Latest news with #MattWestern
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Jess Carter thanks ‘incredible' England fans for support in wake of racism
Jess Carter has thanked England fans for their 'unbelievable support' after revealing she had been racially abused on social media at Euro 2025. The Lionesses defender said if her decision to speak up were to stop even one instance of abuse then it would have been worth it. The Lionesses defender said on Sunday that she was stepping away from social media, because of what her teammates labelled as 'online poison' aimed at her throughout this tournament. Before the extra-time win against Italy on Tuesday, England's substitutes stood arm-in-arm with Carter on the sideline to show their support after deciding not to take the knee before kick-off. Carter told Sky Sports News: 'I totally understand everyone has got their own opinions on how we play. Trust me, no one is more disappointed in some of my performances than what I am, but the colour of my skin has got nothing to do with that. 'It's been pretty tough. I'm not saying it [speaking out] is going to make a big difference and make a change but hopefully [it is] just making people aware that it's not OK. Racism is still going on and we're just here to do our job to the best of our ability and hopefully bring success back to England. 'I think the fans today were unbelievable and their support was incredible and I can't thank them all enough for being on my side and on the team's.' Speaking up in support of Carter the Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington, Matt Western, revealed on Tuesday that – within the space of three hours – 91 members of parliament had added their names to his call for the major social media companies to take serious action to combat what they called 'the appalling racism and misogyny' directed at Carter, with Western adding: 'They need to act. Here is our call on them to do so.' Those MPs have all co-signed a letter saying they were 'horrified, but not surprised' to learn of the abuse Carter received. Carter, who grew up in Western's constituency in Warwick and played for one of the local youth sides, Warwick Juniors, said when speaking to Hayters TV: 'I've got mixed-race nephews and nieces. I want them to grow up being strong, brave and powerful and believe that they can do whatever they want to do. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion 'If me speaking up makes one silly person keep their mouth shut with certain comments, then that's a big enough difference for me.' Carter, who won her 50th international cap when she was brought on as a late substitute on Tuesday, also told Sky of her pride at England's performance on the pitch, as they struck late to beat Italy, saying: 'The way our team just keeps fighting until the end of every single game just shows the character that we have in this team. 'I think we'd all agree that we are hating the way that we are winning these games, from maybe not performing to the best way that we want, also leaving it so late, everyone's aged about 20 years in the past two hours. It's not the way we want to win games but, at the end of the day, we won and the most important thing is that we're through to the final.'
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
National security adviser will face MPs, minister confirms
Sir Keir Starmer's national security adviser will answer questions from MPs and peers after repeated requests for him to do so, it has been confirmed. The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS) has been calling for Jonathan Powell to appear before it since his appointment in November. Ministers had resisted the requests, saying that as the veteran diplomat was a special adviser, rather than a civil servant, it would not be 'appropriate' for him to give evidence to the JCNSS. But on Monday, JCNSS chairman Matt Western said Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden had agreed in writing that Mr Powell would give evidence. Mr McFadden, who appeared before the committee himself on Monday, said he had decided to allow Mr Powell to appear 'because I understand the committee's desire to hear from him and he does occupy a specific position in this sphere which is obviously important'. Mr Western had most recently raised the issue of Mr Powell's non-appearance before his committee in May, when he told the Commons he was concerned that the Government was 'using a quirk of his appointment as a special adviser' to 'erode democratic norms'. He also pointed out that Mr Powell was the first national security adviser not to appear before the committee since the role was created in 2010. Prior to his appointment as the national security adviser, Mr Powell played a key role in negotiating the sovereignty dispute between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands. Having previously worked as a Foreign Office diplomat, he became Tony Blair's chief of staff in 1995, moving with him to Downing Street after the 1997 election and remaining there until 2007. Mr McFadden told the JCNSS a 'suitable date' would be arranged for Mr Powell's appearance. On the same day, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) announced it had met Sir Keir in what its chairman described as a 'very positive reset' in its relations with the Government. The meeting was the first between a prime minister and the ISC, which scrutinises Britain's intelligence services, for more than 10 years. ISC chairman Lord Beamish said: 'These are very positive steps toward significant change which will make parliamentary oversight of this crucial area stronger, and enhance public confidence in the vital work of the UK intelligence community.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
National security adviser will face MPs, minister confirms
Sir Keir Starmer's national security adviser will answer questions from MPs and peers after repeated requests for him to do so, it has been confirmed. The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS) has been calling for Jonathan Powell to appear before it since his appointment in November. Ministers had resisted the requests, saying that as the veteran diplomat was a special adviser, rather than a civil servant, it would not be 'appropriate' for him to give evidence to the JCNSS. But on Monday, JCNSS chairman Matt Western said Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden had agreed in writing that Mr Powell would give evidence. Mr McFadden, who appeared before the committee himself on Monday, said he had decided to allow Mr Powell to appear 'because I understand the committee's desire to hear from him and he does occupy a specific position in this sphere which is obviously important'. Mr Western had most recently raised the issue of Mr Powell's non-appearance before his committee in May, when he told the Commons he was concerned that the Government was 'using a quirk of his appointment as a special adviser' to 'erode democratic norms'. He also pointed out that Mr Powell was the first national security adviser not to appear before the committee since the role was created in 2010. Prior to his appointment as the national security adviser, Mr Powell played a key role in negotiating the sovereignty dispute between the UK and Mauritius over the Chagos Islands. Having previously worked as a Foreign Office diplomat, he became Tony Blair's chief of staff in 1995, moving with him to Downing Street after the 1997 election and remaining there until 2007. Mr McFadden told the JCNSS a 'suitable date' would be arranged for Mr Powell's appearance. On the same day, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) announced it had met Sir Keir in what its chairman described as a 'very positive reset' in its relations with the Government. The meeting was the first between a prime minister and the ISC, which scrutinises Britain's intelligence services, for more than 10 years. ISC chairman Lord Beamish said: 'These are very positive steps toward significant change which will make parliamentary oversight of this crucial area stronger, and enhance public confidence in the vital work of the UK intelligence community.'
