thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-04--So, Is It Actually Possible To Ban All New Petrol And Diesel Cars By 2035?

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Petrol and diesel cars could be on their way out with a ban on sales of dirty vehicles coming into force as early as 2035.
If Boris Johnson’s plan, announced yesterday, becomes law, the UK will be following in the footsteps of Norway, which pledged to make all new cars zero-emissions as early as 2025.
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But is it really that simple? What about people with old cars? Do hybrids count as dirty? Will it cost people more? What’s all this about cobalt?
Read on for (some of) the answers...
Will I have to scrap my current car?
No, even assuming you still have it in 15 years’ time. For now, there are no plans to force people out of their older petrol and diesel cars and into electric versions.
However, given that bans on petrol and diesel vehicles in city centres are becoming more widespread, it’s likely that it’ll be harder to drive your traditionally powered car throughout the UK without issue. Birmingham, York and Shoreditch on the edge of the City of London are among the areas to have started clamping down already – the first two are planning to ban even electric cars because they still create things like, y’know, congestion and road crashes.
Will there be enough electric cars for everyone to buy one in 2035?
This is where it gets slightly trickier. About 2.3m cars were sold in Britain in 2019, although that figure is falling, so we could theoretically be looking for a similar number available to buy from 2035.
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Statista
AA president Edmund King has said the new target on car sales is pretty challenging.
“We must question whether we will have a sufficient supply of a full cross-section of zero emissions vehicles in less than 15 years,” he said.
“We will need a package of grants coupled with a comprehensive charging infrastructure at homes and in towns, cities, motorways and rural locations.
“At the very least the government should take up the AA demand to cut VAT on new electric vehicles to boost sales and make vehicles more affordable to those on lower incomes.”
He also raised concerns about hybrids being excluded from sale under the plans, which were originally announced in July 2017 for a 2040 delivery date – five years later than Monday’s announcement.
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Currently, electric vehicles with a list price under £40,000 are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty. Those over that figure command a £320 VED rate for five years from the second time the vehicle is taxed.
How will Norway manage it, then?
Well, Norway’s incentives to get all new cars down to zero emissions by 2025 are pretty wide-ranging. They include:
no annual road tax
zero VAT rather than 25%
free access to bus lanes
a reduction in company car tax.
“We are not Norway,” King identified, “and the incentives have cost a fortune, but per capita Norway now has the biggest concentration of EVs anywhere in the world.”
He also points out that in the UK, the expansion of Ultra Low Emission Zones – such as in inner London – has the potential to render up to a million older, mainly diesel, cars redundant well ahead of the 2035 target.
Further measures to speed up the supply of EVs in the used car market could be to cut VAT to zero on all new EVs for five years, give longer-term commitments to lower company car tax for EVs, and give more generous and longer-term grants for home chargers, he said.
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"If the UK is to lead the global zero emissions agenda, we need a competitive marketplace and a competitive business environment to encourage manufacturers to sell and build here. A date without a plan will merely destroy value today"@MikeHawesSMMT https://t.co/zmGBk5ZTDK pic.twitter.com/dq5zfGRyQc — SMMT (@SMMT) February 4, 2020
What do manufacturers think?
Basically, that it isn’t just up to them.
Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said the announcement amounted to the government “moving the goalposts”.
He said: “Manufacturers are fully invested in a zero emissions future, with some 60 plug-in models now on the market and 34 more coming in 2020.
“However, with current demand for this still expensive technology still just a fraction of sales, it’s clear that accelerating an already very challenging ambition will take more than industry investment.
“If the UK is to lead the global zero emissions agenda, we need a competitive marketplace and a competitive business environment to encourage manufacturers to sell and build here. A date without a plan will merely destroy value today.”
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Hawes also pointed to the fact there’s still no clarity on the future of the plug-in car grant – which takes £3,500 off the sale price of the cleanest vehicles – and the fact that the UK’s charging network is “woefully inadequate”.
Electric cars using a charging point in London PA Wire/PA Images
What do drivers think?
A survey published last month by the RAC revealed it could be more than a decade before electric vehicles truly go mainstream as drivers are unwilling to commit until they can travel long distances on a single charge.
According to a survey of 1,753 UK motorists, the minimum range an electric vehicle would have to be capable of travelling in one go would be 368 miles before the average driver would consider buying one.
That would exclude all but one of the electric vehicles currently on sale in the UK – and that model sells for an eye-watering £77,770.
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The survey found that 6% of respondents were planning to buy an all-electric model next, double the percentage of last year but still obviously rather low.
Meanwhile, the number of drivers looking for all-electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles had seen a small increase, from 12% to 15%.
RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes said: “It is very encouraging there is an increased willingness among drivers to go full or part electric when they next change their vehicles.
“But, while this is positive, it is also concerning that the average driver doesn’t see themselves owning a pure electric car until 2030 – a point borne out by the fact that less than 1% of cars on the road are currently of this type.”
What may tempt some was the recent government announcement that it is doubling the amount of funding for its On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.
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It will see the amount of money allocated to the scheme boosted to £10m for the 2020-21 financial year.
Through the scheme, councils are able to apply for funding to install public EV charging points in residential areas under its jurisdiction. It now means that 3,600 more charging locations have the potential to be installed.
Is there enough electricity?
Not as weird a question as it sounds. There were 38.9m cars on the road in the third quarter of last year – if those can’t run on petrol or diesel, there will need to be more electricity available to power them.
The average UK car was driven 7,600 miles in 2018 (the last year for which data are available). If an electric car continues to consume something like 0.3 kWh (kilowatt hours) per mile, that’s about 88bn kWh in total that would be needed by cars on the UK’s roads each year. (For context, UK power stations produced 335bn kWh in 2018 – about 3.8 times that.)
Last month, a report for the National Grid revealed that hundreds of thousands of people will need to be recruited into the energy sector to reach the goal to cut overall emissions to net zero by 2050.
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The company said its study shows the need to fill 400,000 positions in skilled tradespeople, engineers and other specialists across the country as part of the UK’s legal targets to drive greenhouse gas emissions. With the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars being brought forward this week, that number is expected to swell further.
Many people across the UK do want jobs with an environmental purpose, according to research by YouGov, which found 78% of people thought they should play a role in the UK’s journey to net zero.
More than half (57%) of people are interested in working for an organisation helping to deliver on the goal.
But the energy industry is facing the challenges of a looming retirement crunch, stiff competition with other sectors such as tech and finance, not enough young people choosing science, technology, engineering and maths, and a lack of women in the sector.
Some 117,000 of the new workers need to be employed by the sector in the next decade to help meet key milestones up to 2050, National Grid said.
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The cobalt question
Last year, leading scientists warned that current worldwide cobalt production would have to almost double for the UK to hit electric vehicle targets.
Cutting carbon dioxide emissions needs to happen to halt climate catastrophe, but it's not going to be easy.
There are huge implications for our natural resources. We'll need many more sources of metals and elements like cobalt, lithium and copper. https://t.co/oQ4bwxHCDk — Natural History Museum (@NHM_London) June 6, 2019
In a letter to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), a group of leading researchers – headed by the Natural History Museum’s head of Earth sciences Professor Richard Herrington – said they believed a dramatic increase in supplies of metals would be needed for fresh targets to be achieved.
According to the Natural History Museum, three-quarters of the world’s lithium carbonate, over half of annual output of copper and nearly the entire global production of neodymium would be required if all the cars on UK roads were to be replaced with current day EVs.
Commenting on the letter, Professor Herrington said: “The urgent need to cut carbon dioxide emissions to secure the future of our planet is clear, but there are huge implications for our natural resources not only to produce green technologies like electric cars but to keep them charged.
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“Over the next few decades, global supply of raw materials must drastically change to accommodate not just the UK’s transformation to a low carbon economy, but the whole world’s.”
Infographic supplied by Statista.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-04--Soho Streets Evacuated – Again – After More WW2 Bomb Parts Discovered

