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Key members of infamous Daniel crime clan family after brother jailed for abusing kids

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Daily Record

In more recent months, Douglas Daniel, brother of family kingpin Jamie, was jailed alongside his wife Barbra for the evil treatment of children in their care.

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The notorious Daniel crime clan family controlled the drug networks in Glasgow, raking in tens of millions of pounds across the decades.

Their infamous reign over the city saw a violent feud erupt between the rival Lyons family, with years of murders, shootings and stabbings. Bitter hits saw those with key links to the family jailed for years at a time.

But in more recent months, Douglas Daniel, brother of family kingpin Jamie, was jailed alongside his wife Barbra for the evil treatment of children in their care. Douglas, 80, and Barbra, 75, were jailed for 30 months at Glasgow Sheriff Court in March.

The depraved pair were sentenced after being found guilty of subjecting six children – aged between four and 14 – to cruel and unnatural treatment at their Parkhead home between 1986 and 1991.

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The disgraced pensioners, now of Herne Bay in Kent, were each convicted of six charges following a trial in Glasgow in January. It heard how the pair dished out horrific punishment methods, which included forcing some of the youngsters into an animal pen.

Another victim was made to stand with geese who pecked her skin, while a further girl was ordered to bathe in a bird bath. Some kids went hungry under their roof, but one recalled being fed cow tongue intended for pet ferrets by “evil” Barbara.

At least one child was made to sit on the floor alongside pet dogs during mealtimes. The children were also subjected to violent physical assaults and controlling behaviour. They were locked in rooms, monitored with alarmed windows, and had their access to the bathroom restricted, including only being allowed one square of toilet paper.

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Some of the children were forced to stand facing the wall for hours, occasionally on one leg, and sometimes to the point of collapse. Douglas Daniel was allowed to care for the young victims despite having a string of previous convictions.

One of their survivors now intends to sue Glasgow City Council as Douglas had a significant criminal record when he was approved as a foster carer.

So who are the Daniel clan? Here, the Record takes a look at the history of the crime group and the family tree.

Jamie Daniel

Kingpin Jamie was said to have made £16 million per year from his criminal enterprise as head of the notorious Daniel clan before his death at the age of 58 in 2016 after a four-year battle with cancer.

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His life of crime started on the streets of Possilpark stealing scrap metal and shoplifting, before he moved on to selling drugs. Aged 25, he was jailed for heroin smuggling and after he was released he forged links with crooks across the UK and is said to have continued to import drugs from Pakistan.

Jamie was believed to have been the main heroin supplier in Glasgow for decades and also was said to earn up to £1 million a month from cigarette smuggling. He was linked to the murder of gangster Frank McPhie, who was gunned down by a sniper outside his Maryhill home in 2000.

Nearing the end of his life, he signed himself out of hospital five days before his death at home in Jordanhill. His funeral at Clydebank Crematorium was attended by 600 people.

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Many of Daniel’s ten children were in attendance at his funeral, including Kelly Bo Green, Francis ‘Fraggle’ Green and Zander Sutherland, with the latter being released from prison for the day.

Norman Daniel

The Record reported over a decade ago how Norman, also known as Snudger, and his brothers David, Jamie and Ronnie went from petty criminals on the streets of Possilpark to becoming Scotland’s richest and most secretive crime clan.

The brothers started with shoplifting, loan-sharking and stealing scrap, but ended up building a £16million crime empire from stolen cars, firearms and major drug smuggling.

Another Daniel brother, William served time for killing Special Police Constable George Gates, 50, in 1969. He battered the off-duty officer to death with a table leg as he’d witnessed him and two friends stealing copper.

Norman became a victim in a latest round of firebomb attacks last year. The pensioner’s home at Colston Drive in Bishopbriggs was torched in the early hours of April 14, 2025.

Footage showed the 72-year-old’s bungalow-type property engulfed in flames after his home was targeted by thugs linked to a Dubai-based gangster.

Steven “Bonzo” Daniel

Steven “Bonzo” Daniel – Jamie’s nephew – assumed control of the group as Jamie Daniel’s successor. A year after his death, Bonzo was subjected to a horrific murder bid that left him disfigured for life.

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He was ambushed by members of the rival Lyons group following a Rangers match at Ibrox in May 2017. Bonzo was in his dark blue Skoda Octavia when he was pursued by two cars in a high-speed chase, causing him to stop.

He was attacked with bladed weapons near the M8 motorway in Port Dundas just after midnight. Police said following the incident in the city’s Port Dundas area, the two cars made off in an easterly direction.

Emergency services attended and Mr Daniel was taken by ambulance to hospital, where his condition was described as stable. A court later heard his car had been fitted with a tracking device.

Two years later, six associates of the Lyons family were jailed after being found guilty of five murder plots. Lord Mulholland told them: “You sought to turn Glasgow into a war zone for your feud.”

Now head of the group, the 45-year-old has been the target of several attacks in the past eight years as part of the long running feud with the Lyons. The most recent was last April at his luxury home in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, when the front door was set on fire.

The hood fled to the Middle East following the incident but returned to Glasgow the next month after reports suggested footsoldiers ordered to kill him were tracking his movements.

Bonzo was said to be at the top of McGill’s list of high-profile targets and a £100k bounty was placed on his head. Bonzo was wanted over his links to Mark Richardson and a source told the Record he had been forced to return home to protect his family and business interests after they suffered a spate of targeted attacks.

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Francis “Fraggle” Green

Green is the son of feared crime boss Jamie. In 2010 the 42-year-old was one of the first on the scene following the murder of his brother-in-law Kevin “Gerbil” Carroll outside an Asda supermarket in Robroyston, Glasgow. Green later admitted in court eating the sim card from two phones he was carrying at the time.

He was jailed for three-and-a-half years for attacking a grandmother, Susanne Simpson, in the Cairn Bar in Balornock in 2011.

Susanne had been involved in a rammy with his sister, Kelly-Bo, but she phoned for back up and Fraggle arrived along with cousin Robert Daniel and two other men. They launched a vicious attack on Susan, leaving her with a fractured cheekbone, scalp damage and bruising.

In 2017 a gunman opened fire on his home in Milton of Campsie, near Glasgow. A motor company in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, previously connected to Green, was set on fire in April.

Chilling clips posted online showed motors covered in flames following the attack, which was claimed by Ross McGill’s ‘Tamu Junto’ group, as they warned they were targeting allies of Mark Richardson.

It was later revealed that Fraggle was listed as a former director of the vehicles business.

Zander Sutherland

The 36-year-old is another of Jamie’s sons and is the younger brother of Fraggle. Zander was sentenced to 13 and half years in prison in 2016 for heroin dealing.

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Last year he fled to Norway while on leave from Caste Huntly open prison, near Dundee, after death threats. He was then extradited back to Scotland in December. Sutherland got an extra 10 months added to his sentence at Perth Sheriff Court.

Zander was given day-release from Addiewell Prison in 2016 to attend his dad’s funeral, after being allowed to visit him in hospital the previous week to say goodbye. He helped carry his dad’s coffin into the crematorium but was escorted by three G4S security guards throughout the service.

Kevin ‘Gerbil’ Carroll

Gerbil was a feared gangland enforcer for the Daniel crime clan who was shot dead in a targeted attack in 2010. He lived in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, with his partner, Kelly Green – a daughter of Jamie Daniel.

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In December 2006, Applerow Motors in Possilpark was the site of a high-profile “Godfather-style” hit. Two gunmen from the Daniel clan, Raymond Anderson and James McDonald, opened fire at the garage, killing Michael Lyons, the nephew of owner, and Daniel clan rival, David Lyons, and wounding his son, Mark Lyons, along with associate Robert Pickett.

Gerbil was widely believed to have sanctioned or been involved in planning the 2006 attack on Applerow Motors. Underworld sources claimed that the Lyons family subsequently “sanctioned the hit” on Carroll as direct retaliation for this and other attacks.

Gerbil was gunned down in 2010 as he sat in the back seat of an Audi in the Asda car park in Robroyston. The son-in-law of mobster Jamie Daniel, he was known for kidnapping and torturing rival drug dealers in attacks dubbed “alien abductions”.

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Ross Monaghan – who was shot dead alongside Eddie Lyons Jnr in Fuengirola last year – was arrested over the shooting but was acquitted after a judge at the High Court in Glasgow ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict him.

William ‘Buff’ Paterson, 45, was later convicted of the murder in 2015 and sentenced to a minimum of 22 years in prison.

Robert Daniel

Robert is the cousin of Steven Daniel. In November last year, two workers were attacked with a machete and seriously injured at a garage owned by Daniel in East Kilbride. Daniel was believed to be the intended target. The 50 year old was shot and seriously injured in 2017 outside his home in Stepps, Glasgow as he reversed his car.

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‘I’ve read eight books by Irish authors this year and this was the best’

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Belfast Live

I’ve read 13 books so far in 2026, and eight of them were penned by Irish authors — here is how they ranked

I’ve managed to get through 13 books this year, which feels like a decent tally given I’m juggling life with a baby and a toddler. Eight of those titles came from Irish writers.

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To be honest, I could have written three entirely different versions of this article, as the top three were neck and neck.

The eight books in contention were May All Your Skies Be Blue by Fíonna Scarlett, Everything that is Beautiful (Louise Nealon), Show Me Where It Hurts (Claire Gleeson), Thirst Trap (Gráinne O’Hare), Heart, Be At Peace (Donal Ryan), The Nowhere Girls (Carmel Harrington), So Late in the Day (Claire Keegan) and Foster (also Claire Keegan).

As is often the case with literary fiction from Irish writers, every single one of these books delivered. Glancing back through my reading diary, I notice they all earned a minimum of seven out of 10.

So have a look below to discover which one claimed the top spot.

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8. Foster

You simply can’t go wrong with a Claire Keegan book and the only reason why this is at number eight is because I enjoyed So Late in the Day more.

