Latest news with #Poots
Metro
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
James Bond favourite addresses split from fiancé after Lily Allen 'first date'
James Norton has spoken about the end of his six-year relationship with Imogen Poots, after he was spotted on what looked to be a date with Lily Allen. The Happy Valley star, who has been in the running to take over the coveted Bond role for several years, split from Poots last year in what he has now said was an 'abrupt' end to their relationship. The 39-year-old said he found the break-up 'hard' but said they would remain friends, although he did not name Poots. Speaking at a talk on The Information stage at Glastonbury Festival on Thursday, Norton added: 'I was about to have kids, about to get married, all that kind of stuff, and my life just turned around, completely changed direction. 'I thought I lost the person, but I also lost the life that I was about to lead, and the kids that we named, all that kind of stuff. 'And actually, in the last year and a half, I have gone through the most monumental change as a result and I feel like I've grown up, I feel like I've become a man. 'I suddenly feel like I've grown up, I found some friends, relationships, the outpouring of love from my family around me was amazing. 'But so much has been born from that massive, radical change.' It comes after Lily Allen, 40, has been spotted on an apparent date with Norton after her own split from Stranger Things star David Harbour, 50. After meeting on celebrity dating app Raya in 2019, the couple married the following year. However, in late 2024 Lily described 'not being in a great place mentally', before it was later revealed she'd split from David, who was then accused of having an affair. More Trending The pair were spotted at Lido Festival in London, which was headlined by acts including Massive Attack, Jamie xx, Charli XCX and London Grammar. On Saturday they were snapped shunning the VIP areas to go into the crowds and watch artists together, including Charli. Weighing in on the pics, body language expert Judi James commented on what she suspected was a first date. 'The body language here does suggests this is a date but it looks very much like a first date, when two people are maybe still just claiming to be friends,' she explained. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: David Harbour explains his dating preference after Lily Allen split MORE: Lily Allen reveals 'extremely heavy few weeks' after social media ban
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Concern Stormont MLAs delivering pre-scripted remarks for social media clips
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots said he was also concerned that Points of Order are being raised about 'the normal cut and thrust of debate'. Almost a year and a half since the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored, Mr Poots has written to MLAs about the standards of debate in the chamber. Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots (Liam McBurney/PA) He also made his points at the start of the plenary session on Tuesday. Mr Poots, who has been elected to the Assembly for almost three decades, said he has witnessed 'political giants who passionately articulated their own case', but also engaged in debate and 'realised that they had to give as good as they could take'. 'Our standards of debate are often referred to in the context of the first element – the standard of remarks made about other members. However, there has been a decreased focus on the second element – the concept of debate,' he said. 'If the Assembly is to be serious about its scrutiny role, having a strong culture of parliamentary debate is vital.' Mr Poots said requiring MLAs to take care in their language and have civility in exchanges 'is not intended to, and should not, prevent passionate and robust debate'. 'In my time in the Assembly since 1998, I have been privileged to witness political giants, who passionately articulated their own case, engaging in debate,' he said. 'However, they also realised that they had to give as good as they could take. 'The freedom to challenge and to express different views in debate are core to this Assembly's core functions of exercising scrutiny, holding ministers to account and representing our constituents. 'Proper debate is about both having the opportunity to state your own views and listening, responding to and challenging the views of others. 'Some members increasingly concentrate only on stating their own opinions. 'Technology has created a temptation for members to deliver a pre-scripted text in the Chamber, shortly after which they leave to issue a clip of their speech on social media. 'If debate was only about a series of members reading out pre-scripted thoughts on an issue, without interaction, there would be no need for an Assembly Chamber – we could do it by email.' He added: 'I am also concerned about the tendency to raise Points of Order with the chair about the normal cut and thrust of debate, rather than challenge those points themselves.' He went on to say he is expanding the Ten Practical Principles of Debate circulated in 2021 to 'ensure they focus not only on interactions between members, but also on having a strong culture of debate and challenge'. 'When the Assembly has responsibility for making legislation which impacts on people's lives, it is vital that members are able to probe all the arguments before the Assembly takes a decision,' he said. 'It is my role to encourage the conditions for members to be able to exercise effective scrutiny and accountability in the Chamber. 'I therefore ask all members to take the time to reflect on the principles I have set out in the attachment and to adhere to them in debate.' Leader of the Opposition at Stormont Matthew O'Toole. Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole backed the comments from the Speaker. 'The comments from the Speaker today echo concerns the SDLP Opposition has raised for some time,' he said. 'Repeatedly we've seen Executive parties and their MLAs treat the Assembly Chamber as an inconvenience, rather than a core part of their role. 'Since the return of devolution, we've seen too much time wasted on meaningless motions, ministers avoiding scrutiny, and MLAs using debates to drive their social media channels instead of focusing on the job of governing. 'Even at today's Opposition Day, Sinn Fein failed to vote and other parties failed to show up. In contrast, the SDLP continues to ask tough questions and push for higher standards in debate and democratic scrutiny because we believe the current Executive performance is not good enough and hasn't delivered for people in Northern Ireland.' He added: 'The Speaker's intervention underlines the importance of a constructive Opposition to hold the Executive accountable and ensure Assembly time is treated with the seriousness it deserves.'
