Royal shock as Lady Gabriella Kingston's husband Thomas dies aged 45 - Evening Standard

The Duke of Sussex was among other guests at the wedding that included the Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, designer Nicky Haslam and the family of the Princess of Wales, her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa and James, who were joined by their partners.

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Paul Scully: Former minister and MP sorry for 'no-go' areas comment - BBC

London Conservative MP and former minister Paul Scully has apologised for suggesting there are "no-go" areas in parts of Tower Hamlets.

He made the comment in radio and TV interviews on Monday, prompting accusations of Islamophobia and a rebuke from the prime minister.

Mr Scully had also said some people were "fearful for going out".

In a BBC Radio London interview on Tuesday, he said he "put his hands up" for using language he "regrets".

Mr Scully added he was "frustrated in the language" he used and lost "nuance" in the issues he wanted to get across.

People 'feel uncomfortable'

The former minister for London, who was also a former mayoral candidate, said: "What I was trying to say, I thought I was being specific about but clearly not, is the fact that a lot of the conversation, and the vacuum that's allowed to then be filled by populists, is when prejudice builds up because of perception.

"There are areas of this country where there are tiny, tiny groups of people that cause people to feel uncomfortable in particular areas.

"That might be a white gang, that might be a black gang, a Muslim gang, whatever, and that then tends to write off whole communities for some people," he added.

The Sutton and Cheam MP described this line of thinking about some communities as "totally inappropriate".

His original comments on Monday - made to BBC Radio London, and later BBC London TV - criticised fellow MP Lee Anderson's remarks that Islamists had "got control" of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

He began the radio interview by saying Mr Anderson's comments were "wrongheaded" and "really inflammatory" and that he needed to apologise, but he could see what he was "trying to drive at".

However, Mr Scully went on to say parts of Tower Hamlets as well as Sparkhill in Birmingham were "no-go areas".

He then defended those comments in the later TV interview, saying people were concerned by "neighbourhoods changing".

He added: "There are areas where there are a tiny minority of people who make people uncomfortable about not being of their religion, of their culture, who are misinterpreting their own doctrine. That's not to say Tower Hamlets itself is a no-go area."

'Load of nonsense'

Mr Scully's remarks have drawn criticism from Tower Hamlets Council, which said it was "surprising and extremely disappointing".

A spokesperson for the borough said the area was actually an "example of how people of all backgrounds get on together".

Tower Hamlets residents also spoke of their anger about what was said.

During a visit to the borough, one woman told BBC London the MP's comments were "completely inaccurate" and "really offensive".

"I think he's just chatting a load of nonsense to be honest because Tower Hamlets is a very inclusive area," she said.

Tower Hamlets facts

Covering an area of about eight sq miles (21 sq km) in London's East End and with a population of more than 310,000 people, Tower Hamlets is the most densely populated borough in England.

It also has the fastest-growing number of residents, according to the 2021 census.

In the same census, just over 51% of the population said they were born in England, while Bangladesh was the country that was next most represented, with about 14% of people saying it was their place of birth.

Getty Images

The borough also has extremes in terms of deprivation and wealth.

Parts of borough have high levels of poverty, but the area also covers very wealthy places like Canary Wharf and the edges of the City.

While admitting that Tower Hamlets had "good bits and bad bits", another resident told the BBC he did not think "there's 'no-go' areas at all".

"I don't find that's true in Tower Hamlets at all. Everybody respects everybody and their religion," he added.

Reuters

The council spokesperson added the area was "one of the most popular places in the country to live, work and visit".

"Tower Hamlets is a microcosm of an international city. We are an example of how people of all backgrounds get on together in one of the most diverse places in the country."

"In fact, 87% of people said they get on with each other in our recent survey of residents," they added.

Meanwhile, a source close to London mayor Sadiq Khan accused Mr Scully's original comments of "resorting to a notorious Islamophobic trope", adding: "As a former government minister, Mr Scully should be striving to unite our communities, not sending out deeply divisive messages about Muslims."

Ali Milani, of the Labour Muslim Network, said comments like the ones made by Mr Scully had "real world consequences".