But Foster, about a little girl who spends a summer in Kinsellas’ home, is beautifully told, and you would have to have a cold heart if the final few pages did not have an impact on you emotionally.

This is a short read, with just 88 pages, so if you were wanting something quick and powerful to get you back into reading, this is a great option.

7. The Nowhere Girls

This was the first time I had the pleasure of reading a Carmel Harrington book — and it won’t be the last.

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The Nowhere GIrls hooked me in from the moment I read the blurb in Easons which started with: “On a cold afternoon in December 1995, two young girls are found abandoned on a platform at Pearse Station in Dublin.”

It then explains that the main character, Vega, is an investigative journalist who wants to find out what happened to the ‘Nowhere Girls’.

The short prologue immediately grabs your attention and from there the clever book stays consistent throughout with snappy short chapters that make you want to keep reading until the end.

6. Heart, Be At Peace

Donal Ryan is an exceptional talent and you know he is gifted when John Boyne refers to him as the “greatest current Irish writer”.

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This perhaps deserves to be higher on the list, especially given that it was the winner of the Irish Book of the Year by An Post in 2024.

The book gives a stark insight into dark troubles plaguing a town in rural Ireland — and it is told from the perspectives of many different characters living there.

If you wanted a glimpse into what modern Ireland looks like, this is a sharp portrait of the good, bad and the ugly.

5. So Late in the Day

Claire Keegan’s So Late in the Day is perfect for anyone experiencing a reading slump.

As many will know, Claire is the master of short stories, and this tale is about Cathal, a thoroughly unremarkable and misogynistic man who is travelling home from his Dublin office after work, will have a devastating impact on you, despite being just 47 pages long.

If you fancy reading a book in one sitting, which will leave you questioning how so much can be said in so few words, add this to your list.

And a side note, if you had time afterwards, Dua Lipa’s recent interview with Claire on her Service95 platform, where the talented pair discuss the themes of the book, is well worth a listen.

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4. Thirst Trap

I wanted to mention Thirst Trap by Gráinne O’Hara as high up as possible because the characters (Harley in particular) were just so so good.

It tells the story of three women housesharing in Belfast who are still grieving the death of their friend.

Although it is heartbreaking at times, the humour in it was unrivalled, and it was a binge-worthy and chaotic read that I could easily envisage being told in an absorbing TV adaptation one day.

3. Show Me Where It Hurts

On another day, this would have been number one, and I actually scored it 10/10 in my diary, so it is perhaps unfair that it wasn’t.

I found it by chance, and it was a spontaneous purchase, because I had just bought another book minutes before, again in Dublin Airport, this time on a separate work trip.

I read the back of the book in WH Smith, and instantly knew I had to buy it, and it was absolutely incredible.

For those intrigued, the blurb reads: “Rachel lives with her husband Tom and their two children: it’s the ordinary family life she always thought she’d have. All of that changes in an instant — when Tom runs the family car off the road, seeking to end his own life, and take his wife and children with him.

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“Suddenly Rachel is left poring over the wreckage to try and understand what happened — to find a way to go on living afterwards.”

If you are in the mood for something to pull at your heartstrings, this one is certainly for you.

2. Everything that is Beautiful

This easily could have been number one — and it was another story that genuinely stayed with me.

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Lousie Nealon, along with perhaps John Boyne, could well be my favourite Irish author at the moment, and her debut novel Snowflake was up there with one of the best I’ve read, similar to how I felt reading Close to Home by Michael Magee.

My expectations for her second novel, published this year, could not have been higher — and I remember exactly where I was when I got to the end of chapter one.

I was in Dublin Airport waiting for a flight, and having excitedly purchased Louise’s book earlier that morning, I knew I was in for another rollercoaster journey, after an early twist that felt like a punch to the gut.

This book, which tells the story of Niamh Ryan and her relationship with the Foley family, was masterful.

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As you can tell by now, I don’t like giving too much detail away, but this is a rare book that I will eventually read again, and likely one I will recommend to my children too when they are older.

1. May All Your Skies Be Blue

I was impressed by Fíonna Scarlett’s debut book (Boys Don’t Cry) so I was eager to buy May All Your Skies Be Blue, which was the first book I read in 2026.

The emotive story, which has split chapters from a period in the summer of 1991 to present day, explores the beautiful and heartbreaking friendship between Shauna and Dean across 30 years.

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It is set in a working-class area of Dublin, which the author calls The Green, and like Fíonna’s previous novel, the characters are enthralling and utterly believable, while the dialogue is full of brilliant and bold Irish humour.

As I hinted at earlier, I struggled to separate this book from my two other favourites, which were Everything that is Beautiful and Show Me Where It Hurts.

However, the one deciding factor was how I felt after reading the final page of May All Your Skies Be Blue. At the time, I remember getting chills, and immediately felt a desire to recommend the book to others.

Having read the final page once again just now, the chills came back, and this was the book that stayed with me long after I finished.

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We know the Irish enjoy punching above their weight, whether that’s Katie Taylor in the ring, or Jessie Buckley at the Oscars, but the same can be said for our authors, who have a natural knack for remarkable story-telling.

