EasyJet and TUI flights cancelled and long queues at some UK airports as passengers face half-term disruption - Sky News

EasyJet says it will cancel more than 200 flights over the next 10 days, putting half-term breaks at risk for thousands of travellers.

The airline said about 24 flights from Gatwick would be affected each day between now and 6 June.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "We are very sorry for the late notice of some of these cancellations and inconvenience caused for customers booked on these flights, however we believe this is necessary to provide reliable services over this busy period.

"Customers are being informed from today (Friday) and provided with the option to rebook their flight or receive a refund and can apply for compensation in line with regulations.

"Over the next week we will be operating around 1,700 flights per day, with around a quarter of these operating to and from Gatwick."

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Image: There have been long queues at some UK airports, including Gatwick

The news follows a software problem which forced the airline to cancel around 200 flights on Thursday.

Meanwhile, passengers are facing lengthy queues at airports including Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted and Bristol. People on social media have reported long waiting times at Dublin airport.

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Also, holiday firm TUI has announced a "small number" of flight cancellations and delays in a further blow to travel plans at the start of the half-term break.

The travel company said "various operational and supply chain issues" are to blame for the flight cancellations.

It has cancelled three flights from Birmingham, two flights from Gatwick and one from Manchester.

Passenger tells of 'hellish' experience at Gatwick

Charlie Day said that she and her family waited for 22 hours before they were able to board their flight to Barcelona, describing her experience at Gatwick as "hellish" and "horrific".

She told Sky News: "We were booked on the 2.30pm Vueling flight yesterday and we were bumped off because they oversold it. Then, after a lot of waiting around, we were booked onto the 9.45pm.

"We waited and waited at the airport, and at 9pm it was delayed for 30 minutes, and then it was delayed and delayed, until at midnight they told us to go to the gate.

"At the gate we went through and waited in the room at boarding. We were there for an hour with no food or drink or even a toilet, and then at 1.07am they cancelled the flight. No Vueling representative ever came and spoke to us.

"We had to go back through passports and security and back to baggage where we waited another hour and a half to be told we wouldn't get our bags back but we were all booked on the 9am flight tomorrow.

"We finally took off at 10.30am, 22 and a half hours later, and we are travelling with our five-year-old."

British Airways has said it is set to operate its schedule as planned and is not experiencing any significant issues.

In other travel disruption, Liverpool FC supporters faced long delays at the Port of Dover on Friday as they waited to cross the Channel to Paris for Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid.

There is also high demand for sailings from families embarking on trips to the continent for half-term.

The port said passengers should pack adequate supplies as it is expecting "a very busy week ahead".

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2022-05-30 07:43:32Z
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Grantham Margaret Thatcher statue vandalised weeks after egging - BBC

A statue of Margaret Thatcher erected in her home town has been vandalised two weeks after a man was fined for throwing eggs at it.

The £300,000 sculpture in Grantham was daubed with red paint and a hammer and sickle was painted on the fence protecting it.

University arts chief Jeremy Webster, 59, was fined £90 for egging the statue hours after it was put up on 15 May.

Lincolnshire Police said the defacement was being treated as criminal damage.

The bronze statue of the former prime minister was lowered into place in St Peter's Hill earlier this month, despite warnings it would be "egged" and draw boos from passing motorists.

It sits atop a 10ft (3m) high plinth under CCTV surveillance to minimise the risk of vandalism.

The sculpture was offered to South Kesteven District Council after plans to erect it in Parliament Square in London were rejected.

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The former prime minister was born in Grantham in 1925 and died in April 2013, aged 87.

The only previous memorial to her in the town was a plaque on the corner of North Parade and Broad Street to mark where she was born.

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2022-05-29 17:35:28Z
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Diesel clean-up after major superyacht fire in Torquay harbour - bbc.co.uk

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A clean-up operation has begun after a superyacht caught fire and sank in a marina, with about nine tonnes of diesel on board.

The cause of the fire on the 85ft (26m) boat at Princess Pier in Torquay, Devon, is currently being treated by police as unexplained.

Police declared a major incident and evacuated a nearby beach and roads.

Torquay's harbourmaster said he was "very confident" the "majority" of fuel and debris would be contained.

Rob Parsons told the BBC contractors had laid three booms around the boat and were skimming the area inside, sucking the diesel out and transferring it away in tankers.

He said: "She actually sank in a way that was very helpful, believe it or not - so she went straight down.

"Overnight I was concerned but the wind has been in our favour - it's pushed it, it's kept it all together against the wall, so I'm very confident at the moment that we have the majority of it."

Mr Parson said he was unable to confirm the name of the yacht or the owner.

Supplied

Karen Baxter, from the Environment Agency (EA), said the clean-up operation was being led by the Harbourmaster's Authority, supported by the EA.

"We understand there's probably around nine tonnes of diesel onboard the yacht," she said.

"We'll be working with the contractors to try and clean up as much diesel as we possibly can."

She added it was "too early to assess" what the impact of the spill would be on wildlife and water quality.

The boat, which police said broke from its mooring, was secured by the fire service near the marina's pier before it sank at about 16:00 BST.

