NewsBeat
New album Can’t Rush Greatness finally lands
BBC Newsbeat
Getty ImagesAfter more than a decade in the game and eight top 10 singles, Central Cee has decided it’s finally time to drop an album.
He’s not been in a hurry.
The clue’s in the title – You Can’t Rush Greatness.
But some people, like 1Xtra DJ Kenny Allstar, would say it’s been there all along.
He’s been a champion of the West London rapper, also known as Cench, for years and has watched him become one of the UK’s biggest talents.
He says that’s down to the rapper, who understands that music, the industry around it, and how we listen has changed dramatically.
“He studied the game before he entered it,” Kenny tells BBC Newsbeat.
“And now we find ourselves with him producing undoubtedly one of the most eagerly anticipated UK rap projects of all time.”
As well as a string of hits, including 2023’s song of the summer Sprinter, to his name, Cee’s picked up multiple Mobo awards and been nominated for a prestigious Ivor Novello prize.
He’s also teamed up with artists including Brit Award winner Raye, 21 Savage and US star Gunna.
But he’s kept fans waiting for an album, limiting himself to singles and two top 10 mixtapes.
Kenny says holding off until now is a “really smart” move.
Getty Images“He understood we’re in a singles market,” says Kenny.
“Let’s call it ‘fast food music’.
“The younger generation, they’re not always ready to sit down and listen to a whole in-depth project because we’re getting so much music at such a rapid rate.”
Cee’s singles are quick to get to the hook, says Kenny, and he’s kept his mixtapes short to keep fans engaged.
“Why would you put out a project if the audience isn’t ready to take it in?”
Instead, Kenny says, Cee’s been biding his time, “building a buzz” off the back of his hits until fans are “ready and gagging for the project, the album”.
It’s worked on super fan Jessica Mosses, 21, who says: “I’m so excited to have so many brand new songs that we’ve not had before.
“I’m gonna make sure I’m doing absolutely nothing so I can sit all day and listen.”
Jessica admits she’s excited to finally have an album to listen to, but thinks how an artist releases music is becoming less relevant.
“He’s got to this point just releasing singles and mixtapes,” she says.
“I do think that people don’t really care what they’re releasing as long as it’s new.”
Even though he’s found success without one, others think an album was always going to be on the cards for an artist with Central Cee’s ambitions.
Getty ImagesMusic journalist Daisy Carter says: “The fact that he’s doing it now shows that it’s still something that’s important for artists.
“I think it creates a stronger bond between the listener and the artists to have a longer body of work that you’re able to get your teeth into,” she says.
“It means that you feel more connected to an artist.”
Kenny agrees, saying: “It’s not just about hit records, it’s about, ‘what can we learn about you as a person through listening to this body of work?’.”
In 2024, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish seemed to be leading a focus on albums with neither releasing singles to promote their albums in advance.
“With the rise of streaming people can flick between individual songs in a way that they never used to be able to when they were just buying records,” says Daisy.
“But the album format is a way for artists to really execute an artistic vision and tell a story.”
But Kenny points out that Central Cee has been working overtime to connect with his fans in different ways, particularly through social media, his work in the fashion industry and going big on the production value of everything else he’s released.
“You don’t need to drop an album if everything you do is big,” he says.
“Marketing is so important in this day and age where everyone’s on TikTok, everyone’s on Insta.
“The music is amazing but how do you influence other subcultures?”
As for the album title, Kenny says it doesn’t just represent the time Central Cee’s taken to get to this stage in his career but also has another, more personal, meaning.
“I don’t mean to toot my own horn,” he says, before sharing how the pair released a freestyle together on Kenny’s channel in 2020.
“There’s a line where he says, ‘this took ages, you should have known you can’t rush greatness, you’re too impatient, one million views ain’t famous‘.
“Five years ago that lyric was birthed. I’m not asking for a writing credit, but it’s just a blessing it happened on my platform.”
And in return for the DJ’s support over his career, Central Cee even asked Kenny to feature in a track on the album – something he says he thought was a prank at first.
“I’m gassed,” he says.
