Babak Belurs

Rabu, 31 Mei 2023

London commuters face fresh travel chaos in first of three train strikes this week - Evening Standard

ondon commuters are facing more travel disruption on Wednesday as a fresh round of strikes get underway.

Services across many train companies are expected to be severely hampered because of walkouts by the Aslef train drivers’ union on Wednesday, and Saturday, June 3 in the row over pay and conditions.

Meanwhile, the RMT union has also called a strike for Friday, June 2.

The strikes will affect services on 15 train companies, with trains due to start later and finish much earlier than usual - typically between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

On Aslef strike days, only around 40 per cent of trains will be running - and in some areas, operators will be running no services at all.

On the RMT strike day, around half of the network will shut down, with around 50 per cent of normal services running.

Passengers are being advised to plan ahead and check the times of first and last trains.

Wednesday’s walkout will affect major services to and from London and commuter services within the capital.

The services affected are:

Avanti West Coast
Chiltern Railways
CrossCountry
East Midlands Railway
Gatwick Express
Great Northern
Great Western Railway
Greater Anglia
Heathrow Express
Island Line
LNER
London Northwestern Railway
Northern
South Western Railway
Southeastern
Southern
Stansted Express
Thameslink
TransPennine Express
West Midlands Railway

Announcing the walkouts earlier this month, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We do not want to go on strike – we do not want to inconvenience passengers, we have families and friends who use the railway, too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of this country – but the blame for this action lies, fairly and squarely, at the feet of the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence.

“It is now up to them to come up with a more sensible, and realistic, offer and we ask the government not to hinder this process.”

Aslef will also start an overtime ban from June 1, which could affect some services in and out of the capital.

Among those affected are likely to be football fans attempting to travel to London for the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley.

The strike action will also likely affect more than 100,000 people travelling to the annual Epsom Derby on Saturday as well as fans travelling to Beyonce’s Renaissance world tour concert at Tottenham’s stadium.

The Rail Delivery Group, the industry body representing the train operating companies, called the disruption “unnecessary and damaging”.

A spokesperson said: “The upcoming rail strikes called by the Aslef and RMT leadership will not only affect our passengers’ daily commute, but will also impact those travelling from to the FA Cup final and other events across the country, causing disappointment and frustration for tens of thousands of people.

“It will also inconvenience families who have been looking forward and have planned their half-term holidays.

“It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.”

The rail unions have accused ministers of tying train companies’ hands, leaving them unable to negotiate a “reasonable” pay deal.

But ministers insist there is a fair offer on the table that union leaders should put to their members.

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2023-05-31 07:11:36Z
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Selasa, 30 Mei 2023

COVID inquiry: Deadline extended for government to hand over Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages - Sky News

The deadline for the government to hand over Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages to the COVID Inquiry has been extended.

Inquiry chair Lady Hallett had ordered the government to hand over the messages - alongside diary entries and notes - by 4pm on Tuesday 30 May.

The deadline has now set been 4pm on Thursday 1 June. The Cabinet Office asked for an extension to Monday 5 June as they do not have access to Mr Johnson's messages or notebooks, but this was rejected.

Politics latest:
PM promises 'transparency' amid Johnson COVID message reprieve

What is the COVID inquiry asking for?

Unredacted messages sent and received by Boris Johnson between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2022.
Unredacted diaries for Mr Johnson between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2022
Copies of 24 unredacted notebooks filled in by Mr Johnson between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2022
Unredacted messages sent and received by adviser Henry Cook between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2022.
The inquiry wants messages - even from group chats - about the government response to COVID, as well as contact with a list of certain experts, ministers, civil servants and advisers

This is despite saying in their original appeal against the order that there was "unambiguously irrelevant" material in the redacted parts of messages sent to the inquiry.

When the Cabinet Office lodged the appeal on 15 May, it said Mr Johnson's WhatsApp messages had not yet been received by the government.

A spokesman for the former prime minister said today that he had "no objection" to sending the material to the inquiry.

Mr Johnson has written to the Cabinet Office to demand the government requests in writing access to his messages and notes - which he says has not happened yet.

Sources close to Mr Johnson say Cabinet Office officials have visited his office in person to examine notebooks within the past few weeks.

If the government does not abide by the new deadline on Thursday, Lady Hallett has ordered that a statement be sent by a "senior civil servant" confirming the Cabinet Office does not have the requested information, as well as a chronology of the government's contacts with Mr Johnson about the requests and whether the government has ever had the data.

Breaking a section 21 order could see the government face criminal proceedings, and there is also potential for a court battle over whether the information should be passed to the inquiry.

