Latest news with #ChrisKaba
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
With hounded police and pampered criminals, Britain is upside down
Our country is being taken for a ride and the public are sick to the back teeth of it. In April, Hashem Abedi, one of the men responsible for the Manchester Arena bombing, attacked prison guards with hot oil and a stabbing attack that seriously injured three officers. Abedi was also granted more than £1,200 in taxpayers' cash to launch an equal rights case in prison. Prison officers do invaluable work protecting the public and deserve better protection. Yet those who do the right thing and put their lives on the line for us often get hounded and harassed. Take Sergeant Martyn Blake for example, a specialist firearms officer who faced down real danger and took action to stop the dangerous and violent gang member Chris Kaba. Instead of a medal, Sergeant Blake got a murder trial – a disgraceful decision. Thankfully, he was found not guilty. That should have been the end of it. But it's not. Sergeant Blake is now facing gross-misconduct charges by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a quango that said on his acquittal they wanted to 'acknowledge Chris Kaba's family and friends today as they continue to grieve his death. Our thoughts and sympathies remain with them and everyone else who has been affected.' This is the world we've built – where the people risking their lives for us get treated like criminals by their own oversight bodies, while the criminals are venerated. Britain used to be about the person who put in the hard work, who did the right thing, who waited patiently in a queue for their turn and stood up for what is right. Slowly but surely, something is changing. When I talk to people around the country, I get a sense of profound frustration. The shop worker, getting up at the crack of dawn for their shift, driving past the house at the end of the street, curtains still closed, bin full of takeaways, sleeping off a hangover after a night watching TV (all paid for by the taxpayer). It's the electrician, who can't afford to replace the latest set of tools stolen out the back of his van, driving past the asylum hotel full of people who arrived here illegally and are about be told they can stay in Britain forever and live a life paid for by his taxes. It's got to stop. And it starts with enforcement and re-establishing order. When the Conservative Party is in government again, that's exactly what we will do. The party of law and order is back. And I am unashamedly on the side of those who do the right thing. Our cities are descending into chaos. It's not a public health emergency, as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan keeps saying. It's a lack of bloody enforcement. We've all had enough of having to step over drug addicts while we go about shopping. Of toiletries and meat kept under lock and key in the supermarket. Of trains that seem to work for fare dodgers, not commuters – as highlighted by the shadow justice secretary Rob Jenrick in his excellent video this week. Labour is too busy releasing prisoners from their sentences early to get a grip on the situation. We have four more years of this, and when the time comes, we will need a party that knows how to fix problems, not just make noise. That starts with the broad-based plan the Conservatives are building. Our policy renewal programme is well underway and we are commissioning experts across the board to come up with the solutions to the challenges Britain faces today and will face over the next decade. Tomorrow, Robert Jenrick sets out another stage in our criminal justice proposals, which would help get a grip on the disorder in our prisons. The respected former prison governor, Ian Acheson, has conducted a rapid review to come up with solutions the government can adopt now. And this is just the beginning, there is more to come. Our problems are connected. We can never hope to get control of our streets if we are importing people who commit more crimes and don't deport them. We have to deal with immigration. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp and I set out the early stages of our plan to deal with that earlier this year: a hard cap on numbers, no pathway to citizenship without contribution, zero tolerance of foreign national offenders, and a real deterrent to stop those who try to come illegally. It says everything that one of Labour's first decisions in office was to scrap the Rwanda deterrent with no replacement. Now they vote against new proposals to tackle migration in Parliament, while offering milquetoast policies that do nothing to tackle the issue. Despite talking tough on migration, Reform's big idea is a new minister for deportations. Creating more politicians is not the solution for any of the problems the UK has right now. Conservatives are building for the long-term. I am ending the practice of rushing out policies and announcements with no plan. This approach may have been good for polling, but it was bad for the public. Instead, I am working on credible policies that will actually fix the UK's problems and ensure that those who work hard, make sacrifices and deliver safe communities and prosperity are rewarded, and those who break the rules are punished – severely. Other parties may race to the bottom of more hand-outs and more benefits. We are working on building a secure and prosperous country of which we can all be proud. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
With hounded police and pampered criminals, Britain is upside down
