'Small amounts of radiological material' found in UK home as counter terror cops deny 'dirty bomb' claims - The Mirror

Specialist police officers searching a house in Bedfordshire have confirmed "radiological material" has been discovered inside a home at the centre of a counter terrorism probe.

Bedfordshire Police launched a probe on May 6 after a “number of suspicious substances” were found at a house in Caddington. Among them were “very small traces of radiological material”. It was later confirmed a 31-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of a terrorism offence and is still in police custody.

Police say there is no risk to the public. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We’re aware of some media reports and speculation which has suggested a ‘dirty bomb’-type device or materials may have been identified.

"I want to reassure the local community and the wider public we have found no evidence any form of ‘dirty bomb’ has been or was being constructed, nor any evidence one was being planned. As we’ve said previously, we have found a number of suspicious substances at the address in Caddington. Our priority at all times has been public safety – particularly in relation to other residents living nearby.

Investigations at the house are ongoing as police moved to reassure the public ( Marcin Nowak/LNP)

“We have had support from highly trained, specialist officers who have been helping us to identify and recover items and substances in the safest possible way, so as not to put those who are searching the property, nor those living in the area, at any risk. During the searches over the past few days, some very small traces of radiological material have been detected.

“I want to stress at no stage was it identified as being at a level that would pose any kind of risk or harm to the public.I can also reassure the community further inquiries and analysis has confirmed the substances containing these traces are found in everyday use – such as material found in smoke alarms, or those historically used in paints for luminescent watch dials.

“Specialist officers continue to search the property, and we continue to monitor this extremely closely to ensure that there continues to be no risk to the public. Finally, I’d like to thank the local community for their continued support and understanding while this investigation remains ongoing.”

The man was first arrested and bailed on suspicion of causing explosions likely to endanger life and possession of class A drugs. After further searches of the property on Hyde Road the investigation was passed to the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command on Monday May 13.

The Met said the items discovered are being safely identified and removed by specialist officers. It was previously reported an ordnance disposal team had carried out a “controlled explosion” at the site.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pcnJvci5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLW5ld3Mvc21hbGwtYW1vdW50cy1yYWRpb2xvZ2ljYWwtbWF0ZXJpYWwtZm91bmQtMzI4Mjk0MTLSAVxodHRwczovL3d3dy5taXJyb3IuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay1uZXdzL3NtYWxsLWFtb3VudHMtcmFkaW9sb2dpY2FsLW1hdGVyaWFsLWZvdW5kLTMyODI5NDEyLmFtcA?oc=5

2024-05-16 19:40:00Z
CBMiWGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1pcnJvci5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLW5ld3Mvc21hbGwtYW1vdW50cy1yYWRpb2xvZ2ljYWwtbWF0ZXJpYWwtZm91bmQtMzI4Mjk0MTLSAVxodHRwczovL3d3dy5taXJyb3IuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay1uZXdzL3NtYWxsLWFtb3VudHMtcmFkaW9sb2dpY2FsLW1hdGVyaWFsLWZvdW5kLTMyODI5NDEyLmFtcA

Devon: South West Water refuses to say when boil water notice will be lifted after disease outbreak - Sky News

A South West Water boss has refused to give a timeline on when a notice to boil tap water will be lifted after a parasite was found in a key reservoir.

Speaking to Sky News, Laura Flowerdue, the company's chief customer officer, confirmed the suggestion it was likely a broken air valve contaminated by animal faeces that had caused the incident which left dozens ill and thousands unable to drink tap water.

However, she refused to give a timeframe on how long the incident would run on for - leaving thousands of residents facing an uncertain future.

She said: "We're still working through the operational processes to ensure we can absolutely link the root causes.

"We then need to take steps to repair any damage and then make sure we flush any issues through the network... before we lift the notice."

When pressed on how long it would take, she said: "We are working hard to be able to give more decisive information about that timeline.

"At this stage we absolutely want to ensure we're giving the right information to customers."

