What does the nation really think about the future of our monarchy?

Published

2 years ago

April 30, 2023

admin

With the passing of Elizabeth II, what is our relationship with the monarchy and the new King?

That was the question I hoped to answer as I travelled the length of the land for our documentary My King, My Country?

And I was as much seeking an answer from myself as I was from the rest of the kingdom.

Growing up in southwest Scotland I really didn’t have much of a relationship with the monarchy; partly, I presume, because of the distance between Buck House (as it is sometimes known in newsrooms) and Ayr; partly, because I really didn’t think about them that much.

I certainly was aware of their existence – I may have been in the kids’ room on Christmas Day but I knew my older relatives were next door watching the Queen deliver her message.

Later in life, the drama and tragedy of Princess Diana’s life and passing were obviously topics of conversation with friends and family.

But I didn’t feel the sense of loss that others clearly did at her passing, again most likely for the reasons mentioned above.

And while as an adult and a journalist (some will disagree with either or both of those descriptions) I’ve been tasked with reporting on “royal events”, most recently of course presenting aspects of our coverage of the Queen’s death, actively thinking about the Royal Family and its members, its institutions and practices, was a rarity.

Then I spent a month on the road thinking about little else.

Others have spent far longer.

‘This is not appropriate in a democratic society’

“Well, I’ve always been opposed to the monarchy,” says Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic.

“I remember I was 12 years old the year Andrew and Sarah Ferguson got married. And I objected to the idea of having to sit in the classroom and watch the wedding.

“And as I got older, it just made more sense that this is not appropriate in a democratic society.”

And there are more people who agree with Graham in Scotland than anywhere else in the United Kingdom.

I travelled to Edinburgh to speak to Tommy Sheppard, an SNP MP and prominent republican north of Gretna Green. In something of an irony, his constituency has not one but three royal palaces within it.

In the shadow of Craigmillar Castle, best known for its association with the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots, he explained his antipathy.

“I mean, I think it’s an anachronism,” he told me. “It’s a relic of bygone days that has no place in a modern democratic constitution, to be honest.

“You know, the question is, can we do better? And I think we can do better.”

For Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, there is an almost visceral dislike of both the institution and its figureheads.

He said: “It is entirely unreasonable to justify this almost exclusively white family. And we saw it when they put a black woman in the family because it is chaos.

“But how can we possibly justify this family being the representative not just of Britain, but of 13 other countries… which are almost exclusively black and brown?

“What that does psychically, what that does emotionally, is to put whiteness on a pedestal. That’s the role. So if you’re serious about it, you have to say we have to abandon this role.”

The level of affection for Charles and Camilla was a surprise

Yet for every Graham, Tommy and Kehinde, the clear majority of those who spoke to me around the country were far more positive about the monarchy as an institution.

The level of affection for the Queen was not a surprise. The level of affection for Charles and Camilla certainly was.

Take Kathy Lette, Aussie funny woman and self-proclaimed republican herself. She has known them both pretty well for years, and has not a bad word to say.

“Well, you take people as you find them,” purrs Kathy. “You know, princes are supposed to be charming and he is charming.

“And also, I think he was so prescient. I mean, he was way ahead of his time on all those environmental issues, which I can connect with him on that big time.

“So, you know, you can’t help liking them. I would say Charles’s charm is more disarming than a UN peacekeeping force.”

And make no mistake, Kathy is not alone in her view.

At every event to which Republic sent demonstrators, they were outnumbered by hundreds to one.

They spoke of feeling a personal connection to both King and crown; the outpouring of sympathy and emotion towards Charles, both in the immediate aftermath of his mother’s death and on every public appearance since, is unmissable.

Take the residents of Nansleden, Charles’s pet housing project in Cornwall.

It may all feel a little bit Truman Show to the cynical journalistic outsider with its perfect pastel-coloured houses, but they truly love living there.

It’s a similar tale in my own part of the world, where Charles’s saving of Dumfries House has been warmly welcomed by locals (many of whom, including some I know, you’d hardly describe as arch monarchists).

I will admit that the Duchy of Cornwall’s relationship with the Isles of Scilly did give me pause; the amounts of money being made from what are essentially feudal arrangements merits at the bare minimum wider knowledge and discussion.

So too the ability of the monarchy to intervene in law-making that directly affects their financial interests.

But as I type this, while the country feels like it is about to begin a proper conversation about the future of the monarchy – and the news that the public will be asked to swear an oath of fealty has prompted a furious reaction from far more than the usual suspects – it is clear there remains a majority in favour of the institution persisting.

As for me… well, I never quite got around to answering that question for myself.

The privilege of being a broadcast journalist is never having to make your mind up on a topic – publicly, at least.

Yet the privileges of being royal, of being King, are of a different order.

And for all that there is a clear majority in favour of the institution, I suspect that the number for whom that privilege sits uneasily is growing. And growing rapidly.

Sky’s special My King, My Country? coronation documentary airs at 8pm tonight on Sky News.

UK

Tulip Siddiq named in third Bangladesh inquiry into money laundering and power misuse

Published

1 hour ago

January 15, 2025

admin

Tulip Siddiq named in third Bangladesh inquiry into money laundering and power misuse

Former anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq has been named in a third inquiry being launched by authorities in Bangladesh investigating money laundering and power misuse.

