Latest news with #UnionJack
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Homeowner with 20ft elephant on driveway has it confiscated after complaints over multi-coloured ‘monstrosity'
The structure was over 30 years old TUSK LOVE Homeowner with 20ft elephant on driveway has it confiscated after complaints over multi-coloured 'monstrosity' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BELOVED 20 foot-long elephant slide has been confiscated from a homeowner's driveway due to complaints from neighbours. Trevor Robinson, 71, said he would "pay any money" to get the colourful "monstrosity" back. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The decades-old play equipment was taken away from Trevor's driveway by the council after receiving complaints Credit: SWNS 2 Trevor had planned to let children in the neighbourhood to use the slide Credit: SWNS He acquired the eight-foot tall fibreglass elephant slide, named Ellie, two months ago after seeing sub-contractors preparing to remove it from a nearby leisure centre in Gillingham, Kent. Trevor said: "I saw them taking it away [from the leisure park] and said, 'no I will have it.' "They thought I was joking." Ellie was then delivered to Trevor's house in the suburb of Twydall, Kent for free. But last Thursday, one of the sub-contractors returned to say the council was ordering him to take the slide away due to neighbour complaints. Medway Council also labelled it an "unsafe structure", and revealed intentions to dispose of it. Trevor, who also owns two Jaguars and a Harley Davidson at his home, thinks that "jealousy" and a dislike for the Union Jack flag that is painted on the side of Ellie is what caused neighbours to complain. "People loved it. I wanted to let kids and their parents come round and use it and give the money to charity." He added: "There are a few neighbours who don't like me, but all their kids were waiting to have a go on it." The homeowner planned to install a pond in his back garden to go along with the slide, as well as his collection of garden ornaments. Shoppers urged 'not to blink' and get their hands on Home Bargains garden essential that sold out fast last time and it makes your garden extra cute - TikTok homebargainsofficialuk Ellie, however, was too heavy to be lifted over his house, and a forklift driver just assembled the play equipment on Trevor's driveway. The elephant slide has been part of some of Trevor's fondest memories from a young age, being situated at the Strand leisure park since he was a child. He said: "I think it is diabolical. All the kids loved it. If they haven't broken it up then I will pay to get it back. I miss it, it has been a part of my life for so long. "Everyone is really upset that it is gone. I want to get it back, I don't care what it costs. I will pay any money - I just want her back," he continued. Self-proclaimed "eccentric character" Trevor says he would even give away one of his Jaguar cars to have Ellie returned to him. A Medway Council spokesperson said: "During our annual health and safety audit of The Strand, the slide, which is now more than 30 years old, was not deemed to be safe so we took the decision to remove it. "Medway Norse arranged for a sub-contractor to remove the structure. Once we became aware that a resident had the slide following complaints, we arranged for it to be picked up so it can be safely disposed of as it is an unsafe structure."
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
SNP now seem content to manage Scotland's decline within the Union
What was once a party of national ambition now seems content to manage Scotland's decline within a Union that's tightening the noose. Devolution doesn't empower – it strangles. And Grangemouth's demise is proof. Scotland's last crude oil refinery, lost. Yet the SNP offer mitigation, not mobilisation. READ MORE: Westminster, not the SNP, can take credit for increased Yes support Meanwhile, the UK rolls out Freeports – a glossy rebrand of economic extraction zones. These aren't engines of Scottish prosperity; they are conduits. Wealth flows in, value is stripped, and profits vanish south – into the deep vaults of the City of London Corporation and beyond, to offshore havens. Scotland gets low-paid jobs, deregulation, and a Union Jack stamped on the ruins of our industrial base. We are watching the final chapter of Scotland's economy being written – for someone else's benefit. If we want a future where our economy serves our people, not imperial finance, it won't come from managing the Union. It will come from ending it – and reclaiming the fiscal powers we held before 1707. Dianne Alexander Rosewell, Midlothian
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Britain, under pressure on immigration, urges reform of European human rights framework
FILE PHOTO: A general view of Union Jack flags and the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, April 12, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/ File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -Britain called on Wednesday for reform of the European Convention on Human Rights, amid growing domestic criticism that it allows a foreign-based court to meddle in sensitive areas of policy such as immigration and deportation rulings. The convention, which dates back more than 70 years and aims to protect human rights and political freedoms in Europe, must "evolve" to reflect changing political realities, justice minister Shabana Mahmood said. Britain's Labour government has criticised the way the convention is interpreted in immigration cases, where its provisions have been used to try to prevent the deportation of migrants - some of whom have been convicted of serious crimes. "It damages the public perception of human rights altogether," Mahmood told a meeting of the Committee of Ministers, the decision-making arm of the Council of