“Having now considered our position in light of that decision, taking into account all the circumstances, we have determined that while Palestine Action remains proscribed and support for it remains unlawful under the Terrorism Act, we must continue to enforce the law and this is likely to involve the arrest of those committing offences.”

A new report presented to the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) board on Wednesday (March 25) outlined significant improvements to the service, alongside the latest findings from its ongoing “look-back” review into patient care.

Board members were told the service has undergone a “complete modernisation” since a damning Royal College of Surgeons review in 2025 identified “decade-long systemic failures, missed warnings and serious concerns about patient safety”.

But the update comes amid continued scrutiny over the past running of the service under former clinical lead surgeon, Amir Bhatti, who remains employed by the trust on full pay but is barred from all clinical duties while investigations are ongoing.

The trust said that new leadership has been brought in, additional specialist surgeons appointed, and care is now delivered through a fully multidisciplinary, guideline-led model aligned with national best practice.

However, trust leaders acknowledged that while quality has improved, the service remains under strain.

Waiting times are still longer than they should be, with 361 patients waiting for a first appointment at the end of February this year.

Darlington Memorial Hospital (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Speaking at the meeting, interim chair Alison Marshall said it was vital patients continued to have confidence in the service despite its troubled past.

She said: “It’s too late for some of the women who came to harm, which we caused in the past. It’s important to note that it’s still a safe service.

“There may be some women out there unwilling to use the service, and it would be a tragedy if women didn’t use the service if they really need it.

“We are now a safe service, but I also understand that hasn’t always been the case.”

The University of North Durham Hospital (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Alongside efforts to improve current services, the trust continues to investigate past care through a major look-back exercise.

So far, 578 cases have been identified, with 357 reviewed. Of those, 45 involved moderate harm and nine involved more serious harm, including one death.

The review focuses on cases from 2023 to early 2025, but discussions are ongoing about widening its scope, with input from legal advisers, patient groups, regulators and other NHS trusts.

Around 1,500 cases are now under review in total, with more than 1,000 still outstanding, and additional independent clinical reviewers are being recruited to speed up the process.

Mr Amir Bhatti (Image: SUPPLIED)

The developments come as Durham Police continues to investigate the care provided to women treated by the service.

Amir Bhatti, who was clinical lead during the period when failures occurred, is no longer in that role and is prohibited from seeing or treating patients.

The highly-paid consultant was responsible for breast cancer surgery at the trust, and was also director of an outsourced private clinic, which an investigation revealed was paid a share of nearly £6 million over six years to treat women.

Mr Bhatti ran NHS “two-week-wait” clinics at Darlington Memorial Hospital, University Hospital North Durham, and Spire Hospital in Washington, through companies including Durham Surgical Services.

Spire Hospital in Washington (Image: Stuart Boulton/NORTHERN ECHO)

Mr Bhatti also operated on patients at the private practice, Washington Spire Hospital.

However, Spire has confirmed that the doctor isn’t currently practising clinically at Spire Washington, and they are not currently conducting a recall into his patients.

On his General Medical Council (GMC) profile, Dr Bhatti is still registered with a licence to practice.

Nearly 1,500 breast surgery cases, carried out between January 2023 and February 2025, are being examined as part of a major “look-back” exercise by the trust.

However, more than a thousand reviews into breast cancer treatment provided by the trust remain unresolved.

The trust confirmed Mr Bhatti remains employed on full salary while formal processes are ongoing.

One former patient, Yvonne, 85, from Belmont, Durham, said she was “shocked” the surgeon is still employed.

Yvonne, from Belmont, Durham, was a former patient of Mr Bhatti (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

She described being left waiting for hours for appointments and said she was only seen “for two minutes in total”.

“No one should go through the experiences I did,” she said. “I’m completely shocked that he’s still working at the trust.”

Despite the progress made, the trust acknowledged at Wednesday’s meeting the seriousness of past failings and the impact on patients.

In its report, it said improvements “in no way diminish” its responsibility for “unacceptable” failures and the harm caused to women, adding that it continues to offer its “heartfelt apologies” to those affected.

Chief executive Steve Russell previously said the trust is continuing to contact patients and offer support, including clinical reviews and psychological care, but admitted: “It is taking us longer than we would like to get through the reviews and give answers to the women.”

The trust says its focus now is on completing the look-back exercise, which has seen more independent reviewers brought in to try to get through the backlog of looking into past cases.

The pastry here is from the California chef Lindsey Shere and it’s wonderful – thin and buttery and almost biscuity. You make it in a slightly different way, creaming the butter and sugar for it and then smearing it little by little with the heel of your hand (the French term is ‘fraisage’) once the flour has been added. There are good how-to videos online for the pastry method.

