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A former worker at the UK’s intelligence agency GCHQ, who tried to murder a US spy, has been jailed for life.

Joshua Bowles, 29, was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years behind bars for the “premeditated, targeted and vicious” knife attack at a leisure centre.

Bowles, who had two knives, punched and stabbed the woman repeatedly at the centre three miles from the agency’s base in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on 9 March.

The Old Bailey judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, found it was a “politically motivated attack” driven by “anger and resentment” towards GCHQ and women.

After the stabbing, the former computer software coding developer said he targeted his victim because he could not handle the “murky waters of ethics” and “the power that the American NSA [National Security Agency] have and the things they do”.

Bowles, of Welwyn Mews, Cheltenham, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the woman, referred to by the code number 99230.

He also admitted assaulting a man who attempted to intervene, causing him actual bodily harm.

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Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC said it was a “pre-meditated, targeted and vicious attack on an unarmed woman”.

He told the court: “That woman was a United States government employee working in the United Kingdom.

“She was attacked by a man who was carrying two knives, and she was stabbed three times outside, and in the reception area of, a leisure centre in Cheltenham.

“Her selection as the target for this attack was entirely and solely associated with her role as a US government employee in the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States.”

The woman had been at a leisure centre in Cheltenham playing netball on 9 March, and was followed as she left with her friend, who was a fellow US national known as 25869.

When she heard someone say “Excuse me”, she turned round and was punched repeatedly in the face. She then fought back, and her friend hit him with a bag and told him to leave her alone.

Alex Fuentes was on his way to play football and was punched in the face when he asked the defendant “what’s going on?”.

It was his intervention that meant the two women could run back to the leisure centre – pursued by Bowles.

A court artist sketch of Joshua Bowles appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court
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A court artist sketch of Joshua Bowles appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court

Mr Penny said: “The CCTV footage shows the defendant holding a knife and lunging towards 99230, who was trying to back away. She describes that ‘It felt like he hated me… his focus was me’.”

The victim of the attack was left with a 6cm cut to her lower abdomen, a 2cm wound to the front of her chest and a 2cm wound to her right thigh.

She had to spend a week in hospital and told the court in a victim impact statement that she did not remember ever encountering or speaking to her attacker before.

She described how she had been studying for a master’s degree, planned to learn windsurfing with her boyfriend and had entered a half-marathon.

“He has had a profound effect on me and completely changed my life. It is very difficult to explain to people just how awful it has been,” the victim added.

“I went from being in the best shape I have ever been in, to the weakest I have ever been. I felt like my organs had been rearranged. I was hunted by him and I don’t know why.”

Bowles, who has Asperger’s syndrome, said in a statement to police he targeted her because she was a US spy.

He said: “Due to the size and resourcing, American intelligence represents the largest contributor within the intelligence community so made sense as the symbolic target. I consider GCHQ just as guilty.”

His lawyer said his client expressed “profound regret, remorse and shame at what he has done”, adding he rejected any connections to terrorism.

A GCHQ spokesperson said: “This was a shocking, unprovoked attack and its isolated nature does not make it any less upsetting. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. GCHQ has been working closely with police during their investigation, and we welcome justice being done.”

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My week with Prince William, the quiet disruptor

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My week with Prince William, the quiet disruptor

Photographed in a beam of sunlight, Prince William walked through Westminster Abbey with the King behind him.

The ornate robes of the Order of the Bath service, two weeks ago, felt like a world away from the more modern image he wants to portray.

But as a man bestowed with so many traditional titles, it’s a new role he’s shaping for himself that is more intriguing – William, the quiet disruptor.

The Prince of Wales at the Order of the Bath Service at Westminster Abbey, in the Order’s 300th anniversary year. Pic: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
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The Prince of Wales at the Order of the Bath Service at Westminster Abbey. Pic: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

In a week when Time Magazine named the Prince and Princess of Wales in its top 100 philanthropists list for “modernising royal philanthropy”, I spent the week following the prince on various engagements.

None of them particularly headline-grabbing, but all examples of how he’s setting out to do things differently, or underlining the challenges, and potential criticisms, he faces doing things his own way.

Take Tuesday, for example.

We weren’t expecting him to turn up as we waited at the Soho Hotel in London to watch a new series of films about the dangers faced by wildlife rangers, a project described as “the brainchild” of Prince William.

But all of a sudden, there he was in the room, taking the mic to explain what it really means to him.

Speaking about his drive to “give a voice to the voiceless”, it was indicative of what feels like a greater desire from him to articulate more publicly what he stands for.

