Taylor Swift: Sir Sadiq Khan cleared over free concert tickets
Sir Sadiq watched the concert with family members from a VIP box on 15 August 2024, during the pop star's sell-out run at Wembley Stadium last summer.There were five other members of City Hall staff with him, including two senior officials.Mr McKenna decided in January that there would be no further investigation into three of the allegations - that the tickets were declared late, were undervalued, and were provided by a contractor.However, he asked an independent investigator to determine whether the mayor had "exercised an appropriate level of caution".This investigation has now cleared the mayor of all wrongdoing.
Susan Hall, leader of the City Hall Conservatives who made the initial complaint, said: "I am disappointed that the investigation has finished this way, but ultimately it'll be up to Londoners to decide whether the Mayor acted appropriately in accepting free tickets from a firm that contracts with the GLA for tens of millions of pounds."This investigation has shone a spotlight on the relationship between the Mayor and businesses contracted by the GLA."The mayor has said that he "has no involvement in the procurement process for GLA events, nor in the tendering of these contracts."
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Wales Online
20 minutes ago
- Wales Online
First small boat migrants detained for return to France under new deal
First small boat migrants detained for return to France under new deal The Government has warned people considering travelling to the UK this way to think again, as they risk being returned and losing the money they pay traffickers The first small boat arrivals have been detained, the Home Office has confirmed (Image: PA) The initial small boat arrivals have been detained for deportation to France under a "groundbreaking" new returns agreement. Detentions started for migrants who reached Kent on Wednesday with those being held anticipated to be sent back within a fortnight. This follows the implementation of a new 'one in one out' agreement with France designed to address perilous crossings. The Government has cautioned individuals contemplating this route to the UK to reconsider, as they face the prospect of being returned whilst forfeiting money paid to traffickers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the initial wave of detentions as an "important step forward". This development follows Keir Starmer's praise of a significant UK-France deal to address Channel small boat crossings. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Ms Cooper stated: "Yesterday, under the terms of this groundbreaking new treaty, the first group of people to cross the Channel were detained after their arrival at Western Jet Foil and will now be held in detention until they can be returned to France. "That sends a message to every migrant currently thinking of paying organised crime gangs to go to the UK that they will be risking their lives and throwing away their money if they get into a small boat.", reports the Mirror. "No one should be making this illegal and dangerous journey that undermines our border security and lines the pockets of the criminal gangs." The Government maintains that the returns agreement - the first with mainland Europe since Brexit - represents a breakthrough in its efforts to tackle smuggling gangs. The fresh initiative will operate until June of next year initially, with sources indicating that as many as 50 individuals weekly could be sent back - approximately 2,600 annually. In return, those with valid claims to reside in the UK will be permitted to travel from France. Ms Cooper added: "Criminal gangs have spent seven years embedding themselves along our border and it will take time to unravel them, but these detentions are an important step towards undermining their business model and unravelling the false promises they make. "These are the early days for this pilot scheme, and it will develop over time. But we are on track to do what no other government has done since this crisis first started - sending small boat arrivals back to France and strengthening our borders through the Plan for Change." The Home Office declared in a statement: "Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and Home Office officials will continue to work round the clock over the coming weeks to identify and detain individuals under the treaty, and undertake the necessary processes to prepare them for their return to France." According to the arrangement, which was established during a UK-France summit in July, individuals permitted entry to the UK will undergo prior screening to determine whether they might present a security risk. However, these measures have been criticised by human rights organisations, which are urging the Government to create more safe and legal pathways. Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK's refugee and migrant rights director, remarked: "A returns deal with France that makes access to safety in the UK - even for those with close family or connections here - dependent on someone else risking their life to cross the Channel only cements the role of smugglers in how people fleeing war and persecution must seek asylum in the UK. "Once again, refugees are treated like parcels, not people, while the public is left to pay the price for, yet another cruel, costly failure dressed up as policy." Louise Calvey, executive director at Asylum Matters, condemned the move as "yet another attack on the human right to seek sanctuary". She commented: "It's a grubby trade in human lives that will do nothing more than remove people from this country back into the hands of people smugglers. "It will send them back to French shores where they'll face escalating police violence: boats being slashed with families onboard, children being teargassed, violence which we know makes Channel crossings even more dangerous." The Home Office also disclosed on Monday a £100 million enhancement to border security, which includes funding for up to 300 additional National Crime Agency Officers. This investment will also support a trial of the 'one-in, one-out' returns agreement with France. Article continues below
