By-election officials reacted with fury after Democracy Volunteers – an election observer group – said they had seen ‘concerningly high levels of family voting’ in the battle

A row has erupted over claims of family voting at the Gorton and Denton by-election.

By-election officials reacted with fury after Democracy Volunteers – an election observer group – said they had seen “concerningly high levels of family voting” in the battle.

Officials said no such issues had been reported throughout the day and questioned why the group had not raised the serious allegations throughout the day. Democracy Volunteers said it had seen family voting in 12% of polling stations.

Family voting is an illegal practice where two voters either confer, collude or direct each other on voting and can involve husbands telling their wives how to vote.

What is family voting?

Labour Party Chair Anna Turley told BBC Newsnight reports of family voting in the Greater Manchester by-election are “extremely worrying and concerning”. Ms Turley said: “It’s obviously extremely worrying and concerning. That’s not what we want to see in our democracy.

READ MORE: Gorton and Denton by-election: Live result as council dismisses family voting claims

“So obviously we need to see the evidence and the report, and then make due decision about what authorities should look into this. But of course it’s worrying to hear that, but we want to see the evidence before proceeding.”

Nigel Farage seized on the reports and suggested they raised “serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas”.

Explosive row over family voting claims

The leader of Reform UK, which is in a tight three-way race with Labour and the Greens, said on X: “This is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas.”

And Reform UK Chair David Bull added: “Electoral fraud is a stain on democracy. We would support reporting it and making sure that it’s done in the spirit and fairness with the law.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who asked if he would like to see the issue referred to authorities, said: “I think it’s important that there’s full transparency about the democratic process, and if the recommendation is that there should be an inquiry or further steps then yes I’d support that.”

Democracy Volunteers said they attended 22 of the 45 polling stations in the constituency, spending 30 to 45 minutes in each, and witnessed family voting in 15 of the 22 polling stations observed. The group said they observed a sample of 545 individuals casting their vote and saw 32 cases of family voting in total, including nine cases in one polling station.

‘No issues’ reported

But a spokesman for the acting returning officer at the by-election slapped down the “extremely disappointing” claims. “Polling station staff are trained to look out for any evidence of undue influence on voters. No such issues have been reported today,” they said.

“If Democracy Volunteers were so concerned about alleged issues they could and should have raised them with us during polling hours so that immediate action could be taken.

“We have operated a central by-election hub which has been rapidly responding to reported issues during the day, in liaison with the police – who had a presence at every polling station – where necessary. It is extremely disappointing that Democracy Volunteers have waited until after polls have closed to make such claims.”

John Ault, director of Democracy Volunteers, said: “Today we have seen concerningly high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton. Based on our assessment of today’s observations, we have seen the highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10-year history of observing elections in the UK.

“We rarely issue a report on the night of an election, but the data we have collected today on family voting, when compared to other recent by-elections, is extremely high.

“In the other recent Westminster parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby we saw family voting in 12% of polling stations, affecting 1% of voters. In Gorton and Denton, we observed family voting in 68% of polling stations, affecting 12% of those voters observed.”

A three-year-old boy who would almost certainly have been born paralysed because of a severe spinal abnormality is able to walk after having ground-breaking stem cell surgery while still in the womb.

An ultrasound scan 20 weeks into pregnancy showed Tobi Maginnis had spina bifida, a disabling condition in which the spinal cord fails to develop properly during pregnancy, leaving part of it growing outside the body.

But he became just the second baby to have the abnormality repaired before he was born using rejuvenating stem cells taken from the placenta.

His mum, Michelle Johnson, told Sky News that he was full of energy.

“He runs, he walks, he jumps, he is all over the place,” she said.

“We expected Tobi to be wheelchair-bound. So to see where he is now, it’s nothing short of a miracle.”

‘Blessed every day’

Tobi was one of six babies in a world-first clinical trial led by the University of California Davis Children’s Hospital.

