Latest news with #CityofLondonCorporation
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Armed forces non-profit that was fined for splitting donations 50/50 with homeless veterans is spotted back on the streets AGAIN
A company which claims to raise funds for homeless veterans has been spotted still in operation across London after being fined for not having the required licences. We Are Blighty has collected tens of thousands of pounds from members of the public across busy streets including Oxford Street, Tower Hill and Waterloo since it was founded in September 2022. But the group, which is a community interest company (CIC), were brought before the City of London Magistrates' Court last month after a probe by the Fundraising Regulator over breaches of the Code of Fundraising Practice. Despite repeated written and in-person warnings from the City of London Corporation's Licensing Team, they continued to operate - soliciting donations and unlawful street trading between August 2024 and February 2025. We Are Blighty only donates 50 per cent of the money it collects from people on the street to veterans' support, with the rest going in the operator's pockets, the court heard. On June 4, the Community Interest Company (CIC) pleaded guilty to 14 offences of collecting money and street trading in London without licences. The company and its directors, Ben Mills and Danielle Vidler, were fined a total of £1,792 and ordered to pay £1,700 in costs to the City Corporation. Chairman of the City of London Corporation's licensing committee, John Fletcher, said: 'This prosecution sends a clear message: illegal street trading and unauthorised fundraising will not be tolerated in the City. We Are Blighty only donates 50 per cent of the money it collects from people on the street to veterans' support, with the rest going in the operator's pockets, the court heard 'The persistent unlawful nature of We R Blighty's money collection and sale of articles for private gain without the pre-requisite authorisations is totally unacceptable. 'Our enforcement protects the integrity of charitable fundraising and the public, as well as organisations that comply with the law. 'I thank our licensing team and our specialist legal team at Guildhall, and the City of London Police, for their advice, guidance, and fair and professional handling of this matter.' In a separate investigation towards the end of last year, Kent Police said they were looking into 'reports of financial irregularities' relating to the company. MailOnline has contacted the force for an update on their findings. Multiple images posted online since their court appearance last month show We Are Blighty workers stationed at various locations across the capital. One shows a man wearing the company's uniform and positioned next to a donation stand outside Highbury and Islington tube station in north London as he speaks to a police officer. Others show similar set ups with other employees asking for donations from people walking past. It is currently unknown whether or not they now have the correct licences. MailOnline has contacted the regulator regarding this. Multiple images posted online since their court appearance last month show We Are Blighty workers stationed at various locations across the capital The group has posts on its social media showing its members providing homeless veterans with aid including temporary housing in hotels, food, and blankets. We R Blighty is not registered with the Fundraising Regulator – not a legal requirement – but this does not stop the regulating body from launching an investigation if it feels there is potential for 'significant harm to be caused'. According to the fundraising code, anyone collecting money on the street for a charitable purpose, whether a charity or a CIC, is required to apply for licensing from the relevant authority, usually the local council or police force. Founder and head of operations at We R Blighty, Mr Mills, is a veteran who set up the company after years of fundraising for armed forces charities. It raised around £92,000 from donations in its first year alone. Last year when MailOnline revealed his company was being probed, he insisted they had not breached the fundraising code, stating that because We R Blighty is a registered company, they are able to fundraise without a licence. Speaking to MailOnline at the time, he said: 'We used to be able to get an exemption rule because we're a CIC. 'The charity collections page on the government website states there is an exemption if you are collecting on behalf of a business. 'We didn't need a permit, we couldn't get a permit. 'Now they've added the Police Factories Act to the government website, but even that doesn't make sense. 'It states on there that if you're collecting any money for a 'charitable purpose' you need a permit. 'I'm not classed as a charity, and if I went around saying I was a charity I'd be absolutely crucified. 'So therefore, they can't put me in the category of being for a "charitable purpose" either because that would mean I would need to be of a charitable status. 'We R Blighty is still operating and assisting veterans regardless of any investigations that may or may not be taking place for whatever reasons.' At the time, the group also said they were covered by the 'Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 by exposing newspapers and periodicals in public places', as they distribute armed forces magazines while accepting one-off donations from the public. A CIC is not a registered charity, but is a 'special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders', according to the government website. CICs have for long been a 'tricky area' for regulators, as they have a more 'light touch approach' and are subject to less stringent regulations than charities, yet there is concern the public are often not aware of the differences between the two when donating. The laws around street collections date back to 1916 and so campaigners are working to review and update legislation to make it more robust. It is also often unclear with CICs how much of each donation goes towards the cause, and how much is kept as commission by staff.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Oti Mabuse ‘delighted' as she receives Freedom of the City of London
