Sir Jim, the founder of the INEOS chemicals group and part-owner of Manchester United, warned that Britain faces profound political, social and economic challenges, among them an unprecedented rise in immigration in recent years. "You can't have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in," he said. "I mean, the UK has been colonised. It's costing too much money. "The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn't it? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it's 70 million. That's 12 million people." The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that the population of the UK was 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid-2024. The UK population was estimated at 58.9 million in 2000. Sir Jim - who is a resident of Monaco - signalled that the prime minister might not be the right man for the top job, saying: "I don't know whether it's just the apparatus that hasn't allowed Keir to do it or, or he's maybe too nice - I mean, Keir is a nice man. I like him, but it's a tough job and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track, because at the moment I don't think the economy is in a good state." The chemicals boss said he had met recently with Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, saying of him: "I think Nigel is an intelligent man, and, I think he's got good intentions. But in a way, you could say exactly the same about Keir Starmer. I think it needs somebody who's prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out." Referring to his role at Manchester United, Sir Jim added: "I've seen quite a bit of this at the football club. If you do difficult things, which we felt that we had to do at Manchester United... we felt like they were the right things to do. But you do become very unpopular for a while." Read more:How much does the UK rely on legal migration?Britain's immigration system changes explained amid shake-up Sir Jim continued: "Well, I've been very unpopular at Manchester United because we've made lots of changes. But for the better, in my view. And I think we're beginning to see some evidence in the football club that that's beginning to pay off. "But you've got all the same issues with the country. If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you're going to have to do some things which are unpopular, and show some courage." Sir Jim was talking on the fringes of the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, at which leaders from many of Europe's biggest economies, including France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Friedrich Merz, are meeting with industrialists to discuss the fate of its economy. The summit comes amid a spate of closures across the European chemicals sector, closures that indicate, in the INEOS founder's view, that the European chemicals sector is facing "unsurvivable conditions". Reacting to Sir Jim's comments to Sky News, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky's Matt Barbet on the Politics Hub that migration - both legal and illegal - was too high under the Conservatives, and that people want to see those arriving "making a contribution" and "not doing that at the expense" of a government that isn't investing in young people. But she continued: "My dad comes from an immigrant background. I want your viewers to know that I am really proud that Britain is a diverse and tolerant country that is strengthened by waves of immigration." She added: "I'd be more than happy to speak to him about what we're doing."

The INEOS billionaire's outburst on immigration risks further antagonising those inside and outside the club. The men's squad alone relies on overseas talent, featuring more than a dozen different nationalities. And then there's the staff - many with global heritage - who keep the club running on a daily or temporary basis from the training ground to Old Trafford. Sir Jim's view of foreign people coming to Britain collides with the ideals promoted by United and the Premier League. While the co-owner complains the "UK has been colonised by immigrants", United's website embraces "Manchester, a city famed for its embrace of immigrants". And the Premier League website celebrates how "it has become a league of nations on the pitch". The backlash has been swift with anti-discrimination body Kick It Out making clear its condemnation - highlighting the comments being at odds with the diverse fan base and Manchester being "enriched by immigrants". Branding Sir Jim "disgraceful", Kick It Out said in a statement to Sky News: "This type of language and leadership has no place in English football." How will Sir Jim's allies react? Especially Gary Neville, based on what he said in 2019. The former United player said racism was being fuelled by then-prime minister Boris Johnson's inflammatory language on limiting migration. Neville now advises Sir Jim on new stadium plans. A minority stake was sold in 2024 by the majority owners, the Glazers, to tap into Sir Jim's expertise and improve the running of the business and bring the biggest trophies back to Old Trafford. Read more from Sky News:PM quizzed over ex-aide who campaigned for paedophile councillorWhat we know so far about Canada shootingsRoyals see what they're up against with Epstein scandal They will need the best foreign stars to do so. And Sir Jim needs the supporters on board. The first official expression of concern from the fan base came from the official Muslim supporters' club, expressing concern Sir Jim's views are "legitimising prejudice and deepening division". Speaking out against immigration risks further angering fans who have already been protesting against his running of the club.

