thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--This Pride Month, I’ve Given Up Worrying I Don’t ‘Look’ Queer Enough

HuffPost UK The author alongside their partner at Boston Pride 2019
Like many queer young people, I didn’t learn about spectrums of gender and sexuality at school or from my parents. Instead, I learned about LGBTQ communities and identities on the internet – specifically, on Tumblr.
When I first encountered a post defining non-binary genders, I didn’t immediately recognise that this could be my identity, but it did plant the seed in my mind. I spent months wrapping my chest with scarves and layered sports bras, trying to make the body in the mirror match how I felt inside. But nothing quite fit the bill.
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The internet produced very homogenous images of what ‘non-binary’ looked like: white, skinny, flat-chested, short hair. So naturally, I assumed that’s what I needed to look like to be taken seriously as a member of the community – even though androgyny seemed fundamentally incompatible with my olive brown skin, ponytail, and D cups.
“I cut my hair, tried dressing more androgynous, and wore my binder, but it still didn’t fix my confusion.”
I saw non-binary people wearing masculine clothes like button down shirts and slacks, and I mourned for my closet full of dresses. I had never resented skirts or dresses, or hated the idea of wearing them; in fact, I loved the way they twirled out when I spun, and flowed behind me as I ran down stairs. But the internet pushed me towards androgyny, and I was desperate to fit in. I purchased a binder in high school, and while it did make me feel slightly more valid, it wasn’t an immediate cure-all.
I couldn’t pinpoint it at the time, but my dysphoria didn’t just come from my physical appearance – it came from knowing that everyone I interacted with all day perceived me as a woman, so I couldn’t stop seeing myself that way either. I cut my hair, tried dressing more androgynous, and wore my binder, but it still didn’t fix my confusion. I even tried going by a different name, since Abigail (or Abby) seemed too feminine.
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By the time I reached college, I learned that my gender was more fluid than fixed. On any given day I tend to fluctuate between feeling more masculine and feminine; some days my binder helps alleviate feelings of dysphoria, but most of the time I just wear a bra.
But up until last year, I still constantly felt the need to prove my gender through my appearance. Every non-binary student I met in my first year of college fit that Tumblr aesthetic I was used to, and I was scared no one would take me seriously when I asked to be referred to as they. So naturally, I felt I absolutely had to look androgynous for the biggest LGBTQ celebration of the year, no matter how I was feeling internally.
HuffPost UK Courtesy of the author
Pride often unnecessarily becomes a contest of seeing who can display their gender or sexual identity in the most obvious way. And while there is some fun to dressing up and being able to go out in crazy outfits, the fact of the matter is that if I show up to Pride in a bra and a tank top, I am just as genderfluid as I am wearing my binder and a button down. Pride should be a time for us to unapologetically be ourselves, not just in defiance of hetero- and cis-normative culture, but to truly just be comfortable and not feel the need to perform.
As I spent more time at school, I met other trans and non-binary students who didn’t adhere to strict gender norms; one night, a friend stumbled up to me at a bar and told me that I had been an inspiration to them for not feeling the need to dress androgynous to match my pronouns.
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The mental shift I made was being able to know that despite what others might assume when they look at me, I know that my gender is real and valid, and I don’t owe anyone some arbitrary, narrow concept of what my gender should look like. Non-binary genders have been around for thousands of years, and no one would say that non-binary people throughout history weren’t valid because they don’t fit the standard of our current moment.
“If we police identity by appearance within our own community, we’re impeding our own progress.”
This holds true for all identities that fall under the LGBTQ umbrella. There shouldn’t be a required aesthetic to be able to call yourself gay, lesbian, bisexual, or anything else. That said, changing your appearance can be affirming and validating for many people in a positive way: such as trans people receiving gender affirming surgery, or lesbians identifying with butch or femme aesthetics.
But predetermined ideas of what it means to ‘look’ queer cannot be the universal standard. If we police identity by appearance within our own community, we’re impeding our own progress towards a future where queer people of all genders and sexualities are free to explore, experiment, and comfortably discover their own unique identity.
Abigail Hadfield is a freelance writer and editor
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--I'm Burning Out Fighting Racism, Yet I Never Feel Like I'm Doing Enough

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On Friday, June 5, Breonna Taylor would have celebrated her 27th birthday. She was only a year older than me. We’ll never know what Taylor would have done that night. Maybe she would have stayed home with her family, playing cards as she often did. It eats me up not knowing.
Taylor was shot and killed in her bed by Louisville police, who later said they had the wrong house.
Every Black person I know is grieving for the life of this bright, young woman who loved her family and her job as a paramedic, and the many other Black people killed by police. And though we are physically apart, separated by borders or social distancing, we’re grieving together. The loss of so many Black people has sparked outrage, fear, sadness, emptiness, rage, and obviously, grief.
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A less talked about side-effect? Guilt.
Amid the anti-Black racism protests taking place in North American cities, Black activists have the public’s full attention. I’m constantly engaging with friends and strangers. I spend most of my days posting and answering questions about defunding the police, prison abolition and Black liberation.
It is a relief to finally be heard. It is also exhausting to be “on” all the time.
I do my best to make myself accessible for those who are new to the movement and the cause. In a day, I may answer questions about where to donate, or fact check and create informational posts. I know that others may be too tired or traumatized to do the work, and feel invigorated by contributing toward the cause. Usually I don’t mind the additional labour, but the cracks are starting to show.
“Sometimes I don’t want to resist. I just want to exist.”
Flowers and a birthday greeting for Breonna Taylor at City Hall in Los Angeles, on what would have been her birthday, June 5, 2020. FREDERIC J. BROWN via Getty Images
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In the past, I’ve seen psychologists talk about the effect that racism has on the psyche. If racism can cause PTSD in Black people, what is all this constant trauma doing to us? Or all this grief and guilt?
There’s been talk lately of how to avoid burnout from being bombarded by constant news and tragedy. As I lose sleep wondering what more I can do and feel down on myself for not going to every protest, my friends make sure to remind me to eat, take breaks and accept help when it is offered. I try to make time for self-care and happiness — attend a Zoom yoga session, scroll through harmless pages on Instagram, play with my makeup, do some light reading.
I know that these acts of Black joy are an act of resistance in themselves. In a world where our very existence needs to be justified, living for the sake of living becomes political. Like the Black children in Georgia who were subject to racist threats at a birthday party a few years ago. Or Christian Cooper, who was simply birdwatching in New York’s Central Park when a white woman called the police on him.
Black people don’t get to be happy for no reason. That’s why I deserve every silly selfie or gut-busting laugh. But sometimes I don’t want to resist. I just want to exist, or dare I say, thrive.
Most of all, I just want things to be okay so I can rest. In theory there’s always time for rest, but I can’t seem to practise it. Guilt consumes me. In the back of my mind, the thought is always there: Black people are dying, from the coronavirus and police brutality pandemics, and here I am looking at memes.
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A woman holds a poster bearing the portrait of Sandra Bland in New York on Aug. 9, 2015. KENA BETANCUR via Getty Images
The names and faces of all the ones we’ve lost to white supremacy haunt me. Often, we have more than our Blackness in common. Tamir Rice was the same age as my cousin. It pained me one day to see my relative hold a plastic gun like Rice did. Darrien Hunt could have been any of the nerdy Black friends I cosplay with for Anime North or Fanexpo. Hunt was dressed as a character from the anime Samurai Champloo when he was killed. Sandra Bland was as outspoken and fiercely independent as my aunt.
Breonna Taylor could have been me.
I know I’m not alone in what feels like survivor’s guilt. It’s hard not to put yourself in the shoes of another Black person whose life has been ended this way. Every time someone else dies, I wonder: What has made me so lucky that I haven’t become a hashtag?
Chicago-based Derrick Clifton wrote about the police shooting of Laquan McDonald in 2015, and how much it struck him: “I see no need to watch yet another video of a young black person’s final moments…I do not need to further be reminded that these scenarios could’ve played out in my own family, a tight-knit clan including outspoken men who could be one pointed remark away from being choked to death like Eric Garner.”
“My hope for Black people is that we don’t have to continue shouldering these intense emotions.”
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Black American activists are risking their lives to protest and tear down racist statues in the States. Here in Canada, I’ll go to marches and protests, but I feel guilt that we don’t face the same risks. The first march in response to Regis Korchinski-Paquet’s death was peaceful at the family’s request. The image of Toronto police chief Mark Saunders kneeling with the organizers of a later march is a far cry from the cries of Minneapolis protestors booing their mayor out of their movement.
I know I am doing everything within my power. And yet, I feel more guilt that it isn’t enough. Nothing seems to be enough.
Maybe I could have donated more, or I could have mustered up the energy to go to multiple protests. I could have shared a post about Iyonna Dior, a transgender woman who was beaten by transphobes in her city. Instead, I quickly scrolled past it because I couldn’t bear to see it. It hit too close to home.
My hope for Black people is that we don’t have to continue shouldering these intense emotions. I want us to have access to normalcy and stability. May we go jogging without wondering “Am I next?” Let us lay down our heads at night without worrying whether or not we will wake up.
We ought to be able to mourn, work through our grief and guilt, and not have to ready ourselves to experience it again.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Prepare This Toddler-Friendly Lamb, Red Lentil and Date Tagine Recipe For a Family Feast

