Latest news with #BBCQuestionTime
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Met Police silent after unlawful seizure of journalist Asa Winstanley's property
A reported 10 officers from the Metropolitan Police had raided Asa Winstanley's home in October 2024 and confiscated items including his laptop and mobile phone, despite having no legal right to do so. The police force then put in a retrospective request for a Production Order, which would have made their actions lawful. However, it was denied earlier this week. Winstanley writes for the pro-Palestine website Electronic Intifada as well as running a Substack blog called Palestine is Still the Issue. READ MORE: BBC Question Time audience member in fiery Israel exchange with Labour MP Writing on his blog after the court ruling, Winstanley said: 'My legal team successfully argued that the police should have instead asked to speak to me, rather than raiding my home and seizing the devices I use for my journalism.' He went on: 'Even the police themselves, in November correspondence with my lawyers, conceded that the warrants they used to search my home were unlawful. 'In any event, there was no need for them to access private devices and documents simply to confirm the author of a public Twitter account. Such access would have endangered my contacts and violated my duty to protect my journalistic sources. 'To date, I have been neither arrested nor charged with any crime. 'I call on the police to drop their ongoing investigation into my tweets and to apologise for the unlawful raid on my home and seizure of my devices. They should provide compensation for the harm caused to me and my family, as well as for any detriment to my journalistic contacts and sources.' Asa Winstanley (Image: X/Asa Winstanley) The National Union of Journalists had supported Winstanley. Its general secretary, Laura Davison, said: 'This ruling resoundingly affirms journalists' right to protect sources as enshrined in law. 'The seizure of our member's property was a brazen attempt to intimidate journalists working in the public interest. Abusing counter-terror legislation to stifle press freedom undermines public trust in the police, journalists' safety, and democracy. 'Just weeks ago the UK Prime Minister stood up in Parliament and spoke about the importance of a free press and independent journalism. We urge the government to make good on their words and prevent the targeting of journalists, like Asa Winstanley, through raids and detentions. 'We welcome the judge's verdict and seek urgent clarity on police plans to prevent further unlawful investigations of journalists.' Winstanley was represented by solicitor Tayab Ali, from Bindmans. READ MORE: Gerry Adams wins €100k in libel trial as jury finds BBC 'did not act in good faith' Ali said: 'This ruling is a resounding victory for press freedom and the rule of law. The actions of the police, raiding a journalist's home under the guise of counter-terrorism, were not only unlawful but a grave threat to the democratic principle that journalists must be able to work without fear of state harassment. 'The court recognised that the warrants were unlawfully obtained, the police conduct was unjustified, and their attempt to retrospectively legitimise the raid failed. This case was not about national security, it was about silencing a journalist who had made comments on the situation in Gaza. 'The police acted improperly by applying for warrants at the Magistrates Court where there simply is no power to retain journalistic and privileged material and despite repeated warnings refused to concede they had acted unlawfully. 'The police should now urgently review why this happened and what policy decisions led to this unlawful violation on journalistic freedom.' The Solicitors Journal reported that the "significant ruling has raised questions about the conduct of the police and their subsequent failure to issue an apology or discontinue the ongoing investigation into Winstanley's journalistic work". The Met Police have still not responded to a request for a comment put in on May 28.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
BBC's Fiona Bruce tells Question Time guest 'hang on' in heated debate