He was arrested after being seen at a mosque, they added. Police believe the attack began when the teenager, a British national, went into a first floor classroom at Kingsbury High School, in Brent, north-west London, and sprayed a substance towards a pupil who was not injured. Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan told reporters: "The suspect has then attacked another pupil, a 13-year-old in that classroom, stabbing him, and then the suspect has left, running down the hallway of the school. "As he is leaving, he then attacked another victim, a 12-year-old, stabbing him before running off and away from the school." Two boys, aged 12 and 13, were taken to hospital in a serious condition after the incident, which unfolded at lunchtime on Tuesday. Counter-terror police have been leading the investigation into the attack but Ch Supt Flanagan said it has not been declared a terrorist incident. She added that officers do not believe the suspect has "any particular connection" to the mosque. "Police were called by a member of the public at approximately 4.50pm over concerns of a child that had been seen at a mosque in north west London," she said. "Officers attended shortly after and arrested a 13-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder, and he remains in custody. "At this stage, we think that it may have been coincidental that he ended up in that area, and all of those at the mosque have been incredibly supportive of this investigation." Officers are understood to be leaning towards a personal grievance being the motivation, rather than terrorist ideology. Searches have been carried out at two addresses connected to the suspect and the mosque where he was arrested. Police are also speaking to around 30 to 40 witnesses. In a letter to parents, the school's head teacher said it was a "deeply traumatic event for the whole school community". Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the attack as "shocking".

Documents in the latest release of the Epstein files appeared to suggest the former prince and Duke of York shared government information with the deceased sex offender when he was the UK's trade envoy. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. In a statement on Friday, Thames Valley Police said it has spoken with specialists from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) about allegations of misconduct in public office. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: "As part of this assessment, we have engaged in discussions with specialist crown prosecutors from the CPS." Follow latest updates on the Epstein files He added that at this phase, information is evaluated to determine whether a criminal offence is suspected and whether a full investigation is needed. Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, also said that the CPS is in "close contact" with both Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police, "but we haven't been asked to give formal advice yet". He added: "In complex and sensitive cases, the CPS and the police do work together, and I'm sure in the investigation that's been announced, we will do so. "The position now is we have made contact and we won't be giving step-by-step updates about the investigation." When asked about the common law offence of misconduct in a public office, Mr Parkinson said that "the law is quite clear". "I don't think it would be difficult to give advice on that," he added. "As always, the issue when giving advice on criminal cases is about the application of the law." Read more from Sky News:Man Utd co-owner makes claim about immigrants in UKOat-based products cannot be sold as 'milk', court rules It comes after Buckingham Palace said it would support the police if contacted over the allegations about Andrew earlier this week. The palace also said the King had "made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern" over the claims about his brother. Meanwhile, on Friday, US attorney general Pam Bondi testified to the US Congress about the release of the Epstein files, and was asked by a Democrat why she has "not prosecuted former prince Andrew". Ms Bondi responded to Ted Lieu, Democratic representative for California's 36th district, by asking why he did not ask the former attorney general under Joe Biden the same questions. He said he did ask before accusing her of failing to hold anyone accountable, adding "shame on you".

