Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez are husband and wife.

They married Tuesday in a civil ceremony described by the public relations team that represents the Portuguese soccer star as “a private and intimate moment attended by their five children.”

The ceremony took place in Cascais, a coastal town in western Portugal near the capital Lisbon, the Brunswick Group said in the announcement.

The couple posted a picture on their Instagram accounts showing their rings.

They have been together for the past decade after meeting in Madrid.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo, a five-time world player of the year and one of the most high-profile sports stars, is coming off playing in his record-tying sixth World Cup for Portugal.

His Saudi team, Al Nassr, starts its domestic season on Saturday.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Natasha Denman, 23, was one of two people in their 20s who died following the crash last week

Advertisement

The relatives of a young woman who died in a crash in Gorton last week have expressed their devastation over her ‘sudden’ death.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that Natasha Denman, 23, was amongst two individuals in their 20s who tragically lost their lives at the scene of a collision on Hyde Road in Gorton on Wednesday evening (August 5).

Emergency crews raced to the location after a car smashed into a stationary digger close to the junction with Clumber Road at approximately 9:30pm.

Four individuals were travelling in the vehicle, GMP revealed, with a young man and woman, aged 23 and 24, sadly dying at the scene. They have subsequently been identified as Jack Cartwright and Natasha Denman, reports the Manchester Evening News.

In a touching tribute today (August 11), Ms Denman’s relatives described her as ‘much loved’ and want her to be remembered as ‘naturally funny, loving and caring’.

Her family stated: “Tasha was a much-loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and cousin. We, as a family, will never recover from her sudden and unexpected passing at such a young age.

“Our hearts are forever broken. We would like her to be remembered as the naturally funny, loving and caring person she was.

“She can rest peacefully knowing she will always be cherished. We would politely ask people to accept our request for privacy at this time.”

Apollo Simms, 26, from Tealby Road, Manchester, faces charges including two counts of death by dangerous driving and failing to provide a sample for analysis in relation to the incident. He was due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (August 11).

A second man who was arrested has been granted bail, officers confirmed.

Detectives are urging any witnesses who may have observed the moments preceding this incident, or anyone possessing mobile phone, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage, to come forward and support the investigation.

Those with information can reach police on 0161 856 4741, referencing log number 3717 of 05/08/2026. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

The camera, which is located on the A64 Sherburn High Street, was put up in July 2025 as part of a three-month trial to see if it helps slow down motorists and reduces the number of serious and fatal collisions on the route.

However, it was knocked down – just over an hour after being activated.

The camera has now been reinstated with North Yorkshire Police hoping it will encourage safer driving, reduce collision risk and improve safety for all road users.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “As North Yorkshire Police is responsible for policing more than 6,000 miles of road, improving road safety and reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured remains a key priority.

“North Yorkshire is one of the few areas in the country without a fixed speed camera. Last year, a trial was launched on the A64 at a site identified through collision and speed-offence data.

“The aim was to encourage safer driving, reduce collision risk and improve safety for all road users. Unfortunately, the camera and the lamp post it was mounted on were unlawfully damaged, preventing the trial from continuing as planned.

“The camera has now been reinstated because reducing casualties and keeping people safe on our roads remains a priority. Fixed speed cameras are a proven road safety measure that help encourage safer driving behaviours and reduce the risk of serious and fatal collisions.”

Donald Trump told the press there were ‘no issues’ despite being secretly smuggled off the older Air Force One inside a catering truck in a covert operation to foil potential Iranian assassins, reports claim.

Returning from a NATO summit in Turkey, the President was bundled off the jet in Ankara and loaded onto a separate military plane bound for the UK, according to The Washington Post. The truck was seen in one video being lifted to the level of the jumbo aircraft for a few minutes.

Trump had originally flown to Turkey on the $400 million Qatari–donated 747–8. But as the summit ended, he publicly announced he was ditching the new jet to board an older Air Force One model for ‘old times’ sake’.

