The body of a teenage boy has been found in the River Eden in Carlisle after a 15-year-old went missing on Friday, Cumbria constabulary said.
The discovery followed an extensive search operation. Police were contacted at 6.41pm on Friday after a report that four teenage boys had got into difficulty in a section of the river near the city’s Rosehill area.
One of the group, a 15-year-old from Carlisle, was missing after the incident. A 14-year-old boy, who was airlifted to hospital, remained in a critical condition on Saturday.
One of the group managed to swim to safety, while another was rescued by a member of the public. Both were checked over by medical professionals.
No formal identification has yet been confirmed, but the family of the 15-year-old have been informed. They were being supported by specialist officers.
Ch Supt Lisa Hogan, of Cumbria constabulary, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family of the 15-year-old boy at this difficult time.
“An extensive search operation has taken place since the incident was reported yesterday evening. The search activity was assisted by emergency services, search and rescue teams, and specialist search professionals from Cumbria and from outside the county.”
man arrested after a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street has been charged with making indecent images of children, the Met has said.
Seth Kneller, from Crewe, was detained by armed officers after a collision involving a silver Kia near the Prime Minister's official residence in Whitehall at 4.20pm on Thursday.
The Metropolitan Police said the 43-year-old, who was also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, had since been released under investigation but charged with the unrelated offence of making indecent images of children.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
After the hearing, a court official said Kneller was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Southwark Crown Court on June 23.
The Met said: “Armed officers, who were in attendance, arrested a 43-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.
“He was taken into custody and has since been released under investigation in relation to this matter.
“He was charged with an unrelated matter of making indecent images of children and will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 27 May.”
Rishi Sunak was in Downing Street at the time the car crashed into the front gates, the PA news agency understands.
The Prime Minister, who had been due to leave No 10 anyway, departed after the crash.
There were no injuries reported and police are continuing their inquiries into the incident, the Met said.
Counter-terrorism police are currently supporting officers in their investigation but the incident is not being treated as terror-related, according to the force.
Images on social media showed the car surrounded by emergency vehicles as police cordoned off the stretch of Whitehall outside Downing Street.
Officers were seen searching the boot of the vehicle before a tow lorry removed it from the area.
UK: British Airways System Outage Sparks Chaos At Heathrow Airport
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Passengers are facing travel chaos as electronic passport gates have gone down across UK airports.
The issue is likely to cause long delays at passport controls for bank holiday travelers flying into the country as all airports that use the gates are affected.
The Home Office has confirmed the news after the system went down on Friday night - but did not say how long the fault would last.
One passenger has described scenes at Edinburgh Airport as a “shambles”, reporting a queue of over 300 people at passport control on Friday night.
Another spoke of “total chaos” at Gatwick Airport’s passport control, with “queues of over an hour” caused by the downing of the electronic passport gates.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of a nationwide border system issue affecting arrivals into the UK.
“We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are liaising with port operators and airlines to minimise disruption for travellers.”
This comes after thousands of people faced having their bank holiday plans plunged into chaos, as British Airways was forced to cancel scores of flights on Thursday and Friday following an IT failure.
Bank Holiday travel chaos as passport e-gates fail across UK
Passengers are facing long delays as electronic passport gates have gone down across UK airports.
The issue is likely to cause long delays at passport controls for bank holiday travelers flying into the country as all airports that use the gates are affected.
The Home Office has confirmed the news after the system went down on Friday night - but did not say how long the fault would last.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of a nationwide border system issue affecting arrivals into the UK.
“We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are liaising with port operators and airlines to minimise disruption for travellers.”
This comes after thousands of people faced having their bank holiday plans plunged into chaos, as British Airways was forced to cancel scores of flights on Thursday and Friday following an IT failure.
Passenger says passport control was ‘unbelievable’ and ‘stiflingly hot'
“Unbelievable” and “stiflingly hot” is how a passenger has described their experience at passport control at Gatwick Airport in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Chris O'Hara added: “Welcome to modern Britain.”
He wrote on social media: “2am, Gatwick North Terminal passport control. Unbelievable. Welcome to modern Britain.
“And of course, the aircon is shut down, so it's stiflingly hot.”
“Unbelievable” and “stiflingly hot” is how a passenger has described their experience at passport control at Gatwick Airport in the early hours of Saturday morning
(Chris O’Hara)
Passengers are facing travel chaos as electronic passport gates have gone down across UK airports
As many as 19.2 million car trips estimated for bank holiday
The RAC estimated that drivers across the UK will embark on 19.2 million leisure car trips between Friday and Monday making it the busiest late May bank holiday since 2019.
Transport data company Inrix warned that journeys on some stretches of the M25 will take up to three times longer than normal.
They include clockwise from Junction 23 for Hatfield to Junction 28 for Chelmsford, and anticlockwise towards the Dartford Crossing.
