Brighton fire: police extend cordon around Royal Albion hotel - The Guardian

A police cordon around the Royal Albion in Brighton has been extended as the hotel continues to smoulder after a fire broke out on Saturday evening.

Fifteen fire engines from across the south-east were dispatched to the scene just before 5.30pm on Saturday and continued to battle the blaze long into the night.

Firefighters said nobody was injured but “difficult conditions”, caused by high winds along the seafront, led them to evacuate people from nearby buildings.

The fire is believed to have started on the fourth floor of the hotel but the cause remains unknown.

In a statement issued on Sunday, police said: “Closures will be in place overnight. Please stay away from the area and keep windows and doors closed.”

Brighton and Hove council is advising people to continue to avoid the seafront and Old Steine area due to smoke.

Hotel staff are understood to have found other accommodation for all guests and, of the approximately 100 people evacuated from the surrounding area, many are taking refuge at a temporary rest centre set up by the council.

Bella Sankey, the leader of the council, said: “These are very sad scenes in our city this evening. On behalf of the city council, I want to give my thanks to the emergency services for attending the fire at the historic Royal Albion hotel in the heart of our city.

“We urge everyone to continue following advice from emergency services.”

The 219-bedroom regency-style hotel, which overlooks Brighton Palace pier, was built in 1826. It is run by Britannia Hotels.

Part of the building was heritage listed and damaged by fire in November 1998.

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Elsewhere on Saturday, thousands of people gathered in the city to mark the 10th anniversary of Trans Pride Brighton.

While organisers expected between 5,000 and 10,000 people to take part – half the original estimate after a yellow weather warning for wind and rain forced a change of route – the event is believed to have attracted 30,000 attenders.

The comedian Eddie Izzard took part, while the Brighton Pavilion MP, Caroline Lucas, and Brighton and Hove’s first trans councillor, Raphael Hill, were among the speakers.

Trans Pride Brighton has asked for anyone displaced by the fire to get in touch.

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2023-07-16 20:25:00Z
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Teenager, 16, dies in Stourbridge stabbing as parents say 'I feel scared for my children' - Birmingham Live

Stourbridge residents have hit out at "lawlessness" and "fears for their children" after a fatal stabbing in which a teenage boy was killed. Cops arrested three people after the knife attack in Coventry Road in the Black Country town at around 7pm last night (Saturday, July 15).

West Midlands Police said a 16-year-old boy died in the stabbing, which was close to the Duke of William pub. Two teenagers and a man in his 20s were arrested yesterday with no update yet from officers on whether they have been released or charged.

Locals were quick to express dismay at "spiralling" violence among young people carrying knives. But they also hit out at "lawlessness" in the town centre since the closure of Stourbridge Police Station, which shut in 2017.

READ MORE: Teens arrested after boy stabbed to death

Dad Richard Allen said: "I genuinely feel scared for my children. The police have lost the streets and its time that changed.

"Stourbridge isn't a horrible place, we are just more shocked when it happens here. Families destroyed by grief because of idiots being idiots. What on earth makes you think carrying a knife is a sensible idea.... let alone using it and killing someone."

Emma Marsden commented: "Stourbridge needs a police station back and police actually patrolling the streets." David Checketts agreed: "Now if there was still a police station in Stourbridge might of caught 'em before kid got stabbed."

Another resident @HDE_Sheraby on Twitter agreed: "Ever since Stourbridge police station was closed the town has gone deeper and deeper into a no-go area for locals. Until old fashioned boots on the floor policing returns it will be a downward spiral of lawlessness from people who know even if they're caught, nothing will be done."

Lisa Evers-Taylor said: "I’m so saddened to see that this disease of stabbing is spreading faster than covid. When will it end. I fear for my adult children that they can’t walk down our local streets in case they are taken away for no reason - RIP young man and heart goes out to family and friends."

Another local added: "Not so long ago you could walk around Stourbridge day or night with out a care in the world.. Nowadays you rarely see a copper and very few people go out at night."