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UFC fighter Josh Hokit makes controversial Michelle Obama ‘man’ claim at White House event

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Daily Mirror

Josh Hokit made the controversial statement after winning his bout at the UFC Freedom 250 event hosted by US President Donald Trump on the White House South Lawn

A UFC fighter seized the microphone following his bout to brazenly declare ‘Michelle Obama is a man’.

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Josh Hokit claimed victory at the UFC Freedom 250 event on Sunday night, held on the White House South Lawn and hosted by US President Donald Trump.

Riding high on his win, he then used his moment in the spotlight to make the shocking outburst.

Hokit had faced fellow heavyweight Derrick Lewis at the event, before sitting down for a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

Rounding off the interview, he declared: “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”

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Footage circulating online captured mixed reactions from the crowd, with some seen laughing while others appeared visibly taken aback by the remarks.

Rogan chose not to respond to the comments, simply announcing: “Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit.”

Hokit also made his way over to Trump, draping a chain around the president’s neck.

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Earlier in the evening, Brazilian fighter Mauricio Ruffy delivered a stunning knockout before pulling off a surprise wedding proposal.

Following his defeat of Michael Chandler, Ruffy dropped to one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Nadine.

She responded with a thumbs up.

Meanwhile, US Park Police said in a statement that UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland’s presence at the Ellipse drew enough attention from attendees that it resulted in disorder.

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He wasn’t cited or arrested, they said. Instead, he was taken to his hotel and told not to come back to the venue.

Earlier in the day, Strickland was escorted barefoot out of the White House Ellipse area, where thousands of ticketed fans congregated to watch the fights.

Boxing legend Tyson Fury made a surprise appearance at the event, joining Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and a host of MAGA royalty.

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Fury made his entrance after the second fight of the night, walking out to the Kings of Leon hit ‘Sex on Fire’ in a matching blazer and pants with his ‘Gypsy King’ logo printed in gold across the design.

The most eye-catching piece of his attire was his cap which featured a particularly bold message of support for the President. “Donald Trump for Prime Minister,” it ready alongside an embroidered British flag. The slogan was a nod to Trump’s signature red “Make America Great Again” caps.

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Stormont urged to consider sweeping reforms to improve ‘stalemate’ politics

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The think tank confirmed that it had not considered reforming the so-called veto on Executive formation, which allows parties to block or collapse devolved government arrangements.

A new report from the independent think tank Pivotal has called for significant structural reforms to the Stormont Assembly and Executive, warning that current arrangements are contributing to political stalemate and weak delivery on public services.

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The report, Improving the institutions: suggested reforms to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive , published on Monday 15th June, argues that repeated collapses and dysfunction at Stormont have left health waiting lists, economic performance and public services under sustained pressure.

It comes after Sinn Féin, Alliance and the SDLP published their proposals for reform in recent months and ahead of the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affiars Committee hearing from political leaders on the topic of reform later this week.

Pivotal says government in Northern Ireland has been “beset with stalemates, dysfunction and collapses”, adding that decision-making has often been inadequate to meet the scale of the challenges facing the region.

The think tank also argues that too much Assembly time is spent on non-binding motions, while insufficient attention is given to scrutiny of legislation and delivery-focused work.

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The research draws on ten anonymised interviews with former ministers, MLAs, special advisers and senior officials. While views differed on specific reforms, Pivotal says there was broad agreement that structural changes could improve performance.

However, the report deliberately does not address the removal of the veto on Executive formation, arguing there is insufficient political consensus for such a significant constitutional change.

Assembly reforms

Among the recommendations for the Assembly, the report suggests introducing dedicated “bill committees” to scrutinise legislation on an ad hoc basis, arguing that existing statutory committees are overburdened and do not always provide detailed scrutiny of legislation.

It also calls for increased resourcing of the Official Opposition, which Pivotal says is currently operating at a disadvantage compared with the Executive. Strengthening opposition resources, it argues, could improve accountability and encourage more parties to opt out of government roles.

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Other proposals include limiting the number of non-binding Private Members’ motions debated in the chamber, and changing how the Speaker is elected. The report suggests replacing the current cross-community vote requirement with a two-thirds majority to reduce the risk of deadlock.

Executive reforms

On the Executive, the report recommends a series of changes to the D’Hondt system used to allocate ministerial and committee roles.

These include bringing the Justice Ministry into the D’Hondt process, running D’Hondt as a single unified system for both ministerial and committee appointments, and introducing a minimum seat threshold for parties to qualify for Executive office.

It also proposes the creation of Executive sub-committees to resolve disputes on complex or cross-cutting issues before they reach full Executive meetings.

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In addition, it calls for stronger enforcement of the “three-meeting rule”, which prevents papers being blocked indefinitely, and for renewed emphasis on the Programme for Government, the budget and the legislative programme as the core pillars of governance.

The report suggests some reforms could be implemented before the next Assembly election, including increased opposition resourcing, enforcement of the three-meeting rule and stronger alignment between budgeting and the Programme for Government.

