by Josh Halliday North of England correspondent on (#6CHA3)
Benjamin Myers KC says evidence cannot safely be used to support allegations that nurse murdered seven babiesThe prosecution case that Lucy Letby murdered a number of babies is founded on guesswork and is tenuous in the extreme", her barrister has told a court.Benjamin Myers KC said the evidence against the nurse was so poor it could not be safely used to support the allegations of murder and attempted murder. Continue reading...
The auction in London for the Austrian artist's final painting achieved the highest price ever in Europe for a work of artGustav Klimt's painting Dame mit Facher (Lady with a Fan) has sold for 85.3m at Sotheby's, becoming the most valuable work of art ever sold at auction in Europe.In its first market appearance in 29 years, the late Austrian painter's final masterpiece exceeded pre-sale expectations of 65m when it went under the hammer in London on Tuesday, and also set a new record for the artist. Continue reading...
Experts say science-backed messaging and popularity with celebrities including Kim Kardashian behind successA 500 skincare product that lasts only a month's use has attracted a waiting list of 30,000 people, with the company's founder admitting to being bowled over by the reaction".Industry experts say the success of the product is due to it leading with science-backed messaging, which is increasingly popular among consumers, as well as backing from celebrities. Continue reading...
Hope Street scheme in Southampton aims to keep women in criminal justice system out of jail and with their childrenIt all started when Edwina Grosvenor spent an hour with two heroin addicts at a drug rehabilitation centre in Liverpool, almost 30 years ago.Her parents - Natalia and Gerald Grosvenor, who was one the richest men in the UK and the sixth Duke of Westminster - decided to take her to the centre at the age of 12 or 13 to show her that there was a world beyond her privileged bubble. At that moment I learned about empathy," Lady Grosvenor said. Continue reading...
The lack of response to TV producer Daisy Goodwin's allegation about a mayoral candidate casts doubt on complaints processesTwo years after the Pestminster scandal about sexual harassment by politicians swept through parliament in 2017, a downbeat speech in the House of Commons summed up how many female MPs and aides felt about its consequences.The verdict was delivered by Jess Phillips, the Labour MP and women's rights campaigner. Nothing has changed since we started the whole Pestminster thing or even the broader #MeToo movement; it feels as if a moment of blood-letting led to no significant material change in the actual working lives of the people we are here to try to protect." Continue reading...
Exclusive: Sunak regularly pictured using Pilot V fountain pens during time as chancellor and prime ministerRishi Sunak routinely uses pens with erasable ink to make hand-written notes on official documents and in government meetings, prompting concerns over Downing Street secrecy, the Guardian has learned.The prime minister has regularly been pictured using the disposable Pilot V fountain pens during his time as chancellor and prime minister, most recently while taking notes during the Cabinet meeting two weeks ago. Continue reading...
Mirror Group Newspapers says it has sympathy' for royal but he has no hard evidence', court toldPrince Harry should receive only 500 in damages at the end of his phone-hacking trial, Mirror Group Newspapers has argued at the high court.The Duke of Sussex wants a judge to award him more than 200,000 over allegations that he was the victim of illegal activity by journalists working for the Mirror, the Sunday Mirror and the People. Continue reading...
University says about 20% of final year students will be unable to graduate if industrial action continuesMore than 1,000 final year students at Durham University could be left without a degree this summer because of the marking boycott disrupting universities across the UK.Durham, one of 145 universities affected by the industrial action over pay and working conditions called by the University and College Union (UCU), said about 20% of its 5,300 final year students would be unable to graduate. Continue reading...
Yes the government had made huge errors, but somehow the health secretary at the time hadn'tHere was the tragedy. Matt Hancock's tragedy. He wants to be loved. He craves our gratitude. Our attention. A man who has successfully searched for the hero inside himself. But the outside world is an unforgiving place. Most of us don't even remember him for being the barely competent politician who happened to be health secretary during the pandemic. Though we still want a reckoning.Our minds are indelibly seared with the image of him groping his lover on CCTV. So much for social distancing. Or as the needy contestant who was relentlessly bullied by the public on I'm a Celebrity. Or just as that bloke who used to be someone. He's barely even an MP these days. He's hardly ever in parliament. Too busy eyeing up his career options. Continue reading...
