themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Andy Burnham says he will challenge government over lockdown closure plans

Andy Burnham says he will 'use whatever means he can ' to challenge the government if they put Greater Manchester under stricter lockdown measures .
Leaked government plans on Thursday said pubs and restaurants in coronavirus hotspot areas in the north would be closed down from next week to try and combat soaring infection rates .
The proposed move has sparked furious backlash from the region 's leaders and businesses , with Labour MP Angela Rayner saying Boris Johnson was treating the north 'with contempt ' .
Many said the first they had heard of the plans - which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system that will reportedly be implemented across the UK in the coming days - was on Thursday 's newspaper front pages .
Now , on BBC 's Question Time , airing on Thursday night , Mr Burnham said he would look to challenge the measures the government look set to impose on the North West .
“ I will not accept the government just imposing restrictions these decisions upon us , briefing them to newspapers late at night .
They need to treat the people of the north of England with more respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Host Fiona Bruce asked him : “ When you say you won ’ t accept it , what are you talking about ?
Civil disobedience ?
” In his response , Greater Manchester 's Mayor said : `` “ I won ’ t support it .
Earlier in the summer they asked for my support and I did provide it , but if they come with restrictions without full support for the people and the businesses affected , I won ’ t support it .
But actually more than that , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use whatever means I can to challenge it to get support for people because otherwise they are going to suffer real hardship this winter - we are going to see businesses failing .
`` I even threatened possible legal action over the A-levels in the summer because I wasn ’ t prepared to accept that either , because that disadvantaged young people in the north of England we need change here .
`` I ’ ve offered to work with them time and time again but I think the mood in the north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local leaders , business leaders , is that the government has lost the dressing room and they have to work very hard now to get it back.
“ The proposals appeared on the front pages of The Times , Telegraph and Sun newspapers today .
Downing Street said on Thursday that a 'range of measures ' was being looked at , with a particular focus on northern England , where it says infection rates are rising fastest .
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick today did not rule out pubs being ordered to shut in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be considering fresh financial packages to help the hardest hit areas and industries .
What do you make of the government 's proposals ?
Let us know in our comments below Sheffield mayor Dan Jarvis tweeted that government briefing newspapers , but not those northern leaders tasked with implementing its plans , was ‘ recklessly irresponsible ’ .
The leak also came just two days after a letter from leaders of Manchester , Leeds , Newcastle and Liverpool councils to Matt Hancock on Tuesday made clear that those cities would not accept the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial support package .
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 .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Andy Burnham says he will 'use whatever means he can' to challenge the government if they put Greater Manchester under stricter lockdown measures.
Leaked government plans on Thursday said pubs and restaurants in coronavirus hotspot areas in the north would be closed down from next week to try and combat soaring infection rates.
The proposed move has sparked furious backlash from the region's leaders and businesses, with Labour MP Angela Rayner saying Boris Johnson was treating the north 'with contempt'. Many said the first they had heard of the plans - which are part of the government's lockdown tier system that will reportedly be implemented across the UK in the coming days - was on Thursday's newspaper front pages.
Now, on BBC's Question Time, airing on Thursday night, Mr Burnham said he would look to challenge the measures the government look set to impose on the North West.
“I will not accept the government just imposing restrictions these decisions upon us, briefing them to newspapers late at night. They need to treat the people of the north of England with more respect," he said on the show.
Host Fiona Bruce asked him: “When you say you won’t accept it, what are you talking about? Civil disobedience?”
In his response, Greater Manchester's Mayor said: "“I won’t support it. Earlier in the summer they asked for my support and I did provide it, but if they come with restrictions without full support for the people and the businesses affected, I won’t support it. But actually more than that, I will challenge it.
"I will use whatever means I can to challenge it to get support for people because otherwise they are going to suffer real hardship this winter - we are going to see businesses failing.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
"I even threatened possible legal action over the A-levels in the summer because I wasn’t prepared to accept that either, because that disadvantaged young people in the north of England we need change here.
"I’ve offered to work with them time and time again but I think the mood in the north of England this week, speaking to local leaders, business leaders, is that the government has lost the dressing room and they have to work very hard now to get it back.“
The proposals appeared on the front pages of The Times, Telegraph and Sun newspapers today.
Downing Street said on Thursday that a 'range of measures' was being looked at, with a particular focus on northern England, where it says infection rates are rising fastest.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick today did not rule out pubs being ordered to shut in hotspots, while ministers are said to be considering fresh financial packages to help the hardest hit areas and industries.
What do you make of the government's proposals? Let us know in our comments below
Sheffield mayor Dan Jarvis tweeted that government briefing newspapers, but not those northern leaders tasked with implementing its plans, was ‘recklessly irresponsible’.
The leak also came just two days after a letter from leaders of Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool councils to Matt Hancock on Tuesday made clear that those cities would not accept the new lockdown tier system without a substantial financial support package.
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--2020-10-08--Pubs close 'on police advice' with road blocked as dozens gather for wake

Pubs have been closed 'on the advice of the authorities ' and a road has been blocked for a wake to mourn a dad who died following a GMP chase .
Up to 50 people gathered in Lowton near Golborne from Thursday afternoon to mark the death of Paddy Connors .
The 36-year-old father-of four died with his friend Tommy Sharp , 29 , following a police chase last month .
Friends and family gathered in Lowton , blocking Derby Road where the event was held .
Many of those present were seen drinking .
A number of high-performance cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were at the scene tonight , some with posters of Mr Connors in the window .
The Irish tricolour was seen waving while there were also floral tributes and huge gold-coloured ornament mounted on a truck .
Eye-witnesses said a group of 40 to 50 people were at the event , including some children .
One resident called it 'absolute madness ' while others questioned why the police did not intervene .
Others said it was right to allow them to mourn in their own way .
Under current coronavirus rules , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funeral is 30 .
The police were at the scene earlier in the evening but did not appear to intervene .
Three pubs in the area posted on social media that they had to close on the advice of the police and council : The Queen Anne , The Millstone and The Ram 's Head .
On its Facebook page , the manager of the Queen Anne posted : `` Due to a rather large gathering in town we ’ ve been advised by local authorities to shut our doors for 2 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the next twist and turn that 2020 takes could you .
We hope you all stay safe and we ’ ll see you all on Saturday hopefully . ''
The Millstone posted : `` Sorry we are closed for a couple of days .
We received a phone call earlier advising that there was a large gathering happening locally .
Under the current guidelines we felt it wouldn ’ t be right to risk it for our customers .
We will reopen at 10am on Saturday .
`` We hope you understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ram 's Head said : `` Following advice from licensing and the police , we will be closed with immediate effect and hope to reopen our doors on Saturday .
We will keep everyone informed of further details as we know them and hope Boris does n't close us in the meantime . ''
Mr Connors ' funeral is tomorrow .
In traveller culture , a wake happens before the funeral .
About a hundred people attended a wake in Miles Platting for his friend Mr Sharp on Monday night , which included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a Lamborghini were among the supercars seen at the event .
Inquests into the deaths of Paddy Connors , 36 , and Tommy Sharp , 29 , were opened and adjourned last week .
Both lost their lives when a car they were in crashed into two other cars on Frederick Road , Salford , following the short pursuit .
Paddy , who leaves a wife and four children and lived in Wigan , and married father-of-two Tommy , from Salford , were in a Mercedes C class car at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( IOPC ) said .
The IOPC said initial enquiries have shown an unmarked police car - an Audi - activated its emergency lights and siren to signal to the Mercedes to stop .
Following a short pursuit , which lasted less than a minute along Lower Broughton Street and Frederick Road , the Mercedes collided with two cars , both Volkswagen Passats , the watchdog added .
The collision happened at around 11.40pm on Wednesday , September 23 .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the MyWigan newsletter for the biggest stories direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the MyWigan newsletter for the biggest stories direct to your inbox
Pubs have been closed 'on the advice of the authorities' and a road has been blocked for a wake to mourn a dad who died following a GMP chase.
Up to 50 people gathered in Lowton near Golborne from Thursday afternoon to mark the death of Paddy Connors.
The 36-year-old father-of four died with his friend Tommy Sharp, 29, following a police chase last month.
Friends and family gathered in Lowton, blocking Derby Road where the event was held. Many of those present were seen drinking.
A number of high-performance cars as well as motor-homes and flat-bed trucks were at the scene tonight, some with posters of Mr Connors in the window.
(Image: MEN)
The Irish tricolour was seen waving while there were also floral tributes and huge gold-coloured ornament mounted on a truck.
Eye-witnesses said a group of 40 to 50 people were at the event, including some children.
One resident called it 'absolute madness' while others questioned why the police did not intervene.
Others said it was right to allow them to mourn in their own way.
(Image: Facebook)
Under current coronavirus rules, the maximum number of people allowed at a funeral is 30.
The police were at the scene earlier in the evening but did not appear to intervene.
Three pubs in the area posted on social media that they had to close on the advice of the police and council: The Queen Anne, The Millstone and The Ram's Head.
On its Facebook page, the manager of the Queen Anne posted: "Due to a rather large gathering in town we’ve been advised by local authorities to shut our doors for 2 days.
"You couldn’t make up the next twist and turn that 2020 takes could you. We hope you all stay safe and we’ll see you all on Saturday hopefully."
The Millstone posted: "Sorry we are closed for a couple of days. We received a phone call earlier advising that there was a large gathering happening locally. Under the current guidelines we felt it wouldn’t be right to risk it for our customers. We will reopen at 10am on Saturday.
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
"We hope you understand and see you soon."
The Ram's Head said: "Following advice from licensing and the police, we will be closed with immediate effect and hope to reopen our doors on Saturday. We will keep everyone informed of further details as we know them and hope Boris doesn't close us in the meantime."
Mr Connors' funeral is tomorrow. In traveller culture, a wake happens before the funeral.
About a hundred people attended a wake in Miles Platting for his friend Mr Sharp on Monday night, which included a huge marquee. A Rolls Royce and a Lamborghini were among the supercars seen at the event.
Inquests into the deaths of Paddy Connors, 36, and Tommy Sharp, 29, were opened and adjourned last week.
Both lost their lives when a car they were in crashed into two other cars on Frederick Road, Salford, following the short pursuit.
Paddy, who leaves a wife and four children and lived in Wigan, and married father-of-two Tommy, from Salford, were in a Mercedes C class car at the time, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
(Image: Family handouts)
The police watchdog is investigating.
The IOPC said initial enquiries have shown an unmarked police car - an Audi - activated its emergency lights and siren to signal to the Mercedes to stop.
Following a short pursuit, which lasted less than a minute along Lower Broughton Street and Frederick Road, the Mercedes collided with two cars, both Volkswagen Passats, the watchdog added.
The collision happened at around 11.40pm on Wednesday, September 23.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Manchester United transfer news RECAP

