Trooping the Colour: Injuries as part of stand collapses - BBC

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Two people have been taken to hospital after part of a stand collapsed at a Trooping the Colour event at Horse Guards Parade in central London.

A section of one stand is reported to have given way just before 11:00 BST.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) said two patients were taken to a major trauma unit as a priority.

The area has been evacuated by the Army and police so safety checks can be made.

Eyewitnesses have described seeing a woman fall through the stand, although LAS could not confirm this nor the severity of the injuries that were sustained.

Marcus Dell

Marcus Dell, who was at the event, said he heard screams.

"Everyone had stood for the national anthem and there was a bit of a commotion. The first we heard was that one of floorboards had broken and someone had fallen through and hurt themselves.

"There was a lot of chatter in the stands and a few people did leave."

He said a floorboard had cracked behind him and then about 25 minutes later, there was a similar incident in the stand opposite.

Mr Dell said when the area was evacuated as a safety precaution, there was confusion, however the "police did a good job of making sure there wasn't any panic".

Paul Rogers, who was near the stand, said: "We heard a loud bang and a scream and a person shouting 'Help! Help!'.

"A number of people climbed over the back wall and went below the section of stand that had broken. It lasted about 20 minutes.

"It just seemed like a small section of the stand went," Mr Rogers said.

LAS said it was not able to confirm which collapse the injuries occurred in, because it treated it as one incident.

Up to 1,450 soldiers from the Household Division and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery were taking part in the parade, alongside about 400 musicians from the Massed Bands.

It is very similar to the Trooping the Colour event reviewed annually by the Queen - she is due to do so on 2 June as part of the Jubilee celebrations. Prince William is to review the troops next Saturday.

• Trooping the Colour: Scaled back celebration for Queen's official birthday

Earlier, the troops were being reviewed by Maj Gen Christopher Ghika of the Household Division.

An LAS spokesperson said: "We sent a tactical response unit, an ambulance crew, two cycle responders and an incident response officer.

"We worked alongside St John Ambulance volunteers to treat five people at the scene. We took one patient to a major trauma centre as a priority. St John Ambulance took a second patient to a major trauma centre as a priority. We discharged three patients at the scene."

One witness said the stands were evacuated one by one.

They added that the evacuation was "very well organised, not chaos as quoted by some".

An Army spokesperson said: "We are supporting the emergency services following an incident on the Horse Guards Parade square. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

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What is Trooping the Colour?

• It's a parade which has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign
• It has been held for more than 260 years
• Last year's parade was held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, rather than in central London
• It is normally held on the Queen's official birthday which is marked on the second Saturday of June each year

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• Trooping The Colour

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2022-05-21 14:50:51Z
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Boris Johnson under pressure to 'urgently explain' why he privately met Sue Gray to discuss handling of partygate report - Sky News

Labour has called on Boris Johnson to "urgently explain" why he met Sue Gray to discuss her long-awaited report into lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street.

The pair discussed where Ms Gray believed the Metropolitan Police were with the inquiry, and Whitehall's understanding of where the police were on interviews, Sky News understands.

The revelation of an undisclosed meeting is likely to trigger surprise given the forthcoming report has repeatedly been described as independent.

Politics Hub: Ministers prepare for 'stomach churning' partygate report - live updates

Further details of the meeting are sketchy, with confusion over whether the inclusion of pictures in the report was discussed and who initiated the meeting.

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The prime minister is saying he wants to disclose the maximum available information now to get the issue out of the way so would not have pressured her to drop the report, it is claimed.

The pair would not have discussed the judgements that senior civil servant Ms Gray was preparing to come to in the report, multiple sources say.

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A Number 10 spokesperson said: "The prime minister commissioned the investigation led by Sue Gray and has been clear throughout that it should be completely independent.

"As he reiterated again today, the decision on what and when to publish rests entirely with the investigation team and he will respond in Parliament once it concludes."

Earlier, a Downing Street spokesman said he would "not get into specifics" when put to him that Ms Gray's team had been in contact with the prime minister about the forthcoming report.

