Latest news with #DianaJohnson
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
UK govt to track anti-migrant content shared on social media platforms
Soon, the UK government will be able to monitor anti-migrant posts on social media through a new national intelligence team drawn from police forces across the country, according to a letter sent to Parliament by Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson. Plans for the so-called National Internet Intelligence Investigations team, which will sit within the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) in London, were disclosed in a letter to MPs on July 17, 2025. The letter came in response to a House of Commons Home Affairs Committee inquiry into last year's violent unrest in Southport. 'We are carefully considering recommendations made by the \[Commons Home Affairs] committee and HMICFRS \[His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services] in this area, including building a National Internet Intelligence Investigations team as part of the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC),' Johnson wrote. 'This team will provide a national capability to monitor social media intelligence and advise on its use to inform local operational decision-making. This will be a dedicated function at a national level for exploiting internet intelligence to help local forces manage public safety threats and risks,' she said. Triggered by online rumours The move follows a series of protests outside asylum hotels in towns such as Norwich, Leeds and Bournemouth. Last year's riots were sparked by online misinformation about the immigration status of Axel Rudakubana, a Welsh-born man of Rwandan heritage who fatally stabbed three schoolgirls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July 2024. The Commons committee report had called for a central policing system with 'enhanced capacity to monitor and respond to social media at the national level'. HMICFRS, the police watchdog, said in its analysis that police had not kept pace with the 'fast-developing nature of online communications' and had become too 'passive' in tackling digital misinformation. 'The disorder in 2024 shows that policing needs to act now and be more responsive to those risks. It must recognise that online content could contain vital intelligence,' the watchdog said. Pushback from Opposition The proposal has prompted concerns over free speech from Opposition leaders and civil liberties groups. 'Two-tier Keir can't police the streets, so he's trying to police opinions instead. They're setting up a central team to monitor what you post, what you share, what you think, because deep down they know the public don't buy what they're selling,' said shadow home secretary Chris Philp in a social media post. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, told NewsWeek, 'This is the beginning of the state controlling free speech. It is sinister, dangerous and must be fought. Reform UK will do just that.'
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Pubs to stay open late AGAIN tomorrow in huge boost for Brits cheering on Lionesses to victory in Euros final
PUBS in England and Wales are going to stay open late tomorrow as fans cheer on the Lionesses in the Euro final. Tomorrow night pubs are set to stay open for an extra two hours as England compete against Spain in the European Championship final. Advertisement 3 The Lionesses are set to face Spain during tomorrow night's final Credit: Getty 3 It follows a tense semi-final match against Italy that saw the girls win 2-1 Credit: Reuters 3 Pubs have been allowed to stay open until 1am as Brits enjoy the game Credit: Getty The Home Office confirmed on Friday that licensing hours would be extended across England and Wales. It means that pubs will be able to stay open until 1am, long after the game kicks off at 5pm. Earlier this year, the government Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said at the time that venues "stand to benefit" from later closing times. Advertisement Read more Sport Pub licensing hours can be relaxed for events of "exceptional national significance" with both the semi-final and final of the Euros included under this umbrella term. Tomorrow's match will take place at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland. Earlier this week, the It gave Brits plenty of time to celebrate after the team beat Italy 2-1 during extra time. Advertisement Most read in Football The British Beer and Pub Association has estimated that pub-goers will buy a million extra pints during the final, which could boost the economy by £5 million. Announcing the news, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "I want to wish the best of luck to (manager) Sarina Weigman and the England squad, who we hope will bring it home once again and continue on as champions of Europe." Despite spending much of the match losing 1-0 to Italy on Tuesday, the Lionesses managed to secure a win in an exhilarating end to the match. During the 96th minute, 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang scored, as England went on to win during extra time. Advertisement It followed their 3-2 quarter-final win against Sweden. The tense match lasted an extra 30 minutes, with the team going on to beat Sweden during the penalty shootout. Fourteen spot-kicks were taken during the tense showdown between England and Sweden. Only five of these were scored , six saved and three missed for a conversion rate of just 35.7 per cent. Advertisement The Lionesses won the Euros in 2022 , beating rivals Germany 2-1, and hope to do the same this year. Their 2022 victory was hailed as "inspiring" with the team bringing football home in front of a sold out . Despite the increased custom the championship could bring pubs, some landlords have said they're struggling to cope with increased costs. In addition to the increase in minimum wage, the BBPA said that English pubs are unfairly taxed compared to those in Europe. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Pubs to stay open late AGAIN tomorrow in huge boost for Brits cheering on Lionesses to victory in Euros final