Manchester United transfer news RECAP

Manchester United expect Edinson Cavani to miss the Premier League trip to Newcastle after the international break as he in @ @ @ @ @ the UK .
The news will come as a blow to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer , @ @ @ @ @ Martial for the game at St James ' Park on Saturday , October 17 , @ @ @ @ @ game for the red card he received in the defeat to Tottenham at the weekend @ @ @ @ @ will not be able to train with his new teammates when they return from international @ @ @ @ @ will only link up with the United squad just before they travel to Paris for @ @ @ @ @ League group stage .
Cavani arrived in Manchester on Sunday to undergo his medical ahead @ @ @ @ @ the club on deadline day , but he is now self-isolating for 14 days as @ @ @ @ @ striker has posted a video of himself training alonge .
Recap our live blog below @ @ @ @ @ .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Dominic Booth, Richard Fay, Marcus Banks)

Manchester United expect Edinson Cavani to miss the Premier League trip to Newcastle after the international break as he in self-isolation after his arrival in the UK.
The news will come as a blow to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who will be without Anthony Martial for the game at St James' Park on Saturday, October 17, as he begins a three-man game for the red card he received in the defeat to Tottenham at the weekend.
It also means Cavani will not be able to train with his new teammates when they return from international duty next week and he will only link up with the United squad just before they travel to Paris for the start of the Champions League group stage.
Cavani arrived in Manchester on Sunday to undergo his medical ahead of completing his move to the club on deadline day, but he is now self-isolating for 14 days as per government guidelines. The striker has posted a video of himself training alonge.
Recap our live blog below for all the United latest.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Roy Keane launches scathing attack on Man Utd squad with Solskjaer warning

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that the squad could 'throw him under the bus ' following their embarrassing defeat to Tottenham .
United have lost two of their opening three Premier League fixtures , entering the international break on the back of a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham .
Solskjaer responded with a flurry of activity of deadline day , landing Edinson Cavani , Alex Telles and Facundo Pellistri as immediate reinforcements to the first-team squad , while Amad Diallo will arrive in January and is considered one of Italy 's top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a quick response after the international break to ease the pressure on them and Keane believes that Solskjaer could encounter a similar fate to his predecessor Jose Mourinho if players do not improve their performances .
“ The performance against Spurs was disgraceful .
We ’ ve all had bad days in football , but it was disgracefully bad , some of the players ’ performances , '' he told ITV .
`` Too many bluffers and they will cost Ole his job .
The players he ’ s got there , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ ll do the same to Ole.
” United return from the international break with a trip to face Newcastle United at St. James ' Park , before beginning their Champions League campaign against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that the squad could 'throw him under the bus' following their embarrassing defeat to Tottenham.
United have lost two of their opening three Premier League fixtures, entering the international break on the back of a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham.
Solskjaer responded with a flurry of activity of deadline day, landing Edinson Cavani, Alex Telles and Facundo Pellistri as immediate reinforcements to the first-team squad, while Amad Diallo will arrive in January and is considered one of Italy's top prospects.
However, United will need a quick response after the international break to ease the pressure on them and Keane believes that Solskjaer could encounter a similar fate to his predecessor Jose Mourinho if players do not improve their performances.
“The performance against Spurs was disgraceful. We’ve all had bad days in football, but it was disgracefully bad, some of the players’ performances," he told ITV .
"Too many bluffers and they will cost Ole his job. The players he’s got there, they threw the previous manager under the bus, they’ll do the same to Ole.”
United return from the international break with a trip to face Newcastle United at St. James' Park, before beginning their Champions League campaign against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--The latest coronavirus infection figures for Greater Manchester

Coronavirus infection continues to rise across all of Greater Manchester , with the disease doubling in Trafford within a week The borough of Manchester registered 543 positive cases for every 100,000 people in the local population for the week ending October 5 , according to the latest figures published by Public Health England ( PHE ) .
The national average is 127.4 .
Some 3,002 cases were recorded in Manchester in a week , a rise of 49 per cent .
The rate of increase in Manchester has slowed - it had been doubling every seven days - but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester and among the worst in the country .
Nine other boroughs saw increases in positive cases during the week concerned .
Only Bolton , which has had a local lockdown in place for far longer , appears to have arrested the sharp rise , with 272.7 cases for every 100,000 people in the area for the week concerned .
In Bolton , some 784 cases were registered , 59 more than the week before , which represents a rise of eight per cent .
Trafford has registered a steep rise in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven days concerned .
It represents a rise of 101 per cent compared to the week before , the steepest rise of any borough in Greater Manchester .
The infection rate in Trafford has climbed to 303 cases per 100,000 people .
This figure is half that in Manchester but cases in Trafford are rising faster .
The rise in Stockport was almost as steep , with a 90 per cent increase to 720 positive cases .
After Manchester , Rochdale registered the next highest infection rate although it is much smaller at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The other boroughs also saw a rise in their infection rates : Salford , 337.3 ; Oldham , 327.3 ; Bury 307.9 ; Wigan , 292.7 , Tameside , 258.7 ; Stockport , 245.5 .
Some 71,717 positive cases were registered in England , an infection rate of 127.4 .
Although the number of cases is rising steeply across much of the country , there is now much more testing than at the height of the first wave of the pandemic in April and May .
Then , only people in hospitals were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related daily deaths is also starting to rise again The Government said a further 77 people had died in the UK within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Thursday .
This brings the UK total to 42,592 .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Coronavirus infection continues to rise across all of Greater Manchester, with the disease doubling in Trafford within a week
The borough of Manchester registered 543 positive cases for every 100,000 people in the local population for the week ending October 5, according to the latest figures published by Public Health England (PHE). The national average is 127.4.
Some 3,002 cases were recorded in Manchester in a week, a rise of 49 per cent.
The rate of increase in Manchester has slowed - it had been doubling every seven days - but it remains the worst hit area in Greater Manchester and among the worst in the country.
Nine other boroughs saw increases in positive cases during the week concerned.
(Image: MEN)
Only Bolton, which has had a local lockdown in place for far longer, appears to have arrested the sharp rise, with 272.7 cases for every 100,000 people in the area for the week concerned.
In Bolton, some 784 cases were registered, 59 more than the week before, which represents a rise of eight per cent.
Trafford has registered a steep rise in cases, some 719 of them during the seven days concerned.
It represents a rise of 101 per cent compared to the week before, the steepest rise of any borough in Greater Manchester.
The infection rate in Trafford has climbed to 303 cases per 100,000 people.
This figure is half that in Manchester but cases in Trafford are rising faster.
The rise in Stockport was almost as steep, with a 90 per cent increase to 720 positive cases.
After Manchester, Rochdale registered the next highest infection rate although it is much smaller at 363.3 cases for every 100,000 people.
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 other boroughs also saw a rise in their infection rates: Salford, 337.3; Oldham, 327.3; Bury 307.9; Wigan, 292.7, Tameside, 258.7; Stockport, 245.5.
Some 71,717 positive cases were registered in England, an infection rate of 127.4.
Although the number of cases is rising steeply across much of the country, there is now much more testing than at the height of the first wave of the pandemic in April and May. Then, only people in hospitals were being tested.
The number of Covid-19 related daily deaths is also starting to rise again
The Government said a further 77 people had died in the UK within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Thursday. This brings the UK total to 42,592.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--First time buyers discover their home is worth absolutely nothing

