Ownership & classification
Founded: 1896
Ownership
The Daily Mail (and MailOnline) is published by Associated Newspapers, the news arm of DMG Media, which is owned by Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT). DMGT is controlled by the Harmsworth family: Jonathan Harmsworth, the 4th Viscount Rothermere, is chairman and controlling shareholder. In late 2021 his vehicle Rothermere Continuation Limited bought out the remaining shares (about 885 million pounds) and delisted DMGT, taking the group fully private in January 2022.
Funding
Financed commercially through newspaper sales, advertising and the large MailOnline digital advertising business, plus DMGT's wider commercial interests; it receives no state or licence-fee money.
Affiliation & stance
The Daily Mail is a privately owned, family-controlled commercial newspaper with a long-standing right-wing, strongly Conservative-leaning editorial line, but it is not owned or directed by any party, church or state. Because control rests with a commercial proprietor (the Rothermere/Harmsworth family) rather than a party or government, it is classified INDEPENDENT despite its partisan stance.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Right
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Rightbased on 444
68/100
Factual
56/100
Objective
805
Articles
805
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now

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Rapist who 'catfished' Muslim men on Snapchat and Grindr jailed
Recent coverage

Putin 'is planning Polish incursion to test NATO's response'
An article from the Daily Mail reports that according to U.S.-based intelligence and Polish sources, Russia is allegedly planning a provocative military incursion into Polish territory to test NATO's response. The alleged operation could involve Russian troops crossing into Poland and targeting critical infrastructure with missiles and drones. Polish officials and security experts warn that such a provocation could be framed as a technical error or an emergency situation, potentially leading to a diplomatic crisis aimed at pressuring Western nations to reduce support for Ukraine. The plan is seen as part of Russia's broader strategy to gauge NATO's readiness and possibly exploit divisions within the alliance, particularly between Poland and its NATO partners. While the report cites multiple Polish and U.S. sources, it does not provide direct evidence or official confirmation of the planned incursion.

An American gets the maximum amount of recovery time at Wimbledon.
The article discusses the scheduling of the first-round doubles match at Wimbledon involving American tennis player Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams against the Argentine-Colombian pair Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio. The match was initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday but has been postponed due to Serena's injury during her singles match. Tournament organizer Andy Murray (likely a misstatement, as Andy Murray is a British player, and the correct name might be someone like Ashley Barker or another official) stated they are giving Serena as much time as possible to recover. They ruled out postponing the match to later dates unless necessary for safety or tournament flow. The match is expected to take place on a larger court to accommodate the large crowd attracted by Serena and Venus, who are major stars. Serena returned to professional tennis after four years, but she lost her first singles match and injured her knee. She did not attend a press conference afterward due to health reasons and expressed her commitment to participating in the doubles event. Serena and Venus have won six doubles titles together, including a title in 2016.

Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried

What happened to England's 1986 World Cup squad? How Three Lions stars fared after fateful Hand of God match in Mexico City 40 years ago
This article reflects on the legacy of England's 1986 FIFA World Cup squad, particularly focusing on the controversial 'Hand of God' goal by Argentina's Diego Maradona and the subsequent careers of several players. The piece highlights the historical significance of the match, which took place at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, and notes that England has returned to the same venue nearly 40 years later for a 2026 World Cup qualifier. It then profiles former players such as goalkeeper Peter Shilton and right-back Gary M. Stevens, detailing their post-soccer lives, including personal challenges like Shilton's gambling issues and professional pursuits beyond football.

Police dropped Tottenham rape investigation before sexual predator killed two women, court told
A court was informed that an initial rape investigation into a sexual predator was abandoned by police, allowing the suspect to go on to kill two other women. Simon Levy, a convicted sexual offender, is accused of raping a trafficked sex worker in January 2025, during which her collarbone was fractured. He allegedly murdered Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo in March 2024 and Sheryl Wilkins in August 2025. The alleged rape took place in the same Tottenham car park where Wilkins was later found dead. The victim, who suffers from drug addiction, reported the rape four days later but was too unwell to be interviewed due to withdrawal symptoms. The case was closed on June 8, 2024, after police determined they lacked sufficient information to proceed. Detective Sergeant Nina Muchamore explained that without knowing the exact timeline, gathering CCTV or forensic evidence was difficult, and the lack of clarity hindered investigative efforts.

UK's longest-serving female inmate set for release
Maria Pearson, Britain's longest-serving female prisoner, is set to be released after a Parole Board panel determined she no longer poses a risk to the public. Pearson, now 70, was convicted in 1986 for stabbing her ex-boyfriend's new partner, Janet Newton, 17 times during a violent attack. At the time of the murder, Pearson was involved in a bigamous relationship and feared losing her home and custody of a child after her second husband decided to annul their marriage. She served a minimum of 12 years in prison, completing her sentence in 1998, but remained incarcerated due to behavioral concerns. Over the past decade, she has been moved between open and high-security prisons, with the Parole Board reviewing her case ten times. Her release conditions include residing at a designated address, adhering to a curfew with electronic monitoring, and avoiding contact with the victim's family.

Henry Nowak's killer 'applies to have murder conviction quashed AND his sentence reduced'
A 23-year-old man named Vickrum Digwa, who was convicted of murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak with a ceremonial dagger in December 2025, has applied to the Court of Appeal to have his life sentence with a minimum of 21 years reduced. Digwa claimed during the incident that Nowak had shouted racist abuse, punched him, and removed his turban, which he later admitted was a false statement. Nowak, a finance student at the University of Southampton, was arrested while bleeding and died in police custody, with bodycam footage showing him repeatedly saying 'I can't breathe.' His family, including his sister Gurpreet Digwa, reported a racial attack. Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC has sought to challenge the sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, arguing the case is 'horrifying' and reflects public sentiment. The Court of Appeal has already noted the sentence was considered unduly lenient and is now reviewing Digwa’s appeal request.

