Three men arrested in Edinburgh over alleged terror offences
The arrests in Edinburgh came as three women were due to appear in court charged with terrorism offences after a van was driven into the fence of a defence factory in the capital. The suspects, aged 31, 34 and 42, were arrested following the incident at Leonardo UK's facility on Crewe Road North on Tuesday.
The Shut Down Leonardo campaign has said it was protesting against the company's laser targeting system, which it claims is used by the Israeli military.Leonardo said it does not supply equipment directly to Israel and that its main customer is the UK's armed forces.Dozens of pro-Palestine protesters held a demonstration outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court ahead of the hearing.
Meanwhile, counter-terrorism officers have also been investigating reports that people on a pro-Palestinian march in Edinburgh were wearing T-shirts and holding banners expressing support for direct-action group Palestine Action, which was banned as a terrorist organisation in June. That means being a member of, or supporting, Palestine Action is a criminal offence.Thousands of people marched through the Scottish capital on Saturday demanding an end to the bloodshed in Gaza.Demonstrations also took place in London, Manchester, Bristol and Truro, leading to more than 100 arrests.
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The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Family call for justice for student who died after being hit by van near campus
Police have been told not to test the patience of a family whose daughter was killed after being hit by a van near her university campus, as friends say justice still has not been served. Aalia Mahomed, 20, died and three others were injured in the crash outside the King's College London (KCL) campus in the Strand, central London, on March 18. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and he remains on bail. During a memorial held on Thursday by family and friends on what would have been the student's graduation, solicitor Trevor Sterling called for justice to be delivered to the family 'without any further delay'. He told the PA news agency: 'It's been a day of mixed emotions. 'This was a day which was meant to be a day in the future, a day of celebration when Aalia was to receive her degree. 'We need to make sure that we achieve justice without delay, and that the right level of justice is achieved, the right charges are brought, and only then will the family be able to move forward. 'We acknowledge that there are a number of people involved in this incident, a number of witnesses and many others that were injured, and of course, there were secondary investigations in terms of the vehicle, etc. 'What we hope is that those investigations have now concluded and that we reach a point where there is a charge, or a charge is brought in the imminent future, and that from a civil claim process, there are no spurious arguments raised as regards insurance cover.' He said there was frustration over the fact that no charges have been brought almost five months after the incident. Mr Sterling added: 'The wheels of justice are slow, and inevitably there is frustration. The family and those affected have been patient. 'What we ask is that their patience isn't tested, and that we reach a conclusion as soon as possible, so the families and those affected can move forwards in the best way they can, which is to not be reminded of this tragic incident over and over again, because there are investigations in the background.' His words were echoed by Joseph Knight, 20, a physics student and friend of Ms Mahomed who was there when she died. He told the PA news agency: ' Justice hasn't been served because an innocent, beautiful soul has passed for no reason whatsoever, somewhere she should have been safe, on a college campus, pedestrianised area, somewhere she loved. 'So until who is responsible, and there is someone responsible, is brought to justice, then [it hasn't been served].' At the memorial, Ms Mahomed's younger brother, Zain Mahomed, unveiled a plaque underneath a cherry blossom planted in her memory, which read: 'In loving memory of our forever shining star, Aalia Mohamed. A beloved daughter, sister, philosopher, physicist and friend. November 4 2004 to March 18 2025.' He said: 'My sister was amazing. She was really smart, lovely, funny. 'I wish I could say something nice about the ceremony today. I wish I could say I was happy to be here, but it's painful. 'She should have been the one out there getting that award. 'She worked harder for that award than anyone else I knew.' About 40 friends, family members and people from KCL gathered to pay tribute to the student, who was also honoured earlier on Thursday at a graduation ceremony in the Royal Festival Hall on London's South Bank. Many were dressed in green, her favourite colour, and stood with their eyes closed or heads bowed. Some were visibly emotional and hugged one another for support and a minute's silence was held. People took it in turns to walk up and look at the inscription in silence, and her mother, Samira Shafi, was given her honorary degree certificate, awarded posthumously. Rev Dr Ellen Clark-King, the dean of KCL, told the crowd: 'We mourn today the potential of all that she would have become, her lost future, as well as the loss of all that she was.' The family has launched a campaign to build a high school in Malawi in honour of Aalia, to be called Be More Aalia.