A couple have spoken of their devastation after discovering their first home is almost worthless due to a building error in 2014 .
Chris and Steph Oliver bought a three-bed new-build property in Bradford for £130,000 six years ago using the Government 's 20 % Help to Buy scheme .
In 2015 , when their mortgage term expired , they discovered there was a major problem with the development , the Mirror reports .
The couple , 34 and 29 , were told they could not remortgage because the building had not been completed in line with building regulations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Off Britain programme , Chris said : `` It ’ s a mess .
We feel let down by the systems in this country .
`` There ’ s been so many people who we should have been able to trust and rely on and no one wants to help . ''
In February , Sherwood Homes - the firm behind the development - went into administration , leaving the families with thousands of pounds worth of work uncompleted .
`` We tried to contact Sherwood Homes .
There was no reply .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We were in a state of panic , '' Chris said .
Sadly , Chris and Steph are not the only people affected by the issue .
It 's now emerged that all 13 homes in the new-build estate in Bradford are facing the same devaluation issue .
Adeel Azfal , 27 , who lives with his partner and daughter Anya , 2 , bought their house for £175,000 in June 2016 .
`` We ’ ve got a young family .
My partner doesn ’ t work so we are tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever home , '' he said .
`` When we realised it was worth nothing it was a shock .
`` I ’ m in £150,000 worth of debt to my mortgage provider and I ’ m paying for a house that ’ s worth nothing at all . ''
One of the main issues is that the estate backs onto a former landfill site .
While the site hasn ’ t been active for more than 40 years , the council says it still emits toxic methane gas , which can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The builders were supposed to fit a protective membrane under the floors of each house , but the residents have no proof that it was fitted correctly or even completed .
Hamid Khan bought one of the properties for £180,000 in 2016 .
He believes the membrane was correctly fitted at the time , however due to lack of paperwork , the only way to prove it is by ripping up the flooring .
`` You can only verify it if you break the whole floor .
It doesn ’ t make sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a landfill site and to not install a gas membrane and not install correctly .
New-build solicitor Gary Rycroft said the residents should take action against their conveyancing solicitors .
`` The conveyancing solicitor on the face of it hasn ’ t spotted various issues you would expect them to spot , '' he said .
`` In terms of environmental issues arising on the site , the new road and the sewers .
`` These are all fundamental issues and all part of the job you would expect a conveyancing surveyor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Azfal said their conveyancing solicitors denied any negligence but agreed to pay a sum towards finishing the building work .
Khan has taken his issue to the Legal Ombudsman .
A Bradford Council spokesperson told the programme : `` Clearly residents have been let down by the developer and the agencies that worked for the developer , and that is why the Council have supported residents through guidance and advice .
`` We understand that a number of the residents have successfully taken legal action against the developer ’ s agencies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on site , which the Council considers to be the correct route for residents to be following.
” While a Homes England spokesperson said : `` We have been in regular contact with Mr and Mrs Oliver over this matter and recognise the distress it has caused them . ''
It has agreed to suspend interest payments on Help to Buy loans for affected residents .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
A couple have spoken of their devastation after discovering their first home is almost worthless due to a building error in 2014.
Chris and Steph Oliver bought a three-bed new-build property in Bradford for £130,000 six years ago using the Government's 20% Help to Buy scheme.
In 2015, when their mortgage term expired, they discovered there was a major problem with the development, the Mirror reports.
The couple, 34 and 29, were told they could not remortgage because the building had not been completed in line with building regulations.
Speaking on today's BBC One Rip Off Britain programme, Chris said: "It’s a mess. We feel let down by the systems in this country.
"There’s been so many people who we should have been able to trust and rely on and no one wants to help."
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
In February, Sherwood Homes - the firm behind the development - went into administration, leaving the families with thousands of pounds worth of work uncompleted.
"We tried to contact Sherwood Homes. There was no reply. They stopped answering phone lines and emails. We were in a state of panic," Chris said.
Sadly, Chris and Steph are not the only people affected by the issue.
It's now emerged that all 13 homes in the new-build estate in Bradford are facing the same devaluation issue.
(Image: BBC)
Adeel Azfal, 27, who lives with his partner and daughter Anya, 2, bought their house for £175,000 in June 2016.
"We’ve got a young family. My partner doesn’t work so we are tied into what we thought would be our forever home," he said.
"When we realised it was worth nothing it was a shock.
"I’m in £150,000 worth of debt to my mortgage provider and I’m paying for a house that’s worth nothing at all."
One of the main issues is that the estate backs onto a former landfill site.
While the site hasn’t been active for more than 40 years, the council says it still emits toxic methane gas, which can be lethal when combined with other gases.
The builders were supposed to fit a protective membrane under the floors of each house, but the residents have no proof that it was fitted correctly or even completed.
(Image: BBC)
Hamid Khan bought one of the properties for £180,000 in 2016.
He believes the membrane was correctly fitted at the time, however due to lack of paperwork, the only way to prove it is by ripping up the flooring.
"You can only verify it if you break the whole floor. It doesn’t make sense.
"You’re so close to a landfill site and to not install a gas membrane and not install correctly.
"It’s just unheard of."
New-build solicitor Gary Rycroft said the residents should take action against their conveyancing solicitors.
"The conveyancing solicitor on the face of it hasn’t spotted various issues you would expect them to spot," he said.
"In terms of environmental issues arising on the site, the new road and the sewers.
"These are all fundamental issues and all part of the job you would expect a conveyancing surveyor would do."
(Image: BBC)
The Olivers and Mr Azfal said their conveyancing solicitors denied any negligence but agreed to pay a sum towards finishing the building work.
Khan has taken his issue to the Legal Ombudsman.
A Bradford Council spokesperson told the programme: "Clearly residents have been let down by the developer and the agencies that worked for the developer, and that is why the Council have supported residents through guidance and advice.
"We understand that a number of the residents have successfully taken legal action against the developer’s agencies in order to rectify some of the problems on site, which the Council considers to be the correct route for residents to be following.”
While a Homes England spokesperson said: "We have been in regular contact with Mr and Mrs Oliver over this matter and recognise the distress it has caused them."
It has agreed to suspend interest payments on Help to Buy loans for affected residents.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Man City evening headlines as Champions League squad named

for the group stage of the 2020/21 Champions League .
Pep Guardiola ’ s side kick off their European campaign at home to Porto later this month , with Marseille and Olympiacos making up the rest of Group C. Summer signings Ruben Dias , Nathan Ake , Ferran Torres and Zak Steffen have all been included in the 21-man ‘ A ’ squad .
Competing clubs are permitted to name 25 players in their squads , but the guidelines stipulate that must include four club-trained players .
As City currently have no club-trained players in their first-team ranks , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phil Foden and Eric Garcia are not included in the ‘ A ’ list as UEFA rules allow them to be named on the ‘ B ’ list and still take part .
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has over his comments on Premier League ‘ B ’ teams competing in the Football League .
Soriano claimed the introduction of ‘ B ’ teams into the football pyramid could provide an opportunity for young players to gain experience and allow EFL clubs to receive a financial boost following the damaging impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s statement was not well received by EFL clubs , with representatives from Tranmere Rovers , Peterborough United and Accrington Stanley taking to Twitter to voice their irritation .
Rovers vice-chairman Nicola Palios tweeted : `` I would rather not accept any financial assistance from the @ premierleague than agree to B Teams in the pyramid .
The pyramid in the UK is something we must fight to protect # saynotoBteams . ''
Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt posted a number of tweets on the subject , including : `` No B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No negotiations .
NO B TEAMS . ''
New signing Adedire Mebude could help Liam Delap ’ s first team chances The deadline day arrival of 16-year old striker Adedire Mebude could boost Liam Delap ’ s chances of remaining with the Manchester City first team .
Mebude is expected to join up with City ’ s U18 squad , but there are high hopes within the club that he could progress to Enzo Maresca ’ s U23 side before the end of the season .
If the plans for Mebude go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm very happy if we have players with the first team , '' Maresca told MEN Sport recently .
`` First of all because we can help them and second because I think it ’ s important for the academy and for the club to have young players from the academy with the first team . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox - FREE
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox - FREE
Champions League squad confirmed.
Manchester City have confirmed their squad for the group stage of the 2020/21 Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s side kick off their European campaign at home to Porto later this month, with Marseille and Olympiacos making up the rest of Group C.
Summer signings Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Ferran Torres and Zak Steffen have all been included in the 21-man ‘A’ squad.
Competing clubs are permitted to name 25 players in their squads, but the guidelines stipulate that must include four club-trained players.
As City currently have no club-trained players in their first-team ranks, their squad has been reduced to 21.
Phil Foden and Eric Garcia are not included in the ‘A’ list as UEFA rules allow them to be named on the ‘B’ list and still take part.
EFL Clubs angry at Ferran Soriano’s ‘B’ team plans
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has received a backlash from EFL owners over his comments on Premier League ‘B’ teams competing in the Football League.
Soriano claimed the introduction of ‘B’ teams into the football pyramid could provide an opportunity for young players to gain experience and allow EFL clubs to receive a financial boost following the damaging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Soriano’s statement was not well received by EFL clubs, with representatives from Tranmere Rovers, Peterborough United and Accrington Stanley taking to Twitter to voice their irritation.
Rovers vice-chairman Nicola Palios tweeted: "I would rather not accept any financial assistance from the @premierleague than agree to B Teams in the pyramid. The pyramid in the UK is something we must fight to protect #saynotoBteams."
Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt posted a number of tweets on the subject, including: "No B teams under any circumstances in our pyramid. No negotiations. NO B TEAMS."
Sign up to our free MCFC email newsletter Man City are Premier League champions! Get all the reaction plus daily news and analysis direct to your inbox with our free MCFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
New signing Adedire Mebude could help Liam Delap’s first team chances
The deadline day arrival of 16-year old striker Adedire Mebude could boost Liam Delap’s chances of remaining with the Manchester City first team.
Mebude is expected to join up with City’s U18 squad, but there are high hopes within the club that he could progress to Enzo Maresca’s U23 side before the end of the season.
If the plans for Mebude go ahead, Delap will stay with Pep Guardiola’s senior squad for the season.
"I'm very happy if we have players with the first team," Maresca told MEN Sport recently.
"First of all because we can help them and second because I think it’s important for the academy and for the club to have young players from the academy with the first team."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Man United evening headlines as Champions League squad confirmed