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In need of some dinner inspiration that’s sure to go down a storm? Cook, food writer and stylist Georgina Hayden has got you covered. Her lamb tagine recipe for our Cooking With Kids series is a great sharing dish that’s a hit with all ages – from toddlers to teens.
This recipe is a great way to introduce spice into kids’ diets and teach them different flavours – as it’s gently spiced with warm aromatics, but without being too spicy. Ras el hanout is a Moroccan blend and incredibly flavoursome but won’t pack a punch. Best served on top of couscous alongside plenty of soft bread and crisp salads.
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Lamb, Red Lentil and Date Tagine Recipe
Serves: 2 adults or 2-4 kids | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Laura Edwards Lamb, Red Lentil and Date Tagine Recipe
A well-loved dish in the Hayden household that’s easy, nutritious, and quick to throw together. And the best thing? You only need one pot. It also freezes well, which is always a winner.
“Even if you don’t have the vessel itself, it’s something fun to research and learn together,” Hayden explains. “I love showing my daughter our globe and where the food she is eating comes from. It’s never too early to start teaching them about recipes from all around the world.”
Fun geography lessons aside, there’s also plenty of potential for kids to get involved with the vegetable peeling and destoning dates prep. For older kids, they can learn how to slice and cut with safety knives (and adult supervision of course). Thanks to the slow-cooking nature of this fish the meat is tender, and the addition of dates and a little orange give the dish a natural sweetness.
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Hayden says: “It’s an ‘easy’ dish for my daughter to eat – she’s been eating it since I first started weaning as it is effortless for little ones with not much chopping, but it is comforting at the same time.”
Ingredients:
2 red onions
3 garlic cloves
2 sticks of celery
Olive oil
800g lamb neck fillet
4 medjool dates
2 tsp ras el hanout
1 tsp ground coriander
1 orange or splash of orange juice
400g tin of plum or chopped tomatoes
450ml beef or chicken stock
100g red lentils
Method:
1. Peel, finely slice the onions and garlic. Trim and slice the celery. Place a casserole pan or large saucepan on a medium-low heat. Pour in a splash of olive oil, sauté the vegetables for 10 mins until starting to soften.
2. Meanwhile cut the lamb into 2.5-3cm chunks. Remove the stones from the dates and finely chop. When the veg is ready stir in the ras el hanout and coriander.
3. Add the meat, turn the heat up and fry for 8 - 10 mins till browned.
4. Add the chopped dates. Squeeze in the orange juice. Add the tinned tomatoes, stock, and red lentils and bring everything to the boil (breaking up the tomatoes if they are plum).
5. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover with a lid + cook for around 2 hours, or until the lamb is tender and falling apart. Alternatively, if you’d rather not have the hob on with small children around, cook in the oven for 2 hours at 170°C /340°F/gas mark 3. Just give it a stir every so often and add water if it is looking dry.
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6. Serve with couscous and Greek yoghurt. I like a little harissa for heat too and don’t forget to season the adult portions.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Cinemas, Galleries And Museums In England To Reopen On July 4

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Cinemas, museums and galleries in England can reopen their doors from July 4, Boris Johnson is expected to announce.
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But venues will have to operate under strict new coronavirus guidance, which is likely to include one-way systems, spaced queuing, increased ventilation, and pre-booked tickets.
Downing Street sources say the prime minister will unveil the much-anticipated reopening date on Tuesday after taking guidance from top experts on the Covid-19 committee on Monday.
It comes amid a series of stark warnings about the country’s ailing arts and culture sector, with the lockdown severely hitting revenues.
The PM is also expected to outline changes to the two-metre social distancing rule in a statement to parliament.
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A cut in the distance - the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends one-metre - seen as crucial to kickstarting the economy, with many retail and office spaces otherwise having to remain shut.
Prime minister Boris Johnson outside Downing Street ASSOCIATED PRESS
The PM will also strongly underline to the public that they must continue to stick to the rules to avoid a second spike in the disease.
A Number 10 source said: “We are only able to move forward this week because the vast majority of people have taken steps to control the virus.
“But the more we open up, the more important it is that everyone follows the social distancing guidelines.
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“We will not hesitate to reverse these steps if it is necessary to stop the virus running out of control.”
Ministers are likely to face further calls from the arts sector for help, however.
A report by Oxford Economics earlier this month warned of a “cultural catastrophe” as it predicted 400,000 job and £74bn in annual revenue could be lost across the arts industry due to the shutdown.
Almost 100 cultural leaders had written an open letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak and culture secretary Oliver Dowden in the Guardian last week, warning theatre, opera and dance need urgent investment after the crisis saw a massive loss of revenue.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Boris Johnson Could Come Unstuck If 'Unlockdown' Fails The Trust Test

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Trust fund politics
Two metres or not two metres, that is not the question. Tonight’s meeting of the C-19 Strategy Committee, chaired by Boris Johnson and attended by a handful of key cabinet ministers, is almost certain to have amended the 6ft 6in social distancing guidance that has dominated all our lives since late March.
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No, the real question is just whether the PM can retain public trust if he gets this big call wrong, and if he miscalculates just how quickly the UK should exit coronavirus lockdown. The ‘comprehensive review’ of the 2m rule (now no longer even called a rule) has involved not just scientists and medics but, crucially, economists. Underlining this is ultimately a political decision, it’s the full Cabinet that is expected to rubber stamp it tomorrow.
‘Trust me, I’m a doctor’ - or rather ‘trust me, because I’m trusting the doctors’ - was the approach that worked extremely effectively, early in the pandemic. Matt Hancock talked a lot about ‘shielding’ tonight, but it’s the scientists who’ve acted as a human shield for this government so far.
And if the PM decides to host a No.10 press conference confirming the change, there will inevitably be questions for the boffins if they turn up to flank him. Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has already paved the way for a change (thanks to an elastic definition of social distancing).
Chief medical officer Chris Whitty is in a slightly trickier spot. Not that long ago, he told us that the 2m rule, like hand washing, “good cough etiquette” and the use of face coverings “are going to carry on really for as long as this epidemic continues”. He may of course have meant ‘physical distancing of some kind of length’ would be a key element.
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It could be that 2m will remain a benchmark for those without masks, but 1m will be the new normal for those with masks, thus sparing Sage’s blushes. The main priority for the PM and many Tory MPs is that key sectors of the economy like pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers should finally be allowed to open their doors again.
Johnson himself had a very telling phrase on Sunday as he discussed plans for the hospitality sector from July 4, declaring “we’re sticking absolutely like glue to the road map to the plan that I set out”. For some critics, that just proved this was about sticking to his timeline above all else, rather than a conditional, cautious approach.
Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock. PA
As it happens, the PM didn’t stick like superglue or even velcro to his plan for getting ‘all’ primary school children back to school for a full month before the summer break. But abandoning the 2m rule will certainly help get more kids into the classroom just as it will help employers in several hard hit sectors.
At the press conference tonight, the most striking thing was just how both Hancock and deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries stressed the non-medical side of life. The health secretary revealed a decision on travel corridors would be made “in good time” even before the June 29 review deadline. Harries said children with mild asthma had a “very, very significant risk” of falling behind with their education, and “very, very low risk” of Covid.
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Even for those shielding, Harries said the social interaction of “going to work and doing something purposeful, is really important for your ongoing health, and your economic and mental health as well”. At one point, she even used the PM’s own political terminology, referring to “the levelling up programme” of this government to help poorer areas hit by coronavirus.
But while summer pints, haircuts and holidays will cheer many, Harries herself also had a warning that she would be worried “if we get to the winter and people don’t continue to socially distance”. And even in savvy South Korea, there was bad news today as its own chief scientist revealed a new spike in cases. “We originally predicted that the second wave [would] emerge in fall or winter...Our forecast turned out to be wrong. As long as people are having close contact with others, we believe that infections will continue,” Jung Eun-kyeong said.
If there’s a second spike this winter in the UK, the real casualty will be a further erosion of public trust in health messaging. A new YouGov poll today showed the voters still put health above the economy, with 69% saying the lives saved by the lockdown have been worth the economic and social disruption. Just 17% think that the disruption to the economy has not been worth it. Moreover, 74% of Brits say they’re fairly or very worried about a second wave here.
Focus group expert Deborah Mattinson had a fascinating finding the other week which should have caused deep unease among some of the PM’s team. Yes, Dominic Cummings’ conduct led to a big drop in public trust in government messaging. But the bigger drop had already happened a week earlier - when the PM himself suddenly changed the ‘Stay Home’ advice to the much less intelligible ‘Stay Alert’ mantra. The latest change to social distancing certainly carries the risk of political sunburn once the holiday season is over.
Quote Of The Day
“Based on the information that we had at the time our guidance was correct. That is not the same as saying we would do the same again.”
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Chris Wormald, permanent secretary at DHSC, channels ‘Yes Minister’ when challenged on how patients were discharged in huge numbers to care homes.
Monday Cheat Sheet
2.2 million vulnerable people who have been shielding from coronavirus will be allowed to gather in groups of up to six people outdoors from July 6, Matt Hancock announced. From August 1, they won’t have to shield at all.
Priti Patel said that this weekend’s murders in Reading proved made “clear that the threat posed by lone actors is growing”. Since 2017 the UK security services have foiled 25 terrorist plots in total, including eight planned by the far right.
Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) looks set to be re-established imminently, sources have told the BBC.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs he was consulting with exam regulator Ofqual about plans to delay exams in England next year, to give pupils more time to prepare. In French schools, the 1m social distancing rule was dropped today.
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What I’m Reading
EU Leaders Risking Second Wave Of Euroscepticism - CapX
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--A US City Will Tonight Decide Whether To Change Its Name Over Links To Slavery

