âCall to shield police from trialsâ and Ofwat âfaces axeâ
The acquittal of Martyn Blake, the firearms officer who shot Chris Kaba in 2022, continues to lead the papers. The Metro reports on the revelation that Mr Kaba was named as the gunman in a shooting in a busy nightclub a week before he died. On Tuesday, the judge in Mr Blakeâs trial lifted restrictions that prevented reporting of Mr Kabaâs criminal history while the trial was ongoing. The paper says a gang has put a ÂŁ10,000 bounty on Mr Blakeâs head because of Mr Kabaâs death.
Mr Blake has been forced to flee his home and now faces a âlifetime under threatâ, according to the Daily Mail. The paper says the judge has extended a ban on the publication of Mr Blakeâs address, photos, or even descriptions of his appearance.
The Guardian says the National Police Chiefsâ Council has asked the government to make it harder for officers to be investigated and prosecuted over incidents like that in which Mr Kaba died. The paper also quotes campaigners calling the move an attempt to secure âeffective immunityâ for officers. And it says Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to make an announcement on speeding up a review of how police are held to account.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley wants officers to be exempt from criminal charges unless prosecutors can show they deliberately departed from their training, according to the Times. The paper also says that, despite his acquittal, Mr Blake is still likely to face gross misconduct proceedings that could end in his dismissal, which would add to âsimmering resentment among firearms officersâ.
The i reports that water regulator Ofwat faces being axed, saying it has lost the confidence of politicians and the public after mass illegal sewage dumping in the UKâs waterways. The paper says the UK and Welsh governments are launching a commission to âconsider radical reformâ of the water industry, adding that ministers have ruled out nationalisation.
Regulators are expected to rule that a new treatment for Alzheimerâs is too expensive for use in the NHS, according to the Daily Telegraph. The paper says research has suggested the drug â donanemab â can slow the disease by 35%, but looks likely only to be available through private clinics or as part of clinical trials. It adds that any such decision will disappoint groups that have campaigned for better access to new drugs on the NHS.
The Daily Mirror reports that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met the winners of its Pride of Britain awards on Tuesday and was âovercome by their heroic tales as they outlined how he could helpâ their various causes. The paper quotes Sir Keir telling the group: âIâll do my best for youâ.
HSBC has announced a âsweeping reorganisation that will redraw its operations between east and westâ, according to the Financial Times. The paper says the bankâs businesses in the UK and Hong Kong will be two of four new standalone units and that the move is intended to allow it to âbetter navigate geopolitical tensionsâ.
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