Current Politics in the United Kingdom

[Devius]

Originally Posted by Devius

Further related...

Scottish Greens will vote to oust first minister

Full article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...itics-68901088

Continued...

Humza Yousaf will not resign as Scotland's first minister

Humza Yousaf has said he will not resign as Scotland's first minister and intends to carry on in the role.

Mr Yousaf was speaking at an event in Dundee as he fights for his political future ahead of a no-confidence vote next week.

Breaking news:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-68903926

[MrGrimsdale]

Originally Posted by Devius

Continued...
Humza Yousaf will not resign as Scotland's first minister
Breaking news:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-68903926

Incessant leftist whining for the socialist utopia. Until they get it.
Classic.

"Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."
Winston Churchill

[haroldeye]

Originally Posted by foxbat1

This is a classic Euromyth.

Try EU Directive 91/440.

[Alfac]

Originally Posted by haroldeye

Try EU Directive 91/440.

And that's another Euromiss for team foxbat.

[Alfac]

Originally Posted by otokonomidori

I'm old enough to have experienced just how appalling rail travel was before the railways were privatised .

I've got three cars these days and will never be on a train again if I can help it.

What worries me most about re-nationalisation, is that it would be done by Labour, and that the Trade Unions would effectively control them again.

When I say it worries me, it doesn't from the perspective of having to rely on a train, as I flat refuse to get on the over-priced sardine cans that might or might not actually turn up. Far better to sit in a comfortable seat, listening to music I like, climate control to my preference, getting to my destination faster, and cheaper.

[Devius]

Sadiq Khan apologises to Chief Rabbi over interview remarks

Sadiq Khan has contacted the Chief Rabbi to apologise for comments he made during a discussion about Islamophobia.

Labour's London mayoral candidate implied Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had not been treated in the same way over similar remarks he had made about wanting a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

Mr Khan said the Manchester mayor was "not called Ahmed Burhani" and so his views on Gaza were seen differently.

Mr Khan made the remarks during an interview on Wednesday.

In a statement issued to the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis on Friday, Mr Khan said he apologised for his remarks, "which I deeply regret".

Sir Ephraim is currently celebrating Passover and so is unable to respond, a spokesman said.

Mr Khan made the comments in an interview with British-American broadcaster Mehdi Hasan, released on Wednesday, covering topics including Islamophobia, the Israel-Gaza war and climate change.

Mr Khan said during the interview: "Very shortly after I called for a ceasefire, the mayor of Greater Manchester called for a ceasefire.

"I've not seen the Chief Rabbi, the Jewish Chronicle, say comments said against me in relation to my calls for a ceasefire. And I'd ask those Jewish people to just pause and reflect on their response to me calling for a ceasefire.

"What motivated them to come out in the way they did against the mayor of London and the mayor of Greater Manchester?

"I'll give you a clue. He's not called Ahmed Burhani. He's called Andy Burnham, whereas I'm called Sadiq Khan."

Mr Burnham made his call for a ceasefire in a statement issued on 27 October. He wrote: "We are deeply concerned about events in the Middle East and the anguish being experienced by people in Greater Manchester, most acutely, in our Jewish and Muslim communities.

"We condemn unreservedly the appalling terror attacks on innocent civilians in Israel by Hamas on 7 October. We recognise that Israel has the right to take targeted action within international law to defend itself against terror attacks and terrorist organisations and to rescue hostages."

'It wasn't fair'

More than a month later, on 30 November, during a humanitarian pause in hostilities, the Chief Rabbi had a meeting with Mr Burnham.

Afterwards, Sir Ephraim posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying: "Today I met Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, to thank him for his consistent message of support for the Jewish community in Manchester and to discuss his response to the war between Israel and Hamas and the way the conflict has impacted Jewish communities here in the UK."

A month earlier - before the humanitarian pause in hostilities - the Chief Rabbi had met Mr Khan at City Hall.

After that meeting on 31 October, Sir Ephraim posted on X, saying: "This afternoon at City Hall, I thanked Sadiq Khan for his ongoing, unequivocal commitment to fighting antisemitism across London and I also explained to him why I believe that a ceasefire now would be an irresponsible stepping stone to yet more Hamas terrorist brutality."

In his apology issued to the Chief Rabbi on Friday, Mr Khan said: "He has, along with other Jewish leaders, been a friend to me, and we have worked hard together to unite our city and celebrate our diversity.

"At times it is clear to me, and others, that as a mayor of London of Islamic faith, I am held to a different standard, and that can be frustrating, particularly during a divisive election campaign.

"But it wasn't fair of me to have levelled that frustration at the Chief Rabbi. I am sorry for any hurt this has caused and will continue working with Jewish leaders to build a safer London for everyone."

In response to Mr Khan's apology, Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden described his comments as "dirty dog-whistle politics against the Chief Rabbi".

Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall said: "It's important we continue to bring communities in our great city together."

