The 38-year-old accused social workers of giving her ‘ultimatums’ before she went on the run with convicted rapist boyfriend Mark Gordon, leading to their newborn baby’s tragic death

An heiress whose baby died in the freezing cold while she was on the run from police has blamed social workers for the tragedy in a bizarre rant.

In new comments to a safeguarding panel, Constance Marten, 38, accused social workers of “using the powers of the state coercively” to take her four children into care and forcing her to go on the run with her fifth baby, Victoria.

Victoria died in January 2023 after Marten and her convicted rapist boyfriend, 51-year-old Mark Gordon, took her to live in a tent in the South Downs to evade social services when she was just a few days old. The child’s body was found in a disused allotment shed in Brighton two months later.

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Both of baby Victoria’s parents were jailed for 14 years in September of gross negligence manslaughter, child cruelty, perverting the course of justice, and concealing the birth of a child.

In his sentencing remarks at the Old Bailey, Judge Mark Lucraft told the pair: “Neither of you gave much if any thought to the care or welfare of your baby: your focus was on yourselves.”

A national review of child safeguarding measures was launched in the wake of Victoria’s death – and Marten told the panel that social services offered her “ultimatums, rather than true assistance” in the run-up to her and Gordon’s disappearance.

She added that she believed “people can be supported and can change, which should result in children being returned and supported”.

In its report, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel called for “urgent action” to protect vulnerable unborn babies and infants from dangers at home from similar tragedies.

Their report, published today, calls on government to act urgently to strengthen national guidance, improve information‑sharing between agencies, and ensure that professionals have the time, skills and support needed to protect unborn babies and infants from harm.

One of the recommendations includes tightening registration requirements in the Sexual Offences Act 2003, meaning registered sex offenders could face prison time if they do not inform the authorities of new relationships or pregnancies.

The Home Office is said to be carefully considering the review’s findings.

Panel chair Sir David Holmes said: “Few tragedies are greater than the death of a baby, and baby Victoria’s is all the more devastating because her parents caused it.

“Baby Victoria lived in a family where there had been several concealed pregnancies, repeated child removals, domestic abuse, lack of engagement with services, serious offending and frequent moves. These are risks we see time and again in serious safeguarding incidents, and they are examined in depth in our review.

“While baby Victoria’s death was rare, her status as a vulnerable unborn baby and then a vulnerable infant is not. Last year, more than 5,000 unborn babies and infants under one were on child protection plans. Their parents are struggling, often disengaged from services, and many receive little support.

“A key lesson from baby Victoria’s story is clear: to protect vulnerable babies better, we must support their parents too. That may be hard to hear and hard to understand, but it is essential if we are to stop cycles of harm from repeating. Safeguarding professionals need the time, skills and resources to understand why families disengage and to address the underlying issues – whatever they may be – domestic abuse, substance use, mental health, trauma after previous child removals or anything else.

“That is why we are calling for improved national guidance for safeguarding vulnerable unborn babies and infants, and better support for parents whose children are removed. These changes will help reduce future harm.

“We cannot prevent every act of extreme parental harm – but we can reduce the risks in families and help people to move forward. That must be baby Victoria’s legacy.”

Having survived what looked a lot like a coup attempt, Prime Minister Keir Starmer now needs to decide how to move forward. One of the biggest problems in the immediate term is what to do with his health secretary, Wes Streeting.

Streeting has long been named as a contender to replace Starmer – and has made no secret of his personal ambitions. Like every other cabinet minister, he made a statement in support of Starmer after the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly called for his resignation. However, Streeting’s has been singled out for its tepid tone.

Now Starmer has a man who openly wants his job in his top team at a moment when he is trying to steady the ship. Might the PM find some inspiration about what to do from the private sector?

There is an old joke in the corporate world which states that when you take over as a new chief executive, your first task is to search the business high and low to find your natural successor – and then destroy them.

That is one (bleak) view of the rat race, or what is sometimes called “tournament theory”, the acknowledgement that within organisations there will always be a battle to get to the top. A more far-sighted approach to succession planning would look different. It would involve making sure that a range of senior people are developing their skills and experience, ready to take on the top job when it becomes vacant, as it inevitably will do some day. Ideally a company’s succession plan should contain a list with more than just one name on it.

