The Red Lion at Bramham, near Wetherby, was reported on social media as reopening on Wednesday July 29 after being closed for nearly four years.

The brewery has confirmed the reopening of the pub, situated on The Square, adding the management couple are Gary and Jacqui.

The Red Lion is currently a drinks only pub, but Facebook is reporting it aims to serve food once the kitchen is refurbished.

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The re-openings follow that of The Tankard at Long Marston, which reopened last month and is managed by Paula Watson.

The Blacksmith Arms at Skelton re-opened in May, under the management of John and Margaret.

May also saw Sally Watkins reopen the Ebor Inn at Bishopthorpe, which until he sadly died of Covid during the pandemic had been run by Sally’s father Gordon Watkins for 39 years.

And in January, the Sam Smith’s brewery-owned Castle Inn at Sheriff Hutton re-opened after being closed for nearly five years.

For the East Kilbride show, the line-up is Des Clarke, Raymond Mearns, Dean Park and Liam Dolan.

Some of the country’s finest comedians will take to the stage in East Kilbride later this year.

The Scottish Comedians Theatre tour stars the country’s finest comics and brings the comedy club vibe to the theatre stage.

Each show will have at least four or five of these top comedians in the line-up.

The comedians in question are Fred Macaulay, Des Clarke, Marc Jennings, Susie McCabe, Jay Lafferty, Raymond Mearns, JoJo Sutherland, Gareth Mutch, Des McLean, Billy Kirkwood, Gareth Waugh, Dean Park, Liam Dolan, Ray Bradshaw, Mark Cox and Jane McCarry.

All comedians are worthy of headlining any show. The Scottish Comedians basically puts at least four headliners in the one comedy show.

For the East Kilbride show, the line-up is Des Clarke, Raymond Mearns, Dean Park and Liam Dolan.

Des is a multi-award-winning Scottish stand-up comedian, television host, and radio presenter best known for hosting the Heart Breakfast Show and fronting the BBC satirical comedy series Breaking the News.

He has won a string of awards for his stand-up including Chortle Best Newcomer, ITV Golden Mic Award, and multiple Scottish Comedy Awards for Best TV/Radio Comedian.

Raymond is an acclaimed actor and stand-up comedian from Glasgow’s East End, widely regarded as one of the top live performers and improvisational minds on the UK comedy circuit.

Known for his sharp, raw observational humour, quick-thinking crowd interaction, and distinct storytelling ability, Mearns has built a robust career spanning over three decades across live stages, television, radio, and film.

Dean Park is a well-known Scottish entertainer, comedian, singer, and radio presenter with a four-decade career in show business while Liam is an established comedian, variety entertainer, writer, director, and television presenter who has spent over three decades performing across Scottish theatre, television, and radio.

Born in Drumchapel and raised in Ayrshire, Dolan has built a prolific career rooted in traditional Scottish variety comedy, pantomime, and character impersonation.

Ticket for the show on Friday, October 9, cost £20 and are available from the South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture website.

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Stephen Bear has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for breaching a restraining order against his ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison, who he filmed having sex without her consent and shared the video online

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Disgraced reality TV star Stephen Bear has been handed a 16-month immediate custodial sentence for breaching a restraining order.

He was convicted on a charge of harassment after violating a restraining order that accompanied his 2023 conviction for filming a sex tape of Georgia Harrison without her consent and sharing it online. The Crown Prosecution Service stated that the Celebrity Big Brother star breached the order by making posts about Harrison on social media.

Passing sentence, Judge Morgan said: “You know what the terms of the order was. You understood the consequences and over a prolonged period you deliberately breached the court order. The sentence I impose must be immediate.”

Earlier in proceedings, the court heard that Bear received a surge of comments following Georgia’s appearance on a prominent podcast in which she discussed the case.

“In July 2025 after the appearance on a high-profile podcast where proceedings were discussed he received a significant number of notifications and online comments,” said Ms Deri Molyneux, who was speaking on Bear’s behalf, reports the Daily Star.

