Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has said she “hated” being in Keir Starmer’s government as she described the battle she faced to persuade other departments to take action on violence against women.

Ms Phillips, who managed domestic abuse refuges for Women’s Aid before she became an MP, also also said she would not return to a similar role to “just start knocking heads together again”.

“I hated it. I hated being a government minister actually, I hated it,” she said.

Speaking to Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast, she said that she was “deeply unhappy throughout most” of her time in the post.

Ms Phillips quit as a minister in May in a bid to force Sir Keir from No 10, and said that he lacked “the drive to get anything done with gusto”.

She warned the government was “nowhere near the level of will and commitment it will actually take to halve” violence against women and girls, the policy Labour set out in in the 2024 general election manifesto.

“The Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, if you were to do everything in it, you would probably drop [VAWG] by about 25 per cent,” she said.

She added that she used to give “gold stars” to ministers in other departments who took the pledge seriously – but expressed frustration at some departments.

“I understand other government departments have other priorities, but it’s not my job to be flexible,” she said. “I have one job, and it is to stop women having to be flexible about their safety.”

Asked if she would return to government, she said: “I won’t go back and be a junior minister who – whilst having an awful lot of gumption and kudos in the field – I won’t go back and just start knocking heads together again.”

She added: “I don’t think I’m suited to it, …is the actual answer… I won’t go back in and do more of the same. So no is the answer,” she said.

Sir Keir survived the attempt to force him from office earlier this year but bowed to growing frustration within his party at the start of the summer when he announced he was standing down, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to become prime minister.

By REBECCA DAVISON, DEPUTY HEAD OF SHOWBIZ

Published: 13:23 BST, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 13:33 BST, 7 August 2026

Pop music producer William Orbit has died aged 69. 

A statement on his social media, attributed to family and friends, said he died at home on 23 July and no cause of death was given. 

The post read: ‘It is with profound sadness that the family and friends with of William Orbit announce that William died at home on 23rd July 2026.

‘We are deeply saddened by his passing. He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness.

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‘We kindly ask that the privacy of William’s family and close friends is respected during this difficult time.’ 

Pop music producer William Orbit has died aged 69, it was revealed on Instagram on Friday – he was famed for working with Madonna, U2 and Blur(pictured in 2022) 

A post on William’s Instagram announced the sad news on Friday 

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William was famed for his collaboration with Madonna on her 1998 album Ray of Light. He also worked with the likes of Blur, U2 and All Saints.

Singer Sonique paid tribute, writing: ‘He was one of the first people I ever worked with. I am so sad to hear this. Sending all my love to his family. RIP my friend.’ 

DJ Abel added: ‘William, no. Rest in peace friend x.’ 

Darren Emerson added: ‘Oh no. Absolutely gutted to hear this. I’ll always remember our long phone conversations we used to have back in the day. It was a pleasure to work with one of the best producers I’ve known . You will be sadly missed mate and your music will always shine bright. Thanks for everything you gave us . RIP William.’

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More to follow… 

Swallowing capsules containing human faeces from someone with no food allergies could help people with peanut allergies become more tolerant to the nut, a new study has suggested.

The trial, conducted by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital, is the first evidence that faecal transplants – transferring gut bacteria from faecal samples of healthy donors – can be used to treat allergies.

The findings will be a boost to peanut allergy sufferers, with around two per cent of children in the UK believed to be affected.

Six people who were highly allergic to peanuts found that their reactions improved after a trial that used frozen “poop pills”, donated by people with healthy gut microbiomes to transfer good bacterialstrains into 10 young adults with severe peanut allergies who reacted to traces of the allergen.

After a one-time treatment of 36 pills taken each over few hours, three participants improved when tested four months later tolerating eating multiple peanuts.

In the next round of the study, participants took antibiotics before the fecal transplant to see if the donor bacteria transferred more successfully when it didn’t have to compete with the participants’ own resident gut microbes. Three of these five participants improved in peanut tolerance and ingested more than four peanuts before reacting, suggesting that the antibiotics did increase the efficiency of the microbiome transfer.

Researchers analysed blood samples from the research participants and found those who responded to the therapy had increased levels of bile salts, which break down fats for the small intestine to absorb, when compared to the people who didn’t respond. They suggested that the good bacteria from the faecal transplants was more adept at metabolising bile salts than the original bacteria, and it increased levels of immune regulatory cells that protect from allergic reactions.

Dr Talal Chatila, MD, director of translational immunology, explained that the right bacteria can help make the gut immune system of those with allergies more tolerant.

“Food allergy reflects a failure of oral tolerance, the process by which the gut immune system learns to accept food, and what this study shows is that the right bacteria can help restore that process, working through bile acid metabolites to promote the immune cells that enforce tolerance,” they said. “Knowing how the bacteria restore tolerance to food in allergic individuals allows us to optimize the therapy for more effective outcomes.”

