United Kingdom | GlobalPost

My life with sex criminal Jimmy Savile

Barry NeildNovember 8, 2012 07:00

LONDON — On Saturday evenings for nearly two decades, most families in Britain would welcome a predatory child abuser into their homes. Although he was only an image on a television screen, they would smile with him as if he were a cherished uncle. For anyone who didn't grow up in the UK in the 1970s and ‘80s, it may be hard to comprehend the extent to which the Jimmy Savile sex scandal has shocked, saddened and transfixed the country.

NYT's new president buffeted by BBC sex abuse storm

Barry NeildNovember 3, 2012 08:59

LONDON — When Mark Thompson quit as director general of the BBC earlier this year, he left the publicly funded broadcaster in such solid shape that he was able to parlay his success into a prized job at the helm of The New York Times. But several weeks later, his position as CEO of America’s paper of record appeared to face uncertainty thanks to a major sex scandal that’s cast the BBC’s future into doubt.

Fears of a witch hunt as BBC sex abuse scandal spreads

Barry NeildOctober 27, 2012 07:00

LONDON, UK — It started as a simple scandal involving a few sordid claims about a dead television presenter. Now revelations about Jimmy Savile have become a “tsunami of filth” that threatens to tear apart the BBC, destroy public careers and even stain the New York Times.

Sex abuse scandal prompts crisis at the BBC

Barry NeildOctober 12, 2012 06:24

LONDON — The UK’s leading broadcaster is in a state of turmoil after one of its legendary celebrities was exposed as a predatory sex offender, a revelation critics say undermines the public trust it needs to safeguard its future.

Britain seeks pardon for suspected terrorist Abu Qatada

NEWS DESK October 11, 2012 11:20

Qatada has been fighting efforts to extradite him from Britain since 2001.

EADS and BAE in final hours of talks over possible merger

Alexander BesantOctober 9, 2012 17:10

The two firms have been in discussions since early September about the possible merger — a deal that would create the largest defence and aerospace company in the world.

Letter from Britain: A dangerous American worldview intrudes on silly season

Michael GoldfarbOctober 10, 2012 06:15

LONDON — Britain’s extended news vacuum continues as the annual fall party political conference season staggers on. The Conservatives are meeting in Birmingham this week as the political parties are busy rhetorically tacking to the center by stealing from each other's history.

Mark Rothko painting vandal says its more valuable now

Jennifer MattsonOctober 8, 2012 19:05

The man says he wrote his name with black marker on a famous Rothko painting at London's Tate Modern.

Mark Rothko painting defaced at Tate gallery in London

Alexander BesantOctober 7, 2012 17:34

A Mark Rothko painting was defaced by a visitor at London's Tate Modern gallery on Sunday said police.

English wines out-sparkle champagne

Barry Neild October 6, 2012 06:15

HAYWARDS HEATH, UK — Once the king of sparkling wines, French champagne is now facing heated competition from a surprising rival. English sparkling wine producers have emerged from relative nowhere to scoop up more recent international accolades than any other country.