Scottish Labour membership collapsed by a third during Anas Sarwar’s leadership, according to the frontrunner to replace him. Michael Marra claimed the total number had slumped to 11,000 – a fall of 33% in five years.

Sarwar consistently refused to bow to demands when he was leader to reveal how many signed up members his party had. Critics believed the secrecy was an attempt at concealing a big fall during his stewardship.

Marra, who along with fellow MSPs Monica Lennon and Joe Fagan is vying to lead Scottish Labour, shed light on the mystery during a hustings for the trade union Unison last week.

His estimation of 11,000, which he said in front of trade unionists, marks a significant reduction on the 16,467 revealed by the Record in 2021. In 2019, the total stood at 21,162 and it was 25,836 twelve months earlier.

Sarwar said after the general election: “Our membership has actually increased since the election but I’m interested in not membership numbers, because parties can all argue about membership numbers.

“It’s well known that a different party other than mine has probably the largest membership number of any political party in the country, but what matters is the number of votes you get, not the number of members you have.

“We got the most votes in the election a couple of months ago and that gives us [the] opportunity to deliver change right across the UK and I want us to get the most votes in 2026 so we can deliver change in Scotland.”

Despite losing a huge number of members over the previous ten years, the SNP still has around 51,000, according to official filings. The Scottish Green total has exceeded 10,000 while the Scottish Tories do not publish their figures.

SNP MSP Jack Middleton said: “Scottish Labour is completely cooked as a party.

“Their leadership contest has descended into civil war, and given the contenders, it’s no wonder folk are running for the exits.“Michael Marra penned the most disastrous manifesto in the party’s history while Jackie Baillie’s pick, Joe Fagan, has spent more time deleting his own murky Wikipedia entries than listening to hard working Scots.“No matter who leads them, the Labour Party will continue to haemorrhage support for as long as they oppose giving Scots the right to decide their own future.”

Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay MSP said: “Labour’s collapsing membership is the latest sign of a party that has lost its sense of purpose.

“The Labour Party has turned its back on workers, abandoned serious climate action and given up on the kind of progressive change that so many of its members once joined the party to fight for.

“Labour’s membership numbers have dropped significantly because people are looking for a party that actually believes in something and is prepared to fight for it. Increasingly, they are finding that in the Scottish Greens.

“The Scottish Greens are now championing much of what Labour has walked away from since they formed the UK Government: standing up for workers, tackling inequality, confronting the climate crisis and putting people and planet ahead of corporate profit.

“That is why our movement is still growing, with over 10,000 members, and why we are on course to overtake Labour’s membership in Scotland.”

Lennon said: “It’s obvious that Scottish Labour has taken a dip in popularity, evidenced by us only returning 17 MSPs at the Scottish Parliament elections in May, but our party has been on a steady decline for years.

“This is due to a lack of ambition, an inability to learn from past failures and an unwillingness to adapt quickly enough to an ever-changing political landscape and this will of course impact on our membership numbers.

“If I am elected the next leader of Scottish Labour I have no doubt our membership numbers will increase because people will see that we are a party of purpose, a party of doing rather than a party of empty words. If we want to be a party that leads the way in Scottish politics then our members have to be at the heart of everything that we do.”

Two members of US President Donald Trump’s cabinet were on a decoy plane that Trump secretly exited before boarding a different flight in Turkey last month, CBS News reports.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained aboard what was believed to be Air Force One and didn’t join a flight that was provided to Trump over security concerns involving Iran.

After Trump entered Air Force One on 8 July with both officials and members of the press, he hid on a catering truck to be clandestinely transported to a military plane.

The label “Air Force One” applies to any plane the president is on, but in this case the original craft kept the call signal, becoming a decoy.

According to CBS – the BBC’s US partner – Rubio and Bessent remained on board the first aircraft to maintain the line of succession in case something happened to Trump.

In the event that the president dies or is incapacitated, Vice-President JD Vance would take power, followed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

The Secretary of State comes next in line, followed by the treasury secretary.

Others who stayed on the initial aircraft designated as Air Force One included White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Steven Cheung, the White House’s communications director.

The second aircraft that flew President Trump out of Ankara also included Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, according to US media reports.

The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.

Speaking to reporters on Monday night, Trump said the decision to undertake the deception was made by the US military and the Secret Service, who “wanted me to go in a different flight”.

