Reform's war is anything but civil
The fall-out at Reform between Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe – which came as absolutely no surprise to anyone who has followed Farage's career and knows what happens to anyone who challenges his dominance – was as swift as it was brutal.
What seems beyond doubt is that while one of the claims against Lowe – that he made verbal threats to Reform's Zia Yusuf – allegedly took place in December, it was only reported to police last Thursday, coincidentally the day of Lowe's Mail interview. For some reason, the party's Muslim chair seems to be being blamed by many supporters for the whole farrago, losing 5,000 followers on X in the aftermath of the incident, while Lowe has put on 20,000.
Yusuf certainly acted fast in one regard – immediately after Lowe was stripped of the Reform whip following allegations of bullying, the party website had been stripped of all mentions of the man who had, until then, been of its most prominent media voices.
Meanwhile, those who wonder if things can get even worse for Reform have a swift answer – the clownish ex-GB News pundit Darren Grimes has announced his intention to stand for the party.
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Metro
31 minutes ago
- Metro
Labour's love lost in less than a year but will electoral reform rescue it?
In MetroTalk: Readers discuss Labour leaders, the left-wing, mass migration and the wealth tax debate (Picture:) Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Is your spiritual home sturdy? Reader comments on Farage, Corbyn and Starmer Brian Dooley (MetroTalk, Wed) thinks Jeremy Corbyn's new political party should be the spiritual home of Labour supporters because Sir Keir Starmer has abandoned core Labour values. If only! Starmer ran to be Labour leader on left-of-centre policies and then understandably abandoned them to win last year's general election. Then, inexplicably, he forgot why he had won and reverted to comfort-zone, left-of-centre policies that plunged the government into a serious poll dive that shows no sign of being reversed. Immigration control, law and order, economic growth, NHS reform… policies very popular with the electorate have all collapsed in less than a year. Instead, out-of-touch, left-of-centre backbenchers bully the prime minister to maintain a bloated welfare state that is a magnet for migrants. No wonder Nigel Farage is so popular. Brian, the present Labour Party is indeed your spiritual home… until it is swept away in a few years' time – something that has happened in practically every country in Europe. Chris Shepherd, London Left-wing and centre-left vote to be split four ways? This reader says Corbyn would have less momentum if Labour offered concession to the left-wing(Picture:) I couldn't agree more with James Freeman (MetroTalk, Tue) that if Labour were to offer any sort of concession to the left wing of the party then Corbyn's party wouldn't have as much momentum. To reduce the threat posed by Reform UK, we also need proportional representation (PR). Under first past the post (FPTP), there is a danger the left-wing and centre-left vote will be split between Labour, the Lib Dems, the Greens and Corbyn's party, while the right-wing vote is largely united behind Reform UK. Reform could win an overall majority with just 30 per cent of the popular vote under FPTP – but this could not happen under PR. Alan Yearsley, Sheffield Anti-immigrant, anti-immigration or pro-borders? Reader debates Some politicians and pro-immigration activists call their opponents 'anti-immigrant' protesters. Got a question about UK politics? Send in yours and Metro's Senior Politics Reporter Craig Munro will answer it in an upcoming edition of our weekly politics newsletter. Email alrightgov@ or submit your question here. Maybe the protesters are not so much opposing immigrants – maybe they are opposing the government policies that have encouraged mass immigration? So, why not call them anti-immigration protesters? Or again, perhaps it would be more accurate to call them pro-borders protesters? Some of the pro-immigration activists carry banners calling for 'No borders, no nations'. Will Podmore, London 'Trying to nail down jelly', reader talks wealth tax This reader says wealth tax would be 'impossible to administer' (Picture:) Rob Slater (MetroTalk, Tue) asks why chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out introducing a wealth tax. The answer is simple – it's impossible to administer, as other countries have found. How do you put a value on works of art, fine wines, vintage cars, property or companies owned by individuals, to give just a few examples? What's to stop people who live here moving their assets to another country? How many civil servants would you need to assess values – if indeed you could? How many court cases would be brought by those who feel their assets have been overvalued? It's like trying to nail down jelly. The big mistake this government made was in promising not to increase those taxes that make up two-thirds of the total tax income – income tax, national insurance and VAT. If we don't want to pay more tax then we have to expect cuts to public services. It's as simple as that. John Daniels, Redhill Reader says Reform can't solve emigration when the party includes many ex-Tories responsible for mass migration? In her analysis of the causes of mass immigration, Helen (MetroTalk, Tue) ignores the fact large numbers of migrants don't come from countries with war or disaster but the EU and India etc. She glossed over the fact many who do come from problem countries go through safe countries to get here. Helen ignored the impact on the country of over-population (in the 1970s people were urged to stop having children as the then much smaller population was considered unsustainable). She also ignored the fact not only are we becoming 'an island of strangers' – in the words of Starmer, albeit words he now regrets – but of enemies as per the under-reported conflict between Muslims and Hindus. Helen is right about the terrible conditions driving some to emigrate but as to Reform claiming to being the solution, the party contains many ex-Tories responsible for much of the mass migration. Reform is in favour of increasing the wealth disparity between rich and poor, probably increasing the drive for immigration. Mark, via email At what age can you be rugby tackled to the floor for breaking the law? This reader saysthat if they're allowed to vote, they're old enough to face consequences for stealing(Picture: Getty Images) The other night I watched two teenagers walk out of my local superstore with a rucksack full of shopping they had not paid for. The security guard tried to stop them but they just casually walked past him. He told me they did it all the time because they know he can't touch them. If the government considers them old enough to vote then surely they are of the age where they can be rugby-tackled to the floor for breaking the law. Gareth, London Reader suggests substance testing for those on benefits with mental health issues Why doesn't the Department for Work and Pensions introduce drug and alcohol testing for those who receive benefits and claim to have mental health issues? Very often I see people on the street smoking marijuana or with a can of beer. It's easy to see what kind of state they are in and it's very dangerous. These individuals should be receiving medical care and food, travel and rent vouchers, not money or benefits. If they refuse, they should be disqualified and prosecuted. Val, Broxbourne Arrow MORE: KöD's signature three-course menu for only £39.50: 10 unmissable Time Out deals Arrow MORE: I'll sleep soundly through the next heatwave thanks to this game-changing item from Oodie Arrow MORE: Former UFC fighter Conor McGregor loses appeal for civil rape case
