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Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Thursday, August 20)

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Wales Online

The no-fly zone remains in place across South Wales Fire and Rescue Service area.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service says: “We are still managing several significant wildfire incidents across South Wales.

“To support ongoing firefighting operations and ensure the safety of helicopters and emergency responders, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has established a Temporary Restricted Area for unmanned aircraft or drones.

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“Do not fly personal drones within the restricted SWFRS area, all professional drone pilots should check NOTAMS using an approved data source.

“Our helicopter assets are continuing to operate across the affected area, carrying out vital firefighting and reconnaissance missions. Unauthorised drone activity presents a significant risk to aviation safety.

“We would like to thank you for your continued support as we work with partner agencies to bring these incidents to a close.

“Please share this message to help keep our crews and helicopters safe.”

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Exam results for seniors in West Lothian high schools climb steadily since Covid

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Daily Record

The number of students gaining five or more awards across S4, S5 and into the final year is almost 20 percentage points ahead of national results.

Exam results for seniors in West Lothian high schools have climbed steadily since Covid.

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The number of students gaining five or more awards across S4, S5 and into the final year is almost 20 percentage points ahead of national results.

While a teaching union welcomed the success and congratulated staff and students it issued a warning against growing reliance of a virtual campus model of teaching Advanced Highers.

Local EIS rep Heather Hughes told a meeting of the Education PDSP in Livingston that universities were demanding more from applicants including evidence of passes on the highest school achievable award in the classroom.

And she urged caution on ever growing investment in the virtual campus model of teaching Advanced Highers.

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The virtual campus model is a digital education program. It allows high school students to take courses and Advanced Highers that are not available at their local school. Students learn through a mix of online classes, independent study, and occasional in-person sessions.

A report to councillors said: “Over the five-year period 2022 to 2026, the percentage of S4 learners attaining 5+ awards at SCQF Level 5 has shown improvement, West Lothian was significantly above the National and Virtual Comparator in this measure from 2022 to 2025.”

Results for S4 79% of pupils achieved Five or more SQF Level 5- the highest level. This year.

Comparable figures for 2025 showed West Lothian at 76% compared to a national percentage of 58%.

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In S5 similar results showed West Lothian 5 + Awards at SCQF Level 6 in S5 at 51% compared to a national figure of 27% in 2025.

In the final year S6 the percentage of pupils achieving 5 + Awards at SCQF Level 6 in 2025 was 54% compared to a national figure of 39%.

In Advanced Highers -SCQF Level 7- West Lothian achieved 26% compared to a national figure of 25%.

Mrs Hughes said: “I’m sure everybody in this chamber is very proud to be a member of the education department of West Lothian Council and it’s a reflection of the hard work of not just our young people but our teachers.

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“What I would say about Advanced Highers is that we need to look closely about how we present those subjects.

“There is no substitute to having a teacher in front of a classroom teaching at that level, the virtual campus doesn’t do it, especially for subjects like science.

“It’s not just because of the practical element but the degree of difficulty and one to one encouragement, so please I would urge you to think again about how we deliver Advanced Higher.”

Education officers pointed to their discussions with universities and their findings that a broader range of Highers was often considered more acceptable for admission than Advanced Highers which tend to reflect the level of work undertaken at first year in a degree course on a particular subject.

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Why loyal Trump aide Natalie Harp has only one pair of shoes – and she can even drive a golf cart in them!

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She has become a constant fixture in Donald Trump's life, with 35-year-old Natalie Harp dutifully trailing the President of the United States in a golf cart - from the White House to Mar-a-Lago

She has become a constant fixture in Donald Trump‘s life, with 35-year-old Natalie Harp dutifully trailing the President of the United States in a golf cart – from the White House to Mar-a-Lago. 

For someone who is always on her feet, the blonde aide – who has made headlines this week after her ‘love letters’ to Mr Trump were recirculated online – might be expected to pick comfortable loafers or practical kitten heels. 

Instead, the divisive executive assistant appears to favour a pair of nude, patent leather stilletos, with fashion expert Rochelle White telling the Daily Mail that Harp’s choice ‘does not open up room for criticism’. 

Amid intense scrutiny of her closeness to the POTUS, alleged treatment of staffers and claims she ‘starved’ herself while working for Mr Trump, the ‘effortless’ neutral heels are a safe bet because they ‘say a lot without saying anything’. 

