Sunday newspaper round-up: Google, Bell Pottinger, Sports Direct, smart meters, HSBC
Google faces a multibillion-euro fine by the European Commission for using its Android smartphone software to stifle competition. The record-breaking penalty could be imposed as soon as this month, according to industry and legal sources in Brussels. Other insiders said the commission may wait until later in the year before sanctioning Google. - The Sunday Times
James Henderson, the chief executive of City public relations firm Bell Pottinger, has resigned amid accusations the firm helped run a campaign that incited race hate in South Africa. Mr Henderson, who together with fiancee Heather Kerzner owns 40pc of the agency, confirmed his resignation to the Telegraph but said he remained committed as a shareholder. - Sunday Telegraph
Sports Direct warehouse staff who say they are unhappy with their working conditions are being identified by their fingerprints and asked to explain their grievances to management, according to the trade union Unite. The leisurewear company has introduced a staff survey system at its Shirebrook warehouse, Derbyshire, which was at the centre of allegations of “gulag” conditions last year after a Guardian investigation. - Observer
Billions of pounds are being spent on installing 'smart' energy reading meters in homes that will leave householders out of pocket. Energy firms are hoping to fit all 26million homes with these new monitors in an £11billion project launched three years ago and ending in 2020. But experts fear the scheme is a waste of money with meters vulnerable to hackers. - Mail on Sunday
Hundreds of entrepreneurs — from one of Britain’s biggest YouTube stars to a fair trade handicraft maker — have had their business accounts frozen or threatened with closure by HSBC amid a crackdown on financial crime by Britain’s biggest bank. The fast-growing businesses have become collateral damage as HSBC increases scrutiny of its clients following a money laundering scandal five years ago, when the bank was fined $1.9bn (£1.5bn) in America. - The Sunday Times
Three former Tesco directors will stand trial on Monday to face charges over the company’s £263m accounting scandal. Christopher Bush, Tesco UK’s former managing director, Carl Rogberg, the company’s former UK finance director, and John Scouler, its former UK food commercial director, have been accused of abusing their positions to falsely inflate the grocer’s profits in 2014. - Sunday Telegraph
The government has signalled that it is preparing to clamp down on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) – the gambling machines described as the “crack cocaine” of the betting world. But the extent to which the machines will be controlled is dividing the Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. - Observer
The state of Britain's property market will return to the fore next week when a clutch of housebuilding giants report. Full-year figures on Wednesday from Barratt Developments - the UK's biggest housebuilder - are among the highlights, with figures set to confirm another robust year for the sector. - Mail on Sunday
Carillion is under pressure to claw back bonuses paid to former directors as the stricken construction firm tries to shore up its finances. Leading shareholders are understood to have urged the company to recoup millions of pounds in shares and cash paid to ex-chief executive Richard Howson and former finance chief Richard Adam. - The Sunday Times
The board of London housebuilder Berkeley is facing a shareholder-led pay revolt after they collectively took home £92m this year. Six executives - including chairman and founder Tony Pidgley and chief executive Rob Perrins - were awarded the sum in long-term share bonuses for 2016. Mr Pidgley made £29.2m, while Mr Perrins earned £28m. - Sunday Telegraph
Theresa May is being urged to face down a potential backlash from backbench Conservatives and sign off proposals aimed at forcing councils to unleash a building boom to tackle Britain’s housing crisis. The Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed to the Guardian that it will publish details by the end of this month of how local authorities should assess the need for housing. - Observer
A schism is emerging among pro-Brexit economists over how Britain should attempt to negotiate trade deals after leaving the EU single market. The dispute could have a major effect on the future of manufacturing and farming in the UK. - Mail on Sunday