“INCOMPETENT!” — EU SLAMS STARMER IN HUMILIATING VETO  Keir Stɑrmer hɑs suffered ɑ stunning blow ɑfter the Europeɑn Union blocked his plɑn to tɑp Russiɑn-linked funds — brɑnding the move bɑd leɑdership ɑnd leɑving Britɑin sidelined on the world stɑge.

Keir Starmer’s Ukraine plans snubbed by EU as Brussels approves mega-fund to fend off Russia

WATCH: Britain is example of ‘BAD leadership’ on migrant crisis and Ukraine: Balazs Orban

The PM has long pushed to use seized Russian cash to fund Ukraine – but had faced fierce resistance

Sir Keir Starmer’s plans for how to fund Ukraine have been snubbed by the EU as the bloc instead agreed on a huge €90billion fund of its own members’ money.

In the early hours of Friday morning, Brussels agreed to hand out the 11-figure interest free loan – despite Britain’s wishes.

In the lead-up to that decision, the British Government had pushed to repurpose frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.

Belgium had consistently stood in the UK’s way – chiefly because an estimated €185billion of Russian cash is tied up there.

It also was wary of potential future reprisals from Russia – with Prime Minister Bart De Wever revealing he had been “threatened” by Kremlin agents over the funds in the past.

Mr De Wever had said earlier this month: “Moscow has let us know that in the event of a seizure, Belgium and I personally will feel the effects for eternity.”

Sir Keir’s official spokesman was repeatedly asked on Thursday if Britain would be ready to share the risk of thawing out the Russian assets for use in Ukraine.

“I think it’s evident within the Government’s actions that what we want to see is those immobilised assets used to support Ukraine,” he said.

PICTURED: Belgian PM Bart De Wever meets Sir Keir Starmer. Belgium had consistently stood in the UK’s way on Russian cash – chiefly because an estimated €185billion of it is tied up there

“We believe delivering these funds sends a very clear signal to Putin that he cannot outlast the support of the UK and our allies, that is what we remain focused on.”

Sir Keir may be handed a slight reprieve from Brussels – at the late-night meeting, the European Commission was given a mandate to find a way to free up the assets – but bloc bigwigs admitted that option would not work in the short term.

And Volodymyr Zelensky has long supported any move to send Russian money his way.

Though even if the EU does find a way to free up the funds, it would still have to persuade its Russia-friendly members to back it.

Volodymyr Zelensky has long supported any move to send Russian money his way

Hungary’s Viktor Orban has long opposed any such move.

But his country, alongside Slovakia and the Czech Republic, agreed to let the scheme go ahead as long as it did not impact them financially.

Mr Orban then branded the €90billion sum “lost money”.

“Orban got what he wanted: no reparation loan. And EU action without participation of Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia,” one EU diplomat said.

Hungary’s Viktor Orban has long opposed any move to repurpose Russian assets to fund Ukraine

Several EU leaders arriving at the summit said the bloc had to find a solution to keep Ukraine financed and fighting for the next two years.

Without Friday morning’s agreed loan, it’s thought Volodymyr Zelensky would run out of money by halfway through next year – leaving him at high risk of capitulation to Russia.

Bureaucrats were also keen to show European countries’ strength and resolve after Donald Trump called them “weak”.

“We just can’t afford to fail,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

“WE ARE DEEPLY SORRY…”  British Transport Police have shared a heartbreaking update after the tragic death of Daisy House, 16, following a hσɾɾific incident at a London Tube station. The cause of the Ϯɾɑgeɗy has now come to light — leaving a family devastated and a community in mourning.

The family of a teenage girl who died after a horrific incident at a London tube station has paid tribute to their ‘bright, beautiful, clever and funny’ daughter.

British Transport Police were called to Loughton Underground Station in Essex following reports of a ‘casualty on the tracks’ at 2.30pm on December 15.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Daisy House, 16, passed away that same day in hospital.

Transport for London suspended travel between Epping and Woodford whilst police and paramedics secured the scene on Monday.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious but the British Transport Police are now preparing a file for the coroner ahead of an inquest.

In a statement released today, Daisy was described as a ‘bright, beautiful, clever and funny girl’ who had ‘her whole future ahead of her.

Accompanying an image of the 16-year-old, her devastated family wrote: ‘On Monday, our beautiful daughter Daisy lost her life.

‘She was a bright, beautiful, clever, and funny girl who had just started Sixth Form and had her whole future ahead of her.

