Flood fears and 'dangerous sea conditions' as Storm Ellen's 70mph gales stir up the high tide - Daily Mail

Ellen high water! Flood fears and 'dangerous sea conditions' as Storm Ellen's 70mph gales stir up the high tide to batter UK coast bringing travel chaos and threatening power cuts

• Britain was battered with heavy winds and torrential rain when Storm Ellen rolled across UK yesterday 
• The storm, which contains remnants of devastating Tropical Storm Kyle, brought heavy gales and blackouts
• More stormy weather is expected to continue today as gusts up to 70mph hit exposed coastline areas 
• Staycationers faced chaos and ripped tents amid the first-ever named storm to hit school summer holidays 
• The stormy conditions represent a dramatic turnaround from last week's extreme heatwave across the UK

By Joe Middleton For Mailonline

Published: 07:05 BST, 21 August 2020 | Updated: 08:21 BST, 21 August 2020

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Storm Ellen is set to continue battering Britain with 70mph gale force winds expected ahead of the weekend, bringing the potential for travel disruption and flooding. 

More than 50,000 homes and businesses in Ireland will remain without power as the Met Office imposed a yellow weather warning of strong winds stretching across England, Wales and parts of Scotland and lasting until 6pm on Friday.

Gusts of 45 to 50mph are forecast for inland areas, reaching up to 60mph around coasts and hills, which will put further power lines at risk if tree branches are brought crashing down.

The Met Office said strong winds could lead to some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport and possibly some temporary power disruption. Meanwhile high tides and thrashing waves have put coastal homes at risk of flooding.

Emergency services have urged the public to take extra care in the windy conditions, particularly along the coast where many people are enjoying August beach breaks. 

Matthew Box, a Met Office meteorologist, told MailOnline: 'It's going to be a windy day for many on Friday as an area of low pressure brings strong winds. 

'Gusts will reach 40-50mph inland and 50-60mph around exposed coasts. Gusts could reach 70mph in exposed parts of Wales.

'With trees still in leaf the wind could bring down branches and cause disruption if power lines are brought down. 

'We've also got spring-like tides at the moment which will impact the coast with large waves.'  

The Met Office imposed a yellow weather warning of strong winds stretching across England, Wales and parts of Scotland and lasting until 6pm on Friday

Huge waves from Storm Ellen smash into the cliffs and coastal defences at Porthleven in Cornwall at sunrise during high tide on a morning of gale force winds from Storm Ellen

Waves crash over the promenade in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, as Storm Ellen hits Ireland and western parts of Britain

Huge waves from Storm Ellen smash into the cliffs and coastal defences at Porthleven in Cornwall at sunrise during high tide on a morning of gale force winds from Storm Ellen

There are coastal flood and gale alerts in North Wales as the threat is compounded by spring tides which are likely to produce big seas.

Some customers may have to do without power beyond Friday, electricity network operator ESB Networks said. It was restored to around 140,000 users throughout the day.

An ESB statement said: 'We are advising all those impacted by outages that they should prepare to be without electricity overnight and into tomorrow - with some customers potentially without power beyond that.'

Experts warn extreme weather set to happen 'more frequently'

Britain has lurched from a record breaking heatwave in August to 70 mile per hour gales, flooding and torrential downpours.

But these extreme weather events are likely to become more, not less, frequent, with the explanation likely due to climate change.  

Luke Miall, a forecaster at the Met Office, told the Telegraph that Storm Ellen will be felt 'for the next couple of days' and is 'not going to move through really quickly so we will continue to see a really big area of low pressure through the rest of this week'. 

He added: 'We have gone from one extreme to the other, the first thing that springs to my mind with these sorts of events is climate change. 

'We are likely to see these swings in extreme events more frequently. 

'Although I couldn't necessarily say these two events were directly caused by climate change, it's likely that these sorts of swings in our weather will become more frequent.'

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It confirmed it expected that 50,000 homes and businesses will remain without electricity on Thursday evening.

