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Apr 15 2024

Lord Cameron urges Israel to ‘think with head as well as heart’ and not retaliate to Iran | Politics News

Lord David Cameron has urged Israel to “think with head as well as heart” and not retaliate to Iran’s missile attack.

The foreign secretary said the nation needed to be “smart as well as tough” and think about the consequences of escalating violence in the region.

UN warns of ‘devastating conflict’ – Middle East latest

He told Sky News: “I totally understand those in Israel who want to see more (action), but I think this is a time to think with head as well as heart and to be smart as well tough.

“And I think the smart thing to do is actually to recognise that Iran’s attack was a failure and we want to keep the focus on that, on Iran’s malign influence and actually pivot to looking at what’s happening in Gaza.”

Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles in an assault that set off air raid sirens across Israel on Saturday night.

The attack was over by Sunday morning and Israel reopened its air space, having said it had intercepted along with its allies 99% of the projectiles launched towards its territory.

Lord Cameron echoed US President Joe Biden’s comments that Israel should “take the win” – noting that there could have been “thousands of casualties” had the attack been successful.

He said the UK, which shot down some Iranian drones, would help again if Tehran launched another attack.

But he stressed: “We’re trying to avoid escalation and the action we took alongside the Americans and others clearly has helped to stop that escalation because the Iran attack was an almost total failure.”

The plea for de-escalation comes after Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said the country would “collect a price” for Iran’s action.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will address the developments in the Middle East in the Commons later today, with the UK “absolutely” considering further sanctions on Iran, Lord Cameron told BBC Breakfast in a later interview on Monday morning.

Israel ‘listening carefully to allies’

A spokeswoman for the Israeli embassy in London said Israel is “not in the business of revenge” but wants to ensure Iran is “deterred” from launching further attacks.

Orly Goldschmidt told Sky News: “We are listening very carefully to our allies, we’re taking what they’re saying into consideration but, at the end of the day, we will have to defend ourselves against this Iranian threat.”

Ms Goldschmidt said she would not comment on what Israel’s response may look like or when it might take place.

Asked if he thinks Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sound judgement, Lord Cameron said the pair have had “many arguments and disagreements, but it’s our job to work with the Israeli government”.

He went on to insist that there was a “massive degree of difference” between Israel’s strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria earlier this month and Saturday’s retaliatory attack by Iran.

Read More:
How Biden watched the Iranian attack – and what he told Netanyahu
Fears as Iran-Israel tensions rise – and what diplomats plan to do about it

Cameron sends clear message to Israel – but whether they will listen not certain

David Cameron, as Foreign Secretary, hasn’t shied away from criticising Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu during the six-month Gaza War.

He has been one of the more forthright diplomats, particularly pressing for more action to relive the humanitarian crisis and clearly feels he is on strong ground.

Asked three times on whether he thought the Israeli prime minister had good judgement, he was initially non-committal although admitted he had had his differences with Netanyhau: “Not letting more aid into Gaza was a mistake. It was bad judgement not to open up that aid sooner,” he said, with reference to the planned opening of Ashdod port.

Addressing the events over the weekend Cameron, reluctantly, said Iran had a right to respond to the attack on its Consulate but said that the assault on Saturday night was disproportionate.

“We would take very strong action”, Cameron admitted when asked what Britain would have done if one of their diplomatic buildings was “flattened”.

But, the foreign secretary argued that there is a “massive degree of difference” between what Israel did in Damascus and Iran’s drone attack.

Cameron won’t be shy in delivering this message to Israel’s leaders, whether they will listen however, is not certain.

Asked whether Israel showed good judgment by hitting Iran’s consulate in Damascus, he said: “That’s something the Israelis decided to do.

“I can completely understand the frustration Israelis feel when they look at the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and they look at the terrible things that they have done all over the world, including the support they give to Hamas.”

