STORY
Led by Donkeys, the British campaign group, have projected an image of controversial business leader Elon Musk with the Nazi salute he allegedly gave earlier this week whilst at a rally at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the President. The image was projected outside the Tesla gigafactory in Berlin, Germany. Musk refused to apologise or explain the incident, instead issuing a statement stating:
“Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
STORY
Tulip Siddiq has resigned as a Treasury Minister following an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh, although there is no evidence that she has acted improperly. In her resignation letter to the Prime Minister she stated:
“I am grateful to your Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards Sir Laurie Magnus for acting with speed and thoroughness in response to my self-referral, and for giving me the opportunity to share the full details of my finances and living arrangements, both present and historic. As you know, having conducted an in-depth review of the matter at my request, Sir Laurie has confirmed that I have not breached the Ministerial Code. As he notes, there is no evidence to suggest that I have acted improperly in relation to the properties I have owned or lived in, nor to suggest that any of my assets ‘derive from anything other than legitimate means’.
My family connections are a matter of public record, and when I became a Minister I provided the full details of my relationships and private interests to the Government. After extensive consultation with officials, I was advised to state in my declaration of interests that my aunt is the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and to recuse myself from matters relating to Bangladesh to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest. I want to assure you that I acted and have continued to act with full transparency and on the advice of officials on these matters.”
Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, replied:
“In accepting your resignation, I also wish to be clear that Sir Laurie Magnus as independent adviser has assured me he found no breach of the Ministerial Code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part.”
RESOURCES
Letter from Tulip Siddiq to Keir Starmer
STORY
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that paved the way for the independence of South Sudan. However, the occasion is marked by disappointment as the hopes and aspirations enshrined in the agreement remain largely unfulfilled. The CPA, signed on 9 January 2005, promised peace, human rights, and a responsive government for the people of South Sudan. Yet, two decades later, the country is mired in conflict, corruption, and economic mismanagement.
Despite its vast natural resources, South Sudan’s wealth has been concentrated in the hands of a privileged few. The transitional government has failed to utilise public funds effectively, leaving essential services such as healthcare and education severely underfunded.
“The transitional government has not taken the steps necessary to create the conditions for peaceful and credible elections,” said a spokesperson for the Foreign Office. “We renew our call on the transitional government to act with urgency to meet its long overdue commitments so that South Sudan can finally realise the CPA’s promise of peace and prosperity for all its citizens.”
The international community has expressed growing concern over the lack of progress in South Sudan. The transitional government’s failure to implement key provisions of the CPA has led to renewed calls for greater accountability and transparency. As South Sudan enters its third decade of independence, the need for urgent action to address the country’s deep-seated challenges is more critical than ever. The anniversary of the CPA serves as a stark reminder of the unfulfilled promises made to the people of South Sudan, who continue to endure hardship and uncertainty.
LINKS
STORY
Ten Derbyshire councillors from the Reform Party have resigned in protest at Nigel Farage’s leadership of the party and said that it had “lost its sense of direction” recently. The resignations come just days after Elon Musk, a support of the new US President Donald Trump, said that Farage was “not up to the job”.
Farage spoke on Newsnight and said:
“We had a rogue branch putting people up and I think you’ll find, in many cases, there will have to be by-elections because they were not legitimately put forward.”
The Reform Party currently has around fifty councillors.
STORY
Liz Truss, the former Prime Minister, has sent a legal threat to Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, demanding that he stop repeating that she “crashed the economy” during her period in office. The mini-budget in September 2022 led to the falling of the pound to its weakest level since decimalisation and Truss ordered a reversal of the budget, but her lawyers said in the letter that the economy did not crash as GDP or employment did not immediately fall.
Truss was forced from office after just 49 days and there was cross-party condemnation of her budget, with Rishi Sunak later stating:
“Everyone knows that two years ago I wasn’t afraid to repeatedly warn about what her economic policies would lead to, even if it wasn’t what people wanted to hear at the time.”
Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House, said in response to the unusual demand that “we won’t cease and desist from telling the truth that the Conservatives crashed the economy.”
A spokesperson for Keir Starmer said in a statement:
“I think you can ask people up and down the country what the impact of previous economic management was on their mortgages, on inflation, and I think you’ll get similar answers.”
STORY
Inspector Charles Ehikioya, head of the Metropolitan police’s Black Police Association, is facing a misconduct hearing for allegedly participating in a WhatsApp group chat where offensive messages were shared. The messages, sent between 2017 and 2020, included racist jokes about east Asian people, a video mocking Katie Price’s disabled son, and misogynistic and homophobic content. Ehikioya denies the allegations, claiming the messages were either fabricated or falsely attributed to him. If found guilty, he could be dismissed from the police force. The hearing is expected to end on 10 January 2025.
STORY
North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) on Monday, January 6th, 2025, marking its first missile test since early November 2024. The launch coincided with a visit to Seoul by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for discussions on regional security and the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. The missile, launched from the Pyongyang area, flew approximately 1,100 km before landing in the Sea of Japan. This test is seen as a provocative act by North Korea, demonstrating its continued advancement of its missile capabilities despite international sanctions and condemnation.