It follows a last-minute win against Italy earlier this week BEER IT COMES! Pubs to stay open late AGAIN tomorrow in huge boost for Brits cheering on Lionesses to victory in Euros final Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PUBS in England and Wales are going to stay open late tomorrow as fans cheer on the Lionesses in the Euro final. Tomorrow night pubs are set to stay open for an extra two hours as England compete against Spain in the European Championship final. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The Lionesses are set to face Spain during tomorrow night's final Credit: Getty 3 It follows a tense semi-final match against Italy that saw the girls win 2-1 Credit: Reuters 3 Pubs have been allowed to stay open until 1am as Brits enjoy the game Credit: Getty The Home Office confirmed on Friday that licensing hours would be extended across England and Wales. It means that pubs will be able to stay open until 1am, long after the game kicks off at 5pm. Earlier this year, the government announced the measure that said if either England or Wales made it into the semi-finals, pubs across the country could open late. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said at the time that venues "stand to benefit" from later closing times. Pub licensing hours can be relaxed for events of "exceptional national significance" with both the semi-final and final of the Euros included under this umbrella term. Tomorrow's match will take place at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland. Earlier this week, the same extension on opening times was allowed during Tuesday's semi final match with Italy. It gave Brits plenty of time to celebrate after the team beat Italy 2-1 during extra time. The British Beer and Pub Association has estimated that pub-goers will buy a million extra pints during the final, which could boost the economy by £5 million. Announcing the news, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "I want to wish the best of luck to (manager) Sarina Weigman and the England squad, who we hope will bring it home once again and continue on as champions of Europe." Despite spending much of the match losing 1-0 to Italy on Tuesday, the Lionesses managed to secure a win in an exhilarating end to the match. During the 96th minute, 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang scored, as England went on to win during extra time. It followed their 3-2 quarter-final win against Sweden. The tense match lasted an extra 30 minutes, with the team going on to beat Sweden during the penalty shootout. Fourteen spot-kicks were taken during the tense showdown between England and Sweden. Only five of these were scored, six saved and three missed for a conversion rate of just 35.7 per cent. The Lionesses won the Euros in 2022, beating rivals Germany 2-1, and hope to do the same this year. Their 2022 victory was hailed as "inspiring" with the team bringing football home in front of a sold out Wembley Stadium. Despite the increased custom the championship could bring pubs, some landlords have said they're struggling to cope with increased costs. In addition to the increase in minimum wage, the BBPA said that English pubs are unfairly taxed compared to those in Europe.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Certain vehicles could face tough new restrictions and number plate rules
The Labour Party is reportedly preparing a new laws to address the growing concerns voiced by pedestrians, motorists and campaigners over the widespread and often reckless use of e-scooters E-scooters could face tougher restrictions - including compulsory number plates and stricter ownership controls - as mounting public pressure demands enhanced regulation of their presence on Britain's roads. The Labour government is understood to be drafting fresh legislation to tackle escalating complaints from pedestrians, drivers, and safety advocates about the rampant and frequently dangerous deployment of e-scooters. At present, e-scooters can only be legally operated within approved trial areas or on private land, yet enforcement remains patchy and unlawful usage in public areas has rocketed. The anticipated reforms would represent a significant policy transformation, aligning e-scooter oversight more closely with motor vehicle standards. Whitehall sources indicate the upcoming laws will target heavily souped-up scooters - some reaching speeds of up to 70mph - which have become increasingly associated with anti-social conduct and lawbreaking, reports Birmingham Live. The initiative follows growing public exasperation and safety fears, with demands intensifying for definitive regulations to manage the rapidly expanding e-scooter footprint on Britain's roads and footpaths. A Government source told GB News: "Successive Conservative Governments dragged their feet while a black market of e-scooters has been allowed to take over our streets. "E-scooters can be a great way to get around, but they must be properly regulated, safe for pedestrians as well as riders, and we must ensure they cannot clutter up our streets." The source continued: "This Government will act where the Tories failed to do so - legislating to crack down on illegal use to make our streets safe and accessible for everyone." The government is also considering mandatory training programmes for e-scooter users, akin to those required for car drivers. Labour's Minister for Crime and Policing, Dame Diana Johnson, commented on tackling anti-social driving: "Anti-social and reckless driving brings misery to communities across the country, from dangerous street racing to off-road bikes tearing through local parks." She elaborated on new measures to empower police: "By enabling police to seize and dispose of these vehicles within just 48 hours, we're giving our officers the tools they need to deliver immediate results and providing communities with the swift justice they deserve."
