Volkswagen likes to distil the essence of the brand down to three simple ideas: Emotion, efficiency and engineering. Those three pillars are meant to underpin every model the company produces, alongside what Volkswagen describes as the fundamentals of being a “true Volkswagen”: clear design with balanced proportions, optimum use of space, high quality, easy handling, innovative technology and an attractive price-to-performance ratio.
Volkswagen’s upcoming ID. Cross is designed to embody all of that in one of the most important and lucrative parts of the electric car market. This new compact SUV is part of the Volkswagen Group’s new Electric Urban Car Family, a range of smaller electric vehicles that will all be built in Spain, with development led by Cupra.
Cupra will introduce the first model from the family with the Cupra Raval, followed by the Volkswagen ID. Polo hatchback and this SUV, the ID. Cross, along with the Skoda Epiq. I drove the Skoda Epiq earlier this year, and it provided an early glimpse of what this platform could deliver.
The ID. Cross I drove was still heavily camouflaged and far from the finished production version, but the prototype already revealed plenty about Volkswagen’s plans for its smallest electric SUV. Even at this early stage, it’s clear Volkswagen is delivering on its claim to be going the extra mile with the ID. Cross – and the result could be a very important car for the brand when it reaches showrooms early in 2027.
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How I tested
I was one of a select few journalists invited to Amsterdam to drive the new Volkswagen ID. Cross in early prototype form – although the cars were the very latest development models and pretty close to production cars, you’ll be able to buy. I drove on the streets in and around Amsterdam, out to the coast, up and down motorways and tested everything that will be important to buyers of these cars. As well as the practicality and boot space, I also got to try some of the new instrument settings to give an early verdict on this important new car that you can trust.
The Volkswagen ID. Cross Concept was revealed at last year’s Munich Motor Show and gives a strong clue to what the production car will look like without the camouflage. (Steve Fowler)
Volkswagen will offer the ID. Cross with two battery sizes and a choice of power outputs. Entry-level versions will use a 37kWh battery paired with either 114bhp or 127bhp electric motors. These models are expected to offer a range of up to 194 miles and support DC rapid charging at up to 90kW.
Volkswagen’s retro dials and infotainment were visible on our prototype ID. Cross drive – they’re fun and easy to use (Volkswagen)
Above that sits a larger 52kWh battery paired with a 208bhp electric motor producing 290Nm of torque and driving the front wheels. This version offers a claimed range of up to 271 miles and supports DC charging at up to 105kW.
That charging figure is slightly lower than the 135kW peak seen in some of Volkswagen’s current ID models, but the company says the charging curve has been redesigned so it stays flatter for longer. In practice, that means less drop-off in charging speed as the battery fills, allowing the ID. Cross to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes.
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The car weighs less than 1,500kg and features a 55:45 front-to-rear weight distribution, while towing capacity is rated at up to 1,200kg.
The prototype I drove was the 208bhp front-wheel-drive version. There’s no confirmed all-wheel-drive model at this stage, although engineers say the platform could support one if markets demand it. Austria, apparently, is already keen!
On the road, the ID. Cross feels impressively mature for such an early prototype. Volkswagen has defined a specific “Driving Dynamics DNA” for its electric models based around linearity, emotionality, intuitive handling, steering precision and the right balance between comfort and control.
In the ID. Cross that balance leans more towards comfort than the lower-slung ID. Polo hatchback, and that was immediately noticeable from behind the wheel. The ride quality felt significantly more polished than the earlier Skoda Epiq prototype I drove, even though the suspension hardware is mechanically identical. Volkswagen engineers revealed that this was a later iteration of the setup I experienced in the Skoda
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Over rougher roads, the car felt composed and connected without ever becoming uncomfortable. In fact, the ride quality felt remarkably premium for a small electric SUV.
Braking performance is another highlight. Volkswagen has introduced a new one-box braking system designed to deliver a more natural pedal feel than earlier EV systems. On the road, it works very well, with linear response and consistent stopping power without the grabby behaviour or inconsistent feedback that some early electric cars suffered from. Performance from the 208bhp motor feels strong enough to make the car feel lively.
