The City of London was warned by the equalities watchdog in August 2025 that its ponds policy was "likely to be unlawful". It didn't tell the public. Now it is spending public money defending that policy in the High Court. Every pound on lawyers is a pound not spent on the Heath. Who signed off on this, and how much is it costing taxpayers?

A different response can make all the difference. If an autistic person goes missing, becomes overwhelmed or struggles to communicate, the way police respond can have a huge impact on what happens next. What might look like non-cooperation could actually be fear, sensory overload or difficulty processing what is being asked. That is why practical training matters. This petition is calling for: ✅ Mandatory accredited autism and learning disability training for police officers ✅ Training on appropriate responses to missing autistic people ✅ Communication cards and sensory bags in police vehicles An officer who understands autism may recognise that the person needs a different approach: more time, fewer instructions, reduced sensory demands and communication adapted to their needs. An officer without that understanding may misinterpret the very same behaviour. Having managed services supporting autistic people, I know that understanding someone's needs isn't an optional extra. It can fundamentally change how you respond to them. And it isn't enough to have attended an awareness session. If you agree, please take a moment to read and sign the petition. ✍️ petition.parliament.uk/petit… #Autism #LearningDisabilities #PoliceTraining #Safeguarding #DisabilityAwareness

Stella Maris has been told to stay away from the university’s campus after an investigation found her behaviour was ‘unprofessional and aggressive’. Maris, a Nigerian-born political activist, was elected by students in 2023 after graduating with a degree in English and philosophy. The 28-year-old, whose unpaid role involved chairing the university’s governing body, sent an email to students after the October 7 massacre by Hamas, accusing the Israeli government of launching “genocidal attacks” and claiming that Palestinians had suffered “apartheid, siege, illegal occupation and collective punishment”. Maris also pointed students towards Electronic Intifada, an online publication that contained an article outlining “the evidence Israel killed its own citizens on October 7”. The university’s Jewish Society claimed she “substantially rewrote” a previous draft of the statement, which they had written together, and was due to be published after the atrocity.

🇬🇧⚓ 30 OCTOBER 1942 THREE HEROES, A SINKING U-BOAT AND A SECRET THAT REMAINED HIDDEN FOR DECADES On this day, 84 years ago, three extraordinarily brave men serving aboard HMS Petard risked their lives to recover secret German codebooks from a sinking submarine. Two would drown that night. The third, a boy of just 16, would tragically lose his life in another act of courage less than three years later. Their bravery helped Britain's codebreakers at Bletchley Park overcome a crucial obstacle in breaking German naval Enigma communications. THREE ORDINARY MEN EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE 🇬🇧 Lieutenant Anthony 'Tony' Fasson, 29, from Jedburgh in Scotland. 🇬🇧 Able Seaman Colin Grazier, 22, from Tamworth, Staffordshire. Colin had married his sweetheart, Olive Green, on 25th July 1942, just two days before leaving to join his ship. They would never celebrate their first wedding anniversary. 🇬🇧 Tommy Brown, just 16, a NAAFI canteen assistant from North Shields. Tommy was actually underage to be serving at sea. On 30 October 1942, HMS Petard and other Allied forces pursued the German submarine U-559 in the Mediterranean, north of Egypt. After hours of depth-charge attacks, the damaged submarine surfaced and its German crew abandoned ship. But it was sinking fast. Fasson and Grazier entered the submarine, desperately searching for codebooks and equipment. Young Tommy Brown helped carry the recovered material to safety. As the submarine filled with water, there was barely time to escape. Then U-559 suddenly disappeared beneath the waves. Fasson and Grazier were still aboard. Neither survived. Tommy Brown escaped with the precious documents. The recovered material was taken to Bletchley Park, where British codebreakers were struggling to decipher German naval communications. It proved instrumental in restoring access to important U-boat messages, helping the Allies protect Atlantic convoys carrying food, fuel, weapons and essential supplies. Their sacrifice contributed to one of the most important intelligence successes of the Second World War. Lieutenant Anthony Fasson George Cross, posthumously. Able Seaman Colin Grazier George Cross, posthumously. Tommy Brown George Medal. But Tommy's story had another heartbreaking chapter. In February 1945, while home on leave, a fire broke out at his family's home in North Shields. Tommy died attempting to save his younger sister, who also lost her life. He was just 18. For decades, the full importance of their actions remained hidden because of the secrecy surrounding Britain's wartime codebreaking operations. Even their families were unable to learn the complete story of what they had achieved. Then, in 1998, journalist Phil Shanahan of the Tamworth Herald began campaigning for a fitting memorial to Colin Grazier. What started as a local campaign grew into a determination to honour all three men. In 2002, a magnificent memorial by sculptor Walenty Pytel was unveiled in St Editha's Square, Tamworth. It features three enormous anchors, linked together, representing Fasson, Grazier and Brown. One anchor for each life. A lasting tribute to three men whose actions helped save countless others. And a reminder of the importance of remembering those whose sacrifices remained unknown for so long. WE REMEMBER THEM TODAY Their names deserve to be known by every generation. 84 years ago today, two gave their lives beneath the Mediterranean. The third survived to carry their story, before losing his own life in 1945. #WeWillRememberThem