Ex-Israeli PM says Gaza takeover would be ‘historic disaster’

This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Arabia

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, who initially backed the war in Gaza as an “inevitable” response to the October 7 attacks, describes plans to take over the whole strip as a “historic disaster”.

In an exclusive interview with Independent Arabia, Olmert, who served as Israel’s prime minister from 2006 to 2009, states that the war which is entering its second year has achieved all of its objectives and its continuation runs “counter to Israel’s interests” and serves only the “personal interests” of the country’s current leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to Olmert, Netanyahu is determined to keep the war going, and to further escalate it, in order to avoid the political fallout that an end to the war would bring. The former premier believes this would likely include the formation of a commission of inquiry into security failures surrounding the October 7 attack, and see the collapse of Netanyahu’s government, which is propped up by what Olmert calls the “messianic faction” led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The far-right ministers were both recently banned from entering the UK for “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities”.

Olmert claims this political bloc is singularly focused on waging war and destruction on Gaza and the West Bank, aiming to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, expel its Palestinian residents, and hand it over to Israeli settlers.

“The majority of Israelis reject this agenda”, Olmert insists, “We are doing everything we can to stop these plans, because they would lead to a historic disaster.”

According to Olmert, the war that began in 2023 was initially launched as a response to “Hamas’s brutal attack on civilians, in which 1,200 people were killed in their homes and bedrooms.” At the time, he says, Israel enjoyed overwhelming support and broad international backing.

However, Olmert later became opposed to the continuation of the war, arguing that Israel had already “achieved everything that could reasonably be achieved”, including killing key Hamas leaders such as Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, along with the majority of the group’s senior and mid-level commanders, as well as the destruction of most of its rockets and command infrastructure.

“What’s happening now is no longer necessary,” he says, noting the large numbers of both Israeli military casualties and the estimated death toll of over 60,000 Palestinians. “What is needed now is to end the violence and bring the hostages home – and the only way to do that is by ending the war, not expanding it – especially as international opposition continues to grow.”

Olmert adds that “most former Israeli military and security officials have called for an immediate halt to the war, as there are no further military objectives left to achieve. Continuing this war in the face of mounting civilian deaths on both sides is a crime that cannot be ignored”.

He believes the war should have ended in March, criticising Netanyahu for withdrawing from a ceasefire deal at that time rather than pursuing negotiations for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. “At that point,” Olmert says, “the war became illegitimate.”

When asked who bears responsibility for the failure of current ceasefire negotiations, Olmert declined to give a direct answer. “Don’t expect me to side with Hamas,” he says. “It is a brutal and murderous organisation. But Netanyahu is a deceitful prime minister – so both are guilty, each in their own way.”

Olmert explained that reaching an agreement “is actually quite simple – it all depends on how you choose to see things. Israel wants to retrieve the hostages and continue the war, which Hamas refuses – so from the Israeli perspective, Hamas is obstructing the talks.”

On the other hand, he adds, Hamas appears willing to release the hostages and end the war, something Israel now rejects, “which is why, from Hamas’s view, it is Israel that is responsible for the failure”.

As for what would happen after the war finishes, Olmert says Israel has no clear vision with the exception of Ben Gvir and Smotrich, who clearly advocate reoccupation, expulsion of Palestinians, and expanding settlements in Gaza.

Olmert insists that the Palestinian Authority remains “the only possible partner for a peace agreement,” despite its weaknesses and the need for internal reform. “Netanyahu has rejected the PA [Palestinian Authority] for 15 years. He prefers to empower Hamas rather than negotiate with the legitimate Palestinian leadership. That’s one of the main reasons we are stuck in this ongoing tragedy – the other being Hamas itself, with its murderous ideology.”

While Olmert acknowledges that the Israeli military has committed “war crimes” in Gaza, he describes them as “unintentional failures of discipline or judgment, not official policy. Still, they are grave and perhaps unforgivable”.

He accuses Hamas of pursuing a strategy “designed to kill as many civilians as possible, driven by hatred and intolerance,” but warned that the continued military campaign could deepen Israel’s international isolation. “A widespread boycott is coming,” he says, “and it could spread across the world. The only way to stop it is to change course and end the war.”

