Anyone who walks into the House of Commons passes a grisly reminder of just how dangerous the job of being an MP can be.

It is a brass plaque to mark the exact spot where on May 11, 1812, Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was gunned down by a man with a grudge. His fatally wounded body was placed on a table where he bled to death within minutes.

That table resides in Speaker’s House. The stain of Perceval’s blood is still visible and brings home the daunting responsibility that every Speaker has – to protect Members of Parliament.

Every death threat, every assault, and every murder from Airey Neave, Ian Gow, Jo Cox, Sir David Amess and the bludgeoning of Ann Widdecombe is an attack on our democracy.

MPs must be protected. But there has to be a balance. They must never be isolated from the people. They must be allowed to walk free and not separated by a ring of steel or cowering in bullet-proof cars. They must not be seen to have special privileges that the rest of the public don’t have. Let the professionals decide the threats and the measures.

For a long time, as a Conservative politician in the 1980s and ’90s, I had armed security at my home. I will never forget when the head of Commons security asked me in for a chat. He told me that they had found my name on an IRA death list, no doubt because I had publicly praised the SAS for shooting three IRA bombers in Gibraltar in 1988.

‘Nothing to worry about, it’s unlikely that they’ll shoot you, but they may try to blow up your car,’ the head of security explained. He gave me a mirror on a stick and a leaflet.

Some months later, as we returned from a family holiday and landed at Stansted airport, we were asked to go to the front of the plane, met by armed officers and escorted to a place of safety. Tory MP Ian Gow had been murdered. They had blown up his car.

From then on our lives changed. Heavily armed men were dug in round our house – two with Heckler and Koch machine guns on the cricket field opposite.

The garage was bomb-proof, windows shatter-proof, and the dining room bristled with automatic weapons. Trust me, there is no more effective contraception than a man with a Beretta standing outside the bedroom door.

If I ever doubted the need for this intense level of protection, even years after I finished my role as a political aide in the Northern Ireland Office, unsettling incidents reminded me of the danger I faced.

On one occasion when I was walking through my Essex constituency of Harlow, someone dropped a bag of flour from a tower block. It missed me by a foot but if it had hit me, it would have stoved my head in.

Then one night I was thrown to the floor by officers as a car screeched to a halt outside. The driver’s door was ripped open and five red dots appeared on the occupant. The poor fellow was terrified and could only gibber that he was sorry he’d just run over a cat.

On another occasion, I received a note from the prisons minister Angela Rumbold explaining that a lag had confessed that he wanted to kill me. When I bumped into her in a Commons bar, I expressed relief that the man was behind bars. ‘Didn’t they tell you that he was released a couple of weeks ago?’ I hope that things are a little better organised today.

They need to be, for I fear that we are returning to those dark days of the Troubles when political violence was a depressing feature of MPs’ lives.

Indeed, members are in more danger now than ever before. They face a feral social media-scape, dripping with bile and laced with menace, where anything goes. Vile unfounded rumours turn into truths in the warped minds of the radicalised.

Jerry Hayes, pictured in 1994, argues MPs must be protected but hopes that it can be done without the need for a man with a Beretta to stand outside one’s bedroom door

Everyone is a journalist. The ‘mainstream media’ is the enemy. Worst of all it is fashionable to attack our institutions – saying that the police are corrupt, that the judiciary produces two-tier justice. That everyone is against the truth, as conspiracists see it.

One needn’t look any further than the disgusting way in which some on the Left celebrated the brutal murder of Ann Widdecombe, a person of strong views, but a principled, kind and compassionate woman of 78.

Who will want to go into politics if they are threatened, abused and vilified? Some might argue so what? People have the right to be offensive. And they would be right, for censorship is the midwife of totalitarianism. But let’s not forget what an affront to democracy it is if our elected representatives are cowed into silence by vitriol and violence.

In the wake of Jo Cox’s murder in 2016 at the hands of a deranged white supremacist, MPs have had access to extra security through Operation Bridger, a nationwide police protection programme.

Then after Sir David Amess was stabbed to death by an Islamist terrorist in 2021, it became beholden on Chief Constables to review their local MPs’ security.

