More than 100 residents in ‘England’s prettiest village’ have blocked the building of a new café and shops after they complained that the area has become overrun by tourists.

The quaint and picturesque Cotswolds village of Bibury, famed for its 14th-century honey-coloured stone cottages, has rejected a new development because of fears it may attract yet more visitors.

It was originally made famous by textile designer and writer William Morris, who described it as ‘the most beautiful village in England’ in the 19th century.

But now furious locals have warned that the influx of tourists pouring into the small area throughout the year is becoming unsustainable.

Coaches and cars bringing tourists to the village are clogging up the narrow country lanes that run through Bibury, which locals said is causing dangerous traffic gridlock. 

Pedestrians have been forced to ‘run the gauntlet’ across the highway where the planned development would be built.

Now local councillors have rejected plans to turn a storage area on the ground floor of existing barns into a cafe and shopping area – fearing the wrath of residents.  

Representatives of the applicants, Bibury Trout Farm, argued the scheme would ‘bring the buildings fully back into use’.

Coaches and cars bringing tourists to the village are clogging up the narrow country lanes that run through Bibury, which locals said is causing dangerous traffic gridlock 

Pictured: Trout Farm in Bibury, where a new development has been rejected by councillors

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But more than 100 objections were lodged to Cotswold District Council, arguing the additional impact on the village would be too much.

Bibury Parish Council objected to the plans, arguing that the village ‘cannot sustainably manage and maintain its character’.

In its objection, the parish council wrote: ‘The council agrees that overtourism by the Trout farm, resulting high volumes of visitors, is having a negative impact on the local environment, community, and the overall visitor experience.

‘This application we understand will be open to non-trout farm visitors therefore we believe will lead to another increase in visitor numbers.

‘The Trout Farm already has a large café in its grounds as well as existing extended café facility selling ice cream opposite the main site.

‘The village has another four catering businesses for the public all serving food and drink.

‘The area’s popularity with visitors is not sufficient justification for the location of new tourist attractions.

‘Any large-scale visitor development will generally be considered to be unacceptable if it would harm the landscape or features of historic interest, or have a harmful impact on the transport network.’   

The council said the lane was ‘constantly grid locked’ and verges ‘eroded by tourist vehicles’ using the Trout farm main car park which is ‘often full to overflowing in the summer’.

It added: ‘Therefore a new café as a standalone destination with traffic arriving will only exacerbate car parking and access to the Trout farm overflow car parks which have been overused this summer, not only creating enormous frustration to residents from Ablington and Bibury alike, but causing great danger to both pedestrians and drivers.’

Bibury was originally made famous by textile designer and writer William Morris, who described it as ‘the most beautiful village in England

Gloucestershire County Council has now stepped up its enforcement of fines in response to the complaints about tourism

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A total of 102 third-party objections were also raised with concerns ranging from congestion and pedestrian safety, harm to the village’s historic character and increased noise and disturbance of additional visitors.

Planners said the ‘scale and form’ of the development was considered appropriate but recommended refusal due to highways concerns.

They said: ‘The significant tourism pressures affecting Bibury are acknowledged, with traffic, parking and pedestrian safety issues representing established concerns within the village.

‘The Highway Authority considers that insufficient information has been provided to assess pedestrian accessibility and safety, including pedestrian movements along Ablington Lane, pedestrian and vehicle interaction, accessibility for mobility-impaired users, and conditions experienced during peak visitor periods.

‘The application has therefore not demonstrated that safe and suitable access can be achieved for all users.’

Councillors voted unanimously to reject the proposal at a meeting on August 11.

During the meeting Conservative councillor David Fowles said Ablington Lane was ‘frequently gridlocked’ with no safe pedestrian access.

He added: ‘Pedestrians have to run the gauntlet across the highway. It is a very dangerous situation.’

The quaint and picturesque Cotswolds village of Bibury is known for its 14th-century honey-coloured stone cottages which once featured on British passports

Locals in Bibury have also been embroiled in a long and much-publicised planning battle with the owner of Rosemary Cottage Metin Dener over the scale of building works.

