Latest news with #TheSundayPost
Sunday Post
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Sunday Post
Keir Starmer ‘should apologise to Afghan people' over data leak
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up Afghans who fled after being exposed in a leaked asylum list are living in fear for their lives. A leading human rights campaigner says those people are now stuck in 'limbo' after being forced to leave Afghanistan for other countries. Mohammad Asif, director of Afghan Human Rights Foundation, accused the UK Government of the 'highest betrayal' over the scandal. The data breach, which saw details of 18,714 applicants for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme released in 2022, prompted an unprecedented gagging order amid fears the Taliban could target would-be refugees for reprisals. They protected their own government over protecting the lives of Afghans. Mohammad Asif, director of Afghan Human Rights Foundation It also saw the establishment of a secret scheme, the Afghanistan Response Route, to bring some of those affected to the UK. Along with Afghan nationals, the breach saw details of more than 100 British officials compromised, including special forces and MI6 personnel. People living in fear Asif, who lives in Glasgow, described the situation as a 'disgrace' and called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and members of the previous government to apologise to the Afghan people. He said: 'I have been speaking to people who ran away from Afghanistan and are now living in Pakistan after this leak. 'They say in Pakistan the problems for Afghans are also very, very bad. They are rounding them up and sending them back to Afghanistan. 'Now they are stuck in limbo. You have to hope and pray that nothing happens to you. 'They are really scared. If someone finds out where they are, the Taliban will go after them and, if they can't be found, they will go after their families.' Tory ex-ministers have sought to distance themselves from the handling of the breach after Starmer said members of the previous government had 'serious questions to answer'. Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick said he and former home secretary Suella Braverman strongly opposed plans for the Afghan Response Route in internal meetings. Ex-defence secretary Sir Grant Shapps said he kept the super-injunction in place to 'save lives'. Ministers 'protected themselves' However, Asif believes ministers were more concerned with avoiding criticism from political rivals. He said: 'I doubt very much that the government was concerned about the lives of Afghans when it applied for a super-injunction from the court. 'I think it was more concerned about the far right, Nigel Farage and others. That, if they found out, they would criticise the Tories for bringing more people. 'They protected their own government over protecting the lives of Afghans.'
Sunday Post
16 hours ago
- Health
- Sunday Post
Medics and charities back survivors' plea for ban on sunbeds
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up Doctors, cancer patients and charities are calling for a ban on sunbeds because of their link to potentially fatal skin cancer. They are appealing to the Scottish and UK Governments to follow Australia, Brazil, and now Ireland, in moving to outlaw them in a bid to tackle rising numbers of patients with malignant melanoma. The medics and medical charities cite the burden skin cancer places on patients and the NHS. The plea for a ban follows recent moves by the Irish government to investigate ways of banning commercial sunbeds. The country's health authorities say they are swayed by the fair Celtic complexion being more susceptible to skin cancer from UV rays, and the growing health costs of treating patients with the malignancy. © Shutterstock / RomanRuzicka Cancer Research UK say cases of the most serious skin cancer, malignant melanoma, have soared by a third in the past decade across all age groups including young adults. The cancer is triggered by UV radiation damage to the DNA in skin cells. Last year a UK-wide survey by charity Melanoma Focus found that 28% of adults say they use sunbeds. In Scotland, based on a small sample, the figure was 24%. One of the most alarming findings of the survey was that across the UK, 43% of 18 to 25-year-olds use sunbeds. The charity also found that 34% of UK 16 and 17-year-olds are using sunbeds, despite a legal ban for under-18s. The charity says that around 100 deaths a year are linked to sunbed use across the UK. In hospital dermatology cancer clinics, Scottish skin specialists report regularly seeing patients with stage four melanomas, many of whom say they have used sunbeds. Some of the patients are still in their 20s, said speciality dermatologist Dr Amy Perkins of Forth Valley Health Board. 'I see them at clinic shocked and distressed by the diagnosis of a serious cancer and the surgery and treatment to have to undergo to survive,' she said. 'They struggle to accept that what they thought was essentially cosmetic treatment has increased their risk of melanoma.' Cancer Research reports that people who start using sunbeds before the age of 35 are 87% more likely to develop melanoma. 