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 Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 482
71/100
Factual
65/100
Objective
714
Articles
714
reports
Top stories
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Recent coverage
Three men found not guilty of murdering journalist Lyra McKee
Three men from Derry were found not guilty of murdering journalist Lyra McKee in 2019 during riots in Derry. McKee, 29, was killed by a gunshot while observing the unrest. The New IRA claimed responsibility for the attack. During a lengthy trial in Belfast Crown Court, the men were cleared of murder charges, though prosecutors argued they were involved in a joint enterprise to assist the shooter. The defense criticized the prosecution's reliance on speculation, and the judge previously ruled there was enough evidence to proceed. McKee's family expressed deep disappointment, calling the outcome a failure of the justice system and demanding an end to the 'culture of silence' in Northern Ireland. The judge acknowledged the tragedy and regretted the lack of progress in identifying the killer.
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.
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.
Novak Djokovic’s new job could see his net worth rocket as tennis icon links up with millionaire
Novak Djokovic has taken on a new role as a strategic adviser for General Atlantic, a multi-billion-pound investment firm with significant interests in sports-related ventures. This comes ahead of Djokovic's participation in the Wimbledon tennis tournament, where he will face Wu Yibing. General Atlantic holds a minority stake in Grupo Aguilas, which owns Mexican football club Club América and the Azteca Stadium. The firm also invested in LiveMode, a Brazilian sports media and marketing agency linked to FIFA and UEFA. Djokovic's partnership with General Atlantic aims to leverage his influence to expand the firm's presence in the health and wellness sector. Both Djokovic and General Atlantic emphasized shared values such as discipline, long-term thinking, and perseverance.
Burnham targets Gen Z voters with tax breaks to help them onto property ladder
Andy Burnham, the prime minister-in-waiting, is exploring significant tax reforms aimed at supporting Gen Z voters by offering income tax exemptions for the first three years of full-time employment, potentially costing up to £3.5 billion. The proposal seeks to help young people save for a home deposit and includes additional measures such as rent-to-buy assistance and expanding a successful public transport initiative in Manchester across England. Burnham also plans to increase social housing construction and avoid changes to existing tax policies, including maintaining Rachel Reeves' borrowing rules and not increasing VAT or income taxes. While the plan addresses challenges like the generational wealth gap, critics warn of potential loopholes, such as parents redirecting income through their children to avoid taxation. Burnham faces financial constraints due to a £4.7 billion deficit in defense spending and must balance ambitious proposals with fiscal responsibility.
Boohoo boss orders return to office, saying staff shouldn’t be ‘sat in bed wearing grey tracksuit bottoms’
Dan Finley, CEO of Boohoo, has announced that all 1,500 head office staff will return to the office five days a week, criticizing remote work as unproductive and detrimental to company performance. He argues that physical presence is crucial for a fashion business, allowing employees to test products and observe trends. Finley emphasizes collaboration and relationship-building in the workplace, which he claims are harder to achieve remotely. His comments come amid broader discussions about the future of work in the UK, where average office attendance remains above 40% weekly. While some businesses want a full return to pre-pandemic norms, others highlight potential health benefits of remote work, though it can also lead to antisocial hours and career stagnation.
Mahmood introduces radical reforms to asylum system including clampdown on modern slavery claims
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has proposed significant changes to the asylum system, aiming to restrict asylum seekers' ability to remain in the UK based on family ties and limit modern slavery claims. The reforms include tightening the interpretation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects private and family life, by limiting 'family' to immediate relatives like parents, spouses, or children under 18, with exceptions. Asylum seekers would be required to live with these family members if claiming they need to stay in the UK for that reason. Additionally, the legislation states that no weight should be given to private life or family connections built in the UK for those without legal status. The reforms also introduce a requirement for refugees to repay £10,000 to the Home Office once they begin working, mirroring a student loan model. Critics argue this could separate refugee families and increase uncertainty for vulnerable individuals. The bill also limits modern slavery support for those with criminal records and streamlines refugee status with humanitarian protection.
Photo of Andy Burnham edited to include several women wearing Islamic dress
On 1 July 2026, Full Fact reported that an image circulating on social media showing Andy Burnham, the newly elected MP for Makerfield, standing next to several women wearing Islamic dress had been edited. The article states that the image was altered to include women in hijabs and niqabs who were not present in the original photograph posted by Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell on 22 June. The original photo showed Burnham with Powell and Jessica Morden during his return to Parliament. The edited image removed these two women but kept other figures like Chancellor Rachel Reeves and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in their positions. Other unedited photos from the same day show Burnham with Labour colleagues from different angles, confirming there are no authentic images of him with a group of women in Islamic dress in the foreground. The article highlights the importance of verifying images before sharing them on social media, noting that similar fake images of Burnham have circulated previously.
Police chiefs hit out at Starmer’s U-turn on late pub openings for England game and warn of surge in violent incidents
UK police chiefs have criticized the government's last-minute decision to allow pubs to stay open until 5am on 6 July for England's World Cup match against Mexico. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) expressed concern that the late announcement would force police to divert resources from community policing and potentially lead to increased violence and domestic abuse due to alcohol-related incidents. Chief Constables Mark Roberts and Scott Green emphasized the need for responsible drinking and urged patrons to remain considerate. Former Metropolitan Police officer Andy Trotter warned of potential disruptions as people emerge from pubs in the early morning, clashing with bleary-eyed commuters. Downing Street defended the decision, stating that plans were announced as quickly as possible following confirmation of England's progress in the tournament.
Pubs allowed to stay open until 5am for England Mexico match
Pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to remain open until 05:00 on Monday to accommodate fans watching England's World Cup match against Mexico, which starts at 01:00 UK time. The government initially resisted extending licensing hours beyond existing World Cup rules but reversed its stance after pressure, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stating the decision benefits both fans and pubs. Licensing hours were previously extended to 01:00 for matches starting between 17:00 and 22:00, but the new rule covers the late-night game. Business minister Kate Dearden had initially opposed the extension, but emergency legislation was introduced to allow pubs to stay open until the match ends. Concerns have been raised about road safety due to late-night drinking and hot weather increasing dehydration risks, prompting advice for drivers to avoid operating vehicles until fully rested and hydrated.
What is Keir Starmer’s plan to increase UK defence spending and is it affordable?
Sir Keir Starmer's government has announced plans to increase UK defense spending, aiming to allocate an additional £1 billion to modernize the armed forces and ensure national security. The Defense Investment Plan (DIP), delayed due to internal disagreements over funding levels, has faced criticism from former defense secretary John Healey, who argued the proposed funding falls short of what is needed to address immediate threats. While the government aims to reach 3.5% of GDP for defense by 2035, current projections show spending increasing only to 2.68% by 2030. This decision follows geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, as well as efforts to strengthen NATO ties and reduce reliance on U.S. support. Critics, including former defense officials like George Robertson and Malcolm Rifkind, argue that the current plan lacks sufficient investment and suggest reallocating funds from welfare or raising taxes to meet defense needs.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Dad on the run from police after killing baby daughter in drink-drive crash
Deaths linked to London air pollution have fallen 40%, study estimates
Trump says Starmer will resign after ‘failing badly on immigration and energy’
Jo Cox’s sister warns of UK’s ‘divisive rhetoric and dangerous language’ ten years after MP’s murder
Grenfell survivors embrace firefighters at emotional anniversary march
Criminals backed by Iran and Russian-state proxies to face 14 years in jail under tough new powers