Daisy House (pictured), 16, was described as ‘bright, beautiful, clever and funny’

British Transport Police were called to Loughton Underground Station (pictured) in Essex following reports of a ‘casualty on the tracks’ at 2.30pm on December 15

‘We would like to thank all of the emergency services and doctors who worked so hard to save her, especially the British Transport Police officer and paediatric nurses who treated us all with such kindness.

‘We thank everyone who has sent best wishes, kind messages, and floral tributes.’

The family ended their statement by asking for their privacy to be respected ‘while we come to terms with the loss of our Daisy and what life will be like without our daughter.’

It comes just months after another person was pronounced dead following a ‘medical emergency’ at Loughton tube station on February 24.

The passenger is believed to have taken ill at around 6.50am before the British Transport Police were called at 7.30am.

The station on the Central line was closed for four hours causing delays between Leytonstone and Epping.

Sadly, the person was pronounced dead at the scene.

The British Transport Police confirmed they were not treating the death as suspicious.

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay is counting down the days until she will no longer be required to provide alimony to her ex-husband, Bryan Abasolo.

“I’ve been through a lot in the last two years. 2024 was definitely that year [and] top of 2025, my divorce was finalized,” Lindsay, 40, said on the Wednesday, December 24, episode of Alexis Waters’ “Literally, Not OK” podcast. “Now, I still have to make payments.”

Lindsay and Abasolo, 45, separated in late 2023 and settled their divorce in January 2025. Per the divorce decree, Lindsay was ordered to pay Abasolo $13,257 each month in temporary spousal support and $15,000 for his attorney’s fees, as well as an additional $5,000 for forensic expert expenses.

“[The] last one coming up soon,” she quipped on Wednesday, further detailing what she’s learned from her divorce. “I am a control freak in a sense, and the lesson that I’ve learned is things are going to be out of our control, and you really have to trust the process.”

Lindsay continued, “When I really let go of things, and I just let them happen when they’re supposed to, which is very hard for me, they happen. … I try to remember every day, but I really saw it come to fruition in 2025 with a lot of things.”

Lindsay and Abasolo met on her season 13 of The Bachelorette and got engaged during the season finale. The pair eventually tied the knot in 2019, four years before calling it quits.

“We didn’t spend enough time with each other,” Abasolo recalled during a July 2024 interview with divorce coach Rene Garcia. “I mean, in my estimation, we saw what the other person was doing in the relationship, mainly on Instagram, although we lived in the same house.”

He added at the time, “I was thinking about divorce because I had already asked for a separation a few months back. I was sleeping in a different bedroom. We were already going to marriage counseling.”

By the time Abasolo filed for divorce, he requested support from Lindsay due to their alleged income discrepancies.

“I have an issue with people who take advantage of the system,” Lindsay, a former attorney, claimed on an April episode of her “Higher Learning” podcast. “The reason I said my ex is not deserving of alimony is because we both made sacrifices in the marriage, and I shouldn’t be punished because I was successful during the time that we were married, and he wasn’t. I’m truly tired of the narrative of, ‘Well, he’s deserving of the money because he picked up and sacrificed his career for her.’ I’m just gonna say this, and I’m gonna say this once — not true.”

Abasolo worked as a chiropractor in Miami when he appeared on The Bachelorette. Lindsay, who was previously based in Texas, later relocated to California to pursue TV hosting gigs. They initially had a long-distance, bicoastal marriage before Abasolo eventually moved to Los Angeles full-time.

With the divorce finalized, they have each moved on.

“I’m dating,” Lindsay revealed on Waters’ podcast, coyly hinting that her “bush found a willy.”

STRICTLY’S MOST EMOTIONAL MOMENT EVER Carlos Gu BREAKS DOWN in TEARS as He Lifts the Trophy With Karen Carney

Strictly’s Carlos Gu breaks down as he addresses why he didn’t receive a celeb partner in previous years in heartbreaking confession before lifting glitterball trophy with Karen Carney

Strictly Come Dancing professional Carlos Gu was overcome with emotion during the live final on Saturday night, as he made a candid admission about his journey on the show.

Carlos reached the final alongside England Lioness Karen Carney, with the pair taking to the dance floor for their final three routines before sensationally winning the competition.

However after their final dance, their jive, a football-themed performance set to Blondie’s One Way or Another, Carlos was visibly upset as he faced the judges standing next to Karen.