"I've had death threats through my door as a result of comments made in the House of Commons and by MPs, so Muslims become less safe as a result of the comments that are made."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk

Related Topics

• Islamophobia
• Cheam
• Lee Anderson
• Rishi Sunak
• Sutton
• Paul Scully
• Sadiq Khan

Related Internet Links

• Tower Hamlets Council

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British rower found dead on boat while attempting Atlantic charity challenge - The Guardian

A British man has died while attempting to row between Gran Canaria and Barbados on a solo Atlantic Ocean charity challenge.

The family of Michael Holt, 54, who lived in Wirral, announced his death on his Facebook page.

Holt, who had type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes, set off on his nearly 3,000-mile challenge on 27 January, expecting it to take between 40 and 110 days.

It has now emerged that Holt became ill and died on his boat. His body was found by the crew of a fishing vessel which had sailed to his aid.

Holt’s brother, David, said on Facebook: “We have been working tirelessly to get help to Michael over the past four days but have found it incredibly difficult to do so. Last night the fishing vessel Noruego accepted a tasking from Cape Verde Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and made directly for Michael’s coordinates.

“Very sadly, upon arrival, Michael was found dead inside his cabin.

“Of course this was not the ultimate conclusion we were looking for, but I am somewhat comforted knowing he died doing something he absolutely wanted to do with a passion and managed to row in excess of 700 miles in the process. An achievement in itself.

“This is a huge shock to myself, his wife Lynne & daughter Scarlett and my parents, not to mention wider family and friends. Many thanks for the kind words & wishes that you have already sent us during the past few days. They mean a great deal to all the family.”

Holt was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 28. After a severe low blood sugar event in 2015 he needed reconstructive surgery on his shoulders with, he said, “a titanium fitting in my right arm and approximately 20 titanium pins and a plate being fitted in my left side. I have no recollection of any of the event taking place.”

He billed his challenge as “1 Diabetic Rower, 2 Reconstructed Shoulders, 3 Thousand Miles of Ocean”.

Holt was raising money for Mind Cymru and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services, which said it was sending love to his family and friends.

Holt, from Porthmadog in north Wales, had been travelling alone on his boat, named Mynadd. He had faced challenges including a 3 metre shark having “a party” with his rudder.

Before a search and rescue operation was launched he was trying to make his own way to Cape Verde after becoming ill.

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Lee Anderson latest: Conservative MP refuses to apologise for Islamophobic Sadiq Khan comments - The Independent

Sunak condemns Lee Anderson's comments as 'unacceptable' and 'wrong'

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Rishi Sunak “lacks the backbone” to call out Lee Anderson’s remarks about London mayor Sadiq Khan as Islamophobic, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The prime minister finally condemned Mr Anderson’s claims that “Islamists” have “got control” of Mr Khan as “wrong”, but refused to say whether they were Islamophobic and insisted the Tory party did not have Islamophobic tendencies.

Meanwhile, Mr Anderson doubled down on his remarks attacking Mr Khan, insisting that apologising would be “a sign of weakness” and accusing the London mayor of “double standards” for failing to call for pro-Palestine protests to be “cancelled”.

As calls mounted for an independent investigation into Tory Islamopobia, peer Barones Warsi accused the government of having “dragged its heels on any work” to tackle racism against Muslims.

And Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds alleged she had written to Tory party chairs seven times over the past three years calling for them to take action against Islamophobic racism in the party, telling the BBC: “This isn’t something that popped up five minutes ago, it is a continuing concern.”

1709013600

What is Islamophobia? Definition of anti-Muslim prejudice as Tories suspend MP over rant

The meaning of the term Islamophobia has come under the spotlight following MP Lee Anderson’s suspension for an anti-Muslim rant about Sadiq Khan.

The former deputy chairman of the Conservative party lost the party whip after failing to apologise over a widely criticised interview on GB News in which he said “Islamists” have “got control” of Mr Khan.

In response, the mayor of London said the comments were Islamophobic, anti-Muslim and racist.

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 06:00

1709010000

Watch: Starmer says Sunak 'lacks backbone' to call out Lee Anderson's Islamophobia

Starmer says Sunak 'lacks backbone' to call out Lee Anderson's Islamophobia

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 05:00

1709006400

Fury over foreign aid budget being used to train Russia’s future leaders at British universities

Rishi Sunak has been accused of aiding Vladimir Putin’s regime over the government’s plans to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money training up the next generation of Russian leaders.