The renovations have been dubbed a ‘flagrant disregard for the history and beauty of the area’ and described as turning a ‘tiny’ Grade II  historic cottage into a ‘monstrosity’.

Years of construction work at the cottage on Awkward Hill is continuing to blight their lives, villagers have claimed.

In the latest application, the applicants hit back at claims it had ‘overdeveloped the site’.

It added: ‘Due to the narrow access road and high level of tourists in the village the works on this site have had to progress at a slow pace as vehicle access has been relatively limited compared to most building sites and works on a steeply sloping site are complex.

‘The contractors on this site have tried to inform residents of deliveries and material removals where possible, however communication has not always been possible to be maintained.’

The village has also seen a 2,000 per cent rise in parking fines, with figures showing parking wardens dished out 651 notices in the village last year – up from 28 in 2019.

Fines have been set at £70, reduced to £35 if paid within a fortnight, meaning tickets issued in 2025 could have generated up to £45,570 – equivalent to around £900 a week.

This compares to the 28 fines given in 2019 generating £1,900.

Forbes previously named Bibury as the most beautiful village in the world out of a total list of 50

Community representative Craig Chapman said many visitors showed ‘very little regard for villagers’ – parking wherever they can, even if this meant blocking pavements or stopping on double yellow lines.

Gloucestershire County Council has now stepped up its enforcement of fines in response to the complaints about overtourism in the Cirencester village.

Mr Chapman argued tougher action was needed to keep routes open for ambulances and fire engines and to make sure pedestrians could walk safely through the centre of the village.

However, the cost of sending wardens out frequently is estimated at around £4,000 a month, meaning income from fines alone does not cover the full bill for enforcement.

The county council is now planning to bring in pay-and-display parking for 24 on-street spaces along The Street, with proposed charges of £6 or £7 for two hours during the busy March to October period.

The tariffs have been benchmarked against other high-visitor locations, and officials say they could bring in up to £218,880 a year, delivering a projected surplus of up to £360,680 over four years once enforcement costs are taken into account.

Separately, a pedestrianised area in the middle of Bibury – previously used for coach parking – is to be made permanent, with temporary barriers replaced by structures designed to fit better with the historic setting.

A focus group is also examining options for out-of-village parking to ease pressure on residents’ driveways and the village’s tight road network, amid a wider £175,000 investment package aimed at managing visitor numbers and congestion.

The council said the figures in the latest report are ‘absolute maximums’ – and fines are reduced if paid quicker or appealed.

After weeks of no water in a record-breaking summer for hot weather and droughts, rain could finally be set to return to bone-dry Britain.

Areas of northern England and Scotland have finally witnessed downpours early this morning, while southern areas are likely to remain warm and dry today.

But by the end of the week, nearly every corner of the country is likely to see some precipitation finally hit the ground.

It will come as a welcome relief to areas which are now close to two months without any meaningful rainfall – with Wisley in Surrey having had 60 consecutive dry days.

Last week around 71 per cent of England was declared to be under drought conditions, affecting almost 45 million people.

Will Lang, the Met Office‘s chief meteorologist, said that while rain is on its way, there remains a question mark over how much would fall.

The rainfall is unlikely to be significant enough to bring any areas of the country out of drought conditions.

It comes as wildfires continue to ravage the country, destroying properties and forcing residents to flee their homes.

An aerial view of parched grass as people take part in a Parkrun at Perry Hall Park in Birmingham

A funfair is seen before opening to the public on the parched and dry Commonside West in Mitcham

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It was confirmed this week that the UK is on course for its hottest summer ever – with only average conditions needed for the rest of August to beat a record set only last year.

The mean temperature for the summer so far, from June 1 to yesterday, stands at 16.48C – which is 1.88C above the 1991 to 2020 average, provisional data shows.

Outbreaks of rain will continue across northern areas and Scotland tonight, with mostly dry spells in the south.