Speaking shortly before the inquiry's announcement Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the "government is carefully considering its position, but it is confident in the approach that it's taking".

The battle between the parties centres on messages Mr Johnson sent and received, as well as his diaries and his notebooks from during the pandemic.

Lady Hallett made an order under section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 for the material to be handed over by the Cabinet Office.

Messages to and from former adviser Henry Cook were also included in the legal action.

It is this order which has now been extended.

Lady Hallett highlighted in her explanation that the Cabinet Office redacted material about the policing of Sarah Everard protests during the period of restrictions - something she said was "not a promising start".

She later obtained the messages in full.

She also identified communications - which have still only been seen in their redacted form - that she considers are "in fact relevant to my investigation".

Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, said: "It now appears that vital evidence has gone missing. It must be found and handed over as requested if the whiff of a cover-up is to be avoided and bereaved families are to get the answers they deserve.

"It is for the COVID inquiry itself rather than Conservative ministers to decide what is and is not relevant material for its investigation, and this interference only serves to undermine the inquiry's crucial job of getting to the truth."

Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrats' deputy leader, added: "This dog ate my homework type excuse from the government simply doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

"For the Cabinet Office to simultaneously refuse to disclose Boris Johnson's messages because they were irrelevant to the inquiry, whilst claiming not to even have them, will raise suspicions of another Conservative cover up.

"Rishi Sunak is too weak to stand up to Johnson and make him hand over this evidence, while bereaved families are being left aghast.

"The public has waited long enough already to get the truth. The inquiry's work mustn't be delayed any longer because of endless chaos in the Conservative Party."

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2023-05-30 13:30:00Z
2058364973

Kathleen Stock Oxford talk live: Trans activists brace for 'heated' rally - The Telegraph

A protestor has glued themselves to the floor of the Oxford Union in protest of the Kathleen Stock talk.

Riz Possnett, a student activist is sitting in front of Prof Stock and Union president Matthew Dick wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words “No More Dead Trans Kids”.

A protester is sitting in front of the speakers and refusing to move.

The protesters have been booed by members of the audience, with one attendee calling for “free speech” and another urging everyone to “listen to Kathleen Stock”

Marie Daouda, a French lecturer at Oriel College, has taken the opportunity to make a statement while the Union waits for police officers.

She said that “anyone with two free hands” should take a minute to Google the Tavistock gender clinic scandal

Police officers appear to be struggling to work out how to remove the activist student Riz Possnett from the floor of the Union. The student is said to have glued their hands to the floor. Four officers have arrived with tools to try and remove the student and are filming as they do so.

Follow the latest updates below.

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2023-05-30 15:57:43Z
2070595387

Primary school teacher sacked after Facebook appeal to parents of yobs who attacked his home - Daily Mail

Primary teacher, 52, sacked after Facebook appeal to parents of yobs who attacked his home and threatened to murder and rape wife and disabled step-daughter

Michael Flynn claims he was sacked from Twydall Primary School over the post
The school says it parted ways with Mr Flynn because of safeguarding worries

By Natasha Anderson

Published: 12:07 BST, 30 May 2023 | Updated: 14:10 BST, 30 May 2023

A primary school teacher has been sacked over a Facebook post he made after yobs threatened to murder and rape his family, he has claimed.

Michael Flynn, 52, allegedly broke his school's social media policy by posting online following two different incidents involving a group of youngsters at his assisted-living home, where his wife cares full time for her disabled daughter.

On May 23 the group allegedly tried to take a bicycle from the front garden of his home in Gillingham, Kent. His wife Angela, a former American police officer, says she asked them to leave before one of them threatened to stab her and bring people who would rape her and murder the family.

Mr Flynn, who missed the confrontation because he was sleeping through a diabetic episode, claims he posted to encourage the boys' parents to get in touch.

He now alleges he was dismissed over his online post, but his former employer, Twydall Primary School in Gillingham, says they parted ways because of safeguarding worries.

His former employer, Twydall Primary School in Gillingham (pictured), says they parted ways with Mr Flynn because of safeguarding worries

Mr Flynn took to Facebook after the first alleged incident on May 23.

His post read: 'Four kids tried to steal a pushbike from my front garden. When challenged they were verbally abusive and threatening to my wife.

'A chase ensued, one kid lost his shoes in the conflict. If this is your son, you may want to contact me before I contact the police.

'Twydall is a small place and I will find him sooner or later.

'So, if you want to sort this out calmly, I suggest the parents PM me or I will sort this out my way.'

However, the next day the same group allegedly returned to the property with a large rock and looked ready to launch it at a window before Mr Flynn looked out and they ran off. He says he was dismissed the following day.

