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The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Southport MP says government ‘must do more' to support riot towns year on from attack
Southport's MP has said the government 'must do more' to support towns such as Southport a year on from last July's attack and riots. Patrick Hurley, Southport's Labour MP, had been elected just weeks before the attack and rushed back from Westminster after hearing the news. Describing Southport's close-knit community, he said: 'Lots of people know each other, and what happened with the attack last year, we had over 20 girls in the room. When you get a gathering of that number of kids in a town like Southport, everybody knows somebody who has been affected. 'There's a lot more to Southport than what happened. But it will always be a part of the town's story and history. But we can move on and remember it at the same time.' He said the 'emotional outpouring' displayed by the community during the clean-up after the riot was the 'manifestation of Southport's community spirit'. However, he warned the government 'must do more' to support communities where riots took place across the country last summer. A paper published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) on Tuesday found that the loss of shared community spaces – from youth clubs and leisure centres to high-street pubs and piers – is leaving communities more vulnerable to far-right influence. He told The Independent: 'The civil disobedience we saw last summer was overwhelmingly in small towns like Southport, such as Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth and Rotherham. It appears that what these places all have in common is that they've all been on the sharp end of public service cuts in austerity years, and they feel like they've not been given a fair crack of the whip over the last 20 years. 'It's very clear that, while there are no justified concerns that could lead anybody to throw a petrol bomb at a police van, there are nevertheless reasons why people are angry with an economy and a government that prior to last July, didn't listen to them, which took money and funding away from them.' It comes after it was recently warned that protests which have turned violent recently are taking a 'massive toll' on police forces across the UK, as fears rise over the prospect of another summer of riots. Mr Hurley added: 'I think it's incumbent on this government now to reverse those years of austerity and to make sure towns like Southport and other places that either suffered riots or shared commonalities with places that did are given a much better economic deal. 'I think we need to do much more to make sure people realise this is a government on their side because otherwise people might decide to take matters into their own hands again.' A government spokesperson said: 'The disorder that affected communities across the UK following the Southport tragedy highlighted the need for a new approach to community cohesion. 'It's clear that central government has lacked strategic focus on social cohesion for many years, which is why this government is working to develop a longer-term strategy to tackle divisions in our communities and build common ground. 'One of the most effective ways to respond to the frustrations that fester is by improving peoples' lives, and the places in which they live, and through our Plan for Neighbourhoods we are already investing £1.5 billion across 75 areas in the community services local people need and making real improvements they can see on their doorsteps and in their communities.'
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Rebuilding Southport Pier will restore pride and visitors, MP says
Rebuilding a Victorian pier and reopening it for business will help "restore pride" in the seafront and boost the local economy, a town's MP has said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves named Southport Pier in the Spending Review on Wednesday as one of the projects which would benefit from a new Growth Mission Fund. The pier, which was built in 1860, has been shut since December 2022 due to health and safety concerns. Labour MP for Southport Patrick Hurley said its restoration would be "a turning point" for the town. He said: "This is about more than just rebuilding a pier, it's about restoring pride, boosting the local economy, and welcoming visitors back to Southport's seafront." The announcement was also welcomed by the town's former MP, now leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group on Sefton Council, John Pugh. He said: "This proves that pressure pays."The council has no further excuses to delay restoration, albeit, it will probably have to find some more capital to match any the chancellor funds." Julie Rudge, a volunteer at Kings Gardens, who was sitting in the sun outside a fish and chip restaurant at the start of the pier when she heard the news, said she was "thrilled". "It was one of the original iron piers in England, so it's nationally significant, not just local," she said. Fellow volunteer Beryl Davey said: "[The town has] had such negative press over the last year with the attacks, and this would bring such positive vibes."The pier was initially closed following a period of "extreme weather", but a subsequent inspection found rotting wooden slats and other defects. The council previously said it could not afford the £13m restoration costs. Hurley said details of exactly how the fund would work would be published "in the summer" along with "the specific amount of funding, the timescales for construction work and when the pier will reopen".A spokesperson for Sefton Council said the authority was ready to begin repair works once it had the funding in place. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Channel 4 sparks fury after using Southport killer's mugshot in 'sick' advert as viewers beg 'please stop this!'