After being filmed boarding the jumbo in Ankara, the secret swap was executed, where he transferred to the military plane. 

Moments later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth casually strolled up the regular stairs to board the C–32A aircraft on his own – a move designed to make the decoy flight look routine to any watching eyes.

The intricate scheme hoodwinked those on board, leaving unsuspecting journalists and even some senior White House staffers in the dark as they flew on the ‘decoy’ Air Force One flight.

Yet after being snuck back onto the main jet, surrounded by unsuspecting press at 11.31pm, at a UK base, Trump completely dismissed any threat.

Asked if a security concern forced the move to the older AF1 model, the President delivered a simple two–word response: ‘No issues.’ 

Insisting ‘no, no’ there were ‘no issues’ whatsoever, Trump claimed the elaborate maneuvering was simply a PR gesture to give service members a better view of the presidential jet.

The President boarding the old Air Force One plane set to transport him to a US military base in the UK as cameras rolled at an airport in Ankara

Advertisement

Journalists who got on the old Air Force One plane believed the President was also on board

‘We sent this one in so that the Air Force Base here was in the same exact line, so you saw, did you see the picture? … There are hundreds of people out there,’ Trump explained, referencing a picture that White House staff had shown earlier in the day from his Truth Social showing service members with the plane.

‘So they came a little bit earlier. We switched planes.’

When asked why reporters on the jet were asked to lower their window shades, Trump said it was ‘because you’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleaze bags that we have to deal with’.

He followed up by saying he is ‘number one’ on Iran’s ‘list’.

‘But if I go, you go. Right? Perhaps someday you want to change professions,’ Trump told reporters.

The White House rushed to defend the controversial Qatari–donated jet after reports came about the plane’s lack of security, issuing a firm statement insisting the aircraft is fully ‘secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet requirements of the presidential mission.’

Trump conceded the luxury plane needs major defensive upgrades, confirming it has been temporarily grounded for about a month to be ‘maxed out’ with enhanced protection – though he refused to disclose the exact military specs.

The security nightmare erupted after The New York Times revealed the new Qatari jet was defenseless – lacking crucial antimissile countermeasures found on older models.

The reported subterfuge came as Trump was leaving the NATO summit in Turkey last month

 Sources told The New York Times that Trump covertly entered the food cart that had been fitted to the belly of the plane amid threats from Iranian officials

A catering truck was visibly parked on the opposite side of Air Force One after Trump boarded the plane in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8

Advertisement

Exclusive images obtained by the Daily Mail show a massive banner of a caricature of Trump dominating Tajrish Square in the Iranian capital of Tehran, which was installed late last week

In retaliation, FBI agents swooped on Times reporters’ homes, slapping them with federal grand jury subpoenas just 24 hours after the story broke.

Trump is said to have been so terrified of being targeted by Iranian hit squads during the election campaign that he routinely used a decoy aircraft to dodge potential assassination attempts while traveling between events.

In September, a second attempt on Trump’s life was foiled when a gunman was spotted in the brush while Trump was on his Florida golf course.

The security scare prompted his team to adopt a different deception: traveling on a decoy aircraft dubbed Ghost Flight.

The plane was provided by his envoy Steve Witkoff, who was on the links with Trump that day.

Meantime, Tehran has been vocal in its threats and last week a massive, custom-made banner featuring a caricature of Trump centered under a large, blood–red painted ‘bullseye’ scope was seen dominating Tajrish Square in the capital, according to photos exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail.

Below the image of the targeted President, in large crimson English capital letters, is the chilling phrase: ‘There will be blood.’

Iranian media has also threatened to go after First Lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump, with a recent AI–generated video highlighting the locations the First Lady likes to shop and how would–be assassins could target her.

Durham County Council will renovate Baths Bridge in Durham City by creating a new structure across the River Wear.

Built in 1898, the bridge connects Pelaw Leazes Lane and Elvet Waterside, and is used by pedestrians daily. 

But it has been beset by safety issues for several years, causing the council to erect barriers along the bridge several years ago after identifying a deck and abutment failure. 

