A day of institutional failure and reckoning in Britain
A BBC inquiry found Nottingham midwives used the offensive acronym 'FOH' to dismiss pregnant women, as the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history -- covering 2,500 families -- nears its 24 June verdict. The government published 1,000-plus pages of Mandelson files showing the former US ambassador, approved despite failing security vetting, calling No 10 'beleaguered and bereft' -- a fresh embarrassment for Starmer. The Windrush commissioner said nearly 60 percent of compensation claims yield no payout, and a British soldier died in a training accident in northern Iraq.
Recent events
gb90Nottingham midwives used an offensive acronym to dismiss pregnant women, BBC inquiry reveals
A BBC Panorama investigation found that midwives at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust wrote the offensive acronym 'FOH' on whiteboards beside heavily pregnant women's names to signal they wanted them to leave, and that staff were urged 'don't be too kind, she'll keep coming back.' The trust is at the centre of the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history -- led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden and due to report on 24 June -- examining the care of about 2,500 families between 2012 and 2025, including stillbirths and neonatal and maternal deaths. Chief executive Anthony May said the trust must 'take accountability.'
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Nottingham midwives used an offensive acronym to dismiss pregnant women, BBC inquiry reveals
A BBC Panorama investigation found that midwives at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust wrote the offensive acronym 'FOH' on whiteboards beside heavily pregnant women's names to signal they wanted them to leave, and that staff were urged 'don't be too kind, she'll keep coming back.' The trust is at the centre of the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history -- led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden and due to report on 24 June -- examining the care of about 2,500 families between 2012 and 2025, including stillbirths and neonatal and maternal deaths. Chief executive Anthony May said the trust must 'take accountability.'
A BBC Panorama investigation found that midwives at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust wrote the offensive acronym 'FOH' on whiteboards beside heavily pregnant women's names to signal they wanted them to leave, and that staff were urged 'don't be too kind, she'll keep coming back.' The trust is at the centre of the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history -- led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden and due to report on 24 June -- examining the care of about 2,500 families between 2012 and 2025, including stillbirths and neonatal and maternal deaths. Chief executive Anthony May said the trust must 'take accountability.'
gb85UK publishes Mandelson files revealing criticism of Starmer government and security vetting concerns
The UK government on Monday published over 1,000 pages of documents related to Peter Mandelson's short-lived tenure as ambassador to the US, including messages in which he described No 10 as "beleaguered and bereft" and criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership. The files also show Foreign Office staff advised Mandelson to send a "handful of names" to security vetting officers to appear comprehensive, and that he received sensitive briefings before completing developed vetting clearance. Mandelson was sacked in September 2025 after revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and is under police investigation for alleged misconduct in public office; he has not been charged.
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UK publishes Mandelson files revealing criticism of Starmer government and security vetting concerns
The UK government on Monday published over 1,000 pages of documents related to Peter Mandelson's short-lived tenure as ambassador to the US, including messages in which he described No 10 as "beleaguered and bereft" and criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership. The files also show Foreign Office staff advised Mandelson to send a "handful of names" to security vetting officers to appear comprehensive, and that he received sensitive briefings before completing developed vetting clearance. Mandelson was sacked in September 2025 after revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and is under police investigation for alleged misconduct in public office; he has not been charged.
The UK government on Monday published over 1,000 pages of documents related to Peter Mandelson's short-lived tenure as ambassador to the US, including messages in which he described No 10 as "beleaguered and bereft" and criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership. The files also show Foreign Office staff advised Mandelson to send a "handful of names" to security vetting officers to appear comprehensive, and that he received sensitive briefings before completing developed vetting clearance. Mandelson was sacked in September 2025 after revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and is under police investigation for alleged misconduct in public office; he has not been charged.
gb80British soldier killed in training accident in northern Iraq
A British Army soldier died in a training accident in northern Iraq on 31 May 2026, Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons on 1 June. Healey said the family had been informed and had requested a period of grace before further details are released. British forces operate in Iraq as part of the international coalition against Daesh and in support of Iraqi security forces.
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British soldier killed in training accident in northern Iraq
A British Army soldier died in a training accident in northern Iraq on 31 May 2026, Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons on 1 June. Healey said the family had been informed and had requested a period of grace before further details are released. British forces operate in Iraq as part of the international coalition against Daesh and in support of Iraqi security forces.
