The Guardian

Senior lawyers call on prime minister to request Indian prosecutors drop charges that would breach double jeopardy rule Four senior lawyers, including the former attorney general Dominic Grieve, have written to Keir Starmer urging him to request that Indian prosecutors drop charges against the British national Jagtar Singh Johal on the basis that continued prosecution would be in manifest breach …

Exclusive: Former health secretary’s intervention comes as government closes consultation on age limits for platforms Social media companies should be treated like the tobacco industry, Wes Streeting has argued, as he called for a ban on under-16s accessing certain platforms. Speaking publicly about the prospect of a ban for the first time since he left government, the former health secretary sai…

Exclusive: Chancellor pushes for procurement of ships, steel, energy and AI to prioritise Britishness as well as cost Rachel Reeves has instructed cabinet colleagues to award government contracts in four critical industries directly to British companies, making clear her irritation that ministers have been sending too much government business abroad. In a letter seen by the Guardian, the chancell…

Rehabilitation of young offenders is vital. But victims should not leave court wondering why they bothered The decision to review the sentences of two teenage boys convicted of raping two girls, aged 15 and 14, in separate incidents in November 2024 and January 2025, and a third boy who took part in the second rape, is correct. A knife was used to threaten the second victim, and the attacks were …

NZ 80; Eng 81-3. England win by seven wickets England complete chase with 37 balls to spare England achieved a straightforward win against New Zealand, bowling the visitors out for 80 before chasing down the runs with 37 balls to spare to secure the series 2-1. The win was set up by a catastrophic batting collapse from New Zealand, who sunk to 33 for six in the first nine overs. A Thomas Becket-e…

The Breton’s signing of Enzo Le Fée sparked chain of events leading to promotion and now European qualification One of Régis Le Bris’s first acts as Sunderland’s head coach was to preside over a pre-season training camp near Alicante. It was July 2024 and, according to those present, the Breton sometimes cut a slightly isolated figure. “I arrived alone, without any collaborators,” Le Bris has sai…

The final match of the English domestic season saw football’s oldest professional club continue a clamber back up the divisions. Alassana Jatta’s injection of higher echelon quality for the opening goal began a County stroll in baking Wembley sunshine as Salford melted away. Following Lucas Ness’s towering header, Jodi Jones’s second-half goal confirmed County’s promotion to League One. Salford, …

Mohamed Salah leaving after Luis Díaz not replaced ‘In general you see more and more focus on wingers’ Arne Slot has highlighted the importance of wingers to Liverpool’s prospects of recovery, and claimed this season’s disappointment can be rectified with the correct squad additions. Liverpool ended a difficult campaign by qualifying for the Champions League but also their lowest points total and…

Nick Moss , Derrick Joad and John Wilkinson respond to an article by Sacha Hilhorst on why voters are turning to the party Sacha Hilhorst is right to highlight the fact that many Reform UK voters are disillusioned with the political status quo because their lives are ever less secure ( I’ve interviewed Reform UK voters – and they’re much more progressive than you might think, 18 May ). The issue …

The education system should not just be about passing exams, writes David Selby . Plus a letter from Mara Musso Two quotes in your article ( Schools are ‘pipeline’ to joblessness for many people, says ex-Labour adviser, 21 May ) struck a chord with me: “a joyless education system that focused too heavily on passing exams” and “the level of vitriol and hatred these young people used when talking a…

Prof Mark R Sanderson says the council is Britain’s most effective instrument of soft power and should be funded properly, not hollowed out The hollowing out of the British Council across Europe should alarm anyone who cares about the UK’s standing in the world ( Soft power sell-off: anger as British Council announces sale of historic Madrid building, 22 May ). For decades, it has been one of Bri…

Mercury theatre, Colchester This musical from the company behind The Play That Goes Wrong unearths the invention of acting in ancient Greece – and finds little has changed The Mischief theatre company has been making fun of actors’ foibles for years, especially in the deliriously amusing Goes Wrong series. Its first musical asks if all those rampaging egos, heated rivalries, creative differences …

Proportional representation can rescue Britain’s warped politics. It could stop Nigel Farage arriving at No 10 with less than 30% of the vote Here comes the prospect of redemption, a second chance for Labour to start over. A victory for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield byelection not only opens the door to No 10; a leadership contest also allows him and Wes Streeting to finally stretch their wings.…

Museum of Homelessness, London This mostly al-fresco exhibition expertly unpicks how homeless and nomadic people have been persecuted over the centuries A trim caravan sits in an idyllic garden in the grounds of a former gatehouse. Its cosy interior is decked with a cornucopia of crafts: pastel-coloured bunting, felt embroidery, a bright rag rug, plumply immaculate cushions. On the sideboard is a…

However, former minister tells Hay festival ‘the idea that a woman leads and it makes it better for women is not one I’ve recognised in this country’ The Labour MP Jess Phillips has described her party as “sexist” for having no permanent female leaders in its history. Asked at the Hay literary festival why Labour has never had a female leader, Phillips responded that “like all institutions, it’s …

Whether it’s giving florals a twist or wearing a rented number, here are our top tips for decoding the dress code • Don’t get the Filter delivered to your inbox? Sign up here The invitation thumps on to your doormat – or, as likely, into your inbox – and rather than feel excitement for the ensuing nuptials, you feel dread. What on earth to wear? Weddings are full of sartorial pitfalls. If there’s…

The Bank of Scotland has unveiled a £20 note featuring an image inspired by Scott McTominay’s iconic goal The Bank of Scotland has unveiled a limited-edition £20 note featuring an image inspired by Scott McTominay’s famous overhead kick. It has been created to celebrate Scotland’s return to the World Cup, and fans will have a chance to win 50 of the 100 notes in the coming weeks. The design blend…

⚽ League Two playoff final at Wembley; kick-off 3pm BST ⚽ Bolton 4-1 Stockport | Follow us on Bluesky | Email Will More tedious links to this game, you say? Gary Neville and Nicky Butt are at Wembley. Not sure if David Beckham will be in attendance, but who knows? Continue reading...

Updates from the final match of the series at Hove Sign up for The Spin | Mail James with your views Melie Kerr calls the coin correctly and decides to have first use of a sun baked pitch. “We’ll try and have a better start than last time,” she says after her side were tottering at 11-4 in the previous match in Canterbury. The still managed to win though, largely thanks to the experienced hands o…

Figures raise questions over ministers’ plans to raise qualifying period for settled status from five years to 10 Higher-earning immigrants are less likely to remain in the UK long-term and could be further deterred from staying by the government’s planned crackdown on settlement rights, analysis has revealed. A report from the Migration Advisory Committee’s , Who Stays, Who Leaves?, follows abou…