54 minutes ago ‘I’m a pain in the backside ... an awkward sod’: Alan Bates on love, justice and the Post Office scandal

He became a household name after ITV turned Britain’s biggest miscarriage of justice into a drama. He reflects on his fight for compensation, turning down an OBE – and getting married on Richard Branson’s island Sir Alan Bates is at home in Llandudno with his wife Suzanne. Or, as he puts it, Lady Suzanne. You might know him better as Mr Bates from the Post Office scandal. He is the man who refused to give up when the Post Office told thousands of subpostmasters that they were inept or corrupt rather than acknowledging they were victims of flawed Horizon computer technology and managerial mendacity. It resulted in the biggest miscarriage of justice Britain has known – more than 900 people convicted of theft or false accounting, 236 jailed, numerous family breakdowns and at least four suicides.For 20 years, few of us knew about the scandal. But gradually his campaign built up steam, thanks largely to his tireless work. In January, ITV turned it into a gripping docudrama, Mr Bates vs t...

Society

54 minutes ago The Christmas that went wrong: I met my new girlfriend’s family – and talk turned to my book on masturbation

My partner’s family knew I was writing about self-discovery and self-pleasure, but I wasn’t prepared for where the discussion would take usI flew from London to New York on Christmas Eve 2014 to spend Christmas Day with Cassie’s family. It’s the sort of thing you’re supposed to do when you’ve been going out with someone for 10 years, but I’d only known Cassie a few months. She came out to her father about dating me and it didn’t go down well. Then, a few weeks later, she told him over a family dinner that I was writing a book about masturbation. Her sister and mother took her aside in the kitchen afterwards. “Why didn’t you just tell him she’s writing a book on travel, or something?” her sister asked.Spending Christmas Day together was supposed to smooth things over, but no sooner had we sat down to eat than her father asked me about what I was writing. Maybe he thought I’d changed my mind, and gone for something a bit more Downton Abbey? Cassie’s sister looked at me intently, darin...

Politics

54 minutes ago Champagne’s sordid secret: the homeless and hungry migrants picking grapes for France’s luxury winemakers

Exclusive: Guardian investigation finds an underpaid, underfed workforce, some of whom are forced to sleep on the streets, exploited by a system of labour providersPhotographs by Valentina Camu/Divergence for the GuardianA Guardian investigation has found workers in France’s champagne industry are being underpaid and forced to sleep on the streets and steal food to stave off hunger.Workers from west Africa and eastern Europe in the town of Épernay, home to the headquarters of some of the world’s most expensive champagne brands, including Moët & Chandon and Mercier, claim that they are either not being paid for their work or illegally underpaid by vineyards near the town. Continue reading...

Events

54 minutes ago King Charles 'replaces' Prince Harry as 'Royal Family joker' for Christmas tradition

The Royal Family has a long-standing tradition of exchanging joke gifts at Christmas - and it seems that King Charles is the one who is now carrying on the tradition

Politics

76 minutes ago Influencer goes viral for wearing $9k dress to her family Thanksgiving. What will she wear for Christmas?

Brigette Pheloung wore Parker Zinn’s Merino wool gown to Thanksgiving while her family wore Gap jeans

Science

99 minutes ago Delicious gingerbread recipe loved by Prince George makes for a perfect last minute Christmas treat

The deliciously moreish gingerbread cookie recipe beloved by the royal family will be a staple of their festive celebration this year - and it's easier to recreate than you may think

Politics

1 hour ago It's the holidays in Zimbabwe. Time to celebrate by unveiling a family tombstone

Some of the most festive times of Zimbabwe's holiday season occur around the unveiling of tombstones for late relatives

Politics

1 hour ago The Eluned Morgan interview: Why I went for the top job, facing Nigel Farage, and how I'll spend Christmas

Wales' First Minister started the year saying she wasn't sure she wanted to carry on as health minister. Now she is leading her nation, guiding her party towards a seismic election, but making time for Gavin & Stacey and karaoke too

Politics

2 hours ago What is DAZN, the global streaming service behind the sale of Australian pay

British platform is backed by billionaire Len Blavatnik and run by Shay Segev, former chef executive of gambling giant EntainGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe global sports streaming service DAZN has agreed to buy a majority stake in the Australian pay-TV giant Foxtel and its subsidiary streaming services Kayo, Binge and Hubbl.The $3.4bn deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval, could boost the international profile of Australian sport and provide a major windfall to DAZN, which remains relatively unknown in Australia. Continue reading...

Economics

3 hours ago Denzel Washington baptized and presented with minister's license at NYC church ahead of milestone birthday

Washington, who celebrates his 70th birthday December 28, was seen in a series of images documenting his day at the religious institution .

Politics