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Ms White explained: ‘A nude heel can be a powerful dress code as it’s not the standard black that people tend to expect. 

‘However, it can be visually bold in its own way and tends to command quietly. Ms Harp is undoubtedly in many rooms where most details [about her outfit or demeanour] are being read or interpreted.

‘By wearing nude, she is saying “take me seriously, not my shoes”‘, she added. 

Further, nude pairs well with colours like navy, red, and green that signal ‘visual authority’ as Harp continues to navigate the minefield that is American politics. 

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She has become a constant fixture in Donald Trump’s life, with 35-year-old Natalie Harp dutifully trailing the President of the United States in a golf cart – from the White House to Mar-a-Lago

Harp appears to favour a pair of nude, patent leather stilletoes, with fashion expert Rochelle White telling the Daily Mail that Harp's choice 'does not open up room for criticism. Trump's personal secretary is pictured exiting Marine One on August 16

Harp appears to favour a pair of nude, patent leather stilletoes, with fashion expert Rochelle White telling the Daily Mail that Harp’s choice ‘does not open up room for criticism. Trump’s personal secretary is pictured exiting Marine One on August 16 

Earlier this week, intimate letters written by Harp, in which she confesses to starving herself while working for him, were republished by the New York Times. 

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During his May 2023 golf trip to Scotland, Harp ran behind the President’s golf cart because no other ones were available.

She later wrote him a letter to apologise for embarrassing him while trying to keep up.

‘I also am sorry if I was an embarrassment walking the course in Scotland,’ she wrote in a letter to Trump published by the Daily Mail in February last year.

Harp then goes on to admit that she starved herself and forgot to sleep while working for Trump, saying: ‘I want things to always be right between us. I also know I’ve been distracted all week (forgetting to eat throughout the days, and even forgetting to sleep, and only catching a couple hours at a time).’

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Her letter concludes: ‘With all my heart, Natalie.’

Harp’s determination to remain by Trump’s side was also on display in October 2023, when she rode in the trunk of an SUV after being told there was no room for her in the motorcade taking him to a New York court appearance.

After staffers told her there was no room in the vehicle, Harp became livid and began screaming at them, insisting that Trump had personally asked her to accompany him, according to CNN.

Amid intense scrutiny of her closeness to the POTUS, alleged treatment of staffers and claims she 'starved' herself while working for Mr Trump, the 'effortless' neutral heels are a safe bet because they 'say a lot without saying anything. Harp walks to a vehicle after arriving with Trump at the Ellipse near the White House earlier in August

Amid intense scrutiny of her closeness to the POTUS, alleged treatment of staffers and claims she ‘starved’ herself while working for Mr Trump, the ‘effortless’ neutral heels are a safe bet because they ‘say a lot without saying anything. Harp walks to a vehicle after arriving with Trump at the Ellipse near the White House earlier in August 

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Nude pairs well with colours like navy, red, and green that signal 'visual authority' as Harp continues to navigate the minefield that is American politics. Here, she's pictured at Manhattan Criminal Court in May 2024 during Trump's trial for falsifying business records

Nude pairs well with colours like navy, red, and green that signal ‘visual authority’ as Harp continues to navigate the minefield that is American politics. Here, she’s pictured at Manhattan Criminal Court in May 2024 during Trump’s trial for falsifying business records

The incident was one example of how Harp had ‘irked’ those closest to the president.

One advisor said that Trump ‘likes the attention and the fact that she is 100 percent committed and loyal’.

‘She doesn’t question, doesn’t second guess,’ the source said.

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Harp spent the summer of 2023 sleeping in the women’s locker room at Trump’s Bedminster golf club so she could remain close to him, according to journalist Michael Wolff.

She had initially secured a maid’s room but moved into the locker room because it was closer to the main house and allowed her to respond more quickly whenever Trump called.

During the campaign, Melania Trump once stumbled upon Harp late at night inside Trump’s private quarters at Mar-a-Lago, an area typically off-limits to anyone outside the family, according to journalist Alex Isenstadt.

Harp was reportedly delivering documents to Trump that she did not want to wait until morning to hand over.

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Trump’s relationship with Harp is back in the limelight after he chose to save her over his own cabinet secretaries after an Iranian assassination threat following the Nato summit in Turkey last month.