A total of 95 branches - comprising 53 Lloyds, 31 Halifax and 11 Bank of Scotland sites - will shut between May this year and March 2027 under the latest closure plans, parent company Lloyds Banking Group has announced. It's in addition to another round of closures, which will see 49 sites close down by October. This followed 136 closures announced around a year ago. After all these sites are shut, Lloyds, the UK's biggest mortgage provider, will have 610 branches remaining. The number of impacted staff has not been announced, but all those who work at the affected branches will be offered a role at another site or in another part of the business. High street branches are closing down as customers increasingly turn to online banking. More than 21 million customers use Lloyds' apps as their main way to bank, the lender said. The 95 branches due to shut are: Lloyds Bank - Aberdare Lloyds Bank - Altrincham Lloyds Bank - Birkenhead Lloyds Bank - Birmingham, Blackheath Lloyds Bank - Birmingham, Bordesley Green Lloyds Bank - Birmingham, Highters Heath Lloyds Bank - Birmingham, Upper Kingstanding Lloyds Bank - Bournemouth Lloyds Bank - Bristol, Fishponds Lloyds Bank - Cardiff, Victoria Park Lloyds Bank - City of London, Cheapside Lloyds Bank - Clevedon Lloyds Bank - Coalville Lloyds Bank - Crowborough Lloyds Bank - Daventry Lloyds Bank - Didcot Lloyds Bank - Ebbw Vale Lloyds Bank - Golders Green Lloyds Bank - Heswall Lloyds Bank - Hinckley Lloyds Bank - Hoddesdon Lloyds Bank - Honiton Lloyds Bank - Horncastle Lloyds Bank - Hull, Hessle Road Lloyds Bank - Hull, Ings Road Lloyds Bank - Kingswinford Lloyds Bank - Lancaster Lloyds Bank - Llangefni Lloyds Bank - London, Camberwell Lloyds Bank - London, Fitzrovia Lloyds Bank - London, London Bridge Lloyds Bank - London, Streatham Lloyds Bank - London, Victoria Lloyds Bank - London, West End Lloyds Bank - Lymington Lloyds Bank - Moreton-in-Marsh Lloyds Bank - Newmarket (Suffolk) Lloyds Bank - Norwich, Aylsham Road Lloyds Bank - Reading, Woodley Lloyds Bank - Redhill Lloyds Bank - Ringwood Lloyds Bank - Sevenoaks Lloyds Bank - Southam Lloyds Bank - Staines-upon-Thames Lloyds Bank - Stoke-on-Trent, Longton Lloyds Bank - Street (Somerset) Lloyds Bank - Swansea, Winch Wen Lloyds Bank - Tewkesbury Lloyds Bank - Uttoxeter Lloyds Bank - Wareham Lloyds Bank - Wednesbury Lloyds Bank - West Byfleet Lloyds Bank - Wolverhampton, Tettenhall Halifax - Ashington Halifax - Ashton-under-Lyne Halifax - Billingham Halifax - Bognor Regis Halifax - Bridgend Halifax - Cardiff, Roath Halifax - Chichester Halifax - Chorley Halifax - Croydon Halifax - Cwmbran Halifax - Doncaster, Armthorpe Halifax - Ellesmere Port Halifax - Goole Halifax - Greenford Halifax - Halesowen Halifax - Horsham Halifax - Leeds, Bramley Halifax - Liverpool, Hunts Cross Shopping Park Halifax - London, Hammersmith Halifax - London, Pentonville Halifax - London, Surrey Docks Halifax - Manchester, Didsbury Halifax - Mexborough Halifax - Nottingham, Beeston Halifax - Nottingham, West Bridgford Halifax - Shipley Halifax - Skelmersdale Halifax - Southgate Halifax - Sutton Coldfield Halifax - Thornaby-on-Tees Halifax - Torquay, Lymington Road Bank of Scotland - Aberdeen, Bridge Of Don Bank of Scotland - Balivanich Bank of Scotland - Blairgowrie Bank of Scotland - Broughty Ferry Bank of Scotland - Glasgow, Baillieston Bank of Scotland - Haddington Bank of Scotland - Kelso Bank of Scotland - Lochgilphead Bank of Scotland - Penicuik, John Street Bank of Scotland - Rutherglen Bank of Scotland - Stonehaven A spokeswoman for Lloyds said: "Customers want the freedom to bank in the way that works for them and we offer more choice and ways to manage money than ever before. "From our leading apps and 24/7 messaging service to local banking options like our community bankers, PayPoint and access to all of our Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches, we're giving our customers the flexibility to bank wherever and whenever they need us."

A post on his own Instagram account and that of his wife's said he had "met his final days with courage, faith and grace". The actor revealed in 2024 he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. The statement said: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. "For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend." He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah. Tributes were paid to Van Der Beek immediately after the news. 'He will always be family to me' His Dancing With The Stars partner, Emma Slater, who appeared with him on the show in 2019, said: "I'm so devastated. "He is and will always be family to me. Love you so much James. The man that you are, you can be proud of. "So grateful that I got to be there to say goodbye to you." 'I am broken' Actor and close friend, Alfonso Ribeiro, who starred in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, said: "I am broken. So happy to have him in my life. Lucky I got to be there to say goodbye." Van Der Beek made a surprise video appearance at a Dawson's Creek reunion charity event, in September, in New York. He had previously dropped out due to illness. He appeared projected on stage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre during a live reading of the show's pilot episode, to benefit F Cancer. Read more:Gwyneth Paltrow leads tributes to designer ValentinoAnthony Joshua pays tribute to friends killed in Nigeria crash Van Der Beek said: "Thank you to every single person here." Dawson's Creek ran from 1998 to 2003, and followed a group of high school friends. Van Der Beek, then 20, played 15-year-old Dawson Leery, through which he shot to fame, along with the show's other stars Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson. Van Der Beek was raised in Cheshire, Connecticut, and began acting aged 13 after suffering concussion playing football, which prevented him playing for a year on doctor's orders.