Moments later, his emotions spilled over in the Clauditorium while speaking to host Claudia Winkleman, who pointed out how often he had credited Karen for teaching him valuable lessons.

Struggling to compose himself, Carlos tearfully told viewers: ‘She’s changed my life. I I think she’s the best thing that I’ve ever had in 2025’.

He went on to admit that before joining the series he had been overly focused on himself, adding: ‘I came to Strictly after competitive life, I was self centred, I was ‘me, me, me’.

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Strictly Come Dancing professional Carlos Gu was overcome with emotion during the live final on Saturday night, as he made a candid admission about his journey on the show

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Carlos reached the final alongside England Lioness Karen Carney, with the pair taking to the dance floor for their final three routines in the fight for the glitter ball trophy

Carlos then shared why he thinks he hasn’t received a partner in previous years as he added: ‘I’ve been [here] the last three years – no wonder I didn’t get partner last year because I’m not grateful and she…she…’

Breaking down further, he reflected on how Karen had helped him grow both personally and professionally, saying she taught him kindness, humility and the importance of teamwork.

‘For the first time, I learned to be a team player,’ he said, before pausing to gather himself.

Claudia moved in to comfort the dancer saying: ‘Oh Carlos, you are! You are a team player. You are, and we love you and your partnership is everything.

‘You’re okay, baby. You’re amazing.’

The moment was followed by a perfect score of 40 from the judges, which left both Carlos and Karen in tears once again.

The raw exchange struck a chord with viewers at home, many of whom said they were left emotional by Carlos’s openness.

‘i don’t cry in front of my mum EVER but carlos has just brought the tears i am a mess rn #strictly’;

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Struggling to compose himself, Carlos tearfully told viewers: ‘She’s changed my life. I I think she’s the best thing that I’ve ever had in 2025’

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Breaking down further, he reflected on how Karen had helped him grow both personally and professionally, saying she taught him kindness, humility and the importance of teamwork

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Claudia moved in to comfort the dancer saying: ‘Oh Carlos, you are! You are a team player. You are, and we love you and your partnership is everything’

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The moment was followed by a perfect score of 40 from the judges, which left both Carlos and Karen in tears once again

The raw exchange struck a chord with viewers at home, many of whom said they were left emotional by Carlos’s openness

Join the debate

Did Karen deserve to win Strictly

‘carlos ilysm pls don’t cry ur my fav #Strictly’; ‘OMG Carlos having a breakdown #Strictly’

‘Carlos having a mini breakdown and therapy session in the Clauditorium – never change #strictly’

The scene proved to be a defining one in the final and just minutes later, the pair were crowned Strictly Come Dancing champions, beating fellow finalists George Clarke and Amber Davies.

A stunned Karen struggled to take in the win, telling the audience: ‘I cannot believe it. I just want to say thank you to everybody that’s supported our journey, supported us, and thank you to this wonderful gentleman.

‘We are a team, and I could not have done this without you. But honestly, I can’t believe it, and it’s been the biggest privilege and honour, and literally, I’m lost for words. I’m so sorry.’

Before the result, Tess and Claudia received a special tribute VT after this year’s series highlights were aired.

However, they were left blown away as Craig Revel Horwood read out a special letter from Her Majesty The Queen.

It said: ‘Tess and Claudia, as you prepare to take your final twirl, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the millions who watch you each week.

‘I have often thought that Strictly is not so much a show about dancing as about friendships, the bonds forged, the struggles overcome, and the joy shared in undertaking a joint endeavour.

‘If that is true, then perhaps yours has been the greatest strictly partnership of all. The warmth, compassion, and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show’s success.

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Karen and Carlos went on to win Strictly Come Dancing 2025 whilst Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bid goodbye to viewers in an emotional finale

‘I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fabulous. I wish you both every success in wherever life’s journey takes you next, but as one who has appreciated its lifelong benefits, do promise us one thing, keep dancing.

‘With the warmest gratitude and admiration, Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla.’

The show had opened as Claudia wore her trademark black jacket with a white blouse and revealed how ‘keep dancing’ had been stitched onto the back – a nod to her and Tess’ famous slogan.

Tess opted for a stunning rose-gold sequined dress that featured a daring thigh-high slit and shoulderless design.

