Stay away from pro-Palestinian protests to avoid threat of clashes, Johnny Mercer tells veterans - The Telegraph

Former soldiers have been warned by the veterans minister to stay away from London on Armistice Day to avoid clashes with pro-Palestinian protesters.

Johnny Mercer, the minister for veterans’ affairs, said it was right that demonstrations should go ahead at the weekend, pointing out that former soldiers such as himself had “put on the uniform” in order to uphold “our fellow citizens’ right to protest”.

His stance puts him at odds with Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, who has described Saturday’s planned demonstration as a “hate march”.

The Cabinet has been split over Mrs Braverman’s approach, with one Cabinet minister privately alarmed by her comments, which they described as “ridiculous” and blamed her for creating “this problem”. 

Separately, Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, declined to call Saturday’s demonstration a “hate” march when asked on Radio 4’s Today programme if he agreed with the Home Secretary’s assessment.

Mr Mercer, a former Army captain who served in Afghanistan, said he had spent the past few days trying to dissuade veterans groups from organising counter-protests on Saturday that could lead to clashes with pro-Palestinian marchers.

But in his letter to Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Mr Mercer also demanded greater protection for elderly veterans travelling to the capital for Remembrance events.

He said such protection was particularly needed at railway stations after a series of sit-in protests at mainline terminals. 

A 78-year-old poppy seller at Waverley Station in Edinburgh said he was punched and kicked after being surrounded by protesters, while a stall at Charing Cross station in central London was also besieged at the weekend.

Scotland Yard has pleaded with the leaders of the pro-Palestinian march on Armistice Day to call it off amid growing fears of violent disorder.

In the letter, seen by The Telegraph on Tuesday, Mr Mercer said he had been trying to dampen tensions. He told Sir Mark: “I wanted to write to offer you some encouragement as you deal with a very difficult policing challenge over this Remembrance weekend.

“I have spent this last weekend dissuading various veterans groups from organising marches or protests this Saturday. Remembrance is not a political event, and neither is it a protest. It is our one moment a year when the nation – of all our brilliantly diverse persuasions and colours – comes together to remember our war dead.

“I, like most veterans, feel passionately about our fellow citizens’ right to protest and the freedoms of speech and expression that we once put on the uniform to uphold.”

Jim Henderson, a 78-year-old retired paratrooper (circled), said he was punched and kicked during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Edinburgh Waverley station on Saturday

Mr Mercer said he was concerned that their right to protest was “conflicted with the deliberately antagonistic actions of a few, who misunderstand Remembrance and seek to put off those who are taking part or attending events in London”.

But he stressed that elderly veterans “for whom travelling to London once a year is an important part of their Remembrance” needed to be able to travel to the capital “unmolested”.

He requested that the Met “make full use of the powers at their disposal to ensure that these concerns do not materialise”.

Around 70,000 people are expected in London for the pro-Palestinian demonstration. Groups have warned that anti-Semitic chants by some protesters and others who appear to have glorified terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on Oct 7 have made large parts of London a “no go zone” for Jews.

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2023-11-07 15:10:00Z
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King Charles sets out Sunak’s election dividing lines in first king’s speech - The Guardian

King Charles has delivered his first king’s speech, outlining the UK government’s plans for laws to create potential dividing lines with Labour before the next general election with a tough approach to criminal justice and the green agenda, but little legislation to improve Britain’s struggling public services.

The king paid tribute to his mother the late Queen Elizabeth’s “legacy of service and devotion” as he conducted the state opening of parliament for the first time as monarch.

The government announced 21 bills for what is almost certainly the final session of parliament before voters go to the polls, including seven which were carried over, such as the renters reform bill and a law banning British public bodies from boycotting Israel.

With crime and justice a major point of contention with Keir Starmer’s Labour party, the speech confirmed ministers would bring forward bills covering sentencing laws, police powers and the treatment of victims of crime.

A sentencing bill will mean those convicted of the most serious sexual offences will not be allowed to leave prison early, and will also introduce a new presumption that anybody sentenced to less than 12 months will have their sentence suspended.

A criminal justice bill will introduce new powers for police to make defendants attend their sentencing hearings, including adding two years to their sentences if they refuse to comply. This follows the case of the nurse Lucy Letby, who refused to be sentenced in person after being found guilty of killing children.

One mooted change that was not included in the speech was a ban on tents for homeless people, a measure that was reported over the weekend but triggered a backlash even from Conservative backbenchers.

