Police are searching a Gloucester cafe in connection with the disappearance of a teenage girl suspected to have been murdered by serial killer Fred West. Mary Bastholm vanished in 1968 aged just 15 and her body has never been found. West, who died in prison in 1995 aged 53, was previously suspected over her disappearance.
UK
The government could change the rules around mask wearing next month, the health secretary has told Sky News. Matt Hancock said ministers “haven’t ruled that out” as part of step four of England’s roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions on 21 June. The wearing of face coverings in a range of settings, including in shops and
People in England will be able to enjoy a pint or a meal indoors, hug their loved ones and return to cinemas – but not dance at weddings – in a week’s time as Boris Johnson confirmed the latest easing of England’s COVID lockdown. The prime minister has said the country will proceed to step
Boris Johnson has confirmed a major easing of COVID-19 restrictions in England will go ahead from next week. At a news conference on Monday evening the prime minister will say that from 17 May, meetings of six people, or two households, will be allowed to take place indoors for the first time since January. Indoor
Boris Johnson is poised to announce that the next stage of lifting lockdown will go ahead as planned on 17 May, a cabinet minister has said. Michael Gove told Sky News the prime minister will give the green light tomorrow, clearing the way for people to meet inside and for indoor hospitality to resume in
Rail passengers face a second day of disruption today after cracks were found on high-speed trains. Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Hull Trains and TransPennine Express were all affected on Saturday. GWR and LNER both advised people not to travel after Hitachi 800 trains had to be pulled from lines. GWR operates 93
Detectives hunting for the killer of PCSO Julia James have arrested a man in connection with her murder. Kent Police said the man, a British national in his 20s from the Canterbury area, was detained on Friday evening and remains in custody. Ms James, a serving community support officer, was found dead in Akholt Wood
The coronavirus will no longer be circulating in Britain by midsummer, according to the government’s departing vaccine taskforce chief, Clive Dix. Mr Dix, who was appointed as interim leader of the taskforce in December and stepped down last week, said it was his belief there would be no circulating virus “sometime in August”. He also
Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel are among the countries and territories people will be able to visit without quarantining on their return to the UK, the government has said. As England goes into the next phase of the roadmap out of lockdown on 17 May, a traffic light system that categorises countries based on their COVID-19
The Conservatives have won the Hartlepool by-election – taking a seat that has been under Labour’s control since it was created in the 1970s. Jill Mortimer’s victory marks a rare gain for a governing party, but serves as a major blow to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. UK election results live: Early blow for Sir
A £10,000 reward is being offered to help find the murderer of police community support officer Julia James, who was found dead in woodland in Kent. Charity Crimestoppers has launched the appeal for anonymous information after the 53-year-old’s body was discovered in Akholt Wood, near Aylesham, on Tuesday 27 April. Detectives have said they still
The doctor in charge of NHS England’s response to Long COVID has told Sky News that specialist clinics to treat the condition may be needed for “much longer” than current funding allows. The chair of the National Long COVID Taskforce, Dr Kiren Collison, said the service, which has already been used by thousands of patients, could
BAFTA has defended its decision to present Noel Clarke with its outstanding British contribution to cinema award – and said calls for board resignations are inappropriate. Deputy chair of BAFTA Dame Pippa Harris told Sky News she “absolutely” stands by chair Krishnendu Majumdar and chief executive Amanda Berry who, with guidance from the organisation’s board,
Laboratories to test current and new COVID-19 vaccines against variants of concern are to be built at Porton Down, the government has announced. A total of £29.3 million will go towards building the “state-of-the-art” laboratories at Public Health England’s new testing facilities at the Ministry of Defence’s top-secret complex in Wiltshire. Scientists will be able
A police officer accused of the murder and manslaughter of former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson shot him with a Taser for 33 seconds – more than six times longer than recommended, a jury has heard. PC Benjamin Monk, 42, is on trial at Birmingham Crown Court and has denied any wrongdoing leading to Mr
Government-funded nurseries are facing a crisis which is threatening their survival, according to a survey by leading unions and charities. A third of maintained nurseries, which are financed and controlled by local authorities, are cutting staff and services because of the impact of coronavirus, and uncertainty over the funding they will receive in the next