The police service in England and Wales is “not good enough” and its leadership needs an “ethical reset”, Lord Blunkett has said.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC ahead of the publication of a major report he co-authored on police leadership, the former Labour home secretary said its findings point to weaknesses in leadership, morale and culture across the service.

The report, to be published on Monday, will conclude there are “significant causes for concern” and that police leadership requires a “fundamental overhaul”.

“At the moment, the service isn’t good enough,” Lord Blunkett said. “At the moment, the morale and motivation of many of those working in the service needs a reset.”

The report, produced along with the former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert for the College of Policing, will recommend a “root and branch modernisation” of recruitment, development and monitoring within the service.

The “comprehensive” review of police leadership was commissioned to ensure the service could respond to evolving threats and deliver government targets, the College of Policing said, in the face of declining public confidence in policing.

None of the 43 police forces in England and Wales were graded “outstanding” for leadership in the most recent inspection round. Almost a third were rated as needing improvement, and two as inadequate.

Lord Blunkett told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the evidence gathered during the review pointed to “a very large number of those at senior level who have been or are under investigation”.

“I think at the moment, there are eight former or serving chief constables who are either under disciplinary action or awaiting the result,” he said. “And that’s out of 43 forces.”

He added: “All of that leads us to believe that a new ethical reset is required.”

The report will highlight challenges including a scarcity of resources, excessive paperwork and officers being “demotivated” by negative and overly risk averse leadership cultures.

Lord Blunkett was also asked whether he thought there was a problem with “two-tier policing”, a term some politicians have used to argue that police may deal with people belonging to ethnic minorities more favourably than white people.

Last month in the House of Commons, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage connected it to the police’s handling of the murder of Henry Nowak, a teenager arrested as he lay dying after his killer had falsely accused him of racism.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rejected the claims, saying he did not believe there was two-tier policing in the UK, and accused Farage of exploiting the tragedy to create grievance and division.

Lord Blunkett said: “I think there’s a perception. We’ve moved the pendulum.

“It’s gone from the [1999] Macpherson report about outright racism in the force, particularly the reflections in the Met, all the way through to people saying ‘oh, it’s woke’.

“We make it clear in the report that there’s no room for culture wars or woke. It isn’t the job of the police in our country to take sides of any sort. It’s the job of the police to deliver.”

And the social event of the year is back tomorrow afternoon as Smithills Hall stages welcomes visitors to enjoy a traditional summer fair, with artisan stalls, food, and much more.

The garden party starts at noon and goes on until 4pm.

There’ll be garden games, story times, fairground rides and more! Free entry. Charges are applicable for some activities.

Entry is free but charges will be applicable for some activities.

A spokesman said: “Come rain or shine we’ll be there with lots of fantastic activities for all the family!”

Last year’s event attracted hundreds of visitors who enjoyed food stalls, ice cream, games, and interactive storytelling in the estate’s grounds.

The fair is hugely popular and visitors are being encouraged to use public transport where possible.

The event is one of the standout events in Bolton’s social calendar.

HOUSTON (AP) — Azzedine Ounahi scored twice to lead Morocco to a 3-0 win over Canada in the World Cup round of 16 Saturday to make the country the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals more than once.

It’s Morocco’s second straight appearance in the quarterfinals after becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals in 2022.

Neither team was able to break through until Ounahi took a free kick from Achraf Hakimi and made a right-footed shot through traffic from outside the box to the bottom right corner to put Morocco on top 1-0 in the 50th minute.

Ounahi made it 2-0 on a right-footed shot from the middle of the box off a pass from Brahim Díaz in the 82nd minute.

Soufiane Rahimi added a goal in the final minute of stoppage time.

Morocco advances to face the winner of Saturday’s Paraguay-France match on Thursday at Boston Stadium.

The loss ends a historic run for World Cup co-host Canada, which won its first-ever knockout round with a 1-0 victory over South Africa to reach Saturday’s match. The country was playing in the World Cup for just the third time and the run enchanted a nation that is normally far more interested in hockey than the pitch.

Morocco, which is ranked sixth in the FIFA rankings, dispatched the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the round of 16 and send the country to its earliest World Cup exit.

Canada had a couple of chances to score late. Jonathan David had a free kick from outside the box in the 78th minute, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

Just after that Tajon Buchanan’s shot from about 30 yards was stopped with a diving save from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Bounou, who was born in Canada to Moroccan parents, had three saves to help Morocco to the win.

This game was a rematch from the last World Cup when Morocco beat Canada 2-1 in the group stage in a tournament in which Morocco finished fourth.

