Author: James Whitmore

Conservative MP and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has defected to Reform UK in a significant political development.The Fareham and Waterlooville MP was unveiled as the party’s latest recruit by leader Nigel Farage at a rally for activists in central London.Ms Braverman’s defection marks a notable departure from the Conservative Party, where she previously served in one of the great offices of state as Home Secretary.The announcement was made at a Reform UK event attended by party activists in the capital, with Mr Farage presenting Ms Braverman as the latest addition to the party’s parliamentary representation.Further details of the defection…

Police are appealing for a man who intervened to protect three women from harassment in Camden to come forward as a key witness to an alleged robbery and sexual assault.Officers were called at around 8am on Wednesday, 14 January, following reports that a man had attempted to rob and sexually assault a group of women on Camden High Street. The women were initially spoken to by attending officers, but the unknown man’s involvement was only discovered later when CCTV footage was reviewed as part of the investigation.Sergeant Max Pennington, who is leading the investigation, has publicly praised the intervention. According…

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of a body in the water near Millbay Marina in Plymouth.The case centres on 24-year-old Drew Perham, who was reported missing to Devon and Cornwall Police after failing to return home from a night out in Plymouth on Friday. He was reported missing on Saturday, prompting officers to begin searches and enquiries in the local area.As part of those enquiries, a scene guard was put in place on Soap Street, near Millbay Marina. On Sunday afternoon, a body was found in the water close to the marina.Formal…

Andy Burnham has been blocked from standing as an MP in the Gorton and Denton by-election after Labour’s National Executive Committee voted decisively against his candidacy. The NEC voted 8-1 to refuse the Manchester mayor permission to contest the seat, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood abstaining in her role as chair. Only Deputy Leader Lucy Powell supported Mr Burnham’s bid. The decision was made under Labour Party rules which require directly elected mayors to seek NEC permission before standing for Parliament to avoid dual campaign costs. According to a party statement, the NEC cited risks to Labour’s control in Greater…

Two men have been charged in connection with a ram raid at a luxury fashion store in Westminster during the early hours of Friday morning. Officers were called to the Yves Saint Laurent boutique on Old Bond Street shortly before 3am following reports that thieves had used an SUV to smash their way into the premises. A number of high-value items, including handbags, were stolen during the incident. The Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad, which has been investigating a series of similar raids on high-value retail stores in recent months, took charge of the case. Two men were arrested later the…

In an exclusive investigation, we spoke to a man who served two and a half years in prison for working in London’s illegal cannabis houses. This is the first time he has spoken publicly about what really happens behind closed doors. After spending more than a year locked inside properties and subsequently serving a lengthy prison sentence, this former worker has broken his silence to expose the exploitation, life-threatening fire risks and systematic entrapment that defines London’s hidden cannabis operations. In this exclusive interview, obtained after months of investigation, he reveals how workers are recruited abroad, trapped by debt from…

Demonstrators entered staff areas at HMP Wormwood Scrubs as inmate escalates protest to thirst strike Protesters breached the grounds of a west London prison on Saturday evening in support of a 22-year-old inmate who has escalated his hunger strike to a thirst strike. Metropolitan Police detained a group of demonstrators who entered a staff entrance area and locker room at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. The group refused to leave and obstructed staff movement before officers intervened. “All those involved are currently detained and will be arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass,” a Metropolitan Police statement confirmed. “We will update on the…

Criminal networks are openly advertising delivery roles on social media with detailed pay structures and working hours Albanian-speaking drug distribution networks are using TikTok to recruit drivers for narcotics operations across London, according to posts circulating on the platform under searches for “shofer london” (driver London). The advertisements, posted publicly on the social media site, offer positions to drivers willing to transport drugs to established customer bases throughout the capital and surrounding areas. Multiple posts detail specific working arrangements across different London zones. One advertisement for East London operations offers £220 per day, with confirmed payment terms and instructions to…

Andy Burnham’s bid to return to Parliament has exposed tensions within Labour, with allies of Sir Keir Starmer reportedly prepared to block the Greater Manchester mayor’s candidacy. The mayor announced on Saturday that he is seeking permission from Labour’s national executive committee to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election. The seat became vacant on Friday when Andrew Gwynne stood down as MP on health grounds. A decision from the NEC is expected on Sunday. However, BBC sources suggest that figures close to the prime minister may move to prevent Burnham’s selection. Support from Senior Labour Figures Several prominent Labour…

A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison following his conviction for raping a man in his 20s near Liverpool Cathedral. Ibrahim Momen, who has no fixed abode and is originally from Sudan, was found guilty by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday 29 June 2025 on St James’ Mount in Liverpool city centre. Momen appeared before the court on Friday for sentencing, where he also received a restraining order in addition to the custodial sentence. Investigation and Trial Following the victim’s report, Merseyside Police…