Former armed forces minister James Heappey says UK must prepare for war despite being 'long way behind' - Sky News

Preparing the nation for war is the best way to maximise the chance of peace - but the UK is a "very long way behind", a former defence minister has warned.

In a sign of how alien the idea of homeland defence has become to Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, James Heappey said officials declined to take part in a "whole of government" exercise to practice evacuating to a bunker in the event of war.

It was a drill former defence secretary Ben Wallace had pushed for "to get people down to the bunker so they could see what their working environment in war would be", Mr Heappey wrote in an article for the Sunday Telegraph.

"In the end, rather depressingly, it was just defence ministers, senior military officers and MoD (Ministry of Defence) officials that participated."

This was a shame because the exercise "would have exposed how out of date many of our procedures now are", Mr Heappey, who resigned as armed forces minister last month, said.

His damning intervention came after Sky News this week revealed that the government has no national plan for the defence of the UK or the mobilisation of its people and industry in a war despite renewed threats of conflict.

Image: In a series - called Prepared For War? - Sky News explores how prepared the UK is for the possibility of armed conflict

Officials have started to develop a cross-government "national defence plan" amid warnings from ministers that the UK has moved into a "pre-war world".

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But any shift back to a Cold War-style, ready-for-war footing would require political leaders to make defence a genuinely national effort once again, sources told Sky News.

Mr Heappey said there must be a new focus on strategic resilience - such as securing food and energy supplies and repurposing industry to build weapons - as well as more money for defence.

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Piling pressure on Rishi Sunak, he wrote: "Only a foolish PM wouldn't see that the long-term trend is towards global instability that could easily lead to a new cold war and perhaps something even hotter.

"Preparing for war now both through increasing spending on defence but also through a focus on our strategic resilience is the best way to maximise the chance of peace."

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2:26

From February: UK's 'warfighting readiness' in doubt

Mr Heappey said he did not believe World War Three was imminent but he heaped praise on Sweden for how it has prepared its citizens for potential conflict.

He described receiving a booklet from the Swedish civil defence minister which explained what citizens should do in time of war, including the sort of provisions they should hold.

"He gave me a copy of that booklet and I kept it on my desk thereafter. It's a stark reminder that war is a whole nation endeavour and, to be frank, in the UK we're a very long way behind."

Read more from Sky News:
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World's oldest living man reveals secret to long life

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2:53

From March: James Heappey steps down as MP

On the bunker drill, the former minister said that all secretaries of state - not just defence - have a desk and a bed ready for them in a bunker.

This is not so they are able to survive a nuclear attack "for re-populating our islands after the apocalypse" but "because their departments are as integral to the war effort as the MoD".

It was a fundamental part of working in government during the Cold War - a discipline that has all but disappeared despite renewed threats from Russia following Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine as well as war in the Middle East and concerns about China.

"I suspect there are plenty of cabinet ministers who don't even know where their desk or bed in the bunker is," Mr Heappey wrote.

"There might even be one or two who don't even know where the bunker is!"

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The UK once had a large network of bunkers, built during the Cold War, to help keep some form of regional governments running in the event of a nuclear attack by the Soviet Union.

However, most of these subterranean safe-houses stopped being used in the 1990s when the Cold War ended.

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Storm Kathleen: Dozens of flights cancelled following weather alert - BBC.com

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind

Dozens of flights have been cancelled as Storm Kathleen brings strong winds and the warmest day of the year so far to the UK.

About 140 flights departing and arriving at UK airports were cancelled after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind.

Rail and ferry services have also been affected in Scotland.

Wind gusts of over 70mph (112km/h) swept many parts and temperatures hit 21.4C (70.5F) in eastern England.

The strongest gusts of 101mph were recorded at the summit of Cairngorm, a mountain in the Scottish Highlands.

The year's warmest temperature was recorded in Lakenheath, Suffolk, on Saturday, BBC Weather said. This beat the previous high of 19.9C in north-west Scotland in January.

