West Midlands Police will pay out over £820,000 to former firearms officer Rebecca Kalam, who won a sex discrimination case. Kalam was awarded £30,000 last November, but the new payout is for loss of earnings and pension. She hoped to become chief constable, but claimed that she suffered harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation while in… Continue reading Ex-firearms officer Rebecca Kalam wins sex discrimination payout
Category: UK News
Scots prosecutors told of Post Office IT concerns in 2013
A decade ago, Scotland’s prosecution service was made aware of possible issues surrounding the Post Office Horizon IT system. A Freedom of Information (FoI) request showed that the Crown Office learned of the potential problems in May 2013. It is believed that up to 100 cases are affected north of the border. Justice Secretary Angela… Continue reading Scots prosecutors told of Post Office IT concerns in 2013
Surrey Thames river levels inches away from floods of 2014
Heavy rainfall has led to flooding in Surrey, resulting in homes and businesses being inundated with water. The Thames river has risen to levels just inches away from those seen a decade ago, in 2014. The Environment Agency has issued warnings for the whole stretch of the river in Surrey, including areas such as Egham,… Continue reading Surrey Thames river levels inches away from floods of 2014
Eaglescliffe woman found not guilty of 'home abortion'
Bethany Cox, a woman accused of carrying out an illegal abortion on herself, has been found not guilty just before her trial after the prosecution dropped the case. The reason for this decision was put down to “evidential difficulties.” Cox, 22, from Eaglescliffe in Stockton, was charged with using misoprostol to induce her miscarriage and… Continue reading Eaglescliffe woman found not guilty of 'home abortion'
Paula Vennells: Ex-Post Office boss handing back CBE over IT scandal
The former CEO of the UK’s Post Office, Paula Vennells, has announced she will be returning her CBE, the third-highest ranking honour, for “services to the Post Office and to charity”, amid mounting pressure relating to the Horizon IT scandal. Over 700 sub-postmasters were prosecuted based on erroneous data from faulty software, and many were… Continue reading Paula Vennells: Ex-Post Office boss handing back CBE over IT scandal
Strawberry Hill: Four arrests after man stabbed to death
Four men have been apprehended following a fatal stabbing in south-west London. On Monday, British Transport Police (BTP) officials were dispatched to Strawberry Hill railway station in Twickenham in response to reports of a man in his twenties being injured. The victim was discovered with a significant wound from a stabbing and perished at the… Continue reading Strawberry Hill: Four arrests after man stabbed to death
Paula Vennells: Ex-Post Office boss was shortlisted to be Bishop of London
Sources have told the BBC that Paula Vennells, the former boss of the Post Office, was shortlisted to be appointed as Bishop of London in 2017. Despite being an ordained Anglican priest, Vennells did not hold a senior position in the Church of England. It has been suggested that the Archbishop of Canterbury pushed her… Continue reading Paula Vennells: Ex-Post Office boss was shortlisted to be Bishop of London
Flood warnings remain as cold spell persists
Over 100 flood warnings are still in place in southern England due to last week’s wet weather, with cold temperatures continuing. The Environment Agency has confirmed that there are 125 flood warnings in England, including along the River Thames near London. A yellow warning for ice across southern England and southern Wales expired early on… Continue reading Flood warnings remain as cold spell persists
Attacker's early release an absolute travesty, blinded man says
A man from Wirral, Merseyside who lost an eye in an unprovoked attack has expressed his disappointment in the justice system after his attacker was released early under the home detention curfew scheme, just eight months into his 28-month sentence. Michael Norris, who was blinded in one eye, said the release was an “absolute travesty”.… Continue reading Attacker's early release an absolute travesty, blinded man says
Ministers vow to speed up justice for Post Office victims
The UK government will soon reveal plans to fast-track the appeals of hundreds of sub-postmasters affected by the Post Office IT scandal, according to Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake. The scandal saw 736 sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses being prosecuted due to faulty software. The technology company behind the software, Fujitsu and anyone else found responsible, should… Continue reading Ministers vow to speed up justice for Post Office victims