Asked whether Downing Street was negotiating over who is named in Ms Gray's report, the spokesman added: "Sue Gray is compiling the report independently and how she does that, and the contents of it, and what is presented is entirely a matter for her."

However, all sides are likely to argue the meeting was above board given Mr Johnson commissioned the report.

Earlier in the process there were robust procedures to ensure Number 10 did not know about the contents of the interim report.

The meeting is understood to have taken place on a date before the Commons voted to refer Mr Johnson to the privileges committee which happened on 21 April.

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3:20

Partygate report soon to be released

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner called on the prime minister to "urgently explain" why the "secret meeting" had taken place.

She said public confidence in the process had already been "depleted", and people "deserve to know the truth".

"This is a Prime Minister incapable of taking responsibility for the rotten culture he has created in Downing Street or of doing the decent thing," she added.

"The Sue Gray report must be published in full and with all accompanying evidence."

'People and public will be surprised and concerned about the outcome'

On Thursday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they had ended their investigation into lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and Whitehall, and had given out 126 fines for 83 people.

The £460,000 investigation into the partygate scandal, which has lasted nearly four months, has already resulted in fines for the PM, his wife Carrie Johnson, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak over a birthday gathering for the prime minister.

Helen Ball, acting deputy commissioner of the Met Police, said: "A number of people, members of the public, have been both surprised and concerned at what they have heard. And I'm sure they will be surprised and concerned about the outcome of our investigation."

Read more: How much did the partygate inquiry cost and which events broke the rules?

After the end of the inquiry, Downing Street said the prime minister had been told that there would be no further action against him.

The PM's official spokesman said: "He's pleased the investigation's concluded but at no point has it distracted him from the important issues facing the country."

Sky News understands that Carrie Johnson has also been told there will be no further action against her.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has called for Mr Johnson to quit over his fine, said the investigation had shown "industrial scale law breaking in Downing Street... that reflects a culture and the prime minister sets the culture".

The investigation saw the Metropolitan Police make referrals for fixed penalty notices (FPNs) - which have been or will be issued - in relation to events on eight dates from May 2020 to April 2021.

Police said a team of 12 detectives had trawled through 345 documents including emails, door logs, diary entries and witness statements, 510 photographs and CCTV images, and 204 questionnaires in what they described as a "careful and thorough" investigation.

Read more: What is the Sue Gray report and what can we expect from the full findings?

Detectives have not publicly disclosed the identities of those fined. It is known that among them is former government ethics chief Helen MacNamara, who apologised for an "error of judgement".

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0:15

No apology after Met partygate report

The Met said that 28 people had received between two and five penalty notices.

The conclusion of the police investigation clears the way for Ms Gray's report into the parties to be published in full.

A source close to her team said the aim was to publish it as soon as possible, with next week likely.

Sky News understands discussions about whether or not to name senior civil servants who have been awarded fines are ongoing.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson will "talk in more detail" about the scandal after the report is published.

Mr Johnson also faces a parliamentary investigation into whether he misled the House of Commons about the parties.

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2022-05-21 04:18:45Z
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COVID-19 alert level in UK reduced - as Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 reclassified as variants of concern - Sky News

The UK's coronavirus alert level has been reduced - as two rare types of Omicron have been reclassified as variants of concern.

The level has moved from four to three after advice from the four nations' chief medical officers and the NHS England medical director.

They said that "the current BA.2 driven Omicron wave is subsiding" and "direct COVID-19 healthcare pressures continue to decrease in all nations".

Their statement added: "Whilst it is reasonable to expect the number of cases to increase due to BA.4, BA.5 or BA2.12.1, it is unlikely in the immediate future to lead to significant direct COVID pressures."

The alert level was last raised on 12 December as Omicron spread rapidly.

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Read more: The UK's COVID alert level explained

UK coronavirus infections are now believed to be at their lowest for five months - and a quarter of what they were in March.

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They have fallen again - from an estimated 1.5 million last week to 1.3 million, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey.

Around one in 55 people had the virus in private households in England in the week to 13 May, the ONS said.

Last week, it was one in 45.

Wales' infections fell from an estimated one in 35 to one in 40; Scotland's from one in 35 to one in 45; and in Northern Ireland it's down from one in 55 to one in 60.