On Monday, outbreaks of rain in northern England turn heavier and more persistent, while in the south sunshine will continue, making it feel warm and humid, Met Office forecasters said.

The downpours will eventually reach southern areas between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

On Wednesday, dry conditions return to the south, with a mix of sunshine and showers elsewhere. And on Thursday, rain becomes more spread out across the country once again. 

Throughout the summer, Britain has experienced consistently above-average temperatures for the time of year. Later this week, temperatures will fall below the yearly average.

On Friday evening, millions of people in England and Wales received an alert on their mobile devices warning them of a ‘very high risk of wildfires nationally’.

It came after Prime Minister Andy Burnham described Britain as a ‘tinderbox’ and a temporary ban on disposable barbecues was put in place.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said it has been ‘inundated’ with 999 calls since the emergency alert and urged people to help ‘keep our lines available for those who need urgent assistance’.

Rain has been missing for months across the south, leaving many areas dry and in drought conditions

Rain is finally set to return to large parts of the UK on Tuesday, with heavy showers expected in northern England

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On Wednesday night and Thursday morning showers will also be present in areas across the UK

West Midlands Fire Service declared a major incident on Thursday as a wildfire spread across more than 500 acres and destroyed 19 homes in the market town.

This message was echoed by South Wales Fire and Rescue service who said on Saturday evening it had already received 736 calls compared to an average of about 300, and urged people only to call 999 if there was a new emergency to report.

The region has been affected by wildfires, leading to the deployment of about 200 military personnel – from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, supported by the 22 Engineer Regiment – to provide support.

According to the Ministry of Defence, its main task was to provide logistical support, such as water distribution, and help free firefighters and specialist responders to focus on frontline firefighting.

Deputy chief fire officer Adam Openshaw said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of everyone involved in the response to the major incident, and thanked fire crews from across the UK who had come to assist them.

He added: ‘We know this is a challenging and worrying time for many people. I would like to thank our communities for their continued support throughout this time.

‘Please be assured that we remain committed to protecting our communities and keeping the people of South Wales safe.’

It was one of several blazes to ravage through the UK this week as temperatures soared and the hottest day of the year was recorded.

Locals affected by the Stourbridge fire have been invited to attend an address in the area and meet with emergency service officers who will outline ‘if further assessment needs to be made to let you into your property… or if you cannot currently return to your property’.

The fire service provided instructions to those who have been evacuated and said that alongside other agencies, it has worked ‘around the clock to bring the incident under control’.

It comes as Staffordshire Police said a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of arson over a fire in Stoke-on Trent yesterday.

And a 29-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson in Wales after a wildfire tore through homes in the old mining village of Newbridge, Caerphilly, on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile the Government has issued a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues as they pose a ‘significant risk to the public’ due to the ongoing heatwave, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called in the military.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service was fighting a wildfire in the Rhandirmwyn area, near Llandovery, which it described as a ‘challenging and dynamic’ major incident.

The service said: ‘A helicopter is actively supporting firefighting operations by carrying out water drops on affected areas, helping crews suppress fire activity in challenging terrain and respond to areas of ongoing concern.’ 

However many are enjoying the hot weather, using it as a chance to relax, such as on the  Serpentine in Hyde Park, London

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An aerial view of Tittesworth Reservoir in the Staffordshire Moorlands showing low water levels

The Prince of Wales shared a statement on Saturday thanking emergency services which have been ‘working tirelessly’ to battle wildfires across the country.

Prince William said: ‘To the firefighters, emergency responders and volunteers battling wildfires across the UK, thank you.

‘Our thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have lost their homes, and with those working tirelessly to protect communities, homes and the countryside.’

A Network Rail boss said that extra funding could be needed to help the railway cope with the impact of climate change.

It comes after a Greater Anglia train derailed on Friday south of Wickford railway station in Essex, while an incident at Lewes on Thursday seriously injured two passengers.

