Rob Reiner’s son charged with first-degree murder over parents’ deaths
Nick Reiner, the youngest son of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder after the famed Hollywood couple was found dead.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges on Tuesday afternoon, two days after the Reiners were found dead at their estate in Los Angeles’s Brentwood neighborhood. Their son was arrested near Exposition Park in Los Angeles late Sunday.
Hochman revealed that Reiner, 32, is accused of using a knife to carry out the alleged murders.
“These charges will be two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders. He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife,” he told reporters.
Now that prosecutors have decided to file charges Reiner is expected to appear in court and enter a plea.
“He is going through medical clearance, something that everybody who gets arrested and gets held in a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department jail goes through,” Hochman said. “Once he is medically cleared, he will be brought to court to be arraigned on these charges. At that point, he will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.”
If convicted, Reiner could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. “No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty,” Hochman said.
The coroner is still determining the couple’s exact time of death, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters. Police responded to the Reiners’ home around 3:40 p.m. local time on Sunday.
Reiner was initially scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday morning. But he did not receive medical clearance to move from the jail to the courthouse, his attorney Alan Jackson told The New York Times. He is being held without bail.
Reiner has a well-known history of drug addiction, a struggle that began when he was a teenager. He entered drug treatment programs on several occasions, beginning when he was 15. Reiner has said that he experienced homelessness a number of times due to his addiction.
Reiner also reportedly attended a holiday party with his parents on Saturday night, hours before their bodies were found. Sources told NBC News that Reiner was disruptive at the party, and that he behaved oddly after interrupting a conversation that involved comedian Bill Hader. The Independent has contacted Hader’s representatives for comment.
McDonnell called the case a “tragedy.”
“This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for our entire city. We extend our deepest condolences to all of those who are affected by this tragedy,” he told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
Major figures have been quick to share tributes to the iconic Hollywood couple on social media.
Author Stephen King wrote that he was “horrified and saddened by the death of Rob Reiner and Michele.” Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described Rob Reiner as “creative, funny, and beloved,” and called Michele Reiner an “indispensible partner, intellectual resource, and a loving wife.”
Former President Barack Obama also honored the famed director, writing on X: “Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people – and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
England take early wickets after Steve Smith ruled out with illness
England have no margin for error as they enter must-win territory in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, with Australia on the brink of a resounding series win.
A pair of largely dismal England performances in Perth and Brisbane led to eight-wicket defeats – the first of those inside two days –meaning Ben Stokes’s tourists trail 2-0, with the very real possibility of the series being over before even reaching the MCG for the traditional Boxing Day Test.
Stokes and co desperately need a reaction in what has been labelled the most important Test of the Brendon McCullum, and Bazball, era but opt for just one change to the line-up, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson in the pace bowling unit. Meanwhile, as if Australia needed any more strengthening, talismanic captain Pat Cummins is back from injury, with spinner Nathan Lyon also recalled.
Cummins won the toss on day one and decided to bat first but Jofra Archer struck early and claimed the wicket of Jake Weatherald before Brydon Carse dismissed Travis Head to reduce the hosts to 33-2.
Follow all the live coverage of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide:
Australia 57-2
Khawaja has brushed off the drop and whips Tongue away for four runs through midwicket.
A confident stroke from him.
Khawaja was dropped on 4 by Brook but now he’s into double figures.
It’s been a patient partnership from these two batters.
Australia 52-2
Dropped catches cost England heavily in Brisbane and that Harry Brook spill could have consequences going forward.
Tongue has bowled well and deserved a wicket but it wasn’t to be.
Stokes needs to keep up the pressure with Labuschagne on strike.
He bowls six dots in a row and gets Labuschagne driving which is what England want to see. Fine work from the captain.
Australia 52-2
Fifty up for Australia.
Khawaja plays the ball with soft hands and threads it past gully for a couple to bring up the first fifty runs.
Dropped!
There’s the chance that the pressure was building towards. Khawaja goes for the drive and gets a thick edge.
The ball flies to Harry Brook at second slip. He leaps to the left and gets two hands to the ball but it flicks out and Australia have a reprieve.
Australia 48-2
Over the first 14 overs, there hasn’t been much danger from the pitch.
It’s fair and bouncy and good for batting. That makes it even more important for England to maintain a tight line and length.
Stokes angles the ball into Labuschagne who leaves it alone. The next ball is too straight and Labuschagne flicks him past the wicketkeeper for four!
