John Lennon famously viewed corrupt politicians and global leaders as “maniacs” running society for “insane objectives” Throughout his solo career, he used his global platform, interviews, and music to openly challenge government authority, institutional corruption, and systemic deception
ohn Lennon on corrupt politicians
Targeted Critiques and Musical Dissent
Lennon did not keep his critiques abstract; he frequently named and targeted specific corrupt political figures:
Richard Nixon: Lennon harboured a deep disdain for U.S. President Richard Nixon, particularly regarding the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. On the 1971 Imagine track “Gimme Some Truth”, Lennon explicitly sang, “No short-haired, yellow-bellied son of Tricky Dick is going to Mother Hubbard soft-soap me,” directly calling out Nixon’s popular nickname.
Government Retaliation: His anti-war, anti-corruption stance provoked a harsh response from the U.S. political establishment. The FBI opened an extensive surveillance file on him, and the Nixon administration aggressively tried to deport him in 1972 out of fear that his influence would mobilise young voters against the president’s re-election campaign.
The Power of the Public
Lennon firmly believed that political corruption thrived because citizens surrendered their autonomy, emphasising that real authority rests with the public rather than the ruling class:
Democratic Responsibility: Lennon maintained that people hold ultimate accountability for who they put in office. He reminded audiences that “The people are responsible for electing politicians… The government is not solely responsible for fixing everything, as the people themselves constitute the government.” Systemic Illusion: In tracks like “Working Class Hero”, he highlighted how institutional forces—like school, media, and religion—conditioned everyday citizens to accept submissive roles while the political elite maintained control Demanding Alternatives: He argued that peace and an end to political manipulation would only arrive through mass public demand, famously stating, “If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace.”
King Charles has confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan are not working royals.
after confusion over their roles since returning to the UK.
In an official memorandum sent to government officials, military leaders, and regional representatives across the country, the King instructed that Harry and Meghan should be treated strictly as private citizens.
Royal aides emphasised that the directive fully aligns with the couple’s previously stated wish to live as private citizens, noting that the core principles of the 2020 Sandringham agreement – which established the terms of their departure from frontline royal life – remain firmly in place.
The Lord Chamberlain distributed the note under the monarch’s direction to resolve administrative uncertainty among public bodies.
The King has confirmed that Harry and Megan are not working royals following their return to the UK (AP)
“Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received several requests for guidance,” the memorandum explains. “To help avoid doubt or confusion, the King has directed that the following information be shared.”
The letter reaffirms that the couple’s HRH titles remain suspended and are not to be used in official contexts.
Clarifying the couple’s status, the document reads: “In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” stating that their philanthropic work is conducted in a personal capacity, entirely separate from the royal household.
The guidance arrives as the couple settle into life in Britain, marking a high-profile return six years after they stepped back from official duties and moved to Montecito, California.
Their return has raised fresh questions over their living arrangements. Having been asked to vacate their former Windsor residence, Frogmore Cottage, in 2023, the couple currently do not have an official royal address in the UK.
The Sussexes charity work remains entirely separate from the Palace (PA)
For now, the family are staying on a private estate in the Cotswolds while conducting a long-term search for a permanent home, where the Sussexes recently highlighted issues with their current private security arrangements.
Their homecoming follows years of public friction with the broader royal family, heightened by the couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey and the 2023 publication of Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare.
The King’s note also addresses the couple’s security, which has triggered public controversy.
Prince Harry previously launched a multi-year legal battle against the Home Office over its 2020 decision to withdraw his automatic, state-funded police protection – a case he ultimately lost.
Addressing operational protocols for official organisations, the Palace outlined explicit procedures for handling future administrative and security requests.
The couple’s explosive 2021 sit-down with Oprah heightened tensions with the royal family (Harpo Productions)
“Any specific questions from official and state organisations about the courtesies that should be extended to the Duke and Duchess, particularly where recourse to public funds may be required, should be directed to Buckingham Palace,” the letter notes.
It adds: “Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities.”
Palace officials insisted there is nothing controversial about the letter, describing it as a routine administrative measure to assist regional authorities and civic representatives.
The written guidance nevertheless highlights the ongoing administrative questions around the couple’s status as they build out independent charitable projects across the country.