And it now feels like we have reached another rung on the ladder to a police state, where our elected tribunes are severed from their voters by a praetorian guard of Ray-Ban-wearing minders.

It would be a sad day when MPs decide their weekly surgeries with the public have become too dangerous. These advice bureaux have always held the potential for violence. MPs are advising their constituents, some of whom are troubled, on matters that are deeply personal. Anything can happen and sometimes it does. I was assaulted twice.

But even before I had armed security, Essex Police would provide a uniformed bobby as a deterrent. That, today, is surely a minimum requirement for MPs to feel safe.

As is a greater understanding between politicians and the public of what level of abuse meets a criminal threshold, as the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle urged in his 2025 committee report on MPs’ security. I would go further and designate any assault on an MP as a graver offence that warrants a tougher sentence, as is meted out to those who attack police officers.

But as right as Reform leader Nigel Farage is in his calls for greater personal protection – and I think that less centrist politicians should be given greater consideration – there needs to be common sense and balance.

The right to offend others is fundamental to free speech, and that goes for politicians offending the public as much as vice versa.

It is perfectly proper to have a debate about wokery within the police. It is important that we discuss immigration freely. It is vital that the dispossessed, the ignored, the patronised have a voice.

My only hope is that it can be done without the need for a man with a Beretta to stand outside one’s bedroom door.

The end of the 2026 World Cup is nigh, making every moment between now and Sunday’s final unmissable.

Every single game from the competition has been available to watch on free-to-air TV for UK viewers., with the BBC and ITV sharing coverage right through to the decider.

The time difference has provided a challenge for European audiences, with some games kicking off in the early hours – though their are kinder start times for the semi-finals and final.

Here’s how you can watch the final two games of the 2026 World Cup on the BBC and ITV – and STV in Scotland.

World Cup 2026 TV schedule, UK

Finals

Saturday 18 July

Third-place play-off: France 4-6 England

Sunday 19 July

Final: Spain vs Argentina – 8pm BST – BBC and ITV / STV

Semi-finals

Tuesday 14 July

France 0-2 Spain (Semi-final)

Wednesday 15 July

England 1-2 Argentina (Semi-final)

Quarter-finals

Thursday 9 July

France 2-0 Morocco (Quarter-final)

Friday 10 July

Spain 2-1 Belgium (Quarter-final)

Saturday 11 July

Norway 1-2 England A.E.T. (Quarter-final)

Sunday 12 July

Argentina 3-1 Switzerland A.E.T. (Quarter-final)

Last-16

Saturday 4 July

Canada 0-3 Morocco (Round of 16)

Paraguay 0-1 France (Round of 16)

Sunday 5 July

Brazil 1-2 Norway (Round of 16)

Monday 6 July

Mexico 2-3 England (Round of 16)

Portugal 0-1 Spain (Round of 16)

Tuesday 7 July

USA 1-4 Belgium (Round of 16)

Argentina 3-2 Egypt (Round of 16)

Switzerland 0-0 (4-3 pens) Colombia (Round of 16)

Round-of-32

Sunday 28 June

South Africa 0-1 Canada (Round of 32)

Monday 29 June

Brazil 2-1 Japan (Round of 32)

Germany 1-1 (3-4 pens) Paraguay (Round of 32)

Tuesday 30 June

Netherlands 1-1 (2-3 pens) Morocco (Round of 32)

Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway (Round of 32)

France 3-0 Sweden (Round of 32)

Wednesday 1 July

Mexico 2-0 Ecuador (Round of 32)

England 2-1 DR Congo (Round of 32)

Belgium 3-2 Senegal A.E.T. (Round of 32)

Thursday 2 July

USA 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina (Round of 32)

Spain 3-0 Austria (Round of 32)

Friday 3 July

Portugal 2-1 Croatia (Round of 32)

Switzerland 2-0 Algeria (Round of 32)

Australia 1-1 (2-4 pens) Egypt (Round of 32)

Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde A.E.T. (Round of 32)

Saturday 4 July

Colombia 1-0 Ghana (Round of 32)

Group stage results

Thursday 11 June

Mexico 2-0 South Africa (Group A)

Friday 12 June

South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic (Group A)

Canada 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B)

Saturday 13 June

USA 4-1 Paraguay (Group D)

