UK News

The Government will seek to make phone bans in schools statutory by introducing an amendment in the House of Lords to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. A Department for Education spokesperson said the amendment will make existing guidance on mobile phone bans in schools statutory. A spokesperson for the DfE said: “We have been consistently clear that mobile phones have no place in schools, and the majority already prohibit […]

A sex attacker who subjected a stranger to racist and anti-Muslim abuse as he raped her at her home has changed his pleas to guilty after being verbally abused in the dock. John Ashby admitted charges of rape, robbery, intentional strangulation and religiously aggravated assault on Tuesday at Birmingham Crown Court. The 32-year-old, of no fixed abode, asked to see his barrister and changed his pleas around an hour after […]

An inquiry into the leak of information relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s security vetting is under way, the Government has said. Information was given to The Guardian after the Cabinet Office briefed Number 10 on the matter. Responding to an emergency debate on the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones told the Commons: “I am sure the House will be as […]

Two people have lost a High Court challenge against the Metropolitan Police over its use of live facial recognition technology in London. Youth worker Shaun Thompson and Silkie Carlo, from campaign group Big Brother Watch, brought the claim over concerns that facial recognition could be used arbitrarily or in a discriminatory way. Mr Thompson, who volunteers with young people affected by violence, was misidentified by the technology. Lawyers for the […]

Pubs and restaurants in London fear that this week’s strikes by London Underground drivers will have a big impact on their business. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out from 12 noon for 24 hours today and again on Thursday, disrupting services for the rest of the week. Transport for London (TfL) urged passengers to check before they travel, warning that the industrial action will […]

Former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins said there was a “dismissive approach” to Peter Mandelson’s security vetting from No 10 with an “atmosphere of pressure” to get the appointment through. Sir Olly was sacked by the Prime Minister last week for not disclosing Lord Mandelson failed security checks but was granted developed vetting (DV) clearance anyway by the Foreign Office. He insisted that only the final outcome of the […]

The King has recorded a heartfelt tribute to his “darling Mama” to mark the centenary of her birth but said much of life today would likely have “troubled her deeply”. Charles’ video message in tribute to the nation’s longest-reigning monarch describes how “she remained constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served”. He acknowledged the many challenges and issues nationally and across the globe that may have caused […]

Bournemouth have announced Marco Rose will succeed Andoni Iraola as the club’s head coach in the summer. The German has agreed a three-year deal at the Vitality Stadium. Iraola revealed last week he will leave the Cherries when his contract expires at the end of the season, bringing an end to a successful three-year reign. Despite hoping to extend the Spaniard’s stay, Bournemouth were prepared for that scenario and have […]

Zoologist and TV presenter Desmond Morris has been remembered for his “lifetime of exploration, curiosity and creativity” after his death at 98. The TV star, who hosted the popular show Zoo Time, rose to fame in 1967 when his book The Naked Ape became an international bestseller. He died on Sunday at the age of 98. His son Jason told the Press Association: “His was a lifetime of exploration, curiosity […]