Former Premier League footballer John Terry was seen joining country music star Luke Combs on stage at his Wembley Stadium gig as they chugged beers together

Ex-footballer John Terry was met with a chorus of boos as he made a surprise appearance on stage with country music star Luke Combs during his Wembley Stadium concert. The former Chelsea and England captain, 45, joined the American singer, 36, on stage during the opening night of his three-night Wembley residency on Friday.

Taking part in Luke’s now-famous beer shotgun tradition in front of a packed crowd of around 90,000 fans, John appeared delighted to join in the show. But as he walked out on stage to greet the singer, many in the audience could be heard booing the footballer as he embraced Luke before downing a pint of beer, to a mixture of boos and cheers.

Despite the frosty reception, the pair carried on with the ritual, with the boos continuing to ring around the stadium as Luke cracked open his drink alongside the former defender. After finishing their beers, Luke launched his empty can into the side of the stage while John opted to kick his into the crowd before the pair shared a quick hug.

Luke then returned to performing his hit song 1, 2 Many, while John quietly left the stage to watch the rest of the concert. For the surprise cameo, John kept things casual in a white T-shirt, navy trousers and a flat cap.

The unexpected appearance quickly became a talking point on social media, with many fans admitting the moment felt uncomfortable, while others suggested Luke may not have realised how divisive the former footballer remains among sports fans.

One fan wrote: “Got booed by the whole of the stadium, quite awkward tbh, both for him and Luke.” Another commented: “I didn’t know who he was, but he’s got booed where I was stood.”

A third added: “Oh no Luke. This ain’t the one.” Others echoed the reaction, writing: “It didn’t go down very well,” while another joked: “I guess Luke didn’t realise JT’s popularity in the UK.” One more fan simply quipped: “Someone sounds popular…”

John has long divided opinion throughout his football career and beyond.

The former defender was at the centre of several high-profile controversies during his playing days, including rumours of an affair with the former partner of ex-England teammate Wayne Bridge. More recently, he also attracted criticism from some England supporters after appearing alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the World Cup.

Away from football, John has been enjoying family life with wife Toni Terry. The couple recently shared highlights from their trip to the United States with their 20-year-old twins, Summer and Georgie, as England competed at the World Cup.

The family visited New York, Boston and Miami, documenting sightseeing trips, fishing excursions, baseball games and time spent relaxing on the water. The holiday came just weeks after John and Toni celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary with heartfelt tributes on social media.

John wrote: “Happy Anniversary Mrs T. 19 Years Married to this amazing woman, we enjoy so many good times together and never give up in the bad times, we only get closer. You are my rock, my best friend, my greatest supporter, and the love of my life. Happy Anniversary Baby.”

Toni also marked the occasion with her own post, writing: “Happy Anniversary Mr T. 19 years married. I love all the amazing memories we have made over the years together and with our beautiful family. You’re my world and I love you.”

The couple married at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in June 2007 in a lavish ceremony reportedly costing close to £1 million.

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“The walls are all cracked, the stairs are cracked, we cleaned up the debris but our clothes are destroyed with dust, We are afraid the whole building is going to fall down.”

An Irish family holidaying in southern Italy have described the terrifying moments they believed they were going to die after a powerful earthquake ripped through the town of Pozzuoli, sending them fleeing from their holiday villa as walls cracked and debris fell around them.

Dubliner Eimear Murphy (46), who now lives in Dunboyne, Co Meath, her husband David, their three children Jack (13) and 10-year-old twins Kate and Conor, had travelled to the Italian town near Naples for a week-long family break with Eimear’s sister Roisin Purcell, her partner Shane Kendrick, their children Molly, Paddy, Hannah and Darragh, and Eimear’s parents Marian and Tom O’Farrell.

The group of 15 arrived on Tuesday, July 28, and had been enjoying a stay in an Airbnb villa with a swimming pool in Pozzuoli, a quiet coastal town around 20 minutes from Naples.

But just days into their trip, the family were caught up in the fear and chaos of an earthquake that struck at around 7.45pm on Friday evening.

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The powerful earthquake struck the Naples region, sending residents fleeing into the streets as buildings shook across the Campi Flegrei volcanic zone.

The 4.7‐magnitude tremor, one of the most powerful in the region for four decades, was centred on Pozzuoli.

The moment the earthquake hit was terrifying, with the ground violently shaking and a sense of panic spreading through the community.

On Saturday, the streets were littered with debris and masonry torn from building facades while widespread power cuts plunged several neighbourhoods into darkness.

