Farmer cleared by jury after using forklift tractor to flip car off his land - Sky News

A farmer has been cleared by a jury after he defended his home and property by flipping a car off his land.

Fourth-generation hill farmer Robert Hooper argued during his four-day trial that an Englishman's home is his castle and claimed he had been assaulted before he used a tractor to shift the Vauxhall Corsa from a lane outside his farm in Newbiggin, County Durham.

Outside Durham Crown Court, Teesdale farmers had gathered to support Mr Hooper, 57, and they cheered as he was cleared of dangerous driving and criminal damage.

Image: Mr Hooper told the jury he had asked Charlie Burns, 21, to move politely

'Eight months of hell'

His partner, Kate Hudson, told supporters: "The overwhelming support of the local community and people from afar have kept him going during these last eight months of hell."

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She said: "We welcome the jury's verdict and are thankful for it."

Videos played during the trial showed how Mr Hooper used a telehandler with forks to lift the £16,000 car and push it on its side on the road outside.

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Shirtless passenger Charlie Burns, 21, who had been visiting the area that day and had drunk up to seven bottles of lager, was knocked to the ground by the vehicle's lifting forks.

Mr Burns had been drinking with friends at Low Force waterfall and was intending to walk 52 miles back to South Tyneside.

He told the jury he then spotted his friend, Elliott Johnson, whose Corsa had suffered a double puncture which is why they parked in the farmer's lane.

Image: The farmer claimed the younger man had punched him twice, splitting his lip

Mr Hooper told the jury he had been punched twice by Mr Burns, splitting his lip, when he had politely asked him and the driver to leave as they were blocking access during a busy day on the farm.

Read more: Mr Hooper said he was defending his property and himself

He said: "I felt threatened and an Englishman's home is his castle, and my castle starts at that front gate."

Image: Mr Hooper's family said they 'welcome' the verdict

In his closing remarks, David Ward, prosecuting, told the jury the Crown was not saying that Mr Hooper was a "thug", but that his actions were "utterly irrational" that day.

However, Michael Rawlinson, defending, quoted boxer Mike Tyson, saying: "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

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2022-02-04 17:01:22Z
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Munira Mirza, key Boris Johnson aide, quits after Jimmy Savile attack on Keir Starmer - The Times

One of Boris Johnson’s closest aides resigned from Downing Street today, accusing him of making a “inappropriate and partisan” attack on Sir Keir Starmer.

In a letter to Johnson, Munira Mirza, Downing Street head of policy, said she told the prime minister that he needed to apologise to the Labour leader for claiming he had failed to prosecute the paedophile Jimmy Savile.

She quit after Johnson clarified his comments today but stopped short of an apology.

The departure of Mirza from Downing Street is a significant blow to Johnson, as she has been at his side since he was mayor of London. He once named her as one the most influential women in his life.

Sources said that Mirza had been unhappy for some

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2022-02-03 16:20:10Z
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RAF Typhoon fighters launched against aircraft 'approaching UK area of interest' for second day in a row - Sky News

RAF Typhoon fighters have been launched against aircraft "approaching the UK area of interest" for the second day in a row.

They were again dispatched from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, with support from a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

An RAF spokesperson said: "Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighters from RAF Lossiemouth, supported by a Voyager Tanker from RAF Brize Norton, have been launched against aircraft approaching the UK area of interest.

"We will not be offering any additional detail on this ongoing operation until complete."

According to Reuters, Russian "strategic bombers" were in the air above neutral waters in the north-east Atlantic.

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The RAF confirmed that yesterday's incident was to intercept and escort four Russian Bear aircraft.

It said it "routinely" intercepted, identified and escorted Russian aircraft that "transit international airspace within the UK's area of interest".

An area of interest includes international airspace for which a nation holds some responsibility, such as air traffic control services.

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2022-02-03 11:26:06Z
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Chelmsford murder: Man charged over death of Canadian teenager at home in Essex - Sky News

A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder after a Canadian teenager died in a house in Essex.

Police have provisionally named the victim as Ashley Wadsworth, 19, from Vernon in British Columbia.