BBC's Fiona Bruce tells Question Time guest 'hang on' in heated debate BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce was forced to intervene as one guest screamed "do something" at Labour's transport secretary Heidi Alexander on the panel. Fiona Bruce was compelled to momentarily halt the proceedings of BBC's Question Time as a persistent audience member demanded action, imploring: "Do something!" The scene unfolded on Thursday night, when during a fervent exchange on the Israel-Palestine conflict, a woman confronted Labour's transport secretary Heidi Alexander, questioning the party's relationship with what she called "an apartheid state." The interaction commenced with the audience member expressing a sense of betrayal, they said: "I feel such a sense of betrayal from the Labour Party. "I would never vote Tory, I would never vote UKIP [Reform UK] and I used to vote Labour. Why are you still friends with Israel, an apartheid state, and why are you still- why is the Labour Party still sending components of F-35 weapons to Israel that are killing and targeting babies, children, hospitals, schools? Enough of this rhetoric about being anti-Semitic if you support Palestinian babies and children." BBC's Fiona Bruce tells Question Time guest 'hang on' in heated debate Casualty star Olly Rix addresses future on BBC medical drama READ MORE: As tensions mounted, Fiona stepped in, stating: "Okay, okay, let's let Heidi answer." When the woman attempted to question panelist Tim Montgomerie, Fiona interjected: "Well hang on, because I've only got about 30 seconds left, so I'm going to let Heidi answer, forgive me." Despite Fiona's attempt to steer the discussion back, the woman pressed on, reports the Express. She said: "And then please-" prompting Fiona to respond: "If I have time, but I must let Heidi answer that." Heidi Alexander was barely allowed to get her words out (Image: BBC ) Heidi tried to clarify the Labour Party's position, stating: "We're not sending F-35 components-" but was interrupted by the insistent audience member who countered loudly: "You are still sending components of F-35 weapons, yes you are." Fiona stated: "Let her answer," despite the disruption, as a woman in the audience passionately interjected. They continued: "You have reduced weapons by only 8% to Israel! By 8%!" while Fiona acknowledged: "I hear your passion, I must let her answer." Heidi was granted a moment to speak, saying: "I find it as sickening and as harrowing as every single person in this audience seeing those images on television of children wandering around rubble who are never going to find their parents and who are being starved to death. "That is why we have got to find a way-" but an interruption followed, with the same audience member calling out: "Do something!" Heidi Alexander was barely allowed to get her words out (Image: BBC ) Undeterred, Heidi continued: "-of finding a sustainable solution to the region and lasting peace, and getting significant humanitarian aid in. "Because none of us want to wake up tomorrow and see those scenes on our television screens, and I think every single one of us on that panel would agree with that sentiment." Article continues below Wrapping up the segment, Fiona said: "Listen, we will come back to the subject of Gaza, there is no question about that. "We've covered it many times and we will cover it again, and I hear your passion about this subject and everyone on the panel understands that you feel very strongly about it." Question Time is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Reform UK Campaigner Tells BBC Question Time The Party's Sums Don't Add Up
A leading Reform UK campaigner has admitted that the party's spending plans do not add up. Tim Montgomerie, who left the Tories last December in a high-profile defection to Nigel Farage's party, made the comment on BBC Question Time on Thursday night. He was put on the spot by presenter Fiona Bruce amid a row over the party leader's plans to reinstate winter fuel payments, lift the two-child benefit cap and cut taxes. Keir Starmer accused Farage of planning a 'mad experiment' with the UK economy and compared his plans to Liz Truss's disastrous mini-Budget. Bruce told Montgomerie: 'I know what your opinion is because you spoke about it this week and you said as far as you're concerned, the numbers do not add up at present.' He replied: 'I don't think they do at the moment, but [lifting the two-chil cap] is a policy that will cost £3-4 billion. 'Covid cost this country £350bn, we're about to spend £150bn on building up our army over the next 10/15 years, bank bailouts cost £25bn. This is small change. 'It's not fair to ask a party three years out from an election to do all the numbers now without knowing the context in which we'll be taking the decisions.' Bruce then said: 'But it's not unreasonable if a party suggests it's going to raise the income tax threshold to £20,000, if it's going to reintroduce the winter fuel payment, if it's going to lift the two-child benefit cap, to have some idea how it might find the money for that.' Montgomerie then pointed out that Farage has refused to commit to continuing the pensions triple lock if he becomes prime minister. 'You can draw your own conclusions about that,' he replied. 'When I joined Reform I said to Nigel Farage are you sure you want me, because I was a pain in the butt for the Tories and I will speak honestly. 'But I think it is unreasonable to ask, three years out from an election, for all the numbers to be set out in a spreadsheet now.' Reform supporter Tim Montgomerie says Reforms numbers don't need to add up now because we are 4 years away from the next general election #BBCQTIt's sound just like Brexit, promise voters everything, and deliver them the opposite 🤷♂️ — Farrukh (@implausibleblog) May 29, 2025 'Dodgy Maths': Farage Slammed After True Cost Of 'DEI' Government Programmes Revealed Keir Starmer Warns Nigel Farage's 'Mad Experiment' Would Ruin Economy Like Liz Truss 'Trussonomics On Steroids': Farage Compared To Failed Tory PM Over 'Unfunded' Reform Spending Spree