by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on (#6CH50)
The highest-profile missing person case for years raises many questions about online behaviour and police decision makingEven now, amateur trolls, sleuths and psychics are posting wild and sensational conspiracy theories on social media about the death of Nicola Bulley.Yet, as a coroner concluded on Tuesday, her death while tragic was the very opposite of wild and sensational. Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#6CH51)
Comments were made that LGB Alliance had transphobic staff' and neo-Nazi, homophobic and Islamophobic' supportersA gender-critical woman has won a harassment claim against Arts Council England, after hostile comments were made about her beliefs at an internal meeting and on a petition circulated within the organisation.Denise Fahmy's claim at Leeds employment tribunal related to the fallout over the London Community Fund's (LCF) decision to award a grant drawn from an Arts Council England (ACE) fund to the gender-critical LGB Alliance. The grant was later suspended. Continue reading...
Ernest Moret had devices seized after arrest by counter-terrorism police on arrival in London in AprilThe Metropolitan police have admitted downloading the sim card from the phone of a radical French publisher who was arrested by counter-terrorism police at St Pancras station in April, his lawyer has claimed.Officers returned the iPhone and laptop it had seized from Ernest Moret, 28, to his London lawyer on Tuesday after the Met announced late on Friday that no further action would be taken against him. He had been arrested on his way to the London book fair and held for almost 24 hours under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Continue reading...
Former health secretary says he is profoundly sorry' for every death and says he knows an apology from him will be hard to take'. This live blog is now closed
Ancient painting includes fruit that looks like a pineapple - although it's almost certainly something elseA striking still-life fresco resembling a pizza has been found among the ruins of ancient Pompeii, although the dish seems to lack two essential ingredients - tomato and mozzarella - and includes one item that looks suspiciously like a pineapple.The fresco, which dates back 2,000 years, emerged during excavations in the Regio IX area of Pompeii's archaeological park, which is close to Naples, the birthplace of pizza. The painting was on a wall in what is believed to have been the hallway of a home that had a bakery in its annex. Continue reading...
by Lisa O'Carroll Brussels correspondent on (#6CH1B)
Nature Restoration Law vote tied at 44 in favour and 44 against amid claims of lies and fake newsThe future of the EU's flagship environment laws are again hanging by a thread with a cliffhanger vote, flared tempers and accusations of lies, fake news and manipulation of voting in the European parliament.Emotions were running high after voting on the European parliament committee steering through the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) ended in a dead heat on Tuesday, with 44 votes in favour and 44 against. It can now progress to a vote of the full parliament in a plenary session in July. Continue reading...
Ibrahima Bah accused of manslaughter of four and agreeing to steer inflatable for people smugglersPeople smugglers put dozens of people on an overloaded and unseaworthy dinghy that fell apart during a Channel crossing in which at least four died, a jury has heard, as the man accused of piloting the vessel faces trial for manslaughter.Ibrahima Bah is accused of agreeing to steer the vessel to England in return for free passage from the criminal gang smuggling his fellow travellers from France. Continue reading...
by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on (#6CGWS)
Lancashire coroner records verdict of accidental death and finds mortgage broker died shortly after falling in riverNicola Bulley's death was accidental and took place after she fell in a river and drowned, a coroner has concluded.The senior coroner for Lancashire, James Adeley, on Tuesday recorded a verdict of accidental death after a two-day hearing into one of the most high profile missing person cases in living memory. Continue reading...
Deaths and alleged abuse of Kenyan women in Saudi Arabia fuels demands for Nairobi to act on human rightsRights groups have expressed concern that not enough has been done to address the alleged mistreatment of domestic workers in Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia, after the Kenyan government moved to secure work opportunities abroad for its citizens.This is a matter of grave public interest," said John Mwariri, a lawyer at Kituo cha Sheria, a legal aid organisation. Many of our Kenyan citizens have been abused and are dying there. There is an urgent need for protections." Continue reading...
by Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent on (#6CGWX)
Swiss organisation calls for assisted dying to be legalised in UK and made available alongside palliative careThe assisted dying organisation Dignitas has told parliament it's about time" to legalise the practice in the UK and make it available alongside palliative care, describing the current rules as inadequate and incoherent".Silvan Luley, a team member at the Swiss organisation, told a House of Commons assisted dying investigation his organisation had helped 540 British people kill themselves - more than one in seven of all deaths it had enabled. The process costs about 10,000. Continue reading...