Martin Frobisher, group safety and engineering director at Network Rail, told BBC Radio 4’s Today that investigations into the incidents in Essex and East Sussex will be ‘looking at climate and all sorts of other issues’.

There are four fire engines remaining in Stourbridge, with crews patrolling the area and identifying hotspots to prevent reignition.

A fundraiser created by Dudley Council to help residents “rebuild their lives” has surpassed £31,000.

Another by the Heart of England Community Foundation to help families impacted by fires across the West Midlands has hit £50,000.

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles urged anyone who needed additional support to reach out for help.

“I’m on hand to support however I can, the Town Hall remains open for food, clothes, pet supplies, phone chargers, general inquiries,” she said.

“Counselling is available and being offered by several local professionals free of charge for adults and children.”

The Stourbridge and District branch of the RSPCA has also shared posters, external about several cats who have gone missing from the area since the fire.

In Stoke-on-Trent, four homes were completely destroyed by a fire that started in a park in Sandyford and 13 other homes suffered structural, roof and window damage.

Marie Leese told how her treasured garden went up in flames after fire ripped through properties in Maureen Avenue.

When she was allowed to return home, she discovered she had also lost the summer house her husband built before he died three years ago.

Police have arrested a man and woman on suspicion of arson in connection with the Stoke-on-Trent fire.

Investigators are still working on what caused the blaze in Stourbridge.

Fires also caused extensive damage in Warstock and Kings Norton, Birmingham on Thursday.

A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in regards to the blaze in Kings Norton.

This review is based on the first seven episodes of Lanterns.

The DCU has got off to a mixed start. While Superman soared, Supergirl was more the woman of yesterday than tomorrow.

Yet I’ve enjoyed the small screen offerings from this nascent shared universe.

Creature Commandos impressed me with its weird confidence, while Peacemaker season 2 didn’t exactly dazzle but definitely entertained.

So with that in mind, I was quite excited for the new show Lanterns, which I was assured was like an odd mix of True Detective and a space adventure like Doctor Who. 

So does Lanterns burn bright or is it another dim bulb?

Well, I’m pleased to say that in the blackest night of the streaming era, this is one show I’m happy to give a ring-ing endorsement (especially episodes three, five, and seven).

But I’m getting ahead of myself; what’s this sci-fi thriller about? The show follows two Green Lanterns – think of them as space cops armed with a powerful ring that gives them incredible powers.

Our heroes are partners Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), a cocksure veteran who doesn’t play by the rules, and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), whose laces are so straight you could use them as a ruler. 

While training one day, Hal gets a report of a mass shooting in Rushville, Nebraska and flies off to investigate, convinced this is no run-of-the-mill spree killing. 

And upon arriving, both Hal and John quickly uncover an extraterrestrial conspiracy that’s far darker than anything they could have imagined. 

So, I’ve already given away that I liked Lanterns, but what exactly was it about the show that charmed me?

Well, if I might pretend to be an academic for a paragraph or two, I enjoyed how the show played with contrast and juxtaposition.

You know, you have the maverick Hal and by-the-book John, the differences between the otherworldly alien planets we get glimpses of and the empty plains of Nebraska, the grand plot of alien invaders and the more relatable forces plaguing Rushville.

It’s fun, and it really plays into one of the show’s central ideas about difference and how, while ultimately we’re not all the same, we all want similar things, be that safety, a family, respect, or even power. 

I thought it was surprisingly sophisticated for a show about men with magic rings. I also think it has some really interesting things to say about fear and how courage can be a privilege.

Now, I can’t say too much about it; otherwise the Guardians of the Spoilers will come and take me to space jail, but the series does have some compelling thoughts about race and why an African American man might have a very different idea of what it means to ‘be without fear’ than a white guy. 

I’m probably not the best qualified to muse on this for too long, but it definitely recontextualised some of my preconceived notions about the Lanterns, which I quite liked. 

Pseudo-intellectual ramblings aside, the real question for any thriller like this is: is the central mystery a good one, and does it live up to those comparisons to True Detective? 

Well, yes, and no. 

