Minggu, 04 Juni 2023

Grieving families demand Humza Yousaf hands over Nicola Sturgeon's pandemic messages - Daily Record

First Minister Humza Yousaf is facing legal action over the release of WhatsApp messages to the covid inquiry, the Sunday Mail can reveal.

Solicitors acting for bereaved families have demanded that the communications of his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, clinical director Jason Leitch and other key government figures are handed over. The messages of disgraced former chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood – who had to quit early in the pandemic over travel to a second home – are also wanted.

It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak launched an unprecedented legal battle to avoid having to disclose unredacted WhatsApps to a UK inquiry. The Scottish Government last night refused to confirm whether it had released a similar cache of messages from personal accounts and would only state information was being provided “wherever possible”.

Aamer Anwar, lead solicitor for the Scottish Covid Bereaved group, said: “This doublespeak needs to end. Have the WhatsApps and diaries been handed over or not? We will take whatever legal action is necessary to make sure all relevant WhatsApps, diaries and other digital communications such as Signal messages from key Scottish Government ministers and officials are provided.

“We need immediate clarity on what has been requested and what has been given. Just as is happening with the UK inquiry, the Scottish inquiry must demand full unredacted disclosures and we will be working to ensure that is the case.”

Messages from disgraced former Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood are also wanted.
Former Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood

The demands from the families is contained in a letter to the chair of the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry, Lord Brailsford. Calls for access to the personal WhatsApp accounts of ministers have come after leaked messages from former UK health secretary Matt Hancock appeared to show covid policy being discussed and decisions taken using the app.

A total of 16,465 people in Scotland have died with covid since the outbreak began in March 2020 and separate public inquiries have been launched here and UK-wide. They are likely to focus on the decision-making process that resulted in thousands of care home deaths after infected patients were moved from hospitals into homes.

A letter seen by the Sunday Mail from Anwar’s office to Lord Brailsford, dated June 2, states: “Shockingly this March over 100,000 WhatsApp messages of the former health secretary Matt Hancock containing over 2.3million words were leaked. If what is contained within those texts is correct, it shows that ministers at the highest level were making decisions on handling the pandemic via WhatsApp.

“Ministers, of course, would have known that such messages cannot be requested by FOIs. On that basis, can you confirm whether full disclosure on the same terms requested of Mr Johnson, Mr Hancock and others has also been requested from the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney, Jeanne Freeman and other relevant Scottish ministers, as well as health officials such as Catherine Calderwood, Jason Leitch and Gregor Smith who had key roles. Can you advise whether there was any resistance to the request and, if so, on what basis?

Aamer Anwar is the lead solicitor for covid bereaved families.
Aamer Anwar

“Furthermore, apart from the WhatsApp messages, can you advise whether other social media, notebooks and diaries have been requested? The families have asked us to place this request on public record. The families we represent believe that no individual, no matter how powerful, can be allowed to interfere with the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability by this inquiry – those who lost their lives to Covid-19 deserve nothing less.”

Anwar confirmed that First Minister Humza Yousaf’s own WhatsApp communications could also be relevant through his work as justice secretary during the pandemic. Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “Grieving families deserve answers about what went so tragically wrong during the pandemic and those in charge at the time owe them real transparency.

“The Scottish Government cannot break their promise to co-operate fully with the covid inquiry. Any attempt to withhold information or cover their tracks will be a betrayal of the same people they failed during the pandemic.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton called on Yousaf to release the material. He said: “Transparency and openness must be at the heart of Scotland’s covid inquiry and the Scottish Government must do everything in its power to comply with those guiding principles because families need answers.

Nicola Sturgeon, former First Minister of Scotland (Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
The inquiry wants the private Whatsapps from former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

“Last time the Scottish Government’s narrow and shallow pandemic exercise failed us badly but this inquiry can provide new hope for families of victims and lay down critical early learning for the future.”

When we asked the Scottish Government whether WhatsApp messages had been sought or handed over, a spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is co-operating fully with the Scottish and UK covid public inquiries and we support them in their work to explore the handling of the pandemic and to identify the vital lessons we all need to learn.

