Author: David Pike

David Pike is an experienced news journalist with over 20 years experience as a UK News editor for WTX News and other news publications.

Big defeats for Tories but party holds on to Uxbridge England headed to the polls yesterday in a triple by-election that saw the Tories lose two seats but managed to cling onto Uxbridge. In Somerton and Frome the Lib Dems overturned a majority of more than 19,000 with a 29% swing. And Labour made history, overturning a majority of 20,137 to take the North Yorkshire seat of Selby and Ainsty. However, the Conservatives did manage…

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McDonald’s sets up investigation unit after abuse claims Alistair Macrow, boss of McDonald’s UK and Ireland, has said the claims he had heard this week are “personally and professionally shocking,” as the company launches a new investigation handling unit in the wake of the shocking claims on abuse at the fast-food chain. Macrow apologised to anyone affected. An investigation by the BBC was told workers some as young as 17, are being groped and harassed…

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UK Government borrows less than expected in June The UK government borrowed less than expected in June, helped by higher tax receipts and a drop in debt interest payments. The ONS figures show that borrowing fell to £18.5bn – £400m lower than last June and below predictions by the government’s independent forecaster. But the ONS said borrowing is still the third highest for June on record. The Office for Budget Responsibility had expected public borrowing…

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Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Several of Friday’s papers are leading on Nigel Farage receiving an apology from Coutts bank for “deeply inappropriate” comments made about him in a document on his suitability as a customer. Nigel Farage apology Dame Alison Rose, chief executive of NatWest, has “finally” apologised to Nigel Farage – that’s the Daily Telegraph’s take on the matter. The paper says many questions which were raised by the issue remain unanswered. …

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Coutts bank hits back amid Nigel Farage account row Sky News says Coutts bank has said it does not close customer accounts “solely on the basis of legally held political and personal views” as it comes under heavy criticism for terminating its relationship with Nigel Farage. A number of Conservatives publicly criticised the bank after the former Brexit Party leader claimed his account was closed down because his views did not align with the firm’s…

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Nigel Farage praises ‘swift’ intervention by ministers over closed Coutts account The Guardian says Nigel Farage has praised a “swift” intervention by government ministers after reports that new laws could be drawn up to stop banks closing customers’ accounts because they disagree with their political views. The former Ukip leader said MPs were “beginning to realise that this system is coming for them as well” after his bank accounts were closed by Coutts, he says…

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MPs call for NatWest’s banking licence to be reviewed after MPs call for NatWest’s banking licence to be reviewed had his Coutts account shut because his views were ‘at odds’ with its ‘inclusivity’ policies – as Rishi Sunak vows crackdown on banks that ‘cancel customers’ free speech’ Daily Mail says A senior Tory MP today demanded a review of Coutts’ owner NatWest’s banking licence amid their explosive row with Nigel Farage. A bombshell dossier, handed…

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Voters go to the polls in three by-elections in England England voters will head to the polls in three constituencies in London, North Yorkshire and Somerset to elect new MPs. The three seats in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Selby and Ainsty, and Somerton and Frome were won by the Conservatives in the 2019 general election.  Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00 – results are expected on Friday morning. Many expect…

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Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Thursday’s front pages have a variety of stories. The Nigel Farage bank debacle leads several of the papers as does the recently released figures showing inflation has dropped “further than expected.” Elsewhere, several papers leave space for England’s Lionesses as the 2023 Women’s World Cup kicks off on Thursday. ‘Emergency law change’ The Times leads with the fallout from Nigel Farage having his back account at Coutts closed. He…

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