Friday morning UK news briefing: Prince Harry and Meghan 'not informed' of bullying inquiry
Welcome to your early-morning news briefing from The Telegraph - a round-up of the top stories we are covering on Friday. To receive twice-daily briefings by email, sign up to our Front Page newsletter for free.
Sussexes 'not informed' of Palace bullying inquiry
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not been contacted about the investigation into claims Meghan bullied her staff during her time as a working royal. The couple expect to be notified if formal allegations are made against them by Buckingham Palace, it is understood, amid accusations their staff were bullied and left "broken", "terrified" and "shaking" with fear. Downing Street has said Boris Johnson has full confidence in his top civil servant after it was claimed he knew about the Duchess's alleged bullying. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case was reportedly aware of allegations in his capacity as the Duke of Cambridge's private secretary in 2018. Here are the key figures at the centre of the claims.
All this comes ahead of this weekend's Oprah Winfrey interview with the Sussexes, with a preview clip showing the Duchess accusing the Palace of "perpetuating falsehoods". Victoria Ward examines all the claims made so far by the couple while Camilla Tominey analyses what comes next for them. Here is how to watch the interview while Matt takes the royal rift to new levels. Yet amid all the accusations, one precious, and potentially telling, detail has been overlooked from the Oprah interview clips: the necklace the Duchess chose to wear while "speaking her truth". Sarah Royce-Greensill analyses how it could be a hidden olive branch.
Households face extra £100 on council tax bill
Householders face a £7.5 billion council tax raid after local authorities increased rates without consultation, according to an analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility. The OBR said councils would increase taxes by £1.8bn next month – up to £100 a year for many households – after the Government allowed them to impose increases of up to 5pc. It comes as David Gauke, former Tory Chief Treasury Secretary when George Osborne was chancellor, said Rishi Sunak's corporation tax rise marks a "significant departure" from Conservative principles. Elsewhere, healthcare leaders have criticised a proposed NHS pay increase of around 1pc as a "kick in the teeth" that could worsen staffing gaps.
Jeremy Paxman says 'any fool' could be a newsreader
Huw Edwards and the BBC's roster of newsreaders regularly feature on the broadcaster's list of top earners. But Jeremy Paxman has suggested they are not worth the money, claiming that "any fool" can read the news because the work requires no "grandeur or skill". The University Challenge presenter, who left Newsnight in 2014 after 25 years on the current affairs programme, has belittled some of the highest-paid figures at the corporation. Read more of his tirade against BBC colleagues.
At a glance: Today's coronavirus headlines
Holiday boost | Cyprus to allow vaccinated Britons to visit from May
U-turn | Europe's volte-face on Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine
Excess deaths | Normal levels could already have returned
Face coverings | Williamson told to show evidence for masks in class
Covid app | Flaws in system meant pubs broke privacy rules
Also in the news: Today's other headlines
Military overhaul | The head of the Armed Forces will remain in post until the end of the year to oversee an overhaul of the military, Number 10 will announce on Friday. The Telegraph understands Downing Street will confirm that General Sir Nick Carter's tenure as Chief of the Defence Staff will be extended until the end of the year so that he can lead the transformation of the military following the Integrated Defence Review.
Northern Ireland | EU to launch legal action against UK 'very soon'
Pay out | Civil servant given £340k to settle Patel bullying claim
NHS guidance | Let children talk to doctors without a parents there
Mutant squirrels | Genetically modified greys could curb population
Is this some kind of joke? | Most of us laugh along just to fit in
Around the world: Myanmar police attack medics
Myanmar's police have been filmed mercilessly beating a volunteer ambulance crew in one of multiple social media videos documenting a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests. CCTV footage captured in the commercial city of Yangon showed armed police stopping an ambulance at gunpoint in the city's north Okkakapa township and forcing three medics out of the vehicle before repeatedly smashing them in the head with rifle butts and kicking them. Read more on the deadliest day of anti-coup protests and view more pictures from around the world.
Comment and analysis
Fraser Nelson | The Tories are gearing up for an early election
Kate Hoey | The EU is jeopardising the Belfast Agreement
Jemima Lewis | Trans activists angry at Mumsnet are like children
Madeline Grant | Davidson draws Sturgeon's ire in tartan titan battle
Reader letters | Sunak has murdered the principles of Tory success
You've got this: Getting you through lockdown
The great outdoors | How to get your garden ready for lockdown lift-off
'I've forgotten how to make small talk' | Are you suffering from re-entry anxiety?
Days ahead numbered? | To lose our cinemas would bring me to tears
Business and money briefing
Bullying claims | Deloitte's diversity champion Dimple Agarwal, one of the firm's most senior UK consultants, is being investigated over accusations of bullying and inappropriate working practices.
M&S Bank | Retailer pulls plug on current accounts and branches
Investment tip | Treasury knows property relief is too generous
Sport briefing
India v England | Ben Stokes was accused of abusing Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj as England struggled to contain their frustrations on a dismal first day of the fourth Test. The tourists' batting once again let them down as they were skittled out for 205, severely denting their hopes of securing a 2-2 draw in the series. Follow the latest from day two.
Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea | Reds lose five league games in a row at home
Marcus Rashford | Forward may need shoulder surgery after Euros
Barça and Real Madrid | EU finds clubs helped with illegal state aid
Tonight's dinner
Pugliese fish tiella | Layers of fish, rice and sliced potatoes create a satisfying meal. View the recipe and try Cookbook newsletter.
And finally... for this morning's downtime
'We knew that Dad might not come home' | The first woman to join the Red Arrows was inspired by her father's capture during the Gulf War. Kirsty Murphy tells Joe Shute about growing up in an RAF family and the trauma of seeing colleagues killed in accidents.