Culture as well as structures

Alongside institutional change, Pivotal stresses that political culture is also central to improving Stormont’s performance, pointing to the importance of trust, cooperation and shared responsibility between ministers.

The report suggests that even well-designed reforms will struggle to succeed without improvements in working relationships.

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It also notes that previous administrations, including the Paisley/McGuinness and Robinson/McGuinness periods, were cited by interviewees as examples where stronger leadership and better relationships led to more effective decision-making.

‘Crucial time’ for institutions

Director of Ann Watt said the findings come at a “crucial time” for Northern Ireland politics.

“This is a crucial time for politics in Northern Ireland. Public services are struggling, finances are tight, and there are many significant social and economic challenges that need to be addressed,” she said.

Ann Watt added that decision-making at Stormont has been “inadequate” in recent years, and argued that the report’s proposals could help “kick-start discussions” on how the institutions might be improved.

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She also warned that structural reform alone would not resolve underlying political difficulties.

“Adjusting the structures of the Assembly and Executive is not a cure all,” she said. “Some of the biggest problems in Stormont today are cultural.”

No change to Executive veto

The think tank also confirmed that it had not considered reforming the so-called veto on Executive formation, which allows parties to block or collapse devolved government arrangements.

It said there is currently no consensus among major parties on such a change, and that its focus was instead on reforms that might attract broader agreement.

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The report concludes that meaningful reform will require cross-party support, and argues that changes to both structures and political culture will be needed if Stormont is to operate more effectively in future.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Tyson Fury’s bold message for Donald Trump as he shocks fans at UFC Freedom 250

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Daily Mirror

Boxing champion Tyson Fury attended the historic UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on Sunday night and he had a very bold message for president Donald Trump on his cap

Boxing legend Tyson Fury made a surprise appearance at the historic UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on Sunday night, joining Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and a host of MAGA royalty.

In the lead-up to the cage-fighting spectacular celebrating America’s 250th independence anniversary, the president and UFC boss Dana White strolled together from the Oval Office to the White House balcony overlooking the enormous open-sided structure, dubbed “The Claw”, positioned on the South Lawn.

The national anthem then rang out as fighter jets roared overhead in formation, prompting roars from spectators and chants of “USA, USA”. Trump subsequently settled into his seat near the iconic octagon cage, where seven bouts were scheduled. Amongst the 4,000 attendees at the purpose-built venue was British heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury.

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Moments before Tyson emerged, Trump was greeted by a chorus of trumpets on the White House’s South Lawn as he sauntered in alongside UFC chief Dana White.

Fury made his entrance after the second fight of the night, walking out to the Kings of Leon hit ‘Sex on Fire’ in a matching blazer and pants with his ‘Gypsy King’ logo printed in gold across the design.

The most eye-catching piece of his attire was his cap which featured a particularly bold message of support for the President. “Donald Trump for Prime Minister,” it ready alongside an embroidered British flag. The slogan was a nod to Trump’s signature red “Make America Great Again” caps.

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Tyson’s surprise appearance at the White House came just one day after he sat ringside to watch brother Tommy defeat strongman Eddie Hall in a bout. Last night Tyson also told the crowd that he would like to fight Anthony Joshua in the future, further fueling the decade-long saga surrounding the two boxers.

Other Trump supporters in attendance included billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, NHL stars Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, as well as a number of high-ranking UFC champions.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

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Watchdog warns of seven month delay in allocating public service complaint cases

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Daily Record

EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman says a huge rise in complaints has resulted in delays.

A watchdog for investigating complaints about poor public services has warned of a seven month delay before cases are even allocated.

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The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman has blamed a massive rise in workload for the slow down.

The SPSO, funded by the Parliament, is the final option for Scots who feel let down by councils, the NHS and housing associations.

An email seen by the Record reveals that the Ombudsman’s work load will mean increased waits for people who use lifeline services.

The SPSO wrote: “I am writing with an update that, due to a significant increase in complaints being received by SPSO over recent months, we estimate that our current timescale for allocating your complaint to a Complaints Reviewer may now be around 7 months from receipt of your complaint.

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“Our consideration of your complaint will begin at the point it is allocated to a Complaints Reviewer.

“I am very sorry for this delay and would like to thank you for your patience.”

According to the SPSO website, complaint numbers have more than doubled since 2019–20.

In their latest investigation report, the SPSO handled a complaint about the nursing care provided by NHS Borders.

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Another probe centred around the care provided at home and in hospital to a patient with multiple sclerosis by NHS Lothian.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “People turn to the SPSO as a last resort after being failed by our public services, and it is not right that they are then being left in limbo for months on end.

“This rise in complaints shows our public services are under pressure and too many people are being let down as a result.

“The SNP must make sure our public services are delivering and we must ensure that the SPSO is able to deal with complaints and get justice for people who have been failed.”

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Scottish Conservative MSP Alexander Burnett said: “These shocking delays expose yet another part of Scotland’s public services that is buckling after two decades of SNP mismanagement and swingeing cuts.