The launch drew immediate criticism from South Korea, Japan, and the United States, with all three countries calling for North Korea to cease its missile development program and engage in meaningful dialogue. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the launch and potential further actions. This latest missile test raises concerns about regional stability and the potential for further escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. A Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement:
“DPRK’s ballistic missile launch on 6 January is another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula. The UK strongly urges the DPRK to stop such provocations, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.”
STORY
Following suspected sabotage of a critical undersea cable in the Baltic Sea, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has activated a cutting-edge surveillance system to monitor maritime activity and protect vital infrastructure. On Christmas Day 2024, the Estlink 2 undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia suffered an unexpected outage. This incident, suspected to be an act of sabotage by a vessel linked to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, has sent ripples of concern across Europe, highlighting the vulnerability of critical undersea infrastructure in a new era of geopolitical tensions. In response, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has activated ‘Nordic Warden’, an AI-powered surveillance system designed to monitor maritime activity and protect vital undersea cables and pipelines.
The JEF is a UK-led multinational military partnership formed in 2014 to provide a rapid response force for crisis situations in Northern Europe and the High North. Comprising ten like-minded nations – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK – the JEF combines high-readiness forces from all branches of the armed forces. While capable of acting independently, the JEF can also integrate into larger international operations led by NATO, the UN, or other security coalitions. Notably, the JEF can operate with as few as two participating countries if a need arises. This flexibility allows for rapid response and tailored deployments based on the specific situation Nordic Warden, developed with input from all ten JEF nations, leverages AI to sift through vast amounts of data, including ship positions and movement patterns. The system flags suspicious vessels, particularly those identified as part of the Russian shadow fleet, and alerts JEF and NATO allies in real-time.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the importance of this initiative for national security and economic growth, stating, “This government is working closely with our allies to protect critical national infrastructure, such as undersea cables.” Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the system’s innovative use of AI, stating that it allows for “unprecedented ability to monitor large areas of the sea with a comparatively small number of resources.” He added that Nordic Warden will help protect against both deliberate sabotage and accidental damage.
Currently, 22 key areas are under surveillance, including parts of the English Channel, North Sea, Kattegat, and Baltic Sea. The system was successfully trialled in 2024 and recently during Exercise Joint Protector, demonstrating the JEF’s rapid response capabilities. This initiative builds on the UK’s ongoing efforts to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet, including sanctions on tankers and a new agreement requiring proof of insurance from suspect vessels in the Baltic Sea. In a joint statement, JEF members expressed concern over the Estlink2 incident, highlighting the “risks to vital communication and energy networks essential for the security and prosperity of all our nations.” They reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding shared interests and regional stability.
STORY
The Government has released figures which show a record 8.7 million NHS Couch to 5k walks and runs were completed in 2024. 790,000 people downloaded the NHS app this year, with other seven million people downloading it since it was set up in 2016.
Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne said:
“New Year is the time to reset, outline new goals and adopt healthier habits for the year ahead. For many of us, getting more exercise and implementing more movement into our daily lives is top of the list. The NHS Couch to 5K app is a great way to get fitter and build sustainable running habits. Keeping fit can have a positive impact on our health, preventing risks of developing serious illness like diabetes and heart disease and can help to reduce pressure on the NHS. With our Plan for Change, this government is committed to getting the NHS back on its feet by moving from sickness to prevention.”
NHS National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said:
“The Couch to 5K programme is a fantastic way to get into running and be on track for a healthier new year. We know that regular exercise helps reduce the risk of long-term illnesses and has enormous health benefits, as well as reducing pressure on the NHS. I’d encourage anyone using the new year as an opportunity to look at living a healthier lifestyle to download the app and take up this enjoyable challenge.”
STORY
An employment tribunal has dismissed a claim for £1,011,150 from Veleta Brown who claimed that she faced racial discrimination as she was asked to go through a security procedure whilst at Heathrow Airport.
Full Text of Hearing (in .pdf format)
The Claimant, Miss Veleta Brown, brought claims of race discrimination and harassment against her former employer, LHR Airports Limited. She alleged that she was subjected to a private search at a security checkpoint because of her race and that her subsequent complaints were not handled appropriately.
The Tribunal dismissed all of the Claimant’s claims.
Key reasons for the Tribunal’s decision:
The Tribunal found that the private search was initiated because the security scanner was triggered, not because of the Claimant’s race.
The Tribunal found inconsistencies in the Claimant’s evidence, but found the Respondent’s witnesses to be largely consistent and credible.
The Tribunal concluded that the Respondent’s handling of the Claimant’s complaints and grievance, while flawed, was not motivated by race.
Additional points:
The Claimant withdrew her claim of constructive unfair dismissal.
The Respondent was granted permission to call additional witnesses despite the late application.
The Claimant was granted permission to amend her claim to include the grievance process as part of the alleged discrimination.