Senin, 08 Januari 2024

Post Office scandal: Former minister calls for mass appeal against convictions - BBC.com

By Nick Edser, Michael Race & Chris MasonBBC News

AFP A supporter celebrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, on April 23, 2021, following a court ruling clearing subpostmasters of convictions for theft and false accounting.AFP

Hundreds of sub-postmasters convicted in the Post Office Horizon scandal should be able to submit a mass appeal, a former cabinet minister has said.

Sir David Davis, who is seeking to question ministers about the issue, told the BBC there was "no real reason" why there could not be a "mass case".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also said all cases need to be revisited.

Ministers are meeting on Monday to consider ways of clearing the names of hundreds of sub-postmasters.

Between 1999 and 2015, more than 700 Post Office branch managers were convicted of false accounting, theft and fraud based on the faulty Horizon software.

Some sub-postmasters wrongfully went to prison, many were financially ruined. Some have since died.

It has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British history, but to date, fewer than 100 people have had their convictions overturned.

While the scandal has been public knowledge for some time, an ITV drama - Mr Bates vs The Post Office - which aired last week has thrust the issue back into the spotlight.

Speaking to the BBC, Sir David said the drama had galvanised the response to the scandal. "There are now tens of millions of people who care about this - care a lot. They're furious in many cases."

At present, all cases are considered individually, but Sir David said: "All of the cases depend on one single lie, and that is nobody but the postmasters and mistresses could access their computers. We now know that to be untrue. I see no real reason, no logical reason you can't have a mass case, mass appeal on that basis."

Sir David and Labour MP Kevan Jones are among those hoping to scrutinise a minister in the House of Commons, which is reassembling on Monday for the first time since the Christmas recess.

Sir Keir Starmer, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, has said that all convictions need to be looked at again, and prosecution powers should be taken away from the Post Office.

The Post Office had the power in England and Wales to decide on bringing the original prosecutions, and its appointed lawyers presented the evidence in court. The situation is different in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.

Sir Keir said: "I used to run the Crown Prosecution Service, we've prosecuted for other departments, we can do it here - that should be done straightaway.

"And these convictions, the remaining convictions need to be looked at en masse."

The Post Office - which is wholly owned by the government - acted as the prosecutor when it brought the cases against its sub-postmasters.

A petition calling for the former Post Office chief executive, Paula Vennells, to lose her CBE over the scandal has received more than one million signatures.

Tracy Felstead and Janet Skinner, sub-postmistresses who were both jailed in connection with the scandal, told the BBC Ms Vennells should relinquish her CBE.

"To be fair, and if she had any decency she would just hand it back," Ms Skinner said.

Ms Vennells has said previously that she remains "truly sorry for the suffering caused to wrongly prosecuted sub-postmasters and their families".

She said: "I continue to fully support and focus on co-operating with the [public] inquiry and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further while it remains ongoing."

Janet Skinner and Tracy Felstead
Janet Skinner (left) and Tracy Felstead (right) were both victims of the scandal

Ms Felstead also said she would like to see "someone held accountable".

"We were classed as criminals by the Post Office," she said. "Now it is their turn to be investigated and find out who knew what, why and when this all happened."

Many victims of the scandal are still fighting to have their convictions overturned or to secure full compensation after being forced to pay out thousands of pounds of their own money for shortfalls that were caused by the faulty software. The Metropolitan Police is now investigating the Post Office over potential fraud offences arising from the prosecutions.

On Monday, the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board renewed a call for all Post Office staff wrongly accused of theft and false accounting to have their convictions overturned.

Its chairman, Prof Chris Hodges, told the BBC that "a civilised state should overturn these convictions and deliver compensation with people having to do as little as possible".

He also argued that overturning all convictions would not encroach upon the independence of the judiciary

"This is not a situation in which anyone would complain that the government is breaching anyone's human rights," said Prof Hodges.

He added that he would be "very surprised" if the judiciary "weren't as angry and indeed embarrassed about the situation as we all are, so I don't think that there is a constitutional issue".

Last month, Prof Hodges said that while "a small minority" were "doubtless genuinely guilty of something", it would be "worth acquitting a few guilty people (who have already been punished) in order to deliver justice to the majority".

However, former sub-postmistress Ms Felstead told the BBC that while the process of helping former sub-postmasters needed to be sped up, she cautioned against a mass exoneration.

"I think we need to be really careful that we're not just going to go and turn everybody's convictions over just in case you have that one person that has committed a crime and you've just turned over their conviction," she said.

