The serial killer attempted to kidnap Emily Doherty in the Suffolk town of Felixstowe in 1999. Wright went on to murder five women in the Ipswich area in 2006 and on Monday pleaded guilty to murdering 17-year-old Victoria Hall, also in 1999, as well as trying to abduct Emily. He's already serving a whole life sentence for the murders of the five other women. On Friday, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for Ms Hall's murder and the attempted kidnap of Ms Doherty. Steve Wright sentencing: 'Suffolk Strangler' gets new life sentence In her first ever interview with the media, Emily told Sky News how, while she was on a night out, she had to flee from him repeatedly until someone came to her aid. But when police were called, they treated her like "a silly little girl", and failed to follow it up with a full investigation even after Victoria Hall's body was later found. "It's devastating what happened to everyone else, absolutely devastating," Emily said. "You can't help thinking, if they had taken me seriously, Vicky could have survived, but certainly if they had found him sooner the five other women would still be here." Emily was 22 years old when, in the early hours of Saturday 18 September 1999, she was walking home from a club called the Bandbox with her husband and another couple. The two women ended up way ahead and then her friend said she had to go, leaving Emily alone in the Picketts Road East (off the High Road area of Felixstowe.) 'He saw me - and I saw him' "There was this car going backwards and forwards past me, loitering," Emily recalled. "It parked up, and I thought the driver was having a wee. "He was just standing by the car. He saw me and I saw him. "The car door was open, and the engine was running. "I ran and jumped over a wall and knocked on someone's door and said 'let me in'. No one answered." As she attempted to get away, the car turned into Park Avenue. "I got on all fours to peer around a wall to see if he was still there," Emily continued. "Suddenly he was literally right there. He stepped right into me. He said 'alright' in a low, sleazy way. "In that instance, I knew my life was in danger. I just knew. The adrenaline kicked in. "I started running up a driveway. I found a big stick and stood there, easily for 10 minutes. I thought if he does come up here, I will pound him with the stick." She could hear the car going backwards and forwards, but it fell silent so she thought she was safe. She went back to the road to continue her journey, but he was still there, leaving her with no choice but to flee again, knocking on more doors until finally someone answered. She added: "He was in the car laughing at me. "A couple eventually let me in. I said: 'please let me in, I'm being followed'. They called 999. "This whole charade, awful, awful thing, went on for about 40 minutes." But what happened next, is what, in time, made her feel even worse. 'Silly little girl' "The police came, but they didn't believe me at all," Emily said. "They said 'come on, how much have you had to drink tonight?'" In fact, she'd been drinking soda water after only a beer or two earlier in the pub. "I had to ask them for a lift home. I got in the car with the police, and they said: 'I suppose you should tell us what happened then'." She said she gave them part of the number plate she remembered and offered to make a statement later that day, but they were dismissive. "They said that won't be necessary. Forget about it. I really felt like they did not take me seriously at all. "They treated me like a silly little girl." The next day, Emily left to go travelling in India. When she called home, there was a message urging her to call the police urgently. The manhunt was under way for Victoria Hall's killer. Police said Victoria was abducted from the area of High Road and Faulkeners Way in Trimley St Mary, Felixstowe, in the early hours of Sunday 19 September. Her body was found 25 miles away, five days after she disappeared on her way back from the same club Emily had been at. Over the phone from the Himalayas, she gave a statement describing what had happened. She told Sky News the police mentioned sending two officers to produce an e-fit image of the suspect, but it didn't happen. "That was the last I heard ever about it," she said. The five murders that brought him to justice In 2006, seven years later, that same killer, still walking the streets, murdered five sex workers he picked up in Ipswich's red-light district. Their bodies were found in rural locations, just like Victoria's had been. Terror gripped the Ipswich area after the first bodies were discovered, in October and November 