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PRESS RELEASE : British Ambassador opens the residence for Luxembourg Urban Garden [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 May 2025.

As part of the Luxembourg Urban Garden (LUGA) exhibition, Ambassador Olivier is opening the garden of her official residence to the public for a one-day event.

On Thursday 5 June, visitors will have the rare chance to explore a garden that offers one of the most beautiful and unique views over the Pétrusse valley, home to several LUGA installations.

The visit will focus on sustainability and biodiversity, with guided tours led by the eco agents from St George’s International School. These students, from both Primary and Secondary, will highlight the garden’s green features and showcase their own sustainability projects.

Entry is free but places are limited, and each guest must register individually here: https://bit.ly/BritishEmbassyLUGA

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to discover a peaceful, tucked-away corner of Luxembourg City and see it through the eyes of the next generation of environmental leaders.

May 27, 2025
NEWS STORY : Philip Humphreys’ Suspended Sentence Quashed as Court Imposes Two-Year-Four-Month Term

STORY

A Stoke-on-Trent man who subjected his former partner to a sustained campaign of violence and coercive control has had his originally suspended sentence overturned by the Court of Appeal and replaced with a two-year and four-month prison term.

Philip Humphreys, 39, was first sentenced on 7 March 2025 to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, alongside 200 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days, after pleading guilty to one count of controlling and coercive behaviour. Following a referral by the Attorney General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, the Court of Appeal ruled that the initial term failed to reflect the seriousness of his offences and imposed an immediate custodial sentence of 28 months on 23 May 2025.

The court heard that Humphreys’ abuse began soon after he moved in with his partner in April 2022. He routinely accused her of infidelity, monitored her whereabouts, dictated her clothing choices and stole approximately £6,000 from her—most of which was spent on drugs. His violence escalated during a holiday when he strangled the victim and dragged her backwards in a hotel corridor, only stopping when interrupted by a receptionist. Even after their relationship ended, Humphreys continued to terrorise her by driving past her home in a sustained pattern of intimidation.

Lord Hermer KC, speaking on behalf of the Attorney General, condemned Humphreys’ “sustained physical and psychological campaign of abuse” and praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward. “Philip Humphreys is a violent man,” he said. “I welcome the court’s decision to increase his sentence, and hope it serves as a strong warning to domestic abusers that we will use the full force of the law to keep violent offenders off our streets.”

May 27, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Controlling boyfriend’s suspended sentence overturned [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 27 May 2025.

A man who violently abused and coercively controlled his partner has had his suspended sentence quashed following an intervention by the Attorney General.

Philip Humphreys, 39, from Stoke-on-Trent, has had his suspended sentence quashed and replaced with a two year and four month prison sentence after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General, Lord Hermer KC, under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The court heard that Humphreys and his partner began their relationship in April 2022 and quickly moved in together. However, Humphreys soon became controlling and coercive.

He repeatedly accused her of wanting to have sex with other men, constantly checked where she was and controlled what she wore.

Humphreys took around £6,000 from the victim, with the majority being spent on drugs, threatened to kill himself, aggressively shouted at her, and threw furniture.

Whilst on holiday, Humphreys violently assaulted the victim, which included strangling her and dragging her backwards. He only stopped when a hotel receptionist disturbed him.

After they broke up, Humphreys continued to intimidate the victim, repeatedly driving past her house.

Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:

“Philip Humphreys’ carried out a sustained physical and psychological campaign of abuse against his victim, who must have been in a constant state of fear. My thoughts today are with the victim, and I commend her bravery for coming forward.”

“Philip Humphreys is a violent man, and I welcome the court’s decision to increase his sentence. I hope this case serves a strong warning to domestic abusers that we will use the full force of the law to keep violent abusers off our streets.”

On 7 March 2025, Philip Humphreys was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work and a 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days for one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.

On 23 May 2025, his sentence was increased to two years and four months’ imprisonment after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

May 27, 2025
NEWS STORY : Disgraced Michelle Mone Rejects Involvement in BBC Documentary About Her Lies

STORY

The disgraced Michelle Mone has refused to take part in the BBC documentary ‘The Rise and Fall of Michelle Mone’ which has made a further series of allegations about the scandal hit politician. Mone refused to quit the House of Lords despite admitting that she had lied about her involvement and links with PPE contacts. Mone defended herself by saying that “lying to the press is not a crime”, rejecting the potential damage to the integrity of the political process. Despite threats made against them by Mone, David Conn and other journalists from the Guardian newspaper continued to seek the truth over her personal conduct.