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Why silence over Gaza, even in Scotland, risks complicity in war crimes
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The situation in Gaza has never been a distant conflict; it is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in real time, and it demands a political response that goes beyond words of concern. As the death toll rises, the calls for action from my constituents grow louder and more urgent. Every day, I receive messages not only expressing anguish over the suffering of Palestinians, who are being deliberately starved, displaced, and killed while trying to access food and water, but also demanding that their elected representatives act. They are not only grieving; they are writing letters and calling for accountability at every level of government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As a Muslim MSP, I feel the emotional toll of this crisis both personally and publicly. At Friday prayers, in mosques, at community events and constituency surgeries, I am approached with grief, frustration, and a deep sense of urgency. Many are deeply shaken by what they are witnessing and feel abandoned by institutions they once trusted to stand for justice. People want reassurance that their voices are not being drowned out by political hesitation. READ MORE: Why Palestinians in Gaza are protesting with photos of Israeli children killed by Hamas Scores of people carry sacks of flour through the ruins of northern Gaza. UN-backed food security experts have warned the 'worst-case scenario of famine' is playing out in the area (Picture: Bashar Taleb) | AFP via Getty Images Providing arms and diplomatic cover Some argue that Gaza should not be a focus for British politicians. However, decisions made in Westminster, regarding arms exports, foreign policy, and trade, have global implications. We provide arms and diplomatic cover; we are not a neutral party. People in Scotland understand this. They expect those in public office to act with transparency and a firm commitment to human rights. Silence, in this context, is not a neutral stance. It risks complicity in war crimes. The systematic brutality we are witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank is not collateral damage; it is the deliberate dismantling of a people's right to exist. Entire families are being wiped out in minutes. Hospitals, schools, and places of worship have been bombed. Journalists and aid workers are allegedly being targeted and some have been killed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The horror unfolding at humanitarian aid points is especially shocking. Civilians, many of them children, have been killed while queuing for food and water. What should be safe zones for relief have become death traps. These are not isolated incidents. The ongoing violence fits a broader pattern that many human rights observers now warn may amount to ethnic cleansing, or even genocide under international law. Such actions cannot go unanswered. There must be accountability. British citizens have also been among the victims. Three UK aid workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in April 2024. More recently, Israeli tank fire struck the Holy Family Church in Gaza, killing civilians who were sheltering inside. People rush to join a queue at a charity kitchen in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip | AFP via Getty Images Condemning but enabling atrocities That is why I have consistently worked with MPs and fellow MSPs to amplify concerns about Gaza. I welcomed the UK Government's decision to suspend trade talks with Israel and to impose sanctions on the most extreme members of Prime Minister Netanyahu's government. These measures are steps in the right direction, but they are far from sufficient. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last week, the UK joined 27 other countries in condemning Israel's 'inhumane killing' of civilians seeking aid. Yet, despite suspending some export licences in September 2024, the UK has continued to authorise military exports, including munitions, vehicle and aircraft parts, and maintains diplomatic support in international arenas. You cannot claim to condemn atrocities while enabling the means to carry them out. Here in Scotland, we must also question how our own institutions may be complicit. I recently met with members of Campaign Against Arms Trade Edinburgh, which raised serious concerns about public subsidies being directed through Scottish Enterprise to arms manufacturers, including companies whose components may be used in weapons linked to war crimes. While not all funding is directly tied to weapons, the ethical implications are undeniable. Taxpayer money should never support, even indirectly, actions that risk violating international law. Public funds must align with Scotland's commitment to peace, dignity, and justice. Yasmine, a 22-year-old Palestinian mother, holds her malnourished two-month-old daughter Teen as they wait for treatment at the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip | AFP via Getty Images Standing Together In that same spirit of accountability and solidarity, I've also been in conversation with Standing Together, a movement of Jewish and Palestinian citizens in Israel working jointly for peace and equality. In a deeply polarised and dangerous environment, these activists are showing extraordinary courage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They risk their personal safety to stand against settler violence, challenge discriminatory policies, and protest against the actions of the Israeli government. Their message is simple but powerful: that peace is only possible when it is built on mutual recognition and shared humanity. Supporting movements like Standing Together is not only a way to protest against violence and promote peace in the face of the horrific situation unfolding in the region, it is also essential to tackling antisemitism and Islamophobia. This is not about political allegiance. It is about basic human dignity; the right of every person, regardless of where they are born, to live free from fear, violence, and oppression. The scale of suffering in Gaza has moved far beyond the bounds of political debate. Calls for a ceasefire are no longer enough. There must be immediate international action to stop the violence, protect civilians, and hold those responsible to account. In light of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent announcement, I welcome the outlined pathway towards recognising the state of Palestine ahead of the United Nations' General Assembly in September. The suffering in Gaza remains relentless. Our priority must be protecting civilians, both hostages and the people of Gaza, who continue to bear the unbearable. On Gaza, and on every issue where human rights are under threat, I will continue to raise my voice. Whether it's in the Scottish Parliament, in community spaces, or in solidarity with international movements for justice, I will continue to use every platform to speak out against oppression and to stand up for those whose voices are being silenced.