New Omicron types may have 'immune escape'

Despite significant and consistent falls, two new sub-lineages of Omicron - BA.4 and BA.5 - have been reclassified as variants of concern by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

It said they are likely to have a growth advantage over the dominant BA.2 type.

Initial findings also suggest they may also have some degree of "immune escape", meaning the body may no longer be able to recognise or fight the virus.

However, there's so far no indication they are associated with new symptoms or more severe disease, according to vaccine alliance GAVI.

Only 115 probable or confirmed BA.4 cases have been identified in the UK as of 20 May.

There are 67 in England, 41 in Scotland, six in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.

Some 80 cases of BA.5 have been identified, including 48 in England, 25 in Scotland, six in Northern Ireland and one in Wales.

Dr Meera Chand, from the UKHSA, said: "The reclassification of these variants as variants of concern reflects emerging evidence on the growth of BA.4 and BA.5 internationally and in the UK.

"Whilst the impact of these variants is uncertain, the variant classification system aims to identify potential risk as early as possible.

"UKHSA is undertaking further detailed studies. Data and analysis will be released in due course through our regular surveillance reporting."

BA.4 and BA.5 were first detected in South Africa in January and February respectively, according to GAVI.

It said that the number of countries reporting cases, as well as overall cases, were rising.

"This growth could suggest that these variants are more transmissible than the existing Omicron variant, or it could the result of waning immunity from past infection or vaccination - it is too early to know for sure," it said.

The reclassification of BA.4 and BA.5 as variants of concern comes after UK experts recommended an autumn COVID booster jab for some people.

Over-65s, care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers, and people over 16 in vulnerable groups should be offered another vaccine to boost immunity ahead of the winter, said the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

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2022-05-20 16:24:47Z
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Ricky Morgan: 'Terminator' Tube machete attacker found guilty of attempted murder - Sky News

A machete-wielding attacker who hacked at a commuter on the London Underground in scenes likened to the Terminator film has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Passengers toppled over each other as they fled through carriages when Ricky Morgan, 34, launched an unprovoked assault on businessman James Porritt, the trial had heard.

Giving evidence, the victim, who suffered a severe injury to his hand and bone-deep cuts to his head and shin, said it was like a "horror movie" and the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi film.

CCTV footage of the frenzied onslaught has now been released by British Transport Police.

Morgan denied attempted murder on grounds of insanity, but was found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey after two days of deliberations.

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He was also convicted of possessing a machete and a lock knife.

Morgan, 34, was heard to tell horrified onlookers: "This is not a terror attack, I only want him."

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Describing the attack, Mr Porritt said: "He was like a machine. It was like that movie Terminator.

"But it seemed very focused and relentless, and he was just hell-bent on doing what he was doing.

"I've got nothing left now. I don't know how I escaped.

"I just knew, fight or flight. I just ran for my life. It was like a stampede, people were terrified."

Judge John Hillen adjourned sentencing until 22 July for a psychiatric report to be prepared.

Image: Sentencing of the 34-year-old has been adjourned for a psychiatric report

Prosecutor Grace Ong had told jurors that Mr Porritt and Morgan were complete strangers.

She said: "This was, the prosecution say, a completely unprovoked attack on a commuter on the Jubilee line going about his daily business."

How the attack unfolded

On the evening of 9 July last year, Mr Porritt, a self-employed businessman, had visited a gym and was on his way to meet his girlfriend and her father in west London.

He got on a north-bound train at Westminster before Morgan produced the machete and a lock knife from his rucksack near Green Park.

In a video interview played in court, Mr Porritt said he had been minding his own business sat in the carriage looking at his phone when he heard a scream.

The next thing he knew was the defendant hitting him over the head, the court was told.

Image: The attacker was likened by his victim to a predator 'and he was hunting'. Pic: BTP

Describing the attack, he said: "I was pleading 'Please stop, please stop'.

"I was in shock, it was like a horror movie. I genuinely thought he was going to kill me."

Mr Porritt said he did not feel anything but saw the blood as Morgan smashed an object over his head.

