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Metro
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Giant Donald Trump baby blimp will float above London again when President visits UK
Activists are plotting to relaunch the Donald Trump baby balloon when the President jets to the UK for his historic second official visit in September, Metro can reveal. The blimp, a giant, six-metre-long inflatable depicting Trump as a baby in a nappy grasping a mobile phone, became a symbol of protests against the controversial leader on his first state visit as President in July 2018. It was flown in the skies above Parliament as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets. During the parade, it was flanked by a group of campaigners in red flying suits who were dubbed 'Trump babysitters'. The balloon later spawned copycat versions of London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which were flown in 2018 and 2019, as well as counterfeit merchandise, including t-shirts and bobblehead figures. Leo Murray, who came up with the idea of the blimp to mock the President, has now revealed he is considering re-launching the inflatable or commissioning another for the visit later this year. Leo, from north London, told Metro: 'We will consider getting the blimp up again. It was very effective last time. The way it made fun of him worked. It certainly was eye-catching and gave everyone a smile. But the danger of Trump is worse than ever now. 'The original one is now in the Museum of London so we would have to speak to them. We crowdfunded the first one so maybe we could do that again and get a new one. It's too early to say but we will have plans. 'It's more vital than ever to protest. He should not be coming for a second visit the way Britain's sucking up to him is not what people here want to see, it's very poor. 'His first presidency was bad enough but in the end he didn't get to do much. This time round he is much more dangerous- we have to oppose this visit and make ourselves heard.' To create the blimp, Leo worked with designer Matt Bonner. It was then built by Leicestershire-based company, Imagine Inflatables. While the majority of people praised the inflatable, it faced some criticism, including from the President himself. Trump said at the time the blimp made him feel unwanted, adding: 'I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London. 'I used to love London as a city. I haven't been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?' Nigel Farage also described it at the time as 'the biggest insult to a sitting US President ever.' In response to the criticism, the office of London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the balloon was recognised as a legitimate form of demonstration, which is why it was allowed to fly. It was later flown in Ireland during protests in 2019 but plans to launch it over Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland that year were halted after the authorities refused permission. The Museum of London has since bought the original blimp and has it on display in its protest collection. It described the blimp as an 'extraordinary and imaginative idea' and a 'response from Londoners'. The Museum's director, Sharon Ament, said the blimp was an example of the British love of satire. She said: 'We use humour a lot. And we poke fun at politicians. This is a big – literally – example of that.' Leo added: 'Last time the blimp was very effective and could be again. 'The world is a much more dangerous place because of Trump winning the presidency again. We need to make our voices heard.' In February, Trump was invited to visit the UK for a second unprecedented state visit by King Charles. Buckingham Palace confirmed on Tuesday that Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, will be in the UK from 17 to 19 September and will be hosted at Windsor Castle. A full schedule for the visit is yet to be released. The House of Commons breaks up the day before so he will not be making an address to Parliament as is the usual protocol for a state visit. Trump said ahead of his visit: 'I think I want to have a good time and respect King Charles because he's a great gentleman.' He added that the UK was a 'great place'. check our news page.
