United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 1986
Ownership
The Independent, founded in 1986 and now a digital-only title, is owned through Independent Digital News & Media. Its largest shareholder is Evgeny Lebedev (around 41%), son of Russian businessman and former KGB officer Alexander Lebedev, whose family bought the paper in 2010. Saudi national Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel holds roughly 30% (acquired in 2017), and businessman Justin Byam Shaw holds about 26%.
Funding
The Independent is funded commercially by digital advertising, sponsored content and reader/subscription revenue, having dropped its print edition in 2016 to operate as an online-only outlet. Its growth has also drawn on investment from its private shareholders, including the 2017 Saudi-linked stake.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially the title is center-left/liberal and is not aligned to a UK political party. It is classified INDEPENDENT because it is privately owned by commercial shareholders rather than a party, church, union or state; nonetheless the Lebedev family's Russian background and the large Saudi-linked stake have drawn scrutiny over potential proprietorial influence.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 871
81/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
1021
Articles
1017
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Badenoch says Reform defectors ‘some of the most dishonest people I have met’
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, criticized defectors who joined Reform UK, calling them 'some of the most dishonest people' she has encountered. She rejected the idea of forming an electoral alliance with Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, stating there would be no coalition between the parties. Badenoch specifically targeted figures like Robert Jenrick, a former Conservative minister who defected to Reform, accusing him and others of abandoning the party during its lowest moments and pretending they had no role in past issues. She emphasized her desire to avoid 'drama queens' in the party and expressed concerns about Reform's instability, noting their tendency to announce policies and abandon them quickly. Polling data indicates Labour remains the leading party, followed by Reform UK and the Conservatives.
Iranian hackers carry out unprecedented attack on UK’s power network
A UK power generator was forced to shut down for four days after being targeted by Iranian hackers, according to recent reports. This is believed to be the first known instance of Iranian-affiliated hackers successfully disrupting a UK energy facility. The affected site is described as a 'small-scale energy generator,' and authorities confirmed there was no risk to the broader national grid. The incident reportedly prompted the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to issue briefings to power companies and provide guidance to businesses on protecting against cyber threats. Earlier this year, NCSC head Dr. Richard Horne warned that most major cyberattacks on the UK come from state-sponsored actors like China, Iran, and Russia. In response, the UK government is developing a national AI-based cybersecurity system designed to detect and mitigate threats to critical infrastructure.
What to know after multiple deaths in A66 crash involving police car
A multi-vehicle crash occurred on the A66 near South Bank, close to Middlesbrough, in the early hours of Saturday morning, resulting in multiple fatalities. The collision involved a police vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat, with authorities confirming several deaths but not specifying the exact number. Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying numerous resources including ambulances, paramedics, and a doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Despite their efforts, some patients died at the scene. The A66 remains closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane, and local residents are advised to use alternate routes. Cleveland Police stated that the investigation into the incident is ongoing and urged the public to refrain from speculation. Anna Turley, the local MP for Redcar, expressed her deep sadness over the tragedy and extended condolences to the affected families.
MPs call for UK to hold Israeli government to account for killing of journalists following Independent investigation
UK MPs have called on the government to take strong action against Israel following an investigation by The Independent and Independent Arabia into the killing of journalists and medical staff during a 'double-tap' attack on a hospital in Gaza. The investigation, based on 17 eyewitness accounts and expert testimonies, suggests potential war crimes, including intentional attacks on civilians and disproportionate force. The attack occurred on August 25, 2025, killing journalist Mariam Abu Dagga and at least 19 others. The Israeli military has denied wrongdoing, claiming the camera used by Reuters was positioned by Hamas and that six 'terrorists' were killed. However, the investigation found the camera was located in a stairwell frequently used by journalists and that the military failed to notify the hospital of the threat, violating international law obligations.
Britain finally gets rain...but it's not enough to reverse drought: Parts of UK hit by showers but reservoirs still run dry as car washes and swimming pools brace for water bans
Britain has experienced its first rain in weeks, though experts warn this may not be sufficient to alleviate the ongoing drought. Several regions, including parts of Kent, Essex, and Sussex, received light or patchy rain after being officially declared in drought earlier in July. Despite this, reservoirs remain critically low, with five recording exceptionally low volumes and seven significantly below normal levels. The southwest region is operating at under two-thirds of its reservoir capacity. Authorities are preparing for potential water restrictions on private swimming pools and car washes due to the severe drought conditions. The dry spell has led to numerous wildfires, including a major incident in Stourbridge that damaged 37 homes. Additionally, Wessex Water has announced a hosepipe ban for the first time in 50 years, affecting 1.4 million customers in areas such as Bath, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Cooler and wetter weather is expected by midweek, but the distribution of rainfall remains uncertain.
CrossCountry train chaos as power cut cancels most services across UK
CrossCountry train services across the UK experienced widespread disruptions on Sunday due to a power cut at its main control center in Birmingham. The outage caused critical systems to fail, leading to the cancellation of nearly all services, including major routes like Glasgow to Edinburgh and Manchester to Birmingham. Some regional services, such as between Peterborough, Cambridge, and Stansted Airport, continued with limited operations. CrossCountry offered refunds and compensation for affected passengers and allowed ticket holders to use their tickets with other train operators. Customer complaints highlighted frustration over the cancellations, though some expressed gratitude for the cancellations due to safety concerns. The company apologized for the disruption and assured passengers of ongoing efforts to restore services.