Since November, when he described how he wanted to carry out his duties with “a smaller r in the royal”, you’ve got the sense William, and his team, have further wanted to cement in our minds where he sees his role.

From conversations this week, with those who work closely with him, the word “convening” came up time and again; the prince doesn’t want to waste what he knows is a unique position, to bring people together, start conversations and support those who are already doing amazing things in their communities.

Prince William recording the opening scenes for a documentary focusing on rangers and the dangers they face.
Pic: PA
Image:
Prince William recording the opening scenes for a documentary about rangers and the dangers they face.
Pic: PA

Shifting the dial

But this isn’t just about him personally.

This is now a man whose vision for the monarchy, I’m told, is increasingly driven by a desire to “shift the dial on global leadership” where others may be failing.

With palace sources telling me he’d be more than happy to “be acknowledged” as a quiet disruptor, despite the criticism his new ways of working might bring.

Those who’ve known him a long time will tell you this compulsion to do things differently has been there for some time.

Prince William during a recent royal visit.
Pic: PA
Image:
Prince William during a recent royal visit.
Pic: PA

Dr Tessy Ojo, the chief executive from The Diana Award, has worked with Prince William and Prince Harry for over 20 years.

She said: “They would never do royal engagements from the sense of cutting the ribbon or simply being poster people. We were very clearly warned if you wanted any form of engagement, it almost had to have a whole strategy behind it.”

She told me she has always sensed how much William appreciates the responsibility that comes with his role, especially in a world where “there’s a massive demand on leadership… there’s a lot of distrust on leaders”.

“What people wanted 40 years ago from their monarch is completely different,” she said.

“I think it’s super important that as the heir, as the next monarch, he’s very in tune with what the people want, and what people expect. And being able to be that 21st century monarch, who is a present dad, but also a leader who understands how to use your leadership for social good”.

A modern royal

Wednesday, and William walked into a sweaty, but infectiously positive, community hall in Leith in Edinburgh.

No ribbon cutting here, but this is the kind of visit the prince now sees as a big deal, “impact” the buzz word ahead of any engagement now.

A very lively game of football launching what they hope will be a long-term tie-up between the Royal Foundation (their charitable trust), Leith community centre and Street Soccer Scotland.

The Prince of Wales playing football during the visit to Leith.
Pic: PA
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The Prince of Wales playing football during the visit to Leith.
Pic: PA

The Prince of Wales,  known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, and Street Soccer Scotland founder and chief executive David Duke (back centre left) pose with football coaches and players during his visit to Leith Community Centre, Edinburgh.
Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

On Thursday, the sight of a guard of honour saluting the prince and princess, as the national anthem was played alongside HMS Glasgow, just emphasised the regular handbrake turns they face from the more relaxed to the formal, as they want to make the monarchy feel connected and relevant.

Then there is family to consider, in a way that past generations just haven’t.

Their working diaries are now arranged around their children. They’ve made no secret of that.

On paper, it means fewer engagements compared to other members of the family, and it has led to mutterings of that word no one within the palace wants to hear: “workshy”.

The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow.
Pic: PA
Image:
The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow.
Pic: PA

Making an impact?

But talking to people in Glasgow, away from the royal visit, I overwhelmingly found most thought William was setting a good example by putting family first.

What people were less clear on was his “social impact” work and what that is all about.

The community projects may not necessarily grab as much attention as William and his advisors want, but what will be fascinating to watch is the potential long-term impact of this new kind of ethos.

As the Prince and Princess of Wales stood on the steps of Buckingham Palace at a garden party on Tuesday, pausing for the national anthem, you can’t help but wonder whether those traditional elements of royal life could face a shake-up when one day he leads the firm full time.

Understandably, no one likes to talk about transition, and Prince William certainly doesn’t shout about his thoughts on what will come.

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But as heir, his vision for the future and what royal leadership should look like could have huge consequences for the institution.

An impact far more significant and lasting than the noisy disruptions it’s faced from other family members in recent years.

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South Western Railway: First renationalised train service starts today… with replacement bus

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South Western Railway: First renationalised train service starts today... with replacement bus

South Western Railway (SWR) has been renationalised this weekend as part of the government’s transition towards Great British Railways.

The train operator officially came under public ownership at around 2am on Sunday – and the first journey, the 5.36am from Woking, was partly a rail replacement bus service due to engineering works.

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

So what difference will renationalisation make to passengers and will journeys be cheaper?

What is nationalisation?

Nationalisation means the government taking control of industries or companies, taking them from private to public ownership.