The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Family of woman murdered by ex-fiance say he is ‘no longer free to harm women'
The family of a woman who was murdered by her ex-fiance at a luxury Surrey hotel have expressed their relief that he is 'no longer free to harm' other women, as they paid tribute to her as 'the kindest light in all our lives'. James Cartwright, 61, stood trial at Guildford Crown Court accused of killing Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, whose body was found at the five-star Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot on April 14 last year. The mother-of-two, from Axminster in Devon, had agreed to stay in a twin room with Cartwright because she 'didn't want him to feel lonely' on his birthday, the jury was told. He phoned 999 at about 8.30am the next morning claiming he had discovered her dead beside him in bed. A jury unanimously convicted him on Thursday, after one afternoon of deliberation, of murder and rape between April 12 and April 14 last year, but acquitted him of controlling and coercive behaviour between May 1 2022 and April 14 2024. In a statement through Surrey Police, Ms Mickleburgh's family said: 'We as a family, are relieved that this has finally come to an end. That the defendant has been seen for who he truly is, a rapist and a murderer. No longer free to harm or control any more women. 'Unfortunately it was too late for our beloved daughter, mother, sister and friend. She truly was the best of us, the kindest light in all our lives and the hole left behind is one of such severe magnitude we will likely never escape it. ' Justice will not bring her back, but it has provided a form of closure on this dark chapter and security in the knowledge that James Cartwright will remain in the safest place for everyone. 'Samantha wouldn't want to be known as a victim. She would want to be known for her passion for life, her class and beautiful style, her honesty, integrity, strength and dedication to all who knew her. 'We continue to ask for privacy as we navigate what it means to live in a world without Samantha and her incredible personality and love.' Members of her family cried in court after the verdicts were read out and hugged each other after the hearing. Mr Justice Murray set the sentencing date for August 8 and told the defendant: 'You have been found guilty of the murder and rape of Samantha Mickleburgh. 'You are remanded in custody to await the sentencing hearing. 'You may now go down.' Cartwright, who did not react as the jury gave its verdicts, told the judge 'thank you' before leaving the dock. Giving evidence during the trial, Cartwright claimed Ms Mickleburgh died after falling out of bed. The Crown Prosecution Service said the claims were part of his 'web of lies'. Moses Koroma, senior crown prosecutor for CPS South East, said: 'It was clear from the forensic evidence that Samantha had been murdered. She was strangled and had a significant head injury, and the jury saw straight through Cartwright's claims that this had all resulted from her falling out of bed. 'As soon as he called 999, Cartwright started to weave his web of lies, telling police that Samantha had asked him to move back in and they were due to get married a few months later. 'A very different picture emerged of their relationship from conversations Samantha had with friends and family about their life behind closed doors. 'Worried that he would be alone for his 60th birthday, Samantha honoured her promise to spend the weekend with Cartwright. 'He took advantage of this last selfless act with a vicious and murderous attack.' Surrey Police said Cartwright 'has never admitted responsibility or shown any remorse' for the attack. Detective Inspector Debbie Birch said: 'This trip was meant to be one last kindness before she moved on with her life. 'Tragically, Cartwright ensured that she was never able to do this. His control and possessiveness meant he couldn't bear to let her go, despite having another girlfriend at the time. 'He callously murdered her and has never admitted responsibility or shown any remorse, but the jury saw him for what he is and has found him guilty.' Cartwright also told jurors during the trial that Ms Mickleburgh owed him about £100,000 at the time of her death, as she had borrowed money to help renovate a property she bought in early 2023. They lived together and got engaged later that year, when Cartwright proposed on a beach during a holiday. He told the court the proposal was met with 'an immediate and emphatic yes' and described their relationship at the time as 'extremely amicable and friendly and loving'. But the relationship began to break down when Cartwright discovered 'highly sexual' messages from Ms Mickleburgh's former partner on her phone and later on her laptop. On October 2, he confronted her and admitted standing in front of her car to stop her leaving their home after an argument. 