That’s a release for the batters.
And again. Labuschagne leans into a drive and times it perfectly. There’s only a small gap at extra cover and it’s found wonderfully. Four more.
Australia 39-2
Tongue is getting the ball to slightly move away from Khawaja who is being watchful in letting the ball go through to the keeper.
Tongue goes for on in the over. This is nice work from England.
The runs are drying up.
Australia 38-2
Ben Stokes brings himself on to replace to Jofra Archer.
He’ll need to keep things tight and limit the amount of runs scored by this pair.
Adding pressure onto the batters will bring more wickets but England need to be controlled and patient.
Australia 37-2
Hello Josh Tongue.
Stokes makes his first bowling change now and Tongue comes on to replace Carse.
He’s bang on the money immediately and probes the outside of the off stump to Khawaja.
Khawaja is patient and lets most of the deliveries go by. A maiden for Tongue.
Australia 37-2
Close! There’s a miscommunication between the batters and a chance for a run out. Ben Duckett takes the shy at the stumps and the ball just flies over them.
Khawaja gets off strike as Archer continues. He’s been on point to the right handed Labuschagne but is solidly in behind the ball and playing defensively.
A leading edge into the gap on the offside brings him a single.
Khawaja then takes one. Three off the over.
Australia 34-2
Brydon Carse has sharpened up and it’s to Stokes’ credit to stick with him after a shaky start to the day.
Usman Khawaja is the new batter and both he and Labuschagne are on nought.
Carse comes over the wicket but Khawaja manages to flick the ball down to fine leg for one.
Wicket! Head ct Crawley b Carse 10 (AUS 33-2)
Bang!
That is superb from Zak Crawley. Brydon Carse continues and flings a full delivery down at Travis Head.
He doesn’t connect well on a drive and chips the ball low to Crawley who drops to his left and clings onto the ball with one hand!
England have two!
Trump’s chief of staff ‘aghast’ at ‘horrifying’ Musk-led aid cuts
Donald Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles has described being “aghast” when Elon Musk took what he called his “chainsaw” to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and slashed virtually all of the country’s aid spending overnight.
“Elon’s attitude is you have to get it done fast. If you’re an incrementalist, you just won’t get your rocket to the moon,” Ms Wiles told Vanity Fair. “And so with that attitude, you’re going to break some china. But no rational person could think the USAID process was a good one. Nobody.”
Dubbed the “ice maiden”, the White House chief of staff said that when the SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO led the charge in gutting USAID she was “initially aghast”.
“Because I think anybody that pays attention to government and has ever paid attention to USAID believed, as I did, that they do very good work,” Ms Wiles said.
Reporting by The Independent has found US aid cuts have deprived people of essential medicines, cut off access to family planning risking tens of thousands of lives, and led directly to deaths.
“When Elon said, ‘We’re doing this,’ he was already into it,” Ms Wiles said. “And that’s probably because he knew it would be horrifying to others. But he decided that it was a better approach to shut it down, fire everybody, shut them out, and then go rebuild. Not the way I would do it.”
While Donald Trump’s administration – having initially cancelled virtually all programmes aid overnight – has turned the taps back on in some areas, global health spending is still two-thirds lower than it was last year.
The article also revealed that George W Bush, who founded the the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), called Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “express alarm” at a planned $400m (£298m) cut to the programme. It provides HIV treatment and prevention programmes to millions around the world.
After the wide-ranging article, which also quotes Ms Wiles as saying Trump had an “alcoholic’s personality”, was published, Wiles branded it as a “disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history.”
In a statement to The Independent, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wiles has helped the president “achieve the most successful first 11 months in office of any President in American history.”
“President Trump has no greater or more loyal advisor than Susie. The entire Administration is grateful for her steady leadership and united fully behind her,” she added.
This article has been produced as part of The Independent’s Rethinking Global Aid project
Teenage boy arrested on suspicion of murder after girl, 9, found dead
A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a nine-year-old girl at an address in Weston-super-Mare.
Avon and Somerset Police said they were called to Lime Close, in the Mead Vale area of the town, at 6.09pm on Monday.
A nine-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene. The boy was arrested nearby in Worle at 6.19pm and he remains in custody.
Superintendent Jen Appleford said: “We know the whole of Weston-super-Mare will be distraught and shocked to learn of this utterly dreadful news.
“The girl’s family were informed last night of what had happened. It is impossible for us to adequately put into words the pain and anguish they are feeling right now.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to them, and we’ll ensure they receive support from a specially-trained officer.
