Downing street

A University of Cambridge professor was found to have bullied and harassed a junior female colleague after telling her to “shut up” and “sit down, woman”. Joe Herbert, an emeritus professor of neuroscience, was accused of behaving in a sexist and belittling way towards Dr Bronwen Everill, the director of the university’s Centre for African Studies, during a row over a controversial slavery report. The allegation was deemed “well-founded” by the grievance committee of Gonville & Caius College , where Prof Herbert is a life fellow, according to a report seen by Varsity, the student newspaper. The professor, who has written a book on how testosterone influences male behaviour, was accused of repeated “shushing” and telling Dr Everill that she was “not in charge here” during a meeting in which he objected to a report on the college’s links to slavery. Gonville & Caius was one of several colleges which launched investigations into legacies of slavery and coerced labour … [Read more...] about Cambridge scholar ‘bullied’ female colleague by saying ‘shut up’ and ‘sit down, woman’

EASTENDERS actor James Farrar has been left "heartbroken" by the sudden death of his family pet. The 35-year-old revealed his cat, Duchess, was knocked down and killed last weekend. Soap favourite James, who plays Zack Hudson on the show, said he and his family have been left devastated following the tragic incident. Revealing his sad news on his Instagram, James wrote: “We rescued Duchess from Wales 7 years ago. "She has brought @alirofffarrar and the rest of us so much joy. "She’d lay on Ali’s belly through the pregnancy - she loved our Summer so much, and baby Summer loved her. READ MORE ON EASTENDERS OUT OF HER DEPTH EastEnders spoilers: Suki Panesar struggles to cope after murder shock HITTING BACK Revenge plot underway after Lewis kidnap on EastEnders "To all you animal lovers out there - squeeze your pets closer tonight. Duch was knocked down and killed over the weekend. "Neither of us had ever … [Read more...] about Eastenders actor James Farrar ‘heartbroken’ after ‘family member’ is knocked down and killed

By Noel Titheradge and Ed Thomas Published 30 May Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Police forces are taking longer to attend serious offences and charging fewer suspects, BBC research has found. In one instance, a disabled man said police failings led to him being targeted by a gang, assaulted and repeatedly burgled. In another, a woman felt forced to track down her stolen car - leading to her being threatened by a man with a crowbar. They are among the victims of crime in England and Wales who say they are being left in despair and forced to do their own detective work, while facing significant delays for police help. BBC research indicates forces are taking an average of three minutes longer to attend serious offences in England and Wales compared with six years ago. And while the government has repeatedly said crime is a key priority, some forces are facing … [Read more...] about Woman tracks down her own stolen car before a police investigation

A man who is apparently the last man standing on 'Britain's loneliest street' is refusing to sell up despite having no one to talk to. Nick Wisniewski, 66, says Stanhope Place in Wishaw in North Lanarkshire, Scotland has become a "ghost town" after the last 200 residents moved out in December. But even with the announcement of eight blocks of flats and other homes being scheduled for demolition, Nick has remained firm with his decision to stay put. READ MORE 'Saddest ever' £10m Grand Designs home finally on sale after owner's divorce hell The retired TSB bank worker said the area has been let go by the council as it remains abandoned with boarded-up properties. He says authorities have offered him £35,000 plus two years' rent somewhere else if he relocates so they can redevelop the area. Nick claims North Lanarkshire Council's offer would not be enough to buy somewhere else. He added that he is not in a position to buy anywhere else and is too old to get a … [Read more...] about Bloke last man standing on ‘Britain’s loneliest street’ but refuses to sell up

Record numbers of patients have been forced to endure 12-hour waits in Accident and Emergency departments - with cases up one third in a month, official figures show . NHS statistics show 29,317 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England in July from a decision to admit to actually being admitted. It comes amid increasing struggles to secure GP appointments, with growing numbers giving up because they find it too difficult, heaping pressures on hospitals. The NHS figures show 12-hour A&E waits rose 33 per cent in July, with a record spike of 7,283 - up from 22,034 the previous month. Before the pandemic the figure for the same month was just 450, with a figure of just 22 recorded back in 2015. It follows claims from the Health Secretary that “a real sprint” is required by Government to avert a winter crisis. The new figures also show the number of patients seen within four hours reached a record low, with just 71 per cent of patients … [Read more...] about Record numbers forced to endure 12-hour waits in A&E