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A large part of London’s busy Soho district has been evacuated for the second time in two days following the discovery of further parts of a suspected Second World War bomb.
Dean Street, Richmond Mews, Meard Street and St Anne’s Court were all evacuated on Tuesday afternoon and a number of surrounding road closures are in place.
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A statement from Soho police said: “We apologise for the inconvenience & understand the disruption caused. However, these closures will likely be in place until the end of this incident.”
It comes just a day after similar action was taken following the discovery of the “WW2 ordnance” during building works on Monday.
Another part of yesterday’s WW2 ordnance has been discovered.
Further road closures are going to be implemented shortly. It is likely that the closures will be Dean St & the surrounding area however this will be updated as soon as we can. #Soho pic.twitter.com/apWazBlTA1 — Soho Police (@MPSSoho) February 4, 2020
Road closures in #Soho have been confirmed as:
Dean St j/w Old Compton St
Dean St j/w Carlisle Place
Dean St j/w Bateman St
Bateman St j/w Frith St
Meard St j/w Wardour St
St Annes Court j/w Wardour St
Updates will be given if evacuations are required. — Soho Police (@MPSSoho) February 4, 2020
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UPDATE - Officers will need to evacuate those on Dean St, Richmond Mews, Meard St & St Annes Court.
We apologise for the inconvenience & understand the disruption caused however these closures will likely be in place until the end of this incident. #Soho — Soho Police (@MPSSoho) February 4, 2020
Yesterday afternoon several streets were cleared – and later reopened – when the first part of the explosive device was discovered.
A Royal Engineers bomb disposal unit was called in and removed the half-tonne device.
Shortly after 8.30pm, the Metropolitan Police’s Soho team said the cordons in Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, Lexington Street and Poland Street had been lifted.
On Monday a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “An Army explosive ordnance disposal team has been called out to Soho to support the Metropolitan Police after discovery of a 500kg Second World War device.
“The Army EOD team have confirmed the bomb was safe to remove overnight to a location where it will be detonated.
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“Military personnel are regularly required to assist with the disposal of historic ordnance such as this, ensuring every situation is dealt with as quickly as possible for the safety of the general public.”
The BBC reported in 2018 that about 60 unexploded bombs had been dealt with around the UK each year since 2010.
We are being politely evacuated from Dean Street. Police won’t say what’s going on but it’s being roped off. pic.twitter.com/aqjUQP4FR4 — Victor G D Garvey (@ChefVGDG) February 3, 2020
Early day home from the office. Unexploded WW2 bomb 💣 found on Dean Street! All of Soho evacuated. Good thing we can work #anywhereanytime at @HATCHanalytics ! pic.twitter.com/LBD7bxe1ET — Monica Parker (@monicacparker) February 3, 2020
We were (very ably) evacuated from The Groucho Club this afternoon as they uncovered an unexplored WW2 bomb in a construction site up the street. #DeanStreet #Soho #WW11Bomb
It’s never this quiet. pic.twitter.com/A5AYpWDdFU — ᴊᴜᴅʏᴍᴀʏ ᴍᴜʀᴘʜʏ 🔑 (@JudymayMurphy) February 3, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-04--Ruth Langsford’s Face Says It All After Piers Morgan Appears To Allude To Alleged Phillip Schofield

Ruth Langsford’s Face Says It All After Piers Morgan Appears To Allude To Alleged Phillip Schofield Beef

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Piers Morgan put in an appearance on Loose Women on Tuesday lunchtime and it didn’t take him long to say something a little controversial.
Ruth Langsford was helming the ITV daytime show, when Piers’ alluded to ongoing tabloid reports that she isn’t exactly best mates with fellow This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield.
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Many viewers of last week’s National Television Awards called out a supposed “awkward” exchange between Phillip and Ruth, when the This Morning team went up on stage to collect the award for Best Live Magazine Show.
During his appearance on Tuesday’s show, Piers was chatting about how nice Tom Hanks is, when he made a jokey quip to Ruth.
Piers Morgan hints about Philip Schofield not being so nice on #LooseWomen to Ruth Langford 🤣 #ThisMorning #SchofieldFeud pic.twitter.com/Fzj2E1eZRU — Steve Coats-Dennis (@blondsteve) February 4, 2020
“We all know people who are supposed to be nice in the business, don’t we Ruth?”
Cue much laughter from the panel.
However Ruth’s lips remained firmly sealed, but we think her face said it all…
Ruth Langsford ITV
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The two presenters’ beef reportedly goes back as far as last April, when Phillip cut Ruth off mid-sentence during a live link-up between the This Morning and Loose Women studios.
As Ruth explained what viewers could expect to see coming up on the talk show, Phil cut her off mid-sentence, telling her: “Guys, we are going to have to jump in there and stop you I’m afraid.
“We are a bit tight for time on this end, thank you, Ruth. We will catch you guys a little bit later.”
Ruth was then seen hitting her pen on the desk, before muttering under her breath: “Well I only had about two more words to say… but don’t worry.”
(L-R) Richard Madeley, Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and Ruth Langsford at last week's NTAs. Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock
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In December, ITV was forced to deny reports of behind-the-scenes tensions between Phil and his co-presenter Holly Willoughby.
The show’s editor, Martin Frazell, said: “We have the smartest viewers watching telly and believe me they would be the first to notice any issues — they haven’t because there are none.”
Similarly, an ITV spokesperson added: “It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.
“Phillip is a much respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise.
“Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike.”
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Prior to this, it was claimed that Amanda Holden had fallen out with Phillip, after reports suggested she would be filling in for Holly when she co-hosted I’m A Celebrity in 2018, but the job ended up going to Rochelle Humes.
Amanda was reportedly left fuming over the matter, but later revealed she’d tried to reach out to Phillip by offering to meet up for a coffee. The outcome of that, she claimed, was that “he didn’t reply to my text”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-04--Polls Show Majority For Scottish Independence 'Because Of Brexit'

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Brexit is the main driver of increasing support for Scottish independence, a renowned polling expert said after a series of surveys showed majority support for breaking up the UK.
Sir John Curtice said that in three recent polls showing support for independence rising to 50% or above in Scotland, the tipping point was reached entirely by Remainers who used to back the union switching sides.
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A Panelbase poll for the National newspaper on Wednesday found support for independence at 52%.
It was the third such survey in days and came hours after Survation published results of an online survey taken between January 20 and 22 where the response was split 50-50 between “yes” and “no”.
Another recent poll, conducted by YouGov between January 22 and 27, had a 51-49 split in favour of a “yes” vote – the first time it had gone ahead in the firm’s polling since 2015.
Curtice said that immediately after the Brexit vote in 2016, anti-independence Remainers switched to backing “yes”, while Brexiteer “yes” voters switched to “no” – showing that “Brexit is as disruptive of nationalism in Scotland as it is every other movement in this country”.
This meant there was little overall change in support for independence until last year.
At a briefing organised by the UK In A Changing Europe think-tank, Strathclyde university professor Curtice said: “Then, in 2019, support is higher, and where does the increase come? It comes wholly and entirely amongst those who voted Remain.
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“So it was already therefore difficult to avoid the conclusion that the pursuit of Brexit was indeed, at the margin, undermining support for the union.
“But, given we’re starting from 55-45, ‘at the margin’ is potentially crucial.”
He added: “The YouGov poll and the Survation poll that came out yesterday again confirm that the increase in support is amongst Remain voters.
“So the message has to be towards Brexit-inclined unionists: you might like it to be true that the UK should leave whole and entire but the world is not necessarily shaped in the way that you would like it to be, and that in practice – at the moment at least – the pursuit of Brexit is indeed costing you support in Scotland.”
The polls also showed that the prospect of the SNP winning in a majority in the Scottish parliament was now “potentially on the table” and could make the case for a second independence vote stronger.
However, the data shows “it’s still very clear” that nationalists must convince people of the economic benefits of independence, and that the SNP was lacking answers on what happens to the border with the rest of the UK and currency, Curtice said.
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Prime minister Boris Johnson has rejected Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s call for Holyrood to be given the power to hold another vote on Scottish independence.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-04--Coronavirus: UK Advises All British Nationals To Leave China

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All British nationals in China have been advised to leave the country to avoid contracting coronavirus.
The death toll in mainland China from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 425, with the total number of cases now standing at 20,438, Chinese officials said on Tuesday.
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Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said today the “safety and security of British people” was the government’s “top priority”.
“As such, we now advise British nationals in China to leave the country if they can, to minimise their risk of exposure to the virus,” he said.
“Where there are still British nationals in Hubei province who wish to be evacuated, we will continue to work around the clock to facilitate this.”
The British Embassy in Beijing announced on Monday that the last flights from China to the UK for British nationals were set to leave this week.
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The Foreign Office amended its travel advice after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he expects more cases of the virus to be diagnosed in the UK.
“We haven’t seen the peak of the coronavirus by a long stretch and we expect more cases in the UK,” he said.
“We have a full plan in place to treat all those who have symptoms and test positively for coronavirus and we are working with international partners both to slow the spread and also to do the research that we need to do to find a vaccine.”
Masked travellers pass by a screening worker at a railway station in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu province Barcroft Media via Getty Images
British officials are trying to trace 239 people who flew from the Chinese city of Wuhan to the UK before travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus came into force.
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Efforts to track down and assess the travellers, who left Wuhan after the virus emerged, began last week as the crisis intensified, leading British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to suspend UK-China flights.
A total of 94 UK nationals and family members have been evacuated to Britain from Wuhan, the city in Hubei province at the epicentre of the outbreak, on two flights which arrived on Friday and Sunday.
The evacuees are now undergoing 14 days in quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-04--Lady Gaga And New Boyfriend Michael Polansky Are Instagram Official

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Lady Gaga has gone public with her new boyfriend Michael Polansky.
The Oscar-winning singer is thought to have been dating Michael since late last year, with Page Six reporting they met at a birthday party for Facebook co-founder Sean Parker in December.
Having been spotted kissing on New Year’s Eve, Gaga has now confirmed the romance, posting the first photo of her new beau on Instagram late on Monday night.
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Alongside a photo of herself seated on Michael’s lap, Gaga wrote: “We had so much fun in Miami. Love to all my little monsters and fans, you’re the best!”
The two were in Miami for the Super Bowl, which also saw Jennifer Lopez and Shakira wowing audiences around the world with their Halftime Show.
Gaga performed her own Halftime Show spectacular back in 2017, shortly before the release of A Star Is Born, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards and a win in the Best Original Song category.
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Michael is the CEO of The Parker Company, which looks after Sean Parker’s various charities and organisations, including the Institute For Cancer Immunotherapy, which he runs.
Lady Gaga Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images
Gaga has previously been linked to club prompter Lüc Carl and actor Taylor Kinney, to whom she was engaged until their split in July 2016.
Since then, Gaga was also engaged to talent agent Christian Carino, but their relationship ended in February last year.
The singer’s fans are currently on tenterhooks awaiting her return the music scene, after rumoured comeback single Stupid Love leaked online, hinting at a more pop-oriented sound than heard on her last studio album, Joanne, or A Star Is Born cuts Shallow, Always Remember Us This Way and I’ll Never Love Again.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Jameela Jamil Speaks Out Amid Backlash Over Reports She's Set To 'Judge And MC' New Voguing Show