'Crews will continue working tonight and will mobilise again at first light to restore the remainder through the course of tomorrow, Friday.' 

The Environment Agency has issued 42 flood alerts and 19 flood warnings - which urge people to take immediate action - largely along the south and south-west coastline of England.

They warn that a combination of high spring tides, strong winds and large waves are expected to cause property flooding on Thursday night or Friday morning.

The agency warned people in the south-west to not 'wave watch' and 'stay away from sea promenades and exposed coastal areas', with tidal gates being closed on Cornwall's south coast.

Natural Resources Wales has also issued seven flood warnings for the south west coast of the country.

Devon and Cornwall Police have warned the public to be wary of 'storm conditions' across their region, particularly on the coast where waves could reach up to nine feet high.

The force said strong winds could bring 'dangerous seas and strong rip currents' and urged beachgoers to check tide times, stick to life-guarded beaches, be aware watersports may be unsafe and avoid storm watching.

Chief Inspector Tom Cunningham said: 'We are aware there is many thousands of tourists in our coastal communities currently who may not have experienced conditions which we are expecting or be aware of the danger they can bring.

'We would ask everyone to heed the advice of the RNLI and HM Coastguard by not putting themselves, and indeed emergency responders, at risk by entering dangerous waters.

'Beaches are a huge draw to tourists in our region, but our coast needs to be respected by all.' 

A train passes by waves in Dawlish, Devon, as gusts of up to 70mph are expected to hit exposed coastal areas. It comes as Storm Ellen moves on and leaves more wet and windy weather in its wake

Storm Ellen swept through Ireland felling trees and causing disruption in communities. Roads were blocked with wayward trampolines (left) and trees (right)

HM Coastguard urged people to take extra care during the windy weather, adding on Twitter: 'The South West coast is set for a bit of a battering over the next couple of days, with dangerous sea conditions involving large swells, strong winds & spring tides expected.'

On Wednesday, gusts of 89mph battered Roches Point at the entrance to Cork Harbour as Ireland bore the initial brunt of the freak weather which swept across the British Isles. 

Footage on social media showed strong winds and sparking power lines in Cobh in Ireland, while West Cork TD Holly Cairns shared video of flooding in Skibbereen. 

Millions who have taken UK breaks away from home continue to face torn-down tents, blackouts and travel disruption as winds, usually seen in winter, roll through.

Ellen, Britain's worst storm for six months since Storm Dennis on February 15, was shown arriving in dramatic satellite images and maps on Tuesday. 

The West will continue to see the strongest winds over the next few days but gale-force 40mph gusts are also expected in parts of the East.  

This week surf towering more than 15ft was seen along the Cornwall coast and nearly 100 homes were blacked out by power cuts in the area as the Environment Agency warned of flooding.

A four-day buffeting of strong winds is expected to last until Sunday, with rain easing after yesterday. 

Ellen, which contains remnants of Tropical Storm Kyle, is the first storm named in school summer holidays by the Met Office or Ireland's Met Eireann since they began naming Atlantic storms in 2015.

Ellen is known as a 'weather bomb' by forecasters due to 'explosive cyclogenesis' seeing it strengthen as its air pressure plunges more than 24 milibars in 24 hours.

The storm's air pressure fell by 34mb to 965mb in the 24 hours to midnight on Tuesday, Met Office forecasts showed. 

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: 'Storm Ellen's very unseasonable conditions come with the tourist season in full flow and trees in full leaf.

Ellen, Britain's worst storm for six months since Storm Dennis on February 15, strengthened to a 900 mile-wide 'weather bomb' and weather warnings remain in place

'The low pressure is deepening, with warnings issued for winds of 70mph-plus in some exposed areas.

'It will be wet and windy on Thursday and Friday, with further strong winds and squally rain bands.

'And big waves will develop on some west coasts, combining with high tides.'

Staycationers are facing the brunt of the storm with one forecaster claiming 'summer will be long forgotten' as days of heavy rain are set to batter the nation. 

A Met Office forecaster said: 'Summer will be long forgotten as rain and wind sets in. It will feel much more like autumn.'

