Essex police have denied being rebuked by Suella Braverman for seizing a collection of golliwog dolls that were on display in a pub.
Officers from the force took several dolls from the White Hart Inn in Grays, Essex, last week as part of an investigation into an alleged hate crime reported in February.
A source close to Braverman suggested the home secretary’s unhappiness had been made “very plain to Essex police so they are under no illusions”, according to MailOnline.
It quoted the source as saying police forces “should not be getting involved in this kind of nonsense” and instead focus on “catching criminals”.
But sources at the force said no contact had been made by Braverman over the investigation.
A team of four officers and a trainee attended the pub on Tuesday after a report of someone being racially harassed, alarmed or distressed by the presence of the dolls, which are based on racist caricatures. The force said it was working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service on the matter.
No arrests were made.
The pub’s owner, Benice Ryley, said she has displayed the collection of about 30 dolls, donated by her late aunt and customers, in the pub for nearly 10 years. She told the PA Media: “They’re my childhood history, it’s a part of our inheritance. I can’t see any harm. I don’t know how they can find it offensive.”
Ryley’s husband, Chris, is set to be questioned when he returns from abroad in May.
In a statement, Essex police said: “We are investigating an allegation of hate crime reported to us on 24 February.
“Essex police have discussed the progression of this case with the Crown Prosecution Service. On Tuesday 4 April, officers attended a location off Argent Street, Grays, and seized several items in connection with that investigation.
“The force is proud of the work we do prevent crime, tackle offenders and build trust and confidence in all communities.”
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The junior doctors’ strike will lead to caesarean births being cancelled, an increase in the number of mental health patients detained, and issues transferring the critically ill for urgent care, according to leaked NHS documents that show that the impact of the 96-hour walkout will reverberate through the NHS for months to come.
The action over pay, which begins on Tuesday, will compromise critical care and major trauma services, while there will even be a delay to funerals because doctors will not be available to issue death certificates.
Patients were warned on Monday to avoid “risky” behaviour and stay away from A&E if possible, while hospital bosses estimated that 350,000 routine operations were likely to be cancelled.
Hospitals are expecting as few as half the number of consultants to cover junior doctor shifts as during the previous strike, because of “fatigue” among staff and planned leave over the school holidays.
Internal predictions sent to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) last week also warned that low staffing levels in critical care services would affect clinical care for both adults and children, with patients not receiving medicines or assessments on time.
There is particular concern over hospitals in the South West, which are experiencing worse staffing shortages along with an increase in demand from tourists.
On Monday, NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor urged the government and junior doctors’ unions to call in the Acas conciliation service in order to end their stalemate and avoid further “catastrophic” strikes.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Taylor said: “There’s no point hiding the fact that there will be risks to patients, risks to patient safety, risks to patient dignity, as we’re not able to provide the kind of care that we want to.”
He advised the public to use NHS services in “the most responsible way you can”, and to avoid “risky behaviour” of a sort that could result in a visit to A&E during the strike.
“The health service has to meet high levels of demand, at the same time as making inroads into that huge backlog that built up before Covid, but then built up much more during Covid,” he said.
“That’s a tough thing to do at the best of times; it’s impossible to do when strikes are continuing.”
The walkout begins on Tuesday and will last for 96 hours
Junior doctors are set to walk out for 96 hours, with no exceptions applied to any services, including emergency care – although in a letter last week, NHS England said the British Medical Association (BMA) had agreed that, should a major incident occur, the NHS would be able to ask the union to send striking staff back to work.
The medical director of NHS England, Stephen Powis, has warned that the action will have “unparalleled levels of disruption”, with 350,000 operations expected to be cancelled according to the NHS Confederation, which represents hospital trusts. This is double the 175,000 appointments cancelled during the three-day strike in March.
The documents sent to the DHSC last week warned that there could be “significant” and “widespread” cancellations to outpatient services, including for people needing life-saving care, such as cancer appointments and chemotherapy. The effects are expected to outstrip by far the impact of the previous strike.
