As the Makerfield campaign enters its final stretch, Reform leader Nigel Farage was asked about whether Restore could be a problem for his party

Reform leader Nigel Farage has taken a swipe at fellow right-wing party Restore over speculation the rival could cause his party to lose to Andy Burnham in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. Mr Farage said Restore’s support was overblown but ‘has the potential to be unhelpful’.

The hotly-contested by election is entering its final stretch as voters prepare to go to the polls on June 18. 14 candidates are in the running but polls suggest the race will be between Labour’s Mr Burnham or Reform’s Rob Kenyon.

In his fourth visit to the constituency, Reform’s leader Nigel Farage said the party was gaining momentum, telling reporters and local supporters: “There is no doubt in my mind this is close. There’s no doubt in anybody’s mind it is a two horse race.”

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Despite the criticism over his past social media comments, Mr Kenyon told the Manchester Evening News: “I don’t feel the pressure. Pressure is running a business and worrying about the work in to feed your family and keep a roof over your head.

“Pressure isn’t posting leaflets through doors and having the press say nasty things about you. That’s not pressure. That’s just nastiness.”

He argued it had not clouded Reform’s message in the campaign, adding: “The voters aren’t bringing it up on the doorstep. It’s just the press who is bringing it up.

“When we are knocking on doors, the only time it’s ever been brought up is when people are saying ‘take no notice, they are just trying to smear you’. If they are going to attack you personally, it means they can’t attack your policies.”

At an event earlier in the day Mr Farage announced a new Reform policy to increase the threshold small businesses pay VAT to £150,000. He said this would cost £2bn but would be covered by an increase in productivity and boost small businesses which he said was the backbone of the economy.

Taking questions from the press, the party leader also hit back at the continued criticism over Mr Kenyon’s past comments. Responding to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Farage said: “I tell you what they are the kind of comments you will hear in every pub in the country every evening.

“We should be unapologetic that Rob is an ordinary bloke who’s carved quite a career for himself, had the guts to set up a business, served as an army reservist, is a patriot, likes his rugby, likes the odd pint, and said a few laddish things on social media 10 years ago.

“Do you know what I’d say to that? I’d say so what? What about all those politicians at local and national level in the north of England that covered up the grooming gang scandal at exactly the same time? Which of those is more serious?”

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One possible dark horse that could ruin Reform’s chances of winning is whether Restore’s candidate Rebecca Shepherd could take away support. At the event, Mr Farage suggested the Reform campaign was being pushed on social media by X owner Elon Musk but in the short term, Restore ‘has the potential to be unhelpful’ but he does not ‘believe it will last’.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News afterwards, Mr Farage said Restore’s support was overblown as ‘it’s a great media story’, adding: “Of all the people I have met this morning, maybe one who said I am not going to vote Labour or I haven’t decided yet. He didn’t mention them.

“They’ve got some votes out there but I don’t believe it’s particularly huge because I think the logic of if you want to beat Labour, you have to vote for us is getting through.”

Despite Reform winning 24 out of 25 seats in the Wigan local elections on May 7, Mr Farage said they faced a challenge as ‘the Labour Party machine is still quite big in this part of England’ and Mr Burnham’s position as Mayor of Greater Manchester.

He said: “Our vote from May 7 is still rock solid strong I have no doubt about that at all. The question is do people who declined to vote on that day or voted Labour in 2024 but are disappointed with them, do they go out to vote in big numbers or not? That’s the big question around this whole election.”

Defending Mr Kenyon, Mr Farage said: “My message is very simple. It’s this candidate is not using this as a stepping stone, this candidate is a local lad in every way who represented trades and skills, who represents business, who represents family.

“He’s been in the army and he’s a patriotic bloke. Wouldn’t it be nice for once to have somebody in Westminster who actually spoke and thought the way you did?”

New figures have found an increasing number of Scottish adults are experiencing poor mental health.

New figures suggest nearly a quarter of Scottish adults are experiencing poor mental health. In a staggering increase on previous years, experts say this rise in mental health worries is due to rising living costs and pressure on public services “taking a toll”.

Over recent years, there has been more talk about mental health and how it can impact an individual’s health and wellbeing in comparison to those around them. However, these stark figures highlight problems in society are having a direct impact across the country.

Data from The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) shows in 2024, 1.1million Scottish adults were experiencing poor mental health, which sits at 24.6 per cent of people. This number is said to approximately fill Hampden Park 22 times.

