Latest news with #WW2
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Keir Starmer to speak to nation after warning 'prepare for war in the UK'
The Prime Minister will take part in meetings at the NATO summit in the Hague. Keir Starmer is to give a press conference today - just a day after a UK Government document warned we must "actively prepare" for war. The Prime Minister will take part in meetings at the NATO summit in the Hague. A National Security Strategy dossier said the years ahead will be a test for the UK and that there will be a need for a WW2 -like spirit in the country. The document said the threat of nuclear weapons will be "more complex than it was even in the Cold War". It went on: "The years ahead will test the United Kingdom... The direction it takes – and the decisions we take – will reverberate through the decades. "We will need agility and courage to succeed, but we should be optimistic. "We remain a resolute country, rich in history, values and in our capabilities. But most of all, there is the determination of the British people themselves. "After all, we do not need to look too far into our history for an example of a whole-of-society effort, motivated by a collective will to keep each other safe. "We can mobilise that spirit again and use it both for our national security and the rebuilding of our country." Labour Defence Secretary John Healey said the Prime Minister trusts that Trump's America would come to the aid of NATO allies. He told Times Radio: "Do I trust President Trump and the US's commitment to Article 5? Yes. "So does our Prime Minister, and he does because in the Oval Office on his visit to the White House, President Trump gave him that commitment in public." Starmer has caused for Israel and Iran to maintain the pause in hostilities. In a conversation with the French and German leaders at on Tuesday, he "reflected on the volatile situation in the Middle East," according to a Downing Street spokeswoman. The leaders agreed that "now was the time for diplomacy and for Iran to come to the negotiating table", the spokeswoman added. It comes as intelligence reports in the US suggested that the American attack on Iran's nuclear programme over the weekend have only set it back by a few months, rather than destroyed it as Donald Trump previously suggested.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Mapped: The 284 UK nuclear bunkers you need to know about in case of WW3
Cold War nuclear bunkers are scattered across the UK, including anti-aircraft operation rooms, regional war rooms, underground Observer Corps posts, command bunkers and radar stations Over the course of several decades, Britain constructed an extensive underground network of bunkers, encompassing anti-aircraft operation rooms, regional war rooms, subterranean Observer Corps posts, command bunkers, emergency centres and radar stations. Some of these structures date back to WW2 and were retrofitted to withstand a nuclear apocalypse during the Cold War, while many others were specifically built to protect Britain in the event of a conflict with Soviet Russia during this period. Cold war nuclear legacy. Research conducted by Subterranea Britannica has revealed an astonishing 284 fallout shelters scattered across the UK, potentially providing refuge for a portion of the population in the event of a nuclear fallout. However, some of these are no longer operational. This figure is an increase of eight from just a few months ago, as users of the site continue to uncover and document more forgotten nuclear bunkers, reports the Express. Nuclear bunkers throughout Britain. Among the most fascinating is Pitreavie Castle Combined HQ, a Scottish fortress that began its existence as a dilapidated fortified house. Equally intriguing is Brislington War Room, discreetly located behind a humble government housing estate just two miles south-east of Bristol city centre. Meanwhile, the Cambridge Regional War Room underwent a rebuild in 1963, with its new extension intended to function as one of three purpose-built Armed Forces HQs. In Wales, Cardiff Coryton Regional War Room was strategically positioned just off Junction 32 of the M4 motorway. In a nod to the Cold War era, several of these shelters are situated on former RAF base sites. Private bunkers up for grabs. Basic garden shelters can set you back around £10,000, while high-end bunkers kitted out with cinemas, gyms and independent power supplies can skyrocket to over £3million. Affluent clients scattered across the UK - particularly in London, Scotland and Wales - are seeking secure boltholes that can double as wine cellars or entertainment spaces. With escalating tensions, private bunkers are emerging as a genuine lifestyle choice.
