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Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Daily Record
Real reason snipers were seen during parade crash in Liverpool revealed
Title celebrations were cut short in the city after the vehicle was seen driving through crowds on Water Street. Police snipers spotted in Liverpool were not there because of the car crash that left a number of people injured, it has been confirmed. Title celebrations were cut short in the city after the vehicle was seen driving through crowds on Water Street. More than 50 people were taken to hospital and officers said in a press conference this afternoon that a 53-year-old white British suspect has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs. The incident is not being treated as terror related - however, as reported by the Echo, questions were raised as to why a sniper presence was spotted at the scene following the incident. Footage of the incident quickly circulated on social media and eyewitness accounts said people "were flying into the air" as they were hit by the car. A video of what appeared to be a police sniper team on the Queensway Tunnel Ventilation Tower has circulated on social media, with people questioning "did the police expect an incident?" The decision to deploy rooftop sniper teams in the city centre was, however, "purely planning for a major event", our sister title understands from sources. Merseyside Police had an armed presence in the city centre due to the scale and magnitude of Liverpool's title-winning parade. This included the Project Servator team, which contains high-visibility armed officers. The decision to deploy sniper teams is reportedly taken at any event of this significance and size. Previously armed police have been deployed to events in the city including the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool, last year, the Grand National, and even at Liverpool's Christmas Markets. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The parade celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title win saw crowds gather along the 15km bus route to catch a glimpse of the stars. However, the scenes of joy quickly turned to horror when a car was driven into the crowd. Merseyside Police is carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the circumstances leading up to the incident, with questions being asked about how the car was able to access a key city centre road that had been closed to traffic because of the parade. At this afternoon's press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: "I want to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the brave members of the emergency services who were on the scene of yesterday's incident within a matter of seconds. "Following such a shocking incident, they immediately ran towards an extremely uncertain and potentially dangerous situation in an effort to protect members of the public and fellow emergency responders from harm. "Merseyside Police continues to work with other emergency services, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Combined Regional Authority, local hospitals and health providers and Liverpool Football Club collectively in response to this incident. "An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online."
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Police snipers spotted during Liverpool parade crash
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder after a car crash left dozens of people injured during Liverpool's title celebrations in the city centre Police snipers spotted in Liverpool city centre were not there because of the car crash that left a number of people injured, it has been confirmed. Liverpool's title celebrations were cut short after the vehicle was seen driving through crowds on Water Street. More than 50 people were taken to hospital. Officers said in a press conference this afternoon that a white British suspect, 53, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs. The incident is not being treated as terror related. Following the incident, questions were raised as to why a sniper presence was spotted at the scene, reports the ECHO. Footage of the incident quickly circulated on social media and eyewitness accounts said people "were flying into the air" as they were hit by the car. A video of what appeared to be a police sniper team on the Queensway Tunnel Ventilation Tower has circulated on social media, with people questioning "did the police expect an incident?" However, the decision to deploy rooftop sniper teams in the city centre was "purely planning for a major event", the ECHO understands from sources. Merseyside Police had an armed presence in the city centre due to the scale and magnitude of Liverpool's title-winning parade. This included the Project Servator team, which contains high-visibility armed officers. The decision to deploy sniper teams is reportedly taken at any event of this significance and size. Previously armed police have been deployed to events in the city including the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool, last year, the Grand National, and even at Liverpool's Christmas Markets. The parade celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title win saw crowds gather along the 15km bus route to catch a glimpse of the stars. However, the scenes of joy quickly turned to horror when a car was driven into the crowd. Merseyside Police is carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the circumstances leading up to the incident, with questions being asked about how the car was able to access a key city centre road that had been closed to traffic because of the parade. At this afternoon's press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: "I want to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the brave members of the emergency services who were on the scene of yesterday's incident within a matter of seconds. "Following such a shocking incident, they immediately ran towards an extremely uncertain and potentially dangerous situation in an effort to protect members of the public and fellow emergency responders from harm. "Merseyside Police continues to work with other emergency services, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Combined Regional Authority, local hospitals and health providers and Liverpool Football Club collectively in response to this incident. "An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online."