The professional dancer was 44 when he was found dead in a hotel room in Shepherd's Bush, west London, in February 2024. Police found a note left in the room in which he said he had been "fighting it" since losing his job on the show, coroner Dr Anton van Dellen told jurors at West London Coroner's Court on Wednesday. Windsor joined Strictly in 2010 and danced with actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson and Lisa Riley, as well as Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden, in four series until 2013. He could not perform in the 2014 series because of a back injury and was dropped in 2015, though still danced with TV presenter Alison Hammond in the Christmas special that year. In a written statement read to the court earlier, Emmerdale actress Riley said Windsor's "glow had gone" after he was cut from the professional dancers' line-up. "It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into endless depression," she said. Riley said Windsor told her about times of "never feeling good enough" and "imposter syndrome". "One night he opened up, telling me of the horrific time he was molested by an old dance tutor and [he] felt his parents never really understood this," she said. "Robin was and always has been very influenced by other men. It became a standing joke that he fell in love after three days." Read more from Sky News:'UK has been colonised by immigrants', says Sir Jim RatcliffeDad unlawfully killed British daughter after Trump row She said Windsor was insecure about his body and took steroids, which could put him in a bad place when combined with alcohol, adding he was "drowning in debts" and "frantically" spent money on designer items he could not afford. "Money problems also played a part of his darker days," she said. "He was drowning in debts which led to weekends I wouldn't hear from him." Summing up the evidence, coroner Dr van Dellen read parts of a written statement by Windsor's ex-boyfriend, X Factor star Marcus Collins, who said Windsor's mental health deteriorated when he was released from his Strictly contract. "The day that he was informed that he was no longer required for Strictly really broke his spirit," Collins said. "Robin's mental health was challenged almost constantly from this point and at times it altered his personality." After being approached by Sky News, a BBC spokesperson said: "We wouldn't comment on an ongoing inquiry." Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. Alternatively, you can call Mind's support line on 0300 102 1234, or NHS on 111.

Lucy Harrison, a fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, was staying with her father, Kris Harrison, and his family at their home in Prosper, Texas, in January last year. Mr Harrison, described to the court as a functioning alcoholic, claimed the gun had gone off accidentally in the incident, shortly before 3pm. Concluding the inquest into Ms Harrison's death on Wednesday, senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish said she found the father's actions "to be reckless". She said that "to shoot [his daughter] through the chest whilst she was standing would have required him to have been pointing the gun at his daughter, without checking for bullets, and pulling the trigger". The coroner found Ms Harrison died due to unlawful killing on the grounds of gross negligence manslaughter, adding that the 23-year-old was "young, vibrant and beautiful with her whole life ahead of her and this is a most tragic death". Ms Harrison's boyfriend, Sam Littler, who was on the trip to the US with her, previously told Cheshire Coroner's Court that she would often become upset with her father when he spoke about his gun ownership. He said that Ms Harrison and her father argued about Donald Trump on the morning of 10 January 2025, when the couple were due to fly home. About half an hour before they were expected to leave for the airport, Mr Harrison took his daughter by the hand and led her from the kitchen to his ground-floor bedroom, where he kept a Glock semi-automatic handgun in his bedside cabinet. He said he heard a loud bang some 15 seconds later, before Mr Harrison started screaming for his wife, Heather. Mr Littler said: "I remember running into the room and Lucy was lying on the floor near the entrance to the bathroom and Kris was just screaming, just sort of nonsense." Mr Harrison did not attend the two-day inquest hearing, but said in a statement that he had bought the gun to give his family a "sense of security". As it was for home defence, Texas laws meant he did not need a licence. Verdict gives 'Luce her voice back', says mum Speaking outside the court in Warrington, Ms Harrison's mother Jane Coates said that the outcome "has finally given Luce her voice back, after what has been an unrelenting year of deep shock, grief and fight". She said her daughter was "failed" by Texan gun laws and decisions made by the police department in Prosper. "Although we are satisfied with the coroner's conclusion," Ms Coates added, "there is much to be learnt from Lucy's needless and entirely avoidable death." The inquest heard a grand jury in the US determined there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone in connection with Ms Harrison's death. It was also told that Mr Harrison had previously been to rehab for alcohol addiction. His representative, Ana Samuel, said the hearing was "more akin to a criminal investigation than a fact-finding inquiry". Read more from Sky News:Tottenham boss Thomas Frank sackedHow Epstein made his moneyCold weather health alert issued In a statement issued by his solicitors, Mr Harrison also said "I fully accept the consequences of my actions", and added: "I cannot undo what happened, but I can honour Lucy by being the best father I can be to her sisters and by carrying her memory forward in everything we do. "I am deeply sorry for the pain others feel from this tragedy. Lucy's spirit - her warmth, her humour, her kindness - will live on in all of us who loved her."

