Labour holds Penistone East, Swalwell probed as Leavitt exits Trump team

Labour’s John Roberts won the Penistone East council by-election in Barnsley on 20 August, taking 1,728 votes (51.6%) on a turnout of 38.58%. Reform UK’s Eunice Asante received 795 votes and the Conservative candidate, Steven John Burkinshaw, 387. Although Labour already held two of the ward’s three seats, the contest filled a vacancy created by the resignation of Reform councillor Kay Hughes, making the result a Labour gain from Reform rather than simply a defence. The outcome gives Labour all three Penistone East seats; Reform retains overall control of Barnsley Council.

In the United States, the Associated Press reported that federal agents seized electronic devices from former Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell at San Francisco airport and searched his home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. The report cited a person familiar with the inquiry and said Swalwell has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct; no charge was reported. Separately, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she would leave the Trump administration at the end of August, citing the demands of the job and a wish to spend more time with her young family. President Donald Trump said she would remain one of his outside advisers, but did not name a replacement.