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Jameela Jamil has set the record straight over claims she’s to be the MC of a new voguing show on HBO.
On Tuesday, Deadline reported that Jameela would take centre stage in Legendary, a new talent competition looking for the best voguers in the world.
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They reported that as well as being one of the show’s judges – alongside rapper Megan Thee Stallion and celebrity stylist Law Roach – she would serve as MC.
This news was quickly met with a backlash, as many questioned whether the former T4 presenter and The Good Place actress was qualified to judge voguing, which is rooted in the ballroom scene, an LGBTQ subculture which was originally predominantly populated by Black and Latinx members of the community.
love the woman but what credentials does she have to judge a competition on something created by the black lgbtq+ community? https://t.co/4120sVRhyg — ren (@honeyscallum) February 4, 2020
I actually really like Jameela Jamil and I’m surprised to see this headline considering how she uses her platform to promote inclusivity and call out inappropriate representation. But judges on a voguing competition should be from the LGBTQ+ community, in particular LGBTQ+ POC. https://t.co/A7K5kwwZp8 — Julian (@findmybuspass) February 4, 2020
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Look I get that we're all out here just trying to get a paycheck, but @jameelajamil how are you gonna work tirelessly on behalf of underrepresented people and then turn around and accept a job on a panel that should be populated with queer and trans people? https://t.co/iiCriF5YBt — adam ellis (@moby_dickhead) February 4, 2020
So many queer Black & brown queer creatives and ballroom house members could have used this type of platform, especially one centered in our culture. https://t.co/UleTqUViM1 — George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) February 4, 2020
Jameela Jamil on voguing, as portrayed in the cult classic documentary Paris Is Being Microwaved https://t.co/w8iglYdYC5 — trey taylor (@treytylor) February 4, 2020
Thought process = "Soooo Pose has been popular! What can we do to capitalise on that, while completely ignoring what made Pose special and important?" https://t.co/MG1MuGaOrH — Alice Beverton-Podcast (@alice) February 5, 2020
There's entirely too many girls from the ballroom scene who are active and visible in Hollywood right now for none of them to even be considered as hosts of a VOGUING competition. If Jameela Jamil is as "woke" as she thinks she is she needs to drop out of the project. — Kendra Young Stan Account (@okoyeslacefront) February 5, 2020
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this is such an awful way to find out all the queer people have died. myself included. https://t.co/vOB2gNpmJe — Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 4, 2020
WHEN BILLY PORTER WALKS ON THIS EARTH??? https://t.co/9S9KTdfYL0 — Ash 'Seriously y'all support T2 Overwatch' Parrish (@adashtra) February 5, 2020
trace lysette and michelle visage are there. hell, lady bunny ias still alive. what the fuck. the industry is glossing over queer history again. shame on jameela and hbo. https://t.co/dHlpNcoozP — vertigo belmonte (@morelikeomega) February 5, 2020
Lol.. I interviewed for this gig. As the mother of a house for nearly a decade it’s kind of kind blowing when ppl with no connection to our culture gets the gig. This is not shade towards Jameela, I love all that she stands for. If anything I question the decision makers https://t.co/kJleDihn02 — Trace Lysette (@tracelysette) February 4, 2020
Since the announcement, and subsequent controversy, Jameela has spoken out to clarify what her involvement in the show actually is.
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Jameela said that, on the contrary to what has been reported, her role is limited to being a judge, insisting: “[Deadline] says I am the MC of this show! I am NOT. I am just one of the judges...
“I’m a long time fan of ballroom and just wanted to help this show get made to celebrate this beautiful community.”
Hello! @DEADLINE says I am the MC of this show! I am NOT. I am just one of the judges. The brilliant @DashaunWesley is. With help from the fabulous @TheOnlyMikeQ I’m a long time fan of ballroom and just wanted to help this show get made to celebrate this beautiful community. ❤ pic.twitter.com/ot7SEYnZTr — Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) February 5, 2020
She also revealed that Dashaun Wesley, recently seen in the hit series Pose, would instead be serving as the MC of Legendary.
Jameela Jamil Amanda Edwards via Getty Images
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According to Deadline, the show will feature 10 voguing houses, each taking part in dance challenges in a bid to win a cash prize and “Legendary” status.
The houses will be made up of six members, including a house parent, while each episode will focus on a different themed ball.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Banker’s Wife Who Spent £16m In Harrods Loses 'McMafia' Court Challenge

Zamira Hajiyeva, who spent more than £16m at Harrods in a decade, attempted to overturn a UWO obtained by the National Crime Agency (NCA) against a property in Knightsbridge, central London, which was purchased for £11.5m in 2009 by a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.
Her husband, Jahangir Hajiyev, was the chair of the state-controlled International Bank of Azerbaijan from 2001 until his resignation in 2015, and was later sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for fraud and embezzlement.
Zamira Hajiyeva, 56, argued that her husband’s conviction, which she says was “the central feature” of the NCA’s application for the UWO, was the result of a “grossly unfair trial” and should be discharged.
Just some of the spending by Zamira Hajiyeva
£4 million at luxury jewellers Boucheron;
£1.75 million at Cartier, famous for its watches and jewellery;
£1 million in the Harrods toy department, including a single purchase of £790,000;
£600,000 in a single day;
£250,000 in the store’s perfumery;
Hundreds of thousands of pounds on designer fashion brands, including £131,300 at Dennis Basso, £144,000 at Celine, £136,000 at Fendi and £143,000 at Christian Dior in single visits.
£30,000 in one payment to gourmet Belgian chocolate chain Godiva.
£2,400 on wine and spirits in a single purchase.
But giving judgment in London on Wednesday, Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, sitting with Lord Justice Davis and Lord Justice Simon, dismissed the appeal.
Zamira Hajiyeva was the first person to be made subject to a UWO, a new power brought into force in January 2018 under so-called McMafia laws – named after the BBC organised crime drama and the book that inspired it.
A UWO allows the NCA to seize someone’s assets if they believe the owner is a “politically exposed person” – someone from outside the European Economic Area in a position of power that makes them liable to bribery or corruption – and they are unable to explain the source of their wealth.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--John Bercow Peerage A 'Scandal' After 'Red Mist' Bullying Claims, Says Ex-Black Rod

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It would be “a scandal that parliament would struggle to live down” if John Bercow was made a member of the House of Lords, a former senior parliamentary official has warned.
David Leakey served as the Black Rod – meaning he was formally in charge of the day to day running of the House of Lords – until 2018. He has repeated allegations that the former speaker was a bully.
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Bercow, who has been nominated for a peerage by Jeremy Corbyn, has dismissed as “total and utter rubbish” claims he bullied parliamentary staff.
But Leakey told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday morning that there were times Bercow “would fly into a rage” and “the red mist would descend”.
“He would be jumping up and down and balling out, and shouting insults,” he said.
“He called me an anti-Semite once after being rather rude and insulting about my background, education and military career.”
He added: “I think that if John Bercow was given a peerage it would be a scandal that parliament would struggle to live down.”
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Leakey said last month that he would submit a dossier to the parliamentary commissioner for standards outlining the behaviour of the of former speaker.
Bercow told Sky News last night the allegations against him were “total and utter rubbish – from start to finish”.
“What we have got here is somebody who left the House, who is thrashing about, desperate to remain relevant, popping up at every turn, trying to make himself seem very important, very centre stage, very at the heart of things in the way that I went about my work,” he said of Leakey.
PA Wire/PA Images
But Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, dismissed the idea Leakey, a former soldier, could be bullied. In a tweet she later deleted, Abbott said:
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“Allegations come from former parliamentary official David Leakey. He had been a Lieutenant General who served in Germany, Northern Ireland and Bosnia. But claims he was bulled (i.e intimidated and coerced by John Bercow. Unlikely.”
A spokesman for Corbyn said: “If Diane deleted her tweet that probably indicates that she had concerns that it might be misinterpreted and so she probably thought better of it.
“As a matter of course, all allegations of bullying and harassment should always be taken seriously and investigated. I’m sure Diane agrees with that.
“Diane is responsible for her own statements. Diane should speak for herself.”
Bercow has also been accused of bullying by Lord Lisvane, who was clerk of the House.
Lindsay Hoyle, who replaced Bercow as speaker, last week said parliament’s “bullying culture is over” as he called for a kinder Commons.
“I’m certainly not going to tolerate people who abuse security staff who are carrying out their duties to make us safe,” he told reporters at a Westminster lunch.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Noel Gallagher Puts Liam On Blast Over 'Greedy' Tweet

