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John Hunt has told the man convicted of murdering his two daughters and wife that hell will roll out a “red carpet” for him.

Kyle Clifford, 26, was given a whole-life sentence for triple murder and rape at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday.

He admitted shooting his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, 25, and her sister Hannah Hunt, 28, with a crossbow and fatally stabbing their mother, 61-year-old Carol Hunt, last July.

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He had denied raping Louise during the attack, but was found guilty last week.

Mr Hunt delivered a powerful victim impact statement in court, aimed at Clifford,

Here is what he said – warning readers may find some of the content below upsetting:

My name is John Hunt and I am blessed to be Carol’s husband and Hannah, Louise and Amy’s dad.

Thank you for returning the guilty verdict today.

That you had to consider the evidence was purely down to Kyle choosing to not admit responsibility.

You too, are victims of his callous, cowardly, vindictive behaviours and I wish he hadn’t put you through that.

I so wanted to deliver these words, eye to eye with Kyle. I will continue to act as if I am doing so.

‘You simply failed to be the person she needed’

When I was first invited to provide a victim impact statement I initially misunderstood its purpose. Do I really need to detail the impact of having three quarters of my family murdered?

But then I realised that this was my final opportunity to say what I want to say to you specifically Kyle, words that will also be directed to your family who will carry guilt forward for the rest of their lives; I know you valued them so poorly from all the conversations we had Kyle, but I suppose even they must be damaged by what you have done.

I also want to confirm to the world the truth, especially how Louise conducted herself within a textbook, mature breakup on her part, understanding the conflict of saying goodbye to someone she once loved but not allowing those memories to cloud her certain knowledge that you simply failed to be the person she needed.

You failed.

I am so proud of all of my girls. Unlike you Kyle, at every step of their lives they made the correct choices to improve themselves as people; Louise enjoyed more success and fulfilment in one morning than you achieved in your entire miserable life.

Do you recall Kyle, how kind we all were to you?

Helping you and Louise enjoy trips away, do you remember how she loved a swanky hotel?

You were always invited to meals out. A Sunday lunch at the pub or a special celebration, you were always made welcome.

The only Christmas you spent together was at our house. Was it four or five days you spent with us? The food, the games, the laughter, the normality… what was it about that blissful existence you hated so much, Kyle? Could you not handle how pleasant it was, such a contrast to what you were used to.

The trips to Italy, Disneyland and many more; Louise gave your relationship so much effort, which you were never able or willing to match.

We all offered you kindness, especially Carol. She had picked up on your personal inadequacies right from the start. She sensed your immaturity but always knew Louise would work things out.

Carol still displayed her compassion right up until the moment she answered the door to you on 9 July. Do you remember her kindness, Kyle; how she urged you to get some relationship help and guidance for fear that you would never be able to sustain a lasting relationship.

You calmly accepted that advice on the doorstep and then seconds later, savagely stabbed her eight times and ended her life.

‘You are a psychopath’

When I challenge myself about how you were able to deceive us all, I simply say that you are a psychopath who, for the duration of your time together with Louise, was able to disguise yourself as an ordinary human being.

You reserved your best, make-believe version of yourself for the times you were in our house.

You managed to maintain that veneer of decency throughout the first year of your time with Louise, but you couldn’t maintain it in the early part of 2024.

Although Carol and I never witnessed any alarming behaviour, your visits became less frequent. You began the first of two affairs that we know about, your aversion to a day’s hard work continued as you messed up yet another job at Reynolds.

It wasn’t only the Army that found you worthless.

I often think of the list Louise wrote to herself to remind her of the reasons that you fell short. The racism. She was rightly disgusted by that. Your belittling language. The fact that your family is a mess.

Like any woman should be allowed to do, she worked you out despite repeated deceit and said enough is enough. I hope women around the world will take Louise’s bravery as a shining beacon for their lives.

If you feel enough is enough, then it is.

I’d like to remind you Kyle, of how gracious Louise was to you in that final text to you. This is what she said on the 26 June, the morning after she had finished with you face to face.

She texted you thanking you for what was a wonderful year together, explaining how much she once loved you, that she never wanted any animosity to develop between you and that she wanted you to take care of yourself.

You texted back saying: “Thank you for the clarity Louise, so we can both start our healing process. I love you so much and I will for a very long time. I will always be here for you if you ever need me, please don’t hesitate. I wish you all the best and take care of yourself too.”

The difference was, we know now, that Louise meant every word whereas you simply lied.

‘You killed three beautiful mockingbirds, Kyle’

You didn’t love her enough to stop you having those two affairs in the spring of last year. Or to start planning to kill her and her family just days later.