'People who had ever used a sunbed were 20% more likely to subsequently develop melanoma, compared to people who had never used one,' it adds. Dr John Ferguson, from St Andrews, works as a consultant dermatologist at Guy's & St Thomas' hospital in London. He points to the British Photodermatology Group (BPG) call for a complete ban on commercial sunbeds in the UK to reduce skin cancer and eye disease. Sunbeds also increase the risk of eye cancers, especially in those starting sunbed use before 20, research reports. Dr Ferguson, a BPG committee member, said: 'The evidence linking sunbed use to melanoma is considerable and presents a heavy toll on patients and health care cost. 'Telling a patient they have stage four melanoma is one of the most difficult tasks I have as a dermatologist. 'It is time we banned sunbeds because of the considerable risk to skin cancer.' Its statement calling for a ban says: 'Early sunbed use is associated with the highest increase in skin cancer risk. 'Sunbed use is addictive and associated with smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and other unhealthy behaviours.' Some 16 years have passed since the World Health Organisation's cancer research arm, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified ultraviolet light emitted from tanning beds as carcinogenic. Charity SKCIN has joined the call for a ban, denouncing current sunbed regulation which limits use to over-18s. 'Sunbed regulations are outdated, ineffective and not being adhered to – with an alarming percentage of under-18s regularly using them,' it says. 'Underage usage is rapidly increasing and fuelled by tanning trends and misinformation, influencing millions of children on social media daily. 'With melanoma rising faster than any other cancer in Britain and one of the biggest lethal malignancies in the 15-34 age group.' So what would the savings be to the NHS in skin cancer treatment? Manchester University scientists say that even at a conservative estimate, a ban along with a public information campaign, would prevent over 200 deaths among 18-year-olds in England alone. More importantly, over 1,000 young people would be spared melanoma and 200 lives would be saved. Gilly Perkins, general manager of The Sunbed Association, said: 'It is chronic over-exposure to the UV light that may increase the risk of skin cancers, mainly non-melanoma skin cancers. For melanoma, intermittent sun exposure and sunburn increase the risk. A sunbed session taken in a professional salon is a controlled, regular dose of UV without burning.' She added: 'UV exposure carries risk if abused – whether from a sunbed, beach holiday, or a garden lounger. But professional tanning salons operate under strict safety regulations designed to minimise those risks. We promote moderation, non-burning exposure, staff training, customer screening and education.' She argued UV exposure benefits cardiovascular health, and modern sunbeds are safer than older ones. 'For many sunbed users, it's not about ignoring risk – it's about managing it.' The Scottish Government said: 'We continue to monitor the effect of sunbed use and advise anyone using them to consider the risks of doing so.' 'I want to see them banned in Scotland. No one deserves to live like this' © Andrew Cawley Claire Gibson, 40, from Edinburgh, has endured years of cancer surgery and scans for a melanoma skin cancer after occasionally using sunbeds as a teenager. Areas of tissue have been removed from her right arm in doctors' latest attempt to save her. She is adamant that she wants to see the government ban commercial sunbeds to spare others the trauma, treatment and continual worry of cancer. The management and systems accountant at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: 'I wish I had never gone near a sunbed but like many teenagers, I thought I would look better with a tan. 'It is now my dearest wish to see them banned in Scotland and the rest of the UK because no one deserves to live like this. 'It is deeply concerning to know that melanoma is now among the most common cancers in teenagers and young adults.' She is waiting for her latest biopsy results after yet more surgery to remove tissue from a suspicious mole on her right arm. 'My treatment to date has been a wide local incision (removal) to remove any surrounding cells and a sentinel lymph node biopsy to check that the melanoma has not extended further. 'Fortunately, it has not.' She says that she is dismayed when she sees high-street sunbed salons promoting sunbeds as healthy. 'My heart sinks when their adverts describe them as having 'health benefits'. 'I pass one on the way to work and wonder how they can possibly proclaim this when I and others have had malignant melanoma. 'I am trying to survive and hugely grateful for the vigilance of my doctors. 'I want everyone to know that melanoma is a real and serious consequence of using sunbeds. 