“We have provided material held and will continue to do so wherever possible. Extensive work has taken place to record key covid-related decisions and to ensure that information supporting and evidencing these decisions is shared with the inquiries.

“It is a matter for the independent inquiry chairs to make decisions about how they consider and, where appropriate, publish such material. We have established records management processes for recording decisions made by ministers and officials which form part of the Scottish Government corporate record.”

Sunak’s legal battle with the UK covid inquiry could cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds – despite a minister admitting the Government is likely to lose. The estimate from a legal expert comes after the Prime Minister launched a judicial review to block requests from the inquiry chairwoman to hand over unredacted WhatsApp messages.

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Baroness Heather Hallett’s demand relates to messages between ex-PM Boris Johnson and dozens of officials during the pandemic, including Sunak and cabinet ministers. Elkan Abrahamson, a solicitor and public inquiry expert who represents the Covid Bereaved group, said the legal fight cost to the taxpayer could run “well into six figures”.

As the covid public inquiry is publicly funded, it also means the taxpayer will foot the bill for both sides in the legal dispute – just weeks before the first major hearings begin. Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, taxpayers will rightly be outraged to be picking up yet another legal bill to pay for Rishi Sunak’s latest plot to obstruct the covid inquiry.”

On Friday, Johnson, who was ousted from No10 last summer, sidestepped the Cabinet Office and claimed to have sent “all unredacted WhatsApps” directly to the covid inquiry. The former PM told the inquiry’s chairwoman he would “like to do the same” with messages that are on an old mobile phone he stopped using due to security concerns.

The messages on the locked device refer to discussions from before May 2021 and are likely to relate to conversations about the three coronavirus lockdowns ordered in 2020.

Get £5 off when you spend £30 or more in store at Iceland & The Food Warehouse

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Why not shop smart and save money on your shopping with Iceland’s mix and match multibuys which include 3 for £3, 3 for £5 and the famous 3 for £10, where you can now mix and match across your whole shop including big brands such as Pepsi, Heinz, Birds Eye, Muller, exclusive brands like Greggs and TGI Friday’s as well as all your top up shop essentials such as Warburtons.

Reasons to shop with Iceland this coming week

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  • Huge savings with Mix and Match Multibuys

  • Plus! All customers who use the discount voucher from our paper in store will receive 10% off when they spend £20 or more. To be used between Wednesday 14th and Monday 19th June.

Don't miss your Daily Record or Sunday Mail from Wednesday, May 31 until Sunday, June 4 2023 for your voucher.

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2023-06-04 03:30:00Z
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Sabtu, 03 Juni 2023

Family pays tribute to 'angel' who died in Bournemouth beach tragedy – live - The Independent

Boy, 17, and girl, 12, die following incident off Bournemouth beach

Tributes have flooded in for a 12-year-old girl who passed away on Wednesday afternoon in Bournemouth.

The girl, identified as Sunnah on social media, died along with a 17-year-old boy after getting into difficulty in the water next to Bournemouth Pier.

One friend wrote online: “She was such an amazing person. She was so kind caring, her smile lit up a room. It was far too early for our angel to gain wings.”

Another said: “She was basically my sister and I can’t believe it. Love you so much Sunnah.”

A relative of the 12-year-old, who lived in High Wycombe, has also paid tribute.

“She was an absolute force of nature, liked by all and loved by so many,” The Times quotes a family member as saying. “She will be so sorely missed by her parents, siblings and friends.

“There are no words to describe the hole she has left in all of our hearts but we will remember her every day for the rest of our lives.”

One man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but has now been released under investigation.

1685791089

Family of girl who died in Bournemouth beach tragedy say death left ‘hole in our hearts’

The family of a 12-year-old girl who died in a tragic incident on Bournemouth beach has said her death left “a hole in all of our hearts”.

The girl, identified as Sunnah on social media, and a 17-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty in the water next to Bournemouth Pier.

Eight others were pulled from the water on Wednesday but did not suffer serious injuries.

Police arrested a man in his 40s who was “on the water” at the time on suspicion of manslaughter, but he has since been released under investigation.

A relative of the 12-year-old, who lived in High Wycombe, has now paid tribute, saying the family will remember her “every day for the rest of our lives”.

