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A London-based Iranian news station says it has been forced to shut its UK headquarters over threats from Tehran and fears for the safety of its journalists.

Iran International TV says it has “reluctantly” closed its west London studios and moved the operation to its offices in Washington DC.

The broadcaster said the move follows warnings from the Metropolitan Police that there remain “serious” and “grave” concerns about “hostile intentions of foreign states”.

It comes as Scotland Yard revealed that police and MI5 had foiled 15 plots since the start of 2022 to either kidnap or kill UK-based individuals perceived as enemies of the Iranian regime.

Police say a man was arrested in the area around the TV studio on Monday and charged with terrorism offences related to the surveillance of the company’s headquarters.

Head of counter-terrorism policing (CTP), assistant commissioner Matt Jukes, said in a statement: “In light of the ongoing investigation that follows the arrest of a man last weekend in that area, and despite extraordinary security measures, we still have serious concerns for the safety of people working at this company.

“This has led to us giving further advice and the company is now relocating.

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“We would like to thank the company for their ongoing understanding with this as we continue to support them.”

He added that the advice to the TV station to relocate had “not been given lightly”.

Mahmood Enayat, general manager of Iran International TV, said in a statement that a “foreign state” had caused “such a significant threat to the British public on British soil that we have to move”.

“I cannot believe it has come to this,” he said.

“Let’s be clear, this is not just a threat to our TV station but the British public at large.

“Even more this is an assault on the values of sovereignty, security and free speech that the UK has always held dear.”

Mr Enayat said the TV station “refused to be silenced by these cowardly threats” and vowed that the station will continue to broadcast, adding: “We are undeterred.”

A government spokesperson said: “Media freedom is a vital part of our society and journalists must be able to investigate and report independently without fear.

“We will not tolerate any threat to media organisations or journalists. We know the Iranian regime has established a pattern of this type of behaviour which is completely unacceptable, yet sadly typical of the regime and its lack of respect for basic rights.

“The police are continuing to work in response to this threat. We will continue to use all tools at our disposal to protect individuals in the UK against any threats from the Iranian state.”

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Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Enfield – as victim named

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Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Enfield - as victim named

A woman who was stabbed to death in north London has been named by police – as a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Pamela Munro, 45, was found with a stab wound and died at the scene in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday and is in custody, the force added.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela’s death.

“We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated.”

GVs from SN footage on 20/04/2025 at scene of murder on 19/04/2025 of woman at Gainsborough House, Ayley Croft, Enfield in north London.
Ingest 25 NM25 SKY SAF ENFIELD MURDER GVS ENFIELD 2045
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Police at the scene at Ayley Croft in Enfield

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The Met Police has asked anyone with information or who was driving through Ayley Court between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and may have dashcam footage to contact the force.

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‘British man’ dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador – reports

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'British man' dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador - reports

A “British man” has died after being beaten and set on fire by a mob in Ecuador, according to reports by media in the South American country.

According to reports, the man – who has not been officially identified – had been detained by police after being accused of being involved in a fatal shooting.

Ecuadorian news outlet Ecuavisa reported that the man had been taken to a police station Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest.

While there, a group broke into the station and took the man away. He was then set on fire in the street, it is reported, and died from his burns.

Playas del Cuyabeno
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The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province

Another local report, from EXTRA.ec, said that specialist police units had been slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area – which is accessible by river.

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According to reports, police officers at the station apparently decided they could not intervene when the mob arrived out of concerns for their own safety.

It is understood the UK Foreign Office is following up reports about the incident and working with local authorities to confirm the details.

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Three men charged over death of woman struck by van at golf course after police chase

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Three men charged over death of woman struck by van at golf course after police chase

Three men have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a woman who was struck by a van at a golf course following a police pursuit.

Suzanne Cherry died in hospital four days after she was struck by the vehicle on the morning of 11 April.

Two police cars had been following a grey Nissan van in Lichfield, Birmingham, after receiving reports of suspicious activity, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

However, they stopped chasing the van when it went off-road and up an embankment at Aston Wood Golf Club, where it hit Ms Cherry, of Aldridge, Walsall.

West Midlands Police said John McDonald, 51, of Bloxwich, has been charged with manslaughter, assault by beating and failing to stop a vehicle when directed by a constable.

Johnny McDonald, 22, of Dudley, and Brett Delaney, 34, of Darlaston, Walsall, have also been charged with manslaughter.

They are due to appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 21 April.

Three other men who had been arrested have been bailed with conditions.

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Following Ms Cherry’s death, her husband paid tribute to his “beautiful wife” and described how he watched in “helpless horror” during the incident.

“Suzanne leaves a legacy and an unfillable void in the lives of her mother Maureen, her three adult children, two step-children and countless others from her work, her sporting activities and social circle,” he added.

The IOPC continues to investigate the circumstances prior to the crash.

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