Olmert believes that US President Donald Trump is “the only person capable of pressuring Netanyahu to end the war,” suggesting that all it would take is for Trump to summon him “to his favourite place – the White House – and tell him in front of the cameras: ‘You need to stop the war now.’”

Citing a recent example, the former premier pointed to an incident on the first day of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel when Israeli fighter jets reportedly en route to strike Iranian targets turned back after Trump issued a direct order to stand down.

Olmert describes Trump as “Netanyahu’s only true friend,” adding that while former President Joe Biden was “a staunch Zionist and a great friend of Israel, he may not have been a friend to Netanyahu personally.”

Currently, Olmert is working with former Fatah official Nasser Al-Qudwa on an initiative promoting the two-state solution as “the only viable path to resolving the Israeli-Arab conflict”. Fatah is the political party in charge of the Palestinian Authority, and partially governs Palestinian communities in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

According to Olmert, this project is based on a peace proposal he presented to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in 2009, an offer he describes as “a comprehensive and final agreement unlike any previously proposed by an Israeli leader”.

He recalls warning Abbas at the time: “Don’t miss this opportunity – it won’t come again for another 20 years.” Olmert noted that Abbas never gave a clear answer, “He didn’t say no, but he also didn’t say yes.”

According to Olmert, “Abbas failed to sign an agreement that could have changed the history of the Middle East and the lives of millions – a failure that is unforgivable.”

Olmert explained that he presented “a detailed and comprehensive map outlining everything, proposing the establishment of a Palestinian state over more than 95 per cent of the territories based on the 1967 borders, with land swaps agreed upon with Israel”.

His initiative envisioned the Arab part of Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, while the Old City, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Western Wall, would be placed under the joint administration of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, and the United States.

At the time, Olmert refused to hand the map directly to Abbas for review, instead asking him to bring a team of experts the following day to study it. Olmert explained his caution by saying, “I didn’t want him to take the map and disappear for years, then claim this was the offer made by the Israeli prime minister and start negotiations from there.”

Earlier this year, Mahmoud Abbas denied missing “the opportunity to sign a peace map presented by Olmert”, stating that he “never received any peace map from him during the talks, which lasted until the last day of his premiership”.

According to an official statement published by the Palestinian News Agency, Abbas stated that “the talks with Olmert were serious and covered all final issues, but Olmert was not allowed to remain in office long enough to follow up on what was discussed, and during these talks, we never received any map or document to respond to”.

Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar

Sturgeon: Salmond may have leaked sexual misconduct inquiry details

Alex Salmond may have leaked details about an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him, Nicola Sturgeon has claimed.

In an excerpt of her new memoir, Frankly, published by The Times, Ms Sturgeon insisted she was not the one who had leaked the outcome of the Scottish government investigation into her predecessor as first minister to the press.

She said: “It crossed my mind many times that it might have been Alex himself or someone acting on his behalf.

“To those with no experience of the dark arts of media manipulation, I know this will sound preposterous. However, in many ways it would have been classic Alex.

“I had known him to make these kinds of calculations in the past. If there is damaging information certain to emerge about you and there is nothing you can do to stop it, get it out in a way that gives you the best chance of controlling the narrative.”

Mr Salmond, who died last year, was investigated by the Scottish government in 2018 after two women made allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

The findings of that investigation were leaked to The Daily Record on the day before they were due to be published, prompting Mr Salmond to launch a judicial review of the handling of the inquiry.

The Scottish government initially defended the judicial review, before dropping its defence.

But a separate police investigation resulted in a criminal trial in 2020 in which Mr Salmond was cleared of all 14 charges, being found not guilty on 12 counts while prosecutors withdrew another charge and one was found not proven.

The next year Mr Salmond, who had been Scottish first minister between 2007 and 2014 as leader of the SNP, founded the pro-independence Alba Party.

In her memoir, Ms Sturgeon said Mr Salmond had informed her that he was being investigated in April 2018 and initially appeared to be “upset and mortified” before he “became cold”.

Claiming he “effectively admitted the substance of one of the complaints, but claimed that it had been a ‘misunderstanding’”, Ms Sturgeon said it had been “evident” that Mr Salmond “wanted me to intervene” to stop or divert the investigation.

