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New York Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
UK's first transgender politician appears in court charged with harassing ex-wife for moving on
The UK's first transgender politician has been accused of harassing her ex-wife after the spouse moved on with a new love. Former Conservative MP Katie Wallis, who was previously known as Jamie Wallis, is charged with harassing her former partner, Rebecca Wallis, earlier this year — even after being released on bail, the BBC reported. The 40-year-old ex-lawmaker was spotted arriving at a court in Cardiff donning a blue cardigan — complete with red nails and lipstick — to enter a not-guilty plea. 6 Katie Wallis, formerly known as Jamie, pleaded not guilty Monday to harassing her ex-wife earlier this year. Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures Wallis, who has two kids with the ex, allegedly started bombarding her with unwanted phone calls, texts and voice notes in February and March, prosecutors said. The politician, who repped the town of Bridgend from 2019 to 2024, is also accused of repeatedly driving past the ex-wife's home. The harassment kicked off after the couple, who had been together for more than 15 years, finalized their divorce in 2024, prosecutors allege. 6 The 40-year-old ex-lawmaker was spotted arriving at a court in Cardiff donning a blue cardigan to enter her plea. Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures 6 She was arrested in February on harassment charges but was later freed on bail. Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures 6 The harassment kicked off after the couple, who had been together for more than 15 years, finalized their divorce in 2024, prosecutors allege. Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures 'Following the victim informing the defendant of a new relationship, the defendant's behavior became harassing in nature,' prosecutor Simone Walsh told the court. 'The frequency, nature and contents of the messages and voicemails amounted to harassment of the victim,' she added. Wallis was arrested over the harassment on Feb. 28 — but continued sending messages to her ex after being freed on bail, according to prosecutors. 6 The conservative made headlines when she publicly revealed in 2022 that she was trans — becoming the first openly transgender member of the UK's parliament. PA Images via Getty Images The ex-lawmaker's attorney, however, denied the behavior was harassment — saying Wallis' mental health had 'spiraled' at the time. 'Dr Wallis was going through a very important stage of her transition process which was to come out full-time,' defense attorney Narita Bahra argued. 'The complainant took issue with that. She did not want Dr Wallis to come out full-time as transgender.' 'This involved announcing himself as a woman to the world and dressing as a woman full-time,' the lawyer continued. 6 Wallis, pictured with former British PM Boris Johnson, was Bridgend's MP from 2019 to 2024. Jamie Wallis / Facebook 'She was so unwell and was not in a position where she had support from others — she was reaching out to her.' The judge ordered Wallis to undergo a new psychiatric evaluation and adjourned the trial until June 17. The conservative made headlines when she publicly revealed in 2022 that she was trans — becoming the first openly transgender member of the UK's parliament. 'I'm trans. Or to be more accurate, I want to be. I've been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and I've felt this way since I was a very young child,' Wallis said in a statement at the time.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Wales Online
What needs to happen for a drought to be declared in Wales
What needs to happen for a drought to be declared in Wales Reservoir and river levels across Wales have depleted after a period of prolonged dry weather and Wales might move one step closer to an official drought declaration this week, it has been reported Low water levels at the Pentwyn reservoir during a drought in 2022 (Image: Dimitris Legakis/Athena Pictures ) Drought experts are set to meet on Thursday, May 22, to decide if stronger advice on water use is needed in response to record low river levels. River and reservoir levels across Wales have dropped over the last month due to a period of prolonged dry weather. The Welsh Government's drought liaison group - consisting of water companies, Natural Resources Wales, the Met Office and other partners - will discuss whether all or parts of the country should be upgraded from normal to prolonged dry weather status. BBC Wales reports that Thursday's meeting will review the latest data, with potential announcements to follow. The experts could decide to declare a period of prolonged dry weather across all or part of Wales, a step towards an official drought being recognised. The BBC added that rivers in north and mid Wales were classed as having notably low levels, while the Dee and Yscir were at their driest since records began in the 1970s. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The latest data from Natural Resources Wales shows that reservoir levels have dropped and are below where they are expected to be at this time of the year. Article continues below As of May 8, Welsh Water's reservoirs were 79% full in south east Wales, 89% full in the south west, 90% full in the north east and 92% full in the north west. On Thursday, May 15, Welsh Water bosses asked customers to "consider their water usage" to help preserve reservoir levels. The organisation added that it was ramping up measures to preserve reservoir levels where possible Article continues below Around 95% of Welsh Water's supply originates from reservoirs and rivers, which can make it vulnerable to drier periods of weather. Ian Christie, managing director of water, asset planning, and capital delivery at Welsh Water said: "We're not asking people not to use their water, we're just asking them to use the water they need but avoid wasting it."
Wales Online
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Full list of winners from Swansea City awards night as Goncalo Franco scoops double
Full list of winners from Swansea City awards night as Goncalo Franco scoops double Swansea held their end-of-season awards on Wednesday evening Goncalo Franco scooped two awards on the night (Image: Swansea City/Athena Pictures ) Goncalo Franco was the big winner at Swansea City's annual awards evening. The Portuguese midfielder was named Swansea City Supporters' Men's Player of the Season, and was also chosen as his team-mates as the Men's Players' Player of the Season. The double award caps what's been a tremendous first season with the Swans, with Franco emerging as a key player since his arrival from Moreirense last summer. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. Elsewhere on the night, fellow summer signing Lawrence Vigouroux was named Mens's Best Newcomer of the season, after racking up 14 clean sheets over the campaign, seven of which came from his last 12 appearances. Liam Cullen picked up the Men's Top Goalscorer prize, with the Wales international netting a career-best return of 11 goals across the campaign. Meanwhile, Josh Key scooped the gong for Goal of the Season for his sublime strike in the 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle last month. Article continues below Lawrence Vigouroux picked up the award for Best Men's Newcomer (Image: Swansea City/Athena Pictures ) Young midfielder Jacob Cook, who recently put pen to paper on his first professional deal and also found the net for the under-21s in the recent win over Burnley, was named as Academy Player of the Season. Arthur Parker picked up the Under-21s' Player of the Season award despite still being aged just 18. Stacey John-Davis earned the Women's Top Goalscorer award, while experienced defender Jess Williams was named Women's Players' Player of the Season. Teenager Aimee Deacon won Women's Best Newcomer. The 17-year-old racked up 10 goals in all competitions, including two hat-tricks, during a superb debut campaign after leaving Barry Town United last year. Esme Allchurch, widow of the late, great Ivor Allchurch, and the honorary president of the club's Former Players' Association, clinched the Lifetime Achievement award. Josh Key won Goal of the Season for his strike in the win over Plymouth back in April (Image: Swansea City/Athena ) Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone The Alan Curtis award - to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the club - went to Nigel Stevenson and Wyndham Evans. The pair made more than 600 appearances for the Swans between them and also featured in every division as John Toshack's side climbed from the bottom tier to the top flight of English football during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Article continues below They have since remained a presence at the club as much loved hosts in the club's hospitality lounges on matchdays, and also contribute to Swans TV. Finally, recently-retired Helen Elton picked up the Community Champion Award in recognition for her 13 years of work with the Swansea City Foundation.
