I thought it was wrong I'd said we mustn't pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway, a former civil servant told the BBC, referring to a claim that followed a visit to the Middle East. The source, who worked in the UK's trade department in the early 2000s and is now retired, said he was annoyed by Andrew's request to cover the cost of massage services, and refused. But he claimed he was overruled by senior colleagues.
Britain is to develop new air defence weapons alongside the EU's four biggest military powers, deepening ties with the European defence sector. The project will invite manufacturers in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Poland to submit plans to build low-cost missiles and autonomous drones. The allies are pledging a speedy process to build the weapons together, inspired by Ukraine's development of cheap drones to counter attacks from Russia.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
Families have told of flights cancelled to funerals, 80th birthday parties and visits to elderly and dying parents. Young parents who were forced to take out citizenship in the EU because of Brexit, but whose children do not yet have British passports, have also been hit. From Wednesday British dual nationals risk not being allowed to board a plane, ferry or train unless they present a current or expired British passport or a certificate of entitlement costing 589, which takes eight weeks to obtain.
The government's response to West Midlands police's ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was clumsy, late and did little more than inflame tensions, a group of MPs has found. A report by the home affairs select committee, published on Sunday, analysed the original decision to ban away fans from a Europa League fixture with Aston Villa in November, as well as the advice that led to it. The report concluded West Midlands police (WMP) relied on inaccurate information and failed to do even basic due diligence on its intelligence.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has reignited the national debate by calling for a ban on the burka in public spaces - including schools - highlighting concerns about how such measures could influence social cohesion and community relations across Britain. Now a senior figure in Reform UK, Braverman said garments such as the burka and niqab act as a barrier to social cohesion.
King Charles III will grant police full access to all files held at Buckingham Palace relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, underscoring the monarchy's commitment to transparency and accountability. The dramatic move follows Andrew's arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The 66-year-old was detained on Thursday - his birthday - at his temporary home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. He was questioned for 11 hours at Aylsham Police Station before being released under investigation.
It was a dark week for the prime minister, with the departure of his longtime chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who had become a deeply divisive figure and who took the hit for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite his links to the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But last Thursday morning had for a change been dominated by a different story.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground.
Sir Ed Davey has urged Sir Keir Starmer to sue Donald Trump for $100 billion, claiming the former US President has "damaged our country". Speaking at the Scottish Liberal Democrat conference in Edinburgh, the Kingston & Surbiton MP launched a blistering attack on Donald Trump - branding him "the most dangerous, damaging US President of modern times". My advice to Keir Starmer is to sue Donald Trump for $100billion for the damage he's caused to Scotland and our country. It's the only language he understands.
The Prime Minister has been told he is making Britain look "unreliable and weak" after reportedly denying US forces access to British bases. This move could impact potential strikes on Iran and influence international perceptions. Military leaders' warning about the decision underscores the seriousness of the situation, encouraging the audience to recognise the importance of strong defence policies for national safety.
Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, Johnson suggested the West could 'flip a switch' in Putin's thinking by demonstrating military commitment, emphasizing the significance of timely action for global stability. He said the UK and its allies were working within a 'coalition of the willing' framework, but argued deployment should not be delayed until after a peace agreement, inviting readers to consider their role in shaping future decisions.
Hundreds of Britain First protesters faced larger antifascist crowds in a tense Manchester city centre standoff. Manchester, United Kingdom Chants of send them back echoed through a damp underpass as hundreds of far-right anti-Islam protesters prepared to march through the streets. Union Jacks fluttered in the wind as protesters some visibly under the influence of alcohol chanted a series of anti-immigration slogans and derisive comments about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
More than 200,000 people living legally in the UK are on the 10-year route to settled status, which requires legal migrants to renew 30-month visas four times at a cost of 3,908.50 including healthcare costs per renewal before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Under proposals by the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, if people have used public funds, even in work, the wait would double to 20 years.
Last year, No 10 took an unprecedented step: it invited content creators to cross the threshold of Downing Street. Naturally, the creators all filmed themselves outside the famous door. Once inside, their most treasured possessions, their phones, were taken from them and exchanged for government-approved devices, so they could continue to take photos and record video without breaching security guidelines.
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, authorities said. In a statement about the arrest, police cited emails allegedly showing that the former prince may have forwarded confidential trade documents to Epstein. The latest batch of Epstein files include photos that show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a woman lying on the floor. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with his relationship with Epstein.