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse has received the Freedom of the City of London. The 34-year-old South African has been recognised for her 'significant achievements in contemporary dance and her charitable work'. She has had a successful dancing career, winning the South African Latin American championships eight times and is one of the most successful professionals to have appeared on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, having won the show two years in a row. To be following in the footsteps of legends of the arts and entertainment industry, including Sir Matthew Bourne, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Giles Terera, and Strictly's very own Len Goodman, feels quite remarkable Mabuse, who attended a ceremony at Guildhall with family and friends on Wednesday, said: 'I am delighted to have received the Freedom of the City of London for my dance and charitable work, and I am very grateful to Chris Hayward and Keith Bottomley for nominating me. 'To be following in the footsteps of legends of the arts and entertainment industry, including Sir Matthew Bourne, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Giles Terera, and Strictly's very own Len Goodman, feels quite remarkable.' Mr Hayward is the policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, while Mr Bottomley is the sheriff-elect of the City of London. Former Strictly head judge Goodman died in 2023 aged 78. Mabuse won Strictly in 2019 and 2020 and has also appeared on The Greatest Dancer as a dance captain and as a judge on ITV's Dancing on Ice. Mr Hayward said: 'Having won a clutch of dance titles during her career and a place in our hearts, mostly, down to her appearances on the hugely popular 'Strictly', I am sure that Oti's Freedom will be welcomed warmly by her many admirers. 'Away from the dance world, her work with Unicef to raise awareness of the support needed by premature babies and their mothers, is highly commendable, and I am very happy to join my colleague, Keith Bottomley, in nominating Oti for the Freedom.' Mr Bottomley said: 'As well as impressing us on the dance floor, Oti Mabuse's charitable work with women and young people in communities across London, and overseas with Unicef, deserves our admiration and respect. 'It has been a pleasure to nominate Oti to be admitted into the Freedom, and I am sure that she will have very happy memories of today for many years to come.' The tradition of the freedom of the city is believed to date back to 1237. Past recipients include comedian, actor and writer Sir Lenny Henry and Lady Mary Peters, who won an Olympic gold medal in the athletics pentathlon in 1972, as well as Sir Chris Hoy and his wife, Lady Sarra Hoy.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Women's rights group sue Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond for £50,000 for still allowing transgender bathers in, despite Supreme Court ruling
A women's rights group is planning to sue the corporation who run Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond for £50,000 because they allow transgender bathers in. Sex Matters, who advertise themselves as a 'human-rights charity', are gearing up to take legal action against the City of London Corporation over their stance that transgender women can use the ponds in north of the city. It has been the view of the corporation that anyone who identifies as a woman can swim in the Ladies' Pond under its formal guidance since 2019. But critics in the women's rights group say this goes against the Supreme Court ruling, which earlier this year ruled that the legal definition of a woman should be based on their sex at birth under the Equality Act. After the ruling, the organisation said that its policy of trans women using the pond would 'remain in place' as it looked to gather legal advice, prompting the threat of courtroom action from the women's rights group. The City of London Corporation has said that it did not need to comply with the requirement for single-sex spaces in the Equality Act, arguing: 'The Ladies' Pond is not a single sex facility … precisely because trans women are permitted to access the swimming facilities.' Chief Executive of Sex Matters, Maya Forstater, told The Times they were 'amazed' that the corporation held this view, saying it was 'nothing more than linguistic trickery'. She added: 'The corporation claims that, because it chooses to define "women" and "men" according not to biological sex but to who wants to be referred to as "she" or "he", the Supreme Court judgment doesn't apply. In recent years women's rights protesters have held several protests at the ponds including storming the men's pond wearing false beards and moustaches (as seen above) 'Neither Hampstead Heath nor the City of London Corporation are sovereign entities that get to make their own laws. 'We will be taking our next steps in August and think this case will be very significant in testing what can only be described as creative interpretations of equality law following the Supreme Court judgment.' The Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association (KLPA), who represent people using the pond, said after the Supreme Court ruling that the Ladies' Pond is open to 'all women and girls over the age of eight'. They added: 'According to the lifeguards, trans women have been swimming there for many years without incident. 'The Ladies' Pond is well staffed by lifeguards and stewards who are there to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all users.' Members of the KLPA last year also voted to reject a motion that 'only those born female in sex can use the pond'. Close to one million visits are made to the 30 bathing ponds across Hampstead Heath each year for swimming. In recent years women's rights protesters have held several protests at the ponds including storming the men's pond wearing false beards and moustaches.
