Protesters claim that they have ‘seized’ Edinburgh castle.
Police are close to the entrance to the Museum of The Royal Regiment for Scotland as a group of protesters gather, claiming that they hope to ‘free Scotland’ from ‘corrupt powers.’
It is understood that the incident is ongoing following reports of the protest at around 5.45pm on Tuesday night.
After the protesting group refused to leave the site, Police Scotland were called and are still dealing with the matter.
The individuals claim that they are ‘seizing’ the castle ‘lawfully and peacefully’ to ‘free the people of Scotland from corrupt powers.’
In a video, a protester claims: “Edinburgh Castle belongs to the people of Scotland.
"High treason has been committed.
"We are using article 61 of the Magna Carta. We have had enough. The people of Scotland have had enough and today we claim our power back.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers are currently in attendance at Edinburgh Castle and are engaging with a group of people who have gathered within the Castle grounds.”
A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland said: “A group of around 20 individuals entered Edinburgh Castle this evening without payment. After refusing requests to leave the premises Police Scotland were called to the site and are dealing with the matter. There are no other visitors currently on site.”
More to follow.
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In the coming hours the government is expected to set out its plan for bringing thousands of Afghan refugees to the UK.
There are roughly 3,000 Afghan nationals previously employed by British forces who are still in the country and likely eligible for resettlement.
On top of that, the government could commit to accepting tens of thousands of asylum applications from other Afghans who fear for their lives under the Taliban.
Image:Boris Johnson said 'nobody wants Afghanistan once again to be a breeding ground for terror'
How did the scheme for Syrian refugees work?
The Vulnerable Persons Resettlement scheme was focused on taking refugees directly from camps in the states neighbouring Syria, such as Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, with the view to providing a "safe and legal route" to the UK.
The final number of Syrians relocated to the UK was 20,319.
More on Afghanistan
Those admitted under the scheme received "humanitarian protection" status, which meant they were able to work, access benefits and could apply for family reunion.
Will the scheme for Afghan refugees work in a similar way?
The details are yet to be announced, but ministers believe the scheme for Syrian refugees was successful in creating a disincentive for those seeking asylum to attempt dangerous crossings into Europe via the Mediterranean.
By creating a system which enables Afghans to apply for asylum from nearby countries the hope would be to achieve a similarly direct route for those approved for resettlement in the UK.
However, the effectiveness of such a system would be highly dependent on co-operation with authorities in Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which may prove more of a diplomatic challenge than was the case with Syria's neighbours.
The Home Office is also facing pressure from campaigners to ensure those who arrive in the UK via unofficial routes and subsequently apply for asylum will not be rejected by default.
What about the Afghan nationals who worked for British forces?
Between 2003 and 2014, when the UK withdrew all combat troops, approximately 7,000 local Afghans were employed to assist with translation and developing relationships with local communities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, 2,850 of those worked as translators for British forces on the frontline, largely in Helmand Province.
The Home Office says 3,300 Afghan staff and their families have been resettled in the UK since 2013, with nearly two thirds of those resettlements occurring since the end of June this year
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Who are the Taliban?
What was the original resettlement policy for Afghans employed by UK forces?
In 2012 the government established what was known as an "Ex-Gratia" scheme for Afghan civilians who had been locally employed by UK forces.
According to the Home Office, this scheme was intended as "recognition of the UK Government’s gratitude for the service of Afghan interpreters, rather than any risk they may face".
The "Ex-Gratia" scheme was only available to individuals who had been directly employed to work in "dangerous and challenging roles in Helmand" for at least 12 months. Those who had been dismissed for disciplinary reasons or who had been employed as contractors did not qualify.
A further "intimidation policy" was in place for those whose safety was under threat, meaning individuals employed in any role for any period could apply for resettlement within Afghanistan, or in extreme cases to the UK.
How has the resettlement policy changed in recent months?
The "Ex-Gratia" scheme was heavily criticised by former military leaders for not providing sufficient protection for those in need, and in December 2020 the government announced it would introduce a new Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, in light of the "the changing situation in Afghanistan".
Launched in April this year, the "bespoke resettlement scheme" offers relocation to any Afghans who are facing the risk of reprisals because of their employment by UK forces.
Initially this new scheme was not available to those who had been dismissed from their employment.
But in July more than 40 former top military officials wrote an open letter to the prime minister, describing the scheme as "insufficient" and adding: "If any of our former interpreters are murdered by the Taliban in the wake of our withdrawal, the dishonour would lay squarely at our nation's feet."
