Simon Murphy

Anthony May, chief executive of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, was paid £300,000–£305,000 in 2024–25, up from £285,000–£290,000, while Donna Ockenden’s inquiry into the Trust’s maternity services was underway. The review found that 520 mothers and babies suffered potentially avoidable harm or death and identified deeply embedded failures, including poor communication, missed clinical deterioration, inadequate responses to concerns and serious failings in the handling of deceased babies. Families and political and NHS campaigners condemned the pay rise and called for greater accountability. The Trust said May’s pay was set under the national NHS senior managers’ framework, that maternity services had improved, and that it remained committed to implementing the review’s recommendations.

Displaced Palestinians living in crowded tents along Gaza City's coastline are enduring extreme heat, humidity, poor ventilation and limited access to clean drinking water. Workers from UK-Med and Save the Children warn that tent temperatures can exceed 50°C, contributing to dehydration, heat-related illness, skin infections, malnutrition and other serious health problems, particularly among children. The conditions persist amid Israel's military campaign in Gaza and continuing disagreement over Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, which Israel rejected unless Hamas is fully disarmed.

Carol Vorderman has urged Clacton voters to support Count Binface in the by-election against Nigel Farage, calling him the “Banksy of politics” and repeating the slogan “Bin for the win.” Farage triggered the contest after resigning amid scrutiny over an undeclared £5 million gift from cryptocurrency businessman Christopher Harborne; the parliamentary standards investigation was suspended but could resume if he wins. The race includes 34 candidates, including three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. Vorderman also praised Andy Burnham, declined to rule out entering politics herself, and criticized Reform UK after offensive historical social-media comments by its former Makerfield candidate Robert Kenyon.

Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby was raped and murdered in 2019, criticised authorities for failing to act on repeated warning signs before Simon Levy killed Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in 2025. Levy was convicted of two murders, rape, grievous bodily harm and the non-fatal smothering of another woman after a seven-year pattern of offending. The Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and Crown Prosecution Service have admitted failings, while London’s Victims’ Commissioner described the case as a serious failure to manage a prolific offender. Police believe Levy may have additional unreported victims and are urging them to come forward.

Denise Fergus and her husband Stuart have asked the Parole Board to hold Jon Venables’ upcoming parole hearing in public. Fergus says Venables remains a serious danger after his conviction for murdering two-year-old James Bulger in 1993 and later convictions for possessing child abuse images. The couple argue that a public hearing would improve transparency, counter misinformation and allow Venables to confront the consequences of his offending. Venables has previously been refused parole, including in 2020 and 2023, because the board considered his release unsafe and identified unresolved risks.

A Russian missile-and-drone barrage on Kyiv killed at least nine people and wounded 33, damaging residential, commercial and administrative buildings across several districts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the United States and other Western partners to provide more ballistic-missile interceptors, particularly Patriot systems, warning that shortages are leading to more casualties. The report also covers a drone attack in Russian-occupied Sevastopol, a Ukrainian strike that sank the Russian container ship Yanina, and a Russian airstrike in Kherson.

The death toll from the mass border crossing into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta has risen to 67, with deaths attributed to drowning and a stampede. Up to 60,000 migrants entered the territory, but Spain says about 53,000 have since returned to Morocco. Spain plans to install a 500-metre containment barrier, while soldiers and police are escorting or directing migrants back across the border. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska called Morocco a reliable partner and said cooperation helped restore control within 24 hours. Conditions remained difficult for migrants in and around Ceuta and the Moroccan border town of Fnideq, with some refusing to return despite shortages of food and transport.

Sian Astley, a 56-year-old interior designer, television personality and newly elected Manchester councillor, is Reform UK's candidate in the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election following Andy Burnham's departure. Polling places Labour candidate Bev Craig well ahead, with Astley projected to trail further in later-round voting. Astley says she would run the region like a home renovation project and has pledged to oppose illegal-migrant accommodation in towns, strengthen policing and reduce penalties on drivers. She has faced controversy over comments suggesting Green voters and politicians who support open borders should house illegal migrants, criminals and rapists, remarks she has since defended.

