Decision not to classify Southport killer as a terrorist was right, says UK watchdog

Review concluded extending definition to cover extreme violence by ‘loners’ such as Axel Rudakubana is unhelpful

The decision not to classify Axel Rudakubana as a terrorist following the Southport murders was right because it would be unhelpful to stretch the definition of terrorism to cover all extreme violence, the UK’s terror watchdog has concluded.

Jonathan Hall KC wrote that the “legal definition of terrorism is already wide and should not be changed any further” in his post-Southport review of how extreme violence is legally classified. Expanding the definition would “increase the possibility of inaccurate use and, in theory, abuse”, he said.

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Essex police officer sacked after admitting ‘tragedy chanting’ at Anfield

Misconduct hearing found Tyler Coppin had breached standards of professional behaviour over offence

An Essex police officer has been sacked after admitting “tragedy chanting” at Liverpool fans during a Premier League match last year.

Essex police instigated misconduct proceedings against Sgt Tyler Coppin after he pleaded guilty to the public order offence during the Liverpool game against Chelsea at Anfield last October.

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AstraZeneca axes £450m vaccine plant in Liverpool, blaming state funding cut

Days after Rachel Reeves highlighted life sciences as UK strength, firm decides against site expansion

AstraZeneca has cancelled plans for a £450m expansion of its manufacturing plant in Speke, Merseyside, blaming a cut in the funding on offer from the government.

Only two days after Rachel Reeves highlighted life sciences as a key UK strength, in a speech setting out her plans to kickstart economic growth, the company said it had decided to pull its investment.

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Teenager dead and another ‘critical’ after Merseyside motorbike crash

Police say vehicle was missing at the scene and that other men were present when fatal incident occurred

A teenager has died and another is in “a critical condition” after a motorbike crash in Merseyside, police have said.

A 17-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Woodchurch, Wirral. An 18-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

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Jürgen Klopp’s former mansion tops Rightmove’s views list for 2024

Former Liverpool manager’s rented home fends off 27-bedroom manor house as website’s most-viewed property

A home fit for football royalty and a grade-I listed abbey are among this year’s most-viewed properties on the listing website Rightmove.

Jürgen Klopp left his job as manager of Liverpool in May, and in October the six-bedroom home he was renting from the Merseyside club was put on the market at an asking price of £4.25m.

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‘Phantom gnome snatcher’ of Formby admits prank almost 50 years on

Arthur tells Vernon Kay on Radio 2 he left ransom notes in place of garden ornaments in seaside town in 1977

The closest that residents in the sleepy seaside town of Formby got to violent crime in 1977 was, the BBC solemnly reported, by watching Kojak.

So the mysterious disappearance of garden ornaments, replaced by sinister ransom notes, was big news. It led to a media circus as journalists were dispatched to investigate the “phantom gnome snatcher of Formby”.

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Merseyside police searching for man missing with his baby son

Adam Skindzier, 44, from Netherton area of Merseyside, last seen with six-month-old Nathan on Friday afternoon

Police are searching for a 44-year-old man who has gone missing with his six-month-old son.

Adam Skindzier, who is from the Netherton in Merseyside, was last seen with his son, Nathan, at about 4pm on Friday, police said. Skindzier, who is Polish, is believed to be driving a black Mercedes.

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Drones seized in Liverpool after breaching Labour conference airspace

Police warn unauthorised drone users could be prosecuted as restrictions are in place for conference week

Drones have been seized by police after they were flown in breach of airspace restrictions during the Labour party conference in Liverpool.

Merseyside police said they seized three drones on Saturday after a temporary airspace restriction covering much of Liverpool city centre was put in place.

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World’s oldest man celebrates 112th birthday in Merseyside

John Alfred Tinniswood was born the year the Titanic sank and has lived through the tenure of 24 UK prime ministers

The world’s oldest living man has turned 112 at his care home in Merseyside.

John Alfred Tinniswood, who lives in Southport, put his long life down to “just luck”, and said he did not follow a special diet, except for eating fish and chips every Friday.

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Southport stabbing: chaotic scenes as police clash with far-right protesters outside mosque – as it happened

Violent clashes at street protest, hours after police released names of three children who were killed

Southport Football Club said it has cancelled tonight’s pre-season friendly match with Morecambe FC “out of respect to those who have so tragically lost their lives” and to those who will be “deeply impacted” by the Southport attack. The match was scheduled to take place in the club’s Haig Avenue stadium this evening, near the scene of the incident.

In a post on social media yesterday evening, the club said in a statement:

The club would like to reiterate that tomorrow the Club Lounge will be open from 10am-3pm for those who wish to gather, share their thoughts and find support during this difficult time.

Specialist support staff will be present to offer assistance and comfort to those who need it.

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Southport stabbings: children among victims, say witnesses – latest updates

Youngsters attending a dance workshop were being treated at the scene according to those nearby

At least eight people, feared to include several children, have been stabbed in Southport, where a man with a knife was arrested.

Armed police arrested a man and seized a knife after being called to the “major incident” at a property on Hart Street, in Southport, north of Liverpool, at about 11.50am on Monday.

The man has been taken to a police station and there was no wider threat to the public, police said.

North West ambulance service said it had so far treated eight patients with stab injuries, who have been taken to Alder Hey children’s hospital, Aintree university hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.

Alder Hey children’s hospital declared a major incident and asked parents not to bring their children to the emergency department unless it was urgent.

The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said she is “deeply concerned” over the major incident in Southport.

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said:

I am deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside police about a major incident on Hart Street in the constituency.

I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected. My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community.

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Murder investigation launched after man shot dead in Merseyside

Police patrols stepped up in area after man, 36, killed in Kirkby on Wednesday evening

A murder investigation has been launched after a 36-year-old man was shot dead on the streets of Merseyside.

Police said they received a report at 6.35pm on Wednesday from the North West ambulance service that a man had been shot in Kirkby.

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Home Office U-turn grants Wirral ‘legend’ right to live in UK after 46 years

Retired newsagent who fundraised £50,000 for legal battle was due to take case to court in autumn

A retired newsagent and “local legend” from Merseyside has said he feels marvellous after a Home Office U-turn granted him the right to live in the UK almost 50 years after he arrived.

Nelson Shardey, 75, launched legal action against the Home Office and fundraised almost £50,000 earlier this year after he was refused the right to stay in the UK permanently, despite living in the country since 1977 and running his shop, Nelson’s News, in Wirral for 31 years.

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