'A 'weather bomb' is not a perfect meteorological term but is defined as an intense low pressure system with a central pressure that falls 24 millibars in a 24-hour period.'

The Environment Agency said: 'Local flooding is possible from surface water and rivers on Thursday evening in the South-West, and from large waves and high tides on Thursday and Friday in the South-West, Wales and North-East.

'Land, roads and some properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.' 

Dramatic satellite images and maps show 75mph Storm Ellen arriving on Wednesday

It comes after the Met Office warned we could see as much as 50mm of rain over higher ground, falling within the space of six hours.

Ellen has already devastated the UK, with a dramatic rescue operation launched on Wednesday morning after a yacht was 'snapped' from its anchor and driven on to a West Country beach by the fury of the tempest's howling 70mph-plus winds. 

The Coastguard said the yacht was blown ashore from its anchorage out in the sea at Wherrytown, near Penzance, Cornwall. One person was aboard and he was safely rescued following a joint operation involving an RNLI lifeboat crew from Penlee Station and the coastguard.  

Engineers were battling to restore supplies at properties near Falmouth, Par, Gunnislake and Porthleven.

As police warned the storm will turn roads into deadly skidpans, a driver was rescued when his car skidded and overturned on the A38 in Plymouth, Devon, this morning.

Another smash was reported on the B3285 at Goonhavern, Cornwall, and blown-down trees blocked roads at Liskeard and on the A380 Teignmouth Road in Devon.

The car park at the Tesco store in Truro has been turned into a lake by torrential rain.

A warning for gales also came into force at 8pm yesterday and gusts of up to 65mph were forecast inland along with 70mph gusts along the coast.

Huge waves pounded exposed beaches facing the Atlantic in north Devon and Cornwall, sending beach-goers and walkers scrambling for cover, while tourists were warned not to stand on promenades or rocks taking selfies in the storm - or they could be swept into the sea and drown.  

The stormy conditions represent a dramatic turnaround from the extreme heatwave experienced in Britain up until last week which saw temperatures of at least 93F (34C) for six days in a row for the first time on record. 

Residents in Barnstaple, Devon, are still mopping up after torrential rain flooded shops and homes earlier this week.

Now they have been hit by another soaking after the latest storm tore a path across Ireland and slammed into the UK yesterday. 

Most of the UK can expect strong winds and rain over the coming days, the Met Office warned.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Steve Ramsdale said: 'Following the recent hot and thundery weather we are seeing a significant change to very unsettled conditions for August with an unseasonal spell of strong winds associated with low-pressure centres for the second half of the week.

'Uncertainty remains high in the intensity of these systems at this point, but we are confident in the change to a spell of much windier weather.

'Tropical air associated with a decayed tropical cyclone is being drawn towards the UK, and the marked contrast between this warm and moist air with normal North Atlantic airmasses can lead to a very vigorous system.'

He described it as a 'very vigorous' weather system that has been created by the warm and moist air from a decayed tropical cyclone with normal North Atlantic air masses.

Temperatures are set to be much lower than the last 10 days, which have seen 86F-plus heat in many places. 

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2020-08-21 06:05:35Z
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Coronavirus map LIVE: Emergency meeting to decide on lockdowns for two towns TODAY - Express

Areas under consideration include Blackburn and Darwen along with Pendle and Oldham, following a spike in new coronavirus infections. Data released by Public Health England reveals there was more than 300 new cases in these northern towns in seven days.

In Oldham, officials recorded 200 new cases with a further 114 people testing positive in the Blackburn area.

The seven-day rolling data measured the number of new cases per 100,000 people between August 9-16.

In Oldham the rate stood at 84.3 with Blackburn and Darwen at 76.2 – a rise from 74.2.

Meanwhile the highest rate was recorded in Northampton with 262 new cases in the same period following an outbreak at a sandwich factory.

Two more UK towns could be placed on a local lockdown (Image: GETTY)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock could approve more restrictions due to a spike (Image: GETTY)

The prospect of another lockdown in the north of England has divided the scientific community.

