Category: News Story

STORY:

Margaret Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West has lost her Parliamentary seat after 11,896 people in her constituency signed a recall petition to remove her. Ferrier, who broken lockdown rules, was suspended from the SNP in 2020 and she has sat in the House of Commons since as an independent MP. Just under 15% of the 81,124 constituents voted to remove her which will led to a by-election to be held later on in the year. Although Ferrier is allowed to contest the by-election, she said in a statement that she didn’t intend to do so:

“I respect the outcome of the petition. It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Member of Parliament for Rutherglen & Hamilton West. I have always put my job and my constituents first, and I am disappointed that this will now come to an end. I decided some time ago that I would not stand in the upcoming by-election. This has been a difficult and taxing process that has now come to its conclusion and I do not wish to prolong it further.”

RESOURCES

Speeches by Margaret Ferrier

News Story – Ferrier Suspended from Commons for 30 Days

Rutherglen and Hamilton West

STORY:

The Government has formally acknowledged acts of genocide which were committed by Daesh against the Yazidis in 2014. The decision follows the judgement of a German court where a former Daesh fighter was found guilty of acts of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Lord Ahmed, the Minister for the Middle East, said in a statement:

“The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day. Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated. Today we have made the historic acknowledgement that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people. This determination only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that they receive the compensation owed to them and are able to access meaningful justice.”

RESOURCES:

Government Press Release

STORY

The British Government has said that it is fully supporting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its tough approach to the situation in Niger. The group of African nations has imposed political and economic sanctions on Niger following the military coup earlier in the week which has displaced the democratically elected Government.

Andrew Mitchell, the Foreign Office Minister, said in a statement:

“The UK wholly supports the immediate political and economic measures announced today by ECOWAS and will suspend long-term development assistance to Niger. We will however continue to provide critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Niger. The UK is a committed partner of Niger’s democratically elected government and calls for President Bazoum to be immediately reinstated to restore constitutional order.”

RESOURCES

Government Press Release

Text of ECOWAS Communique

STORY

The Ministry of Justice has said that thirty cases have been broadcast in the first year since filming has been permitted in courts. The first TV broadcast was on 28 July 2022, when the sentencing remarks from the Old Bailey were filmed when capturing the sentencing of Ben Oliver for the manslaughter of his grandfather. Parliament is currently consulting on extending the filming to make the court process more open to the public.

Mike Freer, the Justice Minister, said:

“Today marks one year since this landmark change opened up the Crown Court to television cameras, seeing them broadcast judges’ sentencing remarks for some of the most serious offenders for the first time. It has allowed the public to see justice being done in their courts and to understand the complex decisions judges make, building confidence in the justice system.”

RESOURCES

Ministry of Justice Press Release

STORY

The Government has condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 24 July and said that they are “in breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions”. The action by North Korea involved two missiles being sent into the sea and is thought to be in retaliation for the US military hardware support for South Korea. A spokesperson for the South Korean Government said that the action was a “grave provocation”.

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, said in May 2023 that “over the past seven decades, our alliance has grown stronger and more capable, and the cooperation between our people, our commitment to one another has grown deeper across every aspect of our partnership”, with 27 July 2023 marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement.

RESOURCES

Foreign Office Press Release

STORY

The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Richard Paul Davies, Archdeacon of Surrey, to the Suffragan See of Dorking, in the Diocese of Guildford, in succession to The Right Reverend Dr Jo Bailey Wells, following her resignation.

Davies was educated at the University of Wales, Lampeter and the University of Oxford, and trained for ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon. He served his title at St Davids Cathedral in Wales and was ordained priest in 1998. In 2001, Davies became a Team Vicar in the Benefice of Dewisland with responsibility for Solva and Brawdy, in the Diocese of St Davids, and in 2006 was appointed as Vicar of Burry Port and Pwll in the same diocese. During these years, he additionally served as Diocesan Director of Ordinands, and an Officiating Chaplain to the Military. In 2012, Davies was appointed as Archdeacon of Bangor and Anglesey in the Diocese of Bangor and in 2017 he took up his current role as the Archdeacon of Surrey in the Diocese of Guildford.

STORY

Alison Rose, the Chief Executive of the Natwest Group, has resigned following the revelation that she had privately told a BBC journalist that the bank account of Nigel Farage had been closed due to a lack of funds rather than for commercial reasons. Nigel Farage reacted to the news by saying “the first rule of banking is you have to respect the privacy of the customer”.

Howard Davies, Chairman of the Natwest Group Board, said in a statement:

“The Board and Alison Rose have agreed, by mutual consent, that she will step down as CEO of the NatWest Group. It is a sad moment. She has dedicated all her working life so far to NatWest and will leave many colleagues who respect and admire her.”

RESOURCES

Alison Rose – 2023 Statement on Standing Down as Natwest Group Chief Executive

STORY:

Charlotte Owen, a former advisor to Boris Johnson, has made history by becoming the youngest appointed member of the House of Lords at the age of 30. Her appointment as Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge was part of Boris Johnson’s outgoing honours list and has been controversial due to her limited work experience. Owen was introduced into the House of Lords yesterday and swore the oath of allegiance to King Charles III.

Sir James Duddridge, who worked in 10 Downing Street during the Johnson period of Government, said that she had been “vital” to the Prime Minister and that the honour was deserved. Other in Downing Street said off the record that she had been a junior figure and that the appointment was something of a surprise.

STORY

Labour’s Keir Mather has won the by-election in the constituency of Selby and Ainsty with a majority of 4,161 over the Conservative Party’s candidate Claire Holmes. The by-election was called following the resignation of the Conservative MP Nigel Adams who had won the constituency with a majority of 20,137 at the 2019 General Election.

RESOURCES

Selby and Ainsty

STORY

Jamie Driscoll, the metro Mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority, has announced that he is quitting the Labour Party following his failure to be selected as the party’s candidate for the Mayor of the North East. Driscoll said in a statement:

“People are tired of being controlled by Westminster and Party HQs. They want someone to stand up for them. Let the people decide. £25k by end of August and I’ll stand as North East Mayor”.

He said in his resignation letter that:

“Given you have barred me from running as north-east mayor despite being incumbent mayor, I have no other choice”.

The Labour Party earlier this week selected Kim McGuinness, the current Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, to stand for them in the election. A spokesperson for the Labour Party said in a statement:

“With Keir Starmer as leader, the Labour party is a changed party, relentlessly focused on delivering for working people, and we make no apologies that Labour candidates are held to the highest standard. The Tories have let our region down, and as Labour mayor Kim will be the strong voice the north-east deserves”.