Category: News Story

STORY

Joshua Wilson, a convicted paedophile from Bedworth, Warwickshire, has had his prison sentence increased from four years to five years and ten months following a successful intervention by the Solicitor General. Wilson, aged 26, was originally sentenced in March 2025 after being found guilty of a string of serious child sex offences. These included attempting to incite a nine-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity via a video call, posing online as a 12-year-old boy to groom children, and distributing indecent images of children. He committed these offences while already under investigation and on bail, showing what prosecutors described as a persistent and calculated intent to exploit vulnerable victims.

The case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, which allows the most serious criminal sentences to be challenged. The Court agreed that the original term did not reflect the full gravity of Wilson’s actions and increased it by nearly two years. In a statement following the ruling, the Solicitor General said Wilson’s crimes were “sickening” and that the increased sentence sends a clear message that such predatory behaviour will be met with appropriately severe punishment.

STORY

His Majesty’s Government has announced the appointment of Javed Patel as the new Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, succeeding Simon Thomas who has held the role since July 2021. The change in ambassadorial leadership continues a diplomatic tradition dating back to Croatia’s recognition by the UK in 1992. Since then, the post has been held by a succession of envoys, most recently Andrew Dalgleish (2016–2021), Simon Thomas (2021–2025), and now Javed Patel.

Patel’s tenure will begin amid a pivotal moment for UK–Croatia relations, with both nations navigating post-Brexit dynamics, regional security concerns, and shared interests across trade and education. His appointment is expected to reinforce the UK’s commitment to close collaboration with Croatia, particularly in areas of economic opportunity and cultural ties. Prior to his current role, Patel had been the Head of Gaza Consular Cell.

STORY

The government has appointed Reverend Clive Foster as the United Kingdom’s first Windrush Commissioner, a new independent role intended to drive real progress in addressing the injustices suffered by the Windrush generation. His appointment comes just days ahead of Windrush Day, which marks the anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush and honours the legacy of Caribbean migrants who helped rebuild Britain after the Second World War.

Reverend Foster, a senior pastor based in Nottingham, is a well-known advocate for the Windrush community and the son of Jamaican migrants. He has long worked on Windrush issues at both a local and national level, including founding a support forum and serving as a key figure in national campaigning efforts. In his new role, he will be expected to act independently of government, while working alongside officials to ensure that victims of the scandal are treated fairly and that ongoing policy reform is guided by those directly affected.

The creation of this role follows widespread criticism of the government’s handling of the Windrush compensation scheme and broader efforts to acknowledge and address the harm caused. Foster has already made clear that he sees the post as a vehicle for delivering real, visible change, stating that it’s not enough to offer warm words and apologies and what is needed is cultural transformation and practical accountability.

STORY

The government has announced what it calls a “bold reset plan” for HS2 following years of what the Transport Secretary described as mismanagement and spiralling costs. Heidi Alexander said the project had been plagued by poor oversight, ministerial detachment, and unsustainable cost inflation, with Phase 1 alone now projected to cost £66 billion, a staggering rise of £37 billion over its original estimate. The new measures are based on the findings of the James Stewart review, which painted a bleak picture of HS2’s governance and financial control, effectively accusing the project of becoming a runaway train with no one at the brakes.

Among the most immediate changes, Alexander confirmed the appointment of new leadership at HS2 Ltd, with Mike Brown, formerly of Transport for London, stepping in as Chair, and Mark Wild, known for reviving the Elizabeth Line, taking over as CEO. Wild wasted no time in declaring that the current cost, scope, and schedule of the project are unsustainable, and that a fundamental overhaul is necessary to deliver any meaningful value to taxpayers. New financial restrictions will be placed on HS2 Ltd, with ministers now required to sign off on major decisions. In an effort to realign incentives, contractors working on the project will only benefit financially when they help reduce costs, a move the Department for Transport says will protect the public purse.

One key development is the confirmation of funding for the tunnel connecting Old Oak Common to Euston, meaning the central London station link, long the subject of political wrangling, will finally be taken forward. Although a final design is still being developed, the Transport Secretary said this part of the line was “essential” and would now move ahead. The government also committed to learning from what it diplomatically calls “structural issues” in the way Whitehall handles major infrastructure projects, with Cabinet Office involvement planned to avoid a repeat of the HS2 fiasco in future schemes.

STORY

The Defence Secretary has announced a major overhaul of the British Army, promising a larger, more modern, and more lethal force by the end of the decade. Speaking at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference, John Healey said the changes outlined in the new Strategic Defence Review would reverse years of decline and prepare the UK for future threats.

Healey confirmed the government would spend 2.6 percent of GDP on defence by 2027, with an ambition to increase that to 3 percent in the next Parliament. The Army’s full-time strength is set to grow to at least 76,000, with the Defence Secretary criticising the current recruitment system as inefficient and responsible for losing over a million potential applicants in the past decade. He pledged to reform it and offer better pay, improved housing, and more support for service families to help retain personnel.

A new Armed Forces Commissioner will also be appointed to act as an independent advocate for service members, and further investment will be made in childcare and accommodation. Healey said the government would bring 36,000 military homes back under full public control and invest £1.5 billion in military housing during this Parliament.

The Army’s capabilities are also set for a significant technological boost. Healey announced £100 million would be spent this year on land-based drone swarms, with uncrewed systems to become a central part of the Army’s future. A total of £4 billion will be spent on drones this Parliament, including 3,000 strike drones and 1,000 surveillance drones. Every infantry section will be equipped with its own drone unit, and a new Drone Centre will be established. The government will also invest £1 billion in a “digital targeting web” linking sensors to strike platforms, a system already being tested in Estonia. By 2027, it is expected to be fully operational in NATO exercises.