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Residents of a North Carolina city will meet tonight to decide if it will change its name because of historical links to slavery, a hugely symbolic move at a time when the US is once again attempting to confront its controversial past.
Fort Bragg – which is also home to a huge military base of the same name – is named after Braxton Bragg, a general in the Confederate army that fought to keep the “peculiar institution” of keeping, buying and owning Black people.
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Bragg himself, when he retired from military life in 1855, purchased a sugar plantation with his wife on which 105 slaves worked.
In the wake of the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in recent weeks, there have been calls across the country to remove statues dedicated to Confederate generals but Fort Bragg has decided to go further.
In a Facebook post earlier this month, the city said:
Fort Bragg, United States. Manuela Durson / EyeEm via Getty Images
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The move has divided residents with various petitions attempting to rouse support both for and against the name change.
At a political level, president Trump has refused to change names even of military bases. “Hopefully our great Republican Senators won’t fall for this!” he said in a tweet last week.
But top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell said this week he’s “OK” with renaming military bases, declining to side with Trump and other Republicans opposed to the move.
McConnell, himself the descendant of a Confederate veteran, didn’t endorse the idea but said he wouldn’t oppose it. Similarly, top House Republican Kevin McCarthy of California said last week — after repeated prodding — that he doesn’t oppose the idea.
“I can only speak for myself on this issue. If it’s appropriate to take another look at these names I’m OK with that,” McConnell said.
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“Whatever is ultimately decided I don’t have a problem with.”
And there might be another, far less controversial reason to change the name of Forty Bragg.
Republican Senator Roy Blunt, who represents Missouri, a state that sent troops to fight for both the Union and the Confederacy noted that Braxton Bragg, was “probably the worst commanding general in the entire Confederate Army. He’s an interesting guy to name a fort after”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Burnley FC Condemns 'White Lives Matter Burnley’ Banner Flown Above Manchester City Ground

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Burnley has condemned the actions of those responsible after a banner with the message ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ flew above the Etihad Stadium during the club’s game against Manchester City.
The English Premier League side was quick to place on record its disgust at the message that stood in stark contrast to the shows of unity and support that have taken place since the Premier League resumed, with all players wearing ‘Black Lives Matter’ on their shirts and taking a knee before kick-off.
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Football club said “those responsible are not welcome” at its Turf Moor ground while issuing an “unreserved” apology to the Premier League, Manchester City and the Black Lives Matter campaign.
After the game, Burnley captain Ben Mee spoke angrily about the banner, insisting the players on the field were sickened by what they saw above their heads.
A statement released at half-time read: “Burnley Football Club strongly condemns the actions of those responsible for the aircraft and offensive banner that flew over The Etihad Stadium on Monday evening.
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“We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor. This, in no way, represents what Burnley Football Club stands for and we will work fully with the authorities to identify those responsible and issue lifetime bans.
“The club has a proud record of working with all genders, religions and faiths through its award-winning Community scheme, and stands against racism of any kind.
“We are fully behind the Premier League’s Black Lives Matter initiative and, in line with all other Premier League games undertaken since Project Restart, our players and football staff willingly took the knee at kick-off at Manchester City. We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter.”
"I'm ashamed and embarrassed"
Burnley's Ben Mee responds to an offensive banner flown over the Etihad Stadium before today's game with Man City
More: https://t.co/qg1GeeF6ds pic.twitter.com/Wmc8yDZgi6 — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 22, 2020
Mee told BBC Radio Five Live: “We as a group of players condemn it, we’re ashamed, we’re embarrassed.
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“It completely misses the point of what we’re trying to achieve as a football community.
“It’s a minority of our supporters, I know I speak for a massive part of our support who distance ourselves from anything like that. It definitely had a had massive impact on us to see that in the sky.
“We were embarrassed, disappointed, upset. We are embarrassed that our name was in it. That they tried to attach it to our club. It doesn’t belong anywhere near our club. Fans like that don’t deserve to be around football.”
Fare – the European equality body which works with both UEFA and FIFA on inclusion and equality issue - offered a stark assessment, placing it as the latest in a series of distasteful acts across the continent.
“The racist backlash against the Black Lives Matter movement across Europe is a trend we have seen and documented,” Fare’s executive director Piara Powar told the PA news agency.
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“Set against the BLM message of equal rights, ‘White Lives Matter’ can only be motivated by racism and a denial of equal rights. It shows exactly why the fight for equality is so important and why the majority of people have supported it.
“At this stage we don’t know who is behind this, but it’s clear they don’t see the relevance of the message to football or the impact that racism has on so many people’s lives. So be it. The movement, the issues that are being discussed and the change that will arise is unstoppable. History will judge that this was a moment that led to change.”
Kick It Out, English football’s anti-racism charity, told PA the sentiments of the banner represented a grave misunderstanding of the BLM initiative.
“The point of Black Lives Matter is not to diminish the importance of other people’s lives,” said the organisation’s chair Sanjay Bhandari.
“It is to highlight that black people are being denied certain human rights simply by virtue of the colour of their skin. It is about equality. We shall continue to support the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight for greater equality for all in football.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Colston Statue: Police Accused Of Endangering Protesters' Safety By Publishing Their Photos