Steering was the one dynamic area that felt less convincing. Around the straight-ahead position, there was slightly too much slack, which made it feel a little vague at times. Switching to Sport mode improved the situation, making the steering feel noticeably more direct.
After feeding that back to Volkswagen engineers during the drive, they later took me to one side to say they agreed with the feedback and said the production car would move the standard steering calibration closer to the Sport setting.
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross is the same size, shape and uses many of the same parts as the new Skoda Epiq (Volkswagen)
Overall, though, the fundamentals feel extremely strong even at this early stage. This is shaping up to be a seriously impressive small SUV, and it will be fascinating to see how it compares with rivals such as the upcoming Kia EV2.
Interior, practicality and boot space
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Rear knee room is a bit tighter than expected in the back of the Volkswagen ID. Cross (Volkswagen)
Inside, the ID. Cross shares much of its interior design with the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo. Because of the SUV body style, the dash will be stretched upwards somewhat, but the overall layout is very similar.
Although our prototype test car had covers over the interior, I know from the Polo that it’s an impressive interior, both in terms of design and perceived quality. Volkswagen has incorporated technology usually found in larger and more expensive cars, including massage seats, a Harman Kardon audio system, a 10-inch driver display and a 13-inch infotainment screen. Our prototype also featured a panoramic glass roof, although it was hidden underneath the camouflage.
The interior makes extensive use of premium-feeling sustainable materials and feels genuinely upmarket for a car expected to start at around £25,000.
Crucially, Volkswagen has also reintroduced physical controls after criticism of overly touch-based systems in earlier models. There’s a proper volume knob on the centre console between the front seats, proper steering wheel buttons (and lots of them – which can be a bit confusing) and separate heating and ventilation controls sitting below the touchscreen, all of which make the car easier to use day to day.
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Volkswagen designers talk about three pillars for the exterior design: stable, likeable and secret sauce. “Stable” refers to the car’s proportions and stance, while “likeable” reflects the friendly face that new Volkswagen models wear.
“Secret sauce” describes small details designed to surprise and delight owners. One example is the retro-style graphics on the digital displays, which echo classic Volkswagen instruments and add real personality to the cabin. Again, I’d seen this system in a production ID. Polo interior, but seeing those retro dials in action is genuinely brilliant.
In terms of dimensions, the ID. Cross measures 4153mm long, 1816mm wide and 1581mm tall, with a 2601mm wheelbase.
Boot space is generous for a compact SUV. The luggage area offers 475 litres of capacity, including an underfloor storage well, expanding to 1,340 litres with the rear seats folded down.
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Rear passenger space isn’t quite as generous. Legroom in the back feels a little tight, and children in forward-facing child seats could end up kicking the backs of the front seats. Personally, I’d happily sacrifice an inch or two of boot space to gain more rear legroom.
Headroom in the back is excellent, though, and the rear doors open wide, which makes access easier.
Visibility is also very good from all seats, with nicely sized door mirrors and a clear view out in every direction.
One disappointment is that some of the clever interior ideas shown on the earlier ID. 2all concept car haven’t made it into this car. Magnetic phone holders on the backs of the front seats, for example, would have been a neat touch. After the brilliance of the retro displays and the impressive cabin design, it feels like there could be a bit more “secret sauce” in terms of practical interior functionality.
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross boot offers an excellent 475 litres of space including a deep underfloor space (Volkswagen)
Technology, stereo and infotainment
Technology is another strong point for the ID. Cross. The car introduces Volkswagen’s new generation of software architecture and connectivity systems.
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This interior picture of the Volkswagen ID. Polo gives a big clue what the dash of the ID. Cross will look like (Volkswagen)
The infotainment system is displayed on a 13in touchscreen, complemented by a 10in digital driver display. The retro-style instrument graphics give the system a distinctive look and help it stand out from more conventional digital dashboards. On the main touchscreen, the navigation is displayed on what mimics an old TV screen, while any music you’re playing gets displayed on what looks like an old cassette tape, complete with rotating spools for added authenticity. It’s all very cool.
Advanced driver assistance comes via Volkswagen’s Connected Travel Assist system. This uses swarm data from other vehicles to help improve the accuracy of the information it uses. The system supports assisted lane changes as well as traffic and stop light detection.