In response the Ministry of Defence updated the policy earlier this month, making contractors and those who had been dismissed for minor administrative offences eligible and allowing applications to be submitted from Afghans living outside of the country.
What happens to Afghans successfully relocated to the UK?
Eligible Afghan former employees, their partners and their children are given permission to live in the UK for five years, at which point they can apply for leave to remain.
Local authorities are responsible for providing accommodation and support for integrating into the community, with some funding from central government.
Image:Taliban forces stand guard inside the capital
What checks are carried out on Afghans applying for resettlement?
Security checks are carried out on every application for resettlement from Afghan nationals, whether they are former employees or not.
Officials insist the number of cases rejected is small when compared to the overall number of applications, and say a decision to reject an application is not taken lightly.
It is understood grounds for rejection include previously committing serious sexual or violent offences as well as connections to extremist groups, but the full list of reasons is not made public for national security reasons.
The reason for a rejected application is not always provided to the individual.
While checks can be carried out swiftly for Afghans who have been recently employed by British authorities, they can take far longer for those whose employment ended several years ago, or those who had no previous connections to British forces.
Mr Morgan, who also leads Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said he and other senior councillors from across the UK discussed with UK government ministers on Monday night "how we give sanctuary to the Afghan interpreters and their families".
He said: "If we all sign up to this, we're talking less than a handful of families actually per local authority area, so the numbers are actually very, very small.
"The alternative is that these people, quite frankly, could be persecuted in the next couple of weeks if we don't help them.
"I wouldn't want it on my conscience that we see in a month's time that a number of individuals and families are being killed in Afghanistan when we had the opportunity to help them come here."
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Minister for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: "The Welsh government is working very hard with our local authorities, and indeed with the UK government, to ensure that we can do what we can to provide support in the right places to find homes for people fleeing the situation in Afghanistan.
"We are working towards being a nation of sanctuary."
She said it was also important to offer support for other people affected by the situation, including veterans and those already settled in Wales.
Many Welsh councils have already agreed to offer safe homes to Afghan refugees.
BBC Wales has contacted all 22 Welsh local authorities asking if they are supporting the UK government's Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP), which urges councils to provide accommodation to those leaving Afghanistan.
Seventeen councils have responded so far, with almost all saying they can provide housing.
About 24 houses have been offered in Wales, with Wrexham alone offering 10.
Only one council has so far said it is unable to help.
Neath Port Talbot Council said it had already given support to a number of Afghan people under the scheme, but it could not do so in the current phase.
It said it was facing "pressure on local housing stock" due to the combined effect of homelessness and people hit by flooding in Skewen.
"We keep the position under continuous review and are committed to helping where we can," it said.
Where can refugees be homed?
Anglesey: Hopes to resettle one Afghan family
Blaenau Gwent: Two homes have been offered; the first family is due in September
Bridgend: A spokesman said: "An initial expression of interest had been made pending more details of the scheme, but we are not yet fully signed up
Caerphilly: Currently home to a family of five refugees, looking to support more
Carmarthenshire: Offered homes to 15 individuals or three households. The first arrived on 3 July on the first evacuation flight
Ceredigion: A spokesman said they are "urgently considering the options available and is in contact with the UK Government officials"
Conwy: Agreed to resettle one family
Denbighshire: Offered accommodation to one family
Flintshire: Will be supporting the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Programme scheme and is currently working to understand specific requirements
Gwynedd: The council is supporting the scheme. Two people have already been resettled in the county
Monmouthshire: Supports the scheme but cannot confirm figures at this point
Powys: Agreed to provide three homes
Rhondda Cynon Taf: Will support the national Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Programme. Says this equates to a handful of families relocated to each council area
Swansea: We are welcoming three families in August and are looking to welcome more
Vale of Glamorgan: The council is supporting this scheme, the number of homes it will offer will be determined after careful assessment of local resources
Wrexham: Has agreed to accommodate up to 10 families
Wales is a 'nation of sanctuary'
Reynette Roberts is CEO of Oasis Cardiff, a refugee centre that helps people integrate when they come to Wales.
"I think Wales should be proud, because it is a nation of sanctuary," she said.
"I think seeing the people fleeing in the airport makes you realise and remember that, when people flee, they don't take anything with them.
"You didn't see suitcases at the airport, you just saw people escape and try and get to a place of safety."