“A criminal investigation is already well underway to establish the facts of this case. The formal identification process has not yet been completed, and a post-mortem examination will also be conducted.
“Out of respect for the family we’d please ask people not to speculate on the circumstances, or the identities of those involved, because that will only add to their enormous distress.”
A police cordon remains in place in Lime Close while the investigation continues, and house-to-house inquiries have begun, a statement from authorities said.
Supt Appleford added: “We have no doubt the community will come together as one in response to this tragedy.
“Enquiries are being carried out at the property as part of our investigation and we’d ask for people’s patience and understanding while that work is undertaken.
“We will ensure our officers are available to provide reassurance and support to all.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area in the coming days, and we urge anyone with concerns to please speak to us, however we’d like to reassure people we are not aware of there being any increased risk to public safety.
“We will continue to provide updates to the public as our investigation progresses.”
Moscow refuses to give up land after Trump claims Ukraine peace deal ‘closer than ever’
Russia will not make any concessions on territory in talks to end the war, its deputy foreign minister said as Ukraine and the US hailed great progress in Berlin.
Sergei Ryabkov said Russia would hold on to the Donbas region in the east of Ukraine, as well as Crimea and the southern swathe of land Moscow calls ‘Novorossiya’.
Ryabkov dismissed public chatter about an emerging peace deal, as he said Washington has not yet updated the Kremlin on the progress of recent talks.
He shot down the idea of a Nato peacekeeping force in a post-war Ukraine after the US finally said it was open to offering Article 5-style guarantees, backed by European efforts.
Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine overnight as more than 280,000 households were left without power in the southern port region of Odesa.
Donald Trump said on Monday that he believed peace was closer than it ever has been before.
Ukraine hits $400m Russian submarine using underwater drones
Ukraine hits $400m Russian submarine using underwater drones for first time
Merz: ‘there’s a 50-50 chance of securing European agreement on use of immobilised Russian assets’
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he believed there was a “50:50” chance of securing a European agreement on using immobilised Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s continuing defence. It was essential to do so, he added, since Ukraine would need funding for at least two more years after the current round of European funding runs out in the first quarter of 2026.
“There are reservations throughout Europe, and I can well understand these reservations,” he said. “But … if we don’t act now and make the decision we could make to halt this advance of the Russian army, when will we?”
The hostile tone towards Europe in the new US National Security Strategy had not surprised him, he said, since it mirrored many of the criticisms vice president JD Vance made of Europe in his speech to the Munich Security Conference at the start of the year.
But Merz said any isolationist drift on the part of the US was unlikely to be sustained.
“America first is all well and good, but America alone would not be good for America either,” he said. “And taking a look at the economic data in America, I can imagine that the Americans will eventually approach us and say, ‘Don’t we want to talk about some issues that benefit us both?'”
Under Ukraine security guarantees, Western troops could repel Russian forces post-ceasefire, says Germany’s Merz
Under post-ceasefire guarantees provided by the United States and Europe to Ukraine, peacekeepers could in certain circumstances repel Russian forces, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF public television in an interview, adding that this remained a far-off prospect.
Pressed by interviewers for details on the possible security guarantees floated by the United States in Monday’s Berlin talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Merz said the guarantors would need to repel Russian forces should there be a violation of any ceasefire terms.
“We would secure a demilitarized zone between the warring parties and, to be very specific, we would also act against corresponding Russian incursions and attacks. We’re not there yet,” he said.
“The fact that the Americans have made such a commitment – to protect Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire as if it were NATO territory – I think that’s a remarkable new position for the United States of America.”
Russia has yet to agree to the ceasefire that both the U.S. and Europe have said would be a prerequisite for any security guarantees, or to the presence of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine to help end the full-scale war begun when President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Boy, 10, killed in knife and pepper spray attack at Russian school with fellow pupil arrested
Boy, 10, killed in knife attack at Russian school with fellow pupil arrested
Russia is main threat to peace in Euro-Atlantic area, eight northern and eastern European countries say
Russia is the most significant, direct and long-term threat to security, peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Lithuania said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
Leaders of the eight European Union countries met in Helsinki to discuss defence of the EU’s eastern flank.
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper declines to share details on UK’s role in security guarantees
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper declined to give details on the UK’s role in providing security guarantees to Ukraine should the conflict end.