“I speak passionately about UK rap music because it’s everything, I breathe it, I live it.
“So these moments after years of championing artists, this is a payoff.”
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 75-year-old man died with stab wounds in Putney, south west London.
The 30-year-old, believed to be known to the victim, was arrested after the elderly man was pronounced dead on Deodar Road at around 3am on Friday.
His next of kin have been made aware although police currently await formal identification. They are currently being supported by specialist officers, the Met Police said.
Detective Superintendent Amanda Mawhinney said: “We are currently supporting the family of a man who was sadly killed in the early hours of this morning.
“I am aware that people in the community may feel shocked following this – we believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the public.
“Although we have made significant progress by making an arrest, I would like to make it clear that our investigation does not stop here.
“We need the local community to help us understand what happened in the early hours of this morning. We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at around 3am and that saw or heard anything unusual to contact us as soon as possible.
“You may notice a higher police presence within the area today whilst we carry out our enquiries. A scene is in place as well as road closures.
“If you feel the need to raise anything with our officers, then please feel free to speak with them whilst they are in the area.”
Anyone with information which could assist with the investigation is asked to call 101 stating CAD721/24JAN.
Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by submitting an online form.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…
BBC News
Dabb, Kory R.A judge has rejected a US mother’s challenge to extradition over accusations she murdered two of her children in Colorado and “fled” to London.
Kimberlee Singler’s nine-year-old daughter Elianna and seven-year-old son Aden were found dead on 19 December, 2023 in Colorado Springs.
Prosecutors acting on behalf of US officials said Ms Singler, 36, “fled” the US and was arrested in west London 11 days later.
District Judge John Zani told Westminster Magistrates’ Court he rejected Ms Singler’s challenge against extradition and said the case now passed to the home secretary to decide whether the 36-year-old should be sent back to the US.
Warning: This report contains descriptions of violence against children
In his ruling Judge Zani said he was not convinced that the defendant’s rights, particularly her concerns about prison conditions and a possible life sentence without parole, would be infringed on by extradition.
“I am of the firm opinion that the defendant’s extradition to the United States of America to face criminal prosecution complies with all of her Convention Rights within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998,” Judge Zani said.
Ms Singler’s legal team has said she intends to appeal against the judge’s decision.
Previously, the court heard in September that Ms Singler’s alleged crimes were “committed against the backdrop of acrimonious court proceedings” relating to the custody of her children with her ex-husband Kevin Wentz.
Prosecutor Joel Smith said on 19 December 2023 the Colorado Springs Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at a Colorado residence at 00:29 local time (06:29 GMT).
When officers arrived at the defendant’s address, they found two dead children and a “blood-stained handgun” which was discovered on the floor of the bedroom.
Mr Smith said DNA tests were carried out on the gun and a knife which revealed the presence of mixed profiles matching the children and Ms Singler.
A third child, who has not been named, was found with a serious injury to her neck. She was taken to hospital and survived.
Mr Smith said Ms Singler blamed her husband for the attack, but it was found he had been driving a “GPS-tracked truck” in Denver, giving what the prosecutor described as a “complete and verifiable alibi”.
In the days that followed, the third child was moved into foster care and, on Christmas Day, she told her foster carer that Ms Singler had been responsible for the attack and had asked her to lie to police, Mr Smith said.
The prosecutor said the girl was interviewed by police on 26 December, during which time she recounted how the attack had unfolded after the defendant guided all three children into their bedroom.
The police investigation then led to a warrant being issued by Fourth Judicial District Court in El Paso County, Colorado, for Ms Singler’s arrest.
Mr Smith said Ms Singler was arrested in the Chelsea area of west London on 30 December.
It is not for the court in London to carry out a criminal trial.
However, in his ruling published on Friday Judge Zani said: “I note that the defendant, through counsel, has clearly stated that her defence to the charges is a total denial of liability.”
Reform UK has pulled ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives to top a national poll alone for the first time ever.
Fresh data from pollsters at Find Out Now has placed Nigel Farage’s party three points clear of the Tories – while Labour has slipped to a distant third.