Torbay Coastguard Rescue Team said a "large crowd of onlookers were evacuated from the pier" and that the RNLI helped a small number of people to safety "who were trapped by heavy smoke at the end of the pier".

Devon & Cornwall Police said no-one was reported injured but nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut "due to the levels of smoke and fumes".

A spokesperson for the force said: "The Harbourmaster supported by the Environmental Agency will look to safely recover the vessel in due course."

Steve Darling, leader of Torbay Council, said: "Perhaps the biggest impact that people will see initially is having to close the pier due to the fire damage".

He said the pier was a "very good platform" for viewing the English Riviera Airshow which will take place over the June bank holiday weekend, and that assessments would be made on Monday to decide how much if any can reopen.

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2022-05-29 14:54:07Z
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Diesel clean-up after major superyacht fire in Torquay harbour - BBC

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A clean-up operation has begun after a superyacht caught fire and sank in a marina, with about nine tonnes of diesel on board.

The cause of the fire on the 85ft (26m) boat at Princess Pier in Torquay, Devon, is currently being treated by police as unexplained.

Emergency services declared a major incident and officers evacuated a nearby beach and roads.

Contractors have been working to contain the fuel.

Supplied

Karen Baxter, from the Environment Agency (EA), said the clean-up operation was being led by the Harbourmaster's Authority, supported by the EA.

"We understand there's probably around nine tonnes of diesel onboard the yacht," she said.

"Specialist contractors are being employed to put booms into place and try and keep the diesel as close as possible to the yacht.

"More specialist kit is being brought down from Bideford and we'll be working with the contractors to try and clean up as much diesel as we possibly can."

She added it was "too early to assess" what the impact of the spill would be on wildlife and water quality.

The boat, which police said broke from its mooring, was secured by the fire service near the marina's pier before it sank at about 16:00 BST.

Devon & Cornwall Police said no-one was reported injured but nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut "due to the levels of smoke and fumes".

A spokesperson for the force said: "The Harbourmaster supported by the Environmental Agency will look to safely recover the vessel in due course."

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2022-05-29 10:40:36Z
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Partygate: Minister 'absolutely confident' nobody in No 10 pressured Sue Gray to change report - Sky News

A government minister has told Sky News he is "absolutely confident" nobody in Number 10 put pressure on Sue Gray to change details in her report into lockdown-breaking parties.

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme he is confident Ms Gray could not be influenced by anybody and having worked with her before, he "would not question her independence".

Asked for a black and white assurance that nobody in Downing Street or the civil service tried to influence her report, Mr Lewis said: "I'm absolutely confident that's the case.

"Knowing Sue Gray, I don't believe anybody would be able to pressure her into putting any kind of report out that she wasn't confident with.

"I'm confident Sue Gray had the freedom to write the report she did write and publish."

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Boris Johnson is facing twin allegations of a partygate cover-up, with opposition leaders accusing him of "behaving like a tinpot despot".

The Liberal Democrats claim reports that Downing Street put pressure on Ms Gray to dilute her report into lockdown-busting events in Downing Street and Whitehall reveal an attempt to cover up "lies and law-breaking".

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And Labour is to force a Commons vote on a move by the prime minister to re-write the ministerial code, which deputy leader Angela Rayner claims will "give a green light to corruption".

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0:46

'We don’t have confidence in PM'

On the Sue Gray report which was published last Wednesday, the Sunday Times claims that: "Sources, both political and civil service, say Gray was lobbied on Tuesday evening to make changes by three senior civil servants.

"They urged her not to publish the names of some of those who had attended the 12 law-breaking parties. Other changes were also requested to passages in the report that made reference to Carrie Johnson, the prime minister's wife.

"Gray told them to 'instruct' her to make the changes - a move that would have required a senior minister to sign off amendments, signalling publicly that the revisions had been made against her will."

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The newspaper claims that up to 30 people had been contacted by Ms Gray telling them she intended to name them, but only 15 people were named in the final report.

It adds that details concerning the "Abba night" party, which it is claimed was held in the prime minister's flat on 13 November 2020, were "tweaked" by Mr Johnson's chief-of-staff Steve Barclay on the eve of publication.

It is alleged an earlier draft of Ms Gray's report referred to music being played and stated at what time the gathering ended, but that the information was redacted.

But Mr Lewis said it is not just Downing Street denying changes were made, but the Met Police looked at that particular event "and didn't find an issue to fine people".

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Responding to the Sunday Times report, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP said: "This looks like another disgraceful attempt by Boris Johnson and the Conservatives to cover up for their lies and law-breaking.

"The Privileges Committee must immediately look into the supposed interference into the publication of the Sue Gray report. If the government really did alter the report, the British public should be told the truth."

A Cabinet Office spokesperson flatly denied the newspaper claims, saying: "We did not change the report in terms of substantive content. The key point that we would say about anything [that suggests] previous copy was substantively edited - it was never shared with Number 10 in advance."

And in response to allegations about the "Abba" party, the spokesperson said that Ms Gray investigated all events under the terms of reference.