Image: Collection points for bottled water have been set up by South West Water

It comes after residents in parts of south Devon were told to boil their drinking water on Wednesday after the water firm found "small traces" of the parasite cryptosporidium - which causes cryptosporidiosis - in the Hillhead reservoir.

At first, it said the water was safe to drink, but then backtracked and had to issue a boil notice to 16,000 households and businesses in Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland and North West Paignton.

Advertisement

The UK Health Security Agency said 22 people are confirmed to have contracted the disease, with as many as 70 other cases under investigation.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

0:44

What's the waterborne disease in Devon?

Ms Flowerdue said: "We have identified that there is a damaged air valve on the network near the Hillhead Reservoir - but we absolutely want to make sure that's the only source [of the contamination].

"We understand this a valve on one of the pipes heading towards the reservoir in a farmer's field, there are cattle in the field and it's a possibility that's the source of the contamination."

South West Water previously apologised for the disease outbreak in Devon after the parasite was found in the key reservoir.

The water company belatedly increased the compensation offered to affected customers from £15 to £100 to "say sorry for the stress and worry the situation has caused".

Read more:
What we know about parasite found in Devon drinking water
Warning to boil drinking water in Devon area
Water firm apologises after parasite detected in reservoir

Image: South West Water was unable to say when the issue would be resolved

Amid the chaos, one primary school closed its doors due to not having safe running drinking water.

The local council confirmed Eden Park Primary School shut its doors Thursday - but said it was thought to be the only school to have done so.

Reporting from Brixham, Sky News also found one woman had to rush her son, 13, to the hospital.

Meanwhile, GPs in the area have seen an increased number of calls.

Elsewhere, at collection points for bottled water run by South West Water, families are only allowed a maximum of six litres - but demand is high, with the queue for one site stretching over half a mile.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall has been outspoken about the incident affecting his constituents.

He pushed the water company for greater "clarification" and communication over what was going on and warned the boil water notice could last "at least a further six or seven days".

Speaking to Sky News, one local said: "What do I make of this? I can't really say it on the news can I?"

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigAFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9zb3V0aC13ZXN0LXdhdGVyLXJlZnVzZXMtdG8tc2F5LXdoZW4tYm9pbC13YXRlci1ub3RpY2Utd2lsbC1iZS1saWZ0ZWQtYWZ0ZXItZGlzZWFzZS1vdXRicmVhay0xMzEzNzIxN9IBhAFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvc291dGgtd2VzdC13YXRlci1yZWZ1c2VzLXRvLXNheS13aGVuLWJvaWwtd2F0ZXItbm90aWNlLXdpbGwtYmUtbGlmdGVkLWFmdGVyLWRpc2Vhc2Utb3V0YnJlYWstMTMxMzcyMTc?oc=5

2024-05-16 17:26:15Z
CBMigAFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9zb3V0aC13ZXN0LXdhdGVyLXJlZnVzZXMtdG8tc2F5LXdoZW4tYm9pbC13YXRlci1ub3RpY2Utd2lsbC1iZS1saWZ0ZWQtYWZ0ZXItZGlzZWFzZS1vdXRicmVhay0xMzEzNzIxN9IBhAFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvc291dGgtd2VzdC13YXRlci1yZWZ1c2VzLXRvLXNheS13aGVuLWJvaWwtd2F0ZXItbm90aWNlLXdpbGwtYmUtbGlmdGVkLWFmdGVyLWRpc2Vhc2Utb3V0YnJlYWstMTMxMzcyMTc

Boy, 5, dies in fall from upper floor of east London block of flats - BBC

By Harry Low

BBC News

A five-year-old boy has died after falling from a tower block of flats in east London.

The child fell from the upper floors of Jacobs House in New City Road, Plaistow, at about 06:00 BST. He died at the scene.

A neighbour who called the emergency services said the boy's parents were "inconsolable".

The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner, the Met Police says.