He added: “I would argue there is a massive degree of difference between what Israel did in Damascus and, as I said, 301 weapons being launched by the state of Iran at the state of Israel.

“For the first time a state-on-state attack, 101 ballistic missiles, 36 cruise missiles, 185 drones, that is a degree of difference and I think a reckless and dangerous thing for Iran to have done.

“And I think the whole world can see, all these countries that have somehow wondered, well, you know, what is the true nature of Iran? It’s there in black and white.”

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Feb 1 2024

XL bully ban comes into force as police chief urges owners to comply with authorities | UK News

It is now a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.

Unregistered pets can be seized and owners fined and prosecuted, with a police chief urging owners of the illegal animals to comply with officers if their dog is taken because their behaviour may influence a court’s decision to have it put down.

Around 40,000 of the large bulldog-type American breed are believed to have been registered before the deadline yesterday, but there may be thousands more without certificates.

National Police Chiefs’ Council dangerous dogs lead, Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Mark Hobrough has urged members of the public to report any XL bully owners not following the rules so officers can assess the animals.

Seized dogs will be taken to kennels before a court decides if they should either be destroyed or deemed not a danger to public safety.

ACC Hobrough said: “I would encourage strongly people to be compliant if that were the situation with their own dogs because one of the very tests that is made about a dog or an owner (in court) is that the dog is not aggressive, but also that the owner is fit and responsible and not aggressive also.

“So if either of those things were not complied with, then there would be no option for a court then but to destroy the dog.”

The recent ban may spark higher demand for kennels and cause “logistical challenges” for officers, ACC Hobrough said, with police forces “actively looking to enhance” the numbers they can hold.

There are 137 dog legislation officers across the country, with at least one in every force.

The total number of XL bullies, estimated by animal groups, has ranged between 50,000 and 100,000, the RSPCA has said.

Read more:
How experts predict XL bully ban will change things in 2024

Figures show between 2001 and 2021 there were three fatal dog attacks a year, compared with 23 over the two-year period after that, with XL bullies said to be behind many of them.

The breed was added to the Dangerous Dogs Act on 31 October last year when restrictions came into force dictating the dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public.

Breeding, selling or abandoning the dogs also became illegal as of 31 December 2023.

Owners of XL bully dogs in Scotland will also be subject at a later date to the safeguards after the Scottish government replicated legislation in place south of the border.

A decision on whether to add to the list of banned breeds in Northern Ireland would be for locally elected ministers.

People with dangerously out of control dogs can be jailed for up to 14 years and banned from owning animals, and their pets can be put down.

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Dec 29 2023

Charlotte Brown: Father urges daughter’s killer Jack Shepherd to reveal ‘truth’ about speedboat death ahead of prison release | UK News

A grieving father has pleaded with his daughter’s killer to reveal the truth about her speedboat death on the eve of his prison release.

Graham Brown has never believed Jack Shepherd‘s story that his daughter Charlotte had taken the controls of the vessel shortly before it crashed.

Mr Brown, 60, told Sky News: “Shepherd has never said what really happened that night. And what he has said conflicts with what we know did happen and what came out in the trial.

“The pure fact that he took my daughter out on a dodgy speedboat at 10 o’clock at night, without lifejackets, on a very dangerous stretch of the River Thames and accelerated up to 30 knots, and then to turn around and say, it was her fault…”

Shepherd, 35, is expected to be freed automatically from jail next month after completing half of his 10-year sentence for Charlotte’s manslaughter and a separate, unrelated assault in a pub.

He has said in the past he did not believe he bore responsibility for Charlotte’s death in December 2015, claiming it was “ultimately her action” that caused the tragedy.

Mr Brown said: “My daughter would not have been driving that boat. In my own mind, I’m fairly confident that she thought it was just going to meander, turn around, and go back.

“She would have had no idea what he was going to do. She would have been absolutely terrified.”