Search-and-rescue operations continued into the third day after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, with more than 1,430 people reported dead and nearly 68,900 missing. Local residents and 39 international rescue teams searched collapsed buildings in hard-hit La Guaira and elsewhere, racing against the crucial first 48 to 72 hours. Officials described every survivor as a miracle, while a newborn and the baby’s mother were reportedly rescued. More than 14,000 military and police personnel were deployed, and access to some areas was restricted.

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin accepted a £6,000 parliamentary-office donation in May from waste businessman Jonathan Gaskell, who served prison sentences for a fatal workplace safety breach and a driving-licence points scam. Gaskell’s company was fined after employee Zbigniew Galka died in 2010 when he was crushed by a waste-compressing machine whose safety system had been disabled. The donation was properly declared, and Reform said Gaskell was a permissible donor, but the party did not answer whether Pochin knew about his convictions. The report also highlights Pochin’s opposition to stronger workers’ rights and recent criticism over comments linking football to domestic violence.

A pair of powerful earthquakes in Venezuela reportedly killed at least 920 people, injured more than 3,300 and left tens of thousands missing, with the toll expected to rise as rescuers search collapsed buildings. La Guaira and Caracas suffered the heaviest destruction, while hospitals, transport networks, electricity and water supplies were disrupted. Families and local volunteers joined rescue efforts amid concerns about limited state resources and the critical 48-to-72-hour survival window. International teams from the UK, United States, Latin America and other countries were deployed, and Britain pledged £2 million in aid. King Charles and Queen Camilla sent condolences, while Venezuelan authorities imposed access restrictions in the worst-hit areas to support rescue operations.

Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela in quick succession, killing at least 188 people, injuring about 1,500 and leaving more than 200 trapped, with thousands reportedly missing. La Guaira suffered the worst destruction, while Caracas faced damaged buildings, power and communications outages, a closed airport, suspended subway services and disrupted gas supplies. Rescue teams used power tools to search collapsed structures and pulled survivors, including three children, from the rubble. Venezuelan authorities expanded rescue operations, while the United States, United Nations, Save the Children and the UK pledged or prepared humanitarian support as officials warned the death toll could rise sharply.

Nigel Farage marked the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum at the Saint Jacques restaurant in central London with Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice and prominent Brexit supporters including Kate Hoey, Arron Banks and Andy Wigmore. His absence from a Commons debate on defence spending prompted criticism from Conservative MP Mark Francois and Labour MP Graeme Downie. The gathering came as Farage faced renewed questions about a reported undeclared £5 million gift from crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne and claims about Brexit’s economic costs. Reform defended the event, arguing that opposition-day debates have no legislative substance and that Farage had already spoken in an earlier armed forces debate.

Nigel Farage owns four properties, including homes in Surrey, Greatstone and Lydd-on-Sea in Kent, and a semi-detached house in the London Borough of Bromley. His partner, Laure Ferrari, separately owns an £885,000 house in Frinton-on-Sea, in his constituency. The article details proposed or completed renovations, including a possible £350,000 upgrade to the Surrey property and an estimated £700,000 redevelopment of the Greatstone beach house. It also examines the timing of Farage's property purchases relative to a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency entrepreneur Christopher Harborne, while Farage's representatives maintain that the relevant purchase and planning processes began before the gift.

Nigel Farage extended and renovated his Grade II-listed Surrey home after purchasing it for £1.4 million in cash weeks after receiving a £5 million gift from crypto entrepreneur Christopher Harborne. Planning documents indicate an extension, internal alterations and other works that could cost between £270,000 and £350,000, potentially raising the property’s value to about £1.8 million. Farage is also planning a major renovation of a Kent property. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is investigating whether he should have declared Harborne’s payment, which Farage has variously described as security funding and a reward for Brexit campaigning. Reform UK says the money was an unconditional personal gift, while Farage’s spokesman declined to explain how the Surrey renovation was funded.

Nigel Farage’s Greatstone, Kent property has received planning approval for a major transformation into a contemporary coastal home, with an estimated refurbishment cost of £600,000–£700,000 and a potential completed value of £1.25 million to £1.5 million. The plans follow a £5 million gift from crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne, which is being examined by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over whether it was properly declared. Farage’s representatives say the property project began before the gift and that no construction has started, while Labour’s Anna Turley has questioned whether the money was used directly or indirectly for Farage’s private property interests.

