James McMurdock took bank salary while ‘claiming Covid loans'
James McMurdock suspended himself from Reform UK last week after The Sunday Times posed questions about £70,000 he borrowed through two firms in 2020: one previously dormant, the other with negligible assets.
The South Basildon & East Thurrock MP later said he had quit Nigel Farage's party after taking 'specialist advice' which 'is privileged and which I choose to keep private at this time'.
He remains under investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards and was separately referred to the Public Sector Fraud Authority by the Covid corruption commissioner last week. Reform has called for him to resign so a by-election can take place.
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The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Major update on future of iconic high street chain with 281 shops as store closures loom
A MAJOR update has been issued on the future of an iconic high street chain with 281 shops. Claire's, the popular jewellery and accessories chain, is facing mounting financial troubles that could spell disaster for its UK high street stores. 1 The retailer, which has 281 stores across Britain, is scrambling to address a looming £355million debt repayment due in December 2026. Advisers have been hired to look into ways to save the company. Restructuring specialists at Interpath are seeking investors to salvage parts of the UK business, while American advisers are considering bankruptcy protection for the chain's US operations, according to The Telegraph. The appointment of Interpath has sparked fears of widespread store closures and possible withdrawals from some countries as the company tries to cut costs. Globally, Claire's operates over 2,300 stores and is well-known for its ear-piercing services. Claire's UK arm has struggled financially, racking up £25million in losses over the past three years. In the year to March 2024, it reported a £4.7million loss, slightly better than the £5million loss the previous year, with turnover slipping to £137million. The company blames inflation, rising costs, and supply chain issues for its struggles. It has also been hit hard by US tariffs on Chinese imports, as much of its low-cost merchandise comes from China. Claire's was contacted for comment. Why are so many shops going bust? What's happening at Claire's? This isn't the first time Claire's has faced financial difficulties. The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US in 2018 in a bid to restructure its debts. It emerged years later under the control of creditors, including hedge funds Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital. The company is also reportedly exploring a sale of its North American and European operations, with bankers searching for potential buyers. However, there's no guarantee a sale will go ahead, and for now, Claire's UK stores remain open and trading as usual. Retail experts say Claire's is struggling to stay relevant in a competitive market. Budget-conscious shoppers now turn to online platforms like for affordable jewellery and accessories. Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: "Claire's low-price offering is clearly not strong enough to win over its core customers – teens and young adults – as they now have access to a vast array of affordable and convenient products online through platforms like Amazon and Temu. "So, with fewer reasons for its customers to visit their stores, the retailer has struggled to stay relevant." Why is the retail sector struggling? The retail sector has struggled in recent years due to the onset of online shopping and lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. Higher inflation since 2022 has also hit shoppers' budgets while businesses have struggled with higher wage, tax and energy costs. Last month, Polish owner Pepco Group sold Poundland to US investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1 after a downturn in trading. The new owners are now asking the court for permission to close 68 stores and negotiate lower rents on others, with up to 82 more stores potentially shutting in the future. Both Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop are also shutting branches as part of restructuring efforts. Higher inflation since 2022 has also hit shoppers' budgets while businesses have struggled with higher wage, tax and energy costs. The Centre for Retail Research has described the sector as going through a "permacrisis" since the 2008 financial crash. Figures from the Centre also show 34 retail companies operating multiple stores stopped trading in 2024, leading to the closure of 7,537 shops. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Hampshire officer's death sparks police misconduct review
The death of a police officer who was under investigation for gross misconduct has sparked a review of how a force deals with the Claire Browne, who had worked for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary since 2006, died at a property in Netley on 7 July. Her death was not thought to be suspicious, the force has 44-year-old was on bail after being arrested over allegations she sent sensitive police information from her work email account to her personal Jones, Hampshire and Isle of Wight's police and crime commissioner, said the independent review would take place after "questions and concerns among officers, staff and the wider public". Ms Browne was being investigated by the force over an allegation that she had used her police email account for non-work force has referred itself to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police comes after Hampshire police officer PC Alex Hazlett-Beard, who was also under investigation by the force, died in Jones said the review would be led by a "qualified individual from outside policing with relevant experience in assessing organisational practices and wellbeing."She added: "This review will not interfere with any ongoing investigations or statutory processes but will help the force and me as commissioner to better understand whether the current systems are appropriate, proportionate and supportive."Ms Jones said while she was "committed to ensuring high standards of integrity within the force", it was critical officers and staff were "treated fairly and compassionately during difficult times". Acting Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: "Everyone is extremely shocked and saddened by Claire's death and our thoughts remain with her family, friends and colleagues."Claire was a well loved and respected officer and colleague who had worked in many different departments and teams throughout her policing career. She will be missed by us all."Her family said she was a "dedicated officer who served the force and the community diligently and compassionately for 19 years."They added: "Claire will be sorely missed by her many friends and colleagues. Our family is devastated and we ask for understanding, kindness and privacy during this incredibly difficult time." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Transport Secretary admits she doesn't have ‘expensive' EV – despite trying to convince drivers to make switch
TRANSPORT Secretary Heidi Alexander admits she doesn't have an "expensive" electric car - despite trying to convince drivers to make the switch. The Cabinet Minister highlighted the difficulties of living in a terraced home and not having a driveway to plug in the motor for charging. 1 Her comments come as £700 million could be on the table offering subsidies to lower the upfront costs of purchasing electric vehicles. She told the BBC "I don't have an electric car. But I'm like millions of people in this country, I bought a new car about six years ago. "I'm thinking about the next car I will purchase, and it will definitely be an electric vehicle. I'm not in the habit of changing my car on a yearly basis, expensive as it is." Electric car sales amounted to 47,000 in June but this is still below the mandated level which states 28 per cent of new car sales and 16 per cent of van sales should be zero emission. She also committed to giving £25 million to councils so they could adapt paths between a house and the road for cables to be laid. Ms Alexander said: "We do need to make it easier and cheaper for people to buy an electric vehicle. "So today we're announcing a really big investment, £63 million in charging infrastructure across the country, £25 million for councils so that people like me, who don't have a driveway. "I live in a terrace house, if I had an EV, I'd be asking myself questions about how I would get the electric cable across to the car." Electric car sales amounted to 47,000 in June but this is still below the mandated level which states 28 per cent of new car sales and 16 per cent of van sales should be zero emission. The transition to electric vehicles comes as new petrol or diesel motors should come to an end by 2030. Just five years later, all new motors will have to be electric as part of the drive to meet Net Zero targets by 2050.