Oxford University Professor Carl Heneghan has urged the Government to resist and back its track and trace system.

He told BBC Newsnight: “The government has got this wrong by focusing on the number of cases.

Coronavirus cases around the UK (Image: EXPRESS)

“If I look at the number of people in hospital right now, there are about 1,250 people across the Pennine trust; only nine of them have COVID-19 in a bed today.

"The virus at the moment is circulating at a low level. Oldham should be allowed to let their test and trace system function and get to work.”

Follow Express.co.uk for live coronavirus updates:

2.41am update: Mexico reports 6,775 new cases

Mexico has reported 6,775 new confirmed infections of COVID-19, as well as 625 fatalities in the past 24 hours, the health ministry announced.

The country now has now reported 543,806 infections and 59,100 deaths.

1.39am update: Japan eases entry restrictions

Japan will ease its coronavirus entry restrictions on foreigners with resident visas from next month, public broadcaster NHK reported on Friday morning.

Visa holders including permanent residents and exchange students may re-enter the country providing they undergo a COVID-19 test and quarantine for two weeks.

Japan to ease its coronavirus entry restrictions on foreigners with resident visas (Image: Getty)

0.45am update: Brazil records 45,323 new infection

Brazil has reported 45,323 new cases of coronavirus and 1,204 deaths in the past 24 hours.

In total, the country has reported 3,501,975 cases since the pandemic began 

11.38pm update: Morocco at risk of second lockdown amid rise in infections

Moroccan King Mohammed VI said on Thursday the country could enter lockdown again despite its severe economic impact.

New infections in Morocco have risen to more than 1,000 a day since Morocco eased a draconian three-month long lockdown in late June.

The country hit a record high of 1,766 on 15 August.

10pm update: Sir Keir Starmer's response to COVID-19 is "exactly-right" 

Sir Keir Starmer's response to coronavirus has been "exactly right", according to John McDonnell.

The former shadow chancellor praised the Labour leader for approaching the Government in a "constructive way" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And he said that the Government had adopted policies put forward by Labour in order to tackle the crisis.

Speaking to John Pienaar on Times Radio, Mr McDonnell said: "Keir's got this exactly right.

"He's approached the Government in a constructive way - and we've got to get through this crisis together - but he can't help but point out failure after failure. And people are getting pretty angry.

"He's taking this Government on. What's interesting is the Government itself has had to adopt many of the policies - not just the ones we advocated for in the last general election, the investment etcetera - but also the policies that we put to them in March to cope with this Covid crisis.

"The furlough scheme was our proposal, the support for small businesses, the self-employed - our proposals. I think he's gaining the benefit of that.

"Of course with a new leader, the media will give you a much wider leeway to a large extent and of course he's exploiting that, good for him."

Students receive GCSEs based on teacher's predictions (Image: Getty)

8:30pm update: Jet2 resumes flights to Portugal after country is left off quarantine list

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said it will resume its flights and holidays programme to Faro, in Portugal's Algarve, from Monday, with multiple weekly flights departing from all nine of its UK bases - Belfast International, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle.

The company is already operating to Madeira (Funchal) from Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and London Stansted.

Chief executive Steve Heapy said: "We welcome this change in Government advice which means that customers can once again look forward to enjoying their well-deserved holidays in the stunning Algarve region. With flights and holidays operating to Faro, in addition to Madeira, we are thrilled to be offering customers two fantastic options in Portugal when they're looking to book their well-deserved holiday away from the gloom."

7.10pm update: New countries removed from safe list

Croatia, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago have been removed from the list of safe countries people can travel to without going into quarantine.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the change on Thursday evening, meaning people travelling from these countries will have to isolate for two weeks if they return to the UK after 4am on Saturday.

Scotland has also removed Switzerland from the safe travel list meaning anybody returning will also have to isolate for two weeks.

6.20pm update: New pandemic restrictions in Northern Ireland

Less people are allowed to meet outdoors in Northern Ireland as part of new measures.