Long delays are also expected on the M5 in Somerset and the M6 in Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
Long queues have been affecting travellers at Dover, which has also experienced IT problems, although waiting times have been easing.
The Port of Dover’s latest update on Twitter reads: “As predicted Port of Dover is busy but traffic currently processing well and according to plan. Earlier IT issues at border resolved. Waiting times for cars and coaches now between 30 - 45 mins.”
Passengers queue for ferries at the Port of Dover in Kent as the getaway for half term and the bank holiday weekend continues
Long queues have been affecting travellers at Dover, which has also experienced IT problems, although waiting times have been easing
Border Force has put in place ‘robust plans’, says Home Office
A Home Office spokeswoman said that the Border Force had put in place “robust plans” to deploy officers to minimise disruption and wait times.
The automated e-gate system is available for British citizens aged over 12 and those from the EU, as well as people from several other countries including Australia, Canada, the US, Japan and New Zealand.
The spokeswoman said: “We are aware of a nationwide border system issue affecting arrivals into the UK.
“We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are liaising with port operators and airlines to minimise disruption for travellers.”
Passengers flying into the UK have expressed their anger over delays as passport e-gates across the country have not been working all day.
The issue at airports, including Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick, began on Friday night.
The Home Office said it was working with airlines and port operators to minimise disruption from the "nationwide border system issue".
A union warned queues would build quickly.
All airports across the country using the gates are affected, meaning people flying in are having to get their passports checked manually.
Marc Baret had been booked on a flight from Chicago to Manchester via Heathrow, but told BBC News he changed his plans when he had been left waiting for more than two hours at the London airport.
He said: "It was absolute chaos at passport control. There were people getting really frustrated and a couple of individuals tried to jump queues, the police had to get engaged and one of the passengers fainted," he said.
One passenger arriving at Gatwick said the situation was an "utter joke".
Another, Craig Pullen, said he had to wait in the queue at Luton Airport for more than two hours on Saturday, adding it was "very poor" that travellers weren't being given regular updates on the issues with the e-gates or being told how long it would take to clear passport control.
It is unclear what the issue is with the border system, with a Home Office spokesman saying it was "too sensitive to say".
However while it is technically affecting anywhere where people are checked coming into the UK, the impact is mainly being felt at larger airports with e-gates.
This weekend was already expected to be busy for travellers, with the bank holiday coinciding with the half-term break for many families.
Separately travellers leaving the UK from the Port of Dover also faced issues after the French passport system failed earlier on Saturday.
That issue has now been fixed, but cars and coaches are waiting for about an hour, with about 400 lorries queuing to make the crossing on what is a busy bank holiday weekend.
PA Media
Airports around the UK issued statements warning passengers of delays but said they were working with the UK Border Force to minimise disruption.
A Gatwick Airport spokesperson said on Saturday morning that queues were "manageable" at that stage - although they were expecting 800 incoming flights during the day. It confirmed the issue first started between 19:00 and 20:00 BST on Friday.
The e-gate system speeds up passport control by allowing some passengers to scan their own passports. It uses facial recognition to verify identity and captures the traveller's image.
Lucy Morton, from the Immigration Services Union, told the BBC that between 60-80% of incoming passengers usually use e-gates, depending on the airport and with them being unavailable queues were likely to build "very quickly".
"There's no impact on national security," she said, explaining that all arrivals will still be fully checked through manned officer desks.
E-gates can be used by British citizens aged over 12 and those from the EU, as well as people from countries including Australia, Canada, the US, Japan and New Zealand.
But all entry points retain manned security desks for other passengers and those unable to use e-gates.
A Home Office spokesperson said they were aware of a "nationwide border system issue affecting arrivals into the UK".
"We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are liaising with port operators and airlines to minimise disruption for travellers," they said.
On Thursday and Friday British Airways was also hit by IT issues, affecting more than 20,000 passengers at Heathrow.
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A man arrested after a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street has been charged with making indecent images of children.
Seth Kneller, 43, from Crewe, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today in relation to the indecent child images charge, Scotland Yard has said.
After the hearing, a court official said Kneller was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 23 June.
Kneller was detained by armed officers on Thursday at the scene of the collision on Whitehall on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.
He has since been released under investigation but was charged with the unrelated matter of making indecent images of children.
The silver Kia car he was driving crashed into the gates at around 4.20pm on Thursday.
There were no reports of any injuries and the incident, which continues to be investigated by police, is not being treated as terror-related.
Witnesses at the time described an "almighty smash"and armed officers confronting the lone motorist, who was put on the ground and handcuffed.
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Watch moment car hits Downing St gates
The prime minister was in Downing Street at the time of the crash.
But Rishi Sunak, who had been due to leave No 10 anyway, departed after the incident.