It was an extremely physical match with eight yellow cards being issued. Both teams received four.

Hakimi and Canada’s Richie Laryea received yellow cards in the 40th minute. Hakimi shoved Laryea to the ground and then Laryea pushed him and a minor scuffle ensued.

Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari left with an injury in the 22nd minute.

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

For three hours, the combination of a classy Belgian opponent and chronic nosebleed looked an impediment too far in pursuit of round four.

Fery’s revival began when showcasing more variety than a night at the Palladium during Bruce Forsyth’s heyday. An array of slices and impressive net game seemed to befuddle his opponent when he impressively levelled for 1-1 and 2-2, the crowd erupting at the promise of a British win.

It had taken 68 minutes for Fery to make the spectators believe, a break of serve at 2-1 in the second set proving a momentary turning point in what had hitherto been a one-sided match.

“All aboard the Fery,” one fan shouted. “Fery’s coming home,” was another. At his best, he looked more like a speedboat.

Fery was severely impeded by medical time-outs; his last was at game point when 5-4 down in the fifth. Many players will appreciate the suggestion they might get a nosebleed by flying up the rankings. In Fery’s case it is an occupation hazard, the chronic issue in need of resolution to ensure it does not disrupt career progress.

It was an untimely distraction as Fery tamely lost the opening set. He scurried back with a stunning break of serve when 6-5 up in the second, the precursor for a more unlikely fightback later before another nosebleed occurred at the most inopportune moment.

What character he showed.

Despite Bergs regaining the ascendancy in the fifth, Fery did not wilt as the son of French parents put Zizou in the shade by claiming the match tie-break, falling to the turf in exhausted elation after keeping the home fires burning.

I’ve heard a lot of talk about the difficult conditions England will face at the Azteca Stadium – but I don’t think the players will be worried about any of that.

Instead of having any fear about the different tests they face, they will just be thinking ‘bring it on’. I know I would be.

All the talk stops when they run out anyway, and if they play the game rather than the occasion then I think they will win.

Yes, it’s going to be tough, because of the altitude and the atmosphere and everything else. Co-hosts Mexico are at home and the crowd could be as much as 80% of their fans, which is very different to anything England have faced at this tournament so far.

But as a player, these are the kind of games and moments you train and work so hard for all your life because to be going to such an iconic stadium and playing in a World Cup in front of a TV audience of millions, with a place in the quarter-finals as the prize, is what you dream of as a boy.

I’ve wanted to go to the Azteca since I watched the 1986 World Cup on TV as a teenager and this is the first time England have been back since losing that epic quarter-final tie to Argentina. It’s going to be an amazing spectacle as well as a unique test.

I have followed England around the United States at this World Cup, and we have had the majority of fans at all four matches so far.

Against DR Congo in Atlanta, around 75% of the crowd were supporting England, but this is going to feel very different and is another reason why it’s such an incredible game to look forward to.

I’ll be there, co-commentating with Guy Mowbray, and am excited about it as much as the fans are. I bet the players are excited too.

Yes, it’s a challenge but I would say to them to embrace it and enjoy it – be positive and show us all what you can do.

City of York Council said it is closing Bishopgate in York from the Tower Street roundabout to its junction with Clementhorpe from 8pm on Monday, July 6 to 6am on Tuesday July 7.

The stretch of road includes Skeldergate Bridge and is one of the principal routes for traffic across York which avoids the city centre.

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The council said the closure is to ensure the works can be carried out safely.

The alternative route will be signed taking road traffic over Lendal Bridge via Fishergate, Paragon Street, Foss Islands Road, Jewbury, St Maurices Road, Lord Mayors Walk, Gillygate, St Leonards Place, Museum Street, Station Road, Queen Street and Nunnery Lane.

The council confirmed an earlier opening of Bishopgate Street if works finish sooner.

James Arthur, who won the ITV talent show in 2012 performed at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre last night (Friday, July 3).

The multi-platinum singer-songwriter, who last performed at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2018, told organisers he took to the stage despite being advised not to by doctors.

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Excited fans lined up ready for James Arthur’s headline Scarborough show (Image: Supplied)

James Arthur said: “It means a lot to me, playing in this part of the world.

“My family and friends are here; I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Organisers said he opened the show with Water and his global anthem Impossible, adding that delivering a set packed with crowd-pleasers.

The Middlesbrough-born star also performed Rewrite the Stars from The Greatest Showman soundtrack, along with Car’s Outside and A Thousand Years, before ending the night with Say You Won’t Let Go.

