Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller, David Beckham and former bandmates among the mourners at Manchester cathedral The Stone Roses singer, Ian Brown, has remembered his bandmate Gary “Mani” Mounfield as a “true musical comrade” and “always a beautiful soul and spirit” as hundreds gathered for the charismatic bassist’s funeral. Paul Weller, Liam Gallagher, Peter Hook, Tim Burgess, Bez, David Beckham and Gary Neville were among the mourners at the service at Manchester Cathedral on Monday morning. Outside, fans packed the street. Continue reading...

Despite culture secretary saying he has overseen ‘series of catastrophic failures’, Davie insists BBC can thrive under him Tim Davie has insisted he is still the right person to lead the BBC, after a succession of issues that has seen the culture secretary accuse him of overseeing a “series of catastrophic failures”. The BBC’s director general has been under the most intense pressure of his five-year tenure after incidents including the livestreaming of Bob Vylan’s performance at the Glastonbury festival, as well as a Gaza documentary that breached the broadcaster’s editorial guidelines. Continue reading...

Ex-housekeepers accuse Motown legend of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence Motown legend William “Smokey” Robinson has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by four women – identified only as Jane Does 1, 2, 3 and 4 – who worked as housekeepers for the Robinsons. A complaint filed in Los Angeles superior court on 6 May lists charges including sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence. The complaint seeks $50m total in damages for the four women. Continue reading...