France’s former interior minister has apologised for the first time for the 2022 fiasco at the Stade de France which saw Liverpool football supporters wrongly blamed for a riot.
Gérald Darmanin admitted that security arrangements for the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid were wrong, and that his first public remarks – blaming English fans – were a mistake.
“It was a failure because I had not foreseen. That was a mistake on my part. I was led astray by my preconceptions,” said Darmanin, now France’s justice minister.
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Police used tear gas on Liverpool supporters as they tried to enter the stadium in Paris. Some fans were also ambushed and mugged by gangs of French youths.
In a lengthy interview on the Legend YouTube channel, Darmanin said the night was “the biggest failure” of his career.
“What I did not appreciate that evening was that the real problem was not coming from English supporters, but from delinquents who were robbing fans.
“Our security arrangements were not designed for that eventuality. We had riot police … with big boots and shields – not great for running. What you need against that kind of delinquency is officers in running shoes.
“We got our arrangements wrong. We were expecting a war of (football) hooligans, and what we got instead was muggers.”
In their first comments after the problems, Darmanin and police chief Didier Lallement said the dangerous crush at the stadium was largely caused by Liverpool fans in possession of fake tickets.
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In another section of the interview, Darmanin said that there was “no longer any safe place” in France – a comment that drew fire from the hard-right opposition.
“What a lot of French people can see is that (violence) has become general, it has metastasised. It’s no longer only in the places where you once looked for potential problems.
“Nowadays you can see that the tiniest country village has experience of cocaine or cannabis.”
National Rally MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy noted that Darmanin has been in government since President Emmanuel Macron’s first election in 2017.
Tungay said he was “treating the French like imbeciles, making all these so-called tough declarations when the record is so catastrophic”.
Darmanin, who is 42 and from the political right, did nothing in the interview to dispel speculation that he might be in the running to replace Macron in 2027.
“Do I think of the presidential election? The answer is yes,” he said.
The Royal Family joined for a rare appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day – a telling story when it came to estranged Prince Harry, says expert
VE Day: Royal children watch military procession
The Royal Family’s appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to kick off commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day spoke volumes about the plight of Prince Harry, according to an expert. It was 80 years ago that thousands flocked to The Mall in 1945 at the end of the Second World War and the scenes were repeated today as crowds gathered to greet the King and Queen and watch an RAF flypast after an armed forces parade through the capital.
Members of the monarchy, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, sat with veterans as they watched the parade before making a rare appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a roaring fly past. The royals are scheduled to take part in engagements over the next four days, less than a week after Harry told the BBC his father will not speak to him and he does not know how much longer the King has left.
READ MORE: Prince Louis’ clear verdict on palace balcony of VE Day flypast revealed by lip reader
The Royal Family on the palace balcony today(Image: PA)
The King and Queen are said to be “looking forward” to the week’s events, and it is understood that, out of respect for the surviving veterans, Buckingham Palace hopes “nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries”.
However, according to royal author and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop, Harry’s bombshell interview did reverberate around the event. She told the Mirror: “The balcony scene is without fail one of the high points of any ceremonial occasion, Britain’s first family putting their best foot forward, old and young, uniformed and smiling, the Red Arrows roaring overhead as the royals wave at the crowds down below.
“But despite all the nostalgic flourishes (a particular favourite was Princess Anne channelling her late mother in the same First Aid Nursing Yeomanry uniform Elizabeth wore 80 years ago), there was no escaping the painful reverberations from Harry’s no-holes-barred interview last Friday.
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Prince Harry during his bombshell interview on the BBC(Image: BBC)
“By reminding everyone that his father is unwell (Harry tactlessly said he ‘does not know how much longer’ Charles has), the prince focused hearts and minds on the King. Meanwhile, Kate’s chic burgundy suit and cute collection of children could not distract from the ageing cluster of royals who trooped off the dais and onto the balcony.
“Most notably, the Duke of Kent, now in his 90th year, whose young life was upended when his father died in an aeroplane crash in Scotland in World War Two.
“Like the Duke of Kent, with his own painful back story and military prowess, Harry was once a credible addition to ceremonial events, a flash of youthful charisma that spoke to future generations of service.” Tessa says she has met families who have lost sons and daughters in Afghanistan, who have been nothing but complimentary of Harry, who served two tours of duty there.
And she explained: “I have interviewed families who lost sons and daughters in Afghanistan and Iraq and who testify to the importance of Harry on that commemorative circuit. How far the Prince has subsequently fallen in our nation’s esteem.
Harry’s estranged father King Charles (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
“While many of us had a degree of sympathy for Harry over the scaling back of his security brief, the broadside he launched against his own father, the King (and the commander-and-chief of our armed forces) was unforgivable on the eve of these all-important VE Day commemorations.
“The Prince talked from two sides of his mouth, on the one hand apparently longing for reconciliation while simultaneously doubling down on the importance of his truth.