An annual system for awarding oil and gas licences was announced, with the government saying it would protect jobs and bolster energy security. Experts, including climate scientists and poverty campaigners, have warned against plans to keep drilling.

New oil and gas fields in the North Sea would only produce enough gas to satisfy Britain’s needs for a few weeks a year and have minimal impact on energy security, while the energy secretary, Claire Coutinho, has admitted that household energy bills may not come down as a result of the plans. Labour would block new domestic exploration licences if it wins power.

While public services including health and education were mentioned in the speech, there was no new legislation to either reform the NHS or to bring in Sunak’s plans to replace A-levels and T-levels with a new single “advanced British standard” qualification.

The only health-related bill would introduce a gradual “generational” ban on smoking and “crack down” on vapes for children, despite promises last year of a major piece of legislation to modernise the Mental Health Act.

However, Michael Gove, the housing secretary, will bring forward two of his long-promised reform packages, one to give renters extra rights and one to protect leaseholders. Both, however, have been watered down in significant ways.

Ministers will now not ban no-fault evictions until they have established a new court process to hear disputes, after landlords warned that disputes could choke the courts. And while they will ban developers from selling houses under leasehold, they will not extend that ban to flats, which make up 70% of all leasehold properties.

One measure likely to trigger controversy is Gove’s ban on public bodies implementing boycotts on countries that are not subject to sanction by the national government. The move is designed to stop councils enacting boycott and divestment campaigns against Israel, and has caused anger among some Tories, who believe it gives special treatment to the Israeli government.

A law to change the structure and operation of the railways in Britain by setting up a new body, Great British Railways, to control and manage all aspects of the railways, was only in “draft” form, meaning it is unlikely to happen before the next election.

There was also legislation on self-driving vehicles, with buses, grocery deliveries and farm machinery potentially operating autonomously by the end of the decade.

The speech included legislation so Britain can formally join the 11-member strong Indo-Pacific trade bloc that includes Japan and Australia. The government says the deal secures access for British exporters to 500 million people and will cut tariffs on exports of food, drink and cars.

Some trade experts said joining the bloc would harm the UK’s ability to rejoin the EU at a later date, arguing that harmonising trade rules with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership countries would drive a wedge between Brussels and London.

The speech set out plans to abolish a key piece of press regulation law, which will result in the rolling back of a law that left newspapers liable for the legal costs of both sides in libel cases, regardless of the result. There will also be increased regulation of streaming services, giving the regulator Ofcom the authority to consider complaints about shows on Netflix and Disney+.

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2023-11-07 12:41:45Z
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Captain Tom's family lose spa demolition appeal - BBC

Reuters

By Rachael McMenemy

BBC News, Bedfordshire

The family of Capt Sir Tom Moore have lost a planning application appeal against the demolition of an unauthorised home spa in their garden.

The celebrated fundraiser's daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, and her husband had appealed against the order by Central Bedfordshire Council.

They used the Captain Tom Foundation name on the first plans, before a revised application was turned down.

The family have three months to comply with an existing demolition order.

The Planning Inspectorate dismissed their appeal after a hearing last month.

In a letter announcing the decision, Inspector Diane Fleming said the "scale and massing" of the partially built building had "resulted in harm" to The Old Rectory, the family home and a Grade II listed building in Marston Moretaine.

• What has happened to Captain Tom's legacy?
• Inquiry begins into Captain Tom Foundation
• Captain Tom's family attend home spa hearing

Capt Sir Tom walked 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden at the start of the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020, raising more than £38m for NHS Charities Together.

He was knighted by the late Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle in the summer of that year.

The army veteran, who was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, died in February 2021 aged 100.

After he became an international figure, his family set up a separate charity in his name which is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission, amid concerns his family may have profited from using his name.

During the Planning Inspectorate hearing, family lawyer Scott Stemp said the foundation was "unlikely to exist" in the future.

Mr Stemp said: "It's not news to anybody that the foundation, it seems, is to be closed down following an investigation by the Charity Commission."

The building, on the grounds of the family home where he completed his charity walk, was originally approved for the use of the occupiers and the Captain Tom Foundation, and was granted planning permission in August 2021.

The council told the hearing it had been impressed upon them that the building was urgently needed for foundation activities and primarily to house memorabilia.

It had been partially constructed when a revised application was submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council in February 2022, which included a spa pool, toilets and a kitchen "for private use".