“She was an absolute force of nature, liked by all and loved by so many,” The Times quotes a family member as saying. “She will be so sorely missed by her parents, siblings and friends.

“There are no words to describe the hole she has left in all of our hearts but we will remember her every day for the rest of our lives.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 12:18
1685804409

Father of Bournemouth tragedy survivor addresses rumours as police probe pleasure boat

Survivor Lauren Tate, 18, one of eight others who were injured, was treated in hospital and is now continuing to recover at home, after a rip tide took her and her friends out to sea when they were swimming by the pier, according to her father.

“She was lucky to get pulled from the sea by the coastguard and one of her other friends was rescued by a paddleboarder.

“I know the boy who died was at college with her, but I don’t know anything about him. All she told me is that they all met up on the train and headed to Bournemouth beach for the day.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 16:00
1685800808

Teenager hailed a ‘hero’ for helping struggling swimmers to shore on Bournemouth beach

A 15-year-old from Basingstone has been called a “hero” after he helped people struggling in choppy waters on Bournemouth beach.

Kaiden Andre, 15, was swimming in the water with his friend Ioana near Bournemouth pier when he heard the shouts of a man.

His mum, Jody, told the Daily Echo: “He was kicking and flapping but Kaiden managed to keep his head above water. Then Iona began having some trouble and so he did the same with her.

“Kaiden said to me he has never known the sea to be that choppy. There was no jumping off the pier, no speeding boats, he just saw this young guy in trouble and went to help.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 15:00
1685798109

What is a riptide? Sea phenomenon explained after Bournemouth tragedy

Police are still establishing what happened during the incident, but a father of one of the beach tragedy survivors has claimed his 18-year-old daughter - who spent a short time in hospital after the incident - was taken out by a “riptide”.

It comes after police dismissed speculation that the victims had jumped off the pier or were hit by a vessel on the water.

Here we look at what a riptide is and what to do if you get caught in one:

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 14:15
1685796609

What happened at Bournemouth beach? Everything we know about the area

Jet skis and other watercraft operating in the Bournemouth and Poole areas must follow specific rules between April and October.

Bournemouth, a popular seaside town on England’s south coast, is popular with locals and tourists during the summer months.

Average temperatures in and around the pier area of the sea are 12.4C for the month of June and can exceed 16 in September, according to the surf-forecast website.

The website says the area tends to receive a mix of “groundswells” and “windswells”, with surfers warned to “watch out for rips and crowds.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 13:50
1685794706

Father of Bournemouth tragedy survivor addresses rumours

Survivor Lauren Tate, 18, one of eight others who were injured, was treated in hospital and is now continuing to recover at home, after a rip tide took her and her friends out to sea when they were swimming by the pier, according to her father.

“She was lucky to get pulled from the sea by the coastguard and one of her other friends was rescued by a paddleboarder.”

Read on here:

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 13:18
1685785938

Family and friends pay tribute to 12-year-old girl who died in Bournemouth sea tragedy

Tributes have also flooded in on social media for the 12-year-old girl who passed away on Wednesday afternoon in Bournemouth.

The girl, identified as Sunnah on social media, died after getting into difficulty in the water next to Bournemouth Pier.

One friend wrote online: “She was such an amazing person. She was so kind caring, her smile lit up a room. It was far too early for our angel to gain wings.”

Another said: “She was basically my sister and I can’t believe it. Love you so much Sunnah.”

A relative of the 12-year-old, who lived in High Wycombe, has also paid tribute, saying the family will remember her “every day for the rest of our lives”.

“She was an absolute force of nature, liked by all and loved by so many,” The Times quotes a family member as saying. “She will be so sorely missed by her parents, siblings and friends.

“There are no words to describe the hole she has left in all of our hearts but we will remember her every day for the rest of our lives.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 10:52
1685783742

Tory MP says Dorset Police should provide more information

Tobias Ellwood, Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, said he believed Dorset Police should provide more information to avoid “wild speculation”.

He said: “There needs to be a review, the police are conducting their investigation, there needs to be a review of the circumstances to see whether any safety measures and protocols need to be upgraded to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.