Glasgow Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
DWP should have legal duty to look after vulnerable benefits claimants, say MPs
Ministers should introduce the statutory duty to prevent people from dying or coming to harm as a result of mistakes in the welfare system, the Commons Work and Pensions Committee said in its latest report. The committee's latest recommendations come after several high-profile deaths of vulnerable people following their interaction with the benefits system. Among those named in the report is Errol Graham, who starved to death in 2018, months after his disability benefit payments were stopped. Meanwhile, Debbie Abrahams, the committee's Labour chairwoman, suggested an 'unhelpful media narrative' about benefits claimants and 'cost-cutting drives' continues to sow distrust in the DWP. The report comes at a time when the Government is pushing for reforms aimed at reducing the number of welfare claimants by getting more people currently on benefits into work. 'Cost-effectiveness and efforts to move people into work had been prioritised, or been perceived to be prioritised, over providing genuine care and support to vulnerable people,' the report said. At the same time, claimants have reported 'feeling undeserving of support, or fearful of the DWP'. A 'deep-rooted cultural change' is needed, according to the report, which recommended a change in the law so that the DWP has to help claimants who are vulnerable get help from other branches of Government, like the health service. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall should make a statement in the House of Commons setting out a new approach to safeguarding once the ongoing benefits review is finished, the MPs said. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall makes a statement on welfare reform in the House of Commons in March (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) A statutory duty of care would be a 'significant undertaking for the DWP', the report acknowledged, but it claimed the current approach is not working, and there are a 'stubbornly high' number of cases where vulnerable clients have come to harm. Some 240 internal reviews have been started by the DWP since the 2020-21 year, into cases where there has been serious harm, or where there are allegations that the department's actions have led to death or harm. However, the committee suggested the 'true scale of deaths and serious harms of vulnerable claimants is currently unknown'. Ms Abrahams said: 'That people continue to face harm after dealing with the DWP is a self-evident failure of safeguarding in the system. 'Until recently, getting people back into work to cut costs had been prioritised over providing support and care for vulnerable people. 'We heard evidence that the process itself of engaging with the DWP itself too often led to mental distress. Where this led to not being able to get financial support, many had paid the ultimate price.' Debbie Abrahams speaking at the Labour Party Conference in 2016 (Danny Lawson/PA) While the committee members had been 'heartened' by evidence they heard from the Work and Pensions Secretary on moves to improve safeguarding, Ms Abrahams added: 'We've heard that, whilst some have been lifted by the system when it works well, this can depend on claimants' confidence that the system will help them. 'Too often, we heard their trust has been smashed by continual cost-cutting drives and an unhelpful media narrative. 'Many fear coming forward and expressing that they need additional support due to their circumstances and they fall deeper into vulnerability and despair as a result.' The report also contains a warning for ministers about moves to cut costs in the benefits system. 'Incorrectly applied, policies intended to drive claimant behaviour and deliver value for money, such as sanctions and deductions, can create and exacerbate vulnerabilities,' it said. Mark Winstanley, chief executive of the charity Rethink Mental Illness, gave his support to the committee's recommendations. 'For too long, vulnerable people living with mental illness have suffered devastating harm and lost their lives due to failures in the benefits system,' he said. 'If implemented, a statutory duty for the DWP to safeguard vulnerable claimants would be a crucial step towards real accountability, something we and other committed campaigners have advocated for. 'Like our NHS, the benefits system was set up to support those in need, yet without legal safeguards a punitive and harmful approach has gone unchecked, with little transparency on whether lessons have been learned from past tragedies. 'The Government has pledged to renew its focus on safeguarding – this must include a statutory duty for the DWP to safeguard vulnerable claimants that prioritises the wellbeing of people affected by mental illness in every policy and decision.' A DWP spokesperson said: 'This Government is committed to protecting the people who use our services and fixing the broken welfare system we inherited so it works for those who need it. 'That's why we are currently consulting on a new safeguarding approach, and our reforms will improve people's lives and rebuild trust, by establishing an approach that genuinely supports vulnerable people. 'As we deliver our Plan for Change, we encourage people to have their voices heard through our consultation so we can build a safeguarding approach that works better for all.'
