Daily Mail looking for trainees

Last year I celebrated my 20th year running the Daily Mail's editorial training scheme. There have been more than 500 trainees in London, New York and Sydney ... many who are now senior executives on the papers and online. The details are here. And today we start all over again. We are looking for budding journalists who want to work for Britain's most successful newspaper group. The details are on Hold The Front Page here. Get your application in and I might see you in September. 

Test your knowledge with the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Toby Brown with 22.5, just ahead of George Mann and Robert Rea on 22, Janet Boyle on 21.5, Johnny Jenkins on 20 and Jon Ball on 18. The top team was the Queen’s Head drinkers Amanda, Kevin, Nicky, Les, Peter and Stacey with 22.5, narrowly ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons with 22. Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Neil and Jo Benson scored 20.5, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 19 and Thom and Rosie 15.5. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

Today's front-pages

1. What is the name of the former Cabinet minister who called for his party to replace Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister or be 'massacred' in the General Election?
2. The former Cabinet minister who called for Rishi Sunak to be replaced told the BBC: 'No one likes that guy that’s shouting __ but I suspect that people will be even less happy if we hit the __.’ What is the missing word?
3. The House of Lords voted by 214 to 171 to not ratify what?

4. The head of the Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders said Britain should train a '__ army' ready to fight a war on land in the future? What is the missing word?
5. Messages revealed to the COVID inquiry showed that Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described ex PM Boris Johnson as what during the pandemic?
6. Paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane was sentenced to indefinite detention in a high-security hospital after randomly killing two students and a caretaker during a knife rampage in which city?

7. According to the Hamas-run health ministry how many people have been killed in Gaza since Israel's offensive began?
8. A health charity warned that almost 10 million people in England can no longer access the free removal of what on the NHS?
9. An Ofcom consultation document on the future of the postal service, led Downing Street to say: 'The Prime Minister would not countenance seeing __ deliveries scrapped.’ What is the missing word?
10. With Jocelyn causing chaos, how many named storms have now hit the UK this season - equalling the record?
11. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, leaving who as Donald Trump’s only significant Republican rival?
12. Which country become the fifth to land a spacecraft on the moon?
13. Alabama executed convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith using what?
14. Which retailer dropped an advert for school uniforms after it was accused of sexualising young children?
15. Scientists kept the Doomsday Clock - which shows how symbolically close the world is to Armageddon - at how many seconds to midnight?
16. Who announced he was quitting his job saying he was 'running out of energy' and 'I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again'?
17. Who said on Instagram: 'Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but I'm in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support?’
18. German music producer Frank Farian, who died aged 82, was founder of which disco band who had hit singles including Daddy Cool, Rasputin and Rivers of Babylon?
19. Actress Reese Witherspoon caused an online stir by sharing a TikTok video in which she enjoyed a 'chococinno' made of what topped with coffee, chocolate and salted caramel syrups?
20. Which sporting personality said he would 'swap eyes' with his son if it was possible to help the teenager see again?
21. Oppenheimer was shortlisted in how many categories for next month’s Oscars - the most nominations for a single film since 2018?
22. The second leg semi-finals of the Carabao Cup were played this week, meaning which two football teams will meet in the final on February 25? Half a point for each?
23. Actor Tom Hollander told how he was mistakenly sent a seven-figure bonus for a role in a film he wasn't in. What was the film?
24. The BBC pulled an episode of which TV programme from iPlayer after concerns were raised about ‘extravagant claims’ for health products?
25. Which singer-songwriter received seven Brit Award nominations, a new record for one artist in a single year?

Answers here

Regional Press Awards shortlist announced

I am delighted to be chairing the judges again, along with Alison Gow, in this year’s Regional Press Awards. We spent yesterday in intense and lively debate with more than 50 respected judges from the industry. Whatever challenges the regional titles might be facing, I am delighted to report that the standard in all categories was exceptionally high. The shortlists are here and there is a report on Hold The Front Page here. Well done all those nominated and I look forward to a celebratory drink on April 16. 

It's newsquiz time ...

