Inverness Women’s Aid has criticised Highland Council’s decision to award its domestic abuse outreach contract to a new provider, warning it could threaten the future of its services and impact support for survivors across the region.

A domestic abuse refuge service in the Highlands faces an uncertain future after losing its local authority funding. Highland Council has decided to award its annual domestic abuse services contract to the local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) instead of Inverness Women’s Aid (IWA), which has previously delivered specialist support in the area.

IWA, which is now considering its future, has criticised the decision, saying the CAB has “no specialist knowledge or experience of working with victims of domestic abuse”, and described the move as “bizarre and reckless”.

The council, however, says the new arrangements will strengthen support for women and children affected by domestic abuse across Inverness and the wider south Highland area.

IWA has operated in the city since 1979. The charity said it had spent two years seeking to secure the funding, but claimed Highland Council issued a draft contract containing “unsafe and unclear” clauses.

It said the council refused to provide clarification or enter into meaningful negotiation, and that proposed terms raised concerns around service-user confidentiality, employment law and GDPR compliance.

The charity said it ultimately declined to proceed with the contract in 2025, understanding that this would mean it would not receive future funding under the new arrangement.

Despite this, it said it was disappointed that further discussions had not taken place to resolve its concerns.

At present, Inverness Women’s Aid continues to receive council funding for its refuge service, although that agreement is due to end in September. The charity says its refuge is currently at capacity, with referrals increasing.

Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey CAB is due to join partners in a Highland-wide domestic abuse service model from July.

Councillor David Fraser, chair of the council’s health and social work committee, said: “The Highland-wide service will strengthen support for all victim-survivors across Highland through a more joined-up and collaborative approach.

“By working together, the partners will be able to share expertise and connect people to the right support more quickly.

“I hope this gives victim-survivors confidence about the future of domestic abuse services across the Highlands.”

“If this is you, we are asking you to come forward to police now”

Police have tonight issued an appeal to identify three men they wish to speak to following serious public disorder in Belfast last week.

Issuing four photographs of three people a PSNI spokesperson said: “Can you identify the following individual? Police would like to speak with the persons in these images in connection with serious public disorder on June 9, 2026, in the Belfast area.

“If this is you, we are asking you to come forward to police now. Anyone who can assist in identifying this person, please contact police. If you have any information or wish to submit photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage please contact police.

“Please do not comment on this post with information. A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/. You can also contact us on 101.”

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The Hollywood star was seen arriving at the community sports club for the event

British acting legend Hugh Grant was a surprise guest as Andy Burnham held a rally on the eve of tomorrow’s landmark by-election.

Hollywood star Mr Grant, best known for his roles in Notting Hill, Love Actually and Bridget Jones’ Diary, made an appearance at Stubshaw Cross Club in Ashton-in-Makerfield tonight (Wednesday, June 17) where Mr Burnham was addressing his supporters.

The Greater Manchester Mayor is seeking to return to return to parliament by winning the Wigan constituency in tomorrow’s vote and if he wins, has indicated he would put himself forward in an expected challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Click here for our dedicated Makerfield by-election newsletter with exclusive interviews and analysis

Previous incumbent Josh Simons stood down last month in order to give Mr Burnham a route back to Westminster so he could ‘drive the change our country is crying out for.’

Wearing a white shirt with rolled up sleeves and sunglasses, Mr Grant was seen arriving at the community sports club on Walter Street that has served as Mr Burnham’s base. He was later seen leaving and getting into a red car.

He is the latest celebrity to make an appearance on the campaign with comedian Steve Coogan supporting Mr Burnham on the doorstep and TV star Ant Middleton among those to support his Reform rival Rob Kenyon.

In an address to supporters posted on his campaign’s page on X, Mr Burnham said it had been ‘an incredible campaign’ and said they had a ‘big night and a big day ahead of us’ as he said he believed the by-election was about to ‘change British politics.’

“This by-election is going to put power where it should be. In the hands of people here” he said.