“The ombudsman is being swamped because councils and public services are continuing to have to do more with less.

“Scots are being forced to pay the highest taxes in the UK only to get less in return, while John Swinney obsesses over independence instead of fixing the basics.”

An SPSO spokesperson said: “SPSO is experiencing an unprecedented increase in demand for its service, with a 31% rise in complaints about public services in the last year.

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“This year, we have already responded to 68% more enquiries from people seeking our help. This is a picture being experienced across public services in Scotland and the UK.

“This is leading to longer wait times for people seeking our help as we have sought to manage significantly increased workloads without additional investigative resource.

“We recognise that waiting longer for a decision on a complaint is frustrating and continue to prioritise people who are vulnerable, complaints that are urgent or where there is a significant public interest.”

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “This is an operational matter for the SPSO

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Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Monday, June 15)

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Wales Online

Hello, and welcome to WalesOnline’s live blog for Monday, June 15. We’ll be bringing you all of the latest news from across Wales – whether you’re on the move, at home or at work – as well as the latest traffic and travel.

We’ll also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas.

Contribute to the live blog by posting your comments below, or tweet us @WalesOnline to share the news that’s breaking in your area. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

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Rightmove explains biggest June drop in house prices for 14 years

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The experts say there is a combination of factors pulling house prices down

Last month saw the biggest drop in average house prices for any June in the last 14 years, according to Rightmove. The average price tag on a home fell by 0.6% or £2,113 in June.

The month-on-month fall took the average asking price across Britain to £376,191, Rightmove said. The month of June typically sees modest price increases, Rightmove said. It added that May’s warmer weather may have kick-started the usual summer slowdown earlier than usual this year, while the World Cup may also prove to be a distraction for some home movers.

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Rightmove also said that more affordable parts of Britain, such as the North East of England and Scotland, are seeing prices hold up relatively well, compared with this time last year. Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: “It’s unusual to see a price fall of this size in June, as we would normally expect to see modest price growth at this point in the year.

“What’s different this time is a combination of factors, including wider economic uncertainty, the timing of the May bank holiday and unusual heatwave, and the high number of homes on the market, which together appear to be bringing forward the traditionally slower summer market.

“In this kind of market, sellers need to work harder to attract attention. Setting a competitive asking price from the outset is key, as buyers are taking more time to compare options and are quick to move on if a home doesn’t stand out on value.”

Rightmove said higher mortgage rates are continuing to weigh on activity as many household budgets are squeezed, while the wider choice of homes for sale is encouraging buyers to take a less urgent approach unless a property really stands out. Ms Babcock added: “While the summer market has come a bit early this year, overall activity is still within a typical historic range.

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“What has changed is some buyer behaviour; with more homes to choose from and higher borrowing costs, buyers are deliberating more and taking longer over their decisions.”

Matt Smith, a mortgage expert at Rightmove, said: “It’s encouraging to see mortgage rates edging down slightly, and even relatively small reductions can make a difference to buyers’ budgets.”

Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, London, said: “Buyers aren’t moving at the pace we’ve seen in previous years, largely because current market conditions and an oversupply of stock are affording them the luxury of both time and choice.”

Henry Crane, a partner at James Laurence Estate Agents, Birmingham, said: “Overall, while demand remains, it is highly price-sensitive and selective, with the best-positioned homes continuing to perform strongly.”

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Matthew Harvey, a partner at Tayler & Fletcher, Cotswolds, said: “Demand in the higher middle market remains steady, led by lifestyle and schooling needs. At the top end, price adjustments are largely a correction of earlier overpricing following the post-Covid surge.

“Overall, realistically-priced homes are selling well, with many recent listings already finding buyers.”

The report was released as a separate index from property firm Hamptons indicated that the average price of a newly agreed let in Britain rose 1.1% over the year to May, slowing from a 1.2% annual increase in April. The average rent paid by a tenant moving into a property in Britain was £1,382 per month in May, Hamptons said.

Regionally, the average new let rent in the South East of England reached £1,500 per month in May, up by 2.0% annually. Hamptons said this is the first time it has recorded any region outside London with rents reaching the £1,500-per-month mark.

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Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, said: “While rental growth on newly agreed lets remains cool by recent standards, landlords appear to be taking a more cautious approach when selecting new tenants. Many are showing a willingness to wait for the right tenant rather than accept the first offer, which has reduced the number of homes let and helped to keep a lid on rental growth for new tenants.”

Hamptons’ monthly lettings index has been running since 2011 and uses data from the Connells Group to track changes to the cost of renting. The index is based on achieved rather than advertised rents.

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Discover Westhoughton walk and the refurbished Rose and Crown Pub

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Discover Westhoughton walk and the refurbished Rose and Crown Pub

This circular walk brings them together in a route that showcases the town at its best.

Taking in the woodland trails of Hall Lee Bank Park, open countryside around Chequerbent and the poignant Pretoria Pit Disaster Memorial, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the landscapes and stories that have shaped Westhoughton for generations.

