Archive July 1, 2025

In this Tuesday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day from the country’s longest ever cold case conviction to a common prescription drug warning

Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we’ll be pulling together all the best stories of the day from our News, Royal, Politics teams and more. This Tuesday, we’re bringing you inside the newsroom with coverage on the country’s longest ever cold case conviction through to the amber health alert.

Our Politics team has been following the latest on Keir Starmer’s major rebellion threat, with a key vote on welfare reforms later today. Meanwhile, we’ve also covered the arrest of three ex-members of the senior leadership team at a hospital where Lucy Letby worked in connection with alleged manslaughter.

Ryland Headley, 92, to die in jail for 1967 rape and murder of Louisa Dunne, 75

Our News team has been closely following the country’s longest ever cold case conviction, in which a 92-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison – with a minimum term of 20 years – for the rape and murder of an elderly widow in 1967.

Ryland Headley claimed he was innocent but was caught after his DNA was found back in the 60s and re-tested with modern forensic techniques. He was found guilty after a trial at Bristol Crown Court of killing 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in her own home.

The twice-widowed woman was found dead by a neighbour in her home in the Easton area of Bristol on June 28, 1967. She was fully dressed, but had her knickers round her ankles and a nylon type stocking lying across her neck. She had been strangled.

Read the full story here.

DWP chief Liz Kendall beams outside No10 despite brewing welfare rebellion

Meanwhile, our Politics team has been working around the clock to provide live updates as Keir Starmer faces rebellion over the controversial welfare cuts. This evening, MPs are due to vote on reforms – first set out in March – with the government bracing for a huge revolt from angry Labour MPs.

Ministers hope major concessions will be enough to win over Labour rebels. Welfare chief Liz Kendall was this morning seen smiling as she put on a positive face ahead of this afternoon’s debate. She yesterday defended the massive DWP shake-up after a bruising week for the government over controversial disability cuts.

While some Labour MPs have said they will back the government after last week’s concessions, which will protect current claimants, some 50-60 of them are still said to be considering voting against the government. It would be the biggest revolt of Mr Starmer’s premiership so far.

Read the full story here.

Common prescription drugs that can be fatal when taken in scorching 35C heat

In other news, an amber health alert has been issued in parts of the UK for the second time in two weeks amid the sweltering heatwave. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issues the alert during periods of extreme heat, which could impact people’s health and wellbeing and therefore put strain on public services like the NHS. The amber warning means the entire population could be at risk from the extreme heat, with travel likely to be disrupted, and more ambulances needed.

Experts have warned that five million Brits could be at a further increased health risk due to a common prescription medication: antidepressants. One of the common side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is sweating more than normal – and in a heatwave this can present a danger, experts have claimed.

Read the full story here.

Three former bosses at Lucy Letby hospital arrested

This morning, our News team reported that three ex-members of the senior leadership team at the hospital where Lucy Letby worked have been arrested in connection with alleged manslaughter. The three were in leadership roles at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016, but have not been named. They were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

It comes after Letby, 35, was found guilty of murdering seven children as well as attempting to murder seven more between June 2015 and June 2016. She had been working at the neonatal unit at the hospital at the time.

Read the full story here.

‘Buckingham Palace pretends royals prudent with our money – it’s hogwash! ‘

Finally, former Minister of State for Home Affairs Norman Baker has slammed Buckingham Palace ‘pretending to be prudent’ as ‘utter hogwash’. It comes as the Royal Family’s accounts for 2024 to 2025 have been revealed, showing the Firm spent a total of £2.7million last year on travel by private jet, helicopters and rail.

In an opinion piece for the Mirror, Norman wrote: “Buckingham Palace pretends the royals are being prudent with public money. What utter hogwash. They even have the cheek to suggest that Charles is being generous because he only takes 12% of the income of the Crown Estate.

“Reality check: the Crown Estate has in effect been a public body since 1760, and until 2011, 100% of its profits went to the Treasury to pay for schools, hospitals, defence and, yes, disability benefits. This 12% is a new royal tax on the public purse.”

He added: “The shocking truth is that the royals really don’t care how much public money they spend. Last year they incredibly ran up a bill for the taxpayer of almost £1. 2m on charter flights just within Great Britain to places as difficult to reach as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle. ”

Read the full story here.

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Jenny Ryan, also known as the Vixen, competed against two contestants in the final round of ITV’s the Chase in an episode hosted by Bradley Walsh that aired yesterday

Some viewers were left confused over an answer that was accepted by host Bradley Walsh on an episode of The Chase that aired this week. It came during a team’s final showdown against Jenny Ryan on the ITV quiz show.

An episode that aired yesterday saw four contestants take on Jenny, 43, who is also known as the Vixen, in a series of general knowledge rounds. Only two of them, Nick and Laura, made it to the final round against her, though.

The contestants had amassed a prize fund of £3,000 by that point and the pair managed to get 14 correct answers in their last round. Jenny then faced her final questions and one of her answers caught the attention of viewers at home.

