Joel Bodmer, 40, Shila Bodmer, 41, Gabriel Leroy, 24, and former Croydon councillor Carole Bonner, 69, have been charged with conspiracy and computer misuse in relation to irregularities surrounding the candidate selection process for Croydon East at the 2024 general election.

Sir Olly Robbins has suggested that Sir Keir Starmer should have decided against appointing Lord Peter Mandelson after reputational risks were uncovered, in his first direct criticism of the prime minister.

The top mandarin said: “I regret that the due diligence process which threw up, as I understand it, serious reputational risks didn’t colour the prime minister’s judgement.”

The due diligence report, which took place before the Labour peer was named as nominee, mentioned red flags relating to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and his business links to China.

Sir Olly told the Foreign Affairs Committee that there was “pressure” for the Foreign Office to approve Lord Peter Mandelson to the post of US ambassador, and No10 displayed a “dismissive approach” to vetting.

The former top civil servant said that there was “no interest in whether, only interest in when” the Labour peer could be appointed, and there was a push to have him in Washington as quickly as “humanly possible”.

His appearance before MPs is a chance to respond to Sir Keir Starmer, who blamed the sacked senior civil servant for “deliberately” keeping him in the dark over the Labour peer’s security checks.

Alleged leaking to Guardian is ‘grievous breach of national security’

The leaking of details about Lord Mandelson failing security checks was a “grievous breach of national security” and prosecutions should follow, Sir Olly Robbins said.

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Sir Olly said it was deeply worrying that the story was given to The Guardian newspaper within days of the Cabinet Office briefing Number 10 on the vetting issues.

“I’m not making accusations at anybody, it’s not my business to do so,” he told the committee, adding: “I hope they’re being very rigorously investigated, and that prosecutions will result, because this is a grievous breach of national security.

“I’m not an investigator, all I’m able to do is put two and two together.

“The first I heard of this deep concern and briefing of it to the Prime Minister was only really hours before it appeared in The Guardian.”

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Holly Evans21 April 2026 11:18

Robbins suggests Starmer knew enough about Mandelson to block his appointment – even without the vetting outcome

Analysis, by Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor

The prime minister’s key defence in this whole row is that if someone had told him that Mandelson had failed crucial security vetting he would not have made him as the UK’s man in Washington.

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But, in his evidence to MPs, Olly Robbins suggests the PM did have enough information to block the appointment.

He highlighted the ‘due diligence’ process, carried out before the vetting check, which, Mr Robbins added “threw up serious reputational risks”.

Mr Robbins told MPs: “I regret that the due diligence process, which threw up serious reputational risks, didn’t colour the PM’s judgement in making the appointment”.

Holly Evans21 April 2026 11:15

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Watch: I regret PM made appointment despite due diligence concerns

Holly Evans21 April 2026 11:03

‘I don’t reflect negatively on my judgements,’ Sir Olly says

Sir Olly Robbins said he does not “reflect negatively” on his own judgment or that of his colleagues.

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Asked about whether he thinks about the consequences of the decision he made regarding Lord Mandelson’s clearance, he told the Foreign Affairs Committee: “I’ve had plenty of opportunity over the last few days to reflect on that.

“I think about the consequences of it right now I’m afraid for my wonderful family and for the fact that I don’t seem to be able to sleep in my own home and for various other things, but I don’t reflect negatively on the professionalism and the judgments of my colleagues or I hope myself.”

Holly Evans21 April 2026 10:53

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Bombshell evidence so far from Olly Robbins

There have been a number of bombshell revelations already in the testimony from the former top official at the Foreign Office, sacked last week by Keir Starmer over the Mandelson scandal.

• Parts of government did not want to vet Mandelson at all.
• No 10 had a “dismissive approach” to vetting and there was an “atmosphere of pressure”, while Downing Street wanted Mandelson in Washington as quickly as ‘humanly possible’.
• Changing ambassador after Mandelson had been appointed would have “damaged” relations with the US.
• No 10 tried to find a diplomatic job for Matthew Doyle, then the PM’s chief of communications, now a peer who Labour was forced to suspend earlier this year over his links to a convicted paedophile.