When asked during an appearance before the Foreign Affairs Committee, she said: “We are obviously a leading part of the coalition of the willing, and that has involved discussion between the, effectively, defence ministries and armed services across different nations that are already to be part of the coalition of the willing.
“So the UK is clearly a central part of that. And we’ve had discussions across other European nations. And we’ve also been discussing with the US what role they would play in terms of backing up, providing that backup for the coalition of the willing and providing those security guarantees.
“I totally understand why you are asking these questions and pressing on them, but you will also understand while these discussions are still under way, I think it would be premature for me to try and go into further detail.”
Urgent review ordered into foreign interference in UK politics
The UK government has launched an independent review of foreign financial interference in UK politics, after the jailing of a former Reform MEP for taking Russian bribes.
Nathan Gill, a former Reform UK party leader in Wales, was jailed for 10 and a half years last month after he admitted being paid £40,000 to make pro-Russian statements in the European parliament – conduct that housing secretary Steve Reed described as a “stain on our democracy”.
Announcing the review in the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Reed said that the government now needs to consider whether its “firewall is enough” to protect the country from electoral interference.
Read more here:
Urgent review ordered into foreign interference in UK politics
Russia names German broadcaster Deutsche Welle as ‘undesirable organization’
Russian authorities on Tuesday named German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle as an “undesirable organization,” effectively outlawing its operation in the country.
Under Russian law, involvement with an “undesirable organization,” including sharing its content, is a criminal offense.
Deutsche Welle was added to the Russian Justice Ministry’s list of undesirable organizations following an announcement on Saturday by lawmaker Vasily Piskaryov, who leads a parliamentary commission on foreign interference in Russian affairs.
Piskaryov also criticized the broadcaster’s academy program, accusing it of training “disinformation specialists.”
In a statement, Deutsche Welle Director General Barbara Massing called the designation Russia’s latest attempt to silence independent media.
“We will continue to report independently on the war of aggression against Ukraine and other topics about which little information is available in Russia, so that people can form their own opinions,” she said.
Pictured: Russian “Grad” self-propelled multiple rocket launchers fire towards Ukrainian positions near Kostiantynivka
Watch: Ukraine blows up Russian submarine in unprecedented underwater drone attack
Pit-Smoked and Bourbon-Soaked: how to eat in Kentucky like a pro
What’s a drop of Bourbon or a foot tapping beat without the perfect dish to accompany them? There’s more to the Bluegrass State than whiskey and music alone. Though those things are important. Vital actually.
In Kentucky, the good times come served with a side of soul-enriching food, from fine dining, to time-honed traditions passed down through generations. A combination of Southern know-how, bountiful farmland and top-notch ingredients, plus modern culinary talent combine to make Kentucky a truly world-class culinary destination.
So get your fingers sticky with the sweet tang of BBQ, find the ultimate comfort food at a ma and pop shop on the roadside, or pull up a chair beneath a crisp linen tablecloth. It’s all here. Let us guide you to the top spots.
Louisville
Home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby, and with deep roots in the world of whiskey making, Louisville is a place where tradition is respected. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t reinterpreted, reinvented, and well, shaken up.
Kentucky’s largest metropolis, which straddles the slow running waters of the Ohio River, was built on whiskey. But as the new food hub of the South, it’s writing a new, distinctly delicious chapter.
‘New Southern Cuisine’, that’s the term coined for this new spirit of reverent playfulness where chefs across the city are putting new unique twists on traditional Southern fare from Hot Browns to Benedictine.
At 610 Magnolia, in the heart of Old Louisville, for chef and owner Edward Lee that means seasonal, multi-course menus that combine surprising global flavours into locally-inspired, often Bourbon laced dishes. Think seared scallops with kimchi or a sweet pea risotto with rock shrimp and magnolia.
Jack Fry’s is an institution. Behind its shutter board and mullioned window exterior, live jazz accompanies Southern flavours prepared with classic French techniques since 1933. Where once bootlegging occurred in a backroom, today spicy fried oysters, Bourbon braised short ribs, and peach cheesecakes laden the tables.
Don’t Miss:
Walk the distilleries and tasting rooms of Whiskey Row. This is mandatory. The imposing cast iron and red brick facades of Main Street once fronted the offices and warehouses for the burgeoning Bourbon barons. Today, they’re a playground for whiskey enthusiasts with exclusive bottlings, tastings and more to explore.