"I'd like to see a fair and open resettlement scheme that has good facilities in place to integrate people into the community here, and support those that will have been severely traumatised.
"When people arrive they need to have English classes, they need to have some time to settle down and regroup, to understand how this new society works so they can feel part of it."
Cricketer 'worried about the situation back home'
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Welsh Fire bowler Qais Ahmad is from Kabul and his wife is still in the country as the Taliban takes over.
Glamorgan director of cricket Mark Wallace said: "We're trying to support Qais as much as possible - obviously he's worried about the situation back home, as we are on his behalf too.
"We've all seen the scenes in Afghanistan and it's shocking for us - and you can imagine how that affects people with family back at home.
"He was naturally down.
"We've managed to put some support in place for him to be able to communicate how he's doing but if he feels as if he can't play then, of course, he'll be sitting out - and making sure everything back at home is as stable as it can be."
An ice cream van operator has been banned from a street over a complaint that one of its vehicles sounded its chimes for too long.
Lamarti's may not enter Ashfield Crescent, Lowestoft, Suffolk, after a member of the public reported its chimes played for more than 20 seconds.
Ice cream vans are only allowed to play chimes for a maximum of 12 seconds.
East Suffolk Council said the business could keep its street trading licence under three conditions.
Google
As well as staying away from Ashfield Crescent, it must keep a written record of when and where a vehicle is trading and must abide by the code of practice on ice cream van chimes.
A meeting of the council's licensing sub-committee heard a resident said the Lamarti's van played the chimes "excessively" during April and June at Ashfield Crescent.
The company, operating since 1980 and based at Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, said its vans played chimes for just seven seconds automatically, and for between 20 to 35 seconds while stationary.
According to the government's Code of Practice on Noise from Ice Cream Van Chimes, they can only be played for up to 12 seconds - and only once when the van is stationary.
The committee heard there had also been complaints that the company had operated in areas where it did not have street trading consent.
Owner Mohamed Lamarti's son Omar told the committee that the allegations regarding the chimes were "false".
He said: "Our chimes only go on for seven seconds and automatically stop and drivers are trained not to restart the music after they have stopped until they moved on to the next street."
What are the rules on ice-cream van chiming?
Vendors cannot sound chimes:
for longer than 12 seconds at a time
more often than once every two minutes
more than once when the vehicle is stationary at a selling point
except on approach to or at a selling point
when in sight of another vehicle which is trading
when within 50m of schools during school hours, hospitals, and places of worship on Sundays or other recognised days of worship
more often than once every two hours in the same length of street
Regarding the other complaint, he said replacement vans were sometimes used due to vehicle breakdowns, so the number plates may have differed to those registered.
He said the firm did not realise it needed street trading consent from East Suffolk Council in addition to permission from Lowestoft Town Council to operate at North Denes car park, and that a former member of staff stopped at Southwold during a break but did not serve from there.
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The UK is to send a further 200 troops to Kabul after the Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital.
A total of about 900 UK troops will patrol Kabul's airport after chaotic scenes on the runway, as part of efforts to secure evacuation flights.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed 350 more UK nationals and Afghans who worked with UK troops would be evacuated in "the days that come".
He said the UK was considering how many Afghan refugees it would take in.
Mr Raab said the situation was "not what we wanted, but we have to deal with the new reality".
He said 289 Afghans who worked with the UK had come to the UK "over the last week"
And on Monday evening, the Home Office said the UK had admitted more than 3,300 Afghan interpreters, staff and their families to the UK for resettlement.
The Home Office said "it will be guided by the capacity of local authorities" when deciding how many Afghan refugees to allow to settle in the UK after the Taliban seized power.
A government source later told the BBC that ministers were looking to develop a "bespoke" scheme to prioritise women and girls to come to the UK.
Officials are looking at a response similar to the Syrian resettlement scheme from 2014 which saw the UK accept refugees in the greatest need, the source added.
Chaotic scenes at Kabul airport saw a number of people die on Monday, prompting all flights to be halted.
The Ministry of Defence said no further Royal Air Force aircraft were due to depart Kabul on Monday. Another 150 British nationals were due to arrive in the UK from Kabul on Tuesday morning.
The Foreign Office has advised more than 4,000 British citizens thought to be in Afghanistan to leave.
On Thursday night, the government announced about 600 UK troops would be sent to the country to help British and eligible Afghan nationals leave.
The MoD said further personnel would be forward deployed to the region and able to move to Afghanistan if needed, while more troops would be held at readiness in the UK.
