Connect with us

Published

on

Bereaved and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have criticised the calling of an inquiry, describing it as a “seven-year delay to justice”.

Their comments come on the day the report into the disaster was published.

It delivered a damning verdict on the failures of government, building companies, contractors, fire safety experts and council staff that led to the deadly blaze seven years ago.

Grenfell Inquiry latest: Man who lost six relatives in Grenfell blaze brands inquiry a ‘joke’

Karim Khalloufi, whose sister Khadija was among the 72 who died, said: “No one has asked me if I wanted this inquiry.”

Speaking at a briefing given by members of a group which supports the next of kin of some of those killed, Mr Kahlloufi said the inquiry had delayed the justice owed to him and other bereaved families.

“Maybe I will die without having justice,” he added.

Members of a support group for the next of kin and families of some the 72 people killed in the Grenfell Tower Fire in 2017 during a press conference at Royal Lancaster.
Pic: PA
Image:
Members of a support group for the next of kin and families of some the 72 people killed in the Grenfell Tower Fire. Pic: PA

Read more:
Grenfell victims: Those who lost their lives in the fire

The Grenfell children who survived the blaze
Grenfell victims likely to wait over a decade for justice

Then prime minister Theresa May announced on 15 June 2017 there would be a public inquiry into the fire which had started the day before.

However, many agree with Mr Kahlloufi that the inquiry delayed potential criminal proceedings.

Hisam Choucair, who lost six family members, said: “This inquiry was forced on us.

“It’s delayed the justice my family deserves.”

Mr Choucair, who lost his mother, his sister and her husband, and their three daughters, said watching witnesses “laugh” while giving evidence during the inquiry “burns me inside”.

👉 Tap here to follow Politics at Jack and Sam’s wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Grenfell survivor Francis Dean also criticised what he called the “seven-year delay to justice” as he and others wait for criminal prosecutions to be brought.

“Since that night I’ve not been the same person, I’m messed up,” he said.

“The government at the time promised us justice. I hope this current government can take up the lead.”

Another victim’s relative told the event he wanted manslaughter charges to be brought, adding “nothing else will do”.

The Metropolitan Police has pledged to go through the report “line by line”, but the bereaved and survivors are facing a lengthy wait to find out whether any criminal charges will be brought.

Read more:
Analysis: Final, fatal link in chain of human failure
Watch: Names of Grenfell victims read aloud

The Crown Prosecution Service has said decisions on potential criminal prosecutions are not expected for another two years.

The prime minister said it is “imperative that there is full accountability” for what happened, “including through the criminal justice process, and that this happens as swiftly as possible”.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, the chair of the inquiry, said: “The simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable, and those who lived in the tower were badly failed over a number of years and in a number of different ways by those who were responsible for ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants.”

The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee will have a special programme on the Grenfell Tower report at 8pm on Sky News

Continue Reading

UK

UK weather: Temperatures could hit 14C this week after fortnight of ‘anticyclonic gloom’

Published

on

By

UK weather: Temperatures could hit 14C this week after fortnight of 'anticyclonic gloom'

Temperatures could hit 14C by the middle of the week after a period of persistent gloom.

The Met Office said people could see sunshine return as soon as Monday in some parts of the country.

It will come as a relief after an “anticyclonic gloom” brought dull skies and bitter weather to much of the country.

The weekend arrived with warnings of sleet, snow and rare freezing rain in parts of England.

Parts of the UK could continue to see snowfall throughout Sunday evening and into Monday – but then things are starting to look up.

The predicted temperatures of 14C by mid-week are well above February’s average, with 6C the usual monthly average in Scotland and 9C in southern England.

This will be a “noticeable shift” after the last fortnight, which was below average, Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said.

Don’t expect the temperatures to break records, though. February’s highest temperature was 21.2C recorded in 2019 in Kew Gardens, Mr Vautrey added.

Read more from Sky News:
BAFTAs 2025 latest: Films stars descend on London

Jockey Michael O’Sullivan dies aged 24 after fall in race

What’s an anticylonic gloom?

An anticylonic gloom happens when “high pressure traps a layer of moisture near to the Earth’s surface”, Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon explains. “That brings a prolonged period of dull and cloudy weather, but with pockets of mist and fog as well.”

Weather producer Jo Robinson says anticyclones typically result in stable, fine weather, often with sunny skies in summer.

Sometimes in autumn and winter, when the sun isn’t as strong, moisture can get trapped in the anticyclone as winds are light.

This brings a layer of cloud near the surface, along with some fog and drizzle.

The cloud can often thicken overnight too as moisture condenses.

It often leads to higher levels of pollution as aerosols also become trapped.

However, some areas could go 10 days without any sunshine, which is “near record-breaking”, Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said.

If Lyneham in Wiltshire remains cloudy on Sunday, it will equal the site’s February record for consecutive days without any sunshine.

More western areas are likely to see some rain during the week, while eastern areas are forecast to stay drier.

Rain and potentially snow are expected in some places, particularly around East Anglia and Lincolnshire over the weekend, and into Scotland towards the beginning of next week.

Mr Morgan said: “We’ve basically got this battleground taking place over this weekend between cold air across Scandinavia and Central Europe, which is affecting eastern parts of the UK, but towards the west is a little bit milder.

“The Atlantic is trying to shift that cold air out of the way, pushing from west to east across the UK, but it’s a very slow process and it will take until the middle of the coming week for conditions to turn much milder nationwide.”

He explained the gloom “dominating” the UK over the last two weeks has been caused by a “large anticyclone”, or high-pressure system, which has been sitting over Scandinavia, bringing cold wind from the east.