Britain barred Russians from applying to the Chevening scholarship programme – a fully funded masters degree aimed at “emerging leaders” from all over the world – after Mr Putin invaded Ukraine two years ago.

But, despite the conflict still going on – and Britain ramping up sanctions on Moscow in response to the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny – The Independent can reveal that the scheme has been reopened to applicants from Russia.

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 04:00

1709002800

Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan ‘unambiguously racist,’ Labour party chair says

Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan were “unambiguously racist, Islamophobic, divisive and damaging,” Labour’s party chair has said.

Anneliese Dodds told Sky News on Monday (26 February) she has written to the Conservative Party chairs seven times over the past three years calling for them to take action against Islamophobia in the party.

The former Tory deputy chair lost the Conservative whip after failing to apologise for claiming “Islamists” had “got control” of the London mayor and the capital city.

The prime minister “acted when it appeared no apology was going to be forthcoming,” Dodds added.

Lee Anderson’s comments ‘unambiguously racist,’ Labour party chair says

Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan were “unambiguously racist, Islamophobic, divisive and damaging,” Labour’s party chair has said. Anneliese Dodds told Sky News on Monday (26 February) she has written to the Conservative Party chairs seven times over the past three years calling for them to take action against Islamophobia in the party. The former Tory deputy chair lost the Conservative whip after failing to apologise for claiming “Islamists” had “got control” of the London mayor and the capital city. The prime minister “acted when it appeared no apology was going to be forthcoming,” Dodds added.

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 03:00

1708999200

Richard Madeley clashes with Tory minister over Lee Anderson’s comments

Richard Madeley accused Transport Secretary Mark Harper of not answering a “simple” question on whether Lee Anderson’s comments about London Mayor Sadiq Khan were Islamophobic in a heated exchange on Good Morning Britain on Monday (26 February).

Mr Anderson had the Conservative whip removed over the weekend after he claimed that “Islamists” have “got control” of the London mayor.

Mr Madeley asked Mr Harper several times if Mr Anderson’s claims were Islamophobic, but the MP would not give a straight answer.

Mr Madeley asked: “Was it Islamophobic, straight answer, yes or no?

“I am giving you an opportunity to answer a straight question.

“Would you just answer?”

Richard Madeley clashes with Tory minister over Lee Anderson’s comments

Richard Madeley accused Transport Secretary Mark Harper of not answering a “simple” question on whether Lee Anderson’s comments about London Mayor Sadiq Khan were Islamophobic in a heated exchange on Good Morning Britain on Monday (26 February). Mr Anderson had the Conservative whip removed over the weekend after he claimed that “Islamists” have “got control” of the London mayor. Mr Madeley asked Mr Harper several times if Mr Anderson’s claims were Islamophobic, but the MP would not give a straight answer. Mr Madeley asked: “Was it Islamophobic, straight answer, yes or no? “I am giving you an opportunity to answer a straight question. “Would you just answer?”

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 02:00

1708995600

Watch: Sunak denies he is ignoring local community over Lincolnshire asylum accommodation

Sunak denies he is ignoring local community over Lincolnshire asylum accommodation

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 01:00

1708991951

Speaker refuses to grant second Gaza debate as SNP demands investigation into Labour ‘dirty tricks’

The speaker has refused to grant the SNP a second debate on a humanitarian ceasefire as the party demanded an investigation into the chaos surrounding the Gaza ceasefire vote last week.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said he won’t allow a requested emergency debate on Gaza because the government will bring forward a “relevant statement” tomorrow.

The SNP walked out of the chamber in fury last week after Sir Lindsay selected a Labour amendment to their opposition debate calling for a humanitarian ceasefire.

Joe Middleton26 February 2024 23:59

1708988411

Has Labour’s Rochdale debacle gifted George Galloway an open goal?