"Our thoughts are with the child's family at this time," a Met spokesperson said, adding they were supporting relatives with specialist officers.

A resident of Jacob's House, who gave his name as JJ, said the boy had lived on the 15th floor.

He said he witnessed a man go to the boy and cry out: "No, my son."

Another resident, Ansert Davis, said he saw the boy's father "rolling on the floor" and also "saying 'my son'".

Mr Davis, who had previously seen the family playing on the swings, said the boy's mother was "distraught".

He saw another neighbour run out to try and help: "She came running around, took one look at the child and turned back shaking.

"I keep seeing the image in my head. It's so sad, I've got a grandkid about this age. Oh my God, it's like seeing your own kids."

Another resident, who did not give their name, said the boy was an Arsenal supporter and described him as "a really nice boy."

At the scene

Paul Hawkins, BBC London

People are starting to leave flowers near the spot where the five-year-old boy died.

Some people here are still hearing about the news, reacting with a mix of shock and empathy.

Carol, who lives near the block, said her husband "woke up this morning and heard the screams" and said something terrible must have happened.

"He drove by and saw the ambulance and the police and this is what we woke up to, which is very sad."

A Met spokesperson said "officers, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance" attended the incident.

"A five-year-old boy had fallen from an upper floor of an apartment block. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he sadly died at the scene," they said.

PA Media

A spokesperson from Newham Council said: "We are deeply sorry to hear about this devastating incident.

"We extend our sincere condolences to all those affected.

"We have staff at the location to provide reassurance to residents at this difficult time while we work with partners to establish the full facts."

The boy was previously reported to have been six years old. This has since been corrected by the Metropolitan Police Service to five years old.

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

• Plaistow
• London

Related Internet Links

• Metropolitan Police

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiNWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLWVuZ2xhbmQtbG9uZG9uLTY5MDE5ODQ00gE5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWstZW5nbGFuZC1sb25kb24tNjkwMTk4NDQuYW1w?oc=5

2024-05-16 17:41:13Z
CBMiNWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLWVuZ2xhbmQtbG9uZG9uLTY5MDE5ODQ00gE5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWstZW5nbGFuZC1sb25kb24tNjkwMTk4NDQuYW1w

Vaughan Gething sacks minister accused of leak over deleted Covid WhatsApps - The Telegraph

The First Minister of Wales has sacked a member of his government who he claims leaked a message suggesting he had misled the Covid Inquiry.

Labour’s Vaughan Gething, who became First Minister in March, said on Thursday that he had “no alternative” but to dismiss Hannah Blythyn, the minister for social partnership.

Mr Gething told the Covid Inquiry in March that he did not intentionally delete pandemic WhatsApp correspondence – only for a leaked iMessage earlier this month to emerge suggesting he had done so.

“Having reviewed the evidence available to me regarding the recent disclosure of communication to the media, I have regrettably reached the conclusion I have no alternative but to ask Hannah Blythyn to leave the government,” he said.

Ms Blythyn denied responsibility for the leak, saying she was “deeply shocked” by the dismissal.

“I am clear and have been clear that I did not, nor have I ever leaked anything,” she said. “Integrity is all in politics and I retain mine.”

Mr Gething, who was the health minister during the pandemic, told the Covid Inquiry that lost messages were not deleted by him but by the Senedd’s IT team during a security rebuild.

But an iMessage leaked to the news website Nation.Cymru earlier this month cast doubt on his version of events.

In a message posted to the ministerial group chat on Aug 17 2020, Mr Gething appears to have said: “I’m deleting the messages in this group. They can be captured in an FOI [Freedom of Information request] and I think we are in the right place on the choice being made.”

He denied last week that the message contradicted the evidence he had given to the inquiry in March, claiming that the message did not relate to pandemic decision-making but “comments that colleagues make to and about each other”.

Vaughan Gething told the Covid Inquiry in March that he did not intentionally delete pandemic WhatsApp correspondence Credit: Francesca Jones/REUTERS

But Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, has called for Mr Gething to consider his position.