The ID. Cross also introduces vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing the battery to power external devices, as well as vehicle-to-grid capability that could allow energy to be fed back into the electricity grid when connected to suitable infrastructure.
Prices and running costs
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross will be on sale in the UK in early 2027 (Steve Fowler)
European pricing for the ID. Cross has already been announced, starting from €27,995. At current exchange rates, that works out to around £24,150.
However, by the time the car reaches UK showrooms in early 2027, it’s likely that the entry price will sit a little above £25,000. From there, prices are expected to rise into the low-to-mid £30,000 range depending on battery size, power output and equipment levels. Production versions of the car should be ready for driving towards the end of this year.
Volkswagen clearly has high expectations for the ID. Cross. In fact, the company believes it could outsell the ID. Polo hatchback – which says a lot about how strong demand for small electric SUVs is expected to be.
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The verdict: Volkswagen ID. Cross
Even in early prototype form, the ID. Cross is hugely impressive. The ride quality feels genuinely premium for a small electric SUV, the interior quality is excellent, and the technology package looks strong.
There are still a few rough edges to polish before production begins – particularly around steering feel – but it’s unlikely anything can be done to boost rear passenger space. However, the fundamentals are extremely convincing.
If Volkswagen can deliver the expected price point and refine those small issues before launch, the ID. Cross could become one of the most compelling compact electric SUVs on sale in the UK.
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Volkswagen ID. Cross rivals
FAQs
How long does it take to charge?
The larger 52kWh battery version offers a claimed range of up to 271 miles, while the smaller 37kWh battery version provides up to around 194 miles. The larger battery version supports DC rapid charging at up to 105kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes.
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How much does it cost – is it worth it?
With a starting price expected to be just over £25,000 in the UK, the ID. Cross aims to offer strong value in the compact electric SUV market, combining useful range with modern technology and a premium-feeling interior.
Does Volkswagen replace batteries for free?
Volkswagen is expected to offer its standard three-year new car warranty alongside an eight-year battery warranty covering the high-voltage battery for up to 100,000 miles while guaranteeing a minimum level of battery capacity.
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Why trust us
Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic.
With more than 30 years of experience, Steve Fowler is one of the UK’s best-known automotive journalists. Steve has interviewed key industry figures, from Tesla’s Elon Musk to Ford’s Jim Farley, and is a judge for both Germany’s and India’s Car of the Year Awards, as well as being a director of World Car of the Year. When it comes to electric vehicles, Steve reviews all the latest models for The Independent as they launch, from Abarth to Zeekr, and he uses his expert knowledge of car buyers’ needs to provide a comprehensive verdict.
The latest shutdown of Dubai’s airport has disrupted the travel plans of thousands of UK passengers.
Dubai International Airport announced on Monday, at 1.36am GMT, it had suspended flights after a drone hit a nearby fuel tank.
Many Emirates flights already in the air were diverted, while others waiting to take off were cancelled.
Five flights from UK airports had to return to their points of origin, including a journey from Edinburgh which had made it as far Egyptian airspace before turning back.
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An Emirates spokesperson said: “We can confirm the flight [EK24] returned to Edinburgh due to operational disruption.”
Other passengers on board a flight from London Stansted almost made it to Dubai, but were instead diverted to Vienna, Austria.
The closure of the major United Arab Emirates hub also impacts thousands hoping to finally return to the UK after being stranded in the Middle East, or other airports where UK flights connect in the region, since the US and Israel launched its war on Iran.
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On Monday, all seven Emirates flights from Dubai to London Heathrow were cancelled.
Image: Workers inspect damage caused by a drone strike overnight at the Address Creek Harbour hotel in Dubai. Pic: AP
Around half a million passengers per day use airports in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, which serve as key hubs for travel between Europe and continents of Asia and Australia.
Qatar flights to resume
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However, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs said on Monday that Qatar Airlines flights would resume on Friday.
Helen McEntee said on X: “Pleased to announce that we have been informed by Qatar Airlines that it will resume flights from Doha to Dublin on Friday, 20 March 2026.