Jerub was a special guest of James Arthur and was among the artists opening the show (Image: Supplied)

The concert began with a performance by newcomer Ruby Poole, followed by sets from Ben Ellis and JERUB.

The singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough who rose to national prominence after winning the ninth series of ITV’s The X Factor in 2012.

Growing up he played in local bands and performed solo in pubs and bars across his home county.

The performance from James Arthur comes in the middle of a season of live music at Scarborough Open Air Theatre (Image: Supplied)

His X Factor winner’s single, a cover of Shontelle’s “Impossible,” went straight to number one in the UK and went on to sell around 2.5 million copies worldwide, making it one of the show’s most successful winner’s singles.

Last night’s show was part of the TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 series, which features a record 26 headline shows this season.

The concert series continues with upcoming performances by David Gray, Alanis Morissette, and Michael Bublé.

“I love this record, it means so much to me. It gave us access to the world”

Snow Patrol have been honoured as the first recipients of the brand-new Official Charts Hall of Fame Award.

The new accolade from the Official Charts Company will, going forward, be presented annually to the UK’s official biggest single and album of the year.

The award is part of celebrations marking 70 years of the Official Albums Chart and the Co Down band were selected as the inaugural recipients of the award to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Eyes Open.

The album gave Snow Patrol their first Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart and became the UK’s Official biggest album of 2006, which “propelled Snow Patrol from alternative-rock favourites to one of the defining bands of the decade”.

Speaking to the Official Charts as he accepted the award, frontman Gary Lightbody said: “Thank you very much, this is great! My mum will be delighted!

“I love this record, it means so much to me. It gave us access to the world – a world which we never thought we would occupy.

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“We started in 1994 and didn’t have a hit until 2004. We had 10 years of no success, and then Final Straw was very successful. Then Eyes Open was extremely successful. It was very new to us, that type of success; playing the bigger shows, getting on the radio. Being in the charts was very exciting to us.

“It’s an album that still seems to live and breathe, and also change and shift. The album is an artifact that’ll never change, but the songs change, shift and evolve over time with the way we play them.”

According to Official Charts Company data, Eyes Open has gone on to shift more than 2.6 million units in the UK to date, including 2.4 million pure sales.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter.

Decades earlier, those grounds on Acomb Road in York echoed with very different sounds as children played under the watchful eye of nurses in the gardens of what was then the Godfrey Walker Home.

It isn’t easy to mentally swap that scene of pints, replica shirts and nervous glances at the scoreboard for prams, toys and nursery games. But our old photo highlights the history of the Victorian villa that was originally built for the Russell family, according to the York Historic Environment Record.

Old photo reveals forgotten past of popular York pub – pictured, children at play under the eye of nurses in the grounds of the Godfrey Walker Home (now the Carlton Tavern pub) in 1948 . (Image: Newsquest)

The Waifs and Strays Society moved its Godfrey Walker children’s home here in 1946, turning it into a nursery in 1947 for babies and toddlers up to five. Records show it continued as the Godfrey Walker Children’s Home until about 1970, before becoming a hotel and, in the 1990s, the Carlton Tavern pub under Marston’s.

1962 – The Glass Bridge in Grosvenor Terrace, Clifton, is replaced with a new footbridge. (Image: Newsquest)

The photo is one of several that we’ve uncovered in our archives to a offer snapshot of everyday life in York – from the Cross Keys pub in 1968, standing watch over the busy Tadcaster Road junction, to the Crystal Palace on Holgate Road in 1961, a well-known stopping point for locals.

1968 – The Cross Keys and the junction of Tadcaster Road and St Helen’s Road. (Image: Newsquest)

Shops, too, tell the story of a changing city. Older readers may remember when Newbould’s Fisheries in Huntington reopened in 1967 after a £3,000 refurbishment, while the street scene of Hull Road and Matmer House hints at the mix of homes and businesses lining York’s expanding suburbs.

Matmer House in Hull Road in 1968. (Image: Newsquest)

Other photos feature once-familiar scenes from carnival crowds in Wigginton, school days at Robert Wilkinson, and Clifton’s old Glass Bridge giving way to the new.

Wigginton Carnival on Midgley’s Fields (now Windsor Drive) in 1962. (Image: Newsquest)

We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos from yesteryear, and reading stories about them, then please join our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia.

22 July 1966 – The old Robert Wilkinson Primary School, which was built in 1857 and was replaced by new premises in 1972. (Image: Newsquest)

It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago.

We all love seeing old photos from our own past, and some of our more popular stories date from the 70s, 80s and 90s – and even into the noughties.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, you can also contact us on email – write to nadia.jeffersonbrown@newsquest.co.uk.