ITV/REX/Shutterstock Monica Dolan as Jo, Lesley Nicol as Pam and Julie Hesmondhalgh as Suzanne.ITV/REX/Shutterstock
ITV's drama has thrown the Post Office scandal back into the spotlight

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the BBC on Sunday it was "right that we find every which way we can do to try to make this right for the people who were so wrongfully treated at the time".

As a result of renewed anger following the ITV series, a meeting between Justice Secretary Alex Chalk and the Minister for the Post Office, Kevin Hollinrake, has been brought forward by a week.

They will meet on Monday afternoon to explore mechanisms to speed up the process.

Mr Sunak has said the government is reviewing options, including stripping the Post Office of its role in the appeal process.

There has been concern within government that the quashing of convictions and getting compensation to those who were victims of a miscarriage of justice has been far too slow.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Sunak said the government was looking at how to speed up the compensation process.

"We will do everything we can to make this right for the people affected," he said.

To date, of the 93 convictions that have been overturned, only 30 of those people have agreed "full and final settlements".

Meanwhile, 54 cases have resulted in either a conviction being upheld, people being refused permission to appeal, or the person appealing having withdrawn from the process, according to the Post Office.

A public inquiry into the scandal is ongoing.

A Post Office spokesperson has previously said it shares the "aims of the public inquiry to get to the truth of what went wrong in the past and establish accountability".



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Minggu, 07 Januari 2024

Post Office scandal: pressure grows to exonerate hundreds of victims - The Times

Former postmasters celebrate after 39 prosecutions were quashed at the High Court in April 2021. More than 700 were convicted in the Horizon IT scandal
Former postmasters celebrate after 39 prosecutions were quashed at the High Court in April 2021. More than 700 were convicted in the Horizon IT scandal
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD POHLE

The justice secretary is exploring how to exonerate hundreds of sub-postmasters unjustly convicted during the Horizon IT scandal amid mounting pressure on the government to respond to the “biggest miscarriage of justice” in British history.

Alex Chalk is looking at whether the Post Office can be stripped of its role in the appeals process, with many victims still attempting to overturn wrongful convictions. On Sunday morning the prime minister confirmed that the government was considering extra measures to “make this right” for the victims.

The Sunday Times can also disclose that Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, was warned 12 years ago that legal action against the Post Office over the accounting scandal could leave the taxpayer exposed to “astronomical” costs.

A sub-postmaster tells her story

Alan Bates, the

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2024-01-07 11:50:00Z
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Met Office warns of weeks of 'significant and widespread snow' as it ramps up forecast - Wales Online

The Met Office has forecast the potential for weeks of "significant and widespread snow" as temperatures across Wales are set to plummet.

The forecaster's long-range weather prediction for the UK details how there is a potential for "significant snow" during the middle of this month. The forecast for January 11 to January 20 predicts the air will likely get colder with "snow showers" across the UK.

Meanwhile, this week, temperatures are set to plummet in parts of Wales. Some areas will see 0°C temperatures at midnight on Sunday, with -2°C being seen in some of the coldest parts of the country.

READ MORE: 'The happiest place in Wales' which traders say is fast being abandoned

READ MORE: Why Met Office and BBC forecasters think snow is coming and the big change to our weather

The Met Office's long range weather forecast for the UK from January 11 to January 20, says: "High pressure will remain in charge at first, whilst sitting to the north or northwest of the UK. Many areas will often be dry if rather cloudy, however, occasional light rain or drizzle is likely, especially on some east-facing hills.

"The best of any sunshine in sheltered western and perhaps southern areas and still rather chilly for most. Towards mid-month, the high will likely decline or reorientate itself to the west or northwest of the UK, potentially allowing colder air with snow showers to filter south across the UK and/or for frontal systems to approach from the southwest. The latter scenario would also bring the potential for significant snow and also perhaps some heavy rain to parts of the south. Either way a more unsettled outlook towards mid-month looks probable." Want less ads? Download WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android

It goes on to talk about the potential for 'widespread snow' following on from that. For the period from Sunday, January 21 to Sunday, February 4, it says: "Through this period, compared to normal, there is an increased chance of colder conditions along with the associated impacts from low temperatures, ice and snow. Whilst colder weather is more likely to dominate, there is also the possibility of further frontal systems at least encroaching from the west or southwest, bringing the potential for more widespread snow to parts of the UK as they butt up against any cold air in place. These would also increase the likelihood of wetter conditions redeveloping, at least in the south, where occasional milder interludes are also most likely."