Harp was among a handful of aides including Trump’s former caddy Dan Scavino, who switched planes with him on the tarmac in Ankara. Israeli intelligence had warned of an impending Iranian attack on Air Force One.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were left on the plane with dozens of journalists.

Senator Jon Ossoff ridiculed the pair’s closeness at a rally in Georgia on Saturday.

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Ossoff said the President ‘doesn’t want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the emir of Qatar.’

Harp’s estranged brother, Preston, first spoke to the Daily Mail back in June where he described his sister’s relationship with Trump as ‘very unhealthy’ and called the President a ‘national embarrassment.’

Preston, a self-described communist who lives in Nicaragua, recently told CNN that when Harp was a teenager she also wrote letters to president George Bush during the height of the Iraq war.

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Harry and Meghan ‘returning to UK that sees them very differently six years on’ | News UK

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Harry and Meghan 'returning to UK that sees them very differently six years on' | News UK
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on a visit to Bondi Beach earlier this year (Picture: AP)

When Prince Harry and Meghan left the UK for Montecito six years ago, the world was a different place.

Much of the world was in lockdown due to the Covid pandemic, Queen Elizabeth was still on the throne – and a decent slice of the UK public still quite liked the couple, who had recently stepped down as working royals.

As they prepare for their return this month, much has changed. Harry’s father Charles is now king; he and Meghan have another child, Princess Lilibet; plenty of dirty laundry has been aired.

And the public appears to have definitively changed its mind.

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Royal expert Duncan Larcombe told Metro: ‘They’re now at the bottom, above only Prince Andrew – or former Prince Andrew – in popularity.

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‘So, the polls give us a pretty clear indication of just how far they’ve fallen like a stone through public opinion.’

The couple’s 2018 wedding was ‘all about the Markle sparkle’, he said, which could mean they’re in for a nasty surprise: ‘I don’t really think they’ll realize until they get here just how unpopular they’ve become.’

Their fall has come as the result of endless negative press from limelight-grabbing moments including their Oprah Winfrey interview, the publication of Harry’s memoir Spare, and a Netflix documentary series.

Much of that focused on the couple’s willingness to tell behind-the-scenes stories that paint other members of the Royal Family – particularly Harry’s brother William, the Prince of Wales – in a negative light.

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A significant rift reportedly still exists in the brothers’ relationship, though the Duke of Sussex is believed to be patching things up with King Charles with a private meeting last month at Highgrove House.

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Mr Larcombe, who worked as a royal editor and has written a book about Harry, said the king is ‘probably cautiously optimistic’ about the decision to move the family back across the Atlantic.

However, he said he ‘can’t see any reconciliation with William as far as things stand’ after everything Harry and Meghan said during their time in California.

He added: ‘Harry told [ITV] in his interview, that the ball was effectively in the royal court – it was for them to reach out.

‘I think William feels the exact opposite of the case and that he’s owed an apology, his wife’s owed an apology, and if Harry and Meghan don’t give that apology and make the effort, I don’t think there’s any hope for the end of the rift.’

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 9, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Harris - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Harry and Meghan behind Prince William and Princess Kate at a Commonwealth Day service in 2020 (Picture: Phil Harris – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

For Prince Archie, who was born a year before the move, and Princess Lilibet, who was born a year after, the family’s return to the UK may present a different opportunity.

Mr Larcombe said: ‘You have to hope that Archie and Lilibet will now have the opportunity to meet their cousins, to build some sort of relationship with the rest of the Royal Family, and to know where their heritage comes from and have an understanding of that, which I think in America they were very much shielded from.’

As for the rest of us, Mr Larcombe believes we’re likely to see a lot more of the couple once they settle back in the UK.

He said: ‘It’s difficult to see them coming to England and literally living a reclusive life, sort of hidden away in the Cotswolds, not being seen publicly.

‘Harry’s still got things like the Invictus Games and WellChild that he supports, and so he’s clearly still going to have a pretty high profile when he moves back to the UK.

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I can’t see them hiding away. And if this was a desire to move out of the limelight, then the UK is probably the worst place they could choose.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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England and Manchester City Lottie Day gets GCSE results

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England and Manchester City Lottie Day gets GCSE results

Lottie Day, a student at Ripon Grammar School, achieved four grade 9s, three 8s, a 7 and a 6 while balancing her studies with an elite sporting schedule.

The 16-year-old recently signed a two-year contract with Manchester City Women’s Under-21s and has represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 level.