What was set to be a straightforward contest to replace the late Labour MP Tony Lloyd, who died of blood cancer aged 73, has been mired by a series of scandals. Archie Mitchell asks how we got here, and what will happen next

Joe Middleton26 February 2024 23:00

1708984811

Watch: Minister refuses seven times to say Lee Anderson's anti-Muslim rant was racist

Minister refuses seven times to say Lee Anderson's anti-Muslim rant was racist

Joe Middleton26 February 2024 22:00

1708981211

ICYMI: Muslim group demands Tories investigate ‘structural Islamophobia’

The UK’s largest Muslim group has written to the Conservative Party demanding an investigation into claims of “structural Islamophobia” within its ranks.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it addressed a letter to Conservative chair, Richard Holden, on Sunday after what it alleged was “a week of inflammatory statements and Islamophobia from senior figures in the party”.

The body pointed to comments made by the former Tory party deputy chair Lee Anderson, who had the whip suspended after drawing widespread criticism for claiming on Friday that “Islamists” have “got control” of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Joe Middleton26 February 2024 21:00

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Cat killer who told her lover that strangling random man was 'hot' jailed for murder - The Independent

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A woman who live-streamed the dissection and killing of a cat has been jailed for life for murdering an innocent man by drowning him in a river.

Scarlet Blake, 26, walked the streets of Oxford looking for a victim until she encountered Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, during the early hours of 26 July 2021.

She persuaded him to accompany her to the secluded Parson’s Pleasure area, where she is believed to have hit him with an object, strangled him until he lost consciousness and then drowned him in the River Cherwell.

Jurors heard that Blake had a “fixation with violence and with knowing what it would be like to kill someone”, and received sexual gratification from the thought of death. After murdering Carreno, she told a new partner that she had done so because “my lover said it would be hot”.

Blake had a fixation with violence and death and had previously dissected a cat in a live-streamed video

(Thames Valley Police/PA)

Just four months previously, she had live-streamed the horrific killing of a cat in a homage to the Netflix documentary Don’t F*** with Cats. After luring her neighbour’s pet with food and a crate, she dissected the animal, removing its fur and skin before placing its body in a blender.

During the video, the New Order song True Faith can be heard playing in the background while Blake can be heard saying: “Here we go my little friend. Oh boy, you smell like s***. I can’t wait to put you through the blender.”

She later kept its heart as a memento and posed with the animal’s severed head.

At the time, Blake had been in an online relationship with a woman, Ashlynn Bell, in the US, with the two frequently discussing gore, murder and strangulation together.

The court heard that Blake confessed her actions to Ms Bell, but told jurors in her evidence that she had carried out her violent actions to please her partner, who had wanted her to kill someone.

Carreno was approached by Blake after a night out in Oxford

(Thames Valley Police/PA)

Jurors were shown videos of the defendant and Ms Bell engaging in consensual strangulation, with Blake tightening a ligature to the point her partner appeared to fall unconscious.

For two years, Carreno’s fate was unknown despite CCTV appeals to identify Blake, until Ms Bell contacted Thames Valley Police in April 2023.

The Spanish national had been out socialising with work colleagues at a local pub and had been walking home when he encountered Blake, who offered him her bottle of vodka.

She had been wandering around the city’s streets and was seen on CCTV sizing up potential victims before settling on Carreno, who was slighter in stature and more vulnerable after consuming alcohol.

Dressed in a heavy military-style jacket with a facemask, prosecutors suggested that she was carrying a “murder kit” in her rucksack, which consisted of a homemade garrote and a leopard print dressing gown chord.

Jurors were shown texts between Blake and Bell which showed their fixation with death and violence

(Thames Valley Police )

She told jurors that she had walked with Carreno to the secluded riverside area and left him there alive to go home, claiming she had no knowledge of how he died.

However, suggestions that he may have killed himself were rejected by his family and friends while a Home Office pathologist said he did not believe the BMW worker died accidentally.

It later emerged that Blake had spoken about her desire to kill in Parson’s Pleasure as she knew it was “unseen and undisturbed” and had returned to the crime scene at least twice to take pictures to keep as mementos.

“The taking of these photographs showed a profound contempt for the suffering of Jorge’s family and loved ones,” the judge said. “You were completely indifferent to this suffering.”

Pixelated image of Blake posing with the severed head of the cat

(Thames Valley Police/PA)

During her evidence, Blake claimed she had a fragmented personality, which included being a cat, and meowed at the jury to show how she would interact with friends.

She also claimed that it was Ms Bell who had wanted her to kill a human after making her live-stream the killing of the animal.