Last week’s newsquiz was clearly tougher than usual with average scores well down. To spare their blushes, I haven’t included those who recorded a score of less than 15. The top solo scorers were Damon Wake and George Mann with 18.5, ahead of Janet Boyle on 18 and Robert Rea on 15. The top team was the Queen's Head drinkers Amanda, Kevin, Stacey, Peter and Les with 19. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe scored 17, Bruce and Sarah Hayward 15.5 and Maura and Phil Parsons 15. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

Wednesday's front pages

1. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation bill passed its final Commons hurdle with what majority?
2. Name the two Tory party deputy chairmen who resigned over Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill? Half a point for each.
3. Which of these was NOT one of the 11 Tory MPs who voted against the Government on the Rwanda bill - a) Robert Jenrick b) Mark Francois c) Suella Braverman d) Jacob Rees-Mogg
4. The European boss of Fujitsu, Paul Patterson, told the Commons’ Business and Trade Committee that his company had a 'moral obligation' to do what?
5. Tata Steel announced it was to push ahead with plans to close both blast furnaces at its works in which town, leading to around 2,800 UK job losses?
6. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said ‘the world is in a pre-war phase’, adding that 'in five years' time we could be looking at multiple theatres involving Russia, China, __ and __.’ What are the two missing countries? Half a point for each.

7. Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles was to undergo a 'corrective procedure’ in hospital for what?
8. China accused the US of sending 'a gravely wrong signal’ after Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated the winner of the election in which country?.
9. Donald Trump won an overwhelming victory in the US’s first election contest of 2024, taking 51 per cent of the Republican votes in which state’s caucuses?

10. Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of the Health Security Agency, said what disease was likely to spread rapidly across the UK unless more people take up the vaccine?
11. A report found that Greater Manchester Police and which town’s council had 'seriously’ failed to protect children from sexual abuse by grooming gangs?

12. According to a biography by Robert Hardman, a member of Queen Elizabeth's staff said she was 'as angry as I'd ever seen her’ over what?
13. A two-year-old boy was believed to have starved to death after his father died of a heart attack, leaving him alone at their house in which coastal town?

14. What did a dogwalker find in a shopping bag dumped on a street in Newham, East London?
15. At least nine people were killed after which country launched retaliatory missile strikes into Iran?
16. ITV sports presenter Eni Aluko said on social media that she had been genuinely scared, didn’t leave her house and was now abroad following controversial comments by who?
17. What was the name of BBC Radio 1’s first female presenter, who went on to become its longest-serving host, who died aged 83?
18. The former prime minister of which country married her long-term partner Clarke Gayford, after cancelling the wedding during strict Covid restrictions in 2022?
19. An official portrait of King Charles, created to hang in public buildings across the UK, was made available under a Government scheme costing how much?
20. Wales and Gloucester winger Louis Rees-Zammit, 22, announced he was quitting rugby union to do what?
21. Snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan exchanged insults with Ali Carter, the defeated Masters finalist, after being accused of '__ all over the floor’. What is the missing word?
22. British brothers Stewart and Louis Ahearne were jailed for three-and-a-half years after confessing to breaking into a museum in which European city and stealing 14th century Chinese Ming Dynasty antiques?
23. Former Liverpool footballer Jordan Henderson completed his move back into European football after his Saudi Arabia contract was terminated and he signed for which club?
24. The NHS in Scotland advised people to walk like what, to avoid falling in icy conditions?
25. Researchers at the University of Cambridge said that removing what from pub menus could have a positive effect on health?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 22.5, ahead of George Mann on 21, Robert Rea on 17, Gavin Devine on 16 and Nick Turner on 15.
The top team was Bruce and Sarah Hayward with 18, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and Maura and Phil Parsons who both scored 17.5. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about he week. Give it a go and let me know your score.

