Latest news with #MartinGriffiths
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Solar on roofs not farms, says Reform UK in North Northamptonshire
The leader of a Reform UK-controlled council said solar panels should be installed on warehouses rather than Griffiths, who leads North Northamptonshire Council, said putting the panels on good-quality fields was "ridiculous".He has been setting out his priorities for the authority which now has 40 Reform UK councillors after they ousted the Conservatives in May's also thinks climate change targets are "holding our country back". Griffiths is no stranger to the role of leader, having been at the helm of Conservative-controlled Wellingborough Borough Council before it was abolished in jumped ship from the Tories to Reform UK, he now commands a group with a majority of 12 to the BBC about his priorities, he said an improvement programme waas under way in the council's planning said: "I'm determined that we are going to make some progress in that area. It isn't about nimbyism - it's about wanting the very best for our area." One planning issue that he said he was "keen to address" was solar said: "Isn't it interesting that all of these big high-density warehouse developments are coming forward with no solar panels on the roofs?"It's ridiculous when we're putting solar in good-quality farmland."It's something that the developers probably don't want to do because it means that they've got to strengthen roofs, etcetera, but doesn't it make sense?"He added the issue had come up regularly on the doorstep during campaigning. Despite being a member of a party that is openly sceptical about the causes of climate change, Griffith insists: "I don't deny climate change, but I think our net zero targets are the things that are really holding our country back, so that's what my group are very, very concerned party's much-publicised Doge-style efficiency review is also on the agenda in North said it "will include the possibility of bringing in party experts" to scrutinise expenditure and systems at the added: "We're not going to pay a penny [for the Doge review] so that's why our officers are fully in support of this." Helen Harrison, the leader of the Conservative opposition on the council, said: "We will support them when their proposals are in the interests of the people of North Northamptonshire and will constructively challenge them when we believe they are not."If the new administration continues to prioritise cost-effective services and our policy of prioritising road repairs, we will support it. "We will, of course, look at each proposal on its merits." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Al Jazeera
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Aid sites as ‘opportunities for killing' unprecedented, ex-UN chief
NewsFeed Aid sites as 'opportunities for killing' unprecedented, ex-UN chief 'Food has become an opportunity for killing, I've never heard of such a thing' Former UN aid chief Martin Griffiths slammed Israel's killing of Palestinians seeking aid. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was luring people to their deaths.
Sky News
31-05-2025
- General
- Sky News
Israel-Gaza latest: Israel says it has killed Hamas military leader; Hamas submits response to ceasefire proposal
Analysis: Former UN chief's labelling of Gaza war as 'genocide' marks extraordinary shift By Yalda Hakim, lead world news presenter In a stark and direct intervention, Martin Griffiths, the former UN humanitarian chief, has described the situation in Gaza as genocide. The statement, made during an interview I conducted with Griffiths on The World, marks one of the most pointed accusations yet from a figure known to be deeply embedded in the world of international politics and diplomacy. "I think now we've got to the point this is unequivocal. Of course it is genocide. Just as it is weaponising aid. "We don't need to look behind ourselves to see that's the case. That should encourage us even more because we, of course, all doubted whether it would come to that level of definition. "We all doubted whether famine is actually there. I think starvation is killing people. That's bad enough. We don't have to worry about famine, which is obviously there lurking in the shadows. "Also, genocide… of course that's what has happened. We only need to look at the statements made. Prime Minister Netanyahuhas the virtue of being very clear about his objectives." Watch Yalda Hakim's interview with the former UN humanitarian chief in the video below His choice of words is extraordinary - not just for its gravity, but because it's Griffiths who is saying it. A veteran diplomat with decades of experience navigating complex international crises, Griffiths is known for his calm and thoughtful demeanour - not for inflammatory language. For him to use the term "genocide" in a television interview signals a significant shift in how some within the international system are now interpreting events on the ground in Gaza - 20 months since Israel launched its war.
