NEWS_KF18THAPRIL20240730

MP Mark Menzies has given up the Conservative Party whip while allegations of campaign fund misuse are investigated. He denies the accusations and will sit as an independent during the investigation. The post office scandal continues with concerns that many may have been wrongly convicted. The Scottish Government is expected to abandon its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. Prince Harry has officially made the United States his primary address. Taylor Swift has been teasing her new album with QR codes and hidden clues. With the latest, I'm Kyle Fraser. An MP has given up the Conservative Party whip while newspaper claims about alleged misuse of campaign funds are investigated. Mark Menzies, who represents Fylde in Lancashire, denies the accusations made in The Times. He'll sit as an independent in the House of Commons while the party examines the allegations. Sky's political correspondent, Mari Arora, has been reading a statement from him. He says, I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I fully complied with all the rules for declarations. And then a Conservative Party spokesman said that it's investigating the allegations and it's rightfully confidential. There's a claim that we might have another post office scandal on our hands. Oliver's been looked on as being the man who robbed the post office. That was the worst time of my life. I'd lost a good number of friends over it. Both my parents were alive at the time and they lived the shame as well. Former sub-postmaster Steve Lewis lost his job and was forced to sell his home after being accused of stealing, but before the dates of the Horizon scandal. That's despite concerns and shortfalls and glitches in the IT system Capture, used in the 90s. And independent reviews now being conducted with fears dozens may have been wrongly convicted. The post office says it's also investigating several lines of inquiry. The Scottish Government's expected to abandon its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75% in 2030. Net Zero Secretary Mary McAllen said ministers are committed to tackling the climate crisis urgently, but need collective will to do so. Ruth McKee has more. The statement at Holyrood comes after a report warned the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% in six years is out of reach. Independent experts consider its wider plans are beyond what is credible. Scotland has missed eight of the past 12 annual targets. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon rejected suggestions in 2021 she'd overcooked the ambitions. Net Zero Secretary Mary McAllen will make an announcement this afternoon. Prince Harry has officially given up the UK after lifting the United States as his primary address. The Duke of Sussex has put his mansion in California as his usual residence on company's house filings. Harry and his wife Meghan moved to America after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. And in showbiz, the QR codes appeared on a building in Chicago teasing Taylor Swift's new album. The Grammy-winning singer's been hiding clues across the world ahead of releasing the Tortured Poets Department tomorrow. Scanning the mural directs you to a video including the text ERROR321 as it's spelt out in a typewriter-like font, as well as her favourite number 13 beneath it. There's more news online at galio.co.uk