“This is a disgraceful and deeply frustrating attack”

A heritage railway has hit out at ‘disgraceful’ vandals after trains were daubed with graffiti in a ‘deeply frustrating’ act of vandalism.

The Bury-based East Lancashire Railway said police are investigating the incident, which targeted an East Lancashire Railway (ELR) heritage set overnight during the May Bank Holiday. A locomotive and several coaches from the InterCity 125 rolling stock were daubed with extensive graffiti.

The heritage railway has described the ‘mindless attack’ as a ‘calculated act of destruction’. It comes months after one of the coaches had been repainted in February – while it also follows a similar incident last year.

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After discovering the graffiti, volunteers immediately stepped in and worked tirelessly for several hours top clean it up, using specialist materials to remove the graffiti before it could permanently set. ELR says the volunteers’ swift action prevented what could have been significant and lasting damage – although further polishing and restoration work is still required.

Mike Kelly, chairman of ELR, said: “This is a disgraceful and deeply frustrating attack on a railway run largely by volunteers, with many steam and diesel traction owned either by the ELR or groups and in some cases, private individuals who give their time freely to preserve our railway. It is nothing short of a kick in the teeth for those who work so hard to maintain and preserve historic traction and rolling stock.

“What makes this even more infuriating is that this follows a similar incident less than 12 months ago, when nearly 30 glass panes across two coaches were smashed, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. We are working closely with the police and are determined to see those responsible identified and held accountable.

“I want to place on record my sincere thanks to our outstanding volunteers, whose immediate and determined response ensured the damage was contained. Their commitment stands in stark contrast to the senseless actions of those responsible.”

ELR says Greater Manchester Police attended the scene, gathered evidence and said patrols in the area would be stepped up. Additional CCTV coverage is also being installed as part of strengthened security measures. Anyone with information about those responsible is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

Podcasting has become one of our most intimate cultural forms. We often listen alone, through headphones, to voices that guide us through complex or deeply personal stories. Over time, we come to trust these voices not just for the information they convey, but for the sense that someone has listened, selected and shaped what we hear.

That relationship is unsettled by The Epstein Files, a new AI-generated podcast series that promises to process millions of Epstein-related documents into a coherent narrative. But when no one is clearly responsible for what we hear, the authority of the voice becomes harder to trust.

Created by data entrepreneur Adam Levy, the series draws on more than three million documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein and presents them as a “forensic audit” in the form of a conversational podcast between two AI-generated hosts.

Launched in February 2026, it’s had more than two million downloads so far. It’s a daily, self-updating show built through an automated pipeline that ingests, cross references and scripts material using AI systems, operating at a speed that traditional newsrooms could only dream of.

At first listen, The Epstein Files works, sounding like a carefully crafted podcast. But despite the jokes, cross-talk, hesitations and filler words that mirror shows like This American Life, Serial or S-Town, there are no identifiable human speakers behind the voices. From research to publication, the process appears to be largely automated, in line with Levy’s intention to “strip the emotion” from the story.

The hosts also claim that the podcast acts as a filter, combining AI-assisted processing with “human analysis” to review the records rather than speculate. But this distinction is harder to verify when the processes behind selection, interpretation and emphasis remain largely invisible.

Emotion, judgement and interpretation are seen here as irritations or threats. However, systems that select, rank and narrate information do not become neutral simply because those decisions bypass direct human involvement.

The series presents itself as “the first AI native” investigative documentary. Yet it lacks many of the features we’ve come to expect. There are no interviews, no location recordings, and hardly any sonic cues to guide the listener. Instead, it relies almost entirely on simulated conversation.

Scale is not judgement

The use of AI in podcasting is not simply a technical development. It disrupts the way shows are produced, structured and distributed. Rather than acting as a tool, these systems are beginning to reshape or obscure editorial processes that usually rely on human judgement.

The Epstein Files demonstrates how effectively AI can process vast quantities of material, producing a narrative that sounds coherent. But coherence is not the same as sense making, and pattern recognition is not interpretation. Deciding what matters, what is credible, and what should be left out remains a human task.

Automation does not remove judgement. Instead it relocates it, often in ways that are harder to see. Decisions are embedded in training data, system design and weighting mechanisms while appearing as neutral or unbiased outputs.

When information can be processed at scale, the question is no longer just what we know, but how we decide what counts as knowledge. Editorial standards don’t disappear, but they become harder to identify.

Why audio makes this harder

The human voice carries assumptions of authenticity. It signals presence, experience and connection. When we hear someone speak, we tend to assume a relationship between voice and responsibility. That assumption becomes more difficult to sustain when the voice is artificial yet sounds convincingly human.

These nameless hosts are not neutral. They are modelled on familiar broadcast styles associated with authority in western media. In doing so, they reproduce ideas about professionalism and trust, while remaining detached from any identifiable speaker.