At a media briefing in Dhaka held hours after Ms Siddiq resigned as a minister, investigators confirmed they were working on another probe involving the Labour MP.

It is the third Bangladesh inquiry and comes on top of questions about London properties she lives in or has lived in with links to her aunt, the ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party.

Director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission Akhtar Hossain told Sky News the organisation was “preparing another investigation against Tulip Siddiq and her uncle Tarique Siddique for money laundering, power misuse, and illegally occupying Bangladesh government property”.

Mr Hossain also said the investigation team in Bangladesh would contact the UK authorities if additional information was required.

A spokesperson for Ms Siddiq said: “No evidence has been presented for these allegations.

“Tulip Siddiq has not been contacted by anyone on the matter and totally denies the claims.”

Tarique Siddique is Ms Siddiq’s uncle – the husband of her mother’s younger sister – and previously served as a defence and security adviser to her aunt Sheikh Hasina.

Ms Hasina fled Bangladesh in August and resigned her post after 20 years amid weeks of deadly protests.

The new government has since accused Ms Hasina’s Awami League administration of crimes and corruption while in office.

Ms Siddiq quit as anti-corruption minister on Tuesday after links with her aunt and her political regime came under scrutiny.

It is claimed she has benefited financially from three London properties linked to her aunt and her allies.

She referred herself to the prime minister’s standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus who said he had “not identified evidence of improprieties” but added it was “regrettable” Ms Siddiq had not been more alert to the “potential reputational risks” of the ties to her aunt.

Ms Siddiq said continuing in her role would be “a distraction” for the government but insisted she had done nothing wrong.

Earlier this week, Sky News revealed Bangladesh investigators were looking into Ms Siddiq as part of a separate corruption inquiry into the illegal allocation of land in a new town development outside of Dhaka.

She was also named in an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of $5bn (£3.9bn) from a nuclear power project in the country developed in partnership with Russia.

Labour sources suggested these accusations were not genuine and Ms Siddiq had not been contacted by anyone in Bangladesh about the inquiries.

Nobel peace-prize winning economist Muhammad Yunus, who is leading Bangladesh’s interim government, said the London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated and returned if she is found to have benefited from “plain robbery”.

Following her resignation, Professor Yunus said there will be a thorough investigation into properties and assets “tied to stolen Bangladeshi funds, including those linked to individuals with connections to the previous regime” and if it is proven they have benefited from embezzlement “we expect those assets to be returned to Bangladesh, where they rightfully belong”.

“Tulip Siddiq may not have entirely understood the source of the money and property that she was enjoying in London, but she knows now and should seek forgiveness from the people of Bangladesh,” he added.

UK

Singer Linda Nolan dies ’embraced with love’ with siblings by her side

Published

4 hours ago

January 15, 2025

admin

Singer Linda Nolan dies 'embraced with love' with siblings by her side

Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.

The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.

Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.

Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.

“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.

“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.

“Beyond her incredible career, Linda dedicated her life to helping others, helping raise over £20m for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans, amongst countless others. Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy.”

Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday, Mr McNamara said.

Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course, he added.

Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.

Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.

Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.

At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.

Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.

Four siblings struck by cancer

Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and underwent a mastectomy to remove her left breast two days before her 47th birthday.

After being given the all-clear in 2011, in 2017 she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Three years later, Linda and Anne together revealed they were being treated for cancer once again.

The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.

They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.

But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.

The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan also revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.

Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.

Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’

TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.

“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”

“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”

Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.

The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.

UK

Kelyan Bokassa: Three arrested after boy, 14, stabbed to death on London bus

Published

4 hours ago

January 15, 2025

admin

Kelyan Bokassa: Three arrested after boy, 14, stabbed to death on London bus

Two teenagers and a woman have been arrested after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a bus in southeast London.

Kelyan Bokassa was on the 472 service in Woolwich when he was attacked just before 2.30pm on Tuesday 7 January.

The teenager died at the scene shortly after medical help arrived.

Two boys, aged 15 and 16, were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, and a 44-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All three remain in custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee said: “While these arrests mark a significant step forward in this investigation, we continue to appeal for anyone with information about Kelyan’s murder to come forward and speak to us.

“I would like to thank officers for working around the clock in order to locate our suspects and praise the Woolwich community for their ongoing support and patience whilst we have carried out our investigation.

“I know that this incident deeply affected you all, and I hope that these two arrests reassure you that we are doing everything to tackle violent offenders across London.”

The Metropolitan Police called the stabbing a “horrific attack”, while London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the “heartbreaking violence has absolutely no place in our city”.

Kelyan was an aspiring rapper, who was described as having “briefly” been a student at St Columbia’s Catholic Boys School in Bexleyheath.

Following his death, his mother Mary Bokassa described his troubled childhood to journalists.

She said he was taken into care, moved from school to school, and eventually fell into the clutches of criminal gangs.

Met Police officers were called to reports of a stabbing on a Route 472 bus at 2.28pm on 7 January on Woolwich Church Street, near its junction with the A205 South Circular Road.

Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended the scene.

Police say Kelyan’s family are being supported by specialist officers as the investigation “remains ongoing”.