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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have vandalised offices and sent threats to MPs have “crossed the line from protest to intimidation”, Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said.

The party has been split over its approach to the Israel-Hamas war, with a number of MPs calling for a ceasefire, while the leadership instead demands “humanitarian pauses” to get aid into Gaza.

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The division came to a head on Wednesday, when 56 MPs rebelled against the party’s position in the Commons to back an SNP amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire – including eight frontbenchers, who quit their posts as a result.

But speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said there still remained “great unity” on his benches as every member was doing “everything they can to alleviate the suffering we are seeing”.

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Starmer responds to Labour ceasefire split

Since the vote, some Labour MPs have faced protests at their constituency offices for not backing calls for a ceasefire.

Shadow Welsh secretary Jo Stevens saw her Cardiff office sprayed with the word “murderer” and covered with posters saying she had “blood” on her hands, while large numbers of protesters gathered outside Rushanara Ali’s office in Bethnal Green.

Sky News has also been told of cases where MPs have received death threats or had their home addresses posted online.

Protest outside the office of the Tower Hamlets Labour Party in Bethnal Green, London, in an area represented by Labour MP Rushanara Ali, in protest at Labours stance on the Israel-Hamas war. Picture date: Thursday November 16, 2023.
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Protesters gathered outside the office of the Tower Hamlets Labour Party in London, in an area represented by Labour MP Rushanara Ali

Asked about the incidents on Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Ms Reeves said: “I believe in the right to protest, I don’t believe in the right to intimidate, and some of those protests… I believe have crossed the line from protest to intimidation.

“Protesting outside people’s homes, putting pressure on them in that way I think is totally unacceptable.”

The shadow chancellor said MPs “represent their constituents, but they also listen to all of the evidence”, and to attempt to “intimidate” or “put pressure” on them to vote in a certain way was “anti-democratic”.

Ms Reeves said she was “hugely concerned” by the incidents, and worried it was putting “good people” off entering politics “because they don’t want to put their families through what we are seeing at the moment”.

She added: “That would be a real loss to our politics if good people were deterred from going into it.

“So I would urge those people who are conducting those protests, I understand why you call for a ceasefire, but do things in a responsible way and don’t intimidate or put pressure in that way on elected representatives or anyone else for that matter.”

Rachel Reeves
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Rachel Reeves condemned ‘intimidating’ protests outside Labour MPs’ homes and offices

Her remarks were backed by former Labour adviser Alastair Campbell, who condemned the “nastiness” of the incidents.

Speaking to Trevor Phillips, he added: “We’ve got such short memories in this country. Jo Cox… [and] David Amis have been killed, and you now see [this] situation because MPs are doing what they’re paid to do, which is represent [people] and take part in votes.

“I think Rachel’s absolutely right. Protest is fine. Trying to intimidate people and silence them is wrong.”

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Boy, 16, shot dead in south London

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Boy, 16, shot dead in south London

A teenage boy has been shot dead in south London.

The Metropolitan Police said the 16-year-old was killed on Paradise Road, near Stockwell Tube Station.

Officers were called to the scene around 3.20pm on Tuesday to reports of a shooting.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, the Met Police said that no arrests had been made and it had launched a murder investigation.

Officers were also working to identify the teenager and contact his next of kin.

‘Enormously shocking incident’

Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: “This is an enormously shocking incident which I imagine will cause huge distress to the local community.

“Our thoughts are with the young boy’s family at this devastating time.

“Local officers are on the scene gathering CCTV and speaking to witnesses to piece together what has happened.

“They will be supported by specialist homicide investigators shortly.”

He added that police would work “around the clock” to find the perpetrators.

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Bill Dare: Spitting Image producer dies after accident abroad

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Bill Dare: Spitting Image producer dies after accident abroad

Comedy writer Bill Dare, – who worked on shows including Spitting Image and Dead Ringers – has died after an accident overseas, his agent said.

Described as a “super producer” by his peers, Dare, 64, worked on eight series of hugely popular satire puppet show Spitting Image.

Airing on ITV during the 1980s and 1990s, the show delighted in lampooning public figures including politicians, celebrities and royalty, winning BAFTAs and Emmys. It was rebooted in 2020.

Dare also created Dead Ringers, a comedy impressions show broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

He also produced The Now Show, a satirical take on the news which ran on Radio 4 from 1998 to 2024.

Dare worked on a wide range of comedy shows during his career, including the radio production of The Mary Whitehouse Experience in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He had also written several novels.