Charlotte, 24, had met Shepherd on a dating app and he had wined and dined her at a Shard restaurant near London Bridge before taking her for a late-night ride along the Thames on his defective speedboat in December 2015.

It was their first date.

The speeding boat hit a submerged tree, overturned and flung them both into the water.

They were rescued, but Charlotte was unconscious and later died, while Shepherd survived.

Shepherd, a serial womaniser who had given rides to other women, told police they had drunk champagne and Charlotte had taken over the controls just before the collision near Wandsworth Bridge.

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After being charged with manslaughter by gross negligence, Shepherd fled the UK for Georgia, the former soviet state, but was sentenced in his absence to six years in jail.

He gave himself up to authorities in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, in January 2019 and was extradited and jailed at the Old Bailey in April that year for another four years for an attack on a pub barman in Devon.

Mr Brown, the father of three daughters, said he had no wish to speak to Shepherd on his release, but hoped he would offer a full explanation for what happened on the night Charlotte died.

He said: “I wish he would just be able to tell the truth and state clearly what happened. I feel that he will never do that.”

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Jul 11 2023

Suspended BBC presenter should not be named using parliamentary privilege, cabinet minister urges MPs | Politics News

A cabinet minister has cautioned MPs against using parliamentary privilege to name the BBC presenter who has been suspended over allegations he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photographs.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told Sky’s Kay Burley the facts appeared to have changed in the last 24 hours and MPs should wait to “see where all of this lands” before the presenter is named and that “privilege… should be used sparingly”.

Speculation continues to mount about the identity of the broadcaster, whom the BBC suspended on Sunday after the claims were reported in The Sun.

It comes as the BBC’s director-general Tim Davie faces the media today as the controversy over the top presenter deepens.

A number of high-profile presenters at the BBC – including 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell, Eurovision’s Rylan and Top Gear’s Paddy McGuinness – have all been forced to publicly deny they are the one who has been suspended after social media users named them online.

Parents of young person ‘stand by account’ – BBC presenter latest

There have been growing calls for the accused presenter to name themselves to prevent the spotlight wrongfully falling on other colleagues, while the Daily Mail reported that some MPs are considering naming the individual concerned.

Parliamentary privilege is a right granted to MPs that allows them to speak freely in the Commons chamber without being subject to laws around slander.

Asked by Sky News’ Kay Burley whether the presenter should be named, Mr Stride said: “Those decisions have to be taken on the known facts. And it seems to me that even the apparent known facts seem to be changing within 24 hours.”

Pressed on whether he would “implore” his colleagues not to name the presenter using parliamentary privilege, Mr Stride replied: “I can only speak for myself – that’s a very personal thing.

“I would personally certainly not be doing that.

“Members of parliament do have a right to privilege and to be able to say things in the Commons without fear of legal repercussions.

“But I think that is a privilege that should be used very sparingly and with great thought.

“I would want to see process continue here as quickly as possible. And that is what the secretary of state, media and culture, has been doing, has been pressing the BBC to do that.

Could the BBC presenter be outed by an MP?

Tamara Cohen

Political correspondent

@tamcohen

As the BBC presenter at the centre of pay-for-images allegations remains anonymous, there is the possibility an MP or peer could name the star.

Parliamentary privilege is a right dating back to 1689 which protects parliamentarians from being sued, for example on the grounds of defamation.

It has been used to expose corruption or criminal activity, but more recently – and controversially – to name rich and famous people protected by the courts.

For example, back in 2011, Ryan Giggs was named as the “married footballer” with an injunction, after tabloid reports that he had an affair with a reality star.

He was named by former Lib Dem MP John Hemming, who campaigned against secrecy in the family courts, but was criticised by some colleagues for going against a court order.

The retail tycoon Philip Green was by Lord Hain, back in 2018, using privilege, as the mystery businessman involved in allegations of misconduct, reported by the Daily Telegraph.

