Latest news with #Tapp
Spectator
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Mike Tapp: ‘I'll never insult or belittle someone who votes Reform'
'I'll never insult or belittle someone who votes Reform,' Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, tells me. 'We need to deliver.' It's a message Labour is increasingly keen to project – but Tapp sound like he really means it. Where others Labour MPs prevaricate on immigration, Tapp supports 'return hubs' (for failed asylum seekers). He finds merit in Denmark's deportation model, arguably the most hardline in Europe. It includes the confiscation of asylum seeker's cash or jewellery over a value of 10,000 Danish Kroner (around £1,100) to pay for their stay in the country. Tapp doesn't want to leave the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights), but he does acknowledge public impatience with Britain's immigration policies. 'It takes time,' he says. 'But Rwanda isn't the answer.' Only time will tell whether his plain-speaking approach will work. At the 2024 election, he beat his Reform rival by over 7,000 votes.
Sky News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Reform pledges to ban all flags except Union Jack, St George's Cross and county flags on public buildings
A row has erupted after Reform UK pledged to ban local authorities from flying any flags aside from the Union Jack or the St George's Cross in councils they control. In last week's local elections, Reform UK gained control of 10 councils, two mayoralties and won more than 500 council seats. And after saying last week they want to end all diversity and equality hire roles, another policy was announced this morning by party chairman Zia Yusuf. He said on social media that Reform-controlled councils will move "at speed" to ensure the only flag that will be flown on public authority buildings "will be the Union Jack and the St George's flag". He added: "No other flags will be permitted to be flown on flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council-chamber walls." The announcement quickly drew criticism from across the political divide - including from Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. Labour MPs, including Dover and Deal's Mike Tapp, said this would stop councils flying the Ukrainian flag. Mr Tapp said: "Reform are to ban the flying of Ukrainian flags from public buildings. A gesture of solidarity we see across the whole country." He then branded the party: "Putin's puppets." This is an attack line often used by the prime minister in Prime Minister's Questions, with Sir Keir Starmer accusing Nigel Farage of "fawning" over the Russian leader. During last year's election campaign, the Reform leader reiterated his belief that the West and NATO had "provoked" Russia's invasion of Ukraine - though said it was "of course" Vladimir Putin's "fault". In 2014, he said Mr Putin was the statesman he most admired. 1:50 Richard Tice, Reform's deputy leader, proceeded to mock Mr Tapp on social media, replying with a series of water drop emojis and saying "drip, drip, drip" - adding: "Oh, it's the Tapp again". However, the loudest criticism came from the Conservative ranks. Councillors and MPs attacked Reform's policy for potentially stopping regional flags like that of Kent or Yorkshire from being flown. A Reform spokesperson said: "Reform UK will proudly fly the Union Jack, St George's Flag and County flags. Unlike the Tories and Labour, we are proud of our country and history." It is understood that flags with "national heritage" will also be allowed. Among those criticising Reform was former Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat, whose constituency is in Kent. He said: "The White Horse has been the symbol of Kent for almost two thousand years. "The first king of Kent, Hengest, is said to have used the flag as he and his brother, Horsa, conquered their new kingdom. "Denying our flag is denying our history." Dr Luke Evans, the Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, asked on social media if Reform would allow the Leicestershire county flag to fly. Similar comments were made by Tory councillors on social media, as well as some Liberal Democrats. The war of words comes after the Conservatives and Labour both suffered heavily at the hands of Reform in last week's local elections, as well as the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. As well as flags belonging to other countries, the measure will also prevent councils controlled by Reform from flying flags associated with movements, causes or anything else - for example the Pride flag. A Reform source said: "The Tories seem more upset about Reform councils flying the union flag than their councils flying the trans flag. It sums up the state of the Tory party, the sooner they're consigned to the dustbin of history, the better."
Sky News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Reform pledges to ban all flags except Union Jack and St George's Cross on public buildings
A row has erupted after Reform UK pledged to ban local authorities from flying any flags aside from the Union Jack or the St George's Cross in councils they control. In last week's local elections, Reform UK gained control of 10 councils, two mayoralties and won more than 500 council seats. And after saying last week they want to end all diversity and equality hire roles, another policy was announced this morning by party chairman Zia Yusuf. He said on social media that Reform-controlled councils will move "at speed" to ensure the only flag that will be flown on public authority buildings "will be the Union Jack and the St George's flag". He added: "No other flags will be permitted to be flown on flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council-chamber walls." The announcement quickly drew criticism from across the political divide - including from Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. Labour MPs, including Dover and Deal's Mike Tapp, said this would stop councils flying the Ukrainian flag. Mr Tapp said: "Reform are to ban the flying of Ukrainian flags from public buildings. A gesture of solidarity we see across the whole country." He then branded the party: "Putin's puppets." This is an attack line often used by the prime minister in Prime Minister's Questions, with Sir Keir Starmer accusing Nigel Farage of "fawning" over the Russian leader. During last year's election campaign, the Reform leader reiterated his belief that the West and NATO had "provoked" Russia's invasion of Ukraine - though said it was "of course" Vladimir Putin's "fault". In 2014, he said Mr Putin was the statesman he most admired. 1:50 Richard Tice, Reform's deputy leader, proceeded to mock Mr Tapp on social media, replying with a series of water drop emojis and saying "drip, drip, drip" - adding: "Oh, it's the Tapp again". However, the loudest criticism came from the Conservative ranks. Councillors and MPs attacked Reform's policy for potentially stopping regional flags like that of Kent or Yorkshire from being flown. A Reform spokesperson said: "Reform UK will proudly fly the Union Jack, St George's Flag and County flags. Unlike the Tories and Labour, we are proud of our country and history." It is understood that flags with "national heritage" will also be allowed. Among those criticising Reform was former Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat, whose constituency is in Kent. He said: "The White Horse has been the symbol of Kent for almost two thousand years. "The first king of Kent, Hengest, is said to have used the flag as he and his brother, Horsa, conquered their new kingdom. "Denying our flag is denying our history." Dr Luke Evans, the Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, asked on social media if Reform would allow the Leicestershire county flag to fly. Similar comments were made by Tory councillors on social media, as well as some Liberal Democrats. The war of words comes after the Conservatives and Labour both suffered heavily at the hands of Reform in last week's local elections, as well as the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. As well as flags belonging to other countries, the measure will also prevent councils controlled by Reform from flying flags associated with movements, causes or anything else - for example the Pride flag. A Reform source said: "The Tories seem more upset about Reform councils flying the union flag than their councils flying the trans flag. It sums up the state of the Tory party, the sooner they're consigned to the dustbin of history, the better."