Around 25 weeks into pregnancy surgeons made a small opening in the mothers’ abdomen and womb. They then placed a patch of stem cells over the babies’ exposed spinal cord and then closed up the incision to allow the tissue to regenerate.

All were born healthy, with no sign of side effects from treatment, according to results published in The Lancet medical journal.

Tobi’s dad, Jeff Maginnis, said: “He’s the second human to go through this surgery with stem cells. So there was a lot of uncertainty, a lot of unknowns.

“We’re just blessed every day when we see how Tobi’s reacted and been affected by this very successful surgery.”

Clinicians ‘cautiously optimistic’

Dr Diana Farmer, who led the study and has pioneered the technique, said the birth of the first baby, a girl called Robbie, had been a surprise.

“The most exciting thing was the baby came out kicking her legs and wiggling her toes, which really exceeded expectations,” she said.

“We expected her, had she not had treatment, to not be able to have that kind of leg movement.”

Dr Farmer said she was “cautiously optimistic”.

“We’re just making sure that there are no unexpected things from having stem cells in the spinal cord of a foetus,” she said.

“This is brand new.”

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Hope for the future

Around 500 babies a year in the UK are born with myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida.

Developing spinal tissue fails to seal up properly in early pregnancy leaving babies at risk of total paralysis of the legs and problems with bowel and bladder control.

Surgery in the womb to correct the abnormality is increasingly common, but one study showed around half of babies are unable to walk independently.

The US surgeons hope that using stem cells will improve success rates, helping with walking and potty training.

They’ve started a larger clinical trial of 35 pregnant women. Their babies will be monitored over several years to confirm whether the stem cell technique is effective in the longer term.

A Death in Paradise star has opened up about returning to his beloved role, calling it ‘wonderful’

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Death in Paradise series 15 premiered earlier this year and in Friday’s fifth episode, the intrigue continues to unfold.

A synopsis for the forthcoming instalment reveals: “A cast member is poisoned during a performance of The Tempest after drinking from a bottle of red wine with a lethal quantity of cyanide in.

“But the team are left confused as to how two other actors drank from the same bottle and emerged unscathed.

“Mervin is informed that his half-brother Solomon is set to inherit everything from their deceased mother and he won’t answer any calls.”

Joining the cast for episode five is actor Tim McMullan, who portrays character Richard Dempster.

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Tim, 63, is most recognised for playing Atticus Pünd in the BBC mystery dramas Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders, reports the Mirror.

In Death in Paradise’s series 15 episode five, he takes on the role of adventurous theatre director Richard Dempster. Discussing his character, Tim stated: “My character is an adventurous theatre director.

“An old fashioned ‘actor/manager’, very old school, and who has always wanted to stage Shakespeare’s The Tempest on a tropical Island… and his wish has finally come true.”

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In a case of life mirroring art, Tim’s character Richard portrays Prospero in The Tempest, a part the actor himself performed at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in 2016.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

Discussing reprising the role of Prospero for a second occasion, Tim remarked: “It was wonderful revisiting a role that I played at The Globe in London, but I didn’t get to say many of Prospero’s lines this time. I was too busy being questioned by the police!”.

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Meanwhile, reflecting on joining the iconic series Death in Paradise, he commented: “Always been a big fan of Death in Paradise! And very excited to be in it.”

Death in Paradise airs on Fridays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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​Plans for a ‘community toilet initiative’ will be progressed by Scarborough Town Council following concerns about the low number of public conveniences in Scarborough town centre.

​At a full meeting of the council on Thursday (February 26) members approved a proposal whereby local businesses would make their bathroom facilities available for use by the general public.

​​Councillors said that cafés, pubs, and retail premises could voluntarily make their toilet facilities available for public use during opening hours, in return for “modest financial support, signage, and inclusion in promotional materials”.

​Commenting online when the proposal was announced, a local coffee shop owner said: “Why should we volunteer for people to come in and use the toilets?