Last year, the local authority received £7.5 million funding from the North East Strategic Authority to support the scheme. 

North East mayor Kim McGuinness said the funding will ensure Baths Bridge can remain open for generations. 

She added: “Without our support, one of Durham’s key footbridges might have to close without anything in its place. It’s a vital link across the Wear, a perfect spot for watching all of the action at the Durham Regatta and used by so many.” 

Now, the local authority has confirmed work at the site is due to start soon. 

Mark Readman, head of highways services, said: “We are currently planning to undertake ground investigation works for the Baths Bridge replacement project, including assessing the condition of the existing bridge’s supporting structures. 

“This will inform the final design of the new structure, and we anticipate being onsite and beginning works later this year.” 

Land at Elvet Green will be used for construction access throughout the restoration. However, volunteers have criticised the council’s request for a local community group to leave the area after transforming the neglected space into a community park. 

Hemp Garden Community Association (HGCA), which has cared for the former bowling green since 2017, said it had spent thousands of hours restoring the site, which had previously been associated with litter, drug use and anti-social behaviour. 

Last year, the local authority put the former toilet block and adjoining land at Elvet Green up for sale. HGCA volunteers said they hoped to attract investors to buy into its plan to open a community cafe at the site.  

But, for now, the site is required for the bridge rebuild. 

A council spokesperson added: “We have, therefore, asked the group to vacate the land to enable these essential works to proceed and to allow for the wider regeneration of the riverside area.”

A controversial memoir by Jason Arday was released to the US public today – with no mention of the scandal that has derailed his academic career.

Great and Unfortunate Things tells the extraordinary story of how Mr Arday rose to become the University of Cambridge‘s youngest ever black professor after overcoming an autism diagnosis at the age of three, being unable to speak until he was 11 and to read or write until he was 18.

But its release in the US by publishing giant Simon & Schuster comes just days after the 41-year-old resigned his post at the university amid an avalanche of revelations about seemingly tall tales from his past, as well as allegations of plagiarism in his PhD.

The University of Cambridge had announced an investigation into Mr Arday’s ‘academic qualifications and honorary appointments’, after the Daily Mail revealed a string of universities disputed he held academic posts with them.

It was a spectacular fall from grace for a man who had become the poster boy for diversity at one of the world’s elite academic institutions – yet his newly released memoir makes no mention of it whatsoever.

Instead, Great and Unfortunate Things hit the shelves in the US today with its pages still saying the author is ‘currently’ the 2002 Professorial Chair in the Sociology of Education at Cambridge University.

It also states that Mr Arday is still the ‘youngest black academic to hold a professorship at the university’, even though he has resigned.

There are no author’s notes or publisher’s notes that have been added to the book to reflect the crisis that has dealt a hammer blow to his credibility.

Critics have accused Professor Arday, pictured on This Morning in 2023, of taking chunks of his PhD thesis from research by another student, leading him to admit errors in his work

Mr Arday’s biography ‘Great and Unfortunate Things’ was published today in the US

Advertisement

The closest Mr Arday comes to acknowledging any kind of controversy surrounding his appointment does not appear until the epilogue, where he writes: ‘Sadly, almost every good thing that has happened to me has come with some kind of cost and my appointment to Cambridge has been no exception.

‘I cannot sugarcoat the fact that there have been those who have been outraged and offended by the idea of a black professor at such an elite institution.

‘I have continued to face harassment and persecution as the subject of targeted campaigns driven by racial animus.’

This section, however, appeared in earlier drafts of the book and does not refer to the more recent controversies concerning his career.

Great and Unfortunate Things had a poor first day of sales in the US, entering at 39,300th in the overall Kindle store rankings and 220th in the memoir charts.

Last week, it was reported that publisher Simon & Schuster had quietly watered down claims about Mr Arday’s eye-popping personal achievements from the final edit of his book.