I definitely think the mystery works; it’s intriguing, and by the last few episodes I was relieved I could binge them without having to wait a week for answers. But does it live up to True Detective? No.

That’s not me being mean; True Detective is a masterpiece, and Lanterns is very, very good; it’s just that they’re doing different things. 

You can definitely see True Detective DNA in the show, and it’s not just superficial.

There’s a clear ambition under the surface to make Lanterns something exceptional, but the show is a bit too interested in space lasers, ring slingin’, and making cute nods to the wider Green Lantern mythos (space squirrels included) for it to be considered a ‘grown-up show’ like True Detective.

But you know what? Sometimes I don’t want a grown-up show. Sometimes I want an action-packed, funny show about two space cops solving a space crime, and that’s what I got. 

In fact, there’s a definite argument to be made that Lanterns works so well because it understands that it doesn’t have to stop being a superhero show in order to be sophisticated.

Of course, Lantern’s greatest superpower is its cast. 

I think everyone is brilliant, from Garret Dillahunt, who plays the chief antagonist, to Kelly Macdonald, whose American accent is so convincing I didn’t even realise it was her until episode 2. 

Still, this show belongs to Chandler and Pierre. Now the hack journalist in me wants to wax lyrical about their sizzling chemistry and how the pair come together like Mentos and Diet Coke to create something spectacular, but honestly I can’t do that.

The pair are both so good it would be churlish of me not to talk about them both separately. 

Chandler is sensational as the slightly weary and sardonic Hal; he gives it just the right amount of irreverent charm while still allowing the audience to see that beneath that green bodysuit, Hal is a very broken man. It’s such an impressive performance; I was stunned.

Pierre, meanwhile, is just the man. Ever since I saw him punch his way through Shelby Springs in the woefully underrated Rebel Ridge, I knew he was a star, and this role just proves it. 

It’s not easy to make a character like John, who’s taciturn and stern, likeable, but Pierre gives him such a relatable humanity that it’s impossible not to fall in love with him. 

And of course, when they come together, it is like the aforementioned Mentos being dropped in Diet Coke.

Ultimately, then Lanterns is a near-perfect superhero show that should be mentioned in the same breath as the greats like The Penguin, Loki, and WandaVision. It’s funny, exciting, and there’s just enough emotional depth to it for ‘grown-ups’ to get their teeth into. 

So let those who worship evil TV’s blight beware their power… Lantern’s much better than just alright! 

Lanterns airs on HBO and HBO Max Sunday, August 16 in the US and on HBO Max in the UK on August 17.

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The retailer, alongside menstrual equity charity Freedom4Girls, has written to the chief executives of major UK grocery chains, encouraging them to make pads and tampons available to shoppers in-store, where facilities allow.

The call follows an Aldi-commissioned survey of 2,000 UK shoppers, which found that 67% believe supermarkets should provide free period products in customer toilets.

Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: “Access to period products should be a basic right, not a privilege.

Aldi has partnered with menstrual equity charity Freedom4Girls on the call to other supermarkets (Image: Aldi)

“That is why we made free period products available in our store toilets for customers and colleagues, with no questions asked.

“The latest research shows shoppers support supermarkets making period products more accessible.

“Together with Freedom4Girls, we’ve written to the chief executives of other major UK supermarkets, encouraging them to consider introducing free period products where facilities allow.”

The survey also revealed that 75% of respondents view period products as an everyday bathroom essential, equivalent to toilet paper and soap, while 67% said they would view a supermarket more positively if it offered the service.

‘Period poverty remains a huge issue in the UK’

Aldi says it became the first UK supermarket to introduce free period products in all customer and colleague toilets in March 2025.

Since then, it has provided one million free period products through its store toilets, with customers and colleagues able to take what they need without using a code word or signing up to a loyalty scheme.

Tina Leslie MBE, founder of Freedom4Girls, said: “Period poverty remains a huge issue in the UK, and we’re encouraged to see Aldi continuing to use its platform to push for wider change.