Hamilton Spectator
22-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
He beat his stepfather to death — and was found not criminally responsible
George Howson was defenceless. Health issues, including Parkinson's disease, meant the 73-year-old spent most of his time in a chair in the west Hamilton apartment he shared with his wife, Donna Brown. They had lived together for 20 years. In early 2021, Donna's troubled son, Timothy Brown , had moved in to help his mom care for George, but also because family didn't want Tim to live alone, according to court documents. On March 14, the condo, on the fifth floor of 1968 Main St. W., was undergoing renovations. Earlier that week, George had struck up a conversation with a tradesperson about an antique German Luger pistol that George's father had acquired in the Second World War. George Howson, 73, was killed by his stepson Tim Brown, who was found not criminally responsible due to post-seizure psychosis. George was thinking about selling the inoperable gun to the man, court heard. He asked his stepson to help him retrieve it from his bedroom closet before the workers returned. Without warning, Tim turned on George. The 54-year-old beat George repeatedly with his hands, his feet and a lamp. He called George a Nazi. Donna called 911, screaming that her son was 'going crazy' and 'you've killed him,' according to a transcript of the call. Tim picked up the phone and told the dispatcher 'there was a Nazi here' and 'I killed him.' When police arrived, Donna was in the lobby and Tim was in the condo. He refused to open the door, so officers forced their way in and found Tim standing in the living room covered in blood, a phone still in his hands. George lay bleeding on his bedroom floor. His breathing was laboured and he gurgled blood. Officers had to use force to arrest Tim, who they placed in the back of a police cruiser. He demanded an apology and said: 'If I leave this property, the wrath of God is coming after you.' At central police station, he continued to fight with officers including jumping up and wrapping his legs around a sergeant. At one point, officers attempted to Taser him, but it didn't work. Eventually, police got him under control, handcuffed and shackled him, then placed him in a holding cell. The next day, Tim was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a broken left hand and two broken ribs. He was also found to have epilepsy, a diagnosis that would change the trajectory of the case. In hospital, his bizarre behaviour continued, including talking about 'Jews in WW2' and claiming his rib pain was from a 'Russian weapon,' court heard. After about a week, he was released from hospital on March 22, back into police custody. George never recovered from his injuries, including fractures to his nose and orbital bone, and a brain bleed. Ten days after being beaten, he died at Hamilton General Hospital. Tim was charged with second-degree murder. What happened next blindsided George's family, including his four children from his first marriage who had long been concerned about Tim's behaviour. Tim's epilepsy diagnosis led to his admission to St. Joseph's West 5th psychiatric hospital and eventually to court, where he was found not criminally responsible (NCR) for George's murder nearly eight months after the attack. St. Joseph's West 5th Campus is where Tim Brown is detained after being found not criminally responsible for the death of his stepfather. The case sped through the court process despite objections from George's family, led by one of his sons, Michael Howson. They believe the NCR finding was rushed, and that the case should have had a criminal trial. It has been a long and frustrating battle for Michael and his siblings, who say the anger they hold for being let down by the justice system has made it hard for them to grieve. It clouds every thought about their dad. Michael has shared correspondence and documents with The Spectator that show he appealed to the Crown, police and even the judge to consider other options. He filed complaints and asked that other angles, including Tim's history of anger issues, be investigated further. Michael, a nurse who has worked in psychiatric hospitals and is aware of the NCR process, is skeptical of the epilepsy diagnosis and its convenient timing. He and his siblings do not believe Tim was properly assessed and feel the NCR finding was rubber-stamped without due consideration. If Tim had been diagnosed with schizophrenia or another psychiatric condition, Michael said he wouldn't have objected because they're common in NCR verdicts. But in this case, the finding was psychosis not caused by a serious mental disorder, but by a neurological disorder, epilepsy. Postictal (post-seizure) psychosis is a rare and temporary reaction following a seizure that can cause confusion, and in some cases, violence. While there can be some overlaps between mental disorders and neurological ones, they are different. Mental disorders — such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia — affect thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Neurological disorders affect the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. Since the verdict, Michael has continued to push for accountability, seeking to have the case reopened or — at minimum — ensure Tim remains in hospital without access to the public. None of his complaints have led to any action. George Howson, with grandchildren before his death. Mental health, addiction and the justice system overlap frequently. But having mental illness does not automatically lead to a finding of not criminally responsible, with NCR findings