An investigation traces Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne's registered business addresses in Bangkok, including a serviced office tower and a deteriorating apartment block linked to several of his companies. Harborne, who also uses the name Chakrit Sakunkrit, is estimated to be worth £18.2 billion, largely because of his stake in cryptocurrency firm Tether, and is linked to assets including QinetiQ and the Kamalaya wellness retreat. The report highlights his £5 million gift to Nigel Farage, which is being examined by Parliament's standards chief over alleged non-disclosure; Reform UK says it was a personal, unconditional gift intended to fund security.

Christopher Harborne, a crypto billionaire and major Reform UK donor, owns the Kamalaya wellness retreat on Thailand's Koh Samui, which offers luxury accommodation and costly spiritual services including fire ceremonies and mantra chanting. The resort is described as a philanthropic investment, although its founders reportedly left after disagreements over business and wellness philosophies. Harborne's relationship with Nigel Farage is under scrutiny because Farage is being investigated over an undeclared £5 million gift, which Reform UK calls a personal unconditional donation and Farage has described as funding for security and later as a reward for Brexit campaigning.

Reform UK councillor Stuart Prior resigned from Essex County Council and Rochford District Council and was expelled by the party after a Mirror and Hope Not Hate investigation highlighted alleged racist and inflammatory posts from a deleted X account. Prior denied that some of the posts were his or said he did not recall them. Reform said he resigned for personal reasons and confirmed his membership had been revoked, while both councils said by-elections would be coordinated. The case prompted renewed criticism of Reform’s candidate-vetting process, despite Nigel Farage’s earlier claim that the party had conducted thorough checks.

Several Reform UK candidates elected in the 2026 local elections faced calls to resign or party investigations over alleged racist, misogynistic and antisemitic social-media posts. Bradford councillor Daniel Devaney apologised for describing Muslims as “pure scum” and said he had offered to step down. Essex councillor Stuart Prior denied writing posts allegedly referring to white people as the “master race,” while Merseyside councillor Jay Leslie Cooper was accused of Holocaust denial. Sunderland councillor Glenn Gibbins was suspended after alleged comments targeting the city’s Nigerian community, which Reform described as a serious vetting failure. David Laing also faced questions over alleged past British National Party candidacies. Reform deputy leader Richard Tice defended the party’s broader electoral support while condemning inappropriate conduct, and party leader Nigel Farage’s stated ban on former BNP activists was highlighted.

Newly elected Reform UK councillor David Laing was questioned over records showing that a David Laing stood unsuccessfully for the British National Party in Sunderland in 2006 and 2007. Laing initially said he could not remember whether he had stood for the BNP, suggested a friend had encouraged him, and denied having extreme views, while Reform later rejected the allegation and said there was no proof. The report highlights the apparent contradiction with Nigel Farage’s stated policy of barring former BNP activists from Reform and notes that Laing won his Hylton Castle seat with 1,302 votes.

Reform UK candidate Stuart Prior won seats on Essex County Council and Rochford District Council despite previously reported posts describing white people as the “master race,” referring to immigrants as a “cancer,” and appearing to celebrate the rape of Punjabi and Sikh women. Prior denied remembering or authoring the posts, while Reform said it was investigating but had not announced disciplinary action. Labour MPs and Hope Not Hate called for his immediate suspension or expulsion. The article also reports that Andrew Mahon, another Reform candidate associated with support for Oswald Mosley and Enoch Powell, won a council seat in Blackburn.

Graham Holland, an 81-year-old former Conservative councillor standing for Reform UK in Bexley, says Nigerian scammers took control of his X account and posted racist claims about Muslims. Reform initially rejected his candidacy after identifying the reposts, but later approved him following a fresh application and evidence from a computer expert. Holland maintains that he is not responsible for the posts and cites his Christian faith and Muslim friendships, while the case adds to scrutiny of Reform's vetting procedures and its record of selecting controversial candidates.