The peer later said: “What concerned me about this case was wealth, and power than comes with it, and abuse, and that was what led me to act in the way that I did.”

In the case of the BBC presenter, there is no specific injunction we know of, but he is unnamed because of the tightening of privacy laws particularly after the case of Sir Cliff Richard, who was paid damages by the BBC after being named as part of a police investigation.

Both Conservative cabinet minister Mel Stride and Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth told Sky News this morning they would not name the presenter, although some newspapers report that other MPs are discussing it.

Although they have legal protection, MPs are likely to be wary of the many disputed claims in this case with regards to naming.

The former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson faced calls to resign after he named public figures in parliament accused of involvement in child abuse by Carl Beech, who was later revealed to have fabricated the allegations and was jailed.

“I’m as confident I can be that they will be now moving at pace. I think we have to see where all of this lands and then start to make these judgements about whether things were done the right way or not, whether people should be named or not, and so on and so forth.”

Mr Stride’s comments come as Mr Davie prepares to speak to journalists about the broadcaster’s annual report, which is set to reveal how much its biggest stars are paid.

The story took a further development on Monday night after the young person at the centre of the controversy released a statement to the BBC saying that nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened, while also describing allegations made by The Sun as “rubbish”.

Their lawyer added that the 20-year-old is estranged from their mother and stepfather, who made the claims to the newspaper.

In response, the young person’s mother told The Sun she stood by her claims and said the presenter had “got into their head”. She also questioned how they were able to afford legal representation.

Read more:
Why hasn’t the BBC presenter at the centre of the allegations been named publicly?
BBC presenter scandal is sleazy and depressing – but at the heart of this a family is suffering

Mr Stride’s warnings to MPs were also echoed by Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth, who also said he “wouldn’t name him”.

“I know it’s certainly a very sensitive and difficult story for the BBC,” he told Sky News.

“Developments overnight suggest there are some complications and disputes in versions of events.

“I think the most important thing is that this is thoroughly investigated, the BBC look into this all properly and they should be allowed to get on with that.

“I don’t think it’s helpful for politicians to be offering a running commentary or making statements in the House of Commons about who this person might be or not be.”

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Dec 5 2022

Downing Street urges parents to ‘look out’ for Strep A symptoms after rise in cases | UK News

Downing Street has urged parents to be on the “lookout” for symptoms caused by Strep A infection after the death of at least six children.

As an invasive form of the Strep A bacterial infection has spread across the UK in recent months, officials have said that they can “fully understand” the concern parents are feeling about the rise in cases.

Reassuring that the NHS is “well prepared” for such situations, Number 10 added that it was not aware of any current shortage of the antibiotic amoxicillin, which is used to treat bacterial infections.

Addressing the recent rise in cases, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “We are seeing a higher number of cases of Group A strep this year compared to usual.

“The bacteria we know causes a mild infection which is easily treated with antibiotics and in rare circumstances it can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness.

“It is still uncommon but it’s important parents are on the lookout for symptoms. But the NHS is well prepared to deal with situations like this, working with the UK Health Security Agency.”

The spokesperson went on to say that “well-established procedures” similar to ones implemented during the COVID pandemic to deal with, and prevent, any medication shortages are in place.

When asked how worried parents should be about the recent outbreak, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan added: “The first thing to say is it is extremely rare and there’s a very small number of cases.

“But of course, our heartfelt condolences go to the small number of parents who have lost a child through Strep A.

“The most important thing is to keep vigilant for the symptoms. So sore throat, fever, a rash. If you have any concerns, call 111. But we are monitoring the situation and working with the public authorities.

“If you have any concerns, pick up the phone and call 111.”

Baroness Sal Brinton was due to ask the government today what assessment it has made of its guidance to doctors and to parents in light of the increase in Strep A, iGAS and scarlet fever cases, after the Lord Speaker granted her a Private Notice Question.

Read more:
What are the symptoms of Strep A?
Why the spate of deaths now?