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She said: “I’m really pleased with my results. It hasn’t always been easy balancing football and school, but all the hard work has paid off.”

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Lottie’s success comes after a year spent juggling classes with training camps, matches and international travel, resulting in her missing three school days each week.

Her school worked closely with her and her family to support her studies around her football commitments.

Jonathan Webb, headmaster at Ripon Grammar School, said: “Lottie has shown exceptional commitment, resilience and maturity in balancing the demands of elite sport with her education.

“We are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved, both academically and on the football pitch, and we wish her every success as she embarks on this exciting new chapter with Manchester City.”

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Lottie with her very proud parents (Image: Provided)

Her parents, Kevin and Lucy, also praised both their daughter and the school for managing the challenge.

Dad Kevin said: “We’re incredibly proud of Lottie. She has worked so hard, not only to develop as a footballer but also to make sure she achieved the GCSE results she wanted.

“Ripon Grammar School were fantastic throughout her GCSE studies, showing real flexibility around her ever-changing football commitments.

“Their support meant she was able to give everything both on the pitch and in the classroom.”

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Lottie has enjoyed a rapid rise in football over the past two years, playing for Sheffield United Women’s first team and Under-21s, captaining the club’s Under-16s, and earning England honours at Under-16 and Under-17 level.

She was named Player of the Match on her England Under-16 debut in a win against Denmark, before representing England at the Mondial Montaigu tournament in France.

Now preparing to study A-levels, she remains determined to continue progressing in both education and sport as she chases her dream of reaching the highest levels of the women’s game.

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Bodies of 2 hikers missing for decades found in Swiss Alps

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Bodies of 2 hikers missing for decades found in Swiss Alps

GENEVA (AP) — The bodies of two Belgian mountaineers who went missing in the Swiss Alps more than three decades ago have been found, officials said.

Police in the southwestern Valais region, which has a database of people listed as missing over the last century, said the retreat of glaciers has led to the emergence of remains of people who went missing decades earlier.

Late last month, a hiker discovered human remains that turned up following the melting of the Trift glacier south of the city of Lucerne, prompting a recovery operation, the regional government said Wednesday.

DNA tests conducted at a Valais hospital determined that the remains were those of two Belgian hikers, aged 39 and 41 at the time, who went missing near the Weissmies mountain — dozens of kilometers (miles) to the south — in 1992.

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Such discoveries are nothing new but have become more frequent as Switzerland’s glaciers have melted at an increasing rate.

Three years ago, DNA tests confirmed that a body found on a Swiss glacier near the Matterhorn was that of a German mountaineer who disappeared in 1986.

Many scientists blame global warming for a recent surge in glacier melt in Switzerland and beyond.

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Shoreham beach death tributes paid to family by Ealing school

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A headshot photo of Sara El-Khawas wearing a hijab and looking at the camera smiling against a white background.

The family are believed have travelled to Shoreham from London on the same day of the incident, which is believed to be a tragic accident with no third-party involvement, police said.

Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex, Deputy Chief Constable Paul Court called the incident “utterly, utterly tragic”, and praised the work of Sussex Police officers and other emergency services, adding that the response was “really professionally managed”.

Asked about two other children, who a spokesperson for the Palestinian Forum in Britain said were on the shore at the time of the incident, Court said: “We shouldn’t forget that as part of that investigation we have to break the bad news to those families, and that is utterly traumatic for those families to receive that news, and for those who have to break it to them.”

Those children are now being looked after by an uncle, according to the Palestinian Forum in Britain.

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M&S’s latest designer collaboration is inspired by its archive

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M&S’s latest designer collaboration is inspired by its archive

Following collections with Bella Freud, 16Arlington, and Olive Von Halle, there’s no denying M&S’s new cool-girl status – only cemented by its latest drop. Taking inspiration from St Michael, a former in-house M&S label, Aries spans baby tees, tote bags, ties and boxer shirts. There’s even a teddy bear keyring (the fashion set’s new alternative to a Labubu).

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‘I was in the shower when he entered’: Shocking figures expose women’s safety risks in UK hotels

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'I was in the shower when he entered': Shocking figures expose women's safety risks in UK hotels
At least 4,011 sexual offences were recorded at hotels in England between January 2023 and January 2026 (Picture: Getty Images)

A total of 1,323 sexual offences were recorded in UK hotels last year, Metro can exclusively reveal, exposing serious questions about how they protect female guests.

