Friday newspaper round-up: Boots, Brexit, Sky

Boots has parted company with the boss of its UK operation weeks after a Guardian investigation revealed concerns about its business practices. The pharmacy chain’s US parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance, said Simon Roberts would be leaving in July “to pursue new opportunities”. He has been with the company for 13 years, the last three as president of Boots. – The Guardian

Boris Johnson was last night accused by a Tory cabinet minister of being a fantasist obsessed with becoming prime minister, as a televised EU debate turned into a sustained personal attack on the former London mayor. David Cameron’s allies rejoiced at the sight of Amber Rudd, energy secretary, trying to undermine the credibility of Mr Johnson, the talismanic leader of the campaign to take Britain out of the EU. - Financial Times

Fears that Sky could lose its title to a new team with wealthy owners have been dispelled after the British satellite broadcaster spent a record sum for the lion’s share of German football rights. The four-year rights auction generated €4.64 billion (£3.63 billion) for the Bundesliga, an 85 per cent increase on the previous deal, making it the second-wealthiest football league in Europe. – The Times

Britain's final salary pension funds are facing a crippling £309billion shortfall that could see them forced to increase emergency payments by millions of pounds a year. The Pensions Regulator has revealed that the liabilities in these schemes have shot up by 35 per cent in the past three years, posing a threat to the retirements of tens of thousands of workers. – The Daily Mail

Many tenants renting privately are likely to be hit with rent increases following changes to the tax regime for landlords, according to a report to be published this Friday. Research by the lender Kent Reliance found that about a third of buy-to-let landlords intended to pass on increased costs to their tenants following the surcharge on stamp duty for second property owners and cap on tax relief for buy-to-let mortgages. – The Guardian

Government borrowing costs dropped to an all-time low yesterday while negative interest rates in Europe left banks considering the extraordinary step of hoarding banknotes to avoid central bank charges. Yields on 10-year gilts and 10-year German bunds dropped to record lows as investors worried about the sustainability of global growth. – The Times

Oil and gas experts have warned that the number of jobs lost to the industry since the start of the price slump could rise to 120,000 by the end of the year. Trade body Oil and Gas UK have predicted that firms will continue to cut staff, including workers in the North Sea, with the "severe strain" of continued low oil prices showing no sign of abating. - Herald Scotland