The taxpayer spent £52.8 million on the transition between parliaments, including around £13 million on redundancy payments.

Pop producers Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman have received a blue plaque outside the “magical building” affectionately known as “The Hit Factory” where they created countless pop anthems.

Willie Mullins is not expecting to replicate last year’s monumental achievement of winning all the Grade One races at the Dublin Racing Festival – but is confident he has staying star Galopin Des ...