representing less than one per cent of criminal cases annually. In almost every case in which someone is found NCR, it is because a serious mental illness rendered the person incapable of appreciating the nature, quality and consequences of their actions. The accused is assessed by a forensic psychiatrist, who then presents expert evidence in court. Ultimately, it is up to a judge to make the determination. While Tim's epilepsy diagnosis came from a neurologist, two separate assessments for criminal responsibility were conducted by forensic psychiatrists who presented the only expert evidence in court. A psychiatrist with expertise in neuropsychiatry, which focuses on mental disorders linked to neurological conditions, was consulted for the St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton assessment. However, a neurologist or expert in epilepsy was never called in court. This is crucial for Michael, because it means the court never asked — or answered — key questions about how someone with this condition is assessed for criminal responsibility. For instance, how does the psychiatrist test for malingering — the faking of an illness — in a case of postictal psychosis? Did the assessing psychiatrists understand the characteristics of postictal psychosis, and how they might differ from psychosis caused by another condition? From left, Michael, Marissa, Jason and Kevin Howson outside St. Joseph's West 5th Campus with a photo of their dad George. To Michael, it appears only he and his family seem concerned about getting answers to these questions. The Ministry of the Attorney General, on behalf of the Crowns office, said it would be 'inappropriate' to comment because the matter remains before the Ontario Review Board (ORB), which has jurisdiction over those found NCR and reviews their cases annually. St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton said it cannot comment on individual cases and that no one was available to speak about the issue generally. Another psychiatric hospital said a doctor who typically has no issue doing expert interviews on the NCR process wasn't comfortable speaking, even generally, about this type of case because it's so unusual. Experts at other psychiatric institutions across Ontario also declined The Spectator's interview requests. Through his lawyer, Tim declined to comment. Donna could not be reached for comment. The ORB does not keep statistics on the mental disorders that lead to NCR findings. But generally, the accused in most cases are found NCR due to psychotic or mood disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, said Gavin MacKenzie, general counsel and spokesperson. The number of people found NCR because of a neurological disorder 'is a relatively small percentage of ORB accused,' he said. The Spectator is aware of one other recent case in which someone was found NCR based on a neurological condition. It also happened to be in Hamilton and involved a patient assessed at the same hospital (St. Joseph's West 5th) and by the same forensic psychiatrist (Dr. Joseph Ferencz). The case was also decided by the same Superior Court judge (Justice Paul Sweeny). In that instance, Devon Ambrose was found to have stabbed his parents, killing his mom, amid psychosis brought on by undiagnosed multiple sclerosis. Again, the court did not hear any expert evidence from a neurologist or an expert in MS. A review of other court cases involving accused persons with epilepsy revealed several cases in which the charged person was found not guilty of committing a crime that happened during a seizure, because they were not in control of their actions. None of those cases involved NCR assessments. To understand how rare postictal — or post-seizure — psychosis is, it is important to understand what epilepsy is and how it's diagnosed. Seizures are electrical discharges in the brain, with symptoms that vary depending on the area of the brain affected, said Dr. Jorge Burneo, a neurology and epidemiology professor and chair of epilepsy research at Western University. If a seizure happens in the temporal lobe — an area of the brain that is the centre of emotions, with impacts on awareness and memory processing — a person can appear as if they're just staring. This is the type of epilepsy Tim was diagnosed with, according to court records. Burneo has no involvement in Tim's care and is not commenting on this case, but rather on epilepsy and the rarity of postictal psychosis in general. He says epilepsy is commonly misdiagnosed, usually when the assessment is made by nonexperts in the field. In Tim's case, court records say the diagnosis was made by a neurologist. He had one abnormal EEG — a test that measures electrical activity in the brain — following his arrest. Since then, no others have shown irregular activity — something that has made Michael and family question the epilepsy diagnosis and whether a neurologist is involved in his treatment. Burneo said there is no reason to suspect misdiagnosis in a case in which epilepsy is diagnosed by a neurologist. He also said it's not uncommon to see normal EEGs in epilepsy patients while they are not having seizures. Epilepsy is not diagnosed based on an EEG alone, rather a 'clinical diagnosis' is also based on symptoms and patient history. In Tim's case, he and his family reported episodes of him staring and memory gaps before the homicide. Sometimes he appeared to have religious delusions, which can occur after a seizure, according to court records. He was admitted to hospital for a mental-health assessment after a Dec. 20, 2020, crash in which he veered into opposing traffic and later had no memory of what