Tuesday newspaper round-up: Curfews, J Crew, NMC Health
Pubs, bars and restaurants in England will have to shut by 10pm from Thursday under new nationwide restrictions to halt an “exponential” rise in coronavirus cases. Police have also been handed powers to issue £1,000 fines and make arrests to enforce 2 metre social distancing in pubs and restaurants, the Guardian has learned. Boris Johnson is expected to make an address to the nation on Tuesday setting out the new measures. - Guardian
The fashion chain J Crew is to permanently close all six of its UK stores in the latest exit by a US retailer. The brand, known for its preppy style, has appointed FRP advisory as liquidators to its UK business, which has a head office in London and employs nearly 80 staff. - Guardian
The accounting watchdog has delivered a long-awaited report setting out possible breaches of professional standards by KPMG in its audit of collapsed government contractor Carillion. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said it sent its initial investigation report to KPMG on Aug 28 following its investigation into the firm’s audit of Carillion’s accounts in 2014, 2015 and 2016, along with additional work during 2017. - Telegraph
Thousands of investors in bonds issued by a firm run by a descendant of the Duke of Wellington’s brother stand to lose all their money unless they agree to a rescue deal. Wellesley Finance, founded by Graham Wellesley, the 8th Earl Cowley, encouraged ordinary savers to put millions of pounds into property development projects, many of which have stalled during the pandemic. - The Times
The alleged fraud at NMC Health took place over at least eight years and involved thousands of transactions, according to the acting chief executive of the former FTSE 100 private healthcare company. Michael Davis, who was promoted from chief operating officer in February, also claimed the accounting scandal was particularly complex because unnamed NMC employees had deleted or destroyed records. - The Times