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Noel Gallagher has hit back at his brother and former bandmate Liam, who had accused of him turning down a supposed £100 million offer to reform Oasis.
Earlier this week, Noel found himself at the centre of headlines when Liam said he was “greedy” for turning down the money, telling his followers: “We’ve been offered 100 million pounds for a tour still not enough for the greedy soul oh well stay young.”
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However, in a tweet sent on Tuesday night, Noel insisted that this was not the case.
He explained, in a tweet addressed to “whoever might be arsed”: “I am not aware of any offer from anybody for any amount of money to reform the legendary Mancunian Rock’n’Roll group Oasis.”
Noel Gallagher Mike Egerton - PA Images via Getty Images
Noel also noted: “I am fully aware though that someone has a single to promote so that’s maybe where the confusion lies.”
To whoever might be arsed:
I am not aware of any offer from anybody for any amount of money to reform the legendary Mancunian Rock’n’Roll group Oasis.
I am fully aware though that someone has a single to promote so that’s maybe where the confusion lies. — Noel Gallagher (@NoelGallagher) February 4, 2020
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HuffPost UK also contacted Noel’s representatives for comment, but did not receive a response.
In recent years, Liam has made no secret of his hopes to once again team up with his brother and reunite their band, which officially disbanded in 2009.
However, Noel has been slightly more reluctant, and while the brothers have been exchanging harsh words in the media since Oasis’ split, things went up about 10 notches last year.
Back in July, Liam made a public apology after sending a message to Noel’s daughter, his niece, telling her: “Tell your step mam to be very careful.”
Liam Gallagher performing earlier this week Michael Campanella via Getty Images
Liam has long accused Noel’s wife of delaying the Oasis reunion, previously telling NME: “He’s not allowed to, his missus won’t let him now, ’cos she’s another one.
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“I know for a fact, deep down, he wants to be playing stadiums... You can only play stadiums when I’m there.”
When Noel publicly blasted Liam for the text, the latter tweeted shortly afterwards: “My sincere apologies to my beautiful mum Peggy and my lovely niece Anais for getting caught up in all of this childish behaviour I love you both dearly.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Shannen Doherty Says Cancer Has Returned: 'I'm Petrified'

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A tearful Shannen Doherty revealed on Tuesday that her cancer has returned, and is now stage 4.
“I’m petrified,” the Beverly Hills 90210 actress told Amy Robach on Good Morning America (as seen in the clip below).
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Shannen, who also appeared in Charmed, first received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 and chronicled her battle with the disease on social media.
Remission followed in 2017, but Shannen got word from doctors that the cancer had returned about a year ago.
“I don’t think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow,” she said to the Good Morning America host, herself a breast cancer survivor.
The 48-year-old said she initially kept the diagnosis a secret, telling only one colleague on the upcoming Beverly Hills 90210 reboot, Brian Austin Green.
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Brian became her confidant on set as she also had to confront the sudden death of former co-star Luke Perry while she faced her own difficult prognosis.
Shannen Doherty MPIRTN/Mediapunch/MediaPunch/IPx
Shannen, who has been married to Kurt Iswarienko since 2011, said she was going public with her condition because it was going to be revealed in court documents for a lawsuit she filed against State Farm over fire coverage.
Her home sustained damage in the 2018 Woolsey fire.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--David Cameron's Bodyguard 'Left Loaded Gun In BA Plane Toilet'

David Cameron zz/KGC-42/STAR MAX/IPx
Scotland Yard is investigating after former prime minister David Cameron’s bodyguard reportedly left his gun in an aeroplane toilet.
The weapon was found by a passenger, who handed it to flight attendants on a transatlantic flight from New York to London, according to the Daily Mail.
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The gun, believed to be a 9mm Glock 17 pistol, is said to have been left by a close-protection officer who took off his holster while using the toilet.
Passports belonging to Cameron and the officer were also found alongside the weapon, according to the Sun.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of the incident on a flight into the UK on February 3 and the officer involved has since been removed from operational duties.
“We are taking this matter extremely seriously and an internal investigation is taking place.”
Cameron, as a former prime minister, is entitled to continued security provided by the Met’s specialist protection unit.
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A BA spokesperson said: “We follow CAA rules which allow UK police to carry firearms on board in specific, controlled circumstances.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Pelosi Rips Up Trump’s Speech

Pelosi Rips Up Trump’s Speech

Pelosi Rips Up Trump’s Speech
Although not mentioned, the impeachment hearings dominated the State of the Union as Donald Trump seemed to ignore House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s handshake, with her later tearing up his speech behind him.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Coronavirus: Government To Charter Final Flight To Bring Brits Back From Wuhan

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The government is chartering a final flight to bring British nationals back from Wuhan – the Chinese city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak.
The plane will leave China during the early hours of Sunday morning local time before landing at RAF Brize Norton, the Foreign Office said.
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According to the PA news agency, 165 Britons and their dependents still remain in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, while 106 people have asked for assistance to leave.
A total of 94 UK nationals and family members have already been evacuated to Britain from Wuhan on two flights which arrived on Friday and Sunday.
One passenger was taken to hospital in Oxford after telling medics he had a cough and a cold, while the rest of those who came back are in quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said on Tuesday night: “We have been working round the clock to help British nationals leave Hubei province, on UK, French and New Zealand flights.
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“The Foreign Office is chartering a second and final UK flight with space to help all British nationals and their dependants remaining in Hubei to leave.
“I encourage all British nationals in Hubei to register with our teams if they want to leave on this flight.”
However, health secretary Matt Hancock said that apart from those in Wuhan, people returning from China will not be quarantined. Instead, they should remain at home and call medics if they show symptoms, he told BBC Breakfast.
The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak continues to rise, with Chinese authorities reporting 490 victims and an increase in the number of cases to 24,324.
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In Japan, 10 people on the Diamond Princess cruise ship tested positive for the virus and were taken to hospital, while 3,700 other passengers will be quarantined on board.
Among those stuck on the ship in Yokohama Bay, near Tokyo, are David and Sally Abel.
British nationals evacuated from Wuhan amid the coronavirus outbreak arriving at RAF Brize Norton on January 31 ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images
Speaking on a video posted on Facebook, Abel said: “We are to remain on board the ship and we are confined to our cabins.
“Naturally, we want to be home. We are missing our little Yorkie dogs. But two weeks, it’ll go quite quickly I hope.”
Health officials are trying to trace 239 people who flew from Wuhan to the UK before travel restrictions came into force.
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The Department of Health said that, as of Tuesday, 414 people have tested negative for coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation said it is still early in the outbreak, but coronavirus does not yet constitute a pandemic.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Al Pacino Forgets He’s On The One Show And Attempts To Leave Mid Interview But Viewers Can't Believe

Al Pacino Forgets He’s On The One Show And Attempts To Leave Mid Interview But Viewers Can't Believe He's There In The First Place

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Al Pacino has certainly made an impression during his visit to the UK.
The Godfather star appeared on the BBC One show alongside co-star Logan Lerman to promote their new Amazon Prime show, Hunters.
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Al Pacino appeared on the BBC One show alongside his Hunters co-star Logan Lerma. BBC
During their chat, Al told hosts Alex Jones and Matt Baker that he “always dreams” about the things he’s doing.
Alex then jokingly asked the actor: “Did you dream about The One Show [last night]?”
Cue a blank-faced response from the star.
“This is The One Show!” Alex informed him.
And things didn’t improve much from that point with the Oscar winner almost getting up to leave during a VT of his glittering career.
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“I was just going to leave,” he told the hosts, with Matt informing him: “No, no, you’re not done.”
Twitter couldn’t quite get its collective heads around the fact that the actual Al Pacino was on BBC One’s tea time show...
You can't move for signs of the apocalypse. First Trump and Boris getting elected. Then the earthquakes. Fires. A plague. Dead birds falling from the skies. A good film starring Adam Sandler. Al Pacino on The One Show. It's end of days, people! Repent now! — Melancolin Furface (@Gnarlydusk) February 4, 2020
Was I hallucinating, or was that actually Al Pacino on the One Show????? Is it even scientifically possible for Al and Alex Jones to exist in the same space at the same time? I think I need to lie down......... #AlPacino #legend — Philip Boyle (@PhilipBoyle3) February 5, 2020
Al Pacino on the One Show is just wrong — Eel & Mad-A Productions (@eel_mad) February 4, 2020
First we had Harvey Keitel doing The Direct Line ads, then De Niro doing Waburtons. Now Al Pacino is on The One Show. All that's left is for Joe Pesci to do Countdown's Dictionary Corner and it's complete.. — Mark Hurst (@HurstAKA) February 4, 2020
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WHY IS AL PACINO ON THE ONE SHOW WHAT THE HELLLLL — min (@rsncrantz) February 4, 2020
Al Pacino was on The One Show? Either he's taking hallucinogenic drugs or I am? #WorldsCollide https://t.co/h4HQ0pskkP — Gary Kelly (@maxcouch) February 4, 2020
Fell asleep in front of the tv again. Dreamt Al Pacino was on the One Show. #TheOneShow — Pete Blyth (@PeteBlyth1) February 4, 2020
Don't make a habit of watching, but had to see Al Pacino on the One Show. What a lovely, humble man.
Next up, Robert De Niro on Tipping Point! https://t.co/v1ZruL5Zyp — Lou (@lou_carr79) February 4, 2020
WHY WAS AL PACINO ON THE ONE SHOW?
WHY IS THR ONE SHOW LIKE AN ACID TRIP? — KNTSHTWNCTS (@KtcClarence) February 4, 2020
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On Sunday night, the 71-year-old actor was among the A-list guests at the Baftas.
However, as he made his way up some steps ahead of the awards ceremony, the Scarface actor fell down the steps of the iconic venue.
Fortunately, he was quickly helped to his feet by his fellow guests, and looked unbothered by the incident as he sat in the auditorium during the ceremony’s broadcast.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--'I'm Not A Slapper': Labour MP Tracy Brabin Hits Back At Criticism Of One Shoulder Dress In Parliame