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Mirror Daily Digest: Top stories from shop's return to Olly Murs' cancelled gigs
In this Fridays's Mirror Daily Digest, we've pulled together the biggest stories of the day from Olly Murs cancelling his tour dates to the new energy bill price cap Welcome to the Mirror's Daily Digest, where we pull together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Friday, we're taking a look at everything from Ofgem's new energy price cap to last night's BBC Question Time audience applauding the takedown of a Tory MP guest. Olly Murs cancels more tour dates hours before gig after walking off stage This afternoon, our Showbiz team reported that Olly Murs has been forced to cancel more dates on his current tour after he walked off stage during his performance last night. Olly shocked fans last night in Glasgow when he told them he couldn't carry on after performing just five songs. Having performed his song Kiss Me Like You Mean It, Olly told the crowd that his voice had gone and could no longer deliver a show that the audience deserved. "I can't go on," he said, before explaining that he would truly work things out so he could return. The singer, who was due to perform in Manchester tonight, has confirmed the concert at the AO Arena won't be going ahead. "Never expected to be writing this today," a sad-looking Olly said on Instagram. Crash horror as two teen motorbike riders, 16 and 17, killed after car smash Early this morning, our News team reported that two teenagers had died following a serious crash between a car and a motorbike. Emergency services in Salford arrived to Lower Broughton Road late last night following reports of a collision, before sealing the road off near a local primary school. police said that the two teenage boys, 16 and 17, were believed to have been riding the same motorbike before colliding with a Vauxhall Viva whilst turning onto a new street. The two teenagers were rushed to hospital, but sadly died. The driver of the car, a 24-year-old woman, stayed at the scene to assist officers, and no arrests have been made. BBC Question Time audience applauds at panelist's scathing put-down of Tory MP Last night's broadcast of Question Time saw the audience applaud a panelist after telling a Tory MP he was 'not helping anyone' with his dangerous rhetoric amid a heated debate about crime. Hashi Mohamed, a barrister and author, took exception with Dr Kieran Mullan, the Shadow Minister for Justice's criticism of a major sentencing review, which has called for a series of politically difficult decisions in the biggest shake-up of sentencing in more than 30 years. Dr Mullan, MP for Bexhill and Battle in East Sussex, argued it is wrong to let criminals out of jail early, proposals which are set aside in the review. High street legend set to return 13 years after all stores were shut for good Our Money team reported earlier today that much-loved and sadly-missed electricals chain Comet is set to be reborn after collapsing 13 years ago. Online marketplace has brought the Comet brand and is poised to relaunch the business as an internet-only store. Cas Paton, founder of OnBuy, said it planned to pump more than £10million into bringing back Comet - complete with its original branding. Comet was founded in Hull in 1933 and started out selling batteries and radios, and grew to become a high street giant. But in what was one of the biggest high street casualties of recent years, the 236-store chain went to the wall in 2012, with 7,000 job losses, after racking up heavy losses. Energy bills to fall as Ofgem announces new price cap - what it means for you Another big story from our Money team today saw Ofgem announce a new price cap, meaning that millions of households will see their energy bills fall this summer. The price cap is going down by 7% - although there is no actual cap on how much you can pay for energy. Your bill is dependent on how much gas and electricity you use. For the average dual fuel household paying by direct debit, their annual energy bill will fall from £1,849 to £1,720 from July - a reduction of £129. The price cap for someone paying by pre-payment meter is falling from £1,803 a year to £1,672, and the yearly charge for someone who pays on receipt of bill is going down from £1,969 to £1,855.