He said: "He was just hitting me. It did not make sense. I didn't understand why this guy was hitting me. There was no confrontation. There was no issue, it was just bang, (he) started hitting me.

"He was like a machine. It was like that movie Terminator.

"He was emotionless. He did not seem to have any kind of compassion.

"But it seemed very focused and relentless and he was just hellbent on doing what he was doing.

"He was like on a mission. He kept hitting my shin and I genuinely thought I was going to die.

"I've got nothing left now. I don't know how I escaped. I was scared I was going to lose my little finger and I held it together.

"I just knew, fight or flight. I just ran for my life. It was like a stampede, people were terrified."

Image: Morgan let out an 'unholy scream' as he lashed out. Pic: BTP

'I don't want anyone else, I just want him'

Morgan pursued him and lunged the "huge" blade through the window of the connecting carriage door, Mr Porritt said.

Pointing with the knife through the door, Morgan said: "I don't want anyone else, I just want him," the court heard.

Mr Porritt added: "It was just like he was a predator and he was hunting, and he decided he was hunting me.

"He just would not stop. He was relentless. He said he did not want anybody else, he just wanted me. He was fixated with me."

He managed to get away and through a carriage door, while holding the severed parts of his hand together.

Image: Police described it as 'a brutal and unprovoked attack'. Pic: BTP

One witness said the attacker let out an "unholy scream" as he hit out with the machete.

He was heard to say: "This is not a terrorist attack, I only want him.

"I don't want to kill you, I want to kill him, he was trying to kill me."

Member of the public told Morgan to 'calm down'

Another passenger bravely tried to engage with Morgan and told him to "calm down", the court heard.

Meanwhile, a doctor who happened to be on the train gave Mr Porritt first aid.

On being confronted by police, Morgan dropped the blade, put his hands up and got on the floor.

He went on to tell a psychiatrist he had been carrying the machete and lock knife around for some time.

Morgan, of no fixed address, declined to give evidence in court.

Image: James Porritt said the attack had changed his life forever

Following the guilty verdict, Mr Porritt said: "The events that took place on the Jubilee line train during rush hour have changed my family, my girlfriend's and my life forever; as well as every single person who witnessed the attack on the train that evening.

"It's been a long and traumatic road that I have had to travel. I am still in the process of recovery. Until I reach that destination, it's a road I continue to walk.

"The scars from this attack on my legs, elbow, arm, face/head and my entire right hand will remain with me for the rest of my life.

"My surgeon is unable to determine if I will ever regain the full use of my right, dominant hand."

'Brutal and unprovoked attack'

Detective Sergeant Nick Thompson of the BTP, said: "This was a brutal and unprovoked attack. The two men had never spoken, never met, and had never crossed paths until that day.

"Clearly it was terrifying situation for the victim, he was able to escape but this attack and the injuries he suffered continues to have a substantial impact on his life.

"BTP firearms officers were soon at the scene, Morgan was subdued and taken into custody. He is evidently a danger to the public and the jury saw fit to ensure he faces consequences equal to the severity of this attack."

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2022-05-20 14:03:45Z
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Sainsbury's evacuated and people treated for breathing problems after 'hazardous substances incident' - Sky News

Several people were treated for breathing problems after a "hazardous substances incident" at a Sainsbury's store in the West Midlands.

Emergency services were called to the supermarket in Longbridge, southwest of Birmingham, just before 10am on Friday after people began suffering from respiratory problems.

The store was evacuated and people were cleared from the area, while seven people were treated with breathing difficulties.

Image: Pic: West Midlands Fire Service

West Midlands Fire Service said around 150 people were evacuated with two people taken to hospital.

"Two fire engines and one of our 4x4 Brigade Response vehicles responded, from Northfield and Kings Norton fire stations, together with a number of officers and colleagues from the police and ambulance services," the fire service said.

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The first crew was at the scene within three minutes of being mobilised.

The fire service added that a 50m cordon has been put in place with other stores within the cordon also evacuated.

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A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Sainsburys and other nearby buildings were evacuated after several people inside the supermarket experienced respiratory problems.