Kate Devlin21 April 2026 10:52

Robbins: I regret PM made appointment despite due diligence concerns

Sir Olly Robbins has said he “regrets” that due diligence concerns raised about Peter Mandelson did not “colour the prime minister’s judgement” in his decision to appoint him as US ambassador.

Giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Sir Olly said he “regrets” that the full security vetting process was not done before the government announced Mandelson’s appointment, but said he does not regret the “work of my brilliant team and the judgment that we came to”.

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“I regret that this process was not done before announcement. I regret that the due diligence process, which threw up as I understand it, serious reputational risks, didn’t colour the prime minister’s judgment in making the appointment,” he said.

He added: “What I feel sad about, is that the prime minister’s nominee went ahead despite that due diligence.”

Athena Stavrou21 April 2026 10:42

‘Dangerous misunderstanding’ of vetting confidentiality, Sir Olly says

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer is right to have expected to be provided with more information on the vetting process, Sir Olly Robbins said that is a “dangerous misunderstanding” of confidentiality around the process.

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The former Foreign Office chief told the Foreign Affairs Committee: “I hope it’s clear from everything I have said so far that I believe that’s a misunderstanding and a dangerous misunderstanding of the necessity of confidentiality of the process.

“I’ve been interested, of course, over the last couple of days to read Lord Hague on this today and David Lammy even on Saturday, the former foreign secretary, deputy prime minister, where both have said in different language that they have never had vetting issues discussed with them in all their time as a minister and nor would they expect to.

“I’m afraid that’s exactly the culture I have been brought up in. It’s supported by guidance. You are not supposed to share the findings and reports of UKSV other than in the exceptional circumstances where doing so allows for the specific mitigation of risk.”

Holly Evans21 April 2026 10:34

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Not a ‘given’ that Mandelson would be vetted, Sir Olly says

Sir Olly Robbins said it was not a “given” that Lord Mandelson would be vetted for his appointment as US ambassador.

The former senior civil servant told the Foreign Affairs Committee: “It was not a … I’m afraid I don’t think at the point of his appointment and for days thereafter it was actually a given that he would be vetted.

“If you look at the documents submitted under the humble address there is no stipulation from number 10 that he should be vetted.

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“The welcome that was sent to him immediately afterwards doesn’t say welcome to the Foreign Office subject to vetting; the announcement put out on December 20 says that he will be out early in the new year, it does not say subject to vetting.”

He said the contract issued to Lord Mandelson after he was vetted said he must maintain his clearance “but nothing about his appointment actually, as far as I’ve seen in writing, stipulates it”.

Holly Evans21 April 2026 10:29

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Watch: Robbins says relations with the US would have been ‘damaged’ if Mandelson did not become ambassador

Holly Evans21 April 2026 10:23

‘Keir Starmer has misled the House,’ says Kemi Badenoch

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “The evidence from Olly Robbins is devastating to Keir Starmer.

“It is clear that No10 not only made the appointment before vetting was completed, but that Mandelson was already acting as the ambassador before the vetting – even seeing highly-classified documents.

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“With this, and the ‘constant pressure’ No10 applied to the appointment and their ‘dismissive attitude’ to vetting Mandelson, it is now absolutely clear that ‘full due process’ was not followed.

“Keir Starmer has misled the House.”

Holly Evans21 April 2026 10:22

Will Murray and Jack Croft, who run the restaurants Fallow, Roe and FOWL, set out to compare two steak-and-chips dishes, with two hours on the clock and a generous £100 budget

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Two chefs who cooked and compared steaks from an upmarket department store and a discount supermarket have shared which one triumphed. Will Murray and Jack Croft, who operate London restaurants Fallow, Roe and FOWL, set out on a challenge to compare two steak dishes with a two-hour time limit and a generous £100 budget.

For his steak, Will made his way to Fortnum & Mason, the luxury department store reportedly favoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II, while Jack took the more economical approach with a visit to Lidl.

As he stepped into Fortnum & Mason, Will immediately commented that it smelled “incredible”. He soon arrived at the butcher’s counter, where he selected a tomahawk steak for the considerable sum of £46.