happened. The postictal period occurs after someone has a seizure. If the seizure happened in the temporal lobe, symptoms could include speech problems, confusion or erratic behaviour. In a 'very uncommon' number of cases, about five per cent, a person will experience psychosis, Burneo said. Common symptoms include hallucinations of grandiosity or of a religious nature. Occasionally, he said, a patient will become violent. There are 11 beds where patients can be monitored at the epilepsy monitoring unit where Burneo works in London, Ont. Occasionally, a patient becomes violent after a seizure. The episode may last just a couple of minutes, or longer. This reaction is most common in temporal lobe epilepsy. If a person experiences postictal psychosis, they are more likely than others to have that same reaction again in the future. Burneo said it's important to clarify that postictal psychosis can cause erratic or violent behaviour, but that behaviour is 'not complex.' For instance, a person might push or hit someone in their path. However, if they leave and get a weapon and return to assault someone with it, they are likely not experiencing postictal psychosis. This raises some questions related to Tim's case: Was grabbing a lamp and continuing to assault George too complex a behaviour to be classified as postictal psychosis? His erratic behaviour continued after his arrest at the police station. Was that time frame too long to be considered postictal psychosis? And what about the following day, when he made the bizarre comments about Jews and Russian weapons? There are no clear answers, since none of these questions were explored in court. And the ORB won't consider them — it's not the board's role. Instead, an ORB panel looks at how the accused person is doing and decides whether it's safe to release them, usually gradually, back into the community. Unlike a prison sentence, there is also no guaranteed end date for how long a person, regardless of the crime, can remain under the jurisdiction of the ORB. That's because they are not guilty and the amount of time they spend in hospital isn't punitive, but rather has to do with their current condition. Before the NCR verdict, Tim was given two criminal-responsibility assessments — one at St. Joseph's West 5th in summer 2021 and one at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health in Whitby, Ont., that fall. They contained a wealth of information about his life. Tim is the youngest of four siblings. He was born in Burlington and raised in Flamborough. He left school in Grade 10 and later worked as a welder. He eventually married and had two sons, court records show. The couple separated in 2003 and Tim moved into a rental property owned by his stepdad, before finding his own apartment. Tim was injured at some point and stopped working. He moved to Hagersville, where he lived for about six years before moving in with his mom and stepdad shortly before George's death. In the West 5th report, Tim said his marriage was 'great.' It also acknowledges he and his ex-wife argued and ultimately divorced, and she was granted full custody of their children. The information on his marriage appears to be based on Tim's word. By contrast, the Ontario Shores report includes interviews with his ex-wife and one of his sons that raise concerns about his threatening behaviour. Tim's ex-wife described him as angry virtually all his adult life. She believed he had a lengthy history of mood and anger issues and recalled reading about anger concerns on his kindergarten report card. She was told he once pulled a knife on his brother when he was 13. Shortly before they separated in 2003, he got angry and put his head through a wall in their house. When their marriage was ending, Tim mistakenly blamed a client of hers (she works supporting people with terminal illness) and started following the client and threatening him, according to the report. One of his sons slept with a knife under his pillow for fear his dad would hurt his mom. He described Tim as 'always mad about something.' Both reports detail Tim's medical and psychiatric history, and reference four visits to the emergency room, including for mental-health concerns, prior to George's death. Tim reported trouble controlling his anger, bizarre behaviour, memory gaps and the December 2020 crash. He was treated for depression and anxiety. Both reports also include information from interviews, medical and investigative records, and psychiatric assessments. Cannabis-induced psychosis was also considered due to his history of substance use, but he denied using cannabis on the day he attacked his stepdad and his drug screens were negative. Michael and family have asked when the drug testing was done, as they say they were initially told it was not completed. They have never been provided with details. Tim told doctors he had no memory of the assault. He just remembered feeling scared, and has memory fragments of his mother shouting and feeling that his stepfather was a Nazi. Donna told doctors her son and husband had an excellent relationship and nothing that morning was out of the ordinary. She and Tim went on their usual walk. When they returned, Tim had a period of odd behaviour in the kitchen in which he appeared detached and unresponsive for about five minutes before returning to normal, the West 5th assessment says. Later that day, when her husband asked Tim for help, her son suddenly became enraged. The West 5th report notes that Dr. Patricia Rosebush, a professor and head of general psychiatry at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, was consulted because she is an expert in