Illnesses caused by the Strep A bacteria include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat. Compared to the week of November 14 to 20 in previous years, cases of scarlet fever have jumped to 851, compared to an average of 186.

Symptoms of scarlet fever, according to the NHS, typically take two to five days to appear following infection and can include a pinkish or red “sandpapery” body rash, swollen neck glands, sore throat, headache, and fever.

Grieving mother of four-year-old Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, who died in an ambulance on the way to hospital in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, said that her young son’s first symptoms included a red rash across his lower back.

Even after a full-course of antibiotics, his symptoms persisted and his mother began to give him Calpol. A week after his death, his post-mortem test results showed he had Strep A in his blood.

Infections of Strep A rarely develop into a more serious invasive infection known as iGAS, but they have increased this year, particularly in those under the age of 10.

Treatment with antibiotics can prevent serious illness and the spread of infection.

Microbiologist Dr Simon Clarke, from the University of Reading, said he wasn’t aware of any evidence of a new strain but suggested that a “drop in population-wide immunity,” as a result of children not mixing during the COVID pandemic “could increase transmission”.

He added that although cases didn’t appear to be linked, he believes “further cases over the coming weeks and months” are likely.

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Oct 5 2022

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urges ministers to keep policy views ‘around the Cabinet table’ amid Conservative infighting | Politics News

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has urged his ministerial colleagues to keep their views on government policy “around the Cabinet table” as Liz Truss faces an open split within her top team over the 45p tax rate U-turn.

The senior Cabinet member warned his peers that it is “always better to feed straight into the boss” if there are any issues regarding “policy or the relationship with other ministers”.

On Tuesday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman accused Tory MPs of staging a “coup” against the PM over the 45p tax rate – a policy which was unveiled in Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s tax-cutting mini-budget last month and reversed last week.

Truss prepares to battle to save premiership in keynote speech – Politics latest

“She chose the words that she chose,” the foreign secretary told Sky News, responding to Ms Braverman’s comments.

“But when you’re in government, you have the opportunity to feed your ideas straight to the top machine. It’s always best done around the Cabinet table or in the Cabinet committee meetings.

“My view is anything to do with policy or the relationship with other ministers – always better to feed straight into the boss”.

Speaking at a Telegraph event at the Conservative Party conference, Ms Braverman said she had been “in favour” of scrapping the top rate of income tax and was “disappointed” by the government’s U-turn.

She also criticised those in her party who had “undermined the authority of our prime minister in an unprofessional way”.

Fellow Cabinet minister Simon Clarke also publicly disclosed his objection to the reversal of the policy.

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities secretary posted on social media: “Suella speaks a lot of good sense, as usual.”

The tax cut for the wealthiest 1% was one of a raft announced by Mr Kwarteng in his mini-budget less than two weeks ago that led to market turmoil – with the pound plummeting, the Bank of England having to step in to rescue pension funds and mortgage products being withdrawn.

Despite standing by the policy in the opening days of the conference, Mr Kwarteng confirmed on Monday it would no longer go ahead, saying the measure had become a “distraction” from his objective to grow the economy.

Yesterday, Ms Truss told Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby she had “absolutely no shame” in performing the dramatic U-turn.

Mr Cleverly told Kay Burley that “a lot of discussions weren’t able to be had” over the chancellor’s mini-budget proposals because of the death of the Queen.

The foreign secretary also disputed that a U-turn took place, adding: “What you’re describing as a U-turn is the smallest element of a really big and significant support package to families, tax cut to families, stimulus package for the British economy.”

Ms Truss is also facing the threat of another major split within her top team over the level of benefits.

On Tuesday, Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt joined backbench rebels in calling for welfare payments to be raised in line with inflation, which has been at around 10%, rather than earnings at 5%.

The PM has refused to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation, saying she has “not made a decision” on whether to stick to the benefit uprate promised by her predecessor Boris Johnson.