She added that her refusal to do so turned him against her and “made the break-up of one of the most successful partnerships in modern British politics all but inevitable”.

Ms Sturgeon also accused Mr Salmond of attempting to “cast himself as the victim” and being “prepared to traumatise, time and again, the women at the centre of it all”.

She said: “A conspiracy against Alex would have needed a number of women deciding to concoct false allegations, without any obvious motive for doing so.

“It would then have required criminal collusion between them, senior ministers and civil servants, the police and the Crown.

“That is what he was alleging. The ‘conspiracy’ was a fabrication, the invention of a man who wasn’t prepared to reflect honestly on his own conduct.”

In other extracts, published on Friday, Ms Sturgeon discussed her arrest in 2023, describing it as “mental torture”, her miscarriage in 2010 and her sexuality.

Nicola Sturgeon served as Scottish first minister between 2014 and 2023. Her memoir, Frankly, will be published on Thursday.

Darwin Nunez completes switch from Liverpool to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal

Darwin Nunez has completed his departure from Liverpool after his switch to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal was confirmed.

The 26-year-old Uruguay striker has finalised the move for a fee understood to be an initial £46million.

The Anfield club said: “Liverpool FC can confirm Darwin Nunez has completed a permanent transfer to Al-Hilal, subject to international clearance.

“The Uruguayan’s three-year spell with the Reds concludes after he finalised a switch to the Saudi Pro League side today.

“Everybody at the club would like to thank Darwin for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

Nunez moved to Anfield in June 2022 from Benfica for an initial fee of £64m.

He scored 40 goals in 143 appearances for the Reds, but started just eight Premier League matches during their title-winning season last term.

Nunez was a target for another Saudi club, Al Nassr, in January, but a £60m bid was rejected as Liverpool did not want to sell in the middle of the season.

However, his departure looked inevitable after a string of unconvincing displays, and takes Liverpool’s income from sales this summer to almost £200m, with more likely to follow with £40m-plus-rated midfielder Harvey Elliott possibly on the move.

It also opens up a space in their forward line, which has already been strengthened with the arrival of Hugo Ekitike as part of a near-£300m spend, and the number nine shirt.

Liverpool retain an interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak after having a £110m bid rejected last week.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe confirmed on Friday that the wantaway Sweden striker is unlikely to feature in the opening game of the Premier League season at Aston Villa.

Fresh hosepipe ban warning as fourth heatwave set to grip UK

Tens of thousands of people have been warned to restrict their water use and only turn on the taps when essential, just days before the UK is set to be gripped by its fourth heatwave.

South East Water (SEW) has told customers in Sussex that water reservoirs in the area are “falling quicker and earlier than usual”.

People in the area have been asked to only use water for essential use, such as for drinking, washing and cooking.

SEW already has a hosepipe ban in place in Sussex and Kent, but has warned it is monitoring water supplies in parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to see if further restrictions are needed.

More than 8.5 million UK households are currently under hosepipe bans, with Southern Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water also bringing in restrictions following a spell of warm weather in July.

The latest warning comes as a yellow heat health alert has been issued for large parts of the UK next week, with temperatures set to soar past 30C in some areas.

The UK Health Security Agency heat warning, cautioning “significant impacts” across health and social care services, is in place from 12pm on Monday until 6pm on Wednesday. The alert covers Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the East of England, the South East and the South West.

Temperatures are set to hit 27C in parts of southern England over the weekend, and then rise to over 30C in parts of central, southern and eastern England on Monday and Tuesday.

Ahead of the latest heatwave, a spokesperson for South East Water warned: “Our surface water reservoirs, Ardingly and Arlington, are an important source of water and are falling quicker and earlier than usual.

“Most of the water in them is taken from the nearby rivers, whose flow is much lower than normal because of multiple heatwaves.

“The reservoirs have not been this low at this time of year since the drought of 2022 and, with more warm weather due very soon, we’re asking people to protect resources and keep water use around the home to essential purposes only – namely drinking, washing and cooking.”

Steven Keates at the Met Office said: “We’re confident that temperatures will increase markedly by the start of next week, reaching the low 30s Celsius in parts of England on Monday and perhaps the mid-30s in a few places on Tuesday.