She went on to explain that Bear was also going through personal difficulties at the time, which was put forward as a mitigating factor. Bear appeared to cry in the dock as the matter was raised before the court.

Georgia Harrison submitted a victim personal statement, which was read aloud to the court, reports Essex Live.

Ms Harrison’s statement, read by Ms Kutner, described Bear’s conduct as having had a “profound impact” on her. It said: “It causes me significant distress, anxiety and fear during my pregnancy which would make me worry about the baby.

“He’s attempted to control the narrative around my life again. His online presence makes me petrified as I perceive him to be angry.”

She describes Bear as having been “relentless with the abuse”.

Bear arrived at Chelmsford Crown Court this afternoon accompanied by his pregnant wife Miami, telling onlookers “wish me luck, guys”.

The pair revealed in March that they are expecting their first child together.

While he appeared tearful earlier during proceedings, Bear displayed no obvious emotion as the sentence was delivered and he was led away to the cells.

His wife and mother, however, who were seated in the public gallery, visibly became emotional upon learning he would be returning to prison.

Meanwhile, his former partner Georgia Harrison has commended Essex Police following Stephen’s 16-month jail sentence. In a statement, Georgia said: “Essex Police took me seriously when so many women in my position are overlooked. They treated this as the serious crime it is – not a celebrity story. It is a real offence against a real person.

“They built the case properly, they stayed with it, and when the order was breached, they acted instead of shrugging. From the messages I get every day, I know how rare that still is.

“If every force treated this the way Essex Police did, thousands of women would feel safer today.”

Two men were caught on CCTV staging a car accident by pretending to lie on the ground injured for cash, as police issue a warning over fraudulent gangs’ new tactics. 

Khuram Mohammad, 41, was seen setting up a bicycle with an accomplice in a remote country lane in Leeds as part of a crash-for-cash illegal insurance claim on May 27, 2024. 

Cash-for-crash schemes are a form of insurance fraud where drivers stage collisions to get financial compensation. 

Mohammad and another man, who has now fled the UK, were caught on video propping up the stationary bicycle before getting back into the car to drive towards it at speed. 

One man is then seen getting out of the vehicle and lying down on the road, pretending to be injured, while the other calls 999. 

Admiral Insurance received a claim from the ‘cyclist’ soon after via a letter, alleging damage to the bicycle and personal injury. 

The claim read that the alleged injured man had been on the main road travelling up the hill, when another man driving in the opposite direction swerved onto the other side of the road and crashed into him. 

The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) investigated the case and found the claims to be fraudulent and found misuse of emergency services. 

The pair set up a stationary bike before getting back into the vehicle to run it over 

Investigators established that the collision had been deliberately orchestrated after reviewing CCTV footage, which provided independent evidence of what had happened.  

Khuram Mohammad, of Bradford, was sentenced after a trial in May this year to 20 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months for fraud by false representation. 

Mohammad had attempted to make a false insurance claim against Admiral Insurance, including fraudulent injury claims and the misuse of emergency services.

The other suspect who fled the UK after the incident remains wanted. 

The blatant crime comes as police issued a warning to the public over new tactics being used by criminals amid a rise in cases of staged insurance crashes. 

Detective Chief Inspector Nik Jethwa, Head of the IFED, said: ‘Crash for cash fraud is a growing problem and criminals are becoming more aggressive in how they carry out these schemes. 

‘We want the public to be more aware than ever of the tactics being used, which put innocent road users at risk. 

‘Please take extra care at difficult junctions and roundabouts and follow our safety advice if you suspect something is wrong. 

‘There is also a real risk of identity theft, so consider the potential consequences if you are involved in a collision. IFED will continue to pursue those who exploit vulnerable people. 

‘We are working with Nextbase to amplify this message and to highlight one of the simplest ways to protect yourself: consider getting a dashcam.’ 

Police said insurance fraud crimes are on the rise, issuing a public warning about new, more aggressive tactics 

More than £25.3million has been involved in suspected crash-for-cash fraud cases over the last five years

Criminals are moving beyond simple staged bumps to more aggressive and targeted methods designed to pressure victims into giving them immediate payments, or inflating their claims

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Police said the new scams are combining aggressive staging, roadside data theft and collusion with repair networks. 

