Baroness Jones: You're never too old to be arrested as a Green
Criminality in the upper house tends to involve pound signs, but Baroness Jones (Jenny as was) takes pride in her more on-brand naughtiness. She tells Lord McFall on the Lord Speaker's podcast: 'The thing about the Green Party is, if you get arrested because you're at a demonstration [a 2014 one organised by Occupy], it's almost a gold star.' When she got back to the Lords and told colleagues what had happened, one of them asked: 'Aren't you a bit old to get arrested?' It must be the only thing in the Lords for which one can be too old.
The art of diplomatic umpiring has been recalled by veteran Australian actor Vincent Ball, who once played in a celebrity cricket match with Charles III,
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The Guardian
8 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Foreign Office staff told to consider resigning after challenging UK policy on Gaza
More than 300 Foreign Office staff have been told to consider resigning after they wrote a letter complaining they feared it had become complicit in Israel's alleged war crimes in Gaza. It is the fourth such internal letter from staff about the offensive in Gaza, which started in October 2023 in response to Hamas's deadly attack on Israel. In their letter of 16 May the staff, from embassies around the world and at various levels of seniority, questioned the UK's continued arms sales and what they called Israel's 'stark … disregard for international law'. The Foreign Office said it had systems for staff to raise concerns and added the government had 'rigorously applied international law' in relation to the war in Gaza. The reply to the letter was sent by the permanent under-secretary, Oliver Robbins, and Nick Dyer, the second most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office. They told the signatories: '[I]f your disagreement with any aspect of government policy or action is profound, your ultimate recourse is to resign from the civil service. This is an honourable course.' The reply did not address the substantive complaints by staff. The letter, first reported by the BBC, said: 'In July 2024, staff expressed concern about Israel's violations of international humanitarian law and potential UK government complicity. In the intervening period, the reality of Israel's disregard for international law has become more stark.' It went on to list the killing by Israeli forces of 15 humanitarian workers in March and Israel's suspension of all aid to Gaza in the same month 'leading many experts and humanitarian organisations to accuse Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war'. It said the UK government's position had contributed to 'the erosion of global norms', citing continued weapons exports and the visit to London in April by Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, 'despite concerns about violations of international law'. The Foreign Office described Sa'ar's visit as private, even though he met the foreign secretary, David Lammy. The staff letter added that 'supported by the Trump administration, the Israeli government has made explicit plans for the forcible transfer of Gaza's population'. In response, Robbins and Dyer said the department welcomed 'healthy challenge' as part of the policymaking process and had already set up a 'bespoke Challenge Board' and regular listening sessions with employees to hear concerns in this policy area. They wrote that staff were entitled to their personal views, but added it 'might be helpful' to 'remind' them of mechanisms available to those uncomfortable with policy. It went on to list a series of ways staff could raise issues, before adding that resignation was an 'ultimate recourse' and 'honourable course' for those with profound disagreements over government policy. '[T]he bargain at the heart of the British civil service is that we sign up to deliver the policies of the government of the day wholeheartedly, within the limits imposed by the law and the civil service code,' it said. The UK government's position is that Israel is 'at risk' of breaching humanitarian law, the threshold for barring arms exports, but says it is for international courts to determine if breaches of international law have occurred, which will not be fully determined for many years. Senior foreign office ministers are due to be challenged in the business select committee over why the government is continuing to sell parts and components to the F-35 programme without placing a condition that the parts are not sent on to Israel. The UK is not selling directly to Israel, and claims it has no option but to supply the parts or see the whole F-35 programme grind to a halt, affecting Nato operations defending Europe. The carve-out of F-35s from the ban on UK arms being sold to Israel, imposed in September, is being tested in the high court by the NGOs Global Legal Action Network and Al-Haq. The Foreign Office in its court submissions, likely to be the subject of cross-examination by the business committee, said it had determined Israel was not committing a genocide in Gaza, which appears to contradict the stance that only the UK courts can make such a ruling. It also said it could not take a position on specific attacks by Israel since it did not have definitive evidence. In September, Lammy announced the suspension of about 30 arms exports licences to Israel, and said the remaining licences were not relevant to the war in Gaza – although the government admits some of the licences allow exports to the Israel Defence Forces. Israel has consistently denied committing war crimes in Gaza, saying its actions are proportionate and necessary to eradicate Hamas, which it says uses hospitals and school premises to protect itself. The former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has gathered the names of 50 MPs backing his call for an independent public inquiry into UK involvement in military operations in Gaza. Corbyn has been among MPs pressing ministers to explain why RAF jets from the UK base in Akrotiri in Cyprus fly regularly over Gaza. More than 300 surveillance flights have been recorded, allegedly in search of Hamas-held hostages. Questions are also being asked if Israel acted lawfully by intercepting the ship Madleen in international waters, containing Greta Thunberg and 11 other campaigners seeking to highlight the blockade of food into Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition , the group operating the UK-flagged Madleen, said all 12 campaigners were 'being processed and transferred into the custody of Israeli authorities'. The Foreign Office has not commented.
The Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Sun
Love Island star calls for show to be AXED – eight years after hitting rock bottom on it
LOVE Island star Malin Andersson has called for the show to be AXED - eight years after hitting rock bottom on it. Malin, 32, said it's 'shocking' the ITV2 staple is still on-air and accused it of fuelling eating disorders and glorifying toxic relationships. 4 She took to her Instagram Stories to share a powerful statement hours before the new series kicked off, nearly a decade after she appeared on it. Malin wrote: " Love Island. It starts tonight.. I'm quite shocked this show is still on air to be honest. "I was on it 8 years ago, and in that 8 years I've turned pain into purpose and used my platform for good. "Within the 8 years that have passed I've had to hit rockbottom to find a strength I never knew I had - and awaken to the truth of who we are. "However what young Malin didn't know was, how dangerous a show like this is - portraying toxicity as love, unrealistic body standards and women who maybe broken inside but wanting love for the wrong reasons - and thinking fame will save them.. and as for the men - similar things. "We need a show on how to show the world what it looks like to HEAL WITHIN & find love for ourselves first, then finding it in someone else. "We don't need a show making women especially feel bad about themselves - or fuelling eating disorders. That's outdated now. It's not it." Malin found fame on the second series of Love Island in 2016, spending 24 days in the villa where she was partnered with Terry Walsh. Though she's synonymous with the show, Malin has made it known before she isn't a fan. She previously told Bobby Norris on Fubar Radio: "I've not watched it. I haven't watched a single episode. I didn't even watch my own series. "From what I can see the format is the same and it's like the luggage belt at the airport arrivals and they're just spinning out the same characters. It's the same old bag every time. It sounds really bad.' She continued: 'I think Love Island has had its day a long time ago. And I think for the younger generation, there could be more put out there. I think all we're seeing now is a lot of dating shows.' Mum Malin recalled her obsession in the villa with viewers' perception of her appearance. She likened the experience to Jim Carrey 's classic film, The Truman Show, in which his character is the central figure in a reality construct he has no idea about. 'I remember being in the villa and I kept asking the producers 'are there any bad comments about my weight?'" she said. "That's all I cared about. 'Are there any comments calling me fat?' That's all I remember asking them. "They would say no to everything. You're in the Truman show in there. It is literally like a bubble. No time, they tell you when to eat, when to sleep. It's such a different false reality." ITV has been contacted for comment. Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. Love Island's duty of care Pre Filming and Filming - Registered mental health professional engaged throughout the whole series - from pre-filming to aftercare. - Thorough pre-filming psychological and medical assessments including assessments by an independent doctor, psychological consultant and reports from each Islander's own GP to check medical history. - Potential Islanders are required to fully disclose in confidence any medical history that would be relevant to their inclusion in the Villa and the production's ability to provide a suitable environment for them. - Managing cast expectations: detailed explanations both verbally and in writing of the implications, both positive and negative, of taking part in the series are given to potential cast members throughout the casting process and reinforced within the contract so it is clear. - Cast are told they should consider all the potential implications of taking part in the show and work through this decision-making process in consultation with their family and those closest to them, to ensure they feel it is right for them. - Senior Team on the ground have received training in Mental Health First Aid. - A welfare team solely dedicated to the Islanders both during the show and after. Aftercare - Bespoke training on dealing with social media and advice on finance and adjusting to life back home. - A minimum of eight therapy sessions will be offered to each Islander when they return home. - Proactive contact with Islanders for a period of 14 months after the series in which they have appeared has ended, with additional help provided where applicable. - We encourage Islanders to secure management to represent them after the show and manage them should they choose to take part in other TV shows, advertising campaigns or other public appearance opportunities. ITV's support for Mental Health In 2019 ITV selected mental health as the main focus for its on air health campaigns aimed at its viewers. ITV partnered with Mind and YoungMinds, alongside SAMH in Scotland, and Ant and Dec launched the Britain Get Talking campaign in Britain's Got Talent, with the aim of encouraging 10m people