Industry

Nine police officers face a gross misconduct hearing following an internal investigation into alleged racial discrimination against a colleague, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.

An inquiry was launched by the force's Professional Standards Directorate in July 2024 after a report was made that an officer in the Bury district had been subjected to racist remarks by some colleagues in December 2023.

GMP said it had suspended eight officers who remained off duty. A ninth officer has been restricted from working in Bury during the investigation.

A date for the hearing will be set as soon as possible, the force added.

'Deeply concerning'

Meanwhile a separate probe, by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), is examining an unrelated incident of alleged racial discrimination against an officer, also in the Bury district.

GMP said that investigation involved seven officers, of whom five remained suspended.

"The GMP and IOPC investigations relate to deeply concerning allegations into racist remarks about two officers in unrelated incidents," said GMP's head of professional standards, Det Ch Supt Mike Allen.

"We have conducted a thorough investigation and have fully supported the IOPC with their work, too.

"Ensuring we uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour across GMP is essential, and it is only right that when matters such as these are reported to us, we take all necessary action.

"We now await the outcomes of these ongoing proceedings."

GMP said it had worked extensively with officers, staff and the community in Bury to improve cultural awareness.

A proposal for the site of the former Body Shop headquarters in Littlehampton has been submitted for approval.

The plans involve the site at Watersmead Business Park, off Norway Road, which was also home to two former Amazon warehouses.

It would see the three-storey former Body Shop building demolished and warehouses redeveloped into nine separate retail units, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The plans are set to be decided by Arun District Council on 28 August.

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The complete removal of the headquarters will reduce the "apparent bulk" of the site from Norway Lane and the A259, according to the plans.

They also suggest changes to pedestrian route and road layouts, planting areas including a pond, a bug hotel for increasing biodiversity, more parking spaces including electric vehicle bays and "sustainable" drainage infrastructure.

No objections have yet been registered by nearby residents or official bodies.

Plans for the demolition of the HQ were given the greenlight by the council in March this year, with the demolition beginning in May.

The Body Shop announced it was moving out of its Littlehampton site in October 2024 to relocate to Brighton, shortly after being pulled out of administration by the Aurea Group earlier that year.

A number of victims' families have criticised a decision by the UK's highest court to allow the government to appeal a ruling on the Legacy Act.

The Legacy Act was brought in by the last government and came into effect in May.

Parts of the act including a controversial measure to give a conditional amnesty to suspects who gave accurate information were later struck down by the Court of Appeal.

Labour has started the process of repealing the act, but last October lodged an appeal seeking to challenge other elements of the ruling handed down by the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court has now granted the appeal, with the hearing expected to take place in the next couple of months.

Secretary of State, Hilary Benn said: "There were aspects of the Dillon judgement that raised wider constitutional questions that go beyond the Legacy Act and that is why the government is appealing."

Benn said that he was pleased with the Supreme Courts' decision to allow an appeal.

He said: "On legacy I will ensure that we have a system that is compliant with the European Convention of Human Rights, that's a pledge I've made and the government will honour"

In September, senior judges in Belfast ruled that the Legacy Act gives the UK government too much veto power over the disclosure of material by a new commission which is investigating killings.

That case was brought by a number of bereaved relatives, who argued the commission was not sufficiently independent.

Speaking on Thursday, Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law said his clients would "relish the opportunity to again take a stand against this act on behalf of all victims affected by this egregious legislation".

He added: "It is disappointing that the Secretary of State has continued to utilise every available mechanism to try and uphold the Tory pet project of the Legacy Act.

"It is a testament to the importance of this case that the Supreme Court has confirmed that it will hear this case on an expedited basis, and indeed, before the end of June if possible."

The Legacy Act, which is opposed by Northern Ireland's political parties and victims' groups, was brought in by the last government and came into effect in May.

Labour has begun the parliamentary process of replacing the act, but said it intends on keeping the new legacy body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Martina Dillon, who lost her husband Seamus after he was shot dead in a loyalist attack in Dungannon in 1997, said the appeal "only puts salt in the wounds of all victims".

"We warmly welcome the Supreme Court's decision to expedite this case and we look forward to defending our rights in London before the end of June."

What is the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act?

