Monday 6th November, 2017

Today’s UK headlines, summarised and analysed.

Good morning,

Brief overview: A huge data breach from the Bermuda based law firm Appleby has revealed how the wealthy invest their fortunes overseas in tax havens. Let’s bring you up to speed:

Appleby , the Bermuda based law firm, reported a data hack last month. The hack was apparently extremely sophisticated, allowing the hackers to access and explore the data frame of the company.

, the Bermuda based law firm, reported a data hack last month. The hack was apparently extremely sophisticated, allowing the hackers to access and explore the data frame of the company. The hackers then handed the data over to the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, who received the Panama papers leak last year .

who received the Panama papers leak last year Süddeutsche Zeitung immediately called in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists ( ICJ ) to help them sift through the 13.4m leaked documents. The Guardian are included in the ICJ, so expect them to have unrivalled access to stories concerning the leaks in the coming days.

immediately called in the ( ) to help them sift through the leaked documents. are included in the ICJ, so expect them to have unrivalled access to stories concerning the leaks in the coming days. Last night the BBC ran a Panorama at 6PM on a Sunday, a key slot. The programme detailed the leaks further, and was titled “Offshore Secrets of the Rich Exposed”.

ran a at 6PM on a Sunday, a key slot. The programme detailed the leaks further, and was titled “Offshore Secrets of the Rich Exposed”. Those named so far in the leaks include the Queen , Bono , Stephen Bronfman (a key ally and fundraiser for Canadian PM Justin Trudeau), Lord Ashcroft (who hid in a toilet to avoid reporters) and the US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

, , (a key ally and fundraiser for Canadian PM Justin Trudeau), (who hid in a toilet to avoid reporters) and the US Commerce Secretary The Queen’s involvement comes through the Duchy Of Lancaster, the private estate that generates a return for the reigning monarch. Founded in 1399, it is worth noting that the Queen herself will probably have very little knowledge of the estate’s investments.

Outside of the headlines: Another mass shooting took place yesterday in America. A shooter, identified by the media as a 26 year old white man called Devin Patrick Kelley, entered a church in Texas, shooting and killing 26 and wounding a further 20. Trump and leading Republicans tweeted their thoughts and prayers, which seems to be working well so far this year to prevent mass shootings. The President told the press:

“We have a lot of mental health problems in our country, but this isn’t a guns situation”

Ok then.

Cartoon of the day:

via Bob Moran

The Daily Mail

Owned by: Daily Mail and General Trust, owned by Jonathan Harmsworth, 4th Viscount Rothermere

Editor: Paul Dacre

Political leaning: Right / far right

Daily circulation: circa 1,490,000 (10 million views per month from personal computer and 20 million from mobiles)

Brexit stance: Pro-Brexit

Today’s leading headline: Queen dragged into £10m offshore tax row

The Mail leads with coverage from the leaked dossier dubbed the ‘Paradise Papers’, which contain information about how the wealthy use offshore tax havens to avoid paying tax. The Queen has become embroiled in the scandal, as it emerged that her estate has invested at least £10 million into the offshore account. The Royal house stated they are “not aware of any tax advantages” and that the Queen had no direct involvement in managing her estate’s investments.

Afterthought: A couple of weeks ago we reported that Bermuda based firm Appleby had sent all its clients a warning that it had been hacked and data had been stolen. Voila, here it is.

Elizabeth II enjoys widespread popularity among the population, having been voted the greatest-ever monarch. YouGov

The monarchy is largely popular with all political party voters. YouGov

The list of those incriminated will continue to grow — in the meantime, it will be interesting to observe if public opinion shifts against the Queen at all.