Earlier this year, Kyran Smith was jailed after sexually attacking a woman in a Travelodge in Maidenhead, in December 2022.

Smith, who had been at the same party as the victim, was handed a key after telling reception staff he was the woman’s boyfriend.

The only information he was asked to provide was the guest’s name. The victim, who had never stayed in a hotel by herself before, was later offered a £30 refund.

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Following the court case, more people have come forward with their own stories, highlighting concerns about security issues at Travelodge.

York, UK - February 10 2026: The illuminated sign and modern entrance of a Travelodge hotel glows against the night sky on a quiet street in the historic city centre of North Yorkshire, England
The victim in the 2022 Maidenhead attack stated she was ‘failed’ by Travelodge (Picture: Getty Images)

And now, CEO of the hotel chain, Jo Boydell, is stepping down amid the fall out.

Boydell has been criticised over her handling of the Maidenhead case, particularly when she declined a second meeting with MPs to discuss the sexual assault.

At the time, then Prime Minister, Kier Starmer wrote a letter to the Travelodge boss, saying: ‘I urge you to seriously engaged with MPs and my government to address the concerns that remain.’

In a statement announcing her resignation, Travelodge said: ‘We remain focused on the safety and well-being of our guests and will continue taking the actions necessary to strengthen the business.

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‘We will also continue to engage proactively and constructively with government and the wider hospitality industry on the issue of safety and security’.

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London, UK - March 30 2026: exterior view of the Travelodge Farringdon hotel in King's Cross Road.
Travelodge continues to face extreme scrutiny over its security measures (Picture: Getty Images)

But Metro research shows that Travelodge is not the only UK hotel where women are concerned for their safety.

Metro found at least 4,011 sexual offences were recorded at hotels in England between January 2023 and January 2026.

FOI responses from 27 police forces show offences rose from 1,242 in 2024 to 1,323 in 2025 — up 6.5%. Twelve forces could not provide usable data, meaning the true figure is likely higher.

Even so, the findings raise serious questions about the safety measures in place to protect hotel guests.

There was no way to contact reception

In October 2023, Claire Bartlett was staying at a Premier Inn in Camden, London for a work event. 

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‘I had actually booked myself into one of the Premier Plus suites so I wasn’t on the main floor with everyone else,’ the 42-year-old from the West Midlands tells Metro.

‘I went back after the event, fell asleep, and then at two or three in the morning, woke up to an absolute hammering on my door – I was completely disorientated and didn’t know what was happening.’

Claire Bartlett sat on steps
Claire had been staying in London for a work event (Picture: Claire Bartlett)

Through the peep hole she saw a man she didn’t recognise. Dressed in black tie, it appeared to be someone who’d also attended the event.

She crept back to bed and quickly realised that there was no way to contact reception – no phone in the room or a number to call.

‘Common sense might have said “oh Google the hotel and find reception’s number”, but in that moment I totally blanked,’ she shares.

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The ordeal was especially traumatic because Claire had been sexually abused as a child.

She says: ‘I was terrified. I didn’t want the man hammering on my door to know that there was someone in the room – or that I was a woman, all alone.

‘I reverted right back to the terrified little girl I once was hiding under the blanket.

‘I think that if I could have just phoned reception in that moment and got a staff member to come up, I would have felt more protected. But I didn’t have that option.’

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Hours later, the man fell asleep outside her room. Staff subsequently collected him, although Claire isn’t sure how they were alerted.

Cozy hotel room bedside area featuring neatly made bed wooden bedside table with telephone and warm lighting. Modern hospitality interior design. Suitable for travel accommodation lifestyle and hotel content.
A number of budget hotel chains in the UK have been criticised for their safety policies (Picture: Getty Images)

When Claire told staff what happened the following morning, they offered her a discount on a future stay, which she felt ‘downplayed’ the situation.

Later, she contacted Head Office, who offered a refund.

A Premier Inn spokesperson told Metro they ‘never stop working to strengthen safety and security procedures’.

In a statement to Metro, the hotel chain said: ‘Our reception teams are available 24/7 in the event our guests need them and can also be contacted by mobile phone if necessary, with the hotel number available online as well as shared with our guests through booking confirmations.

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‘In the very rare event that a guest feels in immediate danger we would however advise them to dial 999 for police assistance before letting us know,’ they added.

