Latest news with #AamerAnwar
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Everything you need to know about the 'Stop Reform' Glasgow summit
Following the success of Reform UK and Nigel Farage in the recent English council elections, Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) is hosting a "Stop Reform 2026" summit ahead of next year's Scottish Government election. The day will build towards the launch of the official campaign, aiming to build a "mass movement" to challenge the nationwide rise of fascist and racist rhetoric before the election takes place. Where will it be held? The summit will take place from 11am until 5pm on Saturday, May 31, in The Boardwalk on Glasgow's Brunswick Street. It is a ticketed event and will feature a range of speakers and workshops throughout the day. Who is speaking at the summit? There are a number of speakers listed for the morning plenary, including: Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer Humza Yousaf, former First Minister Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary Samira Ali, SUTR nationwide organiser Matt Kerr, Scottish Labour councillor for Cardonald Why now? In a social media post announcing the summit, SUTR said: 'Nigel Farage claims to be a 'man of the people', but he is a tax-dodging millionaire who attended one of the most expensive private schools in Britain. Reform has pledged to cut taxes for the largest corporations, cuts for public services and it tries to point the finger away from the rich. 'In Scotland, polls project Reform could enter the Scottish parliament in the May 2026 election with up to 15 MSPs. 'We say this is not inevitable. Mass campaigning and anti-racist organising has helped turn the tide against the far-right before — and we can do it again.' The summit will feature a number of workshops such as detailing how culture can help 'turn the tide' against prejudice, trade unions against racism and justice for Sheku Bayoh — a Black Lives Matter in Scotland workshop. There will also be a break where attendees can visit picture galleries and stalls hosted by campaign groups involved in the summit. Final tickets for those wishing to attend are available here.
The National
4 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Everything you need to know about the 'Stop Reform' Glasgow summit
Following the success of Reform UK and Nigel Farage in the recent English council elections, Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) are hosting a "Stop Reform 2026" summit ahead of next year's Scottish Government election. The day will build towards the launch of the official campaign, aiming to build a "mass movement" to challenge the nationwide rise of fascist and racist rhetoric before the election takes place. Where will it be held? The summit will take place from 11am until 5pm on Saturday, May 31, in The Boardwalk on Glasgow's Brunswick Street. It is a ticketed event and will feature a range of speakers and workshops throughout the day. Who is speaking at the summit? There are a number of speakers listed for the morning plenary, including: Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer Humza Yousaf, former First Minister Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary Samira Ali, SUTR nationwide organiser Matt Kerr, Scottish Labour councillor for Cardonald READ MORE: Labour minister backs down after comparing Reform and parts of media to Nazis Why now? In a social media post announcing the summit, SUTR said: 'Nigel Farage claims to be a 'man of the people', but he is a tax-dodging millionaire who attended one of the most expensive private schools in Britain. Reform has pledged to cut taxes for the largest corporations, cuts for public services and it tries to point the finger away from the rich. 'In Scotland, polls project Reform could enter the Scottish parliament in the May 2026 election with up to 15 MSPs. 'We say this is not inevitable. Mass campaigning and anti-racist organising has helped turn the tide against the far-right before — and we can do it again.' READ MORE: Labour Government plan to teach 'importance of UK military' in schools The summit will feature a number of workshops such as detailing how culture can help 'turn the tide' against prejudice, trade unions against racism and justice for Sheku Bayo — a Black Lives Matter in Scotland workshop. There will also be a break where attendees can visit picture galleries and stalls hosted by campaign groups involved in the summit. Final tickets for those wishing to attend are available here.
