Latest news with #DavidThompson
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Two top cops accused of mocking a colleague's Irish accent in ‘grossly offensive' leaving video
The video also includes gun cops posing as travellers and repeated references to potatoes COP VID NASTY Two top cops accused of mocking a colleague's Irish accent in 'grossly offensive' leaving video Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO distinguished police chiefs have been accused of mocking an Irish colleague's accent. Their 'joke' was part of a 'grossly offensive' video presentation to a retiring firearms chief inspector. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Former West Midlands Police chief constable Sir David Thompson Credit: Alamy A skit shows the then-West Midlands Police chief constable Sir David Thompson and his deputy Alex Murray in uniform pretending to not understand his accent. They simply said 'Yes' to anything he asked for. The 2018 video also includes gun cops posing as travellers offering to do a driveway then pretending to break into a car. There are also repeated references to potatoes. One officer has a toothbrush in an unusual part of his anatomy while another pretends to be a kidnap victim. There is also an image of a topless Muslim woman serving alcohol to one of the firearms team and graphic sexual images of women. Sir David is a former lead on race and inclusion for the National Police Chiefs' Council while Mr Murray is now a boss at the National Crime Agency. The video was posted onto the WMP gun unit's Facebook page. Whistle-blower and ex-detective inspector Becky Kalam said: 'Had this material been sent on social media by a member of the public then they would have been arrested for a hate crime. 'But when it comes to the police themselves then nothing is done about it.' Breaking the Oath: Affair and corruption in the police force Ms Kalam quit after suing for sex discrimination, harassment and victimisation. She got more than £820,000 compo in 2023, which she donated to charity. West Midlands Police said: 'Ms Kalam has made multiple complaints', adding: 'Any further complaints will be reviewed.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Two top cops accused of mocking a colleague's Irish accent in ‘grossly offensive' leaving video
TWO distinguished police chiefs have been accused of mocking an Irish colleague's accent. Their 'joke' was part of a 'grossly offensive' video presentation to a retiring firearms chief inspector. Advertisement 2 Former West Midlands Police chief constable Sir David Thompson Credit: Alamy A skit shows the then-West Midlands Police chief constable Sir David Thompson and his deputy Alex Murray in uniform pretending to not understand his accent. They simply said 'Yes' to anything he asked for. The 2018 video also includes gun cops posing as travellers offering to do a driveway then pretending to break into a car. There are also repeated references to potatoes. Advertisement READ MORE ON POLICE One officer has a toothbrush in an unusual part of his anatomy while another pretends to be a kidnap victim. There is also an image of a topless Muslim woman serving alcohol to one of the firearms team and graphic sexual images of women. Sir David is a former lead on race and inclusion for the National Police Chiefs' Council while Mr Murray is now a boss at the National Crime Agency. The video was posted onto the WMP gun unit's Facebook page. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Whistle-blower and ex-detective inspector Becky Kalam said: 'Had this material been sent on social media by a member of the public then they would have been arrested for a hate crime. 'But when it comes to the police themselves then nothing is done about it.' Breaking the Oath: Affair and corruption in the police force Ms Kalam quit after suing for sex discrimination, harassment and victimisation. She got more than £820,000 compo in 2023, which she donated to charity. Advertisement West Midlands Police said: 'Ms Kalam has made multiple complaints', adding: 'Any further complaints will be reviewed.' 2 Distinguished police chief Alex Murray has been accused of mocking an Irish colleague's accent
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Jersey: Hospital patients let down by Blue Islands' cancellations
David Thompson has a tumour on his right lung. He was travelling from Jersey to Southampton for a scan and biopsy to find out whether he has cancer when his flight was cancelled with less than an hour's flight was one of 29 between Jersey and Southampton which have been cancelled or delayed so far this year by Channel Islands airline Blue Thompson said he managed to reschedule his medical appointments but was "fearful" it wouldn't be possible. He had cancer seven and a half years ago and said he knew with a disease like cancer "every day counts". Blue Islands said it was "truly sorry" a small number of patient hospital flights had been disrupted in recent weeks. 'Exception rather than norm' A spokesperson from the airline said patient hospital travel was one of the most important services it provided for airline acknowledged the weekday morning flight from Jersey to Southampton was key to reaching hospital said since the beginning of this year it had two cancellations on this service – one for technical reasons and one for crew more had been cancelled for weather reasons, the company said, and one when Jersey airport was closed due to a security airline said: "Although we know it will come as no consolation to those whose journeys and hospital visits were impacted, such events are the exception rather than the norm." 