“The sacking of one of his ministers and the allegations and counter allegations which surround it, demonstrates again that the First Minister’s priority is self-preservation rather than the public interest,” he said.

Andrew RT Davies, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, told The Telegraph: “The First Minister needs to take responsibility for his actions.

“He should have provided all of the evidence, including his messages, to the UK Covid Inquiry, but he failed to do so despite stating to them that he had.

“Vaughan Gething has instead decided to punish the person that he claims is the whistleblower.”

A spokesman for the Covid Inquiry previously confirmed it had been made aware of the leaked message and was considering whether Mr Gething needed to provide further information.

Lying at a statutory public inquiry amounts to perjury, which on conviction can lead to a prison sentence of up to seven years.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRlbGVncmFwaC5jby51ay9uZXdzLzIwMjQvMDUvMTYvdmF1Z2hhbi1nZXRoaW5nLXNhY2tzLW1pbmlzdGVyLWxlYWtpbmctY292aWQtd2hhdHNhcHBzL9IBAA?oc=5

2024-05-16 16:42:00Z
CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRlbGVncmFwaC5jby51ay9uZXdzLzIwMjQvMDUvMTYvdmF1Z2hhbi1nZXRoaW5nLXNhY2tzLW1pbmlzdGVyLWxlYWtpbmctY292aWQtd2hhdHNhcHBzL9IBAA

Sycamore Gap tree: Man pleads not guilty to cutting down famous tree - live - The Independent

Sycamore Gap: Iconic tree at Hadrian’s Wall chopped down in apparent act of vandalism

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Two men have appeared in court on Wednesday in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree - which has been valued at £620,000 in criminal damage.

Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, have been charged with causing the damage, the Crown Prosecution Service said. They are on bail.

Graham entered pleas of not guilty, while Carruthers entered no plea.

There was a national outcry in September when the much-loved, centuries-old tree in rural Northumberland was found to have been cut down.

The tree, believed to have been one of the most photographed in the country, used to sit in a gap along Hadrian’s Wall – a Unesco world heritage site – and a popular hotspot for tourists and walkers.

Its origins are believed to have dated back to medieval times and it has been excavated on two previous occasions – between 1908 and 1911 and again between 1982 and 1987 – when Roman remains linked to Hadrian’s Wall were found.

Northumberland National Park (NNP) said it had received 2,000 “heartfelt” messages from people from all around the world expressing sadness and that it had been inundated with offers of help.

1715793895

Pictures show the two men accused leaving court

(Getty Images)

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 May 2024 18:24

1715791316

Court sketch shows two men accused in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree

Daniel Graham, 38, (left)of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, 31, of Church Street, Wigton, Cumbria, appeared in the dock at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.

They are accused of causing £622,191 worth of damage to the much-photographed Sycamore Gap tree

(Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 May 2024 17:41

1715787069

Loss of Sycamore Gap tree caused ‘serious distress’, court hears

During the hearing, Rebecca Brown, prosecuting, said that the tree was “instantly recognisable”.

She said the cost of the damage to the tree was assessed using the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees (CAVAT) tool used by local authorities to work out the level of compensation needed to replace a tree.

Ms Brown said factors involved in the calculation involved the size of the tree, its type and the number of people who had access to it.

The lawyer said the loss of the tree had caused “serious distress”, as well as economic and social damage.

The case was “complex” and involved cell site analysis, number plate recognition technology, botany, evaluation of the tree and “image enhancement”, she said.

(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 May 2024 16:31

1715783211

Case ‘too serious’ for magistrates’ court, judge says

A district judge said that the case of two men accused of felling the famous Sycamore Gap tree was so serious that it must be dealt with at the crown court.

Daniel Graham, 38, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, 31, of Church Street, Wigton, Cumbria, are accused of causing £622,191 worth of damage to the much-photographed tree.