Mental health services are also expected to be more widely affected this time, with fewer doctors to carry out patient assessments on hospital wards. This could lead to “unnecessary continued detentions under the Mental Health Act”, according to the documents.
Junior doctors are looking for a 35 per cent pay rise
There are also expected to be worse delays for mental health patients attending A&E, because of staff shortages. Even in normal circumstances, these patients can be left waiting for days in emergency departments.
With staffing focused on critical and emergency care, there are expected to be delays in doctors signing death certificates, leading to further delays in coroners’ services and funerals.
To try to minimise the impact of the four-day strike, NHS England is planning to move staff working in community care to emergency services.
During the last junior doctors’ strike, hospitals experienced the highest levels of emergency demand they’d seen this year.
Health secretary Steve Barclay says the demands of junior doctors are ‘unrealistic’
A checklist sent by the BMA to the NHS for emergency situations includes questions about the pay rates hospitals have offered doctors.
According to the list, which has been seen by The Independent, hospitals are being “forced” to comply with minimum rates set by the BMA for consultant cover, which can be as high as £260 per hour.
The BMA has asked the government to address a 26 per cent real-terms pay cut to junior doctors’ wages since 2008-2009, which would require the government to sign off on a 35 per cent pay increase this year.
Health secretary Steve Barclay has described the demand as “unrealistic”, and said that the strikes had been planned to “cause maximum disruption”.
“This demand is widely out of step with pay settlements in other parts of the public sector at a time of considerable economic pressure on our country,” he wrote in The Sunday Telegraph. “A salary hike of this size would see some junior doctors receiving more than an extra £20,000 a year,” he said.
“I recognise their hard work and dedication. But it is deeply disappointing that this industrial action has been timed by the British Medical Association Junior Doctors Committee to cause maximum disruption to both patients and other NHS staff.”
Praising the Good Friday Agreement, Mr Sunak said it was "born of partnership between the British and Irish governments".
"As we will see from President Biden's visit this week, it continues to enjoy huge international support from our closest allies," he said.
"But most importantly it is based on compromise in Northern Ireland itself.
"As we look forward, we will celebrate those who took difficult decisions, accepted compromise, and showed leadership - showing bravery, perseverance, and political imagination.
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"We commemorate those who are no longer with us and the many who lost their lives by trying to prevent violence and protect the innocent.
"We give thanks to them as we reflect on the new generations that have grown up and continue to grow in a world in which peace and prosperity has prevailed."
When Northern Ireland was created in 1921 it remained part of the UK while the rest of Ireland became an independent state.
That created a split in the population between unionists, who wish to see Northern Ireland stay within the UK; and nationalists, who want it to become part of the Republic of Ireland.
From the late 1960s until 1998 - a period known as the Troubles - thousands of people were killed and injured as violence flared between the two sides.
Mr Sunak said that while it was important to reflect on the progress made "we must also recommit to redoubling our efforts on the promise made in 1998 and the agreements that followed".
"One of economic opportunity, prosperity and stability - it is a promise we must continue to fulfil," he said.
But the DUP believes it cuts Northern Ireland off from the rest of the UK, and it voted against a key aspect of the deal.
"We stand ready to work with our partners in the Irish government and the local parties to ensure that the institutions are up and running again as soon as possible," said Mr Sunak.
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King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will arrive at Westminster Abbey for the coronation on 6 May in the sovereign’s newest state carriage, and depart it in the oldest, during a day of celebrations that will see a procession route far shorter than that of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation, it has been revealed.
The king and queen consort will leave Buckingham Palace in the diamond jubilee state coach, built to celebrate the late queen’s 60th anniversary on the throne in 2012. They will depart, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in the 260-year-old gold state coach, which has been used in every coronation since William IV’s in 1831.
In keeping with the king’s wish for a smaller-scale ceremony, the 1.3-mile (2.1km) procession will be much shorter than that staged for the coronation of his mother, who travelled in the gold state coach on both journeys; her outward route to the abbey being 1.6 miles in length, and the return about 5 miles, taking in Haymarket, Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, Oxford Street and East Carriage Drive in Hyde Park.