neuropsychiatry, which focuses on mental disorders that are linked to neurological conditions. She 'confirmed the opinion' that Tim was 'likely suffering with temporal lobe epilepsy and recurrent psychotic symptoms directly related to that diagnosis.' This report notes that psychotic symptoms in temporal lobe epilepsy occur following a seizure in roughly five to seven per cent of cases. '(Tim) was clearly in a grossly impaired state of mind such that he was unable to make a rational decision about the wrongfulness of his actions,' Dr. Joseph Ferencz, the forensic psychiatrist, concluded in the West 5th report. Similarly, the Ontario Shores report by Dr. Andrew Wang concluded that Tim should be found not criminally responsible. With both reports reaching the same conclusion, and the Crown and defence in agreement, the judge found Tim not criminally responsible. 'I am … satisfied that he was, at the time, suffering from a mental disorder that rendered him incapable of appreciating the nature and quality of the acts or of knowing that they were wrong,' Justice Paul Sweeny said in court Nov. 12, 2021. George Howson was the kind of man who could talk to anyone. He liked people and always saw the best in them, said his son, Michael. 'He was generous, kind and trusting,' and he was always willing to help. He had a good sense of humour and family was very important to him, he added. Before retiring, George ran a family electrical contracting business. That was where he met Donna, who worked as a secretary. Michael said he and other family members were worried about Tim living with George and Donna, because of how vulnerable George was. He needed a lot of help, and they didn't believe Tim had the patience or ability to properly care for him. Tim was quick to anger and appeared only self-interested, he said. 'I would prefer someone off the street to come in; anyone but him,' Michael said. Michael and his three siblings offered to take turns helping at the condo on weekends, but their offer was rejected. They didn't realize Tim had moved in with George and Donna for about a month. In the months leading up to his death, George required more care because of his health issues and Donna seemed burnt out. There had also been a long-standing issue because George did not allow Donna access to all of his money, Michael said. There was an incident at the bank about a week before his death in which George told family he wasn't being treated nicely, but family didn't learn details until after his death. Michael felt like his dad couldn't even talk privately because he couldn't hold the phone himself. On the day of the attack, they didn't find out what happened until late that night. By the time Michael got to the hospital, his dad was on life support, his face swollen and battered. 'It was like he was dead,' Michael said. 'He was unrecognizable.' George never regained consciousness. Michael Howson says he feels let down by the justice system after his father George was killed. George's stepson Tim Brown was found not criminally responsible based on exceptionally rare finding that he killed his stepdad while in the midst of post-seizure psychosis. Upon meeting with police, Michael says he felt the narrative was already decided. Tim isn't a psychiatric patient — he's angry, Michael said he told them. But he said they didn't even appear to take notes. He filed his first complaint alleging an insufficient police investigation with the former Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), soon after. Since then, he's complained to the chief of police, head Crown, regulatory bodies for both police and lawyers, and filed Freedom-of-Information requests for more details. 'This is a difficult case and our thoughts are with the Howson family on their loss,' Hamilton police spokesperson Jackie Penman said in response to questions from The Spectator. She noted that police charged Tim Brown with second-degree murder and that it was the court that eventually found he was NCR. Once that happens the matter lies with the ORB. 'We understand the family is frustrated with the NCR determination and have filed complaints,' she said, adding that they were investigated and 'all found to be unsubstantiated.' Throughout court, including in the judgment, it was repeated that Tim has no history of violence. He has never been convicted of any violent offence, but Michael says his family felt like the way the case was framed completely ignored Tim's history of anger and threatening behaviour, including with his ex-wife, that was documented in the second psychiatric assessment. Dean Paquette, a high-profile defence attorney, was hired before George was even removed from life support. Michael believes there was more to investigate and that everyone was too quick to jump to the NCR finding. At every step, he's met a dead end or disinterest, Michael said. Like every person found NCR, Tim appears before the ORB annually and a panel hears from his doctors about how he's doing in the forensic unit at West 5th. The ORB decides what privileges, including any release into the community, he should be granted. Michael and his family go every year. At the last hearing in January, Tim didn't attend, so his lawyer represented him. The ORB heard Tim's diagnosis is considered in remission, with ongoing antiseizure medication prescribed by a neurologist. He has also been diagnosed with a personality disorder, including 'mixed personality features, and prominent paranoid and borderline traits.' Since being admitted to West 5th, Tim has repeatedly threatened staff, according to hospital records included in ORB decisions. This includes threatening to burn staff and their families, and threatening to put his fist though a staff member's throat. In May 2024, he was transferred to a different unit 'due to staff on his previous unit needing respite.' The ORB report noted 43 recorded occurrences between January and October 2024. Most include incidents in which he insulted, threatened or intimidated staff. None of the incidents involved physical violence. '(Tim) continues to exhibit behaviour resulting from underlying frustration,' it says. 