Georgina Owen died in September 2019, aged 21 years old, after suffering ‘delusions’ due to vitamin deficiency

A father hopes to raise awareness of the dangers of a vitamin deficiency if untreated – after his “full of life” daughter died aged only 21. Georgina Owen, from Saffron Walden in Essex, died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge on September 19, 2019.

A written inquest determined that Georgina died of a brain injury after taking her own life. Georgina had been on a vegan diet since 2016, and took vitamin B12 supplements for her diet.

In her inquest, doctors said it was “likely” that Georgina suffered a vitamin deficiency as a result of her diet, and this led to “possible mental illness and that on the balance of probabilities”. Georgina’s father, Dr Peter Julian Owen, paid tribute to his daughter and described her as a “lovely” girl who was “full of life”.

Mr Owen added: “She was our oldest daughter and only daughter. She was doing amazing things. She did something called Project Trust, where they place people for a year abroad for various goodwill projects around the globe.

“Georgina was placed in South Africa. She was teaching classrooms with hundreds of kids and driving them around in a minibus and she loved it.

“She came back and having done maths, physics and chemistry, she actually wanted to do geography. She moved to being a vegan and wanted to do right for the planet. She was doing well at [University of] Swansea and always wanted to do something significant and good.”

‘Silent crisis’

Following Georgina’s death, Mr Owen has been working with others to raise awareness of the “silent crisis” behind vitamin B12 deficiency and if untreated or undiagnosed, it can lead to potential “irreversible neurological damage”.

Mr Owen has been working as part of the B12 Alliance, formed of charities and experts looking at the dangers of vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as raising awareness about it. “We want to raise awareness about diagnosis and treatment,” said Mr Owen.

As part of the B12 Alliance, the experts and charities have created an educational pack that is soon to be used by NHS England. Mr Owen added: “What’s become clear is guidance on how to manage B12 deficiency in the over 16s. There’s a space that needs filling about what you do with children.”

To identify if someone has a vitamin B12 deficiency, a blood test is taken. Mr Owen said that the document produced by the group shows the “blood test isn’t perfect”.

The father said that everyone should have access to an additional blood test that shows if the “cells are working, rather than what’s in the blood”. Mr Owen said: “There’s a difference between having B12 in your blood and it getting in the cell and working.

“That additional blood test is not widely available and that’s the challenge.” Mr Owen added that it’s not just from plant-based diets that people can experience a vitamin B12 deficiency, but also diabetic people who take metformin.

Peter added that it’s “really important” more awareness is raised about diagnosis and treatment for this vitamin deficiency. The B12 Alliance is raising money via a JustGiving page for the campaign. The group will also be heading to Westminster on September 10 to try and spread their message nationally.

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Today, more than 1000 pages of documents about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US have been published by the government.

Adam, Chris and Joe get together to discuss what the files tell us about Peter Mandelson’s vetting process, his relationship with some of the government’s most senior figures and his thoughts on the Prime Minister’s leadership.

Some of the files have been redacted or held back as part of the ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office by Peter Mandelson. He has repeatedly let it be known that he believes he has not acted criminally, did not act for personal gain and is co-operating with police

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Popular BBC daytime programme Doorbell Detectives has returned for a second series

A BBC programme dedicated to tackling neighbourhood crime has returned for a second series, with the broadcaster promising viewers will be “gripped”.

Daytime show Doorbell Detectives is back for 12 episodes, presented by Matt Allwright, who is also well known for his appearances on The One Show.

A synopsis stated: “From the ‘Incident Room’ in Manchester, Matt Allwright and former Inspector Anton listen first-hand from the victims of the stories featured, unpacking how the rise in doorbell footage can lead to real differences in deterring crime.”

The description revealed that throughout the series, “viewers will be gripped by extraordinary real-life stories” captured on doorbell and CCTV footage from across the UK, reports the Mirror.

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“In one shocking case, an elderly couple slept soundly, completely unaware that a thief had broken into their bungalow, searching through their belongings. It was only until their doorbell camera footage alerted their daughter of the overnight intrusion, potentially keeping the couple out of danger for far longer had it gone undetected.

“In another remarkable story, a fearless eight-time karate world champion spotted a car thief sneaking around their property on their doorbell camera.

“The next day the thief came back, they used their karate skills to physically restrain the suspect in a holding position until police arrived.”