Dr Rima Rachid, director of the Food Allergy Program and the Allergen Immunotherapy Program, said: “This landmark study was the first to demonstrate that a microbiome-based therapy may improve food allergy in people while also revealing how gut bacteria, their metabolites, and the immune system work together to influence treatment response.”

“Larger studies of fecal and microbiota transplantation are now essential to confirm these findings, identify the patients most likely to benefit, and discover beneficial bacteria that could be developed into targeted probiotic therapies for food allergy.”

Peanut and tree nut allergies are the most commonly known foods to cause anaphylaxis, often developing in early childhood. In the past, certain antibody medications or small dose exposure immunotherapy were found to raise tolerance to a sensitive food, but allergic reactions soon returned once the therapy stops, meaning patents could still experience life-threatening reactions.

Dr Rachid hopes to lead a new study where teens will receive microbe transplantation therapy in collaboration with Alexander Khoruts, MD, of the University of Minnesota.

This newer therapy uses a purified concentrated form of microbes than the faecal pills that can be stored in a home refrigerator. Patients will take the capsules from home under medical supervision and undergo food challenges to evaluate for changes in their tolerance to peanut.

Noel Edmonds has posted a lengthy response after suffering backlash over a viral video which showed him buying live lobsters from a farm shop to release into the sea.

The former Deal Or No Deal host, 77, found himself in hot water this week after he shared a clip of himself and his wife Liz returning the crustaceans to the water at Peel Harbour on the Isle of Man after purchasing them from a tank at a local shop.

Noel’s move sparked backlash from his followers, as stressed lobsters are rarely equipped to survive in the wild, and releasing them can introduce foreign diseases.

Four days on, Noel has tried to explain his actions and ‘elbow out the lies’ in a new Instagram video captioned ‘lobsters and pork pies are on the menu today.”

Conceding that he ‘probably only delayed the inevitable’ and the lobsters could now be dead, Noel explained how the incident all started when he and Liz were shopping at his friend Matt Harrison’s farm shop on the Isle of Man and Liz saw two lobsters in a tank.

‘She said “Oh I feel sorry for them in the tank” and Matt said “you’re not the first person to say that actually,”‘ Noel told his followers.

The star, 77, found himself in hot water this week after he shared a clip of himself and his wife Liz returning the crustaceans to the water at on the Isle of Man after purchasing them

‘She said “I’d like to buy them and release them.” And Matt said “you’re not the first person to say that.” But do you know what he then did? He offered us the lobsters for nothing as a gift. We actually paid for them because we felt that was really important.’

Noel continued, explaining how Matt ‘gave us a box to put the lobsters in and he said the temperature of the tank is very similar to where they came from, which is Peel on the west coast of the Isle of Man. And he told us how to release them.’

‘And that is the absolute truth,’ insisted Noel. ‘At that point those lobsters were ours and it was our choice to return them to their natural environment as best we could, I mean we had to do it in the harbour because we don’t have a boat.’

Noel then did admit that the freed lobsters could now be dead, saying ‘I concede we probably only delayed the inevitable but hey maybe those two lobsters are still out there, well I don’t know what lobsters do, but having a wonderful time. So there you have it.’

Noel was also keen to stress his love for the Isle of Man, where he owns a holiday home, heaping praise on his neighbours and local businesses like Matt’s.  

‘I really like the Isle of Man, it’s how England used to be before it became what it is now,’ he said. ‘There’s a real sense of community, we know all of our neighbours and they’re lovely.’

‘People on the Isle of Man are really proud of the island and they really like people who like their island.’

Noel’s move sparked backlash from his followers, as stressed lobsters are rarely equipped to survive in the wild, and releasing them can introduce foreign diseases 

Releasing a supermarket or restaurant lobster is generally discouraged due to low survival rates. 

Handled and stressed lobsters are rarely equipped to survive in the wild, and releasing them can introduce foreign diseases or disrupt local marine ecosystems 

In response to Noel’s original video on Tuesday, Matt, the owner of the farm shop said he’d be moving its lobster tank to a less prominent position and was considering removing it completely.

He said: ‘At the moment the tank is still in the shop but we’ve moved it.

‘I’m sensitive to people’s feelings.

‘But the vast majority of people want us to keep it and for us to keep supporting local businesses, which is the whole point of the shop.

‘I’m still mulling over whether to keep it. There are still lobsters in there; they’re really healthy. We’re just going to see what happens.

‘But customers will be able to buy it in plenty of other places along the Peel seafront.’

He said the lobsters were caught near Peel by a local, young shellfish fisherman, who he had wanted to support. 

Harrison said the tank was charcoal-filtered, maintained weekly and kept at salinity levels matching the surrounding sea.

And the water was maintained at between 7.1C and 7.4C.

He said the lobsters were delivered approximately every one to two weeks and were rotated through the tank, meaning they were not normally kept there for more than a fortnight.

Knile Albertson-Prescott, 60, of Noels Court, Catterick, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 4.

He was sentenced after pleading guilty to driving with a proportion of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his blood above the specified limit.