'I'm Not A Slapper': Labour MP Tracy Brabin Hits Back At Criticism Of One Shoulder Dress In Parliament

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Labour MP Tracy Brabin has hit back after she was criticised for wearing a one shoulder dress in the Commons.
As the shadow culture secretary raised a point of order on Tuesday, someone shared a photo of her outfit on Twitter, writing: “Is this really appropriate attire for parliament? #DressStandards”.
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Responding on social media, Brabin – the MP for Batley and Spen – said: “Sorry I don’t have time to reply to all of you commenting on this, but I can confirm I’m not.... a slag, hungover, a tart, about to breastfeed, a slapper, drunk, just been banged over a wheelie bin.”
“Who knew people could get so emotional over a shoulder...” she added.
Hello. Sorry I don’t have time to reply to all of you commenting on this but I can confirm I’m not....
A slag
Hungover
A tart
About to breastfeed
A slapper
Drunk
Just been banged over a wheelie bin.
Who knew people could get so emotional over a shoulder... 🙄 https://t.co/sTWWiEY2TF — Tracy Brabin MP 🌹 (@TracyBrabin) February 4, 2020
The row came as Brabin discussed Downing Street’s decision to ban some outlets – including HuffPost UK – from a briefing on Monday.
The incident happened after No.10 invited a select group of political journalists to a “technical briefing” on Boris Johnson’s plans for a trade deal with the EU – despite the fact it was set to be held by the PM’s lead Brexit negotiator, who is obliged to behave in a neutral manner.
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When political editors from other news outlets arrived with their colleagues, they were told they would not be allowed to stay, leading the whole group of journalists to walk out in protest.
Speaking on Tuesday, Brabin said that the ability of the lobby – the name given to political journalists who work in Westminster – to have access to briefings “without favour” was “vital to the health of a functioning democracy”.
She added: “The government’s behaviour in these matters threatens the civil service’s core values of impartiality and objectivity.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Jay-Z Responds To Claims He And Beyonce Staged A Protest By Sitting During Super Bowl National Anthe

Jay-Z Responds To Claims He And Beyonce Staged A Protest By Sitting During Super Bowl National Anthem

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Jay-Z has denied he and wife Beyonce were making a point by not standing up during the national anthem at the Super Bowl.
The couple and their eight-year-old daughter Blue Ivy remained seated as Demi Lovato performed The Star Spangled Banner at Sunday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs,
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It led to speculation that they were trying to send a message after former NFL player Colin Kaepernick famously kneeled during the national anthem in protest against racial inequality in the US. He has been without a team since 2017.
Jay-Z, Beyonce and daughter Blue Ivy watch Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium. SIPA USA/PA Images
On Tuesday, Jay-Z appeared at Columbia University and explained why he and Beyonce stayed seated.
“It actually wasn’t. Sorry,” the rapper said when asked if it was an attempt to send a message. “It really wasn’t.”
The 50-year-old, who produced all the musical performances at Sunday’s Super Bowl in his deal with the NFL as the “live music entertainment strategist,” said he and Beyonce jumped straight into “artist mode” when the singing started.
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Gospel singer Yolanda Adams performed America The Beautiful before Lovato delivered a well-received rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.
Jay-Z said as the show kicked off he was preoccupied with whether the sound levels were too low and what the TV cameras were picking up.
He added: “And then right after that, Demi comes out, and we’re talking about how beautiful she looks and how she sounds, and what she’s gone through in her life for her to be on the stage and we’re so proud of her.”
The music mogul said the fact that he and Beyonce staying seated “just happened” and they did not need to make a “silent protest” as the diverse group of performers was “the biggest, loudest protest of all”.
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Many viewers interpreted the show’s final section as a deliberate criticism of President Trump’s immigration policies, with child performers singing in what appeared to be glowing cages, and J-Lo singing Born In The USA with the flag of Puerto Rico behind her.
In a behind-the-scenes video recorded shortly before she took to the stage, the Hustlers star leads a prayer circle, taking a few not-so-subtle swipes at the US leader.
“All I want my girls, the little girls on stage with me and all over the world to know is how to use their voices and be proud of everything they are,” she told her team.
“Other people can try to build walls, keep us out or put us in cages. We are proud to recognise that all of us together are what makes this beautiful country truly great.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Politicians Report 'Nastier' Election Including Death Threats, Street Harassment And Abuse

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Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone and get the political day in a nutshell.
Politicians who stood in December’s general election have overwhelmingly reported a “nastier” campaign than previous polls, with candidates facing death threats, street harassment and racist abuse.
More than two-thirds (69%) of the candidates surveyed by Compassion In Politics said the campaign had been either “much nastier” or “a little nastier” than past elections.
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The candidates were interviewed anonymously and had stood for parties including Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.
In an election triggered after a year of rancour and chaos in Westminster and division over Brexit in the country, the candidates reported disturbing incidents such as “a very serious death threat”.
One spoke of “online trolling on an organised level and racist comments” and being “intimidated on a street near my house by a group of activists” who “crowded around, blocked my path and shouted my name and for me to stand down”.
Another candidate reported abuse on the doorstep while out canvassing, noting that: “One voter told my colleague: ‘If I had a gun I’d shoot you.’”
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A third bemoaned “the bloke who threatened to punch one of our activists”.
And one woman reported “misogyny towards me and other female candidates” including “yelling, emails, trolling my campaign page”.
“I have been bullied, attacked, insulted and belittled”
Many candidates mentioned online abuse, and several mentioned physical intimidation and abuse or aggression at hustings.
Internal party battles also played out during the campaign, with one candidate saying: “I have been bullied, attacked, insulted and belittled – mainly by my own party members, who wanted a candidate from a different faction.
“I witnessed other candidates being abused and threatened by party members too.”
And the vast majority of the candidates (88%) found the election less honest than previous campaigns.
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“I felt the campaigns portrayed [...] were tainted by lies,” one said.
“I also felt in a number of different ways it was about manipulating the electorate, not empowering them.”
The candidates’ stories add to a flurry of troubling incidents reported during the campaign.
Matt Hawkins, co-director of Compassion in Politics, said: “The 2019 general election was one of the most toxic, nasty, and divisive in living memory.
“But it doesn’t have to continue in that vain.
“Our survey of candidates revealed a chink of light, an ember of hope.
“Candidates reported to us that having taken our pledge to ‘stop the nastiness’, they felt empowered to talk to their opponents about the need for respect, kindness, and inclusion and in many instances discovered that desire was reciprocated.
“It shows that at heart most of us want to conduct politics differently – nastiness doesn’t have to be the norm.
“Our job now is to take that spirit, that desire for change, and create a groundswell that creates a new kind of politics. We will be working with candidates, activists, politicians, and the public on making changes to our political system that embed a new culture of compassion, inclusion, and cooperation.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Birth Diaries: 'Getting Pregnant On The Copper Coil Wasn't The Only Unexpected Part Of Having A Baby

Birth Diaries: 'Getting Pregnant On The Copper Coil Wasn't The Only Unexpected Part Of Having A Baby'

HuffPost UK
In HuffPost Birth Diaries we hear the extraordinary stories of the everyday miracle of birth. This week, Megan Nichole shares her story. If you’d like to share yours, email amy.packham@huffpost.com.
I’d had the copper IUD for four years when I found out I was pregnant. My periods had always been regular, but one afternoon I realised my cycle hadn’t come on when I’d expected it. I swept the thought aside, because I was in the process of a move. When I still hadn’t come on after a few weeks, I took a test. It was positive.
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A doctor performed an ultrasound to find out why I’d fallen pregnant – perhaps the IUD had moved out of position or dislodged, he said – but when he did check, it was where it was supposed to be. No one knows why it happened.
I was very upset. I’d just graduated from pharmacy school and was in the middle of a fellowship programme, 100 miles away from home. It wasn’t a happy scenario for me. I hadn’t planned on getting pregnant for another five years or so. My partner and I weren’t engaged – we didn’t even live together.
The first half of the pregnancy was a whirlwind. I had to leave my fellowship programme to move home, as well as find a new job. So I didn’t think much about giving birth until about halfway through. The second half mellowed out and I began to get excited once I’d got into my routine.
Initially, I did research on natural birthing. I have scoliosis, you see, so I didn’t want to have an epidural. And, as a pharmacist, I didn’t like the idea of having the drug pumped into my spine. My scoliosis is quite mild, but it was definitely a factor in preparing for birth. I focused on coping mechanisms to relieve back pain if my labour was going to be intense.
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HuffPost UK Supplied
At 37 weeks and three days, it started. But I had no idea at the time. I was probably labouring for 24 hours – and didn’t know until about five hours before I delivered my son. I was at home, working, on calls, just going about my day. I felt constipated, but it was only later after looking on a parenting forum, that I realised that feeling could mean I was in labour.
I already had an appointment booked with my doula that day. She came over and could tell something was happening so told me to go to the hospital for a check. When I did, I found out I was at 10cm already! The pain was about an eight out of 10, but having studied hypnobirthing, I managed to go through the exercises to breathe and keep calm. My eyes were closed; I was in the zone.
I asked if I could have the water birth I’d written in my birth plan, but they were concerned it’d take 45 minutes to fill up the tub – and I was already close. In my plan, I’d also written that I didn’t want to be coached or told when to push, so they waited on my cues. Thankfully, I managed to get into the water before my actual waters had broken, and after about 15 minutes I felt an intense pressure inside my body – it wanted to push the baby out.
It wasn’t a conscious effort, my body just started pushing and as it did, my waters broke. Five minutes later, my son was out. The midwife instructed me to pull him up and I reached down and did as I was told. He was taken away for a little while for a check while they got me out the tub. I delivered the placenta and he was put back on to me, where I could nurse him for the first time.
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Everything happened so fast and felt so unplanned that it was difficult to process what was going on. I kept thinking: “Did that just really happen?”. I was so in shock, I didn’t emotionally catch up with everything that had happened until he was about two months old.
If I could sum it all up in one word? Miraculous, that’d be it. From getting pregnant to the way he was born. It was just miraculous.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Tennis Player Liam Broady Reveals Just How Lonely The Sport Can Be

