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A co-chair of the Conservative Party has accused Elon Musk of attempting to "buy" Reform UK following reports the tech tycoon is planning to gift Nigel Farage's party $100m (£78m).In a recording of a video call with Tory activists heard by Sky News, Lord Johnson of Lainston said it was "extraordinary" that Mr Musk, the owner of X and Tesla and the world's richest man, was "basically buying one of the political parties here". He said Nigel Farage, the Reform…

A couple have been found guilty of causing or allowing the death of their three-year-old son, whose body they buried in a shallow grave in their back garden.Warning: This story contains details readers may find distressingTai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah, 42 and 43, were also convicted of child cruelty and perverting the course of justice.Abiyah Yasharahyalah died after a respiratory illness while suffering from fractures, severe malnutrition, rickets, anaemia, stunted growth and severe dental decay. Image: Abiyah's remains weren't found for…

Reading and Leeds festivals have announced their first headline acts, with a host of first-time headliners including Chappell Roan set to play next summer.With a stellar year following the release of her debut album The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, it will be Roan's first festival headline set. Rapper Travis Scott, known for his high on-stage energy and larger-than-life production, is also debuting in his Reading and Leeds headline slot.Scott's appearance is being billed as a "European exclusive".With…

Farmers are being forced into a catch-22 situation as they grapple with investing in environmentally friendly farming that could push them into paying inheritance tax, some farmers claim.The government has defended imposing 20% inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1m by saying they are supporting farming by putting £5bn towards "sustainable food production and nature recovery". Farming groups are united in their condemnation of the inheritance tax introduction, as they have said farmers will have to sell land to…

Marks & Spencer has been told it can demolish and rebuild its flagship London store, 18 months after its plans were blocked by the previous government.Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner ruled the scheme - a new 10-storey development with a smaller M&S store and other facilities including offices - could go ahead. It will see three buildings on Oxford Street knocked down.The company reacted with fury 18 months ago when then-housing secretary Michael Gove rejected the recommendations…

The Archbishop of Canterbury said it was "clear" he had to quit after a damning review into the Church of England's handling of a sexual abuse scandal.Speaking publicly for the first time since resigning almost a month ago, Justin Welby addressed the House of Lords saying he acknowledged the situation "required a head to roll". The Archbishop resigned after the independent Makin review found John Smyth - the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church - might…

A man has been charged with murder and attempted murder after a mother was killed in a hit and run crash.Alana Armstrong, from Tibshelf, was riding pillion when she was knocked off an e-bike by a 4x4 in Derbyshire last week. The 25-year-old, who had a six-year-old son, died at the scene of the collision in Batley Lane, Pleasley, at around 8pm on Tuesday 26 November.A man in his 20s who was riding the e-bike has had part of his…

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 25% of new car registrations in November, an almost 60% increase year-on-year - and well above a government target manufacturers have called on ministers to relax.BEVs were the only sector of the car market to see increased sales in November, which saw new registrations down almost 2%, the second consecutive month of contraction and a third in four months the industry blames on the race to meet EV targets. Petrol registrations fell by almost…

One of two teenagers convicted of murdering 16-year-old Brianna Ghey has had a bid to challenge the length of his sentence dismissed.Brianna was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife during the deadly attack by Eddie Ratcliffe and co-defendant Scarlett Jenkinson in a park near Warrington in February last year. Ratcliffe, who was 15 at the time of the attack, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years in February this year, with a judge describing the…

Muhammad was the most popular baby boy's name in England and Wales in 2023, with Olivia remaining parents' favourite choice for baby girls. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the most popular name in 2022, Noah, was knocked off the top spot by Muhammad, which has been in the top 10 since 2016. An estimated 4,661 babies were registered with the name last year, with Noah falling to 4,382. Muhammad was the most popular in four out…