Decisions on whether state security is provided for specific public appearances will remain with Ravec, the committee responsible for royal and high-profile protection.
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Qinwen Zheng produced a second epic comeback in as many days at the US Open to shock former champion Iga Swiatek and book her place in the quarter-finals for a third time.
Two days after saving match point while trailing 5-0 in the third set against Madison Keys, Zheng staged another incredible fightback on Arthur Ashe.
Swiatek won the first five games, but Zheng simply refused to back down, winning the next seven games to clinch the first set before overpowering her shellshocked opponent and completing an astonishing 7-5, 6-3 victory.
A stunned Swiatek never recovered, and the 2022 champion succumbed in straight sets, 7-5 6-3, leaving the court in tears after her campaign unravelled in unthinkable fashion.
The former world No. 4 from China, who had come through qualifying after being sidelined by a long-term elbow injury, became the first qualifier to reach the quarter-finals since Emma Raducanu won the tournament in 2021.
Zheng’s reward is a last-eight tie against either Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina.
Image: Qinwen Zheng, of China, celebrates after winning a match against Iga Swiatek, of Poland, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Zheng revels in being back on the big stage.
“I started the match not so well but I found my rhythm,” Zheng said.
“It has been a long, long time since I played on a centre court and I sincerely appreciate being here at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I even forgot the score at 4-5 in the first set, which showed I was focused. To come back from 0-5 is not lucky, that’s all I can say.”
Image: Qinwen Zheng, US Open (Associated Press)
‘One of the great comebacks’
“It’s a straight-set win but it’s one of the great comebacks. Go figure. How’s that possible? Zheng made it happen.
“Two games in a row, 5-0 down in sets. She got the win against Madison Keys to take the first set today, before completing victory against Swiatek for only the second time in her career.
Potapova in tears after late injury in Andreeva defeat
Anastasia Potapova was in tears as her time in New York came to an end.
The 25-year-old Austrian won the first set against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, but, at 5-3 down in the third, she badly twisted her knee chasing a forehand down.
Potapova had the knee heavily strapped up and bravely finished the match but did not win another point as French Open champion Andreeva triumphed 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
“Anastasia is a good friend, and seeing what a battle we have and then seeing her fall is not easy,” said Russian teenager Andreeva.
“It’s not the way you want to finish the match. I just told her she is playing amazingly, and I’m sure she’ll come back even stronger; she’s a warrior.
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Thomas Carty was ‘blatantly’ fouled by David Allen.
who should have been disqualified after the bizarre ending to their according to the Irishman’s manager Mike Ofo.
Carty dramatically toppled through the ropes after being hit on the back of the head in the opening round of his clash with Allen on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell fight at Croke Park on Saturday.
The bout was declared a ‘no contest’ after Carty was unable to continue, but Ofo believes Allen should have been penalised for the illegal blow.
Ofo told Sky Sports: “I am very disappointed about what happened on Saturday night at Croke Park and the untimely halt to what should have been the crowning achievement of Thomas’ career so far.
Image: Carty falls through the ropes after receiving a blow to the back of the head from Allen
Thomas was pumped to fight at such a historic event in front of an enormous crowd at the home of Irish sport and was gutted by the bizarre turn of events.
What happened was clear, with Allen blatantly fouling him twice in quick succession in response to Thomas’ punishing jab that immediately marked up Allen’s face.
“The second, illegal rabbit punch to the back of Thomas’ head knocked him clean through the ropes, and there is only one outcome under the rules of boxing in those circumstances – a DQ loss for Allen.”
Image: … he continues to tumble
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Allen had attempted to explain the final punch of the fight by saying, “I went up a bit close, caught him with a left hook to the body and rattled him a little bit to the head.
“I think,” then he threw a combination and knocked my head back with an uppercut.
“But then he grabbed me frantically. I’m not aiming for the back of anyone’s head ever, but I am aiming for here [the ear].
“It wasn’t a big shot; I tried to clip him round the ear as I always do, and he’s turned his head into it. It’s gone around the back of the head.
“From there on, I don’t know. It’s not for me to say what’s happened. He’s a good guy; I do like him…
Image: OUCH! Carty lands on his head and shoulder outside the ring
“I’ve caught him behind the head, not on purpose; he’s turned into one, and he’s gone through the ropes.