An earlier draft of the memoir, obtained by US investigative journalist Benjamin Ryan, showed references to his supposed multi-million-pound fundraising efforts had been weeded out during the editing process.

Mr Arday claimed to The Guardian newspaper that he would be paid ‘1.4 million’ for his memoir, although he did not specify whether this was pounds or US dollars.

As questions over his life story mounted in recent weeks, Mr Arday was forced to accept that various details were not entirely accurate, saying he did not personally raise £5.5million for charity as he once claimed, but was part of a ‘syndicate’ of more than 100 fundraisers, whom he could not name as they had signed non-disclosure agreements.

He also clarified that he had not run 600 miles in six days for charity – as he has said in the past – but instead supposedly completed the feat over 12 days.

The Daily Mail revealed last week that Mr Arday once said he was awarded an MBE in an interview he later asked to be scrubbed from the web.

There is no mention of his name in any honours lists for the year in question, 2017, nor has the academic described being awarded an MBE or choosing to decline the honour in his 336-page memoir or any of the talks and interviews he has given either before or since.

Sources told this newspaper that Mr Arday asked the hosts of the Before Our Friends Die podcast to delete the episode from their archive last year, citing unspecified ‘security’ concerns.

Critics have accused Mr Arday of copying significant chunks of his PhD thesis from earlier research published by another student, leading him to admit to a series of errors in his work.

The University of Cambridge initially held out against taking formal action against Mr Arday, suggesting in a statement that he was the victim of a ‘vile campaign to undermine his credibility’.

But after the Daily Mail revealed fresh questions about the academic posts Mr Arday claimed to hold on his CV, the university said it had ‘begun an investigation following new information about Mr Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments’.

Four prestigious universities in Britain, the US and South Africa all contradicted details of Mr Arday’s professional background, which are listed on the website of Jesus College, where he was a fellow.

His official college biography claimed he was a visiting professor at the Ohio State University in the US, the University of Glasgow and Nelson Mandela University in South Africa.

Spokesmen for all three universities have since denied he holds such a post with them.

His college profile also described him as an ‘honorary professor at Durham University in the Department of Sociology’.

Although Mr Arday previously held several roles at Durham, the Daily Mail revealed last week that he no longer has any ‘formal’ position there, contradicting his online biography.

Mr Arday struck a defiant tone in his resignation statement, refusing to accept any wrongdoing and condemning ‘an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack’ against him.

He previously insisted he was not a ‘liar and fantasist’ after doubts were raised about his sensational list of personal achievements.

In a statement following Mr Arday’s resignation, the University of Cambridge said it would also investigate ‘the circumstances around Jason Arday’s appointment and tenure’, adding: ‘The findings will feed into a review of the process for the appointment of senior academic roles.’

Every police chief in the country has urged Andy Burnham to prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.

In an unprecedented intervention, 50 police leaders – representing every force in the UK – united to condemn Labour‘s soft justice reforms, calling on the Prime Minister to scrap plans to set free Jessie Cole, Albert Bowers and thousands of other dangerous prisoners.

The National Police Chiefs Council released an extraordinary joint letter from heads of 48 UK police forces, the National Crime Agency and Jersey Police, condemning the plans, warning it ‘risks undermining public safety, victim confidence and wider confidence in the criminal justice system’.

The signatories want Mr Burnham to explore ‘every lawful option’ to stop PC Harper’s killers being freed, suggesting Government’s plans to early release offenders are a betrayal of a law brought in his memory.

The 28-year-old newlywed was killed in the line of duty in 2019 when he was dragged behind a car for more than a mile as he tried to stop three teenagers from stealing a quad bike in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.

His widow, Lissie, fought for Harper’s Law – a mandatory life sentence for anyone who kills an emergency worker in the line of duty following outrage over the sentencing of his killers.

Cole and Bowers, who were 17-year-old passengers in the getaway car at the time, were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter in 2020.