“I encourage Dorset Police to clarify the general circumstances of this tragic accident to avoid further wild speculation and uncertainty for parents who may be cautious about going to any part of the beach, unclear of exactly what happened in this terrible incident.”

The vessel’s website states that it was purpose-built as a passenger boat to operate locally and could “cope with the occasional challenging swell conditions encountered at local piers”.

<p>RNLI lifeguards put up flags on the beach </p>

RNLI lifeguards put up flags on the beach

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 10:15
1685781618

Watch: Witness describes ‘panic’ on beach after tragic incident

Bournemouth: Witness describes 'panic' on beach after tragic incident
Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 09:40
1685777328

Bournemouth beach tragedy ‘like scene from horror film’ as child’s body ‘floated in water’

In case you missed it...

Eyewitnesses described a tragedy on Bournemouth beach that left two children dead as “like a horror movie”.

A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy suffered “critical” injuries in a fatal incident that occurred next to Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday afternoon.

Nicola Holton, 43, and Stuart Clark, 42, were on the beach with their two children when the tragedy unfolded shortly after 4pm yesterday. They said the scene turned into something from “a horror film.”

Ms Holton said: “A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard and it seemed to take ages for him to get to them. There was an announcement to get out of the water and then the lifeguards started bringing people back to shore.

“A few were taken to the lifeguard tent and then we saw the young man and girl brought out. We were packing up our things to leave as quickly as we could. It was just awful.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 08:28

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2023-06-03 13:15:09Z
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Police arrest 19 protesters over plans to disrupt the Epsom Derby - The Telegraph

Surrey Police have preempted plans by the Animal Rising group to disrupt the Epsom Derby by making 19 arrests on the morning of the race.

A total of 11 people were arrested in the early hours of Saturday at addresses in Mitcham and Byfleet following intelligence-based warrants, while a further eight were detained after a vehicle was stopped at the back of the racecourse on Canons Lane in Burgh Heath at 10.20am.

The race does not start until 1.30pm but the Jockey Club, who own the Epsom course, have taken out a High Court injunction against protesters attempting to storm the course or disrupt the race after the Grand National was delayed in April.

Animal Rising have repeatedly vowed to stop or delay the 244th edition of the Derby, prompting the Jockey Club to spend an additional £150,000 on an unprecedented security operation.

Protecting the Epsom Downs site poses major challenges due to its easy accessibility to the public and the 19 protesters were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance. They remain in police custody.

High perimeter fencing was evident around the back of the course, including in the woods of Epsom Downs, as well as police spotters and additional private security.

The ‘official’ protest directly outside of the racecourse was attended by around 40 activists, with Animal Rising campaigners using a loud speaker to highlight its desire to “repair our connection” with animals and to disrupt “outdated animal racing events”.

“We have been clear in our approach that criminal activity will not be tolerated at the Epsom Derby Festival,” said Supt Michael Hodder of Surrey Police. “As a result of intelligence, we have arrested 19 people who we believe were intent on illegally disrupting today’s events. Our officers will be at the event throughout the day to continue in keeping the public safe and preventing criminality.”

An Animal Rising statement on Saturday highlighted reports of facial recognition cameras around Epsom Downs and claimed that the arrests were “another example of how the Government is attempting to outlaw all protests and ignore critical societal issues”. It also restated its desire to disrupt the world’s most famous flat-race.

“We are seeing an intensive policing operation to protect the interests of a multi-billion pound industry that the majority of the public, as a nation of animal lovers, recognise as cruel to horses,” said Dan Kidby, co-founder of Animal Rising.

Animal Rising has vowed to stop the running of the Derby Credit: PA Wire/Mike Egerton

“A horse dies every other day in racing. Animal Rising will not stop trying to bring these issues to the forefront of the public agenda and demand change.”

The security operation, which includes a low flying helicopter circling Epsom Downs on Saturday morning, is the most sophisticated in the historic event’s long history. More than 30 special constables from Surrey Police have also volunteered to support the operation, including specially trained drone pilots.

Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of the Jockey Club, said the package of measures agreed with Surrey Police were like “no other seen in the past”.