Qatar 1-1 Switzerland (Group B)

Brazil 1-1 Morocco (Group C)

Sunday 14 June

Haiti 0-1 Scotland (Group C)

Australia 2-0 Turkey (Group D)

Germany 7-1 Curacao (Group E)

Netherlands 2-2 Japan (Group F)

Monday 15 June

Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador (Group E)

Sweden 5-1 Tunisia (Group F)

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (Group H)

Belgium 1-1 Egypt (Group G)

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay (Group H)

Tuesday 16 June

Iran 2-2 New Zealand (Group G)

France 3-1 Senegal (Group I)

Iraq 1-3 Norway (Group I)

Wednesday 17 June

Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Group J)

Austria 3-1 Jordan (Group J)

Portugal 1-1 DR Congo (Group K)

England 4-2 Croatia (Group L)

Thursday 18 June

Ghana 1-0 Panama (Group L)

Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia (Group K)

Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa (Group A)

Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B)

Canada 6-0 Qatar (Group B)

Friday 19 June

Mexico 1-0 South Korea (Group A)

USA 2-0 Australia (Group D)

Scotland 0-1 Morocco (Group C)

Saturday 20 June

Brazil 3-0 Haiti (Group C)

Turkey 0-1 Paraguay (Group D)

Netherlands 5-1 Sweden (Group F)

Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast (Group E)

Sunday 21 June

Ecuador 0-0 Curacao (Group E)

Tunisia 1-5 Japan (Group F)

Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia (Group H)

Belgium 0-0 Iran (Group G )

Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde (Group H)

Monday 22 June

New Zealand 1-3 Egypt (Group G)

Argentina 2-0 Austria (Group J)

France 3-0 Iraq (Group I)

Tuesday 23 June

Norway 3-2 Senegal (Group I)

Jordan 1-2 Algeria (Group J)

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan (Group K)

England 0-0 Ghana (Group L)

Wednesday 24 June

Panama 0-1 Croatia (Group L)

Colombia 1-0 DR Congo (Group K) 

Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar (Group B)

Switzerland 2-1 Canada (Group B)

Morocco 4-2 Haiti (Group C)

Scotland 0-3 Brazil (Group C)

Thursday 25 June

Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico (Group A)

South Africa 1-0 South Korea (Group A)

Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast (Group E)

Ecuador 2-1 Germany (Group E)

Friday 26 June

Japan 1-1 Sweden (Group F)

Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands (Group F)

Paraguay 0-0 Australia (Group D)

Turkey 3-2 USA (Group D)

Norway 1-4 France (Group I)

Senegal 5-0 Iraq (Group I)

Saturday 27 June

Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia (Group H)

Uruguay 0-1 Spain (Group H)

Egypt 1-1 Iran (Group G)

New Zealand 1-5 Belgium (Group G)

Croatia 2-1 Ghana (Group L)

Panama 0-2 England (Group L)

Sunday 28 June

Colombia 0-0 Portugal (Group K)

DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan (Group K)

Algeria 3-3 Austria (Group J)

Jordan 1-3 Argentina (Group J)

Based at the historic Heslington Hall on the University of York campus, the Heslington Hall Art Gallery launched with its inaugural exhibition, Slow Surfacing, which celebrates the international career of John Langton.

The exhibition runs until October 31, 2026, and marks the first public display from the University Art Collection.

The work of John Langton spans more than 60 years and includes a variety of artistic styles and experiments.

Langton became an Artist Fellow at the university in 1978 and was later awarded an honorary doctorate in 1995.

Dr Helena Cox, art curator at the University of York (Image: The University of York)

Dr Helena Cox, art curator at the University of York, said: “Visiting John in his studio for over a year before he passed away was an absolute privilege.

“Our long conversations about creativity inspired this display.

“Because his family travelled from across the world to join us for the launch, it truly felt like his spirit was in the room with us.”

The exhibition includes items on loan from the Langton Estate, as well as a canvas created using a spray-painting method—an approach Langton learned from ceramicist David Lloyd Jones.

The two artists were members of an informal group known as the York Four.

Archival photographs on display capture Langton improvising a spray-painted canvas to live piano music at a York church, performed before an audience of students, staff, and residents.