"A total of seven patients were assessed by the ambulance service after displaying minor respiratory problems.

"Two women received treatment on scene before being conveyed by ambulance, in a stable condition, to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further checks.

"The remaining five patients were later discharged on scene.

"A number of other people at the scene, who were described as 'worried but well', received advice from the team of ambulance staff."

Image: Pic: West Midlands Fire Service

Longbridge Shopping said on Facebook: "Due to an instore issue Sainsbury's is currently closed, we will post further updates when we can."

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "Emergency services attended our Longbridge store this morning. Safety is our highest priority and the store is closed while we assist the police with their investigations."

The fire service said that the High Street, which had been blocked off as part of the emergency cordon, would shortly reopen, but the Sainsbury's store would "remain closed for the time being" pending their ongoing investigations.

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2022-05-20 12:00:00Z
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Monkeypox: What do we know about the UK's biggest-ever outbreak of the virus? - Sky News

Exactly what's driving the UK's largest-ever outbreak of monkeypox is a mystery.

Normally the disease is sporadic and linked to travel to parts of Africa where it is endemic.

But it's now clear that the virus is spreading within the UK, and many cases are likely to be going undetected.

Here's what we know.

The outbreak is of the West African sub-type of the virus, which causes generally mild symptoms including a fever, muscle aches and pains, and a rash that blisters and then scabs over.

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In Africa it's usually spread by rodents - it doesn't transmit easily between people.

But while the first case, reported on 5 May, was in someone who had recently returned from Nigeria, the others have no travel history.

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There are nine people known to be infected so far, all but two in London, according to official figures released on 18 May.

Two of the cases live together, but there's no direct contact between the rest.

And there is a separate cluster of cases in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

But all that leads to lots of questions.

Image: Monkeypox causes generally mild symptoms including a fever, muscle aches and pains, and a rash that blisters and then scabs over

Unlikely that monkeypox is being sexually transmitted

There must be more cases below the radar that link those known to be infected.

For the disease to have spread so far, it's quite likely that the cases we know about are outnumbered by those currently undetected.

Some people have also asked whether the virus is being sexually transmitted because most cases so far are in gay and bisexual men.

That doesn't seem likely - it hasn't been identified as a means of transmission in the past.

It's more likely that prolonged and intimate skin to skin contact is spreading the virus.

And the cluster in men who have sex with men may just be an unlucky accident - one of the unidentified cases may just happen to be gay or bisexual and perhaps had multiple partners.

It's something the epidemiological detectives at the UK Health Security Agency will be trying to work out by contact tracing.

You certainly can't infer that someone with monkeypox acquired it through sexual contact. Nor can you infer their sexuality.

Image: Monkeypox virus particles. Pic: CDC

Parallel outbreaks in Europe are puzzling

Another unusual aspect of the current situation are the parallel outbreaks in Spain and Portugal.

It's not known whether they are linked to what is going on in the UK or whether there have been multiple introductions of the virus from West Africa.

It's all a bit of a puzzle.

Fortunately, the cases are expected to make a full recovery after two or three weeks.

But there is some evidence from the past that children get more severe symptoms, so public health teams are trying to shut down the virus's spread as quickly as possible.

Image: A monkeypox patient. File pic: Alamy

Read more:
How do you catch it, what are the symptoms, and how easily does it spread?

Anyone concerned about possible symptoms are being asked to come forward for a check-up.

And doctors are also dusting off vials of the smallpox vaccine, which hasn't been used routinely in the UK since 1971.

The two poxviruses are related and the jab should protect close contacts with monkeypox cases, helping to stop further spread.

This isn't another COVID. But the outbreak of monkeypox is unusual. And a good lesson to learn from the pandemic is not to let viruses that originate in animals spread in humans unchecked.

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2022-05-19 14:58:06Z
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EuroMillions: Lottery winners scooped £184m with lucky dip ticket - BBC

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The UK's biggest EuroMillions lottery winners have been revealed as a couple from Gloucester who scooped £184m with a lucky dip ticket.

Joe and Jess Thwaite won a record-breaking £184,262,899 - making them richer than Adele - last week.