2006. The first to go missing was Tania Nicol, 19, on 30 October, followed by Gemma Adams, 25, two weeks later. Their bodies were not discovered until early December. The body of Anneli Alderton, 24, was found on 10 December. On 12 December, the bodies of Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, were found in a village near to where Anneli's had been discovered. It took until 21 December before Wright was arrested. He denied the charges, but was given a whole life jail term after his conviction in February 2008. Victoria's murder had remained a mystery but, 20 years on, the case was reopened and eventually Wright would be charged with killing her too. At the start of his trial at the Old Bailey on Monday, he changed his plea to guilty, finally admitting Victoria's murder and attempting to abduct Emily. Wright is due to be sentenced today. The case the prosecution would have used to convict him for Victoria's murder and Emily's attempted abduction, had he not pleaded guilty, is expected to be outlined. 'It's a burden that I carry' Emily was living overseas when Wright went on his killing spree in 2006. She didn't see a picture of him until Victoria's case was reopened. "It's always been in the back of my mind. Why didn't they show me a picture of the suspect?" She knows how lucky she is to be alive but cannot shake the guilt she feels if only she had been taken seriously. "I'm suffering massively from survivor's guilt… It's a burden that I carry. "There's the guilt of not being heard. It makes me feel sick with grief." Suffolk Police said it was "not able to comment on any of the evidential matters prior to sentencing".

While there's no direct reference to ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement), authority is shown as unpredictable, militarised and with the power to destabilise entire neighbourhoods. Since the film came out at the end of last September, those aspects have come to feel incredibly timely. "Devastatingly so," according to its producer, Sara Murphy, after the killing by federal agents in Minneapolis of protesters Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. "I don't think we could have anticipated just how close to home it would be," Murphy says, "as a sort of reflection of the situation around race and immigration in the US." "It's hitting an audience in their core," Murphy adds. "I think is reflective of the world that we're living in today, but I think, hopefully, it is also an optimistic take on how we can continue to fight for the things that are important to us and find peace in community. "I hope the takeaway is one of optimism." As well as being nominated for 13 Oscars, Anderson's film is the one to beat at the BAFTAs. It leads the field with 14 nominations, including best director for Thomas Anderson and best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio. While the original book the film is based on, Vineland, referenced the Nixon era, Thomas Anderson's film remains ambiguous but certainly feels contemporary. It follows a fractured group of activists as they navigate an America shaped by surveillance and escalating state power, culminating in DiCaprio's character's race to find his missing daughter. 'An unpredictable ride' Speaking after the BAFTA nominations were announced, Murphy explains: "We've been really overwhelmed, honoured and obviously proud of the film and how it's been received by audiences and critics. "The script is a loose adaptation of the book, there are the revolutionary aspects....and then I think Paul as an artist has absorbed and observed the world that we're living in...it's become closer to home and to our current realities." Murphy says she hopes the film's success encourages more studios to invest in "risky" projects like it. "Original films are not usually done at this level…I think it feels like a big, good-time movie," she says. "I hope that, first and foremost, people are enjoying themselves, it's an unpredictable ride full of incredible performances." Read more from Sky News:Sledgehammer-wielding robbers raid family jewellersEven Starmer's allies are unsure about his future Could this be the year Thomas Anderson finally wins an Academy Award for his direction? The filmmaker has been both Oscar and BAFTA-nominated before but never won. While There Will Be Blood (2007), Phantom Thread (2017) and Licorice Pizza (2021) certainly generated a lot of awards buzz, this year he appears to be the frontrunner. As Murphy puts it: "Paul is an incredible writer and director. I feel like his films are constantly challenging and surprising. I'm excited for him and all the awards the recognition. He deserves it all."

