Huw Edwards resigns from BBC
The BBC have announced that Huw Edwards has resigned from the BBC "on medical grounds", in a statement given today.
Last summer reports emerged that Edwards had paid a young person for explicit images, and he has been off air since last July.
He was lead presenter at the News at Ten and led the BBC's coverage of the Queen's death.
Rwanda bill debate in Commons to start at 4.15
The House of Lords' Amendment to the Rwanda bill will be debated at 4.15 in the House of Commons today.
An urgent question on the Sudan will take place at 3.30pm, pushing back the debate on the Rwanda bill.
In the press conference at 10:30 today, Sunak blamed Labour for holding up the progress of the bill.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The Tories are the largest party in both Houses of Parliament and they could have scheduled the final stages of the bill a month ago but they voluntarily delayed it because they always want someone else to blame."
More updates to follow.
Car accident tragedy avoided in Liverpool
This morning around eight, a female driver and her passenger crashed into one of the walls of Beacon Primary School in Everton, Liverpool.
Luckily no pupil was present.
The driver and passenger have been admitted in the hospital with minor injuries.
The school will remain closed for the day and roads around as well.
Charged for spying for China
Metropolitan Police has bailed two men for spying under the Official Secrets Act.
They are meant to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday 26 April.
Qualified as an "extremely complex" investigation, Christopher Berry, 32, of Witney in Oxfordshire and Christopher Cash, 29, of Whitechapel, London, are accused of providing prejudicial information to a foreign state.
Sheffield market supporting independent businesses returns in 2024
Local residents in Sheffield returned to the streets for the triannual market held on Sharrow Vale Road on Sunday 21 April.
The not-for-profit event ran from 12-4 pm, with stalls selling local food, jewellery, artwork and vintage clothing, accompanied by live music and more.
The Sharrow Vale market began in 2009 with only a select few sellers. Now they accommodate around 100 stalls with tens of thousands of visitors and are held three times a year with the nearby shops and cafes also remaining open on market days.
For Natalia, a student in Sheffield, it was their first market. She said: “It was so diverse which was lovely to see. We went to get some jerk chicken, it was a lengthy line but so worth it! We’ll definitely come again, we live right around the corner so it’s just on our doorstep."
Victoria owns the Yorkshire Blankets (YB) company and ran a successful stall on the day. YB is a family-founded and run business. They have sold their eco-friendly, Yorkshire-made goods at various markets around the area but Victoria explained that as soon as the opportunity came up to to work at Sharrow Vale, it was a natural progression.
She said: “We love the vibe. I want to live here honestly it’s just amazing. We get lots of repeat customers and I like the fact there are lots of independents and lots of lovely eateries and everyone is super nice.”
Other stalls such as the Studio Budgie Galore used the opportunity to sell their handmade goods and promote their metalwork workshops taught at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet on Abbeydale Road.
Melissa, who was sharing the stall that day said: “We teach the people of Sheffield how to make jewellery using metal, acrylic, and various other materials. Everyone should come!”
James Stocks, an MA student from the University of Sheffield said: “It was the third time I’ve been to the Sharrow Vale Market, I always try and make an appearance because it’s such a brilliant way for people to support independent businesses and see what other options there are around Sheffield, for food and clothes.
"This time I found a stall selling organic cotton dungarees, so had to grab a pair. But always make it my mission to get some food as well, as some of the stalls are incredible”.
Megan who ran the market stall representing Good Good Vintage, said: “It’s great to showcase your goods and it’s always good to get our name out.”
Although the store members were not working at the stall on the day, Megan said they are very excited about their new Good Good Vintage store opening near Cambridge Street.
The next market will return on Sunday 21 July 2024.
Sheffield Theatres to sell iconic outfits to raise money for costume department
Calling all costume and theatre enthusiasts!
The Crucible theatre are holding a clothing sale on Saturday 18 May, where they will sell costumes from iconic shows to raise money for wardrobe store house, and to create better costumes for future shows.
The event is not ticketed, and will be open to the public via the Crucible theatre doors.
Read more about this story here.
Prime Minister calls on police chief to rebuild trust among Jewish community
By PA Reporters
Britain’s biggest police force needs to rebuild the trust of the Jewish community after an antisemitism campaigner was threatened with arrest at a pro-Palestine demonstration, the Prime Minister has said.
