News 11/09/25

An inquest will be held later this month into the death of a Slough woman shot on Valentine’s Day.

Lisa Smith, who had been living in Kent, was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt on February 14. The hearing is scheduled for September 17 at Oakwood House in Maidstone. It’s alleged she was shot by her husband, Edward Smith, also known as Edvard Stockings.

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been convicted by a majority of a Supreme Court panel of attempting a coup after losing the 2022 election.

Three of the five judges found him guilty on five counts, while one voted to acquit. The final judge’s decision will determine his sentence, which could run into decades. Bolsonaro, 70, denies wrongdoing and remains under house arrest.

Labour’s deputy leadership contest is down to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and former Commons leader Lucy Powell.

Left-wing backbencher Bell Ribeiro-Addy confirmed she failed to secure the 80 MP nominations required. Phillipson has 175 backers, while Powell has 117. Both now need support from local parties or affiliated groups to reach the members’ ballot.

Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure after sacking Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington.

The Prime Minister acted following the release of emails showing Mandelson supported Jeffrey Epstein while he faced charges in 2008. The government says new information about the extent of his links only came to light recently. Conservatives are demanding all vetting material be published, while some Labour MPs say the appointment should never have been made.

The FBI has released images of a person of interest in the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s killing.

Officials in Salt Lake City say the public’s help is needed to identify the individual, though they stopped short of confirming if the person pictured is the suspected gunman. Kirk was shot dead during a university event in Utah earlier this week.

The security services had raised concerns about the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, but Downing Street pressed ahead regardless, Sky News understands.

No 10 today defended the vetting process used for senior civil servants, though questions remain about whether warnings were overlooked. Two sources confirmed to Sky that the concerns were flagged during the appointment process, but No 10 decided they were not sufficient to block the role.

The FBI says it has recovered the weapon suspected of being used in the shooting in Orem, Utah.

Special Agent Robert Bohls confirmed a high-powered bolt action rifle was found in a wooded area near where the attacker fled. Forensic teams are now analysing the weapon, which was recovered alongside palm and forearm imprints. Despite the discovery, the shooter remains at large.

Chelsea Football Club has been charged with 74 alleged breaches of Football Association regulations.

The charges cover agent rules and third-party investment in players between 2009 and 2022, when Roman Abramovich owned the club. Most of the alleged breaches are linked to transfers and financial arrangements from the 2010-11 to the 2015-16 seasons.

Nigel Farage is facing fresh scrutiny over the purchase of his £885,000 Clacton home.

A BBC investigation has raised doubts about his claim that his partner, Laure Ferrari, bought the property outright with family money. Records in France show no evidence that her parents had the means to contribute significantly to the purchase. Farage has denied suggestions that the arrangement allowed him to avoid more than £44,000 in stamp duty.

Ireland has warned it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to compete.

Broadcaster RTE said concerns about Israel’s participation were raised by several members at the European Broadcasting Union’s general assembly in July. RTE says it will confirm its position once the EBU makes its ruling.

A man has been arrested following a fire at the constituency office of Labour MP Sharon Hodgson.

Northumbria Police confirmed a man in his 20s is in custody on suspicion of arson and criminal damage. Emergency services were called to Woodland Terrace in Washington shortly after midnight. The fire caused significant damage, but no one was injured.

A drug user who murdered a 94-year-old great-grandfather during a burglary has been jailed for at least 33 years.

Paul Topham broke into Harold Monk’s flat in Wolverhampton last October. When the pensioner confronted him, Topham launched a sustained assault, leaving him with 18 fractures to his face, skull, spine and ribs. The judge said the attack was brutal and sustained, describing it as a shocking crime against a vulnerable man in his own home.

The Foreign Office has confirmed Peter Mandelson has been sacked by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

A letter says Mandelson has been withdrawn as Ambassador after new emails revealed the depth of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was significantly greater than previously known. The correspondence included claims that Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged. The government said that, mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, Mandelson’s removal was effective immediately.

Police have launched an investigation into what they are calling an “incident” at the constituency office of Labour MP Sharon Hodgson.

Images show heavy fire damage and graffiti on the walls, including the message “328 days blood on your hands.” A spokesperson for the Washington and Gateshead South MP confirmed the attack took place overnight, adding there is no place for this kind of violence in society. Officers remain at the scene.

Dame Emily Thornberry has pulled out of the Labour deputy leadership race.

The Foreign Affairs Committee chair had struggled to gain enough support and confirmed she will no longer stand.

The contest was triggered by Angela Rayner’s resignation last week, after she was found to have breached the ministerial code over her tax affairs.

In a statement, Dame Emily thanked Labour members who had backed her but said she had decided to withdraw.

Police in Utah are continuing their search for the killer of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

Two people who were arrested have since been released after officials confirmed they had no connection to the shooting.

No one is currently in custody, but authorities say they are looking for a new person of interest.

Utah governor Spencer Cox described it as “a dark day for our state, and a tragic day for our nation”.

Donald Trump says he is “filled with grief and anger” after the killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, a close ally of the US president, was shot dead at a university event in Utah on Wednesday. He was 31. In a statement on social media, Mr Trump described him as a “great and legendary” figure who was “loved and admired by all, especially me”.

In a later video address, the president called it a “heinous assassination”.

MPs are demanding Lord Peter Mandelson return to the UK to face questions about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Labour peer, who is currently Britain’s ambassador to Washington, is under growing pressure as Sir Keir Starmer faces calls to sack him. It follows reports that Mandelson once described the convicted sex offender as his “best pal” in a birthday message, and later sent him supportive notes while he was under investigation.

Lord Mandelson has since said he regrets ever meeting Epstein.

Councillors in Slough say more needs to be done to support staff wellbeing and stop workers leaving the local authority.

At the borough’s employment committee, members were told the council is still too reliant on interim staff, though improvements are under way.

The council’s workforce strategy, part of its 2023 to 2027 corporate plan, sets out four priorities, including fostering a healthier, more inclusive workplace and building a positive culture.