Middle East Eye
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
BBC Question Time: Social media erupts over panel response to 'Gaza genocide' question
Social media users have accused several of the panellists that featured on Thursday's episode of BBC Question Time of a pro-Israel bias, following their responses to a question about Israel's war on Gaza. The debate programme included a question from a member of the audience who asked whether the "UK government (is) ignoring genocide in Gaza." Social media users underlined that the panellists, which included Labour Cabinet minister Peter Kyle, Conservative MP Nigel Huddleston, tech entrepreneur Alex Depledge, and columnist and broadcaster Sonia Sodha, echoed variations of the view that Israel has a "right to defend itself." Online reactions described the responses as "both-siding the genocide" and accused the panel of being "absolutely despicable" and repeating "Israeli propaganda." "I'm sick to the stomach of the constant 'Israel has the right to defend itself' after nearly TWENTY MONTHS of bloody retaliation. What about the Palestinian right to exist?" asked one viewer. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Another posted: "The unavoidable conclusion is that the media and political classes of this country are devoid of any principles or basic humanity. "They've sat watching a people live stream their own genocide with nothing to offer other than hand-wringing, obfuscation, and performative concern." Every single member of the #bbcqt panel 'both sided' the genocide happening in Gaza with each panelist saying a version of "Israel has a right to defend itself" Absolutely despicable from the BBC. — Cllr Martin Abrams 🕊️🍉 (@Martin_Abrams) May 15, 2025 Israel is currently facing accusations of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes before international courts over its ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip. Kyle, Labour's secretary of state for science and technology, in particular drew heavy criticism. "I want it on record on this show to acknowledge Israel's right to retaliate and make safe its country and its people," he said, before adding that the situation in Gaza "is intolerable, and it should not be happening." If the safety of Palestinians can't be guaranteed, why is our gov selling arms to Israel? Especially to people wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes? And why are the people subject to these warrants keeping the international press out if not to cover up their actions? #bbcqt — Eddie Burfi (@EddieBurfi) May 15, 2025 He went on to emphasise international diplomacy as the only viable path forward, called on Israel to stop its "current action" while defending British arms export procedures as lawful. Kyle's remarks also prompted backlash due to his longstanding ties with Labour Friends of Israel, of which he was formerly vice chair. One user shared a photo of Kyle with the Israeli ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, dated 7 March - after the start of Israel's full blockade of food, water, aid and fuel into Gaza - and added: "But #bbcqt didn't ask him about this." This photo of Peter Kyle *grinning* with the Israeli ambassador was taken in March, AFTER Israel announced the full blockade of Gaza which has led to mass starvation of civilians But #bbcqt didn't ask him about this or his involvement with lobby group Labour Friends of Israel — North Herts Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@NHertsPsc) May 16, 2025 Another audience member referenced recent celebrations of Victory in Europe (VE) Day - which marks the fall of the Nazis - on 8 May. "How can it be that we celebrate the end of fascism, Hitler, Nazis - and obviously that [the Holocaust] was a genocide - and the same thing is happening now to a different group of people," the speaker asked. "How can it be that we celebrate that but allow and supply arms to Israel?" Before allowing the panel to respond, host Fiona Bruce interjected with what many online interpreted as an unprompted defence of Israel. "I should just actually point out that Israel denies that there is a genocide. They would claim that they are tackling Hamas, and that Hamas doesn't care about its population, and that the people are the Hamas collateral damage. That is what they would claim. But there are others who do want to use that word [genocide]." Critics took to social media to condemn the framing. "Someone is going to have to tell her - people who commit genocide always deny it," one user wrote. Others accused Bruce of inserting herself into the debate: "Why should she point this out? Would she do the same if it was about Russian war crimes? Nobody wants to know Fiona Bruce's opinion." Another user suggested that the programme had deliberately sidelined questions about Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip over time: "Fiona Bruce says that they used to get dozens of questions about Gaza, but they don't now. That's what Question Time wanted. For it to be ignored and forgotten." Fiona Bruce answering the question on behalf of the panel and offering up Israel's usual lines of genocide apologism . . . — Sharmen Rahman (@sharmen_r) May 16, 2025 The debate comes amid a rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, and a renewed Israeli assault, with 250 people killed in the last 48 hours, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. This week, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reported that 477,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza's population, are facing "catastrophic" levels of hunger. Over one million more are at "emergency" levels, as the Israeli blockade continues to restrict access to aid.