Jack Sepple, who lives in Tennyson Road, Chelmsford, has been charged with murder and is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court today.

Officers were called to the address in Tennyson Road shortly after 4pm on Tuesday following reports of a disturbance.

Paramedics tried to save Ms Wadsworth but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with Ms Wadsworth's death.

The force has also asked anyone who might CCTV footage that can help the investigation to come forward.

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Ms Wadsworth's friends having paying tribute to her on Facebook as police continue to investigate her death.

Image: A man has been charged with murder over the death of Ashley Wadsworth

Tianna Kowalchuk wrote: "Probably one of the worst feelings is losing your best friend.

"A best friend is more than a boyfriend, a sibling and even a parent. A best friend is someone you can genuinely tell everything to. It's someone you can tell about stuff that you may not even be able to tell your parents. It's someone who will never judge you for needing to vent or rant about something that is bothering you. It's someone you always feel comfortable around.

"I'm sorry there wasn't more I or anyone else could do to help you. But God has you in his hands now, we have you in our hearts forever."

MacKenzie Palm wrote: "I wish I could remind you one last time that I love you... you were my best friend, my family and my rock.

"I hope heaven is everything you read about in church and more, and Ashley just know, I love you.

"I promise I will do my best to take care of your family for you."

Kaillah Dizon wrote: "Ashley was one of my best friends that I've met here in Canada. We lost a beautiful soul.

"There is no hurting, no suffering and no pain in heaven anymore. You're in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you nothing but comfort and strength."

Image: Police were called to the home in Chelmsford after reports of a disturbance

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton, the senior investigating officer on the case, said in a statement: "I know that incidents like this will shock and sadden the community, but our initial enquiries show this to be an isolated incident and that there is no wider risk to the community.

"Currently, we are not looking for anyone else.

"We have a team of dedicated officers working around the clock to establish the circumstances which led to a woman losing her life.

"The investigation is progressing well, but we will remain on scene for a few more days whilst we continue to gather evidence and establish the facts."

Ms Wadsworth's family are being supported by specialist officers.

Those who can help the investigation are asked to submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the "Live Chat" button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm, quoting the crime incident number 717 of 1 February. You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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2022-02-03 08:11:22Z
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Brexit: Northern Ireland minister orders halt to agri-food checks at ports - Sky News

Northern Ireland's agriculture minister has issued an order to halt all post-Brexit checks on food and farming products coming from the rest of the UK from midnight.

The agrifood checks at Northern Ireland's ports are required under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is designed to avoid the introduction of a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Edwin Poots, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), says he will seek an agreement from the power-sharing government on a way forward in the near future.

He said he made the decision based on legal advice but Sinn Fein, the party the DUP shares power with, said it was unlawful and "a stunt".

The Irish government said halting checks would effectively be a breach of international law.

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Image: Edwin Poots made the announcement on Wednesday evening

Speaking at Northern Ireland's assembly, Mr Poots, whose party opposes the protocol, said: "I have taken legal advice in relation to my position from senior counsel. Earlier today, I received that legal advice.

"The advice concluded that I can direct the checks to cease in the absence of Executive approval.

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"I have now issued a formal instruction to my permanent secretary to halt all checks that were not in place on 31 December 2020 from midnight tonight."

The UK and the EU have been in talks for months to change the protocol that has effectively created a border in the Irish Sea, angering the pro-British DUP.

Northern Ireland's deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill, of Sinn Fein which supports the protocol, said: "This stunt is an attempt by the DUP to unlawfully interfere with domestic, and international law.

"DUP fixated on their own priorities, which are clearly at odds with where the wider community is at. Health, Jobs, Housing, Cost of living crisis is where the rest of us are focused."

The Northern Ireland Protocol

The UK and EU agreed to put the protocol in place after Brexit to avoid the introduction of a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It states that Northern Ireland will remain part of the UK's customs territory - so if the UK signs a free-trade deal with another country, Northern Irish goods would be included.

However, it says Northern Ireland has to stick to some EU rules to allow goods to move freely into the Republic and the rest of the EU.

