News 19/02/26

The UK has not agreed to allow the United States to launch air strikes against Iran from British bases on Diego Garcia or at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The Times reports permission has not been granted. The newspaper claims that as a result of the UK’s position, Donald Trump has withdrawn support for a deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer to hand the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, to Mauritius. US military plans to strike Iran involve the joint British American base on Diego Garcia as well as RAF Fairford, which hosts a US fleet of heavy bombers.

A man who killed his cousin’s four year old son after hitting their pick up truck has been found not guilty of murder.

Owen Maughan, 27, had already admitted the manslaughter of Peter Maughan following the collision on New Barn Road in Dartford, Kent, on 1 June last year. At Maidstone Crown Court he was cleared of murder. His father, Patrick Maughan, 54, who was also in the vehicle, was found guilty of manslaughter but cleared of murder.

The number of norovirus patients in hospitals in England has reached its highest level this winter.

In the week to 15 February, an average of 1,012 hospital beds were occupied each day, a rise of nine percent on the previous week and the highest weekly figure so far this season. The UK Health Security Agency recorded 981 positive laboratory results in the two weeks to 15 February, 38 percent above the long term average of 713 for the same period. Health officials have warned of a second surge after infections had begun to fall.

A man has been convicted over an XL bully attack in which a 68-year-old woman was mauled to death at his home.

Ashley Warren, 41, was found guilty of owning a dog called Bear that attacked Esther Martin in Jaywick, Essex, on 3 February 2024. The jury reached a majority verdict of eleven to one. Warren was cleared of being in charge of another XL bully, Beauty, which also injured Ms Martin. The medical cause of her death was recorded as dog bite wounds to the upper right limb.

A man has been arrested after two teenagers were found dead at a holiday park in East Yorkshire.

Humberside Police said officers were called to Little Eden Holiday Park in Bridlington on Wednesday over concerns for safety. A 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were discovered dead inside a rental property. A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and remains in custody. Chief Superintendent Matt Peach said the deaths are unexplained and inquiries are continuing, including the possibility they may be linked to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Three people have been jailed over the deaths of an elderly couple whose home was set alight in a drugs related dispute.

Drug dealer Kevin Weetman, 34, was given life with a minimum term of 25 years. One of his sellers, Kylie Maynard, 37, was jailed for 23 years, and Lee Owens, 46, received 13 years and six months. All three were convicted of manslaughter following the deaths of Sheila Jackson, 83, and Eric Greener, 77. The couple were killed in an arson attack at their terraced house on South John Street in St Helens, Merseyside, in July 2025.A former Metropolitan Police chief has given insight into what could happen next after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Dal Babu, a former chief superintendent, says officers do not have to arrest someone they are investigating and could instead request a statement through a lawyer or invite them to attend a police station voluntarily. He says making an arrest suggests there may be significant evidence.

Meanwhile, The King has issued a statement saying he learned with deepest concern of the suspicion of misconduct in public office.

He says a full, fair and proper process must now follow, with the appropriate authorities receiving full support and co-operation. He adds the law must take its course and he will not comment further, while his family continues its duty and service.

Dame Antonia Romeo has been confirmed as the new head of the civil service.

She replaces Sir Chris Wormald, who was sacked last week, and becomes the first woman to hold the post. Sir Keir Starmer says he is delighted to appoint her as cabinet secretary, describing her as an outstanding public servant with a 25 year record of delivering for the British people. He says he has been impressed by her professionalism and determination since becoming prime minister, adding it is essential to have a cabinet secretary who can support the government’s focus on easing the cost of living, strengthening public services and restoring pride in communities.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Thames Valley Police say a man in his sixties from Norfolk was detained and officers are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. He remains in police custody. The force says it will not name the arrested man in line with national guidance and has warned the case is now active, so care must be taken with any publication to avoid contempt of court.

British nationals Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been sentenced to ten years in prison in Iran over allegations of espionage.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the punishment as completely appalling and totally unjustifiable. She said the government would pursue the case relentlessly with the Iranian authorities until the couple are safely returned to the United Kingdom and reunited with their family. The pair were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through Iran during an around the world motorcycle journey and were detained on charges of espionage.

A court in South Korea has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after he imposed martial law in 2024.

He was found guilty of abuse of authority and of masterminding an insurrection. The charges relate to his mobilisation of military and police forces in what was described as an illegal attempt to seize the liberal led National Assembly in December 2024. The case also meant he faced the death penalty. Yoon defended his decree as necessary to prevent liberals, whom he called anti state forces, from obstructing his agenda with their legislative majority.

Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 2am during the World Cup knockout stages this summer, but only if any of the home nations reach that point.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has agreed to extend licensing hours for the later rounds of the tournament, which is being hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico. According to The Sun, pubs will also be able to apply for a temporary licence for very late kick-offs that could finish beyond 2am. England and Scotland have already qualified for the competition, which runs from 11 June to 19 July, while either Wales or Northern Ireland could still join them through the play-offs.

Online marketplace eBay has agreed to pay 1.2 billion dollars, around 890 million pounds, to buy second-hand fashion platform Depop from Etsy.

The companies say the all-cash deal is expected to complete by the middle of this year, five years after Etsy bought Depop for 1.6 billion dollars, about 1.18 billion pounds. The move comes as demand for used clothing grows, with shoppers seeking more sustainable and affordable options than traditional retailers. Depop, founded in the UK in 2011, is expected to keep its name, brand and platform.

Retail staff could face reduced hours or job losses as businesses deal with rising government-imposed costs.

The British Retail Consortium says its survey of finance chiefs found 61 percent are planning to cut staff hours and overtime. It reports 55 percent believe head office roles are at risk, while 42 percent expect in-store jobs to be targeted, despite 74,000 retail positions already being lost over the past year.

An inquest has opened into the death of David Bernard Harlow from Windsor, who died at Wexham Park Hospital.

The 82-year-old passed away on 11 January 2026 following a traumatic haematoma and Parkinson’s disease. The hearing was opened at Reading Coroner’s Court at the town hall in Blagrave Street, where senior coroner Heidi Connor presided.

A man has died and a teenage boy is in critical condition after a stabbing at a skate park in Northampton.

Four people, including two teenage boys, a man and a woman, all from Northampton, have been arrested and remain in custody. The man who died was in his twenties, and the injured boy is in hospital with life-threatening injuries.