In comparison to previous figures, this report is around 425,000 more than in 2009, which recorded 16.6 per cent of Scots were suffering – which is about 720,000 people.

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The MHF has said against a backdrop of austerity, the global coronavirus pandemic, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the most “significant driver” of this poor mental health increase is financial insecurity. Additionally, according to the charity, those experiencing economic and social inequality have been hit the hardest.

Dr Calum MacLeod, policy and public affairs manager at the MHF, said: “The past 15 years have been incredibly challenging for many people. Rising living costs, insecure work and pressure on public services have all taken a toll on people’s wellbeing.

“Today, the number of people experiencing poor mental health in Scotland could fill Hampden 22 times over. We must take urgent action to address the root causes of this public mental health emergency, or that number will continue to grow.”

If people do not receive help, he warned: “Otherwise, more people, families and communities will be devastated by a preventable condition.”

The report found concern around money was a significant factor in the increasing rate of poor mental health, with nearly half of Scottish adults (47%) feeling financially insecure.

A “widening gap” was also shown between communities, with 31 per cent of those in deprived areas stating poor mental health in comparison to 17 per cent of those in the least deprived parts of the country.

While Scotland is recognised as the only UK nation to have decreased childhood poverty rates, as well as having increases in the mental health budget and community initiatives, the charity warns other commitments have been missed.

For example, the 2021 pledge to ensure 10 per cent of NHS spend is on mental health, with one per cent going to service for children and young adults.

Dr MacLeod added: “While our findings are deeply worrying, these trends can and must be reversed. The importance of preventing poor mental health is now widely recognised, with recent Scottish Government strategies giving it greater prominence.

“However, investment and implementation have, so far, fallen short of what is needed. There is broad agreement on the need for a more cross-Government approach, but delivering this in practice remains elusive.”

In a bid to decrease the poor mental health figures in Scotland, the MHF has made a number of recommendations to the Scottish Government, such as creating a new £20million fund for improving mental health and calling for a legal duty to embed preventative action in budgets.

It said the decision was made after “careful consideration” with the BBC, the show’s writer Russell T Davies and production company Bad Wolf all coming to an agreement that means fans won’t see a festive special this year.

Davies told fans on social media that there is now “no need for it”, when discussing the Christmas episode.

BBC confirms Doctor Who’s Christmas special has been cancelled for 2026

The BBC explained: “As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year.

“Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come.

“After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode.

“This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.”

Sharing the announcement on Instagram, Russel T. Davies confirmed he hadn’t written a script for the Christmas special.

All 15 Doctors in order

He said: “And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it’s putting the show out to tender.

“As a result, there won’t be a Christmas Special – we only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there’s no need for it.

“You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who… but you’ll be waiting for MORE Doctor Who than a one-off.

“So it’s worth it! For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor.

Recommended reading:

“You may disagree; fine, sit in that chair and wait to be proved right. You’ll wait a lonnng time 🪑

“Now I’m as excited as anyone to see what comes next! Will they keep the theme tune?

“Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?!

“It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new!

“Here comes the future, vworp vworp 🌪️ @bbcdoctorwho ♥️”.

Do you think there should be a Doctor Who Christmas special? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Violence and disorder broke out in the streets of Belfast after a knife attack on Monday night.

The victim, Stephen Ogilvy, lost his left eye in the attack, Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard. The suspected attacker, Hadi Alodid, has been remanded in custody for four weeks after being charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.

BBC Verify has mapped out some of the violent disorder that took place across the city, and elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Videos show masked men walking down the streets, shops and homes attacked and bins and buses set on fire. Merlyn Thomas reports.

Produced by Aisha Sembhi. Graphics by Mark Edwards and Leo Scutt-Richter. Additional reporting by Thomas Copeland.

The drama left fans begging for more after a devastating axe following three seasons.

Period drama fans have been left begging for more of a “masterpiece” programme.

The historical drama, set in Renaissance-era Italy, based on a real noble family of Spanish origins and their rise to power.

The Borgias first aired in 2011, running until 2013 across three seasons, and it’s now free to watch on Channel 4.

Starring Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI, Francois Arnaud as Cesare, Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia and David Oakes as Juan, the series follows the family’s scandalous ascension to the papacy.

Focusing on the highs and lows they face as well as their struggles to maintain the power they hold, The Borgias fictionalises the unstable world of politics in 15th century Europe.

Perfect for Game of Thrones fans, The Borgias follows ruthless political play, and the backstabbing, betrayals and scandals involved within power-hungry dynasties.