Europe, which oversees implementation of the convention. The convention applies to the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and can be enforced by binding rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), based in the French city of Strasbourg. While Britain has left the European Union, it remains a member of the Council of Europe and of the ECHR. Labour has already promised to clarify how the convention should be interpreted by domestic judges, but Mahmood used her speech to urge wider reform of the human rights framework. "The European Convention on Human Rights is one of the great achievements of post-war politics. It has endured because it has evolved. Now, it must do so again," she said. The Council of Europe did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mahmood's remarks. OTHERS ALSO SEEKING REFORM Britain is not alone in seeking reform. Nine European countries, spearheaded by Italy and Denmark, urged the Council last month to ease the process of expelling foreign criminals. Secretary General Alain Berset, the head of the Council, criticised that initiative, saying on May 24: "The court must not be weaponised — neither against governments, nor by them." Britain's nearly one-year-old Labour government has seen its popularity slide partly due to public concerns over immigration and needs to show it can deport foreign criminals and migrants who have arrived illegally. Labour is committed to remaining in the convention but Nigel Farage's Reform UK, a right-wing party now topping national opinion polls, has said it would immediately withdraw if it won power. The Conservative Party, the biggest opposition party in parliament, has said it is reviewing its policy on Britain's continued membership. (Reporting by Sam TabahritiEditing by William James and Gareth Jones)
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Britain, under pressure on immigration, urges reform of European human rights framework
FILE PHOTO: A general view of Union Jack flags and the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, April 12, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/ File Photo LONDON - Britain called on Wednesday for reform of the European Convention on Human Rights, amid growing domestic criticism that it allows a foreign-based court to meddle in sensitive areas of policy such as immigration and deportation rulings. The convention, which dates back more than 70 years and aims to protect human rights and political freedoms in Europe, must "evolve" to reflect changing political realities, justice minister Shabana Mahmood said. Britain's Labour government has criticised the way the convention is interpreted in immigration cases, where its provisions have been used to try to prevent the deportation of migrants - some of whom have been convicted of serious crimes. "It damages the public perception of human rights altogether," Mahmood told a meeting of the Committee of Ministers, the decision-making arm of the Council of Europe, which oversees implementation of the convention. The convention applies to the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and can be enforced by binding rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), based in the French city of Strasbourg. While Britain has left the European Union, it remains a member of the Council of Europe and of the ECHR. Labour has already promised to clarify how the convention should be interpreted by domestic judges, but Mahmood used her speech to urge wider reform of the human rights framework. "The European Convention on Human Rights is one of the great achievements of post-war politics. It has endured because it has evolved. Now, it must do so again," she said. The Council of Europe did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mahmood's remarks. OTHERS ALSO SEEKING REFORM Britain is not alone in seeking reform. Nine European countries, spearheaded by Italy and Denmark, urged the Council last month to ease the process of expelling foreign criminals. Secretary General Alain Berset, the head of the Council, criticised that initiative, saying on May 24: "The court must not be weaponised — neither against governments, nor by them." Britain's nearly one-year-old Labour government has seen its popularity slide partly due to public concerns over immigration and needs to show it can deport foreign criminals and migrants who have arrived illegally. Labour is committed to remaining in the convention but Nigel Farage's Reform UK, a right-wing party now topping national opinion polls, has said it would immediately withdraw if it won power. The Conservative Party, the biggest opposition party in parliament, has said it is reviewing its policy on Britain's continued membership. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Eight children arrested in night of ‘blatant sectarian violence' in Derry
Residents living close to where disorder broke out in Derry have expressed concerns that a young person could be 'seriously injured or killed' if the violence does not stop. A second night of riots took place at Nailors Row beside the city's historic walls, resulting in 14 officers being injured as petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry, planks of wood and bricks were hurled at police lines. Police fired a single plastic baton round at rioters. It resulted in 11 people being arrested including eight boys aged between 14 and 17 and three men aged, 29, 30 and 47. Each of the teenagers and two of the males, aged 29 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour. The 47-year-old was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting riot. Violence persisted from around 7.30pm to 1am on Tuesday night during which one rubber bullet was fired by the PSNI. The road where it occurred runs adjacent to Alexander House, sheltered accommodation for older people, and close to the Bishop Street and Fountain interface. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the violence 'in the strongest terms possible'. "This was blatant sectarian violence, plain and simple, and there is absolutely no justification for it in our society. These behaviours are criminal plain and simple, we will not accept them and will pursue those responsible with the full force of the law,' he said. He praised his 'courageous and dedicated officers have put themselves in harm's way to protect the local community', and promised 'that we will continue to arrest and prosecute those responsible – there will be consequences to those involved – we will not stand by and allow people to attack our society'. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more "Valuable police resources, that should be helping victims of crime in our communities, are having to be diverted to deal with this mindless thuggery. This behaviour is shameful and will have been terrifying for residents, I am aware of older residents living in the immediate area who were massively traumatised by this disorder.' Mr Boutcher appealed to politicians and anyone with influence in the area 'to stand up and condemn and stop this mindless violence' and said he 'will be seeking the strongest custodial sentences for those involved in the recent disorder across Northern Ireland'. 'Those who choose to be involved are taking a decision to change their futures. Do not get involved,' he warned. Fountain resident, Donna Best, said tensions have been heightened for months. Her sister lives close to the 'peace wall' and she said bricks, bottles and eggs have been thrown over. Ms Best also made reference to a threatening TikTok post which has caused widespread consternation in the Fountain community. With an Irish tricolour background and a burning Union Jack, the post said: 'Need as many heads in the Fountain as possible Monday, half 4, getting them out once and for all. 'There will be no changes to this, it is going ahead no matter what, please everyone send this around and information will be put up on where everyone should meet up.' The concerned resident said attacks are being 'pre-organised and arranged' and believes it could be 'fuelled by adults in the background'. 'I would say to parents, as someone who has been through this for years, where are they? If my child came in smelling of petrol… parents need to take responsibility, before some child is killed,' she said. 'They could risk getting a criminal record and destroying their futures. Parents need to stand up.' Ms Best was critical of all politicians, including unionist parties, who she said were in the area for interviews on Wednesday but 'didn't take the time to check on residents or assure them'. In Alexander House where there is sheltered accommodation for tenants over 60 years of age, Joe Grant said he believed the PSNI response was 'heavy handed' as Land Rovers lined the street. 'All I could hear was the police dogs and sirens blaring all night,' he recalled. 'They brought them before after one of the marches and they were barking non-stop.' Mr Grant said there are young people in both communities who goad one another. A resident whose flat faces on to Nailors Row, where trouble raged the night before, estimated that there must have been around 80 police officers. 'It was mad,' he said, while describing how bricks and fireworks aimed at police officers almost hit his own window. Recalling the scenes, the resident said PSNI officers who had hold of aggressive dogs would extend the leash to disperse the young people. He also witnessed injured officers who'd been struck with masonry or petrol bombs being helped from the scene by their colleagues and 'saw about six of them having to be pulled into the jeeps'. As a tenant of four years he said that trouble generally flares during the loyalist marching season. On the other side of an interface fence, a resident who has lived in the Fountain estate since 1985 also shared frustrations. His wife has a disability and the couple are 'worried' about the situation 'getting out of hand'. The sinister TikTok post was at the forefront of his mind as he demanded police and the media call it what it is. 'Sectarianism,' he said. 'This is the only Protestant enclave, people can't say this is not a sectarian attack. This was a threat to burn people out.' He pointed to baton rounds and water cannon being deployed against racist rioters in Ballymena and said the same tactics should be used against youths in Derry. 'You can't have baton rounds for one crowd and not for another. Petrol bombs are extremely dangerous. It's two-tier policing,' he continued. The man was also critical of politicians and community representatives in the Bogside and Brandywell, suggesting Sinn Féin has 'lost control of it'. Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy has condemned the incidents and appealed for calm. The sentiments of the Fountain resident were shared by individuals from the nationalist community who said that most community workers in the area are members of Sinn Féin, which can reduce the impact they have. There are also concerns that dissident elements are orchestrating some of the violence. The Irish Republican Socialist Party has called on young people attacking the Fountain estate to 'desist immediately' condemning the those behind the violence as 'wrong and sectarian and in essence are anti-Republican'. In a statement the group sought to distance bonfire builders from the disorder and pointed to young people in both communities carrying out attacks. It also accused the PSNI of 'provocative behaviour towards the young people'. One resident said he hoped the move would make a difference as he criticised politicians from all parties saying he only sees them at election time. But he too warned that if the disorder continues, it could lead to 'someone being injured or killed'.