Today's front pages

1. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, referring to 'one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nation’s history’, announced plans for a blanket acquittal for post office operators 'to make sure those convicted are swiftly __ and __’. What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.
2. Which senior politician, who was postal affairs minister in the coalition government from 2010 to 2012, was accused of 'airbrushing his actions’ in the handling of the Post Office IT scandal?
3. Ex-Post Office investigator Stephen Bradshaw told the inquiry that it was incorrect that investigators 'behaved like __ __ looking to collect their bounty with the threats and lies’. What are the two missing words?
4. US and UK strikes by air and sea targeted 16 Houthi positions including command centres, munitions depots and air defence systems in which country?
5. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak travelled to Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the UK announced it would provide how much in military aid to Ukraine over the coming year?
6. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps’s request that who should justify their existence led to Lieutenant Colonel Ewen Southby-Tailyour saying his remarks were 'highly alarming’ and former head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Lord West, describing them as 'extraordinary and dangerous’?
7. Which European country's civil defence minister warned it could soon face the prospect of war and urged citizens to join voluntary defence organisations in preparation for a potential armed conflict?
8. Scientists at the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said 2023 was the hottest year in history with earth being how many degrees centigrade hotter than the period before the mass burning of fossil fuels?
9. The US aviation regulator grounded 171 Boeing 737 Max 9s after part of a plane, operated by which airline, fell off?
10. Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic said that its US lunar lander had 'no chance' of making a soft landing on the moon for what reason?
11. Actor David Soul, best known for his role in the television series Starsky & Hutch and who died at the age of 80, had two No 1 hits in the UK in the 1970s. Name either of them.
12. What nickname was given to German footballer Franz Beckenbauer, who died aged 78, who won the World Cup as captain in 1974 and manager in 1990?
13. When Wales and Lions legend JPR Williams, who died aged 74, retired from rugby he resurrected his career as what?
14. The RAC called on the Government to commission an independent study into what, after research found 85 per cent of drivers affected believe the problem is getting worse?
15. Gabriel Attal was named as France's youngest Prime Minister in modern history. How old is he?
16. Armed gangsters stormed a television station during a live broadcast, prompting which country’s president to declare a state of 'internal armed conflict’?
17. The Government defended spending nearly £27,000 on what during the Covid pandemic?
18. The parents of Jonathan Udall, 31, from Brighton are to receive a £79million payout after his death. How and where was he killed?
19. Why did Arsenal players wear an all-white kit at home for the first time in the club's history against Liverpool in the FA Cup?
20. Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer of what and in a 'best-case' scenario had about a year left to live?
21. Which singer found his wife hanged at their home in Gloucestershire?
22. Which actor urged the Government to ban machetes and zombie knives as he launched a campaign called Don't Stop Your Future? 
23. Singer FKA twigs accused the Advertising Standards Authority of 'double standards' after an advert for which brand was banned for presenting her as a 'stereotypical sexual object’?
24. The Prince of Wales surprised rugby league legends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield by awarding them with their CBEs in which city?
25. Hollywood actress Gillian Anderson stunned fans by stepping out to the Golden Globes in a striking gown embroidered with hundreds of what?

Answers here

Richard Rampton: A legal genius

I was saddened to read that renowned defamation lawyer Richard Rampton, KC, died just before New Year. His was an extraordinary career, detailed here in this Guardian obituary.

One small aside is that Richard represented me when I was charged with contempt of court in 1993 and something he said to me has remained a part of me ever since.

I had received a letter from the Attorney General asking me to explain why I had committed contempt and to give good reason why I should not be sent to prison.

I was editing The Northern Echo in 1992 when a special constable, Glenn Goodman, was shot dead in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. The speculation was that it was an IRA hit.

When the killer was arrested five days later, he was indeed an IRA activist. ITN named him on the Six O'clock News and mentioned that he had previous convictions, including killing an SAS officer. I ran the details in the next day’s Echo.

Long after the court case had finished, I received the Attorney General’s letter. I went to see Richard who asked me why I had done it. I explained that it was in our readers’ interest to be aware that an IRA cell was operating in the North-East. Richard raised an eyebrow. ‘It was also in the public domain,’ I said hopefully. ’The public domain,’ he said. ’That is the worst defence I have ever heard.’ 

He put together a detailed case arguing that we knew the IRA man’s trial would be held in London and showing how many copies of the Echo were sold there. There was also nine-month gap from our story being published to the court case starting.

Richard was clear - the chances of an Old Bailey juror having read The Northern Echo was more than remote. Even if they had, they could not possibly remember it. There had been no substantial risk of serious prejudice.
There were four publishers and one broadcaster, ITN, up for contempt at the Royal Courts of Justice. One by one they apologised to the court. As the regional editor, I was last in the pecking order.