How cold it will be where you are this week

Cardiff

In Cardiff on Sunday temperatures will be around 5°C during the afternoon, dropping to 2°C by late evening. Into the early hours of Monday morning, temperatures will be around 1°C with a colder day ahead on Monday as temperatures will sit around 3°C.

Swansea

Things a little warmer in Swansea this Sunday with temperatures around 6°C on Sunday afternoon - the warmest (if we can use that word) in Wales. By the evening the air will drop to around 1°C before falling to a freezing 0°C in the early hours of Monday morning. Monday afternoon once again a little chiller than Sunday, with the predicted temperature to sit around 4°C.

Builth Wells

Pretty cold in mid Wales on Sunday with temperatures around 4°C. This will then drop to 1°C by the late evening. By the early hours of Monday morning, temperatures will have dropped to a freezing -1°C.. It won't get much warmer than 3°C on Monday afternoon.

Cardigan

It'll be around 5°C in Cardigan on Sunday afternoon before dropping to 1°C late evening. Overnight temperatures in Cardigan will likely hit -1°C at 2am before rising to 3°C on Monday afternoon.

Merthyr Tydfil

Temperatures will sit around 4°C in Merthyr Tydfil this afternoon. The air will then drop to around 1°C by 9pm. Temperatures will reach -1°C by 3am on Monday morning, before creeping back up to around 2°C on Monday afternoon - one of the coldest in the country for that time. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

Monmouth

Sunday is looking pretty cold for Monmouth as temperatures are set to be at around 5°C on Sunday afternoon. By the evening it will be around 1°C. It will reach -1°C overnight in Monmouth as we head into the early hours of Monday morning, by Monday afternoon will see temperatures at around 3°C.

Caernarfon

Daytime temperatures will be around 5°C in Caernarfon on Sunday before dropping to 0°C by 9pm. Temperatures likely to drop to -1°C by 4am on Monday morning. Another colder day, with afternoon temperatures sitting around 3°C.

Temperatures in Aberystwyth on Sunday afternoon will be around the 5°C mark before dropping to 1°C by 9pm. Overnight in Aber will stick around the 0°C temperature before creeping up to around 3°C during the afternoon on Monday.

St Asaph

Sunday evening will see temperatures around 2°C in St Asaph., a fall from 4°C afternoon temperature. Monday afternoon will likely be similar with temperatures around 3°C in the afternoon, a rise from overnight temperatures of around 0°C.

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Rishi Sunak denies doubting Rwanda plan when chancellor - BBC

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has denied he had doubts about the government's Rwanda policy when he was chancellor.

Documents seen by the BBC suggest that in March 2022 Mr Sunak had concerns about the cost of sending migrants to the African country.

The papers also indicate he was not sure the plan would stop people trying to cross the English Channel.

Speaking to BBC One's Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Mr Sunak said that, as chancellor, he "scrutinised" all plans.

However, he said this did not mean he did not back the Rwanda policy, pointing out that he had funded the plan.

"Just because someone's asking tough questions doesn't mean that they don't believe in the proposal," he said.

Under the scheme, some migrants would be sent to Rwanda for processing and potentially resettlement.

The government has argued this would discourage people from trying to get to the UK in small boats.

The scheme was first announced in April 2022 when Boris Johnson was prime minister.

However it has run into legal difficulties, with the Supreme Court ruling it was unlawful last year.

The BBC has seen No 10 documents that were prepared in March 2022 when then-PM Boris Johnson was trying to persuade Mr Sunak to sign off on funding for the plan.

The papers describe a significant difference of view between No 10 and 11 Downing Street on the effectiveness of the proposed scheme saying the chancellor believes the "deterrent won't work".

They also reveal that No 10 proposed telling Mr Sunak to "consider his popularity with the base" if he was reluctant to sign up to changes to the migration system, including the Rwanda plan.

'Probing questions'

Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "These papers show total con of Tories' Rwanda plan and how incredibly weak Rishi Sunak is.

"He knew costs were extortionate and resisted as chancellor. But he's now so weak he's writing £400m cheques to Rwanda for no one to be sent."

Asked about the documents on Sunday, Mr Sunak said that he had asked "probing questions of every proposal" that crossed his desk, but added: "To infer from that that I don't believe in the scheme of the principle of deterrence is wrong."

He said the proof was "in his actions" and that as prime minister he was trying to pass legislation to put in place the Rwanda policy.

The legislation, introduced to overcome the objections of the Supreme Court, states that Rwanda should be considered a safe country under UK law.