While the official spokesperson did not respond to Metro’s specific question regarding why there aren’t telephones inside all rooms, when Metro WhatsApped the general Guest Relations number about whether there would be a phone in the room, or a phone number for reception, they said: ‘Telephones are not provided at most hotels – local rate numbers for reception teams can be found in every room.’

Claire still feels as though she was not taken seriously enough by staff (Picture: Getty Images)

I was asked to sign a waiver to say I understood the risks

Abigail Cousins, 34, has stayed in hundreds of UK hotels through her work as a business development manager for a travel company. 

In 2019, while staying at one popular UK budget hotel chain in Solihull, a key to Abigail’s room was given to another guest, resulting in a man entering her room while she was in the shower – an occurrence, she tells Metro, that industry insiders know ‘happens a lot’.

‘When I heard someone was in my room I screamed,’ she shares. ‘He was so apologetic, explaining that he must have got his room numbers confused.

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‘He quickly turned around and walked out, but what stuck with me was the fact that he didn’t even have to say the name of the guest on the hotel booking – staff just gave him a key.’

During another stay in a hotel in Manchester, Abigail, from Somerset, was shocked to find her room’s security chain had been removed. Staff told her this was the same in every room.

‘A member of staff thought it was because of the fact that if there was a fire they wouldn’t be able to get into the room.’

Young Asian businesswoman going on business trip. Concept of business and leisure travel.
The Safer Tourism Foundation has launched a campaign to help provide practical tools, real-world advice, and safety tips for women travelling solo (Picture: Getty Images)

Due to potential work conflicts, Abigail has chosen not to name the hotels. But she claims one ‘very well-known brand’ made her sign a waiver before giving her a ground-floor room. 

‘The waiver basically said that I was happy to stay on the ground floor, that I understood the risks, and that there was no liability to the hotel if anything was to happen,’ she says.

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Abigail was left questioning what incident might have prompted the hotel to introduce the measure.

The one thing all women should pack when they’re travelling solo

Stephanie Boyle, from the Safer Tourism Foundation, recently helped launch a campaign titled ‘She Travels Safe,’ geared at providing practical tools and safety tips for women.

Stephanie tells Metro that the foundation’s analysis of safety reports from UK-based travel operators, covering more than 10 million annual trips, found a 60% rise in reported sexual harassment and assault incidents in 2024 compared to 2023.

Alongside advice such as choosing your accommodation carefully and checking for potential security vulnerabilities, the campaign urges every woman travelling solo to pack one simple item.

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‘Pack a door wedge,’ Stephanie says. ‘This may feel extreme, but not all hotel doors have chain locks or deadbolts. That way, even if someone outside has a key, they won’t be able to get in. It’s simple, inexpensive (you can find one online for less than £1) and easy to pack.’

What are hotel chains in the UK doing about this?

Following the harrowing incident in Maidenhead, Travelodge introduced a policy requiring staff to obtain permission from the registered guest before issuing any additional or replacement room keys.

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When asked what other measures it has in place to protect guests, Travelodge told Metro it also provides 24/7 reception, conducts overnight security patrols, avoids allocating ground-floor rooms to solo women where possible, prints hotel contact numbers on key wallets and doesn’t announce room numbers aloud. 

One industry expert has emphasised the need for all hotels to implement the latter measure.

Carolyn Pearson, the CEO of travel security company Maiden Voyage, tells Metro there is still no ‘consistent approach across the industry’.

woman packing suitcase
Solo travel is an empowering and enriching experience for women (Picture: Getty Images)

Just recently, she was staying in a London hotel when her room number was said aloud at reception.

When she told the staff member this could put guests at risk, he allegedly replied that management had never informed him of this – nor had he received any training on the matter.

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Clearly, these incidents are part of a wider pattern – one that must be addressed.

Travel should be a freeing experience for everyone

The Safer Tourism Foundation is currently working with the hospitality industry to try and prevent serious harm from coming to any traveller.

Some hotels have already signed up to the Safer Tourism Pledge – a set of commitments made by travel providers, articulating a stringent approach to traveller risk, health and safety.

But as Abigail says: ‘A lot of the hotels in the UK are not geared up for women travelling solo.

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‘In fact, there are a number of places abroad where I actually feel safer.’