Emergency services there say at least four people have been injured, with tremors felt across Naples, Pozzuoli and surrounding towns.

Eimear said she was in the shower on Friday evening when at around 7.45pm she suddenly felt the ground begin to move, while two of the children were inside the villa watching their iPads and the rest of the family were outside on the veranda.

“I felt the ground moving and although the earthquake was only six seconds, it felt much longer,” she told the Irish Mirror.

“I really thought the house was collapsing and I shouted to the boys to get out. My husband was outside shouting at us to get out too. We all ran out of the villa and stood around in shock in the garden until around 2am.”

She said panic immediately took over as they all feared the building would not withstand the shaking.

“There was pure panic and I really thought the villa was going to collapse on us and I thought we were going to die. It’s the first time any of us experienced an earthquake and it’s traumatising,” she said.

The earthquake also left Eimear with cuts and gashes on her arms, while her daughter was struck on the knee by a falling brick.

Although the family escaped serious injury, the earthquake left damage inside the villa, with cracks appearing in walls and stairs.

Eimear said debris had to be cleared away and their clothes were covered in dust.

“The walls are all cracked, the stairs are cracked, we cleaned up the debris but our clothes are destroyed with dust,” she said. “We are afraid the whole building is going to fall down.”

The family were forced to spend the night back in the villa as aftershocks continued, but sleep was difficult.

“We had to sleep in the villa last night but none of us really slept. The kids are upset and didn’t sleep a wink and we are all traumatised by it.”

Eimear said the family are grateful everyone is safe, but the continued tremors and uncertainty have left them desperate to return home.

“Today there are aftershocks and the ground is still shaking but we are all safe and that’s the main thing.”

The family are now waiting to find out if they can remain in the villa after the owner arranged for a structural engineer to inspect the property.

They are also trying to find earlier flights home, but said they have been left in limbo as local services remain disrupted.

“We can’t get flights out of here and all the shops and supermarkets are closed and the ports are closed too. We are living off Tayto crisps which we brought with us from home and bread rolls and water for now,” Eimear said.

She described the atmosphere in Pozzuoli as tense, with residents fearful about what could happen next.

“The town is very eerie today, everyone is freaked out and we are all apprehensive and just want to be home. There’s a lot of panic around the town today, police cars are flying around the place with sirens on.”

Eimear said the family are trying to stay calm for the children while they wait for further instructions.

“We are all trying to stay calm for the sake of the kids but we just want to get out as we are nervous.”

She described the experience as a holiday that quickly became a frightening ordeal. It’s a holiday that turned to hell and we just wish we were home now.”

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

Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) has made her feelings towards Dylan Wilson (Liam McCheyne) clear in recent Coronation Street scenes, so it is no surprise that Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) has concerns about how her mother will react to her latest request.

Betsy has been trying to come to terms with her new way of life after suffering a stroke, which has had a major impact on her ability to move and talk.

The stroke was found to have been triggered by Dylan strangling Betsy during sex, which has obviously brought up a lot of confusion for the young couple.

Betsy doesn’t want to get Dylan in trouble, but Lisa has already explained that whether she consented to the strangulation or not, Dylan broke the law when he caused physical harm.

‘It’s such a tricky situation. She’s got a detective as a mum who’s going to know the ins and outs of the law, which the average person wouldn’t,’ actress Sydney Martin previously told Metro.

‘It’s only a recent law that’s been brought in… Even with consent, if someone has been physically injured from it, he is still liable by law and could be charged. That’s such a tricky situation, because you’ve got a mum, rightfully so, absolutely livid. As you would be; that’s her baby.’

In upcoming scenes, Betsy confides in Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) that she wants to talk to Dylan, but she knows that Lisa won’t be very happy.

Even so, Ryan summons Dylan to No.6, and Betsy tries to reassure him that she doesn’t blame him for her condition.

However, they are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Lisa – but how will she react?

Lisa isn’t the only one who wants to see Dylan face the consequences of his actions, as he is also set to face an attack from Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) next week when she finds out about his visit with Betsy.

When Ryan tells Lauren that Dylan went round to see her, Lauren is horrified, and later chases him through the precinct.

The pair get into a tense confrontation that ends in a horrifying accident, a new spoiler video reveals.

As Lauren continues to scream at Dylan that he is to blame for Betsy having to learn to walk again, he insists that it isn’t his fault.

After slapping him, Lauren shoves Dylan to the ground, where he hits his head and loses consciousness.

