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A rescue operation is under way after “scary and unprecedented” flooding near a holiday park in West Sussex.

One person has been taken to hospital and over 200 people have been evacuated after the River Arun burst its banks in the wake of Storm Kathleen and the French-named Storm Pierrick.

Flooding in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex.
Pic: Gareth Theobald /X/PA
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Flooding in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex. Pic: PA

A resident of Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex said flooding in the town was “scary and unprecedented”, after he stayed awake until the early hours putting flood defences around his property.

Gareth Theobald, 36, said: “I was out the front of the building and watching the water just get higher and higher and higher, and then helping or stopping traffic going into the floodwaters and then just watching in disbelief as the whole of Brighton Road and our multimillion-pound development was being engulfed by floodwaters.”

The industrial relations officer added: “The amount of water is scary and unprecedented and those houses opposite our development are lower-ground flats and they were all flooded under a foot or so of water.”

He said he saw cars “driving into the floods at speed as well and getting stuck” and that “residents in the streets (were) trying to do what they can”.

Flooding in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex.
Pic: Gareth Theobald /X/PA
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Flooding in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex. Pic: Gareth Theobald /X/PA

Flooding in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex.
Pic: Gareth Theobald /X/PA
Image:
Pic: Gareth Theobald /X/PA

‘Get to higher ground – we are expecting water to rise’

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said on X that they had seen “severe flooding” across West Sussex, in areas like Earnley, Littlehampton and Bracklesham.

They added: “We are expecting the water levels to increase this afternoon. If you are directly affected, please get to higher ground if possible.”

Flooding in Littlehampton
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A rescue operation has been launched

Flooding in Littlehampton

Around midnight, fire and rescue crews responded to flooding in Littlehampton – where 15 people were evacuated.

They were also dealing with a “severe flooding incident” at Medmerry holiday park between Bracklesham and Selsey, after being first called out at around 1am.

They urged anyone in the vicinity of the holiday park to get to high ground if they can leave their homes.

One resident shot a video of the water surrounding his chalet, saying “everything’s underwater” and describing the area as “totally flooded”.

Paul Maskell, a resident at Medmerry park, added: “I am adrift like Robinson Crusoe. It’s incredible… totally flooded out.”

Medmerry Park in Chichester flooded after the River Arun burst its banks. 
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Medmerry Park in Chichester flooded after the River Arun burst its banks

At least 180 people have been evacuated from the holiday park, with one person showing signs of hypothermia, according to the fire service.

They were taken to hospital and South East Coast Ambulance crews assessed a number of other people.

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Chalets were left submerged

Firefighters evacuate an elderly resident near Rope Walk in Littlehampton, West Sussex, after the River Arun burst its banks overnight.
Pic: PA
Image:
Firefighters evacuate an elderly resident near Rope Walk in Littlehampton, West Sussex. Pic: PA

Firefighters evacuate an elderly resident near Rope Walk in Littlehampton, West Sussex, after the River Arun burst its banks overnight.
Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

Then shortly before 7am, crews attended flooding at Bracklesham Caravan and Boat Club and evacuated around 20 people.

West Sussex County Council warned that flooding could worsen throughout the day and the Environment Agency advised people to stay away from “coastal paths, piers and promenades”.

The local council said: “It is also possible that the flooding may increase throughout the day. People directly affected should get to high ground if possible, unless unable to leave their residence. Otherwise, please avoid the areas to allow rescue operations to continue safely and effectively.”

The Environment Agency has said there is a low risk of coastal flooding in the area today, adding it’s likely that high tides or large waves will flood low-lying land and roads.

Weather warnings covering much of country

It comes as heavy rain and strong winds continue to batter parts of southern England, western Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland over the next few days, forecasters have said.

Several services run by South Western Railway and Great Western Railway have been cancelled or delayed this morning due to flooding.

The Met Office issued six separate yellow weather warnings spanning Monday to Wednesday morning.

A van drives through flood water on Ferry Road in Littlehampton after the River Arun burst its banks overnight.
Pic: PA
Image:
A van drives through flood water on Ferry Road in Littlehampton after the River Arun burst its banks overnight. Pic: PA

Winds in the southwest of England, including Cornwall and parts of Devon, could reach speeds of up to 65mph along some stretches of the coast.

The forecaster warned the strong gusts had a “small chance” of causing power cuts and damaging buildings.

A yellow weather warning for England’s southern coast, including Southampton and Brighton, says winds are expected to reach 55mph, peaking at 65mph in some areas before easing off.