The Jockey Club have also offered protesters an area near the racecourse’s entrance to demonstrate but Claudia Penna Rojas, a spokesperson for Animal Rising, said that she was “prepared to do what’s necessary to do what’s right by these animals”.

Animal Rising are also organising their own “vegan alternative to the Epsom Derby Festival” outside the course between 10am and 4pm.

It is exactly 110 years since the suffragette, Emily Davison, was killed after running in front of King George V’s horse at Tattenham Corner during the Epsom Derby. 

Truesdale said that the horses get “fantastic care” and that the industry had spent £40 million on welfare over the last two decades.

A statement from Countryside Alliance, read: “Animal Rising routinely cross the line between acceptable protest and causing blatant chaos. Today’s action taken by the police demonstrates that when the welfare of animals, riders and spectators is even remotely put at risk, swift robust action can and will be taken.” attributable to Mo-Metcalf Fisher.

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2023-06-03 11:46:00Z
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Seized pleasure boat returned to Bournemouth pier twice as beach tragedy unfolded - The Independent

Boy, 17, and girl, 12, die following incident off Bournemouth beach

A pleasure boat seized by police in Bournemouth returned twice to the pier during the tragic incident that led to the death of two children, marine traffic data shows.

The website Marine Traffic indicated that the Dorset Belle had visited Bournemouth Pier, the scene of the incident, at 4pm, minutes before the first 999 calls were made, and returned again afterwards.

The vessel was impounded and guarded by officers at Cobb’s Quay, Poole Harbour, on Thursday and further searches were carried out on Friday.

Dorset police continue to probe whether the vessel had any role in the incident that claimed the lives of a girl, 12, from High Wycombe and a boy, 17, from Southampton.

Eight other people were rescued from the sea during the incident but none had serious injuries and were treated on scene, Dorset Police said.

One man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He has now been released under investigation.

1685686706

Father of Bournemouth tragedy survivor says daughter taken out by ‘rip tide'

The father of a survivor of Wednesday’s tragic incident has said his daughter was taken out by a “rip tide”.

Lauren Tate, 18, was treating in hospital for a short period of time and is now recovering at home.

Her father told the Mail Online: “We’ve seen all the stuff about boats and jet skis but it wasn’t like that. She was swimming in the sea with her friends when the rip tide took them out.”

The 18-year-old was pulled from the sea by a coastguard.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain2 June 2023 07:18
1685781618

Watch: Witness describes ‘panic’ on beach after tragic incident

Bournemouth: Witness describes 'panic' on beach after tragic incident
Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 09:40
1685777328

Bournemouth beach tragedy ‘like scene from horror film’ as child’s body ‘floated in water’

In case you missed it...

Eyewitnesses described a tragedy on Bournemouth beach that left two children dead as “like a horror movie”.

A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy suffered “critical” injuries in a fatal incident that occurred next to Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday afternoon.

Nicola Holton, 43, and Stuart Clark, 42, were on the beach with their two children when the tragedy unfolded shortly after 4pm yesterday. They said the scene turned into something from “a horror film.”

Ms Holton said: “A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard and it seemed to take ages for him to get to them. There was an announcement to get out of the water and then the lifeguards started bringing people back to shore.

“A few were taken to the lifeguard tent and then we saw the young man and girl brought out. We were packing up our things to leave as quickly as we could. It was just awful.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain3 June 2023 08:28
1685770642

ICYMI: Bournemouth MP calls for police to end speculations

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, called for Dorset police to end “wild speculation” around the tragic incident that led to the death of a 12-year old and a 17-year-old at the beach.

“I encourage Dorset police to clarify the general circumstances of this tragic accident to avoid further wild speculation and uncertainty for parents who may be cautious about going to any part of the beach, unclear of exactly what happened in this terrible incident,” Mr Ellwood told PA.

“There needs to be a review of the circumstances to see whether any safety measures and protocols need to be upgraded to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future,” he said.

Vishwam Sankaran3 June 2023 06:37
1685768400

Father of Bournemouth tragedy survivor addresses rumours as police probe pleasure boat

The father of one of the survivors of the Bournemouth beach tragedy has addressed the rumours surrounding the mystery events that led to the deaths of a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, as police search a pleasure boat as part of their investigation.

