Tag: News Story

STORY

Peter Lynch, a 61-year-old grandfather who was jailed for his role in the violent riots outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers, has died in prison. Lynch was serving a two-year and eight-month sentence at HMP Moorland in Doncaster after pleading guilty to violent disorder. His death on October 19th is currently under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, as is standard practice for all deaths in custody.

Lynch was among a group of individuals who gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on August 4th. The protest, fuelled by anti-immigration sentiment and misinformation about asylum seekers, escalated into violence, with rioters throwing missiles at police and damaging property. Bodycam footage presented in court showed Lynch shouting abuse at officers, including accusations of protecting “child killers” and “rapists”.

During his sentencing in August, the judge described Lynch’s behaviour as “disgraceful” and highlighted the fear and distress caused to the asylum seekers trapped inside the hotel. The court also heard mitigating factors, including Lynch’s recent heart attack and various health conditions.  Lynch’s death has reignited debate around the summer’s riots and the motivations of those involved. Some have expressed sympathy, citing concerns about immigration policy and the impact on local communities. Others condemn the violence and hate speech displayed, emphasising the need for tolerance and understanding. Regardless of individual viewpoints, Lynch’s death serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in such actions and the complex issues surrounding immigration in the UK.

STORY

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched a full-blown investigation into the Unite union’s controversial £100 million hotel and conference centre in Birmingham. This follows a referral from West Midlands Police who were initially handed two independent reports commissioned by Unite’s General Secretary, Sharon Graham.

The project, initiated under previous leadership, has been plagued by allegations of financial mismanagement and inflated costs. Originally estimated at £7 million, the final bill ballooned to over £100 million, raising serious concerns about potential corruption and fraud.

The SFO investigation will delve into these concerns, scrutinising the tendering process, contracts awarded, and the substantial cost overruns. Key areas of focus include potential bribery, inflated invoices, and whether any individuals personally profited from the project.

This investigation represents a significant development in a long-running saga that has cast a shadow over Unite, the UK’s largest trade union and a major Labour Party donor. The outcome could have serious repercussions for the union, its leadership, and potentially for individuals involved in the project.

Ms. Graham has pledged full cooperation with the investigation, stating her commitment to uncovering any wrongdoing and holding those responsible to account. The SFO investigation is expected to be complex and lengthy, with no timeframe given for its conclusion.

STORY

In a case that has sparked intense debate about police use of force, Metropolitan Police firearms officer Martyn Blake has been found not guilty of murder in the death of Chris Kaba. Mr. Kaba, an unarmed 24-year-old, was fatally shot through the windscreen of his car in Streatham Hill, South London, in September 2022.

The jury at the Old Bailey reached their verdict after three hours of deliberation, acquitting Mr. Blake, who fired the single fatal shot that ended Mr. Kaba’s life. The officer had been charged with murder following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The court heard how the Audi Mr. Kaba was driving had been linked to a firearms incident, although no gun was found in the vehicle. Mr. Blake testified that he believed Mr. Kaba was reaching for a weapon.

The verdict has elicited strong reactions. Mr. Kaba’s family expressed profound disappointment and vowed to continue their fight for justice, while the Metropolitan Police emphasised respect for the judicial process and acknowledged the complexities of armed policing.

STORY

UK inflation has fallen to 1.7% in the year to September, in a fall which was larger than predicted by the markets. The news means that interest rate cuts are now more likely as inflation has fallen below the Bank of England’s target of 2%.

STORY

Sue Gray has confirmed her resignation as the Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, but will take up a new role as the Envoy for Nations and Regions. Starmer said in a statement:

“Sue has played a vital role in strengthening our relations with the regions and nations. I am delighted that she will continue to support that work”.

STORY

Grant Shapps, the former Secretary of State for Defence, has said that he has seen “no evidence at all” of the allegations made by Robert Jenrick, a candidate for the Tory leadership, that British military forces were killing rather than capturing terrorists. Jenrick has refused to provide any evidence for his allegations.

STORY

Robert Jenrick, one of the four candidates for the Tory leadership, has made an allegation that British armed forces have been engaged in killing terrorists rather than follow orders to capture them. Jenrick has yet to prove evidence of his serious allegations about the competence of the British military forces and is under some pressure to do so by political figures in the party. Jenrick refused to supply evidence, noting:

“Of course I’m not going to elaborate on particular cases because these things, these cases are not things that any minister can speak about.”

Tom Tugendhat, another candidate to lead the Conservative Party, condemned the comments and said:

“I’m extremely concerned that such words should not be seen in any way to encourage people to take any action other than surrender to British forces when asked to do so”.

James Cleverly also rejected Jenrick’s attack on the military, saying:

“The British military always abide by international humanitarian law, the law of armed conflict. We have the the most professional military in the world and our military do not murder people.”

STORY

The Bank of England has confirmed that interest rates will be held at 5% after a cut from 5.25% the previous month. The members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 to leave interest rates unchanged with Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, saying:

“It’s vital that inflation stays low, so we need to be careful not to cut too fast or by too much”.

STORY

Mel Stride is the second candidate to have left the contest to become the next Conservative leader after he secured the lowest number of votes in the second round of voting by Conservative MPs. Robert Jenrick secured 33 votes, Kemi Badenoch secured 28 votes whilst James Cleverly and Tom Tugenhadt received 16 votes. The next vote of Tory MPs will be after the party’s conference, when the party members will then decide between the final two candidates.

STORY

The Foreign Office have announced a change of the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, with Matt Woods taking over Barry Lowen in September 2024. Woods’s previous roles include: