themanchestereveningnews--2020-07-12--I fought IS after the Manchester bomb - why was I charged with terror offences?

It was in the weeks after the Manchester Arena bomb that Daniel Burke travelled out to Syria to fight against the Islamic State .
The former paratrooper from Wythenshawe , 33 , was one of many proud Mancs horrified when Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured hundreds more by detonating an improvised explosive device as concert-goers left an Ariana Grande gig on May 22 , 2017 .
“ When they attacked Manchester they were actively targeting children , ” Daniel told the M.E.N .
“ Nobody does that , nobody should be attacking children full stop .
And at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own city .
I love Manchester to pieces .
It pulled at my heartstrings.
” Daniel 's decision to join the fight against IS would have dramatic consequences .
He would survive sniper attacks , bomb blasts and infection .
He would lose comrades in arms .
But the most surprising twist came after he returned to the UK - where he found himself arrested , charged with terror offences , and locked up at HMP Wandsworth - where he was wrongly labelled as a jihadi by other prisoners .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Old Bailey following a Crown Prosecution Service review .
It had been alleged he arranged with others to provide money and military equipment for terrorism and engaged in conduct in preparation to commit , prepare or instigate an act of terrorism between October 7 and December 7 last year .
He spent seven months in prison .
With the case now dropped , his lawyers have demanded a more detailed explanation for the decision to offer no evidence in his case .
So far , none has been forthcoming .
But , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take on IS , Daniel believes he unwittingly became embroiled in diplomatic issues between the UK and Turkey .
Now back home with his mum in Baguley and preparing to start a new job at a concrete firm , Daniel told the MEN of the extraordinary saga which began in May 2017 .
On the night of the Manchester terror attack , as the horrific details of the bombing started to emerge , Daniel recalls the flash of panic he felt , worrying that his young cousin had been at the concert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Daniel was so disgusted by the atrocity that he felt compelled to act .
“ By this point I knew terror attacks were getting worse and worse and they seemed to be speeding up , ” he says .
Daniel had post-traumatic stress disorder at that time , and still does .
He joined the the Army in 2007 , serving with the Parachute regiment in Afghanistan the following year , and , while he was prepared to lose friends , he was far less prepared for the impact of war on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan , towards the end of his tour , which left its mark .
While resting up in a village his troops found a lone , possibly orphaned child in an empty house .
“ I really wanted to get this girl back to our base but because we ’ re a fighting unit we can ’ t take anyone with us , ” he says .
“ I talked to the interpreter to see if she could follow us back to the base , about four miles .
“ She walked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to a place called The Gardens where it turns into Jungle .
When we came out the other side , just near our base , I turned around and couldn ’ t see her .
“ There are always rumours that if you help coalition forces the Taliban execute you .
We had been in the girl ’ s house.
” Back home in Manchester , Daniel struggled from witnessing the horrors of war .
He got into a fight and was discharged from the Army in 2009 .
After this he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house and tried to carry on , but he could n't shake the sense he was meant to be a soldier .
Most of all , he wanted to return to the Middle East to help those fighting IS .
So , he applied to join the Kurdish militia group the YPG , or people 's protection units - a Western ally against IS .
The day after the Manchester attack his application was fast-tracked , and within weeks he was back in the Middle East .
After a convoluted journey through Mykonos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel ended up in Kurdish Sulaymaniyah , in Iraq , waiting to be picked up by the YPG .
“ When I got there it was quite frightening , ” he explains .
“ You have to text saying you ’ re on your way and send a picture .
Then phone a number and they send someone to meet you who takes you to a location .
“ At this location a guy came walking out of a hotel with an AK47 and three other blokes .
I put my foot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open it and got the taxi driver round the neck .
I literally thought I was being kidnapped .
“ They pointed further down the road and I saw a white SUV coming towards me with a guy hanging out the window with a picture of me on his phone .
“ I had to give that taxi driver a big tip .
“ Even when I got into the SUV I was a bit dubious .
I was shaken up a bit because it all seems a bit strange , everything is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving at a safe house Daniel met other westerners , including Oliver Hall , who would come to be known as an 'outstanding hero ' , and Daniel Newey .
Months later , the friendship with Mr Newey would be at the heart of the criminal case against Daniel Burke .
But , as the three Britons made the long trip over to a YPG training camp , in Syria , acclimatising to the water , food and heat , they had no ideas of the fates that awaited them .
As things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a YPG unit down to the south of the country .
Meanwhile his friend Oliver , 24 , decided to instead head to Raqqa to clear mines .
There , he was killed , aged just 24 .
“ Ollie wanted to do something to help people and he thought the war was going to end in a matter of days , ” Daniel says .
“ When he died that was a big blow , after that I lost my s*** quite a bit.
” Oliver Hall 's inquest heard , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspired to take on Islamic State by the Manchester attack , like his friend Daniel Burke .
But while Oliver would be described as hero by the coroner , after losing his life , Daniel ended up in jail .
It was mere chance that Daniel Burke did n't die in Syria , as Oliver and so many others did .
In late 2017 , he found himself fighting in the Deir Ezzor region - one of IS ' last strongholds .
Daniel would go back and forth to the front line as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resistance that taking a single house could take days .
“ We lost quite a few blokes in droves of 20 odd people , ” he says .
“ In one instance they killed the majority of people and tortured the rest .
That happened just down the road from us but we didn ’ t know it was going on.
” One exhausting Day , Daniel was knocked unconscious by a car bomb , having failed to do up his chinstrap .
“ The helmet flew off and I smashed my head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend all this money on a helmet and carry it around all the time .
That was stupid.
” But one of his most frightening experiences came during an intense battle in the city of Hajin .
After weeks of fighting , Daniel found himself and his fellow fighters in a single-storey house with no food and no water , surrounded by IS fighters .
“ The sniper fire started to come in and massively intensified , ” he says .
“ We were surrounded by IS .
They were in a high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parapet on the roof , just a small wall.
” He recalls how at one point a grenade hit the house sending shrapnel flying , including a glass splinter which embedded in one of his finger .
“ It got to the point where we ’ d run out of food and water so headaches were getting constant .
It was a fight for survival , '' he says .
The team asked for an air strike and an armoured vehicle to take them away but were instead told it wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best thing you can do is take one round out of your AK47 and put it into your top pocket , so if it comes to it it ’ ll be a suicide round , ” he says .
“ IS were formidable .
They didn ’ t want to die but at the same time they had that fighting head where they didn ’ t care if they did die .
“ I very much wanted to live but wanted to fight for the cause .
It was a dark time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived to relieve Daniel and the others , and Daniel thought he was safe ... before spotting an IS sniper .
“ The sniper started to take potshots at us , ” he says .
“ The rounds had been coming through the wall .
I was trying to find him but he found me first through a little hole in the wall .
“ The bullet bounced off the top of the wall and just skimmed right down the side of my helmet .
I fell on the floor .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deck my mate jumped up and looked through the hole and he fired another round straight through the hole.
” “ I thought I ’ d been shot in the face .
At that point , weirdly I said ‘ Pokemon blue ’ .
I think I was reverting back to a safe place.
” Daniel attributes that strange outburst to his school days , when he would take comfort in a Pokemon game on his Gameboy .
“ It ’ s mad how your brain works , ” he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ splinter caused his finger to swell up and turn septic and he needed urgent medical treatment .
During his time in Syria , Daniel says he photographed and retrieved documents and hard drives that he passed onto the UK counter-terror experts , and maps , which he handed to US special forces .
This information gathering was enough to convince the YPG that Daniel was a British spy and he says he was questioned for days before they were convinced otherwise .
He continued to spend time on the front line , gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he was eventually told to head home after reaching the point of exhaustion .
Daniel spent a few weeks hiking in the Pyrenees before heading back to the UK in 2018 .
But before he could get back to Manchester he was arrested - at Calais - on suspicion of terror offences .
Counter-terrorism officers questioned him , before letting him go .
“ I was expecting it , ” he says .
“ The CTU were just doing their job .
Because people can turn .
I think everyone needs screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He waited eight months for a decision to be taken as to whether he would be prosecuted before the CPS decided it would “ not be in the interests of justice ” to continue with proceedings against him .
Then the diplomatic and military landscape changed .
In October 2019 , President Trump withdrew troops from the northern region of Syria where the US had been supporting Kurdish allies .
This move led to Turkish troops moving in to expel the Kurds - which it regards as terrorists .
Daniel believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
Within weeks of Turkey expelling the Kurds , Daniel Burke was arrested on suspicion of new terror offences in Folkstone .
“ I ’ m not a terrorist ; you know I am not a terrorist , '' he told officers .
`` I have done nothing but fight for this country.
” Daniel has never explicitly been told what the alleged terrorism in the case was supposed to involve , considering that he only ever fought alongside Western allies .
At the time of the arrest he was heading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he says , with the intention of setting up a rehabilitation camp for people affected by PTSD .
He was also considering working with an aid group in Syria , he says , his friend Daniel Newey having already returned to the country .
But as far as the authorities were concerned , Daniel was planning to go back to Syria to fight with Kurdish militia .
And so , in December 2019 , Daniel Burke found himself charged with preparing to return to Syria to fight , assisting Daniel Newey to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offence .
Mr Newey ’ s father Paul and his brother Sam were charged too - Paul accused of funding terrorism by sending £150 to his son Daniel , and Sam with assisting his brother Daniel to prepare for terrorism .
The Neweys were granted bail , but Daniel spent seven months on remand in a single cell at Wandsworth prison where he was locked up for 23 hours a day during the Covid-19 crisis .
All three men were due to face trial until a hearing at the Old Bailey last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop the case following a review .
Daniel is still is struggling to make sense of what happened .
After all that time fighting IS , he says it made him feel 'sick to the stomach ' to be accused of terror offences .
“ ( In Wandsworth on remand ) Someone called me Jihadi Dan - it really p***ed me off , ” he says .
“ He said it as a joke but it caught fire .
It really got to me because Jihadi John is appalling , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Being labelled as a terrorist made me feel sick to my stomach and it made me feel very disappointed in my country.
” Daniel says he never had any intention to return to Syria to fight following the invasion by Turkey - a NATO member .
He admits buying his friend Daniel Newey a ticket - to Barcelona - but says it was to help him 'relax ' .
The prosecution had alleged that Daniel had repeatedly shown his desire to leave the UK to return to Syria in order to fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Newey , it was alleged that Daniel had arranged with others to provide money and military equipment for terrorism and engaged in conduct in preparation to commit , prepare or instigate an act of terrorism between October 7 and December 7 last year .
Daniel believes the case against him was political and would have forced the UK to look at Turkey ’ s treatment of the Kurds .
And his lawyers believe it came after diplomatic pressure on the UK Government from Turkey to treat the Kurdish YPG as 'terrorists ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a more detailed explanation for the decision to offer no evidence .
But the situation is no clearer following another court hearing on Friday ( July 10 ) .
Daniel ’ s lawyers say his treatment flags up a need to review the scope of the definition of 'terrorism ' in UK legislation .
“ Its use in recent cases to prosecute British volunteers fighting against the genocidal activities of proscribed terrorist groups in Syria arguably goes far beyond the intention of Parliament in passing the legislation , and potentially brings the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Paul Newey , of Solihull , has also spoken out after his case was dropped , alongside Daniel Burke 's , telling the PA news agency : “ There was no crime committed because it ’ s not terrorism – because my son ( Daniel Newey ) is not a terrorist .
“ He was there ( in Syria ) fighting with the allied forces against Isis .
“ He was doing the right thing – he has gone to put his life at risk for other people for no gain to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges , he added : “ It was madness , laughable .
It just totally beggars belief.
” The case follows the landmark trial of Aidan James , 29 , from Formby , who was jailed at the Old Bailey last November for training to fight against IS in 2017 .
James was found guilty of training in weapons in Iraq with the terror group the Kurdistan Workers ’ Party ( PKK ) .
But he was cleared of attending a place of terror training with Kurdish YPG units across the border in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquitted because the YPG was working in defence of the Kurdish people against the threat of a lethal and 'genocidal ' Islamic State force , with British support .
Asked about Daniel Burke 's case , a CPS spokesperson said : “ The CPS ’ s function is not to decide whether a person is guilty but to make fair and independent decisions .
“ These are made on a case by case basis in line with our legal test .
Cases are then kept under continuous review .
“ As part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal test for a prosecution is no longer met .
“ We have therefore offered no evidence in the case against Paul and Samuel Newey and Daniel Burke.
” Despite everything , Daniel Burke has no regrets about fighting IS alongside the Kurds .
“ The Kurds are very welcoming , ” he says .
“ The Kurdish people are probably the nicest people I ’ ve met in my life .
For a country that ’ s been at constant war , faced genocide , how they can smile and get through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know .
”

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It was in the weeks after the Manchester Arena bomb that Daniel Burke travelled out to Syria to fight against the Islamic State.
The former paratrooper from Wythenshawe, 33, was one of many proud Mancs horrified when Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured hundreds more by detonating an improvised explosive device as concert-goers left an Ariana Grande gig on May 22, 2017.
“When they attacked Manchester they were actively targeting children,” Daniel told the M.E.N.
“Nobody does that, nobody should be attacking children full stop. And at the same time it happened in my own city. I love Manchester to pieces. It pulled at my heartstrings.”
(Image: Daniel Burke)
Daniel's decision to join the fight against IS would have dramatic consequences. He would survive sniper attacks, bomb blasts and infection. He would lose comrades in arms.
But the most surprising twist came after he returned to the UK - where he found himself arrested, charged with terror offences, and locked up at HMP Wandsworth - where he was wrongly labelled as a jihadi by other prisoners.
Last week, charges against Daniel were dropped at the Old Bailey following a Crown Prosecution Service review.
It had been alleged he arranged with others to provide money and military equipment for terrorism and engaged in conduct in preparation to commit, prepare or instigate an act of terrorism between October 7 and December 7 last year.
He spent seven months in prison.
With the case now dropped, his lawyers have demanded a more detailed explanation for the decision to offer no evidence in his case. So far, none has been forthcoming.
But, having joined a Western-allied Kurdish militia in order to take on IS, Daniel believes he unwittingly became embroiled in diplomatic issues between the UK and Turkey.
Now back home with his mum in Baguley and preparing to start a new job at a concrete firm, Daniel told the MEN of the extraordinary saga which began in May 2017.
On the night of the Manchester terror attack, as the horrific details of the bombing started to emerge, Daniel recalls the flash of panic he felt, worrying that his young cousin had been at the concert.
She was in fact safe, but Daniel was so disgusted by the atrocity that he felt compelled to act.
“By this point I knew terror attacks were getting worse and worse and they seemed to be speeding up,” he says.
(Image: PA)
Daniel had post-traumatic stress disorder at that time, and still does.
He joined the the Army in 2007, serving with the Parachute regiment in Afghanistan the following year, and, while he was prepared to lose friends, he was far less prepared for the impact of war on civilians.
He cites an experience in Afghanistan, towards the end of his tour, which left its mark.
While resting up in a village his troops found a lone, possibly orphaned child in an empty house.
“I really wanted to get this girl back to our base but because we’re a fighting unit we can’t take anyone with us,” he says. “I talked to the interpreter to see if she could follow us back to the base, about four miles.
“She walked with us for quite some time until we got to a place called The Gardens where it turns into Jungle. When we came out the other side, just near our base, I turned around and couldn’t see her.
“There are always rumours that if you help coalition forces the Taliban execute you. We had been in the girl’s house.”
(Image: Daniel Burke)
Back home in Manchester, Daniel struggled from witnessing the horrors of war. He got into a fight and was discharged from the Army in 2009.
After this he got a new job, bought a house and tried to carry on, but he couldn't shake the sense he was meant to be a soldier.
Most of all, he wanted to return to the Middle East to help those fighting IS.
So, he applied to join the Kurdish militia group the YPG, or people's protection units - a Western ally against IS. The day after the Manchester attack his application was fast-tracked, and within weeks he was back in the Middle East.
After a convoluted journey through Mykonos, Athens, Amman, Cairo, Daniel ended up in Kurdish Sulaymaniyah, in Iraq, waiting to be picked up by the YPG.
“When I got there it was quite frightening,” he explains. “You have to text saying you’re on your way and send a picture. Then phone a number and they send someone to meet you who takes you to a location.
“At this location a guy came walking out of a hotel with an AK47 and three other blokes. I put my foot in the door so they couldn’t open it and got the taxi driver round the neck. I literally thought I was being kidnapped.
“They pointed further down the road and I saw a white SUV coming towards me with a guy hanging out the window with a picture of me on his phone.
“I had to give that taxi driver a big tip.
“Even when I got into the SUV I was a bit dubious. I was shaken up a bit because it all seems a bit strange, everything is done through smoke and mirrors.”
(Image: Daniel Burke)
After arriving at a safe house Daniel met other westerners, including Oliver Hall, who would come to be known as an 'outstanding hero', and Daniel Newey. Months later, the friendship with Mr Newey would be at the heart of the criminal case against Daniel Burke.
But, as the three Britons made the long trip over to a YPG training camp, in Syria, acclimatising to the water, food and heat, they had no ideas of the fates that awaited them.
As things turned out, Daniel ended up leading a YPG unit down to the south of the country. Meanwhile his friend Oliver, 24, decided to instead head to Raqqa to clear mines. There, he was killed, aged just 24.
“Ollie wanted to do something to help people and he thought the war was going to end in a matter of days,” Daniel says.
“When he died that was a big blow, after that I lost my s*** quite a bit.”
Oliver Hall's inquest heard, in June 2018, that he had been inspired to take on Islamic State by the Manchester attack, like his friend Daniel Burke. But while Oliver would be described as hero by the coroner, after losing his life, Daniel ended up in jail.
(Image: Daniel Burke)
It was mere chance that Daniel Burke didn't die in Syria, as Oliver and so many others did.
In late 2017, he found himself fighting in the Deir Ezzor region - one of IS' last strongholds.
Daniel would go back and forth to the front line as ISIS fighters put up such a strong resistance that taking a single house could take days.
“We lost quite a few blokes in droves of 20 odd people,” he says. “In one instance they killed the majority of people and tortured the rest. That happened just down the road from us but we didn’t know it was going on.”
One exhausting Day, Daniel was knocked unconscious by a car bomb, having failed to do up his chinstrap.
“The helmet flew off and I smashed my head,” he says. “You spend all this money on a helmet and carry it around all the time. That was stupid.”
But one of his most frightening experiences came during an intense battle in the city of Hajin.