The incident took place on Parkside, Darlington, on August 11, 2025, when Albertson-Prescott was driving his MG.

A blood test confirmed Albertson-Prescott had at least 3.9 micrograms of THC per litre of blood, exceeding the legal limit.

The court imposed a 12-month driving disqualification and fined Albertson-Prescott £460.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and a £184 surcharge.

The fine will be paid in monthly instalments of £150, starting September 1.

The alerts have triggered health warnings for millions of people, including tourists

Anyone going on holiday to certain parts of Europe has been issued a health warning from an NHS GP. It comes as numerous alerts have been issued in several well-known areas due to severe heat across many popular tourist destinations.

All 27 of Italy’s major cities are now under extreme heat alerts as a blistering heatwave hits Europe. The severe weather has caused temperatures to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in multiple countries, prompting health alerts for millions of people, including tourists and families going abroad during the six-week holiday.

On Thursday, Italy’s Health Ministry issued a red alert for all 27 cities in its national heat surveillance system. This marks the first time this year that the entire network has reached the highest warning level simultaneously. The red alert network spans key areas, starting in Trieste in the northeast and extending to Palermo in Sicily – including Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples, Turin, and Bologna.

In response to this, NHS GP Dr John Akinjolire is urging travellers not to underestimate the risks. He is warning that soaring temperatures can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The GP has shared the simple steps holidaymakers should take before and during their trip to stay safe in the heat. He’s also shared the key warning signs to watch for and how to access healthcare if they become ill while abroad.

NHS GP Dr John Akinjolire, working with travel insurance company PayingTooMuch, explained how you can avoid heatstroke when travelling during a heatwave in Europe. He said: “With temperatures reaching 40°C in parts of France, Spain and Portugal, alongside active wildfires across these countries and Greece, travellers should be aware that this is more than a typical summer heatwave.”

In an important reminder, he said: “Extreme heat can pose serious health risks, particularly for people with underlying medical conditions.” The health expert says people with heart disease, diabetes or respiratory conditions may find that high temperatures place extra strain on their health.

“If you’re travelling near the ongoing wildfires, the smoke can also worsen breathing problems, even in those who do not usually experience respiratory issues,” he warned. “Before travelling, it’s important to store temperature-sensitive medication such as insulin correctly, check air quality forecasts as well as the weather, and be aware that some medications like certain antibiotics, acne treatments and antidepressants, can increase sensitivity to the sun.”

He says staying well hydrated is important and it’s worth remembering that alcohol accelerates dehydration, so drinking more than usual in the heat can increase risk significantly. He added: “It is advisable to avoid prolonged periods in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day typically between 11am and 3pm, wearing lightweight clothing and seeking shade wherever possible can all help reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.”

The NHS GP says it is important to know the difference between the two. “Heat exhaustion can usually be managed with rest, shade and fluids, but heatstroke, where the body can no longer regulate its own temperature, is a medical emergency requiring urgent attention,” he said. “Signs to watch for include confusion, a lack of sweating despite the heat, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.”

Travellers should also familiarise themselves with how healthcare works in their destination. Unlike the NHS, many European countries require patients to pay for treatment upfront before claiming costs back even if you have a GHIC.

Access to care can also vary, particularly in more remote areas such as the smaller Greek islands. Serious medical emergencies in these parts may require transfer to a larger island or the mainland.

“These risks should not discourage people from travelling, but they do highlight the importance of preparation,” the NHS GP said “Having comprehensive travel insurance that accurately reflects any pre-existing medical conditions, alongside the right medication, lightweight clothing and other essentials for extreme heat, can protect you in case you find yourself becoming unwell while abroad.”

This comes after a partial closure order was granted for a house on Springside Avenue, Walkden, for Greater Manchester Police working with housing association ForHousing.

Residents had been raising concerns about anti-social behaviour linked to the house for several months.

A GMP spokesperson said: “The address had become a source of ongoing community concerns, attracting numerous unwanted visitors, including drug users and individuals involved in violent behaviour.

Residents had been complaining about the house for several months (Image: GMP)

“The impact on neighbouring residents has been considerable, and positive action has now been taken to address these issues.

“Under the terms of the order, only the occupant, their next of kin, and professional workers acting in an official capacity are permitted to enter the property.

“Any other person found inside the address will be in breach of the Closure Order, liable to arrest, and may be brought before the courts.

“The order is currently in place for three months and will be reviewed closer to the expiry date, with consideration being given to an extension if necessary.

“This result demonstrates the continued commitment of Greater Manchester Police and ForHousing to tackling anti-social behaviour and protecting our communities.

“We would like to thank local residents who have continued to report issues and provide information.”

An 11-year-old girl has died after emergency services found her in a river at a woodland park in Midlothian.

A search operation had earlier taken place after reports of concern for a young girl in Gore Glen Woodland Park, near Gorebridge.

Police confirmed the schoolgirl was found at around 4.25pm on Thursday and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her family are aware and being supported by police.