The nature of the security threat remains unclear, with Trump providing no specifics, saying only that he gets “a lot of threats”.

“Any consequential president has a lot of threats,” he added.

The Goodmanham Arms, located just outside Market Weighton in East Yorkshire, earned a spot in The Telegraph’s list of the 500 Best Pubs in England, which highlights venues for their charming character, welcoming staff, rich history and award-winning beer.

A spokesperson for the pub said: “To our family, the staff and the pub industry – this inspires us.

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“We are incredibly grateful for the support and recognition – non of this would be possible without the amazing customers that come in and keep us going. Thank you to everyone who made this possible by supporting us.”

Staff also thanked The Telegraph for featuring them in its 2026 Best Pubs in the UK guide.

In the review, it was described as an ‘atmospheric East Riding local’ with one reviewer saying the following: “One of The Goodmanham Arms’ regulars is standing at the bar, unusually well-attired. Where’s he off to, a series of employees and fellow customers wonder?

The pub’s beer garden (Image: Provided)

“The first day of Beverley Races, of course, but not before a few at this delightful pub in the heart of the East Riding. On a Wednesday lunchtime, this atmospheric, trinket-strewn pub is quickly filling up with couples eating lunch and regulars dropping in for a pint.

“The most sought-after seats appear to be those by the fire in the room to the left of the bar – but there are no bad spots in this delightful pub.”

In a review from 2019, former York Press reporter Stephen Lewis added that upon opening the door on the quirky and rustic local, he ‘fell in love’ with the ‘this absolutely brilliant, magical little pub’.

The pub’s letter from the Telegraph (Image: Provided)

The pub is among several from North and East Yorkshire to be included in this year’s expanded list, which now also features establishments from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In East Yorkshire, The White Horse Inn in Beverley, The Old Ship Inn in Bridlington, and The Old Star in Kilham also made the cut.

In the North riding, pubs like Birch Hall Inn in Beck Hole, Tan Hill Inn near Richmond and Hales Bar in Harrogate were recognised, along with York’s historic Blue Bell on Fossgate and The Swan in Bishopgate.

The water company has submitted an application to install paid car parks at Rivington Reservoir.

The plans put in at the end of the last month call for eight number plate recognition cameras and four payment machines at car parks around Rivington Reservoir.

Parking charges on the site have loomed since 2022, though until now, no firm plans had been submitted.

Knowle House Car Park (Image: Chorley Council)

Knowle House, Great House Barn, Rivington Primary School, Lower House, Main Drive, and Rear Drive will be affected if the plans are given the green light.

Planning documents state: “The Rivington Estate is owned by United Utilities Water Plc.

“The increase in visitor numbers in recent years has put a strain on the area, particularly regarding pressures on the estate parking facilities and the subsequent impact on local highways.

Rivington School Car Park (Image: Chorley Council)

“There are few Traffic Regulation Orders in place around the Rivington Estate, restricting parking on the main roads around the Rivington Estate.

“These has been known to lead to inconsiderate parking that has affected accessibility of other road users or has impacted the natural environment (i.e. causing compaction and exposure of mature tree roots).

“United Utilities access and recreation strategy looks to improve parking management and associated visitor experience across the Rivington Estate, creating clear and safe parking for visitors, reducing habitat damage, and contributing where possible to actions in response to visitor and community feedback.

Lower House Car Park (Image: Chorley Council)

“To properly manage Rivington and fund long-term improvements and benefits for the Rivington area, we propose a locally reinvested funding model

“Under this approach Rivington Heritage Trust would operate the car parks and 100% of parking income would be reinvested into Rivington. The approach focuses on creating a fair and sustainable way for the growing number of visitors, many travelling from outside the local area, to support the upkeep of the landscape they enjoy.”

Under the plans, two number plate recognition cameras (ANPR cameras) and two payment machines will be installed at Knowle House Car Park.

Main Drive (Image: Chorley Council)

One ANPR camera will be installed at Great House Barn, along with two payment machines.

Rivington Primary School will see the installation of one ANPR camera, as would Lower House and Rear Drive.

Main Drive would receive two ANPR cameras.

Rear Drive (Image: Chorley Council)

A separate application will later be submitted ‘for the proposed signage.’

The initial reaction to the scheme was heated, with arguments put forward on both sides of the aisle.

Some people argued that the plans would effectively ‘price out’ poorer visitors, making it more difficult for them to enjoy this area of natural beauty.