However, Mr Sunak faced criticism from both sides of his party - with some arguing it would break international law, while others feared it would not go far enough.

After the Safety of Rwanda Bill was announced Robert Jenrick quit as immigration minister describing the legislation as a "triumph of hope over experience" and Suella Braverman, whom Mr Sunak sacked as home secretary, said the bill was "destined to fail".

The bill passed its first stage in the House of Commons with a comfortable majority, but Mr Sunak faces a battle to get it through Parliament when it returns in the coming weeks.

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Mr Bates vs The Post Office: Justice secretary examining how to clear names of workers caught up in Horizon IT scandal - Sky News

The justice secretary is examining how to exonerate hundreds of subpostmasters who were wrongfully convicted during the Horizon IT scandal.

Alex Chalk is trying to determine whether the Post Office can be removed from the appeals process - meaning the Crown Prosecution Service would take over, The Sunday Times reports.

Hundreds of people were held liable for financial discrepancies thrown up by faulty Fujitsu accounting software that made it appear as though money was missing from their branches.

This led to more than 700 convictions, criminal prosecutions and - in some cases - prison sentences. Dozens of victims died before they saw justice.

Lead claimant Alan Bates (centre) speaking outside the High Court in London, after the first judgment was handed down in claims against the Post Office over its computer system. Picture date: 15 March 2019
Image: Alan Bates speaking outside the High Court in 2019

Momentum in the long-running scandal has been building after ITV broadcast a drama documenting the legal fight led by subpostmaster Alan Bates.

Sky's political correspondent Rob Powell said: "Politically pressure and attention is rising... about what can be done to make things right and better and what can be done to find out who is responsible for what went wrong.

"What The Sunday Times is reporting is that the justice secretary, Alex Chalk, is essentially considering ways to expedite the process by which people wrongfully convicted of these crimes can be exonerated.

"Government sources have confirmed to us that that work is taking place and that it would be around looking at how to remove the Post Office from the appeals process by which those convictions get quashed. In the past, we have seen the Post Office standing in the way of appeals going through."

Pressure is also mounting on Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who was postal affairs minister when issues with the Horizon system started to emerge.

The Sunday Times says Mr Bates wrote to Sir Ed 12 years ago - and had warned that the accounting scandal could leave taxpayers exposed to "astronomical" costs.

It has also been revealed a frustrated Mr Bates cut off correspondence with the politician because he had received assurances from the Post Office that its systems were robust.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk
Image: Justice Secretary Alex Chalk

Read more:
The true story behind drama on scandal
Victims share their stories

Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has defended Sir Ed, posting on X: "Ed has said how much he regrets that the Post Office was lying to him, just like it was to everyone else.

"He's experienced more than his fair share of tragedy in his life, I know he feels the pain of those affected by this scandal very deeply."

Ed Davey.
Image: Sir Ed Davey

The scandal is expected to be a focus for many MPs when they return from their parliamentary recess on Monday.

It's been reported that Conservative MP Sir David Davis will call for Post Office managers involved in Horizon to be named and prosecuted, and for Fujitsu to lose its government contracts.

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Police investigate Post Office

On Friday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that it is investigating the Post Office over potential offences including fraud, perjury and perverting the course of justice.

While two people have been interviewed under caution so far, no arrests have been made.

Separately, more than 820,000 people have signed a petition calling for Paula Vennells - the former Post Office chief executive depicted in the ITV mini-series - to lose her CBE.

Mr Bates vs the Post Office. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
Image: Toby Jones stars in Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock

'Net may be closing' on those responsible

Nick Wallis - a journalist who authored a book on the Horizon scandal and consulted on the making of Mr Bates vs The Post Office - has told Sky News that "the net may be closing" on those responsible for the wrongful prosecutions.

He described the public reaction to the TV drama as "phenomenal" - especially considering that 50 more potential victims are believed to have come forward since it aired.

Mr Wallis added: "We had no idea that the drama would touch so many people… It hit a nerve with the general public.

"It's shone a light on this story - something I've been working on for more than a decade."

Nick Wallis on Sky News
Image: Nick Wallis on Sky News

However, Mr Wallis warned that following past scandals - involving infected blood, Hillsborough and Windrush - few criminal charges were brought against those responsible.

"Based on our society's track record of being able to prosecute individuals or corporations, I'm not holding out much hope," he said.

More than 700 people were accused of fraud or theft
Image: More than 700 people were accused of fraud or theft

Compensation for postmasters in spotlight

Although the government announced a new fixed sum payment last year for victims of the scandal, critics have claimed the compensation doesn't go far enough - and is taking too long to be distributed.