The two thugs are among a wave of killers, rapists and violent criminals set to go free from September under Labour’s soft justice prisoner release scheme.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, pictured in 2020, are set to be freed from prison under Labour’s early release scheme

Fifty top officers have now pleaded with Burnham, pictured, to stop the release  

Advertisement

The driver, Henry Long, was handed an extended sentence of 16 years for manslaughter and so is not eligible for early release.

In the letter, police chiefs said: ‘When someone is sentenced for an exceptionally serious offence, how much confidence can victims, bereaved families and the public place in that sentence if subsequent changes to release arrangements result in an offender being released significantly earlier than originally anticipated?

‘We do not suggest that the grief of a police family is greater than that of any other bereaved family, nor that the life of an emergency worker has greater value.

‘Our concern is for all victims and families affected by serious offending sentencing changes.’

Chief constables fear that the early release scheme will endanger the public, warning: ‘This is not simply a question of punishment. It is a question of ensuring that public protection, victim confidence and community safety remain central to decisions that may substantially reduce the time an offender spends in custody.’

Now they want release decisions to consider ‘the impact that significant changes to release policy may have on victims, public protection, policing and confidence in the justice system’.

In the excoriating missive, chief constables warned the release of the two killers would undermine policing, saying: ‘Officers and staff understand that the law must be applied as it stands. But they will question what message this sends about the value placed on their service and sacrifice when they put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.’

The letter to the Prime Minister concludes by saying: ‘We make this request in memory of PC Andrew Harper, in support of his family, friends, colleagues and the communities he served and on behalf of all victims of serious offending.

‘The public should be able to trust that when a court passes sentence for the most serious crimes, victims, public protection and confidence in the justice system remain at the heart of any subsequent decisions about release.’

It comes as the Government is considering an extraordinary plan to empty women’s jails to free up cell space for male inmates as Mr Burnham faces a mounting backlash over the early release of the two killers.

Hundreds of female inmates would be allowed out or moved elsewhere as an alternative to letting dangerous male offenders out early.

Also on the table are proposals to deport more foreign criminals and release inmates given open-ended sentences long ago.

Mr Burnham has ordered Justice Secretary Alex Norris to ‘fast-track’ a plan for when Parliament returns next month, overriding the Ministry of Justice’s claims that nothing more could be done.

However, there were growing suggestions of a rift between No10 and the MoJ on Tuesday, with Downing Street officials said to see their opposite numbers as ‘weak’ after weeks of conflicting messages on the crisis.

Meanwhile, it was reported that allies of Mr Norris felt the PM was making ‘promises that aren’t possible’.

Mr Burnham insisted on Tuesday: ‘I am increasingly confident that a more focused approach along these lines will allow us to reduce the number of people released early and, in the case of the most serious offenders like those convicted of the killing of PC Harper, prevent their early release altogether.

‘I’ve not accepted it’s impossible to do more.’

There are doubts, however, over the feasibility of his latest suggestions.

Mark Fairhurst, National Chairman of the Prison Officers Association, said: ‘Repurposing women’s prisons to accommodate male prisoners is not something that can simply be achieved by changing the sign above the door.

‘There would inevitably be additional staffing, training, security and operational requirements. The physical design and facilities of women’s prisons are not necessarily suitable for a male population, and those differences would need to be properly assessed before any decision was taken.

‘You cannot create safe prison places simply by finding additional buildings. You need the staff, training, infrastructure and resources to operate them safely.’

He said that extra capacity should be found instead by reducing the remand population of people locked up awaiting trial, as well as the early release of those in open prisons at the end of their sentences.

Sources also pointed out that one of the country’s few purpose-built women’s jails, HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, which houses the likes of convicted baby killer Lucy Letby and St Paul’s bomb plotter Safiyya Amira Shaikh, is used for remand prisoners so its removal would make it difficult for defendants to be brought to courts in London on time.

Tom Wheatley, President of the Prison Governors’ Association, told the Daily Mail: ‘Carrying out the kind of detailed work required to make these changes increases the risk that mistakes will be made. But we are assured that the Ministry of Justice has briefed ministers as to this increased probability.’