“At the time, I said to the referee, ‘Are you not going to count?’ If that was in the middle of the ring, I’d have won by stoppage.”
But Ofo has dismissed Allen’s account and is confident that Carty would have been victorious by stoppage if the fight had not ended prematurely.
The unfortunate ending to the fight was another cruel twist of luck for Carty, who endured his sole defeat last year after suffering a freakish knee injury, but the 30-year-old hopes to record his 12th professional win in a rematch with Allen.
Ofo said, “I see he is already busy trying to set a narrative, but that is gaslighting, and Thomas and the team were all confident that he would have stopped Allen in the later rounds, particularly in light of the terrible shape Allen turned up in. Frankly, he should change his nickname from ‘The White Rhino’ to ‘The White Hippo’.
“However, once the BUI have reconsidered the referee’s decision and done the right thing, we will happily give Allen a rematch, and they can settle it once and for all – hopefully inside the ring this time!”
Holly Willoughby is a highly prominent British television presenter, author, and model
Holly Willoughby’s digital comeback has drawn attention for various reasons, and while there may be several factors contributing to its struggles, here are a few potential explanations:
Holly Willoughby’s digital comeback
Increased Competition: The digital landscape is more crowded than ever, with numerous influencers and celebrities vying for attention. Holly Willoughby may face challenges standing out amid a sea of content creators and established digital personalities.
Changing Audience Preferences: Consumer preferences can shift rapidly in the digital realm. What worked for her in the past might not resonate as well with audiences today, especially as trends evolve.
Platform Algorithms: Social media platforms frequently update their algorithms, which can affect visibility and engagement. If her content isn’t reaching her audience effectively due to these changes, it could hinder her comeback.
Content Strategy: If Holly’s content strategy doesn’t align with her brand or the interests of her audience, it may struggle to gain traction. Finding the right balance of authenticity and engagement is crucial.
Market Saturation: With many celebrities expanding into digital content, there can be a saturation effect, making it harder for any individual star to break through and capture the audience’s attention.
Public Perception and Brand Image: Any shifts in public perception, whether due to personal controversies or changes in how she is viewed in the media, can impact her digital presence.
Success in the digital space often requires adaptability, innovation, and a keen understanding of audience dynamics. For Holly Willoughby, addressing these challenges and repositioning her brand could be essential to revitalising her online presence.
Personal Life
Born on 10 February 1981 in Brighton, East Sussex, Willoughby began her career as a teenage commercial model before transitioning into broadcast television. She has been married to television producer Dan Baldwin since 2007, and they have three children: Harry, Belle, and Chester
King Harald’s funeral will see Prince William representing King Charles.
The King Harald funeral will see Prince William travel to Norway to represent his father, King Charles III, as European royalty gathers to mourn one of the continent’s longest-serving monarchs.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway at Oslo Cathedral on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.
King Charles will not attend personally. Instead, William, as heir to the British throne, will represent him and the monarchy at the service.
The decision follows established royal precedent rather than indicating any lack of closeness between Charles and Harald. The British sovereign traditionally does not attend the funerals of foreign heads of state, with another senior member of the Royal Family usually representing the monarch.
That responsibility will now fall to William.
The occasion is particularly personal because Charles described Harald as his “dear cousin” and a much-loved relative and friend following the Norwegian monarch’s death.
King Harald died on 28 August at the age of 89, bringing his 35-year reign to an end.
Norway has since entered a period of national mourning, with thousands paying tribute to a monarch widely remembered for his warmth, humour and informal approach to royal life.
King Harald funeral to be attended by Prince William representing King Charles.
Why King Charles Will Not Attend King Harald’s Funeral
Charles’s absence could easily create the impression that the king has chosen not to attend an important family occasion.
The explanation is much simpler.
There is a longstanding convention that the reigning British sovereign generally does not attend the funerals of foreign heads of state.
Instead, another senior royal is sent to represent the monarch.
As Prince of Wales and first in line to the throne, William is the natural choice.
The arrangement also gives the future king another opportunity to undertake one of the most significant diplomatic responsibilities associated with his position.
William performed a similar role in April 2025, when he represented his father at the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican.
His attendance in Oslo therefore continues a pattern of William increasingly representing the King at major international occasions.