Mr Flynn's 22-year teaching career is now at risk and he has been forced to look for temporary driving work to support his disabled step-daughter.

He said: 'I have stolen nothing and I've threatened no one. I am the victim of a crime, yet I am being punished.'

Mr Flynn has taught around the world, once tutoring the Mexican president's children. He is now concerned that he may never return to the profession.

He said: 'I loved teaching and this is certainly not the way I wanted to end my career.'

The yobs allegedly tried to take a bicycle from the front garden of his home in Gillingham, Kent. Mrs Flynn (left, with Mr Flynn on right) says she asked them to leave before one of them threatened to stab her and bring people who would rape her and murder the family

Mr Flynn took to Facebook after the first alleged incident on May 23

A school spokesman said: 'The wellbeing of our pupils is our priority and we take our responsibilities to safeguard children extremely seriously.

'We cannot discuss individual cases, but incidents brought to our attention are fully investigated and acted upon in line with our policies and procedures, which align with Department for Education guidance.'

Asked whether he thought he'd gone too far with his Facebook post, Mr Flynn said: 'Adrenalin was running a little high. I had just been woken by my wife telling me someone had threatened to rape her.

'I wish I had worded it a bit differently but I don't regret looking out for my community.'

Former Louisiana police officer Mrs Flynn stays at home to care for her 20-year-old daughter Alexis, who needs 24-hour care after she was paralysed from the neck down in a diving accident four years ago.

She said: 'I have to be here 24/7 to help my daughter and I'm petrified. Those kids said they were going to come back with people who were going to kill my family and rape me.'

She added: 'If they had thrown that rock through the window, Alexis would not have even been able to raise her hands to stop it hitting her.'

The couple say vulnerable neighbours in the assisted-living community are also worried about anti-social behaviour in the area.

Mrs Flynn added: 'People are frightened to go out in their garden and lay down at night in their beds not knowing that everything they have worked for is safe.

'They are being held hostage by these delinquents.'

Police have confirmed officers are investigating abuse aimed at Mrs Flynn.

She added: 'The children need to know there are repercussions for their actions. If they don't get a handle on it now, while these kids are young, it is just going to get worse.

'We have a responsibility as a community to ensure they do have repercussions so they can grow into functional adults.

'Every jail cell in America is filled with murderers who started out stealing a piece of gum.'

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2023-05-30 11:07:26Z
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Politics latest news: Boris Johnson says he has 'no objection' to Covid inquiry having WhatsApp messages - The Telegraph

Boris Johnson has insisted he does not object to disclosing evidence to the official Covid-19 inquiry amid a legal standoff between the Government and the inquiry.

A spokesman for the former prime minister said: "Mr Johnson has no objection to disclosing material to the inquiry. He has done so and will continue to do so. The decision to challenge the inquiry’s position on redactions is for the Cabinet Office."

The statement came after the inquiry announced it had pushed back a deadline for the Government to hand over the former premier’s pandemic-related WhatsApp messages and diaries.

The inquiry had set a deadline of 4pm today for the Cabinet Office to provide the material but that has now been extended to 4pm on June 1, following a request from the Government.

The inquiry said in an update published this morning that it was "informed that the Cabinet Office does not have in its possession either Mr Johnson's WhatsApp messages or Mr Johnson's notebooks".

The Cabinet Office rejected the original request for the unredacted material, arguing it had no duty to disclose "unambiguously irrelevant" material. But the inquiry remains insistent that the material must be handed over.

Rishi Sunak told broadcasters during a visit to Kent this morning that "the Government is carefully considering its position but it is confident in the approach that it’s taking".

You can follow the latest updates below.

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2023-05-30 13:02:05Z
2058364973

Vaping: Government plans underage crackdown - BBC

By Jasmine Andersson & Hugh Pym

BBC News

A loophole allowing retailers to give free vape samples to children is set to be closed under government plans to curb their use among young people.

A new crackdown on vape marketing would prevent the "unacceptable" targeting of children and teens, Rishi Sunak said.

There will also be a review into the rules around the sale of "nicotine-free" products to under-18s.

Labour called the announcement a "baby step" and said urgent action is needed.

A recent BBC investigation found that illegal vapes confiscated from school pupils contained far higher levels of lead, nickel and chromium than deemed safe. The Prime Minister said he was shocked by this finding.

There is now a fast-moving debate on how to tackle vaping by children.

The government plans include a review of rules on fines for shops selling illicit vapes.

By tightening the law, it said it would be easier for local trading standards officials to issue on-the-spot fines and fixed penalty notices to shops who sell vapes to underage people.

