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STV News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- STV News
Nigel Farage no-show at media event in Hamilton
Nigel Farage was a no-show at his own media event in Hamilton on Monday afternoon. The Reform UK party leader made a rare visit to Scotland on Monday ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse by-election on Thursday, but he dodged a planned media event that was scheduled to begin at 2.15pm. Reform previously told journalists that Farage would be visiting the region for a 'walkabout' on Monday afternoon. While the exact location was not immediately made available to journalists, the party said it would inform those who were planning on attending. As rumours swirled the event would begin in the car park of a Premier Inn in the town, reporters, photographers, and broadcasters congregated there, waiting for around two hours for the Reform UK leader. He did not appear at the event. However, social media posts from both Farage and his party later showed the leader walking around Larkhall and meeting with fans. 'Out and about in Larkhall with [Reform UK candidate] Ross Lambie. Come and say hello,' the post stated. Farage also posted pictures of another event which appeared to have been taken in the back court of the party's offices in the town. No official reason has been given by the party for Farage not attending the media event in Hamilton, which the party itself called. Earlier in the day, Farage also visited Aberdeen for a party press conference, where he clashed with anti-Reform protesters outside. Around 20 demonstrators had turned up outside the event, holding banners with messages including 'Farage not welcome in Scotland' and chanting slogans such as 'Farage, Farage we know you, you're a racist through and through'. He later accused the Herald of leaking the location of the press conference, which the paper has strenuously denied. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Nigel Farage hides from public in Hamilton by-election campaign visit
The Reform UK leader was in Aberdeen on Monday morning, his first visit to Scotland in six years, where he held a press conference and was due to head to Hamilton for a walkabout later in the afternoon. But, journalists were left waiting in a Premier Inn car park in the town, with no sign of the Reform UK leader. Protesters also targeted the Reform UK campaign office in Hamilton. He was due to arrive for a press call at 2.15pm, but did not show. READ MORE: Scottish Labour councillor defects to Reform UK By around 3.30pm, members of the Scottish press had begun to leave the agreed meeting point and started to head to the Reform UK campaign office in the town, where Farage was rumoured to be. A note on the form to apply for media accreditation said: "Thank you for applying for media accreditation to our upcoming campaign day in Hamilton with Nigel Farage. "This will take place on Monday 2 June. Arrive 14:00 for a prompt 14:15 start. Meeting point to be confirmed to accredited journalists." Farage posted a picture of himself with Reform UK activists at 3.30pm, writing: "Arrived at our campaign HQ in Hamilton". It is understood that the photograph was taken at the back of the campaign HQ, which journalists could not access. Protesters could be heard shouting "No show Nigel" outside of the campaign hub. It is understood that Farage left Hamilton. Earlier, Farage was pictured campaigning in Larkhall with candidate Ross Lambie and newly defected Scottish Labour councillor Jamie McGuire. Out and about in Larkhall with @CllrRossLambie. Come and say hello! 🏴 — Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) June 2, 2025 Later in the afternoon, protesters could be seen arguing and shouting at each other as anti-racist and pro-Reform activists clashed outside the campaign hub. It comes after Farage accused The Herald of conspiring with protesters in Aberdeen and clashed with the press. Reform UK have been contacted for comment.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK's huge new £1million aquarium opens with shipwreck, sharks and eels
Brits hoping to see the likes of sharks, eels and angelfish may want to check out a huge new £1million aquarium display that's just opened in the UK Brits looking for fun days out with the kids on those gloomy rainy days may want to head down to a huge new aquarium in the UK complete with a shipwreck model and sharks. That's because SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth recently opened the doors to a brand new £1million aquarium display, and it's pretty impressive. For a start, it's home to over 30 marine species including blacktip reef sharks, moray eels, tangs, and angelfish. One major highlight is the 250,000-litre Ocean Tank and Tunnel where you can walk right under the fish and sea creatures, or get up close thanks to the specially created immersive viewing windows. Oh, and keep an eye out for the impressive shipwreck habitat where all sorts of marine life is hiding in the nooks and crannies. The whole shipwreck was inspired by HMS Gloucester, a royal warship which sank off the Norfolk coast in 1682. The shipwreck itself was discovered by two divers in 2007, but it wasn't until 2021 that the full public reveal was announced. Other highlights also include an immersive interactive experience where you can see and hear crashing waves, with the aim of leaving you feeling like you're completely submerged in the ocean's depths. There's plenty more to explore across the attraction too, with SEA LIFE playing host to animals such as penguins, crocodiles, rays and green sea turtles. Ticket prices for SEA LIFE start from £16 per adult when booked online up to two days in advance - you can find out more at Of course on a sunnier day, you may also want to leave time on the itinerary for a trip to Great Yarmouth beach. With miles of golden sands, a bustling promenade lined with restaurants