Archbishop of York: English people feel left behind by metropolitan elites - BBC News

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The Archbishop of York has said many people in England feel left behind by "metropolitan elites in London and the South East" and are "patronised as backwardly xenophobic".

Writing in the Telegraph, Stephen Cottrell called for "an expansive vision of what it means to be English".

He added that stronger regional government in England would help the country "rediscover a national unity".

The archbishop is currently the most senior figure in the Church of England.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is due to return from a three-month sabbatical in a few weeks.

Lamenting the loss of national identity in England, Archbishop Cottrell, who was born in Essex, wrote: "Many English people feel left behind by metropolitan elites in London and the South East, and by devolved governments and strengthened regional identities in Scotland and Wales.

"Their heartfelt cry to be heard is often disregarded, wilfully misunderstood or patronised as backwardly xenophobic.

"What we need is an expansive vision of what it means to be English as part of the UK. This will help us rediscover a national unity more fractured than I have ever known it in my lifetime."

• The English question: What is the nation's identity?
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• Don't let north get 'left behind' Tory MPs warn PM

Archbishop Cottrell's comments come after the Euro 2020 football tournament sparked a debate about English patriotism.

In his article for the Daily Telegraph, the archbishop suggested the different nations of the UK should sing their own individual anthems when they play each other in sporting events, before singing the national anthem, God Save the Queen, together.

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It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Scotland earlier this week to promote the benefits of the union - his first trip since a pro-independence majority was returned at the Holyrood election in May.

Archbishop Cottrell also argued there should be greater devolution for England, suggesting: "Westminster would hold on to those big issues to do with our shared sovereignty, while empowering the separate nations and regions to serve their own localities better."

However, last month Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, who is responsible for devolution policy and strengthening the union, said the system meaning only English MPs vote on matters that affect England should be scrapped.

He said the "English votes for English laws" procedure, which was introduced in 2015, had "not served our Parliament well".

The prime minister has also promised to "level up" the country, offering opportunities and investment to communities that felt left behind, such as in the Midlands and northern England.

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2021-08-07 08:32:45Z
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COVID-19: Wales lifts most remaining coronavirus restrictions as it moves to alert level zero - Sky News

Most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions in Wales have been lifted as the country moves to alert level zero.

Social distancing rules and limits on how many people can meet indoors have now ended, almost 17 months after the first lockdown.

However, rules will remain tighter than in England, with face masks still required by law in many public places.

Image: Mark Drakeford official announced plans for Wales to enter level zero on Friday

First Minister Mark Drakeford said masks are still required in most indoor public places, including in shops, healthcare settings and on public transport.

However, they are no longer a legal requirement in hospitality venues where food and drink is served.

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Mr Drakeford urged people to still be sensible despite the lifting of restrictions.

"Alert level zero does not mean the end of restrictions and a free-for-all," Mr Drakeford said.

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"But it does mean we can all enjoy more freedoms with the confidence there are still important protections in place to make sure our public health is being safeguarded while we are out and about.

"Unfortunately, the pandemic is not over yet and we all need to work together to do everything we can to keep this virus under control - at alert level zero, everything we do will have an impact on this virus.

"Even if you have been fully vaccinated, meeting outside is safer than inside; let fresh air into indoor spaces, get tested even for mild symptoms, and self-isolate when you are required to do so."

Fully vaccinated adults and under-18s will no longer need to isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

People will still have to isolate for 10 days if they have symptoms or receive a positive test result.

Mr Drakeford said health boards there are beginning to send out vaccine invites to 16 and 17-year-olds.

But he expressed concern about the idea of vaccine passports, saying: "There's a distinction between places you have to visit - and I would not have vaccine passports for these places - and places we attend voluntarily.

"There are also ethical considerations and there are equity considerations.

"You need to think about people who can't be vaccinated, not simply people who don't choose to be vaccinated."

Some rules were relaxed on 17 July when Wales moved to alert level one, a step that had been delayed by four weeks because of the spread of the Delta variant first identified in India.

The easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Wales comes after Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed earlier this week that Scotland will lift most of its remaining rules on Monday.

Ministers are set to discuss relaxing more rules in Northern Ireland at a meeting on 12 August.

The majority of COVID-19 rules were lifted in England on 19 July.

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2021-08-07 05:04:11Z
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Wood Green stabbing: Man and police officers attacked in north London - BBC News

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Two police officers and another man have been attacked in north London.

The Metropolitan Police said they were called to an address in Noel Park Road in Wood Green on Friday evening after concerns about residents' safety.

A 61-year-old man was stabbed, a police officer was slashed and second officer was assaulted. All three are in hospital.

It is not thought to be terrorism related and three people have been arrested, police said.

Police said they were called to the area at about 19.20 BST on Friday.