The party's former deputy leader Baroness Harman told Sky's Electoral Dysfunction podcast the saga had become "so serious" for the prime minister, who will be toppled "unless he takes action". Sir Keir is under mounting pressure to shake up his Number 10 operation in light of the scandal. Some Labour MPs believe his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, must go. Speaking to Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby, Baroness Harman said he should be "thinking about a real reset" inside his team, and reflecting on why he appointed Lord Mandelson as the UK's US ambassador despite concerns about his record and ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Keir used a speech in Hastings on Thursday to apologise to Epstein's victims for believing the peer's "lies" about his relationship with the paedophile financier. But Baroness Harman said: "He's got to stop blaming Mandelson and saying, 'he lied to me'. Because, actually, he should never have been considering him in the first place. "To say 'he lied to me' makes it look weak and naive and gullible. So it's just completely the wrong thing." "Peter Mandelson was called the Prince of Darkness," she added. "It's not a secret that he was a bad person. "I think that it is very, very serious for Keir Starmer because it goes to the values of the government." Rigby has said the scandal has left the prime minister "fighting for his political life". 👉Tap here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app 👈 Lord Mandelson had been a senior figure within New Labour under Tony Blair, but was forced to resign from two ministerial posts in scandal. He was hired by Sir Keir in early 2025 as the prime minister sought to develop positive relations with the Trump administration. He was sacked in September after he featured in a number of Epstein-related files and photos released by a US Congressional committee. The latest revelations were revealed among a tranche of three million documents released by the US Department of Justice last week. Lord Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. He has said he regrets maintaining a relationship with him and apologised to the financier's victims. Documents relating to his appointment to the Washington job will be published by the government after MPs passed a Conservative motion on Wednesday night. But files deemed a risk to national security or international relations must first be reviewed by parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, which has said there is "no timetable" for how long it might take. Their publication may be further delayed by a criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson, over claims he leaked market sensitive information to Epstein. MPs express lack of confidence in PM In the meantime, Sir Keir has suggested top adviser Mr McSweeney is safe in his post - and that any Labour MPs contributing to speculation about his own leadership are only helping the party's opponents. Every minute not spent talking about the cost of living and fighting against the "toxic division of Reform" is a minute wasted, the prime minister said on Thursday. But many Labour MPs have privately expressed a lack of confidence in Sir Keir's team, and a handful, including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Barry Gardiner, have publicly suggested he should consider his position. Veteran Labour backbencher Graham Stringer told Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig he does not think Sir Keir has "a very long future" as PM, calling the climbdown over the Lord Mandelson documents a "fiasco too far". "You always blame the person at the top, the prime minister," Mr Stringer said. "He got his tone wrong. He got the details wrong. And effectively the first amendment that he put down, which he had to change, was effectively - although not in name but in reality - a vote of no confidence in him. "I don't think he's [Sir Keir] got a very long future. "The discussion you could ask virtually any Labour MP is, it's when and who, not whether [the PM goes]." Read more from Sky News:King heckled over Epstein scandalEmails reveal plan for Epstein to own stake in Sarah Ferguson brand The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have called for a vote of confidence in the prime minister. Speaking to Sky's political correspondent Rob Powell, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the PM of a "catastrophic error of judgement" and said either Sir Keir or Mr McSweeney should take responsibility. Asked if that means that one of them should resign, Ms Badenoch replied: "Yes". Public in favour of change New data from pollster YouGov suggests the public are in favour of a change, with 50% of Britons believing the PM would be best standing down. Slightly less than a quarter - 24% - want him to remain in post, while 26% said they didn't know what he should do. YouGov's Peter English told Sky News the Lord Mandelson story had "cut through" to the public. It follows a YouGov poll earlier this week that found 95% of Brits were aware of the story, and that 44% of those surveyed were following it closely. Mr English said: "This [the Mandelson story] is dominating the news cycle. People are paying attention. And the Mandelson thing specifically, it is definitely cutting through." However, Mr English added that the story is "probably not going to change too many minds… one-off stories rarely do change minds". Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are widely seen as the most likely candidates to replace Sir Keir. However, allies of both insist they have no intention of moving against the PM.

