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The Ditch News Bulletin

Starmer risks misleading Commons claims if Mandelson story doesn’t match files, warns Harman | Politics News

Sir Keir Starmer will face accusations he misled the Commons over his appointment of Peter Mandelson if there is not "absolute consistency" between what he told MPs and government files, Harriet Harman has said.The former Labour deputy leader's comments on Sky's Electoral Dysfunction podcast come after the government published documents detailing the vetting process undergone by Lord Mandelson when he was made US ambassador last year. He was subsequently sacked over his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.Politics latest: Starmer facing…

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British fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone facing legal action over use of her own name | UK News

British fragrance entrepreneur Jo Malone is facing legal action over the use of her own name by cosmetics giant Estee Lauder Companies.Ms Malone set up her self-named Jo Malone perfume brand before selling it to the firm in 1999, in 2011 she launched a new fragrance label called Jo Loves. High Court records show an intellectual property claim was filed on Wednesday by Estee Lauder Europe and Jo Malone Limited against Ms Malone personally, Jo Loves and ITX Limited, which…

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Murder charge after death of County Durham bailiff attacked at work | UK News

A man has been charged with the murder of a court bailiff while he was at work.Former police officer Jeff Blair, 55, died after being assaulted in Shildon, County Durham, at around 1pm on Tuesday. Image: Police cordon in Shildon, County Durham, following a suspected fatal assault on court bailiff Jeff Blair. Pic: PA He sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead after being taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.Robert Davies, 49, has been charged with murder, possession…

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New neighbourhood warden takes to Redditch streets to help combat anti-social behaviour

A NEW Neighbourhood Warden service is set to launch in Redditch to combat anti-social behaviour across the community and create positive public spaces for residents. Two Wardens will be out on regular patrols, engaging with people, reporting incidents and working with other council services and partner agencies to resolve neighbourhood issues. The first recruit, Heather Bridgwater, took up post last week after funding was agreed by Redditch Borough Council’s executive committee for two Neighbourhood Warden roles. The second post…

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Ukrainians who ran ‘premium’ migrant smuggling service to UK jailed | UK News

Two Ukrainian men who ran a "premium bespoke taxi service" smuggling migrants across the channel in a yacht have been jailed.Vladyslav Cherniavskyi, 38, was jailed for six years and Oleksandr Yavtushenko, 43, for five having previously pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court to three charges of assisting unlawful immigration. The pair were arrested after the yacht, Uforia, was intercepted four-and-a-half miles off the coast of Chichester, West Sussex, on 20 July last year, with five migrants onboard.The migrants, four Albanian…

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Police to use Thames to separate protesters at Al Quds protest | UK News

Police will use the River Thames to separate protesters and counter-protesters at the Al Quds Day rally in central London on Sunday.A planned march to the Home Office was banned earlier this week after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood approved a request from the Metropolitan Police to block it to "prevent serious public disorder". The Met added that the organisers, the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), were "supportive of the Iranian regime". It is the first time a protest march has…

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Council chiefs pulled up on overestimating the number of school places needed in Warwickshire

COUNCIL chiefs have been pulled up on overestimating the number of school places needed in Warwickshire. Warwickshire County Council’s children and young people’s overview and scrutiny committee called in WCC’s Annual Education Sufficiency Update after it was approved by Cabinet back in December. The report aims to ensure the county has enough school places to meet future needs. But the scrutiny committee raised concerns around forecasting assumptions, particularly around migration, housing delivery and the potential risk of creating too…

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Therapist who sexually assaulted patient ‘as part of treatment’ jailed for 11 years | UK News

A therapist who claimed that the sexual assaults he inflicted on a patient were part of her treatment has been jailed for 11 years.Gerald Peck claimed he was an accredited psychotherapist who could perform Bioenergetic Analysis. But Lewes Crown Court heard that he was not recognised by any umbrella organisation for psychotherapy in the UK.Peck, 77, told a patient that the sexual acts were for genuine therapeutic reasons and would help to ease the pain she was experiencing. Image: General…

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TechFest 2026 celebrates record-breaking success across Worcestershire

WORCESTERSHIRE’S technology and innovation community is celebrating a landmark year as TechFest 2026 closes, marking its most successful programme yet. More than 900 businesses registered for events across the county, demonstrating a strong appetite for collaboration, digital advancement, and knowledge‑sharing among Worcestershire’s business community. Across two weeks, the festival brought together organisations of all sizes, with over 60 businesses speaking or exhibiting, alongside 13 main events and three fringe activities. From hands‑on tech showcases to thought‑provoking discussions and specialist…

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MOTHER’S DAY – Treat your mum to a mouthwatering Indian meal at Droitwich’s award-winning Vasaanti restaurant

WHAT better way to treat your mum this Mother’s Day on Sunday, March 15, than giving her a meal to remember at Droitwich’s award-winning Vasaanti restaurant. The popular eatery on the High Street is taking bookings for your mum’s special day. Owner Akbar Miah, known as Aki, and his team, have put together a special offer for Mothering Sunday. From 5pm to 10pm on that day, diners have the choice of two options. Option 1 – This includes any…

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