The act was passed by the Conservative government in September 2023 despite opposition from Labour, all Northern Ireland parties, several victims' groups and the Irish government.

It created a new legacy body known as the ICRIR to take over all Troubles-era cases from 1 May 2024, including those on the desk of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The act shuts down all historical inquests.

The act's most controversial element, the offer of conditional immunity to suspects, has been disapplied following legal action by bereaved families.

The court ruled this part of the act was incompatible with human rights' legislation and the Windsor Framework.

In late July, the Labour government wrote to the Belfast courts abandoning an appeal against the striking out of the amnesty clause in the legislation.

But it later confirmed it would seek an appeal to challenge rulings on other aspects of the act.

A chatty camel calf who was born at a UK zoo appears to be "strong and healthy", his keepers have said.

Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire said the baby boy, who is yet to be named, was born on 18 May to first-time-mum Orla and dad Oakley.

Camel keeper Gracie Gee said Orla was "constantly reassuring him with murmurs and noises – and you can hear him 'talking' back with squeaks, which is very sweet".

The fluffy new addition joins his half-sister Sally, who was born in April 2024, and will live with the zoo's herd of five adults.

"Orla is very protective and attentive of her newborn," added Ms Gee.

"Despite being thought of as grumpy, camels are very nurturing and caring parents, and it's wonderful to see Orla proving to be a natural mum already.

"The calf seems strong and healthy – he was walking within hours of being born, and visitors will be able to see him getting used to his long, lanky legs as he races around the camels' vast paddock."

Whipsnade Zoo's domestic Bactrian camels are an ambassador species for their critically endangered cousins, the wild camel in Mongolia and China.

The charity behind Whipsnade Zoo is supporting conservation efforts in Mongolia, including in the Gobi Desert.

Ms Gee said there were as few as 950 wild camels left in the deserts of Mongolia and China, with "hunting and water scarcity caused by human-activity largely to blame".

"Natural predation from the grey wolf is also putting pressure on the remaining population," Ms Gee said.

An agreement has been signed to transform the site of an old bus station that was demolished a decade ago.

The Greyfriars development in Northampton will include 1,000 homes, an amphitheatre, shops and restaurants.

The 25-acre (10.1ha) site also includes two existing car parks, a disused corn exchange, and a derelict office block.

West Northamptonshire Council said the deal would "revitalise a long-neglected area of the heart of the town centre".

Ever since Northampton's Greyfriars bus station, labelled "the mouth of hell", disappeared in a huge cloud of dust in 2015, the site has been vacant and unused.

The agreement that has now been signed means work could be starting soon on a project that will, according to the council, "unlock the true potential of Northampton".

The signatures on the document are those of the council and ECF which is a joint venture between the government's Homes England agency and private firms Legal & General and "placemakers" Muse.

As well as the bus station site, the regeneration area includes the Mayorhold and Victoria Street Car Parks and the traffic islands either side of the bus station.

There is also the Corn Exchange, built in 1851, and Belgrave House – a giant 1970s brutalist office block.

Under the plans, Belgrave House is set to become a "flexible space for established and emergent businesses".

The Corn Exchange is likely to be turned into art and performance space, alongside a new amphitheatre on what is now the West Island.

A park is included in the plan, occupying the area which is now Lady's Lane.

The plans include affordable, built-to-rent and student accommodation alongside shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.

The council claims 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs will be created during the construction phase and "over £1bn in economic value" will be "unlocked".

James Petter, cabinet member for local economy at the Reform UK-controlled council, said: "The regeneration of Greyfriars will not only revitalise a key part of our town centre but also strengthen our local economy, improve connectivity, and create a more inclusive and vibrant place to live, work, and visit."

Sir Michael Lyons, who chairs ECF, said: "Entering a development agreement will enable us to take the next important step in the delivery of this important opportunity."

He added that both parties would now "move at pace" to deliver a masterplan for the project.

A severe fire overnight at a derelict pub in Dudley is being treated as suspected arson, police have said.

Six fire crews were dispatched to the former Crown Inn in Netherton at the height of the blaze, after it was reported at about 00:30 BST on Friday.

It involved the roof space at the old Simms Lane pub, which closed in 2018. No-one was believed to have been injured, the fire service said.

West Midlands Police has asked anyone with information to get in touch with officers.

