themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--How the killer of a Discotheque Royale clubber escaped justice for 26 years

He lived just 250 yards from the scene of the crime and he was obsessed with knives .
But after taking the life of an innocent man , Geoffrey Strike escaped justice for a quarter of a century .
His victim was Jason Comerford , a young man on a night out in Manchester .
It was the mid 90s and Discotheque Royale , the huge dance-pop nightclub at Peter Street , Manchester city centre , was at the peak of its popularity .
It was there , and at the Cotton Club , where the 21-year-old spent the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved Manchester 's clubs and bars , often dancing the night away on his own .
As the city 's venues closed , in the early hours of February 25 , 1994 , Jason , a 21-year-old textile printer and amateur artist , made his way home to Ancoats .
By sheer chance his path crossed with Geoffrey Strike .
Then aged 49 , Strike had an appalling criminal record which included multiple offences involving knives .
It 's thought that Jason had stopped to relieve himself when he was set upon on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely unprovoked and motiveless attack , Geoffrey Strike cut his throat with a ten inch hunting knife .
Jason stumbled from one side of Great Ancoats Street to the other , where he collapsed and bled to death from stab wounds .
A woman , aged 24 , who Jason had met as she walked to Oldham Road to use a phone box to call for a lift home , would later tell police the attacker was aged around 50 and carrying a holdall .
But it would be 26 years before Strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grounds of diminished responsibility and awaits sentence in December , was charged with the killing .
At the time there was no advanced DNA profiling and there were no witnesses that could provide a clear description of the attacker .
And there was another reason why Strike dodged justice - from 1997 on , he was locked up in a secure mental health unit , having committed a string of other knife crimes .
Even after GMP 's Cold Case Unit made a crucial breakthrough in identifying Strike as a prime suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for almost two years as the Crown Prosecution Service was not convinced the evidence was strong enough .
A ten-inch knife had been recovered from the scene and identified as the weapon used to stab Jason .
But the forensic tests available at the time did not conclusively identify any individual responsible for the attack .
Even when fingerprints from the scene were found by GMP 's Cold Case Unit , who examined three boxes of files and three boxes of exhibits , in 2010 , it did not lead to a breakthrough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By that time DNA 17 had been introduced , which was a forensic technique , '' Martin Bottomley , head of the Cold Case Unit , said .
`` This more selective method of profiling assists in identifying offenders with a high degree of accuracy .
`` Obviously as time has gone on from 1994 , when the DNA Database was introduced , you need less and less of a crime scene sample to be able to get a DNA profile from body fluid , semen , or saliva .
`` Twenty years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the size of a 2p piece - now it has gone to microscopic specks .
`` The knife had been swabbed in the original investigation and swabs retained at the forensic archive in three separate test tubes to test different parts of the handle and the blade .
`` We loaded what we had onto the national DNA Database and because it was not a complete DNA profile it came back with a list of potential matches to persons who may have left their DNA on the knife . ''
There were 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
Geoffrey Strike had convictions dating back to 1966 for sexual offences , plus many offences involving knives .
A Bolton Crown Court in 1991 he was jailed for four years after being convicted of indecent assault on a male under the age of 14 and a child .
In July 1994 - five months after Jason was killed - Strike was convicted of possession of a 12 inch Bowie knife .
In September 1994 he was convicted of possession of a three-inch knife ; a bayonet in November that year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In July 1995 he had threatened the landlady of a pub in Tib Street with a five-inch blade .
In November 1995 he was caught in possession of a lock knife .
The obsession with blades continued .
In October 1996 he again had a knife , this time on Oldham Street , Manchester .
Then in March 1997 the offences escalated .
First he was caught in possession of a blade in Walkden .
Then he was given a six month jail sentence for attacking a police officer with a four-foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Whilst serving his jail sentence Strike was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and transferred to a secure mental health unit in Prestwich , where he has remained for the last 23 years .
Chillingly during his arrest in October 1996 he had said to one police officer : `` F ... off you little b ... ..d , or I will cut your throat . ''
He was about to be released from Prestwich Hospital in November 2019 as he was , by then , considered to be no longer a threat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation halted that .
In addition to his prolific record for carrying knives , Cold Case officers established that at the time of Jason 's death Strike was living in Victoria Square - the vast red-bricked building of flats with a courtyard - just 250 yards from the crime scene .
In March 2018 GMP visited Strike in the mental health unit and took a DNA swab that was profiled using DNA 17 .
The conclusion of forensic scientists was that Strike 's DNA was on the blade of the knife .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an hour and made no reply to any of the questions .
With the backing of GMP 's Major Incident Support Team all the people interviewed at the time of the crime were found and re-interviewed .
Mr Bottomley said : `` Witnesses were shown their original statements and given time to add anything which in the passage of time they may have remembered . ''
But there were more hurdles before Strike was finally charged .
Police submitted a case file to the Crown Prosecution Service but they decided the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The force appealed and were again turned down .
A third attempt was then made by a GMP Assistant Chief Constable , but that too was refused .
As the police had then exhausted their avenues to get a prosecution the only option was for Jason 's family to exercise their right of appeal against the CPS decision .
Jason 's brother , Darren appealed and this time an independent assessment was made by the CPS in London , which decided there was enough evidence for Strike to be charged .
Strike was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 - 26 years after he killed Jason .
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the week he was due to go on trial .
Mr Bottomley said : `` The evidence was there in terms of the DNA , and bad character evidence , his previous offending , and his preponderance to use knives , and being very local to the area .
`` We will always go back to a case where we believe there is potential for bringing justice for a family and protecting the public from an offender .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we can speculate on .
Jason was a sociable guy in as much as he would go out and have a dance .
In a one of one situation he was a really nice guy . ''
The case is one Bob Tonge has never forgotten .
He is now head of GMP 's Major Incident Support Team , which helped review Jason 's killing and re-interview witnesses .
But on the night of Jason 's death he was a Detective Constable working a night shift out of Bootle Street Police Station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first detective on the scene .
It was an image I will never forget .
He was just a young lad and was clearly critically wounded .
The ambulance turned up and it was near the junction of Great Ancoats Street and Lever Street .
I remember a young woman that was with him and how distressed she was .
She told us of seeing a man , aged about 50 with a holdall over his back .
She was distraught and shaken .
`` I never forget it because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of work and we have achieved something for the family - we have got to the truth . ''
Tragically the unmasking of their son 's killer came too late for Jason 's parents who both died before seeing justice done .
Jason , the fourth of five children , lived on his own in a flat on Rodney Street , Ancoats , a short walk from where he was killed .
Martin Goldman , Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said : “ This was a complex case which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago .
`` Following a very thorough , objective analysis of all the evidence in the case the prosecution team in CPS NW concluded in 2019 that the evidence would not be sufficient to prove at a trial that Geoffrey Strike was the person who had killed Jason Comerford .
`` Mr Comerford ’ s family requested a further review of the case under the CPS ’ Victims Right to Review Scheme and a separate CPS team reviewed the evidence and decided that there was sufficient evidence to charge Geoffrey Strike with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unit has conducted that prosecution .
`` Today Geoffrey Strike has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and , after consulting with Mr Comerford ’ s family and the police , that plea has been accepted .
“ Geoffrey Strike killed Jason Comerford in a senseless and motiveless attack 26 years ago and will now face the consequences of his crime .
`` This case demonstrates how the Victim ’ s Right to Review introduced by the CPS provides victims and their families with a voice when decisions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision is found to be wrong then the case will be pursued by the CPS to achieve the right outcome.
” Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
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He lived just 250 yards from the scene of the crime and he was obsessed with knives.
But after taking the life of an innocent man, Geoffrey Strike escaped justice for a quarter of a century.
His victim was Jason Comerford, a young man on a night out in Manchester.
It was the mid 90s and Discotheque Royale, the huge dance-pop nightclub at Peter Street, Manchester city centre, was at the peak of its popularity.
It was there, and at the Cotton Club, where the 21-year-old spent the last few hours of his life. He loved Manchester's clubs and bars, often dancing the night away on his own.
As the city's venues closed, in the early hours of February 25, 1994, Jason, a 21-year-old textile printer and amateur artist, made his way home to Ancoats.
(Image: Family handout)
By sheer chance his path crossed with Geoffrey Strike.
Then aged 49, Strike had an appalling criminal record which included multiple offences involving knives.
It's thought that Jason had stopped to relieve himself when he was set upon on in George Leigh Street. In an entirely unprovoked and motiveless attack, Geoffrey Strike cut his throat with a ten inch hunting knife.
Jason stumbled from one side of Great Ancoats Street to the other, where he collapsed and bled to death from stab wounds.
A woman, aged 24, who Jason had met as she walked to Oldham Road to use a phone box to call for a lift home, would later tell police the attacker was aged around 50 and carrying a holdall.
But it would be 26 years before Strike, who today finally admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and awaits sentence in December, was charged with the killing.
At the time there was no advanced DNA profiling and there were no witnesses that could provide a clear description of the attacker.
And there was another reason why Strike dodged justice - from 1997 on, he was locked up in a secure mental health unit, having committed a string of other knife crimes.
Even after GMP's Cold Case Unit made a crucial breakthrough in identifying Strike as a prime suspect, they were foiled from charging him for almost two years as the Crown Prosecution Service was not convinced the evidence was strong enough.
(Image: M.E.N.)
A ten-inch knife had been recovered from the scene and identified as the weapon used to stab Jason.
But the forensic tests available at the time did not conclusively identify any individual responsible for the attack.
Even when fingerprints from the scene were found by GMP's Cold Case Unit, who examined three boxes of files and three boxes of exhibits, in 2010, it did not lead to a breakthrough.
That came in 2015. "By that time DNA 17 had been introduced, which was a forensic technique," Martin Bottomley, head of the Cold Case Unit, said.
"This more selective method of profiling assists in identifying offenders with a high degree of accuracy.
"Obviously as time has gone on from 1994, when the DNA Database was introduced, you need less and less of a crime scene sample to be able to get a DNA profile from body fluid, semen, or saliva.
"Twenty years ago you needed a substantial stain - the size of a 2p piece - now it has gone to microscopic specks.
"The knife had been swabbed in the original investigation and swabs retained at the forensic archive in three separate test tubes to test different parts of the handle and the blade.
"We loaded what we had onto the national DNA Database and because it was not a complete DNA profile it came back with a list of potential matches to persons who may have left their DNA on the knife."
There were 19 names on the list and one stood out.
Geoffrey Strike had convictions dating back to 1966 for sexual offences, plus many offences involving knives.
A Bolton Crown Court in 1991 he was jailed for four years after being convicted of indecent assault on a male under the age of 14 and a child.
In July 1994 - five months after Jason was killed - Strike was convicted of possession of a 12 inch Bowie knife.
In September 1994 he was convicted of possession of a three-inch knife; a bayonet in November that year, and a nine-inch knife in February 1995.
In July 1995 he had threatened the landlady of a pub in Tib Street with a five-inch blade. In November 1995 he was caught in possession of a lock knife.
The obsession with blades continued. In October 1996 he again had a knife, this time on Oldham Street, Manchester.
Then in March 1997 the offences escalated. First he was caught in possession of a blade in Walkden. Then he was given a six month jail sentence for attacking a police officer with a four-foot sword, and damaging a police vehicle.
Whilst serving his jail sentence Strike was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and transferred to a secure mental health unit in Prestwich, where he has remained for the last 23 years.
Chillingly during his arrest in October 1996 he had said to one police officer: "F... off you little b.....d, or I will cut your throat."
He was about to be released from Prestwich Hospital in November 2019 as he was, by then, considered to be no longer a threat to the public.
But a new GMP investigation halted that.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
In addition to his prolific record for carrying knives, Cold Case officers established that at the time of Jason's death Strike was living in Victoria Square - the vast red-bricked building of flats with a courtyard - just 250 yards from the crime scene.
In March 2018 GMP visited Strike in the mental health unit and took a DNA swab that was profiled using DNA 17.
The conclusion of forensic scientists was that Strike's DNA was on the blade of the knife.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
In June 2018 Strike was interviewed under caution for an hour and made no reply to any of the questions.
With the backing of GMP's Major Incident Support Team all the people interviewed at the time of the crime were found and re-interviewed.
Mr Bottomley said: "Witnesses were shown their original statements and given time to add anything which in the passage of time they may have remembered."
But there were more hurdles before Strike was finally charged.
Police submitted a case file to the Crown Prosecution Service but they decided the evidence did not warrant Strike being charged.
The force appealed and were again turned down. A third attempt was then made by a GMP Assistant Chief Constable, but that too was refused.
As the police had then exhausted their avenues to get a prosecution the only option was for Jason's family to exercise their right of appeal against the CPS decision.
Jason's brother, Darren appealed and this time an independent assessment was made by the CPS in London, which decided there was enough evidence for Strike to be charged.
Strike was finally charged with murdering Jason in February 2020 - 26 years after he killed Jason. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the week he was due to go on trial.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Mr Bottomley said: "The evidence was there in terms of the DNA, and bad character evidence, his previous offending, and his preponderance to use knives, and being very local to the area.
"We will always go back to a case where we believe there is potential for bringing justice for a family and protecting the public from an offender.
"Strike killed Jason for no reason that we can speculate on. Jason was a sociable guy in as much as he would go out and have a dance. In a one of one situation he was a really nice guy."
(Image: Mirrorpix)
The case is one Bob Tonge has never forgotten. He is now head of GMP's Major Incident Support Team, which helped review Jason's killing and re-interview witnesses.
But on the night of Jason's death he was a Detective Constable working a night shift out of Bootle Street Police Station in Manchester City centre.
"I was the first detective on the scene. It was an image I will never forget. He was just a young lad and was clearly critically wounded. The ambulance turned up and it was near the junction of Great Ancoats Street and Lever Street.
I remember a young woman that was with him and how distressed she was. She told us of seeing a man, aged about 50 with a holdall over his back. She was distraught and shaken.
"I never forget it because it was not solved. GMP has done a lot of work and we have achieved something for the family - we have got to the truth."
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Tragically the unmasking of their son's killer came too late for Jason's parents who both died before seeing justice done.
Jason, the fourth of five children, lived on his own in a flat on Rodney Street, Ancoats, a short walk from where he was killed.
Martin Goldman, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: “This was a complex case which concerned a homicide that took place 26 years ago.
"Following a very thorough, objective analysis of all the evidence in the case the prosecution team in CPS NW concluded in 2019 that the evidence would not be sufficient to prove at a trial that Geoffrey Strike was the person who had killed Jason Comerford.
"Mr Comerford’s family requested a further review of the case under the CPS’ Victims Right to Review Scheme and a separate CPS team reviewed the evidence and decided that there was sufficient evidence to charge Geoffrey Strike with murder. The North West Complex Casework Unit has conducted that prosecution.
"Today Geoffrey Strike has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and, after consulting with Mr Comerford’s family and the police, that plea has been accepted.
“Geoffrey Strike killed Jason Comerford in a senseless and motiveless attack 26 years ago and will now face the consequences of his crime.
"This case demonstrates how the Victim’s Right to Review introduced by the CPS provides victims and their families with a voice when decisions are made. In rare cases where that decision is found to be wrong then the case will be pursued by the CPS to achieve the right outcome.”
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Paul Pogba stance on Barcelona transfer and more Man United rumours

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba would love to join Barcelona despite openly flirting with Real Madrid - according to reports .
Pogba has less than 12 months remaining on his current contract , though United have the option to extend it for a further year but are yet to trigger the clause .
The 27-year-old admitted it would be a dream to play for Madrid while on international duty with France which fuelled the speculation over his future .
MEN Sport understand Pogba retains the support of his United teammates despite his admitting his interest in a move to Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also a target for Madrid 's rivals Barcelona and believe Pogba would be open to a move to the Nou Camp .
The report claims Barcelona 's financial situation means they are forced to target players approaching the end of their current contracts and Pogba fits the bill .
Pogba is reportedly one of their main targets alongside Bayern Munich defender David Alaba .
Elsewhere , AC Milan are reportedly pushing to make Diogo Dalot 's loan stay permanent .
The 21-year-old moved to the Serie A side during the final days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer .
Dalot is yet to make an appearance for Milan but could feature in the Milan derby on Saturday .
Tuttosport report that Milan are keen to keep the Portuguese permanently and are willing to enter negotiations with United in January to reach an agreement .
Dalot is under contract at United until 2023 .

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Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba would love to join Barcelona despite openly flirting with Real Madrid - according to reports.
Pogba has less than 12 months remaining on his current contract, though United have the option to extend it for a further year but are yet to trigger the clause.
The 27-year-old admitted it would be a dream to play for Madrid while on international duty with France which fuelled the speculation over his future. MEN Sport understand Pogba retains the support of his United teammates despite his admitting his interest in a move to Spain.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report Pogba is also a target for Madrid's rivals Barcelona and believe Pogba would be open to a move to the Nou Camp.
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The report claims Barcelona's financial situation means they are forced to target players approaching the end of their current contracts and Pogba fits the bill.
Pogba is reportedly one of their main targets alongside Bayern Munich defender David Alaba.
Elsewhere, AC Milan are reportedly pushing to make Diogo Dalot's loan stay permanent.
The 21-year-old moved to the Serie A side during the final days of the summer transfer window after slipping down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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.
Dalot is yet to make an appearance for Milan but could feature in the Milan derby on Saturday.
Tuttosport report that Milan are keen to keep the Portuguese permanently and are willing to enter negotiations with United in January to reach an agreement.
Dalot is under contract at United until 2023.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Infection rates rising in nine out of ten of Greater Manchester's boroughs

Nearly 2,000 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Greater Manchester today as figures show infection rates are rising in nine out of the region 's ten boroughs .
Figures from Public Health England show the rates are rising in all areas except Manchester itself .
The rate in the city continues to fall - down over 20 percent compared to last week , but there are signs that the downturn of the last few days may be levelling out .
A total of 1,892 cases were recorded across Greater Manchester , the biggest number in a single day so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' cases were added to the totals on October 4 .
Cases are rising fastest in Oldham , Trafford and Wigan , which now has the third highest infection rate in the region , at 375.8 cases per 100,000 of population .
In Oldham there were 888 cases reported in the week ending October 10 , up 247 , nearly 40 percent , on last week .
The borough , whose local lockdown restrictions are this week set to be brought in line with the rest of Greater Manchester after months of tighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase to 374.5 per 100,000 .
In Wigan there were 1,235 cases reported during the same period , up 40pc week-on-week with the rate now 375.8 .
Whilst in Trafford there has been 25 percent week-on-week increase in cases with the infection rate now 327.3 .
Stockport , which remains the area with the lowest rate , has seen the number of new cases increase by nearly a quarter week-on-week with its rate now 270.9 .
Manchester is the only area where the rate is decreasing compared to last week .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 449.3 it remains the highest in the region and three times the national average , which is 146.3 cases per 100,000 .
Greater Manchester was yesterday placed into tier 2 of the government 's new Covid Alert level system after lobbying from local leaders not to be placed in the highest category which would have seen pubs forced to close .
However the Prime Minister today repeated his call for areas with high rates to work with government on moving into tier 3 with his official spokesman telling journalists ministers would impose tighter @ @ @ @

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Nearly 2,000 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Greater Manchester today as figures show infection rates are rising in nine out of the region's ten boroughs.
Figures from Public Health England show the rates are rising in all areas except Manchester itself.
The rate in the city continues to fall - down over 20 percent compared to last week, but there are signs that the downturn of the last few days may be levelling out.
A total of 1,892 cases were recorded across Greater Manchester, the biggest number in a single day so far other than when thousands of 'missing' cases were added to the totals on October 4.
Cases are rising fastest in Oldham, Trafford and Wigan, which now has the third highest infection rate in the region, at 375.8 cases per 100,000 of population.
In Oldham there were 888 cases reported in the week ending October 10, up 247, nearly 40 percent, on last week.
The borough, whose local lockdown restrictions are this week set to be brought in line with the rest of Greater Manchester after months of tighter rules, has seen its infection rate increase to 374.5 per 100,000.
In Wigan there were 1,235 cases reported during the same period, up 40pc week-on-week with the rate now 375.8.
Whilst in Trafford there has been 25 percent week-on-week increase in cases with the infection rate now 327.3.
Stockport, which remains the area with the lowest rate, has seen the number of new cases increase by nearly a quarter week-on-week with its rate now 270.9.
Manchester is the only area where the rate is decreasing compared to last week.
It is now down 23pc week-on-week. However at 449.3 it remains the highest in the region and three times the national average, which is 146.3 cases per 100,000.
Greater Manchester was yesterday placed into tier 2 of the government's new Covid Alert level system after lobbying from local leaders not to be placed in the highest category which would have seen pubs forced to close.
However the Prime Minister today repeated his call for areas with high rates to work with government on moving into tier 3 with his official spokesman telling journalists ministers would impose tighter restrictions if necessary.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Tragedy as mum and her three kids are killed in horror crash

A Sheffield mum tragically died in a horror crash alongside three of her children .
Blogger Zoe Powell , 29 , died after a collision on the A40 near Oxford with the crash also claiming the lives of her two daughters , Phoebe , eight , and Amelia , four , and their six-year-old brother Simeon , Yorkshire Live reports .
Zoe , a churchgoer and parenting writer who moved to Oxford with her family from Sheffield in 2014 , leaves behind her husband Josh and their 18-month-old baby girl who both survived the smash .
The pair are fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Online , and are described as being in a “ critical but stable ” condition at Oxford ’ s John Radcliffe Hospital .
Zoe and three of her children died after the family 's Subaru collided with a HGV near a railway bridge to the west of Oxford at 9.50pm on Monday , October 12 .
Zoe , who lived in the village of Chinnor , ran her own company producing journals for new mothers and also edited a successful blog .
In an online interview she spoke of her love of teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at their local church .
They moved into temporary accommodation in recent months after their home was damaged in a fire .
Flowers have since been laid outside St Andrew ’ s Church in Chinnor by the village 's residents and friends of the family .
Chinnor Parish Council posted on Facebook : “ We are all so saddened and shocked to hear about the tragic accident .
“ The community church have created a space for flowers to be laid for the family.
” One parishioner said : “ At the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The community are very upset.
” Police said a 56-year-old lorry driver suffered minor injuries in the crash and did not need hospital treatment .
A driver who came across the immediate aftermath posted on social media that it was like a “ scene from hell ” .
Another motorist wrote on Facebook : “ I ’ ve never seen anything so traumatising in my life .
“ I would never want anyone to see what I did .
I never thought I ’ d see something like that .
“ Those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who passed , RIP.
” David Patchett , who lives on a narrowboat near the scene , called 999 after seeing people seriously injured .
He said : “ There was a loud explosion , a horrendous noise which shook through the boat .
It was enough to make your heart jump .
“ I grabbed my phone and shoes and ran out at full pelt down the road while trying to dial 999 .
I knew it wasn ’ t a good sound .
`` The first thing I saw was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road and saw the driver was sat there okay .
“ I continued running towards the car , that ’ s where I could have collapsed to my knees , it was an emotional rollercoaster .
“ The car was in the middle of the road , it wasn ’ t just front-end damage it looked like it had been crumpled like a can .
“ It was a horrifying thing to see and my first thoughts were nobody had survived , that ’ s how bad it was.
” Sgt Dominic Mahon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crash was an “ absolute tragedy ” .
He added : “ This incredibly tragic incident has resulted in the deaths of four people from the same family .
“ Our officers and colleagues from the other emergency services were dealing with an extremely upsetting scene .
“ We will leave no stone unturned to ascertain what has caused this tragedy.
” Police are appealing for witnesses or motorists who have dash-cam footage of the incident to come forward .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Martin Fricker, Neil Murphy & Alex Grove, Amy Walker)

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A Sheffield mum tragically died in a horror crash alongside three of her children.
Blogger Zoe Powell, 29, died after a collision on the A40 near Oxford with the crash also claiming the lives of her two daughters, Phoebe, eight, and Amelia, four, and their six-year-old brother Simeon, Yorkshire Live reports.
Zoe, a churchgoer and parenting writer who moved to Oxford with her family from Sheffield in 2014, leaves behind her husband Josh and their 18-month-old baby girl who both survived the smash.
The pair are fighting to stay alive, according to Mirror Online, and are described as being in a “critical but stable” condition at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.
Zoe and three of her children died after the family's Subaru collided with a HGV near a railway bridge to the west of Oxford at 9.50pm on Monday, October 12.
Zoe, who lived in the village of Chinnor, ran her own company producing journals for new mothers and also edited a successful blog.
In an online interview she spoke of her love of teaching bible studies with her husband to teenagers at their local church.
They moved into temporary accommodation in recent months after their home was damaged in a fire.
A neighbour said: “They were a lovely family.”
Flowers have since been laid outside St Andrew’s Church in Chinnor by the village's residents and friends of the family.
Chinnor Parish Council posted on Facebook : “We are all so saddened and shocked to hear about the tragic accident.
“The community church have created a space for flowers to be laid for the family.”
One parishioner said: “At the moment it’s just so raw. The community are very upset.”
Police said a 56-year-old lorry driver suffered minor injuries in the crash and did not need hospital treatment.
A driver who came across the immediate aftermath posted on social media that it was like a “scene from hell”.
Another motorist wrote on Facebook: “I’ve never seen anything so traumatising in my life.
“I would never want anyone to see what I did. I never thought I’d see something like that.
“Those who survived, God bless them, those who passed, RIP.”
David Patchett, who lives on a narrowboat near the scene, called 999 after seeing people seriously injured.
He said: “There was a loud explosion, a horrendous noise which shook through the boat. It was enough to make your heart jump.
“I grabbed my phone and shoes and ran out at full pelt down the road while trying to dial 999. I knew it wasn’t a good sound.
"The first thing I saw was the lorry on the wrong side of the road and saw the driver was sat there okay.
“I continued running towards the car, that’s where I could have collapsed to my knees, it was an emotional rollercoaster.
“The car was in the middle of the road, it wasn’t just front-end damage it looked like it had been crumpled like a can.
“It was a horrifying thing to see and my first thoughts were nobody had survived, that’s how bad it was.”
Sgt Dominic Mahon, of Thames Valley Police, said the crash was an “absolute tragedy”.
He added: “This incredibly tragic incident has resulted in the deaths of four people from the same family.
“Our officers and colleagues from the other emergency services were dealing with an extremely upsetting scene.
“We will leave no stone unturned to ascertain what has caused this tragedy.”
Police are appealing for witnesses or motorists who have dash-cam footage of the incident to come forward.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Man caught with more than 400,000 indecent pictures of children on work computer

A man has been jailed after police found more than 400,000 indecent pictures of children on his work computer .
Michael Donkin , 59 , downloaded hundreds of thousands of vile , illegal images of children as young as one-year-old , including almost 25,000 classed as being of the most serious category .
When police searched his home in Wythenshawe on July 16 this year , he told them : `` Yes , it 's all on that computer there '' .
As well as having the 'extraordinary large amount ' of images on his work computer and a hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 12,000 images of young girls taken in public spaces .
He admitted having a sexual interest in young children and was today jailed for two years and four months at Manchester Crown Court .
Prosecutor Michelle Brown told the court how detectives executed a search warrant at Donkin 's home as part of an investigation into indecent images of children .
`` The defendant and his wife were present at the address '' , Ms Brown said .
`` The defendant made a full admission and directed police to a computer at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ yes its all on that computer there ’ .
`` He was arrested and a number of devices were seized from the address and examined . ''
Police found 437,614 indecent images of children in total - 24,558 were category A images , described as the worst kind of child pornography , 117,291 category B and 295,765 category C. More than 7,000 of these were videos , the court heard .
`` The images depicted children from the ages of one to 15 years '' , Ms Brown added .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 80 video files and 12,000 still images of covert recorded material of young girls in public spaces .
`` The defendant was interviewed and said he had been downloading the material for about five years or more .
`` He said he felt depressed and curious .
He admitted that he had a sexual interest in children .
`` It was found on a computer at a work station in his spare bedroom . ''
Defence lawyer Ronan Maguire said his client - who has no previous convictions - had been working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His employer had not been made aware of his offending , Mr Maguire said .
`` He realises the serious predicament in which he has placed himself '' , he added .
`` Matters were admitted essentially at the point of arrest .
`` His wife is supportive of him .
She has a medical illness and can not work .
`` He has been working from home due to Covid .
He has worked for the last 19 years for the same company .
`` The employer are unaware of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a termination of the employment . ''
Donkin , of Porlock Road , Wythenshawe , pleaded guilty to three offences of making an indecent photo and one offence of possession of a prohibited image of a child .
Sentencing , Judge Anthony Cross QC told him his offending was so serious that he would have to go to prison immediately .
`` The result of the examination of your computer revealed an extraordinary large amount of prohibited material '' , the judge said .
`` Many of the children in the images were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
`` You had been in possession of that material for as long as a period of nearly six and a half years .
`` Police also found a cache of 80 video files with 12,000 still images which you possessed of the posterior and chest area of female children pictured in public places .
`` This emphasises your unnatural interests in small children .
`` This is a grave case and the offending behaviour is so serious that I would be failing in my public duty were I not to impose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was jailed for two years and four months .
He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years .

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A man has been jailed after police found more than 400,000 indecent pictures of children on his work computer.
Michael Donkin, 59, downloaded hundreds of thousands of vile, illegal images of children as young as one-year-old, including almost 25,000 classed as being of the most serious category.
When police searched his home in Wythenshawe on July 16 this year, he told them: "Yes, it's all on that computer there".
As well as having the 'extraordinary large amount' of images on his work computer and a hard drive, Donkin also had 80 videos and 12,000 images of young girls taken in public spaces.
He admitted having a sexual interest in young children and was today jailed for two years and four months at Manchester Crown Court.
Prosecutor Michelle Brown told the court how detectives executed a search warrant at Donkin's home as part of an investigation into indecent images of children.
"The defendant and his wife were present at the address", Ms Brown said.
"The defendant made a full admission and directed police to a computer at a work station.
"He said ‘yes its all on that computer there’.
"He was arrested and a number of devices were seized from the address and examined."
(Image: MEN Media)
Police found 437,614 indecent images of children in total - 24,558 were category A images, described as the worst kind of child pornography, 117,291 category B and 295,765 category C.
More than 7,000 of these were videos, the court heard.
"The images depicted children from the ages of one to 15 years", Ms Brown added.
"The officers also found a large volume, around 80 video files and 12,000 still images of covert recorded material of young girls in public spaces.
"The defendant was interviewed and said he had been downloading the material for about five years or more.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
"He said he felt depressed and curious. He admitted that he had a sexual interest in children.
"It was found on a computer at a work station in his spare bedroom."
Defence lawyer Ronan Maguire said his client - who has no previous convictions - had been working for the same company for 19 years.
His employer had not been made aware of his offending, Mr Maguire said.
"He realises the serious predicament in which he has placed himself", he added.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
"Matters were admitted essentially at the point of arrest.
"His wife is supportive of him. She has a medical illness and can not work.
"He has been working from home due to Covid. He has worked for the last 19 years for the same company.
"The employer are unaware of the position though this will likely lead to a termination of the employment."
Donkin, of Porlock Road, Wythenshawe, pleaded guilty to three offences of making an indecent photo and one offence of possession of a prohibited image of a child.
Sentencing, Judge Anthony Cross QC told him his offending was so serious that he would have to go to prison immediately.
"The result of the examination of your computer revealed an extraordinary large amount of prohibited material", the judge said.
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.
"Many of the children in the images were very young, some as young as one.
"You had been in possession of that material for as long as a period of nearly six and a half years.
"Police also found a cache of 80 video files with 12,000 still images which you possessed of the posterior and chest area of female children pictured in public places.
"This emphasises your unnatural interests in small children.
"This is a grave case and the offending behaviour is so serious that I would be failing in my public duty were I not to impose an immediate custodial sentence."
Donkin was jailed for two years and four months.
He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--"It's people like you who spread coronavirus": Disabled mum's bus ordeal

A disabled mum who says she is exempt from wearing a mask claims a bus driver shouted at her for 'spreading coronavirus ' - before abandoning his passengers when the row escalated .
Karrine , 27 , has epilepsy and can suffer up to two seizures a week as a result .
During the pandemic , she has found that wearing a mask causes her distress and can bring on her seizures .
As a result , Karrine says she has attained mask-wearing exemption from her doctor and has a form to prove it .
It 's a difficult time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus drivers who risk their health every day to do their jobs , often under difficult conditions .
But on her journey from Heywood to Piccadilly on Monday , Karrine claims a bus driver demanded details of her condition - before telling her 'it 's people like you who spread coronavirus ' .
Because there were other passengers on the bus not wearing masks , Karrine suggested the driver was discriminating against her - prompting him to demand she get off .
When Karrine refused and started filming him , she says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit at a bus stop opposite .
Diamond Bus North West have told the Manchester Evening News they are investigating the alleged incident .
Karrine told the Manchester Evening News : `` I 've never felt so embarrassed in my life .
This experience has left me feeling I do n't want to get on a bus again .
I ca n't drive because of my medical condition and the bus is the only way I can pick up my daughter .
I 've never had an experience like this before .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lanyard about their disability but I 'm 27 and I do n't want to be wearing something round my neck .
`` If the driver does n't like his position he can find another job - maybe he should become a doctor as it sounds like he knows a lot .
You need to keep thoughts like that in your head , have a chat with friends when you 've finished , but do n't take it out on one person . ''
Karrine was travelling from Heywood to Piccadilly after dropping her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5.30pm on Monday , when her ordeal unfolded .
Karrine , who is currently signed off from her job at an IVF clinic due to her condition , was at the bus stop when the 163 Diamond bus pulled up .
She said : `` The driver was gesturing to say where 's my mask and would n't open the door .
I was asking him to please open the door . ''
Karrine says the driver finally let her on board , and she showed her mask exemption pass as she tapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims , then proceed to ask her why she was exempt and when she refused to tell him , accused her of 'taking the mick ' .
She added : `` He was saying 'it 's medically proven that masks do n't affect medical conditions and I was telling him I did n't want to talk to him about this . ''
Karrine says she resorted to taking out her medicine and showing evidence of her condition on her phone - but that when she took a seat he continued to harangue her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` I could tell he was getting angry .
He said 'It 's people like you who spread coronavirus ' .
Karrine says there were other passengers on the bus not wearing masks , adding : `` They were asking me what was going on .
One boy was wearing a lanyard and he said the driver had n't questioned him when he got on . ''
Karrine , who began to film her experience because she felt discriminated against , added : `` I asked him if it was my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling him racist . ''
The driver , Karrine says , then demanded she get off the bus , and when she refused , pulled over , left the cab and went to sit at a bus stop across the road - leaving a bus full of passengers .
All passengers , Karrine said , were forced to get off the bus and get the next one .
Karrine , who has complained to Diamond , added : `` They said there was a backlog of complaints and it would take a while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North West said : `` An internal investigation is currently taking place into the alleged incident after receiving a complaint from a customer yesterday evening .
The company treat these types of complaints very seriously .
`` The company has worked hard over the last six months with our driving staff to align with the government guidelines and encourage customers to wear face coverings where there is no exemption in place and also continue to work with TFGM and the Travel Safe Unit across Greater Manchester doing face covering events to highlight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings unless exempt . ''