TPN / Getty Images / HuffPost UK Liam Broady
Head In The Game sees athletes across a variety of disciplines speak candidly about their mental wellbeing – from occasional periods of poor mental health to ongoing, sometimes debilitating, struggles with mental illness. They also share coping mechanisms and the support they’ve turned to during their lowest points.
At 26-years-old, tennis player Liam Broady is already contemplating retirement. “I’m already feeling a ticking time clock, which isn’t a nice feeling,” he says. “I suppose, really, I only have seven to 10 years left to achieve what I want. I’ve probably only got a couple of years left to start making moves.
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“Every tournament I go to, I’m wanting to do something, because I believe I can get to the top of my sport.”
It hasn’t been an easy road for Broady. He’s one of Britain’s top tennis talents—in 2015, at the age of 21, he became the youngest British man to win a match at Wimbledon since 2008. But he’s struggled to solidify a place within the upper echelons of the sport, competing for titles at major tournaments. And last month, he lost his first round Australian Open qualifying match.
Following that loss, Broady criticised tournament organisers for forcing players to compete despite poor air quality stemming from the Australian bushfires, and argued in favour of a players union. “The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago it boils my blood,” Broady wrote on social media at the time.
Yet his harshest criticism is generally reserved for himself. “The difficult thing for me is that when I lose, it directly affects my self-worth – which is completely fucked up,” he tells HuffPost UK. “Just because I’m losing a tennis match, it doesn’t make me a bad person. But that’s how it felt to me.”
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Ben Hoskins via Getty Images Broady after losing his first round match against Alexander Ward in June 2018.
That was particularly the case during a fraught period in 2018 when he was ranked 154th in the world – his highest ranking – before losing nine matches in a row and falling to 335th. The experience of losing repeatedly ground him down. He felt alone, with nobody to talk to about his struggles, and entered a cycle of desperation.
“You’re thinking: Why is this happening? Do I deserve it?” he says. “And you’re doing all the things right, but it’s still not going right.” Broady’s response at the time was to work even harder, but the extra effort simply caused him to burn out.
“That was probably the most toxic thing, just trying to continue working through it,” he says. “The best thing would’ve been to have rested and come back refreshed.”
He doesn’t mean just physically. “The mind in itself is a bit like a muscle, in that it needs to be able to rest and switch off,” he says, “or it’s going to end up getting hurt.”
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He estimates he’s away from his home for 40 weeks of the year. Spending so much time on the road, particularly in places like India and China where there’s more of a language barrier, can be mentally taxing.
Without anyone to talk to, it’s easy for him to get into his own head. “When you’re winning, it’s a lot easier, the weeks go a lot quicker,” he says. Losing, however, can leave him feeling isolated.
“You have a lot of time to yourself, a lot of time in your hotel room on your own, and obviously when you are in a place with a completely different time zone you can’t really speak to anyone on the phone either,” he says.
“You’re eating at the hotel, you’re sleeping at the hotel. The only time you ever leave the building is to go and practise, which sometimes is only an hour, maybe two or three hours a day.”
Broady says he’s friendly with most of the other players on tour, but he’s cautious about talking with them too much about his state of mind. “You never really want to show people that you’re struggling with your game or that there’s stuff going on, because often there’s locker room chat,” he says. “It can be used against you.”
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JORGE GUERRERO via Getty Images
At the end of 2018, Broady spent some time in Hong Kong after his coach told him to take a few days off. It was then that he reached his lowest point – he hadn’t been feeling right for a while, but all of a sudden it hit him like a truck.
“Whilst I was in Hong Kong I thought, ‘Shit, I don’t feel good,’ and I did a mental look around at who I could talk to about the way I felt, and I didn’t really feel like there was anyone I felt comfortable enough to tell all of these thoughts and feelings I had in my head,” he says.
“That was quite scary for me – I didn’t feel I was close enough with anyone, and that was probably the time where I felt my loneliest, because I was looking around and there was no one there.”
He had a meeting with physical coach Ric Moylan and tennis coach Dave Samill where they discussed what had gone wrong with Broady’s year and why he hadn’t achieved the success he wanted.
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“I came to the conclusion I had a fantastic tennis coach, I had a fantastic physical coach, I had all the support I needed, but I didn’t have a mental coach – and to me that was glaringly obvious,” says Broady. His life coach, Phil Quirk, came on board not long after.
Ben Hoskins via Getty Images
With Quirk’s help, Broady has put some strategies in place to help alleviate the pressure he puts on himself ahead of matches and prevent his thoughts from spiralling out of control. He deletes his social media accounts during tournaments, practices breathing exercises (specifically the Wim Hof method), and tries to be mindful of the things that are going well for him. .
“If you’re only ever focusing on the bad things in life, then it always gets worse, because you then only start to notice the bad things and you don’t notice the lucky breaks and the good things that are working in your favour,” Broady says.
Now he writes down three things that he’s grateful for every day. No matter how big or small. He’s also become the king of not preparing.
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“I’m a massive over-thinker, so if I try and prepare too well, then I tend to get into this really weird space, and get really nervous and neurotic,” he says. “Everything goes to complete rubbish.” His tactic, instead, is not to look at who he’s playing until the evening before or sometimes the morning before a match. Then he’ll sit down with his coach to discuss strategy.
“At least that way I don’t look at draws and think, ‘Ok if I beat this person, then I’ll play this person,’ and I start worrying about who I’m playing in two rounds before I’ve even won that first match,” he says.
After his disastrous year in 2018, he’s been slowly climbing back up the tennis rankings. He’s currently ranked 237th in the world.
The biggest challenge for him, however, has been taking a day or two away from the sport without becoming anxious about it. He knows that switching off completely, being present, and spending time with his family and friends is important, that it will allow his mind to rest and recharge. It’s work in progress.
“I’m a young adult,” he adds. “Everyone likes to have a good time with their friends every now and then, and I think that’s important. But obviously not too much.”
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Visit HuffPost UK’s dedicated Head in the Game site to read our full series of daily interviews with sports people about their mental health and wellbeing.
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Getty Images / HuffPost UK Head In The Game interviewees: (top, left to right) Frank Bruno, Jordanne Whiley, Becky Downie, Elise Christie, Andrew Strauss; (bottom, left to right) Rebecca Adlington, Liam Broady, Eniola Aluko, Marcus Trescothick, Jo Pavey.
Useful websites and helplines:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--How To Build Strength In Everyday Life, Not Just At The Gym