The most significant impacts of the storm have been felt in the north-west and south-west of England and parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Thousands of passengers experienced delays when flights were cancelled at airports including Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Belfast City.

The vast majority of flights affected were those travelling within the UK and to and from the island of Ireland.

EasyJet flights to and from the Isle of Man were also halted.

The 11th named storm in eight months, Storm Kathleen was named by the Irish met service, Met Éireann, because the Republic of Ireland was expected to feel its effects most acutely.

Around 12,000 customers have been left without electricity as the storm moves across the island of Ireland, where trees have fallen in the strong winds.

In Northern Ireland, Met Office yellow wind warning for counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry is set to lift at 22:00 BST on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, part of the roof of the Titanic Belfast museum was damaged by the storm.

Some Irish Sea coastal regions have seen gusts of 69mph and large waves.

In Capel Curing, north Wales, wind speeds reached 68mph.

Coastal areas in Ireland have been hit by high winds

P&O Ferries cancelled ferry services travelling between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland, with ferry services to and from the Isle of Man also disrupted.

The strong winds have also seen sports matches rearranged, with Saturday evening's EPCR Challenge Cup rugby match between Edinburgh and Bayonne moved from the Hive Stadium to Murrayfield.

Storm Kathleen is expected to ease by Sunday evening.

The Met Office has warned of "large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts"

BBC weather forecaster George Goodfellow said the storm had brought warm air from north-west Africa over the North Atlantic.

He said: "It's still sat out there to the west of the UK - it's fairly slow-moving, as much as we've had strong winds. We're expecting further strong winds tomorrow as well."

While eastern parts of the country have been "a bit on the windy side in places, the main thing is how warm it's been," the forecaster added.

"It's not unusual to get such warm temperatures in April, but looking at the temperatures we've had recently, [Saturday is] quite a lot warmer than it has been. To suddenly break through the 20 degree barrier is quite impressive," he said.

The highest recorded temperature for April was 29.4C, recorded in Camden Square in London in 1949, Mr Goodfellow said.

While the storm is not unusual in terms of its intensity, he said the fact Storm Kathleen will last until Sunday means "it's a fairly long-lived thing."

More than 110 flood alerts are in place across England. The Environment Agency has issued 15 flood warnings where flooding is expected.

RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: "This intense period of stormy weather is going to prove extremely challenging for anyone driving on the western side of the UK.

"We strongly urge drivers to avoid exposed coasts and higher routes where the impact of the very strong winds is most likely to be felt."

Find out the weather forecast for your area, with an hourly breakdown and a 14-day lookahead, by downloading the BBC Weather app: Apple - Android - Amazon

The BBC Weather app is only available to download in the UK.

Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

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2024-04-07 03:13:28Z
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Bradford stabbing: Woman, 27, dies in city centre attack - BBC

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By Andre Rhoden-Paul

BBC News

A 27-year-old woman has died after being stabbed in Bradford city centre, West Yorkshire Police said.

Officers were called to Westgate, near Drewton Road, at 15:21 BST on Saturday over reports a woman was stabbed by a man, who later fled.

She was taken to hospital but later died of her injuries, police said.

Det Ch Insp Stacey Atkinson said it happened "in broad daylight in a busy area" - as a murder investigation was launched.

She added police were working to locate and arrest the man responsible.

The woman has not been formally identified, but her family have been informed.

The force appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage.

"A scene remains in place which includes some road closures and I thank the public for their patience while we conduct our enquiries," Det Ch Insp Atkinson said.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk

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Dozens of flights cancelled as Storm Kathleen hits west of UK - The Guardian

Dozens of UK flights were cancelled on Saturday as Storm Kathleen brought winds of up to 70mph and triggered the warmest day of the year so far.

About 140 flights departing and arriving at UK airports were cancelled, leaving travellers stranded in Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester and Birmingham. The Met Office also issued a yellow weather warning for the north-west and south-west of England and parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Temperatures reached 20.9C in Santon Downham, Suffolk, making it provisionally the hottest day of the year, as warm air poured in from the continent.