The king and queen consort will instead travel to the abbey in the king’s procession along the Mall, through Admiralty Arch and along the south side of Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall and along Parliament Street. The procession will then travel around the east and south sides of Parliament Square to Broad Sanctuary to arrive at Westminster Abbey, where the coronation service will begin at 11am. The decision is said to be based on practical reasons, being a familiar royal route.
Once crowned, the couple will return to Buckingham Palace along the same route. The second procession will be on a far grander and larger scale, and comprise thousands of members of the armed services from the UK, Commonwealth and British Overseas Territories who will be marching and lining the route, along with the Sovereign’s Bodyguard and Royal Watermen.
Details of the route were revealed as Buckingham Palace also unveiled a new emoji, of the St Edward’s crown, to mark the coronation weekend.
On the day, the public will get a first glimpse of the king and queen consort as they leave Buckingham Palace for Westminster Abbey in the diamond jubilee state coach, drawn by six Windsor grey horses, and accompanied by the sovereign’s escort of the Household Cavalry.
The coach is topped with a gilded crown carved from oak from HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Its interior is inlaid with samples of wood, metals and other materials from buildings and places with specific connections to Britain and its history, including Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, as well as historic ships, such as the Mary Rose.
After the coronation service, the new king and queen will depart Westminster Abbey for Buckingham Palace in the gold state coach. Last seen during the pageant of the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in June 2022, it was commissioned in 1760 and first used by King George III, to travel to the state opening of parliament in 1762.
It will be drawn by eight Windsor greys and, due to its weight of four tonnes, will travel at walking pace. Said to creak like an “old galleon” as it rolls along, it runs a lot smoother than it used to, according to the man in charge of its care.
Martin Oates, senior carriage restorer at the Royal Mews, will walk behind the carriage in the coronation procession and act as the “brake man”, pulling the hand-held T-bar at the back to secure it in place when it stops. “When you’re following it, you can hear it creaking, so it sounds like an old galleon going along,” he said. “It’s not quite a washing machine, but where other vehicles just go from back to front, this is moving from side to side.”
Queen Elizabeth II once described her journey to and from her coronation in the uncomfortably bumpy gold state coach as “horrible”, while Queen Victoria complained of its “distressing oscillation”.
On their return to Buckingham Palace, the king and queen will receive a royal salute from the UK and Commonwealth armed forces on parade that day. They will take the salute from the west terrace of the Buckingham Palace garden. It will be followed by three cheers from the assembled service personnel for the new king and queen.
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Heartbroken friends and relatives have paid tribute to a 15-year-old girl killed in an east London fire.
Tiffany Regis is believed to have died in the suspected arson on Thursday at a block of flats in Beckton, the Metropolitan Police said, though identification was not conclusive. A post-mortem found that the cause of death was smoke inhalation.
Police were called at about 5.28pm on Thursday to the fire in Tollgate Road, which detectives are treating as arson.
Tiffany Regis, who family and friends say had a ‘heart of gold’
(Metropolitan Police)
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder following the fire. He was later bailed pending further inquiries.
Five others at the address were injured. They have since been discharged from hospital.
Vasee Ahmed a family friend, who saw the blaze take hold, told the Evening Standard: “Tiffany was loving and caring and was very close to my daughter and wife.
“Tiffany was living with her gran near the Asda as her gran was elderly. That flat was Tiffany’s friends I think the school friends got together and met up in the flat to just have a chat and enjoy their holidays.”
Ahmed added: “We have lived in Beckton since 1988 and have seen kids and families grow up over the years.
“My daughter is in the same class as Tiffany in Kingsford Community School. We always saw Tiffany she was so generous and humble and has a heart of gold.
“My daughter is very distressed since yesterday as she is trying to come to terms with this tragedy.”
Tiffany died in the fire on Thursday at a block of flats on Tollgate Road in Beckton
A woman who said she was Tiffany’s aunt posted on social media: “This can’t be real this was my niece.