The country has one of the highest rates of spread in the UK and the most recent reproductive estimate for coronavirus is 1.3.

The number of people socialising indoors at households will be reduced to six from no more than two households. 

The limit on those attending outdoor gatherings will fall from 30 to 15.

5.35pm update: Rumours of Greece quarantine rules affect family holidays

Jess, from Milton Keynes, rescheduled a £6,500 family holiday for an extra cost of £1,000, PA reports.

The holiday, for her and her husband's 40th birthdays, had already been rescheduled from the start of the school Summer holidays to the end, but it has now been pushed back to next year.

Jess made the latest change after seeing a spike in Covid cases in Greece and reading four articles on the rumoured quarantine changes.

"If the government could stop the fake news published (about rule changes) that scares readers it would help," she said.

"Frustratingly we booked this holiday as a special treat as (me and my husband) are both 40 this year.

"Too late for us we are off camping to Cornwall."

4.50pm update: Daily COVID-19 death figures

41,403 people had died in the UK within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, the Goverment has said.

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies show there have now been 57,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The Government also said that as of 9am on Thursday, there had been a further 1,182 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus. Overall, 322,280 cases have been confirmed.

4.15pm update: Large number of tests not back in 24 hours, research shows

Figures show less than two-thirds (60.5 percent) of people who were tested for Covid-19 in the week ending August 12 received their result in 24 hours.

This includes a regional site or mobile testing unit - a so-called "in-person" test.

This is down from 70.3 percent in the previous week and the 92.7 percent in the week to July 1.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that, by the end of June, the results of all in-person tests would be back within 24 hours.

3.30pm update: Top academic warns of second coronavirus wave

Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford, is anticipating a "really bumpy" winter, with the additional risk of seasonal flu.

Speaking on a Royal Society of Medicine webinar, Prof Bell said: "My bet is that we will get a second wave, and the vaccines won't get here in time to stop the second wave."

2.05pm update: Track and trace identifies more than 16,000 contacts

The NHS coronavirus track and trace system in England has identified 16,997 new contacts in the week to August 12.

Data shows the COVID-19 system reached 71.3 percent of contacts who were asked to self-isolate.

1.15pm update: Live events to return in Scotland

Sport stadiums, live music venues and theatres can reopen in Scotland from September 14, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The First Minister gave the results of a three-week review of lockdown restrictions to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

She said Scotland cannot move to the last stage of its four-step plan to ease out of lockdown as the virus is still a significant threat.

Scotland has recorded a huge rise in coronavirus cases (Image: GETTY)

12.30pm update: Scotland records highest daily cases for almost three months

Scotland has recorded the highest number of daily coronavirus cases in almost three months.

Speaking during the Scottish Government's daily briefing, the First Minister said 19,534 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 77 from 19,457 the day before.

No new coronavirus deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, she said.

A total of 2,492 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19.

12.00pm update: 11 percent of businesses in danger of collapse - bleak ONS warning

More than one in 10 businesses in the UK fear they are at risk of collapsing amid the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, official statistics suggest.

Damning figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed 10 percent of businesses say their risk of insolvency was “moderate”.

A further one percent said the likelihood of going bankrupt was a “severe risk”.

11.10am update: China to launch coronavirus vaccine within MONTHS but Britons set to miss out

China is pressing ahead with plans to launch a coronavirus vaccine as early as December following successful trials - but Britons will miss out due to limited availability.

China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation has confirmed a coronavirus vaccine is currently undergoing its third and final trial ahead of a planned launch is less than four months.

The state-owned firm is aiming to produce around 220 million doses per year.

This would only be enough to immunise less than 20 percent of the 1.4 billion population in China.

10.15am update: India records new daily high of 69,672 coronavirus cases

India has reported a record daily jump of 69,672 new coronavirus infections, taking the total number of cases to 2.84 million.

The federal health ministry also reported 997 new deaths, taking the total to 53,886.