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Concern Stormont MLAs delivering pre-scripted remarks for social media clips
Almost a year and a half since the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored, Mr Poots has written to MLAs about the standards of debate in the chamber. Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots (Liam McBurney/PA) He also made his points at the start of the plenary session on Tuesday. Mr Poots, who has been elected to the Assembly for almost three decades, said he has witnessed 'political giants who passionately articulated their own case', but also engaged in debate and 'realised that they had to give as good as they could take'. 'Our standards of debate are often referred to in the context of the first element – the standard of remarks made about other members. However, there has been a decreased focus on the second element – the concept of debate,' he said. 'If the Assembly is to be serious about its scrutiny role, having a strong culture of parliamentary debate is vital.' Mr Poots said requiring MLAs to take care in their language and have civility in exchanges 'is not intended to, and should not, prevent passionate and robust debate'. 'In my time in the Assembly since 1998, I have been privileged to witness political giants, who passionately articulated their own case, engaging in debate,' he said. 'However, they also realised that they had to give as good as they could take. 'The freedom to challenge and to express different views in debate are core to this Assembly's core functions of exercising scrutiny, holding ministers to account and representing our constituents. 'Proper debate is about both having the opportunity to state your own views and listening, responding to and challenging the views of others. 'Some members increasingly concentrate only on stating their own opinions. 'Technology has created a temptation for members to deliver a pre-scripted text in the Chamber, shortly after which they leave to issue a clip of their speech on social media. 'If debate was only about a series of members reading out pre-scripted thoughts on an issue, without interaction, there would be no need for an Assembly Chamber – we could do it by email.' He added: 'I am also concerned about the tendency to raise Points of Order with the chair about the normal cut and thrust of debate, rather than challenge those points themselves.' He went on to say he is expanding the Ten Practical Principles of Debate circulated in 2021 to 'ensure they focus not only on interactions between members, but also on having a strong culture of debate and challenge'. 'When the Assembly has responsibility for making legislation which impacts on people's lives, it is vital that members are able to probe all the arguments before the Assembly takes a decision,' he said. 'It is my role to encourage the conditions for members to be able to exercise effective scrutiny and accountability in the Chamber. 'I therefore ask all members to take the time to reflect on the principles I have set out in the attachment and to adhere to them in debate.' Leader of the Opposition at Stormont Matthew O'Toole. Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole backed the comments from the Speaker. 'The comments from the Speaker today echo concerns the SDLP Opposition has raised for some time,' he said. 'Repeatedly we've seen Executive parties and their MLAs treat the Assembly Chamber as an inconvenience, rather than a core part of their role. 'Since the return of devolution, we've seen too much time wasted on meaningless motions, ministers avoiding scrutiny, and MLAs using debates to drive their social media channels instead of focusing on the job of governing. 'Even at today's Opposition Day, Sinn Fein failed to vote and other parties failed to show up. In contrast, the SDLP continues to ask tough questions and push for higher standards in debate and democratic scrutiny because we believe the current Executive performance is not good enough and hasn't delivered for people in Northern Ireland.' He added: 'The Speaker's intervention underlines the importance of a constructive Opposition to hold the Executive accountable and ensure Assembly time is treated with the seriousness it deserves.'