Christopher Head, who became a postmaster when he was 18 years old, was among those who faced a criminal investigation after he was accused of stealing tens of thousands of pounds.

Mr Head told Sky News the compensation offered by the Post Office to victims is "not even close" to adequate.

"The amounts of money people have lost… their business, their home, they couldn't get a job because they had a criminal conviction," he said.

"Then you put it alongside the stigma and the reputational damage and the distress and those kinds of things. You can't really put a value on it."

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Sabtu, 06 Januari 2024

Post Office scandal: Met Police investigate 'potential fraud offences' - BBC

The promotional image of all the actors in ITV's drama about the Post Office scandalITV

The Metropolitan Police is looking at "potential fraud offences" committed in the Horizon IT scandal.

More than 700 Post Office branch managers were accused of wrongdoing after faulty accounting software made it appear money was missing.

The Met said it was investigating possible fraud offences from these cases.

It comes as 50 new potential victims of the scandal have contacted lawyers following an ITV drama about the issue.

Neil Hudgell, a lawyer who acts for claimants, told the BBC that some of those seeking advice were former sub-postmasters who were prosecuted by the Post Office.

The Met Police said the potential offences could have been related to "monies recovered from sub-postmasters as a result of prosecutions or civil actions".

The force has already been looking into potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice in relation to investigations and prosecutions carried out by the Post Office.

Two people have been interviewed under caution but nobody has been arrested since the investigation was launched in January 2020.

Between 1999 and 2015 more than 700 sub-postmasters were accused of wrongdoing based on information from a faulty accounting system, Horizon.

The Metropolitan Police said on Friday evening, as originally reported by the Times, that officers were "investigating potential fraud offences arising out of these prosecutions" which included "monies recovered from sub-postmasters as a result of prosecutions or civil actions".

The force also said in the statement: "The Met is investigating potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice.

"These potential offences arise out of investigations and prosecutions carried out by the Post Office.

"The investigation was launched in January 2020 following a referral from the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions].

"Two people have been interviewed under caution. Nobody has been arrested."

Some sub-postmasters wrongfully went to prison, many were financially ruined, forced to declare bankruptcy, while others describe being shunned by their communities following convictions for false accounting and theft. Some have since died.

The case has been described as one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in British history.

To date, 93 convictions have been overturned and of those, only 27 people have agreed "full and final settlements".

Some 54 cases have resulted in a conviction being upheld, people being refused permission to appeal or the person appealing withdrawing from the process, according to the Post Office.

There has been widespread sympathy for the victims after the four-part mini-series Mr Bates vs the Post Office: The Real Story aired on ITV this week. It centres on the story of sub-postmaster Alan Bates, played by actor Toby Jones, who drove the campaign to expose the scandal.

It focuses on the legal battle he led and won, paving the way for dozens of convictions to be overturned.

Mr Hudgell, executive chairman of Hudgells, one of the law firms acting for the claimants, says the TV drama has been instrumental in encouraging new cases to come forward.

"The majority of [those 50 new enquiries]... were not prosecuted but lost their livelihoods, lost their homes," he said.

"But there's a small handful of people who were convicted that have come forward, three in total at the moment, which is obviously a tiny number proportionate to those that are still out there."

He also told the BBC that one of the three people that had been convicted has received inpatient psychiatric care.

Mr Hudgell said the drama had brought to light the trauma of what the sub-postmasters went through: "It's brought huge widespread sympathy to these people so alongside that, family encouragement and speaking to other postmasters that have been along this journey, they have found the courage to come forward."

Alan Bates told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that his portrayal in the mini-series had "made a huge difference to the campaign, it's reignited the whole issue again".

Mr Bates said the cast "really managed to get over the real suffering and persecution they'd suffered over the years from Post Office".

Asked why he thought new cases have come forward since the show aired, Mr Bates said some people "just did not know what had been going on over the years with the campaign".

"Some people take support from other victims standing up and being identified and that's given people the confidence to come forward."

However, Mr Bates said "the big hold up for the compensation is to speed the bureaucracy up which is holding up the payments to all these people".

"They really must light a fire under their officials to get this sorted," Mr Bates said, and added that about 60 to 70 claimants had died before getting justice.

Actor Toby Jones, who plays Alan Bates, told the Today programme that when he read the script, he realised it was about "modest good people, as surprised as the audience are now by what they were up against".