After weeks of fighting, Daniel found himself and his fellow fighters in a single-storey house with no food and no water, surrounded by IS fighters.
(Image: Daniel Burke)
“The sniper fire started to come in and massively intensified,” he says.
“We were surrounded by IS. They were in a high rise building. We just had a parapet on the roof, just a small wall.”
He recalls how at one point a grenade hit the house sending shrapnel flying, including a glass splinter which embedded in one of his finger.
“It got to the point where we’d run out of food and water so headaches were getting constant. It was a fight for survival," he says.
The team asked for an air strike and an armoured vehicle to take them away but were instead told it wouldn’t be possible.
“They said the best thing you can do is take one round out of your AK47 and put it into your top pocket, so if it comes to it it’ll be a suicide round,” he says.
“IS were formidable. They didn’t want to die but at the same time they had that fighting head where they didn’t care if they did die.
“I very much wanted to live but wanted to fight for the cause. It was a dark time in that house.”
Eventually the YPG troops arrived to relieve Daniel and the others, and Daniel thought he was safe...before spotting an IS sniper.
“The sniper started to take potshots at us,” he says. “The rounds had been coming through the wall. I was trying to find him but he found me first through a little hole in the wall.
“The bullet bounced off the top of the wall and just skimmed right down the side of my helmet. I fell on the floor.
“The most terrifying part was after I hit the deck my mate jumped up and looked through the hole and he fired another round straight through the hole.”
“I thought I’d been shot in the face. At that point, weirdly I said ‘Pokemon blue’. I think I was reverting back to a safe place.”
(Image: Daniel Burke)
Daniel attributes that strange outburst to his school days, when he would take comfort in a Pokemon game on his Gameboy.
“It’s mad how your brain works,” he says.
Incredibly he survived. But the glass splinter caused his finger to swell up and turn septic and he needed urgent medical treatment.
During his time in Syria, Daniel says he photographed and retrieved documents and hard drives that he passed onto the UK counter-terror experts, and maps, which he handed to US special forces.
This information gathering was enough to convince the YPG that Daniel was a British spy and he says he was questioned for days before they were convinced otherwise.
He continued to spend time on the front line, gathered more information and worked as a medic before he was eventually told to head home after reaching the point of exhaustion.
(Image: Daniel Burke)
Daniel spent a few weeks hiking in the Pyrenees before heading back to the UK in 2018.
But before he could get back to Manchester he was arrested - at Calais - on suspicion of terror offences. Counter-terrorism officers questioned him, before letting him go.
“I was expecting it,” he says.
“The CTU were just doing their job. Because people can turn. I think everyone needs screening when they come back to the UK."
He waited eight months for a decision to be taken as to whether he would be prosecuted before the CPS decided it would “not be in the interests of justice” to continue with proceedings against him.
Then the diplomatic and military landscape changed.
In October 2019, President Trump withdrew troops from the northern region of Syria where the US had been supporting Kurdish allies.
This move led to Turkish troops moving in to expel the Kurds - which it regards as terrorists.
Daniel believe these developments led to him being locked up.
Follow reporter Beth Abbit on social media To follow Beth on Twitter, click here Or to like her Facebook page and keep up to with the latest news, click here Here's the link to the M.E.N's main Facebook page where we share our latest stories.
Within weeks of Turkey expelling the Kurds, Daniel Burke was arrested on suspicion of new terror offences in Folkstone.
“I’m not a terrorist; you know I am not a terrorist," he told officers. "I have done nothing but fight for this country.”
Daniel has never explicitly been told what the alleged terrorism in the case was supposed to involve, considering that he only ever fought alongside Western allies.
At the time of the arrest he was heading to Spain, having bought land near Barcelona, he says, with the intention of setting up a rehabilitation camp for people affected by PTSD.
He was also considering working with an aid group in Syria, he says, his friend Daniel Newey having already returned to the country.
But as far as the authorities were concerned, Daniel was planning to go back to Syria to fight with Kurdish militia.
And so, in December 2019, Daniel Burke found himself charged with preparing to return to Syria to fight, assisting Daniel Newey to do so, and a terror funding offence.
(Image: PA)
Mr Newey’s father Paul and his brother Sam were charged too - Paul accused of funding terrorism by sending £150 to his son Daniel, and Sam with assisting his brother Daniel to prepare for terrorism.
The Neweys were granted bail, but Daniel spent seven months on remand in a single cell at Wandsworth prison where he was locked up for 23 hours a day during the Covid-19 crisis.
All three men were due to face trial until a hearing at the Old Bailey last week when the Crown Prosecution Service decided to drop the case following a review.
Daniel is still is struggling to make sense of what happened.
After all that time fighting IS, he says it made him feel 'sick to the stomach' to be accused of terror offences.
“(In Wandsworth on remand) Someone called me Jihadi Dan - it really p***ed me off,” he says. “He said it as a joke but it caught fire. It really got to me because Jihadi John is appalling, he’s the worst of the worst.
“Being labelled as a terrorist made me feel sick to my stomach and it made me feel very disappointed in my country.”
Daniel says he never had any intention to return to Syria to fight following the invasion by Turkey - a NATO member. He admits buying his friend Daniel Newey a ticket - to Barcelona - but says it was to help him 'relax'.
The prosecution had alleged that Daniel had repeatedly shown his desire to leave the UK to return to Syria in order to fight for Kurdish militia.
As well as assisting Daniel Newey, it was alleged that Daniel had arranged with others to provide money and military equipment for terrorism and engaged in conduct in preparation to commit, prepare or instigate an act of terrorism between October 7 and December 7 last year.
Daniel believes the case against him was political and would have forced the UK to look at Turkey’s treatment of the Kurds. And his lawyers believe it came after diplomatic pressure on the UK Government from Turkey to treat the Kurdish YPG as 'terrorists'.
Defence barristers have asked the CPS for a more detailed explanation for the decision to offer no evidence. But the situation is no clearer following another court hearing on Friday (July 10).
Daniel’s lawyers say his treatment flags up a need to review the scope of the definition of 'terrorism' in UK legislation.
“Its use in recent cases to prosecute British volunteers fighting against the genocidal activities of proscribed terrorist groups in Syria arguably goes far beyond the intention of Parliament in passing the legislation, and potentially brings the law into disrepute,” they say.
Paul Newey, of Solihull, has also spoken out after his case was dropped, alongside Daniel Burke's, telling the PA news agency: “There was no crime committed because it’s not terrorism – because my son (Daniel Newey) is not a terrorist.
“He was there (in Syria) fighting with the allied forces against Isis.
“He was doing the right thing – he has gone to put his life at risk for other people for no gain to himself.”
On the decision to press charges, he added: “It was madness, laughable. It just totally beggars belief.”
(Image: PA)
The case follows the landmark trial of Aidan James, 29, from Formby, who was jailed at the Old Bailey last November for training to fight against IS in 2017.
James was found guilty of training in weapons in Iraq with the terror group the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
But he was cleared of attending a place of terror training with Kurdish YPG units across the border in Syria.
The court heard he was acquitted because the YPG was working in defence of the Kurdish people against the threat of a lethal and 'genocidal' Islamic State force, with British support.
Asked about Daniel Burke's case, a CPS spokesperson said: “The CPS’s function is not to decide whether a person is guilty but to make fair and independent decisions.
“These are made on a case by case basis in line with our legal test. Cases are then kept under continuous review.
“As part of that responsibility, we have concluded our legal test for a prosecution is no longer met.
“We have therefore offered no evidence in the case against Paul and Samuel Newey and Daniel Burke.”
Despite everything, Daniel Burke has no regrets about fighting IS alongside the Kurds.
“The Kurds are very welcoming,” he says. “The Kurdish people are probably the nicest people I’ve met in my life. For a country that’s been at constant war, faced genocide, how they can smile and get through day to day life I don’t know.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-07-12--Man United great Ferdinand explains how Bruno Fernandes has improved Paul Pogba

Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has spoken glowingly about the influence that Bruno Fernandes has had on Paul Pogba .
Fernandes signed from Sporting Lisbon in January and has made a huge impact on a United side now fighting hard to finish in the Premier League top four .
Pogba initially did n't feel the benefit of playing alongside Fernandes due to injury but their combination has been impressive since the restart .
United again made a strong statement last Thursday by dispatching Aston Villa in a 3-0 win , with Fernandes assisting Pogba 's neatly-placed goal from outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portuguese international .
Ferdinand has praised Fernandes on several occasions since his arrival at Old Trafford and he was at it again when speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live .
The former United defender told the BBC : `` He 'd ( Pogba ) have been licking his lips in the training ground listening to the lads .
`` What happens is , the boys come off the training pitch and they are talking about 'the new signing , he 's unbelievable , he 's this , he 's that ' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' I want to see this , I want to see if this is the truth , if he 's really this good and I believe I 'll be able to play with him ' .
`` Paul has come in and had a new lease of life where he does n't feel as though all the responsibility in terms of the creative aspect is about him and has to go through him - I think that was a big burden on him . ''

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Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has spoken glowingly about the influence that Bruno Fernandes has had on Paul Pogba.
Fernandes signed from Sporting Lisbon in January and has made a huge impact on a United side now fighting hard to finish in the Premier League top four.
Pogba initially didn't feel the benefit of playing alongside Fernandes due to injury but their combination has been impressive since the restart.
United again made a strong statement last Thursday by dispatching Aston Villa in a 3-0 win, with Fernandes assisting Pogba's neatly-placed goal from outside the box after a clever corner from the Portuguese international.
Ferdinand has praised Fernandes on several occasions since his arrival at Old Trafford and he was at it again when speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live.
The former United defender told the BBC: "He'd (Pogba) have been licking his lips in the training ground listening to the lads.
"What happens is, the boys come off the training pitch and they are talking about 'the new signing, he's unbelievable, he's this, he's that'.
"Paul will have been sat there thinking, 'I want to see this, I want to see if this is the truth, if he's really this good and I believe I'll be able to play with him'.
"Paul has come in and had a new lease of life where he doesn't feel as though all the responsibility in terms of the creative aspect is about him and has to go through him - I think that was a big burden on him."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-07-12--The teenage crimewave that made it seem like law and order had broken down

Two teenagers have been locked up for their part in a crime wave which made it appear as if there had been 'almost a complete breakdown in law and order in north and east Manchester ' .
The pair showed 'complete disregard ' for the police and thought they were 'above the law ' , a judge said .
They ran amok , terrorising residents in areas such as Newton Heath , Harpurhey , Moston and Collyhurst .
Kyron Blackley , 18 , from Harpurhey , committed 41 offences during a period of around nine months last year .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , machete or hammer were used .
The victim of one incident - a disabled man - considered ending his own life .
Another , a Deliveroo rider who sought refuge in the UK , now wants to leave the country .
Blackley and his associates 'bragged ' about their crimes on Snapchat .
During one incident , he kicked an elderly man in the face before turning to the camera and laughing .
The judge said ' a message had to be sent ' that long prison sentences would follow for such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he sent Blackley down for nine years .
A 16 year-old boy , who can not be named for legal reasons , was sentenced to five years .
Manchester Crown Court heard the first robbery happened in June last year .
A man who worked at the Manchester Arena in the city centre was riding his Honda motorbike home when he realised he was being followed by a black Citroen , Maria Brannan , prosecuting said .
After pulling up outside his home in Whitefield , three people got out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nine-inch knife as one of the gang said to him 'give me your f*****g keys ' , forcing him to flee into his back garden .
CCTV showed the 16-year-old had been the driver and that Blackley had pushed away the bike .
The following month , on July 11 , a disabled man and his friend were robbed at knifepoint near a cash point in Newton Heath at around midnight by Blackley , the 16-year-old and an unknown male .
The 52-year-old was pushed against a wall and had his walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ female friend were threatened by Blackley , who brandished a knife , and the 16-year-old , who was holding a set of bolt croppers as they ordered them to hand over all their money .
The pair took £190 in cash from the woman and £20 and a mobile phone from the man .
In a powerful victim impact statement , the man said he had considered taking his own life , but was given incredible support by police .
`` I have just felt terrible , due to the fact I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself from these thugs , '' he said , adding that he was now too scared to go out .
In another incident in July , Blackley was filmed jumping on the roof of a private hire taxi in Newton Heath .
The court was told a taxi firm in the Old Church Street area had experienced 'constant issues ' with youths hanging around outside their office .
On July 13 , a private hire driver had something thrown at his vehicle by a group who had congregated in the early hours of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked , he drove around the corner and filmed a group of youths , led by Blackley , surrounding one of his colleague 's cars and damaging it .
Blackley , who had jumped on the roof , was the 'main culprit ' and was 'egging on ' the others .
On July 29 , Blackley and the 16-year-old were part of a group of between 10 and 12 yobs who attacked three moped riders and tried to steal their bikes .
Blackley , on an old-style Triumph bike , tried to ram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before a man was set upon .
He had to be taken to hospital after being hit over the head and legs with a hammer during the attempted robbery at the junction of Briscoe Lane and Alan Turing Way near the Etihad Stadium .
None of the bikes were stolen as firefighters from the nearby Phillips Park station came out and intervened - and the group drove off .
On August 16 , despite having already been hauled to court and released on bail , Blackley was involved in the robbing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop off on his Honda moped on Dalton Street in Collyhurst .
Blackley was a passenger in a car which pulled up alongside the victim .
He leaned out of the window and pushed the worker off his vehicle .
A struggle followed , during which the man was hit over the head with a machete , causing a dent in his helmet .
Blackley then rode off on his moped .
In a victim impact statement , the man - from war-torn Eritrea - said he had come to the UK via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had his home burgled and he has been robbed twice .
`` Despite all I have been through , this was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life , '' he said .
`` I came here for a better life , to work hard , and to be safe .
`` But I am going to return to Uganda as I am just not safe here .
I have been left with nothing . ''
Blackley , who was 17 at the time , also stole a car from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was repeatedly seen by officers driving cars and motorbikes around north Manchester , despite not having a licence or insurance - in some cases leading officers on dangerous pursuits .
Blackley , of Thorntree Close , Harpurhey , denied three counts of robbery , but was found guilty after two trials .
At previous hearings he admitted another count of robbery ; attempted robbery ; possession of an offensive weapon ; threatening behaviour ; assault ; affray ; theft ; handling stolen goods ; two counts of vehicle taking ; driving without due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving without a licence ; and 13 of driving without insurance .
He was banned from driving for a decade .
The 16-year-old was also convicted of three counts of robbery after a trial .
At earlier hearings , he admitted attempted robbery ; two counts of burglary ; going equipped ; three counts of vehicle taking ; handling stolen goods ; witness intimidation ; two counts of driving without a licence ; and two of driving without insurance .
He was banned from driving for seven years .
Adam Lodge , defending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 'young man determined to turn his life around ' .
Martin Callery , defending Blackley , admitted the offences were 'despicable , cowardly and had 'frightened the community ' .
`` The defendant gave no thought whatsoever to the community of Manchester , '' he said .
`` However , if the people of the areas that he plagued knew something more about him , they might conclude his involvement in these offences was born out of a combination of factors that relate to him personally . ''
Mr Callery said Blackley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young age and , due to a disrupted education , had the cognitive and verbal age of a 10 to 12 year-old .
He said that when he became a teenager , he left his foster family in Stoke-on-Trent and sought out his birth mother in Manchester .
She was 'unable to provide parental navigation ' .
`` As a 16 and 17-year-old , he sought approval and fraternity in other local young males whom were both chronologically and intellectually older than him and he became involved in these offences as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his client was 'vulnerable to peer influence ' .
A judge told Blackley he had 'chosen a life of crime ' .
Judge Anthony Cross QC said : `` This is no ordinary case .
`` From January 2019 to September last year , individually and collectively you two , and a significant number of other youths and young men , were responsible for what must have given the appearance of an almost complete breakdown in law and order in north and east Manchester .
`` Dishonesty , armed violence – you showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the communities in which you lived resulting in serious harm being caused to those communities .
`` Harm to the very many law abiding people of those areas .
`` However , this is about much more than that .
It 's not just about those who were subjected to attack by you , but others whose lives have been affected .
`` The skilled men and women who lost their tools .
The people who lived in blocks of flats whose motorbikes were stolen by masked men .
`` The public would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have felt all law and order had broken down .
`` Kyron Blackley , you were seen driving high-powered motor-vehicles through the streets , believing you were above the law .
`` It 's true you had a terrible and difficult start to life .
Your family background is distressing .
`` But you had other options open to you .
You chose a life of crime .
`` You are no stranger to these courts .
You are at high-risk of re-offending , which is no surprise given your association with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit to publicise your unlawful acts on Snapchat and the like in order to brag about it to others .
`` Well now a different message must be conveyed to you and your associates - if you commit serious crimes , then serious sentences will follow . ''

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Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
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Two teenagers have been locked up for their part in a crime wave which made it appear as if there had been 'almost a complete breakdown in law and order in north and east Manchester'.
The pair showed 'complete disregard' for the police and thought they were 'above the law', a judge said.
They ran amok, terrorising residents in areas such as Newton Heath, Harpurhey, Moston and Collyhurst.
Kyron Blackley, 18, from Harpurhey, committed 41 offences during a period of around nine months last year.
These included four robberies in which a knife, machete or hammer were used. The victim of one incident - a disabled man - considered ending his own life.
Another, a Deliveroo rider who sought refuge in the UK, now wants to leave the country.
Blackley and his associates 'bragged' about their crimes on Snapchat. During one incident, he kicked an elderly man in the face before turning to the camera and laughing.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The judge said 'a message had to be sent' that long prison sentences would follow for such offences - 'regardless of age' - as he sent Blackley down for nine years.
A 16 year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to five years.
Manchester Crown Court heard the first robbery happened in June last year.
A man who worked at the Manchester Arena in the city centre was riding his Honda motorbike home when he realised he was being followed by a black Citroen, Maria Brannan, prosecuting said.
After pulling up outside his home in Whitefield, three people got out of the car. The man was threatened with a nine-inch knife as one of the gang said to him 'give me your f*****g keys', forcing him to flee into his back garden.
CCTV showed the 16-year-old had been the driver and that Blackley had pushed away the bike.
The following month, on July 11, a disabled man and his friend were robbed at knifepoint near a cash point in Newton Heath at around midnight by Blackley, the 16-year-old and an unknown male.
The 52-year-old was pushed against a wall and had his walking stick kicked away.
He and his female friend were threatened by Blackley, who brandished a knife, and the 16-year-old, who was holding a set of bolt croppers as they ordered them to hand over all their money.
(Image: M.E.N.)
The pair took £190 in cash from the woman and £20 and a mobile phone from the man.
In a powerful victim impact statement, the man said he had considered taking his own life, but was given incredible support by police.
"I have just felt terrible, due to the fact I was so defenceless and was unable to protect myself from these thugs," he said, adding that he was now too scared to go out.
In another incident in July, Blackley was filmed jumping on the roof of a private hire taxi in Newton Heath.
The court was told a taxi firm in the Old Church Street area had experienced 'constant issues' with youths hanging around outside their office.
On July 13, a private hire driver had something thrown at his vehicle by a group who had congregated in the early hours of the morning.
Fearing he would be attacked, he drove around the corner and filmed a group of youths, led by Blackley, surrounding one of his colleague's cars and damaging it.
Blackley, who had jumped on the roof, was the 'main culprit' and was 'egging on' the others.
On July 29, Blackley and the 16-year-old were part of a group of between 10 and 12 yobs who attacked three moped riders and tried to steal their bikes.
Blackley, on an old-style Triumph bike, tried to ram one of the riders off the road, before a man was set upon.
He had to be taken to hospital after being hit over the head and legs with a hammer during the attempted robbery at the junction of Briscoe Lane and Alan Turing Way near the Etihad Stadium.
None of the bikes were stolen as firefighters from the nearby Phillips Park station came out and intervened - and the group drove off.
On August 16, despite having already been hauled to court and released on bail, Blackley was involved in the robbing of a Deliveroo rider as he made a drop off on his Honda moped on Dalton Street in Collyhurst.
Blackley was a passenger in a car which pulled up alongside the victim. He leaned out of the window and pushed the worker off his vehicle.
A struggle followed, during which the man was hit over the head with a machete, causing a dent in his helmet. Blackley then rode off on his moped.
In a victim impact statement, the man - from war-torn Eritrea - said he had come to the UK via Uganda as a refugee 11-years-ago. He has had his home burgled and he has been robbed twice.
(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
"Despite all I have been through, this was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life," he said.
"I came here for a better life, to work hard, and to be safe.
"But I am going to return to Uganda as I am just not safe here. I have been left with nothing."
Blackley, who was 17 at the time, also stole a car from outside a garage in Moston. He was repeatedly seen by officers driving cars and motorbikes around north Manchester, despite not having a licence or insurance - in some cases leading officers on dangerous pursuits.
Blackley, of Thorntree Close, Harpurhey, denied three counts of robbery, but was found guilty after two trials.
At previous hearings he admitted another count of robbery; attempted robbery; possession of an offensive weapon; threatening behaviour; assault; affray; theft; handling stolen goods; two counts of vehicle taking; driving without due care and attention; 10 charges of driving without a licence; and 13 of driving without insurance.
He was banned from driving for a decade.
The 16-year-old was also convicted of three counts of robbery after a trial.
(Image: Getty Images)
At earlier hearings, he admitted attempted robbery; two counts of burglary; going equipped; three counts of vehicle taking; handling stolen goods; witness intimidation; two counts of driving without a licence; and two of driving without insurance.
He was banned from driving for seven years.
Adam Lodge, defending the 16 year-old, said he was a 'young man determined to turn his life around'.
Martin Callery, defending Blackley, admitted the offences were 'despicable, cowardly and had 'frightened the community'.
"The defendant gave no thought whatsoever to the community of Manchester," he said.
"However, if the people of the areas that he plagued knew something more about him, they might conclude his involvement in these offences was born out of a combination of factors that relate to him personally."
Mr Callery said Blackley was taken into foster care at a young age and, due to a disrupted education, had the cognitive and verbal age of a 10 to 12 year-old.
He said that when he became a teenager, he left his foster family in Stoke-on-Trent and sought out his birth mother in Manchester. She was 'unable to provide parental navigation'.
"As a 16 and 17-year-old, he sought approval and fraternity in other local young males whom were both chronologically and intellectually older than him and he became involved in these offences as a result," Mr Callery said, adding his client was 'vulnerable to peer influence'.
A judge told Blackley he had 'chosen a life of crime'.
Judge Anthony Cross QC said: "This is no ordinary case.
Greater Manchester court cases We have a dedicated Facebook group covering court cases across Greater Manchester. For all the latest trial coverage and sentencing join the group here. To download our app to get all the latest news visit here.
"From January 2019 to September last year, individually and collectively you two, and a significant number of other youths and young men, were responsible for what must have given the appearance of an almost complete breakdown in law and order in north and east Manchester.
"Dishonesty, armed violence – you showed a complete disregard for the police and the communities in which you lived resulting in serious harm being caused to those communities.
"Harm to the very many law abiding people of those areas.
"However, this is about much more than that. It's not just about those who were subjected to attack by you, but others whose lives have been affected.
"The skilled men and women who lost their tools. The people who lived in blocks of flats whose motorbikes were stolen by masked men.
"The public would have seen much of their lawlessness and would have felt all law and order had broken down.
"Kyron Blackley, you were seen driving high-powered motor-vehicles through the streets, believing you were above the law.
"It's true you had a terrible and difficult start to life. Your family background is distressing.
"But you had other options open to you. You chose a life of crime.
"You are no stranger to these courts. You are at high-risk of re-offending, which is no surprise given your association with gangs and machetes.
"You saw fit to publicise your unlawful acts on Snapchat and the like in order to brag about it to others.
"Well now a different message must be conveyed to you and your associates - if you commit serious crimes, then serious sentences will follow."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-07-12--The story behind the statue of the Rochdale radical who helped change the world

The toppling of slave trader Edward Colston ’ s statue in Bristol - and subsequent dunk in the city ’ s harbour - has sparked an angry debate about the nation ’ s monuments .
Oriel College , at Oxford University , wants to take down its controversial effigy of Cecil Rhodes , while there are also calls to get rid of tributes to the colonialist Robert Clive in London and Shrewsbury .
There have even been demands to rename Liverpool ’ s Penny Lane - famously immortalised in The Beatles song - on the seemingly erroneous grounds it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But while councils across the country undertake reviews of their statues in the wake of anti-racism protests , sculptures of one historical Greater Manchester figure are unlikely to feature on any campaigner ’ s hitlist .
John Bright was a Rochdale mill owner and Liberal MP for Manchester between 1847 and 1857 .
Perhaps best known for his role in abolishing the Corn Laws he was also famously anti-slavery and a profound influence on US president Abraham Lincoln .
In fact such was his impact on Lincoln that a long-standing testimonial from Bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln ’ s pocket after his assassination .
Statues of Bright can be found at Rochdale ’ s Broadfield Park , Albert Square in Manchester , and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery .
The Rochdale-born radical was a Quaker whose religious views shaped his pacifism and opposition to the slave trade .
He was said by Historian AJP Taylor to have done ‘ more than any other man ’ to prevent Britain intervening on the side of the pro-slavery South during the American Civil War .
Dr Mike Brennan - a retired Rochdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depth - says his campaigning methods were threefold .
As might be expected given his reputation as a great orator , these included speeches as an MP and at large public events , as well as publishing his views in pamphlets and books .
“ Also remember that accounts of his parliamentary work reached the pages of every local and national paper in the 19th century , ” adds Dr Brennan .
“ They provided ready-made copy and were a central feature of the news .
In Rochdale there were two major papers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rochdale Observer , a liberal paper and the Rochdale Times , a Tory paper .
The depths of the accounts depended on which of them was reporting !
” The cotton trade was hugely important to Lancashire during the 1860s and much of the county depended on the industry ’ s survival .
During the American Civil War , a naval blockade of Confederate ports caused a shortage of cotton supplies leading to mass unemployment , poverty and hardship .
But support for Abraham Lincoln - who pledged to end the Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm among workers in the area .
Rochdale ’ s loyalty to the North owed much to Bright ’ s speeches , but it was also to its liberal traditions and strong links to the Co-operative movement and Chartism .
The town ’ s famous Cotton Famine Road was built at this time after campaigners successfully lobbied for the 1863 Public Works Act , allowing leaders to fund vital civic improvements .
In a letter to Republican senator Charles Sumner - through whom he made his connection with Lincoln - Bright wrote ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the South ’ .
Their support was made clear at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in December 1862 , where workers who had been influenced by Bright , pledged their full support to the president .
Bright drew parallels with the oppression of black slaves in the United States and Britain ’ s working class , but his benevolence as an employer has been questioned .
Despite his reputation as a champion of the oppressed , Bright opposed factory legislation , trade unions and social reform , while workers at his mills lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slums .
“ The conditions of all the mill workers was poor , ” says Dr Brennan .
“ The Bright mills were located just off Whitworth Road and a quarter of a mile away was the ‘ Gank ’ a notorious slum which comes out into the town centre through Toad Lane , another famous place in Rochdale .
“ The population of the town rose from roughly 40,000 in 1801 to 120,000 in 1861 yet the housing occupied much the same boundaries .
That is not to say that this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a borough in 1856 was the town able to start to address these issues.
” At the time of the Cotton Famine Bright also advocated giving the poor loans , rather than donations , to help them , and argued the same to the Poor Law Commissioners .
“ It was a case of “ The prophet is not without honour except in his own country , ” says Dr Brennan .
“ He was proposed as the candidate for MP by the local Liberal Association in the 1840 ’ s but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by William Sharman Crawford , a very Radical MP endorsed by the Chartists.
” However he was not indifferent to the suffering of his workers .
In December 1862 he wrote to his friend Sumner asking , ‘ if a few cargoes of flour could come , say 50,000 barrels , as a gift from persons in your Northern States to the Lancashire working men ’ .
But while his position as a mill owner may always have coloured people ’ s view of him in Rochdale , by the standards of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most .
“ He was opposed to the concept of slavery which saw a person as a possession , not a human who could be bought , sold , and even killed within the laws as they stood at the time , ” adds Dr Brennan .
“ That was not the case with mill workers , and very few mill owners would have had a different view , even men like John Fielden , the Todmorden mill owner and factory reformer who was the MP for Oldham from 1832 till 1848.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stance on extending the vote - writing against women ’ s suffrage and refusing to join the more forward-thinking Chartists .
Meanwhile , Dr Brennan 's research has found that Bright ’ s name rarely appears in published contributions to the Cotton Famine Relief Fund , although this could be due to his religious beliefs .
“ Charity was done quietly , using the old Gospel maxim of not letting the left hand know what the right was doing , ” the local historian said .
However , neither did the names of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town , who generally kept their charity work quiet and did not want to enter a sort of ‘ giving competition ’ .
Born in 1811 , John Bright inherited the family business with his two brothers Jacob and Thomas , following their father ’ s retirement , although it was the latter who ran the Fieldhouse mills .
Although he entered the cotton industry at 16 , John was more politically minded , and cut his teeth both as a writer and speaker in the campaign against a church tax in Rochdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His opponent was the Reverend William Hay , Vicar of Rochdale and the magistrate who read the Riot Act at Peterloo .
From there , Bright moved on to the regional stage with speeches in Manchester , becoming one of the main figures as the campaign against the church tax built .
His friendship with Richard Cobden - with whom he formed the Anti-Corn Law League - comes from this time , and it was Bright who persuaded Cobden to stand as MP for Rochdale in the 1860 ’ s .
Bright was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Manchester ’ s MP due to his stance on the Crimean War .
His frustration over his failure to stop the conflict also triggered a severe nervous breakdown .
However within a few months of his defeat he was elected as MP for Birmingham , a position he held for the rest of his life .
Bright also served as MP for Durham between 1843 and 1847 .
His distant relative , the veteran MP Bill Cash , published a biography on him entitled John Bright : Statesman , Orator , Agitator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cabinet , Cash believes the ‘ staggering amount ’ he achieved during his lifetime may have been overlooked as he was never prime minister himself .
Speaking ahead of the book ’ s publication , he said Bright had won every campaign he fought - from the repeal of the Corn Laws to taking on the aristocracy in Ireland and pushing for fairer treatment in the colonies of India .
He also successfully agitated for Parliamentary reform and promoted free-trade and religious freedom , as well as coining phrases such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the mother of all parliaments ' .
Dr Brennan says while his place in the town ’ s history is assured , that particular claim is open to debate .
Thomas Livesey , another mill-owning radical could lay claim to that epithet - a lifelong Chartist whose funeral in 1864 was attended by the entire council and more than 40,000 members of the public .
He and Bright had a somewhat ambivalent relationship .
Bright described him as a ‘ diamond though somewhat rough cut ’ .
And Livesey , when asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied ‘ Aye , if they can ’ t find anyone better ' .
But in an era where debate is raging over monuments to slave traders and imperialists , could Bright ’ s legacy as a radical social reformer be ripe for a revival ?
“ Bright ’ s statue should stay because he put the town on the national and international map , ” says Dr Brennan .
“ He was a committed pacifist and utterly opposed to the institution of slavery .
Livesey did the work in the town , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few statues and I would not like to lose one , mainly as that would leave us in the hands of Dame Gracie Fields .
She spent even less time in the town than Bright did , so he must stay !
”

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The toppling of slave trader Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol - and subsequent dunk in the city’s harbour - has sparked an angry debate about the nation’s monuments.
Oriel College, at Oxford University, wants to take down its controversial effigy of Cecil Rhodes, while there are also calls to get rid of tributes to the colonialist Robert Clive in London and Shrewsbury.
There have even been demands to rename Liverpool’s Penny Lane - famously immortalised in The Beatles song - on the seemingly erroneous grounds it was named after slave-ship owner James Penny.
But while councils across the country undertake reviews of their statues in the wake of anti-racism protests, sculptures of one historical Greater Manchester figure are unlikely to feature on any campaigner’s hitlist.
John Bright was a Rochdale mill owner and Liberal MP for Manchester between 1847 and 1857.
Perhaps best known for his role in abolishing the Corn Laws he was also famously anti-slavery and a profound influence on US president Abraham Lincoln.
In fact such was his impact on Lincoln that a long-standing testimonial from Bright calling for his re-election was found in Lincoln’s pocket after his assassination.
Statues of Bright can be found at Rochdale’s Broadfield Park, Albert Square in Manchester, and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
The Rochdale-born radical was a Quaker whose religious views shaped his pacifism and opposition to the slave trade.
He was said by Historian AJP Taylor to have done ‘more than any other man’ to prevent Britain intervening on the side of the pro-slavery South during the American Civil War.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Dr Mike Brennan - a retired Rochdale history teacher who has studied Bright in depth - says his campaigning methods were threefold.
As might be expected given his reputation as a great orator, these included speeches as an MP and at large public events, as well as publishing his views in pamphlets and books.
“Also remember that accounts of his parliamentary work reached the pages of every local and national paper in the 19th century,” adds Dr Brennan.
“They provided ready-made copy and were a central feature of the news. In Rochdale there were two major papers at the time. The first was the Rochdale Observer, a liberal paper and the Rochdale Times, a Tory paper. The depths of the accounts depended on which of them was reporting!”
The cotton trade was hugely important to Lancashire during the 1860s and much of the county depended on the industry’s survival.
During the American Civil War, a naval blockade of Confederate ports caused a shortage of cotton supplies leading to mass unemployment, poverty and hardship.
But support for Abraham Lincoln - who pledged to end the Atlantic slave trade - and the North held firm among workers in the area.
(Image: Getty Images)
Rochdale’s loyalty to the North owed much to Bright’s speeches, but it was also to its liberal traditions and strong links to the Co-operative movement and Chartism.
The town’s famous Cotton Famine Road was built at this time after campaigners successfully lobbied for the 1863 Public Works Act, allowing leaders to fund vital civic improvements.
In a letter to Republican senator Charles Sumner - through whom he made his connection with Lincoln - Bright wrote ‘our working-class is with you and against the South’.
Their support was made clear at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in December 1862, where workers who had been influenced by Bright, pledged their full support to the president.
Bright drew parallels with the oppression of black slaves in the United States and Britain’s working class, but his benevolence as an employer has been questioned.
Despite his reputation as a champion of the oppressed, Bright opposed factory legislation, trade unions and social reform, while workers at his mills lived in some of Rochdale’s worst slums.
“The conditions of all the mill workers was poor,” says Dr Brennan. “The Bright mills were located just off Whitworth Road and a quarter of a mile away was the ‘Gank’ a notorious slum which comes out into the town centre through Toad Lane, another famous place in Rochdale.
“The population of the town rose from roughly 40,000 in 1801 to 120,000 in 1861 yet the housing occupied much the same boundaries. That is not to say that this was acceptable, but only when the town became a borough in 1856 was the town able to start to address these issues.”
(Image: Dr Neil Clifton)
At the time of the Cotton Famine Bright also advocated giving the poor loans, rather than donations, to help them, and argued the same to the Poor Law Commissioners.
“It was a case of “The prophet is not without honour except in his own country,” says Dr Brennan. “He was proposed as the candidate for MP by the local Liberal Association in the 1840’s but that was overruled and he was replaced by William Sharman Crawford, a very Radical MP endorsed by the Chartists.”
However he was not indifferent to the suffering of his workers. In December 1862 he wrote to his friend Sumner asking, ‘if a few cargoes of flour could come, say 50,000 barrels, as a gift from persons in your Northern States to the Lancashire working men’.
But while his position as a mill owner may always have coloured people’s view of him in Rochdale, by the standards of his time Bright was far more compassionate than most.
“He was opposed to the concept of slavery which saw a person as a possession, not a human who could be bought, sold, and even killed within the laws as they stood at the time,” adds Dr Brennan.
“That was not the case with mill workers, and very few mill owners would have had a different view, even men like John Fielden, the Todmorden mill owner and factory reformer who was the MP for Oldham from 1832 till 1848.”
Bright is also criticised for his contrary stance on extending the vote - writing against women’s suffrage and refusing to join the more forward-thinking Chartists.
Meanwhile, Dr Brennan's research has found that Bright’s name rarely appears in published contributions to the Cotton Famine Relief Fund, although this could be due to his religious beliefs.
“Charity was done quietly, using the old Gospel maxim of not letting the left hand know what the right was doing,” the local historian said.
However, neither did the names of any of the prominent citizens of the town, who generally kept their charity work quiet and did not want to enter a sort of ‘giving competition’.
Born in 1811, John Bright inherited the family business with his two brothers Jacob and Thomas, following their father’s retirement, although it was the latter who ran the Fieldhouse mills.
Although he entered the cotton industry at 16, John was more politically minded, and cut his teeth both as a writer and speaker in the campaign against a church tax in Rochdale in the late 1830’s.