‘FROM DEATH ROW TO HOPE’: PETE WICKS JOINS RESCUE MISSION SAVING 170 DOGS FROM SOUTH KOREAN MEAT FARM

 

It wasn’t a television storyline, a publicity stunt, or a scripted moment for shock value. When British reality star Pete Wicks stepped onto the grounds of a South Korean dog-meat farm, he found himself face-to-face with one of the most heartbreaking sights of his life — more than 170 dogs awaiting slaughter, many trembling in fear, unaware that their fate was about to change forever

The former TOWIE star joined international animal welfare groups in a large-scale rescue mission that liberated over 170 dogs from a brutal and long-ignored industry. Though Wicks did not act alone — working instead as part of a coordinated charity effort — his presence brought not only additional support, but a powerful human voice for animals whose suffering is often unseen.

A Scene Too Difficult to Forget

Wicks described the scene as overwhelming: cramped cages, matted fur, and eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and despair. Some dogs were born in captivity, never knowing a gentle touch. Others were former pets, abandoned or stolen.

The mission was not just about relocation — it was about dignity. Volunteers carefully lifted each frightened animal from the wire-floored pens, offering comfort, blankets, and, sometimes for the first time, kindness.

The Journey to Freedom

Once removed from the farm, the dogs began a journey across the world — with many flown to the UK, United States, and Canada for rehabilitation and adoption. For the first time, they tasted fresh air, saw open space, and felt safe human hands.

Pete Wicks, visibly moved, helped load carriers and calm distressed animals. His involvement played a key role in drawing public attention to the issue, inspiring supporters and donations that will continue funding future rescues.

A Message Bigger Than Celebrity

Wicks later shared that the experience changed him.

He spoke of compassion rather than fame.
Of responsibility rather than applause.

Of the silent victims who cannot speak for themselves.

The rescue serves as a reminder that cruelty thrives where the world looks away — and that meaningful change begins when individuals choose to look, act, and stand.

A Victory — But Not the End

For the 170 dogs saved, this mission marks the beginning of new lives filled with the possibility of love, adoption, and healing.

For those still trapped in farms across the region, it is a call to action.

And for animal lovers worldwide, it is a testament to what can happen when compassion and courage meet — when public figures use their platform not for self-promotion, but for protection.

Pete Wicks didn’t rescue 170 dogs alone.
He stood with a team.
He lent his hands.
He lent his heart.

And in doing so, he helped give hundreds of animals something they never had before:
hope.

SH0CK HEALTH REVEAL: Emma Willis breaks silence after secret heart surgery — as doctors discover a hole she never knew she had and husband Matt ‘never leaves her side’

Emma Willis has revealed she underwent keyhole heart surgery after doctors found a hole in her heart
Emma Willis has revealed she recently underwent keyhole heart surgery after doctors discovered she had been living with a hole in her heart since birth — a diagnosis that came as a complete shock

The TV presenter, 49, took to Instagram on Wednesday and shared several photos of herself taken in hospital following the procedure (pictured with husband Matt)

The former Big Brother host told fans she discovered she has had a hole in her heart since she was born and so had surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London

The 49-year-old TV presenter shared the news with fans in a deeply emotional Instagram post on Wednesday, alongside a series of hospital photos taken in the aftermath of the procedure.

Emma explained that following medical investigations last year, doctors confirmed the congenital condition — leading to surgery at Royal Brompton Hospital.

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‘It feels strange even saying it out loud’

Keyhole heart surgery involves making small incisions in the chest as opposed to the breastbone as in traditonal open heart surgery

In her candid message, the former Big Brother host admitted the experience still feels surreal.

“A few weeks ago, I had keyhole heart surgery — which feels very strange to write, and even stranger when I say it out loud,” she wrote.

The surgeon accesses the heart through the incisions, allowing for a less invasive approach with fewer complications and a faster recovery time

She praised the hospital team who guided her from diagnosis through to surgery, describing them as “absolutely incredible,” before paying a heartfelt tribute to her husband, Matt Willis, who she said “never left my side.”

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Living for decades without knowing 

In a lengthy post, Emma thanked her husband Matt and the staff at the Royal Brompton Hospital who looked after her

Emma revealed she had unknowingly lived with the condition for nearly five decades.

“Turns out I’ve been pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart,” she said.
“Isn’t it bonkers what’s happening in our bodies that we have no idea about?”

She went on to express awe at modern medicine — and the professionals behind it.

Emma and Matt have been together for more than 20 years and they have three children together – Isabelle, 15, Ace, 13, and Trixie, eight (pictured in 2024)

“What blows my mind even more is the wonders of modern medicine, and the spectacular people who save, fix and help us every single day,” she added.
“They are the real superstars.”