Having moved to the UK from China when she was nine years old, Blake transitioned at the age of 12 and told the court she had a difficult relationship with her parents.

Accusing her of seeking to blame others for the murder, Mr Justice Chamberlain said this was part of an “elaborate attempt to rationalise what you had done”.

Blake has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years

(Thames Valley Police/PA)

“It is not the fault of a society that didn’t accept you, it it not the fault of your parents,” he said. “Whatever role Ashlynn Bell may have played in encouraging your interest in killing, she remained in the US.

“She did not control or direct you. Even if the decision was motivated in part by a desire to please her, the decision to kill was entirely yours.”

He added that there had been a “clear sexual motivation” for the killing, and that Blake had used her status as a murderer to secure the admiration of others who shared her interests in violence.

She had denied murder but was found guilty after six hours of deliberations and has now been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said: “Your decision to kill Jorge was not a reaction to something he had said or done. It was not a momentary mistake, It was not a decision made in anger or your emotions overcame you.

“It was a culmination of a plan you had been considering and formulating for months before and after 25 July as you showed an obsession with harm and death.”

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Rishi Sunak condemns Lee Anderson's comments as 'wrong' - as suspended MP says his words were 'clumsy' - Sky News

Rishi Sunak has condemned Lee Anderson's attack on Sadiq Khan as unacceptable and "wrong" - as the suspended MP said his words were "clumsy" and "borne out of sheer frustration".

Mr Anderson, the Conservative MP for Ashfield and former deputy party chair, was suspended at the weekend after he refused to apologise for claiming "Islamists" had got "control" over London and that Mr Khan had "given our capital city away to his mates".

Speaking on BBC Radio York, the prime minister denied the Tory party has "Islamophobic tendencies" and said: "Lee's comments weren't acceptable, they were wrong. That's why he's had the whip suspended."

"Words matter, especially in the current environment where tensions are running high. I think it's incumbent on all of us to choose them carefully."

Politics latest: Tories label MP's suspension 'final nail in the party's coffin'

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0:34

Can Lee Anderson be a Tory candidate again?

Mr Sunak's statement to local radio was the first time he has directly addressed the comments made by Mr Anderson, who told GB News last week: "I don't actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they've got control of Khan and they've got control of London... He's actually given our capital city away to his mates."

His comments sparked condemnation from across the political divide, including from Tory peer Baroness Warsi, who said she was "really disturbed by where the Conservative Party has gone" and that "anti-Muslim racism is being used as an electoral campaign tool".

In a fresh statement published by GB News on Monday, Mr Anderson said his words were "clumsy" and "borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city".

However, he doubled down on his refusal to apologise, saying: "If you are wrong, apologising is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

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"But when you think you are right you should never apologise because to do so would be a sign of weakness."

He said: "Seeing the words 'From the river to the sea' on Elizabeth Tower made me feel sick to the pit of my stomach."

Repeating his opposition to the mayor, he said: "Khan has stood by and allowed our police to turn a blind eye to the disgusting scenes around parliament.

"It is not my intention to upset anyone, I believe in free speech and have 100% respect for people of all backgrounds.

"The vast majority of Muslims are not Islamists in the same way the vast majority of Christians are not conservatives or socialists.

"My words may have been clumsy but my words were borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city.

"We've got to get Khan out at the elections in May."

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3:08

'Anti-Muslim racism being used as an electoral campaign tool'

He added: "Sadiq Khan is failing London across the board. On transport with ULEZ and the strikes which he pledged to end. On knife crime and violence against women and girls. The list is endless.

"He's more interested in virtue signalling to his trendy lefty mates by renaming train lines and street signs at a cost of millions of pounds rather than in delivering for our capital city which should be the greatest city on Earth."

Mr Anderson's statement, published by GB News, was drawn up on Saturday, shortly after he made his provocative comments to the channel.

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However, it was not released because of Mr Anderson's refusal to apologise to the London mayor as requested by Tory chief whip Simon Hart.

Mr Sunak said it was "incumbent on all of us, especially those elected to parliament, not to inflame our debates in a way that's harmful to others".

"Words matter, especially in the current environment where tensions are running high and I think it's incumbent on all of us to choose them carefully, he said.