Terrified, Lauren flees. How will Betsy react to Dylan’s attack, and what will Lisa make of it?

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The crash occurred shortly before 5pm and saw two vehicles involved.

The incident prompted a large response from emergency services, with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and North West Ambulance Service all called to the scene.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 4.45pm (on Saturday, August 1, one fire engine from Bolton North Community Fire Station was called to attend a road traffic collision involving two cars on Blackburn Road, Bolton.

“Crews arrived quickly and worked with North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police to make the area safe.

“Firefighters were in attendance for approximately an hour.”

It has not been confirmed whether anybody was injured during the crash.

Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service were contacted for comment.

Michael Bretton was found guilty of murdering lorry driver Craig Hurcombe at Bristol Crown Court after stalking him with GPS trackers

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A possessive killer described as “obsessed” with his former partner has been handed a life sentence following the murder of her boyfriend.

Michael Bretton, of Armoury Yard, Shaftesbury, was convicted of murdering lorry driver Craig Hurcombe at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, July 31. The 41-year-old must serve a minimum of 29-and-a-half years, minus time already spent on remand prior to the trial.

The court heard how Bretton employed “various methods” to locate and monitor Craig and Kate Saunders, seeking to “undermine” their relationship in December 2025. An “ongoing escalation” in his conduct culminated in Bretton tracking Craig from a property in North Somerset to a yard in Gurney Slade at around 6.20pm on January 1, reports Somerset Live.

It was at this location that Bretton carried out the killing, wielding a samurai sword to deliver a “single fatal stab wound to his torso”, claiming the life of the 39-year-old. Bretton subsequently attempted to conceal his actions by trying to burn Craig’s clothing, before burying his body in a shallow grave within a small wooded area on the site.

In the course of the police investigation, officers established that Craig and Kate had previously been in a relationship between 2017 and 2023. Jurors were told that in 2025, Bretton encountered Kate through a dating site, and following a brief, casual liaison, she severed contact with him.

The court heard that at this point Bretton desired “a relationship to progress to a more formal ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’ status”. Following Kate’s decision to end their relationship, Bretton began stalking both her and Craig – monitoring her movements to and from her residence and lingering near Craig’s place of work.

He purchased two GPS tracking devices online, which he secretly attached to vehicles belonging to Kate and Craig to follow their whereabouts. The stalking turned “more sinister” on New Year’s Eve when Craig returned to the yard to find the tyres on his Audi had been punctured.

Vehicle data confirmed Bretton’s presence in Pound Lane at the time Craig arrived at the premises on January 1. Officers also secured CCTV footage showing Craig’s final appearance after reaching the yard. The same surveillance cameras later captured Bretton at the location, following Craig’s murder.

Bretton subsequently retrieved the tracking device from Craig’s vehicle before driving the Audi away from the yard and torching it in nearby Galley Batch Lane. In a final effort to cover his tracks, Bretton travelled to an area close to the River Stour, carrying the tracking device removed from Craig’s Audi.

Throughout the investigation, officers examined the location where Bretton had paused, and police divers searched the water, recovering a corroded sword believed to be the weapon used in Craig’s killing. Following the murder, Bretton departed the scene and used Craig’s mobile phone to respond to messages while impersonating him, creating the illusion he remained alive and unharmed for several days.

On Saturday, January 10, Craig’s mother, Nicola Hurcombe, reported him missing to Wiltshire Police, prompting an investigation to be launched. Within just two days, officers had gathered evidence pinpointing Craig’s last-known whereabouts at the yard.

The case was subsequently handed over to Avon and Somerset Police, who continued efforts to locate Craig. On Wednesday, January 14, Craig’s body was recovered.

SomersetLive reported that pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Mr Hurcombe’s body, concluded he had died as a result of a single lengthy stab injury which had penetrated through his torso.

During the trial, Bretton’s defence counsel told the jury that Craig had “slipped” while climbing into his lorry and fallen onto “a metal shaft”.

The court was told that Bretton had followed Craig to his workplace to “confront him” and had buried his body following what he claimed was an accidental death. The jury rejected his account and convicted him of murder.

Following his death, Craig’s parents, Nicola and Paul, released a heartfelt tribute on behalf of the family, saying: “Craig was the perfect son and an independent man, and we are living with unimaginable loss and a huge hole in our lives which we will never come to terms with.

“Craig was very hardworking, ambitious, and very well thought of in his circle of work, especially his boss, who has expressed his gratitude for all Craig did for the company.”

