Author: Deborah Smith

OnlyFans influencer Bonnie Blue has been charged with outraging public decency following an incident outside the Indonesian embassy in London last December, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed. The 26-year-old, whose real name is Tia Billinger, faces up to six months in prison if convicted. She is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 22 April. The charge relates to an incident on Great Peter Street in Westminster on 15 December last year. A video posted by Billinger at the time showed her holding an Indonesian flag near the country’s official UK residence, before she allegedly performed a lewd gesture.…

A solar power facility capable of generating up to 237.5 megawatts has received government approval following a rapid examination process that met statutory deadlines under planning legislation. Lord Whitehead granted development consent on behalf of the Energy Secretary for the Fenwick Solar Farm, which will install solar photovoltaic generating panels, associated electrical equipment, cabling and energy storage facilities together with grid connection infrastructure. The Planning Inspectorate completed its examination within the statutory timescale established by the Planning Act 2008, marking the 105th energy application out of 173 examined to date to achieve this timeline compliance. Fenwick Solar Project Ltd submitted…

A stark divide has emerged between international online criticism and positive Scottish media coverage of a Glasgow theatre production featuring a Black actress portraying the 15th-century French peasant woman Joan of Arc. Mandipa Kabana, a young Scottish actress from Bathgate, stars in the Citizens Theatre’s adaptation of Saint Joan, which premiered on 14 February. Whilst Scottish outlets including The National, The Herald and The Sunday Post have treated the show positively as an innovative, youthful interpretation of George Bernard Shaw’s classic, viral social media posts have amplified controversy focused on historical accuracy and ethnicity. International accounts on X, including Visegrád…

Buckingham Palace has committed to supporting Thames Valley Police if approached regarding allegations connected to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, as King Charles issued his strongest statement yet on the continuing scandal. A Palace spokesperson confirmed the monarchy stands ready to assist law enforcement as you would expect, whilst emphasizing that specific claims remain matters for Andrew to personally address. The statement comes as Thames Valley Police assess allegations involving the former prince and the convicted sex offender. The spokesperson stated: “The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue…

Thames Valley Police have confirmed they are conducting a review into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s connections with Jeffrey Epstein in a significant development following the latest release of documents related to the convicted paedophile. The force stated it is assessing information regarding allegations that Epstein provided Andrew with a woman for sexual purposes at Royal Lodge in Windsor during 2010. Officers are examining the claims in line with established procedures, though no formal complaint has been lodged. According to US lawyer Brad Edwards, who represents the woman at the centre of the allegations, his client spent the night at the then-prince’s Windsor…

Sarah Ferguson organized a trip to visit convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in the United States just 48 hours after his release from jail, bringing her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with her, newly released documents have revealed. Epstein’s assistant Lesley Groff sent an email on July 24, 2009 requesting approval to purchase flights for the Duchess of York and her two daughters from Heathrow to Miami and from New York back to London. The correspondence, released in the Epstein Files, detailed travel costs totalling nearly $15,000. According to the email, Fergie would fly business class at a cost of…

Medical professionals have secured authority to launch further industrial action over the coming half-year after an overwhelming ballot result, though union leadership has indicated strikes may not be necessary if negotiations progress. British Medical Association members working as resident doctors in England delivered a 93 per cent vote in favour of continued industrial action, with 53 per cent of eligible medics participating in the ballot. Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, emphasised that the mandate does not automatically translate to walkouts. He stated the government has demonstrated an improved approach in recent weeks compared to what…

The mayor of Greater Manchester has launched a stinging attack on Westminster’s political culture, accusing unnamed Labour advisers of dishonesty following his rejection as a parliamentary candidate. Andy Burnham used a BBC Radio Manchester phone-in to denounce what he described as a long-standing practice where individuals “think they can just lie” when briefing journalists. The comments came after Labour blocked his application to stand in the Gorton and Denton byelection. Speaking publicly about the matter for the first time in detail, Burnham drew parallels with treatment of other politicians, referencing similar incidents involving Health Secretary Wes Streeting. He traced the…

The North East of England recorded the steepest regional increase in tuberculosis notifications during 2025, with health officials reporting 42 additional cases representing a 34.1% rise compared to the previous year. The surge contrasts sharply with trends elsewhere in the country, according to provisional data released by the UK Health Security Agency. The West Midlands experienced the largest decline, with 74 fewer notifications marking a 10.4% decrease, whilst five of England’s nine UKHSA regions maintained stable case numbers. Across England, tuberculosis notifications remained broadly steady throughout 2025, with 5,424 people reported compared to 5,487 in 2024. This represents a marginal…

Storm Chandra has forced the closure of facilities at Sandringham Estate whilst Prince Andrew prepares to relocate to a property situated on a designated flood plain just metres away. The King’s Norfolk estate shut its Children’s Play Area on Tuesday as dangerous wind conditions swept across the region. Officials posted a notice advising visitors to exercise extra care when exploring the grounds, though the wider estate remained open to the public. The closure comes as Andrew faces imminent relocation to Marsh Farm, a property located on flood-prone land near the Sandringham estate. His departure from Royal Lodge is expected shortly.…