Do follow the chilling times and only add the amount of blueberries given here, otherwise they’ll bleed too much.

Requires 3 hours chilling

It was presented by member David Haig, who was born in South Africa.

Southern Africa was the title of the latest colourful display given to the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society.

It was presented by member David Haig, who was born in South Africa.

He began by featuring South West Africa and explained how this was a territory under South African administration – having been taken from German control during WWI in 1915.

Many interesting covers and stamps of the territory from David depicted nature in all its forms, including wild animals, birds, whales and flowers.

A South Africa stamp showing Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret was overprinted in 1947 to allow its use to commemorate the visit of the Royal Family.

David also presented postcards ,with relevant stamp issues from the nominally independent ‘homelands’ which were established by the South African government during Apartheid.

READ MORE: Equi’s Ice Cream launching four flavours in 67 Scots Tesco stores

Another fascinating insight was given into stamps and postcards pertaining to the South Africa Flying-Boat Service.

This was first operated by Imperial Airways in 1937 between Southampton and Durban – and later, in 1946, by BOAC to Valdaam, Johannesburg.

Society vice-president, Graham U’ren, gave “warm thanks” to David for “presenting such an interesting and informative display of lesser known countries and history”.

The group’s next meeting in Hamilton’s Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, take place on Friday, April 17, at 7.30pm.

Members will present one board on any subject – or pay £1!

Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history or postcards is welcome to attend; visit https://www.lanarkshireps.co.uk/ for further details.

READ MORE: School pupils enjoy STRUT Kids project as part of Rutherglen 900 anniversary celebrations

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And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

Starting today, a new barrierless parking system has been installed at the T2 West multi-storey car park.

Drivers will now encounter no ticket barriers on either entering or exiting the building.

Cameras within the car park will recognise your car and automatically evaluate the length of your stay.

Customers can pay for their stay until midnight on the day after they leave the car park, with failure to do this incurring a £100 fine.

Payments can be made online, by phone, or automatically using an Auto Pay account.

Manchester Airport posted a statement: “From 00:01 on 25 March, a new barrierless parking system has been introduced at T2 West Multi Storey – P3, designed to make your journey quicker and easier.

“With no barriers on entry or exit, there’s no need to stop, queue, or use an on-site pay station. Simply drive in and out as normal – your vehicle will be recognised automatically.”

Customers can also pre-pay for parking on the Manchester Airport website.

Here are the works and closures in and around the town that you should be aware of this Thursday:

Blackwell: Major Gas Works and Road Closure

One of the largest ongoing schemes is at Blackwell, where Northern Gas Networks is carrying out extensive repair and replacement works.

This project, affecting the stretch from the junction with Bridge Road to the junction with Carmel Road South, is set to continue with a full road closure until April 15.

The works aim to replace existing gas mains with new polyethylene piping.

These works are considered major and impact the footway, carriageway, and verge, affecting a busy part of the road network. 

Carmel Road South: Lane Closures for Gas Network Upgrades

Carmel Road South is also experiencing significant utility maintenance by Northern Gas Networks.

Maintenance on this main road began on March 9 and will be ongoing until June 16, with lane closures in effect.

The works involve abandoning over 1,400 metres of older cast iron gas main and replacing them with modern polyethylene.

Multiple connections, relays, and transfers are included in this phase, and the footway, carriageway, and verge will all be impacted.

Drivers using Carmel Road South should expect significant delays as only a single lane will be accessible in places.

Clifton Road and Belvedere Road Back Street: Sewer Lining Works

Northumbrian Water is undertaking sewer lining works to the rear of 131 Clifton Road and Clifton Road West Back.

The road will be closed from March 25 to March 26. These works are major but do not require excavation.

Brighton Road and Belgrave Street Back Street: Emergency Water Repairs

Urgent repairs are taking place at the rear of 41 Brighton Road and Belgrave Street Back Street after a leak was identified.

Northumbrian Water’s works started on March 23 and are scheduled to run to March 27, with full road closures in place.

This work requires excavation at the existing boundary box to renew fittings, and the closure may cause inconvenience for local residents and businesses in the DL1 4AR area.

Victoria Road North Back: New Gas Service Connection

Northern Gas Networks has been granted permission for new service connection works at the rear of 119 Hotel, Victoria Road North Back.

These works will require a major road closure from March 23 to April 1.

Two metres of new gas service will be laid in the carriageway and footway. Access will be restricted during this time.

Geneva Road: Traffic Signals for Sewer Monitoring

On March 26, Northumbrian Water will be maintaining the sewer sensor outside 233 and 235 Geneva Road using two-way traffic signals.