Channel 4 has sparked fury after using the Southport killer's mugshot in a controversial advert. Recently, an ad on Facebook for the broadcaster's new shows featured a photograph of Axel Rudakubana and said: 'More of the shows you love, more of the shows you will love. Stream now on Channel 4.' The killer was convicted for the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport in July 2024, as well as the attempted murder of 10 others. He was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in January. The advert contained a link to a news special about the case, titled Southport Killer Sentenced, according to The Sun. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Recently, an ad on Facebook for the broadcaster's new shows featured a photograph of Axel Rudakubana (pictured) and said: 'More of the shows you love ❤, more of the shows you will love. Stream now on Channel 4.' Patrick Hurley, who is a Labour MP for Southport, took to social media to express his outrage and posted on X: 'I'm really disappointed to see @Channel4 actively promote this image to Southport residents on Facebook, by buying ads targeting them. 'Please stop this, @Channel 4. 'And as for the text in the post - 'More of the shows you love, more of the shows you will love. Stream now on Channel 4' - is this some sort of sick joke?' The broadcaster has since apologised and removed the photograph from the advert. A Channel 4 spokesperson told The Sun: 'We apologise for any offence or upset this has caused.' Ofcom also confirmed to the publication that Mr Hurley had filed a complaint about the advert. The watchdog commented: 'Decisions on how news is covered, including the choice of images, is an editorial matter for broadcasters.' It comes after it was revealed Rudakubana is allegedly allowed to buy treats in prison such as Maltesers and crisps despite throwing scorching water over a prison guard last month. It is also claimed that he is allowed to call his family, have religious visits and receive money from relatives while in the south east London prison. Patrick Hurley, who is an MP for Southport, took to social media to express his outrage and posted on X A source told The Sun that Rudakubana has been 'spending £5.50 a week' since he attacked the guard and is allowed to buy 'anything he likes as long as it's not dangerous'. They added: 'He's still allowed to buy things like Maltesers and Pringles crisps if he fancies them.' Since Rudakubana attacked the guard he has been on a 'basic' level of treatment behind bars meaning he no longer has access to a TV and that his time out of his cell has been restricted. He is also said to be no longer permitted to purchase butter or baby oil which could be heated for an attack.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Channel 4 sparks fury after using evil Southport killer's mugshot to plug new shows that ‘you will love' in ad
The ad was pushed to Facebook users AD FURY Channel 4 sparks fury after using evil Southport killer's mugshot to plug new shows that 'you will love' in ad Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHANNEL 4 has been slammed after using the mugshot of Southport monster Axel Rudakubana to plug its shows. A Facebook ad featuring the triple killer's haunting face was captioned: "More of the shows you love, more of the shows you will love. Stream now on Channel 4." Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Patrick Hurley MP shared a scratched out version of the ad Credit: Channel 4 Last week blundering telly bosses were forced to apologise over the gaffe after sparking fury from the town's MP. Labour backbencher Patrick Hurley raged: "Is this some sort of joke?" He added: "I'm really disappointed to see Channel 4 actively promote this image to Southport residents on Facebook, by buying ads targeting them. "Please stop this." Rudakubana, who killed three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town last July, had his custody photo splashed in a promo for the broadcaster's on-demand service. It meant the harrowing snap was pushed into Facebook users' feeds without warning. Grieving families scrolling Facebook could have been hit with the killer's image completely out of the blue - despite not following Channel 4. The show linked to the ad was a 20-minute news special named 'Southport Killer Sentenced', broadcast after the killer was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court. Bosses admitted the snap was used by mistake and had been removed. A spokesperson said: "We apologise for any offence or upset this has caused." Telly watchdog Ofcom confirmed it had received a complaint from Mr Hurley. But a spokesperson said: "Decisions on how news is covered, including the choice of images, is an editorial matter for broadcasters." Rudakubana is serving 52 years for murdering Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. The Sun this month revealed the fiend hurled scalding water over a prison officer while caged at max-security HMP Belmarsh. 4 Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, one of the three children killed in the 'ferocious' knife attack Credit: PA 4 Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, tragically died at the hands of Rudakubana Credit: PA
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Channel 4 sparks fury after using evil Southport killer's mugshot to plug new shows that ‘you will love' in ad
CHANNEL 4 has been slammed after using the mugshot of Southport monster Axel Rudakubana to plug its shows. A Facebook ad featuring the triple killer's haunting face was captioned: "More of the shows you love, more of the shows you will love. Stream now on Channel 4." Last week blundering telly bosses were forced to apologise over the gaffe after sparking fury from the town's MP. Labour backbencher Patrick Hurley raged: "Is this some sort of joke?" He added: "I'm really disappointed to see Channel 4 actively promote this image to Southport residents on Facebook, by buying ads targeting them. "Please stop this." Rudakubana, who killed three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town last July, had his custody photo splashed in a promo for the broadcaster's on-demand service. It meant the harrowing snap was pushed into Facebook users' feeds without warning. Grieving families scrolling Facebook could have been hit with the killer's image completely out of the blue - despite not following Channel 4. The show linked to the ad was a 20-minute news special named ' Southport Killer Sentenced ', broadcast after the killer was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court. Bosses admitted the snap was used by mistake and had been removed. A spokesperson said: "We apologise for any offence or upset this has caused." Telly watchdog Ofcom confirmed it had received a complaint from Mr Hurley. editorial matter for broadcasters." Rudakubana is serving 52 years for murdering Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. The Sun this month revealed the fiend hurled scalding water over a prison officer while caged at max-security HMP Belmarsh. 4 4