'He shows irritability and has anger management issues, as noted in the hospital report.' By 2023, Tim was allowed outside on hospital grounds, without issue. And he used some passes in the community, accompanied by approved family members. The next year, he was allowed on the grounds unsupervised. At the January 2025 hearing, the hospital asked to be allowed to 'very cautiously' introduce indirectly supervised passes into the community. Indirect supervision means a person is allowed to leave the hospital unsupervised, but only for pre-approved purposes. The ORB concluded Tim continues to represent a 'significant threat to the public' and will continue to be detained in hospital. But the board also unanimously agreed to allow him to enter the community indirectly supervised, understanding the hospital would proceed 'extremely cautiously.' A proposal to allow community living, should it become suitable, was rejected by a majority of board members. In his victim impact statement, Michael said victims' rights have been ignored. 'We are aware that our victim impact statements have no impact,' he told the ORB. 'Our voices have been silenced.' From his perspective, authorities have ignored Tim's history of anger, disregarded his family's safety concerns, and rewarded seemingly bad behaviour with more privileges, he said. 'It has been disrespectful and insulting to my father and our family,' Michael said, adding that Tim has shown an unwillingness to follow rules or direction. If he is angry in a controlled environment, Michael wonders how Tim would behave in public on his own. The ORB does not comment on specific cases, but generally, when deciding if someone is a threat to public safety, the board would consider evidence of a person's neurological condition the same way it treats evidence of a psychotic or mood disorder, counsel Gavin MacKenzie said. Broadly speaking, if someone has neurological condition, the forensic hospital can consult experts, such as neurologists, he said. The ORB also has authority to order an assessment if it believes such evidence is required. 'It is not uncommon for victims or members of the public to query the appropriateness of an NCR verdict in a particular case,' said Anita Szigeti, whose firm represents Tim. She spoke generally about the NCR process as a lawyer who specializes in that area of practice and not about Tim's case specifically. NCR verdicts are made based on strict criteria, she said. 'Victims are almost always frustrated with review board hearings and processes,' Szigeti said, adding that the frustration is often legitimate and born from the 'wrong-headed inclusion' of victim impact statements. While victims have rights that allow them to give victim impact statements, she said the statements have almost no direct influence on the review board's decision. 'Permitting their participation leaves victims with the false promise that they can meaningfully influence the result, doing them a massive disservice and almost invariably retraumatizing them with no appreciable benefit,' she said. The ORB has no jurisdiction on the verdict itself. It's the board's role to decide whether an accused is still a significant threat to public safety and then make the 'least restrictive disposition.' That decision is based on the accused's current condition. It's important to remember that someone found not criminally responsible is not serving a sentence that is intended to be punishing, because they are not responsible for their actions, Szigeti said. She argued that victims should have robust supports outside the ORB. And those found NCR who committed serious violent crimes are also often 'extremely traumatized' by the event and should also have access to trauma-informed services. At the January hearing, Tim asked, through his lawyer, to no longer be required to undergo drug or alcohol testing. He also asked for community living. Both were denied. In May, Michael received notice that Tim has appealed the most recent disposition and that he believes a community living clause should have been included. The hearing to determine whether there are grounds for appeal is scheduled for September. When Michael thinks of his father, he cannot unsee the injuries — George's face and head swollen nearly to the width of his shoulders. 'I can imagine the fear he felt with his Parkinson's hindering his ability to shield himself from the attack,' Michael said. 'I can imagine his feelings of betrayal.' Despite all the dead ends he's faced filing complaints and appealing for the case to be reopened, Michael says he won't stop. He believes the next step is to push for a discretionary coroner's inquest. Inquests do not determine liability but explore the circumstances of a death. A jury can make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. Everything that happened since his father's death has left Michael and his family without trust in the justice system, he said. It is something he and his family will never get over. Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . 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Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
