Boris Johnson news: PM condemned over ‘cruel and callous’ deportations to Jamaica, as Labour leadership candidate sparks transphobia row

Some 160 convicted terrorists released early in the last seven years

Ex-Conservative minister John Hayes said he was "surprised and disappointed" by the "significant" numbers contained within research compiled by the House of Commons Library.

He added this figure did not include those offenders who had served fewer than 12 months behind bars.

Mr Hayes disclosed the data as he supported the Government's Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill.

This legislation aims to prevent automatic release from prison of terrorist offenders halfway through their sentences.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Hayes said: "I consulted the House of Commons Library, as good members of this House do, and was surprised and disappointed to find that since 2013 something like 163 convicted terrorists have been released early.

"I excluded from my considerations anyone who'd been serving a sentence of less than a year.

"Those are just people serving a sentence somewhere between 12 months and more than four years.

"So leaving aside the short sentences, the more serious terrorist prisoners have been released in significant numbers.

"Just imagine the effect on our security services and police of having to deal with the possible consequences of those releases."

Mr Hayes said he expected some of the people released would have been rehabilitated and de-radicalised.

He added: "But we know that's not always the case."

If Boris Johnson really wants to 'level up' Britain, his reshuffled cabinet must be more diverse, says ex-minister

Justine Greening, a former Tory education secretary, says that 'Social mobility starts at home – if Britain is to fire on all cylinders, so must Boris Johnson’s cabinet', in an exclusive piece for The Independent.

It comes ahead of tomorrow's reshuffle, where the PM is finally expected to reveal his top team.

Fast-tracked terror legislation passes first Commons stage

The Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill cleared its first Commons hurdle after receiving an unopposed second reading.

It will now progress to committee stage where amendments can be considered by MPs.

Ministers are fast-tracking the legislation through parliament this week - to prevent the release of new offenders next week.

Why the Tory rebellion over Boris Johnson’s HS2 plan has run out of track

Backbenchers accept they must be ‘gracious in defeat’ but demand proper compensation for constituents, writes political editor Andrew Woodcock.

Brexit trade talks set for acrimonious start as UK accuses EU of being too tough

Brexit trade talks are off to an acrimonious start in Brussels, with the UK accusing the EU of "cherry-picking" and being too tough before negotiations began in earnest. 

Angry British officials have said the EU is trying to impose conditions on the UK that go far beyond the standard of a normal free trade agreement – after the European Parliament overwhelmingly backed a no-nonsense negotiating mandate on Wednesday. 

The EU says that Britain's closeness to the continent and the interlinked nature of the two economies means the UK government must commit to maintain European standards on the environment, workers' rights, and safety – including future rules – if it wants trade access.

Tory donor paid £15,000 for PM's Christmas holiday

Boris Johnson accepted a £15,000 donation for his holiday to St Vincent and the Grenadines with girlfriend Carrie Symonds over the New Year.

The PM came under fire for not returning from the trip to deal with the Iran crisis - see our story from the time here.

Terror legislation passes the Commons unopposed

A fast-tracked bill to toughen up terror laws has passed its Commons stages without a vote.

It will now move to the Lords for further scrutiny.

That's it for The Independent's politics liveblog for the day. Thanks for following.