Latest news with #anti-British
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Nigel Farage's previous visits to Scotland - arrests, protests and fleeing from Royal Mile pub
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will visit Scotland in June. Here, The Scotsman covers some of his notable past visits north of the Border. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Nigel Farage is set to visit Scotland in the first week of June, as his party sets his sights on Holyrood. The Reform UK leader will come north of the Border just days before the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, taking place on Thursday next week, which his party is increasingly confident about winning. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, admits assault by throwing milkshake over Reform UK leader Nigel Farage outside a pub in Clacton-on-Sea during the general election campaign. | AFP via Getty Images It will be Mr Farage's first visit to Scotland since becoming an MP. However, he has visited several times before, with mixed results. Here's what happened on the past few occasions the former commodities trader came to Scotland. May 2013 Visiting as Ukip leader, Mr Farage's attempt to host a press conference in a bar on Edinburgh's Royal Mile descended into chaos when it was hijacked by demonstrators who accused the-then Ukip leader of being a 'racist', 'fascist' and 'homophobe'. Nigel Farage (centre) on the Royal Mile being escorted by police officers as he leaves the Canons' Gait pub in 2013, while Ukip leader. Protestors heckled him during his visit to Edinburgh. | PA Two attempts to leave the Canons' Gait pub by taxi were thwarted as the vehicles were surrounded by around 100 protesters, some carrying a giant 'Vote Yes for Scotland' banner. Others carried a placard proclaiming themselves to be the 'Campaign for Radical Independence'. Met with a barrage of abuse that included the refrain 'you're a racist, go home to England', Mr Farage twice had to emerge from a besieged taxi to confront the crowd because drivers could not get him away from the scene. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On the second occasion, he responded to questions about his reception in Scotland, saying it was: 'Clearly anti-British and anti-English. They hate the Union Jack [sic] … maybe that's what it is all about.' It was then that police decided to escort him back into the Canons' Gait where the doors were locked to keep protesters out, who continued to chant 'scum, scum, scum'. Speaking afterwards, Mr Farage described the protesters as "fascist scum". He said: 'If this is the face of Scottish nationalism, it's a pretty ugly picture. The anger, the hatred, the shouting, the snarling, the swearing was all linked in to a desire for the Union Jack to be burnt. "The fact that 50 yobbo fascist scum turn up and aren't prepared to listen to the debate, I absolutely refuse to believe is representative of Scottish public opinion.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nigel Farage stands in front of a controversial campaign poster ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum (Picture: Daniel Leal) | AFP via Getty Images June 2013 Mr Farage had been due to have a large lunch and press conference at the Marriott hotel in Aberdeen, only to cancel the event. He claimed an Aberdeen anti-fascist group had threatened to demonstrate outside. The party claimed it was down to security concerns, despite Aberdeen's police headquarters being less than 50m away, and no sign of agitation. The hotel insisted it was not influenced by demonstrators, instead claiming the provisional booking could not be taken up because the hotel was too busy. Speaking at the time, Mr Farage said: "I was invited to have go and take tea [with Marie Bolton, the independent depute leader of Aberdeen city council]. We now know that invitation was withdrawn. "They told us that somebody very senior advised them not to continue, so we took that advice. I'm sorry that she was pressured or felt she was pressured into not allowing this meeting to go ahead." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, a Police Scotland spokesman said: "The police haven't had any part [in that decision] whatsoever." However, there was one confrontation and one arrest, when, after a debate in a pub with Mr Farage about Sharia law and the status of Norway in the EU, a man threw a drink on the back of a Ukip official. April 2023 Mr Farage hosted his live GB News show at an Aberdeen golf clubhouse. He took questions from the audience and spoke with guests, including fellow GB News presenter Neil Oliver.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
History meets irony: When King Charles launched a Bollywood movie on India's revolt against British rule
In 2003, the launch of Aamir Khan starrer 'Mangal Pandey: The Rising' witnessed a moment that many found deeply ironic — the muhurat clap of the film, which centered on India's 1857 revolt against British colonialism, was given by none other than Prince Charles, now King Charles . The event took place in Mumbai and drew widespread attention, especially given the film's theme revolving around resistance against British rule. The Rising was one of Aamir Khan's most anticipated projects following the success of Lagaan, which had earned an Academy Award nomination. Directed by Ketan Mehta and written by Farrukh Dhondy, the film focused on the life of Mangal Pandey, a sepoy in the British East India Company army whose actions helped ignite what became known as the First War of Indian Independence. Aamir Khan's movie on 1857 revolt had Prince Charles at its Muhurat Aamir Khan Responds to the Irony Back then at the launch event, Aamir Khan addressed the media's questions regarding the symbolism of a British royal figure inaugurating a film about colonial rebellion. He clarified that the film was not made with anti-British sentiment. 