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots kids with muscular dystrophy get new life-extending treatment
Families began receiving calls from doctors last week to arrange treatments for new Givinostat drug after a campaign by the Sunday Mail. Children with a rare type of muscular dystrophy received calls from doctors last week to begin treatment with a new life extending drug after a Sunday Mail campaign. Givinostat slows the progress of the condition but Scottish health boards had until now failed to provide it despite a free early access programme. However Health Secretary Neil Gray has now intervened and families - who had threatened legal action through their lawyer Aamer Anwar - have now been contacted to arrange first doses. There are only thought to be around 30 boys in Scotland suitable for the drug which can give extra life outside of a wheelchair to young patients. Tragically average life expectancy is just 26 years for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Mhairi Harvey, whose 7-year-old son Michael has DMD and will now have access to givinostat, said: 'It's hard to put into words how we feel about having access to givinostat. 'A rollercoaster it has been, but not a fun one that I'd like to repeat. The support we've received has been truly staggering, none more so than from Aamer Anwar and his team. "We are in no doubt, we wouldn't have got this across the line at this stage for all eligible boys in Scotland without them. The Sunday Mail have been magnificent in keeping us in the public's hearts and minds. 'The kindness and empathy shown to us by so many has kept us buoyant when we thought we were sinking and we'll be forever grateful.' Nicola Rankin, whose son Michael, 12, will also get the drug added: 'I cannot begin to express the depth of my gratitude for Aamer and his team. 'After an exhausting fight to secure the treatment, Michael will now start it in the summer. It was their unwavering support, determination, and expertise that finally made it possible. "We would not have gotten this far without their help.' Karla Millar's son Sam, 8, is also looking forward to beginning his treatment. She said: 'As a family, we are over the moon to have finally been told that Sam will receive his medication over the summer. 'It is fantastic news for all families who have received their phone calls.' In a letter to Gray, Anwar said: 'Progress has been made at pace within the Glasgow and Lothians region, with parents now receiving phone calls to confirm upcoming appointments to begin administering Givinostat to their children. 'The families of these boys wish to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for your efforts in advancing this matter. 'The steps you have taken to enforce the administration of Givinostat has been critical in shifting bureaucracy to act, offering the children an opportunity to experience a better quality of life.' However Anwar also warned that a small number of children in the Grampian area were still not being given access to the drug. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. And one parent in the NHS Grampian area said: 'To my knowledge, there are four boys in Grampian who should be eligible for the early access programme including my son. 'I am incandescent. Not only has the time scale been set back a further two months to October but the caveat of 'providing there are no unexpected resource limitations in this timeline' is wholly unacceptable. 'I can not express the level of upset this has caused us as parents.' Emily Reuben and Alex Johnson, founders of Duchenne UK, said: 'There's something worse than having no treatment - and that's having a treatment, available to the NHS for free, but no one can work out to administer it.'
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Charity backs calls for Scottish Government to urgently deliver groundbreaking drug for kids
After a Sunday Mail campaign, NHSGGC confirmed eligible kids should be given givinostat before the end of May, however those in other health board areas could wait months. The head of Britain's biggest muscular dystrophy charity has backed calls for the Scottish Government to urgently deliver new life-extending drugs to children. About 30 boys could have their lives extended by Givinostat, which slows progress of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare form of the killer disease. Patients in Scotland have not been able to get the drug – which is available in England – despite manufacturers offering it to health boards for free on an early-access programme. After a Sunday Mail campaign, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed eligible kids should be given Givinostat before the end of May, however kids in other health board areas could have to wait months. Health Secretary Neil Gray met families and their lawyer Aamer Anwar two weeks ago to discuss access to the drug but they say there has been no progress since. In a letter to Gray, Anwar said: 'With every day that passes, the anxiety felt by parents continues to grow due to the uncertainty and panic at their children's declining health and mobility. 'You will be aware at our meeting you made a promise to the families to accelerate matters and would do everything possible to assist these families, yet they have been told nothing. 'The family… believed you would not break the promise you made to their boys.' Andy Fletcher, is the chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, which works with more than 110,000 people in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions. He said: 'People with muscle wasting conditions, like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, don't have time to waste. Accessing treatments as early as possible can make a significant difference in their quality of life. "The recent meeting between Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, and families campaigning for access was welcomed. 'However, a postcode lottery is not acceptable and action must be taken now.' Families are in a race against time to slow symptoms of the condition which has a life expectancy of just 26 and sees patients lose their mobility until they can't even breathe. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. DMD patient Michael Rankin, 12, said: 'Every second they don't get this through, one person might not be able to walk again.' His mum Nicola Rankin, 38, from Haddington, East Lothian, added: 'It is great news our boys can access the early access programme, but how long will we actually need to wait.' About 200 children in Scotland have DMD, an incurable condition affecting boys. There are thought to be less than 30 children suitable for the givinostat early access scheme in Scotland.