Governors awards will honour the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actor and the multi-award-winning comedy star behind The ProducersAngela Bassett and Mel Brooks are among those who will receive honorary Oscars at this year's Governors awards.Joining Bassett, 64 and Brooks, 96, will be Carol Littleton, 81, the editor of films including Body Heat, ET the Extra-Terrestrial and The Big Chill. The Sundance Institute's Michelle Satter will also receive the Jean Hersholt humanitarian award. Continue reading...
Archbishop under investigation on suspicion of falsely testifying about when he became aware of clergy sexual abuseGerman police have raided properties belonging to the Catholic church in response to allegations that the archbishop of Cologne committed perjury over his knowledge of sexual abuse in the local diocese.Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, one of the most senior leaders in the German Catholic church, is under investigation on suspicion of having falsely testified to court about when he became aware of reports of clergy sexual abuse. Continue reading...
Amid rising global tensions, Chinese leader tells PM, Chris Hipkins, his visit to Beijing is meaningfulXi Jinping has praised the great importance" of China's relationship with its friend and partner" New Zealand, as Chris Hipkins visits Beijing to promote trade amid growing geopolitical tensions.Speaking after the two leaders met in the Chinese capital on Tuesday evening, Xi told reporters through an interpreter: I myself [am] attaching great importance to our relations with New Zealand," and China always views New Zealand as a friend and a partner". Continue reading...
Ennosuke Ichikawa detained after both parents found unconscious at his Tokyo home last monthOne of Japan's best-known kabuki actors has been arrested on suspicion of assisting in his mother's suicide after both parents were found unconscious at his home last month.Police said Ennosuke Ichikawa, a 47-year-old star of the classical theatre form, allegedly made a 75-year-old woman take sleep-inducing pills at his home and die of psychoactive drug addiction, thereby assisting in her suicide".In the UK, the youth suicide charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org, and in the UK and Ireland Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 and you can text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...
by Mark Brown North of England correspondent on (#6CGSM)
Partner of woman whose body was found in River Wyre on 19 February says Bulley had been looking forward to the futureNicola Bulley was in amazing spirits" in the days leading up to her disappearance and looking forward to the future, an inquest has heard.Her partner, Paul Ansell, said Bulley was in a good place and full of beans" after a successful and important work meeting the day before she vanished. She was in amazing spirits" and excited about her career as a mortgage broker, he said. Continue reading...
Scottish songwriter, 26, says he will take a break from touring for the foreseeable future'Lewis Capaldi has cancelled his entire upcoming tour and announced he is taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future" in order to adjust to the impact" of living with Tourette syndrome.The 26-year-old Scottish songwriter's statement comes in the wake of his performance on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury on Saturday, in which he lost his voice and relied on the audience to help him sing his biggest hits. The set was his return to performance after announcing in early June that he was cancelling all dates in the lead-up to the festival in order to take care of his mental health. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Labour leader did not contact Acoba about taking up role at top firm in 2014, it has emergedKeir Starmer failed to consult the post-government appointments watchdog when he left the Crown Prosecution Service and took a highly paid consultancy with a top law firm, the Guardian has found.After the Labour leader stepped down as director of public prosecutions (DPP) in October 2013, he became a part-time consultant at Mishcon de Reya, an elite London firm that paid him at least 100,000. Continue reading...
by Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent on (#6CGQS)
GLA data reveals over 1,700 more people on the streets compared with last year amid cost of living crisisRough sleeping is soaring in London with over 1,700 more people on the streets than last year - a 21% rise, according to figures from the Greater London Authority (GLA).The increase from 8,329 people seen sleeping rough in 2021-22 to 10,053 in 2022-23 was described as categorically terrible" by Rick Henderson, the chief executive of the Homeless Link frontline charity, and extremely alarming" by Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London. Continue reading...
Impact assessment' of the illegal migration bill reignites bitter rows over controversial schemeThe cost of sending a single person seeking asylum to Rwanda could be nearly 170,000, according to government analysis, which has immediately reignited bitter rows over the controversial scheme.A long-awaited impact assessment" of the illegal migration bill has conceded that ministers do not know the overall costs of implementing plans to detain and deport anyone who arrives in the UK by irregular means. Continue reading...