Video footage showed the vehicle crossing Whitehall, apparently from the direction of a Ministry of Defence car park opposite, but then appearing to slow down as it approached the fortified entrance to the street.
British Cycling is to ban transgender women from the female category of its competitions following a nine-month review and consultation.
Under a new participation policy that the governing body said was "predicated on fairness", such athletes will compete in an 'open category' with men.
Female races will be "for those whose sex was assigned female at birth".
The changes will prevent riders such as Emily Bridges potentially being part of the British women's team.
Last year Bridges - the country's highest-profile transgender cyclist - was stopped from competing in her first elite women's race by the UCI, cycling's world federation, despite meeting the rules at the time.
Bridges reacted to the announcement with a statement on social media, calling the change a "violent act" by a "failed organisation" that was "controlling" the conversation on transgender inclusion.
She added that the racing scene was "dying under its watch" and that British Cycling was engaged in "culture wars".
British Cycling's policy had allowed transgender women to take part in elite female events if they met testosterone-based regulations.
But with the governing body at the heart of the debate over balancing inclusion with fairness, its regulations were suspended amid mounting controversy about Bridges and a review was launched.
"Research studies indicate that even with the suppression of testosterone, transgender women who transition post-puberty retain a performance advantage," said British Cycling.
"Our aim in creating our policies has always been to advance and promote equality, diversity and inclusion, while at the same time prioritising fairness of competition.
"We recognise the impact the suspension of our policy has had on trans and non-binary people, and we are sorry for the uncertainty and upset that many have felt during this period."
Transgender women will be able to participate in non-competitive recreational and community cycling without restriction.
The new policies will be implemented by the end of the year.
'You have no right to tell me when I am done' - Bridges response
In her statement, Bridges was critical of the state of British Cycling and its treatment of transgender riders.
"Cycling is still one of the whitest, straightest sports out there and you couldn't care less," she said. "I agree there needs to be a nuanced policy discussion and continue to conduct research. This hasn't happened.
"Research isn't being viewed critically, or any discussion about the relevance of the data to specific sports.
"I've given my body up to science for the last two years, and this data will be out soon.
"There is actual, relevant data coming soon and discussions need to be had."
Bridges claimed discussion of the debate is "inherently political" and "framed by the media who are driven through engagement by hate", saying she was "terrified to exist".
She added: "I know a lot of people will think I'm being dramatic, or overplaying how scary things are at the moment. I don't even know if I want to race my bike any more… but you have no right on telling me when I am done."
What's the background?
Having been a highly promising competitor in junior men's events, Bridges came out as transgender in 2020, starting hormone therapy as part of her gender dysphoria treatment.
She then became eligible to compete in elite women's events under British Cycling's transgender regulations, which required riders to have had testosterone levels below five nanomoles per litre for a 12-month period prior to competition.
But days before the 2022 National Omnium Championships, the UCI said Bridges' participation could only be allowed once her eligibility to race in international competitions was confirmed, dashing her hopes of competing for Wales in the Commonwealth Games.
A group of elite female cyclists called on the UCI to "rescind" its rules around transgender participation, claiming female athletes in the UK were "willing to boycott" events over their "concerns about fairness in their sport".
Bridges said she felt "harassed and demonised" and had "little clarity" on her eligibility. She added that she "does not have any advantage" over her competitors, and could prove it with data.
While British Cycling suspended its rules, the UCI then toughened its regulations, doubling the qualification period to two years and lowering the required testosterone threshold for transgender women riders to 2.5nmol/L.
But this month, after Austin Killips became the first transgender woman to win a UCI women's stage race at the Tour of the Gila, the world governing body re-opened consultation on the issue, saying it "hears the voices of female athletes and their concerns about an equal playing field for competitors".
'Paucity of research' - British Cycling boss
"We acknowledge the paucity of research at this time, but can only look at what's available to use," said British Cycling chief executive Jon Dutton.
"I am confident that we have developed policies that both safeguard the fairness of cycle-sport competition, whilst ensuring all riders have opportunities to participate.
"We have always been very clear that this is a challenge far greater than one sport. We remain committed to listening to our communities, to monitor changes in the scientific and policy landscape, to ensure that sport is inclusive for all."
A number of studies have suggested transgender women retain cardiovascular and strength advantages compared to female athletes, even after taking testosterone-suppressing hormones.
Critics of transgender athletes' participation in some women's sports argue that gives them a disproportionate advantage over their peers and limits opportunities for their rivals.
However, others argue there is not enough detailed research in the area, that the science is not clear, and that with very few elite transgender athletes, sport should be more inclusive, with open categories criticised for being discriminatory.
British Cycling said its women-only community programme "will continue to remain open and inclusive for transgender women and non-binary people" who can "continue to participate in a broad range of British Cycling activities in line with their gender identities".