Dympna Jackson and Pam Cavannagh, executive producers for Purple Productions, said: “We are delighted that audiences enjoy Doorbell Detectives and that the show is returning for a second series.

“The show presents the importance of doorbell cameras to build a safer community and protect our most vulnerable neighbours.”

Doorbell Detectives launched last year, with Rob Unsworth, head of BBC Daytime and early peak commissioning, describing the series as “gripping” and noting that it “put us right at the heart of the action in the battle against crime”.

He continued: “Whether it’s investigating leads captured by video doorbells, or hitching a ride with officers responding to emergency calls, we’ll be sharing a fresh, fascinating insight that will have our audience on the edge of their seats as we find out what happens next.”

Series one of Doorbell Detectives is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The new series airs at 10.45am on weekdays on BBC One.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is reconsidering whether to move forward with a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate his allies, a person familiar with his thinking said Monday, as the Justice Department said it would temporarily pause its implementation to comply with a court order.

The potential retreat is a nod to the legal setbacks the fund has encountered since it was announced two weeks ago and a recognition of the mounting political backlash from Republicans concerned by a lack of oversight of the money disbursement and the possibility of payouts to participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The Trump administration had defended the $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” established to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns, as an appropriate corrective measure for what officials insist was weaponized law enforcement during the Biden administration.

But while some Trump supporters — including participants in the Capitol riot — celebrated the announcement of the fund, the reaction among Republicans in Congress has been decidedly more hostile.

The outrage came to a head last month at a closed-door meeting between senators and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche that Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas described on a recent episode of his podcast as “one of the roughest meetings I’ve seen in my entire time in the Senate.”

The furor has especially complicated matters in the Senate, where Republicans defiantly left town 10 days ago without passing legislation to fund Trump’s immigration enforcement agencies. Republicans who returned to Washington on Monday said they won’t have the votes to pass the Homeland Security spending bill until the White House works with them to place parameters on the fund. Many have pushed the administration to impose limits or scrap the idea altogether.

Amid the backlash, a person familiar with the matter, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the president’s thinking, said Monday that Trump was reconsidering whether to move forward with the fund.

But it was not clear whether the Justice Department’s statement that it would pause action on the fund was definitive enough for the Senate to be able to move the bill forward.

“They need to say what they actually mean,” said Republican Sen. Jim Lankford. “They need to say, “We’re setting this whole thing aside.’”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated Monday that he hoped the White House would move to drop the fund.

“I do think the best way to handle it is if the administration decides to shut it down themselves,” Thune told reporters.

He said any additional statements from the administration would be helpful, but: “I think the statement they made effectively shuts it down. We’ll find out.”

The Justice Department said it would comply with a ruling in Virginia on Friday by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who responded to an outside challenge to the fund by temporarily halting its implementation. The judge scheduled a June 12 hearing for arguments on whether to extend her order.

The department said in a statement that it strongly disagrees with the ruling but will comply with it.

“This Fund was open to anybody who was so weaponized, targeted, or persecuted, whether they were Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent, or otherwise,” the statement said. “The Department will abide by the Court’s ruling.

Separately, the federal judge in Florida overseeing Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS ordered Trump’s attorneys on Friday to respond to “grievous allegations” by settlement critics that the president abandoned his claims to avoid the court’s scrutiny of an illegal deal. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams gave them until June 12 to respond in writing to allegations of collusion and whether the case should be reopened because the court was the “victim of a fraud.”

As part of the settlement, the IRS agreed to drop all past and pending probes of Trump, his family and other associates over whether they’ve paid their fair share of taxes.

It was not immediately clear whether the retreat being signaled on the fund Monday also indicated that the administration was backtracking on its promised immunity from tax audits.

_____

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.

Europe remains the destination of choice for UK holidaymakers. According to the Office for National Statistics, UK residents made an estimated 94.6 million visits abroad in 2024, with European favourites dominating the list. Spain, France and Italy were the top European countries to visit. 

As millions of Britons continue to travel to EU nations each year, understanding how healthcare works in Europe is vital. Gone is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and in its place is the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). But what exactly is the difference between EHIC and GHIC? Read on to find out.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Monday afternoon, South Yorkshire Police said: “While we are doing everything we can to find him, our family liaison officers have sadly had the heartbreaking conversation with Mackenzie’s family that if he had not exited the river on Saturday, he could not have survived in the water for this length of time.