Get your local forecast from Sky News

Another yellow weather warning for Wales’ west coast has been issued between 1am and 3pm on Tuesday, when “a spell of strong winds” will affect the region with gusts reaching up to 65mph overnight.

In Scotland, up to 40mm of rainfall is expected in some areas between 1am and 6pm on Tuesday, while a few could see as much as 60mm.

Affected areas include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Aberdeen.

Further rainfall is forecast in western Scotland between 9am and 6pm on Wednesday and may cause flooding, with 15 to 25mm of rain expected to fall in most places and 40 to 50mm forecast on high ground.

The weather service warned rain and wind could disrupt rail and road travel across the country, as driving conditions worsen because of slippery road surfaces and limited visibility.

A low-pressure system, bringing the wet and windy weather, has swept in hot on the heels of Storm Kathleen.

Southern parts of the UK are being affected by Storm Pierrick, named by the French meteorological agency.

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Met Office forecast

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said that while these levels of rainfall would not be a “huge cause for concern” on their own, they will fall on “already saturated ground” which increases the risk of flooding.

“We’ll continue with very unsettled weather as we head into spring, which is usually when we start to see things settle down a little bit more,” he added.

“We’re continuing with one area of low pressure after another, which is mainly down to the fact that the jet stream is a bit further south than it would normally be at this time of year.”

The second half of the week should be a “bit drier” with warm temperatures in the south of the UK, before returning to normal over the weekend, Mr Partridge said.

He said: “It’s actually quite warm conditions for the time of year – we could see 19C or 20C across eastern and southeastern parts of the UK come Thursday and Friday.

“But the north will always stay quite unsettled.”

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‘I recognise the error and upset caused’ – Gary Lineker releases statement as BBC departure confirmed

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'I recognise the error and upset caused' - Gary Lineker releases statement as BBC departure confirmed

Gary Lineker has confirmed reports he is leaving the BBC after this season’s Match Of The Day and will no longer present its World Cup coverage.

It comes after the 64-year-old “apologised unreservedly” for sharing a social media post illustrated with a rat – which has been used to represent Jewish people in antisemitic propaganda, including Nazi Germany.

In a statement on Monday, Lineker said: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.

Read more: A history of Gary Lineker’s most controversial posts

“I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.

“However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”

File pic: PA
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Lineker has fronted Match Of The Day since 1999. PA

Lineker said he deleted the post when he learned about the rat’s symbolism, adding that he would “never knowingly share anything antisemitic”.

In a video posted to Instagram, the pundit added: “I’ve stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all of my life, including, of course, antisemitism, which I absolutely abhor.

“There’s no place for it and never should be.”

He went on to thank the “brilliant, talented” people he has worked with and described his relationship with the BBC as “long and wonderful”.

He added: “But it’s the right time for the organisation and myself to go our separate ways.”

Lineker’s last appearance on the BBC will be on Sunday 25 May, the final day of the season.

What are the BBC guidelines on impartiality?

Gary Lineker signed a five-year deal with the BBC in 2020, under which he agreed to adhere to their impartiality rules.

The rules were then updated after his return to Match Of The Day in 2023.

The latest regulations say high-profile BBC presenters should be able to express their views on political issues as long as they stop short of campaigning.

It does not clarify what would constitute political campaigning for the big-name presenters.

The guidelines also stress the importance of “high standards of civility in public discourse”, which includes treating others with respect, even in the face of abuse and not using offensive or aggressive language.

The policy only applies to presenters outside of its news coverage. News presenters are still subject to stricter impartiality guidelines.

‘A defining voice in football coverage’

Also confirming Lineker’s exit, BBC director general Tim Davie said: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.

“Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond.

“We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”

Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, who have been announced as new Match of the Day presenters.
Pic BBC/PA
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Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share the role of presenting Match of the Day. Pic BBC/PA

The former England star announced in November he would step down from Match Of The Day this year, but was set to return to front the World Cup in 2026, as well as FA Cup coverage.

The presenter was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then Conservative government’s asylum policy.

He will be replaced on Match Of The Day by Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman, who will share the presenting role from the next Premier League season.

Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999 and has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years.

He is also the co-founder of podcast producing company Goalhanger, which makes the popular The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money.

Lineker parting ways with the BBC also includes the licensing deal for Goalhanger podcast titles on BBC Sounds which ends this year, the PA news agency reported.