Ellie Glaisyer of the Met Office said: “The storm is the reason we are seeing the warmer temperatures because its location – situated out towards the west of the UK – is bringing a southerly wind across the UK. Almost anywhere is going to see above-average temperatures.”

Storm Kathleen is likely to ease by Saturday evening.

However, another weather system heading towards the south-west is expected to replace it, Glaisyer added. “Outbreaks of rain through Monday will mainly affect western parts of the UK.”

In Ireland last night, about 12,000 customers were still without electricity out of 34,000 who lost their power supply during the day when Kathleen struck, while P&O Ferries cancelled sailings between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland. Parts of Scotland experienced particularly high winds, with gusts of 98mph recorded in the Highlands.

The Environment Agency issued 14 flood warnings – where flooding is “expected” – and 113 flood alerts in England on Saturday, with National Resources Wales issuing a further six flood alerts. The Met Office warned of injuries and danger to life from “large waves and beach material being thrown on to seafronts, coastal roads and properties”.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “This intense period of stormy weather is going to prove extremely challenging for anyone driving on the western side of the UK.

“We strongly urge drivers to avoid exposed coasts and higher routes where the impact of the very strong winds is most likely to be felt.”

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Boris Johnson: Shameful to call for UK to end arms sales to Israel - BBC

Reuters

By Thomas Mackintosh

BBC News

Former prime minister Boris Johnson has said it is "shameful" to call for the UK to end arms sales to Israel.

Three Britons were among seven aid workers killed in air strikes in Gaza carried out by Israel's army on Monday.

It has led the Lib Dems, SNP and some Labour and Conservative MPs to urge the UK to reassess how it supports Israel.

The Foreign Office said on Thursday it kept advice on Israel's adherence to the law under review, adding that this was confidential.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Mr Johnson said it would be "insane" for the UK to end military support, which he said would be "willing the military defeat of Israel and the victory of Hamas".

Mr Johnson, a former foreign secretary, wrote: "Remember that in order to win this conflict, Hamas only has to survive. All they need at the end is to hang on, rebuild, and go again.

"That's victory for Hamas; and that is what these legal experts seem to be asking for."

More than 600 lawyers, including former Supreme Court justices, this week wrote to the government saying weapon exports to Israel must end because the UK risks breaking international law over a "plausible risk of genocide" in Gaza. Israel rejects the claim of genocide as "wholly unfounded".

Three Britons were among the World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers who died in the strikes: John Chapman, 57, James "Jim" Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47.

World Central Kitchen

WCK founder Jose Andres claimed the Israeli military knew of his aid workers' movements and targeted them "systematically, car by car".

Israeli officials reacted by sacking two senior military officers over the strikes, which it has described as a "grave mistake stemming from a serious failure".

Mr Johnson said it was "shattering" to see the deaths, but Israel was sending warnings of their attacks and "trying to use precision munitions".

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron previously said the UK would carefully review findings of the initial Israel Defense Forces (IDF) report into the incident, which was released on Friday.

• What we know about Israeli strike on aid convoy
• Inside IDF's detailed briefing on aid convoy attack
• Who were the seven aid workers killed in Gaza?

Much of the Gaza Strip has been devastated during the IDF military operations which began after Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages.

More than 33,091 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

On Thursday a UK Foreign Office spokesman said: "We keep advice on Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law under review and ministers act in accordance with that advice, for example when considering export licences.

"The content of the government's advice is confidential."

British arms sales to Israel are lower than those of other countries, including Germany and Italy, and dwarfed by the billions supplied by its largest arms supplier, the US.

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2024-04-06 09:32:33Z
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Storm Kathleen 2024 UK: Met Office warns furious 70mph winds to hit coast - The Independent

UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

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Parts of the UK are set to be battered by winds of up to 70mph this weekend as Storm Kathleen tears across the country.

A danger to life yellow wind warning is currently in force as strong gusty winds will hit western areas of the UK through Saturday.