“However, the length of this warm spell is still uncertain, and it is possible that high temperatures could persist further into next week, particularly in the south”.

The fourth heatwave this year follows one in June and two in July. Authorities register a heatwave when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.

This threshold varies depending on the area, from 25C in Scotland to 28C in London.

Off the beaten track: discover ten British hidden gem destinations

While big cities and buzzy coastal destinations have their place, sometimes it’s nice to explore somewhere a little more under the radar, and Britain has lots of travel treasures to discover. From overlooked cities with a burgeoning cultural scene, vibrant market towns and revitalised seaside resorts, there’s somewhere to satisfy every type of traveller. The best part? You can reach many of these hidden gems easily by rail.

Travelling by train is a convenient, fun and greener way to arrive at your destination. Railcard offers a third off rail travel around Britain. With nine Railcards to choose from, saving customers an average of £172 a year, it pays for itself in no time. Find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What’s more, Railcard have created a handy online calculator to determine what you could save – simply enter your journey details and the relevant Railcard and it will calculate the discount you can get.

Read on for some fresh travel inspiration and get ready for a season of discovery…

A working fishing port on Cornwall’s south coast, Looe is one of the most idyllic destinations in the UK and famous for its day-caught fish. If it looks familiar, it might be because it was used as a filming location for BBC drama Beyond Paradise. The scenic Looe Valley train line has been bringing visitors to this part of the world since Victorian times. Formerly two independent towns, East and West Looe, they are now joined across the river by a bridge. East Looe beach is a picture-perfect location where you can enjoy swimming, crabbing along the harbour walls, and explore the uniquely shaped Banjo pier. A boat trip takes you to Looe Island, a wildlife sanctuary where you can see grey seals sunbathing on the rocks. Back on dry land, the town’s narrow winding streets are perfect for a gentle meander.

Nearest station: Looe, about a 10 minute walk to town

This trendy Somerset town is known for its strong community spirit, award winning markets and independent shops and restaurants – plus stunning surrounding countryside – making it the perfect place for a relaxing weekend. The Cheese and Grain is a cultural hub for the town, attracting both classic bands and buzzy new acts (The Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney have played Glastonbury warm-up gigs here), as well as hosting a weekly flea market. Talking of markets, Frome has plenty, including an award-winning farmer’s market on the second Saturday of each month, and the legendary Frome Independent on the first Sunday of every month, which showcases the best craftspeople, designers, food producers and vintage traders in the South West. Hungry? There’s loads of tempting options, from trendy street food destination The Station, neighbourhood restaurants like Little Walcot and Bistro Lotte and buzzy tapas bar The High Pavement.

Nearest station: Frome, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

Fast becoming Kent’s buzziest seaside destination, a vibrant Old Town, a great culinary scene and a glorious sandy beach are just a few of the things that make Folkestone great for a weekend break. The Leas, a mile-long stretch of clifftop promenade, is as perfect a place for a stroll now as it was in Victorian times. Meanwhile the town’s harbour arm is enjoying a new lease of life as the place to go for delicious street food, independent galleries and quirky shops. Food-wise, there’s everything from destination restaurant Rocksalt (try and snag a spot on the terrace) to acclaimed seafood stall Chummys. The town has the largest outdoor urban collection of contemporary art in the UK, so look out for pieces like Cornelia Parker’s ‘The Folkestone Mermaid’ on Sunny Sands beach and Anthony Gormley’s eerie statue under the harbour arm. If you’re in town between July and October the streets will come alive with artwork thanks to the triennale festival.

Nearest station: Folkestone Central, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

This vibrant Devon market town is picture-perfect, with a riverside location, colourful houses and a castle looming over the town. The steep climb up to Totnes Castle is worth it for the views of the town below – as well as over the dramatic Dartmoor countryside. The River Dart runs through the town, and is a great spot for kayaking, paddleboarding or just a gentle riverside stroll. Take a 30 minute walk to Dartington Estate, to see its stunning Grade II* listed gardens, deer park and cinema in a 14th century barn. Totnes itself has a thriving arts scene with plenty of small galleries, as well as independent and eco-friendly (Totnes prides itself on being one of Britain’s greenest towns) shops and cafes. And if the train ride down gave you a taste for locomotives, the South Devon Railway offers steam train rides through the gorgeous Devon countryside.