Downing Street finally contacted PC Harper’s grieving mother after she said she had been kept in the dark over the planned early release of Cole and Bowers.

Debbie Adlam said No 10 had been in touch just hours after she told ITV News she was ‘really angry’ about having ‘heard nothing from the Government’.

She told Sky News on Tuesday night: ‘I’m hopeful, but I’ve got to be careful with how much hope I have, really.’

Fifty police chiefs call on Prime Minister to prevent PC Harper killers’ release – full letter below

Dear Prime Minister,

We welcome your intervention regarding the potential earlier release of those responsible for the death of PC Andrew Harper, and your instruction to the Justice Secretary to examine what can lawfully be done.

When the state asks people to run towards danger on behalf of the public, they should be able to trust that the justice system will stand behind them when the worst happens.

PC Andrew Harper’s case also raises a wider question.

When someone is sentenced for an exceptionally serious offence, how much confidence can victims, bereaved families and the public place in that sentence if subsequent changes to release arrangements result in an offender being released significantly earlier than originally anticipated?

This question extends far beyond policing.

Families across the country are now facing the distress of learning that offenders may be released earlier than they understood when sentence was passed. We do not suggest that the grief of a police family is greater than that of any other bereaved family, nor that the life of an emergency worker has greater value.

Our concern is for all victims and families affected by serious offending sentencing changes.

PC Andrew Harper lost his life while protecting the public and serving his community. Following his death, Lissie Harper campaigned for a change in the law, leading Parliament to establish Harper’s Law, recognising the exceptional risks emergency workers take while protecting others.

While Harper’s Law cannot retrospectively alter the sentences imposed following PC Andrew Harper’s death, the principle behind it remains important. Those who serve and protect the public should know that the justice system recognises the risks they take on society’s behalf. Victims and bereaved families should be confident that sentences imposed for the most serious offences retain meaning and that public protection remains a central consideration when release decisions are made.

There is a profound strength of feeling across policing about those responsible for PC Andrew Harper’s death benefiting from arrangements that could see them released substantially earlier than expected.

Officers and staff understand that the law must be applied as it stands. But they will question what message this sends about the value placed on their service and sacrifice when they put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.

Police officers and staff see first-hand the impact serious crime has on victims and their families. They support people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives and ask them to place their trust in the justice system. That trust is vital and should not be weakened. We are also collectively concerned that an approach to early release which does not sufficiently distinguish the most serious offending risks undermining public safety, victim confidence and wider confidence in the criminal justice system.

We therefore ask Government to consider three measures.

First, we ask that every lawful option is examined to determine whether the earlier release of those responsible for PC Andrew Harper’s death can be prevented.

We recognise that Government must act within the law. Nevertheless, given the significance of this case, it is right that every available lawful avenue is explored.

Second, we ask Government to establish an additional public protection safeguard in cases involving the most serious offenders whenever future changes to sentencing on release arrangements are considered.

Where an offender has caused a death, committed exceptionally serious violence, or presents an ongoing risk to individuals or communities, there should be explicit consideration of public protection, victim impact and community safety before release arrangements are amended.

This principle should also apply to serious offences where there is a continuing risk of harm to victims or the public, including serious violence against women and girls, stalking and harassment.

This is not simply a question of punishment. It is a question of ensuring that public protection, victim confidence and community safety remain central to decisions that may substantially reduce the time an offender spends in custody.

Third, victims and bereaved families must be properly considered whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements.

There should also be consideration of the impact that significant changes to release policy may have on victims, public protection, policing and confidence in the justice system.

Prime Minister, we welcome your intervention and the direction you have given to the Justice Secretary. This provides an opportunity not only to examine every lawful avenue in PC Andrew Harper’s case, but to ensure similar concerns do not arise again.

We make this request in memory of PC Andrew Harper, in support of his family, friends, colleagues and the communities he served and on behalf of all victims of serious offending.