“Providing free period products in supermarket toilets is a practical way to help people access what they need discreetly and with dignity.

“We would welcome more retailers taking similar action to help tackle stigma, affordability and access.”

The research suggests the move could address several barriers.

In total, 69% said it would help people who start their period unexpectedly while out, while 58% said it would support those who cannot afford products when they need them.

Recommended reading:

• Watchdog warns of new rules for Lidl and Aldi in line with other UK supermarkets
• Autumn is coming early as Aldi launches £6.99 dupe of Anthropologie £20 candles
• Aldi to look at ‘damaging’ packaging of children’s product after customer complaint

Nearly half (48%) believe it would reduce embarrassment around asking for or buying period products.

Separately, Aldi has donated one million period products to people experiencing period poverty through its charity partnerships, including with Freedom4Girls.

Customers can also donate items via Aldi’s in-store donation points, with products distributed to food banks and charitable organisations by Aldi’s partner, Neighbourly.

Do you agree with Aldi’s suggestion to other supermarkets? Let us know in the comments.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian artist Bou Meng, one of only seven people known to have survived a notorious Khmer Rouge torture center in the Southeast Asian country in the late 1970s, has died. He was 85.

His ability to paint portraits of the then-leader Pol Pot was why he was kept alive.

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, a U.N.-backed tribunal that sought to try Khmer Rouge leaders for genocide and other crimes against humanity, said he died late Friday due to age-related illness.

“The passing of Mr. Bou Meng represents the loss of an important historical witness to the grave crimes committed during the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, particularly to the history and tragedy that took place at the former S-21 Security Centre,” referring to the prison, also known as Tuol Sleng, where he had been held for almost two years starting in 1977.

The Khmer Rouge group that ruled Cambodia from 1975–79 was accused of genocide for causing the deaths of so many of their countrymen from executions, starvation, and lack of medical care due to its radical policies. An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians died from forced labor, starvation, medical neglect, and executions.

An estimated 16,000 women and children were kept at S-21 over the course of nearly four years before being killed. Now it serves as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, named after the high school it had been before the Khmer Rouge takeover.

Bou Meng, along with two other survivors, artist Vann Nath and mechanic Chum Mey, testified in 2009 at the trial of Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who had been the S-21 commandant.

Duch was found guilty of crimes against humanity, torture, and murder in 2010 and ultimately received a sentence of life imprisonment. He died in prison in 2020 at the age of 77.

In 2010, Bou Meng testified that painting larger-than-life images of Pol Pot and portraits of other communist icons helped save his life.

It took three months to complete his first outsized work. Kaing Guek Eav then ordered him to make three more Pol Pot paintings and portraits of other communist leaders. These included Mao Zedong of China and North Korea’s Kim Il Sung, as well as one mocking Ho Chi Minh, the father of Vietnam’s communist revolution.

“I was ordered to paint a picture of Ho Chi Minh’s head on the body of a dog,” Bou Meng told the U.N.-backed tribunal. Cambodia’s archenemy was neighboring Vietnam, which eventually invaded to oust the Khmer Rouge in 1979.

Here is the lesson I draw from the 9,455 votes cast for Count Binface at Clacton on Thursday. The country is still in flux. So if I were Andrew Burnham, I would call a General Election in October. In doing so, I would expect to lose quite a large chunk of Labour’s current majority. But so what if he wins enough to stay in office?

Big majorities only encourage backbench revolts and make it harder to stay in control. He will be able to campaign – and, if he wins, govern – on a manifesto different from Sir Keir Starmer’s weird, vague document.

Instead of being first among equals on Labour’s front bench, he will be the unchallenged boss. He saw what happened to Gordon Brown when he hesitated too long to do the same thing. I suspect he learned from it.

It certainly looks as if Burnham can rely on the divided ‘Right’ to continue to make fools of themselves. Nigel Farage, for instance, is firmly set on being the nation’s most active and plaintive victim. It is almost as if he has had a character transplant.