“A vote for me is a vote to end 40 years of trickle down economics” he continued as he said he wanted to make ‘life more affordable again’ for British people and to give them ‘breathing space in their daily lives.’

Although numerous polls have suggested Mr Burnham has a lead over Mr Kenyon, Mr Burnham described it as a ‘close situation’ and said ‘we do need people to get out and vote tomorrow.’

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier today said he wants Andy Burnham to “play a big part” in the Labour Government in what appeared to be a signal he could invite him to join his Cabinet.

However a senior source told told the Manchester Evening News that he would not take a role in his government and said that Sir Keir remaining in post would give people ‘an excuse to vote against Labour’ in the Greater Manchester mayoral election which will be triggered if Mr Burnham wins.

He is the latest celebrity to make an appearance on the campaign with comedian Steve Coogan supporting Mr Burnham on the doorstep and TV star Ant Middleton among those to support his Reform rival Rob Kenyon.

In an address to supporters posted on his campaign’s page on X, Mr Burnham said it had been ‘an incredible campaign’ and said they had a ‘big night and a big day ahead of us’ as he said he believed the by-election was about to ‘change British politics.’

“This by-election is going to put power where it should be. In the hands of people here” he said.

“A vote for me is a vote to end 40 years of trickle down economics” he continued as he said he wanted to make ‘life more affordable again’ for British people and to give them ‘breathing space in their daily lives.’

Although numerous polls have suggested Mr Burnham has a lead over Mr Kenyon, Mr Burnham described it as a ‘close situation’ and said ‘we do need people to get out and vote tomorrow.’

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier today said he wants Andy Burnham to “play a big part” in the Labour Government in what appeared to be a signal he could invite him to join his Cabinet.

However a senior source told told the Manchester Evening News that he would not take a role in his government and said that Sir Keir remaining in post would give people ‘an excuse to vote against Labour’ in the Greater Manchester mayoral election which will be triggered if Mr Burnham wins.

Daveigh Chase, the former child actor best known for starring in the 2002 horror film The Ring and originating the voice of Lilo Pelekai in the 2002 animated movie Lilo & Stitch, has died at the age of 35.

The actor’s death was announced by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, who told TMZ that she died Tuesday from meningitis and an infection in her blood, which caused her to have septic issues and led to her body shutting down.

Her untimely death comes days after Hernandez had launched a GoFundMe to raise money for her treatment. “Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left,” the page read.

“After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.”

Born July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chase was raised in Albany, Oregon. She first began acting at seven, landing roles in commercials and on stage. She was eight when she made her on-screen debut in a 1998 episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

She later went on to star in single episodes of Charmed, The Practice and ER, before appearing in 2001’s Jake Gyllenhaal-led Donnie Darko. The following year, she voiced Lilo in Disney’s 2002 animated family movie, Lilo & Stitch, as well as its subsequent spin-off films and Walt Disney’s two-season TV adaptation, Lilo & Stitch: The Series.

That same year, she played the evil Samara Morgan in Gore Verbinski’s critically acclaimed horror flick The Ring, alongside Naomi Watts and Martin Henderson.

Her final acting credit was 2016’s thriller American Romance. She stepped away from acting following a string of personal and legal issues.

In 2018, Chase was arrested and charged with drug possession.

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Strachan Travel Ltd, based in Lancashire, entered voluntary liquidation after resolutions for winding up were recorded on June 11, with liquidators appointed on June 16, bringing an end to decades of business.

The company was incorporated in 1983 under the name Quintglobe Ltd and had earned a loyal following, reflected in its five-star Google reviews.

One customer said: “Great staff. Good place to book a holiday – they care and give you the personal treatment. Make you feel important to them. Brilliant!”

What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?

Another reviewer said: “I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

“They do everything for you.”

A third said: “Very friendly people who try to get the best deal for you.

“Used them several times for cheap to very expensive holidays.”