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68905791

[Devius]

Anger after SUVs have tyres deflated by activists

Owners of some sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in north London have said their car tyres were deflated by an environmental group.

A leaflet left on the vehicles by the group Tyre Extinguishers, in Islington on Tuesday, said SUVs and 4x4s were "a disaster for our climate".

One resident said she had been trying to get to her mother in end-of-life care when she discovered all four tyres had been deflated.

Tyre Extinguishers has not yet responded to a request to comment, but on its website,, external the group describes itself as a "leaderless, autonomous movement of groups that act independently".



The Metropolitan Police said it was looking into the reports.

The activist group has been known to target cars in London and across the country for a number of years.

Residents reported that cars were targeted on a number of streets in Islington this week, but the exact number of cars affected is not known.

Jo, who did not want to give her real name, told the BBC she had been left "devastated" by the group's action.

In an email to Tyre Extinguishers, seen by the BBC, she said: “You deflated my tyres without knowing who I am and my status in life.

"My mother is in palliative care and I came to the car to go to her, but because of your vicious act, I am stuck trying to reinflate my tyres!"

Jo said the incident had caused "emotional and psychological harm".

She told the BBC the car had been chosen specifically as it had helped her to transport her mother in recent months.



A number of other residents took to the local Islington Facebook group to share their own experiences.

One said his car had been parked "in the dedicated disabled bay outside our house".

"The reason I have a big car is because my son uses a wheelchair and we often have to have a carer in the car with him too," he said.

"I have contacted the police" he added.

'Form of vandalisation'

Another resident said she was a local healthcare worker for the NHS, adding: "I have few elderly client in Highbury who needs help!

And added: "You ruin my day because what you did to my car!"

Owners of a local car-parts shop, Autoparts, told the BBC they had seen more people than usual coming in to buy tyre pumps this week, following the action.

Lizzie, from the shop, said people coming in were "annoyed" at what had happened.

She said it "shouldn't happen" and felt it was a "form of vandalisation".

On its website, Tyre Extinguishers says: "We want to make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4x4 in the world’s urban areas.

"We do this by deflating the tyres of these massive, unnecessary vehicles, causing inconvenience and expense for their owners."

A Met Police spokesperson said: "The local policing team in Islington are aware of this report and are speaking with local partners including the council to determine the scale of the problem.

We will also be speaking with residents and ward panel members."

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg67xeqp296o

[Devius]

Originally Posted by Devius

Prevent: UK anti-terror scheme 'not doing enough' to stop Islamist extremism, report finds
Wednesday 8 February 2023 at 7:11pm

Source:
https://www.itv.com/news/2023-02-08/...mist-extremism

Coincidentally...



Reading attacks inquest: Deaths avoidable, coroner concludes

The deaths of three men murdered by a man convicted under anti-terror laws in a Reading park were avoidable, an inquest has concluded.

Khairi Saadallah killed James Furlong, David Wails, and Joe Ritchie-Bennett, in Forbury Gardens in June 2020.

He was given a whole-life term in 2021 after admitting murder and the attempted murder of three other men.

Judge Coroner Sir Adrian Fulford found major problems with intelligence sharing between authorities.

Addressing the court, he described Saadallah's "volatility" and said he had a "terrorist mindset".

Counter Terrorism Policing, the Probation Service and Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust were among the organisations criticised for failing in the case.

Speaking outside the Old Bailey, James Furlong's father Gary said: "Our boys didn't stand a chance."

"It is clear that there was failure after failure by all state agencies who dealt with Saadallah," he said.



Saadallah arrived in the UK in 2012 as a teenage refugee, having fought in the Libyan revolution, and suffered from PTSD, among other conditions.

He had extensive contact with mental health services, but Sir Adrian said Saadallah was "caught in a catch-22" with no continuity of care.

He concluded it was "at least possible" Saadallah would never have attacked the men if his mental health had been correctly managed by authorities.

Sir Adrian also said if intelligence about the high risk he posed had been shared properly he might have been detained by police.

He also found "significantly troubling failings" by counter-terrorist police officers, who lacked understanding and did not share information with other forces and the probation service.



Counter-terror programmes, such as Prevent, did not provide any "effective intervention" to address Saadallah's threats.

Reports about the risk he posed were "markedly deficient", the judge coroner said, and one intelligence assessment was "simply inadequate".

Sir Adrian said Saadallah had "demonstrated capacity for violence" on many occasions, and his behaviour had "markedly deteriorated" in the 18 months before the attack.

He should have been recognised as a high-risk patient, he added.

Saadallah was released from prison on 5 June 2020 and went to live in a flat in Basingstoke Road in Reading before he started preparing the attack.

He visited Forbury Gardens, researched it online and bought a knife in a Morrisons supermarket.

The night before the murders, local officers visited Saadallah after his brother rang police to raise concerns about his mental state.