And that a horrific rape on her was part of the plan. Your levels of misogyny are off the scale.

Louise’s favourite novel from her schooldays was Harper Lee’s classic, To Kill A Mockingbird. She was captivated by the goodness of Atticus Finch both as a father and a lawyer.

She would often quote lines from the novel to match life’s challenges.

One of those quotes that comes to mind, right here in this moment is that of Miss Maudie reasserting Atticus’ assertion that it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.

She said: “Your father’s right. Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

All their lives, Carol, Hannah and Louise similarly spent their time bringing joy and colour and happiness to other people’s lives.

You killed three beautiful mockingbirds, Kyle.

‘I can’t imagine a more cowardly act’

So, to remind you, over a period of four hours you brutally killed Carol, waited over an hour until Louise came into the house. You incapacitated her, raped her and when you realised Hannah was coming home, you shot Louise in the back.

I can’t imagine a more cowardly act. You couldn’t look her in the eye. You murdered Hannah minutes later. So four hours.

A few weeks later I also spent four hours with them Kyle; in the funeral director’s.

The usual room wasn’t big enough for three bodies but they removed a partition wall so we could all be together. I sat for a while with Louise to my right, she looked so peaceful and Hannah to my left. I couldn’t quite reach to hold their hands at the same time.

Amy and I placed a photograph of Chester in Louise’s right hand. Carol was at the top of the room. She was dressed in a beautiful orange dress she had bought for a wedding we went to a month beforehand.

I stroked her hair and told her how much I loved her. I thanked her for being such a wonderful partner in life and wonderful mother. They were my four hours Kyle.

‘I am lucky’

And what about me? The impact of what you have done will be taken to my grave but on the way there, I want you to know that I stand strong before you today.

As you are consigned to a fate far greater than death, I can draw on the love and strength that I still feel from the girls in every moment of every day.

I am lucky. I have the most wonderful daughter, Amy, who gives me such focus and purpose. I have Gareth and Alex.

I have my extended family, reaching far beyond my mum, brothers and sister, aunts and uncles and cousins. I have many friends who watch out for me on an hourly basis.

Carol’s friends are mine and I now have a renewed relationship with Hannah and Louise’s best friends. I will always be there for them and they will be there for me too.

So whilst I am so badly damaged, I am determined to see what my future is, surrounded by so many amazing people. And the chance to do so has been gifted to me by my incredible Hannah.

I firmly believe that, had she not managed to show such amazing physical and mental strength in raising the alarm after you fatally injured her, then I would have been your fourth victim that day.

Hannah handed me a second chance, one that she worked so hard to achieve for me. Do you really think after what she did for me, I will slight her memory and example by just giving up?

Even though the days are difficult and feel on many occasions, impossible, I will channel my inner Atticus Finch at all times. He said: “I want you to see what real courage is. Instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand, its when you know you are licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

And now comes the time when your fate on this earth will be confirmed.

‘Your misery will last for eternity’

Every single person in the world, I’m thinking of mothers and fathers in particular, especially those daughters, now expects the formality of a life sentence.

Never again to make choices of your own. To breathe fresh air only occasionally. To eat when someone else tells you to eat.

But just remember one thing. Whatever sentence you are about to receive, whatever misery lies ahead for you for the next 60 years. Remember that after your days on earth are done, on your dying day, there will be no release for you.

The screams of hell, Kyle, I can hear them faintly now. The red carpet will come out for you.

At that point, when the person you could have been meets the person you are, you will realise your miserable fate will last for eternity.

Amy Hunt – Mr Hunt’s surviving daughter – also delivered a victim impact statement in court.

Here is what she said:

‘You are a monster’

That day you intruded into a beloved family home, where you yourself had spent lots of happy times, and attacked three defenceless women one by one, alone and out of the blue, with such hideous weapons that ensured they had no means of defending themselves.

I can think of nothing more cowardly than that.

That day, you had a choice, Kyle, and you chose to inflict violence of a horrific scale, all for your own selfish, sadistic aims – all the time, truly thinking of yourself alone.

I can only assume that, in the days after Louise broke up with you, you created a false narrative in your head about how we had supposedly wronged you, in order to allow you to avoid confronting the pain and shame within you – and the truth, that the break-up was entirely your fault.

That day, my mum, Hannah and Louise were all simply living their lives – getting on with their day in their home, working or returning home after work. Their home is a place that was, and should have continued to be safe for them, and you made it the most unsafe place in the world for those few hours. You are a monster.

What you did to Louise that day, Kyle, is nothing short of demonic. To put her through the torture you did is inexplicably horrific.

And I ask again, for what? Because she dared to dump you? Something that was her right and choice? For that alone, you have earnt yourself your rightful spot in hell one day – and we can only hope that even you, who has continually denied this act, feel crippling shame every single moment for being the rapist that you are.

‘Someone who put her family above all else’

My mother Carol was everything to us – hysterically funny, loving, quick-witted, honest, the most caring and someone who put her family above all else her entire life.

She adored her husband and her girls, and was fiercely protective of her children. She loved her home and her extended family and shared the most wonderful, loving, supportive and fun relationships with our dad, that provided me, Hannah and Louise with the perfect example of love – and our home was full of just that every single day, because of her.

She and dad gave us the most amazing childhood we could have ever asked for. My mum and I would talk for hours on end, either in person or on the phone, and she was the very best for providing advice, loving words, or comfort. I will miss the sound of her warm, reasurring voice for the rest of my life.

‘Signature smile and contagious giggle’

Hannah was feisty, hilarious, hard-working, eternally positive and inspiring, straight-talking and the most supportive and protective person you could ever hope to meet.

She would do anything for those she loved, and whenever Hannah was in a room, she couldn’t help but make it better, making everyone there smile and laugh.

She had the strength of a lion and was guaranteed to greet everyone with her signature smile and contagious giggle. Her beauty clients loved and respected her hugely, treasuring their sessions with her, and she them.

She loved hard and had found her soulmate in Alex – their life and future together was written in the stars. And she too adored her family more than anything.

Louise ‘loved passionately and fiercely, but not freely’

Louise was the most gentle, kind, caring, beautiful, sweet and hard-working person there is. But more than that, she had an immensely strong, sassy side to her. In the midst of her bucketfuls of compassion and empathy. She was a values-driven woman, who loved passionately and fiercely, but not freely, and not just to anyone.

She adored animals, mostly dogs, which is why her business had become so hugely successful – though it wasn’t just a business for Louise, but a passion.

But she was so much more than that, of the many things she adored, Louise loved to treat herself to the very best things in life, having worked hard for the priviledge of doing so. As her family, we were besotted with her and she us.

She had the closest group of friends who adored her – and she them. They always has the most fun together, laughing endlessly and simply being silly with each other.

‘My mum and sisters were my very best friends’

My mum and sisters were my very best friends and the impact of their loss is something I cannot put into words. There is nothing I do not notice their absence in. It’s something I will feel every second of every day, until my own dying day.

So, when the stain of Kyle Clifford begins to fade – a man who will be remembered only for his hideousness, evil and cowardice – if he is even remembered at all – the lives and egacy of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt will live on forever, because as I mentioned, love is the only thing that means anything in this world.

And my mum, Hannah and Louise are shining beacons of exactly that.

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Royal Family watch flypast from Buckingham Palace to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

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Royal Family watch flypast from Buckingham Palace to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

The Royal Family watched an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace to mark the start of four days of celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

The thousands of people gathered in front of the palace gates and along The Mall cheered, clapped and waved flags as the spectacular Red Arrows red, white and blue display flew overhead.

The King and Queen, who were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and other senior royals waved from the balcony before the band played God Save The King.

Since Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, it is the first landmark VE Day commemoration event without any of the royals who waved to crowds from the balcony in 1945.

The military flypast passes over The Mall and Buckingham Palace.
Pic: PA
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The Red Arrows fly over Buckingham Palace. Pic: PA

King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
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Members of the Royal Family wave to crowds. Pic: PA

The King earlier stood to salute as personnel from NATO allies, including the US, Germany and France, joined 1,300 members of the UK armed forces in a march towards Buckingham Palace.

Crowds gathered near the Cenotaph – draped in a large Union Flag for the first time since the war memorial was unveiled by King George V more than a century ago in 1920 – fell silent as Big Ben struck 12.

Actor Timothy Spall then read extracts from Sir Winston Churchill’s stirring victory speech on 8 May 1945 as the wartime prime minister told cheering crowds: “This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole.”

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King Charles takes the salute from the military procession for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
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King Charles takes the salute from the military procession for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Pic: PA

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Actor Timothy Spall has kicked off the VE Day celebrations by reading Winston Churchill’s famous speech, first read on 8 May, 1945.

The military parade was officially started by Normandy RAF veteran Alan Kennett, 100, who was in a cinema in the north German city of Celle when the doors burst open as a soldier drove a jeep into the venue and shouted: “The war is over.”