“There will be four direct flights weekly from that date.”
The towering forward won the last of his 15 Test caps in November 2024
Wales forward Christ Tshiunza will reportedly join Sale Sharks when his contract with Exeter Chief expires at the end of the season, with the move throwing his international future into question.
It is unclear what this move will mean for Tshiunza’s Test career but, if he was offered a competitive deal by Cardiff, it could be an issue, with the 24-year-old having won only 15 caps for Wales since making his debut in 2021.
Under Welsh Rugby Union rules, a player with fewer than 25 caps that receives “a fair and reasonable offer” to play for a side in Wales and moves elsewhere will become ineligible to represent the national side. If the offer made is not deemed “reasonable”, however, it falls to the Rugby Management Board (RMB) and Professional Rugby Board (PRB) to consider the player’s eligibility.
Tshiunza won the last of his international caps against South Africa during the 2024 autumn internationals and has struggled with a injuries in recent times. He broke his foot while playing for Exeter on the opening weekend on the PREM season, ruling him out of Wales’ autumn campaign, while a further setback earlier this year made him unavailable for the Six Nations.
After nearly six months on the sidelines, he made his return to action off the bench in Exeter’s 66-14 mauling at the hands of Leicester Tigers in Sunday’s PREM Rugby Cup final.
Cardiff are believed to have eyed Tshiunza as a potential replacement for Ulster-bound forward Ben Donnell, but instead he is set to join fellow Wales internationals Nicky Smith, Tomas Francis and WillGriff John at Sale.
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It comes after Exeter boss Rob Baxter admitted it would be tough to keep Tshiunza at Sandy Park beyond his deal, which expires at the end of the 2025/26 season.
“The tough one with Christ, really, I don’t mind saying, our EQP numbers are quite tight and making sure that we have that balance in the squad, because for us, it’s very, very important that we keep the funding for the EQP balance,” he explained.
“When you look at the make-up, particularly in our forwards, where our frontline players are, especially when you see guys like Bachuki Tchumbadze coming through, who obviously is non-EQP.
“We’ve signed Nika Abuladze, who is obviously non-EQP, to make our frontline forwards as strong as we have,” Baxter added. “At some stage, EQP becomes quite an important factor for us.
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“And obviously, Zambo (Andrea Zambonin) is going well with Daf (Dafydd Jenkins) in the second row. Tom Hooper is going well in the back row. You know, we start to fill up our non-EQP quota pretty quickly.”
The RAC Foundation have stated there’s something “wrong” with the system
New research has shown that private parking companies have issued 76 million tickets over the span of seven years.
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Motoring research charity, the RAC Foundation calculated the figure and share that it demonstrates something being “wrong” with the system.
In 2019, the Parking (Code of Practice) Bill received royal assent. The aim of this was to create a code of conduct for the private parking sector following years of accusations that there were misleading and confusing signs for customers, as well as aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.
The code included halving the cap on tickets which would have made most-parking offences £50. Although this was due to come into force across Britain by the end of 2023, the Conservative government withdrew in 2022 after a legal challenge.
A new consultation on introducing a code was held by the Labour Government last year. The RAC Foundation analysed the number of records obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by companies chasing vehicle owners for alleged infringements in private car parks.
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Between the start of April 2019 and the end of September last year the total was 68.4 million. They added that there have been around eight million requests since then.
Steve Gooding, director of the charity, said: “No one denies there are some drivers who will always try it on, but the idea that the vast majority of the estimated 48,000 people who get ticketed daily set out to flout the rules is absurd.
“In this financial climate who knowingly risks getting charged a ‘penalty’ of typically £100? This suggests something fundamental is wrong with the system and we urge ministers to finally act to curb some of the power of the parking industry whose aim – which is understandable in a way – is to make as much money as possible.
“Clearly, there are big issues facing the Government but finally resetting the private parking landscape would bring a cheer from millions of motorists whilst still ensuring real offending is curtailed.”
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Motorists must be protected when using private car parks and we are determined to drive up standards in the industry.
“We have run a consultation on this issue and will set out further details on the private parking code of practice as soon as possible.”