Some 26 per cent of Britons would now vote for Reform if a General Election were called tomorrow, the data says – with 23 per cent opting for Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives, and 22 for Labour.
In a defiant statement quashing calls for a pact between Reform UK and the Tories, the former’s chairman Zia Yusuf said on social media: “No pacts, no deals. Reform is headed for Government.”
Some 26 per cent of Britons would now vote for Reform if a General Election were called tomorrow
PA
While leader Nigel Farage said: “Reform LEADS for the first time in a national opinion poll. This is just the beginning.”
And Reform’s Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe added: “Reform now in the clear, leading a national opinion poll.
“I am more confident than ever that we will outright win the next general election – it is going to happen. It cannot come soon enough.”
But the Tories have poured cold water on the figures – a spokesman for Kemi Badenoch told GB News: “Polls go up and down and change every week.
LATEST ON REFORM UK:
Kemi Badenoch’s Tories have poured cold water on the figures
PA
“We’re focused on what matters – the damage Labour is doing to the economy, our schools and our international standing.”
And Labour has accused the two right-wing parties of “fighting among themselves”.
A Labour source said: “The Labour Government is getting on with delivering the Plan for Change. We’ve been clear from the outset that means taking the tough decisions needed to undo 14 years of Tory chaos and decline.
“While the opposition fight among themselves, the Labour Government is putting in the hard yards to deliver much-needed growth, create more jobs, make people better off by putting more money in people’s pockets, rebuild Britain and get our NHS back on its feet.”
It comes just weeks after Find Out Now placed Reform UK neck-and-neck with Labour – the first time Nigel Farage’s party had topped a national poll.
Before the new polling emerged, Tory peer Lord Frost had warned that his party would have to come to some sort of arrangement with Reform
GB NEWS
Back then, Refom and Labour jointly led with a 25 per cent vote share each, with the Conservatives left with 20 per cent.
But after a fortnight of gloomy headlines for the Labour Government, voters appear to be turning away.
Reform UK has gained one percentage point, the Tories three, and the Liberal Democrats one – all while Labour has sunk by three per cent.
Before the new polling emerged, Tory peer Lord Frost had warned that his party would have to come to some sort of arrangement with Reform if neither can come out on top.
And he looks to be vindicated by the data – running the Find Out Now results through an Electoral Calculus projection would see Reform take 170 seats, the Tories 165 and Labour 179, raising the prospect of a Reform-Tory coalition Government.
A man has been banned from attending football matches for three years after he racially abused Dutch striker Justin Kluivert.
NewsBeat
National Portrait Gallery faces backlash over ‘nepotism’ claims in star-studded Zoë Law exhibition
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For more than 50 years, the National Portrait Gallery has been a showcase of British cultural heritage, celebrating the icons and trailblazers who’ve shaped art, politics, and entertainment.
But its latest exhibition, Zoë Law: Legends, has raised eyebrows, with accusations of nepotism overshadowing its artistic ambitions.
The free display, which opened in November 2024, features black-and-white portraits of well-known figures, including Noel Gallagher, Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Kim Cattrall. Gallagher’s portrait even comes with a specially created soundscape by the man himself. Running until 2 March 2025, some of the works will join the gallery’s permanent collection.
However, controversy has grown over the photographer’s links to a major donor. Zoë Law is connected to the Law Family Charitable Foundation, which gave significant funding to the gallery’s £41 million refurbishment in 2023.
A former celebrity make-up artist turned photographer, Law served as a trustee of the foundation until June 2024, stepping down amid her divorce from hedge fund manager Andrew Law, who continues to run the foundation.
Ms Law’s connections extend beyond the arts world. In 2015, she chaired the Conservative Party’s Black and White Ball, a glitzy fundraiser for some of Britain’s wealthiest donors. And sitting on the NPG’s board are Chris Grayling, the former justice secretary, and David Ross, a multimillionaire donor and friend of Boris Johnson.