Here are the latest Manchester United evening headlines for Thursday , October 8 .
Manchester United have revealed their squad for the Champions League group stages with new signings Alex Telles , Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri all included .
Unfortunately , there was less good news for a trio of first-team players with Sergio Romero , Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo all omitted from the 25-man ‘ A-list ’ which appeared on UEFA ’ s website .
were drawn Group H alongside Paris Saint-Germain , RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir .
Their Champions League campaign will begin on October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request to take Facundo Pellestri back on loan until January .
Pellestri joined United on transfer deadline day after agreeing an initial five-year contract at Old Trafford .
The club have extensively scouted the 18-year-old and saw him as a viable option once it became obvious they would not sign priority target Jadon Sancho .
Penarol were keen to keep the winger for another three months , however , this request was promptly rejected by United as they see him as an immediate first-team player .
“ Of course we asked for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in every way but they argued that they wanted the player now .
It ’ s normal , when an European club buy a player , they travel immediately.
” The fact was reiterated by Penarol secretary Evaristo Gonzalez , who confirmed United ’ s plans for the winger .
“ Pellistri goes straight to the first team , ” he said .
“ Going to play .
In the negotiation they asked me if I could guarantee them if he was in the bubble because they need him .
Then it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he uses him.
” Axel Tuanzebe believes new signing Edinson Cavani will help Manchester United ’ s defence as well as their attack .
Cavani , 33 , joined the club on a two-year deal after leaving Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the year on a free transfer .
The Uruguayan has won six Ligue 1 titles during his time in Paris and lifted the Copa America with his country in 2011 .
He will bring not only a great goal-scoring record but a wealth of experience to Old Trafford and Tuanzebe thinks that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I always like coming up against talented players , ” he told “ Over the last , you could say , 12 months I ’ ve had Anthony ( Martial ) to deal with , and it ’ s been a blast , as he ’ s unbelievable in training .
“ It ’ s what you want to come up against – the best – to improve your own abilities .
Edinson will be another addition to that with his experience , his knowledge of the game and it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , any smart traits and how to mark someone of his calibre .
”

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Here are the latest Manchester United evening headlines for Thursday, October 8.
Manchester United squad for Champions League group phase confirmed
Manchester United have revealed their squad for the Champions League group stages with new signings Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri all included.
Unfortunately, there was less good news for a trio of first-team players with Sergio Romero, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo all omitted from the 25-man ‘A-list’ which appeared on UEFA’s website.
United were drawn Group H alongside Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir. Their Champions League campaign will begin on October 20.
Read the full squad list here
Manchester United rejected Facundo Pellestri transfer clause
United refused Penarol’s request to take Facundo Pellestri back on loan until January.
Pellestri joined United on transfer deadline day after agreeing an initial five-year contract at Old Trafford.
The club have extensively scouted the 18-year-old and saw him as a viable option once it became obvious they would not sign priority target Jadon Sancho.
Penarol were keen to keep the winger for another three months, however, this request was promptly rejected by United as they see him as an immediate first-team player.
Penarol vice-president Rodolfo Cantino confirmed the news.
“Of course we asked for it,” he told Referí. "We tried in every way but they argued that they wanted the player now. It’s normal, when an European club buy a player, they travel immediately.”
The fact was reiterated by Penarol secretary Evaristo Gonzalez, who confirmed United’s plans for the winger.
“Pellistri goes straight to the first team,” he said. “Going to play. In the negotiation they asked me if I could guarantee them if he was in the bubble because they need him. Then it will be a matter of the manager if he uses him.”
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.
Axel Tuanzebe reveals hidden role Edinson Cavani will play at Manchester United
Axel Tuanzebe believes new signing Edinson Cavani will help Manchester United’s defence as well as their attack.
Cavani, 33, joined the club on a two-year deal after leaving Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the year on a free transfer.
The Uruguayan has won six Ligue 1 titles during his time in Paris and lifted the Copa America with his country in 2011.
He will bring not only a great goal-scoring record but a wealth of experience to Old Trafford and Tuanzebe thinks that can benefit all aspects of the team.
“I always like coming up against talented players,” he told manutd.com. “Over the last, you could say, 12 months I’ve had Anthony (Martial) to deal with, and it’s been a blast, as he’s unbelievable in training.
“It’s what you want to come up against – the best – to improve your own abilities. Edinson will be another addition to that with his experience, his knowledge of the game and it’ll be great to learn from him, any smart traits and how to mark someone of his calibre.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Man United lead race to sign Dayot Upamecano and more transfer rumours

Manchester United and Liverpool are leading the race to sign RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano , according to reports .
United sold Chris Smalling to Roma on deadline day but failed to offload Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones .
MEN Sport understand United 's failure to offload their fringe defenders prevented them from strengthening the department over the summer .
Upamecano was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League over the summer despite signing a new contract with Leipzig and MEN Sport understands United retain an interest in the 21-year-old who was scouted by the club as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Upamecano 's new contract contains a release clause that could see him leave the Bundesliga side for just £38million next year .
The report adds United and Liverpool are leading the race to sign the defender .
United scouts will have an opportunity to assess the youngster after Leipzig were drawn in the same Champions League group as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's men .
Elsewhere , reports claim Jadon Sancho has n't ruled out the possibility of joining United next summer .
United failed to reach an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlining their demands for the 20-year-old .
90min report Sancho has been left frustrated by the transfer saga and will decide his next club with an open mind , potentially opening up the possibility of joining Bayern Munich or Liverpool .
However , the forward has n't completely ruled out the prospect of moving to Old Trafford having already agreed personal terms on a return to the Premier League .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Manchester United and Liverpool are leading the race to sign RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, according to reports.
United sold Chris Smalling to Roma on deadline day but failed to offload Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones. MEN Sport understand United's failure to offload their fringe defenders prevented them from strengthening the department over the summer.
Upamecano was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League over the summer despite signing a new contract with Leipzig and MEN Sport understands United retain an interest in the 21-year-old who was scouted by the club as a teenager.
German outlet Bild report that Upamecano's new contract contains a release clause that could see him leave the Bundesliga side for just £38million next year.
The report adds United and Liverpool are leading the race to sign the defender. United scouts will have an opportunity to assess the youngster after Leipzig were drawn in the same Champions League group as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men.
Elsewhere, reports claim Jadon Sancho hasn't ruled out the possibility of joining United next summer.
United failed to reach an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for the England international despite the Bundesliga side clearly outlining their demands for the 20-year-old.
90min report Sancho has been left frustrated by the transfer saga and will decide his next club with an open mind, potentially opening up the possibility of joining Bayern Munich or Liverpool.
However, the forward hasn't completely ruled out the prospect of moving to Old Trafford having already agreed personal terms on a return to the Premier League.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Family and friends take to the road for tragic 18-year-old's final journey