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A disabled mum who says she is exempt from wearing a mask claims a bus driver shouted at her for 'spreading coronavirus' - before abandoning his passengers when the row escalated.
Karrine, 27, has epilepsy and can suffer up to two seizures a week as a result. During the pandemic, she has found that wearing a mask causes her distress and can bring on her seizures.
As a result, Karrine says she has attained mask-wearing exemption from her doctor and has a form to prove it.
It's a difficult time for all front line workers, including bus drivers who risk their health every day to do their jobs, often under difficult conditions.
But on her journey from Heywood to Piccadilly on Monday, Karrine claims a bus driver demanded details of her condition - before telling her 'it's people like you who spread coronavirus'.
Because there were other passengers on the bus not wearing masks, Karrine suggested the driver was discriminating against her - prompting him to demand she get off.
When Karrine refused and started filming him, she says the driver abandoned a bus-full of passengers to sit at a bus stop opposite.
Diamond Bus North West have told the Manchester Evening News they are investigating the alleged incident.
Karrine told the Manchester Evening News : "I've never felt so embarrassed in my life. This experience has left me feeling I don't want to get on a bus again. I can't drive because of my medical condition and the bus is the only way I can pick up my daughter. I've never had an experience like this before.
"Some people may feel comfortable wearing a lanyard about their disability but I'm 27 and I don't want to be wearing something round my neck.
"If the driver doesn't like his position he can find another job - maybe he should become a doctor as it sounds like he knows a lot. You need to keep thoughts like that in your head, have a chat with friends when you've finished, but don't take it out on one person."
Karrine was travelling from Heywood to Piccadilly after dropping her daughter at her grandparents' at around 5.30pm on Monday, when her ordeal unfolded.
Karrine, who is currently signed off from her job at an IVF clinic due to her condition, was at the bus stop when the 163 Diamond bus pulled up.
She said: "The driver was gesturing to say where's my mask and wouldn't open the door. I was asking him to please open the door."
Karrine said the driver finally let her on board, and she showed her mask exemption pass as she tapped on. But the driver, she claims, then proceed to ask her why she was exempt and when she refused to tell him, accused her of 'taking the mick'.
She added: "He was saying 'it's medically proven that masks don't affect medical conditions and I was telling him I didn't want to talk to him about this."
Karrine said she resorted to taking out her medicine and showing evidence of her condition on her phone - but that when she took a seat he continued to harangue her from the driver's cab.
She added: "I could tell he was getting angry. He said 'It's people like you who spread coronavirus'.
Karrine said there were other passengers on the bus not wearing masks, adding: "They were asking me what was going on. One boy was wearing a lanyard and he said the driver hadn't questioned him when he got on."
Karrine, who began to film her experience because she felt discriminated against, added: "I asked him if it was my race and he asked if I was calling him racist."
The driver, Karrine said, then demanded she get off the bus, and when she refused, pulled over, left the cab and went to sit at a bus stop across the road - leaving a bus full of passengers.
All passengers, Karrine said, were forced to get off the bus and get the next one.
Karrine, who has complained to Diamond, added: "They said there was a backlog of complaints and it would take a while."
A spokesman from Diamond Bus North West said: "An internal investigation is currently taking place into the alleged incident after receiving a complaint from a customer yesterday evening. The company treat these types of complaints very seriously.
"The company has worked hard over the last six months with our driving staff to align with the government guidelines and encourage customers to wear face coverings where there is no exemption in place and also continue to work with TFGM and the Travel Safe Unit across Greater Manchester doing face covering events to highlight the need for bus passengers to wear face coverings unless exempt."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Euromillions results and draw: Tuesday's winning numbers for £36m jackpot prize

It 's time for Tuesday 's EuroMillions lottery draw - and you could be the lucky winner tonight .
In @ @ @ @ @ is a life-changing sum of money up for grabs .
Could you be the winner @ @ @ @ @ jackpot ?
There 's only one way to find out .
To play , pick @ @ @ @ @ 7.30pm and choose five main numbers and two lucky stars .
To get your hands @ @ @ @ @ you need to match all five numbers and both lucky stars on your card .
@ @ @ @ @ on the National Lottery website .
And even if you do n't secure the jackpot @ @ @ @ @ home large amounts of cash by matching fewer numbers .
With every ticket you 'll @ @ @ @ @ Millionaire Maker draw which will turn one lucky ticket holder into a millionaire if their @ @ @ @ @ Tonight we 'll be revealing the results for the Euromillions , the Thunderball draw , @ @ @ @ @ .
Scroll down for updates as the numbers are announced .

It's time for Tuesday's EuroMillions lottery draw - and you could be the lucky winner tonight.
In tonight's lottery draw there is a life-changing sum of money up for grabs.
Could you be the winner of a whopping £36 million jackpot?
There's only one way to find out.
To play, pick up your lottery ticket before 7.30pm and choose five main numbers and two lucky stars.
To get your hands on that juicy jackpot, you need to match all five numbers and both lucky stars on your card.
You can also play online on the National Lottery website.
And even if you don't secure the jackpot, you could still take home large amounts of cash by matching fewer numbers.
With every ticket you'll also be entered into the Millionaire Maker draw which will turn one lucky ticket holder into a millionaire if their raffle code is picked.
Tonight we'll be revealing the results for the Euromillions, the Thunderball draw, and the Millionaire Maker code.
Scroll down for updates as the numbers are announced.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Government ‘cannot pin blame on Greater Manchester’ for escalating Covid crisis, warns Starmer

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has warned ministers are preparing to blame leaders in Greater Manchester for rising Covid cases and admissions amid a stand-off over local hospitality closures .
He was speaking after announcing the party ’ s new national position , which is to demand a two-week national ‘ circuit break ’ that would see a return to national lockdown but with schools still open .
Asked whether that policy had been agreed with local leaders here - and particularly Manchester council chief Sir Richard Leese , who has previously warned economic measures would pose an ‘ existential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses and workers - Sir Keir said he and his team had been in ‘ constant contact with him ’ .
However when asked whether local Labour leaders and mayors supported the policy , he didn ’ t answer directly .
The Labour leader said there was consensus among Labour MPs on the policy .
Greater Manchester has been at loggerheads with the government since the end of last week , when Number 10 made clear that it wanted to put the conurbation into ‘ tier three ’ of new local lockdown measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to close .
Local leaders have been fiercely opposed to the move , arguing there had been no evidence provided that the move would make a difference , or sufficient control to carry out effective contact tracing after months of pleas .
Sir Keir insisted his latest policy differed in that it would amount to a national ‘ break in the circuit ’ that would need to come with the localised contact tracing powers Greater Manchester leaders has long been asking for .
Asked whether he had consulted with them on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had agreed - he said : “ One of the things I ’ ve done over the last few months is consult very , very regularly with local leaders and with local mayors and others on a regular basis on all of the issues relating to coronavirus .
“ And obviously we ’ ve discussed new restrictions , particularly in Manchester .
`` I know my team has been in constant contact with him [ Sir Richard ] about how strongly he feels about the situation up there.
” Some in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trap for them , withholding extra contact tracing resource unless leaders agree to pub closures - then blaming them , potentially in a few weeks , for any rise in Covid hospital admissions .
Asked whether the believed that to be the case , Sir Keir said : “ I do think the government is trying , as ever , to put blame anywhere but themselves .
“ The blame lies with themselves for the situation that has arisen in the north west , the north east and parts of the midlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government asked a lot of people during lockdown and they gave a lot but the government ’ s side of the equation was to be ready for coming out of lockdown and in particular to have track and trace working effectively.
” Noting that a promise of 24-hour turnaround of contact tracing cases was only happening in 24 % of cases , he said : “ I do think , as ever , the government is trying to put blame elsewhere .
They ’ ll try to put blame on local leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But I think the public and people in Manchester and Greater Manchester know very well where the blame lies for the loss of control of the virus.
” The new Labour policy is a striking departure from its previous approach , which has been broadly supportive of overall measures but more critical on elements of the detail and its delivery .
Party strategists have tended towards the belief that the public wants collaboration between the political parties at a time of crisis .
However today ’ s policy announcement comes amid growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly in the north west , as well as the emergence of Sage minutes last night that showed government had been urged to carry out a two-week circuit break three weeks ago .
Sir Keir said consensus among Labour MPs had been ‘ building over a number of days ’ , adding that there was agreement 'the virus is now out of control ' .
Last night 's SAGE minutes 'really made a material difference ' , he said , adding : `` So I think on the Labour benches there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to have a circuit break to get the virus down .
And that is the only way we can move forward across all these areas that people have been concerned about . ''
The system of tiers currently being applied across different areas would simply ‘ prolong the agony ’ of economic closures , he said , rather than a short sharp shock of a circuit break .
Schools ought to remain open , he added , but the approach could be timed to coincide with half term .

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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has warned ministers are preparing to blame leaders in Greater Manchester for rising Covid cases and admissions amid a stand-off over local hospitality closures.
He was speaking after announcing the party’s new national position, which is to demand a two-week national ‘circuit break’ that would see a return to national lockdown but with schools still open.
Asked whether that policy had been agreed with local leaders here - and particularly Manchester council chief Sir Richard Leese, who has previously warned economic measures would pose an ‘existential threat’ for the city’s businesses and workers - Sir Keir said he and his team had been in ‘constant contact with him’.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
However when asked whether local Labour leaders and mayors supported the policy, he didn’t answer directly.
The Labour leader said there was consensus among Labour MPs on the policy.
(Image: PA)
Greater Manchester has been at loggerheads with the government since the end of last week, when Number 10 made clear that it wanted to put the conurbation into ‘tier three’ of new local lockdown measures - meaning its bars and restaurants would have to close.
Local leaders have been fiercely opposed to the move, arguing there had been no evidence provided that the move would make a difference, or sufficient control to carry out effective contact tracing after months of pleas.
Sir Keir insisted his latest policy differed in that it would amount to a national ‘break in the circuit’ that would need to come with the localised contact tracing powers Greater Manchester leaders has long been asking for.
Asked whether he had consulted with them on the new national Labour policy - and whether they had agreed - he said: “One of the things I’ve done over the last few months is consult very, very regularly with local leaders and with local mayors and others on a regular basis on all of the issues relating to coronavirus.
(Image: Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)
“And obviously we’ve discussed new restrictions, particularly in Manchester.
"I know my team has been in constant contact with him [Sir Richard] about how strongly he feels about the situation up there.”
Some in the Greater Manchester system fear government has laid a trap for them, withholding extra contact tracing resource unless leaders agree to pub closures - then blaming them, potentially in a few weeks, for any rise in Covid hospital admissions.
Asked whether the believed that to be the case, Sir Keir said: “I do think the government is trying, as ever, to put blame anywhere but themselves.
“The blame lies with themselves for the situation that has arisen in the north west, the north east and parts of the midlands, particularly the north midlands.
(Image: MEN)
“The government asked a lot of people during lockdown and they gave a lot but the government’s side of the equation was to be ready for coming out of lockdown and in particular to have track and trace working effectively.”
Noting that a promise of 24-hour turnaround of contact tracing cases was only happening in 24% of cases, he said: “I do think, as ever, the government is trying to put blame elsewhere. They’ll try to put blame on local leaders as far as they possibly can.
"But I think the public and people in Manchester and Greater Manchester know very well where the blame lies for the loss of control of the virus.”
The new Labour policy is a striking departure from its previous approach, which has been broadly supportive of overall measures but more critical on elements of the detail and its delivery.
Party strategists have tended towards the belief that the public wants collaboration between the political parties at a time of crisis.
(Image: Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)
However today’s policy announcement comes amid growing alarm about rising Covid cases and admissions, particularly in the north west, as well as the emergence of Sage minutes last night that showed government had been urged to carry out a two-week circuit break three weeks ago.
Sir Keir said consensus among Labour MPs had been ‘building over a number of days’, adding that there was agreement 'the virus is now out of control'.
Last night's SAGE minutes 'really made a material difference', he said, adding: "So I think on the Labour benches there's clarity that we need this reset, we need to have a circuit break to get the virus down. And that is the only way we can move forward across all these areas that people have been concerned about."
The system of tiers currently being applied across different areas would simply ‘prolong the agony’ of economic closures, he said, rather than a short sharp shock of a circuit break.
Schools ought to remain open, he added, but the approach could be timed to coincide with half term.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Heartbroken parents pay tribute to 'special blue eyed boy' who died suddenly

An inquest has opened into the death of an eight-month-old baby from Wigan .
Charlie Matthew Wilkinson was found unresponsive in his cot , at his grandparents ' house , on June 6 .
He was taken to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary but was pronounced dead a short time later , police coroner 's officer Benjamin Dobbs told Bolton Coroner 's Court .
Mr Dobbs also confirmed that Charlie lived with his parents , Katie Benson and Adam Wilkinson , in the Platt Bridge area of Wigan .
In a joint statement , shared with the Manchester Evening News following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Until the day we take our last breaths , we will never understand why this would happen to us as a family and our special blue eyed boy .
`` Everyone who knew Charlie knew him for his infectious big smile and gorgeous blue eyes , so happy and so full of life .
`` In the short eight months we made so many amazing memories that I will hold on forever .
You left a massive impact on everyone 's life who knew you .
`` Never in a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be your last nap .
There were no signs , no warnings , just a massive hole in our hearts and a nightmare we will have to live with forever .
`` Sleep tight baby boy .
Mummy and daddy will be forever proud of you and make sure your memory will forever live on . ''
Stephen Teasdale , assistant coroner for Manchester West , confirmed that the cause of Charlie 's death is currently `` unascertained . ''
Mr Teasdale adjourned the inquest , for a full hearing at 2pm @ @ @ @ @ @

An inquest has opened into the death of an eight-month-old baby from Wigan.
Charlie Matthew Wilkinson was found unresponsive in his cot, at his grandparents' house, on June 6.
He was taken to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary but was pronounced dead a short time later, police coroner's officer Benjamin Dobbs told Bolton Coroner's Court.
Mr Dobbs also confirmed that Charlie lived with his parents, Katie Benson and Adam Wilkinson, in the Platt Bridge area of Wigan.
(Image: Family handout)
In a joint statement, shared with the Manchester Evening News following the hearing, Charlie's parents said: "Until the day we take our last breaths, we will never understand why this would happen to us as a family and our special blue eyed boy.
"Everyone who knew Charlie knew him for his infectious big smile and gorgeous blue eyes, so happy and so full of life.
"In the short eight months we made so many amazing memories that I will hold on forever. You left a massive impact on everyone's life who knew you.
"Never in a million years did we think that was going to be your last nap. There were no signs, no warnings, just a massive hole in our hearts and a nightmare we will have to live with forever.
"Sleep tight baby boy. Mummy and daddy will be forever proud of you and make sure your memory will forever live on."
Sign up to the free MyWigan email newsletter Get regular updates from Wigan direct to your email inbox with the free MyWigan newsletter. All you need to do is click on this link, enter your email address, and select 'MyWigan News'.
Stephen Teasdale, assistant coroner for Manchester West, confirmed that the cause of Charlie's death is currently "unascertained."
Mr Teasdale adjourned the inquest, for a full hearing at 2pm, on January 25 2021.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Arsene Wenger says Pogba and Sancho's transfer situations are illogical

Arsene Wenger says the transfer situations Jadon Sancho and Paul Pogba have found themselves in are illogical .
After Pogba departed Manchester United for Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 , the Reds paid a then-world record fee to re-sign him four years later .
United attempted to bring Sancho back to England following a successful three years at Borussia Dortmund after his 2017 move from Manchester City .
Former Arsenal boss Wenger believes it is a symptom of a Premier League paradox that young players are leaving English clubs ' world-class development systems in order to find first-team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 , Wenger - who was never afraid of giving young players opportunities at Arsenal - argued it was a transfer approach that makes no sense .
He said : `` What I find at the moment a little bit surprising is that England made a huge effort to educate young players but the system of the Premier League is so tough and the level is so high that you have paradoxical situations .
” I give you two examples : Pogba was partly educated in England , he went for free and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sic ] .
“ Jadon Sancho has been partly educated at Manchester City , if you want him back today you have to pay £100million .
`` You buy at a huge price players you have educated yourself .
That 's something I do n't find logical at all.
” Wenger is currently gaining a lot of publicity due to the release of his autobiography .
Yet any United fan keen to read up on his infamous clashes with Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to be disappointed , with Wenger admitting he steered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t want it to be a book of revenge or frustration or of injustice , ” he told the Guardian .
`` I didn ’ t want to show : ‘ Well , he did that to me ’ – all these things .
But you know what happened in your life and you have to rise above that . ''
He added : `` I wanted it to be a positive experience of life .
`` You can not have the life I ’ ve had until now and be @ @ @