Healey described the changes as the most substantial rearmament of the Army in a generation, saying the UK needed to be ready to fight and win alongside allies. He said the British Army would become tougher, more deployable, and better connected, warning that the threats of the modern world require action, not just words. He concluded with a message aimed both at military personnel and political audiences: that security at home depends on credibility abroad, and that Britain must now deliver on its commitments with urgency and determination.

STORY

The United Kingdom, alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, delivered a joint statement at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem and Israel. The statement, delivered on 17 June 2025 by the UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Eleanor Sanders, expressed concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It highlighted the deaths of over 55,000 people, including many women and children, and emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

The five countries rejected any intention by Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip and called for increased humanitarian access, stressing the importance of food and assistance reaching civilians safely and at scale. The statement condemned attacks on humanitarian workers and underscored the necessity for aid operations to be protected. The group also raised concerns about increasing settler violence in the West Bank and confirmed that measures had been introduced to sanction individuals involved in promoting violence against Palestinian communities. The statement reiterated support for a two-state solution and called for renewed efforts toward lasting peace. The countries also expressed regret that the Commission of Inquiry was established with an open-ended mandate and noted that this diverges from standard practice.

STORY

Martine Croxall, one of the BBC’s senior news anchors, is facing criticism after she abruptly altered the wording of a live news script to replace the term “pregnant people” with “women”, a move many say undermined editorial standards and professionalism. The term had been used in the research paper that the newsreader was quoting, which Croxall failed to point out to viewers.

The moment, broadcast during a report about vulnerable groups during a heatwave, saw Croxall visibly pause, then exclaim “women” with a pointed tone, before carrying on with the segment. The change was seized upon by commentators and public figures, with supporters praising her for challenging so-called “woke” language. However, media observers and BBC insiders are raising serious questions about why the issue wasn’t addressed before going on air  and whether it’s appropriate for presenters to amend editorial scripts mid-broadcast.

Critics argue that Croxall could have easily flagged the phrasing during rehearsal or script review, rather than perform what appeared to be a personal correction in front of millions. For a journalist of her experience, this lack of preparation has been labelled unprofessional and potentially misleading, particularly in a climate where trust in impartiality is already fragile. While the BBC has confirmed that “pregnant people” is an acceptable phrase under its editorial guidelines, Croxall’s spontaneous change gave the impression of improvised commentary rather than accurate reporting. What should have been a routine segment has now drawn headlines for the wrong reasons, not for the subject matter itself, but for a presenter’s reaction to the script she was reading.

STORY

A Middlesbrough man who raped two women in separate assaults on the same night has had his sentence increased from 12 to 17 years, after senior judges ruled the original punishment was too lenient. Haider Ali, 38, attacked his first victim on 7 September 2024 in Stockton, after following her and dragging her behind a disused building. The assault, which lasted nearly an hour, left the woman traumatised and physically injured. Just hours later, Ali struck again, this time targeting a pregnant woman on Yarm Road. Both attacks were captured on CCTV, with footage later used to identify him as he fled the scenes.

In March 2025, Ali was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court to an extended 12-year sentence, including 10 years in custody and two on licence. However, the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, arguing that the sentence failed to reflect the gravity of the crimes. The Court of Appeal agreed, and on 17 June 2025, Ali’s sentence was increased to a 17-year extended term, made up of 15 years in prison and a further two on licence. The judges noted that the attacks were not only extremely serious but had taken place within a short space of time, showing a clear pattern of predatory behaviour.

One of the victims, whose statement was read in court, said the experience left her in constant fear, unable to live normally and plagued by anxiety. The psychological harm caused was described as severe and ongoing. The Solicitor General welcomed the decision, calling it a “truly horrific case” and praising the victims for their bravery in coming forward. She said the new sentence better reflected the seriousness of Ali’s actions and the devastating impact they had caused.

STORY

MPs in the House of Commons have voted to support the legalisation of assisted dying for terminally ill adults, in a historic and closely watched decision that marks a major shift in UK end-of-life policy. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed its second reading by 314 votes to 291, following a lengthy and often emotional debate. The bill allows mentally competent adults in England and Wales who are expected to live for less than six months to seek medical assistance in ending their lives.

Introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the bill sets out strict safeguards. Patients would need approval from two independent doctors, and final authorisation would be granted by a multidisciplinary panel comprising a psychiatrist, a social worker and a senior legal official. The vote was conducted on a free vote basis, with MPs not bound by party lines. Prime Minister Keir Starmer voted in favour of the bill, along with several senior cabinet ministers. However, others including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner opposed it or abstained, reflecting a split across the government.

Supporters of the bill described the outcome as a compassionate step forward that would provide dignity and choice to people facing the end of life. Outside Parliament, campaigners in favour of the bill welcomed the result with visible relief and celebration. Opponents raised concerns over the risks to vulnerable individuals, with some religious groups and disability rights organisations arguing the bill could undermine trust in the healthcare system. Others warned it could pressure people into ending their lives prematurely due to inadequate palliative care.

The bill will now proceed to the House of Lords, where further scrutiny and possible amendments are expected. If it ultimately becomes law, implementation could take several years as regulatory frameworks and professional guidelines are developed. This is the first time the Commons has voted in favour of an assisted dying bill, signalling a potentially transformative moment in the UK’s approach to end-of-life care.

STORY

A spokesperson for Cornerstone Christian Bookshop in Matlock, Derbyshire has confirmed that they are celebrating the removal of a Pride flag in the town which had been placed to act as a sign that the town was welcoming for all. Judy Crook, the manager of the bookshop, told the Guardian that “we’re not happy with the gay rights situation” and rejected allegations of hate and intolerance, saying they were “welcoming”. The council said that the flag was not removed for political reasons, but due to concerns that protesters might injure themselves in an attempt to remove the flag.