The Epsom Derby, with its top prize of £1m, takes place on Saturday at 4pm.

The favourite, Benvenuto Cellini, looks a solid bet. He stays, appears to have pace and balance and I cannot see Ryan Moore picking any of the other six Ballydoyle runners over him.

If it comes to a dogfight I like Maltese Cross, who has three times been headed and fought back. I see Ancient Egypt running a big race but, at one fifth the odds, those two still do not represent great value.

However, if you like Maltese Cross because he keeps winning then you also have to like 66-1 shot Causeway, a lazy type who has won his past four. It is probably worth checking whether he is declared on Wednesday, but it would not be the biggest surprise to me were he to run a big race.

My horse-by-horse guide to the 2026 Epsom Derby

Action – 16-1

Owner: Mr M Tabor, D. Smith and Mrs John Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
A Ballydoyle Frankel colt who is one win from six starts. Was only half a length behind French Derby runner-up Hawk Mountain in Futurity last year, so in the unlikely event there is mud underfoot it would not be detrimental to his chances. Solid 2¾ lengths behind Item in Dante, though ostensibly there to set the pace for Christmas Day. Could run well but carries head high and usually finds at least one or more too good.

Alderman – 200-1

Owner: Mrs J Wood 
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Thrice raced maiden who finished 4½ lengths second to former Derby hope Water To Wine at Newbury in a one-mile-three-furlong maiden on last start. Will start at a huge price. In theory no chance but how often do we see a long-priced placed horse in the Derby? Almost annually.

Ancient Egypt – 12-1

Owner: Amo Racing Ltd
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Amo has twice finished second in the Derby and Johnston also filled that spot last year with Lazy Griff. This £1.1m colt also looks good each-way value. His only defeat came at two when he was well beaten in the Royal Lodge by 2,000 Guineas winner Bow Echo.

There is reason to suspect he was below par that day, but he returned to Newmarket in spring to land the Listed Newmarket Stakes over a mile and a quarter by two lengths. Was 16-1 that day. Should improve for the extra quarter-mile and looked comfortable at Epsom in a gallop round the course last week.

A Taste of Glory – 150-1

Owner: Green Team Racing 
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Last of six in Lingfield behind Derby hopes Maltese Cross and Bay of Brilliance. Owner loves a crack at this race and has a couple of long-priced seconds but it is hard to see this one picking up too much prize money.

Balzac – 150-1

Owner and trainer: Mrs Jane Chapple-Hyam
German-bred colt who looks a bit below the level required to win a Derby, but there’s always a long shot in the money in this race. Was 2¼ lengths behind Maltese Cross on juvenile debut, won on all-weather before finishing third in Epsom and Lingfield trials but 6¾ behind Maltese Cross last time when slow-run race did not help. A bit further at a better gallop might help. Trainer’s ex-husband won it twice.

Bay of Brilliance – 12-1

Owner: Valmont 
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Wide-margin Redcar novice winner at two in silks that have become pretty familiar in recent seasons, if not quite at this level. A half-brother to Ebor and Cheltenham winner Absurde. If you take his neck defeat by Maltese Cross in the Lingfield trial – first time out this season, as opposed to the winner’s second start – at face value, this colt’s odds are a complete anomaly. If Maltese Cross is 8-1 I am not sure why Bay of Brilliance was 16-1. Makes him a value bet if nothing else. The trainer is no stranger to Classic success with Oaks and St Leger wins.

Benvenuto Cellini – 7-4

Owner: Brant/Magnier/Tabor/Smith/Westerberg 
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland
Named after a 16th-century sculptor, goldsmith and author. Big white-faced chestnut Frankel colt who will be easy to spot coming down Tattenham Hill. Won a Group Two well on third of four starts at two, but then got stuck in the mud in the Futurity. Was 4½-length winner of the Chester Vase so trip no problemo and he looked well balanced. Not sure how instant his gear change is, but the end result was good. Promoted to Derby favourite before Vase and even more worthy of that position, afterwards particularly with Constitution River having gone to France.

Causeway – 66-1

Owner: Mr M Tabor, D Smith and Mrs John Magnier 
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland
Under-the-radar Ballydoyle colt who is the winner of the last four of his five starts. Dam didn’t do much, but is a half-sister to Magical and Rhododendron, so from a good family. Lazy type who would probably have the cheekpieces on if he lined up at Epsom. Was carded to go to Royal Ascot, so must be doing something to change the trainer’s mind.