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Princess Kate 'icing on the cake' in King Charles plan as hidden royals step up
The royals were out in full force for this week's French state visit, and royal expert Jennie Bond has revealed how Princess Kate will be instrumental for similar events going forward While King Charles and Emmanuel Macron were the stars of the recent French state visit, the work of three major royals also played an important role in representing the Firm. Princess Kate, Princess Anne, and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester all stepped up during the three-day affair, with the hard-working royal women all playing a key part of two major events. While Princess Kate made headlines for her stunning red ensemble, Princess Anne and the Duchess of Gloucester also received their own recognition for their glamorous looks at both Tuesday night's state banquet, and Wednesday night's banquet on the second day of the President's visit. Many were quick to comment on Princess Anne's new hairstyle, as royal commentators pointed out that she had been sporting the same up-do for decades, while the Duchess of Gloucester was named the best dressed during a banquet at Guildhall on Wednesday evening, which was hosted by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. With another major state visit just around the corner, with plans for US president Donald Trump to visit the UK in September, royal expert Jennie Bond has outlined how all three women, particularly Kate, will be instrumental for the upcoming visit. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror that the Princess of Wales will have an important role when Trump arrives on UK shores, explaining: "Catherine will be the icing on the cake for a man as vain as Donald Trump. To be seen with her will be gold dust in his eyes. And I'm sure she will be there to massage his ego in the most diplomatic, subtle and regal way." Jennie also said that Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, and Princess Anne will play key roles during the US state visit, saying: "I'm sure that Birgitte will be on hand again when President Trump comes to the UK. After so many years in the Royal Family, she is well versed in the niceties of a State Visit." "And the Princess Royal will also have a key role, as always. She really is the King's right hand woman; his confidante, his wingwoman." When asked how Princess Anne and the Duchess of Gloucester would feel about the numerous headlines about their looks during the French state visit, Jennie Bond shared that both are "hard working, no-glory seeking women of the Royal Family", who would be more dedicated to their royal work than fixating on their appearances. Bond said: "Neither, I think, would care one fig about what anyone said about their looks. They dress appropriately for the business of the occasion. Neither seeks to be the centre of the attention, even though they often are. They want the focus to be on the business or cause or campaign in hand. And both have one aim: to support the institution of monarchy." "Anne and Birgitte are stalwarts on the royal treadmill. They work hard, ask for no recognition, almost shun publicity…and just get on with the job. The Royal Family has slimmed down drastically through a combination of circumstances— and so these two more than pull their weight each week. Quietly and in a business-like way. And that is a huge help for the King."
Time Out
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out
A new skyscraper is coming to the City of London – with a Roman basilica tourist attraction and views of one of London's most famous markets
One of the most fascinating things about London is how seamlessly the city's 2,000-year history blends in with its present. The capital may be constantly evolving for the better, but there's always hints of the past which peek through. 85 Gracechurch Street is a perfect example of this. Back in February, the ruins of the first Londinium basilica were discovered under an unremarkable road in the City. It was a huge find for archeologists, who have been working in the area for years, because the basilica would have been right next to the forum, the heart of Roman London. The site's discovery potentially offers researchers much deeper insights into how the city functioned two millennia ago – and, more than anything, it's just really cool. So cool, in fact, that the discoverers of the basilica are keen not to keep it to themselves. Planning permission was just approved by the City of London Corporation, giving Hertshten Properties the go-ahead to renovate 85 Gracechurch Street, the modern building currently sitting above the ancient ruins. The goal is to create modern office spaces and, of course, to 'uncover and showcase the remains'. The development will see the skyscraper reach 32 stories tall, and it will come complete with a huge public hall with access to the 19th-century Leadenhall Market. The market itself is sort of like a modern day forum, a few feet away from the Roman one. Some things really do never change. Of course, the most unique part of 85 Gracechurch Street will be in its basement. An 'immersive exhibition experience' will be constructed around the uncovered basilica, which will be open to anyone who wants to explore Roman London. As if that wasn't enough history, a public viewing gallery will also open on the building's fifth floor, offering visitors views of the Victorian Leadenhall Market. Basically, there's going to be a lot going on in this new building. Despite having 32 stories, 85 Gracechurch Street isn't even the City's tallest building that was approved this week. A huge, 45 storey tall skyscraper is set to go up on 63 St Mary's Axe, next to the Gherkin, in the coming years. It will also have access to the old Roman walls, and that's no accident. The chairman of the City of London Corporation Planning committee said that 'it has always been our ambition to connect the City's archaeological landmarks into a cohesive and compelling narrative – one that spans over 2,000 years of evolution, ambition, and identity,' adding '85 Gracechurch embodies the enduring spirit of the Square Mile: a place where heritage and progress go hand in hand.' Construction can now begin, but it'll likely be a little while before the building is actually operable, or the basilica is open to the public. Sorry, history lovers, you might just have wait to wait a little bit longer to get a glimpse.