What is striking about The Epstein Files is how persuasively authority is performed. The conversational structure suggests multiple perspectives, the tone implies neutrality, and the pacing suggests careful deliberation. But none of this guarantees that the material has been critically evaluated.

Content that creates itself

It could be argued that automation results in more transparency. But this relies on the assumption that volume can substitute for editorial oversight. When material is misinterpreted, stripped of context or simply wrong, it’s often unclear how those mistakes might be identified or addressed.

This is particularly troubling with material such as the Epstein case, which centres on human harm and exploitation. Such stories demand sensitivity, restraint and clearly traceable accountability. The way these stories are processed and retold can also feel detached from the people most affected by them.

At the same time, AI generated podcasts are growing. They are cheap to produce and increasingly difficult to distinguish from human made content. Their appeal may lie in speed, availability and the impression that someone has already done the work of sorting through chaos.

For audiences, the question is not only how to identify what is true or false. It’s also about recognising what is missing. Listening has typically meant encountering different voices, perspectives and forms of responsibility. When those elements are reduced or removed, the act of listening itself begins to change. The Epstein Files offers little sense of a right of reply for its audience. There is no clear editorial voice and no visible chain of accountability.

Broadcasting always depended on relationships between voices and listeners, and between storytelling and editorial judgement. This is beginning to change. The Epstein Files does not signal the end of podcasting or investigative journalism. But it marks a moment in which the cultural meaning of the voice is being tested.

Co-presence and community is central to radio and podcasting. But in The Epstein Files, nobody is there. There may be voices but if you listen very closely, you’ll notice that no one ever takes a breath.

The Bolton comic was ushered off stage after a bomb hoax at his Birmingham show on Friday

Peter Kay has issued his first statement following a alleged bomb hoax at one of his shows on Friday night. On Friday (May 1) fans at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, were evacuated less than an hour into a performance from the Bolton comic.

Kay was ushered off stage and the show, attended by almost 13,000 people, was cancelled. Omar Majed, 19, was subsequently charged over the alleged hoax and has been remanded in custody.

This morning (May 6), a statement has been issued via the comedian’s social media channels. A statement on X reads: “We are pleased to share that following the disruption to Peter Kay’s performance on Friday 1st May, we have arranged a rescheduled date for all ticket holders on Saturday 25th July 2026.

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“The safety of the audience, artist, and staff is always the highest priority, and we apologise sincerely for the inconvenience caused by the precautionary evacuation by venue management on the advice of West Midlands Police.

“All tickets will remain valid for the new date. Customers who are unable to attend will be entitled to a refund.”

Peter Kay was just 45 minutes into his tour performance on Friday evening (May 1) when when was ‘bundled off stage’. Confused audience members were told by production staff: “Due to unforeseen circumstances we are going to have to stop the show.”

On Monday 4 May, Omar Majed was ordered to go down to the cells part-way through an 11-minute hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. The court was told the teenager allegedly “barged” his way into Birmingham’s Utilita Arena without a ticket.

The charge against Majed alleges that he communicated to a police officer and others information, which he knew or believed to be false, that a bomb was present in the arena.

After confirming his address and date of birth at the start of the hearing, Majed, of Graham Road, Saltley, Birmingham, was repeatedly asked to be quiet by District Judge Michelle Smith. Ms Smith, appearing in court via a video-link, also made several requests for Majed to sit down.

Three people have died aboard the Dutch ship, which is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, and five other suspected cases of the disease, known as hantavirus, have been identified

As passengers aboard a cruise ship where three people have died following a number of cases of a potentially fatal viral infection face continued uncertainty, one doctor has explained why the outbreak is so serious. Three people have died aboard the Dutch ship MV Hondius, which is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, and five other suspected cases of the disease, known as hantavirus, have been identified.

A Dutch passenger died on board the ship on April 11, followed by their wife on April 27. Both deaths have been confirmed to be connected to an outbreak of hantavirus. A German passenger also died on May 2, although the cause is yet to be confirmed.

There are 19 Britons aboard the ship, one of whom – a crew member – is due to be evacuated to the Netherlands for treatment, alongside a Dutch colleague and a passenger. Another British passenger was medically evacuated from the ship on April 27 and remains in isolation in hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. An additional case has been confirmed in a Swiss man who had previously been on board the ship, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced this morning.

Now an A&E doctor has explained why medical teams are treating the outbreak so seriously. Dr Ahmed, who has almost 500,000 followers on TikTok, described the outbreak as “scary” on the social media platform.

“What is alarming doctors and scientists about the hantavirus on board the cruise ship is the fact that, normally, hantavirus spreads through the droppings and urine of rodents like mice and rats, except for the Andes strain, which can transfer from human to human and is endemic in the exact area where the ship left from in Argentina,” he said. “The Andes strain can pass from human to human through long terms of close contact – exactly the kind of contact that can be enabled by a cruise ship.”