The latest example of this was his refusal to turn up at the Clacton result. Was he scared of being upstaged by Binface? Oh, honestly.

Not that long ago, Mr Farage was not much more respectable than Binface is now. How long will it be before he starts complaining about his ‘mental health’?

The latest example of this was his refusal to turn up at the Clacton result. Was he scared of being upstaged by Binface? Oh, honestly

As for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, what possessed her to offer a ‘second chance’ to a former Nazi who had racially harassed a prominent Jewish Labour politician?

The man is even called Bonehead-Pain, or something of the sort. If she was so determined to do this thing, her aides should have locked her in an outhouse, with a flask of water and some sausage rolls, to stop her. But do you really need an adviser to tell you to stay away from a man who has done time for Nazi harassment?

If she can give a second chance to this character, how long before she gives a ‘second chance’ to unrecognised economic genius Liz Truss, perhaps as Shadow Chancellor? It’s a question of judgment, you see. People will remember it.

I’m reasonably sure Mr Boneyard has seen the error of his ways (even more so than before, probably).

People just don’t like Nazis, however ex they may be.

There are plenty of jobs in modern Britain well suited to reformed Nazis, and many of them would allow him to wear a uniform and perhaps even a peaked cap. But politics isn’t one of them.

Secrecy in Letby trial casts a shadow over our justice 

We may at last be entering the final months of the Lucy Letby quarrel. It is nearly three years since I asked here if she might in fact be not guilty. At the time this meant I met quite a lot of rage and scorn. I don’t find that so much now. But our court system hates to admit it might be wrong. I suspect that is precisely because it is so often wrong these days.

The Letby trial was a mess, partly because so much of it was secret. No fewer than nine Crown witnesses were allowed to hide their names from you and me, pretty much forever. The names of the babies allegedly killed or harmed by Ms Letby were also made secret.

If this had been the trial of a traitor for handing nuclear secrets to the Kremlin, then there might have been a case for such rules. Members of the security services, for instance, are made useless if we all know who they are.

But I can see no such case here. In the USA, it would be illegal to grant any such thing. The Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution grants a defendant the right ‘to be confronted with the witnesses against him’. How can that work, if the public does not know who these witnesses are? The witness walks out of court and back into his life, and only he knows he has testified, though his words may have been reported to millions that night on TV.

What if a witness has secrets from the court, which might weaken his evidence, but which are known to others? How will those others realise this, and be able to contact the court, if they do not know who the witness is?

The radical barrister, Geoffrey Robertson KC, denounced the legislation allowing this as a ‘perjurers’ charter’. Yet it is now law. So is Michael Howard’s abolition of the right to silence. So is the ancient rule about being tried twice for the same offence (these changes, too, would be impossible in the USA),

Foolishly trusting our own rulers, we have again and again granted the state more power over us. Often this has been done on the thin pretext of ‘terrorism’, which we have all been persuaded to think is a constant deadly threat.

Every time this happens, the chorus of the complacent have chanted merrily: ‘If you’ve nothing to hide, you’ve nothing to fear.’ But it isn’t true, as dozens of innocent people, now locked away for years, in squalor and fear, know all too well.

Only a tiny number of these injustices will ever be put right. The rest will continue to shame us for years to come.

These thoughts are prompted by news that one of the witnesses against Ms Letby, known only as ‘Dr A’ , has died. I know nothing of him. I offer my condolences to his family. But I suspect his evidence against her, largely speculation, did her considerable damage – because they had once been on friendly terms.

Would he have given such evidence if he had been compelled to do so under his own name? I do not know, and nor do you. And that is the problem.

By KATHERINE LAWTON, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 12:15 BST, 16 August 2026 | Updated: 14:39 BST, 16 August 2026

Shoppers and homeowners have been evacuated after a huge fire broke out on an industrial estate. 

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of this morning. 

Residents and shoppers have been ordered to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed, amid fears of toxic fumes. 

Footage taken from a Tesco superstore car park shows a huge plume of black smoke rising into the sky. 