A further yellow warning for wind has been issued for north-west Scotland on Sunday between 9am and 3pm.

Across the island of Ireland, thousands of customers have been left without electricity as an orange wind warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford came into effect at 7am and will lift at 2pm, while another status orange wind warning is in place for Galway and Mayo until 6pm.

Power outages reported on Saturday morning were concentrated in the south and west of the country.

But for the eastern side of the UK, this weekend will bring some “unseasonably warm air” leaving parts of Britain warmer than Lisbon, Portugal where temperatures hover at 17C.

“When combined with sunny spells in East Anglia we could see temperatures reaching 21°C or 22°C for a time on Saturday.

“These temperatures are well above average for the time of year and the highest we’ve seen in the UK since last October,” Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri said.

1712400527

Power cuts for thousands as Storm Kathleen sweeps across Ireland

Thousands of customers have been left without electricity as Storm Kathleen sweeps across the island of Ireland.

An orange wind warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford came into effect at 7am and will lift at 2pm, while another status orange wind warning is in place for Galway and Mayo until 6pm.

A yellow wind warning is in place nationwide until 8pm.

Power outages reported on Saturday morning were concentrated in the south and west of the country.

Forecaster Met Eireann has warned of gale force southerly winds bringing a risk of difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, power outages and flooding along coastal areas.

(PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain6 April 2024 11:48

1712400352

Southerly winds bringing warmer temperatures today

Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said: “The storm is the reason we are seeing the warmer temperatures, because the location of the storm – situated out towards the west of the UK – is bringing a southerly wind across the UK.

“This is bringing those warmer temperatures from the continent, meaning we are likely to see temperatures reaching 22C.”

The highest temperature of the year so far was 19.9C, recorded at the end of January at Achfary in north-west Scotland.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain6 April 2024 11:45

1712397336

Dozens of flights cancelled as Storm Kathleen hits UK

Dozens of UK flights have been cancelled as Storm Kathleen brings winds of up to 70mph – and potentially the hottest day of the year so far.

About 70 flights departing and arriving at UK airports before midday on Saturday have already been cancelled as the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind.

A further yellow warning for wind has been issued for north-west Scotland on Sunday between 9am and 3pm.

(Getty Images)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain6 April 2024 10:55

1712394422

Trains across Scotland to run slower

Network Rail Scotland says: “Storm Kathleen will bring 50-60mph winds to Scotland from around lunchtime today. Based on that, we’ve taken the decision to slow trains down in several areas between 12 noon and 7pm.

“On the West Highland Line, trains will run slower than normal along most of the route – including the Oban and Mallaig branches. On the Borders Railway, trains will run slower than normal along the entire route.

“On the Glasgow Central – Edinburgh Waverley routes, we’ll also slow trains down. For services running via Carstairs it’ll be for around 6 miles near Auchengray. For services running via Shotts, it’ll be for around 8 miles between Shotts and Addiewell.

“Our specialist weather forecaster, based in our control room, will monitor the storm using live wind data. If we can remove these speed restrictions sooner, we will. Likewise, if we need to take further action, we will. If that happens, we’ll let you know though.

“If you’re travelling one of the routes we’ve mentioned today, your journey will take longer than usual, so please do check your journey before you leave the house. We’ll update you again following our next extreme weather meeting at lunchtime.”

Simon Calder6 April 2024 10:07

1712392136

Mapped: Which parts of UK will be battered by Storm Kathleen

The storm, the 11th of the season and named by the Irish Meteorological Service on Thursday, rolled in with blustery conditions on Friday.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain6 April 2024 09:28

1712389789

UK set to have hottest day of year so far – as Storm Kathleen tears towards Britain with danger-to-life winds

The Met Office said temperatures on Saturday could reach up to 22C in East Anglia, but issued a yellow warning elsewhere for gusts of up to 70mph.

