Latest news with #ex-Conservative
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Misconduct claims against VIP abuse inquiry officer dropped
Gross misconduct proceedings have been withdrawn against a former Met Police officer who led an inquiry into what turned out to be false sex abuse allegations against a string of high-profile figures. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had stopped its investigation into Steve Rodhouse after a "large volume of relevant material was recently disclosed" to it by the Met Police. He faced allegations around comments made to the media in March 2016 concerning his beliefs about the honesty of two witnesses in the investigation. In a statement, Mr Rodhouse said the allegations were "ill-founded and incorrect", adding that while he welcomed the decision he was "yet to receive an adequate explanation as to how this debacle occurred". He led Operation Midland, which investigated false claims that MPs and generals - including former home secretary Lord Brittan, D-Day Veteran Lord Bramall, and ex-Conservative MP Harvey Proctor - had abused and murdered children. The operation was largely based on claims made by Carl Beech, who was jailed in 2019 for making false allegations. Mr Rodhouse was due to face a disciplinary hearing for potentially breaching police professional standards of behaviour for honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct. The former Met deputy assistant commissioner was also alleged to have subsequently made remarks to former High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques, who had been commissioned to carry out an independent review of the handling of the operation in August 2016. Beech was sentenced to 18 years in prison for 12 counts of perverting the course of justice, one of fraud, and for several child sexual offences after a damning review by Sir Richard recommended he be investigated by another police force. But the BBC revealed in 2019 that two other complainants who had made false claims were not referred by the Met for investigation, despite Sir Richard recommending they should be. The investigation by the IOPC related to an alleged contrast between Mr Rodhouse's private and public positions. It was claimed Mr Rodhouse told Sir Richard in a private presentation in 2016 that he was "satisfied" the other two complainants had "told deliberate lies". Mr Rodhouse disputes that claim. When Operation Midland had closed months earlier with no arrests or charges, Scotland Yard issued a public statement to the media that said detectives had "not found evidence to prove that they were knowingly misled by a complainant". New material presented to the IOPC by the Met Police led to the investigation being closed. The police watchdog said there was "no evidence" within the fresh material that there was "any inappropriate motivation in Mr Rodhouse's comments to the media" or which "supports that he made those remarks during Sir Richard's review". It said there was "substantial evidence to indicate" comments made to the media were "the result of collaboration between senior Met officers and staff". The police watchdog added that there had also been "appropriate considerations, including a desire not to discourage victims of historic sex offences coming forward". Mr Proctor said he was the complainant in the scrapped gross misconduct proceedings against Mr Rodhouse. He labelled the IOPC's decision not to proceed as "disgraceful" and said it was an "insult to victims of false allegations and a betrayal of the public's trust". He added: "For Mr Rodhouse to claim he acted with 'honesty, integrity and care' in Operation Midland is as grotesque as it is offensive." Speaking about the operation, the former MP said that "innocent men, including myself, had our reputations shredded, homes raided, and lives wrecked based on obvious falsehoods". "I will never get over what was done to me," he said. "Operation Midland is not history to me - it lives with me every hour of every day." Mr Rodhouse, who is now a director at the National Crime Agency, said he was "pleased" the IOPC had "recognised that I acted with honesty, integrity and care throughout a difficult investigation". He said police officers "must have confidence that any complaints about their conduct will be competently investigated in a balanced and timely fashion", adding "I now look forward to resuming my career investigating and prosecuting serious criminals." IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said its decision on Thursday "does not change our finding that by failing to follow Sir Richard's recommendation in his review to investigate the witnesses, the Met's service was unacceptable". She said: "Its subsequent reviews concluding no investigation was needed were flawed", adding, "we apologise to all of those affected and we are working with the force to establish exactly how and why this situation has occurred, and to reduce the risk of it happening again." Ms Rowe said the police watchdog had reported a "potential crime" to the Met during its investigation, which was being "actively investigated by another force". 'VIP abuse' accuser jailed for 18 years
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Thames Water takeover M&S boss pay rise business video