The strain of hantavirus connected to the outbreak has since been confirmed to be the Andes variant. Dr Ahmed continued: “This is especially concerning because the first person to be affected and pass away from the virus was a Dutch woman who was diagnosed and passed away in early April, and the virus has since had a month on board the ship.”

But he ended with a note of optimism, saying the chance of this escalating into a global pandemic is “very low”. “I think we should all save our energy and spend it for praying for the people, passengers, and staff on board, and their families who are eagerly waiting to see what the next steps would be to help their families and friends,” he said.

Although the ship is due to sail to the Canary Islands once the passengers with suspected infections have been evacuated, the region’s president has said he opposes the plan. Passengers are currently confined to their cabins while “disinfection and other public health measures are carried out”, the WHO said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said plans are being made for the “safe onward travel” of Britons on the ship. And the Foreign Office has confirmed that it has been directly in touch with all British passengers on board the ship, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde.

What is hantavirus?

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says hantavirus is actually a group of viruses carried by rodents such as mice and rats. It is transmitted by their droppings and urine.

Symptoms include:

• fever
• extreme fatigue
• muscle aches
• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• shortness of breath

In some cases people develop severe breathing difficulties and need to be admitted to hospital. Symptoms usually appear between one and four weeks after exposure, although there are reports of this happening up to eight weeks later.

Infections occur when people breathe in air contaminated with virus particles. It can also enter the body through cuts, the eyes, or a rodent bite, although this is rare. Infections are most common in rural and agricultural areas.

Most types of hantavirus do not spread between humans, although the Andes variant, confirmed to be the type seen in the outbreak, can spread this way. When this does happen, it is through very close and prolonged contact.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment. People with the virus are treated according to their symptoms.

A locomotive and several coaches from the InterCity 125 heritage set were covered in graffiti during an overnight attack during the May Bank Holiday.

The damage included a coach that had only been repainted in February.

Mike Kelly, chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, said: “This is a disgraceful and deeply frustrating attack on a railway run largely by volunteers, with many steam and diesel traction owned either by the ELR or groups and in some cases, private individuals who give their time freely to preserve our railway.

East Lancashire Railway are asking anyone with information to come forward (Image: East Lancashire Railway)

“It is nothing short of a kick in the teeth for those who work so hard to maintain and preserve historic traction and rolling stock.”

The damage was described as a ‘calculated act of destruction’ rather than opportunistic vandalism.

Volunteers acted quickly to remove the graffiti using specialist cleaning materials, preventing it from becoming permanent, though further restoration is still required.

Volunteers removed the graffiti (Image: East Lancashire Railway)

Greater Manchester Police attended the scene and collected evidence.

Patrols in the area will be stepped up, and additional CCTV coverage is being installed immediately as part of strengthened security measures.

Mr Kelly said: “What makes this even more infuriating is that this follows a similar incident less than 12 months ago, when nearly 30 glass panes across two coaches were smashed, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

“We are working closely with the police and are determined to see those responsible identified and held accountable.”

He also praised the volunteers who responded to the attack.

The damage included a coach that had only been repainted in February (Image: East Lancashire Railway)

Mr Kelly said: “I want to place on record my sincere thanks to our outstanding volunteers, whose immediate and determined response ensured the damage was contained.

“Their commitment stands in stark contrast to the senseless actions of those responsible.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Stansted Airport has issued a warning to passengers about train disruptions this weekend

One of the UK’s most heavily used airports has issued a warning that rail services to and from the major travel hub will be disrupted this weekend owing to “major engineering works”.

Stansted Airport has confirmed there will be no direct train service to and from London Liverpool Street on 9 and 10 May, with travellers advised to use an alternative route.

The airport, in a post shared on X, stated that “due to planned engineering works” only limited rail replacement services will be in operation.

“There will be no direct train service to and from London Liverpool Street during this time, and passengers travelling to London will be advised to travel via Cambridge and London King’s Cross,” the airport’s message added.

Stansted Express passengers will be directed to travel via Cambridge and King’s Cross, reports the Express.

A notice on the airport’s website read: “Due to engineering work between Waltham Cross and Stansted Airport, direct train services to and from the airport will not operate on Saturday 9 May and Sunday 10 May. You will need to travel via London Kings Cross and Cambridge.

“We strongly recommend visiting the National Rail website for the latest updates to help you plan your journey in advance and avoid disruption.” Greater Anglia stated: “Network Rail carries out essential engineering works across the Greater Anglia network to maintain and improve the railway, helping ensure your journeys run smoothly and reliably. The easiest way to check if your journey is impacted by engineering works is through our booking engine and app.”