Body-worn video from the two-minute encounter shows Saadallah reassuring the officers, who asked how he was feeling and if he had enough food.

A carrier bag containing a knife was visible on the floor behind him.

On 20 June, his attack was "ruthless and lethal", prosecutors at his murder trial said. He attacked his victims so quickly that those who died had no idea what was happening.

He shouted "Allahu Akbar [God is greatest]" as he attacked, and again as he ran away into Reading town centre, where he was chased and arrested by unarmed police.



When he was sentenced in January 2021, Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said Saadallah carried out a "ruthless and brutal" attack.

He said the three men "had no chance to react, let alone defend themselves".

The judge added he was sure the attack "involved a substantial degree of premeditation or planning" and was carried out "for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, or ideological cause".

Speaking outside court, Dr David Wails' brother Andrew said: "The failings of the state exposed by this inquest sicken and disgust me, those who failed in their duties are responsible for David, James and Joe's deaths.

"I will never forgive and never forget the pain and suffering inflicted on David and my family, which we have to endure for the rest of our lives."

A spokesperson for Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said there had been "significant learnings" in the trust since the Forbury Gardens attack.

They said changes were "focussed on much better communication and engagement with our partners and the way in which multi-agency working is delivered."

"We will now review the coroner's findings and work alongside all agencies involved, to ensure any further learning and improvements can be agreed and embedded as quickly as possible," they added.

Speaking on behalf of Counter Terrorism Policing South East and Thames Valley Police, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe said they acknowledged the inquest's conclusion.

He said: "We in policing have not waited until this point to make changes where needed.

"Much has already been done to address these issues, but let me be clear, I know that there is still work to do."

He said police had an "unrelenting" commitment to learn, change and improve "where required".

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...shire-68896078

[Devius]

Ofcom warns broadcasters over using politician hosts before general election

TV and radio stations with shows hosted by politicians could face fines if they break impartiality rules during the next general election campaign, the UK's media regulator Ofcom has warned.

Channels including GB News and LBC have shows hosted by serving MPs.

Any candidates standing for election will not be allowed to host programmes during the campaign period, Ofcom said.

Rule breaches by other politicians hosting election programming are likely to be treated as "serious", it added.

"If broadcasters want to take the risk of having a high-profile politician, who's not standing for a seat hosting a programme, they're going to have to work bloody hard to make sure that those programmes are duly impartial," Ofcom broadcasting director Cristina Nicolotti Squires told BBC Radio 4's Media Show.

"And we will come down on them like a ton of bricks [if they aren't]."

Ofcom issued the warning as broadcasters and political parties begin to gear up for the next election, which must be held before the end of January 2025.

Nigel Farage, who hosts a GB News show, is currently honorary president of Reform UK but he is not an MP and has said he has no plans to make an eighth attempt to get elected to the House of Commons.

Ofcom also said it had also strengthened rules for normal, non-election times, which say politicians can't work as a newsreader, interviewer or reporter in news programmes "unless, exceptionally, it is editorially justified". Politicians can, however, front current affairs.

GB News has already been put "on notice" by Ofcom after the regulator ruled in March that five episodes of programmes hosted by serving Conservative MPs crossed the line between current affairs and news.

Those shows were presented by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Esther McVey and Philip Davies.

"What we've done is put them [GB News] on notice that fines are on the table and that they do need to improve their record," Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday.

Ofcom has a current investigation into a programme hosted by Mr Farage on the channel.

Meanwhile, the regulator is also investigating an episode of a weekly LBC show hosted by Labour's Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and an edition of Conservative MP Jake Berry's show on TalkTV.

Dame Melanie added: "People do need to take care, particularly if they're using politicians, and especially in this election year, when the rules must be upheld."

GB News has also recruited former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to "play a key role" in its election coverage.

In a statement, Ofcom reminded broadcasters that its code "prohibits candidates in UK elections from acting as news presenters, interviewers or presenters of any type of programme during the election period".

It said: "Politicians who are not standing as candidates in a UK election can present non-news programmes - including current affairs - during election periods, provided that programme complies with all relevant code rules."

Ofcom's definition of a politician covers candidates, political party employees or activists, but doesn't clarify whether figures like Mr Johnson and such regular broadcasters as Ed Balls and Michael Portillo - all no longer MPs - also count.

Its guidance added: "We are likely to view breaches of the due impartiality rules in election programming presented by (non-standing) politicians as serious, and we may consider the imposition of statutory sanctions."

Possible sanctions range from ordering an apology to imposing a fine or - in the most serious cases - revoking a broadcasting licence.

Ofcom also carried out audience research, saying viewers and listeners "strongly value due impartiality" and "feel strongly that all politicians have a partisan viewpoint that would call into question the due impartiality of news if it was presented by them".

Audience members also raised "concerns" about politicians fronting current affairs programmes, but there was "no clear consensus for an outright ban", Ofcom said.

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68887823

[Devius]