'Upset me a lot' Jersey Hospital regularly sends patients to University Hospital Southampton for treatments it cannot provide Mr Thompson's partner shared his experience with Blue Islands in a Facebook group, he was astonished by the number of people who replied with similar stories, dating back to Thompson said it felt like the airline did not said the cancellation cost him £140 in hotel and taxi costs, but what concerned him most was that he believed there were three other people on the flight due to have PET scans - for cancer diagnosis or said: "One of them was a really older gentleman so, for him, it would have been a hell of a long day. "When we were collecting the baggage from the baggage carousel, he shed a tear. "That upset me a lot."Mr Thompson is still waiting for the results of his PET scan and biopsy. Four days after Mr Thompson's flight to Southampton was cancelled, Annette Jackson, travelling to get treatment for a degenerative eye condition, had a similar was booked on a 15:00 BST flight the afternoon before an appointment in Southampton when her flight was cancelled. She was put on a flight scheduled to leave three hours later, but it was delayed until 20:30 BST."I got to Southampton at 10 o'clock at night when I should have been there at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, very tired, very exhausted," she Jackson said Blue Islands claimed the flight was cancelled because of technical issues."They'd shoved us all on to the later flight, which was full and the same coming back," she Islands said it did not cancel flights at the last minute due to passenger said this not only impacted customers but came with significant financial costs. 'Very traumatic' Mrs Jackson said it could be "very traumatic" to spend five hours in an airport because of her sight loss."Luckily, my husband was with me or else it would have been really bad because I can't see anything in bright light," she Jackson said she was "dreading" her next flight to the UK for another medical appointment in eight weeks' time. The Jersey Consumer Council (JCC) said situations like this were "the tip of the iceberg" when it came to the way flight cancellations could impact Carl Walker said there had been growing problems in recent months, with increasing flight cancellations and a result, the JCC has launched a survey for passengers to share their experiences of flying with Blue Islands. Mr Walker said UK and EU law meant passengers on UK and EU-based airlines could claim more than £200 compensation for cancellations, but equivalent law did not exist in the Channel said because Blue Islands was a Channel Island airline, anybody using it was unprotected from a consumer Walker said: "The government needs to change the law, it either needs to create its own compensation scheme for any airline based in the Channel Islands or it simply needs to try and extend the the UK Law to cover the Channel Islands."This really does need urgent attention." 'It isn't acceptable' In 2020, Jersey's government loaned Blue Islands £10m to be paid back over six of this agreement was to help the airline keep providing islanders with "access to essential medical care".Mr Thompson said the government should be doing something to make sure people could rely on the service, and to make sure the money the health service spent on patient flights to Southampton was not wasted."It isn't acceptable," he said: "It's not about me, it's about everybody who needs that treatment in Southampton, they deserve better than this... because in a lot of cases it can be the difference."The BBC has approached the Government of Jersey for comment.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
World-class win for Yorkshire-made single malt whisky
The Spirit of Yorkshire single malt distillery has enjoyed success in a top world whisky competition. Its Yorkshire's Filey Bay Peated Finish #3 was awarded a gold medal in the Other Single Malt Whisk(e)y category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), with a score of 93/100. Spirit of Yorkshire Co-founder and MD, David Thompson, said: 'The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the oldest and largest competition of its kind and sets the industry standard for excellence. Medal winners range from globally renowned distilleries to rising small-batch producers like Spirit of Yorkshire. 'We're delighted and proud to be the only English whisky of the 14 gold medalists and to win our first SFWSC gold with this special whisky that brings a taste of the west coast of Scotland to the east coast of Yorkshire.' RECOMMENDED READING: Waitrose stocks 'Regenerative Editions' from Filey Bay English Heritage boosted by Spirit of Yorkshire whisky Special Filey Bay whisky launched at German trade fair Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery releases a new Filey Bay whisky Characterised by a subtle sweet smokiness with coastal, citrus and caramel notes, Filey Bay Peated Finish #3 is made from homegrown, regeneratively farmed barley and farm-sourced water. The SFWSC is organised by The Tasting Alliance and judging took place last month. Awards are granted on a merit basis, recognising only those spirits that meet the highest standards of quality. Each entry is carefully evaluated by expert judges within a peer group of similar products, ensuring a fair and rigorous assessment. Filey Bay Peated Finish Batch #3, 46% ABV, costs £65 and is available from the distillery shop, online at and from selected retailers nationwide.