"What the heck is happening? Why are young people carrying knives around to start with?…so tragic for the families involved," added Mary.

Hayley Edwards was one of many to say how "heart-breaking" the stabbing was. Hayley said: "This makes me feel physically sick to think about this young man being killed, and now a mother and father have to live without their son. Absolutely tragic."

Stourbridge Police Station was one of 28 police bases to close in a bid to save £8.5 million for West Midlands Police. Other stations were Bartley Green, Shirley, Dudley, Castle Vale, Halesowen, Handsworth West Heath, the Jewellery Quarter, Kings Heath, Kings Norton, Kingswinford, Longbridge, Perry Barr, Sheldon and Sparkhill.

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Assistant chief constable Michele Larmour said at the time: “It is vital we continue to question how much we invest in our estate and continue to maximise the service we provide to our communities. None of these sites are open to the public and it’s important to remember policing is about people not buildings.”

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2023-07-16 08:21:08Z
2224608104

Ben Wallace to quit as defence secretary at next Cabinet reshuffle - BBC

Reuters

By Ione Wells, political correspondent, and Sean Seddon

BBC News

Ben Wallace says he will step down as defence secretary at the next Cabinet reshuffle after four years in the job.

He told the Sunday Times he would not stand at the next general election, but ruled out leaving "prematurely" and triggering a by-election.

Mr Wallace has served as defence secretary under three prime ministers and has played a high-profile role in the UK's response to the Ukraine war.

Sources told the BBC they expect the next reshuffle in September.

Rishi Sunak is reportedly planning to shake up his top team, but no date has been confirmed.

Mr Wallace said he was quitting frontline politics due to the toll it had taken on his family, and allies of his have said the decision was not a reflection on Mr Sunak's leadership.

His Wyre and Preston North constituency is set to disappear at the next election under upcoming boundary changes and he told the newspaper he would not seek a new one.

The 53-year-old's confirmation of his plans to the Sunday Times comes after days of speculation that he was considering leaving government.

He has always been popular with Tory party members and his decision is likely to be seen as quite a blow for the party by some Conservatives.

It also leaves a big vacancy in government, which Rishi Sunak will have to fill.

Last week, the prime minister disowned comments from Mr Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show more "gratitude" for the military support it has been given.

The comments were made at a fringe event at the Nato summit in Vilnius, after Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky said it was "absurd" that Nato would not give a timetable for his country securing membership of the bloc once the war with Russia is over.

On Twitter on Saturday evening, writing in Ukrainian, Mr Wallace said his comments had been "somewhat misrepresented", and he was making the point that in some parliaments there "is not such strong support as in Great Britain".

He said his comments had not been about governments but "more about citizens and members of parliaments".

He noted the strong support for Ukraine amongst the British public, and added he would "continue to support Ukraine on its path for as long as it takes".

The BBC understands Mr Wallace informed the prime minister on 16 June of his decision to stand down from the Cabinet.

Mr Wallace, a former soldier, told the Sunday Times: "I went into politics in the Scottish parliament in 1999. That's 24 years. I've spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed."

He suggested in the interview that he would continue to call for higher defence spending, something he has campaigned for throughout his time in the role.

It comes weeks after Mr Wallace said he was no longer in the running to be the next secretary general of Nato, a role he was widely reported to be seeking.

The announcement that Jens Stoltenberg would be continuing in the job effectively ended his hopes of becoming the next head of the military bloc.

• Ben Wallace says Ukraine should show more gratitude for Western support

Mr Wallace has played a vocal role in supporting Ukraine, including overseeing the transfer of weapons and vehicles to its army.

His position as defence secretary when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine saw his profile increase at home and abroad.

Mr Wallace has served longer in the role than any Conservative defence secretary before him, but told the Sunday Times he was conscious of the impact the job has had on his family.