The optics have left some feeling uneasy. Museum as Muck, a network supporting working-class creatives, described the situation as “disheartening,” adding: “Government funding for cultural institutions should remain independent from the influence of wealthy benefactors. Relying on additional funds from the affluent can skew the priorities of these institutions, granting undue influence to a select few.”
Photographer Harry Borden, an honorary fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, said the exhibition left him scratching his head. “It’s concerning when someone seemingly emerges out of the blue with a major exhibition, and when you Google them, nothing comes up. Nine years ago, she was a Tory fundraiser and make-up artist. I’m all for reinvention, but it strikes me as odd,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Turner Prize-winning artist Jesse Darling was even more blunt: “It just makes plain what was always the case, no? Art is a rich man’s game made up of rich hobbyists who keep their money circulating among themselves.”
The exhibition features portraits of people Ms Law describes as “dear friends,” including Orlando Bloom, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Kim Cattrall.
Speaking about his inclusion, Gallagher quipped: “I am thrilled and honoured to have my portrait added to the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection. The thought of the portrait of a grumpy middle-aged man, who frankly hates having his picture taken, being permanently displayed for future generations to marvel at is very special. Thanks and praise.”
The National Portrait Gallery defended its decision to showcase Ms Law’s work. A spokesperson told The Independent the gallery had followed its Grants and Donations policy, which includes approval by its ethics committee. “The Gallery’s Ethics Committee were consulted and agreed the donation from the Law Family Charitable Foundation, and were aware of the display,” they said.
The gallery added that Legends by Zoë Law is just one of the free displays designed to complement its larger programme of exhibitions.
BBC News Ireland correspondent
News stories about extreme weather affect millions of lives – and that is reflected in huge audiences.
For journalists – they are challenging to cover.
We have the task of putting out information and conveying the seriousness of the situation to the public – and also taking steps to keep ourselves safe.
Red warnings indicate there is a danger to life – and the authorities do not take lightly the decision to issue the alert.
Assessing the risk is part and parcel of our approach to these stories.
Camera operator Niall Gallagher and I went to Westport on the Atlantic coast of Ireland ahead of the red warning coming into force.
We knew in advance that some of the strongest winds in the UK and Ireland would be felt on the western seaboard.
During the hours of the highest level of alert – it was clearly too dangerous to go out into the open.
The sight and sound of debris crashing onto the ground bore testament to the risk that the national weather service, Met Éireann, and emergency services have been speaking about.
So we set up for live broadcasting in a tunnel, connecting our hotel car park to the street.
It meant we can have a good look at the scenes outside, and get an idea of how ferocious the gales were – while remaining sheltered.
This enabled us to film pictures which sufficiently put across the savagery of the storm, without taking a major safety risk.
EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockAfter the red warning expired, we made the decision to head out again – to survey the damage, talk more to local people, and assess the scale of the clear-up which communities were facing.
Covering the most intense storm to hit the island of Ireland in many years is a team effort – and we are always reliant on our colleagues in BBC Northern Ireland, who have been gathering material from numerous towns, cities and villages.
BBCNI’s headquarters at Broadcasting House in Belfast switched to a back-up electricity generator as the busy lunchtime news period approached.
It was a plan to enable the programmes to stay on air, if the wave of power cuts reached the building.
Whether you are in a newsroom or “on the ground” – having a plan B (and often a C and D) is often valuable.
It’s never more important than when covering bad weather.
If the pattern of recent times continues, we’ll be doing it more frequently in the coming years.
GB News’ Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker has provided his exclusive insight into engagements undertaken by Prince William, King Charles and the Princess of Wales this week.
Sign up to the GB News Royal Newsletter to get the latest analysis straight to your inbox.
IS TRUMP ABOUT TO INVITE THE KING TO THE WHITE HOUSE?
On Monday, President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America.
The relationship between Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government and the new Republican President, however, is (at best) rocky.
But Britain has a ‘Trump’ card – The Royal Family – and The President is known for his pro-monarchist tendencies.
Good trade (without eyewatering tariffs) and diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the United States could prove essential in an increasingly volatile world.
Is it any wonder, therefore, that a Downing Street source told The Times this week that the government is planning for a senior royal to visit the United States to renew the “special relationship”?