Other images show his wife, Patricia, standing beside a large ceramic panel that Langton and Lloyd Jones created together, which remains on permanent display at Derwent College.

Dr Cox worked closely with the Langton family to research their private archive and select some of the most striking pieces from his career.

An advisory board, including members from the University of York’s History of Art Department and the Borthwick Institute for Archives, supported the project.

The exhibition runs until October 31, 2026, and marks the first public display from the University Art Collection (Image: The University of York)

Jessica Langton, John Langton’s daughter, said: “Retracing my childhood steps across the UoY campus and seeing my father’s career given new meaning and new context was such a revelation.

“The university campus was a fertile ground in which the seeds of my father’s art career were planted.

“His career, our family, and our academic ambitions flourished there from the UoY’s opening years and onwards through decades.

“To have the chance to rediscover John’s early artworks, discover original documents, photos, catalogues, texts, and collaborate with Helena Cox, the curator, sharing stories and connections that made up John’s rich creative career was an unexpected delight.”

The exhibition is free and open to the public Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.

Three accessible parking spaces are available for blue badge holders, and an accessible entrance.

Tyrone Worsley, 23, of no fixed abode, has been charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, robbery and dangerous driving.

He has also been charged with racially aggravated affray, possession of a bladed article, attempted section 18 grievous bodily harm and criminal damage.

The charges follow an incident at Centenary Court, Bolton, on Thursday, July 16.

Police were called following reports of a man on the roof of a property.

A cordon was put in place around part of Rishton Lane as emergency services responded.

Witnesses reported seeing small objects being thrown from the roof near emergency service vehicles.

Police officers, firefighters and paramedics remained at Centenary Court while the incident was dealt with.

Worsley has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, July 18.

Some of the parks have retained the award from previous years

Several Cambridgeshire parks have been named amongst the best in the UK. Every year, it’s revealed what UK parks have been awarded the international Green Flag award.

The award, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, has named 2,391 sites across the country which have received the award for this in 2026.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “We are delighted to see 2,391 parks and green spaces across the UK achieve Green Flag Award status this year. Every winner should be incredibly proud of this achievement.

“It is a testament to the commitment, passion, dedication and hard work that goes into creating and maintaining these special places for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.” There are several Cambridgeshire parks and green spaces that have made the list, with many retaining the status from previous years.

The Cambridgeshire parks that have been awarded the Green Flag award for 2026 are:

• Cherry Hinton Hall – Cambridge
• Christ’s Pieces – Cambridge
• Grafham Water – Huntingdonshire
• Ely Country Park – Ely
• Jubilee Gardens – Ely
• Ferry Meadows – Peterborough
• Central Park – Peterborough
• Itter Park – Peterborough
• Manor Farm Park – Peterborough
• Hinchingbrooke Country Park – Huntingdonshire
• St Neots Riverside Park – St Neots
• Priory Park – St Neots
• Paxton Pits Nature Reserve – Huntingdonshire

The award is given to a park or green space that is safe, welcoming and well-managed. The parks that receive the award set the benchmark standard for outdoor spaces.

Parks are independently assessed against rigorous criteria, including accessibility, maintenance, environmental management, safety, biodiversity and community involvement.

When England played like World Cup winners, it was after the World Cup had already been lost. In a confusing, chaotic game, instead of going for gold, they brought home bronze. For 45 minutes, England played like worldbeaters; for 45, like a team who could be beaten from 4-0 up. By the end, Bukayo Saka had become just the fourth Englishman to score a World Cup hat-trick, joining Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham had made them the first team ever to score six goals against France in this competition. But a result that would have been celebrated euphorically in another context should come with a sense of regret: given that they have only performed fitfully, where was this England against Argentina? Or even against Norway, DR Congo, Panama and Ghana?

A vibrant, dynamic display suggested that actually this could be part of their DNA, whatever Thomas Tuchel has said to the contrary. Tuchel was unable to shrug off the semi-final surrender; not when he was booed by England supporters. But his side, desperately defensive in a dreadful 36 minutes against Argentina, were four up after 45 in an attacking antidote against France, even if they were weakened, shambolic and seemingly demob-happy. Then a manager whose team could not hold on to a 1-0 lead against Argentina threatened to lose a four-goal advantage; Tuchel was diplomatic enough not to switch to a back five this time.