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The weightlifting section of the gym can be intimidating for anyone who isn’t a solid mass of muscle.
Case in point: last year, two University of Winchester researchers found female gym users were put off using the weights sections because of an “intimidatory atmosphere” and male-oriented equipment. One female said how, at 5ft 1in, it was impossible for her to reach the collars on the barbell rack. A 20-year-old also felt “uncomfortable” because a group of young men stared at her, making comments and laughing.
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And then there’s the issue of being new to the weights game – you might not even know where to begin. How do you lift them safely, what weights should you try, and how do you use the machinery? You could fork out on a PT session, but not everyone has the money to do so. It seems like a lose-lose situation.
The gym is a good, and often preferable, starting point for strength training, but it’s not the only way. “You can build similar levels of strength using body weight resistance or equipment around the home,” explains Dr James Steele, principal investigator for ukactive’s research institute and associate professor of sport and exercise science at Solent University.
There are also things you can do in your daily life that help maintain strength, which is particularly important as we age.
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Why focus on becoming stronger?
It’s not just so you can open a jam jar. There are many benefits to strength training, but arguably the most important is that “stronger individuals tend to be at lower risk of [early] death and a number of diseases”, says Dr Steele.
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Strength is associated with a better quality of life, improved performance in carrying out day-to-day functional tasks and – in the most basic sense – it keeps muscles, bones and joints strong, enabling you to move around better and reduce the risk of osteoporosis (a condition that weakens bones). The latter is particularly important for women entering the menopause.
Everyone should focus on strength, regardless of age. “As you get older, it’s extremely important to add in resistance training [to your exercise routine] to maintain flexibility, balance and posture, which normally becomes harder to keep as you age,” says Dave Mercer, a PT at Nuffield Health.
For younger adults, resistance training will help keep a healthy muscle/fat ratio, he explains, as well as protect against chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.
Endai Huedl via Getty Images
How to build strength in daily life
The UK chief medical officers’ physical activity guidelines suggest people should focus on building strength at least twice a week. So where do you start? Here are five ways to get going.
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1. Focus on where you want to improve strength
Beginners should think about what movements they find hard. Is it getting up from sitting down, walking up steep stairs, or carrying something heavy? Identifying what you want to improve is a good starting point. If you run regularly, for example, you might want to focus on strengthening your arms.
To do this, seek advice on how to make that part of your body stronger, advises Matt Smith, personal trainer and yoga instructor at Fire and Steel Fitness. This might be through trusted fitness sites, NHS Choices advice, or a PT.
2. Build it into your day without noticing
A strength exercise is any activity that makes your muscles work harder than usual – it increases your muscles’ strength, size, power and endurance. Some examples of these can be be easily built into your daily life.
Malte Mueller via Getty Images
Heavy gardening, such as digging and shovelling, counts as a muscle-strengthening activity, states the NHS. Do you usually avoid it, or get someone else to help out? Take on the challenge. Other weekend activities like hill walking and cycling also build strength.
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Climbing stairs counts, too. Do you stand on the right side of an escalator? Walk up the left – your thighs will be burning at the top, but it’ll be worth it for the health benefits.
Other examples, says Smith, include getting off the bus early and walking, or carrying heavy groceries. “Don’t take the lazy option,” he says. “The body behaves so much better when being used more, rather than just being expected to get up and go.”
3. Experiment with different workouts
There’s emerging evidence that HIIT (high-intensity interval training) can be particularly beneficial for strength, according to Dr Steele. A study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise revealed HIIT can lead to just as much strength gain as a more traditional, time-intensive weightlifting programme – in some cases, it was even more effective.
You can find HIIT workouts on YouTube – these are usually short as they’re high intensity. Or, head to a local gym that may offer the first class for free as a “try before you buy”.
Yoga and Pilates – both of which can be done in the gym or at home – are also beneficial for strength. Find out how you can work yoga into your daily routine.
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4. Try out weights and resistance bands
This could be done at home, using online advice and tutorials, or in a gym. “For an activity to be muscle strengthening, it needs to work your muscles to the point where you may need a short rest before continuing,” states the NHS. “For example, if you’re lifting weights, you’d have to put the weight down after doing a number of lifts before carrying on.
It’s important to make sure your form is correct and you’re not doing something that risks injury if you’re alone. Dr Steele recommends seeking out a PT to get some guidance on how to do it properly – some PTs offer a free initial consultation, so you can choose if you want to use that newfound knowledge at home or in the gym.
Alternatively, have a go at using resistance bands at home. We asked experts to share exercises that work different sections of the body – find out more.
5. Use your body as a weight
If you decide to focus on body weight exercises at home, there are four key areas to do in a routine: an upper body pushing movement (push ups), an upper body pulling movement (pull-ups, chin-ups or rowing), an exercise for the torso (plank), and a lower body exercise (squat or lunge).
You should do these to a high-intensity, and repeat as many times as you can, to achieve an overall strengthening effect. Always do exercise in a careful and controlled manner to avoid injury and, says Smith, utilise a full range of motion. “Do press ups to the floor and squats to a minimum of 90° or even to a chair.”
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Are there any downsides to building strength? “I’ve never heard anyone complain about being too strong,” says Smith. “There are no negative side effects if done correctly.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Anxious About Coronavirus? 7 Therapist-Approved Tips To Curb Your Worry

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For some, anxiety and fear around coronavirus is taking hold – and is it any wonder, considering it’s dominating the news?
Worry is a rational reaction to something we can’t control, but when these fears start to rule our lives, we need to do something about it, says therapist Pam Custers. Otherwise, it can start “sabotaging our thought processes”.
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“There’s a lot being spoken about coronavirus and a lot of fear because there’s a constant tally of how many have got it and how many have died,” she says. “If you have a slight tendency towards anxiety, this might nudge you towards becoming even more anxious.”
When we’re tipped over into a state of anxiety, we might feel panicky and worry more than normal. Some people might have difficulty concentrating; others will change their daily routines to avoid whatever it is they fear.
Custers gives the example of getting into a lift and suddenly feeling like you have to leave, or struggling to get on public transport to work because of a fear of catching something. So what can you do about it?
Challenge your thoughts
The key to reducing fear, or at the very least controlling it, is to challenge your way of thinking. “It’s a balance between challenging thought processes and having healthy caution,” says Custers.
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It’s normal to worry. In fact, it’s part of our protective mechanism of survival as humans, says therapist Natasha Crowe. “When we see or hear of someone that’s been ill, or see a news story, of course our mind is going to go to that place,” she says. “Some of it is rational, but [the issue] is when we catastrophise and it becomes a worst-case scenario that we can’t get out of.”
If you fear that you have, or might get, coronavirus, ask yourself: Do I have evidence? Am I at risk? Have I been in contact with someone who has had it? Am I feeling ill? “The likelihood is that for most people, they’re at very low risk,” says Crowe, a member of Counselling Directory.
Step back from the news
We should keep ourselves informed about how to manage ourselves health-wise, but we don’t need to be glued to every single news report or every specialist who’s discussing it, says Custers. This could feed and fuel our fears.
If you find it’s all getting too much, avoid the news and mute words on social media.
Have some perspective
The stats around confirmed cases can sound scary on their own – and we shouldn’t underestimate what could happen with this virus – but when you compare these to the number of people who develop and die from flu each year, your perspective may change.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every year, flu results in 3-5 million cases of severe illness globally, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths.
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“The last thing any government wants is to allow the virus to take hold,” says Custers. “There are teams of people who are all working, consciously putting in place a very safe programme for ourselves. If there was any reason to start being worried, we would be told.”
Practise self-care
For people with anxiety – particularly health anxiety – reading updates about coronavirus and poring over advice may not help. If this is the case, Sally Brown, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) spokesperson and counsellor, recommends attending to your self-care.
Brown often tells her clients to have a “daily prescription” of self-care to build resilience. This could be spending 30 minutes outdoors, speaking to a friend who makes you laugh, or just carving out time in your day to truly relax.
Be aware of your avoidance strategies
If you’re feeling anxious about coronavirus, you might be tempted to stop taking public transport or stay in the house. While giving in to those avoidance techniques can help in the short-term, Brown says it makes your anxiety worse in the long-term. “Check in with yourself,” she advises. “You can choose to either do that [avoid the fear] or push through those avoidance feelings.”
If your anxiety starts to impact your day-to-day behaviour, Custers recommends seeing a therapist. “Speak to someone if you’re overwhelmed. You might need a couple of sessions.”
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Focus on what you can control
In the therapy room, Brown will often ask clients to draw two circles – the circle of influence and circle of concern. In the circle of concern, she asks patients to write everything they’re worried about. In the circle of influence, she asks them to write what they can actually control.
“The circle of influence is where you direct your energy,” she says. “When it comes to something like this [coronavirus], it’s about controlling your hygiene and immune system.”
Public Health England (PHE) suggests the best way to protect against illness – whether the common cold, flu or coronavirus – is to practise good hygiene. This means regularly washing hands with warm water and soap, particularly after using public transport or before eating. If you can’t wash your hands, it might be helpful to carry hand sanitiser with you.
If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue and then immediately bin the tissue afterwards – remember ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow – especially if travelling on public transport where you need to touch handles.
Break your day into chunks
Feeling completely overwhelmed? It’s time to take a step back. Rather than thinking about the whole day ahead of you, break it down into chunks, says Crowe.
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First things first, focus on getting yourself to work. Then on sitting down at your desk and doing work. Next, eating your lunch. The idea is that you’re not letting your feelings and thoughts run away with you. It’s all about the small steps we can take on a daily basis.
Useful websites and helplines:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--As A Black Woman, I'm Tired Of Having To Talk About My Hair At Work