and shops, and swim-friendly waters, it's a firm favourite with sunseekers in the summer, but also makes for a lovely scenic stroll on those days where it's a little too chilly to get into the sea! It's worth noting that it can get quite busy during the peak holiday seasons, so if you're not tied to school holiday dates, it might be worth planning a trip when it's slightly quieter. One happy holidaymaker did just that and shared their experience on Tripadvisor, writing: "What a wonderful walk on the beach in the sunshine. Such a clean beach. Out of season was ideal for us. We parked at the end of the road near the Premier Inn and walked down the beach to the shops. Such a lovely day and beach." This summer, there will be heaps of fun for families too including a Wheels Festival across June 21-22, the annual free fireworks on the Golden Mile from July 24 to August 27, and fireworks displays every Tuesday near Hemsby Beach from July 23. You can find out more at
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Couple caught in Liverpool parade horror made key move which 'saved their lives'
Gary and Jane Barnes believe they escaped with their lives on Monday after making a crucial decision while enjoying the Liverpool FC victory parade that took them out of harm's way A couple caught in the chaos of the Liverpool FC parade incident have told how they made a key move that they believed "saved their lives". Gary and Jane Barnes were among the thousands of people lining the streets on Monday as Liverpudlians celebrated the triumphant return of the city's newly crowned champions. The 70 and 72-year-old were caught in the chaos that evening after, at around 6pm, a car ploughed into crowds on Water Street, striking 47 people, with 27 people - including four children - sent to hospital. But crucially, the couple escaped the moment of the collision thanks to one key spur-of-the-moment decision. Speaking to the PA news agency, Gary said he and his wife decided to use the toilet in a nearby Premier Inn moments before the car struck the crowd on Monday evening. When they re-emerged from the bargain hotel, all hell had broken loose, and Gary believes their decision may have saved their lives. He said: "We went off to go to the toilet fortunately and we came back and it just happened. We didn't see it happening. We didn't know what was happening. "But going inside that toilet could have saved our lives. That's genuinely how we feel after seeing all the horror." Jane added: "A man came over and said that a car had just run over somebody and it was behind us. The police were here." Emergency services arrived moments after the smash was reported to police, with paramedics treating people at the scene and police arresting the driver of the car. Videos capturing the chaos show Liverpudlians crowding around the vehicle, a black Ford Galaxy, in a bid to prevent further casualties after four people were dragged underneath. No one has died, with Merseyside Police adding during a conference on Tuesday that the 11 people who remain in hospital for treatment are in a stable condition and appear to be steadily recovering. Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims added that a 53-year-old man from Liverpool's West Derby area has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and dangerous driving while unfit through drugs. Gary and Jane have heaped praise on emergency services, saying they were "fantastic" and said two police officers in an unmarked car "ran like hell" to the scene. Gary said: "The police were fantastic. Two guys got out of an unmarked police car and they ran like hell. They were parked next to us and dived out of the car and ran to the scene." Jane added: "The ambulances were coming. Luckily, all the police were there because there were so many after the parade so they were on it straight away." The couple were initially left in shock but now it's "hit her more." She said: "It's hit me more this morning, because I'm thinking about it. There's kids involved which is terrible."
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Premier Inn owner appoints Severn Trent boss as new chairwoman
Premier Inn owner Whitbread has named Christine Hodgson, who is also at the helm of Severn Trent, as its new chairwoman. Ms Hodgson will join the FTSE 100 company on September 1, it said on Tuesday, replacing current chairman Adam Crozier, who has been in post since 2018. She has been working as chairwoman of water giant Severn Trent since 2020, overseeing its recent decision to hike consumer bills by an average 47% over the next five years. Ms Hodgson's appointment comes after the hospitality giant revealed a drop in profits on the back of recent restaurant closures and softening demand for hotel rooms in the UK. The company, which also owns Beefeater restaurants, said earlier in May that profits fell by 14% in the year to February, compared with the previous year. It said this was partly driven by the impact of a growth strategy that Whitbread started last April, which includes an overhaul of its restaurant business. The £500 million plan, which executives dubbed 'Accelerating Growth', involved converting 112 branded restaurants and selling 126 more. Ms Hodgson said on Tuesday: 'It's an exciting time to be joining, as the company continues to deliver on its five-year plan, and Premier Inn's expansion in Germany gathers pace.' The company hopes this will help it build about 3,500 extra hotel rooms, eventually reaching 97,000 rooms in total. Richard Gillingwater, a senior independent director who led the selection process, said her 'experience working with high-profile consumer and technology businesses' would be valuable to Whitbread. Mr Crozier said: 'It has been a privilege to lead the Whitbread board through this period of growth and change. 'I'm proud that as I leave the business, we are on course for Premier Inn to become Europe's number one budget hotel business.'