While selling vapes to under 18s is illegal, nicotine-free products can be sold.

The plans have been welcomed by the UK Vaping Industry Association, which said it had been calling for a clampdown for over a year.

Its director general John Dunne said: "Unless unscrupulous traders know that selling vapes to children is an endeavour which would be financially ruinous to them, then they will continue to do so."

There has been a rise in experimental vaping among 11- to 17-year-olds - from 7.7% in 2021 to 11.6% in 2022, according to a YouGov survey in March and April for Action on Smoking and Health.

Brightly-coloured disposable vapes, which are available in a variety of flavours, are the most popular product among teens and most are bought from corner shops.

Teachers and parents have expressed concerns about the increased availability of the products and the fact that some pupils say they have become addicted to nicotine through vaping.

Under the law, only the sale of nicotine products to people under 18 is banned.

While tobacco products cannot be given out to under-18s for free, this is not currently the case with nicotine products like vapes.

The government said that while most businesses are not carrying out this practice, some rogue traders are taking advantage of the loophole.

In the last year, around 20,000 children in the UK were given a free vape, according to data from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Teenagers hold some of the vapes confiscated at a secondary school

Last week, the PM spoke about his concern about the rise in vape use among younger people, telling ITV's This Morning he did not want his daughters "seduced by these things".

He said it was "ridiculous" that vapes are promoted to children, and pledged to look at ways of strengthening marketing rules.

Announcing the new set of measures aimed at limiting underage vaping, he said he was "deeply concerned" about an increase in children vaping and was "shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of schoolchildren".

"The marketing and the illegal sales of vapes to children is completely unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to end this practice for good," he said.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty called the decision to close the loophole a "very welcome step".

He said vaping was a good alternative for adult smokers, but raised concerns about companies "clearly marketing these products at children".

Linda Bauld, professor of public health at Edinburgh University, said vaping was far less harmful than smoking for children but the longer terms risks were not full understood.

She told BBC Breakfast: "We do know there are toxins and carcinogens in vape products, albeit at lower or trace levels, and if those are exposed to young developing lungs, particularly chronically over a long period, there may well be real risk associated with that."

The latest announcement comes just weeks after ministers unveiled a new enforcement drive and called for evidence on what further steps to take. Mr Sunak's intervention suggests he feels the need to go further.

Pupils will also be taught about the health risks of vaping in Relationships, Sex and Health Education lessons, as part of the ongoing government review of the curriculum.

And a resource pack for schools on vaping is being developed, which will be rolled out online in July.

Intended for children aged 11-13, the educational resource will inform young people about the addictiveness of nicotine and the evidence that their developing brains may be more sensitive to its effects.

The move follows the government establishing a vape enforcement squad last month to increased education around the dangers of vaping in schools, as well as school police liaison officers to remove e-cigarettes.

Health Minister Neil O'Brien called any marketing of vaping products to children "shameful", and said the government would further review the rules to prevent them becoming a "gateway" to cigarettes.

Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said the government had not backed the party's plan to tackle the problem, and pledged the "next Labour government will come down like a tonne of bricks on those pushing vapes to kids".

The Chartered Trading Institute, which oversees trading standards in the UK, said it welcomes the government's announcement, and that the measures "were necessary".

Campaigners are already arguing that it needs a bolder approach with taxation to make vapes less affordable, while continuing to promote them as an option for adult smokers wanting to quit the habit.

Deborah Arnott, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) chief executive, welcomed the government's actions but said the prime minister's proposals were just "baby steps", and called for a minimum price of £5 to be imposed in order to price out young buyers.

Babak Belurs

Rabu, 31 Mei 2023

London commuters face fresh travel chaos in first of three train strikes this week - Evening Standard

Selasa, 30 Mei 2023

COVID inquiry: Deadline extended for government to hand over Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages - Sky News

What is the COVID inquiry asking for?

Kathleen Stock Oxford talk live: Trans activists brace for 'heated' rally - The Telegraph

Primary school teacher sacked after Facebook appeal to parents of yobs who attacked his home - Daily Mail

Primary teacher, 52, sacked after Facebook appeal to parents of yobs who attacked his home and threatened to murder and rape wife and disabled step-daughter

Politics latest news: Boris Johnson says he has 'no objection' to Covid inquiry having WhatsApp messages - The Telegraph

Vaping: Government plans underage crackdown - BBC

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Selasa, 30 Mei 2023

What is the COVID inquiry asking for?

More on Boris Johnson

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Primary teacher, 52, sacked after Facebook appeal to parents of yobs who attacked his home and threatened to murder and rape wife and disabled step-daughter

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