With his leftover funds, Will chose Maris Piper potatoes, shallots, beef stock, and fat. Meanwhile, Jack revealed that he would draw inspiration for his dish from a Wetherspoons mixed grill.

Jack could then be seen in the meat aisle of Lidl clutching an assortment of steaks — a rump, sirloin, fillet and ribeye — for a more reasonable £28; he said he intended to create a “platter” with the lot.

Will also purchased a bottle of claret and morel mushrooms, stating that a wild mushroom sauce would be “banging” and suggesting that Jack would “overcomplicate” his dish.

Switching to Jack, he selected a variety of supermarket items, including flat mushrooms, parsley, vine tomatoes, salt and pepper, butter, onion rings, chips, and the ingredients for peppercorn sauce.

As Will left the shop, he said in the video for the Fallow YouTube channel: “Got a bit hairy in there, but we managed to make it through. Basically, what we’re going to do is we’re going to do a wild mushroom sauce.

“I’ve got a really beautiful British Wagyu crossbreed. Pretty mad in there, though. It’s quite easy to spend £100 very quickly. It’s £100 just for one portion of steak and chips. It’s pretty mental.”

He also grabbed a portion of what he described as the “vomit fruit”, durian, revealing he intended to make Jack try it. For Will’s forfeit meal, Jack picked up tinned herring and cheese and broccoli pasta and sauce.

Both chefs were then shown back at the restaurant, preparing their respective dishes. Will poured claret and beef stock into a pan before cooking his morels and shallots.

In an amusing turn, Jack had purchased a bargain air fryer from Lidl’s legendary middle aisle and proceeded to cook a few onion rings to put it through its paces. He also added generous chunks of butter to his mushrooms ahead of placing them in the oven.

While seasoning his four steaks, Jack noted that he wanted to get them “cooking and rested ASAP” so he could shift his focus to the sauce, while Will set about making triple-cooked beef fat French fries.

A rapid succession of shots then captured the two chefs busily working away on their dishes. With the time finally arriving to plate up, Will had a few words to say about Jack’s creation, which was piled high with onion rings.

He said: “What the f**k is that monstrosity? Why are you trying to feed so many people?” To which he replied that he was giving “value for money”. Next came the taste test.

Two women sampled both meals while the chefs looked on, with Will encouraging them to “dig in”. He invited them to share their verdicts after trying both dishes, and both pointed towards Will’s Fortnum & Mason creation.

One described it as the “best overall meal”, observing that the steak on the opposing plate was “really nicely cooked”. The chefs then tried one another’s dishes, with Jack remarking that his fellow chef had done a “good job”.

Regarding the more budget-friendly option, Will said: “Based on the quality of this, quality versus price, this steak is better.”

On the pricier steak, Jack said: “This is just like a lovely restaurant dish. Like, if I went to any restaurant in Mayfair or whatever, this is what I’d be expecting.”

Finally, Jack sampled the durian and shuddered, commenting that it was “actually savoury”.

The Airbus A350-1000 transmitted a Squawk 7700 code – the international code for a general emergency – while cruising at 39,000 feet.

A Virgin Atlantic flight from Los Angeles declared an emergency upon entering British airspace.

The crew of the Airbus A350-1000 transmitted a Squawk 7700 code – the internationally recognised signal for a general emergency – while cruising at 39,000 feet, due to a “serious medical situation” involving a passenger on board, according to reports.

The aircraft made a hastened descent towards London Heathrow Airport, AirLive reports. Having departed Los Angeles International Airport at 3.41pm on Monday, the plane touched down at Heathrow Terminal 3 at 10.06am on Tuesday – roughly 10 minutes ahead of schedule, according to flight-tracking data.

The pilots alerted air traffic control, who granted the flight priority landing status. The plane then began a swift descent to the runway, where emergency services and ground crews were reportedly standing by. Virgin Atlantic has yet to issue any statement regarding the incident.

Virgin Atlantic is Britain’s second-largest airline, operating a range of transatlantic routes from London Heathrow to destinations such as New York, Orlando, the Caribbean, Delhi and Johannesburg. The carrier is headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex, approximately 2.5 miles from Gatwick Airport station, reports the Mirror.

