Geraldine Mckelvie

Arron Banks is alleged to have instructed Precision Risk and Intelligence, a firm he once owned, to investigate Gabriel Pogrund, the Sunday Times journalist who reported on Nigel Farage’s finances and Reform UK. Banks suggested the newspaper may have used hacked information and referred to the firm’s advanced investigative capabilities, but did not directly deny commissioning the investigation. The Sunday Times rejected the accusation and condemned any surveillance of its journalists. Reform UK denied knowing about or authorizing the alleged operation. The report places the dispute alongside continuing scrutiny of donations and financial support involving Farage, George Cottrell, Fiona Cottrell, Christopher Harborne and Reform-linked entities, with the Metropolitan Police investigating the party’s finances.

Thames Valley Police chief constable Jason Hogg says he may join the Police Federation in seeking a judicial review if the government allows Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers to leave prison early. The pair are serving 13-year sentences for the 2019 manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper, while their accomplice Henry Long is serving 16 years and is not eligible for the scheme. The government plans to release about 5,000 prisoners who have served one-third of their sentences to ease severe prison overcrowding, but critics argue that releasing offenders based on sentence type rather than rehabilitation or assessed risk could endanger the public and damage police morale. Harper’s widow previously campaigned successfully for tougher sentencing laws, though those changes cannot apply retrospectively.

She Plays to Win Lionesses A Team, the UK’s only all-female chess team, has earned promotion to the Four Nations Chess League’s top division but may have to add a male player because first-division teams must include players of more than one gender. Team members say the rule would damage their camaraderie, undermine their achievement and discourage women from participating. The league says the mixed-team requirement has existed since 1994, is supported by team captains and encourages female representation by ensuring every top-division team includes at least one woman.

GB News political commentator Matthew Torbitt pleaded guilty at Thames magistrates court to two counts of fraud by false representation linked to parliamentary expenses incurred while he worked for Labour MP Christian Wakeford. The claims involved rail tickets and accommodation for trips unrelated to parliamentary business and were initially estimated at more than £6,000. Torbitt was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced at Snaresbrook crown court later this year.

The Metropolitan Police is investigating two £250,000 donations made to Reform UK by Britain Means Business, a company solely directed by the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, before the 2024 general election. The donations followed a £1m transfer from Fiona Cottrell to the company, whose original source has not been traced; the National Crime Agency is seeking assistance from a foreign partner. Cottrell and her son George, a convicted fraudster with links to Nigel Farage, have been interviewed under caution. The Electoral Commission referred the matter to police, who are examining possible offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Tice and Reform UK deny wrongdoing, while no arrests have been made.

Production at Rosebank, Britain’s biggest undeveloped oilfield, may be delayed until 2027 after two pieces of drilling equipment, including a safety valve, fell 1,100 metres to the seabed in April. The rig was repaired in Bergen and has returned to the site but is not yet operational. The delay makes Rosebank unlikely to affect UK winter energy supplies, while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh considers whether the project and the Jackdaw gasfield can proceed after emissions consultations. The government faces pressure from the fossil-fuel industry, unions and some Labour MPs to approve further North Sea production for energy security and jobs, while environmental campaigners and other Labour figures argue the projects would have little effect on bills or employment and would prolong climate damage. Environmental groups may mount a further legal challenge focused on marine ecosystems, pollution, climate and health risks.

Joshua Kerry, 28, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with murdering former MP and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe, 78, at her Devon home on 8 July. Prosecutors allege that he entered the property while she was having lunch and struck her head repeatedly with a hammer before taking her wallet. Widdecombe was found dead the following day, and Kerry was later linked to a red Vauxhall Corsa seen near the bungalow. The investigation is examining whether the killing had a political or terrorism-related motive. Kerry was denied bail at the Old Bailey and remanded in custody, with a provisional trial date set for June 2027; an inquest has been suspended pending the criminal proceedings.

Andy Burnham plans to abandon Keir Starmer’s proposed digital ID scheme and redirect its resources toward addressing the cost of living. The move seeks to distance his incoming government from a widely criticised initiative that drew millions of petition signatures and opposition from civil liberties groups, opposition parties and some experts. While the scheme lacked a clear budget, external estimates suggested high costs, and criticism focused on privacy, data security and government overreach. Burnham remains committed to tougher enforcement on illegal working, with right‑to‑work checks expected to continue and expand. The decision comes amid broader government restructuring, including plans to fold the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology into a larger business department.

Reports indicate that incoming prime minister Andy Burnham is likely to permit new North Sea oil and gas licences, diverging from Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledge. Trade unions and some Labour MPs support new drilling, while Conservatives and Reform UK argue it would help with energy bills, a claim disputed by climate campaigners. Decisions largely concern the Rosebank and Jackdaw sites, whose licences were overturned by a Scottish court pending environmental review. Critics, including the Green Party and renewable energy advocates, argue new drilling will not reduce prices or address the climate crisis, urging investment in renewables instead.