Mrs Thwaite, 44, who has two children with her 49-year-old husband, said the win will give them "time to dream".

The previous record was held by an anonymous winner who banked £170m in October 2019.

After being introduced by TV presenter Dermot O'Leary at a glitzy ceremony on Thursday, Mr Thwaite confirmed that he had already left his job as a communications sales manager.

His wife is also "considering" what to do about her role in a hairdressing salon she runs with her sister.

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Mr Thwaite discovered he had a win when he got up to walk the dogs at 05:15 BST last Tuesday.

He said "he didn't know what to do" when he saw how much they had won.

"I couldn't go back to sleep, I didn't want to wake Jess up so I just laid there for what seemed like forever," he said.

"I spent some time searching for property with no budget limit, which was a novelty."

When his wife's alarm went off, Mr Thwaite told her: "I've got a secret, I've got something to tell you."

Mrs Thwaite revealed her initial reaction was disbelief and she decided to get on with her routine before the couple confirmed the record win with National Lottery operator Camelot.

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The couple said the win would give them "time to share lots of experiences and go on adventures with our family and friends".

Mr Thwaite has been married to his wife, who runs the business side of the hairdressing salon with her sister, for 11 years.

They have two primary school-aged children together and Joe has two university-aged children from a previous marriage.

Mrs Thwaite said: "Our two children have always talked about going to Hawaii, I've no idea why but we can now make that dream come true.

"Just to see their faces when we can make these things come true will be worth every penny."

The previous record of £170m was claimed by an anonymous UK player and the highest previous named winners are Colin and Chris Weir, from North Ayrshire, who won £161m in 2011.

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UK's richest winners

• £170mBritain's richest ever lottery winner stayed anonymous after their win in October 2019.

• £161mColin and Chris Weir (pictured) from North Ayrshire, Scotland in 2011.

• £148mAdrian and Gillian Bayford, from Suffolk, in 2012.

• £123mAnonymous UK ticket-holder in June 2019.

• £122mAnonymous UK ticket-holder in April 2021.

Source: BBC

Mrs Thwaite revealed that her dad was a lifelong National Lottery player and her husband took over the mantle when he passed away seven years ago.

Before his death, she explained that her father "would always ask us what we'd do when we won".

"It was a regular conversation and I feel like he was preparing us," she explained.

"Maybe that is why I seem so chilled, as I've kind of been ready to win for years."

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The win will give the couple the money needed to work on the "dream" home they recently moved into.

Mrs Thwaite said they bought the property to give their children a "country-type lifestyle" and share it with their three dogs, five chickens, two geckos and three ponies.

"Like many parents, we stretch ourselves to give our kids everything we can," she added.

"I always wanted them to be able to get up in their pyjamas, put wellies on and go out and feed the ponies and they can do that here.

"The fact the roof leaks and the house needs renovating was OK, as it was the life we dreamed of for our family."

How do you handle a massive windfall?

The dilemma of what to do with a huge lottery win is the stuff of dreams for most people.

But those lucky enough to have a huge win should plan for the future as well as readjusting to day-to-day life on their new, turbo-charged income.

Here are some top tips from finance experts:

• Becky O'Connor, head of pensions and savings at interactive investor, said legal support, independent financial advice and an excellent accountant are key
• Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest, suggested one way to celebrate without blowing too large a sum could be to have a "millionaire experience...whether that's taking a luxury trip, going out for a mega-expensive meal or buying a fancy car"
• Ian Pickford, partner and head of financial planning at audit and tax firm Mazars, said: "If managed correctly [a big windfall] can offer numerous generations a lifetime of financial security, but it can also cause family rifts and money troubles down the line. It's imperative that people seek the advice of experts and put a long-lasting plan in place"
• Sarah Coles, senior personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, advised those suddenly coming into a fortune "not to rush to act" and create a financial plan

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiPmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLWVuZ2xhbmQtZ2xvdWNlc3RlcnNoaXJlLTYxNDk1ODQ50gFCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWstZW5nbGFuZC1nbG91Y2VzdGVyc2hpcmUtNjE0OTU4NDkuYW1w?oc=5

2022-05-19 13:08:49Z
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