Survivor Lauren Tate, 18, one of eight others who were injured, was treated in hospital and is now continuing to recover at home, after a rip tide took her and her friends out to sea when they were swimming by the pier, according to her father.

In response to the intense speculation that has surrounded the incident, her father told MailOnline: “We’ve seen all the stuff about boats and jet skis but it wasn’t like that. She was swimming in the sea with her friends when the rip tide took them out.

Joe Middleton3 June 2023 06:00
1685764800

What happened at Bournemouth beach? Everything we know about incident

Tragedy struck a packed Bournemouth beach yesterday as two youngsters died after being pulled from the sea.

Eight other people were recovered from the water after getting into difficulty off the main pier as thousands of beachgoers enjoyed the sunny half-term weather.

They were treated by paramedics for non-life-threatening injuries.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has been launched by Dorset Police, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Joe Middleton3 June 2023 05:00
1685761200

Police say there was 'no physical contact' between vessel and swimmers at Bournemouth beach

Police say there was 'no physical contact' between vessel and swimmers at Bournemouth beach
Joe Middleton3 June 2023 04:00
1685757600

MP calls for safety review following Bournemouth beach deaths

A Bournemouth MP has called for a safety review following the death of two youngsters who died after getting into trouble off the popular beach and called on police to clarify the circumstances to end “wild speculation”.

The sightseeing boat, the Dorset Belle, which is at the centre of investigations, has been impounded by Dorset Police following the incident on Wednesday in which a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton died.

Another eight people were treated by paramedics.

A man aged in his 40s who was “on the water” at the time was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and has been released under investigation on Thursday while police inquiries continue.

Joe Middleton3 June 2023 03:00
1685754000

Bournemouth: Witness describes 'panic' on beach after tragic incident

Bournemouth: Witness describes 'panic' on beach after tragic incident
Joe Middleton3 June 2023 02:00
1685750400

What happened at Bournemouth beach? Everything we know about incident

Tragedy struck a packed Bournemouth beach yesterday as two youngsters died after being pulled from the sea.

Eight other people were recovered from the water after getting into difficulty off the main pier as thousands of beachgoers enjoyed the sunny half-term weather.

They were treated by paramedics for non-life-threatening injuries.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has been launched by Dorset Police, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Joe Middleton3 June 2023 01:00

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2023-06-03 08:40:26Z
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Man, 28, arrested after woman stabbed to death in Droylsden - Sky News

A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed to death in Greater Manchester.

Police were called to Edge Lane in Droylsden around midday on Friday where they found a 51-year-old woman had been stabbed. She died at the scene.

Greater Manchester Police said the suspect was arrested on Friday evening and is still in custody.

Chief Superintendent Phil Davies, district commander for Tameside, said the investigation was in its "early stages" and detectives are "keeping an open mind".

"Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victim as well as with the community who have been deeply affected by this incident," he added.

"We are determined to find answers and bring the person responsible to justice.

"I appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything to come forwards and if you have any information that could assist our investigation - no matter how small it may seem - please share it with the police."

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2023-06-03 07:53:26Z
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Jumat, 02 Juni 2023

Train strikes prompt sports fans to set off by bus - BBC

Gillian and Stephen Young

Derek, aged 60, has been going to the Epsom Derby for half his life - but this year will be different.

For the first time, the horse-racing fan and his 13 friends will travel by minibus instead of the train.

Because this year, Derby Day falls on the same day as a rail strike.

If all goes well, Derek, who asked the BBC not to use his surname, reckons he'll use a minibus for future trips to Epsom instead of the train.

"I do think a lot of people will realise that there are other alternatives," he said.

He's not alone in seeking out other forms of transport.

After walkouts by Aslef train drivers on Wednesday and RMT rail workers on Friday, Saturday will be the third rail strike this week when Aslef drivers once again take industrial action in a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

And the latest strikes happen to fall on a bumper weekend of sporting events.

As well as the Epsom Derby, there is the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday between old foes Manchester City and Manchester United, and the England v Ireland Test match at Lord's.