'This film is not anti-British,' Khan stated. He explained that the film's core was a human story that explored deeper themes. 'This film is not against the Queen's rule, but the East India Company, which ruled India then,' he said, adding that the character of Captain William Gordon represented reason, while Mangal Pandey's journey was about awakening and questioning authority. Casting Changes and Creative Decisions Initially, Aishwarya Rai was signed to play the female lead, Jwala. However, she was replaced by Ameesha Patel after a disagreement with the production team. The cast also included Rani Mukerji, Kirron Kher, and British actor Toby Stephens. In 2023, Ameesha Patel revealed that Rani Mukerji's role was originally intended as a cameo. However, changes were made during production, and Mukerji's role was expanded to include a romantic angle with Aamir Khan's character. Khan believed that this adjustment would make the story more emotionally relatable to Indian audiences. Mixed Reception and Box Office Outcome Mangal Pandey: The Rising was released in 2005 and marked Aamir Khan's return to cinema after a four-year hiatus following Dil Chahta Hai in 2001. Although the film had a prestigious premiere at the Marché du Film section of the Cannes Film Festival, it did not perform well commercially. With a budget of Rs 37 crore, the film managed to collect only Rs 27.86 crore at the Indian box office, making it a box office disappointment despite high expectations.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Majhi rolls out 340 projects worth Rs 1,155 crore in Keonjhar
KEONJHAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the state-level celebration of the 161st birth anniversary of great revolutionary Dharanidhar Naik at his birthplace Kusumita village in Keonjhar district on Monday. Participating in the event as the chief guest, Majhi laid the foundation stone for a memorial museum and an interpretation centre at Kusumita to be built at a cost of Rs 50 crore. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 340 projects worth Rs 1,155 crore in the district. The chief minister said Dharanidhar was a symbol of both spirituality and revolution. The great revolutionary was a staunch fighter who led the anti-British movement in Odisha. His strong resolve, patriotism and sacrifice are a source of inspiration for the youths. 'The state government has taken various steps to immortalise Dharanidhar's memory. Emphasising the tradition of worship, our government is celebrating birth anniversaries of great personalities at their birthplaces across Odisha,' he said.
The Herald Scotland
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
More fool the politicians who took the bait of Kneecap's provocations
Last week, when it emerged Kneecap —a rap band posing as dissident Republicans — once told their audience: 'The only good Tory MP is a dead one. Kill your local MP,' Badenoch condemned their behaviour as 'totally unacceptable,' and called for them to be prosecuted. Long before these allegations surfaced, the then business secretary had blocked an arts grant to the band on the grounds of 'anti-British sentiment' — a move the band challenged, and which the new Labour government later accepted had been illegal. Like Hester, Kneecap apologised; unlike Hester, Kneecap is reaping the consequences of its actions, with a number of gigs already cancelled. John Swinney said they should also be axed from TRNSMT, while lord of the U-turns, Keir Starmer has said he doesn't think "individuals expressing those views should be receiving government funding". No-one is duty-bound to like Kneecap, or indeed rap music. It's a genre which, at its best, gives a voice to the dispossessed, and tackles controversial issues like social inequality and police brutality. We may be discomfited by the extreme nature of the sentiments expressed. But our discomfort is the point of the exercise. Its aim is to shake us out of our complacency, as all good art should. At its worst, however, it can feel like cosplay, a hijacking or commodification of an ideology for the purposes of self-promotion; a celebration of edginess for edginess's sake. Irish band Kneecap face being banned from TRNSMT IRA IMAGERY FOR me, Kneecap straddles that line. The band's love of the Irish language is deeply felt; it has much to say about the ceasefire generation. I very much enjoyed its film. And yet its relentless invocation of IRA imagery, its 'Brits Out' written on the cheeks of JJ Ó Dochartaigh's bum, and, above all, the gimmicky balaclava, though funny, and doubtless self-parodying, can feel a bit, I don't know, cheap? Because, whether or not you believe in the Republican cause, the costs of pursuing it were so high and are still being counted. READ MORE: Dani Garavelli: A good death is an extension of a good life Dani Garavelli: Even for great writers, the pursuit of truth is perilous Dani Garavelli: Voters are done with politicians who talk big and act small There was always a risk that Kneecap's laddish playing to the crowd would undermine its serious intent. And so it has come to pass. Two pieces of footage -—one containing the call to kill your MP, the other chants of 'Up Hamas and Hezbollah' — have been dredged up to discredit its entirely legitimate condemnation at Coachella of Israel's US-funded genocide. More fool Kneecap, you might say. It walked straight into its own trap. But also — and to a much greater degree — more fool those politicians who have taken the bait. They have mustered more outrage over the on-stage maunderings of a band whose entire shtick is to noise up people like them, than over war crimes being perpetrated by the ultranationalist leader of a rogue state. To witness Swinney and Starmer holding forth on the iniquities of Kneecap as if they were facing down some grand moral threat is frankly pitiful. Why are politicians of their stature wasting breath they could be using to confront Benjamin Netanyahu on a trio of Irish musicians? (Image: First Minister John Swinney) And — if they're so very invested in what Kneecap has to say — why don't they tell us if they see the band's Coachella statements as an incitement to a US visa revocation, or a shrewd analysis of a situation those in positions of power are too milquetoast to mention? 