'People who start using sunbeds before 35 have a 75% increased risk of that serious cancer.' Melanoma victim: No tan is worth dying for It was the death of a young journalist at the age of 26 from melanoma which sparked a national campaign for a ban on sunbeds in Australia. Clare Oliver's slogan, 'No Tan Is Worth Dying For', drove legislation through the Australian Parliament in 2016. She campaigned tirelessly, even on her deathbed in 2007, as she forced the Australian government to ban sunbeds and prevent them from killing anyone else. In her last days, Clare wept as she said: 'Don't follow the fad for a tan – look at me and choose life. I don't want to die at 26.' Her wish to see sunbeds banned was supported by leading Australian and global cancer scientist Professor Craig Sinclair. He says banning sunbeds would reduce deaths and costs to the NHS. 'If Scotland banned sunbeds, it would undoubtedly save lives and significantly reduce health care costs caused by skin cancer,' he said. 'Sunbeds, like tobacco, when used as directed significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.' He also dismissed the argument that sunbed shops would go out of business. 'The Australian experience of banning sunbeds more than a decade ago showed sunbed operators quickly reorientated their businesses to other cosmetic services and consumers moved to safer forms of skin treatments such as fake tanning and spray tans.' Scots GP Dr Michael Mrozinski, now working in the Australian bush, says he has treated skin cancer patients who used sunbeds before the ban. 'I worked in a skin cancer clinic in Melbourne for four years and sun damage from people who tan from the sun and used sunbeds is considerable,' he said. 'A sunbed is just a more concentrated form of UV and I hate having to give a skin cancer diagnosis to people as many don't realise how serious it is.'
Sunday Post
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday Post
Karen Pirie: Behind the scenes with Lauren Lyle as hit show returns
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up 'It's really rubbish to be like, it's me,' laughs Lauren Lyle when asked about the secret to the success of Karen Pirie. It's hard to argue, though, that her portrayal of the titular character hasn't been the driver for one of Scotland's biggest recent TV success stories. I'm speaking to Lauren inside a nondescript, vacant Glasgow city centre office building, where The Sunday Post has been given a sneak peek at the eagerly anticipated second series of the hit detective drama. Written by Emer Kenny and based on the novels of Val McDermid, it finally returns to our screens tonight with Lauren back for more as the now Detective Inspector Pirie. Sitting down to chat during a break from filming, she admits fronting the show was overwhelming. 'Karen Pirie is really weird but you believe it' 'I honestly didn't know how the first series would go down with me being the face of the show, but not being Hollywood star-famous,' she said. 'But people just jumped in and went with it. 'There's lots of crime shows, but pretty much all of them, and I don't want to name names, are about men who have drinking problems and are upset with their lives. 'Karen's not that, it's funny and it's written by a cool young person who actually understands what people want to see on TV now.' © Photographer: Mark Mainz © Photographer: Mark Mainz Lauren scooped two Scottish Baftas for her portrayal of Karen – and all her eccentricities – in series one. 'I compare it to something like Mare Of Easttown,' Lauren, 32, said. 'Karen's really weird, but you believe it. You're not jarred by her being an absolute freak! 'I've always loved being quick, funny and cheeky. I'm the youngest of my family and the only girl. I've always had to fight to be heard. I've had to prove myself my whole life, actually, so I very much related to the character when I first read it.' What's happening in Karen Pirie series two? Duty calls and Lauren is whisked away to shoot scenes alongside Zach Wyatt, who plays DS Phil Parhatka, Karen's deputy and hush-hush lover. The production team explain that the new three-parter is based on the novel A Darker Domain. Karen takes on a cold case from 1984, which saw oil heiress Catriona Grant and her two-year-old son vanish after being kidnapped. The investigation resurfaces after the discovery of a body. Facing pressure from the family, including Catriona's wealthy father, played by James Cosmo, the team get to work. In scenes being filmed today, the office is doubling as the 'Scottish Police Force' hub. I spot the evidence board, extras ready in their positions and production staff making sure I'm not in the way or rustling the biscuits in the green room. In the scenes, there's tension between Karen and her superiors. And only a couple of bloopers. © Mark Mainz Although confined to the office today, the second series continues to showcase the stunning scenery of the Fife coast and takes the cast and crew even further afield to the sunnier climes of Malta. Sadly, I didn't get that invite. 'It's just so much more epic,' Lauren says, returning and switching out of Karen mode. 'It's much bigger. There's a lot more characters, more explosions, more of everything. 'I think it's funnier and darker than last season. I saw a dead body last week. It was a cast but it was really freaky!' Karen's style Sitting in the superintendent's office (maybe a few more series yet before it's hers) Lauren reveals more about the costume choices and her influence on Karen's style. 