The Pentagon said the US would send another battalion to help, bringing the total US forces on the ground to about 6,000.
MOD
Speaking to broadcasters following a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra group on Monday, Mr Raab said there had been "surprise" at the speed of the Taliban's progress.
He said: "Everyone, I think, has been surprised by the scale and the pace at which the Taliban have taken over in Afghanistan, and that's a lesson that we've all got to learn from.
"But the truth is what matters right now is focusing on getting British nationals out, getting out those who have so loyally served the UK, and making sure that the gains that we've made over 20 years are not lost."
But Labour MP Andrew Gwynne disputed Mr Raab's comments, saying it did "not come as a surprise to anyone with a basic knowledge of what's been happening on the ground in Afghanistan".
Asked about the number of refugees the UK might be willing to take, Mr Raab said he was unable to commit to taking in a specific number, but that the government was considering the next steps.
"We're obviously a big-hearted nation. We've got the criteria for asylum that is set in law - we work with the UN on that.
"We're looking very carefully at what kind of further commitment we might make".
Officials are looking at a potential response similar to the resettlement of people from Syria in 2014 - which saw the UK accept refugees in greatest need, including survivors of violence, and women and children.
Mr Raab said the UK would work with its international partners to hold the Taliban to account over the group's commitments, including a pledge to prevent Afghanistan becoming a base for terrorism.
Downing Street said the British ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Laurie Bristow, was working from the airport in Kabul, alongside UK staff and the armed forces, to process visas for eligible Afghans.
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There have been warnings that Afghan interpreters who helped British forces could be left behind after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said "some people won't get back".
Former Grenadier Guard Julian Perreira told BBC Radio 4's PM programme he was trying to reassure some interpreters, but added: "I just haven't got the heart to tell them that I think their worst fears may be coming true - that they may be left behind."
Most Afghan nationals eligible for relocation to the UK are those who have worked for the British government in frontline roles "that made a material difference to the delivery of the UK mission" in the country.
This group includes interpreters as well as cultural advisers and embassy staff. Others eligible are those deemed to be at high and imminent risk, according to the MoD.
Several people are reportedly injured, including children, after a car smashed into pedestrians in a Sussex town.
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) confirmed it had sent several vehicles to a road traffic collision in College Road, Ardingly, this afternoon at around 4.30pm.
Crews are said to be treating a 'number of patients' but SECAMB said it could not provide any further details regarding the incident.
According to BBC Radio Sussex, the crash is thought to have involved a car.
There are reported to be five ambulance and an air ambulance on the scene.
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) confirmed it had sent several vehicles to a road traffic collision in College Road, Ardingly, this afternoon at around 4.30pm. Pictured: General view of College Road
No fatalities have been reported yet and the accident is believe to be the result of 'driver error'.
ITV Meridian reported a child was airlifted to hospital by the air ambulance with serious injuries after the collision and four other people are being treated for minor injuries.
The Argus reported the child was trapped under what is believed to be a Tesla during the incident.
Ardingly College, an independent day and boarding co-educational school, is located in the village.
Sussex Police said: 'Police were called to reports of a collision involving a car and pedestrians on College Road, Ardingly, shortly after 4.30pm on Monday, August 16.
'One child has been taken to hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries. Four other people are receiving treatment for minor injuries.
'This is an ongoing matter and no further information is available at this time.'
Anyone who saw what happened is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting serial 980 of 16/08.
Image:People gathered outside the Plymouth Guildhall
Image:Plymouth residents observed a silence to remember those who died
Sheila Washington said: "Stephen was a devoted family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and best friend.
"Since the devastating events a couple of days ago, our world has been turned upside down in the blink of an eye and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him."
Image:A bell was rung five times to remember each person who died
Jess Morcom, a journalist at PlymouthLive said "you only had to take one look at him to see how much he loved and adored his family".
Witnesses told police Davison turned the weapon - described as a pump-action shotgun - on himself before armed officers could engage him.
The police watchdog will now investigate the Devon and Cornwall force over the gunman's possession of a shotgun and shotgun certificate.
Image:People across the UK were invited to observe the silence
Image:Lee and Sophie Martyn died in the shooting
The police face scrutiny over their decision to return the firearm to Davison after it was removed from his last December, following allegations of an assault.
It is not yet known if this particular weapon was the one used in the attack.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson described it an "absolutely appalling incident" amid calls for the issue to be properly investigated.