Dozens of motorbikes took to the streets to lead the final journey of a Wigan 18-year-old this afternoon .
The mammoth display was a poignant way to pay tribute to Kyle Croston , who loved motorbikes , but tragically lost his life in a horror crash .
The motorbikes made their way along Warrington Road in Platt Bridge - the same road where Kyle had been riding his own bike on August 30 .
The college student lost control of the bike and fell off , before hitting a tree and fence .
Kyle had also lost his helmet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was taken to Salford Royal Hospital and fought bravely for almost two weeks , but sadly died on September 13 .
More than a month after the crash , the motorcycle parade was followed by Kyle 's coffin - painted with pictures of him on his bike - surrounded by droves of friends and family members .
The horse drawn carriage was covered in white and sky blues , the same colours of the t-shirts and ties worn by crowds of teenagers who walked the short distance from Kyle 's family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The t-shirts were emblazoned 'RIP Kyle ' , accompanied by a smiling photo of the teenager .
Others walked hand-in-hand , clutching bouquets of baby blue flowers as they accompanied their friend on his final journey .
They were met by members of the public who had gathered on the streets to pay their respects to the young man .
After the service at Wigan Crematorium , Kyle was finally laid to rest at Westwood Cemetery .
Greater Manchester Police are still appealing for information around the circumstances of the crash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serious Collision Investigation Unit , said : `` My thoughts go to the young man 's family and friends who are absolutely devastated after this tragic loss .
`` Our job as to ascertaining the circumstances behind this incident continue and we are again appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or who were travelling in the area at the time of the incident to come forward with information .
`` Also , anyone with dash cam footage from around the area at the time of incident is of particular interest to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make contact so we can ensure the victim 's family get the answers they need . ''
No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing .
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 2167 of 30/08/2020 .
Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the MyWigan newsletter for the biggest stories direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the MyWigan newsletter for the biggest stories direct to your inbox
Dozens of motorbikes took to the streets to lead the final journey of a Wigan 18-year-old this afternoon.
The mammoth display was a poignant way to pay tribute to Kyle Croston, who loved motorbikes, but tragically lost his life in a horror crash.
The motorbikes made their way along Warrington Road in Platt Bridge - the same road where Kyle had been riding his own bike on August 30.
The college student lost control of the bike and fell off, before hitting a tree and fence. Kyle had also lost his helmet, suffering traumatic head injuries as a result.
(Image: Facebook)
He was taken to Salford Royal Hospital and fought bravely for almost two weeks, but sadly died on September 13.
More than a month after the crash, the motorcycle parade was followed by Kyle's coffin - painted with pictures of him on his bike - surrounded by droves of friends and family members.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The horse drawn carriage was covered in white and sky blues, the same colours of the t-shirts and ties worn by crowds of teenagers who walked the short distance from Kyle's family home in Woodcock Drive to Wigan Crematorium.
The t-shirts were emblazoned 'RIP Kyle', accompanied by a smiling photo of the teenager.
Others walked hand-in-hand, clutching bouquets of baby blue flowers as they accompanied their friend on his final journey.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
They were met by members of the public who had gathered on the streets to pay their respects to the young man.
After the service at Wigan Crematorium, Kyle was finally laid to rest at Westwood Cemetery.
Greater Manchester Police are still appealing for information around the circumstances of the crash.
Sergeant Darren Hancock, of GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "My thoughts go to the young man's family and friends who are absolutely devastated after this tragic loss.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
"Our job as to ascertaining the circumstances behind this incident continue and we are again appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or who were travelling in the area at the time of the incident to come forward with information.
"Also, anyone with dash cam footage from around the area at the time of incident is of particular interest to our investigation and we plead with them to make contact so we can ensure the victim's family get the answers they need."
No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 2167 of 30/08/2020. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--'If Dominic Cummings can drive 700 miles, we can come to Manchester'

A man has been fined £150 after admitting driving from West Yorkshire to Manchester to 'nip out for something to eat' Lukman Majeed , 26 , was spotted by the police in an Audi with four others in Rusholme at the end of May this year , when stringent travel lockdown restrictions were still in force .
The four were pulled over and questioned as to where they were headed , and were told the men had travelled from West Yorkshire , Manchester Magistrates Court heard .
The men explained they came to Manchester to ‘ get a takeaway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majeed later told a judge he had made the hour-long journey as he was 'nipping out for something to eat ' .
After being told they couldn ’ t travel for that reason , the men referenced Boris Johnson 's aide - Dominic Cummings - who travelled to Durham from London and then latterly to Barnard Castle in the height of lockdown .
“ I think you ’ ll find we can , '' they told police .
“ If the aide to the Prime Minister can drive 700 miles , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The three other men were issued with fixed penalty notices of £100 , but Majeed , of Kirklees , failed to cooperate - and has now been hauled before the courts .
Pleading guilty to one offence of being outside of a place where living in England without reasonable excuse during the coronavirus emergency period , he was fined £150 and ordered to pay £117 costs .
Prosecutor Nick Smart told the court that on May 25 this year , officers were on patrol in Rusholme as part of a police operation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officers stopped an Audi travelling on Wilmslow Road as officers wanted to establish where the four occupants were headed , ” Mr Smart said .
“ They confirmed they have travelled from West Yorkshire to get to Manchester to get a takeaway , meet friends and celebrate Eid .
“ Officers told them they couldn ’ t travel for such a reason and they were met with the comment : ' I think you ’ ll find we can .
If the aide to the Prime Minister can drive 700 miles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eid . '
“ The officers then explained to them that wasn ’ t the position .
“ Officers checked out the other three occupants with fixed penalty notices and they complied , but this gentleman hadn ’ t compiled and he was dealt with for non-compliance and that is the reason why he has appeared before the courts today.
” Majeed was said to have one previous conviction , but it was said to be ‘ of some age ’ and he was to be treated as a man of good character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hadfield asked if he was sat in the rear seat , then asked why he was travelling to Manchester .
Majeed replied : “ Yes - just nipped out for something to eat.
” Judge Hadfield said : “ Kirklees to Manchester is not really nipping out is it ” - Majeed responded saying : “ Suppose not.
” Majeed then explained that he had been on holiday from July 2 to the middle of August , and so had not received the FPN .
He was ordered to pay a £150 fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surcharge .
As he left the dock , Majeed could be seen laughing .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
A man has been fined £150 after admitting driving from West Yorkshire to Manchester to 'nip out for something to eat'
Lukman Majeed, 26, was spotted by the police in an Audi with four others in Rusholme at the end of May this year, when stringent travel lockdown restrictions were still in force.
The four were pulled over and questioned as to where they were headed, and were told the men had travelled from West Yorkshire, Manchester Magistrates Court heard.
The men explained they came to Manchester to ‘get a takeaway, meet friends and celebrate Eid’. Majeed later told a judge he had made the hour-long journey as he was 'nipping out for something to eat'.
After being told they couldn’t travel for that reason, the men referenced Boris Johnson's aide - Dominic Cummings - who travelled to Durham from London and then latterly to Barnard Castle in the height of lockdown.
“I think you’ll find we can," they told police.
“If the aide to the Prime Minister can drive 700 miles, we can travel to Manchester to celebrate Eid.”
The three other men were issued with fixed penalty notices of £100, but Majeed, of Kirklees, failed to cooperate - and has now been hauled before the courts.
Pleading guilty to one offence of being outside of a place where living in England without reasonable excuse during the coronavirus emergency period, he was fined £150 and ordered to pay £117 costs.
(Image: Facebook/Lukman Majeed)
Prosecutor Nick Smart told the court that on May 25 this year, officers were on patrol in Rusholme as part of a police operation for Eid celebrations.
“At around 23.15pm, officers stopped an Audi travelling on Wilmslow Road as officers wanted to establish where the four occupants were headed,” Mr Smart said.
“They confirmed they have travelled from West Yorkshire to get to Manchester to get a takeaway, meet friends and celebrate Eid.
“Officers told them they couldn’t travel for such a reason and they were met with the comment: 'I think you’ll find we can. If the aide to the Prime Minister can drive 700 miles, we can travel to Manchester to celebrate Eid.'
“The officers then explained to them that wasn’t the position.
“Officers checked out the other three occupants with fixed penalty notices and they complied, but this gentleman hadn’t compiled and he was dealt with for non-compliance and that is the reason why he has appeared before the courts today.”
Majeed was said to have one previous conviction, but it was said to be ‘of some age’ and he was to be treated as a man of good character.
Addressing Majeed, District Judge Mark Hadfield asked if he was sat in the rear seat, then asked why he was travelling to Manchester.
Majeed replied: “Yes - just nipped out for something to eat.”
Judge Hadfield said: “Kirklees to Manchester is not really nipping out is it” - Majeed responded saying: “Suppose not.”
Majeed then explained that he had been on holiday from July 2 to the middle of August, and so had not received the FPN.
He was ordered to pay a £150 fine, £85 prosecution costs and £34 victim surcharge.
As he left the dock, Majeed could be seen laughing.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Four men arrested after police swoop on property in Strangeways raid