Further disruption is expected at additional locations on Saturday, 9 May, including Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge North to Thetford/ Peterborough. On Sunday, 10 May, services between Bishops Stortford/Hertford East and Waltham Cross will also be affected.

Oliver Foran was 16 when his mother died of brain cancer. Too young to process the grief, he says he internalised everything and for eight years did not shed a tear.

“I didn’t really deal with it… I didn’t cry… I didn’t show any emotion about it,” he tells The Independent. On the outside, everything was fine. He launched a business in real estate and his life had structure and direction. “But I felt empty inside,” he recalls. Finally, he decided to do something about it.

Foran is speaking to The Independent from a cafe located at an altitude of around 3,450m in Namche Bazaar in Nepal, halfway through a monumental challenge to break the sea-to-summit speed record for climbing Mount Everest. In order to achieve a Guinness World Record, he must complete the feat without motorised transport – cycling over 1,000km through India from the seaside town of Digha on the Bay of Bengal, and then trekking to Everest’s 8,848.86m summit.

The previous record was set by South Korean national Kim Chang-ho, who completed the challenge in 67 days in the spring of 2013. Foran has set himself the challenge of completing his journey in just 60 days, reaching the summit before 31 May.

But the real goal, Foran says, is to raise as much money as possible for the youth mental health programme YouTurn, so that young people struggling with similar issues to those he has faced can get the help they need.

The Australian is relatively new to high-altitude climbing but has quickly built experience, climbing peaks like the Island Peak and Ama Dablam in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal in the past two years. This will be his first attempt at an 8,000-metre-high mountain.

At every stage so far, Foran has had to fight adversity.

In India, when he was attempting to cycle 1,150km, it was the heat. “I was not ready for 42 degrees Celsius,” he says laughing.

Day after day, he cycled up to 135km, often riding for 10 to 12 hours at a stretch. “We were still putting in these massive shifts.” To cope, he broke the days down into fragments. “Every 20km, I would pull over… maybe talk to a vendor. Reset.”

But along the way he has also built connections. One afternoon, he recalls, a gang of schoolchildren gathered around him when he was taking a break at a roadside. It was a hot day and he bought fruit juice from a nearby vendor for all of them. Soon, more children appeared. “I ended up buying all of his (vendors’) juices,” he says, laughing.

Added to India’s early-summer heat was the chaos of its road network. The mountaineer says struggled at first with all “the trucks and cows”, then adds: “But I got used to them.”

On his Instagram page, he writes: “I struggled with my mental health. For a long time, I felt lost. Like I was searching for something, but didn’t know what it was. “I remember when I was that age… how much that would have helped me. I don’t want people to get to that point.”

He recalls the exact moment he decided to climb Everest.

“I was standing on the summit (of Ama Dablam) and I remember looking at it (Mount Everest), and I was like, Yes, that’s it. That’s my goal.”

The scheduled route through Nepal also hasn’t gone exactly to plan. While attempting to acclimatise himself en route to Mera Peak, which is on the way to Everest base camp, his blood oxygen levels dropped sharply overnight. “I checked it three times, and it was low every time. I remember starting to become a little bit delirious.”

At that point his team made the difficult decision to turn back and descend. “Safety was number one. We just went. There was no questions asked.”

Foran describes the moment not as failure, but of clarity. “What is the goal here? The goal is to get to Mount Everest… We’d figure everything else out once I was healthier.”

They’ve now planned a new route: a faster push along the usual Everest base camp trail, cutting a journey that normally takes over a week down to just four days. “So it definitely has been a bit of a stinger. But we’re not out of the park, and we can make this happen.”

He knows the physical toll the expedition would take on him. But he says: “I think mental toughness is the key to an expedition like this.”

“I believe, through a lot of hardship, mental resilience is built in our lives. And personally, I faced, unfortunately, a bunch of it at a very young age. I was very, very close with my mom, and to watch her decline so dramatically and then pass away right in front of me. It was brutal, and that’s something that I definitely draw back on.”

He knows he will need the mental resilience for the next stage, which is the most dangerous: the climb from Everest base camp to the summit, through icefalls and the notorious “death zone” – a term used by mountaineers to refer to heights above 8000m.

“My mum has given me an opportunity here to keep going and hopefully inspire other people.

“It’s okay to speak about it… it’s okay to show emotion.

“The cause is the most important thing for me. Like, what we’re doing with (YouTurn).. I believe can save lives.”

Lewis Rudd viciously attacked the woman after she made late-night crumpets for herself following a night out – instead of first doing some cheese on toast for him

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A ‘nasty’ boyfriend strangled and stamped on his terrified partner during a ‘huge argument’ while on a make-or-break caravan holiday. Lewis Rudd was in “a big ball of anger” when he launched a vicious attack on the woman after she made herself late-night crumpets following a night out – rather than first preparing cheese on toast for him.

