News 29/08/25

A suspended Labour MSP has denied allegations he planted a secret camera in toilets at the Scottish parliament.

Colin Smyth has been charged by police in connection with the claim. The South Scotland representative was arrested earlier this month and separately charged with possessing indecent images, leading to his suspension from Scottish Labour.

His access to Holyrood has now been deactivated.

Reform UK’s deputy leader has defended a council-imposed media ban in Nottinghamshire.

Local leader Mick Barton barred Reform councillors from speaking to journalists at the Nottingham Post, Nottinghamshire Live and local democracy reporters after coverage of internal disputes.

Richard Tice backed the move, accusing the outlet of distortion and saying councillors were free to speak to “other parts of the media.”

Slough is predicted to become one of the most expensive places in the country to buy a detached home within the next 20 years.

Research from Sell House Fast, which analysed a decade of local housing trends, suggests the average price of a detached house in the town could reach just over one point seven five million pounds by 2045. Slough ranks eighth in a top ten list of the most expensive future housing markets in the UK.

A Lancashire fraudster who fled to Dubai is set to lose his ninety million pound property empire after a judge ordered it to be confiscated.

Fifty-seven-year-old Arif Patel, from Preston, was behind one of Britain’s biggest carousel tax frauds. Patel, a sock manufacturer, was convicted in 2023 alongside his gang and used the profits to buy luxury properties in Preston, London and abroad. The ruling means his homes, business premises and even his Ferrari will now be sold to repay more than ninety million pounds.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted he has considered quitting after a shock Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town.

United were knocked out in the second round after a dramatic penalty shootout that ended 12–11. Amorim said his team’s display “spoke really loud” and warned something must change at Old Trafford. He added he would reflect on his position during the international break following Saturday’s Premier League match against Burnley.

The Home Office has won its appeal over the use of the Bell Hotel in Epping to house asylum seekers.

Judges at the Court of Appeal have backed the government, meaning the accommodation will remain open beyond 12 September. A lower court had ruled last week that the change of use breached planning rules, but the Home Office successfully argued it had the right to appeal and that its powers allowed the site to be used in this way.

President Donald Trump has revoked Secret Service protection for his former rival, Kamala Harris.

The former vice president and Democratic candidate in last year’s election is no longer entitled to security detail, a senior adviser has confirmed. Kirsten Allen, speaking on behalf of Ms Harris, thanked the Secret Service for their professionalism and commitment. Traditionally, vice presidents are granted six months of protection after leaving office, but the president has discretion over extending or ending it.

Israel’s military says it is suspending humanitarian pauses in Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”

The city had been one of three areas where daily pauses allowed aid to flow in, but the Israeli security cabinet has now approved plans to occupy Gaza City, calling it a Hamas stronghold and a likely location of remaining hostages. Families of those captives warn the move could endanger their lives, while the United Nations has described the offensive as carrying a “horrific humanitarian impact.”

British cyclist Chris Froome has undergone surgery after a serious crash in France.

The 40-year-old, who has won the Tour de France four times, was airlifted to hospital following the accident during a training ride. His team confirmed the operations went as planned and Froome is now recovering under the care of doctors.

Judges at the Court of Appeal will today decide whether the Bell Hotel in Epping can continue to be used to house asylum seekers.

The government was granted a temporary injunction last week to block its closure, but that ruling could be overturned when the court delivers its decision at 2pm.

Labour’s Stephen Kinnock has questioned what alternatives the government has if it loses the case, suggesting options such as disused warehouses, office blocks and military barracks.

A community safety day has been held in Chalvey to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Police joined forces with council officers, parking services, enforcement teams and a private company for the operation last week.

They spoke with shopkeepers, residents and members of the Roma community about concerns ranging from groups gathering and drinking to noise nuisance and reckless driving.

The teams said the aim was to pool skills and resources to deal with problems raised by the local community.

Two children have been killed in a school shooting in the United States.

Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski died during mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Eighteen others were injured, including children as young as six, and three adults in their eighties.

Police say the attacker, named as Robin Westman, opened fire with a rifle through the church windows as children sat inside. Families of the victims described their hearts as broken and branded the gunman a coward.

A vaccine against chickenpox is to be offered on the NHS in England for the first time.

Until now, the varicella jab has only been available privately at a cost of around £150.

From January next year, it will form part of a new childhood immunisation programme, alongside the existing jab for measles, mumps and rubella.

The UK Health Security Agency says GPs will be able to provide the new combined MMRV vaccine from 2025.

The government has admitted it did not carry out its own cost analysis on the biggest shake-up of councils in England for decades.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said merging councils in 21 areas could save significant sums of money.

But her department relied on a 2020 report from the County Council Network which estimated £2.9 billion in savings over five years.

The CCN has since revised its figures, warning the changes could fail to save money and in some cases may even lead to higher costs.