Goods moving from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland will not be subject to a tariff unless they are "at risk" of being moved into the EU afterwards.

But Environment Secretary George Eustice said in 2020 there would need to be "some checks on some goods" and "some customs processes but not customs checks" at the border with the Republic.

Simon Coveney, Ireland's foreign minister, warned: "If a political decision is taken by a minister in Northern Ireland to stop all checks in ports on goods coming across the Irish Sea that is effectively a breach of international law and I would remind everybody that the implementation of the protocol is part of international law.

"To deliberately frustrate obligations under that treaty I think would be a very serious matter indeed.

"It is essentially playing politics with legal obligations and I certainly hope that it doesn't happen, as has been threatened and described."

Last week, British Foreign Secretary and Brexit negotiator Liz Truss said the DUP's threats to halt checks were a matter for the Northern Ireland regional government to resolve, rather than for Westminster to intervene.

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2022-02-02 18:45:00Z
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Michael Gove's 'levelling up' plan unveiled but ambition questioned - BBC News

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Ministers have unveiled plans to tackle regional inequality - but Labour says the proposals lack ambition and new money to fund them.

The levelling up strategy aims to close the gap between rich and poor areas by 2030 through improving services such as education, broadband and transport.

Michael Gove said it would mean people can "take back control of their lives".

But Labour asked: "Seriously, is this it?" - while researchers criticised the lack of detail.

"This system is completely broken and he's given us more of the same," said Lisa Nandy, Labour's shadow levelling up secretary.

Economic think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies also suggested the government may have chosen its destination "with no sense" of how to get there.

• What is levelling up and how is it going?
• Hope and doubt in the towns in need of levelling up
• Analysis: Can the UK really improve inequalities without big spending?
• What does 'levelling up' mean for Wales?
• Rotheram backs 'levelling up' plan for more mayors

Prime Minister Boris Johnson put "levelling up" at the heart of the Conservatives' election-winning manifesto in 2019.

The government has previously launched a number of schemes aimed at boosting regional development - but has faced claims the policy lacks definition.

On Wednesday it set out its White Paper - an official document outlining its strategy. It comes as the government tries to return to its key policy agenda after weeks of headlines about the Downing Street lockdown parties.

Announcing the strategy, Levelling Up Secretary Mr Gove said "while talent is spread equally across the United Kingdom, opportunity is not".

"Our economy has been like a jet propelled by only one engine, now we need to fire up every resource we have," he said. "And the economic prize from levelling up is potentially enormous."

Mr Gove set out how much money would be spent on levelling up - although most of the funding has already been announced.

But the White Paper includes £100m of new investment for innovation centres to boost research and development in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and Glasgow, as well as a £1.5bn fund to give loans to small and medium-sized house builders for new homes mostly outside London and the South-East.

Mr Gove also outlined other funding pledges, including:

• £5bn in bus services and active travel
• £1.8bn invested in new housing infrastructure, turning brownfield land into projects across the country
• £230m extra in grassroots football
• £30m allocated to improving parks and urban green spaces
• An extra £560m in activities for young people
• An additional £150m in a safer streets fund

But analysts at think tank the Policy Exchange said the White Paper "makes few commitments above the 2021 Spending Review, for example".

And Labour's Ms Nandy said: "So that money is money that is earmarked every year, and it's just been allocated in this White Paper to the same places that would normally get it - this is rehashed, recycled money."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also called it "rehashed announcements" and that the White Paper was an attempt to distract people from "an utterly discredited prime minister".

Mr Gove previously told the BBC the strategy was not aimed at providing new funding but ensuring money was spent effectively on local priorities.

The problem the government seeks to solve with its "levelling up" agenda is clear - the fact the UK is one of the world's most geographically unequal major economies - and that has worsened over the past three decades.

The pledges on spending in the White Paper are rather limited, reflecting the fiscal situation.

There are new commitments beyond the existing Spending Review, for what the PM describes as his "defining mission".

But where a mission such as this has been achieved, for example in post-unification Germany, there have been massive fiscal transfers from rich regions to poor ones, approaching one and a half trillion pounds, or £70bn a year.