Related articles

9.40am update: Students receiving top grades in GCSE soars to a record high

The number of students in England awarded top grades in their GCSE results has surged to a record high, after pass marks were based on teacher assessments following the cancelation of exams due to the coronavirus pandemic.

More than one in four (25.9 percent) of GCSE entries in England scored one of the three top grades this year, up from just over a fifth (20.7 percent) last summer, figures from exams regulator Ofqual show.

The proportion receiving the top grades - at least a 7 or an A grade – was a record high after the Government made a U-turn on using a controversial algorithm.

More than 76 percent of entries were awarded at least a 4 or a C grade in England this summer.

The figure is higher than last year when just 67.1 percent of students achieved a C or above.

9.20am update: Health chiefs refuses to rule of face coverings in workplaces and schools

Face coverings in workplaces should not be ruled out in Scotland and could be considered in secondary schools to help keep them open, a public health expert has said.

Professor Linda Bauld said the measures could be considered in other settings if levels of coronavirus rise.

Asked in an interview on BBC Radio Scotland whether introducing face coverings in workplaces should be considered north of the border to allow more people to get back to work, she said: "We're not at that point yet.

"I don't think we should rule it out. I think if cases go up and we need particular settings to reopen that can't, for whatever reason, face coverings indoors absolutely, but at the moment those sectors that can work from home - that's the message that I agree with - should continue to do that."

Germany has recorded a huge increase in coronavirus cases (Image: GETTY)

8.50am update: Germany records biggest coronavirus spike in more than three months

Germany has recorded its highest number of coronavirus cases in more than three months sparking fears of a second wave across Europe.

Figures published by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) found a further 1,707 people tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday.

The health body also confirmed a further 10 people had died after testing positive for the virus.

Since the start of the pandemic the total number of cases in Germany now stands at 228,621 with 9,253 deaths.

8.35am update: Three-quarters of patients hospitalised with COVID still experiencing symptoms – study finds

Almost three-quarter of patients hospitalised with coronavirus have suffered ongoing symptoms three months later, a new study suggests.

Research found 81 out of 110 patients discharged from Southmead Hospital in Bristol were still suffering from the virus.

Persistent symptoms included breathlessness fatigue and muscle aches.

The study was conducted as part of North Bristol NHS Trust's Discover project.

Dr Rebecca Smith, from North Bristol NHS Trust, said: "There's still so much we don't know about the long-term effects of coronavirus, but this study has given us vital new insight into what challenges patients may face in their recovery and will help us prepare for those needs."

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2020-08-20 23:11:58Z
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Celtic want fan return NEXT WEEKEND as Hoops target Government permission for Motherwell 'pilot event' - Daily Record

Celtic hope to be granted Government permission to let fans back into Parkhead for next weekend’s top flight visit of Motherwell.

Record Sport understands the champions’ showdown with the Fir Park club a week on Sunday has been pencilled in as the potential first pilot event for Scottish football as the top flight prepares to reopen its turnstiles to limited number of spectators from next month.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today that fans can begin returning to grounds all over the country from September 14 so long as the spread of coronavirus stays under control.

And she also gave the green light for test events to take place before that date to prove that strict protocol can be put in place to keep supporters safe.

As we revealed on Wednesday rugby bosses hope to open up BT Murrayfield for the first time since lockdown next Friday, for the second leg of a PRO 14 double header between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh.

And now Celtic - who have been working in tandem with the SRU on plans to keep spectators socially distanced in a bio-secure environment - are also seeking approval from Holyrood to roll out similar measures for the Motherwell match just two days later.

Talks between the football authorities and St Andrew’s House are set to continue over the next 24 hours as the details of how to get supporters back inside grounds are thrashed out.

But it’s expected that even if the SRU and Celtic are allowed to roll out practice runs next week they will be restricted to opening the doors to no more than 1,000 fans at each event.

Celtic FC news

A source said: “It’s all about proving to the Government and the health experts that robust plans can be put in place which will allow fans to watch games without risking public health.