Simon StonesHall Lee Bank Park (Image: Simon Stones)

Better still, after around five miles of walking, there’s a well-earned pint waiting at one of the town’s most popular pubs.

Beginning in Westhoughton town centre, the route takes around two to two-and-a-half hours at a leisurely pace and is suitable for walkers of most abilities, with largely flat terrain and only a handful of gentle slopes.

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Starting in the heart of town

The walk begins on Market Street, close to Ditchfield Gardens and St Bartholomew’s Church.

Westhoughton Parish Church fire, Nov 1990Westhoughton St Bart’s Parish Church fire in Nov 1990

The Grade II-listed church has stood at the heart of Westhoughton for centuries and serves as a reminder of the town’s rich heritage before the route heads towards Park Road and one of its best-loved green spaces.

Hall Lee Bank Park: A hidden woodland escape

Many residents know Hall Lee Bank Park as a favourite dog-walking spot, but visitors often find themselves surprised by what lies beyond its entrance.

Deer spotted roaming on the proposed landDeer spotted in Hall Lee Bank Park (Image: NQ)

Managed by Bolton Council as a Local Nature Reserve, the park offers a peaceful retreat from the bustle of everyday life.

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A brook runs through the centre of the valley while mature woodland rises on either side, creating a landscape that feels far removed from the nearby town centre.

Simon StonesHall Lee Bank (Image: Simon Stones)

The northern end of the park is particularly accessible, with level, tarmac pathways dating back to the Edwardian era.

Further south, the terrain becomes more adventurous, with stone paths winding through woodland and descending towards the water below.

It’s easy to see why the park remains one of Westhoughton’s hidden gems.

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For those wanting to explore further, the paths continue all the way through to Daisy Hill railway station, although this route branches off towards open countryside.

Across the fields of Chequerbent

Leaving the woodland behind, the walk joins footpaths through Chequerbent and a section of the Rotary Way – the 50-mile circular route that encircles the Borough of Bolton.

The change in scenery is immediate.

Open fields, hedgerows and wide skies replace the woodland canopy, offering walkers a chance to appreciate the rural landscapes that still surround much of Westhoughton.

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Despite being only a short distance from the town centre, this section feels remarkably peaceful and provides a reminder of the area’s agricultural roots.

A powerful reminder of the town’s past

The most poignant stop on the route comes at the Pretoria Pit Disaster Memorial.

(Image: Westhoughton Town Council)

The memorial commemorates the 344 men and boys who lost their lives on December 21, 1910, when a devastating explosion tore through Hulton Colliery.

More than a century later, it remains one of the worst mining disasters in British history.

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Set within quiet surroundings, the memorial provides an opportunity for reflection and serves as a lasting tribute to the generations of mining families who helped shape Westhoughton and the wider South Lancashire coalfield.

It’s a sobering but important reminder of the sacrifices made by those who worked underground.

The perfect finishing point

Derek and Ray underneath the pub's signThe Newly refurbished Rose & Crown (Image: Dan Dougherty)

From the memorial, the route heads back towards Bolton Road.

The final stretch carries its own historical significance.

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According to local historians, Warcock Hill – associated with the Battle of Westhoughton Common – once stood opposite the Rose & Crown, meaning walkers are passing through centuries of local history before reaching the finish line.

The perfect beer garden to end your stroll in (Image: Brand Potential)

That finish line comes in the form of one of the town’s most popular pubs.

The Rose & Crown on Bolton Road recently reopened following a major refurbishment that has given the community pub a fresh new look.

The perfect beer garden to end your stroll in (Image: Brand Potential)

The investment saw the venue transformed with new flooring, furniture and décor, alongside revamped outdoor seating areas, improved lighting and a refreshed beer garden.

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New darts and pool facilities have also been added, helping to create a modern social hub for local residents.

The pub officially reopened in May under new operator Ray Lester, with live music, quiz nights, karaoke and community events all featuring prominently in its plans for the future.

(Image: Dan Dougherty)

Westhoughton Town Council’s Mayor was among those attending the reopening celebrations, describing pubs as places that bring communities together.

Whether it’s a quiet pint after a long walk, a catch-up with friends in the refurbished beer garden or a chance to rest weary legs after five miles on the trail, it provides a fitting place to round off an afternoon spent exploring Westhoughton’s hidden corners.

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For downloadable directions, walkers can search for sections of the route on Komoot or Slow Ways before setting off.

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Architects brown + company, of York key role in Leeds build

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Architects brown + company, of York key role in Leeds build

Architects brown + company, in Blossom Street, which also has offices in Manchester and Edinburgh, to date has had projects at Aparthotel Micklegate, 23 Piccadilly, 4-6 Parliament Street and the Mount Royale in York itself.


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And now they are working on 8, St Paul’s Street in Leeds city centre, which has been transformed into modern Grade A office space through a major refurbishment on behalf of the new owners and occupiers W Denis.

Rob Miller, director at brown + company, said: “This was a tremendously exciting and rewarding project for us.

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“It is fair to say that when W Denis bought the building, it was ageing, underutilised, and unloved.