His opponent was the Reverend William Hay, Vicar of Rochdale and the magistrate who read the Riot Act at Peterloo.
From there, Bright moved on to the regional stage with speeches in Manchester, becoming one of the main figures as the campaign against the church tax built.
His friendship with Richard Cobden - with whom he formed the Anti-Corn Law League - comes from this time, and it was Bright who persuaded Cobden to stand as MP for Rochdale in the 1860’s.
Bright was a committed pacifist and lost his seat as Manchester’s MP due to his stance on the Crimean War. His frustration over his failure to stop the conflict also triggered a severe nervous breakdown.
However within a few months of his defeat he was elected as MP for Birmingham, a position he held for the rest of his life.
Bright also served as MP for Durham between 1843 and 1847.
(Image: Getty Images)
His distant relative, the veteran MP Bill Cash, published a biography on him entitled John Bright: Statesman, Orator, Agitator.
While Bright served in William Gladstone’s cabinet, Cash believes the ‘staggering amount’ he achieved during his lifetime may have been overlooked as he was never prime minister himself.
Speaking ahead of the book’s publication, he said Bright had won every campaign he fought - from the repeal of the Corn Laws to taking on the aristocracy in Ireland and pushing for fairer treatment in the colonies of India.
He also successfully agitated for Parliamentary reform and promoted free-trade and religious freedom, as well as coining phrases such as 'flogging a dead horse' and 'England is the mother of all parliaments'.
Bright’s statue in Broadfield Park, Rochdale, bears the words ‘Rochdale’s greatest townsman’.
Dr Brennan says while his place in the town’s history is assured, that particular claim is open to debate.
Thomas Livesey, another mill-owning radical could lay claim to that epithet - a lifelong Chartist whose funeral in 1864 was attended by the entire council and more than 40,000 members of the public.
He and Bright had a somewhat ambivalent relationship. Bright described him as a ‘diamond though somewhat rough cut’. And Livesey, when asked whether Bright should stand as MP, replied ‘Aye, if they can’t find anyone better'.
But in an era where debate is raging over monuments to slave traders and imperialists, could Bright’s legacy as a radical social reformer be ripe for a revival?
“Bright’s statue should stay because he put the town on the national and international map,” says Dr Brennan.
“He was a committed pacifist and utterly opposed to the institution of slavery. Livesey did the work in the town, Bright spoke outside. We have very few statues and I would not like to lose one, mainly as that would leave us in the hands of Dame Gracie Fields. She spent even less time in the town than Bright did, so he must stay!”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-07-12--Police probing link between machete attack and gunshots in Droylsden

A teenager was attacked with a machete and gunshots were heard at the same time in Tameside .
Police are now investigating if the two incidents on neighbouring streets in Droylsden on Saturday night are linked .
A 16 year-old was assaulted with a machete close to Brierfield House , a block of flats on Lancaster Road at around 9:40pm Greater Manchester Police ( GMP ) said .
Emergency services were called and he was rushed to hospital where he remains in a stable condition .
Around the same time police also received reports of what appeared to be gunshots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off Lancaster Road .
`` We are investigating whether these two incidents are linked or not '' a GMP spokeswoman said .
A huge police cordon spanning several streets was in place last night .
Lancaster Road , Leicester Road and York Road were all taped off for several hours as detectives investigated the two incidents .
Officers could be seen carrying out searches in the area as well as taking statements from local residents .
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5887 , quoting incident number 3004 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymously to the independent Charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .

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A teenager was attacked with a machete and gunshots were heard at the same time in Tameside.
Police are now investigating if the two incidents on neighbouring streets in Droylsden on Saturday night are linked.
A 16 year-old was assaulted with a machete close to Brierfield House, a block of flats on Lancaster Road at around 9:40pm Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
Emergency services were called and he was rushed to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
(Image: ASP)
Around the same time police also received reports of what appeared to be gunshots on neighbouring York Road, which runs off Lancaster Road.
"We are investigating whether these two incidents are linked or not" a GMP spokeswoman said.
A huge police cordon spanning several streets was in place last night.
(Image: ASP)
Lancaster Road, Leicester Road and York Road were all taped off for several hours as detectives investigated the two incidents.
Officers could be seen carrying out searches in the area as well as taking statements from local residents.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5887, quoting incident number 3004 of 11/07/20.
Reports can be made anonymously to the independent Charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-07-12--We simulated Manchester United vs Southampton to see what might happen

Manchester United 's charge to claim a top-four place in the Premier League , and therefore a place in next season 's Champions League , is really gaining momentum now after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side won their fourth consecutive Premier League against Aston Villa last week .
United 's next league game sees them welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Monday night , with the Reds within touching distance of Leicester City , who travel to Bournemouth on Sunday night .
Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones are again likely to miss out due to injury , whilst midfielder Nemanja @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Scott McTominay both in contention to replace him against the Saints .
So , what will the final score be on Monday ?
And what team will Solskjaer go with ?
Ahead of the game , we used FIFA 20 to simulate the outcome of Manchester United vs Southampton to get a score prediction .
To set up this simulation , we used kick-off mode within FIFA 20 but did n't select a team to control ; we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AI difficulty was set to world class , with the line-up updated with the latest transfers , injuries and suspensions .
We predict that Manchester United will set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation , with the line-up as follows : De Gea ; Wan-Bissaka , Lindelof , Maguire , Shaw ; Pogba , Fred ; Greenwood , Fernandes , Rashford ; Martial .
We predict that Southampton will set up in a 4-4-2 formation , with their line-up as follows : McCarthy ; Walker-Peters , Stephens , Bednarek , Bertrand ; Armstrong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Long .
This FIFA 20 simulation predicts that United will take the lead in the 22nd minute against Southampton , with Bruno Fernandes finding the net yet again , this time in spectacular fashion .
The Portuguese midfielder played a one-two with Anthony Martial on the edge of the Saints area , before curing a brilliant effort into the top corner , hitting the crossbar on it 's way into the net .
And it did n't take long for Solskjaer 's side to double their lead , with Martial rolling Bednarek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before firing into the near post , giving Alex McCarthy no chance .
The home side effectively ended the game as a contest just before half-time , with Martial getting his second goal of the game .
The Frenchman fired a shot at McCarthy from close range in the area , which luckily rebounded straight back into his path , allowing Martial to roll the ball into an empty net .
The second-half saw little action , with United resting a number of their players in the latter stages , in what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage done in the first-half .
Here are the full-time match stats .
It was a complete performance from United against Southampton , in a match they dominated in every aspect .
Anthony Martial was named Man of the Match , with the Frenchman scoring twice , but Bruno Fernandes was also in sublime form .
This FIFA 20 simulation predicts that Manchester United will continue their strong recent form against Southampton on Monday night , with Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial both among the goals for Solskjaer 's side .
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with United closing in on a Champions League place for next season .

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Manchester United's charge to claim a top-four place in the Premier League, and therefore a place in next season's Champions League, is really gaining momentum now after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side won their fourth consecutive Premier League against Aston Villa last week.
United's next league game sees them welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Monday night, with the Reds within touching distance of Leicester City, who travel to Bournemouth on Sunday night.
Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones are again likely to miss out due to injury, whilst midfielder Nemanja Matic could be rested, with Fred and Scott McTominay both in contention to replace him against the Saints.
So, what will the final score be on Monday? And what team will Solskjaer go with?
Ahead of the game, we used FIFA 20 to simulate the outcome of Manchester United vs Southampton to get a score prediction.
Manchester United vs Southampton simulated on FIFA 20
To set up this simulation, we used kick-off mode within FIFA 20 but didn't select a team to control; we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a unique prediction.
Sign up to our free MUFC email newsletter Get the latest breaking Manchester United transfer news and analysis every day direct to your inbox with our free MUFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
The AI difficulty was set to world class, with the line-up updated with the latest transfers, injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Manchester United will set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the line-up as follows: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.
We predict that Southampton will set up in a 4-4-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond; Ings, Long.
This FIFA 20 simulation predicts that United will take the lead in the 22nd minute against Southampton, with Bruno Fernandes finding the net yet again, this time in spectacular fashion.
The Portuguese midfielder played a one-two with Anthony Martial on the edge of the Saints area, before curing a brilliant effort into the top corner, hitting the crossbar on it's way into the net.
And it didn't take long for Solskjaer's side to double their lead, with Martial rolling Bednarek in the area in the 36th minute before firing into the near post, giving Alex McCarthy no chance.
The home side effectively ended the game as a contest just before half-time, with Martial getting his second goal of the game.
The Frenchman fired a shot at McCarthy from close range in the area, which luckily rebounded straight back into his path, allowing Martial to roll the ball into an empty net.
The second-half saw little action, with United resting a number of their players in the latter stages, in what was a straightforward victory, with all of the damage done in the first-half.
Full-time score: Manchester United 3-0 Southampton
Here are the full-time match stats.
It was a complete performance from United against Southampton, in a match they dominated in every aspect.
Anthony Martial was named Man of the Match, with the Frenchman scoring twice, but Bruno Fernandes was also in sublime form.
This FIFA 20 simulation predicts that Manchester United will continue their strong recent form against Southampton on Monday night, with Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial both among the goals for Solskjaer's side.