The Middlesbrough man “came storming into” the bedroom, woke her up, dragged her out of bed and subjected her to a brutal assault, Hull Crown Court heard. Rudd, 36, denied charges of intentional strangulation and causing actual bodily harm to the woman on October 31, 2022, but was found guilty by a jury following a trial, reports Teesside Live.

The court was told the couple, who had been together for more than five years, were locked in a “very toxic relationship”. They travelled to Thornwick Bay holiday village at Flamborough, near Bridlington, for a make-or-break weekend away.

Upon returning to the caravan after a night out on the Sunday, the woman began making crumpets for herself and cheese on toast for him. Rudd took exception to her cooking the crumpets first, and she happened to be holding a bread knife at the time.

He “made a big fuss” about the bread knife, which sparked a “massive, huge argument”.

The woman told Rudd: “I don’t want to be with you. This isn’t how I want it to be.”

She firmly denied threatening him with the knife, lunging towards him with it, or threatening to cut his throat.

The woman claimed: “He was screaming and shouting to me. He was saying I was worthless. I knew he was seeing someone else.”

She told Rudd she was heading to bed, and said she had fallen asleep when Rudd “came storming into the room” and roused her.

Rudd told her: “I’m going home. I’m sick of this.” She recalled: “All of a sudden, he just started attacking me. I was all tangled up in the bed sheets.”

The pair were “screaming and shouting” at one another.

“I remember him charging at me and he wrapped his hands around my neck,” she said.

Rudd hauled her out of bed and pinned her to the floor. She desperately tried to free herself, digging her nails into him in an attempt to “shock him” into loosening his grip.

She mouthed “I can’t breathe” to which Rudd replied “F***ing good!”

She screamed that he was going to kill her before losing consciousness. The final thing she recalled before blacking out was catching sight of Rudd’s foot.

The woman managed to flee by going to the bathroom and leaping from the window, crashing onto the concrete below.

She then contacted the security office, where staff members alerted the police. Paramedics rushed to the scene and the woman was taken to Scarborough Hospital, where she was found to have a cut to her head, abrasions on her neck and tenderness across her chest and spine.

She later stated: “When he gets drunk, he gets nasty.”

Rudd drove away from the holiday park in his vehicle but was subsequently arrested by officers at a petrol station. He later pleaded guilty to drink driving and received a driving ban, the court was told.

During his defence testimony, Rudd informed the court that he and his partner had travelled to the caravan that weekend for “some us time” together.

“It was just nice to get away,” he said.

They visited the holiday village’s clubhouse on the Saturday evening, with him in a Dracula costume and her dressed as Edward Scissorhands, and enjoyed a ‘good night’. However, following another evening out drinking on the Sunday, they returned to the caravan around midnight.

“Everything just changed just like that,” he maintained.

Rudd, from Birkall Road, Thorntree, Middlesbrough, stated that his partner served him his cheese on toast but then held the bread knife against his throat.

He alleged she told him: “I would love to cut your throat.”

He insisted he “definitely” didn’t regard it as a joke.

“It’s not really something you joke about, to be honest,” he said.

“I was more scared than anything. I retaliated. We had a heated argument. She still had the knife in her hand. She came at me so I put my hands up to push her away.

“That’s when she attacked my face. I defended myself. She tried to grab my face. I went to the bedroom and started packing my belongings. I just wanted to get out of there.”

He refuted claims that he strangled, punched or stamped on his partner and disputed causing any of the injuries she sustained. The jury, however, dismissed his account and found him guilty.

Recorder Nick Worsley KC told Rudd that the woman believed she was going to die. “The last thing that she saw was your shod foot coming towards her,” said Recorder Worsley.

“You punched her, stamped on her and strangled her into unconsciousness. You claimed at trial that you acted in self-defence. You denied causing any injuries or bruising and said she was lying.

“None of it was true. You told the jury a pack of lies. The jury saw through them and through you.”

Rudd was handed a three-and-half year prison sentence and given an indefinite restraining order. He had remained on bail throughout the trial and during the sentencing hearing.

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Eligible voters now have their say on every single seat throughout Gateshead in this year’s all-out election on May 7. 

Gateshead Council is one of a number of local authorities predicted to be claimed by Reform UK. If this comes to pass, it will be the first time since 1973 that Labour has not governed the local authority. 

How many councillors are up for election?

Like several neighbouring councils, Gateshead will see an all-out election this time around, meaning all 66 seats are up for contention. 

What is the current make-up of the council?

Gateshead Council is currently composed of 46 Labour councillors, 18 Liberal Democrats, and two independents. 

Who is the leader of the council?

Deckham councillor Martin Gannon has been the leader of Gateshead Council since 2016 after taking over from Mick Henry. Coun Gannon was first elected to the local authority in 1984 and had served as deputy leader for six years before he was promoted. 

When are the polls open and when will the results be announced?

