Move over Jane Tennison: Lynda La Plante has a new detective in town
A century ago, in the early 1920s, English mystery writer Agatha Christie was dubbed the 'Queen of Crime'. That crown has now been transferred seamlessly to Lynda La Plante, and what has earned her accession to this regal sobriquet is the gritty realism of her novels and the compelling characters she creates.
Lynda is a former actress who trained at Rada in London and had a relatively low-key but successful career, both on the stage and in various TV series, including Z-Cars and The Sweeney. She took up writing in the 1980s and found her first major success in 1983 with her television script Widows, a gritty crime drama about the wives of armed robbers who continue their husbands' criminal plan after their fiery deaths during a botched heist. The series was praised for its originality and strong female characters, establishing her as a powerful voice in British crime writing.
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The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
TDs call on Fine Gael to carry out full investigation into Dublin councillors
POLITICIANS HAVE CALLED on Fine Gael to carry out a full investigation into two of its councillors over their involvement in a recruitment company that has charged foreign nurses thousands of euro in 'agency fees' to come and work in Irish nursing homes. Two opposition politicians have put in a complaint to South Dublin County Council's ethics watchdog about Baby Perappadan, a Fine Gael councillor for Tallaght South and a former mayor of the area, after a story by The Journal Investigates this morning. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said in a statement he would be making the complaint, stating that there are 'serious questions to answer' for Tallaght Fine Gael Councillors Baby and Britto Pereppadan and Fine Gael over unlawful agency fees being charged to migrant nurses. Independent Cllr Madeleine Johansson has also confirmed that she too has made a complaint to the Ethics Registrar of the council this morning. Unlawful agency fees Responding to an in-depth report by The Journal Investigates on the involvement of the two Tallaght Fine Gael councillors with a recruitment agency, Angel Care Consultancy Limited, and the charging of agency fees to at least three migrant nurses from India, Murphy said: 'Fine Gael Councillors Baby and Britto Pereppadan both have serious questions to answer. Fine Gael should also formally investigate them.' Advertisement The Journal Investigates has spoken to three nurses who say they paid thousands of euro in agency fees to Angel Care Consultancy Limited, on top of and separate to the money they paid for the standard expenses nurses face when coming to Ireland, including the fee associated with their visa, a work permit, the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) aptitude exam, the English language proficiency exam, and their plane tickets. Pereppadan has said he was 'totally unaware' that any such fee was being charged through his company. Part of a recruitment fee requested of one of the nurses The Journal spoke with was transferred to the bank account of Baby's son, Britto Pereppadan, who is also a Fine Gael councillor. It is unlawful for an employment agency to require an applicant to pay an agency fee in respect of employment under legislation introduced in Ireland in 2012. One nurse paid €3000 into Councillor Britto Pereppadan's bank account, despite him having no formal involvement in Angel Care Consultancy, which is co-owned by his father, the former Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Councillor Baby Pereppadan. The matter has been referred to the Indian police by the nurse involved. Calls for Fine Gael to take action Murphy said today that Councillor Britto Pereppadan must immediately make a full statement and answer questions from the media in relation to this payment as responses given to The Journal are not an adequate explanation. The People Before TD called on Pereppadan to make a full statement on his involvement with Angel Care Consultancy and any other recruitment agencies he is involved with and answer questions from the media. Related Reads Fine Gael councillor co-owns company accused of charging migrant nurses unlawful 'agency fees' The Journal Investigates also reported that just last month Pereppadan told a prospective client of another recruitment agency he has been working with that 'his political connections would help him to push through work permits for prospective employees in order to speed up the recruitment process' and that he was 'very close with Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris'. Murphy said Harris must make a statement on this matter and Fine Gael should carry out a thorough investigation into the business dealings of both of its councillors. Together with People Before Profit's local councillors, Kay Keane (Tallaght South), Jess Spear (Tallaght Central) and Darragh Adelaide (Clondalkin) Murphy said he is writing to the South Dublin County Council Ethics Registrar today to request that they investigate whether the Fine Gael Councillors under code of conduct regulations. 