UK

The northern section of the HS2 high speed rail line looks set to be scrapped by Rishi Sunak, Sky News understands. It comes as a number of Sunday newspapers reported that any decision would be announced before next weekend’s Conservative Party conference. Sky News political correspondent Tamara Cohen said: “The widespread view in Westminster is

A man was taken to hospital after being bitten by a dog – believed to be an XL bully – just hours before demonstrators gathered in London today to protest against a proposed ban. The victim, who is in his 40s, was attacked in Pasley Park in Southwark, southeast London, on Friday. He suffered injuries

A woman has told Sky News that Russell Brand made her feel “vulnerable and intimidated” – and alleges he refused to call her a taxi until she performed a sex act. It comes as new allegations continue to emerge about the comedian’s behaviour, as another organisation cut ties with him. Sarah, whose name has been

Nish Kumar says young women have been advised to steer clear of dressing rooms used by ‘predators’ still working on the comedy scene. The comedian also said the knowledge of Russell Brand‘s alleged abuse against young women was “a well-known open secret on the comedy circuit” and he thinks it’s likely “there’s more allegations to

The NHS in Devon says it is preparing to take extra measures to keep patients safe because hospital emergency departments are under pressure caused by striking doctors. In a statement, NHS Devon said: “A walk-out by junior doctors from 7am on Wednesday 20 September until 7am on Saturday 23 September has left many hospitals facing

Rice, spaghetti, baked beans and tea bags are among the staple items costing three times as much if the budget versions are not available in supermarkets, new research has found. Which? analysed the prices of almost 26,000 food and drink products for its inflation tracker at eight major supermarkets – Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado,

Rishi Sunak has confirmed he will be easing a series of green policies under a “new approach” designed to protect “hard-pressed British families” from “unacceptable costs”. Delivering a speech from Downing Street, he said he is still committed to reaching net zero by 2020, but the transition can be done in a “fairer and better

Three out of every four rape and sexual assault victims say their mental health was harmed during the police investigation, according to new research. In a significant survey of victims, 75% said they were negatively impacted by what police did or didn’t do in their case. The survey was based on 2,000 rape and sexual

The rate of inflation has eased slightly to 6.7% confounding the predictions of economists that it would rise. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the consumer prices index (CPI) measure slowed in the 12 months to August, from the 6.8% figure reported the previous month, thanks to food rising at a weaker pace during

Andrew Sachs’ granddaughter Georgina Baillie has argued that YouTube suspending earnings from Russell Brand’s channel is “cancel culture”. Baillie, 38, who had an on-off relationship with Brand in the 2000s, said although she didn’t know all the details of the allegations, some of the evidence is “compelling”. The actress was at the centre of the

It will take at least two years – possibly more – to rid the Metropolitan Police of corrupt officers – with some of those facing criminal charges not set to go to trial before 2025, the force has said. Over the same period it is planning to hold 60 hearings a month relating to misconduct

The Met Police has said it has received an allegation of sexual assault against Russell Brand dating back to 2003. It comes after four women made sexual abuse allegations against the comedian between 2006 and 2013 as part of an investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. Since publication, The Times

The Metropolitan Police has responded to allegations against Russell Brand, saying it encourages victims of sexual assault to contact the force. Four women have accused Brand of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013 while the comedian was at the height of his fame, in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

Russell Brand has appeared live on stage in London hours after being publicly accused of rape and sexual assault. The comedian performed a show at the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre, which began just after 8pm on Saturday – roughly an hour after its scheduled start time, the PA news agency reported. A video of him

Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse in a Sunday Times and Dispatches investigation – allegations he denies. Four women have made allegations of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013 while he was at the height of his fame, according to the newspaper. The Sunday Times reports

Lucy Letby, the nurse jailed for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others, has filed a formal appeal against her convictions. She was handed 14 whole-life orders after being convicted last month, meaning she will never be allowed out of prison. Letby who was in her mid-20s and working at the Countess of

Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland, is being poisoned to death by a toxic blue-green algae on an apocalyptic scale. It is killing fish, birds and dogs and there are serious concerns about public health because the lough provides 40% of Northern Ireland‘s drinking water. Peter Harper, shoreline environment officer