Read more:
Liz Truss says she has ‘absolutely no shame’ over tax cut U-turn
Home secretary attacks Tory MPs who ‘staged coup’ over tax cut

In a few hours, Ms Truss will deliver her keynote speech at the Conservative Party’s conference in Birmingham as she battles to save her premiership just one month into the job.

The PM will wrap up the event by defending her approach and pledging a “new Britain for the new era” after a week of U-turns and infighting.

The prime minister will tell her audience: “Whenever there is change, there is disruption. Not everyone will be in favour.

“We need to grow the pie so that everyone gets a bigger slice.”

She is expected to say: “I am determined to take a new approach and break us out of this high-tax, low-growth cycle.”

Ms Truss will also put her government forward as having an “iron grip” on the UK’s finances that will help everyone.

The hall in Birmingham is not expected to be full as many MPs said they were leaving on Tuesday evening ahead of train strikes on Wednesday.

Liz Truss’s speech is due to take place at 11am on Wednesday. Follow live updates and analysis on the Sky News Politics Hub and on TV.

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Jul 27 2022

Trans men should be supported to ‘chestfeed’ their babies, new guidance urges | UK News

Trans men should be supported to chestfeed their babies should they choose to do so, experts have said.

A new draft guideline from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) says trans men should be asked about their preferred manner of feeding before their baby is born and those who chose to chestfeed should be offered “chestfeeding support in the same manner as for cis-women”.

The guideline covers care for trans and gender diverse people though childbirth, contraception, fertility, gynaecological procedures and cancer treatment and care.

The document, which has been put out for consultation, makes a series of recommendations to help improve care.

What is chestfeeding?

Physically, chestfeeding is exactly the same as breastfeeding. Hormones trigger the body to make milk, the milk travels through glands and ducts ending at the nipple to feed a baby

Chestfeeding is used in the community of people who have recently given birth but don’t identify as women. They may be transgender people who were assigned female at birth but who now identify as men, or people who are non-binary

People who do identify as female may also prefer “chestfeeding” because of physical or emotional trauma related to their breasts. To them, the word “chest” is not as triggering as “breast” may be

It also says trans and gender diverse people should be offered advice about fertility preservation when considering gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapies.

It advises that trans men who conceive while taking masculinising hormone therapy should stop taking the hormones “as soon as possible” while those who are planning to conceive should stop their therapy for three months prior to conception.

And it urges healthcare workers to be aware trans and gender diverse people often face barriers when accessing healthcare services and to take steps to ensure they have easy access to care without “their gender being questioned or their confidentiality breached”.

Use of preferred pronouns

The document also states that “gender diverse people should be offered health screening in accordance with national public health policies and clinical guidelines” and that they should be addressed by their “preferred title, name and pronouns”.

It follows the government’s women’s health strategy which said transgender men and non-binary people with female reproductive organs should always receive screening invites so they can access cervical and breast cancer care programmes.

A barrier to care

RCOG president Dr Edward Morris said trans and gender diverse people said they “often feel judged and misunderstood by the health service”.

This, he said, created a barrier to accessing vital care.

“We, as healthcare professionals, have a role to play in making them feel listened to and recognised,” he added.

Commenting on the guideline, which is open for consultation until 6 September, Asha Kasliwal, president of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, said there were a number of instances of failure to “properly understand and evaluate gender diverse people’s healthcare needs”.

The guidelines, it was hoped, would “seek to break down barriers and improve the experiences” of trans and gender diverse people accessing obstetric and gynaecological services.

An ’emotional experience’

But Clare Ettinghausen, from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, said there was “a lot of work to be done” to ensure healthcare was fully inclusive.

“It’s important that a diverse group of voices further inform this work so once finalised, the guidance can be put into practice and begin making a difference,” she said.

“Treatment can be a very emotional experience so we also recommend that anyone thinking about having fertility treatment has the right support.”

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