Our country is being taken for a ride and the public are sick to the back teeth of it. In April, Hashem Abedi, one of the men responsible for the Manchester Arena bombing, attacked prison guards with hot oil and a stabbing attack that seriously injured three officers. Abedi was also granted more than £1,200 in taxpayers' cash to launch an equal rights case in prison. Prison officers do invaluable work protecting the public and deserve better protection. Yet those who do the right thing and put their lives on the line for us often get hounded and harassed. Take Sergeant Martyn Blake for example, a specialist firearms officer who faced down real danger and took action to stop the dangerous and violent gang member Chris Kaba. Instead of a medal, Sergeant Blake got a murder trial – a disgraceful decision. Thankfully, he was found not guilty. That should have been the end of it. But it's not. Sergeant Blake is now facing gross-misconduct charges by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a quango that said on his acquittal they wanted to 'acknowledge Chris Kaba's family and friends today as they continue to grieve his death. Our thoughts and sympathies remain with them and everyone else who has been affected.' This is the world we've built – where the people risking their lives for us get treated like criminals by their own oversight bodies, while the criminals are venerated. Britain used to be about the person who put in the hard work, who did the right thing, who waited patiently in a queue for their turn and stood up for what is right. Slowly but surely, something is changing. When I talk to people around the country, I get a sense of profound frustration. The shop worker, getting up at the crack of dawn for their shift, driving past the house at the end of the street, curtains still closed, bin full of takeaways, sleeping off a hangover after a night watching TV (all paid for by the taxpayer). It's the electrician, who can't afford to replace the latest set of tools stolen out the back of his van, driving past the asylum hotel full of people who arrived here illegally and are about be told they can stay in Britain forever and live a life paid for by his taxes. It's got to stop. And it starts with enforcement and re-establishing order. When the Conservative Party is in government again, that's exactly what we will do. The party of law and order is back. And I am unashamedly on the side of those who do the right thing. Our cities are descending into chaos. It's not a public health emergency, as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan keeps saying. It's a lack of bloody enforcement. We've all had enough of having to step over drug addicts while we go about shopping. Of toiletries and meat kept under lock and key in the supermarket. Of trains that seem to work for fare dodgers, not commuters – as highlighted by the shadow justice secretary Rob Jenrick in his excellent video this week. Labour is too busy releasing prisoners from their sentences early to get a grip on the situation. We have four more years of this, and when the time comes, we will need a party that knows how to fix problems, not just make noise. That starts with the broad-based plan the Conservatives are building. Our policy renewal programme is well underway and we are commissioning experts across the board to come up with the solutions to the challenges Britain faces today and will face over the next decade. Tomorrow, Robert Jenrick sets out another stage in our criminal justice proposals, which would help get a grip on the disorder in our prisons. The respected former prison governor, Ian Acheson, has conducted a rapid review to come up with solutions the government can adopt now. And this is just the beginning, there is more to come. Our problems are connected. We can never hope to get control of our streets if we are importing people who commit more crimes and don't deport them. We have to deal with immigration. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp and I set out the early stages of our plan to deal with that earlier this year: a hard cap on numbers, no pathway to citizenship without contribution, zero tolerance of foreign national offenders, and a real deterrent to stop those who try to come illegally. It says everything that one of Labour's first decisions in office was to scrap the Rwanda deterrent with no replacement. Now they vote against new proposals to tackle migration in Parliament, while offering milquetoast policies that do nothing to tackle the issue. Despite talking tough on migration, Reform's big idea is a new minister for deportations. Creating more politicians is not the solution for any of the problems the UK has right now. Conservatives are building for the long-term. I am ending the practice of rushing out policies and announcements with no plan. This approach may have been good for polling, but it was bad for the public. Instead, I am working on credible policies that will actually fix the UK's problems and ensure that those who work hard, make sacrifices and deliver safe communities and prosperity are rewarded, and those who break the rules are punished – severely. Other parties may race to the bottom of more hand-outs and more benefits. We are working on building a secure and prosperous country of which we can all be proud.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Audi - News, views, pictures, video
Teen Corey Gauci who stabbed dad-of-seven to death in horror attack learns fate Audi drivers left amazed as they realise what dashboard lock button does Audi Donald Trump Honda Brandon Williams F1 grid for 2026 already filling up as 14 spots taken and new drivers expected Formula 1 Crown court Baby-faced teen crime boss who ruled huge gang caught out by unbelievable blunder Crime Terrifying moment woman launched 100ft through the air in horrifying hit and run hit-and-run Amazing thing new lottery millionaire vows to keep doing - despite huge win Lottery winners Tributes pour in for father and son tragically killed in crash days after Christmas New Year Chris Kaba: Judge's chilling prediction about his future before he was shot by cop Chris Kaba Police marksman accused of murdering Chris Kaba tells court of moment he fired his weapon Audi Screeching tyres sounded 'alarm bells' before Chris Kaba shooting, cop tells court Murder trial Audi boss Fabrizio Longo dies in horror fall off 10,000ft Italian mountain Audi Mick Schumacher handed F1 blow as former champion makes claim Mick Schumacher Devastated family demand answers after mum of two killed on her way to Tesco Car crashes Michael Olise required to follow strict Bayern Munich rule if transfer completed Bayern Munich Audi driver 'shocked' after £40k car left on bricks in 'secure' car park National Car Parks Vincent Kompany to Bayern Munich: Strict rule he must follow - or face being fined Vincent Kompany Martin Brundle thinks Carlos Sainz decision is 'no-brainer' as F1 offers come in Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz
Spectator
30-04-2025
- Spectator
The Chris Kaba misconduct case doesn't make sense
Here we go again. For those who drew up the convoluted regulations around police misconduct, the decision to proceed with a disciplinary hearing against the policeman who shot dead the notorious gangster Chris Kaba makes perfect sense. For most people though, it's utter madness. In September 2022, police sergeant Martyn Blake killed Chris Kaba with a single shot to the head, through the windscreen of the Audi Kaba had been driving in south London. The 24-year-old had refused orders to stop the car, which was linked to a serious firearms incident the previous night, and had tried to ram it free from the police vehicles blocking it. Sgt Blake was tried for murder. The officer said he'd fired in self-defence to 'incapacitate' the driver (at the time, he didn't know it was Kaba) in order to protect his colleagues who he feared might be run over. He
Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Telegraph
The continuing persecution of Sgt Martyn Blake makes all of us less safe
We hear much about two tier policing these days but very little about the double jeopardy that attaches to police officers, cleared by the courts but then pursued by regulators. Or the impact this has on police effectiveness and morale. The news that Sergeant Martyn Blake is now facing a disciplinary hearing into the shooting of Chris Kaba even though he was acquitted of his murder last Octobe r is a case in point. Sergeant Blake, an authorised firearms officer was charged after shooting dead Chris Kaba, the occupant of a car who was fatally injured in South London in September 2022. Police were pursuing the car which was linked to an earlier shooting and had attempted to stop it. Blake fired a single shot into the vehicle as it tried to ram itself through. His trial considered one key issue. Did the officer hold an honestly held belief that his life or the life of his colleagues was at immediate risk such that would have made lethal force justifiable. The prosecution said not. Blake vehemently maintained that position. The jury took just three hours to agree with him. This wasn't good enough for the Independent Office for Police Complaints which has legal and enforcement powers to investigate police misconduct. Having originally referred the fatal shooting to the CPS to begin Sergeant Blake's ordeal, they are now pursuing 'gross misconduct' charges for the officer which could lead to his dismissal for doing his job and protecting Londoners. The standard of proof in a criminal trial that led to his acquittal is 'beyond reasonable doubt'. The IOPC standard, conversely requires only a balance of probabilities test to be applied. In data from 2022 to 2023, 80 per cent of the misconduct or gross misconduct cases it pursued resulted in a proven finding. Many people may find this statistic reassuring as it demonstrates a robust approach to recent police wrongdoing which has so badly eroded public trust in the organisation and in the Met in particular. But Sergeant Blake's plight requires special attention. He is one of a relatively small number of specialised firearms officers who regularly find themselves in high pressure situations carrying lethal firearms and confronting determined and resourceful criminals who often carry weapons too. Such officers require years of training and we must expect the highest standards from them. Yet they are also human beings who have an extraordinary burden of responsibility and accountability placed on them. The least they can expect from the state in return is a contract that protects them from disproportionate pursuit after a court has found them innocent. Many IOPC misconduct cases have dragged on for years, blighting officers professionally and psychologically who are later found to have no case to answer. And there is a wider context to consider as well. The Met's commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, who immediately reinstated Sgt Blake after his acquittal has spoken eloquently about the corrosive impact on police morale such cases create. Immediately following the decision to charge Sgt Blake, the force was plunged into a temporary crisis with authorised firearms officers threatening to hand in their weapons in protest. The UK is almost unique in western Europe as its policing model is largely unarmed despite rising levels of violent crime and an enduring terrorists threat. The last resort is roving teams of firearms officers who can be deployed to where there is serious trouble or provide backup as was the case when the car containing Chris Kaba was stopped. The prospect of such officers concluding that they will not be properly protected by the state for doing the very role they are trained for is chilling. We have no other backstop. Chris Kaba and Sergeant Blake were both volunteers. Kaba willingly embraced a violent criminal lifestyle that led to previous convictions and gangland associations. He died as a direct result of the decisions he made on the night he was killed. Sergeant Blake volunteered for a role in protecting the community few of us could do, with unimaginable pressures. The court found he did not act unlawfully after an exhaustive trial. The Home Secretary should act to change the rules of IOPC investigation to either exclude officers acquitted from further jeopardy or require the same high standard of proof as used in the criminal trial for any further proceedings. His long ordeal should now be over, not entangled in further fruitless pursuit. He has paid enough.
