: ‘They are usually young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are told, “Take this, sell £500 worth and we’ll give you £50”.

‘We have had a number of them arrested over the last six months and by the very next day there is a new runner out on the street.

‘For these kids it looks like easy money, but they are being targeted and exploited.’

In one recent case, she said, a 17-year-old boy was found with around 50 wraps of heroin and cocaine in his mouth when stopped by police.

From Grosvenor Gardens, the patrol continued towards Westminster Cathedral where a soup kitchen is run and around a dozen homeless people have gathered to eat.

But Cllr Sargent said even well-meaning initiatives like this can create unintended problems.

‘While people understandably think they are doing something kind by handing out food and hot meals, many of the people coming here need far more help than that.

‘They have complex health needs and addictions.

‘It can also bring people together in one place and, unfortunately, that can attract drug dealers as well.’

One rough sleeper, Paola, 49, said she herself avoids Victoria at night because of the danger posed by other homeless people and dealers.

She said: ‘I come here to eat. But I never stay overnight. It’s too dangerous.’

Cllr Sargent said Westminster wanted a tougher response where persistent antisocial behaviour followed offers of support – and the next recourse should be police action.

But officer numbers, she said, were a major problem.

‘Last summer, when things became particularly difficult, some charities felt they could not properly do their jobs because their own outreach workers did not feel safe,’ she said.

‘Having a police presence makes a huge difference. The problem is that there simply are not enough officers.’

Councillor David Harvey echoed the fears, saying local officers are often pulled away to demonstrations and other duties.

‘We have some really good officers, but only a tiny number of them,’ he said.

‘I think quite often the police have not felt backed. Officers can feel that if they take a more assertive approach towards disruptive homeless people, they may end up getting into trouble for it.’

The council itself has much more limited powers.

Despite the outrage of many Londoners, its enforcement officers cannot simply physically remove somebody from the pavement.

‘People have to remember that council officers are not police officers,’ Cllr Sargent said.

‘The police can physically detain somebody and arrest them if necessary. Council officers cannot simply pick someone up and remove them.’

The legal backdrop has also shifted following the repeal of the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act in June, ending the old blanket criminalisation of rough sleeping and begging in favour of more targeted powers aimed at harmful behaviour.

Meanwhile, Councillor Festus Akinbusoye, deputy cabinet member for enforcement and a former Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, told of a visiting professor friend from California who had been shocked by the amount of visible drug use in London.

The comparison was particularly striking given the notorious scenes of open drug addiction in cities such as San Francisco.

He said: ‘It’s just really sad, you know, the case of homelessness in general.’

The council’s latest September count recorded 293 rough sleepers across the borough – 6 per cent fewer than at the same time last year.

In Victoria alone, 61 people were recorded. Of those, 48 were identified and engaged with outreach teams, while 13 – more than one in five – were unidentified or would not engage. Five were already subject to enforcement action, the council said.

Council officials estimate that between 10 and 20 per cent of rough sleepers approached by outreach teams will reject the help being offered.

Spice is now a bigger draw for many of them than physical comfort and security, it seems.

The Mayor’s Office was contacted for comment.

The Wiggles are set to fill some of Australia’s biggest arenas as a remarkable revival propels the children’s entertainers to new heights of popularity.

The group will launch its new Sparkle! BIG SHOW tour in Sydney in October before travelling across the country for performances scheduled through December.

The nationwide tour follows an exceptional year for the band, which has continued performing overseas and attracting new fans more than 30 years after doubts were raised about whether its 1991 debut album would succeed.

Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, the only original member still performing with the group, has discussed how The Wiggles overcame early scepticism, broke into the US market and continued after three founding members left.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Field also revisited the decision to grow The Wiggles’ lineup to eight performers in 2021, a move criticised at the time by Senator Matt Canavan.

Field remembered one woman warning the group: “You’ll be lucky to sell 300 copies of that, at most.”

Contrary to those predictions, the debut album sold 100,000 copies through word of mouth, despite receiving almost no radio or television promotion.

Today, The Wiggles have 10 million YouTube subscribers and recently entertained 40,000 people over five days in New Zealand.

Those numbers underline the extraordinary transformation of a group once considered unlikely to achieve major commercial success.

The Wiggles began in 1991 when Field, then studying early childhood education at Macquarie University while performing with rock band The Cockroaches, joined fellow students Murray Cook, Greg Page and Jeff Fatt.

After trying out their songs at a Randwick childcare centre, the new group approached the ABC about producing an album.

Their breakthrough came when the Disney Channel started showing their performances four times a day in the United States.

Field recalled the moment a customs officer recognised him as the group arrived in America. He then turned to Murray Cook and said: “Things have changed, mate.”

The Wiggles went on to play 13 consecutive sold-out performances at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Even after achieving international success, the original members avoided financial conflict by agreeing to divide their earnings equally, regardless of which member wrote a particular song.

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Field said that agreement helped preserve their friendship and prevented the internal battles that have damaged other high-profile bands.

The group reached its most significant crossroads in 2012, when the other three original members chose to retire.

Field admitted he was surprised by their decision but was determined to continue performing.

He recalled telling his bandmates: ‘Boys, I really just love this. This is what I do. I don’t know what else I’m going to do if I don’t do this. So I’ll keep going if you’re happy with that?’

The transition was initially difficult, with audiences falling to around a quarter of their previous size before gradually rebuilding.

The next major change came in 2021, when Field expanded the group to eight performers, with four men and four women representing a broader range of backgrounds.