Early on in her final chase, Bradley, 65, asked: “What colour top indicates semi-skimmed milk on bottles? ” After taking a moment over the question, Jenny responded: “Red and silver. ” The host reacted to her answer: “I’ll accept. “

Some fans were confused over the decision, though, with them suggesting that the correct answer should have been green. They shared their thoughts on X, with one viewer writing on the platform: “Semi-skimmed milk tops are green. “

Another asked: “I thought semi-skimmed was green? ! ” Someone else commented amid discussion about the episode: “Weird he just accepted a wrong answer! ” Whilst another person wrote in a post: “Semi-skimmed is green! “

It was however pointed out that glass and plastic containers differ in colour coding. Some fans noted that glass bottles for semi skimmed milk have foil caps featuring red and silver stripes, whilst plastic alternatives often have green tops.

Addressing the confusion, one person wrote on X this week: “Semi skimmed milk in glass bottles are red/silver striped. Poly containers it’s green. ” Another said whilst the episode aired yesterday: “On bottles it’s red and silver stripes. “

It isn’t the first time that the question has prompted a reaction, with the episode having previously aired in 2022. At the time, it similarly was met with reaction from viewers over the accepted answer by host Bradley on the quiz show.

After answering the question, Jenny went on to get more correct answers in the final chase than the two remaining contestants, despite some pushbacks. Although they didn’t win the money, they received praise from the chaser.

Jenny, who had seven seconds to spare, told the team that they had “great answers” to a few “tricky questions”. She told them: “I think that shows that the total in the final chase doesn’t tell the whole story because you scored 14 with some great answers to some tricky questions. “

She added that as a result, she faced some challenging questions herself. Jenny said: “It meant that the equal set for me had some tricky ones in there that were gonna catch me out, but also some straightforward ones that I should have got. “

The Chase airs most weekdays on ITV and ITVX from 5pm.

Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has died at the age of 90. His death comes two weeks after he was rushed to hospital following cardiac arrest at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

His son Donnie confirmed his dad had faced an uphill battle after losing consciousness during the medical incident a fortnight ago. Speaking to ABC affiliate WBRZ-TV prior to his death, Donnie said: “Without a miracle, his time is short. “

His family PR, Megan Kelly, also told the outlet that Swaggart had been transported to hospital following the medical emergency. Kelly said: “Ambulances were able to respond very quickly.

“They gave him CPR, they took turns doing it, and you can imagine how emotional that was and how stressful that was in that moment. “

A day before he died, Swaggart was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Swaggart was best known for his dramatic appearances in front of huge crowds. He was known as being the leader behind the SonLife Broadcasting Network and also pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge.

Swaggart was the cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis and often spoke of the rock pioneer in his sermons. In 1981, Swaggart received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance for his album titled Worship.

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McDonald’s exclusive McGold Card grants holders free meals for life or a set period, depending on whether it’s issued by corporate or a local franchise, and fans are outraged to learn who owns one

McDonald’s has sparked outrage after it was revealed that one of its exclusive McGold Cards, which grants the holder free meals for life or a designated period, has been given to American billionaire Bill Gates. The fast food giant’s card is a rarely issued perk with some recipients able to use them at any McDonald’s restaurant worldwide, while others are restricted to their local area.

Social media users were left fuming after learning that the Microsoft co-founder, who is reportedly worth $117.1 billion (£85billion) holds the coveted card, with many arguing he is undeserving due to his wealth. The Instagram page How Things Work shared the news about Gates’ McGold Card, leading to a flurry of critical comments.

One user sarcastically quipped: “Glad to see McDonald’s helping those truly in need. ” Another added: “Pretty sure he can afford a happy meal babes. “

A third humorously remarked: “McWhy.” A fourth user commented: “Because billionaires need free fast food.” A fifth suggested: “Give it to a poor family.”

A different critic shared their disdain: “Couldn’t pick anyone underprivileged and hungry? No, no…let’s give free food to one of the richest men in the world…while we fight for children to be fed at school.”

According to the caption on Instagram, the shiny McGold Card that Bill Gates has can be used at any McDonald’s around the globe.

Gates revealed his unique card during a TikTok video with chef Nick DiGiovanni, proudly displaying his pass which reads: “Entitled to a complimentary meal at any McDonald’s. Michael R. Quinlan Chairman and CEO McDonald’s Corporation.”

Though Gates openly shared in the video that he rarely uses the card given his ability to pay for meals himself.

Joining Gates in the elite circle of McGold Card holders is Warren Buffett, the renowned American billionaire investor, entitled to free lifetime McDonald’s in Omaha, Nebraska only.

Reader’s Digest disclosed Rob Lowe had a McGold Card limited to Santa Barbara and Goleta, California, courtesy of David Patterson, whose father was behind the Egg McMuffin. His card expired in 2016.

The magazine hinted at the exclusivity of the McGold Card, indicating it’s not within easy reach for regular people.

According to Reader’s Digest, the fast food giant McDonald’s held a ‘McDonald’s for Life’ competition in December 2022 as part of their ‘SZN of Sharing’ promotion.

Over a fortnight, each purchase made through the McDonald’s app earned customers another entry to win the coveted McGold Card, along with three more entries to share with family or friends.

The card entitled the lucky winner to two complimentary McDonald’s meals every week for a whopping 50 years.