​“If you were abroad, for example, in Italy, you would have the decency to go in and buy something and then ask if you could use a toilet.”

​She said: “It’s not just one person, sometimes it’s five or six in one go, so it’s not fair on small businesses.”

​A report presented at the full meeting stated that “such schemes are widely used by town and parish councils to improve access to toilet provision, particularly where there is limited direct control over public conveniences”.

​Town mayor, Cllr Thomas Murray, said: “It is a quick, practical step we can take to help meet a clear community need. Larger infrastructure solutions require engagement with North Yorkshire Council and, as many will know, that process rarely moves at lightning speed, so we are acting where we can.

“Scarborough Town Council is looking at realistic, deliverable solutions within our powers, doing what a town council can do, and doing it properly.”

​At the meeting, councillors agreed that they would engage with North Yorkshire Council for the necessary permissions or coordination and assess potential budget implications and funding options, and would gauge interest from local businesses and identify possible pilot locations.

​The town clerk will be tasked with exploring the feasibility, costs, and legal implications of establishing the scheme.

​

New research from Thistle Tavern Trading Cards named the city number one for organised play in card games like Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!.

According to the figures, Sunderland has eight active event locations and 100 per cent of trading card shops in the city host organised play.

Thistle Tavern Trading Cards named the city number one for organised play in card games like Pokémon. (Image: Thistle Tavern)

This puts it ahead of other UK cities, including Newcastle, which came second with 20 event locations and 95.2 per cent of shops hosting events.

Stuart Robb, a card game expert at Thistle Tavern Trading Cards, said: “Trading card games thrive on face-to-face interaction.

“Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or someone who’s just opened their first booster pack, local events are where the magic really happens.

“Seeing cities like Sunderland achieve 100 per cent participation from trading card shops is incredible.

“It shows there’s a real appetite for organised play, and that shop owners are investing in building strong, welcoming communities.”

In Sunderland, there are five Pokémon TCG event locations, one for Magic: The Gathering and two for Yu-Gi-Oh!.

Reading took third place nationally, with 12 event locations and 92.3 per cent of shops running events.

Mr Robb is co-owner of Thistle Tavern Games Hub in Aberdeen, which hosts daily events and offers trading cards online.

For more information, you can visit thistletavern.com.

Gorton and Denton by-election saw ‘extremely high’ family voting cases, independent observers have said

The Gorton and Denton by-election returning officer has issued a statement following claims election law has been breached with ‘family voting’.

Independent election observers Democracy Volunteers said there was an ‘extremely high’ number of family voting incidents at the polls today (February 26), when family members enter a voting booth together and collude or direct voting intentions. It is a criminal offence in the UK under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.

Democracy Volunteers said it was the ‘highest levels’ of family voting they have observed in ten years, having visited 22 of the 45 polling stations in the Gorton and Denton constituency. John Ault, Director of Democracy, said: “Today we have seen concerningly high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton.

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“We rarely issue a report on the night of an election, but the data we have collected today on family voting, when compared to other recent by-elections, is extremely high.’”

In response, the acting returning officer running the by-election has hit back at the claims, asking why the group issued their statement after polls closed at 10pm and not sooner. They also said staff were not told of family voting issues on-the-ground.

A spokesperson for the acting returning officer said: “Polling station staff are trained to look out for any evidence of undue influence on voters. No such issues have been reported today.

“If Democracy Volunteers were so concerned about alleged issues they could and should have raised them with us during polling hours so that immediate action could be taken. We have operated a central by-election hub which has been rapidly responding to reported issues during the day, in liaison with the police – who had a presence at every polling station – where necessary.

“It is extremely disappointing that Democracy Volunteers have waited until after polls have closed to make such claims.”

The result of the by-election is expected to be declared in the early hours of Friday, February 27. Follow live results here.

TV presenters Ant and Dec have hosted the major show together three times but the Geordie duo have ruled out ever returning to presenting duties

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Television presenter Anthony McPartlin has opened up on the one show he is not in a rush to host again.

