Latest news with #sanctuary
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Wolverhampton school recognised for being a welcoming 'sanctuary'
A school is celebrating after being recognised for embracing diverse communities and having a welcoming Primary in Wolverhampton has become the city's 21st School of Sanctuary after meeting a number of criteria, the city's council from the charity City of Sanctuary UK visited the school and have recognised the additional support given to pupils, including refugees and others who need a place of Headteacher Emma Wright-Jones said: "This award has been two years in the making, and staff, children and families have worked really hard to ensure that we are as inclusive as possible." The refugee-sector charity aims to challenge misconceptions about people seeking sanctuary and raise awareness of their experiences with pupils, staff, parents and wider communities.A School of Sanctuary is an official accreditation achieved by schools that meet a number of criteria, the charity said."We are committed to welcoming children to Loxdale and pride ourselves on the welcome they receive," Ms Wright-Jones added."We are pleased to be recognised as kind and that we welcome people of all nationalities into our school without discrimination." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Revenge of the Taliban continued: Warlords now arresting Afghans trying to check British government website at internet cafes to see if their details lost in UK's worst ever data breach
Afghans said to have applied for sanctuary in Britain are being arrested as they try to use the UK government 's website to check if their details were on the leaked dataset. At least five, including former members of the Triples Special Forces, have been held as the Taliban targets internet cafes. The Ministry of Defence sent out an email, to those whose data was suspected of being compromised, apologising. It was followed by a second email with a link for those who had risked their lives for the UK to confirm if they their details provided when they applied for the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) were included. Those whose details were breached received a message on a red background confirming they are a victim of the blunder, while those whose data was not part of the leak received a message on green. But Afghans – and campaigners in the UK – warn that they believe the Taliban is using this to arrest those who worked for Britain as they carry out the necessary checks. Many Afghans do not have Wi-Fi at home and are forced to use internet cafes which are in the major cities and towns. The Taliban hunting those who worked for UK are said to have stepped-up the monitoring of the cafes in recent days. The Mail knows the cities the arrests have taken place in but is not naming them. At least five men and two women are reported to have been arrested while checking their emails. British lawyers and campaigners have sent out warnings to their clients in hiding telling them to stay away from the cafes. Former frontline interpreter Wazir, 38, said: 'We are aware of the arrests. Unfortunately, those whose data may have been leaked want to check and have gone to the cafes. I am told they may have been arrested, with the proof that they worked beside the British in front of them (on the screens).' The details of Wazir, who worked for five years with UK forces, together with that of his family are on the list but he said he had been able to confirm that on the MOD website from his home. 'Many do not have Wi-Fi and this makes them vulnerable,' he said. 'The Taliban has the technology from China also to monitor and track our phones so we know how vulnerable that makes us. 'We are terrified our data entrusted to Britain will be used to hunt us down. Since news of the leak, I have moved my family's hiding place and will do so again next week.' In a rare official announcement yesterday, the Taliban did not confirm or deny it had the dataset but claimed it already had the details of those who had worked for the UK and US, including biometrics, as they were left behind during the chaotic pullout in August 2021. It was reported yesterday that up to ten former members of the Afghan forces had been killed by the Taliban near the border with Iran and Pakistan. The Mail's report revealing Taliban assassins had murdered at least ten, who may have helped the West, in the days after the data leak was revealed. Four are said to have been killed in one ambush. The MOD said: 'The independent Rimmer Review concluded that it is highly unlikely that merely being on the spreadsheet would be grounds for an individual to be targeted, and this is the basis on which the court lifted its super injunction last week. The review also found that the Taliban already had access to a wealth of data. 'The Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement last week announcing an amnesty for individuals named as part of the data breach, declaring those named it would not face persecution. 'We continue to urge the Taliban to honour their public amnesty towards members of the former Government and special forces.' After the Daily Mail was the first newspaper in the world to discover the data breach, in August 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) mounted a cover-up and successfully hushed up our exclusive. They obtained a superinjunction and ever since then, cloaked by the unprecedented news blackout, ministers have been clandestinely running one of the biggest peacetime evacuation missions in modern British history to rescue people the UK had imperilled: smuggling thousands out of Afghanistan and flying them to Britain at vast cost, with taxpayers being neither asked nor informed. Meanwhile secret hearings in the High Court have heard how Parliament has been deliberately kept oblivious – or even 'misled', as a judge was told. So far 18,500 Afghans whose data was lost have been flown to Britain or are on their way in taxpayer-funded jets. A total of 23,900 are earmarked for arrival. They are living in MOD homes or hotels until permanent homes are found. More than 70,000 others will be left behind in Afghanistan and will have to fend for themselves against vengeful Taliban warlords. Incredibly, hundreds of the Afghans rescued by the Government are now poised to sue the UK for leaking their data in the first place – potentially adding a further £1billion compensation bonanza to the colossal costs of the rescue and rehousing mission.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
'Brave' frontline interpreter was turned down for sanctuary in Britain until data blunder caused Government to change its mind
Frontline interpreter Jamil was turned down for sanctuary in Britain – but after the data blunder, the Government changed its mind. His story illustrates the tangle British officials have been getting themselves in. He is a former supervisor of UK interpreters, praised for his 'bravery under fire', with one colleague describing him as 'diligent and hard working' and 'an integral part' of operations. When the Taliban seized power in 2021, he was told he could relocate to Britain. He and his family sold their home and possessions and travelled to Islamabad. Then he was one of 1,800 Afghans sent a chilling alert from the British High Commission warning that his personal details could have been compromised. Jamil, 36, a married father-of-one, who worked with UK forces from 2007-11, was even more alarmed when two days later he was told there had been an 'error' and he was 'not eligible' after all – and would be sent back to Afghanistan. With the help of the Mail, lawyers successfully applied for Judicial Review to overturn the decision. It is understood that when details of the data alert he received were put to the closed court, the Government backed down. It is believed there are many similar cases. Last night he told the Mail: 'We hope that finally we can begin a new life in the safety of Britain. I am grateful we have been given a future.' Interpreter's five-year struggle for sanctuary For Khan, the data leak blunder may have opened the door to a new life in the UK. The 35-year-old former interpreter for the UK's Electronic Warfare Signals Intelligence Unit based in Helmand, had been fighting for five years to be allowed to relocate. Despite being shot and stabbed in a Taliban ambush on the outskirts of the Afghan capital Kabul, he had been refused sanctuary because he had been dismissed for smoking in a tent. He had claimed they were 'trumped-up' charges at a time when the UK was looking to cut the number of translators employed before the announcement of a redundancy package. Khan, who said he was repeatedly targeted by the Taliban because he was the 'eyes and ears' of the British forces, fled Afghanistan but was arrested in Turkey and deported. His case was highlighted by the Mail's Betrayal of the Brave campaign and it was taken up by lawyers who launched a Judicial Review. After years of rejection, his case was suddenly allowed and both Khan and his lawyers believe the decision is likely to be linked to the data leak. As he savoured his new life in the UK, Khan said: 'I had suffered a great injustice – I was shot and stabbed because of my work for the UK but still was not allowed sanctuary – now the strength of my case has finally been allowed.'
