Archie McPherson has covered six World Cups for the BBC and was highly critical of the performance of the current team.

Legendary Scots broadcaster and football commentator Archie McPherson has slated Scotland’s performances at this year’s World Cup describing them as “the worst ever”

In a series of blistering comments McPherson said the current team had insulted the memory of great players of the past.

He made the remarks following Scotland’s 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Miami adding that they had “no right” to be there.

McPherson, 89, covered Scotland’s participation in six World Cups between 1974 and 1998 for the BBC.

In a social media post the former Sportscene presenter said: “The Scotland side I saw being comfortably beaten by the Brazilians last night is the worst ever to have represented our country at the World Cup.

“Yes, we had disappointments in the past, which I closely witnessed six times through the years.

“But the almost feverish efforts to equate our presence in the States as being of potential historical significance invested qualities in Clarke’s side they simply did not possess.

“That was evident in every single game. But not only that , it was blindly ignoring the detailed reasons why we failed in the past in that special tournament.

“Thus insulting the memory of some our great players like Dalglish, Jordan, Bremner, Gemmill etc.

“We had our faults certainly. But never did I feel ,as I did last night, that this Scotland team were simply trespassers with no authentic right to be there.”

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In the 1996 film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s cult novel Trainspotting Macpherson re-voiced his commentary of Archie Gemmill’s famous goal for Scotland against the Netherlands at the 1978 World Cup as a sex scene.

A public-spirited van driver pulled over to offer armed Kent Police officers a lift during a dramatic chase in Margate, helping them apprehend a suspect wanted in connection with a serious assault. The incredible moment was caught on officers’ body-worn cameras.

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Remarkable footage has captured the moment an ordinary member of the public played a pivotal role in helping armed officers apprehend a suspect in Margate.

The van driver who provided the spontaneous lift to armed officers during the pursuit in Thanet, Kent, has since been widely praised for his actions.

The gripping footage, recorded on police body cameras, opens with the shout: “armed police, stay where you are.”

Armed officers from Kent Police had been responding to reports of a serious assault when a wanted suspect managed to slip away and fled on foot, heading towards Tivoli Road.

Footage from one officer’s body-worn camera captures the moment the van driver pulled over to assist the armed officers in their pursuit of the fleeing suspect.

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As he drew up alongside them, the driver told the officer: “Get in the back.”

The officer obliged and leapt into the black minivan, leaving the sliding door ajar to guide his impromptu chauffeur.

The officer can be heard shouting: “Go, go, go! Cheers buddy. Follow that police officer.”

As the driver accelerated in the direction of the officer still pursuing the suspect on foot, the policeman continued to bark instructions, urging him to overtake both the fleeing man and his colleague.

The driver brought the vehicle to a sharp halt when ordered to stop, allowing the officer sufficient time to get ahead of and corner the fleeing suspect. The armed officer then leapt from the vehicle, trained his weapon on the suspect and made the arrest.

The driver, who has not been named, stood nearby watching the dramatic scene play out before him, before officers showed their appreciation with a firm handshake.

The van driver said: “I am just glad I could be of service. That was quite exhilarating.”

Following the dramatic arrest, Kent Police’s Armed Policing Superintendent Will Lay paid tribute to the unnamed man for his vital role in the operation.

“Thanks to the quick and selfless actions of this responsible and public-spirited driver, officers were able to apprehend the dangerous individual,” Supt Lay said.

“The successful arrest may not have been possible without the member of the public and his vehicle.

“He should feel proud of his contribution to keeping his community safe, and we are truly grateful for his assistance.”

Gwent Police have now charged a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with the murder of 14-year-old Lily who was discovered in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina in Wales

Police have issued a major update after a young girl’s body was found in Wales.

The shocking discovery was made in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina in Wales on Monday, June 22, at around 10pm. Formal identification is yet to take place but the body is believed to be that of a missing girl called Lilly. Her family have been informed of the development.

Gwent Police have now charged a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with her murder.

A Gwent Police spokesperson said: “Gwent Police has charged a 14-year-old boy with murder as part of our investigation in Blaenau Gwent.

“The teenager from the Blaenau Gwent area, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in police custody to appear before Newport Magistrates Court on Friday 26 June. The white British boy was arrested after the body of a female was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on Monday 22 June, at about 10.10pm.

“While formal identification has yet to take place, the body is believed to be Lilly, a 14-year-old girl who was reported as missing.

“We are releasing Lilly’s name at this point, with her family’s knowledge, because it will form part of the court proceedings and be a matter of public record.”

Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lilly at this difficult time. We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this ongoing investigation.

“It is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice. Even though we’ve reached this significant development in our investigation, our enquiries continue and you will still see a significant police presence in the area.

“Examinations of scenes will be continuing over the coming days, including at Duffryn Park, where cordons remain in place. I would like to thank local residents for their continued support and those impacted by the cordons for their patience during this time.”

Jenny Hopkins, of the CPS, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Gwent Police to charge 14-year-old boy with the offence of murder. The defendant cannot be named for legal reasons.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this person are now active and that they have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Anyone with CCTV footage or information that could assist our investigation, can speak to police officers in person, or contact us on the usual channels. You can contact police on 101, quoting log reference 2600194414, you can send a direct message on Facebook or X, or online: https://www.gwent.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 with information or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

It comes as the region recorded its hottest June day in 50 years on Thursday

Temperatures are set to remain high across Northern Ireland amid a warning for thunderstorms, with cooler conditions expected over the next few days.

The Met Office yellow weather warning for thunderstorm is in place from midnight to 10am on Friday, June 26, after days of high temperatures.

Issuing further detail about the warning, a spokesperson for the forecaster said: “A few heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to move north across parts of Northern Ireland during Friday morning.

“Whilst some places will miss them, where they occur hail and frequent lightning are likely along with rainfall totals of 15-20 mm in less than an hour.”

Looking ahead to Friday afternoon, the Met Office said the weather will “become brighter from the south but still some showers around. Warm and humid.” The maximum temperature is expected to reach 26 C.

As for the outlook from Saturday to Monday, the forecaster added: “Dry, bright start Saturday but occasionally heavy rain spreads east in afternoon. Sunday and Monday look much cooler with sunny spells and showers and an occasionally fresh southwesterly breeze.”

Despite Northern Ireland currently experiencing a heatwave, the region hasn’t been feeling the same heat as other parts of the UK. Parts of England and Wales are currently facing a red extreme heat warning.

When asked how we have escaped the higher temperatures, a Met Office spokesperson told Belfast Live that previous cloudy days have contributed to lower temperatures.

They said: “Much of the heat and the hottest temperatures that the UK experiences come from mainland Europe… as Northern Ireland is mostly coastal, this keeps temperatures here relatively cooler than further southeast.”

Northern Ireland reached its heatwave criteria on Wednesday by exceeding 25 C for three days in a row in Castlederg.

On Thursday, Northern Ireland recorded its hottest June day in 50 years, with 30.8 C at Castlederg, matching the June record set in 1976. The all-time record for Northern Ireland remains 31.3 C which was recorded in Castlederg in July 2021.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here

Four men were involved in the fight, North Yorkshire Police has said, outside Porto Pizza in Windsor Terrace, Whitby at around 7.20pm on Tuesday (May 26).

Two men required hospital treatment, with one sustaining a broken hip, after the serious assault.

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A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

A force spokesperson said: “As our investigation continues, we’re keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could assist, and who we haven’t yet spoken to.

“We know there were a number of people in the area at the time, and due to the location of the assault, there may be others we haven’t yet heard from.

“Please email Dan.Hardey@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Dan Hardey.

“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

“Please quote reference 12260096380 when passing information.”

Call the Midwife star Laura Main has opened up about her new role as a carer for her 91-year-old mum

Call the Midwife star Laura Main has revealed the conclusion of the beloved series has allowed her to become a carer for her elderly mother. The popular actress explained the programme’s break has given her the freedom to take on this role, saying her “heart went out” to those in caring positions.

Speaking at the TRIC Awards, she explained: “I’m a carer now. Right now, my mum is my priority. She is 91 and needs support. For 15 years I was doing Call The Midwife, but I’ve now had a change to the rhythm of my life. Because we aren’t filming a new series, I’m have the chance to do this, so it’s good timing.”

The 48-year-old, who portrayed Nurse Shelagh Turner, described herself as “blessed” to spend more quality time with her mother. She continued: “Being a carer is an incredible job. We are having such a nice time. We get on so well. It’s lovely. I feel really blessed to be able to give this time to my mum. She gave her life to her family.”

She also praised the BBC1 programme for highlighting the caring profession. Laura added: “On Call The Midwife we’ve represented nurses, midwives and the care community and it’s an extraordinary thing to help one another.

“My heart goes out to people who are carers for years and years. They should get as much support as possible. They do an incredible service that people need at certain points in their life or throughout their life. It’s about supporting one another.”