Richard told the three judges that I did not wish to apologise to the court. They stared at me and asked him to repeat it. He did.
The prosecution countered Richard’s ’location, distance and time’ defence with a scenario where people would travel South from the North-East with their Echoes, leave them in bars and cafes in Sidcup to be picked up and read by people who, nine months later, would be called up for jury duty. Richard called this ’the absurd notion of leakage’.
In the end, we won. As the judges got up to leave, the matter of legal costs was raised. The judges declined each request. When it got to me, Richard stood up and said: ’This is the editor of The Northern Echo who came here today and refused to apologise to the court because he knew he had not committed contempt and you have confirmed he was right. On what grounds would you not give him his costs?' ‘You have your costs Mr Rampton,’ they said. More than £30,000 straight back on my bottom line.
I filed my copy, was interviewed by the BBC and then said to Richard, please let me buy you and the team a drink in the Seven Stars. No, he replied, the Attorney General will buy us a drink.
It was a remarkable and unforgettable experience. I thought I was going to lose but Richard filled me with confidence, was on my side from the outset and was a brilliant operator. Oh, and my Fantasy Football team has always been called the Public Domain - as it has the worst defence you have ever seen. RIP and big thanks, Richard.

First newsquiz of 2024

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 22 just ahead of George Mann on 21, Toby Brown and Jayme Bryla on 19 and Marion Fountayne on 18. The top teams were Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Maura and Phil Parsons with Alexandra and Will and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe who all scored 22. Jack Elsom and Monica Greep and Meike Leonard with Tom, David, Ben, Ivo and Jane both scored 20. Our Peter, Jackie, Sarah and Joe scored 17. Nobody got a bonus point for recognising the French resort of Le Grau Du Roi. Here is the first quiz of 2024. Give it a go and let me know your score.

Today's front pages

1. The epicentre of the earthquake that left at least 64 people dead was on which Japanese peninsula?

2. Five people working for which organisation were killed after their plane was hit by a Japan Airlines Airbus on the runway at Tokyo's Haneda airport?

3. Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said the Government would not hesitate to take 'direct action’ against which group to prevent attacks on ships?

4. The deputy political leader of Hamas, Saleh al-Arouri, was assassinated in which city?

5. More than 100 people were killed and 150 wounded after two explosions rocked a ceremony at a cemetery in which country?

6. In his new year's message, President Volodymyr Zelensky promised a sharp increase in the amount of weapons Ukraine produces next year with at least a million what being built?
7. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak indicated that he expected to call a General Election 'in the second half' of 2024 - but in what month is the latest an election can be called?

8. A petition calling for Paula Vennells to be stripped of her CBE passed 350,000 signatures following what?

9. What is the name of the Danish Queen who announced her surprise abdication in a new year TV address?
10. How were Kate Vokes, 54, and her son Archie, 22, killed?
11. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Britain and Ireland have the highest rate of consumption of what in the world?
12. A 15-year-old boy was arrested following the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Harry Pitman while waiting to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks on which London hill?
13. Father of two Liam Stych rescued a mother and her three-year-old child from a car that was submerged in water under a bridge in which city?
14. Camila Batmanghelidjh, who died aged 61, created which children’s charity, becoming one of the most powerful campaigners for disadvantaged youngsters?
15. TV presenter Kate Garraway announced that her husband Derek Draper had died after a battle with long covid. How old was he?

16. What connected Former US President Bill Clinton, singer Michael Jackson, magician David Copperfield and Pope John Paul II this week?

17. What was the name of the actress who played Mrs Banks in Mary Poppins and the title role in Miranda, in which she starred as a mermaid, who died aged 100?
18. Who was ‘at home’ after being freed on parole, nearly 11 years after murdering his girlfriend? 

19. Who defeated teenager Luke ’The Nuke' Littler to win his first darts World Championship title?
20. Nine-year-old Tony Hudgell became the youngest person to do what?
21. The husband of Tory peer Michelle Mone claimed his family was being treated 'like a __' to distract from Government ‘incompetence’. What is the missing word?
22. The earliest version of which cartoon couple were freed from copyright restrictions?

23. Which journalist saw his report on genocide caused by Pol Pot’s reign of terror in Cambodia take over half of the Daily Mirror, won an Emmy for the documentary Year Zero: The Silent Death of Cambodia, was banned from South Africa by the apartheid regime and witnessed the assassination of Robert Kennedy in Los Angeles?
24. Which football club sacked manager Wayne Rooney after just 83 days and 15 games in charge?
25. Which two teams were top of the English and Scottish Premier Leagues on the first day of 2024? Half a point for each? 

Answers here