Tag: News Story

STORY

In a judgement delivered in London’s High Court, PPE Medpro has been ordered to repay £122 million to the UK government after it was found to have supplied surgical gowns during the COVID-19 pandemic that failed to meet required sterility and safety standards. Mrs Justice Sara Cockerill ruled that the gowns breached the contract with the Department of Health and Social Care, declaring that the company had not followed validated sterilisation processes or kept sufficient documentation to prove compliance. The decision represents a heavy blow to a company embroiled in controversy and deceit.

The company is linked to the disgraced and discredited Baroness Michelle Mone who admitted to being a liar in an attempt to hide her financial benefit from the business. Despite public anger about her behaviour, she has refused to stand down from the House of Lords.

Barrowman, the partner of Mone, launched an attack on the judicial process following the judgement. A spokesperson for Barrowman said that the medical equipment was of the required standard and that the decision was “an establishment win”. The company has been ordered to repay the Government £122 million by 15 October 2025.

STORY

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has firmly rejected speculation that the government is considering introducing VAT on private healthcare services, declaring that “it’s not happening” when questioned at the Labour Party conference. His confirmation came amidst mounting rumours that the government might look for new revenue streams ahead of the upcoming budget. Streeting is making a speech at conference today with an expected emphasis of the contribution made by foreign NHS staff.

STORY

Keir Starmer has expressed public support for the new US-led peace initiative for Gaza, calling the proposal “profoundly welcome” and urging all parties, especially Hamas, to “agree to the plan and end the misery.” In an official statement from 10 Downing Street, Starmer announced that the UK will back efforts to end hostilities, free hostages, and facilitate urgent humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza.

Starmer’s remarks were timed soon after the US unveiled a 20-point plan reportedly focused on disarming Hamas, forming a transitional governing structure for Gaza, and orchestrating a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. He said that achieving a sustainable peace will require “collective effort” from the international community, not just diplomatic pledges.

Reactions across the world have been mixed. While leaders in Europe and parts of the Middle East have cautiously endorsed the proposal, many in Gaza and among the Palestinian leadership remain sceptical, pointing to previous peace efforts that foundered on demands for disarmament. There is a fear that the plan may unfairly penalise Palestinians and sideline Hamas entirely without a realistic path forward. practice is wide.

STORY

Sir Menzies Campbell, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and long-serving MP for North East Fife, has died at the age of 84. He passed away peacefully in London after a period in respite care, surrounded by family. Known affectionately as “Ming”, his family said that he had watched some of last week’s Liberal Democrat conference.

Campbell represented North East Fife from 1987 until 2015 and led the Liberal Democrats between 2006 and 2007. He was widely respected for his integrity, sharp intellect and authority on foreign affairs, becoming one of the party’s most trusted voices in Parliament. A staunch critic of the Iraq War, he was regarded as a politician of principle, admired across the political spectrum. After standing down as an MP, he took a seat in the House of Lords as Lord Campbell of Pittenweem.

Before entering politics, Campbell was a world-class athlete, representing Great Britain at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and holding the British 100m record for seven years. He later pursued a successful legal career and served as Chancellor of the University of St Andrews. Tributes have described him as a “true Liberal giant” and a statesman who embodied decency and dedication throughout public life.

STORY

A new national safety rule, known as Jess’s Rule, is being introduced across England to prevent missed diagnoses after the death of 27-year-old Jessica Brady, who visited her GP more than 20 times before her cancer was detected. Under the rule, GPs must review a patient’s case if they have attended three appointments without a clear diagnosis or if symptoms worsen, prompting further tests, referrals or second opinions.

Developed by the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Royal College of General Practitioners alongside Jessica’s family, the measure aims to catch serious illnesses earlier and reduce health inequalities. The government said the rule would ensure patients “do not fall through the cracks” and that Jessica’s death was a “preventable tragedy” that must not be repeated.

While supporters say the policy could save lives, some warn it may increase pressure on already stretched GP services. The rule will now be implemented in practices across England, with guidance and training provided to help doctors integrate the change into daily care.

STORY

In a major new policy development, the UK Government today indicated plans to introduce a compulsory digital identity card for all adults residing in the country. The so-called ‘Brit Card’ proposes to act as the primary vehicle for verifying an individual’s right to live, work, rent property and access certain services.