The defender sat down with one of those very pundits, Sky Sports' Gary Neville, ahead of the Super Sunday clash against Manchester City. Earlier this season Van Dijk was involved with a media back and forth with former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney over his critiques of the defender. The Reds skipper confronted the pundit over his comments after Liverpool had beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League. More recently, Nicky Butt and Lisandro Martinez have exchanged public messages after comments from the ex-Manchester United midfielder. Virgil van Dijk with Gary Neville: Liverpool change, CL football and retirement plansArne Slot stands by entertainment ethos but admits surprise at 'change' in PL styleGot Sky? Watch Liverpool games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 Van Dijk says he can handle the criticisms, but worries that with the rise of social media and its popularity among younger players, it could begin to have a detrimental impact. "For me personally, I can deal with it, but I'm a bit worried for the next generation," he told Neville. "I feel like the ex-top players have a responsibility to the new generation. "Criticism is absolutely normal and part of the game, and I think it should stay that way. But sometimes criticism also goes into being clickbait, saying things to provoke things, and without thinking about the repercussions for a mental side of players, and especially the younger generation, who are constantly on social media. "You can say, 'yeah, you shouldn't be on social media' - that's what I've mentioned [to them] loads of times. "There is always this thing of when you play a good game, younger players check all the positive praises, but when you have a worse game, and you're getting bullied all over social media, or you're getting bad criticism, it can really affect you. I've seen that in certain players in the past, and currently as well, because it's just not easy. "It's going to get worse and worse, because the platforms nowadays, with the clickbait and the headlines, everyone is on it constantly. "I feel like especially the ex-pros, top players, who have been through everything as well, they have this responsibility of protecting a little bit of that side as well. That's something maybe to look at." One member of Liverpool's set-up who has been under the spotlight is head coach Arne Slot, with the Reds struggling to hit the heights of last season. Van Dijk added: "Criticism for the season we are having is well-deserved because of the way we have been playing at times, the way we have been losing games on the bounce, that's not the standard we set, especially last year. "But you have criticism and you have disrespect. I've got asked the question asked last week about do I think the disrespect is well-deserved, and I don't know, because I don't read it at all times. "We are in a process of things, and it takes time. From what I know, Liverpool is not a club of making rash decisions and they trust the process. "But I know how the world works. I know the pressure that managers are under, and they are held responsible and accountable for the results we are getting. "I still feel that it's a process. In my eyes, he deserves the respect and the chance to make sure that this process is going to end in a positive way." Watch Liverpool vs Man City live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 4pm on Super Sunday. Kick-off 4.30pm.

A yellow rain warning is in force for the West Midlands, and parts of the south of England and Wales, running until 9pm on Friday. Homes and businesses could flood, power supplies could be affected, and some surface water flooding is likely because of the widely saturated ground, the Met Office said. South West England and South Wales have faced 50% more rainfall than is usual for January, with rain every day of the year so far. Overall, England received 150% of its long-term average rainfall last month, according to the Environment Agency (EA), with the South West region seeing 184% of the long term average rainfall in January. In just the first three days of this month, the South East had received 32% of the long-term average rainfall for February, the EA said. Rainfall totals varied from 13mm in England's east to 43mm in the South West for the week from 28 January to 3 February, the agency added. And forecasters predict that the rain will still be falling daily in those areas by Sunday. "Unfortunately, there's no end in sight," said Dan Stroud, operational meteorologist with the Met Office. Another band of rain in the South West will travel northwards on Friday with heavy bursts, he added. And it is more of the same on Saturday, with heavy showers lashing the south in the morning, before gradually pushing up into Wales and the Midlands. The southern and western parts of the UK will see yet another band of rain arrive on Sunday, it is predicted, though it should be slightly drier elsewhere. Check the forecast for your area Northern Ireland is also subject to a yellow rain warning until midnight on Friday. While in Scotland, persistent cloud and rain will continue to affect the east of the country, including Aberdeen. Read more:Migrant crossings hit five-year low in stormy JanuaryAt least 35 killed after weeks of heavy snowfall in Japan The city has seen no sunshine for two weeks - a record-setting period of gloom unrivalled in the area since records began in 1957. Yet parts of East Anglia, the South East and perhaps west Scotland could see some brightness breaking through on Saturday. Mr Stroud said: "Very little in the way of change, and the reason for it really is that we've got a big area of high pressure way out to the far north and east of the country, and that's stopping areas of low pressure from moving through. "Until that area of high pressure sort of shifts out of the way, we're not really going to see much of a change in the forecast. "At the same time, we've got the jet stream way to the south, bringing exceptional wet weather to Spain and Portugal." According to the yellow warning covering South West England and parts of Wales, up to 50mm of rain is predicted in higher places, with downpours of 30mm being widespread. Higher places in Northern Ireland could face up to 80mm of rain, but 20mm is expected in the majority of places.