Edinburgh Reporter
19-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
New way to pay on trams from today
The operator of Edinburgh's tram network has launched its new payment solution, 'Tap on, Tap off' or TOTO, which is now live in the capital. The first customers using the new system rode the tram this morning, after tapping a contactless card or device on the existing platform validators. This marks a significant step forward for the operator, allowing more seamless bus and tram travel in the city thanks to partnerships with Edinburgh Trams' sister company, Lothian, and facilitated by payment provider Flowbird. Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams, said: 'The launch of ToTo today comes today following months of hard work from colleagues across the business, and would not be possible without significant investment in existing infrastructure. We believe that ToTo future-proofs the tramway, making it easier and more efficient than ever to use the tram to glide across the city.' Lea was joined for the official launch this morning by David Thompson, General Manager-Transport for Flowbird, Lothian Buses' Head of Product Strategy Stevie Chambers, and the City of Edinburgh Council's Deputy Leader, Councillor Mandy Watt. David Thompson said: 'At Flowbird, we're proud of our partnership with Edinburgh Trams, alongside Lothian Buses, in developing and delivering Scotland's first multimodal, multi-operator account-based ticketing system. Edinburgh is a true 'world' city and so it is fitting that its people, along with millions of visitors, should benefit from technology that makes travel on the tram and bus network seamless, easy to use and cost effective. By doing so, we encourage a modal shift to more sustainable transport and help to make cities more liveable.' Deputy Council Leader, Councillor Mandy Watt said: 'I'm delighted to have attended the launch of the new ToTo system today. I really enjoyed meeting colleagues from Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses to hear about the new system and see the first journeys being made. This key development reinforces our integrated, seamless, and accessible public transport network here in Edinburgh, which is the backbone of any major city. It's fair to say that when it comes to our public transport network, we punch well above our weight compared with similar cities. 'In addition to existing tickets, travel across our trams and buses will now be even easier and more convenient than ever with ticket prices automatically capped at the cheapest daily and weekly rate for those using ToTo. Our excellent public transport system is an inclusive form of travel – it provides an alternative to car use especially for people on lower incomes or with mobility issues. Low carbon travel is also a cornerstone of our wider climate ambitions and I'm sure that ToTo will encourage greater use. 'I'm proud of the part the Council has played in delivering this milestone and commit to working with our transport operators to deliver yet more improvements to our public transport network. 'I have no doubt that many millions of journeys in the coming months will be made using the new system and everyone involved has my sincere thanks. We're committed to keeping Edinburgh moving and ToTo is a very welcome addition to the transport landscape.' Reminder to tap off Customers are reminded that, unlike on Lothian Bus services, they are required to 'Tap off' when they leave the tram, in order to complete their journey and be charged the correct fare. If the same card or device is not used to Tap off, the journey is registered as incomplete, and customers will be charged the full Airport Zone fare of £7.90. This system works alongside Lothian Buses' existing TapTapCap system to cap bus and tram travel across the city at the Cap rate, aligning Edinburgh Trams with services offered by its sister company. Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Lothian Buses said: 'Lothian is delighted to work with Edinburgh Trams to further enhance our TapTapCap solution which now offers integrated payment for journeys across the city's bus and tram network. 'The introduction of daily and weekly capping across both modes will ensure that customers using the same card or device can always benefit from the cheapest Pay As You Go fare regardless of how their travel plans might change.' Customers who benefit from existing concession cards or use a Ridacard should continue to use these as before and aren't required to tap off to end their journey. Each contactless card or device can only be used for one standard Adult fare – customers travelling in groups or with children should still use the ticket vending machines on platforms or the Bus & Tram App or Edinburgh Ticket to pre-purchase their tickets. Click here for additional information about 'Tap on, Tap off' – FAQs and terms of use. Pic Greg Macvean 19/05/2025 Edinburgh Trams – launch of TOTO (tap on tap off) scheme Sarah Boyd Managing Director of Lothian with Lea Harrison Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams with Martha at the launch The official party from Lothian, Edinburgh Trams and Flowbird at the launch Edinburgh Trams – Lea Harrison Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams with Alfie at the launch of TOTO (tap on tap off) scheme Pic Greg Macvean 19/05/2025 Like this: Like Related