“It’s also important that fans are given the confidence of knowing that all possible measures are being taken to make sure they can safely get back to supporting their teams.”

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2020-08-20 21:45:00Z
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Manchester Arena bombing: Families of victims call bomber's brother a 'coward' for court no-show - Sky News

Heartbroken families have branded the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber "a coward" after he refused to enter a courtroom to receive his life sentence.

Hashem Abedi, 23, was given a minimum 55-year sentence after a court found he was "just as guilty" as his brother, Salman, who carried out the suicide bomb attack in Manchester in May 2017.

Paul Hett, who lost his son Martyn, told Sky News: "Hashem Abedi couldn't even be man enough to come to court to hear how he had affected these people.

The mother of bombing victim Martyn Hett says she has a life sentence

"We've spent two days listening to harrowing details of lives that have been totally shattered, not just the 22 that lost their loved ones but the hundreds of lives changed forever.

"I'm sure the parole board will ensure that this coward never sees the light of day again."

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Image: Michael and Joanne Hurley lost Megan, 15, in the attack

Sharon Goodman's 15-year-old granddaughter, Olivia, also died in the attack which happened in the closing moments of an Ariana Grande concert.

She told Sky News: "I think it's contemptible, it's arrogant, I find it very disrespectful that he didn't come to court."

More from Manchester Bombing

Her husband, Steve added: "It's obvious he couldn't face up to his actions."

The couple, who watched the Old Bailey sentencing via video link in Manchester with several other families, said they "felt numb" after hearing the sentence and that "whatever he [Abedi] was given, nothing would bring Olivia back".

Image: Hashem Abedi was sentenced to a minimum of 55 years

It's been more than three years since the couple lost their granddaughter, who they describe as a girl who "just had love and a smile".

"I don't think I'll ever understand how the Abedis came to that point where they felt they had to not only endanger other people's lives but blow themselves up," Mrs Goodman added, "I cannot understand it, I cannot comprehend it."

For the families, and the hundreds of injured, Hashem Abedi's sentencing is "one step closer to peace."

"We still have lots of questions," Steve Goodman says.

He hopes the public inquiry into the attack, due to begin next month, will help answer them.

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2020-08-20 19:28:49Z
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Sturgeon 'not aware' women advised not to be alone with Salmond - BBC News

Nicola Sturgeon has told Holyrood she was not aware of female civil servants being advised not to be alone with her predecessor Alex Salmond.

Ms Sturgeon was speaking during First Minister's Questions, responding to a question raised by the Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser.

He asked if she was "aware of female civil servants being advised not to be alone in the company of the former first minister".

Ms Sturgeon replied: "No, I wasn't."

• How will Holyrood's Alex Salmond inquiry work?
• Scottish government 'was not out to get Salmond'

Mr Fraser had begun by explaining that - earlier in the week, during a meeting of the Scottish Parliament inquiry into the failure of the government's complaints handling process - he had asked Scotland's highest ranking civil servant, Leslie Evans, if she was aware that female civil servants had been advised not to be alone with Mr Salmond.

Ms Evans replied that she could not comment.

The first minister said that she was not going to comment on evidence given by other people, but added that she understood Mr Fraser's question at the committee had been "ruled out of order".

Ms Sturgeon was referring to committee convener, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani, prohibiting further questioning on the issue.

She continued: "I understand that the permanent secretary has already said that she is happy to write to the committee to address this issue if the committee wishes," she added.

Ms Evans - who is the permanent secretary to the Scottish government - went before the Scottish Parliament inquiry which is investigating the Scottish government's handling of complaints against Mr Salmond, which saw him awarded a £500,000 expenses payout in court.

• Who is Leslie Evans?

Mr Fraser also asked Ms Sturgeon if Ms Evans' response was in accordance with the Scottish government's commitment to fully cooperate with the parliamentary inquiry.

Ms Sturgeon said was "absolutely committed to fully complying with the inquiry", and would answer "all questions that are put to me by the committee, when the committee asks me to do so - unless, of course, they are asking me questions where my answers would breach legal requirements".

