News 31/03/26

Tiger Woods has pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving under the influence following a crash in Florida.

The golf star was charged after attempting to overtake a truck at high speeds before rolling the Land Rover he was driving on Friday. His plea was confirmed in court documents in Martin County on the same day details of his arrest were released. A sheriff’s report said Woods had hydrocodone pills in his pocket and bloodshot eyes at the scene of the crash. [Pause(1)]

The BBC has apologised for its response after allegations about Scott Mills were raised with the broadcaster last year.

The Radio 2 presenter had his contract terminated at the weekend, with the corporation initially saying he was dismissed due to claims about his personal conduct. It later emerged Mills had been investigated over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy under sixteen. The BBC issued a statement after it was reported the broadcaster had been aware of separate allegations almost a year earlier but did not investigate.

The Slough Jets say they are saddened by the passing of former player Adam Greener.

He played for the club between 2002 and 2005 before returning in 2009 for a further four years. Described as a tough, no nonsense defenceman, he was respected by teammates and feared by opponents. He also served as Head Coach of the Slough ENL Jets in their inaugural 2010 and 2011 season. Over his career he recorded more than 100 points and over 1500 penalty minutes. Adam Greener was 44 years old.

There are no plans for the King and Queen to meet survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during their upcoming state visit to the United States.

It is understood they are unable to do so while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters linked to Epstein. A US congressman, Ro Khanna, had written to the King asking for a private meeting with survivors. Buckingham Palace has confirmed the visit will still go ahead despite calls for it to be delayed due to the Middle East conflict. [Pause(1)]

Tiger Woods had hydrocodone pills in his pocket and bloodshot eyes at the scene of a car crash in Florida, according to a sheriff’s report.

Deputies described his movements as slow and lethargic. Woods was charged with driving under the influence after attempting to overtake a truck at high speed before rolling his vehicle. Officers found two white pills identified as the opioid hydrocodone, which is used to treat pain. [Pause(1)]

Scott Mills was investigated over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy under sixteen.

Police say the investigation began in December 2016 following a referral from another force. The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. The BBC confirmed Mills was dismissed on Monday over claims relating to his personal conduct but has provided few further details.

The president of the United States has posted a message on Truth Social telling the United Kingdom to go get your own oil.

He said countries unable to access jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz should buy from the United States, which he said has plenty. He also urged them to build up delayed courage, go to the strait and take it, adding they must learn to fight for themselves as the USA would not help anymore.

A Labour backbench MP has been suspended from the parliamentary party.

Karl Turner, the MP for Hull East, is understood to have had the Labour whip removed over comments about colleagues described as uncollegiate rather than criticism of policy. In a post on X he said he had not received any notification from the whips and suggested journalists had been told first. Turner has regularly criticised the prime minister including plans to reform jury trials.

The King’s planned state visit to the United States will go ahead, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, despite calls for it to be scrapped or delayed because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The visit is expected to take place in late April, with exact dates to be confirmed closer to the time. In a statement, the Palace said that, on the advice of His Majesty’s Government and at the invitation of the US President, the King and Queen will undertake the visit.

Denby, the historic pottery group founded in 1809, is expected to fall into administration later today as talks continue with potential buyers.

FRP Advisory is set to oversee the insolvency process after the company filed notice of its intention to appoint administrators weeks ago. The business is expected to continue trading during this period, with interest from several external parties. Denby also owns the Burleigh brand, which was supported in 2010 with nine million pounds to fund emergency repairs at Middleport Pottery.

The Metropolitan Police says the teenage boy at the centre of allegations involving Scott Mills was under sixteen.

The former BBC Radio 1 and 2 DJ was questioned in 2018 over alleged offences said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. The investigation began in 2016 and was closed in 2019 after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to charge. Mills was sacked by the BBC on Monday over personal conduct allegations, though details remain unclear.

Donald Trump has told aides he would be willing to end the US military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, according to reports citing administration officials.

It is claimed he wants the United States to achieve its primary goals of reducing Iran’s navy and missile stocks, then wind down hostilities while pressuring Tehran to restore trade through the strait. If that fails, Washington would push allies in Europe and the Gulf to lead efforts to reopen the route.

Sir Keir Starmer has warned he could withdraw an offer of thousands more NHS jobs if resident doctors go ahead with strike action next week.

The medics, formerly known as junior doctors, plan a six day walkout from the seventh of April after the Easter bank holiday weekend. It would be the fifteenth round of strikes in England since 2023 in a dispute over pay and jobs. He has described the action as reckless and given them forty eight hours to reconsider.

Engineering works will disrupt train services over the Easter weekend with major changes across the network.

Routes affected include Windsor and Eton Riverside, Reading, Weybridge via Staines, and services via Richmond and Kingston. Trains will not run between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction from April the third to the sixth. Services will instead start and terminate at Clapham Junction, with passengers urged to check before travelling.

The government is changing how police record non crime hate incidents in England and Wales to end the policing of everyday arguments.

New guidance will say forces should only log incidents relevant to policing. A review found officers were increasingly drawn into social media disputes. Conservatives say the changes do not go far enough, calling the move simply a rebrand.

New rules requiring weekly food waste collections for all homes in England have come into force, but dozens of councils are not ready.

An investigation found seventy nine councils did not expect to meet the March thirty first deadline. Delays have been blamed on demand for specialist vehicles and funding issues, despite more than three hundred and forty million pounds in grants. Defra says it will continue working with councils and industry to address problems.