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‘A spectacular pair of hands’

Emma named and thanked several members of her medical team, singling out her surgeon, Dr Ee Ling Heng, in particular.

“She was recommended to me as ‘a spectacular pair of hands’ — but my God, she’s that and so much more,” Emma wrote.

“She made me feel instantly comfortable while being incredibly professional and informative. I ask a million questions — and she answered them with the patience of a saint.”

Emma added that she knew immediately she was in safe hands.

“I knew as soon as we met that she was the woman I wanted poking around in my heart,” she said.
“Thank you Ee Ling — you’re one in a trillion.”

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What is keyhole heart surgery?

Keyhole heart surgery involves small incisions in the chest rather than opening the breastbone, making it a far less invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery.

Surgeons access the heart through these incisions, reducing complications and significantly shortening recovery time — an option increasingly used for congenital heart conditions.

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A marriage tested — and strengthened

Emma and Matt Willis have been together for more than 20 years and share three children: Isabelle, 15, Ace, 13, and Trixie, eight. The couple married in 2008 and are approaching their 20th wedding anniversary.

Over the years, they have been open about facing challenges, including Matt’s past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.

More recently, Matt has spoken publicly about how couples therapy helped transform their marriage after they began counselling in 2020.

“We weren’t in trouble,” Matt previously explained. “We just had certain things we couldn’t get past.”

He admitted Emma was initially reluctant but later agreed therapy had been “transformative,” helping them better understand one another and strengthen their bond.

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An outpouring of support

Following Emma’s announcement, fans flooded her comments with messages of love, admiration and well wishes — praising her honesty, courage and positivity.

As she continues her recovery, Emma’s story has resonated deeply, reminding many that even the most familiar faces can be quietly fighting unseen battles — and that strength often lies in trust, gratitude and love.

The Coastguard has called off its search for two swimmers who got into difficulty off a beach in Devon on Christmas morning.

Sadly search and rescue teams were unable to locate two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, today and they remain missing. Both families have been informed.

Emergency services were called at 10.25am to Budleigh Salterton following concern for swimmers in the water.

A number of people were said to have gotten into trouble in the water due to the bad weather, with the ambulance service treating two people at the scene and having to take one person to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Coastguard stood down the search this evening at 5pm after a joint effort search from Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters.

A yellow weather warning was in place in Devon today for wind after it was warned that east to northeasterly winds would become particularly strong and gusty.

As police now warn swimmers to not enter the water on boxing day as the bad weather is set to continue into tomorrow.

Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar said: ‘Today, emergency services have been responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton.

‘Our thoughts remain firmly with the families and friends of the two men who are currently missing and to all who may have witnessed and be impacted by the incident.

‘The local community will have seen a significant amount of emergency services in the area throughout the day as extensive enquiries have been ongoing. As dark falls, a number of these searches have been stood down, with some police enquiries on land continuing this evening.

‘There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and un-official swims have already been cancelled. While there are no official warnings in place for tomorrow, we urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to.’

Emergency services were called at 10.25am to the beach at Budleigh Salterton following concern for swimmers in the water

According to Devon and Cornwall Police, a number of people have been safely recovered to shore and will be checked by paramedics

According to HM Coastguard: ‘HM Coastguard responded to reports of people in difficulty in water in the Budleigh Salterton area this morning, 25 December.

‘Alerted at around 10am, Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.

‘Searches have continued throughout the day to find two men believed to still be in the water. After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the coastguard part of the search was stood down at 5pm.’

Hundreds of people were seen gathering at Exmouth and Budleigh beaches this morning for unofficial Christmas Day swims.

Earlier, Devon and Cornwall Police urged people to stay out of the sea due to ‘an incident in the water’.

The force said: ‘Please do not enter the water and avoid the area. We are also urgently asking the public not enter the water at Exmouth for the Christmas day swim while emergency services are committed with this incident’.

One local said: ‘Awful. The advice was clearly issued not to swim today with many organised events being cancelled. Hoping for a positive outcome for everyone affected.’

Another said: ‘Did people see the state of the sea today and think its probably not the best idea to go for a swim?’

While another added: ‘Our local swim was cancelled and quite right too. The swell was huge and the wind set to increase. No need to go in today wait until it settles down.’

Melissa Hill, who was visiting the town for Christmas, was at the scene and said: ‘The coastguards have cordoned off part of the path where the swimmers set off from.