The stark fact is that GDP per capita in some east German regions now exceeds that in some northern English regions.

The challenge is whether entrenched patterns of economic geography can really be changed without footing a very significant bill.

Read more analysis here.

Most of the policies in the White Paper apply to England only, but the government has insisted levelling up is a UK-wide initiative and it wishes to work with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to achieve this.

And Mr Gove said it was not just about the economy.

"Economic opportunity spread more equally across the country is at the heart of levelling up," he said. "But it's also about community, it's about repairing the social fabric of our broken heartlands."

The strategy also includes a plan to create more regional mayors, like existing posts such as those held by Labour's Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester, or the Conservatives' Andy Street in the West Midlands and Ben Houchen in Tees Valley.

Every part of England would have access to "London-style" powers and a mayor if they want it, according to the levelling-up strategy, with the expectation they would be able to target spending more effectively.

And 20 areas will be chosen to get regeneration funding - with Wolverhampton and Sheffield the first to get picked.

But analysts have warned the White Paper may struggle to reverse the past decade of cuts without adequate funding.

"There is a risk that the government has chosen its destination with no sense of how it plans to get there," said economic think tank the IFS.

"The targets are largely in the right areas, but many look extremely ambitious - that is to say highly unlikely to be met, even with the best policies and much resource.

"There is little detail on how most of them will be met, and less detail on available funding."

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The White Paper - which is 400 pages long and draws inspiration from Renaissance Italy - shows that in some areas the government has scaled back its ambitions.

A pledge to provide broadband nationwide capable of gigabit speeds - more than 10 times the average speed today - was originally due in 2025, but is now scheduled for 2030.

And in places such as Wakefield in West Yorkshire, people said bus routes were being cut rather than increased. Kath Lindley, who runs a local charity, said some services only ran every two hours, creating social isolation and cutting off young people from opportunities.

Mr Gove's White Paper is bringing all the existing schemes together into 12 "national missions" and sets up a system for measuring progress.

Among the 12 missions are promises to refocus education spending on disadvantaged parts of the country and eliminate illiteracy and innumeracy; bring the rest of the country's public transport closer to London standards, and provide access to 5G broadband for the "large majority" of households.

Getty Images

The 12 'levelling up missions' in full

• Increase pay, employment and productivity in all areas of the UK, with each one containing a "globally competitive city"
• Raise public investment in research and development outside the south-east of England by 40%
• Eliminate illiteracy and innumeracy by refocusing education spending on the most disadvantaged parts of the country
• Increase the number of people completing high quality skills training - in England, this will mean 200,000 more people a year
• Bring the rest of the country's public transport "significantly closer" to London standards
• Provide access to gigabit-capable broadband nationwide by 2030 and 5G mobile data coverage for the "large majority" of households
• Create more first-time homebuyers in all areas, and reduce the number of "non-decent rented homes" by 50%
• Narrow the gap of healthy life expectancy between the areas where it is lowest and highest
• Improve "well-being" in every area of the UK
• Increase "pride of place", such as people's satisfaction with their town centre and engagement in local culture and community
• Reduce murder, manslaughter, serious violence and neighbourhood crime, especially in the worst-affected areas
• Give every part of England that wants it a devolution deal with more regional powers and simplified, long-term funding

What does 'levelling up' mean to you and your area? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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2022-02-02 18:45:07Z
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Energy bill rebates to help against rising costs - The Times

Boris Johnson is poised to announce billions of pounds in state-backed loans to reduce the impact of soaring energy prices on household bills.

The prime minister and Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, have agreed to a “rebate and clawback” scheme, in which taxpayers will underwrite loans to energy firms.

Companies will pass the money on to every household in Britain in the form of a rebate on energy bills, limiting the impact of price rises in April.

Sheila, 79, cannot afford her gas bills and runs to stay warm

The firms will recoup the money from consumers in subsequent years to pay back the loans as energy prices fall.

Government sources said the plans had been approved by ministers and would be announced in the coming days, possibly tomorrow.

Sources in the industry believe that the government may

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2022-02-02 10:00:00Z
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