Charles Paid Emotional Tribute to His ‘Dear Cousin’
Although Charles will not be physically present at Oslo Cathedral, his reaction to Harald’s death made clear the affection between the two royal families.
Following the announcement of Harald’s death, Charles described him as his “dear cousin” and “much-loved kinsman and friend.”
He also praised Harald’s dedication, kindness, compassion and sense of duty.
Those words reflected a relationship extending beyond ordinary diplomatic ties between two European monarchies.
The British and Norwegian royal families are closely connected by blood and have maintained warm relations for generations.
The late Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald were second cousins.
Their shared great-grandparents were King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
Queen Alexandra herself was born a Danish princess, illustrating the extensive family connections linking many of Europe’s royal houses.
For Charles, Harald’s death therefore represents the loss of both another head of state and a relative with whom the British monarchy shared decades of history.
Who Was King Harald V?
King Harald V became Norway’s monarch in 1991, following the death of his father, King Olav V.
He would remain on the throne for approximately 35 years.
During that period, Norway changed significantly socially, economically and culturally.
Harald developed a reputation as a relatively informal and approachable monarch.
He was often described as a “people’s king” and was praised for helping modernise the Norwegian monarchy while maintaining its traditional constitutional role.
His reign also saw Norway become one of Europe’s wealthiest countries, while the monarchy remained an important symbol of national continuity.
Harald’s personal style played a considerable part in maintaining that support.
Rather than projecting a distant royal image, he became known for his warmth and humour, regularly addressing themes of tolerance and inclusion.
His death at 89 therefore marks the end of a major period in modern Norwegian royal history.
King Harald funeral to be attended by Prince William representing King Charles.
Norway Mourns King Harald
Harald’s death prompted a major public response across Norway.
Flowers and Norwegian flags appeared outside the Royal Palace in Oslo as members of the public paid their respects.
His coffin was subsequently taken to the Palace Chapel as the country prepared for the funeral.
The service at Oslo Cathedral will provide Norway with one of its most decisive moments of national mourning in decades.
Harald’s widow, Queen Sonja, will be among the principal mourners.
She and Harald married in 1968 after a relationship that initially faced opposition because Sonja was a commoner.
Their marriage ultimately became one of the defining partnerships of the modern Norwegian monarchy.
After more than half a century together, the funeral will inevitably be an intensely personal occasion for the former queen.
King Haakon VIII Begins a New Reign
King Harald’s death also means Norway has entered a new royal era.
His son, the former Crown Prince Haakon, has succeeded him as King Haakon VIII.
The transition places the 53-year-old monarch at the centre of Norwegian public life after decades spent preparing for the role.
Haakon has already carried out responsibilities on behalf of his father during periods when Harald experienced health problems.
But becoming monarch is fundamentally different.
He now inherits the constitutional, ceremonial and symbolic responsibilities carried by his father for 35 years.
The funeral will therefore carry two meanings.
It is a farewell to King Harald.
But it also takes place at the beginning of King Haakon’s reign.
King Harald funeral to be attended by Prince William representing King Charles.
Princess Anne Will Also Attend the King Harald Funeral
Prince William will not be the only British royal travelling to Norway.
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, will also attend.
However, there is an important distinction between their roles.
William is attending officially as King Charles’s representative.
Anne will attend in a private and personal capacity.
Her presence therefore reflects the genuine personal relationships connecting the British and Norwegian royal families rather than simply diplomatic protocol.
Anne has long been one of the hardest-working members of the British monarchy and has represented the Crown internationally on numerous occasions.
At Harald’s funeral, however, she will be there primarily because of her relationship with the Norwegian royal family.
“William Has His Own Connection With King Harald” from William and Catherine’s 2018 Norway visit,
William Has His Own Connection With King Harald
William also knew Harald personally.
The Prince and Princess of Wales carried out an official visit to Norway in 2018, when they were still the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
During the visit, King Harald and Queen Sonja welcomed William and Catherine.
At a Royal Palace dinner in Oslo, Harald called the British visitors “family.”
The visit produced several memorable images.
Harald escorted Catherine into the banquet while she was pregnant with Prince Louis, with Queen Sonja and William walking behind them.
William and Catherine also spent time with the then Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who are now Norway’s King and Queen.