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery led the march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall, while representatives of the Ukrainian military were cheered and clapped by crowds.

More than 30 Second World War veterans are attending celebrations in the capital, which include a tea party inside Buckingham Palace.

William, Prince of Wales, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.
Pic: Reuters
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William, Prince of Wales, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. Pic: Reuters

King Charles takes the salute from the military procession.
Pic: PA
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King Charles takes the salute from the military procession. Pic: PA

The King watched in front of Buckingham Palace along with the Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, other senior royals and Second World War veterans.

It is the monarch’s first public appearance since Prince Harry said his father will not speak to him and he does not know how much longer his father has left.

Members of the Ukrainian military march past the Palace of Westminster, during the VE Day 80th anniversary parade, in London, Monday, May 5, 2025. (James Manning/Pool Photo via AP)
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Crowds cheered members of the Ukrainian military. Pic: AP

The Cenotaph on Whitehall is dressed in the Union flag ahead of a military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
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The Cenotaph on Whitehall is draped in the Union flag. Pic: PA

But a Palace aide insisted the Royal Family were “fully focused” on VE Day events after Harry’s shock BBC interview after losing a legal challenge over his security arrangements on Friday.

The King and Queen were said to be “looking forward” to the week’s commemorations and hoped “nothing will detract or distract” from celebrating.

Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment pass down the Mall ahead of the VE Day 80th anniversary parade in London, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, Pool)
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Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment pass down The Mall. Pic: AP

Members of the public make their way down The Mall
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Members of the public make their way down The Mall

Prince Louis fiddled with his hair in the breezy conditions, while Kate sat next to veteran Bernard Morgan, who earlier appeared to show her some vintage photographs.

Monday is the first of four days of commemorations of the moment then prime minister Sir Winston declared that all German forces had surrendered at 3pm on 8 May 1945.

A woman wears British flag sunglasses earrings, hat and ribbons as she takes her place on the Mall to wait for the VE Day 80th anniversary parade.
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Thousands of people lined the streets. Pic: AP

A young boy on the Mall.
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A young boy on the Mall


People line the Mall wearing British flags and memorabilia as they wait for the start of the VE Day 80th anniversary parade.
Pic: AP
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People line the Mall. Pic: AP

It marked the end of almost six years of war in Europe, in which 384,000 British soldiers and 70,000 civilians were killed, and sparked two days of joyous celebrations in London.

Sir Keir said in an open letter to veterans: “VE Day is a chance to acknowledge, again, that our debt to those who achieved it can never fully be repaid.”

Residents take part in a street party during bank holiday celebrations commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, in Seaford, Britain, May 5, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso
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A street party in Seaford. Pic: Reuters

Along with the events in the capital, people are celebrating across the UK with street parties, tea parties, 1940s fancy dress-ups and gatherings on board Second World War ships.

The Palace of Westminster, the Shard, Lowther Castle in Penrith, Manchester Printworks, Cardiff Castle and Belfast City Hall are among hundreds of buildings which will be lit up from 9pm on Tuesday.

A new display of almost 30,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London will form another tribute.

On Thursday, a service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence before Horse Guards Parade holds a live celebratory concert to round off the commemorations.

Churches and cathedrals across the country will ring their bells as a collective act of thanksgiving at 6.30pm, echoing the sounds that swept across the country in 1945, the Church of England said.

Pubs and bars have also been granted permission to stay open for longer to mark the anniversary two extra hours past 11pm.

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Layton Carr: Family pay tribute to ‘caring and loving’ boy killed in Gateshead fire

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Layton Carr: Family pay tribute to 'caring and loving' boy killed in Gateshead fire

The family of a 14-year-old boy who died in an industrial fire in Gateshead have described him as a “kind, caring and loving boy” who was “loved by all that met him”.

Eleven boys and three girls, aged between 11 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over Layton Carr’s death but have been released on bail.

Northumbria Police said on Monday that two more 12-year-old boys had also been arrested and bailed.

Layton died at the scene at Fairfield industrial park on Friday evening.

In a statement, his family said: “From the minute he was born it was obvious the character he would turn out to be.

“Layton was your typical 14-year-old lad, a cheeky, happy lad. Despite his cheeky side Layton had an absolute heart of gold and would do anything for anyone.

“He was loved by all that met him, and it showed.

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“He was a family boy that loved his mam and sisters more than anything in the world.

“Layton, we love you more than any words can ever explain. You will be missed more than you’ll ever know. Our bright and beautiful boy.”

They added: “As a family we would like to say a massive thank you to all that helped in finding Layton.”