Nearest station: Totnes, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

Bradford is the 2025 City of Culture, meaning there’s lots of exciting things happening this year, including the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum, with its multiple exhibition spaces and cinema screens. Loading Bay is a pop-up arts venue in a disused storage depot that will host music, comedy, art exhibitions and immersive theatre shows throughout 2025. And in July a brand new shopping and cultural destination, Darley Street Market, opened in the city.

Bradford is also a great base to explore some of West Yorkshire’s other highlights, including Victorian model village (and UNESCO World Heritage site) Saltaire, which is less than 15 minutes away by train. Salts Mill, the huge textile factory around which the village was designed, is now a fantastic complex of galleries, shops and restaurants – and home to a large collection of David Hockey’s work. Meanwhile at Keighley, a 20 minute journey from Bradford, you can catch a performance of The Railway Children (15 July – 7 Sept) on the same tracks where the classic film was shot.

Nearest Station: Bradford Forster Square or Bradford Interchange, in the city centre

If not under the radar then certainly underrated, this charming Welsh seaside town has loads to offer visitors, blending natural beauty with a rich history and a vibrant creative energy. Surrounded by the stunning Cambrian mountain range, the town has not one but two glorious beaches, linked by a mile-long promenade. At the northern end of this you’ll find the famous cliff top railway, which takes you up to a summit with spectacular views of Cardigan Bay. Perched on a hill in an impressive building, The National Library of Wales also has great vistas – and exhibitions dedicated to Welsh history and literature. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest of its kind in Wales, presenting a programme of music, visual art, dance, film and more. Aber – as locals call it – also has a burgeoning food scene, with highlights including Arabic Flavour, whose menu is inspired by Lebanon and Greece cuisine, and popular tapas and wine bar Ultracomida.

Nearest station: Aberystwyth, about a five minute walk to the town centre

This underrated city is undergoing something of a cultural renaissance. In 2021 it was the City of Culture and there’s plenty of that to soak up. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum has displays dedicated to visual arts, archaeology, social history and natural history – and a dinosaur in residence, Dippy, on loan from The Natural History Museum. Coventry Music Museum celebrates the city’s musical heritage, including the legendary 2-Tone scene, while Coventry Transport Museum (get 2FOR1 entry with National Rail Days Out Guide) has the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world. Meanwhile, the former industrial space FarGo village is a must-visit hub of indie shops, restaurants, street food and cultural events. Finally, no visit is complete without seeing Coventry Cathedral. The original medieval building was largely destroyed in 1940 by The Blitz, and its preserved ruins now sit alongside the new cathedral – a marvel of contemporary architecture designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962. The modern building has a stunning 26-metre high stained glass window made up of 198 glass panels — no wonder it was once voted the nation’s favourite 20th century building.

Nearest station: Coventry, about a 10 minute walk to the city centre

Home to cobbled streets, an impressive cathedral and a beautiful castle, Lincoln combines a rich history with a vibrant cultural scene and stunning surrounding scenery, all in a compact and easy-to-navigate city. The nearly 1,000 year old Lincoln Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world, and while it might no longer hold that accolade it’s still an awe inspiring work of architecture. From there it’s only a short walk to the castle, built by William The Conqueror, which holds one of only four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Steep Hill is, as the name suggests, a famous street with a sharp incline – but its array of shops and cafes make it worth the effort. It’s also where you’ll find beloved pie shop Hobbsons, where the only issue is deciding which flavour to pick. If you need to walk off your lunch, Lincoln Arboretum, nestled in the heart of the city, is a delightful place for a stroll.