But as, in a match of seven changes apiece, England demonstrated their depth, the frustration should be exacerbated by the reality that some of the destroyers of France were denied the opportunity to have the same impact against Argentina. Saka was a case in point, overlooked when Tuchel adopted such a negative approach on Wednesday and offering a reminder that there was another way. Marcus Rashford, only introduced in the 96th minute then, was another to underline England could have had more incision and acceleration. If Tuchel’s gameplan was supposed to be about fast wingers, they showed how dangerous they can be.

As Tuchel conjured an emphatic response to the disappointment in Atlanta, his assistant Anthony Barry saying England were playing “with broken hearts”, the endorsement of him was also an indictment. That said, there may have been an irony in the identity of the scorer of England’s second: Ezri Konsa, the man summoned in Tuchel’s most infamous substitution. Konsa for Anthony Gordon backfired against Argentina. Konsa in a back four got forward to head in a corner.

Where Tuchel may merit some sympathy is that this brought the sight of Declan Rice at his best which, in part due to injury and illness, he has not been of late. Rice was dominant, scoring the first, making the second, in a victory that owed much to Arsenal. Between them, the Gunners in Tuchel’s team recorded four goals and two assists.

Rice stood in as captain, with Kane rested after Tuchel said he had too many “kilometres in the legs”. Perhaps Saka and Rashford had too few in theirs. The surprise starter was Ivan Toney, previously limited to injury-time action. Injury meant Kobbie Mainoo’s World Cup finished without minutes or any purpose in taking him. Morgan Rogers started, just as Chelsea are set to pay £117m for him, though the evidence of this game was that he is worth rather less than Saka or Rice.

The midfielder got England off to a flying start, intercepting a pass from Desire Doue, powered forward and whipped a shot from 25 yards past a motionless Mike Maignan. It was his corner that Konsa then headed in.

Then Saka took over. He and Rashford led a scintillating counter-attack that, after the Arsenal man had an effort cleared off the line by Maxence Lacroix, led to the Manchester United player teeing up him for the third goal. Saka angled in a fourth after a penetrative pass by Eberechi Eze. His treble was completed from the penalty spot after a rampaging Djed Spence was tripped by Malo Gusto. England still needed Bellingham to come off the bench and score from a solo run to clinch victory.

Yet his goal was surrounded by a fabulous French fightback. After Didier Deschamps made a quadruple change, his side scored four goals, with a surge powered by a record-breaking Kylian Mbappe.

A double enabled him to leapfrog Lionel Messi, if only for a day, and become the World Cup’s highest scorer. Mbappe now has 22 to Messi’s 21; the first man to strike 10 times in one World Cup since Gerd Muller, he looks odds on to get the Golden Boot. Bradley Barcola, who scored from an Mbappe pass, was one of the four brought on; Michael Olise, who twice should have made it 4-4, supplied the passes for Mbappe’s goals, took his tally of assists to seven in a tournament, another record. Instead, Ousmane Dembele, another of those introduced at the break, made it 5-4, only for Bellingham to respond.

History was made in the scoreline, and in other respects. It was a historic occasion in another respect: Deschamps’ 187th and last game in charge and 290th France game, including his playing career. The comeback was at least a sequel to France’s response in the 2022 final, even if a defeat was not a fitting way for Deschamps to bid adieu.

Tuchel, who wants to carry on, can argue that this is officially England’s most successful World Cup since 1966: with six victories and, unlike in 1990 or 2018, winning the third-place play-off. But that only underlined what might have been.