In Westminster, however, discussions over the future leadership of the country are rather less dignified and rather more frenzied. Politics and business are different. This is a tournament all right, but the rules are less than clear. And they are subject to sudden change. Leadership in the political world is a far cry from what we call leadership in businesses and organisations.

Starmer, it seems, has survived a perilous moment. Still, as they say in Scotland, his coat is hanging on a shoogly nail.

Starmer looks around his top team, the cabinet, and sees several potential rivals staring back at him. Streeting denies that he is plotting to challenge Starmer, but few in Westminster believe him. A bad result in the byelection in Gorton and Denton this month or a collapse in support for Labour in the May local elections and Scottish parliamentary and Welsh Senedd elections, could prove the trigger for Streeting to act.

How should a leader look on the threat of a close colleague who is also a rival? Few are as generous or imaginative as Abraham Lincoln, who famously brought defeated candidates for the US presidency into his cabinet, as described by the historian Doris Kearns Goodwin in her book “Team of Rivals”.

Tony Blair survived as prime minister for ten years with his closest rival, Gordon Brown, at his side the whole time. Blair used to say, with apparent nonchalance, that it was not an “ignoble ambition” for Brown to want to succeed him. Blair seemed to hope, however, that another candidate might emerge to prevent Brown from getting the top job.

A confident and effective leader need not worry about having capable potential successors in their top team. On the contrary. Leadership is not a solo endeavour. A good leader will want to delegate tasks to talented people and draw on their advice. This is what is sometimes called “distributed leadership”.

À lire aussi :
How much longer can Keir Starmer survive?

Starmer has already revealed his insecurity by making sure that Andy Burnham, the mayor of greater Manchester, could not stand in the Gorton and Denton byelection. And hardened Westminster watchers will tell you that the prime minister could not have afforded to have Burnham back in parliament, preparing his own leadership challenge.

But Starmer could instead have been inspired by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. Why not welcome Burnham back to Westminster, after winning a byelection that would have slowed his opponents’ momentum (in this case the Greens and Reform)?

And why not salute Streeting for his energy and dash? And Angela Rayner for her talents too while he is about it? Confident leaders want to have the best people around them. For a government that is seen to be struggling it would arguably make sense to put the best players on the pitch, and encourage them to perform. Leadership should not be a selfish ego trip. It is about them, not you.

Starmer has had a “clear the air” chat with Streeting and has, at least, not sacked him, yet. Starmer’s allies concede that the prime minister is not currently in a strong enough position to move against him in any case. Perhaps the cabinet will now pull together and prove they can get along.

Such thoughts will be dismissed as naïve and unrealistic by the inhabitants of London SW1. And, in that context, perhaps they are. But if so it tells you a lot about how far the practice of modern politics has departed from what many would regard as healthy and benign leadership.

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Nancy Guthrie, the mother of US news anchor Savannah Guthrie, was abducted from her home more than a week ago, prompting a widespread search and appeals from her family.

Officials released a man hours after they detained him in connection with the abduction, earlier releasing images and videos of a masked person at Nancy Guthrie’s front door on the morning of her disappearance.

The FBI said it was conducting an “extensive search” in areas related to the investigation.

North America correspondent David Willis is in Guthrie’s home town of Tuscon, Arizona, as police go door to door with sniffer dogs looking for clues on her disappearance.

Between soft play, cinema trips and “I’m hungry” on repeat, the cost of feeding the kids during the school holidays can spiral. But the good news for parents in England, Scotland and Wales is that dozens of restaurants, pubs and supermarket cafés are running kids eat free or kids eat for £1 deals this February half term 2026.

From supermarket cafés to high street favourites, there are more kids eat free February half term 2026 deals than many parents realise.

With the break running from Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February 2026 in most areas, we have an updated list of where families can eat out for less.

Asda Café

• Kids eat for £1
• No adult minimum spend
• Hot meals and cold pick and mix options

One of the most reliable year-round deals, with pasta, nuggets and even a vegan hidden-veg option.