The Mirror reports that several Reform UK candidates standing in upcoming elections have been linked to racist, anti-Muslim, fascist or conspiracy-oriented statements and, in some cases, alleged or admitted past British National Party connections. Candidates including Stuart Prior, George Parnell, John Black and David Prior faced scrutiny over racist posts or BNP links, with some expelled by Reform. Other candidates were associated with praise for Oswald Mosley, claims about Covid vaccines and cancer, anti-Muslim rhetoric, or anti-monarchist conspiracy theories. The revelations conflict with Nigel Farage’s recent claims that Reform’s vetting process was effective, while the party has investigated, distanced itself from or declined to comment on several cases.

Reform UK candidate Stuart Prior is accused of posting a series of racist and inflammatory comments on X, including describing white people as the “master race,” making claims about racial differences in brain size, targeting Muslims and immigrants, and appearing to celebrate reports of sexual violence against Punjabi and Sikh women. The Mirror and Hope Not Hate traced the posts to Prior, confronted him with the evidence, and reported that he denied being racist and said he did not recall several comments. Reform UK said it was investigating the posts. The allegations have intensified scrutiny of the party’s candidate-selection and vetting processes ahead of local elections in Essex, where Prior is standing for council seats.

Humanitarian and human-rights organizations, including Oxfam UK and ActionAid UK, are urging Keir Starmer’s government to suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement until alleged systematic violations of international law end. The appeal follows the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a death-penalty law that makes hanging the default punishment for Palestinians convicted in West Bank military courts of nationalistic killings, while Israeli settlers are tried in civilian courts. Critics say the law is discriminatory and primarily targets Palestinians. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated the measure, while UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and counterparts from several allied countries had expressed concern before the vote.

A Mirror investigation conducted with Hope Not Hate found that three Reform UK local election candidates—George Parnell, John Black and David Prior—appeared on a leaked 2008 British National Party membership and contacts database. Reform UK said all three were expelled for failing to disclose previous memberships of an organization proscribed by the party. Parnell gave conflicting accounts of his alleged BNP involvement, while Prior admitted he had joined but later rejected the organization; Black denied membership and said he did not know why he was listed. The findings undermine Nigel Farage’s repeated claim that former BNP activists are barred from Reform and add to criticism of the party’s candidate-vetting system.

Reform UK local-election candidate Andrew Mahon is reported to have praised fascist leader Oswald Mosley and supported Enoch Powell’s anti-immigration views in Facebook posts. Mahon, who is standing in Blackburn and recently posted a photograph with Nigel Farage, claimed Mosley and Powell were correct and argued that multiculturalism and integration had failed. Hope Not Hate said support for Mosley, whose British Union of Fascists was antisemitic and whose second wedding was attended by Adolf Hitler, demonstrated the extremity of Mahon’s views. The revelations follow reports of other offensive and extremist comments by Reform-linked candidates. Reform UK said it was investigating, while Mahon was contacted for comment.

Reform UK candidate Daniel Devaney is reported to have posted Facebook comments describing Muslims as “scum,” advocating blasting them off the face of the Earth, calling for civil unrest and attacking immigrants. The posts were uncovered by Hope Not Hate and prompted criticism of Reform’s candidate-vetting process. Devaney said he did not stand by most of the comments, acknowledged being “well out of order,” apologized and maintained that he is not racist. Reform UK said it was investigating the allegations.

Reform UK Senedd candidate Emma Clatworthy is reported to have shared COVID-19 conspiracy theories, falsely claimed that viruses cannot be caught, promoted unsupported claims about vaccines and pharmaceutical companies, and called Queen Elizabeth II a fraud who should be overthrown. Her posts also referenced Mark K Christopher, a cult leader later convicted over a kidnapping attempt, and antisemitic conspiracy themes involving the Rothschild and Rockefeller families. Hope Not Hate criticized Reform for selecting her, while Clatworthy said the comments were made while she was exploring ideas during the pandemic and that she had since left those online spaces. Reform UK declined to comment.

The Mirror reports that Aaron Taylor, a former interim treasurer and prospective Reform UK candidate in Essex, shared posts praising Adolf Hitler, denying the Holocaust and promoting white pride. The material was uncovered by HOPE not Hate. Confronted at his tanning salon, Taylor apologised, said he did not remember making the posts and claimed he had been removed or had cancelled his party membership. Reform UK said he was no longer a member and had been rejected as a candidate after failing vetting. The revelations raise further questions about extremist sympathies among Reform-linked activists.