Meanwhile, for those whose tastes run to the more musical side of things, Beyonce is performing a concert at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Manchester City fans Gillian and Stephen Young are journeying from Manchester to London to see their team attempt to collect the second leg of a historic treble.

By train, the trip usually takes around two hours but because they are having to travel by coach, it will take five hours.

On top of that, the couple are staying overnight near Euston, which is the station they would have arrived at if travelling by train.

"We planned to just walk round the corner," says Gillian. "But now we'll end up at Victoria Coach Station and have to travel back to Euston. It has messed us up a little bit."

'Oh no'

Derek said that when he first discovered there was a strike on Derby Day his stomach dropped. "I thought, 'Oh no, how are we going to get there? It is going to be chaos.'"

As well as people from the UK, his group includes friends from Australia and Ireland.

"Originally I thought we could maybe get Ubers but then we figured that, with that many people, it works out as really expensive," he says.

He then alighted on the idea of a minibus.

"I was pleasantly surprised that there were minibuses available and that they weren't going to be that much more expensive than going by train."

It works out around £5 more per person to take a minibus, which will provide a driver to take Derek and his group on the hour-long trip between central London and Epsom in Surrey.

He admits that the journey could be slower, but if it is successful, it is likely to be his preferred mode of transport for subsequent Derby Days.

And he thinks that people being forced to find other ways of travelling could end up hurting the rail industry in the long run.

"I think they are shooting themselves in the foot because a lot of people are realising, 'actually I don't really need to use the trains as much as I used to.'"

Whether all people will stick with this weekend's alternative mode of travel in the future isn't completely assured.

'We'll get there'

Gillian and Stephen were also nonplussed when they discovered there was a train strike on the day of the Cup final.

"[We were] not very happy at all because we've never used the coach before so we were a bit unsure how to get to London," says Gillian.

"It had been arranged for quite a number of weeks. We managed to get a refund but that doesn't help the fact that travel has been disrupted."

But they are philosophical. "We'll get there, that's the important thing," she says.

Coach travel has benefitted from the series of rail strikes.

John Boughton, commercial director at National Express, said: "On a normal strike day we'd expect to see at least 80% more passengers travelling on our network than on an equivalent non-strike day.

"That means that on strike days our services are virtually 100% full throughout the entire day."

He said that for National Express's coach services from Manchester "everything is sold out to London all the way through to tomorrow afternoon".

He said that while there are other factors that might help attract more passengers, "we know that rail strikes have a huge impact on the number of people travelling on coach."

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2023-06-02 13:52:33Z
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Johnson goes over Sunak's head to send WhatsApps 'directly' to inquiry - live - The Independent

Sunak refuses to rule out court action against Covid Inquiry

Boris Johnson has told the Covid-19 Inquiry that he is willing to hand over “all unredacted WhatsApp” messages – including 2020 material from a previous phone discarded for security reasons.

The former prime minister is under fire once again after it emerged on Thursday that he had only handed over Covid-related messages from May 2021 or later to Cabinet Office officials.

In a letter to inquiry chair Baroness Hallett, Mr Johnson said he would today hand over all the material already given to the Cabinet Office “in unredacted form” to her team.

Earlier, a minister said Rishi Sunak’s legal bid to prevent the inquiry from obtaining WhatsApp messages sent by Boris Johnson to government colleagues during the pandemic was likely to fail.

Science minister George Freeman, appearing on BBC Question Time, insisted the Cabinet Office decision to launch judicial review proceedings was not a “cynical waste of time” but admitted he thought the prospect of success unlikely.

The Cabinet Office is seeking a judicial review of inquiry chairwoman Baroness Hallett’s order to release the documents, arguing it should not have to hand over irrelevant material.

1685699331

Breaking: Johnson vows to send unredacted WhatsApps direct to chair

Boris Johnson said he would share with the Covid inquiry all the unredacted WhatsApps he provided to the Cabinet Office, as well as material from his old mobile phone.

In his letter to chairwoman Baroness Hallett, he wrote: “I am sending your inquiry all unredacted WhatsApps I provided to the Cabinet Office.

“I would like to do the same with any material that may be on an old phone which I have been previously been told I can no longer access safely.