Great House Barn Car Park (Image: Chorley Council)

Others referenced the will of the late Lord Leverhulme, who, upon his death, bequeathed the land around his home to the people living in the area for them to enjoy, free of charge.

But United Utilities argue the plans are necessary for the upkeep of the area, necessitated by the tendency of improperly-managed car parking to erode the environment.

United Utilities have been contacted for comment.

Mehmet Gundez was not asked to enter a plea during the hearing at Hull Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (August 12).

Ibrahim Yesildeniz, 25, who died after the ‘altercation’ in Bridlington (Image: Humberside Police)

The 24-year-old was charged with murder after the death of Ibrahim Yesildeniz, 25, in Bridlington on Monday (August 10).

Gundez, of Bridlington, was remanded in custody to appear at Hull Crown Court at 10am on Friday for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Humberside Police said Mr Yesildeniz was pronounced dead in hospital after reports of an alleged “stabbing” in First Avenue at about 5.20am on Monday.

“Ibrahim’s family are being supported by specially trained officers and have asked for privacy,” a police spokesperson said.

Revealing the accused has 31 previous convictions, the prosecutor spoke of further offences committed whilst on bail, including threatening to kill his former partner

An application to vary the bail of a man charged with drug offences to allow him to go on holiday to Alicante was refused today.

Last January Gerald Verner was denied a bail variation sought to enable him to travel to Spain to help in the search for murdered Belfast man John George, whose remains were subsequently discovered on the outskirts of Alicante.

The 37-year old former soldier was back in court today where the application to vary his bail to allow him to go on a four-day holiday with his partner was made and refused.

From Inverary Avenue in Belfast, Verner is facing a number of offences including firearms and drugs charges. Asking for a variation of his client’s bail at Belfast Crown Court, a solicitor told Judge Mark Reel that Verner’s partner had booked a four-day trip to Alicante.

Providing details of the flight plans and the hotel, Verner’s solicitor said dates for the holiday were this Friday to next Monday.

Opposing the application, a Crown barrister raised several concerns including a risk of further offending.

Branding the two sets of offences faced by Verner as “very, very serious”, the prosecutor said these included charges of possessing firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life in May 2023.

It’s the Crown’s case that Verner was seen coming out of an address at North Street in Carrickfergus. He was stopped in a car where cannabis edibles were found on his person.

When the address in Carrick was also searched, further drugs were found along with an assault rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition, whilst more drugs were located during a search of Verner’s home.

Following his arrest, Verner refused to comment during interview but denied any knowledge of the gun and ammunition.

Revealing Verner has 31 previous convictions, the prosecutor spoke of further offences committed whilst Verner has been on bail, including threatening to kill his former partner.

She also raised concerns about the “significant disparities” regarding the details of the holiday in the initial application made to the PSNI compared to one presented in court today.

This included a change from an initial proposal of travelling to Malaga to the updated destination of Alicante.

The Crown barrister told Judge Reel: “We are very concerned, Your Honour, that his involvement in drugs and drug dealing, as charged for which he awaits trial, is linked to this proposed trip to Alicante.

“This court will be aware of the significant issues that have arisen in the last number of years in that part of the world, with some very high profile gang-related murders.”

In addition, the Crown barrister spoke of a previous application made by Verner regarding his bail condition of reporting to police.

During that, Verner’s defence made the case that due to his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health issues, he could not travel on public transport.

The prosecutor said the court had not been provided with any updated information that this “aversion to travelling on public transport” has “improved so drastically to allow him to travel on an airplane.”

She added that if Verner was allowed to leave this jurisdiction, the police would have “no ability to monitor him” and that with his alleged link to drugs Verner would be heading to a “significant hotspot at the moment for such activity.”

The prosecuting barrister also reminded the court that “this is not the first time he has asked to go to Alicante”.

She said: “In January of last year he was refused permission to fly to Alicante and the purpose of his trip was to help search for the body of John George. That was refused on the basis of organised crime links.”

The Crown’s submissions concluded she told Judge Reel: “We have no confidence that Mr Verner could be telling the truth about where he is going and why he is going there and quite simply we cannot manage the risks that he poses should Your Honour grant this application.”

Verner’s solicitor then addressed the Crown’s concerns and said the holiday had been booked and paid for by Verner’s partner who initially wanted to go to Malaga but wasn’t able to get the right flights.