A man approached the police officers in a communal area and assaulted them, as well as the man, 61, who was with them.

One of the officers suffered non-life-threatening slash injuries. The man suffered stab injuries and police are waiting for an update on his condition.

In a statement, the Met said: "One man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and two other people were subsequently arrested as part of the investigation. All three remain in custody.

"A crime scene remains in place. Enquiries continue to establish a motive, although at this stage it is not thought to be terrorism-related.

"Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference Cad 2347/05Aug or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111".

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2021-08-06 23:25:04Z
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Kaylee-Jayde Priest: Mother jailed for killing her three-year-old - BBC News

A mother and her boyfriend have been jailed for killing her three-year-old daughter after the girl's cries interrupted sex.

Nicola Priest, 23, was sentenced to 15 years over the death of Kaylee-Jayde Priest who was found dead last year at the Solihull flat where they lived.

Priest and then lover Callum Redfern, 22, who was jailed for 14 years, were found guilty of manslaughter.

They lost their tempers and there was a "severe beating", the judge said.

West Midlands Police

Mr Justice Foxton QC said Kaylee-Jayde had been put to bed at about 19:00 BST while the couple then went to have sex in Priest's bedroom.

"But like many children her age, Kaylee did not want to go to bed, but to stay up and play," he said.

He said there was no direct evidence as to what happened next, but that Kaylee-Jayde subsequently vomited repeatedly, later dying of her injuries overnight.

"The vomiting was the result of the severe beating you were both responsible for inflicting on her.

"No doubt irritated by Kaylee crying, asking to be let out, it interrupted the two of you when you wanted to have sex.

"You lost your tempers and were parties to the assault which cost Kaylee her life.

"A prompt call for medical assistance by one or the other of you would have saved Kaylee's life."

The youngster, whose body was discovered on 9 August, died from serious chest and abdominal injuries.

Experts likened her wounds to those of a child hit by a car at 40mph, or from falling three floors on to a concrete floor.

The child's mother phoned 999 but a jury convicted Priest after hearing the youngster had been dead before the call was made.

Medical examinations showed Kaylee-Jayde had also suffered historical injuries including broken ribs, lower leg fractures and a broken sternum.

Priest, of Poplar Avenue, Edgbaston, Birmingham, and Redfern, of Temple Street, Dudley, West Midlands, were cleared of murder.

In a text message exchange on 24 July last year, days before the youngster's death, Priest told Redfern: "I'm gonna kill her... because she keeps leaving the living room or going in the kitchen, so I've paled [hit] her one and smacked her for [dirtying] her nappy."

On one occasion, neighbours in a flat below at Kingshurst House recalled hearing a bang above and then Kaylee-Jayde crying, before allegedly hearing Priest say: "I'll just say she fell off the bed."

West Midlands Police

In his police interview, asked how the girl's death had affected him, Redfern replied: "It's not my child... it's not really affected me."

At their trial, Priest and Redfern, who the judge said was the "dominant" partner in the relationship, each blamed the other.

West Midlands Police said it was unclear who delivered the fatal blows or whether they both played a part.

Senior investigating officer Det Insp Adam Jobson, from the force's homicide unit, said police believed "the level of discipline she was subjected to became increasingly forceful and violent during Priest and Redfern's relationship".

The mother was also found guilty of cruelty to a child, relating to the youngster's previous injuries, though Redfern was cleared of that charge.

Priest, who was also jailed for three years to be served concurrently for the child cruelty offence, and Redfern must both serve two-thirds of their jail terms before they can be considered for release.

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2021-08-06 16:53:41Z
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Boris Johnson continued a trip to Scotland despite an official testing positive for Covid-19 - CNN

Downing Street sources confirmed that a member of staff received a positive test result and is following the "appropriate guidance", but insisted that the trip -- which ended Thursday -- was in full compliance with Covid guidance. The Prime Minister "has not come into close contact with anyone who has tested positive," Downing Street said.

However, a source familiar with the trip told CNN the person in question was with the Prime Minister most of Wednesday in Glasgow, before boarding a plane to continue the tour in Aberdeen. The source added that the person was tested on arrival in Aberdeen. The staff member who tested positive, and some other members of the entourage, then went into isolation.

A Downing Street spokesperson told CNN that the Prime Minister "regularly visits communities across the UK and all aspects of visits are carried out in line with Covid guidance."

According to the Scottish government, which sets its own rules on healthcare separately from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, close contacts of anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19 will be asked to self-isolate "for 10 days from symptom onset in the symptomatic person."

A close contact is defined as "someone who has been physically close enough to the confirmed case for a long enough period of time, that they may have had the virus transmitted to them."

The Covid guidance that applies in England, which is set by Johnson's government, says that a "person may also be a close contact if they have traveled in the same vehicle or plane as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19."

