Jackie Weaver did indeed have ‘no authority’

Jackie Weaver, star of a Handforth parish council meeting last year, had “no authority” after all, an investigation has found. Footage from the Zoom meeting featured Weaver being told by the council chair that he was the only one who could remove people from the meeting. “You have no authority here Jackie Weaver,” he told her. “No authority at all.” An independent investigation has found that the muting of microphones and removal of individual councillors “was without authority”. Weaver told the BBC she was “deeply saddened that it took so long and cost so much” to establish this.

Choirboy’s message found after 125 years

A message from a choirboy pleading not to be forgotten has been found after it lay undisturbed in a church pew for 125 years. The note, written by 13-year-old William Elliott on 11 August 1897, was hidden in the back of a chorister’s order of service at Sunderland Parish Church. “Whoever you are that finds this paper don’t tear it up or throw it away,” it read. “Keep it in remembrance of me, W Elliott. I was the leading boy of this choir. I love you if you love me.”

Politician mistaken for Will Smith

A politician in Maryland has been confused for the actor Will Smith, after the actor slapped Oscars presenter Chris Rock. The politician, also called Will Smith, has received an avalanche of messages on Twitter since the headline-grabbing incident. “Why you hit Chris Rock B****,” asked one. “I threw my remote at my tv so my 5 year old daughter wouldn't see your violent behavior,” read another post. The actor himself has apologised to Rock, saying his behaviour was “unacceptable and inexcusable”.