A notice published in The Gazette confirmed the appointment of joint liquidators Francesca Vivace and Richard Ian Williamson of Campbell, Crossley & Davis.

The notice stated: “That the Company be wound up voluntarily and that Francesca Vivace (IP No. 32370) and Richard Ian Williamson (IP No. 8013) both of Campbell, Crossley & Davis, Ground Floor, Seneca House, Links Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 2FF be appointed as Joint Liquidators for the purposes of such voluntary winding up.”

Strachan Travel’s website and Facebook page no longer appear to be active, and business hours listed on Google now show as permanently closed.

The closure marks the end of a long-standing business that had served generations of holidaymakers across Lancashire and beyond.

Jagtar Singh Johal’s family say they have been unable to speak to him since he was transferred to Delhi’s notorious Tihar Jail.

The family of a Scot detained in India for more than eight years have revealed they have not spoken to him for seven months as politicians pile pressure on the UK Government to bring him home.

Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, has now spent 3,146 days behind bars since he was arrested while on honeymoon in Punjab in 2017. His brother Gurpreet says the family’s phone calls were cut off after Johal was transferred to Delhi’s notorious Tihar Jail last year.

The family’s latest ordeal comes as more than 50 MPs and peers wrote to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Thursday urging her to do “everything in your power” to bring Johal home, following a fresh intervention by ten United Nations experts who described his continued detention as a “profound miscarriage of justice”.

Responding to the intervention, Jagtar’s brother Gurpreet Singh Johal spoke of the personal toll the ordeal continues to have on the family. “It can get very lonely, campaigning for my brother to be set free,” he said.

“Since Jagtar was moved to Tihar jail last year, they stopped our phone calls – it’s been seven months since I had a call with him. Video calls were stopped long before that.

“Try to imagine how that feels, not being able to even talk to your brother, knowing he’s unfairly locked up.”

The cross-party letter follows a fresh intervention by ten United Nations Special Rapporteurs and independent experts, who have called on Indian authorities to drop all remaining charges against Johal and release him without delay.

In the letter to Cooper, parliamentarians said the latest UN findings highlighted the “egregious nature” of Johal’s continued imprisonment.

They wrote: “Jagtar has now spent 3,146 days in arbitrary detention, during which he has endured torture, severe abuse of his rights, and the continuing trauma of prolonged uncertainty.

“The intervention of senior UN experts makes clear that his continued imprisonment is unlawful, intolerable, and a profound miscarriage of justice.”

The UN experts said there was “no rationale” for Johal’s continued detention and warned that more than eight years in prison without a foreseeable end to proceedings amounted to “unlawful suffering”.

“Eight and a half years of arbitrary detention without a clear path to trial is not justice, it is unlawful suffering,” they said. “The prolonged uncertainty alone is a form of psychological torture.”

Johal was acquitted in one case in March 2025 after a court in Punjab rejected allegations against him. However, he remains imprisoned while facing a number of federal prosecutions that campaigners say are effectively duplicate cases.

The experts also raised concerns about “double jeopardy, the presumption of innocence, the misuse of counter-terrorism laws, and the integrity of the proceedings”, and called on the Indian government to release him immediately.

Signatories to the letter noted that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously recognised Johal’s detention as arbitrary and twice called for his release while leader of the opposition.

“As leader of the opposition, the Prime Minister rightly recognised Jagtar’s detention as arbitrary and twice called for his release. It has never been more vital to deliver this,” they wrote.

The letter was signed by MPs and peers from Labour, the Conservatives, the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Greens and independent benches, including Dumbarton MP Douglas McAllister.

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Gurpreet said the MPs’ letter was a reminder both to ministers and the family that public support for Jagtar’s release remains strong.

“Stuff like this letter makes a difference. It reminds the Government that they’re on notice. And it reminds the family that people care – not just the MPs that signed but the thousands of voters who wrote to them.

“My message to the community is that we won’t rest until Jagtar is home.”

The Foreign Secretary raised Johal’s case during recent meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The Record has contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office for comment.