“Those cold conditions have picked up a lot of moisture across the Baltic and North seas, and those moist conditions have led to a lot of clouds,” he added.

Continue Reading

UK

Pub landlady describes moments before woman was shot dead on Valentine’s Day

Published

on

By

Pub landlady describes moments before woman was shot dead on Valentine's Day

The landlady of a village pub where a woman was killed on Valentine’s Day has told Sky News the victim was drinking in the pub before she was shot dead in the car park.

Michelle Thomas, who runs The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, said she was printing off menus and preparing for the Valentine’s dinner service when she heard two loud bangs that she initially “thought were fireworks”.

“There was so much commotion – screaming, shouting, crying. People were outside, on their phones. We tried to get people inside the pub to consolidate them.

“People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening”, she said.

Sunday 16/02/2025 GVs from The Three Horseshoes pub in the village of Knockholt, Kent, where a woman was shot on Friday night. 
Ingest 26 NM26 SAF SEVENOAKS PUB SHOOTING MURDER GVS
Image:
Bouquets have been laid near the scene of the shooting


 Sunday 16/02/2025 GVs from The Three Horseshoes pub in the village of Knockholt, Kent, where a woman was shot on Friday night. 
Ingest 26 NM26 SAF SEVENOAKS PUB SHOOTING MURDER GVS
Image:
Cans of Red Bull were also left among the flowers, suggesting a connection with locals

She described how an off-duty firearms officer intervened, calling him “amazing” as he helped get the situation under control following the shooting on Friday.

Around 30 people were at the pub for dinner, while 20 more were in the bar as the incident unfolded just after 7pm.

The pub near Sevenoaks reopened its doors on Sunday, but Ms Thomas said the community is in “absolute shock”.

She said the victim, whose identity has not yet been released, had been to the pub before “mostly in the summer” but “wasn’t a regular”.

Police have said the woman, in her 40s, is believed to have known her attacker.

People laid flowers in the pub’s car park, while the murder investigation continues.

Read more from Sky News:
Austrian suspect motivated by ‘Islamic terrorism’
FBI joins Southport investigation
Irish jockey, 24, dies after fall

Investigators recovered a vehicle linked to the investigation on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which crosses the River Thames in Dartford, roughly 17 miles (27km) away from the scene of the shooting.

Police call handlers had received reports of a man on the wrong side of the barrier of the bridge.

Detective Chief Inspector David Higham said they’re “not ruling out the possibility that he may have entered the water”.

“We are currently only looking for one suspect and do not believe there to be an ongoing risk to the public”, he said.

Laura Trott, Conservative MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley, said she was “devastated” about the shooting. Posting on Facebook she said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends impacted.

“I know our community will be shocked at the news, but this is a live investigation and we must allow the police to do their job.”

Continue Reading

UK

Craig and Lindsay Foreman: British couple detained in Iran are named – as family ‘significantly concerned’

Published

on

By

Craig and Lindsay Foreman: British couple detained in Iran are named - as family 'significantly concerned'

A British couple who have been detained in Iran have been named by their family as Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

The family said they are “significantly concerned” by the “distressing situation”.

According to Ms Foreman’s social media, the couple were on a motorbiking trip across the globe to Australia as part of a positive psychology mission.

On 30 December, she posted about how they were about to face “one of the most challenging” parts of their trip, Iran and Pakistan.

Lindsay Foreman (who along with husband Craig) is being detained in Kerman, Iran. Source: family handout via FCDO
Image:
Lindsay Foreman. Pic: Family handout via FCDO

Craig Foreman (who along with wife Lindsay) are being detained in Kerman, Iran. Source: family handout via FCDO
Image:
Craig Foreman. Pic: Family handout via FCDO

The post reads: “Despite the advice of friends, family, and the FCDO (which strongly advises against travel to Iran for British nationals), we’ve chosen to keep moving forward.

“Why? Because we believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life.

“Yes, we’re aware of the risks. But we also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.”

A screenshot from Ms Foreman's post from Armenia. Pic: Instagram/Lindsay Foreman
Image:
A screenshot from Ms Foreman’s post in Armenia, from where they crossed into Iran. Pic: Instagram/Lindsay Foreman

A screenshot from Ms Foreman's post from Armenia.. Pic: Instagram/Lindsay Foreman
Image:
Ms Foreman appears in her post from Armenia. Pic: Instagram/Lindsay Foreman

In a statement, the couple’s family expressed their concern and said they were engaging with the UK government.

“We would like to take this opportunity to address the distressing situation concerning Craig and Lindsay Foreman who are currently being detained in Kerman, Iran,” they said.

“This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family, and we are deeply focused on ensuring their safety and wellbeing during this trying time.

“We are actively engaging with the British government and relevant authorities, working diligently to navigate the complexities of this matter. The family are united in our determination to secure their safe return.

“We truly appreciate the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community, which has provided us with strength and encouragement as we face this ordeal.”

They added: “Thank you for your understanding, compassion, and continued support.”

Read more from Sky News:
Trump says he and Starmer will meet ‘very soon’
World number one gets three-month tennis ban for doping

A Foreign Office spokesperson earlier said: “We are providing consular assistance to two British nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Iranian state media said on Wednesday that a man and woman were in custody in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman on security-related charges.

The Foreign Office warns that people are at risk of “arrest, detention and a death sentence” if they travel to Iran.

Iran has previously arrested and held British citizens for extended periods of time.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, who are dual British-Iranian citizens, were released in March 2022 after years held captive in Iran.

Continue Reading

Trending