The decision attracted criticism from Senator Matt Canavan, who declared: ‘It was nice while it lasted. But you go woke, you go broke.’

However, Field said the expanded group had helped rejuvenate the band, with its popularity continuing to grow.

‘Look, it’s bigger than it ever was. Again, we have to represent our audience. And it really is bigger than ever now,’ he said.

‘We’ve got 10 million subscribers now on YouTube. We’ve just done 40,000 people in five days in New Zealand and had the most amazing time.’

The current line-up includes Ethiopian-Australian Tsehay Hawkins, Italian-Australian Caterina Mete, Greek-Australian Lucia Field, who is Anthony’s daughter, and Filipino-Australian Johnny Pearce.

The group has continued to attract major musical collaborators, recording three songs with late country music legend Dolly Parton and working with Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty.

Field said the collaborations had reinforced his belief that the group’s music should be taken seriously, regardless of its young audience.

‘What we did wasn’t kids’ music. It was music. I could never regret any part of playing what we do. I love it,’ he said.

The Wiggles’ latest tour will bring together performers from different generations, with Anthony and Lucia among the eight members taking to the stage for Sparkle! BIG SHOW.

Despite being the last original member still performing, Field said he had no regrets about dedicating his career to The Wiggles.

However, he admitted he was uncomfortable discussing his own achievements and had been nervous about the interview, adding that he was ‘proud’ to engage with thousands of children through music.

The Conservatives intensified their attack on alleged racism within Reform UK on Saturday after Raheem Kassam, a close ally of Nigel Farage, referred to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch as a “Nigerian scammer”.

Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake accused Kassam, a long-time adviser to Farage, of directing “racist slurs” at the leader of the opposition.

In one post on X, Kassam wrote: “How are people still falling for this Nigerian scammer? Don’t give her your credit card number and bank account details!”

In separate posts, he asked: “So Kemi, tell us the truth. Are you a walking gaffe or an illegal immigrant?” He also repeatedly used Badenoch’s full name, Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch.

The Conservatives have demanded that Farage “come clean” about Kassam’s exact position within Reform. Kassam has been closely associated with Farage for more than 10 years and previously served as his chief of staff when Farage led Ukip.

Kassam was present at Reform’s London headquarters as recently as last week, although the party insists he holds no formal role.

The remarks came as Reform faces accusations that it is pursuing an “ethno-nationalist” agenda. Some MPs have claimed that only white people can be considered truly English. Kassam once described himself as a “one-man human shield” for Farage and said he would take the politician to steam rooms to prevent him from sweating in public.

Badenoch has enjoyed a rise in support since using her speech at the Conservative Party conference this month to condemn Reform MPs who have repeated the claim that whiteness defines English identity.

The dispute follows a difficult week for Reform, which faced renewed scrutiny over its candidate-vetting procedures after an undercover ITV investigation found several councillors and candidates expressing racist views and using offensive language. A Reform spokesman said: “There is no room for racism in Reform UK.”

Hollinrake told The Mail on Sunday: “It’s time for Mr Farage to come clean about precisely what role Raheem Kassam has within Reform. Does he have a paid position?

“Is he acting as an informal adviser? What influence does he have over Reform’s communications and broader political strategy?

“Reform says there is no room for racism in the party. How does that square with Mr Kassam apparently maintaining close links to Mr Farage while simultaneously directing racist slurs at the Leader of the Opposition?”

Kassam rejected the accusation and accused Hollinrake of using “woke, Leftist terms”. He said: “I’m Indian, but I don’t think it is racist to call me Indian. Kemi is a compulsive liar. She is, without doubt, a scammer.”

A friend of Kassam also claimed that a group of Conservative MPs had recently visited the restaurant he runs in Washington DC and asked him to work with them.

The friend said: “He has only been over from Washington for a few weeks and the Tories are already panicking, which is sort of flattering. But he has no intention of staying in London long term.”

A Reform insider said: “Raheem has worked with people on the political Right on and off for more than a decade, including the Conservative Party.

“Tory MPs dined at his Washington restaurant last year and asked him to return and work with them. They’re obviously attacking him now because he refused.”

A Tory source strenuously denied the claim.

Mr Kassam has sent a flurry of messages in recent weeks on X, including one containing footage of Mrs Badenoch speaking at her father’s memorial in 2022.

He wrote: ‘When Kemi Badenoch speaks to other Nigerians, she turns off her fake English accent.

‘She also tells them that she loves Nigeria just as much as England. And what’s all this about saying Islamic prayers in Nigeria? She is running to be PM while stating equal allegiance to another country??? How are people still falling for this Nigerian scammer? Don’t give her your credit card number and bank account details!’

Earlier this month, he criticised the version of the Bayeux Tapestry the Tories mocked up for their party conference, spoofing Labour figures such as Andy Burnham, John Healey and Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Kassam complained that their version of the embroidery, originally depicting events from 1064 onwards, ‘includes their Nigerian leader, Olukemi Badenoch. This is Netflix-tier bad’.

Mrs Badenoch’s approval ratings shot up when voters were shown clips of her saying she didn’t want to live in a nation run by people who ‘debate whether my mixed-race children are English’ – including a leap from 40 per cent to 57 per cent among Reform voters.

Mr Farage has warned his colleagues to stop drawing lines around Englishness, ‘exchanging words’ with Suella Braverman after she suggested she could not be considered English because her parents were born abroad.