Latest news with #EDL
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Reform says councillor ‘should be sacked for supporting Tommy Robinson'
Reform UK called for the sacking of a Labour councillor who resigned over his apparent support for Tommy Robinson. Nigel Farage's party accused Ben Westwick, who sits on Basildon council in Essex, of posting tweets in support of the far-Right activist more than a decade ago. He has now been suspended by the leader of the council, but remains as an independent member. A spokesman for the local Reform UK party called for Mr Westwick's 'immediate resignation' based on what it called his 'numerous offensive... and deeply inappropriate comments made across his social media accounts'. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, founded the English Defence League (EDL) and has recently been released from prison, having served a sentence for contempt of court. Mr Farage has long tried to distance himself from the EDL founder in a bid to make his party more respectable. In 2018, he resigned from Ukip over his party's obsession with the far-Right activist, and earlier this year he dismissed Elon Musk's call for him to work with Robinson. A Twitter account apparently belonging to Mr Westwick posted back in 2012: '@EDLTrobinson tommy Robinson for prime minister'. The account has not tweeted anything since 2014. Gavin Callaghan, council leader, said he suspended Mr Westwick 'after I was made aware of social media posts made... before he was elected in 2024'. 'Whilst I accept that Ben was a young man when he posted these comments and that he has changed his views on a number of issues, I do not believe it is right for him to represent the Labour Party on the council at this time,' he added. Having the whip removed means a politician is no longer obliged to vote with his party at council meetings. It also usually means an individual is suspended from the political party they are a member of. Mr Westwick now sits as an independent councillor for Pitsea South East. There are two by-elections for Baslidon council due to take place over the next month. One is in Wickford Park ward next Thursday, following the death of Wickford Independents' Dave Harrison, and one in St Martins ward after Labour's Maryam Yaqub stood down.
Newsweek
09-06-2025
- Newsweek
TSA Ban Costco Cards As Travel ID
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has taken to social media to clear up confusion over what counts as REAL ID, following the implementation of the act last month. The TSA took to Facebook to make clear that Costco cards do not count. In a post to Facebook, TSA wrote "We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not." A woman displays her Costco card in order to enter after waiting in a line that snaked around a Costco store in Novato, California on March 14, 2020. A woman displays her Costco card in order to enter after waiting in a line that snaked around a Costco store in Novato, California on March 14, 2020. JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images Twenty years after it was first proposed, REAL ID has been implemented, meaning that Americans and permanent residents will only be able to pass through airport security or enter some federal government buildings if they have a REAL ID, or another valid form of identification, such as a passport or Enhanced Driver's Licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID) issued in the following states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington. Costco cards never counted as a REAL ID, and you were never able to travel on one. This story will be updated.
USA Today
07-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Costco cards good for 'hot dogs & rotisserie chickens,' not airports, TSA says
Costco cards good for 'hot dogs & rotisserie chickens,' not airports, TSA says The deadline for travelers to obtain a Real ID for domestic flights and accessing federal facilities was May 7. Show Caption Hide Caption Real ID explained: what it is, why it matters, and how to get yours Real ID requirements: everything you need to know about getting compliant for travel and ID. Costco memberships come with a variety of perks, including access to discounted products and services; however, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently debunked the rumor that customers' warehouse club cards substitute for a Real ID. TSA proclaimed in an X post on Wednesday, June 4: "We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not." TSA Pacific spokesperson Lorie Dankers told SFGate that the rumor of Costco cards being accepted as official identification pops up every year or so. When people try to use their warehouse club cards at airports, for instance, it could lead to delays and travel headaches, she added. Travel: You don't need a passport at these 7 US destinations that feel international As of May 7, travelers need a Real ID or other acceptable identification for domestic flights and accessing federal facilities. Those who haven't gotten one yet may be scrambling to figure out what they need to do before booking their next trip. One thing is for certain: They should probably leave their Costco membership cards at home. Here are the acceptable forms of