‘They are overlooking the area where this happened. It is such an awful thing to have happened. There is no good time to die but Christmas Day is so terrible.

‘But the conditions are dreadful. The sea is cold, the wind is strong and the waves are crashing in. I can’t believe anyone went into the water when it was like this.’

HM Coastguard said it was alerted at around 10am

A local woman added: ‘We went to see the annual Christmas Day swim at Exmouth which is next door to Budleigh Salterton.

‘There were many, many hundreds of people who went in and it passed without incident. I can’t believe they went in because there have been warnings about the conditions in Devon and Cornwall. Some organisers sensibly cancelled their events.’

A coastguard at the scene earlier said: ‘This was a major response. We have had multi helicopters, lifeboats and coastguards on scene. I cannot provide any other information.’

The Met Office warned of ‘strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds’ from 4am until 11.59pm on Christmas Day in parts of the south west of England and Wales.

It said peak gusts would reach 45mph to 55mph but these could reach 55-65mph along some exposed costs and to the west of prominent hills.

Disruption could be caused to transport and power supplies, the forecaster said.

It added: ‘Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.’

Rupert Lowe ignited a fierce parliamentary storm today by brutally condemning halal slaughter practices as “torture” shrouded under religious exemptions, exposing millions of Britons unknowingly consuming non-stunned meat. The heated debate erupted into a national culture clash, pitting animal welfare activists against religious freedoms in a raw, explosive showdown.

 

In Westminster Hall, Lowe slammed down a leaflet, his piercing glare cutting through the room. His words were unyielding: supermarkets hide the truth, politicians fear backlash, and schools keep silent. “This isn’t farming—it’s torture,” he roared, igniting outrage over undeclared halal meat seeping into British plates without consent or knowledge.

 

Opposition came quickly as a Muslim MP argued for nuance, pointing to evidence that 88% of halal meat is pre-stunned, and cautioning against inflammatory rhetoric. Yet Lowe’s relentless 𝒶𝓈𝓈𝒶𝓊𝓁𝓉 left no room for subtlety, accusing the government of deceptive labeling and warning millions are prey to a concealed cruelty embedded in everyday meals.

This was no ordinary parliamentary spat but a flashpoint revealing deep societal tensions. Animal rights champions demand a complete ban on non-stun and weak stun slaughter, citing horrific suffering of tens of millions of animals annually. Meanwhile, faith communities argue for recognition, fearing erosion of religious rights under public pressure and political grandstanding.

 

The 2024 Food Standards Agency data disclosed that 214.6 million animals were slaughtered following halal practices, with 27 million killed without stunning—a number animal welfare organizations label unacceptable. The controversy hinges not only on welfare but on transparency, with many consumers unknowingly eating meat slaughtered in ways they would abhor.

Lowe’s fiery showdown has instantly polarized parliamentarians. Conservative backbenchers see a potent wedge issue, rallying behind bans and labeling reforms to demonstrate toughness on cruelty. Others warn of dangerous cultural backlash, noting that the debate risks fueling far-right narratives that target minority groups and inflaming community divisions.

 

The government grapples with this political tinderbox, publicly advocating modest welfare improvements and enhanced inspections but shying away from outright bans. Ministers cautiously promote voluntary pre-stunning and pilot labeling programs, wary of alienating religious voters while facing animal welfare advocates’ mounting demands for decisive action.

Social media exploded post-debate. Lowe’s impassioned condemnation became 𝓿𝒾𝓇𝒶𝓁 fodder across TikTok and Twitter, stirring fierce comment wars. Supporters called for urgent transparency, while opponents decried what they deemed an attack on faith practices. Simultaneously, grassroots protests erupted outside supermarkets and councils as the controversy spilled from the Commons into the streets.

Internationally, Britain’s debate mirrors struggles in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, where ritual slaughter practices are hotly contested. UK policy shifts could trigger ripples across export markets and global trade, especially with Muslim-majority nations where halal certification is essential, adding economic stakes to the ethical and political turmoil.

Voices on the ground paint a complex picture. A London butcher favors stunning to expand market access. A northern grandmother demands honest school meal labeling. Charity workers contend Muslim communities feel targeted and misunderstood. Abattoir workers highlight stress and welfare concerns, underscoring that this issue intertwines human and animal welfare inextricably.

Legal experts warn that banning ritual slaughter is fraught, confronting human rights laws, trade rules, and religious freedoms. Any ban could provoke courtroom battles, whereas labeling reforms, while legally safer, face enforcement challenges. The government’s hesitance reflects awareness of these constitutional minefields and the risk of protracted legal conflict.