Drone view showing the aftermath of a fire at Fairfield industrial park at Bill Quay, Gateshead
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The aftermath of the fire at Fairfield industrial park in Bill Quay, Gateshead

Read more from Sky News:
Royal Family watch VE Day flypast
Eight arrests in two separate terror investigations

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, from Northumbria Police, urged people not to use social media to speculate on the incident or name any of those arrested.

“Circulation of malicious communications is classed as a criminal offence and those who choose to be involved could face prosecution,” she warned.

“It’s also important to note that anyone suspected of a crime must not be named publicly for legal reasons and those who are under 18 have anonymity.

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with Northumbria Police online or via 101.

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Trump plan for tariff on non-US movies could deal knock-out blow to UK film industry, union says

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Trump plan for tariff on non-US movies could deal knock-out blow to UK film industry, union says

Donald Trump’s plan to put a 100% tariff on films made outside the US could be “a knock-out blow” to the sector in the UK, a broadcasting union has said.

The president has said he will target films made elsewhere as part of his ongoing tariff war, to save what he has called the “dying” movie industry in the US.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Mr Trump said he had authorised government departments to put a 100% tariff “on any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands”, and described the issue as a “national security threat”.

The Hollywood Sign is seen in Los Angeles. Pic: AP
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Donald Trump says the film industry in the US is ‘dying’. Pic: AP

Responding to his post, Philippa Childs, head of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (BECTU), said such a move could seriously damage the UK film sector – which is “only just recovering” from the impact of the pandemic, when many productions were delayed or cancelled.

“The UK is a world leader in film and TV production, employing thousands of talented workers, and this is a key growth sector in the government’s industrial strategy,” she said.

“These tariffs, coming after COVID and the recent slowdown, could deal a knock-out blow to an industry that is only just recovering and will be really worrying news for tens of thousands of skilled freelancers who make films in the UK.”

Ms Childs called on the government to “move swiftly to defend this vital sector, and support the freelancers who power it, as a matter of essential national economic interest”.

Photo by: gotpap/STAR MAX/IPx 2023 9/13/23 Atmosphere at the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on September 13, 2023 at the Netflix to Paramount SAG Aftra Solidarity March in Hollywood, California.
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The industry has been hit by the Hollywood strikes in 2023, as well as the pandemic. Pic: gotpap/STAR MAX/IPx 2023/ AP

It is unclear how the tariff scheme would affect international productions, such as the upcoming Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which is filmed in the US as well as other countries around the world.

Much of the 2023 box office smash Barbie was filmed at the Warner Bros Leavesden studios, in Hertfordshire, as was Wonka and 2022 hit The Batman, while the vast majority of James Bond films were shot at Pinewood Studios, in Berkshire.

It was also unclear whether the duties will apply to films on streaming platforms as well as those that are released in cinemas.

Netflix shares were down 2.5% in early trading and Disney, Warner Bros Discovery and Universal-owner Comcast (which owns Sky News) fell between 0.7% and 1.7%.

The share prices of theatre operators Cinemark and IMAX were down 5.4% and 5.9%, respectively.

Kirsty Bell, chief executive of production company Goldfinch, said Mr Trump was “right to address the fact that there’s a decline in the entertainment sector” – but the issue is not foreign films taking precedence over domestic films.

“It’s that, firstly, films are cheaper to make overseas, because of lack of tax credits in certain places… the unions, the lower cost of labour, and buying budgets have been drastically reduced over two years, all driven by the change in viewing habits.”

She also highlighted that people aren’t going to the cinema as much and that the industry is “entirely changed” due to the rise of social media platforms and content creators.

“The answer is not tariffs if he’s trying to kick-start the industry in Hollywood,” she said. “It’s developing an ecosystem for film-making that is entirely different to what has been before. There’s seismic changes in how the entertainment industry is structured needing to happen.”

A government spokesperson said talks on an economic deal between the US and the UK were ongoing – “but we are not going to provide a running commentary on the details of live discussions or set any timelines because it is not in the national interest”.

The latest tariff announcement from Mr Trump is part of a wider crackdown on US imports.

In a news conference outside the White House in April, he outlined a 10% baseline tariff on goods from other countries, with varying levies allocated – later increasing the tariff on Chinese goods to 145%.

US film and television production has been hampered in recent years, with setbacks from the Hollywood strikes of 2023 and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area, as well as the pandemic.

Last year, the UK government introduced the Independent Film Tax Credit, which allows productions costing up to £15m to benefit from an increased tax relief of 53%.

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