Latest news with #VictoriaDerbyshire
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Epping asylum hotel protest a 'powder keg', says council leader
A council leader has described protests outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers as a "powder keg" Forest District Council's Conservative leader Chris Whitbread was speaking after more than 1,000 people gathered outside The Bell Hotel in the town in separate protests over two nights last activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, had said he would attend a further planned protest at the an interview with BBC Newsnight's Victoria Derbyshire, Whitbread said: "My concerns are for next week, or this week, if Tommy Robinson turns up... We really have got to get this back under control." The protests followed the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the repeated calls for the hotel to stop housing asylum seekers following the incident. Six people have been arrested following the latest protest with one man accused of violent disorder. Whitbread said there were concerns about the location which is near a school and the town centre."Fair-minded people within the local community, initially protesting peacefully, want the hotel closed," he said. "I have to say, as the leader of the council, that's always been my position and the council's position. This is just not a suitable location. The sooner it's dealt with, the better."He said he sympathised with the "vulnerable" asylum seekers at the hotel but stressed locations which had "less impact on established communities" needed to be found by the Home Office. "It's a powder keg now and we need to get something done and we need the Home Office to listen," he if he had a message for Mr Yaxley-Lennon and his supporters, Mr Whitbread said: "Keep away, [you're] not welcome here in Epping Forest. "What we want to do is make sure our town stays peaceful and people can enjoy their lives here. That's the most important message to get through."Mr Yaxley-Lennon has been contacted for comment. Downing Street previously said the scenes at Epping were "clearly unacceptable".The prime minister's official spokesman said: "Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy but it's clearly unacceptable to see police coming under attack as they ensure that peaceful protest is able to take place." A Home Office spokeswoman had told the BBC the asylum system was under "unprecedented strain"."That was the situation the government inherited, but we have begun to restore order," she Police said it was disappointed to see the protest escalate into "mindless thuggery" after one officer was struck in the face with a bottle and taken to hospital for treatment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. Sign up here.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ukrainecast Surviving Russia's record drone attacks
On Friday, Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched a record 539 drones and 11 missiles in overnight airstrikes. Kyiv was at the epicentre of the attack, with every district in the capital targeted. We've been speaking with two residents of the city, about their experiences - Dasha, who spent the night sheltering at a local metro station, and Oleksiy, who watched his business go up in flames on CCTV. Also, on Monday Russia's Investigative Committee said that Vladimir Putin's former transport minister Roman Starovoit had been found dead, apparently with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Victoria and Vitaly explain why the ex-Kursk governor's death is driving intense speculation online. Today's episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Polly Hope. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The assistant editor is Bridget Harney. Email Ukrainecast@ with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480 You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast's Discord server here:
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'How Is That Fair?': Victoria Derbyshire Confronts Wes Streeting Over Labour's 'Two-Tier' Welfare Plan
Victoria Derbyshire accused Labour of implementing a 'two-tier' benefits system as she confronted Wes Streeting over the plans. Keir Starmer was forced to make major changes to his government's blueprint for slashing billions from the welfare budget following a backbench rebellion. Under the new plan, current recipients of personal independence payments (PIP) and universal credit will continue to get the same amount of money. However, those who claim in the future will receive less. On the BBC this morning, presenter Derbyshire read out the views of one viewer, called Matt. She said: 'The big concern from a lot of people, including Matt, one of our viewers, is that you are creating a two-tier system. 'He says 'I still don't understand the logic of applying cuts to future applicants. Is that just so there are fewer people who are directly affected to protest the cuts?'. How is it fair that there's a two-tier system?' Streeting, the health secretary, replied: 'You can say that about a number of other systems.' But Derbyshire interrupted to tell him: 'I'm asking about this.' Streeting snapped back: 'Yeah well I'm answering the question, which is when things change and evolve, as you bring in new systems, it does change sometimes from group to group, student finance being an example.' Derbyshire then asked: 'My question is how is that fair?' Streeting said the government needed to make sure the welfare system is 'sustainable'. He said: 'Even before the changes were made this week, the cost of the welfare bill is growing enormously. There's a real risk to it, both in terms of financial sustainability and democratic support and legitimacy.' Disability Charities Urge MPs To Defeat Starmer's Plans For 'Two-Tier' Welfare System Keir Starmer's Authority In Tatters After Humiliating U-Turn On Welfare Cuts 'Has He Got A Grip?': Naga Munchetty Skewers Minister After Starmer's Welfare U-Turn
Telegraph
27-06-2025
- Telegraph
After his wife and two daughters were murdered, John Hunt's dignity is humbling