Image: Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner says many Tory MPs are now 'deeply uncomfortable' with PM's behaviour

Labour, meanwhile, has committed to using an opposition day in the Commons to debate ministerial standards after Mr Johnson amended the ministerial code so ministers would not always have to resign for breaching it.

Ms Rayner claimed: "Boris Johnson is behaving like a tinpot despot and is trampling all over the principles of public life.

"Many decent Conservative MPs are deeply uncomfortable with Johnson's behaviour and they now have the chance to stop his sinister attempts at watering down standards and integrity in our democracy.

Read more from Sky News:
Drip feed of no confidence letters in PM as pressure grows after Sue Gray report
Who's in the firing line after partygate report?

"Serious breaches of the ministerial code must result in resignation, whether they are deliberately misleading parliament, bullying staff, bribery or sexual assault.

"This prime minister simply cannot be trusted to uphold standards in government while his conduct sinks further into the gutter and he gives the green light to corruption.

"It's time to stop the rot that this prime minister has created at the heart of government and restore standards in public life."

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2022-05-29 09:00:00Z
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Trooping the Colour rehearsals: Prince William takes salute and oversees final preparations ahead of Queen's birthday celebrations - Sky News

The Duke of Cambridge led the full dress rehearsal today during final preparations for the Trooping the Colour ahead of the Queen's birthday next week.

The colour of the Irish Guards will be trooped at this year's event and Prince William, as Colonel of the Regiment, oversaw the 90-minute rehearsal for the spectacle which kicks off the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

He was greeted by a salute before carrying out the inspection on horseback of the troops in their ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.

Every year the Royal Family gathers at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's birthday, known as Trooping the Colour.

The military ceremony has been a tradition since the 17th century and is performed by regiments of the British Army.

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Image: The Duke of Cambridge stepping in for the Queen to kick-start the celebrations next week

Image: Final rehearsal for Trooping the Colour at the Horse Guards Parade

The parade took place from Buckingham Palace, along The Mall, to the Horse Guards Parade and back this morning at 10am.

Image: The Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards

Image: Trooping the Colour has been a tradition of the British infantry regiments since the 17th century

Prince William inspected more than 1,500 soldiers and 350 horses carrying out complicated manoeuvres while more than 7,000 guests watched the challenging drills being carried out to a programme of music.

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The Duke of Cambridge was the first person from the Royal Family to be appointed the Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2011.

Read more:
Platinum Jubilee: 16,000 street parties to celebrate the Queen - find an event near you
Platinum Jubilee: Timings of events for Queen's weekend of celebrations revealed

Image: More than 1,500 soldiers and 350 horses carried out complicated manoeuvres

The Queen, 96, has mobility issues and her presence at the Jubilee events may not be confirmed until the day.

It would be rare for Her Majesty, who has been reigning for 70 years, to not attend the celebrations in Central London to mark the monarch's official birthday.

If her saluting duties at the Trooping the Colour have not been delegated, they may go to her eldest son, the Prince of Wales, Charles.

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2022-05-28 17:20:04Z
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Superyacht sinks in Torquay harbour after large fire - BBC

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A superyacht has sunk after catching fire while moored in a marina.

Police were called to the blaze on the 85ft (26m) vessel at Princess Pier in Torquay, Devon, at about 12:10 BST on Saturday.

Members of the public described hearing a bang, before seeing a huge plume of black smoke. No injuries have been reported, Devon & Cornwall Police said.

Emergency services declared a major incident and officers evacuated a nearby beach and roads.

The boat, which police said broke from its mooring, was secured by the fire service near the marina's pier before it sank.

The Environment Agency (EA) said it was believed to have had about nine tonnes of diesel on board.

A police spokesman said nearby residents should keep their doors and windows shut "due to the levels of smoke and fumes".

He added that the cause of the fire was currently being treated as unexplained.

Reuters

Joseph Barlow said he heard a loud noise and then saw the fire as walking to the nearby beach.

"I heard a bang like a gun shot from the harbour, followed by big plume of black smoke," he said.

Mr Barlow said he then saw "a fire coming from the boat in the harbour" and that shortly after firefighters arrived and the area was cordoned off by police.

BBC Devon reporter Louise Mitchell said it looked like the fire "was at the end of a pier".

"You could certainly see massive flames reaching up into the air and the plume of smoke was just enormous," she said.

She added that coastguards had been evacuating the area around Torre Abbey Meadows.

Reuters

In a tweet, the EA said as the vessel had now sunk, the focus was "now on pollution".

An EA spokesman added that the response to that threat would be led by the harbourmaster, while the agency would provide "advice and guidance on bathing water quality".

Torquay-based musician David Balmer, 58, said the sinking of the yacht had raised fresh concerns about the fuel on the boat potentially leaking into the water.

"That could create another hazard in the harbour," he said.

He said there were "masses of people around" when the yacht caught fire, adding: "It was engulfed in flames and there was this huge cloud of black smoke."

"It was quite a spectacle, it was just an unbelievable sight," he said.

He added that onlookers had been told to leave the area because "there might be an explosion" and the crowds were moved a safe distance away.

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2022-05-28 16:26:05Z
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