Abbey Road: Ongoing Highway Improvements

Darlington Borough Council is in the midst of major improvement works on Abbey Road, with a road closure from Carmel Road North junction to just past Neville Road junction until April 17.

The scheme includes a new speed table installation and footway improvements as part of a multi-phase project.

Crown Street: Urgent Closure Due to Sinkhole

Crown Street is closed outside Sports Direct due to a sinkhole.

Darlington Borough Council is conducting an investigation, with works started on March 22 and set to last until March 27.

Further Road Closures and Traffic Controls

Pateley Moor Crescent is scheduled for major sewer cleansing works by Northumbrian Water, with a closure from March 26 to March 27.

Salters Lane North is seeing works by Northern Powergrid with stop/go boards in place until April 10.

Rotary Way and Faverdale are both affected by major works involving the use of multi-way signals, while Harrowgate Village and Beaumont Hill remain under long-term closures for highways improvement.

Advice to Motorists

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys.

Delays and diversions will be in place across several areas of Darlington while essential utility and infrastructure works continue.

Residents may wish to check council updates for the latest information on road closures and alternative routes.

Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson has confirmed he will refund a sum of $500,000 (£375,000) he allegedly “secretly” paid himself just days before his Grand Slam Track (GST) league collapsed.

Three GST events were held – in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia – before the project folded in December 2025.

Contracted runners had been promised lucrative prize money and salaries in the competition’s inaugural season, but the final event was cancelled and organisers later voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the US.

A legal filing in Delaware by vendors claiming against Johnson and GST includes an accusation that eight days before the collapse, he “secretly” paid himself $500,000 (£375,000). GST called that accusation “unfounded and false”.

A GST spokesperson said: “While Mr Johnson has been clear that the $500k was a reimbursement and not a payment, to avoid disruption and continue moving forward he and Winners Alliance have agreed to fund the $500k to the plan so that all creditors can benefit and receive a greater distribution in connection with the company’s reorganisation and efforts to resurrect the league.”

In May 2025, Johnson put $2.25m (£1.68m) into the business, after Eldridge Industries decided not to invest $40m (£30m).

Johnson’s spokesperson said: “Michael has asserted defences to the claim, including that this was a partial reimbursement of over $2m (£1.5m) of expenses advances by Michael for the benefit of the athletes.”

June Sanderson, 73, was battered so badly by Steven Sanderson, who has paranoid schizophrenia, she died from her injuries in Blyth in July 2019

The daughters of a woman killed by her son have said there were “so many missed opportunities” to avoid the tragedy.

June Sanderson, 73, was so badly beaten by Steven Sanderson, who has paranoid schizophrenia, that she died from her injuries.

A court heard Sanderson, 42, punched her, banged her head against a wall, strangled and headbutted her, while his Pit Bull terrier also bit her during a prolonged attack after he locked her inside his home in Blyth, Northumberland, in July 2019.

Sanderson was originally charged with murder but was ruled unfit to plead in December 2020. A finding of facts hearing was held in front of a jury and on December 18, 2020, the jury determined he had carried out the acts that led to his mum’s death.

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However, this was overturned in January after reports indicated he had become fit to plead following his treatment during six years in a secure hospital, according to Northumbria Police.

Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Sanderson pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter and was placed under a hospital order. The court heard Mrs Sanderson had been living in sheltered accommodation in Blyth at the time of the attack. She had suffered a stroke in 2014 and other health issues but remained fit and active, ChronicleLive reports.

The widowed mum of four, who was also a grandmother, visited her son almost daily and provided him with financial and emotional support. The court heard Sanderson, who lived in Wellington Street, Blyth, had a long history of mental health problems and drug misuse. He suffers from schizophrenia with paranoid delusions, including a belief that others could read his thoughts. He had been admitted to psychiatric hospitals and received repeated medical intervention over many years.

In the months leading up to the attack, Mrs Sanderson told local residents in the area that she lived that their relationship had become strained due to his mental health difficulties. She said he had become increasingly aggressive and that she was frightened by his behaviour.

On July 30, she went to his home in the morning, as she usually did, arriving at around 9.20am. A passer-by heard a dog barking aggressively inside shortly afterwards. Minutes later, the woman saw Mrs Sanderson leaving the property in a distressed and dishevelled state, with her coat and handbag ripped.

When asked if she was alright, she replied: “No, my son has attacked me and his dog has bitten me.” She had a serious arm injury and was bleeding heavily. An ambulance was called, and she told those at the scene her son had punched and tried to strangle her. She also said the dog had bitten her arms during the attack.

