Category: News Story

STORY

A High Wycombe delivery driver has been sentenced for fraudulently obtaining a £20,250 Bounce Back Loan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amraiz Mahmood, 41, inflated his turnover by over £65,000 to secure the loan, which he then spent on drugs and gambling.

Mahmood also concealed almost £40,000 in assets from the Official Receiver when he filed for bankruptcy in 2021. He had withdrawn the money in cash for home improvements just weeks before declaring himself bankrupt.

At High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, Mahmood was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years. He is also subject to a 12-month curfew and must wear an electronic tag.

Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Bounce Back Loans were designed to support small businesses through the pandemic, not for personal gain. The Insolvency Service will not hesitate to take action against those who abuse the scheme.”

Mahmood’s fraudulent actions have resulted in an eight-year Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking, limiting his ability to borrow money. Efforts are underway to recover the misappropriated funds.

STORY

Mike Amesbury, the former Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, has officially stepped down after being convicted of assaulting a constituent. The incident, which took place in October 2024, involved a physical altercation between Amesbury and local resident Paul Fellows. The dispute reportedly stemmed from disagreements over the closure of a local bridge. CCTV footage later revealed that Amesbury struck Fellows multiple times before others intervened to break up the confrontation.

Amesbury was initially sentenced to 10 weeks in prison. However, upon appeal, the sentence was suspended for two years. As part of his punishment, he is required to participate in anger management programs, complete 200 hours of community service, and undergo alcohol monitoring.

Following his conviction, Amesbury expressed deep regret for his actions and announced his resignation from Parliament. His departure has triggered a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, marking the first contest of its kind since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister in July 2024. This election is expected to serve as an early test of public opinion on the Labour Party’s leadership, while also providing an opportunity for opposition parties, including Reform UK under Nigel Farage, to contest the seat.

Amesbury had served as an MP since 2017, initially representing the Weaver Vale constituency before boundary changes led to the formation of Runcorn and Helsby. His resignation highlights the serious repercussions faced by elected officials involved in criminal offences, reinforcing the necessity of maintaining public trust and ethical standards in government.

STORY

The UK government has appointed Lord Willetts to lead the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), aiming to accelerate the safe and rapid introduction of high-growth technologies like AI in healthcare and engineering biology to the market. This initiative is crucial to the government’s “Plan for Change” growth mission. Lord Willetts, alongside Science Minister Lord Vallance, observed the successful use of drones for delivering urgent blood samples at Guy’s Hospital, demonstrating how technology can improve NHS efficiency. The government is also launching new funding to streamline regulations for cell-cultivated products, such as lab-grown meat. The RIO will focus on removing regulatory barriers that hinder innovation, supporting areas like autonomous vehicles, space, and AI in healthcare. 1 This effort aims to foster a pro-innovation environment, enabling the UK to capitalise on technological advancements for economic growth and improved public services.

STORY

The UK government is set to revolutionise its approach to funding digital and AI projects within the public sector, aiming to inject a “start-up” mentality into its operations. A recent review highlighted that existing funding procedures are excessively intricate, causing delays and stifling innovation, particularly in experimental technologies like AI. To address this, the government plans to simplify funding approvals and implement a staged funding model, where projects begin with small budgets and scale based on proven success.

This overhaul, scheduled to begin in April, will test four new funding approaches, drawing inspiration from the success of the GOV.UK Chat chatbot. The initiative seeks to replace outdated technology, enhance public services, and reduce taxpayer waste by prioritising efficiency and innovation. Furthermore, the government will introduce new outcome metrics and evaluation plans to ensure projects deliver value for money. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasised the need to move away from “decades old” processes that have encouraged short-sighted thinking and outdated technology. Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, highlighted the urgency of digital transformation, citing research that revealed a significant portion of government digital systems are outdated, leading to increased costs and security risks.

STORY

Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth who has been suspended from Reform following a series of allegations made against him, has claimed that senior Reform Party figures have made allegations that he has dementia. Lowe, who denies the allegations made against him, posted on Facebook:

“I have been informed by a reliable source that ‘senior Reform figures’ have been briefing journalists that I have dementia. In politics, there is rough and tumble. I get that. But this is sick. What they are doing to me is disgusting.”

Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative Party Minister, and now spokesperson for Reform denied that the arguments would cause long-term issues for the party, adding “the fact is all parties have these eruptions from time to time.”

STORY

The Reform Party has confirmed that they have suspended Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, following a series of allegations made against him. Lowe has fiercely denied the allegations and said that he is considering legal action against Reform for libel. Reform also confirmed that the allegations had been referred to the police, with the Metropolitan Police saying in a statement:

“On Thursday 6 March we received an allegation of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man on Friday 13 December 2024. Officers are carrying out an assessment of the allegations to determine what further action may be required.”

A spokesperson for Reform added:

“In addition to these allegations of a disturbing pattern of behaviour, Mr Lowe has on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence against our party chairman. Accordingly, this matter is with the police.”

STORY

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, has won the German elections with 29% of the vote, although will need to enter talks to form a coalition. Merz, the likely next Chancellor of Germany, posted on X (formerly known as Twitter):

“Three years of Russian war of aggression against the #Ukraine . Three years of war in Europe. For three years, we have been accompanied by the terrible images of destruction and war crimes. Europe remains firmly on the side of Ukraine. Now more than ever, we must put Ukraine in a position of strength. For a just peace, the attacked country must be part of peace negotiations.”

He said that since the election of Donald Trump as US President the country had become “largely indifferent” to Europe and that Germany must be part of a strengthened Europe which can “achieve real independence from the US step by step”. The far-right Alternative for Germany party nearly doubled its result in the election, securing 20.8%, but Merz has already ruled out forming a coalition with the party.

STORY

Russia has launched a series of drone attacks on Ukraine in one of their largest assaults on the country on the eve of the third anniversary of their invasion. Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine shouldn’t be involved with talks, stating:

“After everything that they have suffered, after everything that they have fought for, there could be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the people of Ukraine must have a long-term secure future.”

Olena Zelenska, the Ukrainian First Lady, said in a statement:

“It was another night of explosions, burning houses and cars, and destroyed infrastructure. Another night when people prayed for their loved ones to survive”.

STORY

Keir Starmer has spoken today to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, and reiterated the UK’s support for the country in its fight against Russia. The Prime Minister rejected the attacks made on Ukraine by Donald Trump, the President of the United States, and said that he hoped that peace could be reached through strength.

A spokesperson for Starmer said in a statement:

“The Prime Minister spoke with President Zelenskyy this morning. The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s ironclad support for Ukraine and commitment to securing a just and enduring peace to bring an end to Russia’s illegal war. The leaders reflected on recent developments in the conflict, as the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches, and agreed on the need to continue working together with allies to achieve peace through strength. They agreed that this was a significant moment for the future of Ukraine and European security at large.

The Prime Minister repeated that Ukraine must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war and that safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty was essential to deter future aggression from Russia. The Prime Minister said he would be progressing these important discussions in the coming days and weeks, including with US President Trump whilst visiting Washington D.C. next week.”

STORY

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, has joined the leaders of all the major political parties in the UK in rejecting the comments made by Donald Trump, the US President, that called Ukrainian President Zelensky a dictator.  The US President gave false information that the Ukrainian President had just 4% support in Ukraine, with current polling suggesting that he actually has similar levels of support to Trump in the United States. Media outlets across the United States are also reporting on a Daily Star front page headline suggesting that Trump has become Putin’s poodle. Speaking on GB News, Farage said:

“Let’s be clear, Zelenskyy is not a dictator. But it’s only right and proper that Ukrainians have a timeline for elections”