The 31-year-old singer has frequently used his lyrics and platform to draw attention to his homeland and comment on the political landscape in the US. Since he was announced as the performer for the half-time show during Sunday's game at the Levi's Stadium in California, critics from the Trump administration and some of his followers have hit out at the decision. The US president himself said he doesn't plan to attend this year's game, unlike last year, and he has derided Bad Bunny as a "terrible choice" of half-time performer. But with 17 Latin Grammys and six Grammy Awards to his name (mostly recently adding the award for best album to his collection), there are plenty who are looking forward to the King of Latin Trap's performance. The National Football League (NFL) has also stood by its choice, firmly shutting down rumours that it was reconsidering changing performers shortly after Bad Bunny was announced in September. So who is Bad Bunny, and why is his upcoming performance causing such a stir? Who is Bad Bunny? The singer was born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio in the Puerto Rican city of Bayamon. Anamaria Sayre, co-host of Alt.Latino and curator and producer for NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts told the Sky News Daily podcast in December that the singer's popularity grew as he released music independently online. She said by the time he released his first album, X 100pre, in 2018 he had already gained enough traction for it to "explode". While his popularity has been somewhat slower to travel across the Atlantic to the UK and Europe, he is one of the best-known Spanish-speaking performers and has been named the top global artist on music streaming platform Spotify for the past five years. Despite his fame, the singer has kept his connection to Puerto Rico close, having completed a 31-show residency on the island - which is a self-governing, unincorporated territory of the US - from July to September, which was projected to have attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists. 👉 Listen to Sky News Daily on your podcast app 👈 His last album, the Grammy-winning Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, was a fusion of reggaeton and salsa with more traditional styles of Puerto Rican music. The album spent three consecutive weeks at no 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in early 2025 and returned to the top spot later that year. "To call him a reggaeton artist would really be to oversimplify," Ms Sayre said, adding: "I think what he does is music from Puerto Rico, and even then, it doesn't fully encompass all that he has become." At the Grammys earlier this month, he became the first artist to win album of the year for a record sung entirely in Spanish. Why has he caused controversy in the US? Bad Bunny has made comments aimed at the Trump administration since Donald Trump first entered the White House in 2017. He also endorsed Mr Trump's democratic opponent, Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. However, it was his decision not to take his tour to any venues on the mainland of the US that really hit headlines. In an interview with i-D magazine last year, he said the decision to skip continental venues was largely because he was concerned about the mass deportation of Latinos in the country under Mr Trump's tough immigration laws. He said he and his team were "very concerned" about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents being stationed outside his concerts. The singer has also used his music to criticise US immigration law. In the music video for his July 2025 song, Nuevayol, he appeared to mock the US president, using a voice that sounds similar to Mr Trump to apologise to immigrants. Most recently, while accepting his Grammy for best album at the beginning of February, Bad Bunny made perhaps the most political speech of all the artists, saying: "Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out." "We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens - we're humans," he added, referring to weeks of tension between citizens and ICE agents across multiple US cities. "The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that's more powerful than hate is love, so, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love." What has the Trump administration and the NFL said? When Bad Bunny was announced as the half-time show performer in September, Mr Trump hit out at the NFL, calling the decision "crazy". "I don't know who he is," he said. "I don't know why they're doing it. It's, like, crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it's absolutely ridiculous." Right-wing commentators such as Benny Johnson also complained, saying Bad Bunny was a "Trump hater". During an interview with the head of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Mr Johnson asked whether ICE agents would be present at the Super Bowl, to which