The revised plans, for what was called the Captain Tom Building, were turned down by the council in November 2022.

'Laudable intentions'

During the hearing, representatives for the family said the building would enable the public to enjoy Capt Tom's work and the spa pool would offer "rehabilitation sessions".

The rest of the building would be used for coffee mornings and charity meetings to combat elderly loneliness, the hearing was told.

However, Ms Fleming said while the appellant's intentions were "laudable", there was no detailed evidence of how this would work in practice.

"In the absence of any substantiated information, I find the suggested public benefit would therefore not outweigh the great weight to be given to the harm to the heritage asset," she stated in her decision.

However, Ms Fleming did state the building had not caused "unacceptable harm" to the character and appearance of the area, or local residents.

PA Media

Ms Fleming, in her decision, removed the requirement for the family to restore the land to its previous condition.

The family argued this was unreasonable as it would mean reinstating tennis courts, which would then be demolished to allow for an L-shaped building, which had already been approved.

Ms Ingram-Moore and her husband had asked for 12 months to comply with the demolition notice, to "allow for sufficient time to source appropriate contractors and for the site to be left in a fit condition, ready to implement the L-shaped building planning permission."

The request was refused by the Planning Inspectorate, which has given them three months to comply with the demolition order.

"An extension of time has not been justified in any detail and it is therefore considered that the period for compliance is reasonable. As such, I see no cause to vary it," Ms Fleming concluded.

The family can apply for a judicial review at the High Court within six weeks of the Inspectorate decision if they believe there has been an error in law.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830

Related Topics

• Planning permission
• Marston Moretaine
• Captain Tom Moore

Related Internet Links

• Planning Inspectorate

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2023-11-07 10:50:59Z
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King's Speech live: Charles and Camilla to depart Buckingham Palace for Parliament - watch live - The Telegraph

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are about to leave Buckingham Palace and make their way to the Palace of Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament. 

The King will deliver his first King’s Speech to the House of Lords as he sets out Rishi Sunak’s legislative plans for the new parliamentary session.

You can follow the latest updates below and join the conversation in the comments section here. 

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2023-11-07 10:29:00Z
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King's Speech – live: Braverman's plan to ban tents ditched from Sunak's plans - The Independent

Oliver Dowden ‘can’t be certain’ Tories didn’t pay hospital fees of rape complainant

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Suella Braverman’s plan to restrict charities from giving out tents to homeless people has been junked from the King’s Speech by No 10.

Parliament is set to hear the annual King’s Speech at 11.30am today, as the monarch sets out Rishi Sunak’s government’s policy agenda for the year ahead.

But missing from the speech will be the home secretary’s controversial initiative as Rishi Sunak is uncomfortable with the language used by Ms Braverman after she was roundly condemned for describing said rough sleeping “lifestyle choice”, The Independent understands.

The right-wing cabinet minister had proposed establishing a civil offence to deter charities from providing tents to homeless people in need.

The King’s Speech falls on the annual state opening of parliament, a day of pomp and ceremony involving traditions such as searching the Palace of Westminster for gunpowder, Black Rod banging on the door of the Commons, and the taking of one MP “hostage” to secure the safe return of the monarch.

The government is also expected to expand the use of whole-life prison sentences to include any murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct.

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In pictures: Guests await the State Opening of Parliament

Baroness Floella Benjamin and other members of the House of Lords

Princess Antonia, Duchess of Wellington

Lord Michael Grade

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 10:12

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Anti-monarchy protestors stage major demonstration ahead of King’s Speech

Campaign group Republic is to stage its first major anti-monarchy demonstration in London since its members were arrested on the day of the King’s coronation.

A few hundred people are expected to gather near the House of Parliament during the first state opening of the King’s reign today.

The Metropolitan Police was criticised after six Republic members were detained ahead of a pre-agreed coronation protest on May 6.

Chief executive Graham Smith, who is now taking legal action against the Met, was among those held for more than 14 hours under the sweeping powers of the new Public Order Act.

Mr Smith said Tuesday’s protest was about the place of the Crown in parliament and the “ramshackle state of our constitution”.

“Our parliament is opened by a king wearing a crown while sitting in the Lords,” he said.

“It is just weird we continue with this pantomime that celebrates the worst, least democratic aspects of our political system.”