He told Judge Reel this was the only reason for the disparity and that the sole purpose of the trip was “nothing more that a short holiday with his partner … he has no ulterior motive or intention to do anything else.”

Pointing out his client has been on bail since 2023, the solicitor said this had been varied in the past to allow overnight stays in Northern Ireland including at a hotel and a glamping pod.

The solicitor then raised Verner’s PTSD which he said was “real” and which was a result of serving two tours in the army – one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.

During these tours, the solicitor said Verner was both injured and witnessed a number colleagues being killed. He added that Verner “forces himself” to travel on public transport when necessary.

After Judge Reel questioned the differences in the travel plans, checks were made and it emerged that flights on the proposed dates of travel to and from Malaga were still available.

Saying he was refusing the application, Judge Reel said that as the holiday to Malaga “could have proceeded”, this called into question why an application to Alicante was now being made.

The Judge added: “I come to the conclusion that the applicant has been less than forthcoming with the court in terms of framing this application.”

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Scarlett Ungurs, now 15, is the focus of a special anniversary film on The One Show revisiting the impact of her story.

It also explores the legacy of donor Evey Staley, who died aged 10. Evey’s organs were donated by her parents after she died in a 2012 drink-driving crash.

North East teen Scarlett Ungurs, whose BBC One Show story boosted organ donor registrations, has revealed her ambition to become a transplant nurse 10 years after her life-saving heart transplant. (Image: Supplied)

Scarlett, of North Tyneside, said: “I understand how big it is now, it’s always been a part of me.

“On heart anniversaries, on her anniversary of when she passed away, and we’re still in touch with the family so when we celebrate me, we celebrate her.”

Ten years ago, The One Show reported on Scarlett’s story, revealing how she received a donor heart just in time to save her life.

The episode led to a spike in organ donor registrations, with a 70 per cent rise reported after it aired.

Evey’s parents, Neal and Penny Staley, made the decision to donate their daughter’s organs in the midst of unimaginable loss.

Mr Staley said at the time: “I just made the decision that yes we’ll go ahead with organ donation. It was as simple as that really.”

Kept Alive: 18-month-old Scarlett Ungurs, with dad Darren, and transplant co-ordinator Lynne Holt, pictured when she needed a new heart (Image: Supplied)

The two families later met in an emotional reunion. Mr Staley said meeting Scarlett reinforced their choice.

He said: “It’s very special and just reinforces the decision we made, we’re proud of Evey really for giving Scarlett the life she’s got now.

“She’s just fabulous.”

A decade on, Scarlett remains deeply conscious of the gift she received and stays in contact with the Staleys.

She described how important those connections remain.

She said: “On heart anniversaries, on her anniversary of when she passed away, and we’re still in touch with the family so when we celebrate me, we celebrate her.”

The experience has also shaped her ambitions.

She said: “This is where I had my transplant.

“I’d love to be a paediatric nurse back on Ward 23 when I’m older because they’ve just inspired me.

“All the staff here are so caring and it is like a second home.

“Just makes me want to do the same as them.”

During the anniversary film, Scarlett and The One Show revisit Ward 23, where she recovered following her transplant.

They meet Julie, one of the transplant nurses who has known Scarlett since she was a baby.

Julie said: “It certainly has its challenges at times but then you see people like Scarlett who has so many wonderful things to look forward to, it’s fantastic.”

Scarlett said the transplant was the ‘greatest gift’ she has ever received.

She said: “I just feel very fortunate because I could have had a very different outcome so I’m going to make the most of it.”

Scarlett’s mother previously described the Staleys’ decision to donate Evey’s organs as the reason her daughter is alive today.

When Evey’s mother read an article about a girl from the North East receiving a heart transplant in August 2012, she instinctively knew it was her daughter’s heart.

The Staley and Ungurs families were later connected through NHS Blood and Transplant.

Their meeting and Scarlett’s story drew national attention to the life-saving impact of organ donation.

During the original broadcast of Scarlett’s story, thousands more people joined the NHS Organ Donor Register.

At the time, Mr Staley said one reason the family spoke publicly was to encourage others to talk about organ donation and consider signing up.

• The One Show’s feature on Scarlett aired on Monday August 10 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer as part of the week of celebrations of 20 Years of The One Show.  

The One Show is made by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions and this VT was produced by Harbourside Films.