Telegraph
03-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Fly invasion ‘ruining lives' in Leamington Spa
Residents in a royal town have said a 'nightmarish' invasion of flies has become 'absolute hell' and is 'ruining people's lives'. Homeowners in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, have described being trapped indoors by the infestation, which happens each summer. Some have sold up and moved out of the area because of the problem, which has also led to a 'rancid toxic smell' lingering in parts of the town. Parents said they were now draping fly nets over cots, and that children could not eat dinner without flies near their mouths. Others have reported falling ill. The problem was raised in Parliament by Matt Western, the MP for Warwick and Leamington Spa, who called the problem – which affects around 10,000 people – a 'public health risk'. Richard Manly, 37, a local welder, said: 'It's been nightmarish, really. These flies have left people gagging and choking, even kids and babies in their cots and beds. 'Drivers and cyclists have been sick getting a mouthful while going down the street, some are being sick. It's a crazy situation and we can't believe it's been allowed to go on. 'I go to Wickes quite often and workers say customers are staying away because of the smell. I know pubs, restaurants and other businesses have a similar issues because of both the flies and the smell.' Locals said the problem began around three years ago and has got progressively worse. Those living around the Heathcote area said they cannot go in their gardens and have resorted to filling their homes with fly strips and zappers. 'The smell is quite repulsive' Many residents have blamed a nearby recycling plant owned by Amcor, formerly known as Berry Circular Polymers, which is regulated by the Environment Agency. Kevin Shanahan, a retired law teacher, 64, said: 'It's the recycling business. Someone said the waste comes dirty and it attracts the flies. 'A man who works nearby to the unit says the plastic is brought in dirty and then it's left outside to fester. The smell is quite repulsive. We can't enjoy our homes as we can't go in our gardens or open the windows because of the flies and the smell.' Retired cleaning company owner Robert Horely, 69, added: 'We have the problem every year and it lasts for months. 'We have fly strips hanging down that are covered, you can't see a space on them – it's that bad. You can't go outside in the summer, when you do there's flies around you. You can't eat outside. 'Local pubs were having problems. A family went for a meal and they had to abandon their food as the flies were all over their food. 'People have been struggling to sleep as there's flies crawling all over you. How do you get them out? 'Plus this smell, which again appears to be coming from the same site. It's not a very pleasant smell, and quite strong at times. It's between a gone off, eggy disinfectant-type smell and chlorine. 'There's been a couple times where I've opened the front door and it's taken my breath away it's that smelly. It's a health and safety issue.' Regularly inspected A spokesman for the Environment Agency said permitted sites in the Leamington Spa area were regularly inspected, with operators required to make improvements where required. The spokesman added: 'Since April 1st we have inspected the Berry Circular Polymers site four times and identified a category three (minor) breach of the permit as they were not following their prescribed management techniques. 'We encourage residents to continue to report environmental issues via our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060 to help with our investigations.' A spokesman for Berry Circular Polymers said previously: 'We take these concerns extremely seriously, and although both ourselves and our regulators cannot find a substantial causal link, we are committed to ensuring we do not negatively impact Warwickshire residents.'
