Starmer urged to suspend more Labour members
Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to suspend any Labour member who was present at a meeting of activists where antisemitic comments were allegedly made. Mike Katz, the national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM), criticised those who were present at the meeting but failed to 'call out' comments about Israel. At the meeting, which is understood to have taken place in Hyndburn last year, Labour's original candidate for the Rochdale by-election claimed Israel deliberately allowed the Hamas atrocity of 7 October to take place in order to give it the 'green light' to invade Gaza. The Labour Party initially stood by Mr Ali, but later withdrew support for his candidacy after 'further comments' came to light. Another one of the party's election candidates, the former Labour MP Graham Jones, had also been present at the meeting, and made comments resulting in his suspension. Mr Katz said there was a real problem that nobody raised concerns. He said: 'Well, they're identifiable. They all ought to be suspended pending investigation’. A third Labour MP was spoken to about his attendance at the Hyndburn meeting. See
UK sends warship to NATO defence exercise
HMS Prince of Wales, Britain's largest warship, has embarked for Norway to spearhead a significant NATO exercise, the largest since the Cold War. The Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier, replacing HMS Queen Elizabeth due to a technical issue, was made ready in just a week, showcasing the Royal Navy's quick response capabilities and the strategic advantage of having two aircraft carriers. The carrier will lead a strike group of eight ships, including British, American, Spanish, and Danish vessels. The exercise will demonstrate NATO's unity and strength, involving over 20,000 UK personnel and focusing on defending Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The carrier, equipped with F-35B Lightning fighters and various helicopters, will first undergo a week's training in the North Sea. 600 vehicles are being shipped from the UK to Germany to join the exercise, which will Involve 90,000 NATO troops. See
Body Shop staff fear company will be broken up
The Body Shop, acquired by the German restructuring firm Aurelius, faces uncertainty as employees fear job losses and store closures. Aurelius, known for breaking up companies like Lloyds Pharmacy, also has a history of retaining some businesses, such as Footasylum. While Aurelius's intentions remain unclear, its track record suggests possible restructuring rather than total dissolution. The Body Shop's situation is precarious, with the closure of its home-selling arm and refusal to pay long-term bonuses to employees. The company's loss-making European business was recently separated and sold to Alma24, linked to Aurelius. This move, along with the UK arm's administration, is seen as a cost-cutting strategy, potentially leading to the closure of up to half of its 200 UK stores. Administration allows handling redundancy payments and lease obligations without burdening Aurelius. Despite the potential downsizing, the UK business is considered crucial for supporting the Body Shop's international network, indicating a likely survival in a restructured form.
Two bodies discovered in the Thames
The Met has reported that two bodies have been found in the River Thames, less than a mile apart. A spokesperson stated that investigations are under way to identify the dead men and inform their relatives. The police confirmed that these findings are not related to Abdul Ezedi, a suspect in a Clapham acid attack, who is believed to have jumped into the river on 31 January. The Port of London Authority says that an average of 31 people die in the Thames each year, 90% as a result of suicide. See
