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Sky News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News
'Simmering' division in town where hotel for asylum seekers is beacon for unrest
In Altrincham near Manchester, two opposing groups have gathered to throw insults at each other across the A56. "Fascists! Racists!" shouts one lot. On the opposing verge, they shout back: "Shame on you!" Then both sides chant: "Whose streets? Our streets!" Cars flash between them, some adding hoots to the noise. It's 5pm on Sunday and much of the nation is united watching the Lionesses in the Euro finals. Yet here is a dual carriageway of division formed in front of what has become a beacon for unrest - a hotel housing asylum seekers. Sky News has been testing the mood in Altrincham since locals were first informed last November that the Cresta Court Hotel was being repurposed from accommodating short business stays and local events into lodgings for hundreds of male asylum seekers who crossed the Channel on small boats. Over the course of eight months there have been angry town meetings, regular low-level protests and last Sunday around 80 people from each side turned up outside the hotel with banners, flags and loudspeakers. "We stopped the Germans, why can't we stop dinghies," says local man Dave Haydock under a St George's cross cap. "We're paying for them to be in there and there's British people out on the streets," added local businessman Steve, who is waving a Union Flag. "They're not fleeing a war to come to Britain - they're coming from France - they are coming because of all the benefits - and everyone in the UK now knows that." Cost, benefits and risk to women are recurring themes. "These people coming over without any documentation," says local Clare Jones as she points in the direction of two schools. "I'm not a racist. I'm just a concerned mum. I don't feel safe in my own community." A man behind a mask who didn't want to appear on camera says the media "sneers" at these protests because the media is middle class and "this is a working-class movement". Altrincham is one of Manchester's most affluent towns, but there are much poorer areas close by. The social demographic at the protests was mixed. On either side of the A56 I met business owners, nurses, teachers and pensioners. Both groups were also largely made up of locals. A handful of social media "professional" protesters also turned up, pointing cameras at anything they could film - making selfie videos for their TikTok and YouTube followers. A small line of police officers was in place to keep the peace. The counter-protesters forming a line to protect the hotel. Described as "lefties" by the anti-migrant demonstrators, the counter-protesters feel that the people opposite are either "far right, fascists" or "being manipulated by the far right". Altrincham resident Alison O'Connell said "this is very frightening" as she pointed at the anti-migrant demonstrators. "We are just here to show support for the refugees in the hotel," she added. Counter-protester Steph Phoenix said: "Knowing personally people in the hotels, I know they are not coming for our money. These people are desperate. They don't come over for a laugh, they are coming over because they are escaping something terrible in their own country." Nahella Ashraf, co-chair of Greater Manchester Stand Up To Racism, said: "There needs to be an honest conversation about what the problems are in society. Refugees are not to blame. People are worried about the cost of living crisis, but it's not caused by refugees. By housing people in these hotels, we've not taken accommodation away from anyone in Britain." Migrants disappeared into their rooms during the protest, some peering out of their bedroom windows. Their voices are rarely heard in this debate. The next day, hotel security advised them not to talk to us. Those we did speak to all had stories of fleeing instability and threat. Some had just arrived, others had been here months. Many were anxious about the protests, but equally not put off from their decision to come. One said he had recently told a local who had been abusive: "I struggled to get here. It was just luck you were born here." The fears of increased crime expressed by residents in November don't appear to have transpired. But Conservative councillor Nathan Evans, who called the first town meeting, says groups of men in the park, men praying in the public library and warning letters from schools to parents about groups of men near the school gates have all caused "an unease across the town". He says he has warned the police of a "simmering issue". Protesters on either side don't agree on much but both see the hotel as a symbol of broken promises from successive governments - a failure to manage migration in a way that doesn't inflame communities. What remains is anger.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Woman in Union Flag dress turned away from Wetherspoons over 'tensions' concerns
