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Tory leader Kemi Badenoch could face a leadership challenge within months party insiders warn

KEMI Badenoch could face a leadership challenge “within months” senior Tories have secretly warned – as donors desert the crisis-hit party.

Shadow Cabinet ministers say the Tory leader is bombing at PMQs and being outshone by Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

Portrait of Kemi Badenoch.
Reuters
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is on the ropes[/caption]

One said: “PMQs this week was woeful. She is getting worse and worse and Keir is getting better.

“We want Kemi to succeed but she needs to change her tactics.

“The problem is she doesn’t listen to anyone. She needs to change course and quickly.

“And she needs to get some new members of her team who can actually stand up to her and say no and she will listen to them.”

Another senior Tory said: “The shadow cabinet is desperate to do something and attack. But Kemi won’t do anything.

“There was a shadow Cabinet meeting on the anniversary of her first 100 days as leader. .

“And absolutely nothing was planned to go on the attack.

“Meanwhile, Reform were out getting headlines with their Kemi books saying she hadn’t done anything since being leader.”

Kemi has until September to turn things around or serious questions will be asked of her leadership, the source said.

Another said: “I thought she would survive the May elections even if they are bad just because she hasn’t been in post long. But now I am not so sure.

In another blow to the under-fire Tory boss, she left a swanky dinner with a wealthy possible donor empty handed.

Kemi and her team went to Middlesborough FC wonder Steve Gibson’s mansion in North Yorkshire on Thursday night.

Mr Gibson – who has previously backed Labour and is worth a mega £640milllion – treated them to dinner and a sleepover.

But The Sun on Sunday understands they left without any money or a pledge of support from the football boss.

Tory Party coffers are running dry – and the party has been forced to lay off staff at their HQ.

Reform party Treasurer Nick Candy is busy hoovering up lots of donations from the City – traditionally where the Tories get a lot of their money from.

A Tory source said: “He is stealing candy from a baby.”

Meanwhile some Labour MPs are purposely “going soft” on Kemi as they do not want her toppled too quickly in case the party gets a more effective leader.

A Labour MP told The Sun on Sunday: “Labour MPs have been saying to each other – go soft on Kemi as we do not want her gone yet.”

Tory sources hit back – insisting it was never their intention to leave Mr Gibson’s home with a cheque or political backing.

She is out “working hard” and listening to people, the source added.
A source at the dinner added: “It went well. Kemi hit her stride.”

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Men arrested for stealing 200 packs of butter and 146 blocks of Parmesan cheese

butter thieves in Dusseldorf Germany
Not sure what recipes call for this much butter, cheese and… laundry tablets (Picture: Düsseldorf Police)

The recipe for the perfect crime involves at least 200 bars of butter and nearly 150 blocks of cheese.

At least, that’s according to two men that German police arrested on Thursday for stealing a ‘considerable amount of food’.

The alleged shoplifters were pulled over while driving along Kölner Landstraße, a road that runs through the Wersten district of Düsseldorf.

Inside the boot and stacked high on the back seats of the Mercedes car, patrol officers found 200 packs of butter, 146 pieces of Parmesan cheese, several bags of Ariel washing liquid pods and salmon.

The men, both aged 50, also had bolt cutters, a machete and two knives in the vehicle. 

‘The duo could not provide any plausible explanations for the items found,’ the police said.

butter thieves in Dusseldorf Germany
Guessing neither of the men are lactose-intolerant (Picture: Düsseldorf Police)

Police first grew suspicious of the men, a German and Romanian national, when they noticed their car was registered in Cologne.

The officers stopped the vehicle as part of a ‘strategic search’ that, police said, allowed them to temporarily arrest the suspected food thieves.

Neither man could show police a receipt for the haul of dairy goods.

Investigators discovered the food was taken from a local discount grocer, which police gave back

The suspects were already known to the police for similar thefts, the force added.

They have since been released ‘due to a lack of grounds for detention’.

butter thieves in Dusseldorf Germany
A machete was also found inside the Mercedes (Picture: Düsseldorf Police)

While sacks of bank notes or expensive phones might be the usual MO of thieves, stealing butter does make a lick of sense in Germany.

The average price tag of a stick of butter in Germany has increased by nearly 66% in the last four years, much like other household groceries.

Between 2023 and 2024, butter prices saw a head-spinning rise of 40%. A 250g block of butter can now set shoppers back up to €4 (about £3.33).

Dairy manufacturers in Germany say the price hikes are down to a global shortage of milk fuelled by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Fewer shoppers in Germany are also popping butter in their baskets, dairy farmers say, but demand for cheese remains high.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

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Masked Singer viewers say ‘make it stop’ just seconds into the show’s final after star’s performance

THE Masked Singer final has had viewers begging for one performance to stop, just seconds after the ITV show started.

The final of ITV‘s The Masked Singer has kicked off, but viewers at home have been less than impressed with the show’s opening number.

A singer in a sparkly suit performs on stage with two masked dancers.
ITV
Masked Singer viewers beg for the ITV show to ‘make it stop’ just seconds into the show’s final[/caption]
Two singers performing on stage with backup dancers.
ITV
Masked Singer host Joel Dommett sang Blondie’s ‘One Way or Another’ as he kicked off the show, before joining last year’s winner Danny Jones on stage[/caption]

TV host Joel Dommett kicked off the show with a rendition of Blondie’s ‘One Way Or Another’ as he walked through the studio flanked by dancers.

He gave each of the panellists a go at singing too as Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Maya Jama all took turns at belting out lyrics to the iconic song.

The song then ended with McFly singer Danny Jones taking over, as the winner of last year’s show returned to the stage.