Stripped of the Conservative whip and subject to a National Crime Agency investigation, she refused to respond to allegations made by former advisers and legal experts that were made on the programme.

The documentary asks, “How did one of the UK’s most lauded entrepreneurs become its most notorious Covid profiteer?” and the programme will be available on BBC iPlayer.

May 27, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 13 May 1925

13 MAY 1925

Mr Baldwin, replying to a deputation from the Amalgamated Engineering Union who approached him on the question of trade depression, gave an assurance that the Government would lose no opportunity of forwarding any practicable plan that seemed likely to lead to its alleviation.

Mr Baldwin has promised the aid of Government Departments in giving all possible information to the Joint Committee, composed of representatives of the masters and men in the shipbuilding industry, which is investigating the question of foreign competition and other causes of the present depression.

Amidst pomp approaching almost that of pre-war Imperial days, Field-Marshal von Hindenburg took the oath of the Republican Constitution in the Reichstag. The proceedings were interrupted by the Communist Deputies, who, after shouting “Down with the Monarchist President,” left the hall.

A Paris telegram announces the death of General Mangin, the famous French soldier.

At the close of the “Little Entente” Conference at Bukharest, statements were made to the Press by the chief delegates, in which reference was made to the situation in Central and Eastern Europe.

Lord Milner’s condition gives rise to grave anxiety.

The King has awarded the Albert Medal to Veladi Sammai, an Indian, who showed great gallantry in saving the life of a British official when the latter was attacked by a tiger.

May 27, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 12 May 1925

12 MAY 1925

The Gold Standard Bill was read a second time in the House of Lords.

The Budget resolution imposing the silk Customs duties was carried in the House of Commons by 330 to 166, after Socialist amendments—first, for their postponement until December 1929, and second, for omission of the duty on artificial silk—had been rejected. The Finance Bill was introduced and read a first time.

Questioned in the House of Commons with regard to an American newspaper’s publication of a document purporting to have been written by him and giving official outlines of British policy in Europe, Mr Austen Chamberlain deprecated any official statement as to how far the document was correct or not. He added that no statement of British policy contradicting his declaration in the House on 24 March had any authority whatever.

The Government’s decision to institute an inquiry into systems of disinterested management of licensed premises, including State management at Carlisle and elsewhere, was made known in the House of Commons.

The King and Queen yesterday attended a matinee at the Adelphi Theatre, London, in aid of King George’s Pension Fund for Actors and Actresses.

The Prince of Wales took part in a springbok shoot school.

Mr Baldwin, in a message of sympathy to the Governor-General of New Zealand on the death of Mr Massey, recalled the late Premier’s whole-hearted care for the honour, safety, and well-being of the Empire.

May 27, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 11 May 1925

11 MAY 1925

The British Empire Exhibition at Wembley was opened by the King.

The death is announced of Mr Massey, Premier of New Zealand.

In a statement to the French Cabinet with regard to the German proposals for a security pact, M. Briand said that his draft note would not insist on Germany’s entry into the League as a preliminary condition for discussing the project, but the Berlin Government is to be informed that France will decide nothing definitely until this step has been taken.

M. Caillaux’s statement on the French policy, which involves the imposition of new taxation, was unanimously approved by the French Cabinet.

Captain Amundsen has decided to postpone the start of the Polar flight on account of the wintry conditions at Spitsbergen.

Twenty-one lives were lost through the capsizing of an American government steamer conveying excursionists from the Engineering Convention down the Mississippi below Memphis.

Lord Milner’s condition is causing anxiety.

The Hon. Francis John Lascelles, half-brother of the Earl of Harewood, was found dead under tragic circumstances at his residence, Lee House, Romsey, Hampshire.

Rev. Dr John White, Barony Church, Glasgow, made reference to the Church Bill in conducting a jubilee service in Hurlford Parish Church. He said that the chief obstacle to progress of the Union movement in Scotland since the war had been the dilatoriness of Parliament.

Immodesty, lack of parental control, class selfishness, growth of superstition, and abounding pleasure-seeking are among the tendencies deplored by the Committee on Religion, Morals, and Temperance in the report to be submitted to the forthcoming General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.

