The Guardian, external says it’s been told that the convicted fraudster – and associate of Nigel Farage – George Cottrell transferred more than $2m (£1.5m) to his mother in the days before she made large donations to Reform UK and a company controlled by the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice. The paper says the money was given to Fiona Cottrell via US-based crypto currency exchanges. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the donations. Cottrell’s lawyers tell the Guardian he has no comment; they have previously said any political donations his mother has made have been entirely her own decision.
The Times, external says that some of England’s metro mayors could hand money back to residents under the prime minister’s devolution plans. The paper says the policy is being framed as a way to boost investment in public services and infrastructure – but some Conservative and Reform UK mayors are instead planning to use fiscal devolution to lower the tax burden for their voters.
The Daily Mail, external and the Sun, external both have very similar front pages showing migrants crammed onto dinghies off the coast of France, noting that just a day earlier, the Prime Minister claimed the plan to stop small boats was effective. “Still say your boats plan is working, Andy?” asks the Mail. The Sun quotes a French police officer, watching a boat setting off, as saying “Our orders are to let them go.”
The Sun, external says a British Airways passenger jet stalled about four thousand feet over London in what’s been described as “the most serious near miss in the UK for years.” The paper understands the captain is grounded on stress leave after having to intervene to save the plane. BA is quoted as saying it is assisting the air accident investigation.
The Daily Telegraph, external says calls are growing for England to boycott the next World Cup over the Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the competition to private investors. The paper says that if Mr Infantino doesn’t come to his senses, UEFA and the FA should withdraw from the organisation. Without their involvement, it says, there could be no world cup worthy of the name. The Daily Mirror, external says Infantino promised to clean up FIFA. Instead, it concludes, he risks being remembered as the man who Americanised the World Cup and tried to sell football’s crown jewels.
“The last laugh,” is the Times, external’ headline as it reports that the BBC is axing the comedy show Live at the Apollo after more than two decades, alongside Blankety Blank and Celebrity Mastermind. Ditching much-loved shows, warns the Daily Express, external, means the BBC’s future will become even more precarious.