Isaac Occhipinti, head of external affairs at industry body the British Parking Association, said: “The BPA recognises the need for a code of practice that reflects today’s motoring environment.
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“With record numbers of vehicles on the road, the new framework is an important step to address current concerns, protect decent drivers and deter behaviour that harms communities.
“Parking charges act as a deterrent. When they are reduced, evidence shows that compliance falls, disruption rises and more people ultimately receive charges.”
“Beyond thrilled to be handing the #HouseOfGames keys over to the one and only Michael Sheen,” he wrote alongside a photo of Sheen. “I promise to put the hoover round before he arrives. Best of luck Michael – you’re such a great choice, and I know you, and the viewers, will have an amazing time.”
The 86-year-old cookery writer and restaurateur shared that she was leaving the Channel 4 baking show to focus on other interests.
However, she has now shared another factor that played into it, because of concerns over her mobility.
Speaking on The Shift podcast about a moment of filming when she realised this, Leith said: “We weren’t judging cake – they wanted us to dance round this field.
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“And it was a very hummocky, uneven field, which of course Noel [Fielding] could really leap over brilliantly and Paul [Hollywood] perfectly good.
“But I suddenly realised ‘I’m going to go A over T, you know, this is going to be humiliating beyond belief.’
“So I said ‘I don’t want to do it,’ and they understood – they were fine.”
Leith admitted that it was the first time she had to refuse an activity on the show due to her physical limitations.
She said: “That was the first time I had to say ‘I can’t do that.’
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“Gradually there had been more and more of those things.”
Prue Leith discusses presenting partnership with Paul Hollywood
Leith joined Bake Off as a judge in 2017, when the show moved from the BBC to Channel 4.
Speaking about their 25-year age gap, Leith said Hollywood regularly joked about her being older.
She said: “Ever since I’ve been on Bake Off, Paul has always teased me because I’m so much older than him.
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“He’d say things like ‘Come along deary, upsy daisy,’ ‘time for your nap,’ or ‘time for your tea,’ or something or other.
“This is a running joke… but of late I’ve thought ‘Actually, you’re right mate.’
“If I had stayed on Bake Off, I’d have asked for a ramp to get into my Winnebago.
“Paul’s teasing would have become absolutely true, so he would have probably stopped doing it.”
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Who will be replacing Prue Leith on The Great British Bake Off?
The TV cook and food writer Nigella Lawson was announced as Prue Leith’s replacement on the programme.
She becomes the third judge to work alongside Paul Hollywood after Leith and Dame Mary Berry.
The 66-year-old has said she will leave the “technical” judging to Hollywood and focus on the “eating”.
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Recommended reading:
During an appearance on ITV’s This Morning, Nigella also shared that she was “really looking forward” to joining the team.
She said: “Well, I’m really looking forward to it.
“Listen, I think Prue is just fantastic, and Mary Berry was fantastic before.
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“So if I think about it like that, I do, then I feel like, ‘Oh no’, you know, I get really frightened.
“So I’ve just got to say, you know, that they have given me the honour of offering me this, and I just want to do it as well as I can, and just, you know, become a part of it and enjoy it.”
KPop Demon Hunters star EJAE has revealed what she had planned to say before her Oscars acceptance speech was abruptly cut off by organisers.
The South Korean singer, whose real name is Kim Eun-jae, made history on Sunday (15 March) when KPop Demon Hunters hit song “Golden” took home the prize for Best Original Song.
It is the first K-Pop track to win the award in the ceremony’s 96-year history. “Golden” became a breakout hit after the film’s Netflix debut last year, topping the charts in over 30 countries.
Eun-jae also sings on the track, which she co-wrote with Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Name, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Teddy Park.
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The Netflix film won two gongs at the 2026 Academy Awards (Netflix)
Taking to the stage on Sunday (15 March), Eun-jae became emotional as she thanked the Academy. “Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop but now everyone is singing our song and all the Korean lyrics,” she said.
“I’m so proud. I’ve realised the song and the award is not about success, it’s about resilience. I’m just so grateful to our team.”
After thanking her family and the team behind KPop Demon Hunters, she then passed the microphone to Yu Han Lee before instrumental music began playing, prompting the winners to leave the stage.