This parliamentary clash exposes Britain’s uncomfortable crossroads. Should the nation prioritize animal welfare absolutism even at the cost of alienating religious communities, or embrace transparency measures that respect faith but permit ongoing ritual practices? There is no easy compromise, only a razor-thin path through a minefield of ethics, law, and public sentiment.

 

As petitions surge and supermarket statements emerge, expect further parliamentary motions and heated local debates. Community leaders and activists on both sides are mobilizing, hinting this dispute will escalate beyond Westminster into council chambers, markets, and everyday dinner tables nationwide, igniting cultural battles far from political corridors.

 

Rupert Lowe’s explosive intervention has thrown down a gauntlet, challenging the UK to confront uncomfortable truths about food, faith, and freedom. Meanwhile, calls for calm caution resonate from the Muslim MP urging careful fact-checking over hysteria. The question: will Britain enact meaningful reform or descend into divisive culture war?

The coming days will reveal whether MPs adopt transparent labeling and stronger welfare enforcement or dig in along entrenched ideological lines. Either decision risks political fallout, community fracture, and legal contests. For now, Britain is forced to look unflinchingly at the meat on its plates and the values behind its laws.

 

This debate transcends animals and religion; it encapsulates identity, trust, and societal cohesion. The issue is now front-page news, a live test of Britain’s ability to balance competing rights in an increasingly diverse, scrutinizing nation. The outcome will resonate far beyond abattoirs, shaping cultural and political fault lines for years to come.

Tommy Robinson has ignited a fierce debate by directly accusing London Mayor Sadiq Khan of causing the city’s decline, highlighting urban decay, rising crime, and shuttered businesses in East London. This explosive claim 𝒄𝒂𝓊𝓰𝒉𝓉 Khan’s office off guard, escalating tensions over the capital’s future and political accountability.

 

In a 𝓿𝒾𝓇𝒶𝓁 video that has garnered millions of views on platforms from Telegram to YouTube Shorts, Tommy Robinson stood in a derelict corner of East London, condemning the mayor’s leadership. The backdrop of graffiti, broken windows, and lifeless storefronts set a bleak stage for his controversial indictment.

 

Robinson’s pointed declaration, “This is what Sadiq Khan’s done to London. This isn’t progress. This is decay,” struck a raw nerve across social media and news outlets. Unlike past polarizing rants, Robinson bolstered his accusations with stark visuals—empty streets once bustling with commerce now dominated by vape shops and boarded-up businesses.

He also juxtaposed footage of roaming youth gangs with alarming crime statistics, drawing a direct correlation between Khan’s tenure and spikes in violence. The video’s impact lies in its harsh reality, reflecting the everyday experiences of many Londoners feeling unsafe and abandoned.

 

The mayor’s office initially remained silent, deepening the sense of crisis. It was only late last night that a spokesperson finally responded, firmly rejecting Robinson’s claims. They cited increased investments in youth programs, police funding, and support for small business under Khan’s leadership as proof of ongoing progress.

Despite official denials, the conversation has ignited fierce public debate. Comments and posts reveal widespread frustration with the perceived deterioration in safety and community cohesion, with many citizens demanding transparency and a proper investigation into resource allocation.

Even staunch Labour supporters have voiced concerns, particularly in boroughs like Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Croydon, where public confidence in municipal management is reportedly at a historic low. The controversy has transcended political lines, forcing a critical look at  London’s social and economic challenges.

 

Conservative voices counter Robinson’s claims by emphasizing external factors—such as the economic fallout from COVID-19, Tory cuts to police budgets, and an entrenched housing crisis—that complicate any single explanation for London’s issues. They accuse Robinson of cherry-picking images to serve his political agenda.

Observers from mainstream media echo this sentiment, characterizing Robinson’s approach as political theater aimed at exploiting urban decay. However, many acknowledge that beneath the dramatic presentation lies a genuine, unresolved debate about leadership, responsibility, and the future of London’s urban fabric.

Insiders paint a grim picture of the mayoral administration as focused on image control rather than substantive impact. A former City Hall staffer, speaking anonymously, described rampant press releases disconnected from realities on the ground, where residents face rising knife crime, transport chaos, soaring rent, and gang violence.