Four men have been arrested for drug offences after police carried out a dawn raid at a Strangeways property .
Officers also seized a 'significant ' amount of cannabis during the raid at around 7.30am this morning ( Thursday ) .
A team of officers executed the warrant at an address on Park Place , in Strangeways , as part of GMP 's Operation Compartment - set up to tackle the supply of cannabis in the area .
Four men - aged between 29 and 47 - were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and being concerned in the supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in custody for questioning .
Pictures taken during the raid show police breaking their way into some shutters at the front of the property .
Two men can also be seen being led away in handcuffs .
Inspector Wignall of GMP ’ s City of Manchester District said : “ Firstly I ’ d like to thank all the officers – and the partners who have worked alongside us for successfully bringing this criminal , and brazen , activity to an end .
“ We currently have four people in custody and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminder that GMP will absolutely not tolerate activity that encourages the purchase and consumption of drugs , particularly during a global pandemic .
“ Drugs can blight communities and destroy lives , and the activity we suspect we have uncovered today only serves to fuel that destruction.
” 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 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us on Facebook here .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Four men have been arrested for drug offences after police carried out a dawn raid at a Strangeways property.
Officers also seized a 'significant' amount of cannabis during the raid at around 7.30am this morning (Thursday).
A team of officers executed the warrant at an address on Park Place, in Strangeways, as part of GMP's Operation Compartment - set up to tackle the supply of cannabis in the area.
Four men - aged between 29 and 47 - were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and being concerned in the supply of controlled substances.
(Image: GMP)
They all remain in custody for questioning.
Pictures taken during the raid show police breaking their way into some shutters at the front of the property.
Two men can also be seen being led away in handcuffs.
(Image: GMP)
Inspector Wignall of GMP’s City of Manchester District said: “Firstly I’d like to thank all the officers – and the partners who have worked alongside us for successfully bringing this criminal, and brazen, activity to an end.
“We currently have four people in custody and I hope that this serves as a stark reminder that GMP will absolutely not tolerate activity that encourages the purchase and consumption of drugs, particularly during a global pandemic.
(Image: GMP)
“Drugs can blight communities and destroy lives, and the activity we suspect we have uncovered today only serves to fuel that destruction.”
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--2020-10-08--The 'beautiful young man' who died after allegedly being attacked and hit by car

A moving tribute has been paid to ' a beautiful ' post-graduate student who died during an incident in Rochdale town centre last month .
Algerian-born Ammar Terbeche , 32 , died after he had been hit by a car following an alleged 3am attack .
He was found unconscious in a car park off The Esplanade , near Yates , at around 3.10am on Sunday , September 20 .
He died at the scene .
A man has been charged with manslaughter .
Ammar studied at a youth and sports institution in his native country .
For eight years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex in the Tlemcen province .
He settled in Rochdale , not far from the Central Mosque , before he started volunteering at the Castlemere Community Centre .
Today ( Thursday ) his family and a close friend released a tribute to Ammar .
It said : `` Ammar Terbeche was a very beautiful young man , not only by his looks , but as a human being .
He touched everyone he came across in a very special way .
`` I met Ammar in 2018 , when he first came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving in Rochdale .
He became very attached to the Central Mosque Rochdale and Castlemere Community Centre as well as the local community .
`` He was very respectful , very humble , very sincere and very caring .
Humility was his forte .
He had strong faith and firm beliefs .
He was a simple person who lived a simple life .
He went out of his way to help everyone without expecting anything in return .
`` He was a decent young man who loved learning .
He was very happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a graduate and was preparing to enrol for a master ’ s degree .
Over the years I had known him , I never heard him swear or say anything bad to anyone .
`` The whole community is devastated at the loss of such a wonderful person .
We all miss him dearly and pray for justice for him .
We are truly grateful to the GM Police for all their hard work and support during this difficult time . ''
Abdelllkader Heni , 27 , of no fixed address , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court on Wednesday charged with the manslaughter .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
To keep up with Rochdale news sign up to the MyRochdale newsletter here
Something went wrong, please try again later.
To keep up with Rochdale news sign up to the MyRochdale newsletter here
A moving tribute has been paid to 'a beautiful' post-graduate student who died during an incident in Rochdale town centre last month.
Algerian-born Ammar Terbeche, 32, died after he had been hit by a car following an alleged 3am attack.
He was found unconscious in a car park off The Esplanade, near Yates, at around 3.10am on Sunday, September 20. He died at the scene.
A man has been charged with manslaughter.
Ammar studied at a youth and sports institution in his native country. For eight years, he was director of a sports complex in the Tlemcen province.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
He settled in Rochdale, not far from the Central Mosque, before he started volunteering at the Castlemere Community Centre.
Today (Thursday) his family and a close friend released a tribute to Ammar.
It said: "Ammar Terbeche was a very beautiful young man, not only by his looks, but as a human being. He touched everyone he came across in a very special way.
"I met Ammar in 2018, when he first came to Central Mosque Rochdale for prayers, after arriving in Rochdale. He became very attached to the Central Mosque Rochdale and Castlemere Community Centre as well as the local community.
"He was very respectful, very humble, very sincere and very caring. Humility was his forte. He had strong faith and firm beliefs. He was a simple person who lived a simple life. He went out of his way to help everyone without expecting anything in return.
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 was a decent young man who loved learning. He was very happy and settled here in Rochdale. He was a graduate and was preparing to enrol for a master’s degree. Over the years I had known him, I never heard him swear or say anything bad to anyone.
"The whole community is devastated at the loss of such a wonderful person. We all miss him dearly and pray for justice for him. We are truly grateful to the GM Police for all their hard work and support during this difficult time."
Abdelllkader Heni, 27, of no fixed address, appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with the manslaughter.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-10-08--Jury shown images of Mercedes shot at 'with sawn-off shotgun' in gang war

These images show the extent of the damage caused to a Mercedes shot at in Salford in 2015 .
The jury in an ongoing 'gangland warfare ' trial being held at Manchester Crown Court have been shown pictures of the vehicle .
The court has heard that eyewitnesses saw a ‘ masked man carrying a sawn-off shotgun ’ after the Mercedes , being driven by Abdul Rahman Khan , was shot at on February 18 , 2015 .
Prosecutors say that ‘ gangland warfare ’ had erupted in Salford between the A Team and a rival faction - referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting was one of two alleged attempted plots to murder two men said to be associated with the A Team .
The other incident relates to a machete attack on another man associated with the A Team , the jury were told earlier this week .
The three photographs depict an item attached underneath the rear bumper of the Mercedes , the vehicle itself and gunshot holes in the driver ’ s door .
Earlier this week , these holes were described to the jury as ‘ tennis ball sized ’ and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shotgun .
Aaron Parkin , 32 ; Mark Fellows , 40 ; Jamie Rothwell , 33 ; and Liam Gee , 31 , of Prestwich , are accused of conspiracy to murder , and an alternative count of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm in an incident related to Abdul Rahman Khan .
Four men are also accused of conspiracy to murder , and an alternative count of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the incident involving Aaron Williams .
They are Aaron Parkin , of no fixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wakefield ; Jamie Rothwell , of Grindon Avenue , Salford ; and 32-year-old Warren Barnes , of Minoan Gardens , Salford .
Aaron Parkin has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in both cases , the jury was told , but he denies the intention was to kill .
The other four defendants have all pleaded not guilty .
Prosecutors claim those in the dock are affiliated to the ‘ Anti A Team ' .
On day three of the trial , the jury heard from a firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cartridges and pellets found at the scene of the shooting in February 2015 , she could confirm they were fired from a sawn-off shotgun .
She also confirmed that ‘ Victory 12 ’ and 'Lylevale ' related to the makes of the cartridges found .
Kerry Versfeld told the court : “ Following my examination of the marks on each of the fired cartridges , I was able to determine they were fired from the same gun .
“ The cartridges were 12 gauge caliber cartridge cases from a shotgun , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action shotgun or a self loading shotgun.
” Ms Versfeld told the jury .
She went on to explain that cartridges are generally made from plastic and contain a number of pellets between five and four hundred - depending on the size of the cartridge .
“ Following my examination of the pellets found , it was consistent with a UK shot size 5 , as they were in a large quantity , but I am unable to say how many pellets per cartridge , ” the jury heard .
“ The barrel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually causes a burning to the end of the surface of the barrel .
“ It leaves course marks on the pellets and cartridges when they are fired from a shortened barrel and muzzle .
“ This is usually typical of a sawn-off shotgun.
” 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
These images show the extent of the damage caused to a Mercedes shot at in Salford in 2015.
The jury in an ongoing 'gangland warfare' trial being held at Manchester Crown Court have been shown pictures of the vehicle.
The court has heard that eyewitnesses saw a ‘masked man carrying a sawn-off shotgun’ after the Mercedes, being driven by Abdul Rahman Khan, was shot at on February 18, 2015.
Prosecutors say that ‘gangland warfare’ had erupted in Salford between the A Team and a rival faction - referred to as the Anti A Team. The shooting was one of two alleged attempted plots to murder two men said to be associated with the A Team.
The other incident relates to a machete attack on another man associated with the A Team, the jury were told earlier this week.
(Image: GMP/photo)
The three photographs depict an item attached underneath the rear bumper of the Mercedes, the vehicle itself and gunshot holes in the driver’s door.
Earlier this week, these holes were described to the jury as ‘tennis ball sized’ and were said to have been fired from a shotgun.
Aaron Parkin, 32; Mark Fellows, 40; Jamie Rothwell, 33; and Liam Gee, 31, of Prestwich, are accused of conspiracy to murder, and an alternative count of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm in an incident related to Abdul Rahman Khan.
Four men are also accused of conspiracy to murder, and an alternative count of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the incident involving Aaron Williams.
They are Aaron Parkin, of no fixed address; Mark Fellows, of HMP Wakefield; Jamie Rothwell, of Grindon Avenue, Salford; and 32-year-old Warren Barnes, of Minoan Gardens, Salford.
(Image: GMP/photo)
Aaron Parkin has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in both cases, the jury was told, but he denies the intention was to kill.
The other four defendants have all pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors claim those in the dock are affiliated to the ‘Anti A Team'.
On day three of the trial, the jury heard from a firearms expert who explained that following examination of the cartridges and pellets found at the scene of the shooting in February 2015, she could confirm they were fired from a sawn-off shotgun.
She also confirmed that ‘Victory 12’ and 'Lylevale' related to the makes of the cartridges found.
(Image: PA)
Kerry Versfeld told the court: “Following my examination of the marks on each of the fired cartridges, I was able to determine they were fired from the same gun.
“The cartridges were 12 gauge caliber cartridge cases from a shotgun, and they could have come from a pump action shotgun or a self loading shotgun.” Ms Versfeld told the jury.
She went on to explain that cartridges are generally made from plastic and contain a number of pellets between five and four hundred - depending on the size of the cartridge.
“Following my examination of the pellets found, it was consistent with a UK shot size 5, as they were in a large quantity, but I am unable to say how many pellets per cartridge,” the jury heard.
Ms Versfeld added: “They were fired from a shorter barrel.
“The barrel and muzzle had been shortened and this usually causes a burning to the end of the surface of the barrel.
“It leaves course marks on the pellets and cartridges when they are fired from a shortened barrel and muzzle.
“This is usually typical of a sawn-off shotgun.”
Proceeding.
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--2020-10-08--Distrust and despair as northern politicians learn of pub plans from front pages