However, the guidance also advises that on a plane, the "risk of transmission is small at 2 metres," which is easier to comply with on a large plane than in a car, meaning it is possible that even on the plane Johnson didn't come within two meters of the person who tested positive.

It is not clear what criteria was applied to the officials who were asked to self-isolate. When asked why Johnson was not self-isolating, a Downing Street source said that the Prime Minister was "tested in advance of traveling to Scotland and had a further PCR test," before visiting an offshore wind farm on the final day of his trip.

It is possible that Johnson didn't come into close contact with the staffer who tested positive, as strictly defined by the guidance. But in the past, the government has been criticized for not adhering to the broad thrust of the rules it sets.

Johnson's visit was part of his long-term goal of showing his personal support for Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom and combating the undercurrent of support for Scottish independence.

While Scots voted 55% in favor of remaining in the United Kingdom in 2014, Brexit and the pandemic have boosted support for a new referendum.

In the 2016 Brexit referendum, 62% of voters in Scotland were in favor of remaining in the European Union. In the following years, Scottish nationalists have built an argument that Scotland was dragged out of the EU against its will because of voters in England. Johnson led the campaign for the UK to leave the EU in 2016.

Despite Johnson's professed affection for Scotland and his self-appointed role as Minister for the Union, he is a divisive figure in Scotland. Unionists have wondered whether he is the best person to make the case for Scotland staying in the United Kingdom.

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2021-08-06 15:30:00Z
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Brighton toddler death: Verphy Kudi jailed for leaving toddler alone for days - BBC News

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A mother who left her daughter alone to starve to death as she partied for six days has been jailed.

Verphy Kudi admitted the manslaughter of 20-month-old Asiah Kudi, who was left at her Brighton flat as she celebrated her 18th birthday in December 2019.

She travelled to London and Coventry, and had acted like a "carefree teenager", Lewes Crown Court was told.

Kudi, 19, of no fixed address, has been jailed for nine years.

Judge Christine Laing QC told Kudi that Asiah "was a helpless child" who "relied completely on you as her mother to provide for her needs".

She said: "It is almost unbearable to contemplate her suffering in the final days of her life, suffering that she endured so that you could celebrate your birthday and the birthdays of your friends as a carefree teenager."

Prosecutor Sally Howes QC told the court CCTV covering Kudi's home showed she had left Asiah alone in the flat for five days, 21 hours and 58 minutes.

Kudi left Brighton on 5 December and went to London, where she spent her birthday with her boyfriend.

Two days later she attended a concert in Elephant and Castle, south-east London, where she had the DJ announce her birthday, the court was told.

Sussex Police

On 9 December she moved on to a birthday party in Coventry - 150 miles from Brighton - before returning to London the next day and then home on 11 December, the court heard.

When she returned home, Kudi called 999 and told paramedics her baby wasn't waking up.

At just after 18:20 GMT an ambulance crew found Asiah "incoherent, distressed and distraught", and lying on the floor, the court was told.

'History of abandonment'

Asiah was taken to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death was starvation and influenza, with reported signs of dehydration and severe nappy rash, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Libby Clark, of CPS South East, said: "Asiah's mother Verphy Kudi had a duty to keep her safe from harm, but instead selfishly chose to put her own need to party and be with her friends above all else.

"The consequences of her decision meant that Asiah must have suffered dreadfully during the days and nights that she was alone in the flat.

"This follows a history of multiple earlier occasions of abandonment and neglect."

'Unbearable tragedy'

When Kudi was first interviewed by police she claimed she had been with her child at the flat all the time, except for one visit she made with her to London.

But officers found the CCTV footage, and also discovered phone footage taken during her time away from home.

In a statement, Asiah and Verphy's family said: "We are saddened by the current situation and as a family we have many unanswered questions.

"Verphy has experienced so much at such a young age and we have always done what we can to support her."

The statement said the family was "in the midst of an unbearable tragedy".

It added: "Not only are we coming to terms with what has happened today but we are also still grieving for our beloved Asiah."

Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Children Partnership said in a statement: "We are currently working with our partners to look into what happened and are conducting a child safeguarding practice review."

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2021-08-06 14:26:34Z
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ONS survey: Fall in Covid infection rates calms fears of new surge - The Times

Covid infections showed a clear fall in England last week, according to gold-standard figures boosting confidence about the outlook for the rest of the summer.

The Office for National Statistics survey confirmed the first fall outside lockdown in the final week of July, when an estimated one in 75 had coronavirus, down from one in 65 the week before.

The fall means rates are back where they were in the middle of July and although they remain significantly higher than in the spring, it will add to confidence that the end of restrictions last month will not fuel a surge in cases large enough to threaten the NHS.

Cases are also falling in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland, where the Delta variant arrived later,

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2021-08-06 12:25:00Z
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