They are also accused of causing £1,144 worth of damage to Hadrian’s Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site, which was hit by the falling tree when it was felled overnight on September 28.

Both the tree and the wall were said to belong to the National Trust.

Graham entered pleas of not guilty, while Carruthers entered no plea.

District Judge Zoe Passfield declined jurisdiction, saying: “This case is too serious to be heard in the magistrates’ court.”

The pair will attend Newcastle Crown Court on June 12 for their next hearing and they were both granted unconditional bail in the meantime.

Daniel Graham, left, and Adam Carruthers, right, wore masks outside court (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 May 2024 15:26

1715782200

More pictures of the defendants at court

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Sam Rkaina15 May 2024 15:10

1715780518

Accused men pictured outside court

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were pictured leaving Newcastle Upon Tyne Magistrates’ Court after appearing in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.

The much-photographed tree, which stood next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland for 200 years, was chopped down in September last year, causing a national outrage.

Graham and Carruthers face charges of criminal damage to the tree and to the wall, which is a World Heritage Site.

Daniel Graham (left) and Adam Carruthers leaving Newcastle Upon Tyne Magistrates’ Court after appearing (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

(AFP via Getty Images)

Sam Rkaina15 May 2024 14:41

1715779946

A man accused of felling the famous Sycamore Gap tree has denied charges of criminal damage.

Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Graham, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, entered pleas of not guilty, while Carruthers, of Church Street, Wigton, Cumbria, entered no pleas.

The pair are charged with criminal damage to property of a value over £5,000, namely “without lawful excuse, damaged a sycamore tree to the value of £622,191 belonging to the National Trust”.

They face a second charge of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, namely Hadrian’s Wall, with the damage assessed to the Unesco World Heritage Site as being £1,144.

Both offences were alleged to have been committed on September 28 last year.

Sam Rkaina15 May 2024 14:32

1715776205

Pictured: Felled Sycamore Gap tree

An aerial view shows the felled Sycamore Gap tree, along Hadrian’s Wall, near Hexham, northern England on September 28, 2023 (Getty Images)

An aerial view shows the felled Sycamore Gap tree, along Hadrian's Wall, near Hexham, northern England on September 28, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

Alexander Butler15 May 2024 13:30

1715772605

Sycamore Gap tree to go on public display after row

The fate of the felled Sycamore Gap tree has been decided as it is set to be displayed at a tourist attraction near its original site.

There was an outcry when the tree was illegally chainsawed in September, with Northumberland National Park saying it had received 2,000 “heartfelt” messages from people from all around the world expressing sorrow.

Historic England said Hadrian’s Wall had suffered damage when it was felled in an act of vandalism, and the future of the famed tree has been uncertain until now.

Alexander Butler15 May 2024 12:30

1715769005

When was it cut down?

Reports first emerged that the tree had been felled overnight on 27 September, with Northumberland police vowing to bring those responsible to justice.

The National Trust, which manages the land where the tree stood, said it was “shocked and saddened” to learn of the news.

It subsequently closed the site where the tree was located.

Reports first emerged that the tree had been felled overnight on 27 September (EPA)

Alexander Butler15 May 2024 11:30

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWsvY3JpbWUvc3ljYW1vcmUtZ2FwLXRyZWUtYXJyZXN0LW5vcnRodW1iZXJsYW5kLWNvdXJ0LXRyaWFsLWIyNTQ1MTI4Lmh0bWzSAQA?oc=5

2024-05-15 16:43:54Z
CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWsvY3JpbWUvc3ljYW1vcmUtZ2FwLXRyZWUtYXJyZXN0LW5vcnRodW1iZXJsYW5kLWNvdXJ0LXRyaWFsLWIyNTQ1MTI4Lmh0bWzSAQA

Emergency measure triggered to deal with prison overcrowding in England - Sky News

An emergency measure has been triggered by the Ministry of Justice to deal with prison overcrowding in England.