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Police have been accused of endangering the safety of 15 people who helped topple a slave trader’s statue in Bristol by publishing their photographs.
And locals have criticised the force for pursuing non-violent anti-racist protesters instead of putting its scant resources into – for instance – fighting domestic violence.
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Officers from Avon and Somerset Police did not intervene at any point during the pulling down of Edward Colston’s statue during a Black Lives Matter protest on June 7 – nor did they put any measures in place to prevent it from being dragged into the water.
Instead, officers scoured social media and CCTV in the following days, tracing the pictures of 18 people involved both in toppling the statue and in rolling it into the River Avon.
While a press release, published on Monday, states that the police have tracked down three of the people pictured, the pictures of 15 more have now been shared with members of the public asked to identify individuals.
Detective superintendent Liz Hughes said: “The incident attracted worldwide attention and there’s no denying it has polarised public opinion – but in the eyes of the law a crime has been committed and we’re duty-bound to investigate this without fear or favour.
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“I’d like to reassure people we’re carrying out a thorough, fair and proportionate investigation and have sought early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.”
Bristol’s directly-elected mayor Marvin Rees said in the days after the protest that he had viewed that statue as “an affront”, and while he could not condone Colston’s removal, said he felt “no sense of loss”, telling Radio 4′s Today programme that any prosecution would be “up to the criminal justice system”.
He added: “I don’t really intervene in criminal matters like that – that’s not for me to go and be a cheerleader to the police in any criminal investigations.”
But on June 19, the police confirmed the council had in fact referred the matter to the police. Bristol City Council itself did not return HuffPost UK’s request for comment.
Now, with the pictures published and publicly available, there are fears that sharing the images of protesters could actively put them in harm’s way.
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Clayton Wildwoode, an organiser for Bristol Black Lives Matter, told HuffPost UK: “The first message we want to get out is letting people know that they should keep themselves and their families safe because their faces have been put out there – it’s quite an unsafe thing for the police to have done.
“It’s quite a big issue, especially with EDL-type people out there. Their faces are out there and terrorist groups – which we will call them – could potentially take advantage of that.
“But at the same we do understand that pressure has been put on Avon and Somerset Police and we’re hoping it is something that will be dropped quite quickly as it’s been debated for decades – for as long as anyone across our group has even been alive.”
Woodwilde added: “It’s more than a debate now. People’s futures are on the line. Every law and policy the government put in place is there for a reason, but sometimes there are situations where it has to be applied differently.
“At the moment it’s being looked at from a moral perspective, which shouldn’t be the case.”
BLM Bristol is currently working on a response to the police appeal, and crowdfunding for potential legal expenses that could come as a result of prosecutions. In the meantime, members are also working on setting a date for a second march, which will be announced in the coming week.
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Police said they had “carried out a number of enquiries to try and establish who these people are in the hope we wouldn’t need to release their images into the public domain,” but had ultimately had to turn to a photo appeal for answers.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary directed HuffPost UK to the press release when contacted for further comment.
The toppling of Colston’s statue sparked a worldwide conversation, and many news organisations globally have shared the pictures featured in the police appeal. HuffPost UK is not among them.
Even the reporting of the police appeal has revealed fierce polarisation in public opinion, with many of those supportive of the protesters’ actions slamming media organisations for sharing the pictures.
Despite being at the very heart of the story, the Bristol Post – the city’s largest and oldest surviving dedicated local paper – has taken a different approach, opting to avoid sharing the police appeal altogether.
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Editor Mike Norton, who wrote an opinion piece explaining his decision on Monday morning, told HuffPost UK: “It’s a very nuanced situation – everyone has accepted it is a very nuanced situation. The police said on the day it was a complicated situation, and the mayor has talked of nothing else but how complicated and difficult it is.
“But now we’ve got to this point, and everyone just behaves as though it’s a very simple act of criminal damage – and that’s where I struggle to conform to that view. All these institutions, which had admitted how complicated it is, had reduced it to a criminal act and I didn’t want the Post to be the same.
“I wanted to show that what happened made us think differently. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t be prosecuted, I’m saying that I disagree with how what the police and the council have done has taken the nuance out of the history and the background of this issue.
“I’m just trying to be consistent with what we’ve all said from the moment he came down.”
Journalists, including those at the Bristol Post, have faced intimidation from some members of the public as the Colston story has unfolded in front of a global audience. Reporters have faced attacks online, and have even detailed incidents of being spat at and verbally harassed while reporting on counter-demonstrations.
“The Colston debate is definitely a magnet for racists, which has affected whether or not we turn comments on,” Norton explained.
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“It’s been difficult, I’ve had abuse online and our reporters have been spat at in the street. We’re trying to steer a balanced route through this.
“I think it’s very difficult to have a nuanced conversation about the transatlantic slave trade in Bristol because views are so polarised. This is not about whether or not you agree with prosecutions, or whether or not you agree with the statue coming down – there is so much grey in the middle.
“I think the conversations should be had in that grey area, not at the extremes.”
A study conducted by the Runnymede Trust, the UK’s leading race equality think tank, has previously deemed Bristol to be one of the worst places in the UK for racial inequality, and many living in the city had come to view the Colston statue as a symbol of this pervasive imbalance.
Ros Martin, a Bristol-based writer and artist and a member of Countering Colston, said: “My personal view is that they [the protesters] have done us a huge favour and the council should be recognising this.
“In Bristol it very clearly represents to me an oppression – it’s about privilege. It’s about the entrenched inequalities that don’t shift in a city and the disingenuous way in which on one hand it’s a very wealthy city whilst also having some very high levels of deprivation.
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“You would have thought that in a city like Bristol there are a lot of things that they [the police] would have to occupy their time – for example the increase in domestic violence through lockdown.
“The statue sat there under the pretence that it was raised by the citizens, when it was in fact the wealthy Victorian Merchant Venturers who put it up in our midst. Now it’s been taken down by the citizens of Bristol.
“It’s not a good use of police time and is just serving to make an example at a really critical time, the middle of a pandemic.”
The Bristol Post reported that records showed the statue had been accepted by the city as a gift in 1895. The Society of Merchant Venturers – which raised the funds to pay for it – has since distanced itself from the controversial memorial.
Zoe Jones, who herself was arrested and had been through a trial after taking part in a sit-in protest outside the Houses of Parliament in April 2019 with Extinction Rebellion, said: “The pulling down of the Colston statue is something that people in Bristol have been campaigning for decades to achieve.
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“This was kind of the inevitable conclusion to years of this, and it didn’t harm anyone. No one was hurt in the process. So to have this selection of blurry photos taken from videos on Facebook amplified by the press doesn’t seem to helpful to anyone.”
She added: “As Extinction Rebellion, prosecution is something we’ve always understood if you take part in any form of non-violent civil disobedience – it’s something that we crowdfund for and support people through and we’ve shared the crowdfunder for Black Lives Matter in Bristol.
“If people are prosecuted we want them to have a fair chance and a fair trial. We hope that the people who made it happen are not punished for bringing down a memorial to a man who trafficked 84,000 people into slavery. He didn’t represent our city and he belongs in a museum.
“I think the cultural importance of moments like this can’t be underplayed. We’ve seen statues in American cities and all over the world coming down, inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests in Bristol.
“As somebody who has engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience and been taken into custody myself, I do think it’s necessary to force change when things are wrong.”
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Avon and Somerset Constabulary is pursuing an investigation specifically into criminal damage – but it’s not clear what sentences protesters could face if they were to be charged, tried and ultimately convicted.
According to the Sentencing Council, criminal damage with a value exceeding £5,000 can be punishable by a maximum of up to 10 years in prison. The Sunday Telegraph reported on June 13 that ministers were considering proposing 10-year sentences for demonstrators who damage war memorials such as the Cenotaph.
Manchester-based journalist Nimo Omer said: “I think it just shows the disdain that the political class have for people who are just trying to make a change because taking down that statue has been one of the most effective forms of direct action in years.
“It’s an example of what happens when people say ‘enough is enough’. I think it’s [the investigation] is abhorrent, especially as a lot of people involved are Black or brown, and could directly face harsh, punitive sentences.
“It just seems like a vindictive way of telling people: ‘This is what happens – we will find you and you will be punished for taking part in non-violent civil disobedience.’”
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Omer added: “Sharing these pictures is incredibly harmful – not just for those who were taking down the statues but also for those who were involved in the protests more generally. It sets a really dangerous precedent.
“I don’t see how it is in the public interest, and I don’t understand how it is acceptable for publications to be putting people in danger for no reason at all. I think putting out this information uncritically is just completely reckless.
“If this is the future of journalism, I don’t want any part of that.”
Bristol resident Cath Greig said she had been “shocked” by the pictures of protesters being published as part of a police appeal.
“I would class myself as a pretty law abiding citizen, but this was something so different,” she said.
“It was almost like it had been such a long time coming, and this was the only way that anybody would take notice. With the toppling of the statue, so much more information about the slave trade came out – people who had no idea about this suddenly did.
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“Although certain people actually did it, they would have been part of a whole mass of people involved. They might not have actually touched the statue, but it was almost a group endeavour.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Drinkers Barricade Themselves Inside Liverpool Pub After Police Attempt To End Lock In

Local residents reported loud music causing a disturbance at the Britannia Hotel pub in Vauxhall in the early hours of Monday morning. Google
Eight people have been arrested after officers attempted to break up a lockdown lock-in drinking session in Liverpool.
Drinkers barricaded themselves inside the Britannia Hotel pub in Vauxhall in the early hours of Monday morning after officers arrived, Merseyside Police said.
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The force was called at around 12.30am to reports that more than 100 people had gathered at the pub, playing loud music and causing a disturbance to local residents.
Seven men and one woman, aged between 21 and 33, were arrested for violent disorder and drugs offences. Officers had beer thrown at them as they arrived.
Pubs have been closed by law for the last three months to fight the spread of coronavirus.
Detective inspector Phil Atkinson, of Merseyside Police, said: “This is appalling behaviour and saddens me to see officers being put at risk from those flouting government guidelines.
“Restrictions have been eased but by no means is this pandemic over and nor should we treat it like it is.
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“Regardless of the current climate, throwing things at officers will never be accepted. Eight people were arrested and prosecution is likely.
“If government advice had been followed, we wouldn’t have had to attend this gathering and our resources could have been better used elsewhere.
“I hope those who both hosted and attended this event think twice about their actions and will avoid these gatherings in the future.
“In regards to the premises licence, officers have been in conversations with the landlord, premises licence holder and council.
“The premises licence has been surrendered this afternoon. I hope this also shows others in this industry that we will actively seek closure orders or reviews where necessary and those responsible will face punishment.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Third Victim Of Reading Terror Attack Named As David Wails

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The third victim of Saturday night’s Reading attack has been named in reports as David Wails.
Michael Main, a friend of Wails and the other two victims, told the BBC he knew him as a regular at The Blagrave Arms pub.
He said: “I drank with David probably every day. Every time I was in there, he was in there. We’d have a lot of banter. He was a banter person. He’s the one that hits me the most because I know him more and it’s just sad to know he’s gone so early.”
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The other two victims have already been named as Joe Ritchie-Bennett, originally from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and history teacher James Furlong, 36.
Joe Ritchie-Bennett. Facebook
The CEO of Reading Pride, Martin Cooper, released a statement about the three men, all of who were “personal friends of mine”.
He said: “It is with deep sadness that I write this. Friends of Reading Pride have been taken too soon due to the actions of an individual.
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“The individuals taken were personal friends of mine. They were supporters of Reading as a community and of Reading Pride. James, Joe, and David were true gentlemen. Each with their own unique personality.
“They were a support network for individuals, and I know they will be sorely missed by many.”
A heart-shaped floral tribute to the three men could be seen outside the bar on Monday afternoon, alongside candles and a note which read: “The Blagrave Arms management and staff are devastated at the announcement that the three people who died in the Forbury Gardens attack on Saturday were regular customers and very dear friends of ours.
“Our hearts go out to their family and friends, and the other victims of this horrific incident.”
Alongside the names “Dave, James and Joe”, the text said: “We will never forget you. RIP.”
David Wails. Facebook
Former pupils of Furlong at The Holt School in Wokingham paid tribute on Monday to the “deeply loved and valued” educator.
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In an open letter, the former students wrote: “His deep knowledge and love for his subject, his nurturing spirit and his unfaltering kindness towards his students are treasured by all who knew him.
“Though future cohorts of students will never have the privilege of being taught by James, we firmly believe that he should be remembered and honoured by all that pass through its doors.
“James’ legacy is one of wisdom, self-sacrifice, resilience and determination.
“We thank him for his patience, his gentleness and his sincere dedication to his students, colleagues, friends and family. He is loved, and remembered with fondness and admiration.”
Colleagues and pupils of teacher James Furlong stand together to take part in a period of silence at the Holt School, in Wokingham. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The former pupil who worded the letter, who did not want to be identified, told the PA news agency it was important to memorialise the teacher in a “tangible” way.
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A friend of both Furlong and Ritchie-Bennett said both were “great supporters” of the LGBT+ community.
“Their loss is a tragedy to so many people,” Martin Cooper, 36, who is chief executive of LGBT+ charity Reading Pride, told the PA news agency.
“They will be sorely missed by myself personally and many in the community.”
James Furlong. PA Media
The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reported that Ritchie-Bennett was 39 years old and had moved to England from the US about 15 years ago.
His brother Robert Ritchie, a captain in the Philadelphia police force, told the paper: “We used to play together every day. We rode bikes together every day. Our family is heartbroken and beside ourselves. He did not deserve to go out like this.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Millions Shielding Will Be Allowed To Meet Friends And Family Outside From July 6