The family noted that Craig is deeply missed by everyone who knew him, including his siblings Ashley, Laura, Jess, and niece Skye, along with the wide circle of friends he spent his time with.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Neil Meade said: “From the outset of this investigation, our sole aim was to secure justice for Craig and his family. Craig was a much-loved son, brother and uncle, and his family are now having to come to terms with a future no longer filled with his smile, his kindness and his love.”

He continued: “Bretton is one of the most dangerous individuals I have ever dealt with. His behaviour, including the stalking of Kate and the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to control and influence both Craig and Kate’s lives, was deeply disturbing.

“The level of planning and premeditation behind Craig’s murder was horrific. Throughout the investigation, Bretton appeared almost arrogant in the extensive measures he took to cover his tracks and evade responsibility.

“His claim that Craig simply ‘fell’ onto a metal shaft is utterly implausible, and I am grateful the jury saw through his lies and delivered a verdict that hopefully brings some measure of justice and closure to Craig’s family and friends.

“They have had to endure hearing and witnessing the details of Craig’s final moments, while also navigating the immense grief of losing someone they loved so dearly. I hope today’s outcome allows them to begin moving forward, knowing the person responsible has been held accountable.”

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BEIRUT (AP) — Crude oil appeared to be leaking and spreading in recent days from a sanctioned tanker grounded off the coast of Oman, close to a marine protected area, satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press show.

The images, the last of which was on Friday, show an oil sheen covering about 20 square kilometers (8 square miles) and dark spots of crude oil slicks on the shores of Dhofar’s Qibliyah Island, part of the Hallaniyat Islands.

The images indicated that the crude oil was gradually coming out of the tanker in low quantities over the last week, affecting shorelines in the area, and has spread into a thin sheen around the island, said Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert for PAX, a Dutch peace organization that focuses on conflict and the environment.

“The last few days, the imagery indicates an increase in oil coming out, as the size of the … sheen is growing,” he said. “The main risk is the breaking of the ship” as the windy monsoon season “might take its toll on the hull.” Seas are rough and there are strong winds during the monsoon season of May to September.

Zwijnenburg estimated the tanker is carrying more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil.

Images from July 28 showed the crude was mostly in the bay northwest of the ship, which ran aground off Qibliyah Island, with the oil sheen enveloping the coast, he said.

The 274-meter (899-foot) long Suezmax tanker Caroline Bezengi is sanctioned by the U.K. for carrying oil that originated in Russia and “has been or is likely to be involved in activity whose object or effect is to destabilize Ukraine.” The Cameroon-flagged tanker is also sanctioned by the European Union, Canada and Switzerland.

The tanker has been grounded off the Dhofar coast since June, according to two shipping and maritime news outlets, who reported that the crew reported an explosion on board at the time. The AP was not able to independently confirm the reports.

SynMax Maritime, a geospatial data tracking company, said it obtained images in May showing the tanker at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, in Russia, before its most recent voyage.

“The situation surrounding the tanker Caroline Bezengi is yet another alarming example of the serious environmental risks posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet,” said Nina Noelle of Greenpeace Germany in a statement shared with AP. As of July 24, she said, the impacts of the leak were already evident. Stretches of coastline and the area’s sensitive marine ecosystem have been polluted and damaged.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday sharply criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s assessment that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was the result of shoddy construction and not the work of vandals, as he claims.

Pirro’s office, in a court filing on Friday, moved to drop criminal charges against a former Olympian, David Hearn, who had been accused of deliberately damaging the pool after it went through a renovation ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration last month.

Trump, in a posting on social media, acknowledged that there “may have been some contractor difficulty” in the installation of a new pool liner. But he continues to insist “the major damage was caused by VANDALS!”

“I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, on the Reflecting Pool,” Trump added in his post.

The dismissal was an embarrassing setback for a Justice Department that had previously echoed Trump’s claims and billed the prosecution as accountability for damage at a Washington landmark, a pet project of Trump. The president, without providing any clear new evidence, continued to allege on Saturday the majority of the damage to the pool was caused by vandals.

Government lawyers in their 20-page court filing on Friday said that additional documents provided by the Interior Department since the indictment of Hearn show that the damage was the result of a botched installation by a contractor as well as “the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026.”

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In addition, a recent visual inspection revealed damage throughout the pool, including in the middle — where prosecutors say a vandal would not likely have attempted to peel the lining.

Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, was accused of pulling up a two-foot square piece of the pool’s lining.

“Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,” Pirro, a Trump appointee, said in her filing which asked a judge to formally dismiss the case.

Trump on Saturday also posted a nearly four-minute video that appears to have been taken from a security camera, in which three individuals can be seen with their hands in the pool, including one for an extended period.

The president claimed the video shows “material is being cut with a knife or a box cutter, for all to see!”

It’s not clear from the video, which appears to be shot from some distance, that any vandalism occurred. Workers can also be seen standing nearby and don’t appear to notice the people sticking their hands in the water.

In May, Trump announced plans to beautify the Reflecting Pool this spring. Water was drained and Trump directed that the bottom be painted with what he called “American flag blue.”

But problems emerged within days of the project’s completion, with chunks of the new liner peeling off.

Trump was quick to blame vandals. And the National Park Service reported to the U.S. Park Police a June 9 incident in which it claimed a sharp knife or razor cut the pool’s new liner.

The work on the Reflecting Pool is just one of a number of projects Trump has spearheaded across the nation’s capital. Most prominently, he demolished the White House’s East Wing to build a $400 million ballroom and plans to build a towering arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Almost one in three home break-ins take place between 6pm and midnight, new data has revealed

New data has revealed the most common recorded entry point for burglars breaking into homes across Northern Ireland.

Research by CompareNI.com found that thieves used the front door to gain entry in at least 420 burglaries last year, while the back door was used in 286 break-ins. Lower rear windows were the third most popular entry method recorded, accounting for 104 incidents.

Figures also show homeowners are most at risk of burglary between the hours of 6pm and midnight, with almost a third of home break-ins last year occurring during the evening, making it the most common time of day for criminals to strike.

The findings come as the PSNI launches its ‘Safer Summer Together’ campaign, warning people across Northern Ireland to avoid making their homes easy targets for opportunistic thieves.

Burglaries are particularly common during the summer months as criminals take advantage of empty houses while families are on holiday, or gain easier access as doors and windows are left open during hot weather.

Data obtained by a Freedom of Information request to police reveals there were 1,854 residential burglaries recorded across Northern Ireland last year, with 31% happening in the evening.

Just over a quarter (26%) occurred during the day between midday and 6pm, while a further 22% took place overnight between midnight and 6am. Morning was the least likely time for homes to be targeted, with break-ins between 6am and midday accounting for 18%.

Burglaries recorded by time frame

(Obtained by Freedom of Information request in June 2026)

Unsurprisingly, Belfast had the highest number of burglaries with 665 incidents, a rate of 189 break-ins per 100,000 people.

Newry, Mourne and Down recorded the second worst burglary rate at 110 per 100,000 people, with Derry City and Strabane coming a close third (107).

At the other end of the scale, Mid Ulster had the lowest burglary rate at 43, followed closely by Ards and North Down (50) and Fermanagh and Omagh (51).

While the overall number of burglaries across Northern Ireland have dropped by 3% year-on-year (down from 471 in Q1 2025 compared to 455 during the same period this year), over half of the region’s 11 council areas have seen a rise in break-ins.

Residents in Lisburn and Castlereagh saw by far the biggest increase, up by 67%. Burglaries in Fermanagh and Omagh also rose sharply by 45%, as did incidents in Mid Ulster (35%).

Burglaries recorded per council area in Northern Ireland

(Most recent full year)

With these figures in mind, home insurance experts from CompareNI.com are sharing some cost-effective tips to help households stay safe and reduce the risk of burglaries.

Homeowners should be particularly vigilant against thefts from gardens during the summer months, with tools, furniture, barbecues, children’s toys and bicycles frequently left out on patios and lawns when the weather is warm.

Ian Wilson, home insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “It is quite shocking to learn that a third of break-ins in Northern Ireland happen in the evening when many people are still at home, with most thieves coming through the front door.

“The summer months create plenty of chances for burglars to strike, as homeowners leave doors and windows open for extra ventilation, or leave gates and sheds unlocked for children to play and valuable garden items used more regularly and perhaps left unsecured.

“Making a home safer doesn’t have to break the bank – there are plenty of affordable steps that homeowners can take to make their property less attractive to burglars, such as installing deadbolt locks, solar-powered motion lights, door and window sensor alarms, or even joining the local Neighbourhood Watch.

“As a bonus, many of these simple measures can also help save them money on their home insurance premiums.

“Homeowners should also check their home insurance policy to make sure they have adequate contents cover in place, as many people underestimate the value of their belongings and how much it would cost to replace them.”