What does bravery look like in 2025? Truthfully, it looks a lot like an ordinary middle-aged man getting up every morning and going to work, returning to his home at the end of the day and repeating it. Not so different from millions of his peers. Except every time BBC racing commentator John Hunt leaves his house, he is striking a blow for goodness and hope in the face of the most unspeakable evil, the most gut-wrenching horror imaginable. Last July, the BBC racing commentator's wife Carol, 61 and his daughters Hannah, aged 28 and Louise, 25, were slaughtered with a knife and crossbow at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The monster who carried out this heinous crime was Kyle Clifford, Louise's 26-year-old ex-boyfriend, who was sentenced to a whole life order for the murders, meaning he will, quite rightly, never be released. Nor will Hunt ever escape from the memory of what happened in the house where he and his remaining adult daughter, Amy, still live. Last night, they gave their first interview to Victoria Derbyshire on BBC One – and it was the most humbling and astonishingly life-affirming display of dignity and courage I can recall. Almost a year on, John speaks to his murdered family every day. 'Sometimes I say out loud to Hannah and Louise, 'Girls, sorry I can't be with you, I'm with your mum at the moment',' he told Derbyshire. 'As I close my eyes at night, I chat to them as well. They're very close to me all the time.' It is their legacy of love that has kept him and his surviving daughter going, he said. For Amy, speaking on camera was a way to 'breathe life back into my mum, Hannah, and Louise as fully rounded people' and show the world they were more than a statistic. Kyle Clifford had been in their home, had accepted their hospitality many times during his 18-month relationship with Louise. But after she ended things, he turned up and stabbed Carol with a 10-inch butcher's knife before hiding her body. Then he waited over an hour for Louise to come in from the back garden, where she was working in her dog grooming pod. When she walked in the door he gagged, restrained and raped her before killing her with a crossbow. Her elder sister Hannah returned home seconds after Louise was killed – whereupon Clifford shot her fatally before fleeing. But before she died she somehow managed to text a friend and call the police to alert them to what was happening. John believes that call saved his life – he felt certain that Clifford planned to kill him too. 'Her doing that has given me life,' he said. 'And I've used that to re-ground myself on a daily basis. I get to live. Hannah gave me that, and I've got to treat it as a gift from her.' And so he has carried on living. Not just for the sake of Hannah, Louise and Carol but for the sake of Amy. Clifford was too much of a coward to turn up in court to hear his sentencing; at the time John issued a pledge: ' I want you to see what real courage is,' he said, vowing to carry on 'no matter what'. That is bravery. That is integrity. That is the power of love in the midst of loss.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kay Burley joins This Morning after bitter feud with another star of the show
KAY Burley made her This Morning debut this week - stepping into a segment regularly fronted by Camilla Tominey. The veteran broadcaster made her debut on the ITV sofa just weeks after a public spat with regular contributor Camilla - and appeared to step directly into her territory. 4 4 4 Kay appeared alongside Gyles Brandreth to discuss the day's news, including the Princess of Wales pulling out of Royal Ascot yesterday — a subject closely associated with Royal correspondent Camilla. Taking the lead on the topic, Kay said: 'The point I'm trying to make is the conspiracy theorists will be asking, well why is she not there, where is she?' Camilla is This Morning's royal expert and appeared on the ITV daytime show on Monday. The appearance follows a blistering column by Camilla, who described Kay as 'TV's answer to Liz Truss' in the wake of her departure from Sky News. She added: 'Some may say good riddance' and called her 'as resilient as her facelift.' Kay, 64, hit back, accusing Camilla of misogyny and writing on X: '#Sweetie @CamillaTominey as the late, great Madeleine Albright said, there is a special place in hell for women who don't support other women.' While tensions between the two broadcasters simmered, others in the industry rushed to support Kay's legacy. Susanna Reid called her 'a powerful interviewer and a supporter of women in television,' while Victoria Derbyshire said she had 'blazed an absolute trail.' Kay joined Sky News as a founding presenter in 1989 and left earlier this year after 36 years on air. She had been the face of Sky News for major world events, such as the death of Princess Diana, the births of the Royal babies and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As well as hosting live TV, Kay published her debut novel, First Ladies in 2011, which was followed by her second book Betrayal in 2012. The anchor's career first started in BBC local radio and Tyne Tees Television. She then joined ITV's TV-am in 1985 as a reporter and occasional newsreader. Kay shares her only child - who's real name is Alexander - with her ex-husband, Steve Kutner. Before leaving Sky News in February, Kay had hosted the 24-hour rolling news channel's breakfast programme for the last five years, moving from her afternoon slot in 2019. Leaving Sky News, she said: "From a standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news, it's been an honour and privilege to work with some of the best and hardest working teams in the business. "News by its very nature is often devastating and together we've covered so many life-changing events - from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster. "But we've also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven't we - the thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and DAYS waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing. "But after over a million minutes of live TV news - more than anyone else in the world - its time for me to indulge in some of my other passions - including my love for travel. "So, after covering 12 separate general elections - including Sir Keir Starmer's victory last year - I am retiring from Sky News - let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news! "Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three and a half decades: You're awesome. "I will post more on my social media and hope to see you around. Please keep in touch." Sky bosses took Kay off air for six months in 2020 after her birthday bash flouted Coronavirus lockdown rules at the time with the anchor apologising for the "error of judgement".