That previous relationship means William will not simply be attending the funeral of a foreign monarch he barely knew.
He will be paying respects to a member of a royal family with whom he and Catherine have shared personal and official engagements.
William’s Role Is Becoming Increasingly Important
The King Harald funeral also highlights William’s changing position within the British monarchy.
As Charles’s heir, the Prince of Wales will naturally take on increasing responsibility for representing the Crown abroad.
International funerals are among the most sensitive of those duties.
They combine personal grief, diplomacy, royal protocol and international relations.
William’s attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral demonstrated that Buckingham Palace was comfortable sending him to represent the King at a major international event.
His trip to Norway continues that process.
William is not merely attending as a senior royal.
He is attending as Britain’s future monarch and as the direct representative of the current king.
That symbolism will be difficult to miss when royal families and foreign dignitaries gather in Oslo.
British and Norwegian Royals Share Deep Historical Connections
The relationship between Britain and Norway’s monarchies stretches back generations.
Perhaps the clearest example isKing Haakon VII, the first monarch of modern independent Norway.
He was born Prince Carl of Denmark and married Princess Maud, a daughter of Britain’s King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
Their son became King Olav V, who was King Harald’s father.
These family links helped create particularly close relations between the two royal houses.
That relationship became especially significant during the Second World War, when Norway’s royal family lived in exile after Nazi Germany invaded the country.
Britain became central to Norway’s wartime resistance effort, strengthening connections between the countries far beyond family ties.
Those historical bonds have continued through subsequent generations.
Queen Elizabeth II maintained a close relationship with King Harald, while Charles, William and Anne have continued the connection.
Why King Harald Was Considered a Modernising Monarch
Harald inherited a monarchy rooted deeply in tradition.
But Norwegian society changed dramatically during his reign.
Rather than resisting those changes, Harald often sought to ensure the monarchy reflected the country it served.
One of his most remembered speeches came in 2016, when he spoke about the diversity of modern Norway.
His approach helped establish an image of a monarch who could preserve tradition while also recognising social change.
That balancing act matters enormously to modern European monarchies.
Their political power is limited, meaning their continued relevance often depends on maintaining public confidence.
Harald managed to do that for more than three decades.
His successor now faces the challenge of preserving that legacy.
The cathedral has enormous importance in Norway’s national and royal life and has hosted major ceremonies involving the monarchy.
The service is expected to bring together members of European royal houses, political leaders and other dignitaries.
Security around central Oslo will inevitably be substantial given the number of high-profile guests expected.
For ordinary Norwegians, however, the focus will remain on saying farewell to a king many have known for most or all of their lives.
Harald reigned from 1991 until 2026.
That means an entire generation of Norwegians grew up knowing no other monarch.
His death therefore represents more than a change of head of state.
It marks the end of a familiar national era.
What Prince William’s Attendance Means
William’s attendance sends a straightforward diplomatic message.
Britain is acknowledging the importance of Harald’s life, reign and relationship with the British monarchy.
But there is also a generational element.
Charles and Harald belonged to an older generation of European royals.
Now William will travel to Oslo as King Charles’s representative while Haakon VIII begins his reign.
Two future-facing royal figures will therefore meet against the backdrop of the death of the previous Norwegian monarch.
That symbolism reflects the gradual transition occurring across Europe’s royal families.
The personalities change.
The constitutional traditions continue.
And personal relationships between royal houses are passed from one generation to another.
Conclusion
The King Harald funeral will be both a deeply personal royal occasion and an important international event.
King Harald V died on 28 August 2026 at the age of 89, ending a reign that lasted approximately 35 years.
His funeral will take place at Oslo Cathedral on 9 September, where Norway will formally say goodbye to a monarch remembered for his warmth, humour and inclusive approach to royal duty.
King Charles will not attend personally, following the established precedent that the British sovereign typically misses funerals of foreign heads of state.
Instead, Prince William will represent his father.
Princess Anne will also attend privately because of her close connection to the Norwegian royal family as godmother to the new King Haakon VIII.
Charles’s description of Harald as his “dear cousin” underlines why the event is more than a routine diplomatic occasion.
For Britain and Norway, it is another moment in a royal relationship stretching back generations.