However viewers at home weren’t impressed with the performance, as some asked the show to ‘make it stop’.

Writing on social media one viewer wrote: “Oh no! Who on earth thought that it would be okay to let Joel sing? It’s bad enough when he speaks!”

Another posted: “Oh my ears, someone gag Joel…”

“That opening was exactly like a karaoke session after bottomless brunch,” said a third.

Another shared: “I love Joel, but good lord the singing.”

“Love Joel but he can’t out sing Danny there’s no contest,” said another.

Tonight fans will finally learn who has been masquerading as Wolf, Pufferfish and Dressed Crab for this series.

Theories for who the three mystery singers could be have been thrown out by fans of the show.

So far the guesses range from Wet Wet Wet superstar and Sweet Little Mystery crooner Marti Pellow as Wolf to West End superstar Samantha Barks as Pufferfish.

For the third singer, Dressed Crab has had many viewers have been convinced it’s Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter.

The final show also sees the three mystery singers duet with previous Masked Singer stars, including last year’s winner Danny Jones.

Danny also joins as a guest panellist, replacing comedian Mo Gilligan who is absent due to being on his comedy tour in the US.

Two Masked Singer hosts on stage with an audience.
ITV
Masked Singer judges got in on the singing action with Davina McCall belting out lyrics to the iconic hit song[/caption]
Two singers performing on stage.
ITV
Masked Singer’s Maya Jama also joined in on the opening number[/caption]
Three costumed singers from The Masked Singer: a wolf, a crab, and a pufferfish.
ITV
The Masked Singer saw the final three singers take to the stage[/caption]

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Welsh Open snooker 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Maguire takes on Carter in HUGE semi NOW as Selby beats Brecel after migraine

THE Welsh Open is closing in on a thrilling finale in Llandudno – with Ali Carter facing Stephen Maguire in a semi-final RIGHT NOW!

Earlier, former world champion Mark Selby produced his best form against another ex-world champion in Luca Brecel – the match was stopped for a lengthy delay after Brecel was forced to leave the table due to a migraine.

Selby beat the Belgian Bullet 6-3 and will face the winner of Maguire vs Carter on Sunday.

A new champ is guaranteed to be crowned this weekend after 2024 Welsh Open winner Gary Wilson crashed out in the opening round.

  • Start time: From 1pm GMT
  • Live stream: discovery+ / BBC iPlayer
  • TV channel: BBC Red Button

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‘It adds towards success’ – Why Arne Slot believes COFFEE is fuelling Liverpool Premier League title bid

LIVERPOOL’S Premier League title bid is being fuelled by daily coffee-shop chats.

Arne Slot’s Kopuccino kings — who have bean top of the table since November — built a coffee bar for the players at their Kirkby training centre.

Arne Slot, Liverpool's Dutch manager.
AFP
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed coffee is fuelling his side’s title bid[/caption]
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during a Premier League match.
Getty
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Co can take advantage of a new coffee bar installed at their training ground[/caption]

This is where they can meet, eat and sink some caffeine when they are not roasting opponents on the pitch.

The foundations of championship-winning sides are built upon strong bonds within the dressing room.

In the 1980s and 90s, players would head to the pub to socialise but these days, modern ultra-professionals will meet as a group over a cuppa.

Liverpool manager Slot said: “They have always had breakfast together. What has changed, and what you see a lot, is we have created a coffee bar here.

“Players sit down over there, talk to each other, have a lot of fun together.

“If you have a coffee bar and you don’t have results, probably you don’t see the same vibe there. But I think it all adds towards success.

“I believe you need to have a good training ground. You need to have a good programme.

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“You definitely need to have good people. I took a few people to this club who I think are doing their jobs really well and are good human beings. But the ones who already worked here are great professionals and great human beings also.

“Add that to a great facility, great players and a great mentality, then that can lead to a successful period.”

Normally so cool and calm, Slot was surprisingly enraged by Everton’s wild celebrations following the 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison on Wednesday.

Post-match, Slot was sent off and faces a possible ban after being charged by the FA with abusing ref Michael Oliver and his assistant.

Slot has refused to apologise but accepts he would have acted differently with the benefit of hindsight.

The Dutchman, 46, said: “In general or 99 per cent of the time, I can cope with my emotions quite well.

“But yeah, it’s clear that I couldn’t cope with my emotions well enough during the game.

“Especially after the game. That had all to do with how the intentional five minutes ended up being eight extra-time minutes.

“Emotions took over after these seven or eight minutes, which I don’t think will ever be the same again in terms of all the games I’m going to play as a manager.

“But still, if, if, if it happens next time, I should act differently. That’s completely clear.

“I saw players coping much better than they did last season. Mentally, I mean. That’s the biggest win and gain we could have gotten from this game.

“That gives us a lot of confidence for the upcoming 14 games.

“Because we already knew that in terms of playing football, we’re quite good at that.”

Before hosting Wolves at Anfield today, Liverpool’s lead at the top was cut to four points following Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Leicester yesterday.

Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, reacts during a Premier League match.
Reds gaffer Slot revealed he failed to control his emotions against Everton
Getty
Arne Slot shaking hands with a referee.
Getty
Slot was sent off by Michael Oliver at the end of the Merseyside derby[/caption]

The Reds are on the longest current unbeaten run in English league football — 20 games — as they chase a second Prem crown, although they did exit the FA Cup at Championship side Plymouth.

Slot added: “In general, the second half of the season for everyone is harder because teams are coming closer to the line.

“So they’re fighting maybe harder to stay up, for Europe or league position.”

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