Direct debits for energy bills could surge before the energy price cap rises in October, the former CEO of Npower has warned. The news comes just hours before Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng were due to meet gas and electricity executives at Downing Street to discuss solutions to the predicted spike in bills . Paul Massara, former boss of NPower, now head of Pulse Clean Energy, was asked when he thought direct debits would begin to rise and people would feel the impact. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "It bites now is the honest truth. "People will be hearing the news, getting worried and getting concerned they will be thinking about how are they going to manage when it gets to October. "I think some of the energy companies will adjust their direct debits and that will cause people real concern. "Typically during the summer people build up a credit so that when they go through to the winter they can pay … [Read more...] about Direct debits ‘could surge’ before energy price cap rises in October

By Manish Pandey Published 7 July Share close Share page Copy link About sharing One day you're the prime minister. The next day, you're not. Boris Johnson says he's not going yet, but plans to step aside to make way for a new leader in the autumn. It follows a dramatic 48 hours which saw dozens of ministers resign and many other colleagues urge him to go. So what happens when it all suddenly stops? On the day Assuming he follows Theresa May's example, Boris Johnson's last day will involve one final round of prime minister's questions in Parliament, then a trip to Buckingham Palace. To make his exit official, he still has to officially resign by meeting the Queen. If he's lucky, he will be given a personal gift by Her Majesty. Former PM Gordon Brown and his family got a signed photograph. Free time What might Boris Johnson do immediately after … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson: What happens after a prime minister resigns?

Published 8 December 2016 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Downing Street has said Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's comments on Saudi Arabia do not represent "the government's position". Footage has emerged from an event last week at which Mr Johnson said UK ally Saudi Arabia was engaging in "proxy wars" in the Middle East. The PM's spokeswoman said these were the foreign secretary's personal views. But former minister Crispin Blunt said No 10 had been "a little too sensitive in responding to his remarks". Laura Kuenssberg: Is Boris in bother? The chairman of the foreign affairs select committee told the BBC: "We have an intellectually brilliant foreign secretary who is thinking about the issues and engaging fully. Boris is making the personal transition to foreign secretary from commentator and the watching media jump on … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson’s Saudi ‘proxy wars’ comment ‘not UK’s view’

Published 4 October 2017 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said Libyan city Sirte could be the new Dubai, adding, "all they have to do is clear the dead bodies away". His comments at a Conservative fringe meeting sparked anger, with a number of Tory MPs calling for his sacking and Labour labelling him "crass and cruel". Mr Johnson claimed his critics had "no knowledge nor understanding of Libya". A Downing Street source said it was not an "appropriate choice of words" but the PM regarded the matter as closed. May: Johnson's not undermining me Boris Johnson: Let the British lion roar "I look at Libya, it's an incredible country," Mr Johnson told the meeting. "Bone-white sands, beautiful sea, Caesar's Palace, obviously, you know, the real one. "Incredible place. It's got a real potential and brilliant young … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson Libya ‘dead bodies’ comment provokes anger

Boris Johnson finally showed up to the cost-of-living crisis today with a surprise appearance at a summit with energy firms. But the lame duck Prime Minister STILL didn’t announce a plan to help stricken Brits this winter. He joined his Chancellor and Business Secretary in Downing Street after returning from a four-day honeymoon at a “soothing energies” mountain villa in Slovenia. Boris Johnson , Nadhim Zahawi and Kwasi Kwarteng discussed boosting North Sea oil and gas investment and support for the vulnerable with firms including EDF, E.ON, Drax, National Grid, SSE, ScottishPower, British Gas and Octopus Energy. But the ousted PM, who’s barely been seen in public since his honeymoon, has refused to announce a cost-of-living bailout for Brits - saying it should be for the next PM. Michael Lewis, E.On chief executive (left), and Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley (right) arriving in Downing Street ( Image: PA) Clare Harbord, Group Director of … [Read more...] about Lame duck Boris Johnson pops in to energy crisis talks – but there’s STILL no plan