Morrisons Café

• One free kids meal with an adult meal costing £5 or more
• Available all day
• For under 16s

Tesco Café

• Kids eat free with any adult purchase
• Hot meal or sandwich deal options

Ikea

• Kids meals from 95p
• No adult meal required
• Available daily from 11am

Many stores also offer free workshops during holidays, making it a budget-friendly day out.

Dunelm Pausa Café

Kids eat free with every £4 spent

Bella Italia

• Kids eat free Sunday to Thursday
• Three courses and a drink with adult main

Frankie and Benny’s

• Kids eat free during school holidays
• Main, two sides, drink and dessert included

ASK Italian

• Kids eat free 8 to 22 February
• Available via ASK Perks app

Zizzi

• Free Bambini meal with adult main
• Requires Zillionaires’ Club app

Café Rouge

• Kids eat free daily 12pm to 4pm
• With adult main purchase

YO! Sushi

• Kids eat free during school holidays
• Minimum £10 adult spend

The Real Greek

• Kids eat free on Sundays
• With £15 adult spend

Sizzling Pubs

• Kids eat for £1
• From 12pm during school holidays

Angus Steakhouse

• One child aged 8 or under eats free with adult main
• Daily 12pm to 5pm

BrewDog

Kids eat free when booking with offer selected

Bill’s

• Up to two kids eat free
• Running from 16 to 20 February, Monday to Friday

Banana Tree

• Kids eat free 16 to 20 February
• Free main, drink and dessert with adult main

Subway

• Kids eat free 14 to 20 February
• One free kids meal with any Footlong Sub purchase

For the first time ever, Subway’s Kids Eat Free deal is running during February half term, giving families another budget-friendly option while out and about.

Parents can get one free Little Subs Kids Pack with the purchase of any Footlong Sub at participating restaurants nationwide.

Recommended reading:

If you want to start the day cheaply, these chains offer free kids breakfasts with a paying adult:

• Beefeater
• Brewers Fayre
• Premier Inn
• Table Table
• Whitbread Inns
• Travelodge (kids eat for £1)
• Selected Lounges venues

Many allow two children to eat free per paying adult, making it one of the biggest savings of the day.

3 Henrietta Street Covent Garden

• One free kids main per adult main
• 16 to 20 February

The Mayfair Chippy Knightsbridge

• Free kids meal with adult dish
• 16 to 22 February
• Ideal after visiting nearby museums

Cocotte London

• Kids under 12 eat free
• Starter, main, side and sauce included
• 16 to 20 February

There’s more information on deals on the Vouchercodes blog too

With food prices still elevated, eating out as a family can feel like a luxury. Whether you need a cheap breakfast, a mid-shopping pit stop, or a full family dinner without the stress of cooking, choosing the right offers can make half term more manageable.

According to deal experts, planning around kids eat free offers can cut a typical £60 family meal bill almost in half.

Ben Smye from Hotukdeals says: “A family of four can easily save £15 to £25 per meal. Over a week of half term, that could mean over £100 staying in your pocket.”

Looking for a half-term food option? Asda Café – kids eat for £1 (age 16 or under, no min spend) https://t.co/9XSDcVNVal #MartinLewis

— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) February 10, 2026

Advertisement

While the savings are generous, most offers come with terms:

• Usually one free kids meal per paying adult
• Some exclude Valentine’s Day evenings
• App download or voucher may be required
• Selected locations only

Always check your local branch before travelling. But, with careful planning, you can keep both the kids and your bank balance happy this February.

People should not be expected to put up with this and are urged to get checked

Women who experience any kind of problems with their period have been urged to get checked by a healthcare professional. A TV doctor has said that “it’s not normal” for some of these issues to ‘take over our lives’.

Known for appearing on health segments on BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning, women’s health specialist Dr Nighat Arif said people should never be made to put up with these issues, especially if they start affecting how you live. The NHS GP claimed that just because something is common to you does not mean it is “normal”.

She said: “You know, it’s not normal to have blood leak through your period products. You know, that period pain that is doubling you up and stopping you from doing activities every day is not normal.

“So, therefore, you need to please go and find the underlying causes for that. Please get your healthcare professional to check for the underlying causes of heavy menstrual bleeding. That could be uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand’s, and also underactive thyroid conditions or misdiagnosed thyroid conditions.