Metro
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Donald Trump baby balloon could take to the skies again when President visits UK
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Activists are plotting to relaunch the Donald Trump baby balloon when the President jets to the UK for his historic second official visit in September, Metro can reveal. The blimp, a giant, six-metre-long inflatable depicting Trump as a baby in a nappy grasping a mobile phone, became a symbol of protests against the controversial leader on his first state visit as President in July 2018. It was flown in the skies above Parliament as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets. During the parade, it was flanked by a group of campaigners in red flying suits who were dubbed 'Trump babysitters'. The balloon later spawned copycat versions of London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which were flown in 2018 and 2019, as well as counterfeit merchandise, including t-shirts and bobblehead figures. Leo Murray, who came up with the idea of the blimp to mock the President, has now revealed he is considering re-launching the inflatable or commissioning another for the visit later this year. Leo, from north London, told Metro: 'We will consider getting the blimp up again. It was very effective last time. The way it made fun of him worked. It certainly was eye-catching and gave everyone a smile. But the danger of Trump is worse than ever now. 'The original one is now in the Museum of London so we would have to speak to them. We crowdfunded the first one so maybe we could do that again and get a new one. It's too early to say but we will have plans. 'It's more vital than ever to protest. He should not be coming for a second visit the way Britain's sucking up to him is not what people here want to see, it's very poor. 'His first presidency was bad enough but in the end he didn't get to do much. This time round he is much more dangerous- we have to oppose this visit and make ourselves heard.' To create the blimp, Leo worked with designer Matt Bonner. It was then built by Leicestershire-based company, Imagine Inflatables. While the majority of people praised the inflatable, it faced some criticism, including from the President himself. Trump said at the time the blimp made him feel unwanted, adding: 'I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London. 'I used to love London as a city. I haven't been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?' Nigel Farage also described it at the time as 'the biggest insult to a sitting US President ever.' In response to the criticism, the office of London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the balloon was recognised as a legitimate form of demonstration, which is why it was allowed to fly. It was later flown in Ireland during protests in 2019 but plans to launch it over Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland that year were halted after the authorities refused permission. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Museum of London has since bought the original blimp and has it on display in its protest collection. It described the blimp as an 'extraordinary and imaginative idea' and a 'response from Londoners'. The Museum's director, Sharon Ament, said the blimp was an example of the British love of satire. She said: 'We use humour a lot. And we poke fun at politicians. This is a big – literally – example of that.' Leo added: 'Last time the blimp was very effective and could be again. 'The world is a much more dangerous place because of Trump winning the presidency again. We need to make our voices heard.' In February, Trump was invited to visit the UK for a second unprecedented state visit by King Charles. More Trending Buckingham Palace confirmed on Tuesday that Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, will be in the UK from 17 to 19 September and will be hosted at Windsor Castle. A full schedule for the visit is yet to be released. The House of Commons breaks up the day before so he will not be making an address to Parliament as is the usual protocol for a state visit. Trump said ahead of his visit: 'I think I want to have a good time and respect King Charles because he's a great gentleman.' He added that the UK was a 'great place'. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Five key questions answered about the Trump administration's Epstein files chaos MORE: Kevin Spacey begs for release of Epstein files and insists he 'has nothing to fear' MORE: 'I shared a prison dorm with Ghislaine Maxwell – she isn't suicidal in the least'
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Topps Tiles names National Express exec as its next boss=
Topps Tiles has appointed Alex Jensen, the boss of National Express in the UK, Ireland, and Germany, as its next chief executive. Jensen will replace Rob Parker, who originally joined Topps Tiles as its chief financial officer in 2007 before taking the top job six years ago. To ensure a smooth transition, she will become the CEO designate on 15 September and take up the position formally towards the latter part of the year. Prior to National Express, Jensen spent an extensive period at BP, where she oversaw the transformation of the oil supermajor's retail and B2B fleet services and was also its global chief marketing officer. She arrived at National Express in 2023, just after the travel giant's parent company had changed its name to Mobico Group. Since then, Mobico has agreed to sell its North American school bus division for up to $608million (£457million) to help reduce its debts. Paul Forman, chair of Topps Tiles, said: 'Alex brings extensive retail, multi-site and digital experience as well as a proven record of value creation. 'I am confident that Alex will be instrumental in helping us deliver our goal of Mission 365, creating value for all stakeholders.' Under the Mission 365 strategy, Topps Tiles is targeting annual sales of £365million and adjusted pre-tax margins of 8 to 10 per cent over the medium term. To achieve this, the group is expanding into new product areas, focusing on boosting B2B sales and developing its online Pro-Tiler and Tile Warehouse businesses. Topps Tiles further announced on Thursday that its finance boss, Stephen Hopson, would be leaving to take up a similar role at pub chain Marston's. The Leicestershire-based company said Mike Killick has become interim CFO and will work alongside Hopson until the latter steps down on 3 September. Killick has occupied senior finance positions at numerous firms, including Healthcare at Home, fashion retailer Peacocks, and chocolate manufacturer Thorntons. In its half-year results published last month, Topps Tiles reported that its adjusted sales rose by 4.1 per cent to £127.8million, thanks partly to strong online growth. Jensen said: 'I'm thrilled to be joining Topps Group at such an exciting stage in its journey. 'With its trusted brands, digital platforms, expert teams and loyal customer base, the business is well positioned for growth.' Topps Tiles shares were 1.1 per cent down at 35.5p on Thursday morning, taking their losses to around 12 per cent over the past year.
