1. Trump says post-Brexit UK trade talks already underway
Donald Trump says talks about a “very substantial” trade deal with the UK are already under way. The US President claimed that a bilateral deal with post-Brexit Britain could lead to a “three to four, five times” increase in current trade. He added that US-UK trade had previously been “impeded” by Britain's membership of the EU.
2. Just one in 65 rape allegations result in summons or charge
Only one in 65 rape cases reported to police result in suspects being summonsed or charged, The Guardian has revealed. Home Office data highlights an “alarming decline” in rape prosecutions over recent years, says the paper, amid “increasingly acrimonious rows” over disclosure. Separate figures from the Ministry of Justice showed that victims of sexual assault were being forced to wait longer to secure justice.
3. Celebrities face £500m bill after taxman wins court case
Celebrities and business leaders face having to pay the taxman a combined total of £500m after HMRC won a High Court case over a tax avoidance scheme. Ingenious Media was accused of persuading David Beckham, Sacha Baron Cohen, Guy Ritchie and others to put money into an investment scheme that used artificial losses to generate tax relief. The scheme was not illegal.
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4. Apple workers regularly hear couples having sex through Siri
The Guardian reports that Apple workers regularly hear confidential medical information and recordings of couples having sex as part of their job providing quality control, or “grading”, the company’s Siri voice assistant. The software giant insists that the data “is used to help Siri and dictation … understand you better and recognise what you say”.
5. Clegg ‘claimed £130,000’ despite Facebook salary
Sir Nick Clegg claimed nearly £113,000 in expenses for public duties despite drawing a significant salary from Facebook, reports the Daily Telegraph. He reportedly received just short of the full Public Duty Cost Allowance in 2018/19. The former deputy prime minister, who helped oversee austerity cuts in the coalition government, reportedly receives a seven-figure salary from Facebook.
6. Blonde wigged woman arrested over Israeli gang slaying
A woman who disguised herself with a blonde wig has been arrested over the murder of two alleged Israeli underworld figures in Mexico. The suspect claimed it had been a crime of passion but this was rejected by prosecutors, who insisted that international “criminal groups” were involved. She was quickly caught after the shootings despite trying to flee.
7. Harry and Meghan's neighbours given instructions
Harry and Meghan’s neighbours have been warned not to talk to the couple or ask to see baby Archie, according to reports this morning. Royal staff have issued a list of dos and don’ts for people living near the couple’s new Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor. They were told not to offer to babysit or to stroke their dogs should they bound over.
8. Carl Beech jailed for 18 years over false abuse claims
Carl Beech has been jailed for 18 years over false claims of a Westminster abuse ring. The 51-year-old from Gloucester was sentenced for 12 counts of perverting the course of justice, one of fraud, and for several child sexual offences. Mr Justice Goss said Beech “repeatedly and maliciously told lies to the police” and showed “no remorse”. The Metropolitan Police spent £2m looking into Beech's allegations.
9. Deal! Edmonds agrees compensation with Lloyds
Noel Edmonds has agreed a multi-million-pound compensation deal with Lloyds over claims that bankers destroyed his business. The television presenter said his business Unique Group was destroyed after it fell into the hands of HBOS employee Mark Dobson, who was jailed for a separate fraud in 2017. The deal is reported to be in the region of £5m.
10. Gareth Bale set to leave Madrid for the riches of Chinese football
Gareth Bale is poised to leave Real Madrid to join Chinese club Jiangsu Suning in a three-year deal. Although the move is not finalised, sources close to the Welsh star confirmed reports that the transfer is “very close”. The move to China would reportedly see Bale earn £1 million a week. He joined the Spanish club in 2013 for £85m.