The TV star is well known for presenting a number of shows alongside hosting partner Declan Donnelly and among the many is the iconic BRIT Awards.

The duo have fronted the music ceremony on three occasions – 2001, 2015 and 2016. However, Ant, 50, has since explained the evening is enjoyable for those nominated, but presenting it proves difficult.

During their podcast, Hanging Out with Ant & Dec, the duo seemed pleased not to be hosting this weekend’s ceremony.

Ant said: “(We’ve hosted it) three times, never again. And the reason why we always say, ‘oh, never again’, it’s not because we don’t believe in the awards. I really do. I think they’re really good for British music.

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“It’s actually a really good night if you’re there as somebody who’s been nominated, because we’ve been nominated for a BRIT back in the day. That was a fun night. We didn’t win that night.”

The duo first met as young performers on CBBC drama Byker Grove, and later released pop music as PJ & Duncan, including their chart success Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble, which debuted in 1994.

In 1995, they received a BRIT award nomination for best British newcomer but were beaten by rock group Oasis.

Ant said: “It’s a fun night if you’re nominated, it’s a fun night – not necessarily if you’re hosting it though because everybody in the room just wants to get drunk and have a good time and you’re trying to wrangle the whole crowd.

“You are also trying to present a TV show and also all the artists and bands who said they would happily do an interview with you before the show starts always change their mind.”

The Geordie presenting pair are recognised for fronting ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent and the gameshow Ant And Dec’s Limitless Win.

Comedian Jack Whitehall will present the BRIT Awards on Saturday in Manchester.

Pop star Harry Styles features amongst the impressive line-up of performers scheduled to appear during the ceremony, alongside Raye, Olivia Dean, Sombr, Mark Ronson and Wolf Alice.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

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There were claims of ‘extremely high’ numbers of family voting incidents in Gorton and Denton

Independent election observers have claimed there were ‘extremely high’ cases of illegal ‘family voting’ at polling stations as Gorton and Denton constituents headed out to vote on Thursday (February 26).

It has sparked concern among commentators and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has hit out about the ‘integrity of the democratic process’ after the findings were released by Democracy Volunteers, who are impartial observers allowed into polling stations.

The group has claimed that there was an ‘extremely high’ number of family voting incidents at the polls after they visited 22 of the 45 polling stations. They have claimed to have witnessed incidents of family voting in 15 of the 22 polling stations observed, with some 32 cases in total.

They said it was the ‘highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10 year history of observing elections in the UK’ and claimed one polling station saw nine instances of family voting.

What is family voting?

Family voting is usually when members of the same family or household enter a voting booth together and collude or direct voting intentions. However in the UK, this is a criminal offence.

In 2023, the United Kingdom passed the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 to make family voting a criminal offence. The practice of family voting was made more clearly a breach of the secret ballot and enforceable by staff in polling stations.

Signage is now on hand at polling stations to discourage the practice, although Democracy Volunteers said they found these at only 45 per cent of the polling stations observed.

Two voters either conferring or colluding to direct each other on voting is a breach of the secret ballot.

In a statement, John Ault, Director of Democracy Volunteers said: “Today we have seen concerningly high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton. Based on our assessment of today’s observations, we have seen the highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10 year history of observing elections in the UK.’

“We rarely issue a report on the night of an election, but the data we have collected today on family voting, when compared to other recent by-elections, is extremely high.’

“In the other recent Westminster parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby we saw family voting in 12 per cent of polling stations, affecting 1 per cent of voters. In Gorton and Denton, we observed family voting in 68 per cent of polling stations, affecting 12 per cent of those voters observed.

“The team also observed cases of voters being turned away, however, in each case this was due to them not being a registered voter for Westminster elections, such as having EU citizenship, and only being allowed to vote in local elections.

