Author: Eniola Amadu

More than 50 Labour MPs have called for a review of the decision to prevent Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from contesting the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election. The call is contained in a signed letter opposing the move to block Burnham from standing as the party’s candidate. In the letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the MPs said polling showed Burnham was Labour’s “very best chance at winning” the seat and warned that the decision could benefit Reform UK. The signatories urged Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to reconsider its decision, arguing there was “no legitimate reason”…

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a 23-year-old woman, a former colleague with whom he had a short relationship. According to Nottinghamshire Police, Adedapo Adegbola inflicted serious injury on Stephanie Irons at her residence in Westdale Lane West, Mapperly, Nottinghamshire on the eve of 21 October. Adegbola, who the force said was “motivated” after their relationship ended, admitted murder at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday and will be sentenced on 5 February. Police described Irons as “a caring and compassionate young woman” who was taken from her family and friends “in horrific circumstances”. Judge Nirmal Shant KC…

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham has revealed his intention to contest the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election. In a statement released, he argued he wants to support the Labour government and not sabotage it, acknowledging the decision has been tough to make. “I have passed this assurance on to the prime minister” he said “to support the work of the government, not undermine it”. Burnham wrote in his letter that there was a “direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has always been about from a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other”. “I see…

A former teacher, 77, has been convicted over indecent assaults on five girls at a south Belfast school in the 1970s. The judge at Belfast Crown Court has revealed that William Lloyd-Lavery of Richmond Avenue, Lisburn is likely to get “a sentence of imprisonment”. The former history teacher at Richmond Lodge school, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault within the period of four years between 1975 and 1979. The trial which lasted six days heard complaints from all six victims in the case. The offences against Lloyd-Lavery range from grabbing pupils on the buttocks in school corridors…

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has announced plans to establish a national housing agency to increase home construction in Scotland. Speaking on the proposed plans, he stated that the agency — More Homes Scotland — would provide affordable housing speedily. Swinney revealed the agency would begin operations in 2027-2028 if the SNP is re-elected after the Holyrood election in May. Following shortages in social housing, rising homelessness, and increasing property prices, ministers have declared a national emergency in 2024 promising to invest up to £4.9bn in affordable homes over the next four years. The agency will prioritise large-scale affordable housing…

Health Secretary, Wes Streeting has said he will keep close watch on NHS mental trust experiencing a £29 million funding shortfall. Streeting reaffirmed his commitment to working with leaders in improving the trust saying it is faced with a “real challenge”. He said to BBC Radio Suffolk’s Sarah Lilley: “I’ll be keeping a close eye on it and with NHS leaders nationally to make sure we continue to see improvements in the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Trust.” On the NHS funding challenges, he said: “I know it’s a real challenge I’ve put on to NHS leaders, I know it is…

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has denied that the Scottish government pressured officials to fast track the opening of the country’s largest hospital, amid concerns about the safety of its water system. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde revealed this week had faced pressure from the government to open the hospital. However, the government has denied the claim. Read also the related story on New Daily Prime: Scottish Labour leader Sarwar demands ex-ministers probeover Glasgow hospital scandal The health board admitted infections affecting some child cancer patients were probably connected to the hospital’s water system. Meanwhile, families of patients who became…

A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for seriously assaulting two teenage girls and an adult woman sexually in Orkney. The assailant, Gordon Docherty abused the girls between 2006 and 2008. One of the teenage victims was 13 years old when she was first assaulted. He raped the woman in her home in August 2020, just days after she had given birth. Her newborn baby was nearby during the attack. Read related news from New Daily Prime: Man jailed for forcing woman into decades of sexual exploitation Ex-husband, five others charged with rape, sexual offences over 13…

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called for investigations into the roles of John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon over alleged failures at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. The former shadow minister described the issues at the hospital as “the biggest scandal in the history of the Scottish Parliament”, and in his view, a criminal offence had taken place. He called for an investigation into government ministers and hospital personnel who were in office at the time the hospital opened, including the first minister, finance secretary, and health secretary at the time, who were Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and Shona…

Former chief constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, has been directed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Guildford retired on Friday after the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said she no longer had confidence in him following the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a match against Aston Villa. The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster referred him to the IOPC for a misconduct investigation. Foster in a statement released addressed the controversy regarding the Maccabi Tel Aviv ban saying: “These matters have had a significant impact on public confidence, and the confidence…