“The scale of the attack and its very public nature suggests that any redemptive move and meaningful reconciliation is unlikely to take place. This will gut the King, who is a sensitive man with a lot on his plate.”
And now she sees a case of history repeating itself from the royal balcony appearance 80 years ago in 1945. She added: “While many of us regard the royals on the famous red-clad balcony with dewy-eyed affection, it is hard not to find uncomfortable parallels with the same scene in 1945.
“Eighty years ago the disgraced Duke of Windsor, (abdicated Edward VIII) was nowhere to be seen, scroll forward eight decades and likewise there is a gaping hole on the balcony.
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“And, as the Duke of Windsor learnt to his cost, while the Royal Family are emboldened by national commemorative events, trying to eek out a living on the sidelines is far harder. Be assured this is not the last we will hear from Harry, a man who has lost so much on the quest to find himself.”
Tessa Dunlop is the author of the new book Lest We Forget War and Peace in 100 British Monuments.
Middlesex (19 pts) beat Kent (3 pts) by two wickets
Luke Hollman’s maiden century paved the way for Middlesex to snatch a dramatic victory as they edged past Kent in a see-saw County Championship classic at Lord’s.
Bowled out for 129 on the opening day, Kent looked favourites after setting a stiff target of 365 and reducing their hosts to 81-3 overnight – but Hollman’s diligent knock of 103 anchored a remarkable fightback.
The 24-year-old shared key partnerships with Stephen Eskinazi (41) – who retired hurt with a back spasm but returned later – and Jack Davies (59), only for leg-spinner Matt Parkinson to turn the contest back in Kent’s favour, dismissing Hollman and Davies in quick succession.
It needed an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 52 between Toby Roland-Jones and Zafar Gohar to wrap up a record Middlesex run chase against Kent, the latter slog-sweeping Parkinson (3-105) for six to secure victory with just one over remaining.
A morning shower slightly delayed the resumption of Middlesex’s innings before not-out batters Hollman and Eskinazi knuckled down to blunt the visitors’ attack with few causes for alarm.
Hollman overtook his partner by steering Kashif Ali to the point boundary and, even though Parkinson extracted some turn from the Pavilion End, the pair made steady progress during the first hour and a half.
However, they were separated when Eskinazi – having turned Parkinson behind square – clutched at his lower back while completing a routine single and grimaced with pain as he sank to the turf at the bowler’s end.
The opener eventually limped back to the dressing room, with replacement Ryan Higgins doing well to dig out an inswinging yorker from Jamal Richards shortly before another bout of drizzle curtailed the session.
Hollman advanced beyond 50 for the sixth time in his red-ball career after lunch, sweeping and on-driving Parkinson for boundaries and then nudging a single to reach his individual landmark as Middlesex’s target dipped below 200.
But it was the former England leg-spinner who achieved a breakthrough, reacting quickly to deflect Hollman’s straight drive on to the wicket with non-striker Higgins scrambling in vain to make his ground.
The run-out raised Kent spirits, with more close fielders ushered in as Parkinson was joined by Jack Leaning in a spin-only offensive, capturing another wicket as Tawanda Muyeye raced out from slip to snare a looping edge off bat and pad of Ben Geddes.
Kashif returned to share the new ball with George Garrett, who was hoisted over the rope at long leg by Davies but almost accounted for Hollman on the stroke of tea, a clipped half-volley fractionally eluding the diving midwicket fielder.
Hollman kept his cool to complete his ton from 184 balls and that was the signal for Davies to press the accelerator, slamming Garrett for a six and three fours during a single over that cost 29 in all.
A reverse sweep for four off Parkinson took Davies to his half-century and simultaneously lifted Middlesex’s total above 300 – yet the pendulum appeared to swing again as Parkinson picked up two wickets in three balls.
Hollman was first to go, snapped up at short leg before Davies holed out to deep midwicket and, having returned with a runner, Eskinazi could increase his score by just two before Joey Evison pinned him lbw with 51 still required.
Gohar and Roland-Jones (23 not out) gradually whittled those down, while Evison (3-71) and Parkinson maintained the pressure in tandem as the overs ticked away and shadows began to lengthen.
With five needed and seven balls remaining, Gohar (30 not out) took on Parkinson and dispatched the ball over the short boundary to seal Middlesex’s second win of the season.
Donald Trump, the president of the United States, claims that Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his Turkish counterpart, and they have discussed a number of issues, including ending Russia’s occupation of Gaza and Syria.
Trump claimed that Erdogan had invited him to Turkiye and that he had also invited the Turkish leader to Washington, DC during the call on Monday. No dates were given.
Erdogan had invited Trump for a visit, according to a read-out of the Turkish presidency’s call.
The Republican president pledged to help put an end to the Ukrainian war by calling his relationship with Erdogan “excellent” during his first year in office.