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday that The King sent a personal message to President Trump on his inauguration, reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and USA.
Members of the Royal Family have soft power to strengthen relationships between two countries in a way which politicians will never be able to do; royals have to remain politically neutral.
I understand the option of a State Visit to the U.S. remains firmly on the table, as does the possibility of The King inviting President Trump to London.
A source insists that there are no dates in the diary yet, and any visit would be subject to advice from the Foreign Office.
The Times reports 2026 is the most likely option for an outward State Visit to Washington.
If I was a betting man, I would perhaps place a bet on The Prince and Princess of Wales – if Catherine is well enough.
This is because Prince William met President Trump in Paris last year, and Trump remarked “he looks better in person” as he beamed with delight.
A royal source previously branded William a “global statesman”, and his popularity in the United States (despite his brother’s personal attacks) could be something the UK Government could capitalise on.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday that The King sent a personal message to President Trump on his inauguration, reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and USA.
Getty
WILLIAM BACK IN THE BOXING RING?
On Tuesday, The Prince of Wales visited Centrepoint’s Ealing service to meet young people being supported by the homeless charity.
2025 will mark 20 years of Prince William being the charity’s Patron, having made secret visits as a boy with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
During the engagement, he played table football and boxed with young people experiencing homelessness.
He appeared to thrive during boxing drills, saying: “It might get me back into boxing, you never know”.
I hear The Prince of Wales has, in the past, taken to the boxing ring: all be it “briefly” and “not properly”.
At Centrepoint, each young person (16 – 25) is provided with a home, employment and education opportunities, as well as counselling.
I understand The Prince really enjoyed meeting the young people – especially hearing their personal stories of why they needed support.
For example, he met 24-year-old Bethany who was in care as a child – she fell pregnant aged 17.
She “pushed through” with the help of Centrepoint, and earned a degree from the London School of Economics (LSE) and now works in local government.
In 2023, The Prince of Wales launched ‘Homewards’ – a five year plan to demonstrate homelessness can be ended in the UK, making it rare, brief and unrepeated.
On Tuesday, The Prince of Wales visited Centrepoint’s Ealing service to meet young people being supported by the homeless charity.
Getty
WHAT PRINCE HARRY’S UNCLE TELLS US ABOUT ROYAL FAMILY RELATIONS
The Duke of Sussex has settled out of court with News Group Newspapers (NGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering at both The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World.
NGN has offered Harry an “unequivocal apology” for the intrusion into the private lives of himself and his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
It is the first time The Sun newspaper has ever admitted liability for their use of private investigators to carry out unlawful information gathering, but the title has always denied phone hacking.
Prince William and Harry’s uncle, Earl Spencer, has now made a rare public statement: “It takes an enormous amount of guts to take on opponents like News Group Newspapers, and a great tenacity to win. And it’s just wonderful that Harry fought for – and gained – an apology to his mother. She would have been incredibly touched at that and rightly proud.”
It is incredibly telling that Diana’s brother has gone on the record to defend, and praise, his nephew’s tenacity.
Following the late Princess’ tragic death in a Paris car crash, during a paparazzi chase, Earl Spence accused British newspaper editors of having “blood on their hands”.
It appears Prince Harry and his uncle could share the same resentment towards British tabloids, and shows their bond is still strong, despite Harry’s fallout with the Royal Family over ‘Megxit’.
I understand Prince Harry is still not on speaking terms with his brother, Prince William, and has limited contact with The King.
Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Prince Harry’s legal settlement.
The Duke of Sussex has settled out of court with News Group Newspapers (NGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering at both The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World.
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KING’S SECRET DINNERS WITH THE GRENADIER GUARDS
Yesterday, I attended the Grenadier Guards’ inspection at their barracks near Aldershot.
On Monday, they take up Ceremonial Public Duties for The King at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, The Tower of London and St James’s Palace.
For the last five years, these battle-hardened soldiers have been deployed on operational combat duties.
With a few minor tweaks, ordered by the Brigade Major of the Household Division Lieutenant Colonel Charles Foinette, they will achieve ‘ceremonial perfection’ by Monday’s ceremonies.