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Arsene Wenger says the transfer situations Jadon Sancho and Paul Pogba have found themselves in are illogical.
After Pogba departed Manchester United for Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, the Reds paid a then-world record fee to re-sign him four years later.
United attempted to bring Sancho back to England following a successful three years at Borussia Dortmund after his 2017 move from Manchester City.
Former Arsenal boss Wenger believes it is a symptom of a Premier League paradox that young players are leaving English clubs' world-class development systems in order to find first-team football overseas.
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Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Wenger - who was never afraid of giving young players opportunities at Arsenal - argued it was a transfer approach that makes no sense.
He said: "What I find at the moment a little bit surprising is that England made a huge effort to educate young players but the system of the Premier League is so tough and the level is so high that you have paradoxical situations.
”I give you two examples: Pogba was partly educated in England, he went for free and England bought him back for £100million [sic].
“Jadon Sancho has been partly educated at Manchester City, if you want him back today you have to pay £100million.
"You buy at a huge price players you have educated yourself. That's something I don't find logical at all.”
Wenger is currently gaining a lot of publicity due to the release of his autobiography.
Yet any United fan keen to read up on his infamous clashes with Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to be disappointed, with Wenger admitting he steered clear of any mud-slinging.
“I didn’t want it to be a book of revenge or frustration or of injustice,” he told the Guardian.
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.
"I didn’t want to show: ‘Well, he did that to me’ – all these things. But you know what happened in your life and you have to rise above that."
He added: "I wanted it to be a positive experience of life.
"You cannot have the life I’ve had until now and be negative."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Hospitals are entering 'one of the hardest winters they've ever seen'

Stepping Hill Hospital is already being hit hard by winter pressures with an increasing number of people being admitted with coronavirus .
The hospital declared an 'OPEL 3 ' incident at the weekend due to the strain caused by rising Covid-19 cases in the borough .
Yet Stockport NHS Foundation Trust , the organisation in charge of Stepping Hill , said it was normal for OPEL 3 to be declared at this time of year .
The Operational Pressures Escalation Levels ( OPEL ) system gives an indication of how hospitals are performing against the four-hour wait time target for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , an OPEL 3 incident indicates that the four-hour performance is being 'significantly compromised ' .
The description states : `` The local health and social care system is experiencing major pressures compromising patient flow , and these continue to increase .
`` Actions taken in OPEL 2 have not succeeded in returning the system to OPEL 1 . ''
The highest level of alert is 'OPEL 4 ' and triggers external assistance .
A spokesperson for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said : `` It is not unusual for NHS organisations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year , and at the same time we are currently seeing the impact of increasing rates of Covid-19 in our local population , leading to rising hospital admissions .
`` Our first priority is to ensure we can treat patients safely , and we follow rigorous escalation processes where pressure does rise to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our patients . ''
Stepping Hill is not the only hospital in Greater Manchester feeling the strain .
Regional health bosses say hospitals are facing one of the 'worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Capacity has already being reduced to maintain social distancing in A & E units and on wards .
Those measures combined with the usual winter pressures are already causing problems .
The NHS Nightingale North West at Manchester Central was put on standby earlier this week due to rising hospital admissions in the region .
Sarah Price , interim chief officer at Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership , said : '' The NHS is about to face one of the hardest winters it has ever seen , not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire country .
`` The combination of the additional pressures winter brings to our hospitals and the ongoing pandemic has created a very challenging situation – including a reduction in capacity that is the result of the constraints created by maintaining social distancing .
`` Hospitals across the city region , and beyond , will be working together to support each other and to continue providing the best possible care for those in need .
It is essential that all parts of the health system work together to weather this storm .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can continue to provide treatment and support to everyone who needs it , even during this difficult time . ''

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Stepping Hill Hospital is already being hit hard by winter pressures with an increasing number of people being admitted with coronavirus.
The hospital declared an 'OPEL 3' incident at the weekend due to the strain caused by rising Covid-19 cases in the borough.
Yet Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation in charge of Stepping Hill, said it was normal for OPEL 3 to be declared at this time of year.
The Operational Pressures Escalation Levels (OPEL) system gives an indication of how hospitals are performing against the four-hour wait time target for A&E.
According to NHS England, an OPEL 3 incident indicates that the four-hour performance is being 'significantly compromised'.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
The description states: "The local health and social care system is experiencing major pressures compromising patient flow, and these continue to increase.
"Actions taken in OPEL 2 have not succeeded in returning the system to OPEL 1."
The highest level of alert is 'OPEL 4' and triggers external assistance.
A spokesperson for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: "It is not unusual for NHS organisations to be under increased pressure at this time of the year, and at the same time we are currently seeing the impact of increasing rates of Covid-19 in our local population, leading to rising hospital admissions.
"Our first priority is to ensure we can treat patients safely, and we follow rigorous escalation processes where pressure does rise to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our patients."
(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Stepping Hill is not the only hospital in Greater Manchester feeling the strain.
Regional health bosses say hospitals are facing one of the 'worst winters ever' due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Capacity has already being reduced to maintain social distancing in A&E units and on wards.
Those measures combined with the usual winter pressures are already causing problems.
The NHS Nightingale North West at Manchester Central was put on standby earlier this week due to rising hospital admissions in the region.
Sarah Price, interim chief officer at Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, said:
"The NHS is about to face one of the hardest winters it has ever seen, not only here in Greater Manchester but across the entire country.
"The combination of the additional pressures winter brings to our hospitals and the ongoing pandemic has created a very challenging situation – including a reduction in capacity that is the result of the constraints created by maintaining social distancing.
"Hospitals across the city region, and beyond, will be working together to support each other and to continue providing the best possible care for those in need. It is essential that all parts of the health system work together to weather this storm.
"Our priority is to make sure we can continue to provide treatment and support to everyone who needs it, even during this difficult time."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Rochdale's high infection rate down to 'widespread community transmission'

Rochdale is currently battling the second highest infection rate in Greater Manchester due to ‘ widespread community transmission ’ , the borough ’ s director of public health has said .
In the week to October 9 there were 363.7 positive cases per 100,000 people - more than anywhere in the region bar Manchester .
Heywood has emerged as a new hotspot with cases seeing steep increases in the last two weeks , while central areas such as Kingsway also continue to see high numbers .
But Andrea Fallon , Rochdale ’ s director of public health , says bosses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data ’ given how widespread the disease is both inside and outside the borough .
Rather than being linked to specific outbreaks in workplaces , schools , or care homes , the virus appears to be spreading via people and households mixing with one another , she said .
Data from Public Health England identified just 59 cases across the whole borough in the last week where two or more cases could be traced back to a single setting .
Ms Fallon said the numbers did not support the theory that high numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of places .
“ We can ’ t say that these numbers are caused by outbreaks in a small number of settings , ” she said .
“ They relate to widespread community transmission linked to individuals and households mixing with each other rather than any specific large outbreak .
“ So we are less focused on hyperlocal data now transmission rates are so high as it doesn ’ t help our strategy and cases are widespread within and outside of the borough.
” As with the rest of Greater Manchester , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' restrictions from Wednesday .
This means residents can not meet indoors with anyone outside their household or support bubble .
That includes venues such as bars and restaurants as well as people 's homes .
Meeting friends or family outside in a garden or other outdoor space is allowed , provided 'the rule of six ' is adhered to .
Social distancing and good hygiene remain critically important and people will still have to wear a mask by law in public settings .
Ms Fallon has urged people to keep to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate down .
She said : `` We continue to ask everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones by following the latest measures .
`` The pattern of transmission can be broken if residents limit social contact , maintain social distancing and hand hygiene at all times .
”

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Rochdale is currently battling the second highest infection rate in Greater Manchester due to ‘widespread community transmission’, the borough’s director of public health has said.
In the week to October 9 there were 363.7 positive cases per 100,000 people - more than anywhere in the region bar Manchester.
Heywood has emerged as a new hotspot with cases seeing steep increases in the last two weeks, while central areas such as Kingsway also continue to see high numbers.
But Andrea Fallon, Rochdale’s director of public health, says bosses are now ‘less focused on hyperlocal data’ given how widespread the disease is both inside and outside the borough.
Rather than being linked to specific outbreaks in workplaces, schools, or care homes, the virus appears to be spreading via people and households mixing with one another, she said.
Data from Public Health England identified just 59 cases across the whole borough in the last week where two or more cases could be traced back to a single setting.
Ms Fallon said the numbers did not support the theory that high numbers were caused by outbreaks in a limited number of places.
“We can’t say that these numbers are caused by outbreaks in a small number of settings,” she said.
“They relate to widespread community transmission linked to individuals and households mixing with each other rather than any specific large outbreak.
“So we are less focused on hyperlocal data now transmission rates are so high as it doesn’t help our strategy and cases are widespread within and outside of the borough.”
As with the rest of Greater Manchester, Rochdale will be subject to 'Tier 2' restrictions from Wednesday.
This means residents cannot meet indoors with anyone outside their household or support bubble. That includes venues such as bars and restaurants as well as people's homes.
Meeting friends or family outside in a garden or other outdoor space is allowed, provided 'the rule of six' is adhered to.
Social distancing and good hygiene remain critically important and people will still have to wear a mask by law in public settings.
Ms Fallon has urged people to keep to the rules in order to bring the infection rate down.
She said: "We continue to ask everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones by following the latest measures.
"The pattern of transmission can be broken if residents limit social contact, maintain social distancing and hand hygiene at all times.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--GMP handing out increasing number of fines for coronavirus breaches

