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A second person has died after being injured in a crush at a concert at Brixton Academy.

Gaby Hutchinson, aged 23, died in hospital in the early hours of Monday, 19 December.

He was working as one of the contracted security providers for the event that evening.

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, from Newham, east London, also died on Saturday morning.

Another woman aged 21 remains in hospital fighting for her life.

All three people were in the foyer of the building in south London when they were critically injured in the crush, the Metropolitan Police said.

Eight people were taken to hospital with injuries following the incident on Thursday night.

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Police said they were called to reports of a “large number of people attempting to force entry to the venue”, where Afrobeat artist Asake was performing.

The Nigerian musician was forced to abandon the gig after performing three songs and released a statement saying his “heart is with those who were injured”.

His manager, Stephen Nana, told Sky News he was “completely speechless and lost for words” after Mr Hutchinson’s death was announced.

“We only came to entertain and perform. Never thought that anything like this would happen.”

Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said: “It is devastating news that a second person has lost their life following the events on Thursday.

“I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to Gaby’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.”

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, of Newham. Pic: Met Police
Image:
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, of Newham. Pic: Met Police

The Met Police have set up an online portal for people to submit information, photographs and videos of the incident, which is believed to have been seen by around 4,000 witnesses. Anyone who can help is urged to come forward.

The force said in a statement: “In the disorder, a number of people suffered serious crush injuries and required medical attention.

“Police are appealing to anyone who attended the venue to come forward with valuable information.”

Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it has launched an investigation.

An incident during which an officer was “apparently seen to push a member of the public” is currently under review by the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards.

An IOPC spokesperson said it is aware of the incident, adding: “We will assess the available information, including footage of the incident, to determine what further action may be required.”

Met Police Gold Commander Ade Adelekan said that where force has been used by officers, “those officers know they have to be accountable for their actions”.

All material, including body-worn video footage from those at the scene, will be looked at by the Directorate of Professional Standards.

Image:
Police cordon off the area outside Brixton Academy following the Asake gig

‘I won’t rest until we have answers’

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said City Hall is in contact with venues and authorities across the capital to make sure “nothing like this happens again”.

Mr Khan said he was “devastated” by Mr Hutchinson’s death and extended his “heartfelt condolences” to family and loved ones.

He added: “I won’t rest until we have the answers all those impacted by the tragic Brixton incident need and deserve.”

In a statement on Monday, Brixton Academy also offered its “heartfelt condolences”.

“We continue to be devastated by the tragic situation and are fully supporting the ongoing investigation,” the venue said.

Asake, real name Ahmed Ololade, was recently nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 award – for artists breaking through in the UK.

He urged fans not to turn up without a valid ticket ahead of his performance, one of three sold-out shows at the 4,921-standing capacity venue.

An earlier report, based on information from the Metropolitan Police, stated the second person who died was Gabrielle Hutchinson.

This story has now been updated to reflect Mr Hutchison’s chosen pronouns, following an update from the force.

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What does the King’s letter to Trump say?

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What does the King's letter to Trump say?

Usually, correspondence written by the King is not made public, but Donald Trump held up the letter in the Oval Office.

The letter, which was inviting him to the UK for a historic second state visit, was handed to him by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Here is what we are able to make out from photos.

In the opening paragraph, the King references the “breadth of challenges across the world”, and says the UK and the US have “a vital role to play”.

Follow live: Trump questioned about Zelenskyy ‘dictator’ comment

Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

He goes on to say that he remembers “with great fondness” Mr Trump’s visits to the UK during his “previous presidency”.

The King mentions Mr Trump visiting the golf course the US president owns in Turnberry and then appears to suggest a visit to Balmoral or Dumfries House in Scotland at some stage – estates owned or run by the monarch.

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He writes: “There is much on both Estates which I think you might find interesting and enjoy – particularly as my Foundation at Dumfries House provides hospitality skills-training for young people who often end up as staff in your own establishments!

“Quite apart from this presenting an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, it would also offer a valuable chance to plan a historic second State Visit to the United Kingdom.

“As you will know, this is unprecedented by a US president. That is why I would find it helpful for us to be able to discuss, together, a range of options for location and programme content.

“In so doing, working together, I know we will further enhance the special relationship between our two countries, of which we are both so proud.”

The second page of the letter is signed off by the King
Image:
The second page of the letter is signed off by the King

Sky News has contacted Buckingham Palace to ask when the second state visit might take place, and they said: “When diaries allow.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

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Woman, 19, dies in dog attack in Bristol – two people arrested

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Woman, 19, dies in dog attack in Bristol - two people arrested

A 19-year-old woman has died after being attacked by a dog in Bristol, police have said.

Two people – a man and a woman both aged in their 20s – have been arrested and remain in police custody.

Neighbourhood Inspector Terry Murphy said: “A full investigation is now well under way to establish the full circumstances of the events that led to her death.”

At 7.19pm, police received a report from the ambulance service of the incident inside a flat in Cobhorn Drive, Bristol.

Despite the efforts of the emergency services, the victim died at the scene.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act, including being in possession of a prohibited breed of dog.

File pic: Alexandre Bauer/iStock
Image:
An XL bully. File pic: Alexandre Bauer/iStock

A neighbour paid tribute to the victim, saying she “seemed a lovely girl” and had only lived in the property for a few weeks.

“I was up all night awake trying to process this,” the neighbour, who did not want to be named, said.