From calls to overhaul the water industry and Thames Water's failed investor talks, to Greg Hands' new role at Royal Mail and a £7.1m payday for the M&S boss - here are today's top UK business stories. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Today's bulletin focuses partly on the water sector - because there are several big stories. Firstly - England and Wales' water industry needs a 'fundamental reset', according to a new report. The Independent Water Commission says failures across the industry are 'deep-rooted and systemic'. It's calling for a tougher, more hands-on approach from regulator Ofwat. Thames Water deal collapses and ex-UK trade minister Greg Hands joins Royal Mail: More Business in Brief Meanwhile, Thames Water says talks with investor KKR have collapsed, dealing a blow to its rescue plans. KKR had been the preferred partner in efforts to recapitalise the troubled utility. But it's now pulled out, meaning Thames Water will shift focus to a plan backed by senior creditors. Chairman Sir Adrian Montague says the company remains committed to finding a sustainable solution. The owner of South West Water has also said today rising bills will help fund £3.2 billion in upgrades. | Getty Images The owner of South West Water has also said today rising bills will help fund £3.2 billion in upgrades. Pennon Group posted a £72.7 million loss this year - much deeper than last year's £9.1 million. It blames record investment and efforts to cut customer water use. Average bills jumped 28 per cent in April, helping to cover a third of its long-term plans. In other news, Irish hotel group Dalata has received a potential €1.3 billion cash offer. The early-stage proposal comes from hotel property company Pandox and real estate specialist Eiendomsspar. They're offering €6.05 a share - a 27 per cent premium on Dalata's March price. Talks are under way, but there's no guarantee a formal bid will follow. Former UK trade minister Greg Hands has joined Royal Mail's new owner as a strategic adviser. The ex-Conservative MP will work full-time for Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group. He'll focus on the UK and Germany as the company takes full control of Royal Mail. Finally - Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin has seen his pay rise to £7.1 million. The jump comes as he steers the retailer through a major cyber attack. His package includes £4.6 million in long-term bonuses he can't touch for two years. A strong year also earned him a £1.6 million performance bonus.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Thames Water takeover M&S boss pay rise business video
From calls to overhaul the water industry and Thames Water's failed investor talks, to Greg Hands' new role at Royal Mail and a £7.1m payday for the M&S boss - here are today's top UK business stories. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. 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... Today's bulletin focuses partly on the water sector - because there are several big stories. Firstly - England and Wales' water industry needs a 'fundamental reset', according to a new report. The Independent Water Commission says failures across the industry are 'deep-rooted and systemic'. It's calling for a tougher, more hands-on approach from regulator Ofwat. Thames Water deal collapses and ex-UK trade minister Greg Hands joins Royal Mail: More Business in Brief Meanwhile, Thames Water says talks with investor KKR have collapsed, dealing a blow to its rescue plans. KKR had been the preferred partner in efforts to recapitalise the troubled utility. But it's now pulled out, meaning Thames Water will shift focus to a plan backed by senior creditors. Chairman Sir Adrian Montague says the company remains committed to finding a sustainable solution. The owner of South West Water has also said today rising bills will help fund £3.2 billion in upgrades. | Getty Images The owner of South West Water has also said today rising bills will help fund £3.2 billion in upgrades. Pennon Group posted a £72.7 million loss this year - much deeper than last year's £9.1 million. It blames record investment and efforts to cut customer water use. Average bills jumped 28 per cent in April, helping to cover a third of its long-term plans. In other news, Irish hotel group Dalata has received a potential €1.3 billion cash offer. The early-stage proposal comes from hotel property company Pandox and real estate specialist Eiendomsspar. They're offering €6.05 a share - a 27 per cent premium on Dalata's March price. Talks are under way, but there's no guarantee a formal bid will follow. Former UK trade minister Greg Hands has joined Royal Mail's new owner as a strategic adviser. The ex-Conservative MP will work full-time for Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group. He'll focus on the UK and Germany as the company takes full control of Royal Mail.
Spectator
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Watch: Jenrick confronts lawbreakers in dig at Khan
To shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick. The onetime Tory leadership contender has taken to Twitter to make a dig at Labour's London mayor Sadiq Khan over TfL's fee-dodgers. 'Sadiq Khan is driving a proud city into the ground,' Jenrick wrote furiously. 'Lawbreaking is out of control. He's not acting. So I did.' What follows is a minute-long clip of the ex-Conservative Home Office minister approaching commuters who have attempted to use London's public transport without paying. Jenrick has no qualms about going about travellers who have barged through the gates, asking one man: 'Excuse me. Do you think it's all right not to pay? Why do you go back through the barrier and pay? Do you want to go back and pay like everybody else?' He didn't let up – even when one infuriated commuter appeared to hint he was carrying a knife. Crikey! Speaking to the camera, the Tory MP insists:
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How could assisted dying laws change across the UK?