The incident follows a separate emergency involving a Jet2 flight from London to Tenerife, which was forced to declare an emergency after a baby on board fell seriously ill. The drama unfolded aboard Jet2 flight EXS2V travelling from London Stansted to Tenerife South on Saturday. Air traffic controllers granted the aircraft priority landing after being notified that an infant was struggling to breathe. The plane touched down nine minutes ahead of schedule at approximately 2.20pm.

Spanish air traffic controllers announced shortly before the aircraft’s arrival: “The crew of the flight from the UK arriving at Tenerife South informs us that they require priority to attend to a baby with respiratory problems.

“We are shortening their approach as much as possible while coordinating medical assistance on the ground with the airport. We wish the little one a speedy recovery.”

It remained unclear at the time whether the infant had been taken to hospital following landing.

easyJet is urging passengers to follow certain steps

easyJet is urging passengers travelling to Spain, and a host of other destinations, to follow some key pieces of advice.

The airline released guidance earlier this month, with over 100 airports affected by a significant post-Brexit rule change. In an “important update” shared on April 1, easyJet warned that queue times may be impacted, as it said: “Airports across Europe may experience longer queues at passport control whilst the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) border checks are being completed. This will mean you may need to have your biometrics taken including your face and fingerprints scanned.”

To ensure travel goes as smoothly as possible, easyJet is requesting passengers to follow these steps:

• Plan your travel to and through the airport, as you may experience longer queues
• If you need to go to Bag Drop, go there as soon as it opens
• Make your way through security as early as possible
• Be aware there may be additional checks at passport control before your gate
• Head to the gate or boarding area as soon as it’s announced
• Make sure you have the correct documents to travel

The airline further advises: “You may experience longer queues in your arrival airport”. The EES applies to 29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following the incident in Wheelgate, Malton.

It happened outside Cooplands at approximately 11,45am on Monday, April 13.

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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “It involved a black Vauxhall Astra which collided with a pedestrian. The Astra was heading south on Wheelgate and the pedestrian was crossing from Cooplands towards St Michael Street.

“The female pedestrian sustained a laceration and fracture to her ankle and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

“We’re now appealing for any witnesses to the collision, anyone who may have seen the vehicle prior to the collision, or anyone with relevant dashcam footage or CCTV, to contact us.

“If you can help, please email Alyssa.Upton@northyorkshire.police.uk if you can help. Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Alyssa Upton.

“Please quote reference 12260065645 when passing on information.”

Lesley Johnstone is passionate about helping others lose weight without overspending or giving up the foods they enjoy most.

Lesley Johnstone never thought her love of dirty fries would have a place in a weight loss story, yet they sit right at the heart of how she lost an incredible 4st 2lb and changed her life.

Now a Slimming World consultant in Shotts and a recent graduate of the Slimming World Academy, Lesley is passionate about helping others lose weight without overspending or giving up the foods they enjoy most.

“Dirty fries have always been my favourite,” Lesley laughs. “Crispy chips piled high with chilli, chicken and cheese.

“For years they were my comfort food and usually ordered as a takeaway.

“You don’t realise how often you’re ordering until you add it up. It becomes second nature.”

Before joining Slimming World, cooking from scratch felt intimidating. Lesley believed healthy eating would cost more and take longer, and she did not feel confident in the kitchen.

Stepping into her local Slimming World group changed that outlook completely.

“What surprised me most was how realistic it all felt,” Lesley says. “It wasn’t about buying special products or fancy ingredients. It was about using what you already have and planning a bit better.”

One of the first habits Lesley picked up was batch cooking.

READ MORE: Aldi donates over 6,000 meals to families in Lanarkshire over Easter

“If I’m making chilli or a sauce, I make extra,” she explains. “I’ll bulk it out with extra veg and freeze portions.

“Those meals are brilliant for nights when I might otherwise order a takeaway.”

Learning to love her freezer helped Lesley save money without feeling restricted.

She now keeps frozen veg, bread and meat to hand so nothing goes to waste.

“Buying in bulk and freezing portions has been a game changer,” she says. “It means I always have the base for a meal.