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people' Kneecap said, and 'it is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.' Come on then, ye great defenders of public propriety? Is there any part of this statement you believe to be untrue? While you're at it, why don't you clarify if you are ok with the idea, frequently promulgated, that criticism of the Israeli government is inherently anti-Semitic? But they won't. Far easier to call on festivals to boycott a loose-lipped rap band than to call on Trump to reinstate sanctions against violent settlers in the illegally occupied West Bank or to call for/ implement a total ban on the sale of arms to Israel. CALL TO BAN BAND MEANWHILE, I wonder what motivation Lord Walney — aka John Woodcock — might have for urging Glasgow City Council, the Scottish government or UK government to take action if TRNSMT promoters DF Concerts do not? Woodcock is the chair of a defence sector lobby organisation and last year paid an Elnet-funded visit to Israel. Elnet was founded as a pro-Israel advocacy group and exists to promote cooperation between Europe and Israel. Woodcock was axed from his role as independent adviser on Political Violence and Disruption in February after multiple claims of conflicts of interest. With most politicians laying low, it is being left to other bands to rally to Kneecap's defence and to musicians, writers and documentary makers to fill a moral vacuum. For this they receive little thanks. Look at the response to Louis Theroux whose documentary The Settlers exposes the contempt some Israeli settlers on the West Bank have for the lives of Palestinians. Theroux starts off with his usual faux-naif shtick. Like Ka in The Jungle Book, he lulls his prey with soothing susurrations, as he winds his coils ever tighter around them. The idea is to appear neutral; to provide a blank canvas onto which others will project their dysfunction. And so it goes as he meets Ari Abramowitz, a Texan-born settler who objects to Theroux's use of the word Palestine on the grounds that he doesn't believe it exists, and a rabbi who calls Palestinians 'camel-riders'. He stays calm as IDF soldiers try to prevent Arab farmers harvesting their olives. But when it comes to Daniella Weiss, the so-called mother of the settler movement, he can no longer affect disinterest. As she lays out, with a manic grin, her vision of a West Bank and Gaza from which Palestinians have been expunged, he becomes increasingly agitated, until, finally, he brands her indifference to the suffering of Palestinians 'sociopathic'. Read More: DIRTY WORK AT one point, Weiss pushes Theroux in an attempt to get him to retaliate. But the documentary's sharpest truth is more quietly delivered: an admission by Weiss that her organisation, Nachala, is doing Netanyahu's dirty work for him. When Theroux asks her if the settlers force the Israeli government's hands by building small residential outposts, which grow and grow, until the Israeli government has no choice but to recognise them,' she answers: 'We do not force the government. We do what they cannot do for themselves.' Banging a pointer on a map covered in such settlements, she adds: 'Even if you take Netanyahu now: he is happy with what we do here and with our plans to build Jewish communities in Gaza. He can't say he is happy. He says the opposite. He says: 'It's not realistic'. Good! We will make it realistic.' It feels like —as he made his film -—Theroux realised that there are some atrocities so unconscionable that even weaponised passivity is not enough; that sometimes we are duty-bound to articulate our horror. If only all those angered by musicians and documentary-makers could share in his epiphany. If only they could stop picking on pointless targets, and direct their righteous anger at those hellbent on erasing an entire population.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Labour minister sparks fears of sell-out to Brussels after launching anti-Brexit tirade
A LABOUR minister yesterday sparked fears of a sell-out to Brussels after launching an anti-Brexit tirade in Parliament. Trade minister Douglas Alexander claimed Brexit inflicted 'devastating' damage on the economy. 1 In a signal Labour will prioritise ties with Brussels, he called past efforts of global trade deals 'post-imperial delusion'. He said: 'We're pursuing trade based on data, not post-imperial delusion. "It's devastating, the damage done by the way Brexit was implemented.' No 10 described the Tory deal as 'botched' but not 'devastating'. Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel blasted: 'Labour's Brexit mask has slipped. "And we can see their true intentions.' "This anti-British sneering is a total slap in the face of the democratic will of this country. "As well as the 17.4 million people that voted to regain this country's sovereignty. "It is the same old Labour.'