Lowest ever percentage of freedom of information requests were fully granted in first three months of current governmentRishi Sunak's government placed a record number of blocks on freedom of information requests in its first three months, leading to accusations of a culture of concealment".New figures show that the government gave out information in full in only 33.6% of cases in which it held the data during the first three months of Sunak's administration. Just 3,895 of 11,597 resolvable requests" were granted in full. Continue reading...
In today's newsletter: Why temperatures are increasing so quickly and what that could mean for the future Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.Even though summer has only just begun, record heatwaves are already being set. Last week Beijing logged its hottest June day since records began, at 41C. In Texas, a deadly heatwave is entering its third week - a number of records have already been broken across the state, including a blistering 115F (46.1C) reading in Del Rio and 116F (46.6C) in Cotulla. Canada had wildfires that burnt so furiously this month toxic smoke was felt across the United States. In India, morgues and hospitals became overwhelmed after temperatures hit 45C in some areas - at least 96 people reportedly died from heat-aggravated conditions. In the UK, a wildfire broke out in Scotland, burning an estimated 1,500 hectares of land and temperatures in some areas have already hit 32C.Coronavirus | Ministers knew in 2016 that even a moderate pandemic would overrun the system" and that the government's emergency response function would be very rapidly overwhelmed" by a major disease outbreak, the UK Covid-19 public inquiry has heard.Housing | A freeze on housing benefit rates since April 2020 and surging rent prices have pushed the number of homes on the market that can be paid for through welfare down from 23% to 5%, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies. Around 2 million households in England and Wales receive housing benefit.Russia | Vladimir Putin has claimed in a TV address that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's uprising was doomed to fail" and said Russia showed unity" in the face of a treacherous" rebellion. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised Ukrainian troops for advancing in all sectors", after visiting frontline soldiers in the east and south of the country.UK news | Nicola Bulley died from drowning, with no evidence that she was harmed or had alcohol in her bloodstream. Such are the findings of a consultant pathologist, as told to an inquest into the death of the 45-year-old mortgage broker.Conservatives | A woman has accused Conservative London mayoral candidate Daniel Korski of groping her in Downing Street a decade ago. Daisy Goodwin, a TV producer, alleged that Korski had put his hand on her breast during a meeting at Downing Street, while he was a special adviser to David Cameron. A spokesperson for Korski has said that he categorically denies any allegation of inappropriate behaviour whatsoever". Continue reading...
The move is a major policy shift in country's male-dominated parliament and brings Japan into line with more than 90 other countriesJapan is to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis, weeks after it approved the abortion pill.The move, reported by media on Tuesday, will bring Japan into line with dozens of other countries where the morning-after pill is already available over the counter. Continue reading...
by Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent on (#6CGHJ)
Campaigners say mechanism is needed to ensure public inquiry recommendations are not ignoredCovid bereaved families and Grenfell survivors are demanding greater enforcement of public inquiry recommendations to stop preventable deaths.Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent on public inquiries in recent years and the campaigners are calling for a national oversight mechanism to tackle a shocking accountability gap" and ensure that when recommendations are made after deaths, they are not lost, ignored or left to gather dust". Continue reading...
Scientist with young British daughter dismayed by accusatory tone of letter after officials' errorA widowed Dutch research scientist living in Britain with his British six-year-old daughter has had his skilled worker visa cancelled by the Home Office and received a notification that he needs to leave the UK within the next two months.Bobby Stuijfzand received a letter from the Home Office this month cancelling his visa. The letter said his entry clearance had been removed because you have stopped working for your sponsor", despite Stuijfzand still being employed by them. The notification added: You do not have a right of appeal or administrative review against the decision to cancel your permission to stay." Continue reading...
by Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent on (#6CGCK)
Under online safety bill, maximum sentence where intent to cause distress is proved will be two yearsSharing deepfake intimate images is to be criminalised in England and Wales. Amendments to the online safety bill will make it illegal to share explicit images or videos that have been digitally manipulated to look like someone else without their consent.The Ministry of Justice said the use of deepfakes had been increasing in recent years, with a website that virtually strips women naked receiving 38m hits in the first eight months of 2021. Continue reading...
Children are being left in limbo so long that they are at risk of harm, social workers warnLone child asylum seekers are facing fivefold increases in delays in having their claims processed by the Home Office, with devastating consequences, according to a new report.Social workers, legal professionals and the children themselves have warned that the impact of being left in limbo about their future for so long includes the risk of suicide, self-harm and persistent insomnia.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. Continue reading...
World news | The Guardian