Road, rail, air and ferry travel could all be disrupted as Storm Kathleen rolls in, forecasters said.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain6 April 2024 08:49

1712383200

Mercury could hit 21C

Temperatures could rise as high as 21C on Saturday in Norfolk, the Met Office predicts.

Jane Dalton6 April 2024 07:00

1712377800

Storm Kathleen is coming and Lilian won’t be far behind

No storm season has ever got beyond the letter K. But this is the second time in a UK storm season that the letter K has been reached in the alphabet:

Jane Dalton6 April 2024 05:30

1712372100

February was wettest in 258 years

The weekend storm comes after the Met Office’s preliminary figures showed February was the wettest in over two-and-a-half centuries:

Jane Dalton6 April 2024 03:55

1712364900

Storm to pass over Ireland and west of England

Met Office imagery shows Storm Kathleen off the west coast of Spain heading towards the British Isles and passing over the island of Ireland and western England before pushing away towards Greenland.

Jane Dalton6 April 2024 01:55

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2024-04-06 10:13:37Z
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'Shameful' Cheshire Police officer jailed after having sex during 999 call-out - Runcorn and Widnes World

Jordan Masterson will serve three and a half years behind bars after being convicted of misconduct in public office.

The former Cheshire Police officer had claimed he was “powerless” when he had sex with a woman after responding to a 999 call.

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division, said: “There was no excuse or justification for the actions of Masterson – who at the time was a serving police officer responding to a 999 call.

“He exploited the woman’s vulnerability in her own home and took advantage of someone who needed his support.

“His shameful behaviour amounted to a serious abuse of the trust which the public rightly have in a police officer not to act in this manner.

“He knew what he had done was wrong, and then attempted to cast doubt on the woman’s account by urging his colleagues to attend her home with at least two officers in future.

“I hope this conviction reassures the public and the victim in this case that nobody is above the law and that all offenders will be held accountable.”

Masterson, 28, was a probationary police constable, stationed in Widnes, Cheshire, when he was called to the home of the woman, referred to in court as female G, in the early hours of December 28 2021.

The woman had been drinking alcohol and was “emotional” after reporting a disturbance, Chester Crown Court heard.

Masterson turned his bodyworn camera off about 15 minutes into his visit to her home and consensual sexual intercourse followed while the woman’s children were asleep in the house.

The defendant was arrested after a complaint was made and he told detectives that it was the woman who instigated physical contact and he was “powerless” and unable to react.

He claimed the woman pulled him on top of her onto the sofa as he told his trial: “I just remember being confused, feeling completely numb like I was glued to the floor.”

However, a jury in February unanimously convicted him of misconduct in a public office and he was sentenced on Friday (April 5).

Judge Michael Leeming said: “Your behaviour over the course of this night and your dealings with the victim amounted to a gross breach of trust.

“The public is entitled to expect their police officers to act with the utmost integrity.

“Female G needed your help.

“Instead you took advantage of her to satisfy your own sexual needs.

“You see yourself as the victim and you blame her for ruining your career.

“I reject those assertions.

“You told the jury that it was your dream since being a teenager to join the police.

“You have now lost that career and you only have yourself to blame for that.”

Masterson, of Townsend Avenue, Liverpool, resigned from Cheshire Constabulary in the summer of 2022 after almost two years of service.

An accelerated misconduct hearing was held by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) before the criminal proceedings and gross misconduct was found proven.

Masterson, who would have been dismissed from the force had he not already resigned, was placed on the barred list, meaning he cannot be employed in policing in the future.

Female G, who could not attend the sentencing, said the incident was “beyond traumatic” and she was no longer the person she was.

She added: “I have zero trust in the police and figures of authority.”

Vanessa Thomson, defending, said her client’s mental health had deteriorated since his arrest and that a medical report had stated in December 2021 he was likely suffering the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from childhood trauma.

Masterson has since been diagnosed with “complex PTSD”, the court was told.

The defendant’s partner and her family continue to support him, Miss Thomson added.

Masterson was also handed an indefinite restraining order from contacting female G.

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