England’s railway lines are currently run by train operating companies as franchises under fixed-term contracts, but Labour have said they want to take control of the lines when those fixed terms end.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. Pic: PA

In its manifesto, the party vowed to return rail journeys to public ownership within five years by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) to run both the network tracks and trains.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who travelled on the first renationalised departure from London Waterloo, said, before boarding, it was “a new dawn for our railways” and “a watershed moment”.

“But I know that most users of the railway don’t spend much time thinking about who runs the trains – they just want them to work,” she added. “That’s why operators will have to meet rigorous performance standards and earn the right to be called Great British Railways.”

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How reliable are UK trains?

How will ticket prices be affected?

Labour have argued cutting off payments flowing into the private sector could save the taxpayer £150m a year.

But the government has not explicitly promised the savings made from nationalisation will be used to subsidise fees.

It is unlikely rail fares will fall as a result of nationalisation, rail analyst William Barter told Sky News.

“The government could mandate fare cuts if it wanted to, but there’s no sign it wants to,” he said.

“At the moment, I’m sure they would want to keep the money rather than give it back to passengers. The current operator aims to maximise revenue, and there’s no reason the government would want them to do anything differently under government control.”

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UK has most expensive train tickets in Europe

What difference will it make for passengers?

Britain’s railways are frequently plagued by delays, cuts to services and timetable issues, but Mr Barter said nationalisation will make very little day-to-day difference to passengers.

There was “no reason to think” the move would improve issues around delays and cancellation of services, he said.

“It’s going to be the same people, the same management,” he explained.

“The facts of what the operator has to deal with in terms of revenue, infrastructure, reliability, all the rest of it – they haven’t changed.”

Pic: iStock
Image:
Pic: iStock

Which services are next to be nationalised?

In the longer term, the move is likely to bring “a degree of certainty compared with relatively short-term franchises”, Mr Barter said, noting the government would only want to renationalise a franchise “because in one way or another something very bad is going on in that franchise, so in a way it can only get better”.

It also means the government will have greater accountability for fixing problems with punctuality and cancellations.

Mr Barter said: “If this is the government’s baby, then they’re going to do their best to make sure it doesn’t fail. So rather than having a franchise holder they can use as a political scapegoat, it’s theirs now.”

He added: “In the short term, I don’t think you’d expect to see any sort of change. Long term, you’ll see stability and integration bringing about gradual benefits. There’s not a silver bullet of that sort here.”

Britain’s railway services were privatised in the mid-1990s.

South Western Railway came under public ownership at around 2 am on Sunday. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
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South Western Railway came under public ownership at around 2am on Sunday. Pic: PA

Now, all services run by private companies will be renationalised as contracts reach the end of their minimum terms, with the process due to be completed by the end of 2027.

The next operator’s services to be brought under public control will be c2c – which runs between London and Essex – on 20 July, with Greater Anglia following in October, before seven more companies transfer over when their franchises end in the future.

Operators that were already under public ownership are LNER, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express.

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Former BBC executive and presenter Alan Yentob dies

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Former BBC executive and presenter Alan Yentob dies

Alan Yentob, the former BBC presenter and executive, has died aged 78.

A statement from his family, shared by the BBC, said Yentob died on Saturday.

His wife Philippa Walker said: “For Jacob, Bella and I, every day with Alan held the promise of something unexpected. Our life was exciting, he was exciting.

“He was curious, funny, annoying, late, and creative in every cell of his body. But more than that, he was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man. He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide.”

Read more on Sky News:
First renationalised train service starts

My week with Prince William, the quiet disruptor

Yentob joined the BBC as a trainee in 1968 and held a number of positions – including controller of BBC One and BBC Two, director of television, and head of music and art.

He was also the director of BBC drama, entertainment, and children’s TV.

Yentob launched CBBC and CBeebies, and his drama commissions included Pride And Prejudice and Middlemarch.

Alan Yentob with former BBC director general Tony Hall in 2012. Pic: Reuters.
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Alan Yentob (left) with former BBC director general Tony Hall in 2012. Pic: Reuters.

The TV executive was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the King in 2024 for services to the arts and media.

In a tribute, the BBC’s director-general Tim Davie said: “Alan Yentob was a towering figure in British broadcasting and the arts. A creative force and a cultural visionary, he shaped decades of programming at the BBC and beyond, with a passion for storytelling and public service that leave a lasting legacy.

“Above all, Alan was a true original. His passion wasn’t performative – it was personal. He believed in the power of culture to enrich, challenge and connect us.”

BBC Radio 4 presenter Amol Rajan described him on Instagram as “such a unique and kind man: an improbable impresario from unlikely origins who became a towering figure in the culture of post-war Britain.

“I commend his spirit to the living.”

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