The public should be able to trust that when a court passes sentence for the most serious crimes, victims, public protection and confidence in the justice system remain at the heart of any subsequent decisions about release.

We stand ready to continue working with Government on safeguards needed to protect victims, the public and confidence in the justice system.

We look forward to further conversations.

Yours sincerely,

With the collective agreement and support of Chief Constables and Commissioners across the United Kingdom

Signatories:

Chief Constable Sarah Crew – Avon and Somerset Police

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst – Bedfordshire Police

Chief Constable Simon Megicks – Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Chief Constable Mark Roberts – Cheshire Constabulary

Commissioner Pete O’Doherty – City of London Police

Chief Constable Victoria Fuller – Cleveland Police

Chief Constable Darren Martland – Cumbria Constabulary

Acting Chief Constable Simon Blatchly – Derbyshire Constabulary

Chief Constable James Vaughan – Devon & Cornwall Police

Chief Constable Rachel Farrell – Dorset Police

Chief Constable Rachel Bacon – Durham Constabulary

Chief Constable Ifan Charles – Dyfed-Powys Police

Chief Constable Rachel Nolan – Essex Police

Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth – Gloucestershire Constabulary

Chief Constable Stephen Watson – Greater Manchester Police

Chief Constable Mark Hobrough – Gwent Police

Chief Constable Alexis Boon – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary

Chief Constable Andy Prophet – Hertfordshire Constabulary

Chief Constable Chris Todd – Humberside Police

Chief Constable Tim Smith – Kent Police

Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett – Lancashire Constabulary

Chief Constable David Sandall – Leicestershire Police

Chief Constable Paul Gibson – Lincolnshire Police

Chief Constable Rob Carden – Merseyside Police

Commissioner Mark Rowley – Metropolitan Police Service

Chief Constable Paul Sanford – Norfolk Constabulary

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman – North Wales Police

Chief Constable Tim Forber – North Yorkshire Police

Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet – Northamptonshire Police

Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine – Northumbria Police

Temporary Chief Constable Steven Cooper – Nottinghamshire Police

Chief Constable Jo Farrell – Police Scotland

Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan – South Wales Police

Chief Constable Lauren Poultney – South Yorkshire Police

Acting Chief Constable Rebecca Riggs – Staffordshire Police

Chief Constable Rachel Kearton – Suffolk Constabulary

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer – Surrey Police

Chief Constable Jo Shiner – Sussex Police

Chief Constable Jason Hogg – Thames Valley Police

Acting Chief Constable David Gardner – Warwickshire Police

Chief Constable Richard Cooper – West Mercia Police

Acting Chief Constable Scott Green – West Midlands Police

Chief Constable John Robins – West Yorkshire Police

Chief Constable Catherine Roper – Wiltshire Police

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher – Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi – British Transport Police

Chief Constable Simon Chesterman – Civil Nuclear Constabulary

Acting Chief Constable Keir Pritchard – Ministry of Defence Police

Director General Graeme Biggar – National Crime Agency

Chief Officer Robin Smith – State of Jersey Police

Fenland District Council said the driver had failed to notify previous licensing authorities of his penalty points ‘on several occasions’

A taxi driver who gained nine penalty points in a “short period of time” has had his taxi licence refused. Fenland District Council’s licensing sub-committee said they were “naturally concerned” by this when considering the application for a new private hire licence.

The driver has not been named as the press and public were excluded from the meeting but the council have released minutes explaining their reasons behind their decision.

He told the sub-committee “that he had previously received penalty points, but these had fallen away”.

He admitted that “on several occasions” he had failed to let a different licensing authority know he had received penalty points, breaching the requirements of his private hire licence.

The sub-committee said they sympathised with his circumstances at the time, but “could not be sure” he would let Fenland Council know about penalty points, or other matters, in the future if they granted his application.

They said their own policy states a private hire licence can be given to a driver with penalty points – but it is left to the sub-committee’s discretion.

They concluded that he was “not fit and proper to hold a licence” and refused his request.