South Wales Guardian
17-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Concern Stormont MLAs delivering pre-scripted remarks for social media clips
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots said he was also concerned that Points of Order are being raised about 'the normal cut and thrust of debate'. Almost a year and a half since the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored, Mr Poots has written to MLAs about the standards of debate in the chamber. He also made his points at the start of the plenary session on Tuesday. Mr Poots, who has been elected to the Assembly for almost three decades, said he has witnessed 'political giants who passionately articulated their own case', but also engaged in debate and 'realised that they had to give as good as they could take'. 'Our standards of debate are often referred to in the context of the first element – the standard of remarks made about other members. However, there has been a decreased focus on the second element – the concept of debate,' he said. 'If the Assembly is to be serious about its scrutiny role, having a strong culture of parliamentary debate is vital.' Mr Poots said requiring MLAs to take care in their language and have civility in exchanges 'is not intended to, and should not, prevent passionate and robust debate'. 'In my time in the Assembly since 1998, I have been privileged to witness political giants, who passionately articulated their own case, engaging in debate,' he said. 'However, they also realised that they had to give as good as they could take. 'The freedom to challenge and to express different views in debate are core to this Assembly's core functions of exercising scrutiny, holding ministers to account and representing our constituents. 'Proper debate is about both having the opportunity to state your own views and listening, responding to and challenging the views of others. 'Some members increasingly concentrate only on stating their own opinions. 'Technology has created a temptation for members to deliver a pre-scripted text in the Chamber, shortly after which they leave to issue a clip of their speech on social media. 'If debate was only about a series of members reading out pre-scripted thoughts on an issue, without interaction, there would be no need for an Assembly Chamber – we could do it by email.' He added: 'I am also concerned about the tendency to raise Points of Order with the chair about the normal cut and thrust of debate, rather than challenge those points themselves.' He went on to say he is expanding the Ten Practical Principles of Debate circulated in 2021 to 'ensure they focus not only on interactions between members, but also on having a strong culture of debate and challenge'. 'When the Assembly has responsibility for making legislation which impacts on people's lives, it is vital that members are able to probe all the arguments before the Assembly takes a decision,' he said. 'It is my role to encourage the conditions for members to be able to exercise effective scrutiny and accountability in the Chamber. 'I therefore ask all members to take the time to reflect on the principles I have set out in the attachment and to adhere to them in debate.'
North Wales Chronicle
17-06-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Concern Stormont MLAs delivering pre-scripted remarks for social media clips
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots said he was also concerned that Points of Order are being raised about 'the normal cut and thrust of debate'. Almost a year and a half since the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored, Mr Poots has written to MLAs about the standards of debate in the chamber. He also made his points at the start of the plenary session on Tuesday. Mr Poots, who has been elected to the Assembly for almost three decades, said he has witnessed 'political giants who passionately articulated their own case', but also engaged in debate and 'realised that they had to give as good as they could take'. 'Our standards of debate are often referred to in the context of the first element – the standard of remarks made about other members. However, there has been a decreased focus on the second element – the concept of debate,' he said. 'If the Assembly is to be serious about its scrutiny role, having a strong culture of parliamentary debate is vital.' Mr Poots said requiring MLAs to take care in their language and have civility in exchanges 'is not intended to, and should not, prevent passionate and robust debate'. 'In my time in the Assembly since 1998, I have been privileged to witness political giants, who passionately articulated their own case, engaging in debate,' he said. 'However, they also realised that they had to give as good as they could take. 'The freedom to challenge and to express different views in debate are core to this Assembly's core functions of exercising scrutiny, holding ministers to account and representing our constituents. 'Proper debate is about both having the opportunity to state your own views and listening, responding to and challenging the views of others. 'Some members increasingly concentrate only on stating their own opinions. 'Technology has created a temptation for members to deliver a pre-scripted text in the Chamber, shortly after which they leave to issue a clip of their speech on social media. 'If debate was only about a series of members reading out pre-scripted thoughts on an issue, without interaction, there would be no need for an Assembly Chamber – we could do it by email.' He added: 'I am also concerned about the tendency to raise Points of Order with the chair about the normal cut and thrust of debate, rather than challenge those points themselves.' He went on to say he is expanding the Ten Practical Principles of Debate circulated in 2021 to 'ensure they focus not only on interactions between members, but also on having a strong culture of debate and challenge'. 'When the Assembly has responsibility for making legislation which impacts on people's lives, it is vital that members are able to probe all the arguments before the Assembly takes a decision,' he said. 'It is my role to encourage the conditions for members to be able to exercise effective scrutiny and accountability in the Chamber. 'I therefore ask all members to take the time to reflect on the principles I have set out in the attachment and to adhere to them in debate.'