Exhibition launch of the week: Arnup Studios at Pyramid Gallery, Stonegate, York, today, 11am to 2pm, then running until September 27

Hannah Arnup (Image: Provided)

CERAMICIST Hannah Arnup, landscape and natural world artist Michelle Galloway, abstract artist Liz Foster, plein-air and studio artist Kate Pettitt, British wildlife ceramicist Penny Phillips and handmade jewellery designer Emma Welsh will be on hand at today’s opening of Holtby-based Arnup Studios’ first collective exhibition at Pyramid Gallery. Gallery opening hours are 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

Art showcase of the week: Experimental Textiles and Mixed Media, Laburnum Cottage Art Studio, West End, Sheriff Hutton, near York, today, 10am to 5pm

Justine Warner (Image: Provided)

NORTH Yorkshire Open Studios textile and mixed-media artist, Landscape Artist Of The Year 2022 contestant, teacher and workshop tutor Justine Warner plays host to an exhibition of one year of student work, showcasing skills, workbooks and final pieces based on a wide range of experimental textile techniques that employ exciting and unusual materials in creative ways.

Look at how Bondaweb, Lutradur, soluble fabrics, metal, foils, gel printing, transfer printing, batik, tetra pack printing, block printing and heat-shrink can be used and  speak with some of the students who experimented with them.

Children’s show of the week: Dinosaur Adventure Live, Danger On T-Rex Mountain, York Theatre Royal, today, 2.30pm

Dinosaur Adventure (Image: Provided)

SIXTY-FIVE million years in the making, Dinosaur Adventure Live brings a fusion of family-friendly storytelling, puppetry and roarsome science to the stage as the ancient world of dinosaurs crashes back to life for gasps, giggles and occasional jump-scares.

From a shadowy raptor on the loose to baby dinosaurs that you can feed (carefully!), Mike Newman’s show blends humour, thrills and hands-on learning into an interactive stage experience. Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

Coastal gig of the week: CMAT, Scarborough Open Air Theatre, today, gates 6pm

CMAT (Image: Provided)

CMAT, alias Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, burst on to the music scene six years ago with her debut single Another Day (KFC). The Dublin-born, County Meath-raised singer and songwriter has since released three bitingly humorous, emotionally honest albums, 2022’s If My Wife New (CORRECT) I’d Be Dead, 2023’s Crazymad, For Me and 2025’s  Mercury Prize-nominated Euro-Country, her exploration of identity, grief and beauty standards, exemplified by Take A Sexy Picture Of Me. Box office: scarboroughopenairtheatre.co.uk.

Musical of the week: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grand Opera House, York, July 20 to 25, Monday to Thursday, 8pm; Friday & Saturday, 5pm and 8.30pm

Stephen Webb as Dr Frank N Furter in Rocky Horror (Image: Provided)

STEPHEN Webb leads the cast as Dr Frank N Furter on The Rocky Horror Show’s latest return to the Grand Opera House, joined by comedian Jackie Clune as the Narrator. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, Richard O’Brien’s outré musical tells the story of squeaky-clean American college sweethearts Brad and his fiancée Janet’s very frank encounters at the freaky doctor’s Transylvanian castle after their car breaks down.

Cue an adventure full of fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits as O’Brien combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation. Those audiences are sure to dress up in the most outrageous fancy dress. Box office: atgtickets.com/york.

Techno for children: Lenny Pearce, Toddler Rave World Tour Part 2, York Barbican, July22, 3.30pm

Lenny Pearce (Image: Provided)

LENNY Pearce is a force in family entertainment, captivating a global audience as the pioneer of Toddler Techno. Driven from his passion as a father, and his strong commitment to his home life, Lenny makes songs and videos and performs live shows where he spins children’s favourites, remixed into modern hits that keep young ones and parents alike dazzled. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.

Fringe shows of the week: Halfway To Edinburgh at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, presents Joe Sellman-Leava in Copycat (Work In Progress), July 23, 7.30pm; Andrew O’Neill: Escape, July 24, 8pm

Andrew O’Neill (Image: Provided)

DOES AI spell the end of humanity, or the dawn of a new utopia, ponders Fringe First winner Joe Sellman-Leava. He might be a technophobe, but he is determined to find out by using innovative design and a whirlwind of uncanny impressions to tell the story of a teacher, a student, and a copycat dictator to examine the links between art, fascism and rapid technological change. 

HOW do we get out of this mess, asks cult comedian Andrew O’Neill in his surreal, political show, Escape, about the ways in which we disagree with each other, while suggesting some ways we can find our way out. Box office: tickets.41monkgate.co.uk.