Laura revealed her upcoming role will be portraying Sleeping Beauty in this year’s Christmas pantomime, reports the Mirror. She admits: “I love doing that. My sisters said to me: ‘You can’t down tools completely, you’ve got to keep going’.”

Call the Midwife received a nomination for Best Drama at Tuesday’s lunchtime ceremony, ultimately losing to Adolescence. Hosted by TRIC President Dan Walker, the occasion honoured excellence across television, radio, streaming and online entertainment, with winners predominantly chosen through public voting.

The period drama has consistently ranked amongst the BBC’s five most-watched dramas annually from 2012 through to 2026 thus far.

A prequel series titled Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms was announced last week, set in wartime Poplar during the Second World War.

Jenny Agutter, narrating the three-part series, reprises her role as Sister Julienne, alongside Helena Wilson, who portrays her younger self.

Amy Booth-Steel assumes the part of Sister Evangelina, previously portrayed by Pam Ferris, who died on screen in series five in 2016. Helen Schlesinger takes over from Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan, while Dr. Patrick Turner, famously embodied by Stephen McGann, represents another familiar character.

Straight out of medical school, he is now portrayed by Ben Rose. Fred Buckle, another Poplar fixture played by Cliff Parisi, will be portrayed by Ciaran Bowling in the Christmas prequel.

Call the Midwife is streaming on BBC iPlayer

The chief told the Press Association that it is not just the elderly and people with underlying health conditions affected by the heat, adding: “I’m saying to people I need you to drink water even when you’re not thirsty, staying out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, and particularly not exercising outside and putting your body under additional heat and strain.”

The Crown Estate has published financial figures for 2025/26

The Crown Estate generated a windfall £200m in profits from its assets in Wales in the last year.

The vast majority of the income was from option fees paid by companies taking part in the planned giant 1.5GW Mona offshore windfarm development in the Irish Sea, some 30km off the coast of north Wales. Mona is being developed by a joint venture involving oil giant BP.

The Crown Estate’s profits have been published as part of a more open approach by the corporation. The Royal Family receives 12% of the income from its assets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the remainder goes to the UK government.

There are calls for the profits from the Crown Estate’s assets in Wales to go directly to the Welsh Government as happens in Scotland. Wales’ new Plaid Cymru government and the previous Labour administration of Eluned Morgan have called for it to be devolved.

This year’s accounts show that in 2025/6, the Welsh assets generated a profit of £210m slightly down on the figure last year of £253.4m in 2024/25, which was also boosted by windfarm revenue.

The vast majority of this year’s operating profit, some £200m, came from option fees relating to the Mona wind farm.

The project forms part the Crown Estate’s offshore wind leasing round four and is 87% within Welsh waters off the north Wales coast

These option fees were time limited and have now ceased after Mona entered its pre-generation phase earlier this year. Excluding option fees, the Crown Estate said its operating profit in Wales would have been just £9.8m.

Crown Estate assets in Wales include renewable energy licences and development rights for offshore wind and tidal projects. It also leases seabed space for oil and gas pipelines, marine aggregates (used in construction) and the subsea cables and interconnectors that help manage electricity supply and carry intercontinental data traffic. It manages around 65% of the foreshore and tidal riverbed. On land it has around 50,000 acres of common land that is primarily rough pasture, used for grazing.

The Crown Estate (covering Wales, England and Northern Ireland) manages a diverse £16bn portfolio.

For the financial year 2025/26, the Crown Estate’s assets in Wales were valued at £290m – a 22% year-on-year increase following the awarding of development contracts for three huge floating offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea under leasing round five.

However, the auction process for round five set option fees at just £.1.6m which the Crown Estate said was a reflection of the more “challenging conditions in the global market in recent years, and the less mature technology involved in floating offshore wind, which carries a different risk and cost profile.”

Only one is solely in Welsh waters off the coast of Pembrokeshire, with another straddling both and English and Welsh (equally) and a third just in English maritime waters. The three schemes are projected to create 5,000 jobs with an total economic impact of £1.5bn. They are not scheduled to become operational until the mid 2030s.

Since 2024, the Crown Estate has also invested £18m in projects to support the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, including £5m to support delivery of the three offshore floating windfarms in the Celtic Sea. Seven projects in Wales have benefitted from this investment, which is part of a wider commitment to invest up to £400m in a UK offshore wind supply chain.