MSPs in Scotland will debate and vote on plans to legalise assisted dying later on Tuesday. It comes days before MPs in Westminster have another chance to consider a separate bill which would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. A majority of MPs backed the bill in November 2024, after which a cross-party committee considered the legislation in detail. The assisted dying bill being considered in the Scottish Parliament says that eligible applicants would have to: be resident in Scotland for at least 12 months be registered with a GP in Scotland be terminally ill have the mental capacity to make the request Earlier in May Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who drafted the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, said he will raise the minimum age in the proposed legislation from 16 to 18. The "stage one vote" on Tuesday is on the general principles of the bill. It is a free vote which means MSPs will not be told how to vote by their parties or the government. If there are more "yes" votes than "noes", the bill will progress to stage two, where MSPs can propose changes. Another vote on the final draft of the bill would be held before it could become law. If MSPs do not back the bill at stage one, it will fall. First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes have said they will not support the bill, as have former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf and current Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy - the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to Holyrood - is also opposed. Supporters include Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, ex-Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw and Scottish Greens co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie. Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray, who will speak for the government during the debate, said he would abstain from the vote. MSPs to vote on assisted dying in Scotland Could assisted dying be coming to Scotland? The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was introduced by backbench Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. It proposes giving terminally ill people the right to choose to end their life if they: are over 18 and live in England and Wales, and have been registered with a GP for at least 12 months have the mental capacity to make the choice and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish, free from coercion or pressure be expected to die within six months make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die satisfy two independent doctors that they are eligible - with at least seven days between each assessment Once a patient's application has been approved, they would have to wait 14 days before proceeding. A doctor would prepare the substance being used to end the patient's life, but the person would take it themselves. The bill defines the co-ordinating doctor as a registered medical practitioner with "training, qualifications and experience" at a level to be specified by the health secretary. It does not say which drug would be used. It would be illegal to use dishonesty, pressure, or to coerce someone into declaring they want to end their life, with a possible 14-year prison sentence. 'Northern Ireland is being left behind on assisted dying' A committee of 23 MPs - including 14 supporters and nine opponents - has gone through the legislation line by line. It held a series of public hearings and took evidence from experts. Under the original proposals, a High Court judge would have to approve each request to end a life. However, Leadbetter suggested a three-person panel comprising a senior legal figure, a psychiatrist and a social worker should oversee applications instead. The MPs reviewing the bill agreed to adopt this approach. There were concerns the High Court would not have capacity to rule on each individual case. However, opponents say the change undermines the bill's safeguards. Other changes agreed by the committee include: extending the maximum time between the bill being passed by Parliament and the law coming fully into effect from two years to four years adding a new rule that doctors must set out palliative care options when having an initial discussion with a patient about assisted dying ensuring the law wouldn't come into effect in Wales until it had been approved by a vote in the Senedd Many months of activity still lie ahead in the Commons and the Lords. It is still possible that the bill could fall and not become law at all. The bill returns to the House of Commons on Friday 16 May, when all MPs will have the chance to debate and vote on the changes proposed by the committee. There would then be further scrutiny in the Commons and the Lords, and more voting. Leadbeater proposed doubling the maximum period before any new law would be implemented to allow more time to set up training and systems for what would be an entirely new service. If everything was ready more quickly, assisted dying could be in place ahead of the deadline, but the BBC understands that some ministers have expressed concern about the possible delay. The historic vote saw 330 MPs support the assisted dying bill, and 275 reject it. MPs were given a free vote, meaning they could make their own decision rather than follow party instructions. The government is impartial. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer voted in favour of the bill, as did Chancellor Rachel Reeves. However, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood all voted against. Most Conservative MPs rejected the bill, including party leader Kemi Badenoch. Former PM Rishi Sunak and former deputy PM Oliver Dowden were among Tory MPs who supported it. When MPs last voted on the issue in 2015, they rejected different proposals by 330 votes to 118. 'Hardest decision of my career': MPs wrestle with assisted dying choice Assisted dying bill: How did your MP vote? Opponents warn that people could be put under pressure to end their lives and want improvements to palliative care instead. Paralympian and House of Lords crossbencher Baroness Grey-Thompson is a vocal critic. She told the BBC she is worried about "the impact on vulnerable people, on disabled people, [the risk of] coercive control, and the ability of doctors to make a six-month diagnosis". Actor and disability-rights activist Liz Carr, who made the BBC One documentary Better Off Dead?, also opposes changing the law. "Some of us have very real fears based on our lived experience and based on what has happened in other countries where it's legal," she wrote on X. Dr Gordon Macdonald, from campaign group Care Not Killing, said: "This bill is being rushed with indecent haste and ignores the deep-seated problems in the UK's broken and patchy palliative care system." 'People will make bad decisions because we don't talk honestly about death' 'Palliative care is not good enough - there's no plan to fix it' Leadbeater argues the law needs changing because some people "have a horrible, harrowing death", however good their end-of-life or palliative care is. Cancer patient Nathaniel Dye worked on the bill with Leadbeater. He said it would allow people a death which was "as kind and compassionate as possible". The Dignity in Dying campaign group said the bill provides the "most detailed, robust proposals" on the issue that "Westminster has ever considered". According to chief executive Sarah Wootton, the fact that every year "up to 650 terminally ill people end their own lives, often in lonely and traumatic ways," shows that the status quo is not working. One of the highest-profile advocates for change is broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who has stage-four lung cancer. "All I'm asking for is that we be given the dignity of choice," Dame Esther told BBC News. Both the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, and the Royal College of Nursing are neutral. InDepth: The NHS is spending a fortune giving people a death they don't want The Isle of Man and Jersey are both part of the British Isles but are able to set their own laws. They have both been considering proposals to allow assisted dying. The Isle of Man parliament passed its Assisted Dying Bill on 25 March. It will now be sent for Royal Assent, where King Charles will give formal approval for it to become law. Covering adults who have lived on the island for five years and are expected to die within 12 months, the measures could be in place by 2027. In May 2024, Jersey's politicians approved plans to allow assisted dying for those with a terminal illness "causing unbearable suffering". Final legislation is being written, and if approved, an 18-month implementation period would begin. New rules would take effect in summer 2027 at the earliest. Guernsey: Request to make assisted dying legal could be made in 2025 There is some debate over exactly what the terms mean. However, assisted dying generally refers to a person who is terminally ill receiving lethal drugs from a medical practitioner, which they administer themselves. Assisted suicide is intentionally helping another person to end their life, including someone who is not terminally ill. That could involve providing lethal medication or helping them travel to another jurisdiction to die. Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering in which a lethal drug is administered by a physician. Patients may not be terminally ill. There are two types: voluntary euthanasia, where a patient consents; and non-voluntary, where they cannot because, for example, they are in a coma. The Dignity in Dying campaign group says more than 200 million people around the world have legal access to assisted dying. Switzerland has allowed assisted suicide since 1942. Its Dignitas facility accepts foreign patients as well as Swiss nationals, and between 1998 and 2023 it helped 571 Britons to die. Assisted suicide is also legal in Austria. In the US, 10 states - Oregon, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Hawaii, New Jersey, Vermont, Maine and Washington DC - allow "physician-assisted dying". It permits doctors to prescribe lethal drugs for self-administration. Voluntary euthanasia is legal in Canada, where it is called medical assistance in dying. It can be provided by a doctor or nurse practitioner, either in person or through the prescription of drugs for self-administration. Medically assisted dying accounted for 4.7% of deaths in Canada in 2023. It is also legal in Spain and Colombia, both of which also permit assisted suicide. Assisted dying is legal in some parts of Australia, but the law differs across states. New Zealand's End of Life Choice Act legalises assisted dying and allows adults in their final months of life to request assistance from a medical professional. Three countries have laws that allow people who are not terminally ill to receive assistance to die: The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. How does assisted dying work in other countries? Update 3 January 2025: This piece has been updated to give further detail on the definition of a co-ordinating doctor.