READ MORE: Council confirm number of road closures over coming weeks in Wishaw and Shotts

“I plan my meals and go in with a list. I focus on what’s on offer, especially fruit and veg, and build meals around that.

“I also use own-brand tinned foods like tomatoes, beans and pulses they’re cheaper and just as good.”

The biggest revelation, though, was discovering she could still enjoy dirty fries.

“I just make them at home now,” she smiles. “Crispy Slimming World air fryer chips, homemade chilli using mince and tinned tomatoes, lighter cheese and a big salad.

They’re just as tasty, far cheaper and I feel satisfied instead of sluggish.”

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By cooking more at home and saving energy with appliances like her slow cooker and air fryer, Lesley noticed changes quickly.

“Meals cost less, I felt more organised and the weight started coming off,” she said. “I wasn’t even trying to save money at first, it just happened naturally.”

As her confidence in the kitchen grew, cooking became something she enjoyed rather than avoided. Fakeaways, batch cooked favourites and simple one pot meals replaced last minute takeaways.

After losing 4st 2lb and transforming her relationship with food, Lesley decided to train as a Slimming World consultant.

She now supports members in Shotts who are struggling with rising food costs as well as their weight.

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She added: “So many people think healthy eating costs more. I love showing them that with a bit of planning and support, you can eat really well, lose weight and save money too.

“I never imagined my own weight loss journey would lead me here. Now I get to help others feel happier, healthier and less stressed about food. And yes, dirty fries are still on the menu just done my way now.”

Lesley runs the Shotts Slimming World group every Wednesday at 7pm in the Brass Band Hall, Windsor Street, Shotts. To join, pop along or contact Lesley on 07842 201642.

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READ MORE: Motherwell mum ‘disgusted’ as delivery driver caught on camera brazenly stealing hanging plant

This is a very similar situation to the one that surrounded Red Bull’s former head of strategy, Will Courtenay, who is now McLaren’s sporting director.

It emerged at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix that Courtenay had signed to join McLaren when his contract ended, and Red Bull emphasised that he would not be allowed to leave before 2026.

They did not specify exactly when in 2026, and BBC Sport has been told that negotiations were held that led to him starting work at McLaren on 1 January this year.

Despite that, for the entirety of last year, Courtenay stayed in his previous role, even though Red Bull were fighting McLaren for the drivers’ championship.

For now, the same thing will happen with Lambiase – he will continue in his role as Red Bull’s head of racing and race engineer to Verstappen for the foreseeable future.

However, just because Red Bull’s statement announcing his departure said he would not be joining McLaren until 2028 does not necessarily mean that will be the case.

McLaren’s statement said Lambiase would join “no later than 2028”. That means they will be hoping to come to an agreement with Red Bull that shortens that timeframe.

It’s worth pointing out, meanwhile, that McLaren have emphasised that Lambiase is joining to provide support for team principal Andrea Stella, not ultimately replace him.

Stella has until now been fulfilling the role to which Lambiase has been appointed, that of chief racing officer, in addition to that of team principal.

Stella said last week: “Zak (Brown, the chief executive officer of McLaren Racing) and I have built a flat team structure, in which it is essential to ensure all leaders are properly empowered, but at the same time, we must guarantee there is always the necessary level of long-term support.

“It goes without saying that, with this approach, the dual role I currently hold could not be sustainable in the long run.”

McLaren have indirectly – but very clearly – rejected what are said to be inaccurate reports that Stella is on his way to Ferrari.

Stella said in a statement issued by McLaren on Friday: “Some of the recent rumours, including those regarding astronomical salaries and mythical pre-contracts, have made me smile.

“It almost seems as though the ‘silly season’, which usually begins before summer, has arrived early.

“I’m quite used to this sort of thing by now and I take with a smile. It almost looks as if some envious pastry chef has tried to spoil the preparation of a good dessert at the McLaren patisserie. However, we do know very well how to distinguish the good ingredients from the poisoned biscuits.”

Trucks full of equipment were parked in Le Mans Crescent and in front of Ye Olde Pastie Shop and Ye Olde Man and Scythe on Churchgate this morning.