'Full investigation needed' Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has said 'these are very serious allegations against the individuals involved in the company, but also two prominent members of Fine Gael on South Dublin County Council'. 'In the first instance, they need to be fully investigated,' he said. 'But I have to say, the explanations from the individuals involved in the public domain simply don't stack up. I don't believe their response to the very legitimate questions from The Journal are credible, and therefore I would like to see a full and thorough investigation of these matters,' said the Sinn Féin TD. Not only is charging the fees unlawful, but Ó Broin said such an action is 'exploitation of very hard working migrant nurses in our health system'. The case also raises questions for Fine Gael, he said, stating: Sign up The Journal Investigates is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. Our newsletter gives you an inside look at how we do this. Sign up here... Sign up .spinner{transform-origin:center;animation:spinner .75s infinite linear}@keyframes spinner{100%{transform:rotate(360deg)}} You are now signed up 'Does Fine Gael think this type of behavior is acceptable. If it's proven to be true, are they going to take any intermediary action against the two party members pending the outcome of the investigation.' 'Any form of exploitation of any worker, no matter their country of origin or their form of employment, is unacceptable,' added Ó Broin, who said Fine Gael needs to take action against their own members. Fine Gael and spokespeople for Simon Harris have been approached for comment. No response has been forthcoming by time of publication. Investigations like this don't happen without your support... Impactful investigative reporting is powered by people like you. Over 5,000 readers have already supported our mission with a monthly or one-off payment. Join them here: Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Neighbours of Brit grandad who ‘attempted to drown' daughter-in-law say she WAS his ‘girlfriend' as they reveal shock
The British grandad denied to cops that he was in a relationship with his daughter-in-law POOL 'ATTACK' Neighbours of Brit grandad who 'attempted to drown' daughter-in-law say she WAS his 'girlfriend' as they reveal shock FRIENDS of a British grandad accused of trying to drown his daughter-in-law have told of their shock at his attempted murder charge. Neighbours revealed how Mark Gibbon, 62, would "often" have his alleged victim Jasmine Wyld - who locals described as his "girlfriend" - "staying with him". Advertisement 5 Gibbon and Wyld have been pictured together on several occasions Credit: Facebook 5 Gibbon has been charged with the attempted murder of his daughter-in-law Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office/PA Wire 5 Wyld shares two children with Gibbon's son Alex Credit: Facebook Divorced Gibbon was arrested last week after allegedly forcing Wyld's head under the water in a pool at a Florida resort during a spat about his will. Lighting technician Gibbon, who has worked with pop stars like Ed Sheeran and once helped make the late Queen Elizabeth's Christmas TV broadcast, is rumoured to have been dating Wyld - his son's ex. Both Gibbon and Wyld, 33, denied to police that they were romantically involved with each other. But neighbours of Gibbon's £800,000 semi-detached home in the posh Buckinghamshire market town of Beaconsfield openly referred to Wyld as Gibbon's girlfriend. Advertisement They also expressed their horror at the arrest of the grandad -who they said "kept himself to himself" - over the alleged attempted murder of Wyld. One neighbour said: "Everybody is shocked by this." A woman living next door refused to give her name but said she was good friends with the mum-of-two. She told The Sun: "I'd never have imagined this might happen. Advertisement "Jasmine used to stay here a lot with the children. But I don't want to say much more because she is a friend of mine." Gibbon's large brick-built semi-detached house was empty today with two vans and silver Skoda car parked outside. Moment drunk Brit pensioner, 66, is left with broken arm after getting into fight with Thai bar girl & being thrown to ground There was a statue of Buddha by the front door, along with two stickers saying 'Smile you're on camera'. Net curtains covered the windows. John Atkinson, 81, who lives across the road, said he was shocked at the situation. Advertisement He said: "It's very difficult to countenance that Mark was trying to kill Jasmine. "Jasmine was often staying with him along with his grandchildren. "She always struck me as quite a cheerful character.' It comes after a rift between Gibbon and his son Alex - Wyld's ex-husband - emerged. Advertisement Hairdresser Wyld separated from Alex, who she shares two children with, in 2021. Just two years after they separated, Alex, 34, was jailed for trying to run over his dad in a £80,000 Porsche Cayenne in Beaconsfield. As well as assaulting his father, Alex also pleaded guilty to harassing ex-wife Wyld. Alex was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court to 25 months in jail, a 36-month disqualification from driving, a five-year restraining order, plus a surcharge. Advertisement 5 Jasmine Wyld, 