In a statement released on Monday, his agent JFL Agency confirmed he died at the weekend.

A spokesperson said: “We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas.

“Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill’s family and friends who will be devastated by his loss.

“Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none.”

Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
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Oasis depicted on Spitting Image in 1996. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock

Colleagues were quick to pay tribute and reflect on his talent.

Impressionist Jon Culshaw wrote on X: “It’s impossible to express the unreal sense of loss at the passing of the incredible Bill Dare. The wisest comedy alchemist and the dearest, dearest friend. Much love to Lucy and all Bill’s family and friends. We shall all miss him more than we can say.”

David Baddiel posted on the social media platform: “Just heard that the original producer of The Mary Whitehouse Experience on radio, Bill Dare, has died. Bill was an amazing creative force. I owe him much. RIP.”

Former EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman said she was “devastated” and that her “entire comedy career was down to Bill”.

She wrote: “When I was on the BBC Radio 4 rep company early on in career – I ran into Bill in the corridors – He asked if I was good at accents. I said yes.

“He cast me in a sketch show. I had to do about 15 different accents. We recorded in front of a live audience at Broadcasting House – afterwards Bill said ‘Why have I never met you – you’re going to have a big career’.

“He was incredibly loyal and supportive and really opened a path for me into the R4 comedy world and then TV having come out of the RSC and theatre it was all new. I will always be grateful. Fly high Bill.”

Comedian and writer Mark Steel wrote: “This is so grim. Bill was a compassionate hearty soul with the ability to be beautifully grumpy, a marvellously thoughtful comic mind.

“He’d argue but always listen and you’d always laugh, he made a million shows and wanted them all to matter and would have made a million more.”

Have I Got News for You writer Pete Sinclair said: “I am utterly devastated by Bill’s death. I still can’t believe it. He was a comedy genius. A hugely talented writer as well as a brilliant producer. A close friend and co-writer. I cannot begin to say how much I’ll miss him.”

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Julia McKenzie, comedy commissioner for Radio 4, said: “I am so terribly sorry to hear this tragic news and my thoughts are with Bill’s wife, family and friends.

“Bill has been a huge part of Radio 4 comedy for decades, as a writer and producer, and listeners will have heard his legendary name at the end of many of their favourite shows.

“Bill was a comedy obsessive, and very instinctive about making the funniest choices when it came to writing, directing and editing.

“He cared so much about his work that in the production booth during Dead Ringers you’d see him crouched over the script, utterly focused on the show.

“He was funny and very dry in person, amusingly cynical when he needed to be and always pushed to keep the comedy he made, and particularly satire, spiky.

“I’ve known and worked with him for 18 years and like many I can’t believe he has gone, he will leave a big hole in the comedy world and in our hearts.”

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‘Corrupt’ ex-prison officer who boasted about performing sex act on inmate jailed

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'Corrupt' ex-prison officer who boasted about performing sex act on inmate jailed

An ex-prison officer who boasted about performing a sex act on an inmate who “manipulated” her has been jailed. 

Mother-of-one Katie Evans, 26, burst into tears in court as the judge described how she was “corrupted” by an “experienced criminal” not long after she started work at Doncaster Prison when she was just 21.

As well as starting an intimate relationship with the prisoner, Daniel Brownley, Evans had more than 140 phone calls with him, moved money around bank accounts for him, and supplied him with information the prison held on him, the court heard.

Brownley had been jailed in 2016 for attempted robbery, burglary and handling stolen goods, the court heard.

“It appears you indulged in some form of sexual activity in the prison. It has been described that on one occasion you had oral sex with him,” Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Evans at Sheffield Crown Court.

“It is truly a terrible situation for a judge to be passing sentence on a former prison officer who has been branded a corrupt prison officer.”

Judge Richardson told Evans “he corrupted you and not the reverse”, adding: “I’m entirely satisfied you were manipulated by an experienced criminal to assist him.”

He said Evans was “young and immature” at the time but added: “Your misconduct materially affected the good order and discipline of the prison.”

“You were inexperienced and immature but that is, however, no excuse for what you did.”

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Judge Richardson said the sentence of 21 months should have been longer but, “purely as an act of mercy”, he reduced it to take into account the effect it will have on Evans’ relationship with her young daughter and the difficulties she will have in prison as a former officer.

Evans, of Hatfield, Doncaster, admitted misconduct in a public office at a previous hearing.

Still crying, she waved at family members in the public gallery as she was led from the dock.

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