Several fans have hailed The Borgias as a “masterpiece”, as one begged: “For the love of god bring back that show! It’s exceptional and one of a kind show… I’m just in love with The Borgias!”

“So good it’s stunning,” another said, adding: “Overall, a superb and satisfying journey throughout that I will never forget.”

A third fan called it “too good for TV,” while another said: “10 out of 10 stars for the masterpiece that is this show!”

One viewer called it a “perfect mini series”, as someone else wrote: “This is by far the best historical drama I have ever seen! The acting was completely amazing and it kept me completely entranced up to the very last second!”

Another called it “magnificent,” saying: “The acting is flawless by the main characters! The story, script and costumes are wonderful! I’ve watched it over and over, many times!”

“The Borgias is one of the best series I have ever watched!” another said.

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As well as widespread acclaim from viewers, The Borgias gained 16 Emmy nominations, and three wins, two for Outsanding Costumes for a Series and one for Oustanding Original Main Title Theme Music.

Despite the demands from fans, it was confirmed in 2013 that The Borgias wouldn’t be returning for a fourth season.

“It has been an honor to work with the great Neil Jordan and the incomparable Jeremy Irons on The Borgias,” David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc, said at the time, as per Variety.

“Neil has written nearly every episode of this series himself. His extraordinary storytelling combined with Jeremy’s fascinating portrayal of the infamous Pope Alexander VI, has made for truly outstanding television that will live on. I look forward to future collaborations.”

The Borgias is available to watch on Channel 4.

It follows disorder that flared on Tuesday evening.

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Two men have been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with rioting during disorder that flared in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.

Dwayne Thomas Andrew Burton, 42, from Clara Street in East Belfast, was charged with riot and attempting to damage a police Land Rover in the Newtownards Road area in East Belfast.

He also faces a count of assaulting a civilian detention officer while in police custody.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard that Burton is alleged to have thrown a shopping trolley at the Land Rover and was also observed allegedly inciting the crowd of protesters.

He is then accused of jumping on top of the vehicle, punching it and attempting to open the passenger door.

Outlining objections to bail, a PSNI officer told the court that during police interview Burton claimed he had drunk half a bottle of vodka and went to observe the gathering in the Newtownards Road after seeing a post on social media about it.

The officer said when CCTV footage of the incident was shown to Burton, he said he accepted his involvement. The officer described the accused as “extremely volatile” while in police custody.

A solicitor for Burton said the case involved a “grotesque” set of circumstances and the only thing in his client’s credit was his acceptance of the offences.

District judge Steve Keown refused bail on the grounds of risk of offending and risk posed to the public.

Burton was remanded in custody to appear before the same court on July 8.

Andrew Kane, 39, of Carwood Avenue in Newtownabbey, appeared separately before Belfast Magistrates’ Court facing a single riot charge.

He was arrested in the Newtownabbey area on Tuesday evening.

Kane made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to appear before the same court on June 16.

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The images coming out of Belfast overnight on Tuesday were shocking.

Violent unrest erupted in the north of the city after a man was seriously injured in a knife attack and a Sudanese migrant was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. British far-right agitators including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (also known as Tommy Robinson) wasted no time in race-baiting. They encouraged angry white men and boys to take to the streets and vent their fury. Many did.

I live in Belfast, and in a hark back to the violence of our past, houses were set ablaze and families were left fleeing for their lives. People identified as migrants (often merely people of colour) were singled out as targets. Road blocks were put in place across the city, reportedly patrolled by “loyalist” vigilantes. Migrant-owned businesses were shuttered and others were set ablaze. People trying to travel to or from work were prevented from doing so. Youth groups were cancelled.

There is a legacy in Northern Ireland of people being burnt out of their houses or being forced from their homes as a result of sectarianism and communal hatred. As a result of the outbreak of what has become known as the “Troubles”, some 45,000-60,000 people suffered a similar fate, becoming what many refer to colloquially as “burnt out”.

Niall Gilmartin and I have conducted the only detailed analysis of this displacement, interviewing over 80 victims and survivors, documenting their stories in our 2023 book, Refugees and Forced Displacement in Northern Ireland’s Troubles.

While the historic inequality between Protestant and Catholic in the north of Ireland has in many ways been resolved under the power-sharing arrangement, we remain very much a society that is “comfortably segregated”. There are still issues around the lack of integrated education, and we still live in the shadow of physical barriers – the “peace walls”.