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Three things the UK must do to make its small-boats deal with France work
With the much-anticipated Channel crossings deal with France, the government has an opportunity to build on the UK's proud history of offering sanctuary to people who desperately need it, and to save lives (Starmer hails 'groundbreaking' deal to return small-boat migrants to France, 10 July). As the prime minister noted, it is entirely right to provide a haven to people in the most dire need, and international collaboration is key to solving the global problem of displacement. But for the pilot to be successful, the UK government must keep these three things front of mind. First, the scheme must be open to all people in need of protection – and the process must be quick and simple. This will mean a fairer, safer alternative to Channel crossings, so that no one falls into the hands of smugglers. Second, humanity and compassion must be at the heart of the scheme. We're concerned that more people could be detained through this process. We know the impact that living in detention has on people's physical and mental health. There must be proper assessments to prevent people with health conditions, trauma or other vulnerabilities from being placed in harmful environments. Tailored support, advice and information at all stages of the new process will be essential. Finally, it's important that people with a close family connection – including siblings – in the UK can access the scheme. Families should be together. We know from our decades of experience supporting refugees across the UK that being with loved ones is essential for people to rebuild their lives and integrate. Behind every number crossing the Channel is a human being with hopes and fears. They have endured unimaginable suffering, and too many are losing their FraserDirector of refugee services, British Red Cross Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- The Sun
The hilltop hotel overlooking the Cotswolds that hosted Margaret Thatcher and inspired Narnia
SET in the rolling hills of Malvern and overlooking the Cotswolds, The Cottage in the Wood is a sanctuary found in acres of forest. Here's everything you need to know about the hotel, from how much rooms cost to what to eat at the restaurant. 9 9 Where is the hotel? Found on top of a hill, this independent hotel in Malvern, Worcestershire is, a rural escape from the day to day. Set above eight acres of woodland, providing gorgeous views of the green landscapes. It is located just a 7 minute drive from Great Malvern railway station. What is the hotel like? Nestled on the edge of the Malvern Hills, this four star boutique hotel has been a local institution since it opened over 100 years ago. It's played host to a variety of famous people ranging from Rolling Stones' Charlie Watts to Margaret Thatcher. What are the rooms like? The 32 rooms are split into categories with many of the rooms offer a stunning view of the Severn Valley below. Some have unique touches including a record player and vinyls, including the works of composer Edward Elgar, who lived nearby. Homemade cookies are served on arrival, with rooms having exclusive Bramley toiletries. There are also two self-catered guest houses: The Chapel and The Studio, each with plenty of space and stunning views. A cosy room for two adults is available starting at £139 per night. For more information click here. 9 9 I visited the 'most magical town in England What is there to eat and drink there? The food at the hotel's beautiful 1919 Bar and Restaurant, as listed in the Michelin Guide is a must. Whether it's the standard menu or the seven-course tasting menu including a delicious spiced beetroot salad with venison, the team pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients. There is also a traditional afternoon tea available to book. 9 Additionally, the hotel boasts a wine list of over 100 options, many of the choices sourced from local vineyards too. With the 3 AA Rosette Restaurant, alongside the Terrace and Lounge Bar, there is a spot for every occasion, be it formal, friendly, or completely relaxed. What else is there to do at the hotel? Keep an eye out for the lampposts that appear in the venue's logo and in the grounds. They inspired CS. Lewis, who lived nearby in his youth, to include the famous lamppost in 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.' A walk down to the town of Malvern or into the Malvern Hills is essential. There are many tracks leading from the hotel and up to the peaks where you'll find more breathtaking views. There are also plenty of local vineyards to discover within proximity to the hotel, as well as the Friday Beer Company Brewery, based in Malvern. 9 Is the hotel family friendly? Yes, the hotel is family friendly, with family rooms available upon request. Additionally, the Cottage in the Wood is a dog-friendly hotel, offering specific pet-friendly rooms. Bare in mind there is a restriction of pets in the restaurant, bar and lounge. Is there access for guests with disabilities? Yes, the hotel has accessible rooms. The Coach House specifically has designated parking and ramp access. Contact The Cottage in the Wood to discuss any accessibility requests. Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here. 9 9
