Latest news with #RachelGilmour
Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Lib Dem MP tried to put half pint of cider on expenses
A Liberal Democrat MP tried to charge taxpayers for a £1.85 half-pint of cider, despite earning a salary of more than £91,000. Racael Gilmour, who represents Tiverton and Minehead, was also successful in claiming expenses for golf club hospitality and birthday cards. Ms Gilmour submitted the £11.81 claim in December 2024 for a pub meal, which included chips, a halloumi wrap, a hot drink, and a half-pint of Thatchers Haze cider. The claim for alcohol was flagged by Parliamentary authorities and rejected. However, the MP did succeed in claiming £5.50 for 'beverages', £2.75 for hospitality at Tiverton Golf Club, and £5.50 for a birthday card, all of which were reimbursed on expenses. Ms Gilmour, who previously made headlines after taking an evening fall in Parliament, has drawn criticism from campaigners, who have called for her to pay back the money. James Wright, a Conservative campaigner, said: 'At a time when families are being squeezed by rising bills, people will rightly ask why a Liberal Democrat MP is attempting to expense cider and claiming drinks at the golf club. 'Like Labour, the Lib Dems are good at spending other people's money. If Rachel Gilmour respected her voters, she'd pay it all back.' A Labour source said: 'This shows the Lib Dems love a bit of wining and dining, and comes in the same week they joined forces with the Tories in Parliament to oppose Labour's measures to make workers' rights in hospitality more secure.' It is not known whether any of the approved claims have been voluntarily reimbursed. Ms Gilmour has previously faced criticism for allegedly swearing at security guards during a visit to Hinkley Poin t, and for employing her son in her taxpayer-funded office. At the time she referred herself to the parliamentary watchdog saying: 'This was an honest mistake. Henry was assisting me with the setting up of my office in a voluntary capacity.' At the time of the Hinkley Point incident, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty took to Twitter/X saying: 'Anybody who's seen Rachel Gilmour around the Parliamentary Estate, or in the bar, won't be surprised by reports of this behaviour.' Legacy of frittering Ms Gilmour denied the reports of the 'language used' at the time. MPs are permitted to claim reasonable costs for meals, travel and office administration, but alcohol, personal gifts and leisure expenses are explicitly discouraged. A spokesperson for Rachel Gilmour said: 'Within the role of a Member of Parliament, there are many expenses which would be considered reasonable to claim for, as per IPSA [Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority] guidelines. 'Rachel Gilmour has accurately logged her expenses with IPSA, and where appropriate those have been paid. 'Conservative Party commentators are in no position to criticise hard-working MPs with their legacy of frittering away taxpayers' money by the Conservative Governments of Johnson and Truss.' In 2023 some 46,562 beers were consumed at parliamentary bars. It is not clear whether these were pints or bottles. MPs have access to several bars across the Parliamentary Estate, where drinks are cheaper than nearby central London pubs.
Sky News
18-07-2025
- General
- Sky News
Child who died in Minehead school coach crash was 10-year-old boy, police say
The child who died in a school coach crash in Somerset on Thursday was a 10-year-old boy, Avon and Somerset Police have said. A specially trained officer is supporting the child's family, the force said, adding that two children taken to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children by air ambulance remain there as of Friday. Four children and three adults also remain in hospital in Somerset. There were between 60 to 70 people on board when the incident happened near Minehead, just before 3pm on Thursday. The coach was heading to Minehead Middle School when it crashed on the A396 between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe. Police said that 21 people were taken to hospital, including two children who were taken via air ambulance. Gavin Ellis, chief fire officer for Devon and Somerset, said the coach "overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down an embankment". Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said the road where it happened is "very difficult to manoeuvre". "You have a very difficult crossing at Wheddon Cross, and as you come out to dip down into Timbercombe, the road is really windy and there are very steep dips on either side," she told Sky's Anna Botting.