A British Army soldier died in a training accident in northern Iraq on 31 May 2026, Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons on 1 June. Healey said the family had been informed and had requested a period of grace before further details are released. British forces operate in Iraq as part of the international coalition against Daesh and in support of Iraqi security forces.
gb75Windrush compensation scheme faces calls for overhaul as nearly 60% of applicants receive no payout
The Windrush compensation scheme needs a significant overhaul, the independent Windrush commissioner told MPs on Monday, as nearly six in 10 applications result in no payout. Clive Foster said survivors should receive funded legal support to make the scheme fair and accessible, comparing it to compensation programmes for Post Office Horizon and infected blood scandals. The scheme, launched in 2019, has paid out about £127m to 3,764 claimants but has been criticised for delays, low offers and unfair rejections.
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Windrush compensation scheme faces calls for overhaul as nearly 60% of applicants receive no payout
The Windrush compensation scheme needs a significant overhaul, the independent Windrush commissioner told MPs on Monday, as nearly six in 10 applications result in no payout. Clive Foster said survivors should receive funded legal support to make the scheme fair and accessible, comparing it to compensation programmes for Post Office Horizon and infected blood scandals. The scheme, launched in 2019, has paid out about £127m to 3,764 claimants but has been criticised for delays, low offers and unfair rejections.
The Windrush compensation scheme needs a significant overhaul, the independent Windrush commissioner told MPs on Monday, as nearly six in 10 applications result in no payout. Clive Foster said survivors should receive funded legal support to make the scheme fair and accessible, comparing it to compensation programmes for Post Office Horizon and infected blood scandals. The scheme, launched in 2019, has paid out about £127m to 3,764 claimants but has been criticised for delays, low offers and unfair rejections.
gb35Family of Michaela Hall sues police and probation over failures before her murder
The family of Michaela Hall, murdered by her partner Lee Kendall in 2021, has launched a legal challenge against Devon and Cornwall Police and the Probation Service under the Human Rights Act. The case alleges failures including a 'medium risk' assessment of a serial violent offender despite 34 pieces of intelligence on domestic abuse, and police failing to enter her home after a call reporting strangulation. An IOPC investigation and coroner found the murder was 'entirely foreseeable' and preventable. The Good Law Project is representing the family, seeking accountability and systemic change in domestic abuse policing.
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Family of Michaela Hall sues police and probation over failures before her murder
The family of Michaela Hall, murdered by her partner Lee Kendall in 2021, has launched a legal challenge against Devon and Cornwall Police and the Probation Service under the Human Rights Act. The case alleges failures including a 'medium risk' assessment of a serial violent offender despite 34 pieces of intelligence on domestic abuse, and police failing to enter her home after a call reporting strangulation. An IOPC investigation and coroner found the murder was 'entirely foreseeable' and preventable. The Good Law Project is representing the family, seeking accountability and systemic change in domestic abuse policing.
The family of Michaela Hall, murdered by her partner Lee Kendall in 2021, has launched a legal challenge against Devon and Cornwall Police and the Probation Service under the Human Rights Act. The case alleges failures including a 'medium risk' assessment of a serial violent offender despite 34 pieces of intelligence on domestic abuse, and police failing to enter her home after a call reporting strangulation. An IOPC investigation and coroner found the murder was 'entirely foreseeable' and preventable. The Good Law Project is representing the family, seeking accountability and systemic change in domestic abuse policing.
gb33International court rejects Rwanda's claim for £100 million from UK over scrapped asylum deal
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that the UK does not have to pay Rwanda over £100 million in outstanding costs from the failed 2022 migrant deportation scheme. The tribunal rejected Rwanda's claim for two annual payments of £50 million each, finding that diplomatic exchanges after the deal was scrapped by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024 confirmed the UK would not make the payments. The deal, originally signed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in 2023 and resulted in only four voluntary transfers before being cancelled. The UK had already paid £290 million to Rwanda under the deal. The UK government welcomed the ruling, while Rwanda said it respects the award. The ruling adds to tensions between the two countries, already strained by UK aid cuts over allegations Rwanda supports M23 rebels in the DRC.