Let's see what happens on Monday night, with United closing in on a Champions League place for next season.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-07-12--What Man City players have said about their futures as CAS verdict awaited

Monday 's announcement over Manchester City 's appeal against their UEFA sanctions will have plenty more implications than just whether the Blues will be allowed to play in the Champions League next season .
City will discover if their appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport has been successful on Monday morning , after UEFA banned them from European competition for two seasons back in February for 'serious breaches ' of Financial Fair Play regulations .
Pep Guardiola said last week he was confident City would be exonerated of the charges , allowing them to play in the Champions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CAS side with UEFA , or even reduce the sanctions , then City fans are fearful that their best players may look to leave in search of Champions League football .
Fans also fear that Guardiola could leave , although he has reiterated his desire to honour his contract that expires in 2021 and reports say he told players he would even stay if City were relegated to League Two .
`` If they don ’ t sack me , which could happen , I will stay here more than ever , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to stay , not because this is something special .
I want to stay longer than the contract that I have .
I said before and now and until the end of my contract that I want to help the club grow and maintain this level for as long as possible .
`` I am confident in the club and I am pretty sure we are going to defend our position .
When someone believes he is right , he is going to fight to the end and that is what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incredible thing to fight for our people who support this club and we are going to do it .
As a club , a team , we are going to do it . ''
Guardiola 's confidence in the club has been echoed by some of his players , with Kevin de Bruyne , Gabriel Jesus , Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte among those speaking publicly about the UEFA ban .
After the sanctions were announced , De Bruyne said in February : `` The team give their statement , so I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do .
We can just play football .
the situation will show what it shows , the club is doing its thing and we all trust in them .
`` I do n't know what else we can say , it 's a legal action .
You guys also know we can not say anything about this situation . ''
Last week , De Bruyne 's agent said the Belgian is happy and settled in Manchester , especially with his wife expecting a new child .
Patrick De Koster said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all busy with that .
He still has a three-year contract with a team that belongs to the world top .
In a club and a city where Kevin feels good and appreciated .
There will be many people who find this very woolly , but he 's not on a transfer .
`` If everything I read in the papers were correct , then I need a 48-hour watch and I should be all over the world at the same time .
I can declare in good conscience here and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything I read is 90 per cent b -- -- -- - . ''
Similarly , Sterling said when the ban was announced : `` It ’ s something we don ’ t know much about yet because it ’ s something that has not been confirmed .
`` The club has a long way to go and we just have to wait and see what happens , but I have full confidence in the club . ''
Gabriel Jesus said : `` It 's important for us and the club .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are waiting , of course .
We have a contract .
We want to stay .
`` Of course it 's important to the club and to us . ''
Riyad Mahrez added : `` We just focus on our game .
We let the club do their thing .
We are very confident about the situation so we will see . ''
Laporte said : “ We are waiting for a final decision .
We are going to see what happens next season .
Obviously it would hurt us a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Champions League next season .
“ I am very happy here at Manchester City .
I am enjoying my football here , we are doing great things here .
In the last two years we have won eight trophies . ''
Laporte 's commitment to City was echoed by Sterling 's agent , who said in February : `` Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment . ''
De Bruyne has also hinted that he may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the ban was reduced or overturned .
He said in May : `` I 'm just waiting .
The club has told us that they are going to appeal and that they are almost one hundred per cent sure that they are right .
That 's why I 'm waiting to see what will happen .
I trust my team .
`` Once the statement is made , I will review everything .
Two years would be long , in the case of one year I might see . ''
His international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate over De Bruyne 's future recently , saying : “ Of course , if Manchester City have a ban , he will take that into his decision-making .
“ Over the years he ’ s shown that if he ’ s happy somewhere he likes to stay and win things .
But I think it ’ s going to have a major say what happens at the club if there is a ban .
What ’ s going to happen with the manager and what ’ s going to happen with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a winner .
I think he 'll take everything into his decision .
He 'll take into consideration if there 's a ban in the Champions League , if the coach and the manager that he has a fantastic relationship with is going to stay at the club.
” One player who has been more open about the possibility of leaving City is loanee Angelino , who said in April that the prospect of no Champions League football would play a role in his future .
“ Of course [ the ban will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every club and every player hard , '' Angelino said .
And City 's uncertain future has not escaped their Champions League rivals , with Barcelona 's Lionel Messi saying in February that he would expect City 's best players to leave if the ban was upheld .
`` It is surprising because nobody thought that such a thing could happen , so powerful , '' Messi said .
`` Paris ( Saint-Germain ) paid a fine or I do n't know how it went .
If in the end the City does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is , with the players , the club and the money it spends it will be weird .
`` If City does not enter the Champions League there are many players who may look for an exit or perhaps not .
The Champions League is very pretty but two years without playing it can be screwed . ''

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Monday's announcement over Manchester City's appeal against their UEFA sanctions will have plenty more implications than just whether the Blues will be allowed to play in the Champions League next season.
City will discover if their appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport has been successful on Monday morning, after UEFA banned them from European competition for two seasons back in February for 'serious breaches' of Financial Fair Play regulations.
Pep Guardiola said last week he was confident City would be exonerated of the charges, allowing them to play in the Champions League next season.
However, if CAS side with UEFA, or even reduce the sanctions, then City fans are fearful that their best players may look to leave in search of Champions League football.
Fans also fear that Guardiola could leave, although he has reiterated his desire to honour his contract that expires in 2021 and reports say he told players he would even stay if City were relegated to League Two.
"If they don’t sack me, which could happen, I will stay here more than ever," he said.
Sign up to our free MCFC email newsletter Man City are Premier League champions! Get all the reaction plus daily news and analysis direct to your inbox with our free MCFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
"First because I want to stay, not because this is something special. I want to stay longer than the contract that I have. I said before and now and until the end of my contract that I want to help the club grow and maintain this level for as long as possible.
"I am confident in the club and I am pretty sure we are going to defend our position. When someone believes he is right, he is going to fight to the end and that is what we are going to do. It is an incredible thing to fight for our people who support this club and we are going to do it. As a club, a team, we are going to do it."
Guardiola's confidence in the club has been echoed by some of his players, with Kevin de Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte among those speaking publicly about the UEFA ban.
After the sanctions were announced, De Bruyne said in February: "The team give their statement, so I don't know as players what else we can do. We can just play football. the situation will show what it shows, the club is doing its thing and we all trust in them.
"I don't know what else we can say, it's a legal action. You guys also know we cannot say anything about this situation."
Last week, De Bruyne's agent said the Belgian is happy and settled in Manchester, especially with his wife expecting a new child.
Patrick De Koster said: "At the moment he is not at all busy with that. He still has a three-year contract with a team that belongs to the world top. In a club and a city where Kevin feels good and appreciated. There will be many people who find this very woolly, but he's not on a transfer.
"If everything I read in the papers were correct, then I need a 48-hour watch and I should be all over the world at the same time. I can declare in good conscience here and even swear on my children's head that everything I read is 90 per cent b-------."
Similarly, Sterling said when the ban was announced: "It’s something we don’t know much about yet because it’s something that has not been confirmed.
"The club has a long way to go and we just have to wait and see what happens, but I have full confidence in the club."
Gabriel Jesus said: "It's important for us and the club. The club are talking and care about this. We are waiting, of course. We have a contract. We want to stay.
"Of course it's important to the club and to us."
Riyad Mahrez added: "We just focus on our game. We let the club do their thing. We are very confident about the situation so we will see."
Laporte said: “We are waiting for a final decision. We are going to see what happens next season. Obviously it would hurt us a lot if we aren’t in the Champions League next season.
“I am very happy here at Manchester City. I am enjoying my football here, we are doing great things here. In the last two years we have won eight trophies."
Laporte's commitment to City was echoed by Sterling's agent, who said in February: "Raheem is solely focused on Manchester City and will not be distracted by any talk of transfers to any club at the moment."
De Bruyne has also hinted that he may stay at the club - but only if the ban was reduced or overturned.
He said in May: "I'm just waiting. The club has told us that they are going to appeal and that they are almost one hundred per cent sure that they are right. That's why I'm waiting to see what will happen. I trust my team.
"Once the statement is made, I will review everything. Two years would be long, in the case of one year I might see."
His international manager, Roberto Martinez, waded into the debate over De Bruyne's future recently, saying: “Of course, if Manchester City have a ban, he will take that into his decision-making.
“Over the years he’s shown that if he’s happy somewhere he likes to stay and win things. But I think it’s going to have a major say what happens at the club if there is a ban. What’s going to happen with the manager and what’s going to happen with any future project?
“Kevin is a winner. I think he'll take everything into his decision. He'll take into consideration if there's a ban in the Champions League, if the coach and the manager that he has a fantastic relationship with is going to stay at the club.”
One player who has been more open about the possibility of leaving City is loanee Angelino, who said in April that the prospect of no Champions League football would play a role in his future.
“Of course [the ban will affect my future], this hits every club and every player hard," Angelino said.
And City's uncertain future has not escaped their Champions League rivals, with Barcelona's Lionel Messi saying in February that he would expect City's best players to leave if the ban was upheld.
"It is surprising because nobody thought that such a thing could happen, so powerful," Messi said.
"Paris (Saint-Germain) paid a fine or I don't know how it went. If in the end the City does not play the Champions League for what it is, with the players, the club and the money it spends it will be weird.
"If City does not enter the Champions League there are many players who may look for an exit or perhaps not. The Champions League is very pretty but two years without playing it can be screwed."