'The sweater vest is accidentally cool,' she laughed. 'I'm into fashion and I think there's something about it being quite stylish but practical. 'I never want Karen to be laughed at, or it to be stupid. It makes me think about Matt Smith or David Tennant's Doctor Who a little bit – they're really quick, mad, a bit weird, but cool.' © Supplied by ITV While the jumpers may change, one constant when DI Pirie leaves for work in the morning is the presence of the crucial bum-bag. Ever-present around her waist, it came in handy in the first series, and is back in action this time around. 'I came up with the idea because Val wanted her to have a bag, and I wasn't having an over-the-shoulder one,' Lauren recalled. 'People my age wear it across their front at festivals now, so what if Karen wears it very practically? It's cool, but she actually uses it the way you're supposed to, which actually I now do at festivals too. You can dance!' It's clear from chatting to Lauren how much she cherishes the role and, although more are gradually coming, that there still aren't enough lead parts like it for female actors. © Mark Mainz 'Every actress friend is like: 'that is such a delicious part you've got',' she said. 'You get to do chases, drive mad cars, say funny lines and do dark subject matter. You get to march about and not wear high heels and a corset. 'It's a society that still doesn't have the imagination to think women can be as funny or as cool as some of the guys. 'Someone like Emer has always written alongside being an actor because she couldn't get parts she wants to play, so she just started writing them. 'If it is something you want, it's someone extremely famous that's getting it. There's not enough of them that you can start to be built up. It's a gift to have got [Karen].' Filming in Glasgow Lauren has recently been seen on our screens in The Bombing of Pan Am 103 and Toxic Town, having already starred in the likes of Outlander and Vigil. Judging by her Instagram posts, she always seems to be travelling round the world on exciting projects, but she was delighted to film in Glasgow this time around. © Mark Mainz 'I think Glasgow is becoming a really cool place to be,' she said. 'The people are so warm and welcoming and everyone wants to help you a little bit. No one bashes into you in the same way. 'I fit London, there's a real buzz I'm a little bit addicted to. I love a London summer. It's hard to beat. 'Because I'm from the southside of Glasgow, I have a bit of a city edge that I enjoy. But I do think that it's nice to be able to drive outside of Glasgow. 'Me and my friends went out to maidens towards Ayr, jumped in the sea, built a bonfire and made scallops on a bonfire of a Saturday afternoon. You can't do that in London! 'But then in London you can go and see a West End show for like £15. And without that I wouldn't have been an actor, that was really inspiring.' Emer Kenny on series two Before leaving the set, I have some time with Emer. Despite wearing the hat of actor today as Karen's pal River, she's also keeping an eye on things as an executive producer and writer tasked with translating the novels to screen. 'Val is really amazing to work with,' said Emer. 'She totally understands the TV process. I can imagine it's a strange experience spending a lot of time writing something and then having it brought to life in a different way. 'I have a lot of respect and love for the book, hopefully that travels through into the series even if I do change and move things around. I love Karen and the way she speaks to being a young woman in work. We're just trying to continue her journey.' © Mark Mainz Emer was delighted to get the call to make the second series after the first proved a hit. 'It was so great that so many people watched it, that we had great reviews, that Lauren got honoured at the Scottish Baftas,' she said. 'I couldn't ask for a better response and I'm so happy we get to do it again, because we really genuinely love making this show. 'We run everything by Val so she reads all the scripts, she watches the rushes, she comes to set, and so she knows what we're doing, but we kind of have an independence. 'I've gained a lot of trust in my own voice. This time I'm just trying to stay true to that.' Karen Pirie, tonight, ITV/STV, 8pm
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle's private life and career as ITV drama returns