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Millions of vulnerable people who have been shielding from coronavirus will be allowed to gather in groups of up to six people outdoors from July 6, the government has announced.
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Those who are shielding and live alone or are single parents with children will also be able to create a “support bubble” with one other household of any size, following the same rules already in place for the wider population.
There are around 2.2m people with underlying severe health conditions in England who have been advised to stay at home and avoid non-essential face-to-face contact during the coronavirus outbreak.
Revealing the plan on Monday, Matt Hancock said the relaxation of the rules was possible as infection rates were continuing to fall.
The government said a package of support for people who are shielding, including food and medicine deliveries, will continue until the end of July.
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From August 1, the guidance will be relaxed further so clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield.
Those who need to work and cannot do so from home will be told they are able to return to work as long as their workplace is “Covid secure”.
They will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments, the government said.
Justin Paget via Getty Images
Hancock said the shielding programme had been “incredibly tough” but the “sacrifice” had “been for a purpose”.
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“Shielding has involved not leaving your house for months, not seeing people you care about, not being able to wander to the park for some fresh air, or even pop to the shops for something you need,” the health secretary said.
“We knew it was a difficult ask, but these measures have been vital in saving lives.
“Now, with infection rates continuing to fall in our communities, our medical experts have advised that we can now ease some of these measures, while keeping people safe.”
Boris Johnson will tomorrow unveil his plan to reopen the hospitality sector from July 4, and announce the result of the review of the two-metre social-distancing rule.
The prime minister will first meet his most senior cabinet colleagues, chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance and chief medical officer for England Chris Whitty, to discuss the review and the next phase of the recovery road map.
Johnson will then consult the cabinet and outline the plans to parliament for pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers.
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The prime minister’s spokesperson said today: “The reason we are able to move forward this week is because the vast majority of people have taken steps to contain the virus.
“The more we open up, the more important it is that everyone follows the social-distancing rules.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Watch Live: Matt Hancock Leads Daily Coronavirus Briefing

Watch Live: Matt Hancock Leads Daily Coronavirus Briefing
Health secretary Matt Hancock leads the coronavirus press conference alongside deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries. It comes as the government prepares to announce plans to expand ‘social bubbles’ allowing more people and families to meet.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--The White House's Attempt To Explain Trump's Tiny Rally Turnout Is As Nonsensical As You'd Expect

During an interview with “Fox News Sunday,” Trump’s campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp blamed protesters for the underwhelming attendance, saying they “absolutely” prevented people from traveling to the rally.
This line had already been touted by Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh and manager Brad Parscale despite there being no evidence of it happening.
Host Chris Wallace was having none of Schlapp’s claim and highlighted the fact that overflow events for 40,000 people at a nearby convention centre were cancelled.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Covid-19 Will Rage 'Like A Forest Fire' In Unprepared America, Top Doc Warns

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Covid-19 will rage “like a forest fire” in a US that has no clear plan to deal with it and has regressed to a dismissive, “pre-pandemic” attitude, a top infectious disease expert said Sunday.
America’s leadership is unfocused, Dr Michael Osterholm told Chuck Todd on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” unlike other parts of the world that remain vigilant against the pandemic.
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The spread of Covid-19 is “like a forest fire,” warned Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
“I don’t think that this is going to slow down. I think that wherever there is wood to burn, this fire is going to burn. And right now we have a lot of susceptible people,” he said.
“I don’t see this slowing down through the summer or into the fall. I don’t think we’re going to see one, two and three waves. I think we’re going to just see one very, very difficult forest fire of cases.”
Other nations have “done a much better job” of stopping the spread of Covid-19, said Osterholm.
“We haven’t done that. ... We just have not really gotten the message across to the public yet that this is a very serious issue. We can’t shut down our economy, but we just can’t suddenly say we’re done with” Covid-19, he added.
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A number of states are now dealing with record daily increases of Covid-19 cases because “everybody’s back to a pre-pandemic mindset,” Osterholm pointed out.
He noted the US lacks a national plan that “really puts together what we’re trying to do” — leaving states to impose a patchwork of different responses.
“To hear the fact that we don’t want to do testing is wrong. Absolutely, we should be testing as much as possible,” Osterholm said. “Once we do have these positive tests, what are we doing to make sure that additional transmission isn’t occurring? How do we do contact tracing?”
Donald Trump said at his campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday that he told his “people” to reduce testing in order to suppress reports of increased cases.
“When you do testing to that extent, you’re going to find ... more cases,” Trump explained. “So I said to my people, ’Slow the testing down, please.’”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Revealed: Rate Of Self-Harm In Prisons Doubles In Five Years

The B-wing at Wakefield prison, West Yorkshire Gareth Copley - PA Images via Getty Images
Coronavirus has changed everything. Make sense of it all with the Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing. Sign up now.
The rate of self-harm in prisons has nearly doubled over the last five years, prompting warnings of a mental health crisis, official figures show.
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There were 63,328 self-harm incidents in prisons in England and Wales last year, up from 32,313 in 2015, despite the overall prison population remaining broadly the same at more than 80,000.
This was accounted for by a more than 100% rise in self-harm incidents in male prisons and a 61% rise in female prisons over five years, the Ministry of Justice figures showed.
The NHS defines self-harm as “when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body”, noting that it is “usually a way of coping with or expressing overwhelming emotional distress”.
Acting leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, who obtained the figures using a written parliamentary question, said: “These figures should shock the government into action, as they expose a rapidly growing mental health crisis in our prison system.
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“The fact that self-harm has doubled in just five years is a testament to the failed prisons policy that the Conservatives have pursued since 2015.
“Successive governments have obsessed over being seen as tough on crime, even when it is clear that doesn’t work.
“Our prison system should be somewhere for rehabilitation and recovery, but these figures show that clearly is not happening.”
Liberal Democrat acting leader Ed Davey PA
The number of self-harm incidents has grown in each of the last five years.
There were more than 7,713 additional self-harm incidents in 2019 compared to 2018, and more than 10,000 extra incidents in 2018 compared to 2017.
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Over the same period the number of prison suicides has stayed relatively stable, with 84 self-inflicted deaths last year compared to 92 in 2018, which were both down on a five year high of 124 suicides in 2016.
The vast majority of suicides were in male prisons.
Labour’s shadow justice secretary David Lammy said: “These shocking figures raise serious concerns over the government’s handling of the prison system.
“Justice is not served when inmates are living in overcrowded conditions which can lead to mental health crises and, in too many cases, suicide.
“To reduce crime, break the cycle of re-offence and protect victims, prisons must be places of rehabilitation as well as punishment.”
The Howard League for Penal Reform blamed the rise on overcrowding and staff shortages driving people to “despair”.
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Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns, said: “When someone is in conflict with the law, we should do all we can to guide them away from crime and trouble.
“But these figures reveal how restricted regimes in prisons, caused by overcrowding and staff shortages, have driven more and more people to despair.
“This would be deeply concerning at any time, but particularly now, as tens of thousands of people are being held in prolonged solitary confinement during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It underlines the need for ministers to ease pressure on the system by reducing the prison population and providing purposeful regimes that give people opportunities to make amends.
“Positive action would save lives, protect staff and reduce crime.”
Prisons minister Lucy Frazer admitted “far too many prisoners are self-harming or taking their own lives”.
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Responding to Davey, she went on: “It is one of the reasons we introduced the key worker scheme in 2018, supported by the recruitment of extra prison officers, so that every offender can get dedicated support and have someone to talk to.
“We have also given over 25,000 staff better training to spot and prevent self-harm and are investing an extra £2.75bn to modernise prisons, combat drug use and improve the environment in which offenders live.
“As well as this, we have refreshed our partnership with the Samaritans, awarding a grant of £500,000 each year for the next three years.
“This supports the excellent Listeners scheme, through which selected prisoners are trained to provide emotional support to their fellow prisoners.”
NOTE: An earlier version of this article stated there had been a 33% rise in self-harm female prisons, according to a calculation by the Liberal Democrats. This should have been 61%.
Useful websites and helplines:
Mind , open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.) The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org
Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Westminster’s Bullying Problem Should Be Over. But The Government Isn't Helping