She added that she had already submitted written evidence to the inquiry - saying it was for the committee to decide "when and to what extent" this is made public.

Ms Sturgeon also said she had recused herself from any decision-making about the government's interaction with the committee, given that part of the committee's remit is to look at her conduct.

For this reason, she said, she was not going to issue instructions, but added: "The government will continue to fully co-operate, I am sure, and within the legal obligations that the government operates under make available the maximum amount of information that it can to the committee."

The government launched an internal investigation into harassment complaints against Mr Salmond from two female members of staff in January 2018.

The allegations dated back to when he was serving as first minister.

However, Mr Salmond raised a legal challenge which led to the government admitting that the investigation had been unlawful.

The judge said it had been "procedurally unfair" and "tainted with apparent bias" because the investigating officer assigned to the case had had prior contact with the complainers.

Mr Salmond was subsequently cleared of 13 charges of sexual assault at the High Court in Edinburgh in March.

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2020-08-20 15:48:17Z
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GCSE results: 'A weight has been lifted' - BBC News

It has been a GCSE results day like no other for pupils this year. Grades have risen dramatically in England after exams were cancelled and a government U-turn meant results could be based on teachers' estimates rather than an algorithm.

Following the uncertainty of recent weeks, many students were relieved upon receiving their results.

"I was so nervous this morning, but I just feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders," says Tanisha Sethi, 16, from west London.

With mostly 7s and 8s - equivalent to As to A*s under the old grading system in England - she has the results she needs to go to sixth form, and hopes to go to university in the future.

But she thinks she could have performed better in some subjects if she had sat exams, and was disappointed when they were cancelled.

"I really wanted to prove myself and I was gutted that I didn't get the chance to show all the effort I had put in" she says.

"I'm not going to have the practice and the knowledge and the exam technique that I would have gained from sitting GCSEs, and it will be a lot harder to make a start on A-levels."

Jack Connor, 16, from Kent, was also feeling apprehensive after the confusion over A-level results last week.

"There was a lot of uncertainty and people were very stressed out because we had not control over it," he says.

"Then with the U-turn the government made I didn't know what to expect."

But after receiving a mixture of 7s, 6s, and 5s - equivalent to As and Bs under the old system - he says he is "really pleased".

Results day was a very different experience this year. Jack received his results online rather than going into school.

"I wanted the experience of waiting outside school and getting my grades with my teachers around me," he says.

"Obviously we missed out on that. We missed out on lots of things - exams, prom."

For Lucia Davis, it was also a day of mixed emotions. She is from Dinas Powys in Wales, which kept its letter-based grading structure.

She says the last few months have been difficult as pupils were "in the dark for a long time" about what would happen with their grades.

"With exams being cancelled it put all of us in a really bad mindset because our results were out of our hands," she says.

She is also pleased with her GCSE results, receiving mostly A*s and As. But she is still waiting for her BTec result.

BTec grades were pulled on the eve of results day, after exam board Pearson said they needed to be reviewed to ensure fairness following the U-turn on A-levels and GCSEs.

"It's a bit nerve-wracking," says Lucia. "It added extra stress to everything that's already gone on."

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2020-08-20 15:05:52Z
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GCSE results day LIVE: Grades hit record highs as Pearson pulls BTEC scores hours before release - The Sun

TEENAGERS in England have received a record-breaking set of GCSE results after a quarter of students received the top grades.

The number of pupils who received a seven or above - equivalent to at least an A - is at a record high, with 25.9% of entries receiving one of the top three grades.

It represents a leap from 20.7% last year - however, students have been warned that it could spark a scramble for college places.

However, BTEC students face a nervous wait for their exam results after exam board Pearson pulled their grades just hours before results day.

The exam board confirmed on Wednesday that 450,000 students would receive revised marks to bring them in line with A-Levels and GCSES - meaning their results will not be published on Thursday morning.

Follow our GCSE and A-level live blog for all the latest news and updates...

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2020-08-20 14:07:23Z
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