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on May 7. Alongside neighbouring authorities this year, the count will not begin until 10am the following day.  It is estimated results will come through by 4pm. 

Which are the most interesting seats to watch?

Given the all-out nature of this year’s election in Gateshead, every seat is being fought over – so it is all to play for. Previous reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service found that AI-supported polling predicted a strong Reform UK majority in Gateshead.

However, certain wards have already made headlines, including Saltwell. Reporting from Jewish News in April revealed a Reform UK candidate for Saltwell David Robert Prior’s historical membership to the British National Party. 

Reform UK expelled Mr Prior from the party and withdrew its support for his candidacy dubbing past or present membership to the BNP as “incompatible”.  There is the potential for Bridges ward to see Gateshead Council’s first-ever Green councillor or councillors. 

What issues are getting people talking?

Regeneration is the hot-topic on Gateshead residents’ lips with the current Labour administration having been accused of not acting quick enough. The demolition of the A167 flyover is now ongoing and once it is fully removed it is hoped major rejuvenation of the area can be achieved. 

However, the flyover has been a long headache for Gateshead Council. The road was closed in December 2024 over safety concerns and at the height of the issue split the Metro in two. 

The long-awaited revamp of the Quayside has also seen multiple delays over the years. In March, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness signed off £24m to boost the stalled development of a world-class arena on Gateshead’s Quayside, but plans for a proposed neighbouring conference centre had to be shelved. 

Gateshead Council bosses also sent plans for a major housing project around the Metrocentre off to the government for an independent review last month. While Labour defended the plans as a “serious priority” rival parties raised their questions about the scheme, ranging from sustainability to calls for in-depth feasibility studies. 

Who is standing for election?

Birtley North and Lamesley:

• Abbie Jayne Batey – Liberal Democrat
• Andrew Philip Bex – Liberal Democrat
• Robin Christopher Costello – Labour Party
• John Nigel Dawson- Conservative Party
• Andrea Jane Graham- Reform UK
• David Robert Lowes- Labour Party
• Steven John Mullins- Reform UK
• Joe Painter – Green Party
• Jason Price- Green Party
• Michael Robert  Robinson – Reform UK
• Judith Turner – Labour Party
• Cameron Mathew Wallace-  Liberal Democrat

Birtley South:

• Stephen Brownless – Green Party
• Paul Thomas Elliott – Liberal Democrat
• John Gardiner- Conservative Party
• Michael Alan Hall – Labour Party
• Michelle Mabel Hepburn – Independent
• Kenneth Charles Jamieson – Labour Party
• William Alfred Pay – Reform UK
• Sandra Myra Pickering – Reform UK
• Joe William Kenneth Sowerby – Liberal Democrat
• Lauran Sowerby- Liberal Democrat
• Shaun Tumelty – Labour Party
• Martin Turnbull – Reform UK

Blaydon:

• Malcolm Alfred Brain – Labour Party
• Steve Campion  – Reform UK
• Gillian Susan Jackson  – Reform UK
• Margaret Kelly – Liberal Democrat
• Alexander Mackay – Green Party
• Lee-Ann Moir – Labour Party
• Stephen Christopher Ronchetti  – Labour Party
• Pedro Santos  – Reform UK
• Emma Short – Green Party
• Joanne Stanton – Liberal Democrat
• Neil Wilde – Liberal Democrat
• Isa Mackie Wilson – Green Party

Bridges:

• Jonathan Shlomo Aibi – Liberal Democrat
• Alistair James Carr Bassett – Labour Party
• Chris Beer – Labour Party
• Rachel Mary Cabral – Green Party
• Peter Charlton – Reform UK
• Linda Carolyn Cook – Labour Party
• Leon Lesley Dobie – Reform UK
• Mark Andrew Gorman  – Green Party
• Zahra Hakim – Liberal Democrat
• Melissa Amity Harker – Green Party
• Shane Lee Irwin – Reform UK
• Luisa Scott  – Liberal Democrat

Chopwell and Rowlands Gill:

• Victoria Louise Anderson  – Liberal Democrat
• Lynne Caffrey  – Labour Party
• Jean Margaret Callender – Liberal Democrat
• Matthew Davies – Conservative Party
• Majead Farsi – Reform UK
• Linda McFarlane – Reform UK
• Michael McNestry  – Labour Party
• Josh Morland  – Green Party
• Jamie Joe Park  – Labour Party
• Howard Stephen Schofield – Green Party
• Lee Spencer Wood – Reform UK
• Jennifer Young  – Green Party

Chowdene:

• Roy Alexander – Liberal Democrat
• Neil Carpenter  – Reform UK
• Ruth Christina Grant  – Green Party
• Josh Kemp  – Labour Party
• Catherine Mary Knell – Liberal Democrat
• Caitlin McIsaac  – Labour Party
• Sam Morden  – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
• Dev Patel  – Green Party
• Emma Jane Robinson – Liberal Democrat
• Edwin Snaith  – Reform UK
• Andrew David Wallace – Reform UK
• Perry Wilson  – Conservative Party
• Keith Wood – Labour Party