Rishi Sunak told journalists that he shared public shock and anger over exchanges between Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), and officers policing the protest in central London on April 13.
But he said he has confidence in the head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, if the commissioner works to rebuild the confidence and trust of the Jewish community and the wider public.
Mother of murdered teenager says justice has been done as killer jailed
By Lucinda Cameron, PA Scotland
The mother of a teenager murdered in 1996 said justice has been done but she will always feel the “void” left by her daughter’s death as one of her killers was jailed for at least 17 years.
Donna Marie Brand, 44, was found guilty in December at the High Court in Glasgow alongside Robert O’Brien, 45, and Andrew Kelly, 44, of killing O’Brien’s 14-year-old girlfriend Caroline Glachan in August that year.
New inclusive craft group launched to combat loneliness in Sheffield
A group of disabled women are combining their creative skills to make a new accessible crafting club for those struggling with disability, mental health issues and loneliness.
Sam Cleasby, a disabled artist from Sheffield and her best friend Caroline Hayes, a neurodivergent designer, have decided to start a club in Sheffield called 'Make Good Social' that can act as a safe space for disabled and neurodivergent people to meet each other.
Mrs Cleasby said: “As women in our forties and fifties, it’s really hard to make friends and meet people who you’ve got something in common with especially because so many people work remotely or freelance.
“Human connection is the thing that makes us human, it’s what we all need in life and during the pandemic lots of people lost relationships and friendships and I think so many people are feeling isolated.”
The artist has Ulcerative Colitis and an ostomy bag, she sometimes needs to use a wheelchair or walking stick and Miss Hayes has symptoms of perimenopause which coincided with her ADHD diagnosis last year causing her to leave her graphic designer job.
The two, who met at a parent and toddler class and have been best friends for over 20 years, decided to launch the club with their friend Charlotte Warren. As people with lived experience of disability, they understand some spaces can be difficult to access and can help to make reasonable adjustments.
Mrs Cleasby said: "We spend a lot of of time doing things that make us happy and making things just for the fun of it, not for work.
“We wanted to do something that was nice but also includes cake because that’s always an important part of joy for us. It's a club made by disabled women for disabled women and non binary people.”
Their first event will be a collaging workshop on 2 May in Smithdown Studios between 7pm and 10pm and tickets will be £25.
They believe money should not be a barrier to accessing art and social connection and have tried to keep their prices as low as possible, but are still working hard to secure funding.
Mrs Cleasby said: “It is about the making, it is about learning a new skill, but it’s also about having some play time as an adult. Children play all the time, it’s a natural way of learning and regulating emotions but as an adult we’re taught that it’s foolish and childish.
"The joy of making is the process rather than the outcome.”
The group are working on planning future embroidery and lino printing workshops and encourage people to attend either with friends or on their own.
Sheffield Theatres to sell outfits from iconic shows to raise money for costume department
A rare opportunity to purchase iconic costumes from past productions, including Shakespeare to Standing at the Sky’s Edge are being offered to the public by Sheffield Theatres.
The clothing sale will be held at the Crucible theatre on Saturday 18 May with a wide range of items for all budgets. The items include modern clothing, period replicas, vintage pieces, and theatrical costumes.
The funds raised will be used to maintain the wardrobe store house in the Crucible, and enable the creation of more bespoke costumes for future productions.
Each year, Sheffield Theatres welcome 400,000 through their doors and is one of the few remaining regional producing theatres which employs a large costume making department.
Debbie Gamble, Head of Wardrobe at Sheffield Theatres, said: “We are excited to share some of the treasures we’ve kept in the theatre over recent years, and what better way to welcome the public in to our building that with a clothing sale.
"With vintage stores and charity shop fashion becoming ever so popular, particularly with the high student residence in the city, we wanted to offer the chance for people to discover unique fashions that won’t be found anywhere else.
"As well as everyday clothing such as jeans, dresses and coats, we have plenty on the other end of the scale - including a full frog costume which would be great at a festival! There are a range of items suitable for both on stage and off, so we welcome everyone to have a rummage and find some hidden gems.”
The sale will be held in the Crucible Rehearsal Room from 10am - 4pm, and Centre Stage and Prestige Members are invited to arrive at 9am.
The event is not ticketed, so doors will be open to the public via the main Crucible entrance.
To express your interest in the event, visit the Sheffield Theatres website.
Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday: Owls edge closer to great escape thanks to Pears double disaster
Sheffield Wednesday's improbable dream of surviving in the Championship is more alive than ever after victory at Blackburn on Sunday.
The battling win sees the Owls exit the relegation zone for the first time since the season's opening day and was defined by two calamitous errors from Blackburn's goalkeeper Aynsley Pears that ultimately proved the difference between the two teams.
Over 7000 Wednesday fans made the trip to Ewood Park and were treated to goals from Josh Windass, Marvin Johnson and a bizarre own goal from Pears which elevated the side to 21st on 47 points, one point ahead of Birmingham City with just two games to play.
Wednesday manager Danny Rohl praised the travelling support after the game, saying: "It was a great performance from everyone on and off the pitch, our supporters managed to turn an away game into a home game and it was great to see."
Wednesday took the lead after six minutes when a headed clearance from Pears well outside his box put the Rovers defence under unnecessary pressure, with Josh Windass capitalising on a loose ball to audaciously chip the backtracking Pears from 30 yards.
Blackburn responded just three minutes later through the inevitable Sammie Szmodics after a volleyed through ball from Callum Brittain put the striker through on goal, with Owls keeper James Beadle unable to prevent the Irishman's powerful effort into the bottom left corner.
Injuries then threatened to hamper Wednesday's chances of leaving Blackburn with points, with centre-back Michael Ihiekwe forced off with a leg injury after 15 minutes, and his replacement Bambo Diaby also having to be substituted after injuring his nose ten minutes into the second half.
However, the ever-present tenacity that has kept the Owls' season afloat came to the fore after 58 minutes when Will Vaulks dispossessed the Blackburn midfield and kickstarted a counter-attack, with Ike Ugbo driving forward confidently and laying the ball off to the marauding Anthony Musaba on the right.
Musaba's low cross picked out Marvin Johnson at the back post who could not miss from close range to give the visitors the lead.
Wednesday's third goal came from the unlikeliest of sources as Pears inexplicably sliced a pass from his team-mate over his shoulder and into his own net to make it 3-1 shortly after.
Blackburn seemed certain of pulling a goal back when Szmodics was again put through on goal by Brittain, but the league's top scorer was unable to add to his season tally of 25 as he blasted the ball over the bar from 10 yards out.
While Wednesday's performance was deserving of the result, they will also relish their slice of luck in a season where off-field issues have plagued their campaign, with supporters protesting against the club's ownership under Dejphon Chansiri.
Captain Barry Bannan, who was making his 400th appearance for the club, said: "This is part one of three massive games. We can't get carried away, it's a good away result but we need to refocus, we're not over the line yet."
The Owls will now prepare for a tough home contest with 5th-placed West Bromwich Albion as they bid to preserve their position of 21st in the final weeks of their season.
Blackburn must also avoid being dragged into the relegation fight with this weekend's defeat leaving John Eustace's side 19th on 49 points, three points above the drop.
UK to become first country to ban extreme right-wing online terror group
By Margaret Davis, PA Crime Correspondent
Extreme right-wing online terrorist group Terrorgram is set to be banned in the UK.
Britain will be the first country to ban the group if the plan is approved on Friday, and it will be the first time that an online terror network has been proscribed in the UK.
The move would mean that support for the group would be illegal with punishments of up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine.
A draft proscription order was laid in Parliament on Monday and will come into effect on Friday if it is agreed by MPs.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “The Terrorgram collective spreads vile propaganda and aims to radicalise young people to conduct heinous terrorist acts.
“This is why we are outlawing membership or support for the group – we will not tolerate the promotion or encouragement of terrorism in the United Kingdom.
“It will become the first online terrorist network to be proscribed, alongside 80 other Extreme Right-Wing and Islamist organisations, as we continue to disrupt and outlaw terrorist groups to protect the British people.”
Terrorgram will become the sixth extreme right wing terrorist group to be banned in the UK, on the list of 81 banned organisations.
It has published propaganda designed to incite followers to commit violence, and was credited by an attacker who killed two people in an LGBTQ+ nightclub shooting in Slovakia in 2022, the Home Office said.
Security minister Tom Tugendhat said: “The Terrorgram collective is a dangerous neo-fascist organisation that actively encourages and promotes terrorist activity.
“We must do everything in our power to deter and limit the reach of hateful and terrorist ideologies, and to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”