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
We live in posh town invaded by flies - it's gotten so bad we're scared our babies might choke to death
Residents of a posh royal town have been plagued by a 'nightmarish' invasion of flies which swarm their homes each summer, making their lives 'absolute hell'. Homeowners in Leamington Spa have described being left trapped indoors by the infestation of flies which crawl in people's mouths and 'choke babies in cots'. Those living around the Heathcote area say they cannot go in their gardens and have resorted to filling their homes with fly strips and zappers, while others have spent thousands on fly screens for their home. Parents are draping fly nets over cots, children can't eat dinner without the insects crawling into their mouths and others have reported falling ill due to the swarms of winged creatures blighting the area. The problem has become so unbearable that some locals have sold up and moved out of the Regency town, which has a population of just over 50,000. The matter was recently debated in Parliament by Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western who branded the issue, affecting around 10,000 people, a 'public health risk'. Locals say the problem began around three years ago but has got progressively worse - with more flies and a disgusting raw sewage smell descending on the area. They blame a nearby recycling plant owned by Amcor, formerly known as Berry Circular Polymers, which is regulated by the Environment Agency. Foster mum Maureen Kerr, 64, has lived in the area for three years and said trouble only started after the new plant was opened. The 64-year-old gran-of-six said: 'We foster babies from birth and have had to put nets over their cots and chairs. 'They go full pelt at you and you can't do anything. Especially when the babies are laying there after milk, it's awful - they try and swarm them. 'We started off with fly spray not realising why we had so many. Then we had fly papers and those fly zappers. 'We have to keep changing them. It got so bad there were 50 flies on them over 24 hours. 'The smell is terrible. Our next door neighbour moved because she couldn't stand it. I just keep the windows and doors shut to stop the flies. 'One man spent thousands on fly screens. We've only lived here for three years and the first year was absolutely fine. But then all this started in the second year.' Retired primary school teacher Diljeet Kang, 65, said once the flies swarm indoors it's nearly impossible to get them out again. The gran-of-six said: 'It's not just the flies, it's the horrendous, nasty odour as well. When the summer starts you can't open the windows for the smell and the flies. 'The smell is just awful. I haven't opened up my windows. It gets worse and worse as the warmer months. I daren't open them if the flies come in. 'They're tiny ones, really fast. You can't even swat them. Once they get in it's hard to get them out. 'Everyone on the street is complaining about it. The amount of people that have sold their houses on the road because of that. 'We can't go out and enjoy our barbecues either because the flies will swarm the meat and get us ill.' Richard Manly, 37, a local welder, added: 'It's been really nightmarish really, these flies have left people gagging and choking, even kids and babies in their cots and beds. 'Drivers and cyclists have been sick getting a mouthful while going down the street, some are being sick. It's a crazy situation and we can't believe it's been allowed to go on. 'I got to Wickes quite often and workers say customers are staying away because of the smell. I know pubs, restaurants and other businesses have a similar issues because of both the flies and the smell.' Retired cleaning company owner Robert Horely said the stench was enough to take his breath away when he left his house. The 69-year-old dad-of-one said: 'We have the problem every year and it lasts for months. 'We have fly strips hanging down that are covered, you can't see a space on them, it's that bad. You can't go outside in the summer, when you do there's flies around you. You can't eat outside. 'Local pubs were having problems. A family went for a meal and they had to abandon their food as the flies were all over their food. 'They come in and get everywhere. People have been struggling to sleep as there's flies crawling all over you. How do you get them out? 'Plus this smell which again appears to be coming from the same site. It's not a very pleasant smell, and quite strong at times. It's between a gone off, eggy disinfectant-type smell and chlorine. 'There's been a couple times where I've opened the front door and it's taken my breath away it's that smelly. It's a health and safety issue. 'The council and environment agency keep playing ping pong, it's back and forth between them. One of the biggest queries is how did it get planning permission in the first place.' Retired law teacher Kevin Shanahan, 64, added: 'It's the recycling business. Someone said the waste comes dirty and it attracts the flies. 'A man who works nearby to the unit says the plastic is brought in dirty and then it's left outside to fester. The smell is quite repulsive. 'We can't enjoy our homes as we can't go in our gardens or open the windows because of the flies and the smell.' Addressing parliament two weeks ago, Mr Western said: 'Imagine being in your own home and unable to eat with your family, unable to leave food for even a minute without your kitchen being swarmed with flies, and unable to sleep in your own bed without flies landing on your face. 'Imagine flies everywhere, in every room of your house, in business premises, in pubs, in restaurants and in takeaways, and vile odours permeating your life whether at home, walking the streets or driving your car. 'That is the reality for hundreds of families in one part my constituency. 'I estimate that as many as 10,000-if not more-of my constituents in south Warwick, south Leamington and Whitnash are impacted by this. 'They have faced swarms of flies and foul odours for three years running. Their houses are infested with flies. They are unable to open their windows for fear of swarms entering their home. 'They are unable to prepare food in their kitchen without the constant cleaning of their work surfaces to clean off the fly excrement, which also adheres to their walls. 'Would any Member of this House be satisfied with their family living like that? This is not just a minor inconvenience; this is ruining people's lives. 'People are getting ill, and some residents are actually selling up. 'Then there is the all-pervasive foul-smelling odour. Constituents describe the smell as being like "raw sewage". They say it is "sulphuric" and "toxic". 'Many have told me that the smell is utterly unbearable.' A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: 'We are committed to ensuring that people and the environment are protected. 'This includes regularly inspecting permitted sites in the Leamington Spa area and requiring operators to make improvements where they are required. 'Since April 1st we have inspected the Berry Circular Polymers site 4 times and identified a Category 3 (minor) breach of the permit as they were not following their prescribed management techniques. 'We encourage residents to continue to report environmental issues via our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060 to help with our investigations.' A spokesperson for Berry Circular Polymers said previously: 'We take these concerns extremely seriously and although both ourselves and our regulators cannot find a substantial causal link, we are committed to ensuring we do not negatively impact Warwickshire residents.'