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Around 45 properties on nearby streets have been evacuated as a precaution while emergency services investigate. 

A specialist environmental unit has arrived, with reports of toxic materials in the area. 

It is expected that firefighters will remain at the scene for much of today as the response continues. 

A spokesperson for Tesco said: ‘Our Greenfield Superstore is temporarily closed due to a fire nearby. We apologise for the inconvenience.’ 

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Firefighters tackling a blaze at an industrial site in Greenfield, Saddleworth, today 

A huge plume of black smoke rises into the sky near a Tesco superstore today 

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Just after 7.45am on Sunday 16 August, fire crews were called to reports of a fire at an industrial building on Chew Valley Road, Greenfield.

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’10 fire engines and a number of specialist appliances from across Greater Manchester are now in attendance, with firefighters working hard to bring the fire under control.

‘Due to the amount of smoke, nearby residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

‘A cordon is in place and people should avoid the area if possible.’

The Daily Mail has contacted Greater Manchester Police for more information.  

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By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: 11:59 BST, 16 August 2026 | Updated: 14:33 BST, 16 August 2026

There was a hint that the edge could be coming off the ‘Andy Burnham bounce’ today.

Less than a month after the PM entered No10, a poll suggested his favourability rating has dipped by five points over the past week.

Although Mr Burnham remains in positive territory the findings could indicate that the row over prisoner early release are having an impact. He also came under fire for heading off on a family holiday a fortnight into his tenure.

The Opinium research detected a net approval score of plus 11 for the Labour leader, down from plus 16 the week before.

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However, that was still significantly better than the minus four rating for Kemi Badenoch. Nigel Farage was on minus 28 and Green boss Zack Polanski minus 24.

Labour maintained a narrow lead on voting intention, with 27 per cent support to Reform’s 25 per cent. The Tories were on 18 per cent.

Less than a month after Andy Burnham entered No10, a poll suggested his favourability rating has dipped by five points over the past week

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Andy Burnham has been credited with reviving his party’s fortunes after Keir Starmer’s departure

Mr Burnham has been credited with reviving his party’s fortunes after Keir Starmer’s departure, with Brits seemingly willing to give the former Greater Manchester Mayor a chance.

Opinium found the perception that Labour is united has increased by 37 points since June, while more people now view it as having a clear sense of purpose. 

However, Mr Burnham – who embarks on the latest leg of a national tour tomorrow – is facing an intimidating array of challenges in the coming months.

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The public finances are under massive pressure ahead of the Budget on October 28, with fears of yet more tax rises to come.

Chancellor John Healey is looking for ways to drum up more cash for defence as the Iran crisis takes its toll on the UK economy.   

Reform and the Tories have been demanding curbs to welfare, but Mr Burnham has been carefully avoiding committing to outright cuts.

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Has Burnham lost public trust by releasing prisoners early?

Labour maintained a narrow lead on voting intention, with 27 per cent support to Reform’s 25 per cent. The Tories were on 18 per cent

The scene is currently being preserved for examination by forensic collision investigators.

Four people have died and multiple others are injured after a horror crash on the M9 motorway in Ireland.

The collision took place on the M9 Northbound in rural Co Kildare at 3am on Sunday. It is understood the incident involved two cars on a northbound stretch of the road.

Sources told the Irish Mirror that all the deceased were in one car. It’s understood that car was travelling the wrong way on the northbound carriageway.

The female driver and front passenger – both aged in her 30s – of the second car have been rushed to Tallaght University Hospital, where their conditions have been described as critical. A female rear seat passenger, aged in her 20s, was taken to St. Luke’s General Hospital and is in a serious condition, while the third passenger, a child, has been rushed to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin in a serious condition.

The road has been sealed off and gardai have now begun an investigation. It’s also understood Fiosru, the independent policing watchdog, has begun a separate investigation as Gardai previously had been alerted to the car driving the wrong way.

The scene is currently being preserved for examination by forensic collision investigators.