ITV News
2 hours ago
- ITV News
One year on: The lasting scars of the North East riots
ITV Tyne Tees Correspondent Gregg Easteal looks at the one year anniversary of the summer riots, which stunned a nation. A year ago, riots swept through parts of the North East sparking days of unrest and causing lasting damage. Thousands of rioters took to the streets - leaving lives, homes and businesses in disarray. Violent disorder flared up in different parts of the UK over the space of a week, including in Hartlepool, Sunderland and Middlesbrough. It began after misinformation spread online over the identity of a suspect involved in a stabbing attack at a children's dance class in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July 2024 - where three young girls were killed. The riots, which followed, were fuelled by false claims on social media that the perpetrator of the Southport attack was a Muslim and an illegal immigrant. An information vacuum allowed a false narrative to develop, that was picked up and amplified by far right sources. In some cities across the UK, rioters set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers, and launched bricks and fireworks at police. The violence left a trail of destruction across several towns and cities. ITV Tyne Tees revisited some of the hardest-hit areas to hear how residents are coping, one year on. 31 July - Hartlepool The first riot to strike the region was in Hartlepool. It started off in Murray Street. On the same street you will find Mason's Cafe. Tony at the cafe has said he was 'not surprised' that the riots happened. "The North East has changed quite a bit," he said. He continued: 'It will happen again.' Ezekiel, from Nigeria, settled down in Hartlepool two years ago. He said: 'There has been a lot of misconceptions of immigrants, and I think what the Government, and the council has done, to include everyone. "Whether they are British citizens or immigrants, everyone feels safe with one another. And also to remove all those misconceptions in general." 2 August - Sunderland The next place in the region to flare up in violence was in Sunderland. Rebaz, who is a Kurdish immigrant, was watching over his city centre barber shop when the riots began. He recalled the day, and how people shouted several racial slurs at him. He believes that it was "outsiders" who came into Sunderland to start the riot, and not local people. 'Sunderland is the best city and has the best people in the UK," he said. The mob also set fire to the Citizens Advice Bureau - which was next door to the police station - in the city centre. 'It was heart breaking", Sunderland Citizens Advice chief officer Denise Irving said. She continued: 'I think everybody in the community was shocked.' The following day saw hundreds of people from the community come together, to clean up the destruction left behind. 'Sunderland is a tight community that does look after each other," Ms Irving said. 4 August - Middlesbrough A few days later, unrest spread to the streets of Middlesbrough. Videos circulated online of rioters stopping cars in the town centre, asking drivers about the colour of their skin. In the clips, people were heard asking, "Are you white?" and "Are you English?" Nearby was Innocent Adeboye, a Nigerian law student, who was at home with his young family. Despite being fearful, Mr Adeboye said he still remembers the support of the white locals, who formed a protective guard outside his home. "They protected us," he said. For shop owner Arthur Thompson, he says that the mood in the area is still tense. 'You do feel tension between English people and the people who do live down here. 'There is resentment, because people believe that they get everything, and English people don't, and that's what they think," he said. There have been concerns raised about the potential for more trouble, and the need to improve opportunities, and bolster social cohesion in the deprived areas where trouble flared. Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald said: "It's so easy to trigger the negative responses, we hear it all the time, if any development is talked about suddenly it's going to be hostile for asylum seekers and so on. "This sort of thing, it's got its own momentum behind it. We got to think more critically about what's going on, and be proud of our community, and the good things that are going on." Help and support If you or someone you know has experienced a hate crime or hate incident, you can get help from hate crime support services. You can get help from Victim Support - this is an independent charity that can: . You can also report it to the police. If you want to report the crime or incident to the police, it's a good idea to contact a hate crime support service first. They can help you work out what to say in your report. Check how to report a hate crime to the police. If you don't want to talk to the police, you can ask an independent organisation to report it for you anonymously. These organisations are called 'third party reporting centres'. In an emergency, you should call 999.