she said they would be "all over" the event. She said people should only attend the event if they are "law-abiding Americans who love this country". The comments have recently been disputed by Cathy Lanier, the head of security for the NFL, who said on 3 February that there are no ICE operations planned for the day of the Super Bowl. The NFL have also defended their choice, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell telling reporters earlier this week: "Bad Bunny is... one of the great artists in the world. And that's one of the reasons we chose him." He said the singer understands the NFL is providing a platform "to unite people and be able to bring people together" rather than make the event about political matters. What is the 'alternative' half-time show? While the NFL has stood by its decision, conservative group Turning Point USA has announced an 'alternative' half-time show, which will take place at the same time Bad Bunny takes to the stage. Named the All-American half-time show, the group announced that Kid Rock, the singer of All Summer Long, will perform, alongside country artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett. Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet called his group's show "an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a half-time show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom."

The Labour veteran, 72, was sacked from his US ambassadorial role in September last year due to his ties with Epstein. Lord Mandelson's name has appeared in some of the more than three million pages related to Epstein in the latest release by the US Department of Justice. He has resigned from the Labour Party to avoid causing "further embarrassment" - and also succumbed to pressure on 3 February to step down from the House of Lords. A criminal investigation has also been launched into allegations that he leaked market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary. Here's everything we know from the Epstein files. Epstein 'tipped off' about EU bailout The emails appeared to show conversations between the pair about political matters while Lord Mandelson was serving as business secretary and the de-facto deputy prime minister in 2009, in Gordon Brown's government. Documents indicate Epstein was sent internal discussions from the heart of the UK government after the global financial crisis. That includes emails in which Lord Mandelson may have given Epstein advance notice of a €500bn EU bank bailout in 2010 - something that could have been used by someone to gain an advantage in the financial markets. He was emailed by Epstein, who wrote: "Sources tell me 500 b euro bailout , almost complete [sic]." He then appears to reply: "Sd be announced tonight". Epstein then asks if he is home, to which Mandelson replies: "Just leaving No10... will call." The €500bn deal was approved the next day as governments tried to pull the euro currency out of a crisis. Bankers' bonuses policy Other emails appear to show Lord Mandelson telling Epstein he was "trying hard" to change policy on bankers' bonuses at his request. This was just three months after the American had given his husband money. In emails in December 2009, Lord Mandelson appears to agree to try to change government policy on taxing the bonuses. Coming 18 months after the financial crash and subsequent state rescue of banks, the subject was highly contentious. On 9 December 2009, the then-chancellor Alistair Darling announced a 50% "super tax" on bonuses, intended to prevent pay being inflated by taxpayer-funded bailouts. In an email exchange on 15 December, Epstein asked Lord Mandelson if the policy could be changed: "any [sic] real chance of making the tax only on the cash portion of the bankers bonus," he wrote. Lord Mandelson replied: "Trying hard to amend as I explained to Jes last night. Treasury digging in but I am on case." Epstein responds: "let me know before jes please,,". "Ok. They are not being helpful..." is the reply. "they jpm. or they treasury," asks Epstein. "Treasury" Mandelson replied. "Jes" may be a reference to Jes Staley, the former Barclays boss, who in 2009 was head of JP Morgan's investment bank and a close associate of Epstein's. The Metropolitan Police has said it's received "a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office" following the release of these latest files. Underwear photos Images in the file drop also show Lord Mandelson in his underwear, talking to a woman wearing a bathrobe. There are several versions of essentially the same image. A spokesperson for Lord Mandelson told Sky News: "No one can say who or where the photo was taken. "Lord Mandelson has absolutely no idea or indeed whether it has any connection to Epstein at all." Sky News investigations have determined these pictures were taken at Epstein's Paris apartment. Payments from Epstein The latest documents suggest Epstein paid Mandelson $75,000 (£55,000) between 2003 and 2004. Apparent bank statements record three payments of $25,000, two of which went to accounts apparently naming Lord Mandelson as the holder, with the other going to his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, listing Lord Mandelson as a beneficiary. Read more:Epstein files: The key findings so farSurvivors of Epstein's abuse condemn US govt's handling of files It's unclear if the payments ever made it to the accounts, and Mandelson said he had "no record and recollection of ever receiving these sums" and would be doing his own investigations. Lord Mandelson has also said in a statement: "I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. "I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered." Epstein 'sent course money to Mandelson's husband' In 2009, Epstein appears to have sent thousands of pounds to Lord Mandelson's husband to help pay for osteopathy course fees. Mr Avila da Silva sent Epstein an email in September that year about "my osteo course expenses, incl fee, anatomical models, lap top if you can help me with this". He said the annual fee was £3,225 and thanked Epstein for "anything you can help me with". Epstein replied the same day: "I will wire your loan amount immediated'y. [sic]" In a later email, Mr Avila da Silva followed up "regarding the £10,000 with my personal bank details" and asked "if this amount includes my school fees or if the amount of £3,225 (school fee) will be sent directly to the school itself". Epstein told him: "includedd. [sic]" Mr Avila da Silva later sent him another message confirming receipt of the cash: "Just a brief note to thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning." Lord Mandelson's representatives have been contacted for comment. He has previously said: "I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction [in 2008 for procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute] and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered." And in an interview with The Times carried, Lord Mandelson referred to a "handful of misguided historical emails, which I deeply regret sending". On other claims, Lord Mandelson questioned the authenticity of the documents, citing false claims he had a US social security number, questionable US-dollar cheque payments into UK banks, incorrect beneficiary details, and multiple basic errors in dates, spelling and formatting.

Van Gerwen was in fine form at the Utilita Arena as he reeled off six legs in a row to sweep aside Stephen Bunting in the quarter-finals. His power-scoring and strong doubling then helped him pick up a 6-2 win over Luke Humphries in the semis before he capped off his night with a strong 6-4 victory against Dutch compatriot Gian van Veen in the final. Premier League Darts 2026 Night One: As it happened!Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, resultsGot Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app 📱Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW 📺 It was a marked change from 2025 for 'The Green Machine' when he failed to register a nightly win in the Premier League. The seven-time Premier League champion returned to this format with a bang, though, sending out a statement that he still has the game to beat anyone. While it was a strong night for 'MVG', he is making sure to stay focused on growing his game as a whole as he uses winning and enjoyment as his fuel. "It's a very long route, but winning games is the best medicine for your form and everything," Van Gerwen said. "As long as you keep battling your own battles, winning games, you get confidence, then anything is possible. "I love playing in the Premier League because I love playing in front of big crowds. To play in front of all those thousands of people, it gives me a lot of joy." Van Gerwen is the early table-topper and is looking to remain at the head of the field. "For my mindset, I don't think that [winning] matters. I know I have a good mindset, but it's always nice to be in front of them instead of chasing them," he added. "Now they have to chase me and make sure they battle back and make sure they get up the table as well. "For me, it gets a little bit more relaxed, but don't get me wrong, it's going to be a long 15, 16 weeks ahead, so I need to make sure I keep my focus going." 'I did not find my A-game' Indeed, the 36-year-old feels he picked up his win on Night One without even finding his top levels, which is ominous if he can consistently reach his old heights across the 16 weeks. "It's definitely a good performance," he added. "Without playing my A-game, I still won it. I was steady and had some fantastic finishing at the right moments. "I know I can do better but this gives you confidence. Winning games is the best medicine and this means a lot to me." Who will win this year's Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday from February until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.