Mr Wallace told the newspaper: "While I am proud to have worked with so many amazing people and helped contribute to protecting this great country, the cost of putting that ahead of my family is something I am very sad about."

Before entering politics as a member of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, Mr Wallace served in the Army as an Officer in the Scots Guards.

He was first elected to the Commons in 2005, and previously served as a minister in the Northern Ireland department and in the Home Office.

What is next for him is unclear.

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Related Topics

• Russia-Ukraine war
• Conservative Party
• Ben Wallace

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2023-07-16 05:36:57Z
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Evacuations as Royal Albion Hotel burns near Brighton seafront - The Telegraph

A fire broke out in a Brighton hotel near the seafront on Saturday evening, forcing evacuations in the surrounding area, as high winds and ‘‘significant smoke’’ hampered firefighters who arrived with 15 appliances.

People were  urged to stay away from the area.

East Sussex fire and rescue service (ESFR) was called to the Royal Albion hotel on the seafront at 5.24pm, and later tweeted that “15 fire appliances, one high volume pump and three aerial ladder platforms [were] in attendance”.

People to be told to stay away from the area around the Old Steine thoroughfare in the city, with residents advised to keep windows closed as the smoke poured out of the third floor of the building.

The ESFR said nobody has been injured, but “difficult conditions” had prompted them to evacuate people from buildings near the Royal Albion Hotel.

The scene near the Royal Albion Hotel fire in Brighton Credit: James D. Morgan/Getty Images Europe

A spokesman for the ESFR said of the emergency: “East Sussex fire and rescue service remains at the scene of a now 15-appliance fire in Brighton. An incident command centre has been set up at the scene.

“We are working with other emergency services and agencies including Sussex police, the Environment Agency and Water Board. Locals are being advised to avoid the area where possible.”

Sussex police said: “We are supporting the fire service at the Royal Albion hotel in Old Steine in Brighton. The Old Steine and part of Kings Road have been closed while the incident is ongoing. We are asking the public to please avoid the area.” 

Brighton & Hove City Council has opened a rest centre to provide support for people evacuated from their homes.

People were advised to stay away from the area due to "significant smoke" which was being made worse by wind Credit: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror

Councillor Bella Sankey, leader of the council, said: “These are very sad scenes in our city this evening.

“On behalf of the city council I want to give my thanks to the emergency services for attending the fire at the historic Royal Albion Hotel in the heart of our city.

“We urge everyone to continue following advice from emergency services and to please keep away from the area.”

There was no early report on the extent of damage.

The 219-bedroom regency-style hotel, which overlooks Brighton Pier, was built in 1826. It is run by Britannia Hotels.

Part of the building was Grade II*-listed by English Heritage and had a previous fire in November 1998.

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2023-07-16 07:27:00Z
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Ben Wallace to quit as defence secretary at next Cabinet reshuffle - BBC

Reuters

By Ione Wells, political correspondent, and Sean Seddon

BBC News

Ben Wallace says he will step down as defence secretary at the next Cabinet reshuffle after four years in the job.

He told the Sunday Times he would not stand at the next general election, but ruled out leaving "prematurely" and triggering a by-election.

Mr Wallace has served as defence secretary under three prime ministers and has played a high-profile role in the UK's response to the Ukraine war.

Sources told the BBC they expect the next reshuffle in September.

Rishi Sunak is reportedly planning to shake up his top team, but no date has been confirmed.

Mr Wallace said he was quitting frontline politics due to the toll it had taken on his family, and allies of his have said the decision was not a reflection on Mr Sunak's leadership.

His Wyre and Preston North constituency is set to disappear at the next election under upcoming boundary changes and he told the newspaper he would not seek a new one.

The 53-year-old's confirmation of his plans to the Sunday Times comes after days of speculation that he was considering leaving government.

Last week, the prime minister disowned comments from Mr Wallace in which he suggested Ukraine should show more "gratitude" for the military support it has been given.