A woman was refused entry to her local Wetherspoons pub while wearing a Union Flag dress as the venue's management asked customers not to enter with flags or any placards A woman donning a Union Flag dress was refused entry to a Wetherspoons pub amid a anti-illegal immigration protest in Nottinghamshire. Tanya Ostolski, 54, walked through the throng of protesters saying she had been denied service at her local pub, The Picture House in Sutton-in-Ashfield. A spokesperson for Wetherspoon confirmed that the pub 's manager had requested patrons not to enter with flags or placards, stating it was "important not to increase tensions". The move sparked outrage among some of the protesters, who confronted the bouncers when they were denied access to their local on Friday night, July 25. After approximately two hours of protesting around the town centre from about 4.30pm, the crowds reconvened where they started, just 50 metres away from the pub. By around 7pm, most people had left the area near the venue. Tanya says she was initially turned away because she had a St George's cross flag, but even after stowing it in her bag, she was still not allowed in, reports Nottinghamshire Live. She said: "I go in there all the time and they refused entry. They didn't let me in with my flag (separate from the dress), the flag is the English flag, so why shouldn't I be allowed to have an English flag? It's our flag, it's our nation's flag. I wasn't being aggressive or anything I didn't get lairy or anything. I put the flag back in my bag, and they said I can't come in because of my dress. "They kept refusing me. I'm probably going to get barred now. They just said Tanya, you're not coming in. I feel absolutely disgusted, why should I be refused entry for wearing a dress or a flag?". Spoons ' "no-flags" policy is widely recognised. The chain faced criticism during the 2018 World Cup when its numerous outlets were told not to display England flags bearing the St George's Cross, or any other nation's colours, throughout the tournament. Rather than flags, the pubs were adorned with bunting representing all 32 participating countries. But during the men's Euro 2024 championship, the well-known pub chain overturned its rule against displaying England flags at its chains for this summer's European tournament. Last June, Wetherspoon confirmed that individual pubs could choose to show flags if they wished to mark the sporting occasion. Addressing today's incident in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Wetherspoons spokesperson Eddie Gershon said: "Pub managers have a duty under the licensing laws, and as a matter of common sense, to judge every situation on its particular circumstances. In this case, the pub manager felt that it was important not to increase tensions. Therefore, on this occasion the manager asked customers not to enter with flags or any placards." The incident occurred during an anti-immigration demonstration in Sutton-in-Ashfield. Furious protesters assembled in the town following social media posts by MP Lee Anderson. Following the posts on Mr Anderson's X and Facebook pages, protesters were prompted to assemble in the town centre. A counter-protest was also organised. The mood in the town was extremely tense as people chanted "stop the boats".
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Fury as dozens of pupils ‘put into isolation for wearing Union Jack clothes on school's culture day'
Parents complained that their kids 'were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty' IT'S A UNION JOKE Fury as dozens of pupils 'put into isolation for wearing Union Jack clothes on school's culture day' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOZENS of pupils were put in isolation at a school for sporting Union Jacks on a 'culture day', furious parents claimed yesterday. Leanne Wehrle said her 15-year-old daughter Isobelle, who draped a flag over her shoulders, was among those held in meeting rooms. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Isobelle Wehrle is one of dozens of students across Britain who have been put into isolation for wearing a Union Flag on school 'world culture days', pictured with mum Leanne Credit: Paul Tonge 4 Scarlett, 13, was also punished for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it, pictured with mum Jenny And she said when Isobelle questioned the decision she ended up being suspended for five days for arguing. The row echoes The Sun's revelations of a girl at another school being banned from a 'diversity day' for wearing a Union Jack dress. In the latest case, children at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Oldbury, West Mids, were asked to wear outfits to reflect their heritage. Leanne, 39, said: 'Lots wore their flags over their shoulders, and others opted to wear them around their waists as skirts. READ MORE ON WOKE BRITAIN NO FUN ZONE Fury as woke council scraps popular airshow despite it making £60m for economy 'Isobelle was put into an isolation room almost immediately, as were about 30 other kids. Yet many other children wore flags from the countries where their families originated, such as Jamaica and Spain, and had no problem.' Bar owner Mrs Wehrle added: 'Isobelle and her friends were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty. 