Western Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
DWP should have legal duty to look after vulnerable benefits claimants, say MPs
Ministers should introduce the statutory duty to prevent people from dying or coming to harm as a result of mistakes in the welfare system, the Commons Work and Pensions Committee said in its latest report. The committee's latest recommendations come after several high-profile deaths of vulnerable people following their interaction with the benefits system. Among those named in the report is Errol Graham, who starved to death in 2018, months after his disability benefit payments were stopped. Meanwhile, Debbie Abrahams, the committee's Labour chairwoman, suggested an 'unhelpful media narrative' about benefits claimants and 'cost-cutting drives' continues to sow distrust in the DWP. The report comes at a time when the Government is pushing for reforms aimed at reducing the number of welfare claimants by getting more people currently on benefits into work. 'Cost-effectiveness and efforts to move people into work had been prioritised, or been perceived to be prioritised, over providing genuine care and support to vulnerable people,' the report said. At the same time, claimants have reported 'feeling undeserving of support, or fearful of the DWP'. A 'deep-rooted cultural change' is needed, according to the report, which recommended a change in the law so that the DWP has to help claimants who are vulnerable get help from other branches of Government, like the health service. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall should make a statement in the House of Commons setting out a new approach to safeguarding once the ongoing benefits review is finished, the MPs said. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall makes a statement on welfare reform in the House of Commons in March (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) A statutory duty of care would be a 'significant undertaking for the DWP', the report acknowledged, but it claimed the current approach is not working, and there are a 'stubbornly high' number of cases where vulnerable clients have come to harm. Some 240 internal reviews have been started by the DWP since the 2020-21 year, into cases where there has been serious harm, or where there are allegations that the department's actions have led to death or harm. However, the committee suggested the 'true scale of deaths and serious harms of vulnerable claimants is currently unknown'. Ms Abrahams said: 'That people continue to face harm after dealing with the DWP is a self-evident failure of safeguarding in the system. 'Until recently, getting people back into work to cut costs had been prioritised over providing support and care for vulnerable people. 'We heard evidence that the process itself of engaging with the DWP itself too often led to mental distress. Where this led to not being able to get financial support, many had paid the ultimate price.' Debbie Abrahams speaking at the Labour Party Conference in 2016 (Danny Lawson/PA) While the committee members had been 'heartened' by evidence they heard from the Work and Pensions Secretary on moves to improve safeguarding, Ms Abrahams added: 'We've heard that, whilst some have been lifted by the system when it works well, this can depend on claimants' confidence that the system will help them. 'Too often, we heard their trust has been smashed by continual cost-cutting drives and an unhelpful media narrative. 'Many fear coming forward and expressing that they need additional support due to their circumstances and they fall deeper into vulnerability and despair as a result.' The report also contains a warning for ministers about moves to cut costs in the benefits system. 'Incorrectly applied, policies intended to drive claimant behaviour and deliver value for money, such as sanctions and deductions, can create and exacerbate vulnerabilities,' it said. Mark Winstanley, chief executive of the charity Rethink Mental Illness, gave his support to the committee's recommendations. 'For too long, vulnerable people living with mental illness have suffered devastating harm and lost their lives due to failures in the benefits system,' he said. 'If implemented, a statutory duty for the DWP to safeguard vulnerable claimants would be a crucial step towards real accountability, something we and other committed campaigners have advocated for. 'Like our NHS, the benefits system was set up to support those in need, yet without legal safeguards a punitive and harmful approach has gone unchecked, with little transparency on whether lessons have been learned from past tragedies. 'The Government has pledged to renew its focus on safeguarding – this must include a statutory duty for the DWP to safeguard vulnerable claimants that prioritises the wellbeing of people affected by mental illness in every policy and decision.' A DWP spokesperson said: 'This Government is committed to protecting the people who use our services and fixing the broken welfare system we inherited so it works for those who need it. 'That's why we are currently consulting on a new safeguarding approach, and our reforms will improve people's lives and rebuild trust, by establishing an approach that genuinely supports vulnerable people. 'As we deliver our Plan for Change, we encourage people to have their voices heard through our consultation so we can build a safeguarding approach that works better for all.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Brand ‘raped a woman after Labour Party conference', court hears