to take action to support their mental or physical health by 2023. Since it launched, Britain Get Talking has resulted in over 100 million more meaningful conversations, and in 2022 ITV announced a further target of encouraging 200 million actions for better health by the end of 2023. Alongside Britain Get Talking, ITV has a mental wellbeing initiative aimed at a younger demographic in partnership with mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). In 2022 it encouraged 1.8m young people to take action to feel better able to cope with life's ups and downs through the campaign ' What Gets You Through '. ITV's Mental Health Advisory Group, chaired by Ruth Davidson with members including CEOs of mental health charities Mind, YoungMinds and SAMH, provides guidance and support on all aspects of ITV, and STV's, approach to mental health and wellbeing among its people, production teams, participants in its shows and audiences. ITV also hosted the Mental Health in the Media conference in March 2023, bringing writers, producers, duty of care professionals, brands and broadcasters together to explore best practice around mental wellbeing on screen and behind the screens. 4 4 4
The Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Sun
Sky launches brand new £6 a month TV service TODAY in tempting bid to make Q box owners switch
SKY is launching a brand new service from today, and it will set entertainment fans back by just £6. TV lovers can now get their hands on a brand new TV set for just 20p a day, as the broadcasting giant launches Sky Glass Air. The new TV can be purchased via a 48 month interest free loan, as the broadcaster aims to tempt Sky Q users to make the switch. 2 2 The cheapest package available with the new TV is Sky Essential TV, which comes with 100 channels, including Sky Atlantic, and Netflix and Discovery+, all for just £15. Combined, for £21 per month, viewers are effectively paying less than 70p per day for the TV and service. Unlike Sky Q, which is currently being phased out, Sky Glass Air relies on internet connection to beam TV channels to your home, instead of a satellite dish. This means that installation for the new TV service will be simple, as you won't have to get an engineer to come round and start drilling through your walls. Sky Glass was launched back in 2019, but users were unimpressed with the thick built in Soundbar. The broadcaster hopes that the thinner soundbar on the Sky Glass Air will tempt more Sky Q users to make the switch. The new TV, which goes on sale today, June 10, comes in three colours - Sea Green, Carbon Grey, and Cotton White. There are three different sizes, 43 inches (from £6 a month), 55-inches (from £10 a month), and 65 inches (from £13 a month). "With Sky Glass Air, we're bringing the Sky experience to more people through a beautifully designed TV with stunning picture quality from just £6 a month," said Carli Kerr, MD of Sky TV & NOW. Sky Offers Free Movie Gift and More "It's all about giving people better for less: more choice, great tech, and the content they love, without compromising on quality. "From the ultimate performance of Glass Gen 2 to the incredible value of Air, there's now a Sky Glass to suit everyone, whether you're new to Sky or already with us." Customers can also choose to pay for the TV set outright if they wish, with the 43 inch model costing £309, and the 55 inch set costing £509. The 65 inch TV is priced at £649. What are Sky's early termination fees? SKY TV customers will incur an early termination fee if they choose to cancel their contract before the end of the agreed minimum term. The amount you're charged depends on: How long is left of your minimum term from the date your subscriptions end, calculated in days The days you have already been billed for in advance The products you subscribe to, the price you pay for them and when your subscriptions end For Sky TV, early termination charges range from £14.00 to £42.89 per month, depending on the specific package. For instance, if you cancel a standard Sky TV package priced at £33.82 per month with 12 months remaining on a 24-month contract, you would be required to pay the remaining 12 months' fees in one lump sum. This would result in a total early termination fee of £405.84. Entertainment fans can also upgrade to to Sky Ultimate TV for an extra £7 per month, which gives viewers access to Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky History, Sky Showcase and more. Sky revealed that 90% of new users opt for Sky Glass or Sky Stream, but it is struggling to win over Sky Q fans. Paolo Pescatore, an expert for PP Foresight, told The Sun: "The majority of its existing subscribers are still on the tried and trusted Sky Q platform which relies on a satellite dish. "Converting this base is taking the company much longer than it originally expected." One thing that Sky Q customers are not convinced by is the way recordings work, as Sky Glass Air saves everything to the cloud, meaning you can't rely on recordings during rare TV outages. However the expert added that the new affordable model should "strongly resonate with customers".