“In view of the urgency of your request I believe we need to test this advice, which came from the security services.

“I have asked the Cabinet Office for assistance in turning it on securely so that I can search it for all relevant material.

“I propose to pass all such material directly to you.”,

Adam Forrest reports:

<p>Britain Coronavirus Inquiry</p>

Britain Coronavirus Inquiry

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 10:48
1685721615

ICYMI: 150 questions the Covid inquiry wants Boris Johnson to answer

Key questions the former PM has been asked include:

  • Did you say ‘let the bodies pile high’?
  • Was there any scientific evidence on Eat Out to Help Out?
  • Did the Cabinet secretary really suggest Covid ‘chickenpox parties?’
  • Did you really say you felt ‘manipulated’ by scientists into imposing a lockdown?
  • When and how did you first learn of Covid?

Jon Stone has more:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 17:00
1685718615

ICYMI: Suspended Labour MP ‘boasted about taking prostitutes to parliament’

A MP suspended by the party Labour over sexual harassment allegations is facing fresh claims he “boasted” about bringing sex workers into parliamentary bars.

Geraint Davies has been suspended pending an investigation into reports of “incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour”.

One woman has submitted a formal complaint, after Politico initially reported that five other women made sexual harassment claims against the politician. The MP said he did not “recognise” the claims.

Adam Forrest reports:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 16:10
1685716725

ICYMI: Brexit was ‘historic economic error’, says ex-US Treasury chief

Brexit was a “historic economic error” which has helped fuel high inflation in the UK, the former US Treasury chief Larry Summers has said.

The senior American economist also said he would be “very surprised” if Britain avoids a recession in the next two years.

Mr Summers said Brexit and other policies mean Britain’s economic woes are “frankly more acute than they are in most other major countries.”

Adam Forrest reports:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 15:38
1685714921

‘Eat out to get Covid’: Is this the real reason Rishi Sunak wants to hold back the WhatsApps?

The former chancellor’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme helped to lift the post-lockdown gloom, but might come back to bite him as PM, writes Andrew Grice.

Read Andrew’s full piece here:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 15:08
1685713242

Burnham in plea to ‘rewire’ Britain and boost devolution

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has said he understands the SNP’s claims that the Westminster government is “destroying devolution”.

The Labour politician cited his own conflict with the UK government during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he accused the Tories of “bullying” his region into accepting less than the requested £65 million business support package.

His comments came as first minister Humza Yousaf hit out at the UK government and claimed Scotland’s deposit return scheme could be scrapped after it failed to grant an Internal Market Act exemption that means glass can be included.

Rebecca McCurdy reports:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 14:40
1685710864

Boris tells Covid inquiry he wants to hand over all phone messages unredacted

Boris Johnson has told the Covid-19 Inquiry that he is willing to hand over “all unredacted WhatsApp” messages – including 2020 material from a previous phone discarded for security reasons.

In a letter to inquiry chair Baroness Hallett, Mr Johnson said he would today hand over all the material already given to the Cabinet Office “in unredacted form” to her team.

Adam Forrest has the full report:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 14:01
1685710233

SNP MP to make donation to charity after Independent reveals he expensed penalty charge

An SNP MP says he will be making a donation to charity after an Independent investigation found he had put a driving penalty charge on expenses.

Dave Doogan said he recognised he had made a mistake and had repaid the cash. He also apologised to his constituents for making the claim.

Mr Doogan was one of several MPs, including a Tory minister, to have expensed the penalties issued by Transport for London.

Jon Stone reports:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 13:50
1685709033

‘Kamikaze’ Boris sets his sights on Sunak revenge

There is no aspect of politics or public life that is any more than just a game for Johnson, and taking Sunak down with him would certainly count as a victory, writes Tom Peck

Read Tom’s full piece here:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 13:30
1685706614

How on earth did a Brexit trade deal come to be signed by Boris on a bit of paper from the loo?

The UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement wasn’t literally written on bog roll – but it may as well have been, so much did it damage British agriculture, writes Sean O’Grady

Read Sean’s piece here:

Matt Mathers2 June 2023 12:50

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2023-06-02 16:06:26Z
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