The comments were made at a fringe event at the Nato summit in Vilnius, after Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky said it was "absurd" that Nato would not give a timetable for his country securing membership of the bloc once the war with Russia is over.

On Twitter on Saturday evening, writing in Ukrainian, Mr Wallace said his comments had been "somewhat misrepresented", and he was making the point that in some parliaments there "is not such strong support as in Great Britain".

He said his comments had not been about governments but "more about citizens and members of parliaments".

He noted the strong support for Ukraine amongst the British public, and added he would "continue to support Ukraine on its path for as long as it takes".

The BBC understands Mr Wallace informed the prime minister on 16 June of his decision to stand down from the Cabinet.

Mr Wallace told the Sunday Times: "I went into politics in the Scottish parliament in 1999. That's 24 years. I've spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed."

He suggested in the interview that he would continue to call for higher defence spending, something he has campaigned for throughout his time in the role.

It comes weeks after Mr Wallace said he was no longer in the running to be the next secretary general of Nato, a role he was widely reported to be seeking.

The announcement that Jens Stoltenberg would be continuing in the job effectively ended his hopes of becoming the next head of the military bloc.

• Ben Wallace says Ukraine should show more gratitude for Western support

Mr Wallace has played a vocal role in supporting Ukraine, including overseeing the transfer of weapons and vehicles to its army.

His position as defence secretary when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine saw his profile increase at home and abroad.

He is a popular figure in the Conservative Party and was, at times, seen as a frontrunner to become party leader, though never stood in a leadership election.

Mr Wallace has served longer in the role than any Conservative defence secretary before him, but told the Sunday Times he was conscious of the impact the job has had on his family.

Mr Wallace told the newspaper: "While I am proud to have worked with so many amazing people and helped contribute to protecting this great country, the cost of putting that ahead of my family is something I am very sad about."

Before entering politics as a member of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, Mr Wallace served in the Army as an Officer in the Scots Guards.

He was first elected to the Commons in 2005, and previously served as a minister in the Northern Ireland department and in the Home Office.

This is likely to be seen as quite a blow for the party by some Conservatives.

Ben Wallace has always been very popular with Tory party members, though decided not to put himself forward to be the next party leader - despite some urging him to - when Boris Johnson resigned.

It also leaves a big vacancy in government, which Rishi Sunak will have to fill.

Mr Wallace is a former soldier himself, has spent 24 years in politics - first in the Scottish Parliament and later Westminster - and has served in government since David Cameron was prime minister.

It's a big pair of boots to fill. And at a crucial time.

The war in Ukraine continues and attention will now turn to who has the experience and gravitas to take on the challenge of leading the UK's response to it.

What's next for him is unclear.

He'll serve as an MP until the next election, but he's already revealed he is out of the race to become the next head of Nato.

Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox.

Related Topics

• Russia-Ukraine war
• Conservative Party
• Ben Wallace

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2023-07-16 00:23:24Z
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Labour byelection activists warned: ‘Show respect to Tory voters or go home’ - The Guardian

Labour activists campaigning before a byelection in a safe Conservative seat have been told to leave if they feel unable to be respectful to Tory voters, as the party attempts to tackle the assumption that it cannot compete in true blue heartlands.

Direct Tory attacks are also being scrapped or significantly toned down as Labour strategists try to convince voters in the Mid Bedfordshire seat that their candidate will put the “constituency ahead of the party” if necessary, should he win the seat.

The change in approach comes with Labour desperate to make an impression in the constituency, as part of its strategy to prove it can win over some voters who backed the Conservatives in 2019 and over a longer period.

A huge Labour operation is already under way in the seat, despite the fact that the byelection has not yet been officially called.

Labour immediately targeted the seat to test its appeal to soft Tory voters when Nadine Dorries, the former culture secretary, said she was standing down last month.

Dorries, a close ally of Boris Johnson, said she would quit with immediate effect after being prevented from having a peerage on Johnson’s resignation honours list. However, she has yet to formally resign.