HuffPost UK Courtesy of the author
“You know what I’m realising… Black women change their hair often. White women don’t really constantly change their hairstyles like you all do… Why is that?” These words came from my white boss at my first full-time job as he observed my new hairstyle.
The Mondays after getting my hair done, I always prepare myself to receive some unwanted attention at work.
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I stared blankly at him, and my younger self nervously laughed it off. But I hated having to explain what my style was, or how my hair got longer or shorter overnight. I hated having to explain that my micro braids took approximately five to six hours, and that they would last over a month. I just wanted to show up to work, and go home.
You know who else likely wanted to go to work and go home? Gabrielle Union. News recently broke that America’s Got Talent ousted Union, and reports about why started making their way to social media. In addition to allegations that Union’s contract wasn’t renewed after she spoke out about a culture of racism on the show, she was also reportedly told that her constant hair changes were “too black.” I couldn’t help but think about the statements made by my past boss, and how many times I was treated as a spectacle by fascinated white colleagues.
“You changed your hair, I barely recognised you!”
“Oh wow, your hair got so long!!”
“So is this your hair or extensions?”
You barely recognised me? Really? To say this to me or other Black women highlights your inability to accept me in the workspace, and constantly reminds me that this space expects me to conform to what it believes is the “right” way of being.
The night that news of Union’s ouster hit the internet, the #BlackHairChallenge was revived and took Twitter by storm. #BlackHairChallenge was a hashtag trend curated in 2017 by Twitter user/platform @MelaninMamis, encouraging Black women to post four pictures of themselves in four different hairstyles. The purpose of the challenge was to showcase the beauty and versatility of black hair.
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Might as well 🤷🏾♀ #blackhairchallenge
Now I can see that my hand is almost always on my head 😭 pic.twitter.com/5Rn8Pg0Wns — TOJO (@CLASSICTOJO) November 27, 2019
Apparently I take a lot of selfies in the car #blackhairchallenge https://t.co/kVmiPrgk8c pic.twitter.com/Ph5TkYlw4g — Asia 💫 (@asiaasymone) November 27, 2019
Today, many states have no choice but to accept these different styles as it has become illegal in many places to discriminate against a person because of their hair. While these laws keep employers from relieving us of our work duties, we are still subjected to inappropriate comments and questions about our hair and Black culture.
For the most part, I’ve enjoyed my white colleagues (past and present) and have connected with great people at work. Yet these types of comments, while they may seem innocent, remind me that work will never be my safe space.
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“Why don’t you just tell them that what they are asking is wrong?”
I have many friends who believe it’s our job as Black women to correct white co-workers in these and other instances of racism in the workplace. They often use the word “educate” them.
My current boss, (a white woman) recently asked me if I would be comfortable telling her if she ever said anything culturally insensitive to me. I thought about it, and quickly told her no. We have a great working relationship, and I am comfortable around her, yet I still don’t think I would tell her in the moment if she did something to offend me.
I’m known as a vocal individual at my workplace and have already been told that I’m too “passionate.” So I find myself picking and choosing what I will address, and biting my tongue in an attempt to avoid being perceived as the Black woman with the “attitude.”
I look up to Gabrielle Union, because she has been a voice for Black women for quite some time and has zero tolerance for disrespect. But if Gabrielle Union, a well-known celebrity, had to face consequences when she spoke up at her place of work, why wouldn’t I? If she couldn’t be in a workspace where she could “educate” an individual about how wrong the racist jokes they made were without loss of opportunity, what happens to the rest of us Black women? Do we miss out on promotions? Do we risk job loss?
So I may bite my tongue at the office. But I’m speaking up now. To ignore the voices of Black women as we speak up against a culture of racism, is to encourage racism in that particular space. To tell us that our hairstyles are “too black” is to ask us to assimilate and abandon our blackness. We have the right to love and embrace our hair for being different, without being subject to inappropriate questioning or treated as a spectacle.
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It is not my job to teach you how to accept this, or me. At work or anywhere else.
This article first appeared on HuffPost US Personal


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--My LGBT Football Team Finally Lets Me By Myself While Playing The Game I Love

HuffPost UK Courtesy of Stonewall
Head In The Game sees athletes across a variety of disciplines speak candidly about their mental wellbeing – from occasional periods of poor mental health to ongoing, sometimes debilitating, struggles with mental illness. They also share coping mechanisms and the support they’ve turned to during their lowest points.
‘It’s just a game’, they say – and football is, to most. But for me this ‘game’ has changed my life.
Growing up in Leytonstone, East London, the only success I saw that felt attainable was either on the football pitch or in the music studio. I wasn’t a particularly gifted singer or dancer, so naturally I gravitated towards the green grass of a football pitch (or in my case, a car park with jumpers for goalposts).
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I played at a high enough level to be put on a talent pathway that, I presumed, with a cocktail of hard work, dedication and luck, would see me turn pro. I realised soon enough that nothing is ever certain.
However, coming to terms with not becoming a professional footballer was nothing compared to coming to terms with being gay. It’s difficult to look back and not dissect how much influence being gay may have had on my performance, motivation and sense of belonging when I was young.
When you feel as though the game you love, the game that saved you from choosing a darker path, is also possibly a place which won’t accept you – that’s a huge barrier.
“I was a black, gay man who loved football, and it was really hard to reconcile these apparently disparate parts of my identity...”
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Research by the LGBT charity Stonewall backs this feeling up: more than two in five LGBT people (43%) think that public sporting events aren’t a welcoming space for LGBT people. And BAME LGBT people are even more likely to feel this way (52%). I was a black, gay man who loved football, and it was really hard to reconcile these apparently disparate parts of my identity. I wanted to succeed as a footballer, so I felt I had to suppress the parts of my identity that might affect my chances of success. But in doing so, I found myself experiencing a number of mental health difficulties. I lost confidence, became isolated and felt confused and scared. The game that used to be an escape was now holding me hostage.
However, the older I got, and more importantly, the more comfortable I became with being gay, the easier it was for me to see the wood for the trees. I went on to university with the aim of entering a new chapter in my life as my authentic self, and I fell in love with other aspects of the game like coaching and development.
I played university men’s football as an out gay man, but I still didn’t feel completely comfortable. We’d have away trips where I would tune out of conversations for fear of not wanting to make anyone else (or myself) uncomfortable. I would edit myself, go quiet, isolate myself from my team. I did all of this while still trying to build and maintain strong relationships with teammates so we could perform on the pitch. It was exhausting.
To this day I wonder if the coaches or teammates I was close to picked up on my discomfort. Or whether through years of assimilating it’s just something I became so good at pretending, they presumed I was just naturally quiet.
Ian Walton for The FA Courtesy of Stonewall
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My coaches and teammates did their best to make me feel welcome, but I’m not sure they had the tools or confidence to know how to create fully inclusive environments where someone who may be gay, bi or questioning could feel not just accepted, but valued and celebrated.
In my final year of uni, I decided to write about homophobia within grassroots football for my dissertation. That directed me to the London Unity League, GFSN League and a number of LGBT-friendly teams that play in them. I ended up interviewing a few of the players that played for a team based in North London, London Romans and joined them after I graduated.
After a season or so with the Romans, the first team manager of Stonewall FC, the world’s most successful LGBT football club, asked if I wanted to join them and play at a higher level. After learning about the rich history of the club, their success and role within the game, of course I accepted.
I’m now captain of Stonewall FC, and still play and coach with London Romans. I’m finally in a position where I feel able to be completely myself while playing the game I love. I am now playing in a space where elements of my identity are not just being tolerated, brushed over or avoided, but are being celebrated. Instead of silencing my own voice to blend in or not stand out, my voice is now heard, and uplifted.
“In a society that feels in many ways more divided than ever, football has a unique ability to bring communities together...”
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LGBT-inclusive clubs like ours have long played a crucial role in the lives of so many people – many who grew up playing football in far more hostile environments than I did. They still have that role today – not just creating safe spaces for LGBT people to play a sport that they love, but also providing visibility and role models to younger LGBT people and potential allies too.
In a society that feels in many ways more divided than ever with the number of anti-LGBT hate crime incidents on the rise, football has a unique ability to bring communities together. The game has progressed a lot and we can be proud of that. However, we have a long way to go to ensure every LGBT person feels safe, accepted and celebrated in sport. Support and solidarity for these clubs and community groups is vital now more than ever.
Jehmeil Lemonius is sports campaigns manager at Stonewall, and captain of Stonewall FC


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-05--Nancy Pelosi Rips Up Donald Trump’s State Of The Union Speech

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Democrat House speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up her printed copy of US president Donald Trump’s speech at the conclusion of his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
The dramatic moment showed the country’s highest-ranking Democrat tear and then toss the pages behind Trump’s back as he embraced a standing ovation at the conclusion of his controversial address.
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The bitter feud between the pair followed Trump earlier snubbing her outstretched hand at the start of his speech and the impeachment proceedings brought by Pelosi’s party.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi tears her copy of president Donald Trump's State of the Union address after he delivered it to a joint session of Congress. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trump avoided the subject of his impeachment in his pugnacious 80-minute speech, but the scars from the battle were evident with fellow Republicans giving him standing ovations while rival Democrats for the most part remained seated.
Seeing Pelosi for the first time since she stormed out of a White House meeting four months ago, he declined to shake her outstretched hand as he gave her a copy of his remarks before starting his speech.
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When his speech ended, Pelosi stood and tore up her copy of the remarks he had handed her, later telling reporters it was “the courteous thing to do, considering the alternative”.
Pelosi, who dropped her opposition to impeachment and allowed Democratic lawmakers to seek the charges against him, sat stoically and grim-faced behind Trump and paged through a paper copy of his speech.
Democrats will never stop extending the hand of friendship to get the job done #ForThePeople. We will work to find common ground where we can, but will stand our ground where we cannot. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/ELJqR9q4xD — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 5, 2020
In the speech, Trump declared America is “stronger than ever before” on the eve of his probable impeachment acquittal.
Trump, the first president to run for re-election after being impeached, received a partisan welcome to the House of Representatives, with some Republicans chanting “four more years” while Democrats stood silently.
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“America’s enemies are on the run, America’s fortunes are on the rise and America’s future is blazing bright,” Trump declared.
“In just three short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America’s destiny.
“We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago, and we are never going back.”
Setting a measure for success and then contending he had surpassed it, Trump has gone from an inaugural address that decried “American carnage” to extolling the “Great American comeback”, claiming credit for the nation’s economic success as a chief rationale for a second term.
Republican members of Congress applauded nearly every sentence of Trump’s speech, often leaping to their feet to cheer him.
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Over his shoulder, visible in nearly every camera shot, was Pelosi, a frequent thorn in Trump’s side who authorised the impeachment proceedings that charged the president with abusing the power of his office to push Ukraine to investigate political foe Joe Biden.