They threaten the public’s physical safety, finances and identities.

One part of the con involved demanding a photo of their victim’s driving licence – which can then be used in identity fraud. 

The scams are on the rise, with the IFED investigating more than £25.3million in suspected crash-for-cash fraud cases over the last five years – with roughly 75 per cent involving staged or induced collisions. 

Criminals are moving beyond simple staged bumps to more aggressive and targeted methods designed to pressure victims into giving them immediate payments, or inflating their claims. 

Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase, said: ‘Crash-for-cash scams rely on uncertainty.

‘If there is no independent evidence, drivers will find it difficult to prove their innocence for an incident that happened in a matter of seconds. 

‘Video footage has been proven to help by providing an impartial and irrefutable record of events. 

‘That’s why we always encourage drivers to keep any footage after a collision and share it with their insurer or police if requested.’ 

A convicted fraudster cleared in court of killing his wealthy heiress wife murdered her, a coroner said today.

Conman Donald McPherson, 53, was ordered to be found not guilty of the murder of his wife Paula Leeson, 47, on a judge’s direction to the jury halfway through his trial at Manchester Crown Court in 2021.

He had taken out £3.5million life insurance on the mother-of-one shortly before her death on June 6, 2017, and within hours of her ‘accidental drowning’ was emptying her accounts of thousands of pounds to pay off his debts.

In 2024 Ms Leeson’s family, who run a successful plant hire business in south Manchester, blocked him inheriting his late wife’s £4.4million estate.

A judge in civil proceedings brought by the Leeson family at the High Court ruled McPherson had unlawfully killed his wife for money by throttling her unconscious then drowning her in the swimming pool while on holiday in Denmark in 2017.

At the inquest into the death of Ms Leeson, delayed until today by the murder trial and civil hearings, a coroner ruled she agreed with the unlawful killing verdict.

Alison Mutch, senior coroner for Manchester South, told Stockport Coroner’s Court McPherson was heavily in debt and he was the only person to benefit from his wife’s death.

She added: ‘I am therefore satisfied he did murder his wife. 

Donald McPherson was cleared of murdering Paula Leeson, 47, on the orders of a judge after prosecutors were unable to disprove his defence that she had fallen or jumped in to the pool

Paula Leeson, 47, from Sale, died in a swimming pool at a villa in a remote village in Denmark, on June 6, 2017

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‘Her death occurred because her husband compressed her neck to render her unconscious, causing her body to enter the pool, causing her to drown, to financially benefit from her death. 

‘Her death was as a result of an unlawful killing.”

Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Clegg, of Greater Manchester Police, had told the hearing: ‘There’s no doubt this was a homicide. 

‘She died at his hands. I have not looked for anyone else.’

The coroner asked the officer: ‘You don’t believe this was an accident. There’s too many coincidences and only one person benefited from her death?’

He replied: ‘That’s right.’

Sophie Cartwright KC, representing the Leeson family at the inquest, asked the officer: ‘Your firm belief is that Donald McPherson murdered Paula Leeson?’

Mr Clegg replied: ‘That’s correct, yes. Donald McPherson had backed himself into a financial crisis and the only way out was with the death of his wife.’

Paula died in a swimming pool at a remote holiday chalet in Denmark (pictured) in 2017 

The officer said he agreed with the Leeson’s family view that this had been a miscarriage of justice and McPherson, currently living in New Zealand, should be serving a life sentence for murder.

The inquest heard no retrial for murder can take place unless compelling new evidence is found.

Ms Cartwright said ‘investigations are ongoing’ and the Leeson family hope police – having in the last 12 months gained access to McPherson’s old laptop – will uncover evidence to ‘get them over the line for a retrial.

‘Their fight will continue after today,’ she added.

Ms Leeson’s brother Neville told the hearing her life had been taken by McPherson’s ‘greed’

He added: ‘Now the man who murdered her is walking around free.