Russell Brand raped a woman in a hotel room during a Labour Party conference, a court was told. The allegation was heard on Friday at Westminster magistrates' court where the 49-year-old appeared charged with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault. During a 12-minute long hearing, the court was told he raped the alleged victim in a hotel room after meeting her at a theatrical event following the party's conference in Bournemouth in 1999. It is alleged that while the woman went to the bathroom, Brand removed some of his clothing and later pushed her onto the bed, removed her underwear and raped her. The court heard another of Brand's alleged victims, who accuses him of indecent assault, alleges the comedian grabbed her by the forearm while attempting to drag her into a male toilet at a television station in 2001. The court heard the third alleged victim was a television worker Brand met in Soho in 2004. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her. The final alleged victim is a radio station worker who met Brand while he was working for Channel 4 on Big Brother's Big Mouth between 2004 and 2005, the court heard. Brand is alleged to have grabbed her by the face with both hands, pushed her against a wall and kissed her before grabbing her breasts and buttocks. Brand has been granted bail ahead of the next hearing at the Old Bailey on May 30. Members of the press had been camping outside of the court since 6am waiting for Brand. He arrived in a car just before 9.30am and took almost two minutes to reach the front doors of the court building as he walked slowly through the scrum of press photographers and journalists. Inside courtroom one, which was also packed with press, he again walked slowly into the glass-panelled dock. Dressed in a black shirt and black jeans, Brand held his sunglasses behind his back as he spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth and listened intently as the charges were read out. After Paul Goldspring, the chief magistrate, granted him bail, Brand nodded to show he understood and thanked the judge before leaving court. Walking out, he was flanked by his solicitor Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky. Mr Schneider-Sikorsky successfully defended Kevin Spacey, the Oscar-winning Hollywood actor, against sex assault allegations in 2023. Spacey was found not guilty of nine sexual offences against four complainants between 2001 and 2013 following a trial at Southwark Crown Court. Russell Brand has been accused of raping a woman in a hotel room following a Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth. 'My innocence is indefatigable', he added. Thank you for following our updates from Russell Brand's appearance at Westminster magistrates' court this morning. The comedian has been granted bail ahead of the next hearing at the Old Bailey on May 30. He is charged with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. Walking in and out of court, Russell Brand was flanked by his solicitor Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky. Schneider-Sikorsky successfully defended Kevin Spacey, the Oscar-winning Hollywood actor, against sex assault allegations in 2023. Spacey was found not guilty of nine sexual offences against four complainants between 2001 and 2013 following a trial at Southwark Crown Court. Members of the press had been camped outside of Westminster magistrates' court since 6am waiting for Brand to arrive. Walking from the car to the entrance of the court took Brand almost two minutes as he walked slowly through the scrum of press photographers. Entering courtroom one, he again walked slowly into the glass panelled dock looking straight ahead. He spoke equally slowly when asked to give his name, address and date of birth. As the charges were laid out in detail he listened intently throughout the short 12-minute long hearing. Leaving the court he was escorted by three bodyguards and was ushered straight into a waiting car. Credit: Reuters The court heard that Brand raped a woman in a hotel room in 1999 after they met earlier that day at a theatrical event. It was also told that Brand attacked a second complainant while she was working at a TV company in 2001. The court also heard that third alleged victim, who also worked at a TV company, was raped and sexually assaulted by Brand at a party in Soho in 2004 Brand did not enter any pleas to the charges. To recap, he is charged with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault. Mr Goldspring, the chief magistrate, granted Brand bail following the brief 12-minute long hearing and told him that his next court appearance would be at the Old Bailey on May 30. Brand nodded to show he understood and thanked the judge before leaving court. He was accompanied to the court by his solicitor, Oliver Schneider- Sikorsky, who successfully defended Kevin Spacey against sex assault allegations in 2023. Dressed in a black shirt and black jeans, Brand walked slowly into the dock and spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth. Holding his sunglasses behind his back, he confirmed he lived at an address in Buckinghamshire. Brand listened intently as the charges were read out. Just before 9.30am, Russell Brand's car pulled up outside Westminster magistrates' court on Marylebone Road. Photographers, who had been waiting outside since 6am, surrounded the vehicle and police officers were forced to hold them back as they attempted to get a shot of his arrival. It took the comedian more than two minutes to walk the short distance from his vehicle to the court door. Brand is represented in court by Ian Winter KC while Suki Dhadda is acting for the prosecution. Courtroom one is packed with around a dozen members of the press and the public gallery is entirely full. The case will be heard by chief magistrate Paul Goldspring. It is due to get underway at 10am. Credit: Reuters The 49-year-old was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. The charges came following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023 in which several women accused him of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse. Brand presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008. He left the role after his on-air prank, now known as Sachsgate, when he left a 'lewd' voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter. He also presented on Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in the noughties. The TV and film star was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 but is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have two children, Mabel and Peggy. Brand did not speak to reporters as he walked into Westminster magistrates' court wearing sunglasses on Friday morning. Wearing a navy suit and an open shirt he entered the court building surrounded by a number of bodyguards. Members of the press had been queuing outside court from 6am to get a space in the courtroom. 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.
