Seems like it was just headlinese, plus being super-cautious about defamation before a conviction — especially in the UK, where libel law is more pro-plaintiff that in the U.S.. FTA itself: "... Her partner had allegedly used his key to enter her flat and soon the house was on fire.

"While her children, mother and ex-partner all escaped, Lina didn't. Her 11-year-old son was widely reported as telling police it was his father who killed his mother."