Andy Burnham to hand mayors powers over local planning decisions
Andy Burnham, a senior Labour figure, is proposing that mayors gain greater control over local planning decisions for large-scale developments, including housing, towers, and skyscrapers. The proposal allows mayors to override council decisions, grant upfront permissions for certain developments, and influence how national housing funds are allocated. Critics, particularly from the Liberal Democrats, argue the move undermines local communities and councils, calling it a 'direct attack' on democratic participation. Burnham acknowledges potential concerns about disempowering local authorities but argues that challenges to planning decisions can come from either side. Ten of 14 devolved mayors have supported the initiative, aligning with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who received similar powers earlier this year. The government claims it is on track to meet its target of building 1.5 million homes in England within five years.
King Charles must 'put his foot down' over Harry and Meghan's return - either he forces the couple to apologise or strips them of their titles, OR ELSE 'the future of the monarchy' will be at stake: RICHARD EDEN sounds alarm on Sussexes' homecoming
In a recent episode of 'Palace Confidential,' commentator Richard Eden expresses concerns about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to return to the United Kingdom with their children. The couple is expected to settle in the UK soon, having already enrolled their children in British schools. King Charles III is reportedly surprised by this development, having hosted the Sussexes at Highgrove just weeks prior. Eden suggests that the monarch should impose an ultimatum on the couple, requiring them to apologize for past criticisms of the royal family and renounce their commercial activities, or face the loss of their titles. He warns that failure to act could lead to the establishment of a rival court within the monarchy, jeopardizing its stability. Columnist Sarah Vine agrees, viewing the move as a strategic attempt by Harry to reassert his royal ties after facing challenges abroad, which she describes as potentially disruptive to the institution.
Two men bailed after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter of 22-year-old soldier
Two men, aged 22 and 23, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of 22-year-old soldier Liam Potts, who was found dead in the River Tyne three days after he went missing during a night out. The men were released on bail after being re-arrested following an investigation into whether their involvement in a reported disturbance and collision on a bridge directly led to Potts entering the river. Potts, who served with the Coldstream Guards, was last seen heading toward Wylam in Northumberland. His body was discovered near Wylam Bridge after a large-scale search involving police, coastguards, and mountain rescue teams. While Potts was not involved in the collision, the police investigation suggested a possible link between the incident and his death. A man and a woman in their 20s were seriously injured in the collision, though the woman has since been discharged from the hospital. Potts’ family expressed deep sorrow and gratitude for the outpouring of support following his death.
What rejoining the EU single market would mean for the UK economy
The article discusses the potential economic and political implications of the United Kingdom rejoining the EU single market. Andy Burnham, a prominent Labour figure, is reportedly advised that this move could lead to a general election victory and a legacy comparable to Tony Blair. Nick Boles, a former Conservative minister turned Labour adviser, advocates for a 'European Confederation' that would allow the UK to access the single market and promote youth mobility without accepting free movement or joining the Eurozone. Economic research commissioned by Best for Britain suggests that rejoining the EU could provide a £92bn GDP boost, potentially recovering most of the economic losses from Brexit. However, some economists argue that the benefits depend on the specific terms of rejoining, with older arrangements offering greater economic gains but facing more public resistance.
Girl, 6, dies after being pulled from sea with family in Sussex
A six-year-old girl named Saja El-Khawas drowned in the sea at Shoreham, England, while swimming with her family. She was hospitalized in critical condition following the incident, but later passed away. Her parents, Hassan El-Khawas and Zeina Alayn, and her 14-year-old sister, Sara El-Khawas, also died earlier in the week. The family, originally from the Palestinian Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon, had traveled from London to visit Shoreham. Authorities believe the deaths were accidental, with no evidence of third-party involvement. The local police continue their investigation, and floral tributes have appeared on the beach. The family's solicitors and the Palestinian Forum in Britain confirmed the identities and deaths of the victims. Sara's school expressed grief over her passing, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham reminded the public of the risks associated with open-water swimming during heatwaves.
Constance Marten given permission to appeal sentence for manslaughter of baby
Constance Marten, a 39-year-old aristocrat, has been granted permission to appeal her 14-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of her newborn daughter, Victoria, who died in a tent on the South Downs in January 2023. Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, 52, who was previously convicted of rape, had fled authorities to avoid having their children placed into care. They were found guilty of manslaughter, child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child, and perverting the course of justice after two lengthy trials. Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced them both to 14 years in prison, with Gordon receiving an additional four years on extended licence. Marten has re-applied for permission to appeal her gross negligence manslaughter conviction. During the trial, it was established that Victoria likely died from hypothermia due to exposure to extreme cold, and the judge dismissed the couple's claim that her death was accidental. The couple had been on the run for seven weeks before being arrested in Brighton, during which time police discovered Victoria's body in a disused shed.
CalMac ferry evacuated over 'bomb threat' after passenger goes overboard at Ardrossan
A CalMac ferry in Scotland was evacuated after a passenger reportedly made a 'bomb threat' following an incident where he went overboard. The MV Caledonian Isles was en route from Brodick to Ardrossan when the man was recovered by the ferry's rescue team. Upon his return to the ship, he allegedly claimed there was a bomb onboard, leading to a major emergency response. Police Scotland confirmed that the threats were not credible and that the 23-year-old man involved has been arrested. All 329 passengers were safely evacuated and later allowed back aboard once the situation was deemed resolved. CalMac canceled all remaining sailings from Ardrossan due to the disruption.