"It's very easy to understand. A computer system made an error and loads of people suffered as a result and when they rang the helpline, the helpline didn't help them," Jones said.

"It did the opposite and began to prosecute them for fraud. It's so straight forward you think it can't possibly be true.

"Alan took out this gargantuan task of trying to untie these disparate people who felt they were all isolated.

"The drama starts there when individuals become a chorus and they become unstoppable, this is what makes it great."

Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Alan Bates's partner Suzanne Sercombe in the programme
Getty Images

Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Alan Bates's partner Suzanne Sercombe in the programme, said she was "completely overwhelmed" by the response to the show and "the outpouring of outrage over the scandal and cover-up".

"It's more than any of us dared hope that it would move the campaign along, but sometimes drama can do that. And now: JUSTICE for the thousands affected," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Several financial compensation schemes have been set up to help those caught up in the scandal, although concerns have been raised about delays in payment.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters on Friday: "It's important that all those affected get the support they need, which I am pleased is happening and we will keep going as quickly as possible."

Last month, a board overseeing compensation called for all Post Office staff wrongly accused of theft and false accounting to have their convictions overturned.

The Post Office has previously said it encourages "people who believe they were wrongly convicted, for any reason, to consider an appeal".

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2024-01-06 08:38:40Z
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Cold weather alert issued amid 246 flood warnings in England and Wales - The Guardian

A cold weather alert has been issued and almost 250 flood warnings are in place across England and Wales as conditions continue to cause travel problems across parts of the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold weather alert for vulnerable and elderly people from 9am on Saturday until midday on Friday 12 January across England, with temperatures likely to be a few degrees below average across much of the UK, especially overnight, and ice appearing on wet ground.

The Environment Agency had 244 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, in place across England on Saturday, down from more than 300 on Friday morning. Natural Resources Wales had warnings in place on the River Wye at Monmouth and the River Ritec at Tenby.

There were a further 262 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, in place across England and nine in Wales.

Data from the Environment Agency showed almost every river in England had reached exceptionally high levels and some had reached record levels.

Heavy rain in Cambridgeshire meant rail replacement buses that were in use due to flooding on the line were unable to reach St Neots and Huntingdon railway stations for some time overnight.

Network Rail was continuing to repair damage caused by a landslip on Thursday near Arlesey, in Bedfordshire, along with planned engineering works. Affected lines were estimated to reopen by early Monday with a bus replacement service in place until then.

Great Western Railway said there had been “significant disruption” to its services after flooding near Chipping Sodbury, and the line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway was expected to remain closed throughout the weekend.

The line between Theale and Taunton was likely to remain closed on Saturday, with services continuing on alternative routes.

South Western Railway, which had much of its network affected on Friday, including by a landslip in Crewkerne, Somerset, said there was a good service on Saturday.

Roads had been closed in and around Gloucester due to flooding, and Gloucestershire police said a taxi driver had been reported for traffic offences on Friday night when he needed rescuing after getting stuck while trying to drive through flood water.

The Environment Agency said the River Severn was expected to have reached its peak at Gloucester Docks, and further upstream in Worcester, on Friday evening.

A slip road on to the A419 near Cirencester was closed on Saturday morning due to flooding, National Highways said.

In Sheffield, firefighters were called to rescue a man who fell into the swollen River Don.

The Environment Agency said “significant river flooding impacts” were expected on Saturday across parts of the Midlands on the River Trent, and in Gloucester.

It said areas of south-west England on the River Avon would also be affected, and that impacts were likely across much of England over the next five days because the ground was “completely saturated”.

Caroline Douglass, the agency’s flood director, said the Trent had been at “some of the highest levels we’ve seen in 24 years”. Nottinghamshire county council declared a major incident on Thursday because of the rising levels.

The Met Office predicted Saturday would be a dry day in most areas with some sunny spells, although there would a few showers along the coast and it would feel cold, with frost and fog patches overnight.

Temperatures would drop to -4C in parts of rural south-west England on Saturday night and -6C in rural areas along the Welsh border in Shropshire and north Herefordshire on Sunday night, it said.

Sunday was forecast to remain largely dry, except for the occasional shower in south-east England early in the day, with the cold weather continuing for much of the next week.

The Met Office chief forecaster, Jason Kelly, said: “As the prevailing weather conditions will be characterised by high pressure, a good deal of settled weather is likely.

“Clearer skies and a marked reduction in precipitation are expected, although any showers that do occur are likely to be wintry in nature.”

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2024-01-06 08:34:00Z
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