As Northern Ireland has transitioned away from its legacy of conflict and moved beyond the 1998 Good Friday agreement, it has attempted to open up and become more cosmopolitan, pluralist and diverse. But crucially, there is a legacy of failing to meaningfully address issues of violent forced displacement.

While we in the north don’t want to be burdened by our violent history, it remains important. Those who were responsible for Tuesday’s attacks would do well to become more aware, to educate themselves on the causes of division, to get out of the social media echo chamber. They could also listen to the stories of those who were “burnt out” in the past.

The spread of online hate

It’s hard to get away from the clear influence of online racial hatred, spreading in from the toxicity of platforms like TikTok, Instagram and especially X. White supremacy is becoming increasingly amplified online, and getting a political platform under the likes of US President Donald Trump.

From Southampton to Southport, and as seen in Dublin in 2023, racial violence against migrant populations is part of a broader rise in the rightwing tide globally.

In Northern Ireland, this drip-feed effect appears to be ingratiating itself within certain components of the loyalist community, leading to a horrible outpouring of racist, targeted attacks against people who live in these communities. Doctors, nurses, hospitality workers, colleagues and students. Our friends.

By and large, those who were causing violence on the streets on Tuesday look for the most part to have been young kids. The political representation of the loyalist working class has, for decades, been terrible. The DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) in particular has failed to show proper leadership and done little to calm these tensions. It has consistently pursued a politics of negativity, rather than one that shows respect for plurality, diversity and inclusion. This has been clear, for example, in how the party has approached the Irish language or Irish heritage in general.

There can be no space for placating violent white supremacy, masquerading as “concerned” (loyalist) citizens. The message – from politicians to the general public – must be clear and unambiguous. Belfast must move beyond the shadow of its violent past, reject racism and remain a city open, tolerant and welcoming to all.

The weather caused major disruption at the Manchester Airport

Holidaymakers faced major disruptions at the Manchester Airport yesterday after three planes were struck by lightning.

One plane was grounded, another diverted and a third was impacted by the “adverse weather conditions” as it arrived at the airport on Tuesday (June 9).

A Jet2 flight had to make an emergency diversion to Manchester after it was struck by lightning as it took off from Leeds Bradford Airport. Firefighters were called to a runway at Manchester Airport at around 4:30pm.

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Two fire engines from Wythenshawe and Cheadle along with a technical response unit from Leigh attended.

The flight was travelling from Leeds to Lanzarote Canary Islands before having to make the sudden detour. According to the Manchester Airport, passengers were transferred to another plane before resuming their journey.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “It departed from Leeds Bradford. At some point it was struck by lightning and had to come back here.

“It circled around over Liverpool way for a little while and then came to us. Passengers have been transferred onto a different aircraft that was already on the ground here.

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Also caught in the malaise was a Pegasus Airline flight travelling from Manchester Airport to Istanbul. The pilots manning the Turkish plane were force to return to the airport after the aircraft was struck during take off.

A passenger who was onboard told the M.E.N how a ‘massive explosion’ was heard as the plane left the runway.

Speaking of his ordeal, Nassar Massalha, said: “As soon as the plane left the ground, it was struck by lightning. For a second it looked like a ball of fire on the left-hand side of the aircraft.

“All passengers and crew are fine. Around five minutes after take-off, the captain announced that we had been struck by lightning and would be returning to Manchester as a precaution.”

He told the M.E.N, the aircraft circled the air for ‘around 40 minutes’ before returning to the airport for safety. Passengers were transferred to a replacement flight.

A spokesperson for Pegasus Airline said: “As a precautionary measure, passengers were transferred to another aircraft.”

A TUI flight was also seemingly struck by lightning at the Manchester Airport yesterday. According to reports, an aircraft arriving from Santorini was hit as it arrived. TUI officials say the aircraft landed safely.

A TUI spokesperson told the M.E.N: “While we do not comment on individual flights or operational matters, adverse weather conditions at Manchester Airport today may have resulted in an aircraft being struck by lightning.

“At this stage, however, this has not been confirmed. Nevertheless, the flight number you mentioned landed safely.”

Jet2 has been approached for comment.

Sinn Féin’s Róis-Máire Donnelly said she was visited by the police on Tuesday night and advised to take extra precautions around her personal security

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The Lord Mayor of Belfast said she has received death threats amid violent disorder following the stabbing attack in the city.

Sinn Féin’s Róis-Máire Donnelly said she was visited by the police on Tuesday night and advised to take extra precautions around her personal security.

