The Princess of Wales’s brother James Middleton has paid tribute to his sister, sharing a picture of the two of them together as children on Instagram.
“Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too,” he wrote on the social media site.
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Christian Horner has said the “intrusion on my family is now enough” and “has been very trying” after scrutiny following claims that he behaved inappropriately towards a female member of Red Bull staff.
Speaking at a news conference in Saudi Arabia, he said: “There’s been a lot of coverage surrounding this.
“One has to go back to the basis. A grievance was raised, fully investigated and it was dismissed. We move onwards.”
“It has been of great interest in different elements of the media for different reasons,” he added. “I think it’s time to draw a line under it. And to focus on what is going on on track.”
It comes as Sky News understands Horner’s accuser was suspended following the investigation into the claim of inappropriate behaviour against the Formula One team principal.
When asked about the matter, Horner said: “This is confidential. I am not at liberty [to talk about it].
“We are all bound by the same restrictions. Even if I’d like to talk about it, I can’t. This has been trying in many respects.”
But, speaking about the impact on his family, Horner said: “The scrutiny on my marriage – I’ve got a beautiful family – it’s been very trying.
“When there [are] children involved, and family involved, it’s not pretty.”
“My wife has been hugely supportive, as has my family, but the intrusion on my family is now enough, and we need to move forward and focus on what we are here for.
“It is time now to focus on why we are here which is to go Formula One racing.”
Horner, who has always denied the allegations against him, was cleared of misconduct by the F1 team’s Austrian parent company Red Bull GmbH last week.
It is understood his female accuser, who is believed to have reported in for work in Milton Keynes on Monday, has been suspended on full pay as a direct result of Red Bull’s inquiry.
A Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment as it is an internal matter.”
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Rishi Sunak has declined to apologise for his joke about transgender people, despite Brianna Ghey’s father calling for him to say sorry.
The prime minister was criticised for aiming the political dig about transgender people at Sir Keir Starmer, saying the Labour leader had broken promises on “defining a woman” while Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey, was in parliament.
Speaking to Sky News yesterday, Brianna’s father Peter Spooner called Mr Sunak’s remarks “degrading” and “absolutely dehumanising” and said the prime minister should apologise.
Asked whether he would do so today, Mr Sunak said: “If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of U-turns on major policies because he doesn’t have a plan.
“A point only proven by today’s reports that the Labour Party and Keir Starmer are apparently planning to reverse on their signature economic green spending policy.
“That just demonstrates the point I was making. He’s someone who has just consistently changed his mind on a whole range of major things.
“I think that is an absolutely legitimate thing to point out and it demonstrates that he doesn’t have a plan for the country.”
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PM’s ‘shame’ over transgender comment
He added: “Like everyone, I was completely shocked by Brianna’s case. To have your child taken from you in such awful circumstances is almost impossible to come to terms with, and for Brianna’s mum to talk with such empathy and compassion about that, I thought, was inspiring and it showed the very best of humanity.
“I’ve nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for her entire family and friends.
“But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer’s proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies, because he doesn’t have a plan, I think is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics.”
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The family of Scarlett Jenkinson – who has been jailed for 22 years for murdering Brianna Ghey – have said they are “truly sorry”.
The killers, both 16, who were named for the first time on Friday, had denied murder and blamed each other for the attack, which was described as “horrific” by detectives.
Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe were 15 when they carried out their “disturbing” plan to murder her in a “frenzied and ferocious” attack with a hunting knife.
Image: Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe. Pic: Cheshire Police
Jenkinson was jailed for at least 22 years and Ratcliffe for a minimum of 20 years. They will be transferred to adult prisons when they turn 18.
Read more: Father disagrees with decision to name killers How teenagers ‘thirsty for death’ plotted murder
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Moment Brianna Ghey’s killers arrested
In a statement given exclusively to the Warrington Guardian, the family of Jenkinson said: “All of our thoughts are for Brianna and her family.
“The last 12 months have been beyond our worst nightmares as we have come to realise the brutal truth of Scarlett’s actions.
“We agree with the jury’s verdict, the judge’s sentence and the decision to name the culprits.
“Our lives are in turmoil, but our immediate focus is to make sure that we don’t do anything against the wishes of Brianna’s family.
“We offer our sincere thanks to Esther Ghey for her incredible selflessness and empathy towards our family. Her compassion is overwhelming and we are forever grateful.
“To all of Brianna’s family and friends, our community and everyone else that has been affected by this horror, we are truly sorry.”
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Brianna was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in her head, neck, chest and back after being lured to Linear Park, Culcheth, a village near Warrington, Cheshire, on the afternoon of 11 February last year.
Jenkinson, whose parents are teachers and lives close to the park in Culcheth, had been asked to leave her school, Culcheth High, over giving cannabis-laced gummy sweets to another pupil and joined Brianna’s school, Birchwood High, in October 2022 and quickly became “obsessed” with her.
Image: Brianna Ghey. Pic: Cheshire Police
After the teenage killers were convicted, Esther Ghey called for “empathy and compassion” for their families as “they too have lost a child” and “must live the rest of their lives knowing what their child has done”.