London cityscape mammuth via Getty Images
If you’d been harassed at work and you could report it, get support, have your complaint independently investigated and adjudicated, and be vindicated, with a finding in your favour and an appropriate penalty for the perpetrator, what would you do?
But what if this process also involved handing people the chance to talk, to a live audience and on television, about whether that penalty should be applied? Your name wouldn’t be mentioned and neither, probably, would the details of your complaint, but still.
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You wouldn’t go anywhere near it, would you?
Yet this is the exact system that Jacob Rees-Mogg, Leader of the House of Commons, will ask MPs to establish on Tuesday. His proposals create an Independent Expert Panel to determine the appropriate sanctions and hear appeals in the most serious bullying and harassment cases – an external process that staff and their representatives have long been calling for. But embedded in the proposals is the provision for MPs to debate whether a penalty should be imposed before they take the formal decision to approve it.
“It has been bloody hard work over the last two years, spending solid weekends on phones and laptops, batting away all interruptions, and coping with the wretched feeling attached to asking private people bound by strict codes to go public with us.”
This means overriding a consultation that found the majority of respondents opposed to a procedure that effectively gives MPs and their friends – or their political enemies – in the House the final say, protected from any risk of legal action, on accusations of behaviour so grievous that suspension or expulsion is the punishment.
However, this device will negate the real reforms that are to be introduced at the same time – and undo the campaigning achievements of the least likely political streetfighters you can imagine. That it took so much work by BBC Newsnight to expose the bullying and harassment problem at the House of Commons in the first place is explained in part by the attributes of the people who work there. They are private individuals, in public service but for the most part out of the public eye, and when attention is focused on them it feels as though they’ve done something wrong.
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It was difficult, then, for the former staff and extremely brave current employees, to speak about bullying and harassment. They went ahead in the public interest, ultimately hoping for an independent process for handling complaints. This was what was recommended by Dame Laura Cox at the conclusion of the inquiry secured by the impact of Newsnight’s reporting. It’s the process that the same group of staff and their unions and other supporters have been campaigning for, and it’s what Jacob Rees-Mogg is asking MPs to set up and knock down in the same breath on Tuesday.
As a former Commons clerk, I’m one of those unlikely campaigners. It has been bloody hard work over the last two years, spending solid weekends on phones and laptops, batting away all interruptions, and coping with the wretched feeling attached to asking private people bound by strict codes to go public with us. And withstanding every attempt to dismiss us has been exhausting.
“This has been the long game, and Tuesday should represent the endgame of the procedural part of reform.”
Even as our experiences were being minimised, we were also being told that what we were calling for posed a threat to the constitution. By campaigning for an independent complaints system we were seeking to overthrow the principle that only the Commons has the power to judge its own proceedings and the actions of its Members in their functions as MPs.
Radical as we are in demanding that the House update its HR procedures and accept that bullying and harassment – as well as fire, flooding, and falling masonry – are health and safety risks, we aren’t asking Parliament to rip up the Bill of Rights. An independent complaints system protects the reputation of the Commons as much as it safeguards staff. Where offences are so serious as to require suspension or expulsion – sanctions that will affect the electorate – we accept that it is MPs who have final approval. But not that they should have the last word.
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I ask myself why I go anywhere near the House of Commons. The answer is that I’ve loved the place and the people, and I’ve been working with the best of them to make the Commons a safer, better-governed place. This has been the long game, and Tuesday should represent the endgame of the procedural part of reform. Culture change will take longer, and will depend on trust in the independence of the complaints process.
If the House agrees to Rees-Mogg’s proposals, it will hurt me. But it’ll be the current and future staff of the House who will struggle to recover – and the Commons as an institution that will keep on suffering from a condition that is as chronic as it is acute.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--UK Records 15 More Coronavirus Deaths In 24 Hours – Lowest Total Since Mid-March

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The number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus has risen to 42,647 – an increase of 15 over 24 hours.
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It is the lowest number since March 15.
The government’s daily announcement include people who have died in hospitals, care homes and the community.
But only those who had tested positive for Covid-19 are included, meaning anyone who died with a suspected case won’t be recorded.
The figures cover the period up to 5pm on Sunday.
Statista
Confusingly, NHS England reported earlier that 20 people had died in the same 24-hour period in England alone. This figure is likely to prove more accurate as the devolved nations spend slightly longer verifying their data than the DHSC. Scotland and Northern Ireland reported no deaths.
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Meanwhile, as of 9am on Monday, 8,029,757 tests for coronavirus have been carried out, with 305,289 coming back positive. The government continues to withhold daily data for the number of people tested, but 139,659 tests were completed, yielding 958 positives – the first time the figure has dropped below 1,000 since the peak.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--Before Covid-19 This Was Going To Be My First Black Pride

Before Covid-19 This Was Going To Be My First Black Pride
Zuva grew up in a strict religious family where there were no conversations about being LGBTQ+, the expectation was to grow up and be a good wife and a good mother. Having now come to terms with being bisexual, the student and journalist was looking forward to celebrating her first UK Black Pride. Due to Covid-19 it has been cancelled.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-22--The Government's Windrush Compensation Scheme Is Traumatising Victims All Over Again

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Windrush victims still waiting for compensation have accused the government of creating a “re-traumatising” and “difficult” process.
The Windrush Compensation Scheme was set up in April 2019 to ensure people who had lost access to their jobs and benefits, and suffered other hardships, received payment for the huge impact on their lives.
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But campaigners and lawyers for victims say the scheme is deterring people from even trying to apply, more than two years after the full extent of the scandal was properly exposed.
“The burden is on the claimant to prove financial loss,” Beri Nwosu, a solicitor and immigration specialist at Hackney Community Law Centre said.
Nwosu said the specific, “scientific” terminology used throughout the form made the application process extremely difficult.
“Even the medical aspects, they expect you to claim as though it is a personal injury claim where you’d write something like: ‘I was hit and I lost movement in my neck’ – those kinds of specifics.”
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MPs meet representatives of the Windrush generation Chris J Ratcliffe via Getty Images
It’s been little more than two years since coverage of the Windrush scandal exposed the damage hostile environment policies had wrought on the lives of thousands of Black people who had a legal right to reside in the UK.
Having arrived in the UK on their parents’ passports, and with thousands of landing cards and other records destroyed by the Home Office, many members of the Windrush generation found themselves unable to prove the UK was their rightful home.
The government demanded that individuals provide proof that their residency predated 1973, and required at least one official letter from every year they had lived in the UK – creating a paper trail that was impossible to follow for the majority of people affected.
Suddenly deemed “illegal immigrants”, members of the Windrush generation began to lose access to housing, bank accounts and driving licenses under hostile environment policies designed to make life in the UK impossible for any undocumented residents.
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At least 164 Black British citizens have been wrongly detained or deported.
The fallout led to serious calls for a reform of the Home Office. Home secretary Amber Rudd was forced to resign, but the hostile environment policy remains in place and many whose lives were turned upside down are still yet to receive a full apology for what they suffered.
The shocking details of lost jobs, severance from health care, detention and deportation may have slipped from the front pages, but many of those caught up in the scandal are still waiting for justice.
Towards the end of May 2020 it emerged that fewer than 5% of Windrush claimants had actually received any compensation.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said at the time that it had paid £362,996 to 60 people, including one payment in excess of £100,000, during the first year of the scheme.
The government data revealed that more than 1,200 claims had been made by March 2020. The compensation fund has an estimated budget of at least £200m, and the Home Office said it had made around £280,000 in offers that are yet to be accepted.
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Campaigner Patrick Vernon’s parents were part of the Windrush generation, and on being made an OBE in 2012 he dedicated the honour to the “personal sacrifices” they had made.
Vernon himself was at the forefront of calls for a national Windrush Day, which was formally supported by the government in 2018, and is now leading a petition signed by more than 130,000 people calling for leaders to implement the recommendations made in the Windrush Lessons Learned review.
“It’s important that we remember the huge contribution the Windrush generation made to the UK, and Windrush Day helps us to do that,” Vernon explained.
“But it’s bittersweet, because the hostile environment policies that led to the scandal are still in place. People are still waiting for compensation and we’re still waiting for action on the Lessons Learned review.”
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Vernon describes the process of applying for compensation through the government’s scheme as a “re-traumatisation” for many of those who had already faced huge difficulties in the face of the hostile environment policy.
He said: “It is re-traumatising people who were traumatised in the first place by losing their homes, their jobs, their access to healthcare as a result of this scandal.
“We know of five people in the UK who have died in connection with the Windrush scandal, but we still don’t know what has happened to those who were deported to the Caribbean or Africa because the Home Office has made no effort to help.
“It has severely impacted their quality of life and wellbeing. The form itself was supposed to be simple and accessible, but people are having to employ solicitors to help them complete it which really defeats the object.
“The process itself is deterring people from even trying to apply.”
Beri Nwosu, a solicitor and immigration specialist at Hackney Community Law Centre, said: “With the Windrush situation you can’t pinpoint everything to a direct cause. You can’t say: ‘He was homeless for this amount of time and therefore this is how much he should be owed.’”
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PA
Nwosu has been working on behalf of a client, Delbert Myrie Clarke, who was made homeless after losing his job and being unable to claim benefits as a result of the hostile environment policy in 2011.
Despite having a legal right to live in the UK, his citizenship wasn’t confirmed until 2019.
An application was made on 63-year-old Clarke’s behalf through the Windrush compensation scheme in June 2019, and he has since been asked three times for further information by the Home Office – including detailed information on his past addresses, despite spending a significant amount of time sleeping rough or on friends’ sofas.
It wasn’t until the Windrush scandal came to light in early 2018 that Clarke realised how many people were in the same situation as him.
A year on and he still hasn’t received any offer of compensation. He is currently living in council accommodation in Brixton after spending several years in Tilbury, where he had first arrived into the UK as a child in 1969.
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Clarke said: “First I would use the compensation money to try and find somewhere to live that felt like home. I feel like a prisoner in a little room.
“Being made homeless had already really affected my mental health – I was just doing whatever I could to get by but it was very hard. Some of the things that happened to me still play on my mind.
“We applied for compensation a year ago but they still keep coming back to me and asking the same questions. It feels like we’re not getting anywhere.
“It would be nice to know where the end is but it’s just dragging on.”
The Home Office said it would be making a compensation offer as soon as it could.
Hubert Howard Supplied
Hubert Howard died in November after a battle with illnesses including leukaemia and diabetes, which he blamed on his 14-year ordeal at the hands of the Home Office.
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The 62-year-old, who moved to the UK from Jamaica at the age of three, was finally granted British citizenship three weeks before his death but had not received an apology or compensation.
After being sacked from his job and told he had no legal right to be in the country in 2009, Howard accumulated substantial debts and was not entitled to benefits.
Speaking to the Hackney Gazette in 2018, Howard said: “They’ve got to realise this thing made me very ill.”
Following his death, his daughter Maresha Howard Rose launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds to pay for his funeral.
At the time, the Home Office said Howard’s compensation would be progressed and it would be “getting in touch with his family, to whom it gave its condolences”.
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But Maresha told HuffPost UK the government had offered an unsatisfactory, undisclosed amount that she described as “insulting” – and which the Home Office says it is reviewing.
In addition, an official offered the Howard family £5,000 towards funeral costs, which they accepted – but neglected to explain that this would be deducted from the compensation.
“It was shocking. It was insulting. The government hasn’t learned from its mistakes or shown any consideration for the Windrush victims and their families,” Maresha told HuffPost UK.
“I feel like the ordeal that my dad went through has been transferred to me because I’m still struggling for answers.
“The package was very low. His mental health seriously deteriorated because he’d been struggling with the Home Office for a long time.”
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“The government hasn't learned from its mistakes” - Maresha Howard Rose
Maresha, who’s studying and plans to start up a healthcare business in her father’s honour, said channelling her efforts into these undertakings helps her to stay strong.
“My dad wouldn’t want this to affect me. He wanted the best for me and I always try to keep that in mind. I have to stay positive,” she said.
“There are a number of policies and procedures put in place on paper, like the Human Rights Act, but the Home Office don’t follow that because we have been treated unfairly. They don’t practice what they preach.
“The fact that people – like my dad – are dying before they receive their compensation, struggling with their mental health, ill after not being allowed treatment in hospitals is outrageous.”
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Maresha Howard Rose Supplied
Monday, Windrush Day, is Maresha’s first without her father and she plans to reflect on the contribution that he made to British life along with others of his generation.
But the struggle for justice continues.
“The Windrush generation came here to work and contribute to the country. They deserve to be treated well. But the Home Office don’t treat us, as Black people, equally,” she said.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The home secretary has been clear that the mistreatment of the Windrush generation by successive governments was completely unacceptable and she will right those wrongs.
“The Windrush Compensation Scheme made the first payment within four months of opening and has offered claimants over £640,000 in the first year.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-23--Black Lives Matter: The History Of Taking A Knee