“A copper IUD or copper coil. Pelvic inflammatory disease. Any infection or discharge alongside your heavy menstrual bleeds could indicate pelvic inflammatory disease. And then explore management options.”

According to the NHS, most women experience their period every 28 days roughly, but it’s common for periods to be more or less frequent than this. In some cases, it can be as early as every 21 days or as late as every 35 days.

Experts have assured women that their periods “can change”, such as lasting longer or getting lighter. The NHS claims that this “does not necessarily mean there’s a problem” but can be investigated to rule out any possible conditions.

The NHS has lots of information online about possible period problems that an expert can diagnose if symptoms align and testing confirms this is an issue. Read more about it here.

Dr Nighat pointed out in her video that Wellbeing of Women has an online symptom checker for those with period-related issues. It is free to use and available to access here.

The tracker has been developed in partnership with GPs, gynaecologists, pharmacists and women to help tackle the normalisation of period-related symptoms. Results from this symptom checker should not replace advice from your healthcare professional.

Dr Nighat said: “You can jot down all your symptoms and take a letter to a healthcare professional to navigate the next part of the journey. Common is not normal. Always investigate heavy menstrual bleeding.”

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn “expects” British heavyweight Anthony Joshua to fight again following the death of two close friends – but admits there are no “guarantees”.

The 36-year-old sustained minor injuries in the road traffic accident in Nigeria on 29 December that killed Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

The two-time world champion returned to training in January, posting a video on social media of him working out with the message “mental strength therapy”.

Hearn, who has promoted Joshua since he turned professional after winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, believes he will step back inside the ropes this year.

“I don’t think there are any guarantees he fights again, but at the same time I expect him to, because it is something that he loves,” Hearn said in an interview with First Round TV.

“And it is something he can carry those guys with him through as well and it is something he wants to do.

“From a boxing sense, physically it wasn’t easy what he went through either. People probably don’t realise the extent of that.

“He has been training, but he is not ready yet and won’t be for a while to return to boxing training.”

‘These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood’

Andy Burnham has criticised comments on ‘immigrants’ by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The mayor of Greater Manchester, in a stinging rebuke, said the comments ‘go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood’.

And in what appears to be a reference to the Glazer ownership of United, Mr Burnham spoke of ‘those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions’.

Sir Jim, the founder and chairman of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, said in an interview that ‘the UK has been colonised by immigrants’.

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday night described the comments as ‘offensive and wrong’ – and called on him to apologise.

In an interview with Sky News, the Ineos owner said: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.

“I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”

“If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you are going to have to do some things which are unpopular and show some courage.”

He went on to describe Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as ‘an intelligent man’ with ‘good intentions’.

But in a statement issued on Thursday morning, Mr Burnham criticised the comments – and said footballers who have arrived in Greater Manchester over the years ‘have enhanced the life of our city-region’. He also praised the contribution of NHS workers and those in other industries.

The mayor said: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC. Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.

“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city-region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester’s NHS and other essential services and industries.

“We appreciate their contribution as a city-region famous for the warmth of our welcome. If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions.”

Sir Jim bought a minority share in Manchester United in late 2023 and his Ineos group has since taken control of football operations.

The billionaire has presided over a variety of contentious changes since becoming part of the ownership, with ticket pricing and availability causing particular anger among United fans.

Local diversions are in place

A Co Down road has been closed this morning after a serious road traffic collision took place.

The Ballynahinch Road between Hillsboroough and Annahilt is closed at its junction with the Tullynore Road as a result of the incident.

Local diversions have been put in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible.

READ MORE: Police appeal for missing man who was last seen on the weekendREAD MORE: Belfast restaurant announces temporary closure after car crashes through window

Traffic disruption is expected as the situation is dealt with by the authorities.

Belfast Live have approached PSNI and NIAS for updates on the incident.

More to follow.

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Christopher John Eadie, known as Chris, was found dead in the garden of his home on the Sandringham estate near King’s Lynn by his partner Joanne.

A new photograph of King Charles at Sandringham has been issued by Buckingham Palace to mark his (Image: Millie Pilkington/Sandringham Estate/PA Wire)

Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard the 63- year- old self-employed decorator had worked at the estate for more than 30 years and took enormous pride in carrying out projects for the late Queen and later King Charles.