For Norway, however, it is something much bigger: a final farewell to King Harald and the beginning of a new chapter underKing Haakon VIII.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is King Charles not attending King Harald’s funeral?
King Charles’s absence is in keeping with longstanding precedent under which the British sovereign generally does not attend funerals of foreign heads of state. Prince William will represent him instead.
When is the funeral for King Harald V?
The funeral for King Harald V will take place on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, at Oslo Cathedral.
Will Prince William attend King Harald’s funeral?
Yes. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Prince of Wales will represent King Charles at the service.
Is Princess Anne attending the funeral?
Yes. Princess Anne will attend in a private and personal capacity. She is godmother to Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VIII.
How old was King Harald when he died?
King Harald V was 89 years old when he died on 28 August 2026.
How were King Charles and King Harald related?
The British and Norwegian royal families share close family ties. King Harald and the late Queen Elizabeth II were second cousins, sharing great-grandparents King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
Katie Taylor acclaimed becoming a three-time undisputed world champion in her farewell fight at Croke Park as the most special moment of her decorated career.
Taylor outclassed Flora Pili in a unanimous points victory in front of a crowd of 80,000 to ensure her three decades as an amateur and professional boxer ended in fairytale fashion.
Wild celebrations followed the announcement that she had overwhelmed the previously unbeaten Pili with a score of 100-90, 100-90, 100-90, 100-90, and 98-91 on the scorecards.
For Taylor, the feeling of signing off in front of her fans was even better than winning Olympic gold at London 2012, headlining Madison Square Garden, and her trilogy against Amanda Serrano.
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Katie Taylor shares her victory with her home crowd at Croke Park after beating Flora Pili. Pili.
The 40-year-old said: “This fight was definitely the highlight of my whole career.
Taylor thrilled Croke Park with a spine-tingling ring walk and also delivered in the ring by outclassing Pili across all 10 rounds.
She finished the fight by launching an all-out assault in the final 10 seconds that was roared on by the crowd and once the bell sounded, she smiled and hugged her opponent, knowing she had thrown her final shots.
Taylor said, “This night was everything I expected and more. Thankfully, I was able to keep my emotions in check, even though I had been getting emotional all week while talking about this event.
Image: Katie Taylor fights Flora Pili at Croke Park
“And over the last few months, the preparation for this moment has been so emotional. But the atmosphere was so special. It was more than I could have imagined. It was unbelievable.
“What a wonderful night. Looking back on an amazing career, the evening moment was just a dream ending. It was just a dream ending.
“I don’t think there’s another country in the world that would sell 80,000 tickets for a female athlete. I’m convinced Ireland was the only country that would actually do that.
“What a way to end this wonderful journey. I started off this career and I had the dream of becoming an Olympic champion.
I achieved that, but these last 10 years have been even better than I could have imagined. It’s been a remarkable 10 years.”
Hearn: Greatest Irish sportsperson of all time
Image: Katie Taylor celebrates her win over Flora Pili at Croke Park
We went into this event and I said this would be the greatest atmosphere and greatest occasion boxing has ever seen, and at Croke Park, you did it tonight.
“There were 83,000 people in here tonight and they are still here. I wasn’t supposed to do something we haven’t done before. This is a woman who refused to take no as an answer and banged on every door. She’s the greatest Irish sportsperson of all time.
“She made this happen. She made it happen because the entire nation supported her so proudly.
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Nigel Farage has said footage that appears to show senior Reform figures discussing how to hide donations from foreign sources “looks damaging” for the party.
The Reform leader is fighting to contain fresh scandal claims after an undercover sting overshadowed his annual party conference in Birmingham.
He told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that the comments of James Orr and Dan Jukes were “injudicious at best”.
The situation looks bad, as does the sale of peerages and government contracts for donations. We are not the first people to be involved in a row over donations,” he said.
Nigel Farage We are not the first people to be involved in a row over Reform’s donations
In an earlier extract from the interview released on Saturday, he also said he “frankly wasn’t listening” during the conversation between his former chief of staff and an undercover journalist which featured in the Channel 4 broadcast and he expected “many more investigations” into Reform over the coming months.
In the footage, Mr Farage was present when it was suggested that a US donor give £500,000 to Reform through his UK-based son – a proposal that could breach electoral law. The political donation was ultimately never made.
Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are considering complaints from Labour and the Lib Dems.
Mr Farage is already facing intense scrutiny over donations that Reform has received, as well as the £5 million that a wealthy backer gave him.
The party’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick also said on Sunday he had seen legal advice that the party did not break the law but that “lessons would be learnt”.
He told Sky News, “We’re going to investigate exactly what happened. It’s appropriate to have due process. But this is not the way that Reform conducts itself. Like any political party, we seek to abide by the law at all times, and we believe we have done so in this case. In fact, I’ve reviewed the legal advice from the KC who’s advised the party in the last 48 hours, and it shows that, yeah, we did.”
But do we want to be the best we can be? Yes, absolutely. And no doubt we will learn lessons from this experience. But we do have a strong compliance department and in fact we turn away donations all the time from impermissible people.”
The footage was part of an investigation by undercover group Verbatim, who posed as an American donor and his son, who had paid for polling allegedly commissioned by Reform and were seeking to channel money to the party.
Accepting donations from a foreign company, including in-kind donations such as polling, could constitute a criminal offence.
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The billions that the UK has lost to Brexit could wipe out NHS waiting lists and create a world-class service if recouped, a leading economist has warned.
In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Nick Bloom, a professor at Stanford University, said that up to 8 per cent of GDP was wiped off the UK economy by leaving Europe, through lost trade, increased red tape and delays in pushing the Brexit deal through.
That is close to the 9.7 per cent spent on health before the Covid pandemic, which he said could be used to bolster the overrun and struggling health service.
He said the infamous claims made by the Leave campaign that Brexit could free up £350m a week to spend on the NHS, in a controversial slogan emblazoned across the side of a battle bus, were ‘exactly and perfectly wrong’.
The Brexit bus was hugely controversial (Getty)
Prof. Bloom urged the UK government to forge closer ties to the bloc in a bid to limit the damage further and claw some of the losses back.
He said, “So we’ve lost six to eight per cent [because of Brexit]. Imagine getting that back and spending all that money we lost on the NHS. Suddenly, you would go from the current NHS to one that would be wonderful.
“Budgets would go up by about two-thirds; probably, waiting lists would disappear. Hospitals would be refurbished, you’d have better-paid doctors, better-paid nurses, better equipment… So one way to look at it is all the money we’ve lost. If we hadn’t lost it, we could have spent it on the NHS. We’d have a world-class national health service.”
Prof. Bloom, who was speaking to The Independent as part of its Europe: The Way Back campaign, which is calling for the UK to rebuild its relationship with Europe, is the co-author of research showing that Brexit caused the economy to shrink by between 6 and 8 per cent – more than previously thought.
He said the figure “is an enormous amount”, adding, “It’s something like £3,000 a year, per typical British person, that we’ve lost.”
He said roughly half was lost because “Brexit itself was just terrible news, because it makes it harder for British firms to trade with Europe, and Europe’s about half of our trade pre-Brexit”, while the other half was due to the “mess” of approving the final deal.
New prime minister Andy Burnham is facing a ‘juggling act’ (Getty)
So the vote happened in 2016, but it took several years of back and forth, with multiple prime ministers, votes, re-votes, haggles, and negotiations. And so businesses over this period were left uncertain, paused on investment and hiring, and finally we have Brexit done,” he said.
He said the government was doing the right thing by seeking closer ties to the EU but cautioned that one of the biggest threats to that was Reform leader Nigel Farage – for decades the main driver behind getting the UK out of the EU – who remains a “spectre” still impeding the UK’s economic recovery.
(AFP/Getty)
“Andy Burnham’s doing a juggling act,” he said. He’s got a lot going on, but he’d like to get closer to the European Union. Why? Because it would improve the economy. Why? Because that would mean he doesn’t have to put up taxes or cut spending.
But the big cost is this: Farage and the Brexiteers are waiting in the wings, ready to pounce. So he’s like every politician, trying to do one thing, get closer, while saying another: that we are independent and have our sovereignty. And good luck to him squaring that circle.”
Former Tory health secretary Stephen Dorrell said the suggestion that Brexit would unlock more funds for the NHS was “fundamentally dishonest on a Trumpian scale” and that leaving the EU had “undermined the UK economy’s ability to create successful businesses and create wealth.”