May 27, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 10 May 1925

10 MAY 1925

It was reported that the health of the Earl of Ypres was declining.

A 99 year old lady was admitted to Winslow workhouse.

Five new justices, including two woman, were appointed to the Highgate Bench.

May 27, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Helping Ukrainian communities thrive in Scotland [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 27 May 2025.

A funding package to support Ukrainian communities and culture in Scotland to flourish has been announced by Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart.

Funding of over £600,000 will support third sector organisations working to support displaced Ukrainians, including community and cultural activities, while a further £3.5m funding for local authorities and COSLA will support displaced Ukrainians, as well as refugees and people seeking asylum, to settle into communities.

The funding was announced at an event hosted by COSLA, marking a visit to Scotland by a civic delegation of mayors from Ukraine.

Speaking ahead of the event, Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said:

“Scotland stands in unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, as it has since Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022. More than 28,000 displaced Ukrainians with a Scottish-sponsored visa have arrived in the UK, and we are helping people rebuild their lives here.

“Many of those who left Ukraine shortly after the war outbreak have now been in Scotland for several years, forming thriving Ukrainian communities right across the country. We want those communities to flourish, and this funding will support cultural and social activities and events to strengthen. It will also support services to help people recover from the trauma of fleeing war.

“I’m very pleased to be announcing this funding at the same time as a visit from the Ukrainian rebirth delegation, and I look forward to exploring further opportunities for connection and partnership between Scotland and Ukraine.”

COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson Councillor Maureen Chalmers said:

“COSLA is so very pleased to welcome colleagues from Local Government in Ukraine to Verity House today. We are also delighted to be working with Scottish Government to host this event, coming together to show our commitment across government in Scotland.

“COSLA has expressed full support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people and our peers in local and regional government, standing ready to support those affected and play a very active part in Ukrainian refugee resettlement.

“COSLA welcomes Scottish Government’s announcement of the continuation of £3.4m resettlement funding for Local Authorities for 2025-26. This funding will play an important role in enabling councils’ ongoing work supporting the integration of Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s illegal war, as well as other people seeking protection in this country.

“We are also very grateful for confirmation of continued funding for COSLA to support the work that we do with our member councils and with Scottish Government in relation to the integration of people displaced from Ukraine, as well as others who are seeking sanctuary here and migrants who are at risk of destitution.”

May 27, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish First Minister calls for national mission to raise living standards [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 23 May 2025.

Ahead of UK summit, FM says Winter Fuel Payment must be restored.

The UK needs a national mission to raise living standards and provide people with hope that things will get easier, starting with the restoration of a Winter Fuel Payment to all pensioner households, First Minister John Swinney has said.

Speaking ahead of talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London, the First Minister said he will press for action to help people struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis, amid increasing inflation and international economic instability.

Mr Swinney said the first action of the UK Government must be to accept the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment was wrong and announce a restoration so all pensioners get a payment.

The First Minster said people need to believe things can get easier and that he plans to raise specific concerns relating to Scotland’s economy with the Prime Minister which could help accelerate economic growth. This includes the impact on Scotland of the recently announced UK-US trade deal, the agreement reached with the European Union, Carbon Capture and the case for a bespoke migration policy for Scotland.

Mr Swinney will be in London for a programme of meetings, including a bilateral with the Prime Minister, a multilateral with the First Minister of Wales, First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and a plenary session of the Council of Nations and Regions.

First Minister John Swinney said:

“People across the UK are living through a period of huge uncertainty and for some, that is undermining the trust they have in government.

“Cutting the winter fuel payment saw the UK Government breaking promises and removing vital financial support for some of the most vulnerable in our society. Having effectively conceded the argument by announcing a partial U-turn, the Prime Minister should accept the cut was wrong and restore a universal winter fuel payment.

“In Scotland, we are introducing universal winter heating payments through our Cost of Living Guarantee. This will see payment made to all pensioner households, with the poorest receiving the most support which is fair amid ongoing pressures.

“If the UK government want to provide people with hope that things will get easier, the Prime Minister should restore the winter fuel payment as part of a new national mission to raise living standards.

“I will raise this issue with him alongside other critical issues, including our proposal for a Scottish Graduate Visa, Carbon Capture and what impacts recent trade deals will have on Scottish producers and businesses.

“We are willing to work with him and the UK Government, but the question is whether he is willing to work with Scotland and give people hope that a better future is possible.”

May 27, 2025