Sky News
30-05-2025
- General
- Sky News
Former UN chief's labelling of Gaza war as 'genocide' marks extraordinary shift
In a stark and direct intervention, Martin Griffiths, the former UN humanitarian chief, has described the situation in Gaza as genocide. The statement, made during an interview I conducted with Griffiths on The World, marks one of the most pointed accusations yet from a figure known to be deeply embedded in the world of international politics and diplomacy. "I think now we've got to the point this is unequivocal. Of course it is genocide. Just as it is weaponising aid. "We don't need to look behind ourselves to see that's the case. That should encourage us even more because we, of course, all doubted whether it would come to that level of definition. "We all doubted whether famine is actually there. I think starvation is killing people. That's bad enough. We don't have to worry about famine, which is obviously there lurking in the shadows. "Also, genocide… of course that's what has happened. We only need to look at the statements made. Prime Minister Netanyahu has the virtue of being very clear about his objectives." 3:14 His choice of words is extraordinary - not just for its gravity, but because it's Griffiths who is saying it. A veteran diplomat with decades of experience navigating complex international crises, Griffiths is known for his calm and thoughtful demeanour - not for inflammatory language. For him to use the term "genocide" in a television interview signals a significant shift in how some within the international system are now interpreting events on the ground in Gaza - 20 months since Israel launched its war. 4:40 The timing is also noteworthy. Just weeks earlier, Tom Fletcher, another respected former British ambassador and current UN humanitarian chief, came close to using the phrase during a UN Security Council session. He said: "What more evidence do you need now? Will you act decisively to prevent genocide and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law? Or will you say instead: 'we did all we could?'" Whilst he stopped short, his tone showed a clear change in how leading international figures now view the direction of Israeli military operations in Gaza; staggering civilian deaths, and the statements made by Israeli officials prosecuting this war. 31:58 Griffiths' remarks now go a step further. It comes as the British government continues to grapple with public anger over the mounting civilian toll - and faces growing scrutiny over its continued arms exports to Israel. 6:00 This latest statement by Griffiths doesn't just reflect humanitarian concern. As a former ambassador, he knows the weight his words carry. And with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening, his warning challenges Israel's allies to ask deeply uncomfortable questions. South Africa to the International Court of Justice last year - accusing its actions in Gaza of amounting to genocide - called the claims "unfounded", "absurd" and amounting to "libel".
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Reform UK council leader in Northants criticised on net zero
A newly elected Reform UK council leader has been criticised over his remarks about net zero this week, North Northamptonshire Council's Martin Griffiths questioned the role of local authorities in tackling climate appointed council leader on 22 May, said his party was not made up of "climate change deniers" but believed that net zero was a "global matter" that was "making everyone poorer".But the leader of the Green Party group on the council, Emily Fedorowycz, said his statements on net zero were "irresponsible" and "dangerous". Fedorowycz said there was an "enormous" economic opportunity from climate projects and there would be future costs to residents if targets were ignored."Blaming climate action for rising poverty is a deliberate distraction from the real causes: a broken energy system, years of underinvestment in insulation and public transport, and global reliance on fossil fuels." Labour MP for Kettering Rosie Wrighting also criticised the comments, writing on social media: "Constituents regularly raise concerns with me about the climate emergency and bills."Tackling net zero is vital to both issues, so I am disappointed to read these comments by the new Reform leader of [North Northamptonshire Council]."Wrighting added: "Councillor Griffiths describes [net zero] as a 'global matter', brushing it off as someone else's problem."But local councils have a role to play and I will be watching [the council's] climate approach closely." North Northamptonshire Council declared a climate emergency in 2021 and committed to becoming a carbon-neutral authority by council's targets align with the UK's national legal requirement to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or Reform administration is expected to lead the council until 2029, shaping local environmental and policy decisions during that time. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service earlier this week, Griffiths said on other areas relating to the climate and environment, he agreed with wanting to plant more trees and clean up the county's stance taken by the new leader of the council mirrors the opinions of the Reform party at the national has been contacted for further Iain Staffell of Imperial College London said that in the long term, renewables "will be bringing down overall energy bills, and specifically electricity bills, for the UK".But some analysts have said in the short term, green energy prices could rise due to the rush to secure enough renewables to meet the 2030 net zero goal. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