Elsewhere in his interview with local radio, Mr Sunak rejected suggestions his party had a problem with Islamophobia.

Rishi Sunk has tried to draw a line under Lee Anderson - but the row could run on

Tamara Cohen

Political correspondent

@tamcohen

Rishi Sunak this morning tried to close down a row over suspended Tory MP Lee Anderson, describing his comments as "wrong" and saying MPs shouldn't "inflame our debates in a way that's harmful to others".

Mr Anderson – the often controversial MP, who was a surprise pick as the party's deputy chairman last year – claimed on GB News last week that "Islamists" had "got control" of Labour mayor Sadiq Khan.

The prime minister today went further than his deputy, Oliver Dowden, over the weekend - but would not say whether he thought the remarks were racist, as Mr Khan himself and some Tories have.

It's an attempt to draw a line under the row, allowing his colleagues to claim Mr Sunak acted "decisively".

But there are several reasons this could run and run.

One is that Mr Sunak has touched on one of his party's fault lines, with some 2019 MPs defending Mr Anderson in their WhatsApp groups - although other senior figures are horrified.

Mr Anderson himself, who could have avoided suspension by apologising, could stoke it further – he is already tweeting about people's support for him, and has a TV platform to make further noise.

Mr Sunak has been trying in recent days to make a point about protests that are "hijacked by extremists" who he says are undermining democracy by intimidation.

Tory sources admit Mr Anderson's comments are particularly unhelpful in this context. With another vote on Gaza on the cards, tensions will be running high on all sides.

The prime minister said it was "not a fair characterisation at all" to argue he had taken a tough stance on antisemitism but had overlooked Islamophobia in his party - saying racism or prejudice "any kind" was "completely unacceptable" and "not British".

Earlier today, a cabinet minister appeared to leave the door open to Mr Anderson regaining the Tory whip, which allows him to sit as a Conservative MP in the Commons.

Asked what Mr Anderson needed to say to be welcomed back, Transport Secretary Mark Harper told Kay Burley on Sky News he should "reflect on what he said" and "retract those comments and apologise".

"He's contributed a lot in the past. I'd like to see him be able to contribute to the Conservative Party in the future," he said.

Read more:
Lee Anderson row blunts Rishi Sunak's moral authority on racism
MPs set to debate Gaza ceasefire again after Commons chaos

While a number of senior Tories have criticised Mr Anderson for his comments, Mr Harper was the second cabinet minister to refuse to say whether the remarks were "racist".

Yesterday, Mr Dowden backed the decision to suspend the Ashfield MP but refused to say whether he was racist.

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'It was wrong'

WhatsApp messages leaked to Sky News reveal some Tory MPs regard Mr Anderson's suspension as a mistake.

The WhatsApp forum is called the "109 group" of Tory MPs elected in 2019.

Jill Mortimer, the Conservative MP for Hartlepool, shared messages from constituents saying they would not vote Tory again and that "Lee Anderson's suspension is the final nail in the party's coffin".

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2024-02-26 12:31:48Z
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Elderly man and woman found dead in Rochdale house named - Manchester Evening News

The man and woman were found dead by police in a home in Rochdale have been named as Carol and Brian Makin. The pair were discovered when a worried neighbour made a concern for welfare call on Thursday (February 22).

Emergency services had to force their way into a property at The Woods, near Castleton Moor, and found two people aged in their 70s lying dead inside. Forensics, paramedics, fire crews and officials from gas distribution company Cadent descended onto the scene.

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Their cause of their death has not yet been confirmed. GMP remained outside the detached house on the quiet cul-de-sac for a number of days.

Following the double tragedy, one stunned resident said: “We don’t really know the family but they’re an elderly couple. A really nice couple. It’s just two of them. I just moved here a year ago and it’s really weird to see that on your doorstep."

Another neighbour told the M.E.N: “It’s an elderly couple who live there and I don’t get to see them that often, we just wave when we’re going out.”

Another described the scene as they returned home from work, adding: “All I know is that I came home and saw lots of police. I know that a couple live there and I know that they’re elderly. I don’t know what happened but it looks pretty serious.”

Rochdale Coroner's Court confirmed it had received a file from Greater Manchester Police in relation to the deaths.

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2024-02-26 11:06:00Z
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