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International court rejects Rwanda's claim for £100 million from UK over scrapped asylum deal
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that the UK does not have to pay Rwanda over £100 million in outstanding costs from the failed 2022 migrant deportation scheme. The tribunal rejected Rwanda's claim for two annual payments of £50 million each, finding that diplomatic exchanges after the deal was scrapped by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024 confirmed the UK would not make the payments. The deal, originally signed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in 2023 and resulted in only four voluntary transfers before being cancelled. The UK had already paid £290 million to Rwanda under the deal. The UK government welcomed the ruling, while Rwanda said it respects the award. The ruling adds to tensions between the two countries, already strained by UK aid cuts over allegations Rwanda supports M23 rebels in the DRC.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that the UK does not have to pay Rwanda over £100 million in outstanding costs from the failed 2022 migrant deportation scheme. The tribunal rejected Rwanda's claim for two annual payments of £50 million each, finding that diplomatic exchanges after the deal was scrapped by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024 confirmed the UK would not make the payments. The deal, originally signed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in 2023 and resulted in only four voluntary transfers before being cancelled. The UK had already paid £290 million to Rwanda under the deal. The UK government welcomed the ruling, while Rwanda said it respects the award. The ruling adds to tensions between the two countries, already strained by UK aid cuts over allegations Rwanda supports M23 rebels in the DRC.
gb30London Underground strike to proceed after talks fail over four-day week dispute
RMT union tube drivers on the London Underground will strike on Tuesday and Thursday after last-minute talks at Acas failed to resolve a dispute over the voluntary introduction of a compressed four-day working week. About half of drivers are expected to walk out, causing widespread disruption across the capital, with no service on the Circle and Piccadilly lines and reduced service on others. The RMT cites safety concerns over fatigue and longer shifts, while Transport for London (TfL) insists the plan is voluntary and designed to improve work-life balance. Business groups warn of economic damage from the uncertainty.
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London Underground strike to proceed after talks fail over four-day week dispute
RMT union tube drivers on the London Underground will strike on Tuesday and Thursday after last-minute talks at Acas failed to resolve a dispute over the voluntary introduction of a compressed four-day working week. About half of drivers are expected to walk out, causing widespread disruption across the capital, with no service on the Circle and Piccadilly lines and reduced service on others. The RMT cites safety concerns over fatigue and longer shifts, while Transport for London (TfL) insists the plan is voluntary and designed to improve work-life balance. Business groups warn of economic damage from the uncertainty.
RMT union tube drivers on the London Underground will strike on Tuesday and Thursday after last-minute talks at Acas failed to resolve a dispute over the voluntary introduction of a compressed four-day working week. About half of drivers are expected to walk out, causing widespread disruption across the capital, with no service on the Circle and Piccadilly lines and reduced service on others. The RMT cites safety concerns over fatigue and longer shifts, while Transport for London (TfL) insists the plan is voluntary and designed to improve work-life balance. Business groups warn of economic damage from the uncertainty.
gb30Post-Brexit barriers severely restrict UK actors from working in EU
New visa rules, customs costs, and administrative red tape have significantly reduced opportunities for UK performers in the EU since Brexit. Performing arts exports to the EU fell from £1.15bn to £929m between 2016 and 2023. Industry bodies report blacklisting of UK-only passport holders, loss of jobs for working-class performers, and illegal work practices as performers are asked to work on tourist visas. The National Theatre halted EU tours, and educational touring company White Horse Theatre said Brexit threatens its future.
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Post-Brexit barriers severely restrict UK actors from working in EU
New visa rules, customs costs, and administrative red tape have significantly reduced opportunities for UK performers in the EU since Brexit. Performing arts exports to the EU fell from £1.15bn to £929m between 2016 and 2023. Industry bodies report blacklisting of UK-only passport holders, loss of jobs for working-class performers, and illegal work practices as performers are asked to work on tourist visas. The National Theatre halted EU tours, and educational touring company White Horse Theatre said Brexit threatens its future.
New visa rules, customs costs, and administrative red tape have significantly reduced opportunities for UK performers in the EU since Brexit. Performing arts exports to the EU fell from £1.15bn to £929m between 2016 and 2023. Industry bodies report blacklisting of UK-only passport holders, loss of jobs for working-class performers, and illegal work practices as performers are asked to work on tourist visas. The National Theatre halted EU tours, and educational touring company White Horse Theatre said Brexit threatens its future.