‘He used to scream in the night' – Scottish WW2 veterans return to scene of one of worst military tragedies
NORMANDY RETURN 'He used to scream in the night' – Scottish WW2 veterans return to scene of one of worst military tragedies Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VETERANS returned to the scene of one of Scotland's worst military tragedies this week - 85 years after 10,000 men were either killed or captured in WW2. The Black Watch paid an emotional visit to St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy to commemorate the ill-fated defence of the region by the 51st Highland Division. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Black Watch Commemorative Visit to Normandy in France. Credit: ©Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY 4 Lt Col Bill Bradford of The Black Watch whilst serving as a Captain. Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY 4 Private Cameron Walker who was hidden by the Hubert family for four years - pictured with his mother after returning. Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY 4 Infantry of 51st Highland Division are carried into battle aboard Sherman tanks. Credit: Alamy It was an equally sombre event for grateful locals who remembered the men that gave their lives for strangers and saved their ancestors. Retired Brigadier Alastair Aitken, Chairman of The Black Watch Association, said: 'People talk about the Auld Alliance but what they are thinking of is a few beers at Murrayfield with some French rugby supporters. 'But actually, here in Normandy is the real Auld Alliance because here we had Scottish soldiers who died not just in France, but for France, and that is unique in recent British history. 'This is a story of Scotland's best who fought bravely for France as they died for Scotland. They would have fought to the last man and the last round. That has created a unique bond with the communities of Normandy. We won't find it anywhere else in France. 'This is not even a Scottish story – it is a Highlands story – and The Black Watch is part of that. 'It is all about the people. And it is their individual stories that keep their names alive. These are the stories that inspire current and future generations.' Mayor of St Valery-en-Caux, Jean-Francois Ouvry, added: 'I once watched an old soldier stand at the 51st Highland Division monument on the clifftop above St Valery as a tear trickled down his cheek and I realised I also had a tear in my eye. 'Perhaps future generations will not be so aware of our mutual history but hopefully St Valery will never forget. 'The monument stands strong; the graves are tended and the soldiers of Scotland rest here forever. They are in our hearts and we will take care of them.' The heroic soldiers remained behind, under French command, in a last gasp attempt to halt the German advance. But the onslaught proved too strong and 51st Highland Divisional commander Major General Victor Fortune reluctantly followed orders to call a ceasefire and surrender when all hope of naval evacuation had gone. Mistakes were made but we fought with honour – hero Scots soldiers remembered 20 years after Iraq Troops were vastly outnumbered and rapidly running out of ammunition, food and fresh clothing, as well as having no aerial or heavy artillery support. French families played their own in part in trying to save those left behind - taking in stricken Scots and shielding them from the Germans. Private Cameron Walker, a blacksmith's son from Forteviot in Perthshire, remained hidden with a family for four years – helping on the farm and hiding in a specially-made niche between the chimneys whenever enemy soldiers made their frequent searches. His host Hamilton Hubert later 'adopted' Cameron as an extra son and the last surviving daughter – 80-year-old Ghislaine Pegard – told of the love the family had for the young Scotsman. She said: 'I never met him – I wasn't born. But my parents talked about Cameron often. I feel very proud of them and what they did. 'Cameron was a part of the family and The Black Watch became part of our family too. My grandchildren now know of what my parents went through to keep Cameron safe and they will tell their children and grandchildren.' Meanwhile, retired Black Watch Colonel Ronnie Bradford, 67, from Aberdeenshire, is still in awe of the legends told about his famous father - Captain Bill Bradford He was taken prisoner following the surrender of British and French commanders but managed to escape on six separate occasions. The hero spent 367 days trying to reach safety. He walked more than 620 miles, cycled over 500 miles, travelled 2,216 miles by train, 469 miles by ship and around 700 miles by small boat to reach British soil. Ronnie said: 'He never spoke of those times but I know they scarred him deeply. He used to scream in the night. 'It was only after my brother stopped Dad burning his diaries just before he died that his story came to light. 'He was a kind and tolerant father. I just wish we'd known his war story before so that I could have talked to him about it. 'I've been thinking of him and all the other soldiers who fought here in Normandy and to walk where they walked and see where his friends and comrades fell is a really emotional journey.' King Charles passed on his wishes to those who made the trip to pay their respects. And general Fortune's grandson, actor Jack Fortune, from Galloway, believes people could learn a lot from the soldier's commitment to his men. He proudly said: 'While in prison in Poland after capture at St Valery, he suffered a stroke and refused to be repatriated, saying he would stay with his men of the 51st Highland Division until the end.'