Crawcrook and Greenside: 

• John Clifford Barron  – Reform UK
• Keith Blackett  – Reform UK
• Pat Chanse  – Green Party
• Christopher Anthony Coxon –  Conservative Party
• Shaun Lloyd Edge – Labour Party
• Hugo Fearnley – Green Party
• Peter Gray – Reform UK
• Jemma Louise Healey – Green Party
• Kathryn Alexandra Henderson – Labour Party
• Kathleen McCartney  – Labour Party
• Amelia Louise Ord – Liberal Democrat
• David Graham Randall  – Liberal Democrat

Deckham:

• Alan John Brown – Reform UK
• Barry Malcolm Flux  – Conservative Party
• Martin Gannon – Labour Party
• Sam Grinsell – Green Party
• Norman Hall – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
• Craig Heathcote  – Reform UK
• Leigh Kirton – Labour Party
• Michaela McCaugherty – Liberal Democrat
• Stephen McCaugherty – Liberal Democrat
• Bernadette Teresa Oliphant  – Labour Party
• Patricia Ann Shield – Reform UK
• Paul Stewart  – Green Party
• Roisin Taylor – Green Party

Dunston Hill and Whickham East:

• Nick Allan – Reform UK
• Mary Blanchflower  – Green Party
• Yvonne Dodds – Labour Party
• Lynne Henderson-Lowe –  Liberal Democrat
• Sarah-Jane Homer – Green Party
• Ronnie Jackson – Reform UK
• Jackie Kinnaird – Reform UK
• Joseph March – Labour Party
• Peter James Maughan – Liberal Democrat
• Matthew McManus – Green Party
• Jason Mark Meecham – Liberal Democrat
• Aidan Smith – Conservative Party
• Graham Steele – Save Us Now
• James Frank Watson  – Labour Party

Dunston Teams and Riverside:

• Gosia Balwierz – Green Party
• Dot Burnett – Labour Party
• Diane Cadman  – Green Party
• Brenda Clelland – Labour Party
• Shadrach Esene – Conservative Party
• Gary Haley – Labour Party
• Frank Hindle – Liberal Democrat
• Andrew Christopher Jay – Green Party
• Graham Keating – Reform UK
• Roger James Lee – Liberal Democrat
• Ronald Roger Maraj – Reform UK
• Zoë Frances Meecham – Liberal Democrat
• Alison Christina Porritt – Reform UK

Felling:

• Sophia Elizabeth Beadle  – Liberal Democrat
• Gareth Cooper  – Liberal Democrat
• Sonya Dickie – Labour Party
• Andy Dine  – Reform UK
• David Gilson Fawcett – Liberal Democrat
• Derek Finch  – Reform UK
• George Kasfikis – Labour Party
• Hugh Kelly – Labour Party
• Ash Mclean  – Green Party
• Chrystian Rengifo – Conservative Party
• Liam Snowball  – Green Party
• Garry Thompson – Reform UK

High Fell:

• Joseph  Anyanwu – Green Party
• Shakuntala Beadle – Liberal Democrat
• Leonard Bell – Liberal Democrat
• Arthur Boylin – Reform UK
• Elaine Brunskill – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
• Danielle Cavanagh – Reform UK
• Judith Francesca Therese Gibson – Labour Party
• Sidney Laws – Reform UK
• Catherine O Donovan  – Green Party
• Gabriel Rubinstein – Green Party
• Barry Robert Turnbull – Labour Party
• Kathryn Dorothea Walker – Labour Party
• Andrew Welsh – Liberal Democrat

Lobley Hill and Bensham:

• Kevin Michael Dodds  – Labour Party
• Harry Farncombe – Green Party
• Crystal Hicks  – Labour Party
• Michael Lamport  – Reform UK
• Michelle Susan Merrin  – Reform UK
• Corrina Mulholland – Liberal Democrat
• Andy Redfern  – Green Party
• Michael George Ruddy – Liberal Democrat
• David Simpson – Reform UK
• Tom Whyman – Green Party
• Jonny Witts – Liberal Democrat Focus Team
• Shinu Yohannan – Labour Party

Low Fell:

• John Atkinson  – Reform UK
• Ron Beadle – Liberal Democrat
• Jonathan Dawson  – Conservative Party
• Daniel Stephen Duggan – Liberal Democrat
• Shaun Alexander Dunlop – Labour Party
• Neil Campbell Grant  – Green Party
• Iain Henderson – Reform UK
• Simon James Modern – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
• Arthur Murray – Reform UK
• George James Poxon – Green Party
• Deacon Edward Robson  – Green Party
• Jerome Ruddick  – Labour Party
• Robert Taylor – Labour Party
• Dawn Elizabeth Welsh – Liberal Democrat