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

A 26-year-old Treasury worker took her own life one day after an anonymous complaint was made about her, an inquest has heard.

Chloe Moffat ‘loved’ her role as a personal assistant in the government department, which she held for three years, and had an ‘exemplary employment record’.

She was also in line for a promotion after receiving a bonus for her work. Moffat died before she could hear the good news.

During the inquest at the Surrey coroner’s court, witnesses heard how Moffat was driven to a state of ‘distress’ following a meeting last May about the complaint.

The meeting was attended by her line manager and the Treasury’s head of global issues, but Moffat was not informed ahead of time what it would be about.

Senior Treasury staff did not reassure her that her job was safe during the disciplinary process, the court also heard, even though a dismissal was unlikely.

When she did ask if there was a possibility of being sacked, Moffat was told by a senior manager that she ‘couldn’t predict the outcome of any potential investigation’.

She was not allowed to bring a third party to the meeting either, and when Moffat asked her manager if she could bring her friend into the proceedings for support, she was told it would be ‘inappropriate’.

Questioned by the coroner, Anna Crawford, on why Moffat was not permitted a trade union representative or other colleague, the senior manager said: ‘Any alternative attendee would have made the meeting feel more formal.’

The coroner then asked: ‘Given these allegations, that were potentially serious, were going to be raised with her, was any consideration given to notifying her so she could prepare herself, seek support and respond?’

‘No, this could cause unnecessary stress,’ replied the senior manager.

She added that Moffat denied any accusations, so she ‘started to draft a letter’ to notify her of a formal investigation.

‘I was going to wait to send it until [the line manager] and I had spoken to Chloe to see how she was.’

The complaint in question accused Moffat of sharing confidential information about colleagues, which she could access since she managed her director’s inbox.

She had been advised not to speak to her co-workers about the matter, and she temporarily lost access to her director’s emails and diary.

When informed of the anonymous filing, Moffat appeared ‘shocked’ and started ‘crying at points’.

Her family recalled how ‘devastated’ she was in the aftermath and ‘convinced’ she would lose her job.

They further described her as someone who ‘took great pride in her work’ and ‘never made a mistake’.

A friend told the court that Moffat sent her a text on the same day the proceedings were initiated, reading: ‘I am going to be fired.’

This friend then met up with her in central London, where Moffat ‘broke down’ and expressed her concerns about the ‘reputational impact’ of the allegations made, all despite her pal’s attempts at reassurance.

Moffat died by suicide the next day.

Her grieving mother, Anne, is now calling for an overhaul in Treasury practices, with the inquest having heard how Moffat’s line manager should’ve been in charge of her ‘pastoral care’, despite her direct oversight role.

‘The evidence establishes a clear sequence of events,’ said Anne.

‘Had Chloe been properly supported and advised of her rights before the meeting, she would not have been so devastated and isolated.’

She is pushing for the department to be required to ‘assess employees’ mental welfare’ amid disciplinary proceedings. It is understood that changes are already being implemented.

Where serious or gross misconduct is alleged, she adds the matter should be ‘treated as formal from the outset, and the accused is informed of their rights’.

Lawyers representing the department have stated that managers are undergoing additional training, with a Treasury spokesperson saying: ‘We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague Chloe last year. 

‘Our thoughts remain with her family, friends and those affected by her loss.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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By OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS REPORTER and WILL STEWART

Published: 19:28 BST, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 19:50 BST, 1 August 2026

At least three people have been killed and another 15 people injured after a huge explosion ripped through a restaurant in Moscow.  

The blast took place in Kudrinskaya Square, which is located just over a mile from the Kremlin, at around 8.10pm local time on Saturday. 

Initial reports blamed a gas explosion in the restaurant’s kitchen but investigators are now examining whether it could have been a bomb. 

Other unconfirmed reports indicated there had been an explosion in the dining area of the restaurant.

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A spokesperson for Moscow police said: ‘From the information we have, an explosion happened today at around 8.10pm (5.10pm GMT) near a summer cafe, causing three deaths and 15 injured, of varying degrees of seriousness.’ 

Officials from the Russian Ministry of Health said the exact number of people killed in the blast is yet to be determined.

They added that those injured are all receiving the necessary medical care.

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Emergency services are pictured at the scene following an explosion at a cafe in Moscow

People gather at the scene of an explosion in Moscow on Saturday evening 

Pro-Kremlin Readovka channel reported: ‘A forensic team from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and emergency services are working at the scene.’

This is a breaking news story – more to follow  

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