Monday briefing: How Boris Johnson bade farewell to parliament … for now
In today's newsletter: A weekend of chaos has left Rishi Sunak facing three byelections and the Conservative party mired in division yet again
Good morning.
France | An 11-year-old British girl was shot dead as she played on swings at her family home in Brittany, France on Saturday. Solenne Thornon, 11, died immediately while her father, 52-year-old Adrien, was shot in the head, leaving him in a critical condition in hospital. The girls' mother, Rachel, 49, was shot in the back and the head but was reportedly out of danger. Authorities said a 71-year-old Dutch man was taken into custody. French media reported there had been a conflict between the British family and their neighbours over a plot of land.
Scotland | Nicola Sturgeon has been questioned by detectives investigating allegations of financial misconduct by the Scottish National party. The former first minister and SNP leader was released without charge, pending further inquiries, after voluntarily going to a police station. She is the third senior figure in the SNP arrested as part of Operation Branchform, which is investigating allegations that more than 600,000 in donations for an independence campaign was misspent by the party.
Colombia | The four young Colombian siblings who managed to survive for 40 days in the Amazon jungle after their plane crashed have been reunited with their family as further details emerged of their astonishing feat of endurance. The children's grandfather, Fidencio Valencia, who visited them in the Bogota hospital where they are recuperating, said they were shattered but in good hands and it's great they're alive".
Society | A new study has found that almost 7% of the UK population has changed their sexual identity over a six-year period. Women aged over 65 are one of the most sexually fluid" groups, challenging the assumption that moving between heterosexual and non-heterosexual identities is more common among younger people.
Tony awards | It was a big night for Brits at the Tony awards, after Jodie Comer won best actress in a leading role in a play and Tom Stoppard sprawling family drama Leopoldstadt was named best play. It was also a historic night for non-binary actors: J Harrison Ghee was named best actor in a leading role in a musical and Alex Newell won best featured actor in a musical.
Continue reading...