The Independent

Smoke seen across central London after fire breaks out at flats in Shoreditch

Residents were evacuated from their apartments on Monday morning after a fire broke out in east London.Plumes of smoke could be seen in the sky after the blaze began at a shop, with has flats above it, on Hackney Road shortly before 8am. Residents were evacuated from their apartments shortly after.Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters t

New polling reveals Count Binface support ahead of Clacton by-election

New polling suggests that 20 per cent of voters in Clacton could back satirical candidate Count Binface in the upcoming by-election, where Nigel Farage is standing. A survey indicates that if the choice is limited to just Mr Farage and Count Binface, the latter's support could rise to 31 per cent. Mr Farage initiated the by-election amidst an

Former Australian national rugby coach Alan Jones on trial for indecent assault claims

A top talkback host, who is also the former coach of Australia’s national rugby team, has gone on trial, accused of sexual offending against multiple men and boys.Alan Jones, 85, is charged with 20 counts of indecent assault and two of sexual touching without consent.He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.Jones arrived at the Downing

Strictly judge says Shirley Ballas ‘failed’ to replicate Len Goodman’s ‘magic’

Len Goodman brought “magic” to Strictly Come Dancing for 12 years – but, according to Craig Revel Horwood, his replacement has failed to match it. The Strictly judge was known for his one-liners and enthusiastic delivery of the score “seven!”, which is still often quoted by fans of the BBC dance programme.Shirley Ballas, 65, stepped in as he

Patsy Kensit teases Emmerdale return after 20 years

Patsy Kensit is set to return to the ITV soap Emmerdale, reprising her role as the character Sadie King after a 20-year absence. Kensit described her character as "still a cow" but suggested Sadie may have acquired "new depths" since her last appearance. Sadie King, known as a glamorous and scheming villain, previously had affairs with Cain D

France will have to take migrants if they are picked up by Navy, says Zia Yusuf

Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman has insisted Paris will have to take in migrants if the Royal Navy picked them up in the sea and dropped them off in northern France.Zia Yusuf described his party’s proposal for “the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two” as a “humanitarian mission”.He said the plan was in par

UK drivers steal almost £200,000 of fuel from petrol stations every day during Iran war

British motorists are stealing an estimated £200,000 worth of fuel from forecourts every day, a surge directly linked to the onset of the Iran oil crisis. Analysis by fuel theft prevention firm Forecourt Eye reveals a 20 per cent increase in incidents of fuel taken without payment in the five months following the conflict's commencement on 28

Girl, 9, dies after she was found at industrial estate as man is arrested

A nine-year-old girl has died after being found seriously injured at an industrial estate in Arbroath. Police Scotland were called to Elliot Industrial Estate at approximately 12.02am on Monday, 3 August. The girl was transported to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where she subsequently passed away. A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connec