Andy Burnham says he is “confident” PC Andrew Harper’s killers can be excluded from the government’s early release scheme, as outcry over the case grows.

The prime minister has now ordered the justice secretary to find a way to bar Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were jailed for 13 years for manslaughter in 2020, from early release.

It marks a shift from last week, when he said there was “nothing more” he could do without risking the collapse of the prison system.

The move comes after days of pressure to exclude Harper’s killers from the scheme, which is aiming to free about 5,000 offenders in England and Wales to make space in overcrowded jails.

Harper’s mother, Debbie Adlam, told the BBC she was in “turmoil” following conflicting reports about whether two of her son’s killers would be released from prison early, describing the handling of the situation as a “hash”.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Burnham and Labour of “re-traumatising victims and their families with their constant U-turns”.

On Tuesday evening, an open letter signed by 50 chief constables, commissioners and law enforcement leaders called on Burnham to examine “every lawful option” to determine whether the earlier release of Harper’s killers can be prevented.

They welcomed the prime minister’s intervention, adding: “This provides an opportunity not only to examine every lawful avenue in PC Andrew Harper’s case, but to ensure similar concerns do not arise again.”

Burnham said a new plan to prevent more prisoners from being freed long before the end of their sentences would be presented to Parliament in September.

It comes after he initially announced some prisoners convicted of rape, serious child sex and other grooming offences would be barred from early release, after a review of the scheme he ordered after he became prime minister.

In an article published last week, external, Burnham said he had “wanted to go even further” but had “pushed to the very limits of what is possible to do”.

He added: “I know I can look people in the eye and say to them there is nothing more I could have asked for without risking the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing within months.”

But on Tuesday, Burnham insisted he had never accepted “there was nothing more that could be done” to prevent the early release of more offenders, including Harper’s killers.

“I came into office and started pushing on this issue, and I have pushed every single day in office,” he added.

Burnham said he would seek to hold talks with other political parties to build “consensus” on the approach to early releases.

West Ham were disappointed to be relegated to the Championship at the end of last season but a supercomputer has predicted they will make an immediate return to the Premier League

West Ham have been tipped to bounce straight back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Hammers are short-priced favourites to win the title and return to the top flight after the relegation last term.

And now, a supercomputer simulated by Casino Kings has Nuno Espirito Santo’s side topping the table ahead of their first game of the season at Burnley on Sunday.

The Clarets are also predicted to go straight back up, finishing as runners-up, while Wolves are tipped to finish just behind in third. The Molineux side are predicted to be joined in the playoffs by Norwich, Sheffield United, Wrexham, Southampton and Birmingham.

And it will be Cesar Peixoto’s men who prevail in the playoff final at Wembley, according to the supercomputer.

Newly-promoted Lincoln are predicted to go straight back down to League One, being joined by Blackburn and QPR in the drop zone.

West Ham have retained the services of talisman and skipper Jarrod Bowen for their Championship campaign, despite interest from the Premier League.

It’s their first stint in the Championship since 2012, when they beat Blackpool in the playoff final at Wembley to win promotion thanks to a late goal by Ricardo Vaz Te.

But it will be the first time the London Stadium has played host to second-tier football. The Hammers made a winning start to the season on Saturday as they beat Portsmouth 3-1 in the Carabao Cup.

Championship supercomputer table

1. West Ham
2. Burnley
3. Wolves
4. Norwich
5. Sheffield United
6. Wrexham
7. Southampton
8. Birmingham
9. Middlesbrough
10. Stoke
11. Millwall
12. West Brom
13. Bristol City
14. Derby
15. Swansea
16. Portsmouth
17. Charlton
18. Cardiff
19. Bolton
20. Watford
21. Preston
22. QPR
23. Blackburn
24. Lincoln

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Countdown to Kickoff: The Essential 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£51

£35

Advertisement

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season, with more than 1,500 games from the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.

This introductory offer saves £384 compared to the standard price, with every package also providing 100 regular channels alongside free Netflix and discovery+ subscriptions.