33, and Mark Gibbon, 62, were understood to be in a relationship Credit: Facebook 5 Wyld claims Gibbon tried to drown her in Florida Credit: Facebook The dad was released from jail around six months ago and went to move in with his mum, who had divorced Gibbon some years earlier. Alex and his father also became embroiled in a public row in 2023 after Alex left his dad's business for an unknown reason. Advertisement It is understood the pair no longer speak. Gibbon is being held in Polk County Jail - and both he and Wyld denied to cops that they were in a relationship. A detective asked Gibbon and mum-of-two Wyld "about their relationship to determine if the incident would be classified as domestic violence". Gibbon is due in court next week over the attempted murder charge levelled against him, and another hearing is set for September for his arraignment on two battery charges. Advertisement He and Wyld were on holiday at the Solterra Resort in Devenport, near Disney World, Florida with Wyld's two children - Gibbon's grandkids - when the row over his will erupted, police say. The pair were arguing when Gibbon allegedly push Wyld's head "under the water and held her down multiple times". She claimed she "could not breathe" and "believed she was going to drown". Police say Wyld was forced to "fight Mark in order to get away from him and from under the water but he kept pushing her back under". Advertisement Her nine-year-old daughter then leapt to her mother's defence but was pushed away by Gibbon, it is claimed. Gibbon is alleged to have stopped when two women dialled 911. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said after his arrest: 'Because Mr Gibbon couldn't control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated.' When questioned, Gibbon is claimed to have admitted to pushing Jasmine underwater, but insisted he hadn't been trying to drown her. Advertisement The case is now being handled by the prosecutor's office.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Strictly and BBC star Anita Rani spotted cosying up to mystery man at gig after split with husband of 14 years
The Sun's exclusive photos show Anita with the mystery man MOVING ON Strictly and BBC star Anita Rani spotted cosying up to mystery man at gig after split with husband of 14 years STRICTLY Come Dancing and BBC star Anita Rani has been spotted cosying up to a mystery man at a gig, after splitting from her husband of 14 years. The British radio and television presenter split from her husband Bhupi Rehal in 2023 after 14 years of marriage. 5 Strictly Come Dancing and BBC star Anita Rani has been spotted cosying up to a mystery man at a gig Credit: Getty 5 The star rocked a casual look in a pink and red striped top and shorts, and was pictured walking besides a man in a denim top Credit: The Sun 5 The TV star was seen watching Lankum and Mogwai at South Facing Festival Credit: The Sun 5 Anita's mystery man sighting comes after splitting from her husband of 14 years The couple initially met at a warehouse party in London and bonded over their shared love of music. The couple tied the knot six months later in a three-day Indian wedding in 2009 which Anita had previously described as 'bonkers'. Now, the single star has been seen with a mystery man looking cosy, as they attended a gig. The TV star was seen watching Lankum and Mogwai at South Facing Festival in Crystal Palace park. The star rocked a casual look in a pink and red striped top and shorts, and was pictured walking besides a man in a denim top, appearing to hold hands. A source told The Sun: 'Anita and this bloke were clearly very close and more than just friends - she was wrapped around him in the VIP area then they walked off into the crowd together looking really happy.' Anita's rep had no comment when approached by The Sun. She had previously called being single 'uncharted territory' when the couple first split. With their busy work schedules said to be a contributing factor, she moved into her former London flat purchased 20 years prior. Anita Rani falls in love with property in Dungeness after marriage split At the time she was juggling a jam-packed work schedule, which included the launch of her debut novel, Baby Does A Runner, about a British Asian woman in search of her identity, in July 2023. When the news broke she told The Sun at the time: "It's liberating that people know that I'm single now." "Not everything works out. Things come to their natural conclusion. That is absolutely fine." She also said at the time that there was 'no shame' in being single and living your best life in your 40s. "There is light, and the light is good!" "I'm single. I'm child-free, I'm in my mid-40s and I have never felt better, sexier, more powerful or more excited about the future." She also told how she was paying attention to her own needs: "I'm just making sure I take time out to do things I want to do." "I'm very aware that, with the things I want to do in life, I'd quite like to do them now and not wait." "I kind of live by the mantra of 'life is too short'." She continued: "This is a new chapter in my life but I'm ready to open that book and see what's in store for me because the future is exciting." "My philosophy is 'the best is yet to come'."
