Good Morning Britain

After 55 years of loyalty to the Conservative Party, former MP and Minister Ann Widdecombe has left the Tories and defected to Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.

She plans come out of retirement to stand as a candidate in the South West, ahead of the European elections on May 23rd.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain in her first interview since the announcement, Ms Widdecombe said: ”Britain’s an international laughing stock, Parliament’s a parody.

“What needs to happen in the European elections is for us to send a seismic shock to both major parties.”

“The problem is we’ve got a majority in the population for leaving, majority in Parliament for remaining, and no will to respect the result of the referendum.”

Authorities have confirmed one of the attackers involved in the Sri Lanka explosions was found to have studied in the UK and Australia before returning to Sri Lanka.

“We believe that one of the suicide bombers studied in the UK and later did his postgraduate [studies] in Australia before coming back and settling in Sri Lanka,” said Ruwan Wijewardene, the state minister for defence.

“This group of suicide bombers, most of them are well-educated and come from middle or upper-middle class, so they are financially quite independent and their families are quite stable financially, that is a worrying factor in this."

Police are on high alert across the country, as they warn there could be more attacks to come. An explosion was set off earlier this morning in South Colombo, however it was a controlled explosion contained to one motorcycle. No one was injured.

The death toll from the Sri Lanka attacks has risen to 359 people, with over 500 people injured.

100 people have been arrested in connection with the bombings, and police have confirmed the identities of eight of the nine suicide bombers.

ISIS have claimed responsibility, however authorities have named Islamist group National Thowfeek Jamaath as the main group behind the attacks.

ROYAL BABY LATEST:

The Duchess of Sussex's mother has arrived in the UK in support of her expectant daughter, according to a report. Doria Ragland is said to have travelled from America to Britain to be there for Meghan and meet her future grandchild.

With the royal baby due any day now, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made it clear they don't plan to follow some royal protocol.

While many royal fans hope the first images of the Duchess and her newborn mirror the iconic photos of Princess Diana and Princess Kate in front of the Lindo Wing, it's very unlikely Harry and Meghan will follow suit, having announced they want to have privacy away from the watchful eyes of the world.

A statement from the palace said: "The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family."

So which traditional royal baby customs could they continue, and will there be any American influences on the birth?

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have shared three new photographs of Prince Louis on his first birthday.

The photos were taken earlier this month by The Duchess at their home in Norfolk.

Police in Northern Ireland has confirmed that the 29-year old woman who was shot during the riots was promising young journalist Lyra McKee.

Tributes have been pouring in for the investigative reporter, describing her as a 'beautiful soul' and a 'rising star' in the world of reporting.

Politicians from all sides are united in condemnation to the killing - and the police are appealing for calm as they continue the investigation into Lyra's killing.

One eyewitness, who hid behind a wall during the violence said: "I heard a pop pop pop of gunfire. People were screaming and wailing in hysterics."

Love Island star Jack Fincham joined Adil Ray and Kate Garraway to shed light on his split from Dani Dyer and discussed why he’s taken up boxing after doctors branded him ‘obese’.

Speaking about calling it quits with Dani, he said: “I am always going to have a lot of love for her, we are on good terms and stuff. It’s just life, it didn’t work out. I wish her all the best. I genuinely mean that I hope she is happy, I want her to be happy.”

EastEnders star Jake Wood, and others from the soap, will be joining Dame Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell to run the London Marathon for charity Dementia Revolution.

Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014. She previously spent over two decades playing the iconic Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders.

Jake is supporting the Dementia Revolution as part of Barbara’s Revolutionaries and can be sponsored here.

Dementia Revolution is a yearlong joint campaign by Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK.

To find out more visit dementiarevolution.org

Trainspotting 2 actor Bradley Welsh was shot dead in Edinburgh's West End on Wednesday night.

Police were called to Chester Street at about 8pm, and found Mr Welsh with serious injuries.

The 42-year-old later died on the scene.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact them immediately.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "The death is being treated as suspicious and inquiries are continuing.”

"Officers will continue to provide a high-visibility presence in the area to engage with the public, offer reassurance and gather information that can assist with this investigation."

Welsh, 42, starred alongside Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle in Trainspotting 2, playing gangland figure Mr Doyle.