Anti-Monarchy pressure group Republic fly "Not My King" flags in protest outside the Palace of Westminster

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 09:40

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The King’s Speech: What are the good, the bad and the ugly bills of parliament’s next session?

Laudable and well received as many of these government initiatives will be, it’s difficult to see them making many switch their vote before a potential January 2025 election, writes Sean O’Grady:

His Majesty the King will shortly deliver his first Most Gracious Address as head of state, to parliament, commonly known as the King’s Speech. As ever, the text has been prepared by his ministers.

As part of the ceremonial aspects of the constitution, it goes back, in some form or other, for many centuries, and is a small reminder that we remain a constitutional monarchy and not a populist dictatorship in a system of one-party rule.

Politically, its significance lies in how it sets the tone as well as the practical programme for the forthcoming session of parliament. Given that the next general election must be held by January 2025, it’s necessarily going to be lighter than if it were being made by a change of government straight after a general election.

It also has to be less controversial, so that Tory party unity is preserved more easily and the bills actually get passed.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 09:13

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Suella Braverman plan to stop tents for homeless people junked from Kings Speech by No 10

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 08:43

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King’s Speech 2023: Charles and Black Rod’s roles in the State Opening of Parliament explained

On Tuesday, King Charles will deliver his first State Opening of Parliament as monarch – an event that has been long been steeped in custom, pomp and pageantry.

The event marks the formal start of the parliamentary year and sets out the government’s proposed policies and legislation for the 2023-24 session.

The late Queen Elizabeth II delivered the speech a total of 67 times during her reign and only missed it only a handful of times including the year of her death last year. Charles delivered a speech on behalf of his mother in May 2022.

He will now be embracing traditions that have been in place since the 16th century for the first time as monarch. Here’s all of the pomp and pageantry to expect from the event…

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 08:30

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Alex Chalk rejects suggestion King’s Speech measures are focused on general election

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk rejected the suggestion that the measures in the King’s Speech were focused on a general election, expected next year.

He told LBC: “I would respectfully disagree. You’re right, there is a general election in the air, that’s correct.

“A lot of the things that we are doing are things that we have been thinking about for some time. So I myself personally, when I wasn’t in government last year, I was speaking at the Conservative Party conference, and a lot of what we’re going to do, they’re the very measures that I was talking about then.

“These are things that people like me and others have been thinking about, have been working out, have been doing the intellectual groundwork on and we’re now going to bring them into force.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 08:19

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Justice secretary says planned criminal justice reforms about ‘head as well as heart'

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said the planned criminal justice reforms, due to be set out in the King’s Speech, were about “head as well as heart”.

“It’s something that I’ve been talking about for a long time because I’m a barrister by background, I’ve seen this stuff,” he told Times Radio.

“This is about head as well as it is about heart. This is about ensuring that I don’t want you, I don’t want your family, I don’t want my family, to be victims of crime.

“So what I want to ensure is that people who are the greatest threat to you and your family are kept out of circulation for longer... but those who are capable of being rehabilitated should be rehabilitated. And that seems to me to be smart.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 08:03

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Impact of the King’s Speech will last until the next century, Rishi Sunak suggests

As he prepares to unveil what is on course to be his last programme for government as prime minister, Mr Sunak said the speech would stimulate the economy and strengthen society, and suggested its legacy would last seven decades.

Mr Sunak also pledged to bring forward bills that help people feel safer “in their own communities” and instil a pride in the “place they call home” on Tuesday.

The King’s Speech will be seen as an indication of Mr Sunak’s priorities ahead of the general election, which must be held by January 2025.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 07:52

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Andy Burnham urges Sunak to save HS2 Manchester airport link in King’s Speech

The Labour mayor of Greater Manchester said the PM’s decision to scrap the northern leg – first revealed by The Independent – was a “hammer blow”, but still hopes the key section can be built.

He and others are urging the PM to bring back legislation sanctioning HS2 infrastructure so work can begin on a new link between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester airport which could be used by east-west projects across the North.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 07:48

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King’s Speech 2023: When is it and what to expect

Today we will be focusing on the King’s Speech as the monarch sets out Rishi Sunak’s government’s policy agenda for the year ahead.

It will be the first such speech King Charles III has made since assuming the throne last year. It will also be the first of Mr Sunak’s tenure in No 10 – and most likely the last prior to an expected general election next year.

Mr Sunak said: “This will be the first King’s Speech in 70 years and the legislation we will bring forward is part of our plan to build a better future for the next 70.”