Paramedics found lacerations and puncture wounds to her arms and hands, along with severe facial bruising. She said an argument had broken out before the attack, adding that Sanderson had locked the door to stop her leaving before eventually letting her out.

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Police later spoke to Mrs Sanderson in hospital, where she gave an account of the attack. At the time, no one realised how seriously injured she was, the court heard.

She told officers her son had shouted and sworn before attacking her, and that while he had not set the dog on her, he did nothing to stop it. She also told her daughter: “Steven battered me,” adding that he had headbutted, strangled and punched her, and banged her head against a wall.

By 2.40pm, her condition deteriorated and she was found to have suffered an acute bleed on the brain. She underwent surgery but did not recover and died on August 4 surrounded by her family.

A post-mortem examination found she died as a result of bleeding on the brain caused by blunt force trauma consistent with punches and her head being struck against a wall. She also had multiple bruises to her chest, abdomen, back and limbs, as well as bite marks to her arms.

In a joint victim impact statement, Mrs Sanderson’s daughters, Karen and Joanne, said: “Our mam died seven years ago and we have been to hell and back. We are now at the point where we have come to terms with what happened and want to draw a line under things.

“Steven still needs our support. He has improved but is still really unwell. We still see him and speak to him regularly. We want him to be well but it’s clear he still has some way to go. He is in the right place, receiving treatment and he can’t hurt anyone else.

“There were so many missed opportunities to get help for Steven and it’s just a shame mam had to die to get the help he needed.”

Their brother, Kelly, said he felt “such anger towards Steven” for killing their mother. He said he had previously reported Sanderson’s behaviour to police but added: “Mam loved Steven and would not support a prosecution.”

Referring to the footage of Mrs Sanderson speaking to police before her condition deteriorated, he said: “I believe she had finally had enough of his behaviour and would have wanted him prosecuted.

“I do believe had she not died, her death at the hands of Steven would have happened at some point.” He added that while he is aware his sisters are still in touch with their brother: “I do not want to see or speak with him again.”

John Elvidge KC, defending, said: “Unfortunately, there were missed opportunities here. It’s important to say that Steven Sanderson, while perhaps not fully understanding the gravity of his position, was concerned in the weeks leading up to the incident about his health and he made repeated attempts to seek help, as did members of his family, in particular his sisters, which is disconcerting and distressing to know.

“His mother was a tremendous support for him and he is deeply remorseful about what he has done when he was seriously unwell.”

Disabled people seeking employment support through Access to Work are being told they could wait up to 37 weeks for a decision on their claim, the Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed

Disabled individuals are being told that they could face a wait of 37 weeks for a crucial benefit, which is part of a significant government scheme. The Labour government has initiated a substantial reform of the welfare system, expressing its desire to see more people with disabilities return to work.

The Access to Work benefit was utilised as part of its strategy to assist thousands of individuals with health conditions to re-enter the workforce, aiming for an 80 percent employment rate, as declared last year. However, the Department of Work and Pensions has now conceded that there is a delay for new applicants seeking assistance through the benefit, which aids those with additional needs to either enter or continue working.

Helga Swidenbank, the DWP director of accessibility, disability and disputes, confirmed during her testimony to the Commons public accounts committee following a report into the issue by the National Audit Office, that individuals calling to make a claim were being informed they could have to wait 37 weeks. She clarified: “When a customer calls our Access to Work helpline, we have a voice recording that will tell them how long it is likely to take for a decision to be made.

“At the moment, we are saying 37 weeks, so that information is out there and accessible to customers.” She stated this was the maximum duration it would take; however, it elicited a reaction from other committee members who were surprised by the news.

After committee member Blake Stephenson uttered: “Thirty-seven weeks!”, committee chair, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, told her: “Can I stop you there? I hear Blake complaining. He is quite right to do so-37 weeks is more than six months.”

Neil Couling, Director General, DWP Services and Fraud, said he was going to “offer a glimmer of hope”, adding: “In the report, the average time taken was 109 days. It is starting to turn. I am not saying this is acceptable or that I am pleased with this, but I am encouraged that it is now down to 106.”

He said once “you start getting some momentum” the numbers do start to fall. adding: “The situation is starting to turn, through the actions we have taken. But we prioritise those in work, or those about to start work, and then the payment backlogs first, because to us that seemed like a logical way to deal with the problem that we had.”

However Mr Stephenson continued: “Yes. I just cannot imagine the frustration that our constituents would feel on hearing an automated voice message tell them that it could take 37 weeks for them to have a decision. That is why I was exasperated.”