Black Lives Matter: The History Of Taking A Knee
Anti-racism protesters have been ‘taking a knee’ in demonstrations across the world following the death of George Floyd. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab wrongly suggested in an interview that the act originated from the HBO television drama Game Of Thrones. So where does taking a knee come from?


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-23--Boris Johnson's Sign Language Interpreter Gives Up And 'Goes For A Drink' While PM Speaks

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Today was a big day in the world of Downing Street coronavirus briefings as it was announced they would no longer be held every day – something at least one person appeared to take advantage of a little too early.
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Towards the end of Boris Johnson’s segment, his on-screen sign language interpreter appeared to give up while the PM was still speaking, inviting a mystery person off camera to go for a drink instead.
Where this drink was to be we’re not quite sure – although Johnson has announced pubs will be reopening, they won’t be allowed to let punters in until July 4.
Cinemas, restaurants and holiday accommodation in England will also be able to open from the same day if they are “Covid-secure” under plans announced by Johnson.
No.10 also said on Tuesday ministers would continue to hold briefings only when “significant announcements” are made.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-23--Government Defeat Over Bid To Let MPs Debate Bullying Complaints Against Them

pcruciatti via Getty Images
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Boris Johnson’s government has been defeated in its bid to allow MPs to debate in the Commons bullying complaints made against them by staff.
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Tory MPs lined up with Labour and Lib Dems to vote down the motion, put forward by House of Commons leader Jacob Rees Mogg, which would have seen MPs debate findings of an independent panel.
The amendment, by Labour’s Chris Bryant, was passed by a majority of five.
It follows a major report by Dame Laura Cox in 2018 which found that bullying and harassment was widespread in Westminster and recommended that the current committee of MPs should be replaced.
But the government had wanted to enable MPs to debate the decisions made by the panel in parliament - something which staff unions and opponents said would deter staff from complaining, particularly in cases of sexual harassment.
Bryant, a former minister and chairman of the Commons’ standards committee, said the government’s proposals would have meant MPs would be debating a decision that has already been reached by an independent body which has “an appellate process within it where all the evidence has been considered, where both sides of the argument have an equal opportunity to put their case and have equal forces”.
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He added: “That is not the case in a debate in the House of Commons and many complainants fear that they would be re-victimised.”
Tory MP and former employment law barrister Laura Farris was among those who rebelled against Johnson to back the amendment.
She told MPs: “The reason why I support the amendment is because in my view, as a matter of employment law, any form of process which invites members to speak up for colleagues against a background of party allegiance and personal loyalties is fundamentally problematic.
“And that isn’t just a theoretical objection, we really do need to consider the debate that took place in the House of Lords in 2018 around Lord Lester. Now when that debate took place it prompted 74 members of staff employed in the House of Lords to write a letter of complaint the following week.”
Assistant general secretary Amy Leversidge of the FDA union, which represents staff in parliament, celebrated the move, saying: “It is an astounding achievement for all the brave women and men who spoke out publicly to try and make parliament a better place to work – they can say this evening that they have truly made a difference.
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“The FDA union has long campaigned for a fully independent process in the House of Commons so that bullying, harassment and sexual harassment complaints can be dealt with fairly and effectively without fear or favour and without political interference.”
She added: “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect at work and this is a great day for all staff in the House of Commons.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-23--Lockdown Measures Could Return In Winter As Scientists Warn Of 'Long Haul'

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty (left) and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance arrive at Downing Street. Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images
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Boris Johnson’s decision to ease the coronavirus lockdown is “absolutely not risk free” and strict measures could return in winter, the top scientists advising government have warned.
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Chief medical officer Chris Whitty said if people believe “this is all fine now” and the disease has “gone away”, then the UK “will get an uptick” in cases.
It came as the PM announced cinemas, galleries, museums and pubs were all set to reopen their doors on July 4, provided social distancing measures were in place.
The two-metre rule will be replaced with “one-metre plus” regulation, which means a metre distance is acceptable with another protection or “mitigation” – such as a face covering or screen.
Appearing alongside the prime minister, Whitty underlined the UK was in for a “long haul” battle with Covid-19 - which could stretch into 2021 - and that it “is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance”.
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“For medium to long term, I’m optimistic,” he said, referring to potential developments in finding treatment or a vaccine.
“But for the short to medium term, until this time next year, certainly I think we should be planning for this, for what I consider to be the long haul into 2021.”
Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific officer, also urged caution, saying “we are with this a long time”.
It stood in stark contrast to the PM, whose government is balancing the health crisis with fears millions of jobs could be lost.
Johnson tried to strike an upbeat tone and told the No.10 briefing he wanted to see “bustle” and “activity”, adding: “As for all the things I’m looking forward to, there is a very long list.
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“I’d love to go to the theatre again. I’d like to go and see The Globe.
“I’d like to go to a restaurant, frankly. I would love to get my hair cut.”
Whitty, meanwhile, underlined that there would be an increase of cases if people did not take the new “one-metre plus” social distancing measure seriously.
“If people hear a distorted version of what’s being said, that says ‘this is all fine now, it’s gone away’ and start behaving in ways that they normally would have before this virus happened, yes, we will get an uptick for sure,” he said.
“It is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance that has been given. It’s a changed guidance for there are still very significant restrictions socially and there are very significant restrictions on business of different sorts.”
Prime minister Boris Johnson gestures during a coronavirus media briefing in Downing Street ASSOCIATED PRESS
Whitty said it was a “balance of risk” to alter the two-metre rule and that the decision ministers came to was “a reasonable balance of risk” though “absolutely not risk-free”.
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He added: “We may at some point say that particular bit of the decisions that were taken is too much of a risk with the benefit of hindsight and we have to go back on it.”
He said, however, that if people followed the new guidance properly it was possible reduce the risk of infection “in a very structured way down to something which is broadly equivalent to [what would be achieved by a social distance of] two metres”.
Whitty also stressed the need for people to “engage properly” with the NHS Test and Trace system, and said it could become a “major part of our defence against the return, in a big way, of this virus”.
Any further relaxing or tightening of the lockdown changes could come when the winter months draw in.
“Every few weeks we have a different understanding of this virus,” he said.
“Therefore as our understanding changes, our countermeasures change and the epidemiological changes and, of course, there may be a possibility to relax some things and a need maybe to increase others.
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“So I think this shouldn’t be seen as a static picture for several different reasons but it is going to be a long haul, and everybody standing here fully appreciates this is going to be a long haul.”
Vallance said the Oxford vaccine study was “probably” the “most advanced” in the world “but there are no guarantees” on any treatment.
Both top scientists also made clear that “the job of advisers is not to sign things off – it is to give advice”, and Johnson agreed, saying: “I take responsibility – the government takes responsibility – for these decisions.”
Then PM added: “We are indebted to our scientific colleagues for their advice continually, but it is our responsibility to choose.”
Johnson also recognised that Whitty and Vallance had concerns about the lockdown being lifted for pubs and other venues on July 4.
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He said, however, that the UK must “adjust” to the new guidelines and “make it work”, adding: “As for July 4, I hope it will be a great day but obviously, you know, people have got to make sure they don’t overdo it.
“I know Chris is particularly worried about this – we can’t have great writhing scenes in the beer gardens when the virus could be passed on.
“This has to be done in a sensible way, people should be giving their names to the pubs, to the restaurants, doing things in a way that allows us, if something does happen, to track back, to test and trace and stamp out any outbreak.
“That’s the absolutely crucial thing. People should of course enjoy themselves but, as Chris and Patrick have said, this is going to be with us for a while.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-23--Juries Could Be Scrapped In Some Trials To Ease Huge Backlog Of Cases Amid Social Distancing

