Latest news with #IanGibson
The Independent
06-08-2025
- The Independent
Pension for convicted police angers ministers
Update, August 6, 2025: Ian Gibson's conviction was quashed by the Appeal Court in Edinburgh in June 201. SCOTTISH POLICE representatives today defended the force's pensions scheme, but admitted it needed "better management" after revelations that an officer convicted of indecent assault had retired with a lucrative financial package. DC Ian Gibson, 33, of Tayside Police, secured a medical retirement pension worth an estimated pounds 7,000 a year and a lump sum despite being imprisoned for three months for assaulting a lone mother. Attempts to block the award by Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar and Tayside Police chief constable William Spence failed and the outcome left Scottish Office ministers furious over weaknesses in the rules governing police pensions, the Herald newspaper reported today. However, the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) today said accusations that the system was open to frequent abuse were "completely unfounded", but accepted a tightening up of procedures was needed. "Any officer who retires from the police service on ill-health or injury grounds does so on the basis of medical criteria and nothing else," said Douglas Keil, general secretary of the SPF. "Retiring on ill health to avoid disciplinary proceedings has been described as commonplace, but nothing could be further from the truth." He said it was an insult to dedicated officers to suggest they were "working the system", but agreed too many officers were retiring on health grounds. "We are firmly of the belief this is caused by the strenuous and often dangerous nature of police work." The Gibson case helped persuade Home Secretary Jack Straw to order an urgent review of the UK-wide police pensions system. The Government is looking at ways to close loopholes through the Police Pensions Review consultation document.
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Directory promotes use of Sussex food and drink
A directory to encourage food and drink outlets in Sussex to use more local products has been launched. It is part of the Sussex Six campaign, which began in 2023 with the aim of getting shops, pubs and restaurants to stock at least six locally sourced products. The directory lists over 600 producers in sectors such as bakery, fruit and veg, meat and poultry, dairy, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The campaign already has the support of local authorities in Sussex. James Partridge, lead for governance, waste and local economy at Wealden District Council, said: "Wealden has a wide range of fantastic food and drink producers and some great shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes. "If they all took on just six more local products, they would help each other grow, employ more local people and reduce our impact on the environment." Ian Gibson, Mid Sussex District Council's cabinet member for sustainable economy and housing, said: "We want to encourage more businesses to sign the pledge to serve and sell more local produce, and urge members of the local community to buy local and support these businesses. "It's good for our local community, and it's good for the environment." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Appeal to fight food poverty during summer holidays Charity saves surplus food to feed local community Food co-op at risk of closure over lack of funding Food 'lifeline' needs new home as demand rises Options to promote local food and drink explored Make healthy food more appealing, government tells supermarkets Could taxpayer-funded public diners be revived? Related internet links Sussex Food and Drink Sussex Six Wealden District Council Mid Sussex District Council
BBC News
26-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Directory promotes use of Sussex food and drink
A directory to encourage food and drink outlets in Sussex to use more local products has been is part of the Sussex Six campaign, which began in 2023 with the aim of getting shops, pubs and restaurants to stock at least six locally sourced directory lists over 600 producers in sectors such as bakery, fruit and veg, meat and poultry, dairy, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic campaign already has the support of local authorities in Sussex. James Partridge, lead for governance, waste and local economy at Wealden District Council, said: "Wealden has a wide range of fantastic food and drink producers and some great shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes."If they all took on just six more local products, they would help each other grow, employ more local people and reduce our impact on the environment."Ian Gibson, Mid Sussex District Council's cabinet member for sustainable economy and housing, said: "We want to encourage more businesses to sign the pledge to serve and sell more local produce, and urge members of the local community to buy local and support these businesses."It's good for our local community, and it's good for the environment."