He tells me: “The things we tend to be commenting on are things like fit of uniforms, where perhaps some tailoring adjustment is required, or, in 1 or 2 cases, where [bearskin caps] are perhaps a little bit beyond their design life and are going a funny colour, or could fit better. So it’s really about providing the appropriate support to make sure that the soldiers and indeed the battalion, get the support they require to perform to the highest standard.
The Grenadier Guards have a particularly close bond with King Charles, who I understand often has private dinners with them. His Majesty is the Company Commander of the King’s Company Grenadier Guards – one of the oldest regiments in the British Army They have been on duty inside Westminster Abbey at every coronation since King Charles II was crowned, following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 They were originally formed from loyal bodies of men who remained close to, and trusted by, The King throughout his exile in Bruges – his father, Charles I, was executed in 1649.
Princess Anne has spoken for the first time about a horse accident last year, saying she cannot remember anything about the incident.
The Princess Royal, 74, spent five nights in hospital with a concussion after being hit while walking at her Gatcombe Park estate last June.
When asked by PA news agency if she remembers anything about the accident, the royal said: “No, nothing.”
Anne spoke while visiting Cape Town in South Africa, and said retirement “really isn’t written in” to being a royal.
“You’re jolly lucky… if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis,” she added. “And last summer I was very close to not being.
“Take each day as it comes, they say.”
Princess Anne in the stables during a visit to the South African Riding School for Disabled Association. Pic: PA
The princess added she doesn’t remember walking into a field before the incident, saying: “I know where I thought I was going and that was to go to the chickens, no, nothing to do with horses.”
She then said: “It just reminds you, shows you – you never quite know, something [happens] and you might not recover.”
Anne was treated at hospital for minor head injuries and a concussion, before being discharged towards the end of June.
She then returned to public duties in July, visiting the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.
Read more:
Kate opens up about ‘really tough’ cancer treatment
Duke of Sussex settles court case with The Sun’s publisher
Joking when asked about any long-lasting effect from the incident, the princess said: “Apparently not, at least I don’t think so.
“As far as I know nobody else thinks so – they haven’t been honest enough to tell me yet. So far so good.
“You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus really.”
Anne is making a whirlwind visit to Cape Town but is travelling by herself after her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence suffered a suspected torn ligament while working on the princess’ estate.
BBC News
Elizabeth Cook/PA MediaSouthport killer Axel Rudakubana was under the care of an NHS mental health service for about four years before he “stopped engaging”, a hospital trust has said.
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust confirmed he had been under their care between 2019 and 2023.
Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack, was jailed for 52 years for the “sadistic” murders of three young girls, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine.
A spokesperson for Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said it “welcomed an independent public inquiry” into the failures to identify the risk posed by the teenager.
The statement added that Rudakubana, from Banks in west Lancashire, had stopped engaging with the service in February 2023, despite continued offers of support.
The spokesperson added: “Following the terrible incident last July, we are participating fully in a children’s safeguarding practice review commissioned by the Children’s Safeguarding Partnership, to identify if any learnings could be made.”
The trust said it would “welcome the announcement of an independent public inquiry and will fully co-operate and support that process”.
“We are not in a position to provide any further details that could potentially prejudice that inquiry and will be making no further comment at this time,” they added.
The trust said its thoughts remained with the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie and all those affected by the events of 29 July.
On Thursday Rudakubana was sentenced to jail with a minimum term of 52 years for three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, one of producing the biological toxin ricin and one of possession of an Al Qaeda training manual, an offence under the Terrorism Act.
Killer took knife to school
Axel Rudakubana was first referred to Alder Hey’s mental health services after taking a knife to Range High School in Formby and later saying that he had done so “to use it”.
He was also referred to the counter-extremism programme Prevent because he had been researching school massacres on a computer at his next school, The Acorns.
There were two other referrals to Prevent, but none of them were progressed as Rudakubana had no clear ideology behind his obsession with violence.