‘Paula has repeatedly been let down by the criminal justice system.

‘We will never accept that and will continue fighting for her.’

In 2024 a High Court judge ruled that Donald McPherson (pictured) ‘deliberately and unlawfully killed Paula (Leeson) by compressing her neck in an arm lock, rendering her unconscious and causing her body to fall into the pool, ensuring her drowning and death’

Ms Leeson drowned in the swimming pool at a remote holiday cottage, booked by McPherson for a summer break in Denmark in 2017.

She was 5ft 5in and could swim but drowned in the pool of a depth of 4ft, the murder trial heard.

McPherson told police he awoke to find Ms Leeson face down in the pool.

Her death was initially treated as a tragic accident by the Danish authorities – though she had 13 separate external injuries.

Within hours McPherson was transferring thousands of pounds from her accounts.

Soon after, McPherson cleared their home in Sale, Greater Manchester, of his late wife’s possessions and joined bereavement group Widowed And Young – which he called ‘Tinder for widows’.

Ms Leeson’s elderly father Willy sat in the inquest hearing with his son Neville, and Ms Leeson’s son Ben.

Ms Leeson oversaw the skip hire part of her family’s successful ground-working business that her father had built up in Sale after emigrating from Co Wicklow, Ireland, in the 1960s.

Ms Leeson and brother Neville stood to inherit the business.

She had the ‘misfortune’ of coming across McPherson, a failing and indebted property developer, who came in to hire a skip in 2012.

Two years later the couple wed at a no-expense-spared ceremony at a Cheshire castle after a ‘whirlwind romance’.

He has always denied any involvement in his wife’s death, describing it a ‘tragic accident’.

After it emerged that the New Zealander – whose real name is Alexander Lang – had forged her will and secretly taken out life insurance policies that would pay him millions in the event of her death, he was charged with murder.

But halfway through his trial in 2021, a judge directed jurors to return a not guilty verdict after prosecutors were unable to disprove McPherson’s defence that she had fallen in or jumped.

Her furious relatives condemned him as ‘the devil incarnate’ and pledged never to stop fighting for justice – and to prevent him getting his hands on the money.

The Leeson family have spent over £1million uncovering crucial new evidence about her final minutes.

It resulted in them bringing a landmark civil case against McPherson, who had by then returned to his native New Zealand.

In a stunning victory, a judge in 2024 ruled he had ‘deliberately and unlawfully killed Paula by compressing her neck in an arm lock, rendering her unconscious and causing her body to fall into the pool, ensuring her drowning and death’.

Mr Justice Richard Smith added: ‘His motive for killing Paula was clear – money.’

Lawyers representing the family subsequently sent the Crown Prosecution Service what they described as ‘new and compelling evidence’ justifying McPherson facing a retrial in the criminal courts.

However to their fury, in December 2025 DPP Stephen Parkinson rejected their plea on the grounds that the evidence was available in the original trial, even though prosecutors did not use it.

During their marriage, McPherson – who claimed to be a property developer but was in reality £65,000 in debt – funded an extravagant lifestyle thanks to the largesse of Ms Leeson, regarded as frugal and unflashy by friends.

She was unaware he had secretly taken out over £3million in life insurance that would pay out in the event of her death.

A Daily Mail investigation later exposed how – unbeknown to the jury in his murder trial – McPherson had been jailed over a £12million bank fraud in Germany in 2006.

In addition, his previous wife died along with their four-year-old daughter during a mysterious fire while he was behind bars.

Investigators concluded they had been overcome after the 35-year-old deliberately started the blaze.

The sunflower trail is back for another year at Balgone Estate

A stunning Scottish sunflower experience just 30 minutes outside of Edinburgh returns tomorrow.

The sunflower trail at Balgone Estate in North Berwick is back for another year from Friday, August 7 until Sunday, August 23.

The two-hour experience, which is ticketed per car, allows visitor to wander through fourteen acres of golden sunflower fields and take home their own hand-picked bouquet.