Follow Whiskey Row – and the Urban Bourbon Trail – across multiple blocks, and you’ll find NuLu (New Louisville). The East Market District of downtown draws an artsy crowd hang out to its neighbourhood murals, street art, galleries, and innovative eateries from Biscuit Belly to Royal Hot Chicken.
Lexington and the Bluegrass region
Combine fine dining with authentic Bluegrass charm in Lexington and beyond, where a visit to the world famous Keeneland Rack Track isn’t all about the horses. Yes, Lexington is a race horse capital, but sometimes the food is the main event.
Arrive purposefully hungry, and get amongst the smell of turf, saddle leather and smoked meats as jockeys, trainers and spectators alike head to the Track Kitchen. A morning staple and one of the city’s best-kept secrets, its home-style food feels like a hug. But careful, pace yourself.
Trackside concession stalls, only open during the races, beckon with their many culinary delights. From Keeneland’s signature Bourbon Bread Pudding to Kentucky Beer Cheese and the refreshing Keeneland Breeze cocktail, the food and drink here are as much a part of the experience as the races themselves. Classic Southern comfort meets local flair.
Don’t Miss:
Head out to the countryside, where the morning mist sits low on the pastures of Thoroughbred farms. Culinary star, Chef Ouita Michel may have just pioneered farm-to-table dining over the past 15-plus years. With all that high-quality produce in abundance surrounding Lexington, it just made sense to make the most of it.
Visit all eight of Ouita’s famous restaurants – or just a few – on a culinary tour. Honeywood at Fritz Farm is all about the locally-grown specialities, from sweet potato beignets to duck-fat basted New York strip. Meanwhile, Smithtown Seafood is a quintessential taste of the south with wild-caught fried catfish, fresh-shucked oysters and blackened catfish.
Owensboro
Breathe in the sweet smell of smoke and molasses. When you catch the scent of a true pit master at work, you follow it.
In Owensboro, Kentucky’s undisputed BBQ capital, a passion for flavour and a dedication to time-honed techniques, means you’re in for a treat.
In this city located on the south side of a deep bend in the Ohio River, BBQ is more than just a dish, it’s a tradition. With a history dating back to the 1830s, the area has developed its own unique style of pit BBQ, where vinegar-based sauces are mopped over the meat during a lengthy smoking process. Think tangy, tender, and melt-in-the-mouth.
Sure you’ll find chicken, beef, et al. But with sheep historically more plentiful, the main event here is mutton. Burgoo who? Look out for local dish Burgoo, a stew similar to Irish or Mulligan stew, most often served with a generous wedge of cornbread. Well, this is Kentucky.
Don’t get us wrong. BBQ is a year-round way of life with secrets passed down generations. Head to the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, where smoked meat has been slung since the 1950s. Or Old Hickory BBQ, where the grills have been firing since 1918.
But once a year Owensboro becomes the global BBQ capital. At the International Bar-B-Q Festival, BBQ and Barrels, held every second weekend in May, 80,000 assemble for two days of BBQ heaven, while teams fiercely compete over secret recipes and sizzling coals.
Don’t Miss:
What goes better with a smoked slice, than the twang of strings? Owensboro is the Bluegrass world capital too. Stop by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – the only international museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and culture of this soulful, uniquely American genre.
Only Fools and Horses cast to reunite for special anniversary series
Sir David Jason is set to reunite with fellow cast members from the beloved sitcom Only Fools and Horses for a new documentary series, marking the show’s 45th anniversary.
Titled Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive, the programme promises to unveil behind-the-scenes footage and previously unseen material that, according to the series producer, was “filmed but never broadcast”.
The iconic sitcom, a ratings juggernaut for the BBC, first graced screens on 8 September 1981. It became a career-defining role for Sir David, who portrayed the entrepreneurial Del Boy, and Nicholas Lyndhurst, who played his younger brother Rodney.
It followed the colourful escapades of market trader Del Boy and his less streetwise brother as they navigated the highs and lows of life in Peckham, perpetually striving for wealth.
Sir David, 85, expressed his enduring affection for the show, stating: “The love for Only Fools has never faded. It’s incredible to see how many people still hold it close to their hearts. Revisiting these rediscovered moments reminded me just how special the show was – and still is. It’s incredible to be able to share them now.”
The two-part series will feature new interviews with cast and crew, alongside archival material spanning more than 10 classic episodes, including fan favourites like “The Jolly Boys’ Outing” and “Mother Nature’s Son”.