“I look forward to working with President Erdogan to end the absurd but deadly War between Russia and Ukraine right away”! Trump stated in a statement on his social media platform Truth Social.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO member Turkiye has held two talks aimed at putting an end to the conflict and has tried to maintain good relations with both of its Black Sea neighbors.
President Erdogan expressed appreciation for the efforts being made to maintain the negotiations with Iran and stop the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to Turkiye’s Directorate of Communications in a statement posted on X.
Erdogan also urged a ceasefire in Gaza, citing the country’s “grave level” humanitarian crisis as a warning.
The Turkish president also emphasized the necessity of “the immediate eradication of this tragic situation” and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.
Erdogan reiterated Turkiye’s commitment to preserving its territorial integrity and restoring stability to neighboring Syria.
He claimed that the US’s efforts to stifle Syria’s new government would advance the situation and promote regional harmony.
Erdogan stated that Turkey was still committed to expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in the defense sector.
Alpine are poised to replace Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto after just six races of the season.
The Australian’s seat has been at risk since the team signed Colapinto from Williams over the winter.
Alpine refused to comment, but insiders say the switch is close to being finalised before the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy on 16-18 May.
The decision to switch the two drivers comes despite Doohan out-qualifying team-mate Pierre Gasly for the first time this season at last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
He retired from the race after a collision with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson.
Doohan has shown strong pace at times but has also had a series of incidents, including two heavy crashes.
He lost control in the wet on the first lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, badly damaging his car, and crashed on his second flying lap of practice at the Japanese event two races later.
The Suzuka crash came after Doohan failed to close the DRS overtaking aid before turning into the high-speed Turn One.
Colapinto’s graduation has been eased by money from Latin American sponsors.
The Argentine raced for Williams in nine grands prix last year after the team dropped American Logan Sargeant after the Dutch Grand Prix.
Colapinto impressed by scoring points in the Azerbaijan and US races but dented his reputation with heavy crashes at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix – in qualifying and race – and in qualifying at the Las Vegas.
He had also crashed in practice in Baku before scoring his breakthrough first points in the race.
Alpine signed Colapinto from Williams over the winter, leading to immediate speculation that he would eventually replace Doohan.
Williams team principal James Vowles has made it clear the team have the option to take him back in the future.
Love Island star Lucie Donlan already looks like a blushing bride ahead of her nuptials to Luke Mabbott as she has began wedding dress shopping, with the couple now having set a date.
Love Island’s Lucie Donlan and Luke Mabbott have finally set a date for their wedding, over three years since getting engaged
Lucie Donlan has started trying on wedding dresses ahead of marrying fiancé Luke Mabbott, as the couple have exclusively revealed to Mirror that they have set a date for their wedding.
The former Love Island stars have locked in a 2026 wedding, with preparations now in full swing. Beginning wedding dress shopping, Lucie looked stunning this week at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, where she tried on several gowns.
From a floating off-the-shoulder number to a fitted corset dress, Lucie certainly got some ideas for her own big day during the trip.
Joined by her fiancé, Luke was dapper in a pinstripe suit for the occasion as they posed for a number of pictures at the event, which is a trade show and the world’s leading bridal event.
Lucie looked stunning as she tried on bridalwear in Barcelona last week at a wedding event
Luke popped the question to Lucy in December 2021 during a trip to Finland in front of the Northern Lights, revealing the news via Instagram as he wrote: “Mrs Mabbott to be. The northern lights made an appearance for the perfect moment to pop the question. A night we will never forget.”
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Back in 2023, Lucie said she had found a wedding dress during an impromptu shopping spree, which Luke was there for. At the time, she said that despite her partner being in the shop with her, he hadn’t seen the dress itself.
However, with Lucie seemingly dress shopping once again, the star has perhaps had a change of heart on the previous gown.
And after the longer engagement, the couple recently said that after a long engagement, they’re finally feeling ready to get wedding prep underway.
She appeared to be browsing for inspiration, despite having previously shared that she found a wedding dress
The couple told Mirror: “We’ve had a long engagement which has been lovely as it has given us time to really think about our dream day. We now know exactly what and I think going on this trip really sparked some more inspiration for our wedding plans.”
Previously, Lucie and Luke had put wedding plans on the back foot to focus on renovating their Cornwall home – which was originally a 1879 Chapel.
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Lucie appeared on Love Island in 2019 alongside stars such as Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury – famously having a romance with the latter in the villa before Molly-Mae entered as a bombshell.
Lucie attempted to rekindle things with the boxer later in the series, but he stayed loyal to Molly-Mae, who he went on to welcome daughter Bambi with in 2023 and propose to in August last year. The couple have since split up and rekindled their romance in recent months.
Meanwhile. Luke was on the show a year later in 2020, and was coupled up with Demi Jones. After both failing to find love in the ITV2 villa, Luke and Lucie began their relationship in July 2020.
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