The sunflower trail also offers plenty of Instagrammable photo opportunities hidden among the ‘sea of golden sunflowers’.

After picking your blooms, with a station to trim and tie your bunches on site, guests can tuck into freshly grilled food from a farm-to-fork BBQ and browse local food vendor stalls while enjoying some live music.

Most sessions at Balgone’s sunflower trail take place during the day but guests can also book later slots in the day for an extra special experience at sunset.

Daytime tickets start from £18 per car which covers up to five people with the last available booking at 3pm before the site closes at 5pm.

Tickets do not include the price of sunflowers which are £1 per stem. Those looking for a sunset experience can book later into the night with the last possible slot available being 8pm before it shuts at 10pm.

These tickets are also per car and are slightly more expensive at £21.

As the sunflower fields are very aesthetically pleasing and guests may want unspoiled images, the Balgone Estate even offers a private session that costs £45 for up to five people.

The website details this slot is “a great option for those who value peace and quiet, taking in the idyllic views in your own time. Ideal for photographs and photographers, making sure you capture moments that belong just to you.”

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The one hour session includes a maximum of two cars per individual booking and allows in a maximum of five separate groups of up to five people at a time.

However, there may be less people wandering around in these private sessions if the bookings are made by individuals or people in couples.

Those who want to experience the sunflower fields in a more unique way can even book a yoga session in the sunflowers on Wednesday, August 12 for £15.

On their website it also states that a Pilates session in the sunflowers is also going to become available soon on Thursday, August 20.

For more information and how to book tickets for all experiences at Balgone Estate’s Sunflower Trail, click here.

Emergency services were called to the A167 just after 1am on Wednesday (August 5) after a rider and pillion passenger fell from a Yamaha 600cc motorbike.

Tragically, the rider of the bike, a 38-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene – while the pillion passenger, a woman in her 20s, was left with “life changing” injuries. 

Now, pictures taken at the scene show how bouquets of flowers have been left paying tribute to Sean, with one heartbreaking note reading: “Forever my son Sean. Fly High.” 

Tributes have been left at the scene of a fatal crash on the A167 at Ferryhill (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Several rubber ducks have also been left by the road, with messages including “RIP Sean,” “I’ll miss you,” and “RIP my mate”.

Tributes have been left at the scene of a fatal crash on the A167 at Ferryhill (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

A yellow and green balloon have also been taped to a nearby lamppost alongside several other bunches of colourful flowers. 

Durham Police has today confirmed that the woman remains at the University Hospital in North Durham in a stable condition. 

Tributes have been left at the scene of a fatal crash on the A167 at Ferryhill (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Police shut the A167 both ways between the Dean Road junction and the Jet Garage, in Chilton, for several hours following the crash. 

The bike was believed to have been travelling northbound from Chilton to Ferryhill at the time.

Tributes have been left at the scene of a fatal crash on the A167 at Ferryhill (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

It was one of two crashes in County Durham on the same evening, the second being on the B6532 in Edmondsley, where two people were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The force previously asked any witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the bike before the crash to get in touch.

If you can help, please contact police’s serious collision investigation unit by email at SCIU@durham.police.uk quoting incident number 12 of August 5.

Part of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s witness statement was read out in court today after Alex Jenkinson, 39, was charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards him during a confrontation in May

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor said he was chased after coming face-to-face with an alleged balaclava-clad stalker, following a confrontation near his Sandringham home, a court has heard.

Alex Jenkinson, 39, is charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the King’s brother and former Duke of York in Norfolk on May 6. Suffolk Police is also applying for a civil Stalking Protection Order against Jenkinson, relying on evidence from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and searches on Jenkinson’s phone.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram read out parts of the ex-prince’s witness statement at Westminster Magistrates Court today, which is due to form the centrepiece of both legal proceedings.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor said he was out for a walk with his dogs on the estate when he spotted a car, which he assumed to belong to press photographers, and then he and his security detail “drove past the car”.