Figures in both Labour and the Tories believe she will do so at a time to cause maximum damage to Rishi Sunak, who she blames for both preventing her elevation to the second chamber and precipitating the end of the Johnson prime ministership. Some expect her to formally resign the day after the three byelections that are being held on 20 July.

With Dorries recording a majority of more than 24,600 votes at the last election, Labour planners know the seat is a long shot – with the Liberal Democrats also said to be making a serious attempt for the seat.

However, as part of the Conservative-wooing exercise, Labour activists have been put on notice about their attitude to those who say they are lifelong Tories.

“It’s about listening to what the voters here are telling us,” said a senior Labour source. “A group of activists that came here were told: ‘If you can’t have a respectful conversation with a Tory voter, you have to go home.’ We’re finding that a lot of people say they are Tory voters, but when you ask them, they say they can’t vote for them.

“We have ended all direct Tory attacks. We just don’t need to do it. We have simple messages like ‘on your side’. There are no direct attacks on Nadine. We simply push our candidate as someone who will put the constituency ahead of the party and hold regular meetings in the seat.”

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Tory whips remain uncertain over Dorries’s plans. She is already preparing to cause problems for Sunak by publishing a book about the fall of Johnson’s administration just days before the Conservative conference. It is being billed by her publisher as a tale of “treachery and deceit at the heart of the Westminster machine”. Last week cabinet secretary Simon Case revealed he had reported Dorries to the Commons speaker over a “forceful” message she allegedly sent him stating that she should be added to Liz Truss’s resignation honours list. Dorries has previously been criticised as not spending enough time in the Mid Bedfordshire constituency – something she has disputed. She has already endorsed the Tory byelection candidate, Bedfordshire’s police and crime commissioner Festus Akinbusoye.

The Labour candidate, Alistair Strathern, is a Bank of England official. In his literature, he does not name Dorries, but says he would be “the hardest working, most accessible and visible MP you’ve ever had” and would “put Mid Bedfordshire first and party second”. Party officials believe he has the ability to appeal to disillusioned Tory voters. “It’s like he was made in a lab for it,” said one. “He looks half farmer, half banker.”

The determination to make a serious attempt on what is one of the safest Tory seats comes after officials were frustrated by the assumption that the Lib Dems were the most likely challengers. “We want to show in this campaign that Labour can win votes in rural parts of the country, that Labour can win votes directly off the Tories,” said a senior party official. “We were in second place in Mid Beds at the last election.

“Given the central part of our general election plan is to take votes directly off the Tories, we want to show in these byelections we can do that.”

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2023-07-15 21:12:00Z
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Murder arrest after teenager stabbed to death in 'birthday party fight' in Brent - Evening Standard

A

n 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a teenage boy was stabbed to death in front of party-goers in northwest London.

Police believe a street fight broke out following a busy birthday party in Brent on Friday,

The victim, 17, died at the scene in Granville Road, around 11.30pm.

Scotland Yard confirmed late on Saturday that an 18-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder, and taken into custody.

Another male, also believed to be 17, was taken to hospital following the incident on Friday, as was a woman in her early 20s who had suffered a hand injury.

Read More

A crime scene remained in place on Saturday night, while police urged any witnesses to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Metropolitan Police said: “We believe that there was a fight following a birthday party, which would have been attended by a number of people.

“I would urge anyone who was there, and who has not yet spoken with officers, to please come forward. It is vital that we establish what happened.

“I would also ask that anyone who may have captured any of last night’s events on their phone to also contact officers.”

The teenage victim’s family has been informed.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles said: “I know that the community will be shocked by this incident in which a young man has lost his life.

“We shall be working with our colleagues from Specialist Crime to ensure that this investigation proceeds as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

“Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area and I would encourage anyone with information, or concerns, to speak with them.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 8929/14Jul or visit https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS23V46-PO1. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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2023-07-15 21:38:09Z
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