BreakingNews.ie
21 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
ITV commissions true crime series about one of Britain's 'most prolific sex attackers'
A new true crime series about the victims of 'one of the most prolific sex attackers in British history' has been commissioned by ITV. The four-part drama, Believe Me, will recount the story of three victims who were assaulted by John Worboys after he went under the cover of a licensed taxi-cab driver and later given the name Black Cab Rapist by the media. Advertisement Written by Bafta-award winning screenwriter Jeff Pope, the series features Slow Horses star Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Industry's Miriam Petche and Bloods actress Aasiya Shah, who will play the women Worboys sexually assaulted. Writer, director and producer Jeff Pope (Lucy North/PA) Worboys will be played by English actor Daniel Mays, who is best known for A Thousand Blows. Pope said: 'The series goes on an emotional journey with the victims of Worboys' attacks, showing what happened to them when they reported being raped and assaulted, the pain and indignity of the process and how this dehumanised them. 'But most shocking of all is how they felt that not being believed by the police and having the attacks recorded, essentially, as non-crimes, was as traumatising for them as the actual assaults.' Advertisement The series follows two women as they report sexual assaults by Worboys and their fight to have their allegations believed and investigated by the Metropolitan Police, leading them to take legal action against the force under the Human Rights Act. Aimee-Ffion Edwards (PA) Directed by Julia Ford, the series is filmed in Cardiff and will be produced with support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales. Polly Hill, director of Drama at ITV, said: 'We are really proud to be working with Jeff Pope to bring this important story to screen. 'For too long, the women were not heard by the police, resulting in more victims and ultimately resulting in a landmark case brought against the Met. Advertisement 'Jeff's scripts, as always, are brilliant in bringing this difficult but important story to screen, and I am delighted that Julia Ford will be directing the piece.' The drama will air on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at or visit Rape Crisis Help .
The Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Sun
Frankie Bridge says ‘you're dead to me' in cryptic post after ‘secret feud' is revealed
FRANKIE Bridge has raised eyebrows after saying 'you're dead to me' in a scathing post after appearing to 'snub' former bandmate and friend Rochelle Humes. The Loose Women panellist, 36, took to TikTok to share the damning video, showing her sipping on a glass of rosé wine. 4 4 A caption written over the clip read: 'You're so quiet… 'Thanks, you said something five years ago and I've just realised you're actually dead to me.' Frankie then added below: 'Takes me a while, but once you're dead you're dead.' The Sun has contacted a representative for Frankie for comment. Mum-of-two Frankie and presenter Rochelle, 36, shot to fame together at just 12-years-old in pop group S Club Juniors. Frankie and Rochelle then joined girlband The Saturdays in 2007, going on to enjoy a string of huge hits including Issues, Ego and What About Us. The Saturdays - also made up of Vanessa White, Una Healy and Mollie King - have always insisted their decision to go on indefinite hiatus in 2014 wasn't down to them falling out. Speaking to HELLO! previously, Frankie explained: 'We never fell out. We never really officially broke up or anything, so the option [to get back together] has kind of always been there.' But last month The Sun revealed an apparent 'feud' between Frankie and Rochelle, after they gave each other the cold shoulder at Wimbledon. As guests of sponsor Evian, the pair were invited to watch the tennis in a suite in the sought-after hydrangea building nearCourtOne. But while they mingled with other celebrities and guests just yards away from one another - they failed to actually interact with each other. The I'm A Celebrity clip I use to win any row with Marvin, says Rochelle Humes An insider told The Sun: 'It was clear the women were keeping their distance. They sat on opposite sides of the suite and kept to themselves. 'While Frankie posed for pictures with S Club's Rachel Stevens, Rochelle took selfies with her husband Marvin and his I'm A Celebrity campmate Sam Thompson. 'It was a shame because having the two girls from The Saturdays together for a mini-reunion was exciting for everyone there. 'Even though they were pleasant to each other when they did brush shoulders, they didn't spend any extra time together than they had to, in between being amicable while passing each other en route to watch the tennis.' While Frankie has taken the 'never say never' approach to a potential Saturdays return and Una, 43, has admitted several times she's ready to perform with the girls again, Rochelle previously insisted she 'highly doubts' it will happen. 4