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While both Sonnenblick and Eun-jae began signalling to production to let Lee finish his speech, the programme cut to an abrupt ad break.
Speaking backstage to press later, Eun-jae revealed what the team would have said if they had been given more time on stage.
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“We feel very grateful and very honoured. We all worked so hard and this is such a collaborative effort, we just need to thank our directors. They created a beautiful film,” she said, according to Deadline.
“Everyone was a part of it and we are just so happy that the hard work paid off. Also, I needed to thank Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna onstage, but I didn’t get to because they just cut us off. They killed it with their singing and they’re just incredible people and I love them so much.”
EJAE accepted the award for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards (Doug Peters/PA Wire)
Lee added: “I would like to thank all our families, my fellow Idol members and Teddy Park. This is an incredible honour.”
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Sonnenblick, who also didn’t get a chance to speak, said that he would have thanked his family, some of whom, including his husband, were present at the ceremony.
“But also just to say everybody who worked on this movie, all the animators, it was a real collaboration across the board,” he said. “It’s a movie where part of the movie is about looking at someone that you have been taught to hate and to fear and starting to trust, maybe even love them. And that’s part of what the movie is about.”
The Netflix film follows K-Pop group Huntrix as they juggle their music careers with their secret roles as demon hunters. Arden Cho, May Hong and Ji-young Yoo provide the characters’ speaking voices, while Eun-jae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami sing for them.
The film also took home the award for Best Animated Feature at the ceremony, with Korean-Canadian co-director Maggie Kang saying that the win is “for Korea and Koreans everywhere”.
Norton Road (Blackboards) between Norton and Malton is shut to traffic.
The closure is to replace the removable bollards.
Cllr Keane Duncan, who represents Norton said: “I am pleased to be able to confirm that the bollards on Norton Road, many of which are missing or damaged, will be replaced by the highways team.
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“The existing bollards are bolted to the carriageway, making them vulnerable to vandalism. The new bollards will be similar – but fixed to sockets below the carriageway and more resistant to vandalism.
“The sockets are “quick release” which means the bollards can be removed quickly in times of flooding, if the road needs to be returned to two-way traffic.
“The work will take place outside of peak hours between March 16 and March 27.”
After being stopped, she then ‘showed signs of impairment’ and submitted to a series of field sobriety tests before briefly being taken to jail.
Soon after a representative for the singer said what unfolded was a ‘completely inexcusable unfortunate incident’.
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‘Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time,’ they said.
Referencing her sons and family, they added: ‘Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for wellbeing.’
The pop star was pulled over by police after being seen driving erratically (Picture: Chris Pizzello/ Invision/ AP, File)
She’s now ‘terrified’ she could be sent to jail (Picture: Britney Spears/ Instagram)
However, a few weeks on, a friend of Britney’s has given an update as to how she is feeling ahead of her scheduled court appearance on May 4.
‘She’s terrified. She knows there’s a potential for jail time, and that’s got her attention,’ they told The Daily Mail.
‘She’ll do anything to avoid that. But she’s scared that people will think she needs to go back under a conservatorship.
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‘Other celebrities have DUIs and nobody suggests they should go into a conservatorship. She feels it’s very unfair. She values her freedom above anything.’
On the evening of March 4, Britney was arrested near her home in Thousand Oaks, just outside of Los Angeles after a police officer allegedly saw her swerving from lane to lane.
Although she wasn’t injured, police took her to hospital to take tests and determine her blood alcohol level and whether there were drugs in her system.
Britney was reportedly found with Adderall (Picture: Jennifer Graylock/ INSTARimages)
She was then booked into a cell where she was described as ‘emotional and crying’, before being released three hours later.
Police reportedly also found her in possession of the amphetamine Adderall. Although the drug is prescribed to treat ADHD, it is also being tested to see if it has been laced with illegal narcotics, as reported by the Daily Mail.
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If convicted, Britney would be facing her first DUI offence and be banned from driving.
Although a friend told the Daily Mail Britney ‘was not a great driver’, having her licence ‘represents freedom’. ‘Yes, she could easily afford a chauffeur, but Britney doesn’t want to be driven. She wants to drive. It’s not about money, it’s about freedom,’ another friend said.