'She got into her car. It was clear that she was going to drive away,' he told the court. 'I pulled (the gate) to prevent the car from leaving. 'She chose to drive through the gate and on to the road, so I had to put myself in front of the car to stop her leaving, because the gate hadn't worked.' Cartwright said he was embarrassed by his behaviour and later apologised. Although they continued to live together until February 2024 and remained physically intimate, he said he no longer trusted her. About two weeks before moving out, he found further messages between Ms Mickleburgh and her ex-partner but chose not to confront her. Instead, he said he asked if they had been in touch, and she denied it – something he described as 'almost terminal on my part'. After their separation, Cartwright began speaking to other women on the dating app Bumble, and told one that the forthcoming dinner with his ex had 'the feel of a final farewell'. Another message described it as 'the last goodbye'. Cartwright said he had not yet met the women in person and was only seeking 'companionship' and 'friendship'. The defendant, of no fixed address, told the court he had been married and divorced three times and had three adult daughters.
The Guardian
12 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Corbyn's new party and the menace of populism
The upcoming launch of a new party by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana (Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana agree to launch leftwing party, 24 July) will inevitably prompt questions about whether this will divide the progressive vote or offer a genuine alternative to Labour's centrist drift, especially as the Green party continues to grow as a principled voice for environmental and social justice. Although these projects are potential rivals, they need not be. If the disturbing rise of rightwing populism is to be successfully confronted, the left must overcome fragmentation and find ways to coexist and collaborate. The Corbyn-Sultana initiative and the Greens share much common ground: a rejection of austerity, commitment to democratic reform and a belief in economic and ecological justice. Their differences in emphasis, tone and priorities are real but not irreconcilable. There has to be scope for a non-aggression pact at the next general election, with each party standing aside in constituencies where the other has a better chance of success. Joint campaigning on core issues – such as proportional representation, protest rights, wealth taxes and a green new deal – could amplify their impact, and framing climate action as central to economic justice, not separate from it, could provide a unifying narrative for both. This is not about merging or blurring identities. It is about strategic and political maturity. If the left cannot cooperate when so much is at stake, it will surrender the field to those who thrive on division and fear. Unity does not require uniformity; it requires courage and purpose. The worse case, of a public war of words and clashing candidacies between the Greens and Corbynites, would demoralise voters and hand the initiative to the populist CosgroveChapel Lawn, Shropshire Your report quotes Labour party sources who are dismissive of the threat from Jeremy Corbyn and then bluntly states that Corbyn 'lost the 2017 and 2019 elections as party leader'. It would have provided a fairer context if you had pointed out that in 2017, the Corbyn-led Labour party achieved 2.5m more votes (and a 6% higher vote share) than Keir Starmer did in 2024. Even in 2019, 500,000 more people voted for Corbyn's party than Starmer's. Dr Chris MorrisKidderminster, Worcestershire In the winter election of 2019 I spent hours leafleting for Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party. The sensation of cold and wet letterboxes still lingers on my fingertips when I think of what he said in an Observer article just after the election – that Labour had lost the election but won the argument. This is all Mr Corbyn is interested in doing – winning the argument – and indeed I think he will find that is all he ever will ArmstrongChester Thank you to Jeremy Corbyn for still caring enough and having the humanity to rally the 99% to join together and put 40 years of neoliberal theft and exploitation behind us. I support all his domestic policies, but the realpolitik of foreign policy bothers me. How would he deal with Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu?Pamela HopeKingston upon Thames, London Oh, Jeremy Corbyn, why splinter the left further by creating a new party when the Greens already actively stand and work for all you want to fight for?Sushila DhallOxford Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