If the government has been seeking cross-party consensus on its approach to Covid-19 , then the last 24 hours may have finally delivered it .
The rage at its latest plans for the places in the north of England has been swift , acute and comfortably spans the political divide .
After learning last night from the front pages that pubs and restaurants are poised for shutdown her e , albeit with no detail as to where exactly or with what level of financial support , conversations with MPs today have been thick with expletives .
One tells of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxious bar and restaurant workers asking if they knew if they would be out of work in the coming days .
“ I ’ ve had to tell them I ’ m really , really sorry , I don ’ t know , ” they say , before unleashing a string of four-letter-laden conclusions .
“ I ’ m still fuming .
It ’ s bullsh**.
” Political reaction from across the region to abrupt news that areas in the north of England - although it isn ’ t clear which ones - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within days need not come as any surprise to ministers .
On Wednesday afternoon , at his weekly press conference , Andy Burnham had spoken to journalists about a widely-expected system of local lockdown tiers , which was thought to include pub closures in the top category .
“ They must open meaningful negotiations with mayors and leaders about these matters , ” he said of ministers .
“ If there isn ’ t that opportunity , then the system won ’ t have the legitimacy and the support the government will no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re still in the position where too much is being decided behind closed doors without the detail being provided to council leaders and mayors .
And that is not acceptable , given the seriousness of the situation in which we find ourselves.
” Proper consultation was a ‘ prerequisite ’ , he said .
The north would not have such restrictions ‘ imposed ’ upon it without that .
Early yesterday evening , one senior local official said Greater Manchester had heard nothing of any note from that day ’ s weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where decisions on lockdown rules are usually made .
Nothing new , they believed , was immediately imminent .
A couple of hours later , the front pages landed .
The response from within the system here and elsewhere in the north of England was both immediate and incandescent .
Sheffield mayor Dan Jarvis tweeted that government briefing newspapers , but not those northern leaders tasked with implementing its plans , was ‘ recklessly irresponsible ’ .
Andy Burnham tweeted : `` No discussion .
No consultation .
Millions of lives affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with this government.
” While there had been ad hoc conversations between Greater Manchester and the government earlier in the week about a tiering system , the sudden emergence of business closures affecting millions of people had not been anticipated .
No detail of the proposed tiering system had been shared , either with politicians or public health departments .
A letter from leaders of Manchester , Leeds , Newcastle and Liverpool councils , sent to Matt Hancock on Tuesday , had made clear that those cities would not accept such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see their areas go straight into the top tier of measures - without a substantial financial support package .
Or , just as importantly , without having seen the detail first .
“ As the Prime Minister and Chancellor have said , decision making must balance difficult trade-offs , ” they wrote .
“ This requires a more nuanced approach than moving straight to a full local lockdown under the ‘ tier three ’ arrangements .
“ Our response should consider broader local impacts than absolute numbers of infections : impacts on jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deprivation ; and relative infection rates in different sections of the population , eg between students and care homes.
” What do you make of the apparent government plans ?
Let us know in our comments below They also called again for a localised test and trace system - a drumbeat that has been continuous now since at least May - and extra powers to enact snap closures of non-compliant businesses , as well as proper monitoring of the measures already in place , in order to see which of them actually work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to announce its tiering system this week , paused .
Senior figures here felt progress may have been achieved .
Until around 10pm last night .
“ The fact that we ’ re so powerless is soul destroying , ” texted one senior councillor not long after the headlines appeared .
“ It looks like the views of local leaders have been ignored , ” said the official who had been confident earlier in the evening .
“ And MPs.
” Northern MPs from both sides of the political divide , who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not hold back .
This morning they were invited onto a Zoom call with health minister Edward Argar and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty .
But they were banned from asking anything that amounted to a ‘ policy question ’ - so they couldn ’ t ask about any looming decisions .
Instead , they were presented with reams of data and graphs showing rising infection rates in northern England , most of which they had seen before .
“ It was totally unclear what they think is going wrong , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They wouldn ’ t answer why the north is in such a mess - is it because they took the country out of lockdown at the worst moment for us ?
“ Or the sheer number of rules in different areas ?
Or because we have less secure employment and poorer housing ?
They either wouldn ’ t say or did n't know .
“ Hilariously , they did say good communication and local involvement was critical to getting control of the virus.
” Several also reported that Chris Whitty appeared to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes as something of a foregone conclusion , due to the movement of care home workers .
`` It was put to us as an unavoidable risk , '' said one MP , `` because staff are drawn from the local community , which translates back into care homes .
The strategy is to keep local community rates down .
Another MP said of the care home picture : `` It was said like it was a foregone conclusion .
But it 's not if you f***ing test the care home workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to just shutting everything down . ''
Among the slides was one showing ‘ unpublished , early analysis ’ said to be from Public Health England , which it said had found ‘ hospitality counts for 30pc of common exposure settings ’ and an even higher proportion among the under-30s .
A table at the side placed pubs as the most common place of transmission , while the narrative referred to some research from the United States .
“ They seem to be relying on transmission data from the USA to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t allowed to ask if there is a policy to close pubs as that is a policy question and was disallowed , ” added a another MP .
“ They had Center for Disease Control data that showed pubs and restaurants are how the virus is being transmitted , but it ’ s American data , which suggests to me they have no idea how it ’ s being transmitted here.
” For northern MPs who had spent all summer being told - in a kind of on-the-job crash course in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rises in their areas , this came as a surprise .
One public health official also expressed bemusement on seeing the slide .
“ I ’ ve not seen this presentation , ” they said .
“ It certainly flies in the face of what we know is going on around household transmission.
” Another said of the response to the slide on the MPs ’ call : “ Everyone went apeshit.
” “ There was no time for analysis or understanding , ” added a Tory MP .
This was simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pub closures , they believe , as opposed to a meaningful discussion .
“ They have met and consulted , so a certain box is ticked .
There was nothing about decisions that may be coming , so there could be no questions about what we are anticipating .
“ I have no confidence in what they were presenting.
” A proposal to close hospitality across their constituencies was always going to be unpopular with MPs .
But a summer of u-turns ad hoc , constantly-changing announcements - which continued into September without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - means the government has now burnt through political capital it might have otherwise tapped into .
Not only had ministers seemingly once again taken a deeply unpopular decision without consultation , but it allowed local representatives to find out from the pages of national newspapers , without any accompanying detail .
What did not emerge from the presentation to MPs and had not been explained to councils , at the time of writing , was where exactly the measures will apply or what level of financial support would be provided to any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local conversations are scheduled with government in the coming hours , as it stands insiders are expecting Manchester to be headed for closures , although the city council is continuing to argue that their infection rates relate predominantly to student household transmission .
It would be wrong to suggest that everyone in the local system agrees among themselves on the scale of the Covid problem , of course , or on what the answers should be .
That kind of consensus would be impossible .
No decision now taken by government will ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as debate rages over how to balance rising infection levels with economic calamity and competing healthcare pressures , in the absence of a functioning test and trace system .
There is no confidence that the latter can do the job , so the vacuum created by a resulting loss of confidence in the data is now being filled with disagreement .
Nevertheless , the way in which plans to hit the northern economy surfaced , on top of months of chaotic announcements on life-altering restrictions in those same areas , has certainly succeeded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The steam is fizzing out of the pressure cooker as the seals melt .
And our backbenchers won ’ t tolerate the government abusing its position anymore , ” says one Tory MP , darkly .
An MP on the benches opposite concludes : “ There is no leadership anywhere .
It ’ s horrifying.
” Meanwhile three MPs all independently reference the famous Yes , Prime Minister maxim in summing up their view of government 's plan : `` We must do something .
This is something .
Therefore , we @ @ @ @ @