 

For the average Londoner, the debate has shifted away from political soundbites toward urgent, practical concerns. Questions like “Why is my street less safe?” and “Why can’t my children walk home alone?” now dominate the public psyche—pressing challenges that transcend ideology or party loyalty.

Robinson’s video struck a chord because it broke through the noise and complacency, forcing attention on issues many feel are ignored or glossed over by political elites. The mayor can no longer afford silence; the controversy has dragged him into an unavoidable spotlight demanding concrete answers.

The next moves by Khan’s office remain crucial. Will the mayor embark on meaningful community engagement or detailed rebuttals addressing these grievances? Or will this explosive moment fade without substantive changes, leaving London’s residents increasingly disillusioned?

Beyond London, this confrontation hints at a broader reckoning across the UK with urban decay, political accountability, and the risks of ignoring simmering social fractures. Robinson’s accusations may be just the beginning of a national conversation about city leadership and public trust.

As the story unfolds, the spotlight on London grows hotter, promising political tremors that may reshape how urban crises are managed. The capital’s condition and leadership will remain under intense scrutiny—an urgent test for Sadiq Khan and the future of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Here we go again. Yet another voice from the safety of her ivory tower, telling the rest of us to stop the “demonisation” of migrants, as if the problem is our tone rather than the lived reality in towns and cities across Britain.

This time it’s the chair of the Equalities Commission, Mary Ann-Stephenson, lecturing the public as though we’re too thick to understand what’s happening on our own streets.

Let me be absolutely clear. No one tells me what I can and can’t say; this isn’t about demonising anyone. It’s about telling the truth. And the truth is that mass, uncontrolled immigration is changing Britain, and definitely not for the better.

To stand there and claim that immigration is not putting women and girls at risk, not driving crime, not fuelling fear in communities, is either wilful blindness or outright dishonesty.

Across the country, we have illegal immigrants, rebranded as “asylum seekers”, involved in rape, sexual assault, violent crime and murder.

We’ve had suspected terrorists entering this country illegally. We’ve had drug gangs, knife crime, and whole towns left feeling unsafe after dark. This is not some abstract policy debate; this is real life.

We’ve also had official reports into grooming gangs that explicitly linked these horrific crimes to immigration and failures of integration, failures driven by fear of being labelled “racist”.

White British girls were raped for years while authorities looked the other way. And now, after all that, we’re told not to “demonise” the very system that allowed it to happen.

Lecturing us about the ‘demonisation’ of migrants is a slap in the face to our women and girls – Adam Brooks | 

Some figures circulating suggest that a significant proportion of sexual offences are committed by foreign-born men. Whether it’s one in four or lower, the direction of travel is clear.

To pretend that immigration has no impact on crime is simply not true. It is a lie told by people who do not live in the real world with the consequences.

These people do not live in Epping. They don’t stand in the rain on a Sunday with ordinary residents protesting the housing of hundreds of adult men, many undocumented, just a few hundred metres from a school.

They don’t have to explain to their daughters why they shouldn’t walk home alone. They don’t have to watch their town change beyond recognition while being told they’re bigots for noticing.

I’d invite the chair of the Equalities Commission to come and stand with us, and not for a photo op or for a press release. Come and listen.

Come and look people in the eye and tell them their fears aren’t real. Tell them they’re imagining it. Tell them to wait until it happens in their own street, their own family.

And yes, this leads directly to the ECHR. The European Convention on Human Rights might have been born out of the aftermath of the Second World War, and Churchill may well have helped shape it, but the idea that he would support a system that stops Britain deporting foreign rapists, killers, drug dealers and terrorists is utterly laughable. He’d be disgusted and appalled.

What kind of country cannot remove dangerous foreign criminals because of rulings from overseas courts?… I’ll tell you, it’s Britain.

Human rights matter, but the human rights of British citizens must come first. The idea that leaving the ECHR would turn us into some rogue state is nonsense. We were setting democratic standards before most of Europe had a vote.

Of course, we would replace it with our own robust human rights framework, tailored to this country and to our citizens’ rights.

The claim that the ECHR is protecting us is a disgrace. It is protecting criminals from deportation, not victims from harm.

As for the Conservatives, spare me the tough talk. Kemi Badenoch may sound strong, but her party is riddled with wets who would never defy the establishment. The political class will not allow real change through the Conservatives. The Tories would never allow us to leave the ECHR.

Only Reform is serious about leaving the ECHR, securing the borders, and deporting dangerous foreign criminals. And the longer we delay, the more communities will pay the price.