Sources at the Home Office said the measure aims to tighten immigration control and reduce fraudulent use of identity documents. Under the plans, starting a new job or entering into rental agreements would require individuals to present their digital ID via a smartphone app or other secure verification method tied to a central registry. The Government claims that this system will make it much harder for people without legal status to work or claim tenancy, by closing loopholes in existing identity checks.

Details of the plans are expected to be announced by the Prime Minister within the next day, in the hope of reasserting his authority after some troubled weeks.

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Walkers and nature fans now have more reason to lace up their boots: Natural England and Suffolk County Council today officially opened 26 miles of new coastline access between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey. The new stretch, part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, includes 11 miles of brand-new access rights around the Deben Estuary.

The new section links to existing paths from Shotley Gate to Felixstowe Ferry, extending continuous walking opportunities along Suffolk’s coast. Along the way, walkers pass through or close to towns and villages including Woodbridge, and traverse landscapes that shift from saltmarsh and estuary banks to farmland and protected habitats.

Hannah Thacker, Deputy Director for Norfolk and Suffolk at Natural England, said she is “personally looking forward to walking this stretch,” adding that it opens up a part of the Suffolk coast that was previously inaccessible to the public. The route is designed to balance public access with environmental protection: there are dog-on-lead zones, bird-watching hides, and fencing or path positioning to avoid disturbing sensitive habitats used by species such as dark-bellied brent geese and avocets.

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In a combative and wide-ranging address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump sought to reassert his brand of “America First” foreign policy, sharply criticising multilateral institutions, immigration policies and green energy initiatives. But his performance was overshadowed by moments of uncertainty, technical issues and mounting questions about the damage done to U.S. credibility abroad for short-term political theatrics.

Trump’s speech, delivered on the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, proclaimed that the world is in crisis and accused global bodies of failing to defend national sovereignty. He called on countries to “close their borders” and expel foreigners, arguing that liberal migration policies have “devastated” nations. In a risk to the credibility of the US, he dismissed climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world,” casting doubt on decades of scientific consensus and lambasting the European Green agenda as economically destructive.

Yet the address was marred by logistical glitches. Midway through, Trump broke from his script to complain about a stalled escalator and a malfunctioning teleprompter, blaming the UN for both incidents. UN officials, however, quickly pushed back as the escalator had been triggered by a safety mechanism, and to Trump’s humiliation it transpired responsibility for the teleprompter lay with his White House team.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has come under fire after claiming that migrants are stealing swans and carp from London parks and consuming them, a claim for which Royal Parks says there is no evidence.

During an interview on LBC, Farage said: “If I said to you that swans were being eaten in Royal Parks … and carps were being taken out of ponds and eaten … would you agree that is happening here?”, when pressed on who might be doing this, he responded: “People who come from countries where it’s quite acceptable to do so.” He added that he “believes” migrants from Eastern Europe might be involved.

Royal Parks, which manages London’s eight main parks including Hyde Park and Richmond Park, issued a clear rebuttal. A spokesperson said they have not received any reports of people killing or eating swans: “We’ve not had any incidents reported to us of people killing or eating swans in London’s eight Royal Parks. Our wildlife officers work closely with the Swan Sanctuary to ensure the welfare of the swans across the parks.”

The controversy echoes earlier claims made in the U.S. by former President Donald Trump, who alleged immigrants were eating cats and dogs. Critics have labelled Farage’s remarks xenophobic and irresponsible.

In past years, mutilated swans have been found in London parks, but investigations have not established any connection with these claims. In 2003, Scotland Yard looked into allegations of swan theft and cooking, but no arrests or convictions followed.

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His Majesty’s Government has appointed Simon Wood as the new British Ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, succeeding Dr David Ellis OBE who is retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Wood will take up the post in September 2025.

Wood joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1998 and has since held a wide range of senior positions in the UK and overseas. He most recently served as Deputy Director of the North-East Asia and China Directorate at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office between 2023 and 2024. Before that he was Deputy Director of Strategic Communications in 2022. From 2017 to 2021 he was HM Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, having earlier worked as Deputy Head of Mission in Copenhagen between 2010 and 2014.

His experience also includes postings in Tokyo, where he was First Secretary and Head of Media and Communications between 2007 and 2010 and Second Secretary for Trade Promotion from 2001 to 2004.

Dr Ellis leaves the post after a long diplomatic career, with the Foreign Office thanking him for his service. The appointment comes at a time when relations with North Korea remain limited and closely managed, with the new ambassador expected to continue efforts to maintain dialogue and represent the UK’s interests in the region.