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Tottenham transfer news: Spurs in talks to sign Man City’s Omar Marmoush and Savinho

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Split image showing Savinho and Omar Marmoush

Tottenham are in talks with Manchester City over a double deal for forwards Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

Sources have told BBC Sport that negotiations between the two clubs are progressing, though an agreement is yet to be reached.

Spurs’ interest in Brazilian winger Savinho dates back to 2025, when the 22-year-old opted to remain at Etihad Stadium.

But he was limited to just seven starts in the Premier League last season, and is now minded to leave the club after joining for a £30m fee in 2024 from French club Troyes.

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Marmoush, a £59m signing from Frankfurt in 2025, fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola in 2025-26 but the 27-year-old still managed a respectable eight goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.

City’s valuation for the pair is unclear, but the club would expect to make a significant profit on both.

Roberto De Zerbi has revamped his midfield this summer, signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for a combined £185m.

But the Italian has stressed the need to strengthen his attack following the side’s 17th-placed finish in the Premier League last term, scoring just 48 goals in 38 games.

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Spurs remain interested in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, but it is unclear whether the club could finance a deal for the Netherlands international as well as moves for Marmoush and Savinho.

City have already sold a host of players this summer, including captain Rodri, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford.

Spurs kick-off their Premier League campaign away at Brentford on Saturday (17:30 BST), while City host Bournemouth on Sunday (14:00 BST).

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Coronation Street fans cast Brody Michaelis verdict over year after debut as he’s issued threat

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Manchester Evening News

Corrie fans appear to have made a U-turn on reformed troublemaker Brody Michaelis

Coronation Street fans have been seen sharing their verdict on Brody Michaelis, more than a year after his arrival in Weatherfield, as they appear to have made a U-turn on the reformed troublemaker.

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Fans of the ITV soap, which is filmed in Salford, will recall that Brody’s arrival came as fellow teen Dylan Wilson was sentenced to six months in the Secure Training Centre (STC) by a judge for owning the knife, which eventually killed Mason Radcliffe in shocking scenes that were aired back in January 2025.

But it was comments made by Brody to Dylan about his parents recently moving to Weatherfield that quickly linked him to newcomers Mick and Lou Michaelis, who caused nothing but trouble on the cobbles and currently find themselves behind bars – with Mick carrying out the shock murder of PC Craig Tinker, while Lou was found out to have attacked Gary Windass.

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Brody, who has also discovered that his biological father is DC Kit Green, and his younger siblings, Joanie and Shanice, are now in the care of the popular cobbles couple, Sally and Tim Metcalfe.

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But despite Brody seemingly turning his own life around, Corrie fans feared that Brody could get mixed up in some dodgy dealings with the arrival of Idris Nazir. While that has seemingly been the case, with Brody carrying out an attack on Idris’ orders, during the latest visit to Weatherfield, the upset teen went up against his new boss.

During Wednesday’s (August 19) episode of the long-running soap, Brody was left deflated after Kit turned down his request to stay with him for a few weeks, having decided to move out of Sally and Tim’s. Later, he helped Idris at his secret poker night, but having knocked back some of the drinks, Brody revealed to Leanne Battersby that her partner had risked the money she had lent to him, in order to make more to buy Alyaz Nazir’s share in Speed Daal.

The move left Leanne unimpressed, and subsequently, Idris took it out on Brody. Pinning him against a wall before slapping his face, Idris fumed: “Think you’re a big man, do you? I don’t care who your dad is. If you ever cross me like that again, you’ll regret it.” He then threw Brody away, telling him to get out.

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While Brody now finds himself on the wrong side of Idris, Corrie fans have been sharing how they have enjoyed the change they have seen in him since his arrival, and their hopes that he won’t go back down a dark path.

@ThomasR14336083 said: “I’m surprised to say I actually have warmed to Brody over the past year. He’s developed into a good character. I hope, after his involvement with Idris is over, that a nice romance is in store for him. Him & Amy could make a good couple. #Corrie.” @RyanSoapKing25 suggested: “I want to see Brody and Kit’s relationship develop a little bit more. Maybe they could make Kit a bit more bareable if he was less of a petulant child and focused on his relationship with Brody #Corrie.”

@DrSwarla2025 commented: “I’m starting to like what corrie are doing with Brody, he’s turning in to a nice Lad and an interesting character, hopefully that wouldn’t wasted with him working for Idris. #corrie.” @agf1052 added: “You know, Brody has been really growing on me these past few months. I think he’s been a good addition #Corrie.”

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