Lauren Lyle is best known for her role as Marsali MacKimmie Fraser in Outlander, but she's returning to screens as Karen Pirie in the second season of the ITV detective series Lauren Lyle is set to grace our screens once again as Karen Pirie in the second series of the ITV detective drama. The 32-year-old actress is perhaps most recognised for her portrayal of Marsali MacKimmie Fraser in Outlander, where she stars alongside Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan. Her acting repertoire also includes roles such as Jade Antoniak in BBC's Vigil, as well as parts in Netflix's Toxic Town and The Bombing on Pan Am 103. On the theatrical front, Lauren has shone in productions of The Crucible, Wuthering Heights, Consensual and Merchant of Venice. She first made a name for herself on the West End after relocating to London at 19, which was swiftly followed by her television debut on BBC Three's BBC Comedy Feeds, in an episode titled Radges, reports the Express. Subsequent appearances included a stint in Holby City, and a starring role opposite Sean Bean in the BBC drama Broken. Her breakthrough role arrived in 2017 with Outlander, and the following year saw Lauren feature in the film adaptation of Fiona Shaw's novel Tell It to the Bees, alongside Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger. In addition to her acting career, Lauren hosts a podcast, She's A Rec, where she engages guests in discussions about their favourite albums, films, books and influential female heroes. Her portrayal of the intrepid young Scottish detective Karen Pirie earned her the accolades of Best Actress - Television and Favourite Scot on Screen at the 2023 Bafta Awards Scotland. Lauren previously opened up to The Sunday Post about her journey to stardom, recalling her move to London where she lived with four strangers and juggled various odd jobs while chasing her dream. She recounted: "I came to London to audition for drama schools and came close but didn't get in. I think I'd only been to London once before as a kid but didn't remember it." Her passion was undeniable as she expressed: "I was so hungry for it, and being around other actors in this world was so thrilling and I knew this was what I wanted to do and the place to do it." Despite having what she described as "deluded confidence" and a competitive nature, Lauren shared that she worked as a dog walker, handed out flyers, manned reception desks, and even sorted stock at Zara for months before landing transformative roles in Outlander and Broken, which both came her way within weeks of each other. Reflecting on the tough times, she said: "It was bleak at times but I loved going to the theatre and seeing this life dangled in front of me. It was quite inspiring." Away from the limelight, Lauren maintains a private life, with her social media accounts highlighting her career achievements and travel experiences. In the 2023 interview with The Sunday Post, she did share a glimpse into her personal life, confirming her relationship status and revealing that her boyfriend joined her in celebrating the Baftas. She divulged: "My parents are coming - my dad has a new velvet jacket to go with his tartan troos - as is my boyfriend, who is South-African-Australian, but we've recently discovered he has lots of Scottish heritage, so he might wear a kilt."
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Iconic Scots comedian and ex-radio host diagnosed with prostate cancer as stand-up urges other men to get checked
SCOTS comedy icon Fred MacAulay has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The standup has had regular checks after his father and big brother were diagnosed with the illness. 2 The 68-year-old hadn't been displaying any symptoms but following his most recent check-up, doctors broke the news to him. But the radio host is adamant that he won't let his diagnosis get to him. Fred told The Sunday Post: "I'm determined not to let a prostate cancer diagnosis get me down. I've even managed to stay away from the internet because I'd just scare myself to death. "It wasn't until my own father developed prostate cancer and then my older brother was diagnosed too that I actively decided I'd better do something to explore whether I was also at risk." The comic's father, also named Fred, passed away aged 73 in 2002. He had faced a lengthy battle with prostate cancer and mesothelioma. Fred said: "When my brother Duncan, who is now 72, was diagnosed with prostate cancer eight years ago, I thought it was about time I took the hint and got checked out. "I'm lucky enough to be able to get the incredibly accurate MRI tests, which can show things up quickly. "When it became clear I'm more at risk because of the prevalence of prostate cancer in my family, I've been getting tested every couple of years. "After the last test a few weeks ago, my doctors got back to me and advised further action was needed. "Although I've not had any symptoms, the final tests came back positive just a few days ago and I am waiting to see what the medical team advise is my next step." Fred is focused on spreading awareness about prostate cancer and is urging other men to get checked out. David Beckham is left with a huge BALD patch after DIY haircut blunder - and wife Victoria admits 'it looks terrible' He said: "I hope by speaking up this will encourage other men to get checked out too. It could save their lives. "My brother and my family and friends are all good about speaking up about prostate cancer. But I know not everyone is. "It's always been a scary thing to talk about, but with all the progress in medicine, the best thing to do is be aware, get tested and catch it quickly as it gives you the best possible chance of beating it." Fred, from Perth, previously presented the Macaulay and Co. daily show on BBC Radio Scotland. The father-of-three has worked as an accountant and is married to his teenage sweetheart, Aileen.
