Labour suspend Corbyn-ally caught in antisemitism row after pressure from MPs February 27, 2019 A Labour MP who claimed the party had been “too apologetic” about antisemitism has been suspended after a stand-off between leading figures. Chris Williamson. MP for Derby North, made the comments at a meeting of a branch of the pro-Jeremy Corbyn group Momentum in the wake of nine Labour MPs quitting the party last week. After [...]
Video killed the radio star – is it TV’s turn for the chop? February 27, 2019 I read the news about the proposed merger of BBC and ITV today with interest. The new service – apparently called ‘Britbox’ – will reportedly cost around £5 a month. Just last week, I interviewed outgoing CEO of UKTV, Darren Childs, for my Media Masters podcast, where we discussed the future of television and the [...]
US alternative asset management firm Ares to lend £1bn to Daisy Group for minority investor buyout February 26, 2019 US asset management firm Ares will invest more than £1bn in business telecoms firm Daisy Group to allow the firm's founder Matthew Riley to buy out a minority investor. The investment will also be used to refinance the company’s existing credit facilities, and will support the firm’s future growth plans. Read more: Daisy calls FTSE [...]
This time with Alan Partridge: Lessons from the great man February 25, 2019 I'm fairly certain that whatever the creators of Alan Partridge intended for him, it wasn’t to provide guidance for businesses. He has, however, become an unlikely icon, and when he eventually passes to the tiny studio in the sky, he’ll be granted a period of national re-runs. Many brands also aspire to becoming “iconic”, so [...]
Competition regulator set to launch reforms to beef up consumer protection February 24, 2019 Consumer protection is set to be beefed up with bigger fines and disqualification for company directors under a new set of proposals to be announced tomorrow by the competition watchdog. The chairman of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Lord Tyrie will announce a set of proposed reforms at an event with the business secretary Greg [...]
Theresa May warns Brexit must not be frustrated amid Cabinet mutiny over no deal February 24, 2019 Theresa May has said the government must maintain an "absolute focus" of delivering Brexit after senior Cabinet ministers warned they could vote to delay article 50 to thwart the chance of leaving without a deal. The Prime Minister told Tory party activists over the weekend that government "must not, and I will not, frustrate what was the [...]
Jeremy Corbyn will defend his Labour leadership at a rally on Saturday February 23, 2019 Jeremy Corbyn is set to defend his leadership of the Labour Party after nine MPs quit this week. The MPs quit to become independents with concerns over Corbyn’s approach to Brexit and the wider allegations of anti-semitism within the party. Corbyn is expected to remind supporters of the huge support he received at the 2017 [...]
Property of the Week: House designed by Sir David Adjaye in King’s Cross is on sale with internal fish ponds and gardens February 22, 2019 If you’ve been meaning to drop into the Design Museum for the new Sir David Adjaye exhibition, consider this week’s Property of the Week a taster of what’s to come. This three bedroom house was created by the British architect, who was the lead designer of the National Museum of African American History and Culture [...]
Interserve lenders to increase shareholders’ stake in £500m rescue plan February 22, 2019 Interserve lenders are set to increase the stake that shareholders would own in the company from 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent under new terms for the £500m rescue package. Lenders, which include hedge funds such as Angelo Gordon and Davidson Kempner as well as banks like RBS and HSBC, are discussing doubling equity owned [...]
Pearson to unveil £500m pension insurance deal with Legal & General February 21, 2019 Publishing giant Pearson is set to announce a £500m deal with Legal & General (L&G) in a bid to shore up its pensions liabilities, Sky News reported. The FTSE 100 firm, which specialises in education, will announce the deal tomorrow alongside its annual results, according to the report. Read more: Pearson sells US school textbook [...]