Crews were seen unloading the vans labelled with the DropCity logo – a company that provides lighting, rigging and other filming equipment.

Filming also took place yesterday (April 20), for what The Bolton News understands is an advertisement.

Last week, Bolton played host to the stars of Coronation Street as ITV crews were spotted on Le Mans Crescent filming the popular soap.

Film crews on Le Mans Crescent (Image: Newsquest)

The Old Bolton Magistrates Court is often used for court scenes, and the trial following the murder of Seb Franklin was shot there in July 2021 and 2022.

Earlier this month, the upcoming courtroom drama Saviour was also shot on the scenic street which remains a popular site for film crews.

The series stars Anjli Mohindra, Shaun Parkes and Aidan Gillen, who played Little Finger in the hit HBO show Game of Thrones.

Film crews at The Wellsprings (Image: Newsquest)

Saviour follows Ben (Archie Fisher), who, after borrowing his dad’s police uniform for a costume party, gets into an altercation that results in a man’s death. 

In defending Ben from an allegation of murder, Indy (Anjli Mohindra) is confronted with a world of corruption, racial politics, media buzz, a frustratingly traditional justice system and a defendant who is keeping secrets from her. 

The shoot took place outside the old courthouse, which has been used for some of the biggest dramas, including the detective series Ridley. 

Saviour will air on ITV, STV and stream on ITVX and STV Player. 

Millions of vehicle owners could take advantage of this

Millions of vehicle owners are expected to notice a major rule change that’s expected within just months.

People without driveways will soon find it significantly easier, and more affordable, to charge an electric vehicle from home. Homeowners will no longer require planning permission to install pavement charging “gullies”, enabling cables to be safely channelled underneath the pavement instead of stretching across it – a practice currently prohibited due to tripping risks. Ministers have announced that legislation will be fast-tracked this summer to classify these installations as permitted development.

Officials indicate that by year’s end, motorists could fit a gully outside their property without needing council consent. The reform aims to eliminate one of the most significant obstacles to electric vehicle ownership for those lacking off-street parking – a demographic spanning millions throughout Britain’s urban areas.

Home charging is substantially more economical than depending on public facilities. Figures from Zapmap reveal the typical cost of using a public charger sits at approximately 72p per kWh, while specialist domestic tariffs can drop to as little as 8p per kWh.

This stark difference means drivers able to charge at home could save hundreds of pounds annually compared with those reliant on public networks. The new framework will allow motorists to thread a charging cable through a slim channel fitted into the pavement, removing the necessity to drape leads across footpaths.

Nevertheless, installation costs may present a hurdle. While certain councils are already subsidising the gullies, in numerous regions, homeowners will need to cover the cost themselves – usually around £1,000. Even so, the initial outlay can be swiftly offset through reduced electricity bills compared with petrol, diesel or public charging points.

The initiative follows a spike in electric vehicle demand, fuelled partly by stubbornly high fuel prices. Energy provider Octopus Energy reported EV sales leapt by a fifth during the first three weeks of March compared with the preceding month.

Throughout Europe, appetite is growing even more rapidly. Data from transport research organisation NewAutomotive reveals electric car sales across the EU soared by 51 per cent last month compared with March 2025, with EVs accounting for more than a fifth of all new registrations.

In the UK, electric cars have also reached a crucial milestone on pricing. According to Autotrader, the average new EV now stands at £42,620 – marginally below the £43,405 average for a petrol vehicle. The Government is simultaneously attempting to address the steep cost of electricity, which has long weakened the economic argument for switching to electric.

Ministers have unveiled proposals today to sever the connection between electricity prices and wholesale gas costs – which presently determine the price around 60% of the time. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has highlighted nations such as Spain, where greater dependence on renewables has helped protect consumers from the worst of recent price surges, as a blueprint for Britain.

Environmental campaigners have endorsed the drive. Angharad Hopkinson, political campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: “Britain is sick and tired of an energy system where pump prices and… bills go up and down based on Trump’s latest social post. The government is absolutely right to be looking at every possible solution.”

For motorists who don’t have off-street parking, the regulatory shift could prove transformative – at last making domestic charging a viable prospect and reducing the expense difference between electric and traditional vehicles.