Dublin Live
09-06-2025
- Dublin Live
Irish woman ‘in fear' ahead of release of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Irishwoman who alleged she was raped at knifepoint by the main suspect in the disappearance of toddler Madeleine McCann says she fears he will seek her out following his release from prison. Christian Brueckner, 48, is due to be freed from a German jail in September after completing his sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old US woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2005. Hazel Behan, 41, who has waived her right to anonymity, said she fears the German man will "hunt her down". Brueckner was acquitted by a German court in relation to the charge of violent rape of Ms Behan at her apartment in Praia da Rocha in Portugal's Algarve. She told The Sun: "His sentence may be ending but mine never did. I have lived with fear every day for 21 years. "Fear that I'll see him. Fear that he'll find out where I live and hunt me down. I also have fear that he'll do to someone else what he did to me. "I've called him out in a public forum and I have genuine concern he could confront me. "I wouldn't put anything past a person like him. "If he is released, I will worry for every woman and child who, like me, believes the justice system is protecting them. "A leopard doesn't change his spots." Later this year Ms Behan expects to discover the outcome of her High Court appeal in Germany against his acquittal for raping her, another woman and a girl in Portugal in 2004. (Image: Phil Harris) Ms Behan has accused the Portuguese authorities of alleged "inaction" in identifying and prosecuting Brueckner. In April, she lodged an application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against the Portuguese authorities over their handling of her attack. Ms Behan also expressed her sympathy and support for the Leicestershire-based family of Madeleine who went missing in Praia da Luz while on holiday with her family in 2007 when she was three years old. (Image: PA) "As a parent, I cannot begin to imagine what they have gone through and continue to go through every day for the past 18 years," she said. German and Portuguese police and firefighters carried out a three-day search of an area near Praia da Luz last week in the latest efforts to find out what happened to the missing child. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
Powys County Times
08-06-2025
- Powys County Times
Irish woman ‘in fear' ahead of release of Christian Brueckner
An Irishwoman who alleged she was raped at knifepoint by the main suspect in the disappearance of toddler Madeleine McCann says she fears he will seek her out following his release from prison. Christian Brueckner, 48, is due to be freed from a German jail in September after completing his sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old US woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2005. Hazel Behan, 41, who has waived her right to anonymity, said she fears the German man will 'hunt her down'. Brueckner was acquitted by a German court in relation to the charge of violent rape of Ms Behan at her apartment in Praia da Rocha in Portugal's Algarve. She told The Sun: 'His sentence may be ending but mine never did. I have lived with fear every day for 21 years. 'Fear that I'll see him. Fear that he'll find out where I live and hunt me down. I also have fear that he'll do to someone else what he did to me. 'I've called him out in a public forum and I have genuine concern he could confront me. 'I wouldn't put anything past a person like him. 'If he is released, I will worry for every woman and child who, like me, believes the justice system is protecting them. 'A leopard doesn't change his spots.' Later this year Ms Behan expects to discover the outcome of her High Court appeal in Germany against his acquittal for raping her, another woman and a girl in Portugal in 2004. Ms Behan has accused the Portuguese authorities of alleged 'inaction' in identifying and prosecuting Brueckner. In April, she lodged an application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against the Portuguese authorities over their handling of her attack. Ms Behan also expressed her sympathy and support for the Leicestershire-based family of Madeleine who went missing in Praia da Luz while on holiday with her family in 2007 when she was three years old. 'As a parent, I cannot begin to imagine what they have gone through and continue to go through every day for the past 18 years,' she said.