Farce of the week: Rowntree Players in Boeing Boeing, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, July 23 to 25, 7.30pm

Boeing Boeing air hostesses (Image: Provided)

MARC Camoletti’s high-flying 1960s’ French farce Boeing Boeing is cleared for take-off in Hannah Shaw’s English-language production for Rowntree Players. Meet self-styled Parisian lothario Bernard, who has Italian, German and American fiancées, each one a beautiful airline hostess with frequent “layovers.”

He keeps “one up, one down, and one pending” until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Paris, and to Bernard’s apartment, at the same time. Shaw’s cast features Max Palmer as Bernard, Lizzie Lawton as Robert, Rebecca Thomson as Berthe, Jorja Cartwright as Gretchen, Bethan Olliver as Gloria and Val Debenedetti as Gabriella. Box office: 01904 501935 or josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.

Outdoor concerts of the week: York Racecourse Music Showcase Weekend, Knavesmire, York, Craig David presents TS5, July 24, and Tom Grennan, July 25

Craig David (Image: Provided)

SOUTHAMPTON singer-songwriter and DJ Craig David presents his TS5 DJ set on Music Showcase Friday’s double bill of racing and old-skool anthems, from R&B to Swing Beat, Garage to Bashment, plus current House hits, when he combines his song and MC skills.

Bedford singer-songwriter Tom Grennan is Saturday’s post-racing performer, drawing on such hits as Little Bit Of Love, Let’s Go Home Together, Remind Me, Here and How Does It Feel, plus songs from his number one albums Evering Road, What Ifs & Maybes and Everywhere I Went Led Me To Where I Didn’t Want To Be and top-five debut Lighting Matches. 

Tickets: yorkracecourse.co.uk; no booking fees; free parking on race day.

Jason Cancino won his first pageant in 2024 and will go on to represent Ireland in the USA next year

A Filipino man living in East Belfast hopes to empower and inspire others after being crowned Mr Diamond Ireland 2026. Jason Cancino won the title in March, and will go on to represent Ireland at the international finals in the USA next year.

The 33-year-old moved to Northern Ireland from the Philippines when he was eight-years-old. As a gay immigrant with a learning disability, he has praised pageantry for giving him a space to be himself, while building up his confidence.

Working as a chef in Belfast and a freelance model, Jason won his first pageant in 2024 and became Mr Shining Light. Here, he used his platform to raise funds and awareness for local mental health charities, and he has been open about his own struggles.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Jason opened up on his journey so far, including why he felt inspried to get involved in modelling and pageantry, and how it has helped build his confidence.

He said: “I began modelling in 2020 and started taking part in pageants in 2023. I just felt there was always something in me that wanted to get into modelling. I’ve always just liked to pose and be in front of the camera, so I thought why not challenge myself to do something different and take on pageants too.

“I’ve worked my way up to being a fashion model, and going into different genres of modelling. I also wanted to increase my confidence through pageantry as well.

“I was inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race and seeing the queens from different backgrounds just being themselves. It’s nice to see people from different cultures and hearing different stories through the pageants.”

Jason said becoming Mr Shining Light in 2024 was a huge moment for him, especially as he won the competition while wearing an evening gown.

After the competition, he took a year’s break and went off social media for a while to focus on his mental health, as he began to struggle with anxiety.

“I became Mr Shining Light in my evening gown. I wanted to be myself and show people you don’t have to stick to one box, you can be yourself and wear whatever you want. Be your unique self, and shine the way you want to shine,” he said.

“I’m part of the LGBT community and there is so much discrimination and hate we face. Especially when I was young, and I wanted to show young LGBT people you can go out there and be yourself. Get on that stage and just be confident of who you are and forget what others have to say about you.”

After the Shining Light competition ended, Jason said he wanted to fulfil a dream of representing his country internationally, a feat he will achieve next year at the international finals of the Diamond Ireland competition.

He explained: “It means so much for me to be representing my country as growing up wasn’t easy for me, I wasn’t accepted for who I was. It would mean so much to represent my country just being myself.”

His involvement in pageants has meant Jason has been able to fundraise for charities close to his heart. This year, he is raising funds to support The Rainbow Project.

“When I won the title I was able to choose my own charities to support. I’ve picked The Rainbow Project to be able to help my community, as we face so many struggles in life, especially right now with that’s happening in the world,” Jason said.