The road, which was closed in both directions, has since reopened.

Vandals have caused up to £30,000 in damage to a "beloved" train, a heritage railway in Kent has said.

The Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells said the "mindless attack" on its Class 207 DEMU 1317 happened on Sunday.

General manager Jonnie Pay told the BBC fixing the historic train, which will need completely stripping and repainting, was something volunteers at the railway "really didn't need to do".

"It is very demoralising," he said, adding that they had preserved the train in 2004 after it went out of service in 1985.

Mr Pay said the train was "only one of this type left" and had a "huge historic connection" to the town.

The Spa Valley Railway operates steam and heritage diesel trains between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, with stops at High Rocks and Groombridge.

It hosts various days out and educational events. which Mr Pay warned could be cancelled now the train was being repaired.

He said the vandalism was a "sheer disappointment".

"We've not only put thousands of volunteer hours, but thousands of pounds into restoring that train."

Kent Police confirmed the vandalism had been reported.

It said it would visit the site on Wednesday as part of an investigation.

No arrests have been made, it added.

A man is seeking permission to demolish his own cottage in Wellington, near Hereford, because repeated flooding has made it a liability.

However, a Herefordshire Council ecology officer has opposed the bid to take down the former stable near the village's brook.

In his application, homeowner Nick Jones said he had spent 10 years maintaining and repairing his home, including installing flood defences, but Vinery Cottage in Mill Lane was uninsurable, uninhabitable and could not be rented.

Ecology officer James Bisset said the building offered potential features for bat roosting which "has previously been recorded in the locality".

Storm damage costs

Papers said Mr Jones was not able to insure the building or contents, and maintenance and repair costs after successive floods exceeded any realistic rental value.

He said: "I spent 10 years converting it at considerable cost. Then we had the storm damage, which has cost me about £40,000 each time to repair."

He fitted flood gates and reinforced walls after Storm Dennis in 2020, but they weren't enough to keep out two floods last winter, Mr Jones said, adding: "If someone can think of another option I'd jump at it."

The building is not listed and has no adjacent properties or trees that would be affected, the application said.

The closest building is the Vinery, also owned by Mr Jones.

Comments on the plans can be made until 13 June.

Business and charity sectors in Guernsey have identified policy areas for the island's election candidates to consider.

The Voice of Guernsey Business Insight Report said the six key areas were housing and cost of living, the education and skills gap, tax and economic development, connectivity, tourism and transport links, and government delivery and public spending.

Guernsey's general election is set to be held on Wednesday, 18 June.

A spokesperson for the report urged candidates in the upcoming election to "consider their responses" to the issues raised.

The report represents about 1,000 companies and about 20,000 employees in the island.

'Hindering success'

The full report will be published later in April and a briefing for candidates will take place on 2 May.

A report spokesperson added: "We ask islanders who are considering whether to stand for election to think carefully about these priorities – because these complex and interwoven policy areas are currently hindering our community's economic and social success."

The report cited housing affordability, availability and quality as the "top concerns for businesses" and added "alleviating cost of living pressures for the younger generation are crucial".

It said skills shortages and an ageing workforce "pose long-term risks to Guernsey's economy" and government "inefficiency" and "slow decision-making" were "significant obstacles".

Campaigners have welcomed a much-anticipated review into family visa requirements previously labelled a 'tax on love' by a Bristol MP.

The Home Office said it is considering recommendations which include lowering the minimum income required for a British citizen or settled resident to apply for a visa for their foreign spouse in the UK, currently set at £29,000.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has reviewed the impact of the current visa process on families, including on children's mental health and the right to family life.

Executive director of Reunite Families UK, Caroline Coombs, from Bristol, said "children are the biggest victims of these rules".

The minimum income requirement (MIR) has long been contested by couples who are unable to meet the threshold and, in some cases, are therefore forced to live apart.

First introduced in 2012, it increased from £18,600 to £29,000 in April 2024, as part of measures by the previous Conservative government to reduce immigration.

The Labour government commissioned an independent review of the policy, which has been carried out by the MAC, and was published on Tuesday.

The current threshold applies only to the British partner or settled resident and does not account for potential earnings from the foreign partner once in the UK – a rule the review is also calling on the Government to reconsider.