Greater Manchester Police is dishing out an increasing number of fixed penalty notices for coronavirus breaches .
It handed out 116 of them over the weekend , about a third of them to students amid efforts to quell the second wave of the disease .
But new 'Tier 2 ' rules , when they come into force in Greater Manchester tomorrow ( Wednesday ) , will actually see a slight easing of restrictions in Greater Manchester , with up to six people being allowed to meet in gardens as long as they remain socially distanced .
Under the old rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester were n't allowed guests in their garden unless they were from their 'support bubble ' .
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told the M.E.N : `` The restrictions have changed , or will change on Wednesday , for Greater Manchester , that change being that you are allowed to meet in your garden with up to six people , socially distanced . ''
He pointed out that under the previous criteria it was forbidden to meet people outside your family 'bubble ' in your home or garden .
Asked how this would affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Since all this started bubbling back up , we have been focusing on the most problematic ones , the larger gatherings and the repeat offenders where it 's caused concern .
That 's been our focus in terms of issuing enforcement notices .
`` Where people are compliant and it 's people generally ringing us , we have been checking it out and following the four Es ( engage , explain , encourage and enforce as a last resort ) , engaging and explaining , but it 's been on these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problematic ones we have been moving more quickly to enforcement . ''
GMP dished out 116 fixed penalty notices across Friday , Saturday and Sunday , said the chief constable , who revealed a third were students and another third were for breaches in Bolton .
It means the force has now handed out 510 fines since lockdown was announced on March 23 , 316 of them during that original lockdown period .
Over the weekend , police broke up a student party in Withington where up to 100 had gathered , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the property as officers arrived .
Seven fines were dished out .
The chief constable said officers were now handing out more fixed penalty notices .
He explained : `` People have had a lot of time to get used to the restrictions we have been living with since March .
We have been focusing on those that are a blatant flouting of the restrictions because we have been seeing for weeks now infection rates going up in Greater Manchester .
Our focus has very much been on those that are ignoring it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no issue . ''
GMP saw 46 officers or staff test positive for coronavirus so far in October , about four a day .
The figure has risen from about three per day .
About 3,000 staff are working from home .
The chief constable said : `` Whilst it is an issue , it 's not causing a level of concern where we struggle to deliver the service . ''

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Greater Manchester Police is dishing out an increasing number of fixed penalty notices for coronavirus breaches.
It handed out 116 of them over the weekend, about a third of them to students amid efforts to quell the second wave of the disease.
But new 'Tier 2' rules, when they come into force in Greater Manchester tomorrow (Wednesday), will actually see a slight easing of restrictions in Greater Manchester, with up to six people being allowed to meet in gardens as long as they remain socially distanced.
Under the old rules which expire tonight, people in Greater Manchester weren't allowed guests in their garden unless they were from their 'support bubble'.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told the M.E.N: "The restrictions have changed, or will change on Wednesday, for Greater Manchester, that change being that you are allowed to meet in your garden with up to six people, socially distanced."
(Image: STEVE ALLEN)
He pointed out that under the previous criteria it was forbidden to meet people outside your family 'bubble' in your home or garden.
Asked how this would affect policing of the rules, he said: "Since all this started bubbling back up, we have been focusing on the most problematic ones, the larger gatherings and the repeat offenders where it's caused concern. That's been our focus in terms of issuing enforcement notices.
"Where people are compliant and it's people generally ringing us, we have been checking it out and following the four Es (engage, explain, encourage and enforce as a last resort), engaging and explaining, but it's been on these large ones and repeat offenders and more problematic ones we have been moving more quickly to enforcement."
GMP dished out 116 fixed penalty notices across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, said the chief constable, who revealed a third were students and another third were for breaches in Bolton.
It means the force has now handed out 510 fines since lockdown was announced on March 23, 316 of them during that original lockdown period.
Over the weekend, police broke up a student party in Withington where up to 100 had gathered, some of whom ran from the back of the property as officers arrived. Seven fines were dished out.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
The chief constable said officers were now handing out more fixed penalty notices.
He explained: "People have had a lot of time to get used to the restrictions we have been living with since March. We have been focusing on those that are a blatant flouting of the restrictions because we have been seeing for weeks now infection rates going up in Greater Manchester. Our focus has very much been on those that are ignoring it. With the majority, there's no issue."
GMP saw 46 officers or staff test positive for coronavirus so far in October, about four a day. The figure has risen from about three per day.
About 3,000 staff are working from home.
The chief constable said: "Whilst it is an issue, it's not causing a level of concern where we struggle to deliver the service."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-13--Bolton Tory MP resigns from government position over handling of lockdown

Bolton West MP Chris Green has resigned from his role as Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Education .
The Conservative MP has written a letter to Boris Johnson , telling the Prime Minister he disagrees with the government 's handling of the coronavirus crisis .
In the letter , Mr Green states that `` the damage done to physical and mental health as well as to livelihoods and businesses would be justified if the threat from Covid-19 was as first suggested '' but says he believes that `` the attempted cure is worse than the disease '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Horwich , Westhoughton and Atherton , wrote : `` The Covid-19 crisis has hit the country hard but we can only be impressed by the magnificent response by so many to get us through it .
`` You have said that the current approach will last for another six months , at least , and that you hope a `` new normal '' will set in by October next year .
Whilst I share your confidence that we will get through this crisis , I am increasingly concerned about what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
`` The Greater Manchester `` local lockdown '' and more extreme economic lockdown have both failed to control the number of positive tests within the Borough of Bolton which have inexorably risen .
`` During the lockdown period , in comparison to last year , Bolton has seen 20,000 fewer GP referrals to hospital , whilst many other people have not accessed vital treatment because they have been too frightened to do so .
`` By taking the current approach to Covid-19 we are creating many other health problems , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
`` The closure of pubs , restaurants and cafes combined with the reduction of footfall on our high streets has brought many family owned businesses in my constituency to the brink of collapse and pushed others over the edge .
Whilst many employees and businesses have received substantial support a great many business owners have received nothing and will continue to receive no support .
`` The damage done to physical and mental health as well as to livelihoods and businesses would be justified if the threat from Covid-19 was as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this novel pandemic virus posed a serious but little understood threat , but we have learnt so much since it first emerged .
I now believe that the attempted cure is worse than the disease and that this second six-month phase will not see the delivery of a solution via mass vaccination .
The Government will then begin its next phase of control .
`` There is a healthy debate on how we can eliminate this coronavirus or how we can live with it and this is being led by many distinguished academics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that there are better alternatives to the Government 's approach , so I therefore tender my resignation . ''
Mr Green was appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Education following the arrival of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister , in August 2019 .
In his role , he assisted Education Ministers in policy-making and liaised between the Department for Education and backbench MPs .

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Bolton West MP Chris Green has resigned from his role as Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Education.
The Conservative MP has written a letter to Boris Johnson, telling the Prime Minister he disagrees with the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis.
In the letter, Mr Green states that "the damage done to physical and mental health as well as to livelihoods and businesses would be justified if the threat from Covid-19 was as first suggested" but says he believes that "the attempted cure is worse than the disease".
Mr Green, whose constituency includes areas such as Horwich, Westhoughton and Atherton, wrote: "The Covid-19 crisis has hit the country hard but we can only be impressed by the magnificent response by so many to get us through it.
"You have said that the current approach will last for another six months, at least, and that you hope a "new normal" will set in by October next year. Whilst I share your confidence that we will get through this crisis, I am increasingly concerned about what is being done to achieve the end of it.
"The Greater Manchester "local lockdown" and more extreme economic lockdown have both failed to control the number of positive tests within the Borough of Bolton which have inexorably risen.
"During the lockdown period, in comparison to last year, Bolton has seen 20,000 fewer GP referrals to hospital, whilst many other people have not accessed vital treatment because they have been too frightened to do so.
"By taking the current approach to Covid-19 we are creating many other health problems, which are leading to pain, suffering and death.
"The closure of pubs, restaurants and cafes combined with the reduction of footfall on our high streets has brought many family owned businesses in my constituency to the brink of collapse and pushed others over the edge. Whilst many employees and businesses have received substantial support a great many business owners have received nothing and will continue to receive no support.
"The damage done to physical and mental health as well as to livelihoods and businesses would be justified if the threat from Covid-19 was as first suggested.
"I know that this novel pandemic virus posed a serious but little understood threat, but we have learnt so much since it first emerged. I now believe that the attempted cure is worse than the disease and that this second six-month phase will not see the delivery of a solution via mass vaccination. The Government will then begin its next phase of control.
"There is a healthy debate on how we can eliminate this coronavirus or how we can live with it and this is being led by many distinguished academics, epidemiologists and other specialists. I believe that there are better alternatives to the Government's approach, so I therefore tender my resignation."
Mr Green was appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Education following the arrival of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, in August 2019.
In his role, he assisted Education Ministers in policy-making and liaised between the Department for Education and backbench MPs.