Save the Children sparked a confrontation with the UK government after posting a message accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of complicity in Palestinian civilian deaths during the Israel-Gaza conflict. The government demanded an explanation, citing concerns about security for MPs and disputing the charity’s claims. A coalition of humanitarian organisations urged incoming prime minister Andy Burnham to take stronger action on Gaza, including suspending arms sales to Israel and implementing international legal recommendations. Save the Children argued that the UK has fallen short of its moral and legal obligations, while ministers defended the government’s record, highlighting sanctions and trade measures targeting Israel.

Prince Harry’s privacy lawsuit against the Daily Mail collapsed after key witness Gavin Burrows retracted his claims and the judge ruled that evidence gathered by Graham Johnson and Evan Harris was inconsistent and unreliable. Johnson’s history of fabrication, funding sources, and attempts to shape claims undermined the case, while alleged surveillance and misconduct by Mail journalists could not be substantiated. High‑profile claimants including Doreen Lawrence, Elton John, and Elizabeth Hurley lost on all counts, leaving significant legal costs and uncertainty for the press reform movement.

Police believe Ann Widdecombe was attacked around midday on Wednesday, nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered at her home in Devon. A man initially arrested in connection with the case was released without charge, and officers are searching for a white male suspect while stating there is no broader threat to the public. Investigators are reconstructing Widdecombe’s final movements with information from media producers, noting her last confirmed communications shortly after noon on Wednesday. Tributes from colleagues, neighbours and friends highlighted her public career and personal character as police continue their inquiry into the circumstances of her death.

A new AI tool will be integrated into the NHS app to triage patients and direct them to appropriate services, with pharmacy visits or A&E recommended when suitable and fewer GP appointments required. The rollout, backed by a £10bn government investment, follows early trials showing reduced call‑line queues and increased clinician time with patients. Health leaders welcome technological upgrades but warn of overestimated productivity gains, privacy risks, digital exclusion, and the absence of a clear long‑term AI strategy. Stakeholders call for careful implementation, strong safeguards, and assurance that funding will be used effectively by local NHS organisations.

More than 35,000 people marched in central London’s annual Pride parade, joined by mayor Sadiq Khan, with organisers emphasising ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ communities, including long NHS gender‑affirming care waits, the lack of a trans‑inclusive conversion therapy ban, and rising hate crimes. Interim chief executive Rebecca Paisis highlighted the event’s aim for greater inclusivity, while some activists criticised Pride in London for insufficient diversity and corporate involvement linked to contentious industries, prompting some groups to distance themselves from the event.

The convicted leader of the Rochdale grooming gang, Shabir Ahmed, was released automatically after serving two‑thirds of his sentence despite Parole Board assessments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 deeming him a high risk to children. A victim identified as Amber said she received no notification of his release and fears for her safety. Ahmed cannot be deported due to legal restrictions tied to his long‑term residency, prompting Andy Burnham and government officials to consider options to close the loophole. Statements from legal advocates and authorities highlight failures in victim notification and ongoing concerns about managing Ahmed’s risk in the community.

Matthew Torbitt, a political commentator and GB News pundit, has been charged with two counts of fraud by false representation over allegedly improper use of parliamentary travel and expense systems between 2022 and 2024. The Crown Prosecution Service alleges he obtained free rail tickets and submitted non‑parliamentary travel and accommodation claims while working as a Labour adviser. The Metropolitan police began investigating in 2023 following reports of unauthorised travel bookings. Torbitt, known for his media appearances and previous advisory roles with MPs, is scheduled to appear at Thames magistrates court on 27 July.

Andy Burnham’s allies believe he may secure a near-uncontested path to becoming Labour leader after gaining extensive MP support following his byelection victory. Some MPs, however, argue a leadership contest is necessary to test candidates’ ideas. Wes Streeting’s supporters insist he also has enough backing to challenge Keir Starmer, who remains determined to fight any contest despite pressure from cabinet ministers urging him to set a timetable for departure. Party rules require challengers to meet strict nomination thresholds, while Starmer would appear on the ballot automatically unless he resigns. Concerns are rising that avoiding a contest could create internal chaos, while supporters of a challenge argue scrutiny would strengthen Labour’s eventual programme.

Far-right groups and anti-racist counter-protesters clashed across several UK cities following recent unrest in Belfast and Southampton, leading to multiple arrests and heightened police interventions. Demonstrations in Sheffield, Brighton, Liverpool and Glasgow drew groups advocating stricter immigration policies alongside large counter-mobilisations organised by anti-racism organisations. Tensions escalated with minor violence, public order offences and attempts to breach police cordons. Political concerns over rising polarization were highlighted by Andy Burnham, who warned of increasingly divisive national discourse.

A safeguarding investigation by the Football Association has limited David Sullivan’s contact with West Ham’s women’s and youth teams since 2023 following an anonymous complaint alleging historical sexual misconduct, which he denies. Sullivan resigned as director and co‑chair before a BBC and Times report in which seven women accused him of sexual exploitation spanning decades. Government officials demanded explanations from the FA and West Ham about the handling of the case. Both the club and the FA stated they could not comment on individual matters but reiterated their safeguarding commitments.