He said a man “turned and faced me – he was wearing a balaclava face covering”. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor provided a description of the “out-of-place” man, and added in his statement: “I then saw a loose dog running towards him. Then he realised who I was and began to sprint after my vehicle.”

Jenkinson was blocked from entering the court building today by officials after he arrived with his dog, Indie, and today’s hearing took place in his absence.

His lawyer, Claire Howell, told Judge Ikram: “He has had to bring his dog with him, so he wasn’t allowed inside the court. He is homeless and currently in accommodation in a Travelodge. He is not allowed to leave the dog there. It provides him with support, he suffers from ADHD.”

She added that she had no documents to prove Jenkinson’s medical condition, or his need for a support animal, but the judge told her: “I’m not prepared to have a dog in the courtroom simply because he is homeless and he happens to keep a dog. I’m not saying he is not telling the truth, but there’s nothing to corroborate it.”

He added: “We accommodate people who have ADHD and have support animals. I would want something more than he is homeless and happens to have a dog.” The judge heard and agreed an application for the police bid for a Stalking Protection Order to be adjourned, and decided the hearing could take place in Jenkinson’s absence.

Ms Howell told the court Jenkinson has now been found temporary accommodation where he can leave the dog for future hearings, and she added: “I don’t want to give character evidence on behalf of the dog, but having spent the last hour and a half with him, I can say he is a very well-behaved animal.”

Jenkinson is accused of causing the former Duke of York to “fear unlawful violence” during the confrontation in Wolferton, close to his Marsh Farm property. Jenkinson was detained under the Mental Health Act for around a month afterwards. He pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of blood while in custody on May 6.

But he denied the public order offence against Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and has also pleaded not guilty to a further charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence against another man, Stephen Terry, in King’s Lynn, on May 5.

Andrew was due to give evidence by video link at the criminal trial, which has been set for December 21. Jenkinson, from Stowmarket, Suffolk, was also fighting the making of the Stalking Protection Order. Judge Ikram ruled today that the former duke, as well as Mr Terry and an eyewitness to the Norfolk incident, must give evidence for a second time at the hearing to determine the Stalking Protection Order application.

He said: “I am persuaded that fairness demands the respondent to these proceedings (Jenkinson) be allowed to call and cross-examine these witnesses”.

At a hearing at the end of July, the court heard that evidence from Jenkinson’s phone – including alleged searches on the former Duke of York, Sandringham and ‘weapons’ – is due to feature in the trial.

In the criminal proceedings, Jenkinson is on bail with conditions not to go near a number of sites linked to the Royal Family. These are Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, Balmoral, Windsor and Highgrove. He must also not try to contact Andrew directly or indirectly, or approach him or enter Norfolk.

As the hearing concluded, Judge Ikram extended the interim Stalking Protection Order against Jenkinson, he set a pre-trial hearing at Loughborough Magistrates’ Court for January 22, and said the final hearing would take place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on February 16.

A Muslim healthcare worker sued the NHS for racism because she did not ‘get her own way’ and was told she had to wear uniform instead of an Islamic dress.

Naziya Ayub was told that her Islamic dress, which covered her from the neck down to the ankle, was a health and safety risk.

But an employment tribunal heard the British Pakistani refused alternative clothing options – such as trousers – and told her boss: ‘I will not be negotiating on what I wear to work.’

Her complaints of religious discrimination and harassment were all dismissed.

A tribunal judgment said: ‘In answer to direct questions from the Tribunal, she confirmed that trousers of any sort would not be considered modest even if the trousers were baggy or loose fitting. For her, a long skirt or dress was a requirement.’

The employment tribunal, held in Manchester, heard that Miss Ayub worked as a healthcare assistant for Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust from March 2021.

She provided care to children who required long-term ventilation.

It heard that she ‘dresses modestly’ as part of her faith as a Muslim, which means wearing a headscarf and an Islamic dress, a jilbab.

This dress covers the body from the neck down to the ankle and ‘disguises the shape or outline of the wearer’s figure’.

In May 2023, Miss Ayub had a meeting with her line manager Wendy Bacon in which Ms Bacon pointed out she was wearing a long black dress under her work tunic instead of her uniform trousers.