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‘Significant’ personal data exposed in cyber attack on Legal Aid Agency

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'Significant' personal data exposed in cyber attack on Legal Aid Agency

A “significant amount of personal data” of people who applied to the Legal Aid Agency – including criminal records – was accessed and downloaded by hackers, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said.

The group that carried out the cyber attack says it accessed 2.1 million pieces of data, but the MoJ has not verified that figure, it is understood.

The government became aware of the incident on 23 April, but realised on Friday it was more extensive than first thought.

An MoJ source put the breach down to the “neglect and mismanagement” of the previous government, saying vulnerabilities in the Legal Aid Agency systems have been known for many years.

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA), is an executive agency, sponsored by the MoJ, which is responsible for administering legal aid funding – around £2.3bn in 2023/24.

The data accessed affected those who applied for legal aid in the last 15 years, and may include contact details and addresses of legal aid applicants, their dates of birth, national insurance numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.

The MoJ has urged anyone who applied for legal aid since 2010 to update any passwords that could have been exposed, and be alert to unknown messages and phone calls.

More on Cyberattacks

The organisation’s digital services, which are used by legal aid providers to log their work and get paid, have been taken offline.

‘We needed to take radical action’

Legal Aid Agency chief executive Jane Harbottle has apologised for the breach and acknowledged the news would be “shocking and upsetting”.

“Since the discovery of the attack, my team has been working around the clock with the National Cyber Security Centre to bolster the security of our systems so we can safely continue the vital work of the agency,” she said.

“However, it has become clear that, to safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we’ve taken the decision to take the online service down,” she said.

Ms Harbottle said contingency plans are in place for those who need legal support and advice.

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Retail disruption to ‘last months’

The Law Society, an organisation representing solicitors across the UK, blamed the attack on Legal Aid’s “antiquated IT system”.

“The incident once again demonstrates the need for sustained investment to bring the LAA’s antiquated IT system up to date and ensure the public have continued trust in the justice system,” said a Law Society spokesperson.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it is working with the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre to investigate the data breach.

The National Crime Agency said it was aware of the incident and was working closely with the MoJ to “better understand the incident and support the department”.

It comes after retailers Co-op, Harrods and Marks & Spencer were hit by cyber attacks, although there is no suggestion that they are connected to the incident at the LAA.

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The Who drummer sacked from band for second time in a month

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The Who drummer sacked from band for second time in a month

The Who’s drummer Zak Starkey has been sacked by the band, marking the second time he has left in the past month.

The band’s guitarist Pete Townshend made a statement on Instagram on Sunday, saying: “After many years of great work on drums from Zak the time has come for a change.

“A poignant time. Zak has lots of new projects in hand and I wish him the best.”

The announcement comes weeks before the iconic British rock group’s farewell tour.

In response, Starkey, who had been a band member since 1996, said in an Instagram post he would “never have quit” and had experienced “weeks of mayhem”.

“I was fired two weeks after reinstatement and asked to make a statement saying I had quit to follow my other musical endeavours,” he wrote.

“Not true. I love The Who and would never have quit and let down so many amazing people who stood up for me through all this madness.”

Reports surfaced in April that the band had taken the “collective decision” to sack Starkey after a row over their Teenage Cancer Trust shows in March.

Roger Daltrey from The Who performs during the Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Picture date: Sunday March 30, 2025.
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Roger Daltrey and Starkey on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in March. Pic: PA


A review of one gig, published in the Metro, suggested frontman Roger Daltrey, who launched the annual gig series for the charity in 2000, had been “frustrated” with the drumming during some tracks.

According to the review, Daltrey at one point paused a song and said: “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.”

At the time, the 59-year-old drummer said he was “surprised and saddened” by news of his sacking.

Three days after the reports came out, a statement on the band’s official social media pages titled “News Flash! Who Backs Zak,” said he was “not being asked to step down from The Who”.

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In it, Townshend said: “There have been some communication issues, personal and private on all sides, that needed to be dealt with, and these have been aired happily.

“Roger and I would like Zak to tighten up his latest evolved drumming style to accommodate our non-orchestral line-up and he has readily agreed.”

Later in the lengthy statement, he said regarding the gigs: “Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised.”

At that point, Starkey – who is the son of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr – reposted Townshend’s statement, with the message: “V grateful to be a part of the Who family Thanks Roger and Pete xx”.

Starkey also drums for supergroup Mantra Of The Cosmos – along with fellow musicians Shaun Ryder and Bez from Happy Mondays, and Andy Bell of Ride and Oasis – and has previously played with Oasis, Lightning Seeds and Johnny Marr.

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