Sexualised images of underage girls in David Sullivan’s Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers drew renewed scrutiny as former victims’ commissioner Vera Baird condemned the ‘Countdown to 16’ feature for exploiting children and appealing to predatory men. Seven women accused Sullivan of sexual misconduct in an investigation by the BBC and The Times, prompting his resignation as West Ham co-chair, though he denied the allegations. The Independent Football Regulator is assessing his suitability as a club owner. Critics, including former minister Alex Davies-Jones, argued Sullivan has shown no remorse for the newspapers’ harmful impact, while some former models described long-term personal and educational consequences.

David Sullivan’s Sunday Sport repeatedly published sexualised images of 15- and 16-year-old girls through features that counted down to their legal ability to appear topless, part of a broader pattern of the newspaper pushing legal and ethical boundaries in the 1980s and 1990s. Former models describe distressing experiences, coercion and fabricated stories, while Sullivan’s long career in the adult entertainment industry is outlined alongside past allegations of sexual misconduct. New claims from seven women have intensified scrutiny as he steps down from West Ham United’s board, though he denies all allegations. The history raises questions about his influence in football and his continued role as the club’s largest shareholder.

David Sullivan resigned as West Ham’s joint‑chair to focus on contesting allegations about his personal conduct that are set to be revealed in a BBC Panorama and Times investigation. He denied all claims and signalled plans to pursue legal action. His departure comes amid growing fan frustration, recent relegation, leadership turmoil and uncertainty over ownership dynamics. The club faces financial strain, potential restructuring and key decisions over future control, with major shareholders and executives navigating a rebuild after slipping into the Championship.

Marc Bolland, former CEO of Marks & Spencer, was appointed lead non-executive director at the Department for Work and Pensions to address rising youth unemployment, particularly among young people with disabilities or health conditions. His role includes coordinating business leaders and advising on recommendations from Alan Milburn’s report, which warns that the number of Neets could reach 1.25 million by the 2030s. The government highlights Bolland’s work with the Movement to Work charity, which has supported more than 200,000 young people into employment. The report notes declining youth employment experience, increasing health-related work exclusions, and significant economic costs tied to the growing crisis.

Green party leaders Zack Polanski and Caroline Lucas urge engaging Reform UK voters by addressing the economic hardship driving their political shift, arguing that long‑term austerity has left many feeling abandoned. Speaking at a Compass event, Polanski emphasizes bridging inequality and differentiating between Reform leadership and its disaffected supporters. Lucas warns that desperation from years of unmet promises makes voters receptive to alternatives and stresses the importance of electoral reform in the upcoming Makerfield byelection, where Andy Burnham faces challenges from Reform and other right‑wing parties.

Emails sent to Buckingham Palace in 2020 reportedly indicated that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential government information while serving as a trade envoy. The cache of more than 30,000 emails, originating from associate Jonathan Rowland’s account, also contained details relating to financial dealings. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to allegations involving Jeffrey Epstein, which he denies. Authorities are reviewing additional allegations, including possible sexual misconduct. The emails were forwarded to the palace shortly after Mountbatten-Windsor stepped down as a working royal, with regulators in Monaco and Luxembourg also notified.

The Home Office has rejected a proposal for dedicated government funding to support domestic homicide reviews, despite rising cases of domestic abuse-related suicides and growing financial pressure on local authorities. Domestic abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs warned that councils may be unable to continue conducting these reviews without direct resources. The government acknowledged funding concerns but maintained that allocation decisions must remain with local authorities while promising new guidance and tools to streamline the process. Jacobs welcomed progress on a digital oversight tool but criticised the lack of detail on funding or implementation timelines.

Keir Starmer urged TNT Sports to make the upcoming Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain free to view, arguing that fans should not need to pay for access to a major sporting event. TNT defended its £4.99 HBO Max subscription as good value. The appeal comes amid political pressure on Starmer following poor local election results and speculation about a leadership challenge from Andy Burnham, who is gaining support within Labour. Liam Byrne warned that Labour risks losses amid rising populist sentiment, while Burnham positioned himself as a fighter capable of changing the party as he launched his byelection campaign.

A government-commissioned review led by Alan Milburn reports that high levels of anxiety, depression, and digital overexposure are contributing to nearly 1 million young people in the UK being out of education, employment, or training. Milburn argues that workplaces must adapt with greater flexibility and mental health support as social media and smartphone use reshape communication, stress management, and readiness for employment. The findings highlight long-term economic risks, the impact of reduced immigration on labor shortages, and increasing numbers of young people citing mental health as a barrier to work. Peter Hyman adds that schools are becoming a pipeline to worklessness and calls for stronger interventions, potentially including a social media ban.

A London rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew tens of thousands as he urged supporters to prepare for a political campaign ahead of the 2029 UK election. Attendance was below last year’s event, though campaigners warned the movement remains a significant threat. The demonstration featured Islamophobic rhetoric, Christian nationalist symbols and ethnonationalist literature, while police deployed extensive resources and made dozens of arrests. Political figures and far‑right personalities delivered speeches or video messages, and UK authorities barred several foreign far‑right activists from entering the country. Counter‑messages emphasised opposition to hate speech and support for inclusive values.