We take a look at the proposals which are expected to be included in the King’s Speech, at around 11.30am on Tuesday, and those which may be left out:

Maryam Zakir-Hussain7 November 2023 07:36

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2023-11-07 10:23:47Z
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Sunak refuses to repeat Braverman’s ‘lifestyle choice’ homelessness claim - The Guardian

Rishi Sunak has declined an offer to repeat Suella Braverman’s claim that homelessness is sometimes a lifestyle choice.

The prime minister joined several senior Conservatives in distancing himself from his home secretary’s comments, although he stopped short of criticising her.

It follows condemnation from charities over Braverman’s plans to establish a civil offence to deter charities from giving tents to homeless people.

Asked by broadcasters if the language was “offensive” on a visit to a gas terminal on Monday, Sunak said: “I don’t want anyone to sleep rough on our streets.

“That’s why the government is investing £2bn over the next few years to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. I’m pleased that the number of people sleeping rough is down by a third since the peak, but of course there is more to do.” He declined an offer to repeat her comments.

Home Office plans that emerged over the weekend show charities could be fined for handing out tents. It is understood the plans have been pitched for inclusion in the king’s speech, which will set out the UK government’s legislative agenda on Tuesday.

The potential law would also seek to prevent the obstruction of shop doorways by rough sleepers who are using tents, the Financial Times said.

The senior Tory backbencher Richard Bacon, the vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on homelessness, said many homeless people were in no position to make any choices.

“I was surprised by her [Braverman’s] comments. Many of the homeless have other serious problems including alcoholism, substance abuse and mental health issues and they’re often not really in a position to make choices at all – and even those who are will often need help and guidance to make the right choices,” he said.

Widely perceived to be part of a long-term strategy to lead the Conservative party, Braverman wrote on X on Sunday: “We cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a lifestyle choice.”

She continued: “There are options for people who don’t want to be sleeping rough, and the government is working with local authorities to strengthen wraparound support including treatment for those with drug and alcohol addiction.

“What I want to stop, and what the law-abiding majority wants us to stop, is those who cause nuisance and distress to other people by pitching tents in public spaces, aggressively begging, stealing, taking drugs, littering, and blighting our communities.”

Earlier on Monday, the energy secretary, Claire Coutinho, said she “wouldn’t necessarily use” the language the home secretary had used to talk about homelessness.

“Before I came to parliament I did a lot of work in social justice. I actually worked with people who were homeless, and I think the reasons that people get into that position are complex and very varied, so I wouldn’t necessarily use the language of ‘lifestyle choice’,” she told Times Radio.

Sunak last month refused to repeat Braverman’s claims, delivered in a keynote speech to the Conservative party conference, that a “hurricane” of migrants was coming to the UK and that the country faced an “invasion”.

He also refused to repeat claims by Braverman that multiculturalism was a “misguided dogma” that had allowed people to “live parallel lives”. Instead, Sunak told the BBC:“I think this is something that is incredible about our country, is that it is a fantastic multi-ethnic democracy. ”

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2023-11-06 12:43:00Z
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Politics latest news: Sunak vows 'total backing' for police ahead of pro-Palestinian rally on Armistice Day - The Telegraph

Humza Yousaf said a planned pro-Palestinian rally in London on Armistice Day should go ahead, saying he was “beyond angry” at the UK Government’s response to the protests.

The plans have caused concerns and been condemned by the Government, but the Scottish First Minister said describing them as “hate marches” was “unacceptable”.

The march on Saturday, according to organisers, would see demonstrators begin at Hyde Park in the capital before walking to the US Embassy and not walk past the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, said the Metropolitan Police had his “absolute and total backing” to tackle any potential criminality amid calls for the march to be banned. 

Speaking to journalists in Dundee today, Mr Yousaf was asked if he supported the march going ahead, saying: “Absolutely. I understand [the march] is taking place after the minute silence that we will all undoubtedly observe, I hear it’s not going anywhere near Whitehall or, indeed, the Cenotaph.

“And, of course, if Armistice was about anything, my goodness, it’s about peace.”

More than 70,000 protesters are expected in the capital on Saturday in the latest round of controversial pro-Palestinian rallies. Boris Johnson said holding a pro-Palestinian march on Armistice Day would be “obscene”.

You can follow the latest updates below and join the conversation in the comments section here. 

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2023-11-06 11:26:00Z
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