“The team also saw a number of voters taking photographs of their ballot papers and one voter being authorised to vote despite them already having been marked as voted earlier in the day.”

Manchester City Council were informed of the findings. A spokesperson for the Acting Returning Officer said: “Polling station staff are trained to look out for any evidence of undue influence on voters. No such issues have been reported today. If Democracy Volunteers were so concerned about alleged issues they could and should have raised them with us during polling hours so that immediate action could be taken.

“We have operated a central by-election hub which was has been rapidly responding to reported issues during the day, in liaison with the police – who had a presence at every polling station – where necessary. It is extremely disappointing that Democracy Volunteers have waited until after polls have closed to make such claims.”

The man has been jailed for over a year.

A man who punched and stamped on another man in a pub has been jailed. Kyle Harry, 36, was at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Church Terrace, Wisbech on December 23, 2025.

He and a woman were involved in an argument with another man in the outside area of the pub. The victim was punched multiple times and stamped on while he was unconscious.

Cambridgeshire Police were called and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts on his face and head. Harris, of Prince Street, Wisbech, was found nearby by later that day and arrested.

In Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday (February 25), he was jailed for 14 months. DC Lauren McKeever said: “There is no place for violence like this in Wisbech.

“Harris’ actions were shameful. I’m pleased he was apprehended nearby and has now appeared in court to answer for his behaviour.”

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James was just two years old when he was murdered by then-10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson

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The grave of James Bulger was vandalised today as his ‘heartbroken’ mother is appealing for information. James was just two years old when he was attacked and murdered by then-10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in February 1993.

Denise Fergus revealed in a social media post that someone walking near James’s cemetery saw the headstone and surround had been damaged. She has now issued an appeal for any information on the vandals.

She believes the incident took place today (February 26) between 10am and 3.30pm.

LiverpoolEcho reports that Denise’s post read: “Today I felt my heart break once again. We got a message from a lady walking her dog at the cemetery where James’s resting place is.

“She sadly told us his headstone and surround had been vandalised. We rushed down there to find the cherubs each side of his headstone had been smashed to pieces.

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“I need to find whoever [has] done this to my son’s resting place. I try to help as many families as I can with either justice campaigns or helping families through the charity I set up in his memory and some horrid b*****d has done this… to a baby’s grave! Really??

“If anyone has any information please send it via the charity page or contact Merseyside Police and let them know if you have seen or heard something. We think this happened between 10am and 3.30pm today.

“Could you please share this post to make sure the person or persons involved are caught and prosecuted? I’m devastated someone could be so cruel and hurtful to my James.”

In photos shared of the grave, the heads of two stone angels, which sit in front of the gravestone, have been damaged, leaving the statues headless. The heads were left broken on the floor.

Earlier this year, Denise hit out at murderer Venables being granted another parole hearing. Venables was released on licence in July 2001 and recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.

He was once again freed in August 2013 and then called back in November 2017 for the same offence and was jailed for three years and four months. Denise was granted access to attend one of Venables’ hearings for the very first time.

She will then be taken to a secret prison or court facility to participate in the parole hearing, where Venables’ identity, now aged 43, will remain protected. Though she will hear his voice via video link from a separate chamber.

Parole chiefs are likely to hear mitigation from Venables about why he believes he has been rehabilitated, the first time the grieving mum has heard her son’s killer’s voice for 30 years.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Denise said: “It is distressing and frankly makes me angry that I’ve now been told that James’ killer will be afforded a parole hearing and a chance of release. Surely this person has proved he can not be given yet another chance yet he’s been given one.

“The parole board must remember, he’s not a 10-year-old anymore. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s got more wits about him.

“He’s been educated to lie to his back teeth. My worry is that if he’s released, he’ll lose that protection, he’ll be looking over his shoulder the whole time, he’ll have a target on his back.

“He’s not going to like it in the real world. What is he going to do to get back inside?”

If you have any information about the vandalism contact Merseyside Police on 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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