Justice secretary Robert Buckland speaking in the House of Commons PA
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Juries could be scrapped in some trials as the government attempts to tackle a backlog of court cases topping 500,000 while adhering to social-distancing measures.
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Justice secretary Robert Buckland told MPs he was reviewing whether some “either way cases” – which can be heard in magistrates’ or crown courts – should be tried by a judge and two magistrates to help manage the reduced capacity in courts due to coronavirus.
But lawyers say the right to trial by jury is “sacrosanct” and have criticised the plans. So too has shadow lord chancellor David Lammy, who suggested the backlog could be eased by using lecture halls and leisure centres as temporary courts.
As it stands, defendants in either way cases who plead not guilty can request a jury trial in a crown court, and magistrates can also decide to send them for trial in the crown court if the offence is serious enough.
Changes to the either way cases could be limited to certain offences, or offences that carry a jail term of less than two years, Buckland told parliament’s justice committee on Tuesday.
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The lord chancellor also said he was considering cutting the size of juries from 12 to seven members in some cases in a bid to tackle the “unprecedented challenge” of social distancing in courts.
According to the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), by the end of May there was a backlog of more than 480,000 magistrates cases and 40,500 cases in the crown court.
Coronavirus is likely to further impact on the criminal justice system, with the Courts and Tribunals Service estimating that the need to uphold social distancing of even one metre in courtrooms would reduce capacity to two-thirds.
General view of Southwark Crown Court, in London ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buckland told the committee: “For some months now, I have spoken about the experience we had in the war, where we reduced juries in the vast majority of cases to a minimum of seven.
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“I’m still very attracted to the proposition. I think it has a lot of merit, because it preserves the principle while managing the number.”
While a move to smaller juries with two metres social distancing would increase capacity by up to 10%, the either way option, while a “last resort”, could boost capacity by as much as 40%, he said.
If legislation was brought in to change trials, it would have to be enforced by September in order to be effective, Buckland said.
But any changes would have to be “sunsetted in an absolute way”, he added, saying the alterations would not be permanent.
Susan Acland-Hood, chief executive of HM Courts and Tribunals Service, said that while the backlog of cases in the system was not the biggest it had ever been, reduced capacity due to coronavirus meant the pile-up of cases was likely to continue to grow without some kind of action.
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To deal with the cases by expanding provision, the service would need to find 200 additional venues, she said, with some alternative venues having already been signed off.
Buckland has also suggested extended court hours – or even for courts to sit on additional days of the week – to help deal with the logjam.
But shadow justice secretary David Lammy said Buckland was “wrong to consider proposals to limit jury trials for certain offences”.
Robert Buckland is wrong to consider proposals to limit jury trials for certain offences.
The right to trial by your fellow citizens is fundamental to our democracy.
It would be wrong of the government to abandon this valuable tradition for short-term benefit. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 23, 2020
“The right to trial by your fellow citizens is fundamental to our democracy,” he wrote on Twitter.
“It would be wrong of the government to abandon this valuable tradition for short-term benefit.”
He added: “Instead, the government should co-opt empty public buildings, such as university lecture halls and leisure centres, to be used as temporary courts.
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“Using large spaces, socially distanced jury trials can continue in a way that is safe. ”
The CBA has also previously slammed potential plans to change the jury system, saying the principle of trial by jury is “sacrosanct”.
In a post on Monday, chair Caroline Goodwin QC said: “The practice of jury trial is at the heart of our criminal justice system. There can be no erosion of this. We stand by that. We cannot support the suspension of the right to trial by jury. Justice would be diminished.
“The use of a judge and two magistrates dealing with triable either way offences would be a change for the worse, it would utterly transform the face of “Justice” and not in a good way. A temporary solution of this nature is just frankly shocking.”
Goodwin also said the move would not be “reflective of a diverse and vibrant society”, pointing out that just 12% of magistrates “have declared themselves as BAME”.
Meanwhile, Goodwin also said the backlog was the result of “penny pinching” and mismanagement, not the closure of courts between March and May.
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A CBA spokesperson added: “The crown court backlog was growing at an exponential rate going into 2020 – months before Covid-19 was even known of. It stood by December 31 2019 at 37,434, up from 33,113 at December 31 2018, a 13% year on year rise.
“By March 22 2020, the day before trials were suspended in crown courts in England and Wales, the backlog had grown further again – nothing to do with Covid-19.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-23--What Are Travel Corridors?

What Are Travel Corridors?

What Are Travel Corridors?
Britons may be able to go on a foreign holiday this year as “travel corridors” let people from certain countries, travel between the two without need for quarantine. Popular European destinations are looking to use the corridors to let Brits enjoy the sun and beaches and salvage their economies as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause strife across the world.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-06-23--Dizzee Rascal Shuts Down Piers Morgan's Black Lives Matter Questions On Good Morning Britain

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On Tuesday, Dizzee was interviewed by Piers and Susanna Reid about his upcoming eighth album and the drive-in show he’ll be performing at next month.
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However, when Piers attempted to turn the conversation to the widespread protests that have been going on in America and the UK in support of Black Lives Matter, the chart-topping MC said he had been hoping to keep the conversation on his forthcoming projects.
When asked by Piers to “try and articulate to people what Black Lives Matter actually means”, Dizzee questioned: “What makes you think I know? Am I the Black spokesperson? I’ve got a bunch of views but it’s early, if I’m honest.”
Piers, Susanna and Dizzee Rascal on Good Morning Britain ITV
When Piers pressed further, Dizzee continued: “I know [my view matters], but today we are talking about the drive-in.
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“I hope this isn’t a missed opportunity to speak up on a lot of the badness that has been happening, but it’s really nice and sunny outside today and I can’t really be bothered to be in all of this this morning.
“I’ve got my afro out so I know I’m looking a bit natural and that, so maybe that’s why you’re asking the question.”
Undeterred, Piers then said: “You’re a high-profile Black man in this country and it’s a huge issue in this country.”
“Let’s keep it calm,” Dizzee said. “I’m just saying I’ve got a bunch of views but right now is not the time. I can personally take any opportunity when I want, because of social media, but right now it’s really early and it’s just going to cause a bunch of whatever, unnecessary.”
“I think that’s completely fair enough,” Piers insisted. “I think you’re completely entitled to say that and I don’t want to force you to say anything, if you’re concerned about doing it this early in the morning.”
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After Dizzee then told Piers he couldn’t “force me” to address the movement, the daytime host said: “I’ve got no intention of forcing you, you are reacting very aggressively to a very polite question, I’m just asking you what you think.”
“This is what happens, I become the aggressive Black man,” Dizzee then responded, to which the presenter added: “You have not become the aggressive Black man.”
Making light of the interview hours later, Piers tweeted a screenshot of himself alongside Dizzee and Susanna, joking: “Dizzee, you’re a rascal.”
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He also hit back at claims he’d been “mugged off” by the musician, writing: “I didn’t feel ‘mugged off’. I asked @DizzeeRascal about #BlackLivesMatter & he said he didn’t want to talk about it. Entirely his prerogative.”
Piers did also note that he thought it was a “strange reaction” from the music star.
I didn't feel 'mugged off'.
I asked @DizzeeRascal about #BlackLivesMatter & he said he didn't want to talk about it. Entirely his prerogative. https://t.co/cK7kXfhi6v — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 23, 2020
I share that feeling.
Seemed a strange reaction by Dizzee. https://t.co/Cg1STrQUKN — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 23, 2020
Defending his line of questioning, he said: “Extraordinary how me asking a high profile black music star about #blacklivesmatter is now being seen as some kind of outrage. Wouldn’t it have been worse if I hadn’t?”
Extraordinary how me asking a high profile black music star about #blacklivesmatter is now being seen as some kind of outrage. Wouldn’t it have been worse if I hadn’t? https://t.co/gYFDVQ7ivp — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 23, 2020
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