Trial judge Mrs Justice Yip warned that anyone tempted to direct “vitriol or malice” towards the defendants’ families would be “acting against the express wishes” of Ms Ghey.
More than £30,000 has been raised for the family of a Good Samaritan who died after being hit by a car while trying to help a stranger.
Father-of-two Chris Marriott, 46, died on Wednesday after he went to the aid of a woman who was unconscious in the street during a disturbance in the Burngreave area of Sheffield.
As he tended to the woman, a car hit the crowd, leaving several people injured.
Image: Chris Marriott died on Wednesday
Now a GoFundMe appeal to financially support Mr Marriott’s family has raised £31,610 as of 6.30pm on Sunday.
In a message posted on the fundraising page, his family said they were “overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support being shown for Chris, and appreciate every comment and donation”.
“Chris would be amazed (and no doubt embarrassed) at the attention his actions have generated, but would also loved to have seen how friends, neighbours and complete strangers have come together to show support for his family and help financially. Thank you so much.”
Mr Marriott, who has been described as a Good Samaritan by police, worked for a debt counselling charity and was a leading member of his church, helping set up and run a food bank in Sheffield.
The organisers of the fundraiser said Mr Marriott was “a man who loved people”.
“His kindness, work ethic, generosity and willingness to walk people through the intricacies of setting up IT were part and parcel of what made him who he was and therefore much loved and irreplaceable.
“He died whilst administering first aid to a stranger putting their needs before his own safety.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and their two boys at this so so difficult time and we would like to remove any financial concerns they may have.”
Read more on Sky News: Family of mother and son killed by avalanche ‘heartbroken’ Man charged with attempting to murder two police officers Climber lost in blizzard rescued from Scottish mountain range
Hassan Jhangur, 23, of Whiteways Road, Sheffield, appeared in court on Saturday morning charged with murder and five counts of attempted murder.
He was remanded in custody during the brief appearance and will appear again at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.
The family of a parent and their teenage son who died in a car crash in Greater Manchester have said Christmas will be “immensely difficult” without them.
Former theatre worker Clair, 42, and 15-year-old Sam, whose surnames were not released by police, died in the two-vehicle crash on Ripponden Road, Oldham, on 23 December.
A 13-year-old child suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
The driver of the second vehicle, a 35-year-old male, was arrested at the scene and remains in custody, police said.
On Sunday, the family of Clair and Sam said Christmas without them both will be “immensely difficult not only for us, but for everybody that knew them both”.
“Clair was a smart, loving parent, daughter and sister who would do anything for anyone,” the family said in a statement.
“Prior to the pandemic, Clair worked at the Bolton Theatre, supporting those facing mental health challenges. She loved going to pottery class every week and was such a creative person and she could go from a lump of clay to making whatever she put her mind to.”
Read more UK news: Family pays tribute to woman and her dogs New NHS heartburn surgery Calls for home secretary to quit after ‘sickening’ joke
The family said Sam was looking forward to studying music at college and loved to sing and play the drums.
“Sam’s favourite things to do, he was always around the house with his headphones on,” the statement said.
“When Sam wasn’t listening to music, he could be found in a world of his own playing on his computer. Sam’s family meant the world to him; he was a brother and son whose loss will leave a hole in our family forever.”
Police have appealed for anyone with dashcam, mobile phone, CCTV or doorbell footage from the area to come forward.
PC Thomas Johnson said: “Our thoughts continue to remain with their family who are being supported by officers at this really difficult time.”
The Home Office has rowed back on plans to increase the salary threshold for family members of migrants in the UK following a backlash.
Home Secretary James Cleverly told the Commons earlier this month that the threshold for a family visa would rise from £18,600 to £38,700 by “next spring” in a bid to reduce the number of people coming to the UK.
But documents released by the Home Office suggest that the threshold will now only increase to an initially lower figure of £29,000, while no timeline is set out for when the higher threshold of £38,700 will be introduced.
Mr Cleverly unveiled the salary change as part of a five-point plan to reduce legal migration after net migration hit 745,000 last year.
Other measures announced in the plan included a ban on care workers bringing over their families and raising the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa from £26,200 to £38,700.
The backtrack was confirmed by Lord Sharpe of Epsom in an answer to a written parliamentary question.
Lord Sharpe highlighted how 75% of the UK population currently meets the minimum income requirement level of £18,600, but that only 30% would meet the proposed salary threshold of £38,700 based on earnings alone.
He said the minimum income requirement would be increased in “incremental stages to give predictability”.
“In spring 2024, we will raise the threshold to £29,000, that is the 25th percentile of earnings for jobs which are eligible for skilled worker visas, moving to the 40th percentile [currently £34,500] and finally the 50th percentile [currently £38,700 and the level at which the general skilled worker threshold is set] in the final stage of implementation,” he wrote.
No date for when the threshold would rise beyond £29,000 was given in Lord Sharpe’s answer.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said in response: “You have to wonder who is in charge at the Home Office, or if anyone is.
“It was clear to everyone else that the raising of the earnings threshold was unworkable.