Lancashire Police also had several interactions with Rudakubana, including one occasion in March 2022 when he was found on a bus with a knife.
His mother had also been warned to secure the knives in their house.
‘Lessons have not been learned’
Calls for an inquiry into the Southport killings have also been supported by the families of three men murdered in Reading, Berkshire.
The three men were stabbed to death by Khairi Saadallah in Forbury Gardens, Reading, in June 2020.
The families of James Furlong, David Wails and Joe Ritchie-Bennett said they feared lessons had not been learned and were demanding more government action.
Saadallah and Rudakubana had both been referred to the government’s anti-extremism Prevent programme.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced there would be a public inquiry into missed opportunities to stop Rudakubana.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the inquiry would be given all the powers it needed to assess whether red flags were missed.
The BBC has approached the Home Office and Department for Health and Social Care for comment.
A majority of Britons support cutting or abolishing inheritance tax (IHT), known as “the most unpopular tax in Britain”, according to new polling conducted for the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
The research, carried out by Public First, found that 55 per cent of those surveyed want to either reduce or completely eliminate the tax. These findings show widespread support across all demographics, including both genders, all age groups, social grades, regions, education levels and political affiliations.
The polling comes as the TaxPayers’ Alliance launches a campaign calling for the complete abolition of inheritance tax, which they describe as “unworkable, unfair and immoral”.
Recent data has shown inheritance tax receipts increased by £600million in the nine months to December compared to the previous year. The poll revealed that 27 per cent of respondents wanted inheritance tax to be cut, while 28 per cent supported its complete abolition.
In contrast, 21 per cent believed the tax should remain at current levels, and just 10 per cent favoured an increase. The remaining respondents were unsure about their position on the issue.
Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing money@gbnews.uk.
A landmark poll of Britons suggest the country wants to see the end of inheritance tax
GETTY / FLICKR/ TREASURY
A majority across all age groups, both genders and all social grades expressed support for either cutting or abolishing the tax. When asked about the fairness of nine different taxes, inheritance tax emerged as the most unpopular, with 46 per cent listing it as the most unfair.
Income tax followed at 27 per cent, with stamp duty at 26 per cent and VAT at 24 per cent. National insurance, capital gains tax, insurance premium tax, vehicle excise tax and air passenger duty were viewed as less unfair by respondents.
The survey found that inheritance tax was considered the most unfair by a plurality across nearly all demographic groups. Only those with a PhD differed from this pattern, though the specific preference of this group was not detailed in the findings.
Furthermore, polling revealed strong support for abolishing inheritance tax specifically for family farms and businesses. A significant 63 per cent of respondents backed removing the tax for those passing down farms to family members.
Inheritance tax is one of HMRC’s most unpopular levies
PA
Similarly, 59 per cent supported abolishing the tax for family businesses. The findings showed particularly strong backing for farm inheritance, with a majority of every demographic group supporting tax abolition in these cases.
This comes as a notable challenge to Labour Government reforms to agricultural and business property relief. John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said the findings demonstrated clear public sentiment against the tax.
“The British public clearly recognise that inheritance tax is an almost uniquely bad tax, given their unanimous support for cutting or abolishing it altogether,” he said.
He suggested that while some reforms could provide temporary relief, a complete overhaul was necessary.
“While there are certain reforms – such as lifting thresholds – that could ease some of the pain, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the only acceptable solution in the long term is complete abolition,” he added.
O’Connell called on politicians to take decisive action based on public opinion. “Our political leaders now need to listen to the electorate that put them in office and scrap inheritance tax once and for all.”
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Britons are preparing for drastic changes to inheritance tax rules GETTY James Frayne, Chairman of Public First, highlighted politicians’ historical misjudgment of public sentiment towards the tax.
“For twenty years, polls have shown how much voters detest inheritance tax but politicians still blunder into raising it, only to be shocked when their ratings go down,” he said.
Frayne criticised the fundamental nature of the tax and its impact on bereaved families.
“It’s a stupid tax: It raises comparatively little but sends a message that the state is prepared to tax you even when you’re grieving for lost relatives,” he added.
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