Always get up early this day to remember this man. Bing would be married now, be a father, experience the love of his children. The years only elevate his sacrifice. Too tall to fit in the back of the truck, I cradled him as his life ebbed away that morning. Always consistent, always brave, deeply courageous yet humble and kind. I’ll never forget him, and neither should the Nation. #neverforget

As part of the ‘great and noble undertaking’ of D-Day 82 years ago today, British Troops conducted an opposed assault across this Gold Beach and turned the tide of the greatest conflict in human history. Giants among men. Never forget.

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The news about Sir Alex Younger has hit really hard. I met him just once. In February this year, he was the keynote speaker at our parliamentary away day. He was superb. I wished he had been in government when I was in cabinet. Even in retirement he was studiously apolitical. Yet the depth of knowledge, expertise and his sheer love of the United Kingdom and deep commitment to her defence and safety shone through with his remarks and answers to even the most knotty questions. He gave candid advice on how to use our time in opposition to get ready for defence and national security in this new geopolitical era. So much of the recent policy work and research we have started and announced was based on his recommendations. There is so much to do and so little time. It was a real privilege to have a long lunch with him that day. I am grateful for the time he spent with me and deeply sad to know our agreement to have further conversations will now not happen. It is odd to feel such a loss for someone I only met once but his death is a loss not only of a remarkable man, but of the wisdom, insight and clarity he still had to offer. He was a great man who loved, fought for and defended our country in ways we will never know. May he rest in peace.

This terrible news has really knocked me for six. Alex Younger was a truly outstanding Head of MI6 during my time as PM and an exemplary public servant. He has been taken from us far too soon. Due to the nature of their work, few fully understand the service and sacrifice made by those working in our intelligence and security services - but be in no doubt, Alex made our country a safer place and we all owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for that. I had the privilege to continue working with Alex and to remain good friends after we both left office; I will miss him dreadfully. He was a remarkable man - tremendously knowledgable and insightful, but also such fantastic company and fun to be with. Kind, thoughtful; a good man in every sense. At a time when our world is more confrontational, volatile and, frankly, dangerous, his expertise and great wisdom will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah and his family at this sad time. thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/a…

⛳️Our D Day 82 National Golf Auction, in loving memory of D-Day Veteran and Fundraiser Harry Billinge MBE. Submit your bids NOW. britishnormandymemorial.org/…

Thanks for all the kind comments in the Plymouth Half last weekend. Great to see such a wonderful side of Plymouth out cheering everyone. Did it this year for the @BrainTumourCSO with friends who work at Derriford. Chuck them a few £ if you can: justgiving.com/page/ellie-ed…

Love Plymouth. Always have. Always will.

A Great British tradition #cheltenhamgoldcup

On international women’s day I wanted to shout out to my amazing girls We’re an all girl family. They rock my world every day 🫶

Still getting my hearing sorted. Go with the folks I went with and they will look after you. It's bloody isolating and frustrating - speak to these guys 👇tinyurl.com/2ux6n843 (CLM company who use a panel of specialist solicitors)

Best Fridays. Girls and the pub x

Colonel Richard Williams, former Commanding Officer in the SAS, reacts as a Labour Minister admits to misleading the house over Keir Starmer's relationship with disgraced lawyer Phil Shiner.

Imagine being so committed to hounding British veterans that you would volunteer your services - *for free* - to help someone do it, who would then be subsequently convicted for fraud. 👏Keir Starmer thetimes.com/article/e2daeb2…

You can trust some of us to always tell the truth about the Prime Minister’s insatiable desire to prosecute British soldiers and who he worked with. Just not him or his Ministers.

Today is a difficult day for Ukrainians. Four years since Russia’s absurd invasion. I’ve spent a lot of time in the last year visiting and helping them plan and develop the world’s best veterans care. They are an extraordinary people, and we must never give up on them. 🇺🇦🇬🇧