Christmas Day – 25-1

Owner: Magnier/Tabor/Smith/Westerberg/Brant 
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland
Headline writers would like this one to come in; Christmas Day in June etc. Overturned more fancied stablemate Pierre Bonnard in the Ballysax Stakes but if that was one step forward then Dante was one step back. Made to look a bit vin ordinaire in third behind Item and stablemate Action. Not sure where he is in Ballydoyle pecking order, but not at the top of it.

Endorsement – 66-1

Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M, Tabor, Westerberg 
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland
Knocking on the door in a couple of trials this season, half a length behind Christmas Day and then James J Braddock in Ballysax and Cashel Palace – both times as pacemaker. His job would appear to be pretty clear: make it a decent, level gallop for Ballydoyle’s more fancied runners.

Item – 10-3

Owner: Juddmonte 
Trainer: Andrew Balding
A Juddmonte homebred by Frankel who has several things going for him. He looks an uncomplicated ride, he has a nice attitude, he is unbeaten so we have not found his limits yet. The further he went, the better he went in the Dante on his first start of the season, winning with some authority. Trainer’s previous Dante winners did not go on to Epsom glory, Bonfire was sixth, The Foxes was fifth but, 55 years after Mill Reef won for his late father, Ian, Item has a solid chance.

James J Braddock – 10-1

Owner: Mr Kevin Blake Joseph 
Trainer: Patrick O’Brien
A £40,000 yearling owned by a racing pundit and named after the US world heavyweight boxing champion with an iron chin and whose middle name was actually Walter, but took the “J” because two previous champions had it as their middle name. Won a maiden by six lengths on the heavy but improved to beat Pierre Bonnard in his trial and looks like he could improve again for another two furlongs. Trainer won the race twice as a jockey. It is only a matter of time before he wins it as a trainer.

Maltese Cross – 8-1

Owner: Mr George Waud 
Trainer: William Haggas
A £350,000 yearling owned by the producer/director who brought us the 2006 movie Snakes on a Plane, this colt has developed a style of winning which is best summed up as “just”. His three wins from four starts have been by a head, a neck and a neck. Connections will not mind if it is only by an inch that he wins the Derby. He might never be flashy but he seems to get it done and it is hard to know what his limit might be. The last Lingfield Trial winner to go on to Epsom glory was Anthony Van Dyke in 2019 but it also threw up Adayar in 2021.

Pierre Bonnard – 7-1

Owner: Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg 
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland
Named after the French painter who bridged the gap between impressionism and modernism. Smart two-year-old career saw him win the Zetland Stakes and Grand Critérium de Saint-Cloud on the heavy, putting himself in the Derby frame. But equine Pierre Bonnard has been bridging the gap between over-hyped and disappointing this season; well beaten by Christmas Day in the Ballysax, just beaten in the Cashel Palace by James J Braddock. Held in such high esteem by Ballydoyle, I suppose it would not be the biggest surprise if he produced it on the day but is not the stable’s first string now, that’s for sure.

Poker – 100-1

Owner: Amo Racing Limited 
Trainer: KR Burke
Expensive yearling who, thus far, has only helped cement Kia Joorabchian’s reputation as a big spender. It was always going to be a big ask to warrant his initial cost, but it has to be regarded as a disappointment that he is still a maiden after three starts and is looking a bit like 4.3gns’ worth of slow. Should win the odd handicap in due time but Derby looks ambitious.

Proposition – 100-1

Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Mr M Tabor and Mr D Smith 
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland
Small colt who won a maiden in the mud at two and carried out pacemaking duties for Benvenuto Cellini in the Chester Vase. Went about 10 lengths clear and collared about a furlong and a half out. Front-runners, if given breathers at the right time, can stay in front for a long way in the Derby but, unlike 2020 Covid winner Serpentine who was 12 lengths clear at one stage in one of the worst Derbies ever run, usually get overhauled late on.

Rebel Rocker – 100-1

Owner: Miss Jennifer Dorey 
Trainer: Faye Bramley
One of the least experienced runners in the field with two runs to date. Not sired by a stayer but dam seems to put stamina into her offspring. Stayed on for second in Epsom trial, he would represent a first runner in the race for Faye Bramley. May improve for further but would appear short on required class at this level. Odds of 100-1 look about right.

BIG BITES has moved from its former premises in Market Square East to a new store in Queen Street in Ripon.