Lady Louise Windsor is presented the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award by her father Prince Edward before being joined by boyfriend Felix and her mother Sophie - as newly-graduated royal, 22, prepares to take a gap year
Lady Louise Windsor, 22, received the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award from her father, Prince Edward, following her graduation from the University of St Andrews. The event took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where she was accompanied by her mother, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and her boyfriend, Felix da Silva-Clamp. Lady Louise is preparing to take a gap year, which is a common practice among members of the royal family to gain life experience before pursuing formal duties. This follows a similar path taken by Prince William, who also took a gap year after graduating from Eton College. During his gap year, William participated in various activities including military training, volunteering, and travel. Lady Louise’s gap year will involve a mix of work, volunteering, and travel, though specific plans for her future career remain undisclosed.

Southport taxi driver who dropped killer made £5,000 from public donations to 'pay for new car' - after he fled the scene as he watched screaming children run for their lives
A taxi driver named Gary Poland, who dropped off a teenager accused of murdering three children and injuring ten others at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport, England, reportedly received £5,002 from public donations to cover costs related to his vehicle being impounded for forensic examination. Poland fled the scene after witnessing the attack, claiming he feared for his life and believed the suspect might have a gun. His actions drew criticism from investigators, who stated they would have expected him to call the police immediately. Despite expressing regret over not helping during the incident, Poland’s financial situation appears to have been impacted by the legal aftermath of the crime.

Strictly's Neil Jones, 44, and Love Island's Chyna Mills, 27, get married in London after dancer 'banned his family from attending over racism row'
Strictly professional dancer Neil Jones and Love Island contestant Chyna Mills married in a private ceremony in London, with only the couple present due to claims that Neil had barred his family from attending over a racial conflict. Chyna previously accused Neil's mother of racism and bullying, leading to a family feud. Neil reportedly did not inform his family about the wedding plans, and some family members feel excluded and upset. A source commented on the situation, expressing disappointment that the family was not involved in the event despite being part of Neil’s past wedding. The couple plans a larger celebration in Italy.

Bob Vylan announces they are suing the BBC for defamation after row over corporation airing their 'Death to the IDF!' Glastonbury chant
Punk band Bob Vylan, led by Bobby Vylan (real name Pascal Robinson-Foster), announced plans to sue the BBC for defamation following the 2025 Glastonbury Festival incident where their performance, which included anti-Israel chants like 'Death to the IDF,' was live-streamed on BBC iPlayer. The BBC apologized for what it termed the band's 'utterly unacceptable' sentiments, though no criminal charges were pursued after an investigation by Avon and Somerset police found insufficient evidence. The band faced backlash, including canceled concerts in Manchester, France, and Germany, and visa denials for a U.S. tour. In a social media post, Bob Vylan accused the BBC of labeling them as anti-Semitic, suppressing dissenting views, and failing to represent public interests, claiming the corporation sought to silence voices opposing narratives related to Palestine.

'Police state' row as officers track down man who criticised his local Green councillor over outdoor drinking ban and left him fearing arrest
A photographer named Alastair Hilton was approached by Metropolitan Police officers in London after criticizing a local Green councillor on social media regarding an outdoor drinking ban. Despite being informed that no crime had been committed, the officers questioned him and warned him about potential legal action related to harassment. Hilton expressed concern about the police's actions, claiming they were attempting to intimidate him for exercising free speech. The situation arose after a local council proposed banning outdoor seating at several pubs, but eventually reversed the decision due to public pressure. The incident has sparked discussions about 'two-tier policing' and the role of police in regulating online discourse.

Rayner’s pitch to return under Burnham cabinet – and the role she’s tipped for
Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister and housing secretary, has expressed interest in returning to her previous role under a potential Andy Burnham-led Labour government. In a speech at the London School of Economics, Rayner advocated for significant local governance reforms, echoing Burnham's 'devolution' agenda, which aims to transfer power and resources to local authorities. Her remarks closely mirrored those made by Burnham during a recent speech in Manchester, suggesting a strategic alignment between the two figures. This development occurs as Burnham positions himself as the likely successor to Sir Keir Starmer and finalizes his cabinet lineup. Rayner's position within Burnham's administration remains uncertain, with some reports indicating she may be sidelined while others suggest she is providing advisory support on devolution strategies. Despite not being part of Burnham's inner circle, Rayner is anticipated to hold a cabinet position. Her past resignation as deputy prime minister followed an admission of underpayment of stamp duty on a second home, though she was later cleared by HMRC.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided

England were almost spectacularly knocked out by DR Congo, saved by Kane and, thankfully, not a controversial penalty.

The dangers of devolution

Trump says Starmer will resign after ‘failing badly on immigration and energy’

Holly Ramsay is pregnant! Influencer announces she's expecting a daughter with husband Adam Peaty - six months after tying the knot amid family feud

Historic by-election win sends message to Labour and SNP - Badenoch

Reform pledges new tax on hiring foreign workers

Tyson and Paris Fury hit by backlash from Travellers as they are criticised for 'forgetting their values' while posing at the White House in 'Trump for Prime Minister' hat

Nigel Farage says Britain is a 'two-tier state against white people' and claims 'toxic ideology of diversity' has taken over Whitehall