Operation Early Dawn will see defendants in police custody remain there - and not be transferred to magistrates' courts for bail hearings - in case there is no space in jail cells for that prisoner if they are remanded into custody.

Sky News understands the measure is just being used in London and the North East, at the moment.

The Law Society, which represents solicitors in England and Wales, says many magistrates' court cases will be delayed as a result, with the most serious cases given priority.

Defendants who are not prioritised will be released on police bail, the Law Society added.

Read more: Early prison release scheme causing 'high-risk' offenders to be let out

At Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said the "prison system is in chaos" and asked the prime minister if his decision to "let prisoners out 70 days early makes our country more secure".

More from UK

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "This government is categorical that the most dangerous offenders should stay behind bars for longer, which is why new laws will keep rapists locked up for every day of their prison sentence and ensure life means life for the most horrific murderers.

"We continue to see pressure on our prisons following the impact of the pandemic and barristers' strike which is why we have initiated a previously used measure to securely transfer prisoners between courts and custody and ensure there is always a custody cell available should they be remanded."

Advertisement

Follow live politics updates

The Law Society said it was "crystal clear" the prison space crisis "is a consequence of the government's approach to justice including over a decade of underfunding of our criminal justice system".

A spokesman added: "Victims, witnesses, defendants and lawyers will today turn up at magistrates' courts across England only to find out that their cases have been delayed due to a crisis in prison and police cell capacity outside of their control.

"As of now, we understand that this pattern will be repeated every day that this emergency measure is in place."

Image: File pic: iStock

High-risk offenders being released early

In February, a separate scheme - the End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) - to allow prisoners to be released early due to a lack of space was extended indefinitely. Those convicted of serious offences are not eligible for early release.

A row broke out over the scheme during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of allowing sex offenders to be released early.

Sir Keir quoted a report published on Tuesday by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons about Lewes prison in East Sussex, after he found a "high-risk prisoner had his release date brought forward under the ECSL scheme, despite having a history of stalking, domestic abuse and being subject to a restraining order".

"He was a risk to children and subject to an exclusion zone that included the local authority responsible for trying to house him," the report said.

But the prime minister said: "As I've said, no one should be put on this scheme if they are a threat to the country.

"And let me be crystal clear... it does not apply to anyone serving a life sentence.

"Anyone convicted of a serious violent offence, anyone convicted of terrorism, anyone convicted of a sex offence, and crucially, in contrast to the system that Labour had put in place, governors and the prison service have an absolute lock so that no one is put on this scheme who shouldn't be."

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMia2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2VtZXJnZW5jeS1tZWFzdXJlLXRyaWdnZXJlZC10by1kZWFsLXdpdGgtcHJpc29uLW92ZXJjcm93ZGluZy1pbi1lbmdsYW5kLTEzMTM2MTU10gFvaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2VtZXJnZW5jeS1tZWFzdXJlLXRyaWdnZXJlZC10by1kZWFsLXdpdGgtcHJpc29uLW92ZXJjcm93ZGluZy1pbi1lbmdsYW5kLTEzMTM2MTU1?oc=5

2024-05-15 13:41:15Z
CBMia2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2VtZXJnZW5jeS1tZWFzdXJlLXRyaWdnZXJlZC10by1kZWFsLXdpdGgtcHJpc29uLW92ZXJjcm93ZGluZy1pbi1lbmdsYW5kLTEzMTM2MTU10gFvaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2VtZXJnZW5jeS1tZWFzdXJlLXRyaWdnZXJlZC10by1kZWFsLXdpdGgtcHJpc29uLW92ZXJjcm93ZGluZy1pbi1lbmdsYW5kLTEzMTM2MTU1

PMQs: Rishi Sunak challenged over early release of dangerous criminals - BBC

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

By Becky Morton & Henry Zeffman

BBC Politics

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been challenged over the early release of dangerous criminals under a scheme aimed at easing overcrowding in jails.

During PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer asked for a guarantee that no criminals considered high risk were freed early.