Labour MP Amanda Hack, a member of the work and pensions committee, who was attending the session as a guest, said: “It is very hard not to be distracted by the 37 weeks figure-I had my first baby quicker than 37 weeks. We do not really appreciate the fact that, behind the figure, there is a person waiting for their claim, or an employer waiting to employ somebody.

“That is a really difficult premise-the fact there is an individual sitting behind each claim. There is clear evidence that the backlog is having an impact, whether that is on job security for those with a current open claim, or on employers taking on a new person.”

The National Audit Office report found that in November 2025 the average time taken for a decision claim was 109 days. However the DWP has a target of 25 days, reports the Mirror.

The committee heard the delays were preventing people from securing employment and impacting businesses who were not receiving the funds they were entitled to. Charities were also being affected by it.

Sir Peter Schofield, DWP permanent secretary, said the number of claims had doubled since the start of the covid pandemic and claims were increasingly more complex. He also said people were claiming for help through the scheme for bills their employer should pay – such as suitable chairs.

He added some employers were also “misusing” the scheme to get disabled workers to apply for grants for support workers who were then doing jobs that the employer would normally employ someone else to do. He explained that priority was given to those “who have a job offer, are waiting to work and should be ready to start work in the next four weeks”. He added that those “go to the front of the queue”.

He stated that measures were being implemented to tackle the backlog, including recruiting additional staff to process Access To Work claims, as well as enhancing the consistency of decision making and productivity. He added: “By way of arithmetic, unless demand continues to grow again, that will inexorably reduce the backlog and get us down to where we need to get to.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday opened applications for a major resilience grant program that the agency canceled last year, less than three weeks after a federal judge ordered FEMA to make the funding available.

FEMA will make $1 billion available for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which helps states, local governments, territories and tribes take on preparedness projects to harden against natural hazards like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes.

“When done correctly, mitigation activities save lives and reduce the cost of future disasters,” Karen S. Evans, FEMA’s acting leader, said in a statement announcing the resumption.

While the resumed funding restores access to badly needed assistance for some areas, FEMA imposed new rules that are in line with the Trump administration’s attempt to push more responsibility for disaster management on states.

The new rules, which include the cessation of funding for hazard mitigation planning and non-financial direct technical assistance, could impact smaller communities with fewer resources and expertise.

“The program now maximizes state and local responsibility for resilience and risk reduction rather than federal investing in a wide range of activities,” a FEMA statement said.

The Trump administration has slashed disaster preparedness dollars across multiple FEMA programs. It’s been one year since President Donald Trump approved any state or tribe’s request for hazard mitigation funding, a typical add on to major disaster declarations.

The funding announcement comes after FEMA under a previous acting leader, Cameron Hamilton, canceled the BRIC program last April, calling it “wasteful and ineffective.” That decision drew blowback from Republican and Democratic lawmakers as roughly $3.6 billion was halted for what amounted to several years’ worth of projects to protect infrastructure, communities and homes across the U.S.

A federal judge last December ruled that FEMA could not eliminate BRIC and ordered FEMA to reverse course after a coalition of 22 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration over the cancellation. After the agency failed to release funding, U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns again ordered FEMA this month to take steps toward restoring the program.

Last week, FEMA announced it would resume program support for BRIC awards when the DHS shutdown ended, saying that it had finished evaluating the program that was originally signed into law during Trump’s first term. Under former President Joe Biden, BRIC became too bureaucratic and “focused on ‘climate change’ initiatives,” FEMA said in a statement.

States will have 120 days to apply for the new funding opportunity, which covers fiscal years 2024 and 2025, since FEMA rescinded last year’s opportunity. Meanwhile, it’s still unclear how quickly they can expect resumption of the grants they were already awarded.

“Communities across the country rely on BRIC funding to prepare for ever-increasing and severe natural disasters,” Rep. Rick Larsen, Democrat from Washington and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member, said in a statement Wednesday. BRIC’s cancellation held up construction of a flood wall in his district, Larsen said. “Slowing states’ ability to prepare for disasters was shortsighted, and communities like Aberdeen paid the price.”

Former FEMA officials, lawmakers and disaster survivors have expressed cautious hope that newly sworn in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin could bring more stability to the agency after Kristi Noem’s tumultuous tenure. Mullin endorsed FEMA’s mission at his Senate confirmation hearing last week and said he backed efforts to make FEMA more effective, speed up payments to state and local jurisdictions and better serve rural communities.

In the last decade, there have been almost as many weather- and climate-related disasters causing $1 billion in damages or more as there were in the 35 years preceding that, according to a Climate Central database.

Multiple studies have shown that preemptive investments in disaster readiness can yield significant savings. A 2024 study funded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found every $1 invested in disaster preparation saved $13 in economic impact, damage and cleanup costs.