He called on the “political class to face up to the fact that the situation has been a national disaster”, adding: “Until we address that issue head-on, we will continue to be impoverished by the events of 2016.”
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan said that “patients in the NHS are suffering with record waiting lists, crumbling hospitals, and overworked doctors and nurses… It’s time for the government to stop ignoring the problem.
Emma Knaggs, from the pro-EU group European Movement UK, said that leaving the EU had “hit us all in the pocket.”
She said: “While EU countries continue to trade with ease, UK businesses now waste tens of thousands of hours and millions of pounds meeting red-tape requirements that simply were not there before.
“That translates to billions of pounds of lost revenue that isn’t available for vital services like the NHS. To deliver the government’s own agenda for growth, ease cost-of-living pressure for all of us and boost our public services, being part of the single market and ultimately the EU is the best way to achieve it. A decade on, the UK’s experiment with life outside the world’s biggest free market has failed, suffering from a slow and steady decline. The time to be honest about that is long overdue.”
Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, which campaigns for the UK’s restored EU membership, said Brexit had resulted in a “slow and painful death by 1,000 cuts for the UK economy and the knock-on effect on our struggling public services, with experts like Nick Bloom now rightly highlighting the appalling damage to our healthcare.”
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Great Britain & Ireland was down bad on Sunday, the scoreboard and history casting doubt on any hopes of the 2026 Walker Cup ending differently than the previous five iterations.
And yet, hours later, 22-year-old amateur Josh Hill looked over a birdie putt of just 3 feet, with thousands circling the 18th green at Lahinch in southwest Ireland as two nervous teams looked on. Hill poured the putt in with ease and felt the embrace as the GB&I team completed a shocking, unbelievable comeback to win the Walker Cup.
It is Great Britain & Ireland’s 10th time winning the Cup in 51 tries. The United States (40-10-1) has dominated the biennial competition, which pits the best men’s amateur players from each side for a two-day match. Great Britain & Ireland had not won since 2015.
The Americans’ depth almost always gives them an advantage. This year was no different, with seven of the top 10 ranked amateurs in the world — including the top two and six of the top seven — playing for the U.S. And while GB&I had a one-point lead after Saturday, the U.S. won all four foursome matches in the morning session, taking a commanding 9 ½-6 ½ lead.
But then Preston Stout, the top-ranked amateur, lost the opening match of singles to Jack Grehan. Luke Poulter, son of Ian, added another point for GB&I with a 3 & 1 win over Ethan Fang. Jack Whaley and Tyler Weaver dominated their matches, and the first four had all gone on the board for the home side.
From there, the GB&I team just kept on coming, and the Americans missed a series of putts and struggled to maintain their composure. By the time 17-year-old American phenom Miles Russell lost each of the last two holes to halve his match with Connor Graham, the score was 12½ to 12½ for each side, with one match still to play.
The Great Britain & Ireland team surround the Walker Cup trophy after winning it over the United States on Sunday. (Warren Little / Getty Images)
Tyler Watts and Hill were all square on the 18th hole, with the Americans only needing a half-point to tie and retain the cup.
Watts played his third shot on the par-5 from 130 yards out to the green but left himself a difficult length from a tricky part of the putting surface. Hill attempted to drive the green in two and missed but played his third out of the greenside bunker brilliantly.
Watts went first, the 18-year-old giving it a good effort but just missing the cup. Hill stepped up and poured it in.
“I was shaking and I’m just glad it went in, to be honest, because this is absolutely unbelievable,” Hill told the broadcast.
Hill said he asked Captain Dean Robertson before the bunker shot if he needed a win or a half, and Robertson replied that they needed the full point. “I was like, alright, let’s do it,” Hill said.
The Walker Cup is the amateur equivalent to the Ryder Cup, but while the latter has become increasingly corporatised in recent decades and seeks sprawling venues that can hold hundreds of thousands of spectators and all the hospitality suites, the former remains quite intimate. As a result, it goes to many of the best courses on either side of the Atlantic. Last year’s edition was at Cypress Point in California, the No. 2 course in the world, per Golf Digest, while Lahinch is No. 21.
The small town in County Clare came out for the golf all week, walking the fairways behind the players and surrounding the 18th green from all corners.