Ms Donnelly also urged the people of Belfast to reject violence following rioting on Tuesday night in which mobs set homes, a bus and cars on fire, with people targeted based on their race.

In a statement, she said: “I want to make it clear that these threats will not deter me from fulfilling my role as mayor of this great city.

“I will continue to represent everyone. I want to express my full solidarity with the victim of the vicious attack in north Belfast on Monday evening, and also with the community heroes who intervened and saved the victim’s life. They deserve our enormous gratitude for their heroic actions.

“Belfast is home to many people who have come here from other countries and who have made this city their home, who have worked hard, who have looked after our friends and family in our hospitals in their time of need, who have opened businesses and created jobs, and who have become valued members of our community.

“We must stand with these people now in their time of need. Those people who took part in violent racist attacks and destruction last night should be ashamed.”

On Wednesday, Hadi Alodid, 30, was remanded in custody after appearing in court in Belfast charged with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack in which victim Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye.

The unrest in Belfast has been widely condemned by politicians and authorities across the UK, while pleas have been made for calm on Wednesday night.

Ms Donnelly added: “Burning family homes, burning businesses, burning buses and cars, destroying all round them. Young children being evacuated from their home carrying their teddy bears.

For the latest on this developing story follow our live blog here.

“It is disgraceful and disgusting. It is racism, it is intimidation and it is absolute thuggery.

“I call on those involved in this violence to stop, and stop now. You do not represent Belfast.”

Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill said the threat was “totally unacceptable”.

Stormont ’s First Minister Ms O’Neill and Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey joined Ms Donnelly outside Belfast City Hall on Wednesday to speak to reporters about the development.

“This isn’t acceptable,” said Ms O’Neill.

“This is the mayor of Belfast, who represents all the people here, who’s only been installed 10 days ago, and who wants to be inclusive and welcoming and reach out to everybody.

“But yet, she’s in her first short week in office and she’s been visited by the PSNI to say her life is under threat. That is not acceptable, and if anybody thinks that makes their community safer, it beggars belief to me.

“So, it’s totally unacceptable. And obviously, we stand in solidarity with the mayor here today.”

For the latest on this developing story follow our live blog here.

David Harbour has finally addressed the rumors about tension between him and his Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown.

Just one week after Harbour’s ex, Lily Allen, released her scathing October 2025 breakup album West End Girl, a report claimed that Brown, 22, had filed a harassment and bullying claim against her co-star, 51, before they started shooting the show’s final season.

Speaking to Variety about the report and its timing, Harbour said it was “a weird thing” that “came out in a weird way.”

“It’s a show that went on for 10 years. We worked together for 10 years during her formative teenage years, playing father and daughter,” he explained. “I don’t know if people have families and friends that you spend a lot of time with for 10 years — you occasionally get in arguments, disagreements.

“In families, it’s OK because you’re just in a disagreement and then you come back together. The problem with a billion-dollar show is that there’s just hundreds of people who want to get involved.”

Harbour even hinted at a future working relationship with Brown, saying: “You’ll see more of me and Millie — 10 years wasn’t enough. There is a special bond there. I love her. She loves me.”

For her part, Brown told Variety via email: “Obviously I changed so much from Season 1 to Season 5, and David was there through all of it. Over time, our relationship became much more collaborative creatively. When you work with someone for that many years, we could really push each other emotionally in scenes. Even though the series has ended, there’s still a lot of gratitude. Getting to share that experience with him for so many years is something I’ll always remember and value.”

Throughout the five seasons of Stranger Things, Harbour played Hawkins police department chief Jim Hopper, who adopted Brown’s character Eleven at the end of the first season.

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Shortly before the season five premiere, the Daily Mail, citing an unnamed source, reported that Brown filed “pages and pages of accusations” against Harbour before filming began on the Netflix series’ final season. Netflix reportedly investigated the claims “for months,” the Mail reported. Harbour and Brown were co-stars on the Netflix megahit for a decade.

Amid the rift rumors in November, Brown and Harbour put on a united front at the Stranger Things season five premiere in Los Angeles and were pictured hugging and smiling while posing for photos on the red carpet at the TCL Chinese Theatre together.

Brown then spoke about her relationship with Harbour shortly after the premiere. Asked what their connection meant to her, she said: “So much, so much. I mean, we play father and daughter.”

“And similar to Noah [Schnapp] and Winona [Ryder], you have an amazing friendship,” she told Entertainment Tonight.