identification, according to the TSA, as well as some background on how the most recent version of the Costco card rumor originated. Acceptable identification at the TSA checkpoint According to the TSA, valid forms of ID at airports include: Real ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification. State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID) U.S. passport U.S. passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents Permanent resident card Border crossing card An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs) HSPD-12 PIV card Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) How did the Costco card rumor come back up? Food blog Chowhound claimed in the initial version of an article titled "How Your Costco Card Could Save You At The Airport," that people's Costco cards could pass through TSA because it is considered a photo ID. The article cited Reddit, where users claimed their warehouse club cards helped them through airport security when they forgot or lost their regular ID. On June 4, the day TSA debunked the rumor on social media, Chowhound issued an update to the article, saying, "A previous version of this article stated TSA is likely to accept a Costco membership card in lieu of a valid form of ID. TSA does not explicitly state you can use a Costco card as a form of identification, explaining, 'The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening.'" The update concludes with: "Now with the Real ID requirements, (a Costco card) is even less likely to get you through TSA quickly or successfully." If someone tried using a Costco card at an airport, they would likely be pulled from the TSA checkpoint line for further questioning about other personal information, such as their two previous home addresses, Dankers told SFGate. Contributing: Chad Murphy/ Akron Beacon Journal
Metro
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Tommy Robinson kicked out of London restaurant because ‘staff didn't want to serve him'
Tommy Robinson's entourage is upset after being kicked out of a restaurant for making staff 'feel uncomfortable'. The right wing activist – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was out eating at the Hawksmoor restaurant near Regent Street, central London, before staff realised who he was. Footage taken by EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai, who was dining with Robinson, shows the restaurant manager explaining 'staff felt uncomfortable'. Kalirai replied: 'Is it because of the colour of my skin?' The manager responded: 'No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I'm sure you can understand. 'I'm very sorry. I hope it hasn't inconvenienced you.' The footage was posted to X, with Kalirai saying: 'Just been kicked out of Hawksmoor steak house for no reason. Literally just had our starters.' The manager could be seen handing Robinson a business card with the CEO of Hawksmoor's details on it 'if he has any questions', and told him the restaurant will cover the cost of the drinks. Metro has contacted the Hawksmoor for comment. On Thursday Robinson appeared at Westminster Magistrates where he denied two counts of harassment causing fear of violence in August 2024. Prosecutors said he harassed two news reporters, and sharing multiple posts about them on his social media. Robinson was released from prison last month after he was jailed for repeatedly lied about a Syrian refugee. But he had his sentence reduced, and was released from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes. check our news page.
Metro
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Tommy Robinson kicked out of restaurant because 'staff didn't want to serve him'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Tommy Robinson is upset after being kicked out of a restaurant for making staff 'feel uncomfortable'. The right wing activist – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was out eating at the Hawksmoor restaurant near Regent Street, central London, before staff realised who he was. Footage taken by EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai, who was dining with Robinson, shows the restaurant manager explaining 'staff felt uncomfortable'. Kalirai replied: 'Is it because of the colour of my skin?' The manager responded: 'No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I'm sure you can understand. 'I'm very sorry. I hope it hasn't inconvenienced you.' The footage was posted to X, with Kalirai saying: 'Just been kicked out of Hawksmoor steak house for no reason. Literally just had our starters.' The manager could be seen handing Robinson a business card with the CEO of Hawksmoor's details on it 'if he has any questions', and told him the restaurant will cover the cost of the drinks. Metro has contacted the Hawksmoor for comment. Robinson was released from prison last month after he was jailed for repeatedly lied about a Syrian refugee. But he had his sentence reduced, and was released from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I thought Robbie Williams was overhyped but he can still kick it MORE: What I Own: At 22 and 23, we bought a run down London four-bed for £910,000 MORE: Major US fast food chain to open in London Heathrow airport – a European first