Three people have been charged with the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Surrey Police said the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner, Beinash Batool, 29, and Mr Sharif’s brother, Faisal Malik, 28, all of Hammond Road, Woking. They have also been charged with causing or allowing the death

The brother of murdered TV presenter Jill Dando says despite the case remaining unsolved 24 years, he has a theory about who could be behind her death. The execution style killing of one of Britain’s best-loved broadcasters in broad daylight on her own doorstep in April 1999 shocked the nation, leaving the press, public and

Emails “threatening violence to children and staff” have been received by a number of schools in Leeds. West Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation – with officers “providing reassurance and safety advice to affected schools”. In messages to parents, one primary headteacher said police had been treating the threat as “credible” – and children were

Sara Sharif’s father, stepmother and uncle have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of the 10-year-old girl. In a statement, Surrey Police detective superintendent Mark Chapman said: “Two men, aged 41 years and 28 years, and a woman, aged 29 years, were arrested on suspicion of murder after disembarking a

Three adults who British police want to speak to in connection with the death of Sara Sharif are returning to the UK from Pakistan. Her father Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool and uncle Faisal Malik were the subject of an international manhunt. Sara, who was 10 years old, was found dead in her home in

More than a million days of learning were lost last year after record numbers of children were suspended from school.  School suspensions have risen by a third compared to pre-pandemic levels, leading to fears of a deepening crisis in our schools post-pandemic. And for the first time, Sky News can reveal that the number of

Five children who travelled to Pakistan with the father and step-mother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif will be taken into the custody of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau, a judge has ruled. The children, aged between one and 13, were recovered from the house of Sara’s grandfather in the northeastern city of Jhelum on Monday

Almost a third of NHS female surgical staff have been sexually assaulted, including rape, in the last five years, a new survey has revealed. The study, published in the British Journal of Surgery (BJS), examined sexual misconduct over the past five years among the UK surgical workforce and found that 63% of women and 23%

Police say they will speak to the owner of an XL bully dog that attacked people in Birmingham in due course as the animal remains in “secure kennels”. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said on Sunday she was seeking “urgent advice” about banning American XL bully dogs after footage emerged showing the animal attacking an 11-year-old

The home secretary is seeking “urgent advice” about banning American XL Bully dogs as footage shows one of the animals attacking an 11-year-old girl and a man in Birmingham. Suella Braverman has said the animals are a “clear and lethal” danger after the video of the attack in Bordesley Green emerged on the social media

Daniel Khalife has been charged with escaping custody at HMP Wandsworth, the Metropolitan Police said. The terror suspect went missing from prison on Wednesday, and was arrested in a London suburb on Saturday – ending 75 hours on the run. Khalife reportedly laughed as he was apprehended in Northolt on Saturday morning – not long

After 75 hours on the run, Daniel Khalife was arrested in Northolt, west London. Here is a timeline of events leading up to his recapture: The 21-year-old terror suspect was declared missing from HMP Wandsworth in south London at 7.50am on Wednesday – around 20 minutes after a food lorry left HMP Wandsworth prison at

Escaped terror suspect Daniel Khalife has been urged to hand himself in by a close relative. Speaking to The Times, the unnamed family member described the 21-year-old as a “very, very intelligent, easygoing and kind boy” who had changed in the past year. As a nationwide manhunt enters its fourth day, the relative told the

A former soldier accused of terrorism has been caught in Chiswick, west London, after escaping from prison under a food truck. Following several sightings of Daniel Khalife overnight, police apprehended him just before 11am. He is now in police custody and police say they will provide more information on his arrest in due course. Armed

There is a confirmed sighting of escaped terror suspect Daniel Khalife in southwest London on Wednesday morning, police have said. The 21-year-old former soldier is thought to have been seen fleeing a lorry at Wandsworth Roundabout, about a mile from Wandsworth Prison, the Metropolitan Police said. Officers have received about 100 calls from the public

King Charles has remembered his late mother’s “devoted service” and “all she meant” to the country on the first anniversary of her death. Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September last year. She was 96 and had received her 15th prime minister, Liz Truss, only two days before. The King, who said he recalled Her