Cast members, including Sir David, Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel), Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra), and Sue Holderness (Marlene), will also pay tribute to the show’s late creator, John Sullivan, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 64.
The documentary will also include new material from episodes such as “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Uncle”, “Mother Nature’s Son”, “Time on Our Hands”, and an unbroadcast opening scene featuring Del and Rodney in a nightclub from “The Class Of ’62”.
The unearthed clips have undergone digital scanning and restoration from 16mm negatives, ensuring the cast appears in high definition. Sean Doherty, the director and series producer, highlighted the show’s lasting appeal: “Few shows have the kind of enduring popularity that Only Fools enjoys. The archive has uncovered some extraordinary material – 66 unseen clips and scenes so far that were filmed but never broadcast because they didn’t fit the timing or structure of the original episodes, plus nearly 100 assets from rushes and location filming. We’ve truly been spoilt for choice.”
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Helen Nightingale, UKTV’s head of factual and factual entertainment commissioning, added: “Only Fools And Horses is part of the national DNA. With its humour, heart and unforgettable characters, it’s British comedy at its very best. This series is a celebration of its legacy and a chance to share new discoveries with the fans who’ve loved it for decades.”
The cast also included Leonard “Lennard” Pearce as Grandad, Roger Lloyd Pack as Trigger, and John Challis as Boycie. The enduring popularity of the show also led to a musical adaptation starring Paul Whitehouse, which opened in 2019 and toured the UK and Ireland in 2024 and 2025.
Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive is scheduled to air on U&GOLD in 2026.
Let us all stand up for the BBC against Donald Trump
The worst crime the BBC committed with the Panorama programme that aired the week before last year’s US presidential election was that it gave Donald Trump a good reason to criticise it.
Mr Trump has built his career on untruths and wild exaggerations. He launched his presidential ambitions in 2011, casting “real doubts” about Barack Obama’s birth certificate – and he has debased the terms of the political debate ever since, mainly in America, although that contagion has spread.
Possibly the most serious criticism of him, though, is that, in 2021, he tacitly encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of a democratic election. Which is why those who care about democracy and freedom should be so dismayed by the BBC’s error in editing the footage of Mr Trump’s speech that day to make his incitement to violence appear to be more explicit than it actually was.
The BBC has played into Mr Trump’s hands. The corporation has handed him a moral and legal stick with which to beat it.
By misrepresenting Mr Trump, and by failing to correct the error and to apologise for it for far too long, the BBC cut the ground from under the feet not just of those who are critical of the US president, but of those who seek to defend the BBC as a priceless fortress of public service journalism.
The president’s claim against the BBC, filed in a Florida court, is without legal merit. The programme was not broadcast in the US, except to a small number of subscribers to extraterritorial services and to rule-breakers who know how to evade geographical restrictions. Mr Trump suffered no measurable electoral disadvantage in an election that he won, and his reputation is such that it is hard to see how the programme could have reduced his standing in the eyes of right-thinking people.
One guide to defamation law in Florida says, for example: “You must be able to prove that you suffered damages such as losing a job, the inability to get a job, or being denied some other opportunity as a direct result of the defamation.”
Mr Trump’s claim for $10bn (£7.4bn) damages is hypocritical, opportunistic and bullying. It is designed to intimidate the BBC into settling for a sum in the low millions – a tactic that seems to have worked with CNN and CBS in other cases. We trust that the BBC will stand firm, while acknowledging its mistake, and that all good people should come to its aid.
We understand why Sir Keir Starmer has to manage his relationship with Mr Trump in the British national interest. We therefore have no truck with Sir Ed Davey’s attempt to differentiate the Liberal Democrats by being more stridently anti-Trump, and “demanding” that the prime minister condemn this, that and the other. Everyone else who cares about the BBC should rally to its defence.
It is not perfect – no journalistic enterprise can be – but it is self-critical, always trying to be right, fair and independent. It is a flame of hope for millions of people around the world whose rulers seek to deny them the truth.
As the corporation faces the 10-yearly review of its charter – the current one expires at the end of 2027 – the same themes will be rehearsed as always. Is the BBC adapting to technological change? Is it biased, monopolistic or old-fashioned? Can a funding model based on a kind of poll tax still be justified?
These are all good questions, although the answer tends to resolve itself to a variant of Winston Churchill’s view of democracy: that the BBC is the worst form of public service journalism except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.
As it is under attack from the great bully of the White House, everyone who cares about free speech, good journalism and democracy should be strident in defence of the BBC.