They had changed where he was due to arrive, after his lunch had run over. It was all fairly frantic, but for his aides, now tasked with getting him to his plane on time to head home, this was nothing like the other challenges they had faced. This has felt like a week where the royal family have really seen what they are up against when it comes to the Andrew and Epstein scandal. The noise has been never-ending with shouts at both the prince and the King, and more documents being uncovered. Follow latest updates on the Epstein files There had been hopes that the Prince of Wales' trip to Saudi Arabia, a significant diplomatic visit, might have been enough to shift some of the attention. With all the pictures of William with kids and women, there could not have been more effort made to sell this as a trip all about the future, projecting a positive image of Saudi Arabia and the work of the British royal family. The visit, of course, was always going to be a political tightrope for him, with questions over human rights here, despite significant social charges. But nothing could stop the runaway scandal of the Epstein files from being the bigger problem. Read more: Tour of Saudi Arabia ends with nature reserve visit The demand to hear from the royals has been enormous. But the calls for them to tell us more risk overshadowing how huge it was to get those statements earlier in the week from both William and Kate and Buckingham Palace. I have done this job long enough to know there must have been tense conversations before they got the final sign-off for release. They knew they would be blowing the story up again, but doing nothing was not an option. For them, the problem is that people still want more. We expect to see our leaders on camera, to see them visibly taking control and being accountable. There is no doubt that in recent years there has been a change in what the family are prepared to open up about on camera, remember for example the videos released about the King and Kate's cancer, but it's always on their own terms. And from what we have had so far, I'm not sure on this one; they're going to bow to public pressure to talk, despite some saying silence only exacerbates the huge reputational risks. For 15 years, this has been hanging over them, first the Queen, now Andrew's brother, the King, undoubtedly going so much further than their mother ever did. The "maximalist approach", as they describe it, stripping him of his titles and Windsor home. And this week, in written words, we have seen greater efforts to distance themselves from Andrew, partly, I suspect, out of a concern about what else may come, despite his constant denials of any wrongdoing. Whether you agree or not, for now, they do not feel like they have more questions to answer. Yes, there are pictures and emails that strongly suggest Epstein spent time at palaces and royal properties. In the end, Andrew maintained that contact, not the wider family or the institution.

Laegreid finished in third place in the biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, and then broke down in tears at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday, telling Norwegian state broadcaster NRK how he lost the "love of my life" due to his cheating after meeting her six months ago. "Three months ago, I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her. I told her about it a week ago. It's ‌been the worst week of my life," the 28-year-old medallist said, adding how he wishes to share his sporting triumph with her. Now his ex-girlfriend, who wants to remain anonymous, told Norwegian outlet VG that she "did not choose to be put in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it". She added that Laegreid's infidelity was "hard to forgive, even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world". The woman said she had been in contact with Laegreid and that he knew her stance on this. After his tearful confession on live television, Laegreid said that he might not have been in the right state of mind to give the interview after the race, which came in the wake of the death of his teammate, Sivert ‍Guttorm Bakken, in December last year. "Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview," he said a few hours later. Read more from Sky News:Lindsey Vonn reveals extent of injuriesWinter Olympics hit by penis enhancement controversy On Wednesday, the Norwegian biathlete apologised to his ex-girlfriend and to his countryman Johan-Olav Botn, who took the gold in the men's Olympic 20km individual biathlon race but whose achievement was overshadowed by Laegreid's cheating confession. "I deeply regret bringing up this personal story on what was a festive day for Norwegian biathlon," Laegreid told NRK. "I am not quite myself these days, and I am not thinking clearly. My apologies go to Johan-Olav, who deserved all the attention after winning gold. "My apologies also go to my ex-girlfriend, who involuntarily ended up in the media spotlight. I hope she is doing well. I can't change this, but I will now put this behind me and focus on the Olympics."