But if there are traces of illegal drugs found following the tests, the judge can impose a prison sentence.
Her ex-husband Sam Asghari has recently defended her (Picture: Paul Archuleta/ FilmMagic)
TMZ has recently reported that Britney sacked her ‘sober coaches’ just a few weeks before her arrest, while police have also said to have been summoned to her home 14 times over the past two years. These are said to have been for both ‘welfare checks’ and reports of trespassers.
Following her public mental health struggles in 2008, Britney was placed under a court-ordered conservatorship, which was eventually terminated in 2021.
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At the time her father Jamie controlled her estate – with her net worth estimated to sit around $60million (£45million). They are now estranged.
Although the current case will be Britney’s first time facing court, in 2007 she faced four misdemeanour charges after an alleged hit-and-run with a parked car in LA. However, these were dropped after she paid the owner for damages.
But this incident – in combination with other highly public moments that included shaving her head and hitting a car with an umbrella – contributed to the singer losing custody of her two sons.
She shares her children, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, with ex-husband Kevin Federline, who she was married to from 2004 to 2007.
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She has been estranged from her father Jamie since her conservatorship ended in 2021 (Picture: Denise Truscello/ WireImage)
Britney has previously shut down speculation she has an issue with alcohol and drugs, writing in her 2023 memoire The Woman in Me: ‘I never had a drinking problem. I liked to drink but it was never out of control.
‘Do you want to know my drug of choice? The only thing I really did except for drinking? Adderall.’ She said it was the only cure for her depression and insisted she never had any interest in harder drugs.’
However, in the book she revealed that in 2008 she became ‘hell on wheels’ after taking ‘a lot of Adderall’ and was once nearly close to driving off a cliff.
Earlier this week, a source told US Weekly that Britney’s family and team were ‘looking into treatment options for both addiction and mental health’ but shut down claims there had been discussions about reinstating her conservatorship.
Metro has contacted representatives for Britney Spears for comment.
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The highly-rated Hoxton North has operated on Royal Parade for 13 years.
Owner Tim Bosworth posted on social media: “This has not been an easy decision. We have worked hard over the years to adapt and evolve, but the operating environment and increased ongoing costs for small independent hospitality businesses have become increasingly challenging.”
He continued: “Hoxton North has always been about more than just food and coffee. It has been about connecting, sharing stories, and bringing a little bit of London spirit to the North.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have built and deeply grateful to every customer, team member, supplier, and friend who has supported us along the way.”
Last year, Mr Bosworth opened a pizza bar nearby.
He added: “And while this chapter is coming to an end, we’re still exploring what comes next. In the meantime, the spirit of Hoxton North continues just up Cold Bath Road at North Slice, and we’d love to see familiar faces there too.”
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Hoxton North earned plaudits online with Google awarding the venue 4.7 stars out of five, based on 540 reviews.
The most recent review gave five stars and said: “Gorgeous brunch, lovely coffee! The beans were so good, poached eggs perfect.”
Tripadvisor gave Hoxton North 4.6 stars out of five, based on 377 reviews, ranking it 29th out of 296 Harrogate restaurants.
The most recent review here also gave five stars and said: “Small, which is not detrimental, cafe. Tasty food, excellent service. Gets busy and rightly so, worthy of return visits.”
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Scores of customers have reacted to the news on Facebook, with one branding the café an ‘institution.’
Another said: “So sorry to hear this and also shocked as the restaurant always seems to be packed. We love eating with you but often turned away as you are full. Beautiful food, good luck for the future.”
Another posted underneath: “A very sad indictment of just how impossibly difficult it is to run a small business in the modern environment.
“Despite being constantly busy.
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“If a brilliant business can’t justify existence, what future for others?”
“This must have been a tough decision. All the luck in the world to you and the family.”
“Although this ownership and board don’t deserve it, we feel duty bound to stand with other supporters’ groups and the fan collective generally at the Nottingham Forest game and have made the difficult decision to postpone any potential protest for this game,” said a CFT statement on Monday.
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