As for what he loves about being involved in pageantry, and any advice he would offer to those in the LGBT community who may be struggling, Jason said: “It’s really inspiring to hear stories from people with different backgrounds, what’s happened in the past for them and where they are now.

“The pageants are great for seeing how confident some people are, and how they empower people and raise awareness for others.

“For all the young gay men I would say get out there and be yourself, believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Ask for help if you’re going through mental health problems, it’s okay to feel that way and feel vulnerable.”

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Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been arrested in the US following a police investigation into a number of alleged sexual offences, as the CPS seeks their extradition to the UK

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Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been arrested in the United States following a police investigation into multiple sexual offences.

Andrew Tate, 39, and Tristan Tate, 38, were detained yesterday (Saturday, July 18) in Miami.

The social media personalities are being held while legal proceedings continue, as 38 fresh charges have been brought against the pair, connected to claims from four further complainants.

Influencer Andrew Tate, 39, faces seven additional counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and 19 further charges for offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.

Tristan Tate, 38, faces one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The CPS stated that the alleged offences are thought to have taken place between July 2010 and August 2017.

Charges were previously authorised by the CPS after a file of evidence was provided by Bedfordshire Police officers concerning allegations dating back to 2012.

Following further inquiries by the Major Crime Unit of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the overall number of charges against the siblings has reached 59.

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Bedfordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Karena Thomas said: “Officers from our major crime unit have been working closely alongside the Crown Prosecution Service and both national and international law enforcement agencies as part of this complex investigation.

“We understand the interest that this case will generate, but we would urge the public not to speculate and to allow the legal process to be carried out correctly.

“There is no place for male violence against women and girls, and we will continue to work tirelessly to support victims and investigate all reports made to us.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it has sought the extradition of Andrew and Tristan Tate from the US.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS’s Special Crime Division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offences including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and offences relating to indecent images of a child.

“These charging decisions followed receipt of a further file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police and bring the total number of alleged victims in this case to seven.”

He went on to say: “The CPS has requested the extradition of the Tates from the US. They have been arrested and await extradition proceedings to the UK.”

The influencers have been arrested in the United States following an investigation by police into a number of sexual offences, with 38 new charges against them

Andrew Tate and his brother have been arrested in the United States following an investigation by police into a number of sexual offences.

The influencers who have millions of followers on social media were were arrested yesterday (Saturday, July 18) in Miami.

Andrew Tate, 39, and Tristan Tate, 38, have been detained pending ongoing legal proceedings as 38 new charges have been authorised against the pair.

Charges were previously authorised by CPS following a file of evidence submitted by officers from Bedfordshire Police into allegations dating back to 2012.

Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit have been continuing to investigate a number of other offences reported to both Bedfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary.

The total number of charges against the brothers now totals 59.

Of these, 42 charges have been authorised against Andrew Tate, and 17 against Tristan Tate. Assistant Chief Constable Karena Thomas said: “Officers from our major crime unit have been working closely alongside the Crown Prosecution Service and both national and international law enforcement agencies as part of this complex investigation.

“We understand the interest that this case will generate, but we would urge the public not to speculate and to allow the legal process to be carried out correctly. “There is no place for male violence against women and girls, and we will continue to work tirelessly to support victims and investigate all reports made to us.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had requested the extradition of Andrew and Tristan Tate from the US.

Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS’s Special Crime Division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offences including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and offences relating to indecent images of a child.

“These charging decisions followed receipt of a further file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police and bring the total number of alleged victims in this case to seven.”

The CPS said the offending is alleged to have taken place between July 2010 and August 2017.

He added: “The CPS has requested the extradition of the Tates from the US. They have been arrested and await extradition proceedings to the UK.”

The brothers are facing legal proceedings in Romania, where they currently live, and were facing extradition to the UK upon their completion after Bedfordshire Police secured European arrest warrants for the pair in 2024.

The pair have previously “unequivocally” denied wrongdoing, with Andrew Tate describing himself and his brother as “very innocent men”.

In June, their bid to bring a legal challenge against the CPS after it did not disclose the names of their alleged victims in UK criminal proceedings was thrown out by a High Court judge.