Pelaw, Heworth and Bill Quay:

• Nicholas Boldrini  – Green Party
• Joel Cartwright  – Green Party
• James Edward Charlton – Reform UK
• John Paul Diston  – Liberal Democrat
• Sam Daniel Grist  – Labour Party
• Emma Harrison – Labour Party
• Amy Lowes  – Labour Party
• Daniel Edward McFadyen  – Conservative Party
• Caroline Murray  – Reform UK
• Nick Ng – Green Party
• Ian Patterson  – Liberal Democrat
• Michael Vinton – Reform UK
• Amanda Renee Wintcher – Liberal Democrat

Ryton Crookhill and Stella:

• Eleanor Louise Craigan Baggaley – Labour Party
• Christopher William Buckley – Labour Party
• Ros Cooper – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
• Deborah Jacqueline English – Reform UK
• Ollie Hemstock – Green Party
• Stephen Paul Kelly – Liberal Democrat
• Gemma Lockyer Turnbull – Green Party
• Jack Thomas Muers – Liberal Democrat
• Ralf Russow – Green Party
• Shan-Louise Simpson – Liberal Democrat
• Becky Skoyles – Labour Party
• Paul Turnbull  – Reform UK
• Craig Stuart Waite – Reform UK

Saltwell:

• John Frederick Adams – Labour Party
• Ayo Akin – Conservative Party
• David Ayre – Reform UK
• Leanne May Brand – Liberal Democrat
• Owain Curtis – Green Party
• Stephen Gibson – Labour Party
• Graham Hankinson – Green Party
• Simon Michael James – Green Party
• Edita Petrylaite – Liberal Democrat
• David Robert Prior – Reform UK
• Jamie Rickelton – Liberal Democrat
• David Ronald Digby Roberts – Reform UK
• Denise Marianne Robson  – Labour Party

Wardley and Leam  Lane: 

• Gavin Brierley – Reform UK
• Catherine Emma Douglas – Liberal Democrat
• Maria Dynes  – Green Party
• Jill Green  – Labour Party
• Michael Alexander Johnson – Independent
• Fiona Anne Pearce – Reform UK
• Carrie Poon – Green Party
• Sharron Louise Potts – Labour Party
• Peter John Ridden – Labour Party
• Jordan Ridehalgh – Liberal Democrat
• Neil Graham Whittle – Reform UK

Whickham North and Swalwell:

• Jeff Bowe  – Labour Party
• Iona Brown- Green Party
• Ruby Hazel Brown- Green Party
• Lynne Chatt – Reform UK
• Peter Thomas Craig – Liberal Democrat
• Susan Craig – Liberal Democrat
• Christopher James Ord – Liberal Democrat
• Jennifer Anne Peace – Labour Party
• Lynn Robinson – Conservative Party
• Catriona Sibert-Peach – Green Party
• Graeme Mark Wake – Reform UK
• Charles John Whittle – Labour Party
• Sebastian Michael Ziri-Sayle – Reform UK

Whickham South and Sunniside: 

• Lindsay Graham Atkinson – Reform UK
• Alex Geddes – Labour Party
• Joseph Gerrard – Green Party
• Christopher Higham – Conservative Party
• Nicola Ann March – Labour Party
• Jonathan Mohammed – Liberal Democrat
• Marilynn Ord  – Liberal Democrat
• Michael John Pickering – Labour Party
• Mike Porritt – Reform UK
• Wendy Elizabeth Prior – Reform UK
• Ian David Roper – Green Party
• Jonathan Charles Wallace – Liberal Democrat
• Mary Winn – Green Party

Windy Nook and Whitehills: 

• Christine Craig  – Liberal Democrat
• James Robert Cummings – Green Party
• James William Green – Labour Party
• Rachel Hart – Labour Party
• John Neville Sistron – Liberal Democrat
• Jeff Smart – Reform UK
• Julie Smart – Reform UK
• Hillary Thompson – Reform UK
• David William Tones – Green Party
• Lee Turner – Green Party
• Susan Walker – Liberal Democrat
• Joanne Wilson- Labour Party

Winlaton and High Spen: 

• Pamela Marie Burns- Labour Party
• Daniel Clayton – Green Party
• Col Daughtry – Reform UK
• Cheryl May Dixon  – Green Party
• Steven Frederick Dixon  – Green Party
• Maria Theresa Hall – Labour Party
• David Leonard Potts – Liberal Democrat
• Julie Simpson – Labour Party
• Robinson Geoffrey Stanaway – Liberal Democrat
• Steven Tweddle – Reform UK
• Lynda Ann Wilde – Liberal Democrat
• James Wright – Reform UK