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Orgreave miners prioritised over grooming gang victims, Tories claim
The Government has been accused of prioritising the Orgreave miners over 'the minors who suffered horrific exploitation at the hands of grooming gangs'. Shadow policing minister Matt Vickers told the Commons that 'this Labour Government's union paymasters should not determine the pecking order of justice in this country'. His comments, which policing minister Dame Diana Johnson branded 'extremely distasteful', came after a public inquiry was announced this week into the violent confrontation at Orgreave during the miners' strike in 1984. The inquiry, expected to launch in the autumn, will investigate the events surrounding clashes at the Orgreave Coking Plant in South Yorkshire on June 18 1984, which caused 120 injuries. In total, 95 picketers were arrested and initially charged with riot and violent disorder, but all charges were later dropped after evidence was discredited. Meanwhile, last month the Government announced that there will be a full statutory inquiry into grooming gangs, after initially dismissing calls for one. Responding to the Orgreave inquiry announcement, Tory frontbencher Mr Vickers said: 'I note from the Government's publication that the inquiry will be statutory, with powers to compel individuals to provide information where necessary. 'This sounds remarkably similar to a request we've made to the Government, one which was repeatedly rejected. 'The victims and survivors of rape gangs deserve detailed updates on the progress of that inquiry, yet the lack of information about how this new inquiry will be set up and how it will compel evidence leads me to conclude that the Government has prioritised the miners over the minors who suffered horrific exploitation at the hands of rape gangs. 'This Labour Government's union paymasters should not determine the pecking order of justice in this country. 'There are still perpetrators of child sexual exploitation and those who have covered it up who have gone unpunished. 'And yet this Government has chosen to prioritise this inquiry.' Mr Vickers also claimed there are 'serious questions' about whether the chairman of the inquiry – the Rt Rev Dr Pete Wilcock, the Bishop of Sheffield – will be able to 'act in a politically neutral and independent manner'. He asked: 'Can the minister assure the House that the inquiry will not be political in nature and that it will listen to the views of all parties present on the day, so that this is not merely an example of the Government putting the interests of the unions ahead of the police?' Responding, Dame Diana said she was 'surprised' by these remarks because 'I know the shadow minister is a good man'. But she added: 'I must say to him that I found his comments extremely distasteful and also not accurate or correct.' Dame Diana told MPs: 'Our manifesto commitment was to ensure that there was a thorough investigation or inquiry, that the truth about the events at Orgreave came to light, and that is what we are doing today.' She added: 'He will know that there has been a great deal of work to make sure that the hideous, appalling situations that have been uncovered around the grooming gangs are now going to be dealt with. 'The safeguarding minister has given statements to the House. The Home Secretary has given statements to the House. 'There has been a clear list of the action that is being taken, and it seems to me that that work is absolutely right. 'And of course, under the previous government, when the independent child abuse inquiry was set up, there was support across the House for that work of Professor Alexis Jay. 'It's just a great pity that the previous government did not actually enact any of the recommendations that Professor Alexis Jay came forward. 'And I think that is a hugely shameful state of affairs that this Government then inherited. 'But I'm absolutely clear that this Government is dealing with grooming gangs and that that is absolutely the right thing to do but, equally, it's absolutely the right thing to do to set the Orgreave inquiry up today.' Addressing the issue of the chairman of the inquiry, the minister said: 'I was really disappointed again with the remarks about the bishop. 'I think Bishop Pete has previously supported calls for an inquiry and I think it's important to note that that was in the context of his pastoral role in supporting members of the Diocese of Sheffield, who were impacted by the events at Orgreave. 'And he certainly didn't show any favour for either the police or the picketers when calling for that inquiry. 'And I don't think that that call detracts from the necessary credibility, the impartiality and independence that I believe that he will bring to this role as the chair of the inquiry, and I know that he has the backing and the support of the key stakeholders for taking forward that role.' Dame Diana said she wanted the inquiry to be done 'as quickly as possible, but as thoroughly as possible', adding that a time frame of two years was indicated in early discussions. This came in response to Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North), who asked for an 'idea of roughly how long she expects the inquiry to report'. The minister added that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has written to all police forces, the National Police Chiefs' Council, the College of Policing and all Government departments to ask that all material they hold relating to the events of Orgreave be retained. DUP MP Jim Shannon raised concerns about the 'retraumatisation' that elderly retired police officers will 'undoubtedly suffer' when asked to recall details of that day in 1984. Dame Diana said the Bishop of Sheffield will look into what support needs to be in place to help witnesses, whether they be from the police, picketers or their families.