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
A glossy new period drama based on a real life scandalous family starts tonight
Based on a real life family of six sisters, who caused quite the scandal in the 1930s, Outrageous on U&Drama is an addictive period drama With Bridgerton and Sex Education stars, glossy period drama Outrageous, about the real life Mitford sisters - 'the Kardashians of their generation' - is your next binge. Based on Mary Lovell's book The Mitford Girls, this scandalous family saga (tonight June 19, U&Drama, 9pm) is inspired by six aristocratic sisters who refused to play by the rules. Sweeping through the turbulent backdrop of 1930s Britain, this addictive six parter follows the betrayal, romance and radicalisation of these gloriously rebellious socialites. Their controversial antics, including marrying a fascist and being imprisoned during WW2, saw the family splashed all over the press. Also starring Anna Chancellor and James Purefoy, Bridgerton's Bessie Carter (Imelda Staunton's daughter) plays eldest daughter Nancy, who narrates events with an air of Lady Whistledown. Her foreboding voice explains: 'Surely within the decade we'd all have married well and be quietly breeding the next generation of British aristocrats. Unfortunately it didn't quite turn out like that. Instead, within a few years we would have gone entirely off the rails.' Nancy is desperate for her long-term boyfriend Hamish to propose, but he says marriage seems 'so very much not fun.' Diana (Joanna Vanderham) is married to one of the richest men in London - but is seduced by fascist politician Oswald Mosley (Joshua Sasse), while Unity (Shannon Watson) becomes 'the most hated woman in Britain' for defending Hitler. From the start, there's a growing sense of tension that everything is about to unravel. Wonderfully camp and wickedly funny, this is no stuffy period drama - it's an irreverent tale about sisters who followed their passions, to hell with the consequences. Outrageous is airing on U&Drama tonight at 9pm, with all six episodes available to stream There's plenty more on TV tonight - here's the best of the rest.. PUSHERS, CHANNEL 4, 10pm Comedian Rosie Jones is having her moment in the sun - a firm favourite on comedy panel shows, she has now co-created this fresh new series. She plays Emily, who's terminally single, stuck living with her sad dad, and can only find voluntary work. And now her disability benefits have been cut. At her lowest ebb, she bumps into her dodgy old school friend, Ewen (Ryan McParland), who spots an opportunity. If Emily needs money, perhaps she could deliver a parcel for him. 'It seems a bit dodgy,' she says… at first. You can guess where this is going. Who would ever suspect that this nice young disabled charity worker was a drug dealer? But everything soon spirals as Emily begins to get a thrill out of drug dealing. There are plenty of laughs, but it also makes a political point. Rosie says: 'We wanted to show what it's like to be working class and disabled right now - because it's s*** for a lot of people.' MURDER MOST PUZZLING, 5, 8pm Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan stars as Cora Felton, the eponymous Puzzle Lady, in this latest murder mystery series to hit our screens. Based on the best-selling books by American author Parnell Hall, it begins when a strange murder takes place in the sleepy market town of Bakerbury. Local police are baffled by a crossword puzzle left on the body, so they turn to Cora, whose fame as an excellent puzzler, suggests she can help. But Cora isn't who she claims to be, and as she throws herself into the case, she starts to attract allies and enemies in equal measure. Quirky, light-hearted and easy-viewing, this has all the hallmarks of a wholesome whodunit - sleepy village, random murders, interfering amateur detectives and gossipy secrets. Phyllis says: 'It's a bit like Murder She Wrote meets Miss Marple on steroids. It's a police procedural, but not as we know it and it's full of great characters.' EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm Sarah goes for her procedure and is elated when Dr Knapp reveals they managed to retrieve a good number of eggs to test for viability. Later, Charity answers a call on Sarah's phone from the hospital and is horrified by what she hears. Sarah feels caught out when Charity reveals she's found out about her cancer diagnosis. Mandy persuades Paddy to confront his worries for his dad head on, but Paddy is surprised to discover that Bear and his motorbike are missing. EASTENDERS, BBC1, 7.30pm Kat is trying to talk to Alfie about her fears for Tommy, but things go from bad to worse when Alfie tells her she needs to visit Spencer in Australia as he's in turmoil. Tommy tries to avoid Joel, but is shaken when Vicki collars him and warns that she'll implicate him in what happened to Isla if he doesn't keep his mouth shut. Elaine wakes up with a vicious hangover and refuses to engage with Linda, who is still furious.