“This was yet another half thought through idea to placate the hardliners on their own back benches.
“James Cleverly needs to put down the spade and stop digging. Decisions like this should be made by experts and politicians working together.
“He should also publish the advice from the Treasury and OBR [Office for Budget Responsibility] about the impact that his package of changes will have on the economy.”
Sky News has contacted the Home Office for comment.
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A teenager found in France six years after he was reported missing has been reunited with his family and returned to the UK.
Alex Batty was 11 when he never returned from a holiday to Spain with his mother Melanie Batty, 38 – who does not have legal parental guardianship – and his grandfather David Batty, 59 in 2017.
Confirming his arrival, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle of Greater Manchester Police said: “Earlier today Alex met with a family member alongside Greater Manchester Police officers at Toulouse airport, before heading back to the UK.
“This moment is undoubtedly huge for him and his loved ones and we are glad that they have been able to see each other again after all this time.”
His grandmother and legal guardian Susan Caruana previously said she “can’t wait” to see him when he returns.
The whereabouts of his mother are not known at this time.
ACC Boyle said that while the French authorities have “disclosed detailed information” about where Alex has been for the last six years, GMP has not yet spoken to the teen.
“We are yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance, but no matter what, understand that this may be an overwhelming process,” he said.
“He may now be six years older than when he went missing, but he is still a young person.”
The force will speak with Alex “at a pace that feels comfortable to him” to determine whether a criminal investigation into his disappearance will ensue.
“Our continued focus is supporting Alex and his family in partnership with other local agencies to ensure they are safe, their wellbeing is looked after, and his reintegration with society is as easy as possible,” said ACC Boyle.
Alex found ‘walking alone’
Alex was found by chiropractic student Fabien Accidini while walking alone near Toulouse in the early hours of Wednesday.
Image: Fabien Accidini, the delivery driver who picked up the missing Briton
Ms Caruana, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, said on Friday: “I cannot begin to express my relief and happiness that Alex has been found safe and well.
“I spoke with him last night and it was so good to hear his voice and see his face again. I can’t wait to see him when we’re reunited.
“The main thing is that he’s safe, after what would be an overwhelming experience for anyone, not least a child.”
Image: Alex Batty’s grandmother, Susan Caruana, pictured in 2017
She asked for privacy as the family welcomed Alex back.
It is thought Alex had been living an “alternative” lifestyle with his mother and grandfather across Spain, Morocco and France while he was missing.
French officials said he decided to leave when his mother wanted to go to Finland.
Mr Accidini said the teenager told him he had been hiking in nearby mountains for more than four days in an attempt to return to England.
Read more: What happened to Alex Batty? ‘The middle of nowhere road’ where Alex was found Fabien says Alex ‘wants to live a normal life’
Image: Views of the road in Toulouse where the teenager was found
On Friday, French prosecutors said the teenager’s mother, Melanie Batty, who is wanted in connection with his disappearance, may be in Finland, while his grandfather David Batty has died.
Prosecutor Antoine Leroy said Alex had said he knew his way of life with his mother “had to stop” after she announced an intention to move to Finland.
This led him to walk for “four days and four nights” across the Pyrenees, Mr Leroy said.
Alex was described as “tired” but “in good health” after being checked over by French officials and seemed “intelligent” even though he had not attended school for six years.
The prosecutor also said the boy did not appear to have been subjected to any physical violence.
Gordon Ramsay has become a father for the sixth time at the age of 57, welcoming a 7lb 10oz “whopper” of a son to the family.
The TV chef and his 49-year-old cookery book author wife Tana announced the birth of Jesse James Ramsay on Instagram on Saturday.
Ramsay, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, called the newborn’s arrival “an amazing birthday present” – although it is unclear when exactly Jesse was born.
He and Tana, who have been married for almost 30 years, are also parents to Megan, Matilda, twins Jack and Holly, and Oscar.
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The chef strongly hinted this would be his last child, writing on Instagram: “One more bundle of love to the Ramsay brigade!! 3 boys, 3 girls…. Done.”
He was quickly congratulated by fellow celebrity friends and fans alike.
TV chef Gino D’Acampo wrote: “FANTASTICO, still plenty of lead in that pencil!”
In 2016, Ramsay and Tana experienced a pregnancy loss at 20 weeks.
“Born with a strong heartbeat but too little to survive,” Tana said of their son, who they named Rocky.
The family of a father-of-four have said they are “absolutely devastated” after he died following an alleged disturbance in Aberdeenshire.
Emergency services were called to the Broomhill Road area of Stonehaven at around 10.40am on Tuesday.
David McGuinness, 30, from Inverurie, was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.
In a statement released through Police Scotland, his family said: “David was a much-loved son, partner, brother, uncle and doting father to his four young children.
“He will be sorely missed every day by all who knew him.
“The family are absolutely devastated by what has happened and would like privacy at this difficult time.”
A 50-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault in connection with the incident.
He is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Thursday.
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Detective Inspector James Callander said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of David at this difficult time.
“The family have asked for privacy while they come to terms with this loss.”
