DAN HODGES: This is who's REALLY to blame for the crushing failure of Labour's first year - despite the shocking thing Starmer's allies have told me about the party's MPs
He concluded with this peroration. 'My government is rolling up its sleeves and getting the job done. Grown-up politics, back in the service of working people.'
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Glasgow Times
25 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
King Charles sends unity message on 7/7 attacks anniversary
The head of state said comfort can be taken from the 'spirit of unity' across the UK, which has allowed the nation to heal. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also said that 'those who tried to divide us failed," adding: 'We stood together then, and we stand together now'. King Charles issues message of national unity for 7/7 attacks anniversary The King has called on the country to continue its spirit of unity (Image: PA/Aaron Chown) The King said: 'Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, my heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. 'We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil – and the enduring grief of their loved ones. 'We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass. 'In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day. 'The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.' Other members of the Royal Family are taking part in memorials today, including The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who will appear at the National Service of Commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral from 11.30am on Monday. Sir Keir Starmer said that 'those who tried to divide us failed' (Image: PA) The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity. He said: 'While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination. 'It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal. 'As we remember those we lost, let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us.' The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are to attend a memorial today (Image: PA) What were the 7/7 attacks in London? The 7/7 attacks were a series of attacks across London's transport network on July 7, 2005. The attacks saw bombs detonated on three underground trains and a double-decker bus. This caused severe casualties during rush hour, seeing 52 people killed and more than 700 injured. These were carried out by Islamist terrorists using improvised explosive devices made from concentrated hydrogen peroxide and pepper, packed into backpacks.
Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Migrant can stay in UK after ‘far-fetched' claim he was shot by lover's father
An Iraqi asylum seeker has been allowed to remain in the UK after 'far-fetched' claims that he was shot by his married lover's father in an attempted honour killing. The unnamed migrant claimed that he was gunned down and left in hospital by his girlfriend's family following a secret affair. The Iraqi, in his late 20s, said he was outside his home in Iraq when his lover's disapproving father and brother shot him in the shoulder. He claimed the woman's father was a 'powerful' and 'influential' man who had connections with the Iraqi government. After arriving in Britain, he is now trying to claim asylum on humanitarian grounds by arguing that he cannot be deported because he is at risk of becoming an honour killing victim. A previous ruling at an asylum court dismissed his case, finding that he was not 'credible' and casting doubt on his 'far-fetched' story. However, the man has won an appeal after a new ruling said the original judge made legal mistakes. The case, disclosed in court papers, is the latest example uncovered by The Telegraph in which illegal migrants or convicted foreign criminals have been able to remain in the UK or halt their removal from the UK. Ministers are proposing to raise the threshold to make it harder for judges to grant the right to remain based on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to a family life, and Article 3, which protects against torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The Iraqi man, of mixed Arabic and Kurdish ethnicity, lodged his asylum claim in September 2020, having arrived in the country. On his way to Britain, he spent time in France and had an asylum bid rejected in Denmark. 'The basis of the [Iraqi's] claim is that he cannot return to Iraq as he fears he is at risk of an honour killing from the family of a woman with whom he had an extra-marital relationship,' the tribunal said. 'He claims that [her] father is a powerful person with connections to the Iraqi government.' The Iraqi said he was in a 'secretive' relationship with the unnamed woman and was not aware of her father's 'rank, power and influence' before he began the relationship, only finding out later from her and a friend. The woman was married and 'forced to return to her family home', according to the man. He said he never met the woman's family but was able to recognise them after seeing photos at her home. He alleges that her father and brother shot him outside his own home and that he had to be treated in hospital for a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Account 'not credible' When the Home Office tried to deport him, he appealed against the decision. However, a lower-tier tribunal ruled that his account was 'not credible' and that 'he does not face a real risk of suffering serious harm in Iraq'. The judge at the time cast doubt over whether he was able to recognise the father and brother during the shooting, saying it was 'far-fetched' that he recognised them during the 'moment of heightened anxiety'. The judge also said the Iraqi gave 'confusing' and 'varying' accounts of who had shot him while in hospital. There was also no direct evidence of the injury, with his medical notes merely stating that he had a 'historic shoulder injury'. However, after a further appeal to an upper immigration tribunal, a judge has ruled the lower tribunal made mistakes in law that meant it could not be said the Iraqi's account about being shot was not credible. The panel concluded that the legal mistakes 'cast sufficient doubt on the overall approach to the credibility assessment'. The case will be reheard at the first-tier tribunal.
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Barack Obama to be interviewed live on stage at London and Dublin events
Former US president Barack Obama is to be interviewed live on stage for two events in London and Dublin. The 63-year-old, who became the first black US president when he took office in 2009, will be interviewed by TV historian David Olusoga for the event at London's The O2 on September 24, before chatting with Irish journalist Fintan O'Toole at Dublin's 3Arena on September 26. An Evening With President Barack Obama will see the former president speak about his experiences in the role and the future for the US. Stuart Galbraith, chief executive of Kilimanjaro, and Alex Fane, chief executive of Fane Group, the groups organising the events, said in a joint statement: 'We are incredibly honoured to bring President Obama to the UK and Ireland for these truly special events. 'His message of unity and progress resonates deeply, and we anticipate an evening that will inspire and empower all who attend. 'We believe in providing exceptional experiences, and this event perfectly aligns with our mission to connect people with inspiring moments.' Tickets for the events go on sale at 10am on Thursday July 10, with 100 tickets set aside in each city for charitable organisations. Since his presidency ended, Mr Obama has signed a deal with Netflix, alongside his wife Michelle, to produce documentaries, documentary series, and features for the streaming platform under their Higher Ground Productions company. In 2022, he won the best narrator Emmy for his work on the Netflix documentary series Our Great National Parks, while he previously won Grammy awards for his audiobook reading of two of his memoirs, The Audacity Of Hope and Dreams From My Father. The Hawaii-born former president has also hosted a podcast called Renegades: Born In The USA in 2021, alongside singer Bruce Springsteen, with the pair also releasing a book based on the podcast.
