The recent acquittal of Martyn Blake, the firearms officer involved in the shooting of Chris Kaba in 2022, continues to be a focal point in the news. The Metro has reported that just a week before his death, Kaba was identified as a suspect in a shooting incident at a bustling nightclub. Following Blake’s trial, the judge lifted the reporting restrictions on Kaba’s criminal record, which had been in place throughout the proceedings. The Metro further claims that a gang has placed a £10,000 bounty on Blake’s head in retaliation for Kaba’s death.
The Daily Mail adds that Blake has had to abandon his home and is now facing a “lifetime under threat.” The publication also reports that the judge has extended a prohibition on disclosing Blake’s address, images, or even descriptions of his appearance.
The Guardian highlights a call from the National Police Chiefs’ Council urging the government to make it more difficult for police officers to be investigated and prosecuted in incidents similar to the one involving Kaba. The paper mentions that campaigners have criticized this move as an attempt to secure “effective immunity” for officers. Additionally, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is anticipated to announce a expedited review on how police accountability is maintained.
According to the Times, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has proposed that officers should only face criminal charges if prosecutors can demonstrate that they intentionally deviated from their training protocols. Even with his acquittal, Blake may still confront gross misconduct proceedings that could lead to his dismissal, exacerbating existing discontent among firearms officers.
In other news, the i reports that the water industry regulator, Ofwat, may be disbanded due to a loss of confidence from both politicians and the public following widespread illegal sewage dumping across the UK’s waterways. The UK and Welsh governments are considering a commission to explore significant reforms in the sector, having ruled out nationalization.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph suggests that NHS regulators are likely to deem a new Alzheimer’s treatment too costly for public funding. The drug, donanemab, reportedly slows disease progression by 35%, yet its availability may be restricted to private clinics or clinical trials, disappointing advocates for improved access to new medications.
The Daily Mirror shares that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with winners of its Pride of Britain awards, expressing heartfelt admiration for their stories and pledging, “I’ll do my best for you.”
Finally, the Financial Times reveals that HSBC is embarking on a major reorganization aimed at restructuring its operations to better navigate geopolitical tensions, with its UK and Hong Kong businesses forming two of four designated units.
