iPad OS26.1 Safari issues when using Magic Keyboard

I’m having major problems with Safari since installing iPad OS 26.1. The issue is occurring on an iPad Pro 13” M4 specifically when using a Magic Keyboard.

When I click to move from page to page within many websites, Safari is opening the new page in a new tab rather than within the same tab. Similarly, if I click on the back button, Safari opens the previous page in a new tab! When Safari is in this state, clicking on a folder in the Favourites Bar opens every bookmark in that folder rather than showing a pop up list of the folder contents! I’ve tried every relevant option in Safari Settings to no avail and as I say, it was working fine pre OS 26.1.

If I quit and restart Safari, then it will work as expected but the problem will soon return. If I use Safari without the Magic Keyboard then it works as expected, the problem only seems to occur when using the Magic Keyboard. Very weird!!!!

[Edited by Moderator]