“But, given its prominent position in the heart of Leeds’ professional core, only five minutes from Leeds Station, it had tremendous potential.”

Rob Miller of brown + company (Image: Supplied)

The scheme received planning consent in 2023, after which brown + company was appointed to redesign and modernise the eight-storey building.

Working with main contractor MLC and interior designer RuCreative, the team delivered what they describe as a best-in-class office development in the heart of the city.

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The refurbishment included a one-storey roof extension and a rear extension, increasing total office space by 30 per cent to 25,000 sq ft.

W Denis, a national insurance broker, have taken three floors of the building as its headquarters.

The redesign features a new reception area, shared meeting rooms, a roof garden, and flexible, high-quality office spaces.

8 St Paul’s Street Interior reception (Image: Rob Crawshaw)

Kathryn Thew, speaking on behalf of W Denis, said: “The experience of working with brown + company on the construction and redevelopment of our office block in Leeds exceeded our expectations from start to finish.

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“Throughout the project, the team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity, and technical expertise.

“They took the time to understand our operational requirements and translated them into a modern, functional, and visually impressive workspace that has transformed the building.”

Thew said the company had received numerous positive comments from staff, tenants, and visitors.

Mr Miller said sustainability was a central focus of the design.

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He said: “We retained embodied carbon on site, thermally improved the building, reused parts of the external 1960s façade in the mezzanine interior, and facilitated energy generation on site, all helping to achieve a BREEAM excellent score, which is high for an existing building.”

The project team also prioritised employee wellbeing and collaborative working.

The redesigned offices include breakout areas, a gym, yoga studio, a bar area, rooftop garden, large kitchens, and both formal and informal meeting spaces.

Improvements to daylight quality were also a major component of the redesign, with a new façade and extensive planting throughout the building.

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8 St Paul’s Street exterior (Image: Supplied)

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Stock prices soar and oil falls after a tentative deal is reached on ending the Iran war

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Stock prices soar and oil falls after a tentative deal is reached on ending the Iran war

BANGKOK (AP) — Share prices soared Monday in Asia after a tentative deal was announced on ending the Iran war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Benchmarks in Tokyo and Seoul initially gained more than 5% early Monday. Oil prices fell more than $4 a barrel.

The future for the S&P 500 was up 1% and that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.9%, auguring likely early gains for Wall Street.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the initial agreement and authorized an end to the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.

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Iran confirmed it but signaled that implementation would not start until a signing that Pakistan said would be held Friday in Switzerland. Broader negotiations on issues like Iran’s nuclear program are expected to continue over the next 60 days.

In early trading Monday, the price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, fell $3.61 to $83.64 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude lost $4.27 to $80.61 per barrel.

But it may take months for oil prices to stabilize after the disruptions from the war caused them to surge, pushing costs up gasoline and many other products. Energy experts said shipping and insurance companies will want to be confident the pact will hold, ensuring that oil and gas supplies will flow freely enough for the world’s needs to be met.

“The reopening of Hormuz is a relief valve, not a full peace dividend. The market can remove some crude panic, but it still has to price the gap between a headline, a signature, and a regime that actually complies,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a report.

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Still, the news was a huge relief for markets that have been roiled since the conflict began in late February.

The deal on ending the war offers relief to the global economy more than three months since fighting began.

Stocks rallied in Asia, where Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 5.4% to 69,603.91 as the benchmark logged another record high.

Buying was heaviest for technology shares, especially those related to artificial intelligence. The boom in AI has been driving gains in Japan, where the benchmark has gained more than 80% in the last year.

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“This is great news,” said Takashi Hiroki, chief strategist at Monex. “Buying by foreign investors is leading the market with expectations of easing tensions around the situation in the Middle East. Then the decline in New York crude oil futures is supporting this positive market.”

The Kospi in Seoul surged 4.9% to 8,517.93.

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In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 0.6% to 24,867.94, while the Shanghai Composite index was up 1.1% to 4,073.08.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 1.4% to 8,922.90. Taiwan’s Taiex was up 2.5%.

On Friday, U.S. stocks as Musk’s SpaceX soared in its highly anticipated debut on Wall Street.

The strong debut suggested plenty of demand still exists among investors for AI after its stock leaped 19.2% in its first day of trading. That gave Elon Musk’s rocket company a total value of $2.1 trillion, making it bigger than Exxon Mobil, Bank of America and Coca-Cola combined. In addition to building rockets, SpaceX also owns the artificial intelligence company xAI.

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The S&P 500 added 0.5% to close out its 10th winning week in the last 11. The Dow industrials climbed 353 points, or 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.3%.

This week will bring interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve and Bank of England, on Thursday. On Tuesday, the Bank of Japan is due to announce its monetary policy updates. It is widely expected to raise its benchmark interest rate to 1% from the current 0.75%.

That would be the highest rate in more than 30 years.

In other dealings early Monday, the dollar rose to 160.20 Japanese yen from 160.12 yen late Friday. The euro climbed to $1.1595 from $1.1578.

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Senior producer Mayuko Ono in Tokyo contributed to this report.

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