The PM insisted no-one deemed a threat to public safety would be eligible.

But the Labour leader pointed to an example of one inmate who posed a danger to children, who had his release date brought forward.

The case was revealed in a report on HMP Lewes by the prisons watchdog, which was published on Tuesday.

The individual had a history of stalking and domestic abuse but was released without a full risk assessment.

• Court delays imposed after pressure on prison places

• Ministers accused of cover-up over early release of prisoners

The original scheme, introduced last October, allowed "low-level offenders" to be freed from prisons in England and Wales up to 18 days early under strict supervision.

This was increased to up to 60 days in March and will be further extended to up to 70 days from 23 May.

The government has said no-one convicted of a sexual, terrorist or serious violent offence would be eligible for early release.

The prison population has ballooned in recent decades as a result of tougher sentences and court backlogs.

Sir Keir said the government had not provided "basic details" about the scheme, including how many prisoners were being released early, where they were and what crimes they had committed.

He called for domestic abusers to be exempt from the scheme.

In response, Mr Sunak said: "There are strict eligibility criteria in place, with exclusions based on public safety and no-one will be put on the scheme if they were deemed a threat to public safety."

The PM said prison governors also had "an absolute lock" over who was put on the scheme.

He added that those released were subject to strict conditions and supervision, which he said was in contrast to under the last Labour government.

Later, Downing Street denied that the government is attempting to pass the buck onto prison governors in managing the move, after emphasising they have powers to veto offenders moving onto licence.

"Prison governors and the probation service have a veto which we fully expect them to use to block any offender moving onto licence before their release date if they could pose an increased risk to the public," the prime minister's official spokesman said.

A Labour spokesman said the party would want to end the early release policy "as soon as possible" if it wins power, but added "we are under no illusion about the scale of the challenge we will face when it comes to the prison capacity crisis that we will inherit".

Mr Sunak will be especially eager to maintain the Conservative Party's reputation for being tough on crime in an election year.

Under repeated questioning from Sir Keir on the issue he hit back by arguing that the Conservatives believe more than Labour that prison prevents crime.

That attack line shows precisely why Mr Sunak is also now vulnerable if Labour can establish the argument in voters' minds that prisoners are being released early who should not be on the streets.

In a piece of potentially awkward timing, one of the main pieces of legislation the government still hopes to complete before the general election is a Sentencing Bill.

The proposed law is partly intended to address the capacity problems by suspending almost all prison sentences of less than a year and expanding home detention.

But some prisons campaigners say this is insufficient to deal with the problems in the system, and in other ways the bill is designed to put people in prison longer - with those who commit the most violent murders imprisoned for life, and those sentenced for rape and some other sexual offences required to serve their whole sentence in prison, whereas currently they can in some circumstances be released on licence after two-thirds of the sentence.

'Serious concerns'

Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor has raised "serious concerns" about the early release scheme.

His report highlighted one individual who had been freed early was recalled to custody before the watchdog's inspection of the prison had ended.

According to the findings, the inmate had a "significant" drug problem and a record of self-harm as well as experiencing suicidal thoughts, but was freed despite "appeals for the decision to be reversed and staff having serious concerns for his and the public's safety".

Meanwhile, some court appearances in England will be delayed in another emergency measure to deal with prison overcrowding.

Under Operation Early Dawn, the Ministry of Justice says that it now needs to control the flow of cases reaching this first day in court because of the pressure on cells.

In practice, this means some defendants who would expect to be sent from court to a remand prison cell will be told the start of their case is being delayed. That will mean police will have to release some of them on bail with a date to later attend court.

Related Topics

• Keir Starmer
• Rishi Sunak
• Prime Minister's Questions

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTY5MDE1OTEx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWstcG9saXRpY3MtNjkwMTU5MTEuYW1w?oc=5

2024-05-15 14:32:26Z
CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTY5MDE1OTEx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWstcG9saXRpY3MtNjkwMTU5MTEuYW1w