Prince William pulls out of godfather's memorial service

Good evening. The Prince of Wales pulled out of a memorial service for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, at the eleventh hour on Tuesday, citing “personal” reasons.

Elsewhere, a former minister has apologised for suggesting there were religious “no-go” areas in parts of Birmingham and London.

Prince William pulls out of godfather’s memorial service for ‘personal reasons’

Kensington Palace refused to disclose further information but insisted that the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, “continues to be doing well”. A source said only that the Prince was “no longer able to attend due to a personal matter”.

Ex-minister apologises after claims of religious ‘no-go’ areas

Paul Scully, a Tory MP and former minister for London, sparked a backlash yesterday after making the comment during an interview on BBC Radio London. Andy Street, the Tory Mayor of the West Midlands, was among a number of prominent figures to criticise him.

BBC apologises over Huw Edwards sex scandal

The BBC has apologised to the family of the young man at the centre of the sex scandal involving Huw Edwards, after a review found that the corporation mishandled their complaint.

Evening Briefing: Today’s essential headlines

Post Office scandal | Former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton told MPs that he is a victim of a ‘smear campaign’.

Scarlet Blake | JK Rowling says ‘I’m sick of this s—’ after transgender cat killer is called a woman

Lee Anderson | Almost 11,000 people sign petition calling for Lee Anderson’s return

Military | Royal Air Force Cadets told to stop saying ‘marksman’

Money | Pensioners hit by ‘emergency’ retirement tax of £55,000 each

Crooked House pub | Britain’s wonkiest pub must be rebuilt ‘brick by brick’

Comment and analysis

Richard Tice | While Westminster bickers over Lee Anderson, thugs are sending death threats to Reform

Suzanne Moore | Liz Truss’s unassailable self-belief is now embarrassing – and dangerous

Jeremy Warner | The dash for electric cars risks further industrial destruction in Britain and Europe

Karol Sikora | Britain’s cancer bomb has detonated and the NHS is in denial

Michael Deacon | Defending Shamima Begum is the ultimate ‘luxury belief’

World news: Ukraine withdraws from two villages near Avdiivka

Ukraine has withdrawn from the villages of Severne and Stepove near the eastern town of Avdiika, recently captured by Russian forces, its military spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Feature of the day

The truth about near death experiences

Peter Fenwick always thought tales of outer-body sensations and bright lights were ‘psychobabble’ – but then a patient opened his mind…

Business news: Labour vows to press ahead with North Sea tax raid plan

In a speech at International Energy Week, Ed Miliband has vowed to press ahead with a planned tax raid on the North Sea despite a warning that it would cause oil output to more than halve.

Live markets news: Extinction Rebellion protesters storm Walkie Talkie dressed in suits