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Daily Record
Child dies as 20 hospitalised after school trip bus slipped 20ft down embankment
The school coach slid 20ft down a bank after it flipped onto its roof. A child has died after a bus crashed on its way back to school after a day trip. More than 20 people have been taken to hospital after the major incident - including two children who were conveyed to hospital via air ambulance. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed in a press conference at 9pm that one child that at the scene and that several others are being treated for serious injuries. A bus carrying between 60 and 70 people crashed around 3pm on the A396. Earlier, the force declared a major incident and emergency services continue at the scene. The coach is believed to have been returning to Minehead Middle School after a day trip when it crashed. Most of the people onboard were able to get off the bus. The police force has confirmed that fire crews were called to the scene to free a number of people from the wreck. Those who have not been taken to hospital have been taken to a rest centre in Wheddon Cross. Parents have been asked to head to the school where officers are there to help. Somerset Live reports Avon and Somerset Police added: "The road remains closed. We'd please ask people avoid the area so emergency services' response to this incident is not impacted. "We also ask for the public's patience at this time. This is an ongoing incident and we will provide further updates as soon as they become available." An MP burst into tears while being interviewed on BBC News over the incident. Rachel Gilmour, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, was being interviewed on BBC News after a coach carrying between 60 and 70 people crashed. 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. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed in a press conference at 9pm that one child has died and two other children were air lifted to hospital following the serious crash this afternoon. A total of 21 people have been taken to hospital. The school coach slid 20ft down a bank after it flipped onto its roof, the press conference was told. An off-duty firefighter travelling behind the coach was able to start freeing passengers immediately, Gavin Ellis of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said. 'We were mobilised to a major incident of a coach that had overturned onto its roof and slid approximately 20ft down the embankment,' he told reporters. 'Our crews carried out a number of extrications and rescues in extremely difficult circumstances, and they also supported our ambulance colleagues with casualty treatment. 'This was a very complex and technically difficult incident for our crews to deal with, and I'm grateful for the tireless effort and actions of the crews in doing everything they could for those who were trapped and as quickly as safely as possible. 'I'm also grateful to the off-duty firefighter who was traveling behind the coach at the point of the crash who was able to start to release those casualties from the bus.' Wayne Darch, deputy director of operations for the South Western Ambulance Service said: "We declared a major incident that has since been stood down. "We sent 46 resources to the scene, including 20 double-crewed ambulances, three air ambulances, a command team and two hazardous area response teams. We treated several patients at the scene and conveyed 21 patients to hospital via land and by air."
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Emergency services work to free bus passengers after crash
Emergency services are working to free the occupants of a bus after a crash near Minehead, Somerset, police have said. The bus was involved in a collision on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe, on Thursday. It is unclear how many people have been injured and how seriously. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: 'Calls came in at about 3pm reporting a bus had left the road near the junction with Ashwell Lane and Steart Lane. 'Most of the passengers have been taken off the bus. ' Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are working to free the remaining occupants and South Western Ambulance Service are also on the scene. 'We have no confirmed information on the number of casualties or the level of injuries.' The police spokesperson said the emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for responding to such incidents and asked people to avoid the area. In a post on X, Rachel Gilmour, the MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said: 'I have heard news about a distressing road traffic incident around Wheddon Cross this afternoon. 'Emergency services are present, so please give them space to work. 'My thoughts are with all involved in the incident.'
Metro
17-07-2025
- Metro
Passengers trapped after bus leaves road in Somerset crash
Emergency services have descended on an A-road in Somerset after a bus crash trapped passengers onboard. The A396 is closed in both directions near Wheddon Cross, with fire, police and more than six ambulances all on scene. A local pub, The Rest and Be Thankful, near Exmoor, is working as an emergency centre for the crash. Avon and Somerset Police said: 'Emergency services are responding to a collision on the A396 Cutcombe Hill, between Wheddon Cross and Timbercombe. 'Calls came in at about 3 pm reporting a bus had left the road near the junction with Ashwell Lane and Steart Lane. 'Most passengers have been taken off the bus. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are working to free the remaining occupants, and the ambulance service is also on the scene. 'We have no confirmed information on the number of casualties or the level of injuries. Emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for responding to such incidents.' More Trending Initial reports have claimed the bus was carrying children on a school trip but this hasn't been confirmed. South Western Ambulance Service said they are responding to the scene. The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance left and landed in Bristol. MP Rachel Gilmour said: 'I have heard news about a distressing road traffic incident around Wheddon Cross this afternoon. 'Emergency services are present, so please give them space to work. My thoughts are with all involved in the incident.' Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Mile long queues of traffic after five car pile-up on M4 MORE: Warning as two huge venomous tarantulas go missing in post MORE: Man 'dismembered' couple and froze remains before dumping them off bridge