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Metro man's friends step in to help after his dog needs surgery
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Dogs are known as man's best friend; for one man in the military, his dog is everything. Just as he was about to deploy, his seven-year-old Australian shepherd needed expensive surgery, and a lot of questions arose, until his friends stepped in to help. 'It's just me and him. So, you know, it's a big deal,' said Jason Tapp, an aviation technician in the Navy. Jason tapp and peanut have an unbreakable bond. LOCAL NEWS: Nonprofit Pet Food Pantry worries of closing due to low monetary donations 'Oh, we play a lot of fetch. And he's a big-time swimmer if you get him around water,' said Tapp. Peanut has been in Tapp's life for a long time. 'He's my boy. He's more like a son than anything,' said Tapp. A few weeks ago, peanut took a tumble. 'He not only tore his ACL but a couple of other ligaments in his knee and the cushion pieces to the inside of the knee,' said Dr. Sam mullins, a veterinarian at Reno Animal Hospital. Dr. Sam Mullins said the number one option for peanut was having surgery. Tapp had his deployment on his mind and the cost, until some good news came his way. 'I was supposed to go in on detachment, but they ended up keeping me home and sent in somebody else so I can stay home with peanut,' said Tapp. Tapp's deployment was deferred and that's when his friends made a big surprise. 'Next thing I know, one of my buddies is at my doorstep with the money ready to go? Yeah. Yeah, it was a big deal to me,' said Tapp. 'My girls, my team, my staff come running in and they're like, peanut gets to have surgery,' said Dr. Mullins. LOCAL NEWS: OKC Zoo launches initiative to dim lights for migrating birds Peanut would soon be able to play fetch and swim like nothing happened. 'That's really cool for me to to be a part of an experience that people coming together to to do better for not even their own animals is really, really exciting,' said Dr. Mullins. Peanut had the surgery at Reno Animal Hospital, and while there's still some recovery, Peanut is back up and moving, and Tapp is thankful his best friend is okay. 'He's going to be back to 100%. We can go out and do the things we love to do,' said Tapp. Dr. Mullins said Peanut will have about eight to ten weeks of recovery and then some physical therapy to get back to his normal active self. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nevada Court of Appeals rejects petition to dismiss indictment of ex-congressional candidate accused of murder
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Nevada Court of Appeals Wednesday rejected a petition to dismiss the indictment against a former Republican congressional candidate and ex-wrestler charged with murder. Daniel Rodimer is accused of punching Christopher Tapp, 47, inside Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip on Oct. 29, 2023, leading to Tapp's death. Doctors pronounced Tapp dead at a Las Vegas hospital on Nov. 5, 2023. The Clark County coroner's office ruled Tapp's death a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to his head, documents said. A scan showed he suffered several brain bleeds. RELATED: Ex-congressional candidate accused of killing man in Las Vegas hotel room dressed as 'Ken,' court records allege witness coverup The state appeals court rejected Rodimer's claims regarding witness testimony that led to his grand jury indictment in April 2024. Rodimer claimed the state 'introduced inadmissible hearsay,' saying it elicited testimony from Dani Lyons, who said Rodimer's wife told her not to talk to the police. After an investigation, the appeals court determined that Lyons' statement did not constitute hearsay. Additionally, Rodimer claimed the state failed to show evidence of Lyons' history of drug use and tell the grand jury about the effect of drug use on credibility. The appeals court said in the order that Lyons' drug use did not constitute exculpatory evidence and was not required to be brought before the grand jury. Rodimer also claimed the state allowed a detective to provide his opinion on Rodimer's guilt. The detective's testimony showed that the case was initially reported as a slip and fall, but after interviewing witnesses, the detective concluded the victim did not get his injuries from a fall. The order showed that the detective did not give an opinion about Rodimer's guilt during his testimony. The detective did not 'even mention Rodimer at all,' the order said. Rodimer's attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, released the following statement about the appeals court decision: 'The Petition that was filed on behalf of Mr. Rodimer raised significant legal issues that warrant further review. As a result, we are in the process of determining the next steps that will be taken in the appeal process to protect Mr. Rodimer's and all Nevadans' rights.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
