Sacked trade minister Conor Burns denies ever meeting singer Mel B after claims he made remarks to her in lift

Published

3 years ago

October 8, 2022

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Sacked government trade minister Conor Burns has denied ever meeting Mel B after the singer suggested he made an inappropriate remark to her in a lift.

Mr Burns was removed from his ministerial role “with immediate effect” on Friday following an allegation of serious misconduct.

The Tory MP for Bournemouth West has also had the whip suspended while the complaint is investigated.

The 50-year-old later posted a series of tweets where he wrote: “I will fully co-operate with the party’s enquiry and look forward to clearing my name.

“I hope the party will be as quick to conduct their enquiry as they were to rush to judgement.”

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Mel B, an ex-Spice Girl whose full name is Melanie Brown, then retweeted his thread and wrote: “Really?? Your shocked about this complaint??? Let me remind you what you said me in lift…..”

The pop star hasn’t elaborated on what Mr Burns is alleged to have said.

The suspended MP told the Press Association on Saturday that he doesn’t recall having ever met the singer.

He said: “I believe I have never met Mel.”

The Conservative Party is understood to be looking into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Mr Burns at the annual Tory conference between last Sunday to Wednesday.

Mel B, sometimes known as Scary Spice, attended the conference to speak about domestic abuse at a fringe event hosted by The Sun and Women’s Aid.

There is no suggestion the allegation against Mr Burns is linked to the Spice Girl.

The sacked trade minister told journalists on Saturday the Conservative Party still hasn’t told him the details of the allegation.

He told journalists: “All I can say is that as someone who is committed to public service, to the service of my constituents, the last 24 hours have been distressing and devastating.

“I’ve still not had any information from the party as of the nature of the complaint. I say, as I have said in my statement, that I will co-operate fully with the party when they engage with me.

“I look forward to clearing my name”.

Prime Minister Liz Truss sacked Mr Burns from his post in the Department for International Trade on Friday following the complaint, as No 10 insisted “high standards of behaviour” must be maintained.

Entertainment

Sabrina Carpenter hits out at ‘evil and disgusting’ White House video featuring her song

Published

6 hours ago

December 3, 2025

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Sabrina Carpenter hits out at 'evil and disgusting' White House video featuring her song

Sabrina Carpenter has hit out at an “evil and disgusting” White House video of migrants being detained that uses one of her songs.

“Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” the pop star posted on X.

The White House used part of Carpenter‘s upbeat song Juno over pictures of immigration agents handcuffing, chasing and detaining people.

It was posted on social media on Monday and has been viewed 1.2 million times so far.

President Trump‘s policy of sending officers into communities to forcibly round up illegal immigrants has proved controversial, with protests and legal challenges ongoing.

Mr Trump promised the biggest deportation in US history, but some of those detained have been living and working in the US for decades and have no criminal record.

Carpenter is not the only star to express disgust over the administration’s use of their music.

Olivia Rodrigo last month warned the White House not to “ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda” after All-American Bitch was used in a video urging undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily.

In July, English singer Jess Glynne also said she felt “sick” when her song from the viral Jet2 advert was used over footage of people in handcuffs being loaded on a plane.

Other artists have also previously hit out at Trump officials for using their music at political campaign events, including Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, Celine Dion, Ozzy Osbourne and The Rolling Stones.

Entertainment

Holly Willoughby fined after colliding with moped and injuring rider

Published

20 hours ago

December 2, 2025

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Holly Willoughby fined after colliding with moped and injuring rider

TV presenter Holly Willoughby has been fined in court after she admitted driving without due care and attention when her car collided with a moped, injuring the rider.

The star, 44, pleaded guilty by post to the charge at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday but did not attend the hearing.

Willoughby was fined £1,653 alongside £130 in costs and a £661 victim surcharge and given six points on her licence, the Metropolitan Police said.

According to court documents, the incident happened on 28 August as she was driving her Mini Cooper near her home in Richmond, southwest London.

Police were called to Church Road, Barnes, following reports of a collision.

The rider of the moped, a 43-year-old man, was taken to hospital. His injuries were assessed as neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

Read more from Sky News:
Gavin Plumb loses appeal
Willoughby tells of ‘tough’ year

The presenter is best known for fronting Dancing On Ice as well as ITV daytime show This Morning, which she left in October 2023.

Entertainment

Sabrina Carpenter hits out at ‘evil and disgusting’ White House video featuring her song

Published

21 hours ago