Glasgow Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Judge appointed to head Emma Caldwell investigation
Lord Scott KC, a judge at the Supreme Courts in Scotland, will chair the inquiry, which was ordered after serial rapist Iain Packer was jailed for the crime Emma was murdered in 2005, but it was not until last year that Packer was convicted of her killing, along with a slew of sexual offences against other women. READ MORE: Three charged after 'substantial quantity' of 'cannabis and heroin' found The initial police investigation has drawn criticism for failing to catch Packer, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years, two decades after the murder of the 27-year-old. The inquiry chairman was named as Emma's family, and their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, met with First Minister John Swinney and Justice Secretary Angela Constance on Thursday. Emma Caldwell's mother Margaret Caldwell and brother Jamie Caldwell, with lawyer Aamer Anwar (Image: Andrew Milligan) The family had pushed for a judge to be appointed from outside Scotland, with Mr Anwar saying in a statement in January, 'only an independent judge outside of the Scottish justice system would suffice' and accusing the Scottish Government of attempting to 'impose' a Scottish judge. He is due to make a statement to the media after the meeting today. READ MORE: More than 60 people arrested during Glasgow's Easter holidays Announcing the appointment, Ms Constance said: 'In March last year, I announced that there would be a public inquiry into the investigation of Emma's murder in 2005 to provide answers to the victims and survivors involved and ensure that lessons are learned for the future. Emma Caldwell's mother Margaret Caldwell and brother Jamie Caldwell, with lawyer Aamer Anwar (Image: Andrew Milligan) 'The other victims, as well as Emma's mother Margaret and the rest of the family, deserve nothing less after the unbearable loss, pain and grief they have suffered. 'Lord Scott has a strong track record on human rights, and I am pleased that someone of his experience, expertise and legal standing will lead this inquiry. Importantly, Emma's family support his appointment. 'I will now consult Lord Scott on the terms of reference and seek the views of Emma's family and others on the inquiry's remit. 'I will update Parliament on the terms of reference and the timescale for the inquiry's formal setting-up date in due course.' READ MORE: University of Glasgow students block busy West End road amid protest Lord Scott said: 'I am aware of the significant public interest in this inquiry and the importance it holds for Emma Caldwell's family. I will discharge my duties as chair independently, thoroughly and to the best of my ability. 'I come to this role with three years of experience as a judge of the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary. 'This followed over 20 years in the voluntary sector, primarily in the area of human rights, as well as over 30 years in private practice as a criminal defence lawyer and work in several reviews which scrutinised the use of various powers by the Police Service of Scotland. 'I look forward to discussing the terms of reference with the Cabinet Secretary and to establishing and working with an inquiry team to start our work as soon as possible.' Emma Caldwell's mother Margaret Caldwell and brother Jamie Caldwell (Image: Andrew Milligan) READ MORE: Do you know him? CCTV image released following assault at Old Firm Packer was found guilty of 33 separate charges, including Emma's murder, 11 rapes and 21 charges including sexual assaults against other women. Emma's body was found in Limefield Woods, near Roberton, South Lanarkshire, on May 8 2005, more than a month after she went missing in Glasgow. Police interviewed Packer in June, but he was not convicted until almost two decades later. Police Scotland have since apologised to the family of Emma and his other victims for how the original inquiry was handled, saying they were 'let down." Lord Scott was appointed the chair of a group overseeing Police Scotland's use of powers during the pandemic, as well as leading the Scottish Mental Health Law Review.