'When she asked the head why, all he could say was, 'Because it's not allowed'. Isobelle never gets into trouble — not until this happened, at least.' Charity shop worker Jenny Priest said her 13-year-old daughter Scarlett was also put into isolation for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it. Jenny, 38, said: 'Isobelle stuck up for my daughter and she got into trouble for that.' Last night the school insisted pupils had been allowed to wear Union Jacks. We should tell woke uni students to grow a pair, but they'd burst into tears & call the cops, says Piers Morgan But it added: 'We have clear guidelines on non-uniform days. No student was suspended due to their choice of outfit on the day.' Last week The Sun told how Courtney Wright, 12, was banned for wearing a Union Jack dress at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire. The school later apologised. 4 Last week The Sun told how Courtney Wright, 12, was banned for wearing a Union Jack dress Credit: Roland Leon
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Fury as dozens of pupils ‘put into isolation for wearing Union Jack clothes on school's culture day'
DOZENS of pupils were put in isolation at a school for sporting Union Jacks on a 'culture day', furious parents claimed yesterday. Leanne Wehrle said her 15-year-old daughter Isobelle, who draped a flag over her shoulders, was among those held in meeting rooms. 4 Isobelle Wehrle is one of dozens of students across Britain who have been put into isolation for wearing a Union Flag on school 'world culture days', pictured with mum Leanne Credit: Paul Tonge 4 Scarlett, 13, was also punished for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it, pictured with mum Jenny And she said when Isobelle questioned the decision she ended up being suspended for five days for arguing. The row echoes In the latest case, children at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Oldbury, Leanne, 39, said: 'Lots wore their flags over their shoulders, and others opted to wear them around their waists as skirts. READ MORE ON WOKE BRITAIN 'Isobelle was put into an isolation room almost immediately, as were about 30 other kids. Yet many other children wore flags from the countries where their families originated, such as Bar owner Mrs Wehrle added: 'Isobelle and her friends were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty. 'When she asked the head why, all he could say was, 'Because it's not allowed'. Isobelle never gets into trouble — not until this happened, at least.' Charity shop worker Jenny Priest said her 13-year-old daughter Scarlett was also put into isolation for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it. Most read in The Sun Jenny, 38, said: 'Isobelle stuck up for my daughter and she got into trouble for that.' Last night the school insisted pupils had been allowed to wear Union Jacks. We should tell woke uni students to grow a pair, but they'd burst into tears & call the cops, says Piers Morgan But it added: 'We have clear guidelines on non-uniform days. No student was suspended due to their choice of outfit on the day.' Last week The Sun told how The school later apologised. 4 Last week The Sun told how Courtney Wright, 12, was banned for wearing a Union Jack dress Credit: Roland Leon 4 Courtney with her dad, who brought the case to national attention Credit: PA
Metro
21-07-2025
- General
- Metro
Fighter jet crashes into school causing fireball while children were in class
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video At least one person has been killed after a training fighter jet crashed in a school campus in Bangladesh while children were in class. Flames have engulfed the Milestone College's Uttara campus, in the capital city of Dhaka. One body has been pulled out from the inferno, while emergency services are still tackling the raging flames – but the number of victims is expected to rise. Footage of the aftermath of the crash shows the fire as crowds watch from a distance. 'Bangladesh Air Force's F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in Uttara. The aircraft took off at 1.06pm (7.06am GMT),' the military said in a statement. 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: School who banned girl's Union Flag dress forced to shut early after threats MORE: Girl, 12, sent home from Bilton School after wearing Union Jack dress MORE: Pupils hold 'wearing shorts matters' protest in sweltering heatwave