The tribunal heard Miss Ayub asked Ms Bacon if she ‘had a problem with Muslim dress’.

The manager said she had no problem at all with it but she had a duty to point out if she was not in the right uniform.

The following month, Ms Bacon emailed all the team members reminding them of the Trust’s workwear policy.

Following another meeting with Ms Bacon, Miss Ayub raised concerns that she was being discriminated against because of her modest clothing choices.

In July 2023, she met with the assistant director of nursing services Lisa Fern and told her she ‘didn’t want her body shape/outline to be visible’ and said she ‘feels bullied’.

Ms Fern contacted a health and safety adviser about the uniform problem the following month, who warned that Miss Ayub’s workwear could pose potential ‘slip/trip/fall’ hazards when moving or handling a patient or equipment or when negotiating stairs.

In a meeting with Ms Fern in September 2023, Miss Ayub alleged that Ms Bacon was discriminating against her because of her uniform and rejected an offer of mediation aimed at improving the pair’s relationship.

She submitted a grievance saying ‘There is no alternative to an Islamic dress’.

At an investigation meeting, Miss Ayub said Ms Bacon ‘has no respect for religion’.

Later in the year, she emailed Ms Fern to say she would not wear the summer dress and scrub pants uniform because she was not comfortable with the combination.

She said: ‘I will not change my identity to please others who show signs of racism and religious discrimination.’

She said her clothing would be assessed as posing a ‘low’ health and safety risk, adding: ‘I will not be negotiating on what I wear to work, and I’m not having any more discussions about this.’

Ms Fern then sent a formal letter to Miss Ayub about her compliance with the workwear policy, and said that if she did not comply with the workwear policy by the end of November that year, that could constitute misconduct.

Miss Ayub went on sick leave on November 15 because of stress and anxiety.

The investigation into her complaints recommended that there be mediation between Miss Ayub and Ms Bacon, as well as with two staff members who the tribunal heard had been caught on camera discussing the uniform policy at a patient’s home, when one of them said Miss Ayub used the ‘race card’.

Miss Ayub was told there was no case to answer regarding her grievances against her colleagues, and an appeal against that decision was dismissed.

Miss Ayub indicated that she wanted to be redeployed elsewhere, and after turning down the option of mediation once again, was added to the redeployment register in July.

She joined a teaching agency and handed in her resignation the same month.

On the uniform issue, Employment Judge Rebecca Eeley found that Miss Ayub’s dress ‘presented a significant health and safety risk’ and she would only be satisfied if the Trust ‘essentially gave up on insisting on workwear which carried only an acceptable level of health and safety risk in the workplace’.

The judge said: ‘(Miss Ayub)’s real concern was that she was not being given her own way in relation to the uniform requirements.

‘She was angry that she was not being allowed to wear the Islamic dress and that her practice had been challenged by management.’

The judge said she was ‘not persuaded’ that Miss Ayub ‘genuinely and subjectively found the comments on the recording created an intimidating hostile, degrading, humiliating (etc) environment for her’, and said her ‘outrage appeared somewhat artificial’.

Other claims she made were also dismissed.

Miss Ayub today said the tribunal ruling was ‘unfair’ and she had lodged an appeal.

Speaking at her terraced home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, she added: ‘They said my style of dress was a health and safety risk but there was no evidence to back that up.

‘When I started I was told that there would not be a problem as long as the dress was above my ankles and I rolled up my sleeves when doing anything clinical.

‘I had worked there for two and a half years without any problem whatsoever and they were fine about me wearing Islamic dress.

‘What they wanted me to wear were like leggings and I told them that I would not wear that at home, so why should I wear it at work?

‘ I am not using my religion as an excuse – I just wanted justice. This is not about religion, it is about equality and diversity for everyone, whatever their religion.’

Ms Ayub said she now has a new job.

The NCA trust runs four hospitals in Greater Manchester: Salford Royal, the Royal Oldham, Rochdale Infirmary and Fairfield General in Bury.