“I am shocked. I just can’t believe it’s happened and she hasn’t been there that long.”

Initial reports suggested the dog may be an XL bully, but confirming the breed will form part of the police assessment process, according to Avon and Somerset Police.

It was sedated and seized by officers.

A general view of floral tributes left near the scene on Cobhorn Drive, Hartcliffe, Bristol, where a 19-year-old woman died after she was attacked by a dog on Wednesday night. A man and a woman, both aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death and possession of a prohibited breed of dog, as the dog responsible for the attack is believed to have been an XL bully. Picture date: Thursday February 27, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Dog. Photo credit should read: Rod Minchin/PA Wire
Image:
Floral tributes left near the scene. Pic: PA

The neighbour said she had seen the dog on a lead with its owner and was certain it was an XL bully.

“I do feel so sad for the dog owner,” she said.

“She did mention the dog wasn’t great with men, fine with women and children.

“I feel for her so, so much. It wasn’t her fault.”

She added: “I genuinely feel that this was one of those freak accidents and wasn’t her fault – that’s how I feel.”

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Avon and Somerset Police inspector Terry Murphy said: “As part of this work, Cobhorn Drive was closed last night and I thank everyone for their patience and understanding about our need to do this,” said Inspector Murphy.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, including neighbourhood officers, and if you have any concerns please do speak to them.”

In February 2024, it became a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.

Anyone who owns one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, have it microchipped and keep it muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.

The government moved to ban XL bullies followed a series of attacks on people and other dogs.

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Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan land in Florida after travel ban was lifted in Romania

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Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have left Romania for the US - reports

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have landed in Florida in the US after a travel ban in Romania was lifted, a spokesperson for the influencers has said.

The Tates landed in Fort Lauderdale in a private plane at around 11:30am local time, their representative Mateea Petrescu added.

Speaking around an hour later, Andrew Tate told reporters: “We’ve yet to be convicted of any crimes in our lives ever. We have no criminal record anywhere on the planet ever.

“Our case was dismissed on 19 December in Romania under the Biden administration, and our prosecutor recently decided, because we have no active indictment in court, to let us go and return.

“This is a Democratic society, we’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, as my brother and I are.”

The brothers, who champion US President Donald Trump, are facing charges in Romania of human trafficking, sexual misconduct and money laundering, as well as starting an organised crime group.

The self-styled misogynists are dual UK and US nationals whose controversial views are shared widely on social media platforms such as TikTok and X.

Their arrival in Fort Lauderdale comes after the Financial Times reported last week that the Trump administration had lobbied their Romanian counterparts to ease restrictions on the brothers while they face charges.

Romanian foreign minister Emil Hurezeanu said the Tates were mentioned during his brief hallway meeting with Mr Trump’s special envoy Richard Grenell at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month.

Romanian prosecutors later said they had approved a request from Andrew Tate, 38, to travel outside of the country, pending the outcome of a criminal investigation.

The pair had been released from house arrest, but were not allowed to leave the country and were required to check in with the police regularly.

“The request to change the obligation of not leaving Romania was approved,” prosecutors said in a statement on Thursday.

“All the other obligations have been maintained, including the requirement to check in with judicial authorities every time they are called.”

A spokeswoman for the Tates told Sky News the Romanian courts had decided they will return to the brothers all of their assets.

This includes restoring their ownership of all previously frozen bank accounts, five properties, six cars including two Audis and a Ferrari, and company shares. Some assets will remain under precautionary seizure, according to the court ruling.

The brothers are fighting a series of legal battles not just in Romania, but also in the UK and the US.

They have consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with all the legal action taking place.

The Tates grew up in Luton and have millions of social media followers. Andrew Tate also appeared in the UK version of Big Brother in 2016.

The pair are often criticised for their misogynistic views online – particularly as they have a predominately young, male audience.

A number of banned Twitter accounts have been reinstated by Elon Musk. Tate was among those brought back on 18 November 2022 after Musk took over and rebranded it X.

A British court ruled in March that the brothers are also under a European arrest warrant and will be extradited to the UK – where allegations of rape and human trafficking are being investigated by Bedfordshire Police – after Romanian trial proceedings finish for a separate investigation.

A recent lawsuit filed in Florida accuses both Tate brothers of conspiring to coerce a woman into sex work, luring her to Romania and defaming her after her testimony to Romanian authorities. The Tate brothers had previously sued her for defamation in 2023.

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Four British women who allege they were raped and coercively controlled by Andrew Tate said they have been “retraumatised” by today’s events.

“It is clear that there is now a major risk that the criminal prosecution for his alleged crimes in Romania will not proceed, and he may use this development as an opportunity to harass further and intimidate witnesses and his accusers as well as continue to spread a violent, misogynistic doctrine around the world,” the alleged victims said in a joint statement.

Tate is facing civil action brought by the women at the High Court. He denies the allegations and has threatened to pursue the women for defamation.

Matthew Jury, their solicitor at McCue Jury & Partners, said: “The news that pressure by the Trump administration has led to Andrew Tate, and his brother Tristan, being allowed to leave Romania by its authorities is equal parts disgusting and dismaying.”

He added: “The UK government knew this might happen more than a week ago. The fact that nothing seems to have been done to prevent it is concerning. One can only hope action will now be taken. Given that Prime Minister Starmer is in the US today to meet with President Trump, perhaps his team may take the opportunity to raise this issue.”

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