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
If the government has been seeking cross-party consensus on its approach to Covid-19, then the last 24 hours may have finally delivered it.
The rage at its latest plans for the places in the north of England has been swift, acute and comfortably spans the political divide. After learning last night from the front pages that pubs and restaurants are poised for shutdown her e, albeit with no detail as to where exactly or with what level of financial support, conversations with MPs today have been thick with expletives.
One tells of being stopped in the street this afternoon by anxious bar and restaurant workers asking if they knew if they would be out of work in the coming days.
“I’ve had to tell them I’m really, really sorry, I don’t know,” they say, before unleashing a string of four-letter-laden conclusions. “I’m still fuming. It’s bullsh**.”
(Image: Joel Goodman)
Political reaction from across the region to abrupt news that areas in the north of England - although it isn’t clear which ones - are headed for wide scale economic shutdown within days need not come as any surprise to ministers.
On Wednesday afternoon, at his weekly press conference, Andy Burnham had spoken to journalists about a widely-expected system of local lockdown tiers, which was thought to include pub closures in the top category.
“They must open meaningful negotiations with mayors and leaders about these matters,” he said of ministers. “If there isn’t that opportunity, then the system won’t have the legitimacy and the support the government will no doubt want for it.
“We’re still in the position where too much is being decided behind closed doors without the detail being provided to council leaders and mayors. And that is not acceptable, given the seriousness of the situation in which we find ourselves.”
Proper consultation was a ‘prerequisite’, he said. The north would not have such restrictions ‘imposed’ upon it without that.
Early yesterday evening, one senior local official said Greater Manchester had heard nothing of any note from that day’s weekly ‘gold’ meeting of ministers, where decisions on lockdown rules are usually made.
Nothing new, they believed, was immediately imminent.
A couple of hours later, the front pages landed. The response from within the system here and elsewhere in the north of England was both immediate and incandescent.
Sheffield mayor Dan Jarvis tweeted that government briefing newspapers, but not those northern leaders tasked with implementing its plans, was ‘recklessly irresponsible’.
Andy Burnham tweeted: "No discussion. No consultation. Millions of lives affected by Whitehall diktat. It is proving impossible to deal with this government.”
While there had been ad hoc conversations between Greater Manchester and the government earlier in the week about a tiering system, the sudden emergence of business closures affecting millions of people had not been anticipated. No detail of the proposed tiering system had been shared, either with politicians or public health departments.
A letter from leaders of Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool councils, sent to Matt Hancock on Tuesday, had made clear that those cities would not accept such a system - which would almost inevitably see their areas go straight into the top tier of measures - without a substantial financial support package. Or, just as importantly, without having seen the detail first.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
“As the Prime Minister and Chancellor have said, decision making must balance difficult trade-offs,” they wrote.
“This requires a more nuanced approach than moving straight to a full local lockdown under the ‘tier three’ arrangements.
“Our response should consider broader local impacts than absolute numbers of infections: impacts on jobs and business; effects on poverty and deprivation; and relative infection rates in different sections of the population, eg between students and care homes.”
What do you make of the apparent government plans? Let us know in our comments below
They also called again for a localised test and trace system - a drumbeat that has been continuous now since at least May - and extra powers to enact snap closures of non-compliant businesses, as well as proper monitoring of the measures already in place, in order to see which of them actually work.
Government, which had been planning to announce its tiering system this week, paused. Senior figures here felt progress may have been achieved.
Until around 10pm last night.
“The fact that we’re so powerless is soul destroying,” texted one senior councillor not long after the headlines appeared.
“It looks like the views of local leaders have been ignored,” said the official who had been confident earlier in the evening. “And MPs.”
Northern MPs from both sides of the political divide, who had known nothing about the announcement, did not hold back.
This morning they were invited onto a Zoom call with health minister Edward Argar and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty. But they were banned from asking anything that amounted to a ‘policy question’ - so they couldn’t ask about any looming decisions.
Instead, they were presented with reams of data and graphs showing rising infection rates in northern England, most of which they had seen before.
(Image: Mark Waugh)
“It was totally unclear what they think is going wrong,” said one MP after the call.
“They wouldn’t answer why the north is in such a mess - is it because they took the country out of lockdown at the worst moment for us?
“Or the sheer number of rules in different areas? Or because we have less secure employment and poorer housing? They either wouldn’t say or didn't know.
“Hilariously, they did say good communication and local involvement was critical to getting control of the virus.”
Several also reported that Chris Whitty appeared to consider the spread of the virus back into care homes as something of a foregone conclusion, due to the movement of care home workers.
"It was put to us as an unavoidable risk," said one MP, "because staff are drawn from the local community, which translates back into care homes. The strategy is to keep local community rates down.
"Which is working badly."
Another MP said of the care home picture: "It was said like it was a foregone conclusion. But it's not if you f***ing test the care home workers every day, mate. As opposed to just shutting everything down."
Among the slides was one showing ‘unpublished, early analysis’ said to be from Public Health England, which it said had found ‘hospitality counts for 30pc of common exposure settings’ and an even higher proportion among the under-30s.
A table at the side placed pubs as the most common place of transmission, while the narrative referred to some research from the United States.
“They seem to be relying on transmission data from the USA to support the policy of pub closure, although we weren’t allowed to ask if there is a policy to close pubs as that is a policy question and was disallowed,” added a another MP.
“They had Center for Disease Control data that showed pubs and restaurants are how the virus is being transmitted, but it’s American data, which suggests to me they have no idea how it’s being transmitted here.”
For northern MPs who had spent all summer being told - in a kind of on-the-job crash course in epidemiology - that household transmission accounted for the rises in their areas, this came as a surprise.
One public health official also expressed bemusement on seeing the slide. “I’ve not seen this presentation,” they said.
“It certainly flies in the face of what we know is going on around household transmission.”
Another said of the response to the slide on the MPs’ call: “Everyone went apeshit.”
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
“There was no time for analysis or understanding,” added a Tory MP. This was simply the ‘pitch being rolled’ for pub closures, they believe, as opposed to a meaningful discussion.
“They have met and consulted, so a certain box is ticked. There was nothing about decisions that may be coming, so there could be no questions about what we are anticipating.
“I have no confidence in what they were presenting.”
A proposal to close hospitality across their constituencies was always going to be unpopular with MPs.
But a summer of u-turns ad hoc, constantly-changing announcements - which continued into September without the House of Commons being informed first - means the government has now burnt through political capital it might have otherwise tapped into.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Not only had ministers seemingly once again taken a deeply unpopular decision without consultation, but it allowed local representatives to find out from the pages of national newspapers, without any accompanying detail.
What did not emerge from the presentation to MPs and had not been explained to councils, at the time of writing, was where exactly the measures will apply or what level of financial support would be provided to any affected hospitality businesses or employees.
While local conversations are scheduled with government in the coming hours, as it stands insiders are expecting Manchester to be headed for closures, although the city council is continuing to argue that their infection rates relate predominantly to student household transmission.
It would be wrong to suggest that everyone in the local system agrees among themselves on the scale of the Covid problem, of course, or on what the answers should be.
That kind of consensus would be impossible.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
No decision now taken by government will ever achieve agreement across the piece, particularly as debate rages over how to balance rising infection levels with economic calamity and competing healthcare pressures, in the absence of a functioning test and trace system.
There is no confidence that the latter can do the job, so the vacuum created by a resulting loss of confidence in the data is now being filled with disagreement.
Nevertheless, the way in which plans to hit the northern economy surfaced, on top of months of chaotic announcements on life-altering restrictions in those same areas, has certainly succeeded in fomenting one kind of consensus.
“The steam is fizzing out of the pressure cooker as the seals melt. And our backbenchers won’t tolerate the government abusing its position anymore,” says one Tory MP, darkly.
An MP on the benches opposite concludes: “There is no leadership anywhere. It’s horrifying.”
Meanwhile three MPs all independently reference the famous Yes, Prime Minister maxim in summing up their view of government's plan: "We must do something. This is something. Therefore, we must do this."