Business owners Alex and Natalie Sutcliffe said they had outgrown their previous premises where customers resorted to “queueing in the street”.

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Alex said: “Following negotiations with Sterne Properties Limited, we agreed a deal in April and here we are now with four times the space, a large indoor seating area with tables and benches and an increased range of food, drink and other goods on sale.”

BIG BITES has moved to a brand-new shop in Queen Street, Ripon (Image: BIG BITES)

In addition to selling its trademark hot and cold sandwiches, BIG BITES’ deals include gluten-free options, take home and cook meal deals and savoury and sweet pies and pastries – all sourced from local suppliers.

The company also offers an early morning meal deal until 9.30am and a Blue Light and Military Personnel discount of 10 per cent off all items except meal deals.

The store in Queen Street includes Sutty’s Grub – a brand that caters for motorbike enthusiasts.

The store in Queen Street includes Sutty’s Grub – a brand that caters for motorbike enthusiasts (Image: BIG BITES)

Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst said: “The BIG BITES expansion comes hot on the heels of the opening of health food and drink café and wine bar Sustain, located at the Marshall Way entrance to HALLS of Ripon, where the newly illuminated medieval well is attracting a great deal of attention.

“Add to this the three-screen cinema in Fishergate, which award-winning operators John Tate and John Hewitt are aiming to open on November 27 and it’s fair to say that Ripon is on a roll in more ways than one.”

She added: “The community of independent businesses that make our city so special, all benefit from the millions of pounds invested in Ripon by local companies and individuals, as each opening, expansion and refurbishment brings increased consumer choice and contributes to the overall offer provided by the Cathedral City of the Dales.”

BIG BITES is known for its trademark large hot and cold sandwiches (Image: BIG BITES)

BIG BITES will open from 7.30am to 3pm Monday to Saturday and from 8am until 2pm on Sundays.

For more on this, see here.

At least one person appeared to have been injured

A cordon was put in place in Manchester city centre following reports of a ‘mass brawl’ on Monday night (June 1).

Multiple police vehicles and responding ambulances could be seen in attendance along Red Lion Street following reports of the incident.

A number of officers could be seen conducting investigations at the scene. Greater Manchester Police have not yet issued a statement on the incident but have been contacted.

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Video footage shared with the Manchester Evening News appeared to show a large group on the first floor of the car park. Shouts could be heard as some members of the group appeared to lunge towards each other. Others were seen running away.

At least one person was injured in the incident and seen being taken away from the scene on a stretcher.

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One witness said: “There was a mass brawl at around 9.50pm at the nearby car park involving around 20 people. Now there’s six police cars and two ambulances.”

No further details have been confirmed. Pictures showed a number of police vans lining Red Lion Street from Turner Street. Part of the road and car park were also cordoned off at the car park entrance.

Greater Manchester Police were approached for a statement.

An application lodged with City of York Council would see banners and flags pointing visitors towards the entrance to the National Railway Museum installed if they are approved.

Plans from the museum stated online maps services had not yet caught up with changes to nearby roads, leading to visitors being given the wrong directions.

They added it followed changes to access routes to the museum which are now via Hudson Boulevard and Foundry Way.

It follows the construction and opening of both roads as part of the York Central regeneration scheme of the area around Leeman Road.

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The redevelopment of the area is set to include a new Central Hall for the museum and a new entrance to it off a new planned public space dubbed Museum Square.

Planning documents from the attraction stated the 1.5m-high by 70cm-wide PVC banners would be fixed to lamppost along the new roads.

They would direct people coming from the city centre or York Station to the right way to find the museum’s entrance.

Designs for banners planned along routes to the National Railway Museum, in York (Image: National Railway Museum)

Plans stated: “Visitors are often being led on unnecessary, long or incorrect routes.

“The flags will assist the public in finding their way to the museum, thus contributing to public safety.

“The flags will be made of high quality, durable material and will be maintained on a regular basis.”

The submission of the plans follows the approval of changes to the design of the new Central Hall amid concerns about overheating on the inside of the building.

Revisions include reducing glazing in the Museum Square building’s rooflight to prevent the inside it overheating, along with different cladding on the outside.

The museum’s plans stated the alterations, which also include lowering the height of the cylindrical building, followed assessments and would reduce the visual impact of its design.

Central Hall was set to be built next year as of July 2025, with an opening date yet to be confirmed.