“RIP beautiful you were gone to soon. The world is so horrible may your beautiful soul rest at peace now. Love you baby girl.”
One man who said he was a family friend described the teenager as “an angel”.
The man, who gave his name only as Godfrey, 30, said: “I’ve even got videos of her from when she young.
“She spent some time with my little nephews. Those memories with her I will never forget.”
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, who leads the North East Command Unit, said that his thoughts were with Tiffany and her family and friends.
Emergency responders at the scene on Thursday
He added: “My thoughts at this time are with Tiffany and her family and friends. Incidents such as these send shockwaves through our communities and I don’t underestimate the impact this will have in the local area and beyond.
“Your officers will be on patrol in the immediate vicinity over the Easter weekend, please talk to them if you have any concerns.”
Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said: “Tiffany’s parents are going through unimaginable pain at the loss of their much loved 15-year-old daughter who brought so much joy. I am deeply upset by this tragic loss of a young life, as is everyone in Newham.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Tiffany’s parents, family and friends at this very difficult and heartbreaking time. I am urging anyone with any information to contact the police incident room.
“Our priority is to support Tiffany’s parents grieving the loss of their child; and all those young people who have lost a dear friend.”
Ministers are to promise a crackdown on the illegal sale of e-cigarettes to under 18s as they consider stricter rules to tackle underage vaping.
An “illicit vapes enforcement squad”, led by Trading Standards and backed by £3m in funding, will be set up to conduct test purchases and remove banned products from shops and at borders.
The government will also launch a call for evidence to “identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes”, according to plans expected to be unveiled this week.
The measures come amid rising concern over youth vaping in Britain, with the latest survey by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) showing a rise in recent years. In 2022, 7% of 11- to 17-year-olds surveyed said they used vapes, compared with 3.3% in 2021.
The plan to tackle illegal sales to children has been welcomed by vape manufacturers. The UK Vaping Industry Association had been calling for increased action on “rogue resellers” and said the targeted action due to be announced by the government would help cut the supply of e-cigarettes to minors. Recent raids have found shops across the country selling illegal vapes, including those containing illegal nicotine levels, and failing to conduct proper age checks.
However health experts warned the measures would do little to stop underage vaping and said action was needed to make e-cigarettes less appealing to children in the first place.
Dr Mike McKean, the vice-president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “We’re relieved that the UK government has started to focus on the rising levels of children and young people picking up e-cigarettes, but an enforcement squad is just the tip of the iceberg.”
He said vapes were often “affordable, appealing and clearly very accessible for children”, and called for action on the “bright packaging, exotic flavours and enticing names” used in many products. “Tighter restrictions on advertising of vaping products are also needed to ensure these products are only advertised as a smoking reduction aid rather than a fun and colourful lifestyle product,” he said.
The Department of Health and Social Care said its call for evidence would look at ways of cutting underage vaping while “ensuring they remain available as a quit aid for adult smokers”. It is expected to explore issues such as the marketing and promotion of vapes. Vape manufacturers argue that features such as fruity flavours can help adults quit smoking.
Last year, the Observer revealed how influencers were flouting advertising rules to promote popular Elf Bar vapes to young people on TikTok. E-cigarette companies have also run campaigns across buses and billboards.
Health minister Neil O’Brien said the government was “concerned about the rise in youth vaping, particularly the increasing use of disposable vaping products”, and that the measures were designed to “clamp down” on those businesses that were “getting children hooked on nicotine”. “Our call for evidence will also allow us to get a firm understanding of the steps we can take to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes,” he added.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Ash, said the charity welcomed the government announcement but that more action was needed to “tackle the scourge of youth vaping”. She said: “The call for evidence is all well and good, but we already know the problems that need addressing, and how to address them. Cheap disposable vapes need to be taxed so they can no longer be bought for pocket money prices. And the government needs to regulate to limit where these products can be sold, and prohibit brightly coloured packaging with cartoon characters and names like ‘gummy bears’. There’s no time for delay.”