Dan Labbad, chief executive of the Crown Estate, said: “This has been an important year of progress for The Crown Estate in Wales, as we continue to grow our ambitions for offshore wind and the marine economy across the nation.

“Over the past few years, we have made significant strides to strengthen our operations through local partnerships, investment and engagement. Securing agreements for three floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea reflects these efforts, with the potential to create over 5,000 jobs and contribute £1.4 billion to the wider economy.

“At a time when conditions in the global market are unusually challenging and tenders in other countries have failed to attract interest, this is an outstanding result that shows what we can achieve when we work together.

“Like us, the new Welsh Government has a clear vision that the Celtic Sea opportunity must deliver long-term value for Wales and Welsh communities, and we look forward to building a strong partnership with Plaid Cymru ministers to realise these benefits, together.”

The UK Government has steadfastly declined calls for a devolving of the Crown Estate in Wales.

Since it was devolved to Scotland in 2017, aggregate profits generated by Crown Estate Scotland has provided a boost to the Scottish Government’s budget. In its last financial 2024/25 financial year Crown Estate Scotland posted its highest ever net profit of £130m which was distributed to the Scottish Government’s consolidation fund.

However, the UK Treasury is ramping up what it nets off the Scottish Government’s block grant to account for increasing profits it receives from Crown Estate Scotland. This amounts to £15m in the current financial year, but will reach £40m by 2028-29, after which it will remain flat and unindexed.

Any devolving of Crown Estate assets in Wales, which would require UK Government approval, would likely come with the same netting off mechanism.

Moreover, the Crown Estate has appointed Welsh entrepreneur Michael Plaut as a new commissioner to its board. It has increased its number of commissioners from eight to 12 following the Crown Estate Act 2025 to reflect modern corporate governance.

The legislation also gives the body, the ability borrow against its asset base.

Mr Plaut started his career as an investment banker in London before returning to Wales to head up family-owned business Northmace. He is also currently a non-executive director and member for Wales on the BBC board, as well as chairing the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. As a board member the former CBI Wales chair, will also be responsible for providing advice about the conditions, priorities and opportunities in Wales, including on existing and emerging policies relevant to the Crown Estate’s activities.

Ric Lewis, chair of the Crown Estate, said: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming Michael to the Crown Estate board. Michael’s depth of experience across business, public service and cultural institutions, combined with his deep connection to and understanding of Wales, will be a valuable addition to the board as we take forward our strategy in the years ahead.

“Following the Crown Estate Act 2025, this appointment strengthens the board’s collective insight and ensures we continue to take full account of Welsh interests and conditions as we invest for long‑term value for the nation.”

Mr Plaut, who lives in Cardiff, said: “It’s a real privilege to join the Crown Estate board, and I’m excited by the opportunity ahead. I am particularly looking forward to bringing a strong understanding and insight of Wales in board discussions, helping to make sure that Welsh interests, conditions and opportunities continue to be fully reflected as we take decisions for the long term.”

Borrowing powers

How much the Crown Estate will be able to borrow against assets, which would be used to support investment like helping to de-risk and fast track clean energy infrastructure, has yet to be determined. The legislation doesn’t specify an amount or fixed statutory percentage of the asset base. It is currently working with the Treasury to finalise a detailed framework that will govern how it would borrow in practice, including the relevant controls, approval process and financial parameters.

If the Crown Estate was devolved to Wales it would be prudent for the Welsh Government to also try and negotiate the ability to borrow against assets.

However, on a per capita basis, would the proceeds from borrowing against the Welsh Crown Estate assets be more beneficial for Wales? The Crown Estate’s lucrative property assets in the centre of London, which include Regent Street & St James’, have been valued at £7.1bn alone.

While not a reason to seek a devolving of the Crown Estate to Wales, on a per capita basis it could receive less for investment purposes from the proceeds of any borrowing against Welsh assets, than under the current England and Wales arrangement.

That of course assumes that the distribution of borrowing against assets by the Crown Estate is at least equitable to Wales – unlike the current under funding, going back decades, on non devolved rail enhancement investment. As it stands the Welsh Government would be powerless to prevent an unfair allocation to Wales from Crown Estate borrowings against assets.

The incident happened on Longfellow Walk in Hartlepool at 10am last Friday (June 19) and involved a Surron electric dirt bike. 

Cleveland Police believe the bike was removed from the scene before officers arrived – with the rider taken to hospital for treatment.

The force said it believed the bike was seen in the Brierton Lane area of Hartlepool before the crash and is keen to speak to anyone who saw it or witnessed the incident. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 118253