The northern edge of London, north of the Thames and the City
Forty years after Suzy Lamplugh vanished in July 1986, investigators say three key facts remain: her car was found abandoned, she disappeared after meeting a client, and John Cannan remains the prime suspect though he died in prison in 2024. The Independent reveals new context as the case is set to be mothballed in 12 months.
Andy Burnham has signalled a shift on England’s social care reform, urging accelerated work on Louise Casey’s review and proposing a National Care Service framework in a speech at a north London care home. He stresses workforce investment and tighter regulation of private providers while inviting broad political support and potential funding options.
A man has been charged after an aggravated burglary in Tollington Park, north London, left a woman dead and another man injured. Police say the investigation is ongoing and residents are asked to share any footage or details.
Dame Jenni Murray, longtime BBC Radio 4 presenter of Woman’s Hour, has died after a March crash in north London. An inquest has ruled bronchopneumonia caused by rib and sternum fractures sustained in the collision as the cause of death. She dies following a career spanning decades and a damehood in 2011.
A by‑election has opened in Camden after Sir Keir Starmer resigned. The Green leader, Zack Polanski, has been campaigning locally and is considering standing for the seat; local members are reported to be supportive. Labour has shortlisted candidates and is expected to select Camden council leader Sagal Abdi‑Wali as its nominee by next Wednesday.
Authorities say a 42-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man have been arrested in London on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Both have been released on bail until late October. The operation is not linked to earlier attacks targeting Jewish or Iranian sites in the capital this year.
Reform UK has received two large donations totaling £72m from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. The money is aimed at expanding the party’s reach with more staff, targeted campaigning and stronger policy preparation, while police investigations into donor rules and questions of influence mount. The donation surge raises questions about the role of money in politics as campaigns gear up for upcoming byelections and local elections.
The UK debates overseas and domestic political donations after crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donate 27m to Reform UK. Government plans to cap donations by Britons living abroad backdated to March 25 and to tighten rules on foreign influence are being scrutinised as MPs warn of a potential Americanisation of UK politics.
Reform UK faces scrutiny over its £72 million in donations from crypto billionaires, prompting calls for a cap on political donations. The government has signalled potential reforms to spending limits and overseas donor rules, while opposition and unions warn of risks to democracy.
Labour has won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Sagal Abdi‑Wali has taken 45% (12,292 votes) to Green leader Zack Polanski’s 33% (8,928). The result has intensified scrutiny of Polanski after the Green conference motion equating Zionism with racism and his absence from that vote; he has said he will remain party leader.