His brother Mark Eadie told this newspaper that highly skilled Mr Eadie’s “perfectionism” meant he was frequently appointed for “the top jobs” within the Royal household, including painting the bedroom of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

But in recent years, work from the estate became less frequent following management changes and the introduction of new contractors, something that deeply affected him.

Mr Eadie, told the hearing Chris was a “talented perfectionist” who lived for his work.

“My brother was absolutely brilliant at his job,” he said. “He had incredible attention to detail and wouldn’t let anything go unless it was perfect.”

He added his brother was immensely proud of working for the Royal Family, carrying out jobs discreetly inside royal residences.

“He was loyal and wouldn’t talk about what he did, but I know he painted William and Kate’s bedroom and even met their children once in the garden. He said they were lovely,” he said.

The Royal Family (Image: Prince and Princess of Wales/Josh Shinner)

But one job in particular left him devastated.

Mr Eadie had been tasked with painting a pagoda over a Buddha at Sandringham in colours requested by the King. Although Chris felt the colours were “a bit garish”, he painted it exactly as instructed.

However, the King was not happy with how it looked and ordered it be repainted.

Mr Eadie said Chris dutifully stripped the structure and prepared it ready for new colours chosen by the King, only for the final painting work to be handed to another contractor.

“After all that detailed preparation, someone else was given the job,” his brother said. “He was devastated.”

The court heard that around the same time Chris had begun losing weight and suffering from a lack of appetite, becoming convinced he might have cancer.

Phone conversations with his brother revealed his mental health was deteriorating as worries over both his health and work at Sandringham mounted.

Christopher John Eadie with one of his sons (Image: Memorial)

His former partner, Joanna described him as a loving father to his two sons who took huge pride in his career and his long service to the royals.

But she said the reduction in work from Sandringham after decades of loyalty deeply upset him with the pagoda incident becoming a particular source of angst.

Six weeks before his death she found him sitting in the dark at home and later feared he had been considering harming himself.

In the days before he died she told the court he became unusually affectionate, something she now believes was part of saying goodbye.

Police officer David Norris told the inquest officers were called to the address after his partner discovered a note inside the house and found Mr Eadie hanging in a small garden space between sheds.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him after cutting him down but were unable to save him.

Inside the house officers found the handwritten letter and a bottle of open spirits.

Toxicology tests later showed only a small amount of alcohol in his system, along with raised levels of paracetamol, though not enough to have caused death.

A post-mortem examination concluded he died by hanging.

Medical evidence showed Mr Eadie had visited his GP earlier in the year complaining of weight loss and abdominal discomfort and later began taking antidepressants after reporting anxiety and work-related stress.

His medication for anxiety ran out shortly before his death on October 10, 2025, and a repeat prescription had not been requested.

Edward Parsons, land agent for the Sandringham Estate, said Mr Eadie had never been directly employed by the estate but was one of many contractors used for work, with jobs allocated based on requirements.

He said though Mr Eadie had been awarded a number of jobs in 2025, a decision had then been made not go ahead with work.

In his final note, Mr Eadie apologised to loved ones, writing: “Tell everyone I love them so much. I am sorry.”

Summing up, the coroner Yvonne Blake said worries about his health combined with work concerns had led to a decline in Mr Eadie’s mental health.

However, she concluded there was insufficient evidence to say he intended to end his life and recorded a conclusion reflecting mental health deterioration rather than suicide, saying: “I am not satisfied that he intended to die. He had a decline in mental health and was upset about work. These things prevented sufficient clarity of mind.

“He took his own life but the deterioration in mental health means I am not concluding suicide.”

She expressed condolences to his family, describing him as a man who clearly took immense pride in his work and was deeply loved by those close to him.

“I know he was a man who took great pride in his work. He was self employed but did a lot of work at Sandringham. He felt discarded not having as much work there as he used to and he put this down to different contractors being used.”

But the numbers disappointed the City. Derrick Dunne, CEO of YOU Asset Management, said: “These figures are a real warning shot across the bows of the Government and Bank of England, both of whom are trying to steer the economy with tighter fiscal and monetary policies than are probably now healthy.