Nearest station: Lincoln Central, about a 15 minute walk to the Cathedral

Often overlooked in favour of its better-known Scottish cousins, there are plenty of things to see and do in this historic city. Stirling Castle (get 25% off entry with National Rail Days Out Guide), the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, is one of the most historically important in Scotland, while Bannockburn (get 2FOR1 entry with National Rail), two miles south of the city, is the site of one of the country’s most famous battles, won by Robert The Bruce. Then there’s the Wallace Monument, which towers over the city, commemorating the life of local hero William Wallace. It’s a short bus ride or hour’s walk from the station, plus a 246-step winding staircase to reach the top – but the views are well worth the effort. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Gallery has a large collection of rare and interesting artifacts – including the world’s oldest football (made from a pig’s bladder). In Stirling’s cobbled Old Town you’ll find plenty of cosy pubs, cool cafes and quirky shops to explore, and for a family-friendly attraction, Blair Drummond Safari Park is a half hour bus ride from the city centre.

Nearest station: Stirling, in the city centre

Nestled in the scenic Shropshire Hills is this beautiful market town known for its history, food scene, and stunning landscapes. Boasting fascinating medieval architecture, vibrant markets, and surrounding forests, Ludlow offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Ludlow Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, is one of the best examples of medieval ruins in England and has incredible vistas over the Shropshire countryside. You can also enjoy fine views from the tower of Saint Laurence’s Church, once you’ve climbed the 201 steps to the top. To get away from the crowds, a four-mile circular walk will take you to peaceful Mortimer Forest and back. Meanwhile Ludlow itself is full of antique, interior, craft and gift shops, as well as delis, cafes and artisan food shops. The town square hosts a market four days a week, with a farmer’s market on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The famous Ludlow Farmshop, two miles outside the centre, is a haven for foodies, with a kitchen restaurant, pub and distillery also on site.

Nearest station: Ludlow, about a five minute walk to the town centre

Enjoy great value British adventures by train

From stunning nature and the great outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there’s no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there’s never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation.

With Railcard, whether you’re travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With nine different Railcards available, find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What’s more, you can enjoy 2FOR1 and other offers with National Rail’s Days Out Guide when you travel by train. So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.

Couple featured in The Salt Path question ‘disappointing’ depiction

A couple who were included in Raynor Winn’s now-disputed memoir The Salt Path have claimed that their encounter with the author and her husband doesn’t add up.

Joanne and David Parsons, who are mentioned in the bestselling 2018 book, are alleged to have met Raynor and Moth Winn at a cafe on the South West Coast Path and introduced themselves using their real names, Sally and Timothy.

The two couples, who had bonded for an hour in the Fat Apples Cafe, near Porthallow in Cornwall, after sharing their health issues, were both said to be embarking on the 630-mile hike from Somerset to Dorset.

However, after reading about their chance meeting with the Winns, the Parsons, who are from Australia, found several discrepancies.

Not only had Raynor Winn described the Parsons as well off, but she also claimed that they used B&Bs when the weather turned bad and had given away their tent. Winn also claimed that they had met in 2013. The Parsons dispute this, saying that they had met in 2015.

Speaking to The Observer, Joanne Parsons said that she contacted Raynor Winn after reading an article about The Salt Path in 2018.

Joanne says she wrote in an email: “When we saw the picture of you both in the article, we kept looking at each other saying: ‘That’s Sally and Tim!’ But it can’t be as you would have told us you were homeless and you said you were walking the other way! And why did you give yourselves false names? Or did you reinvent yourselves while on the path? Would love to know.”

She said that she also questioned Winn about her husband’s illness and why she wrote that they had ditched their tent at a charity shop. “We worked out we were happier wild camping and only went to B&Bs when the weather was really bad,” she added.

In response to the Parsons’ claims, Winn is said to have written that although she and Moth had walked the Salt Path in 2013, they then walked part of it again in 2015, which is when they met Joanne and David.

Explaining the date change, she reportedly wrote: “We didn’t explain any of that [in the book], as it all just seemed too complicated.” She also apologised for misremembering the story about the tent.

Joanne told The Observer: “We had a very good encounter with them. And that’s why all this is quite disappointing.”

The Independent has contacted Winn’s representatives for comment.

Last month, The Observer published an investigation that raised several doubts about the truth behind Winn’s story. It was claimed that large portions of the book could have been embellished, as well as that the central premise of hardship and betrayal could have been built on a fiction of its own.

The investigation claimed that the book misrepresented how the couple lost their home, which, according to Winn, was due to a bad business investment.

However, The Observer reported that the couple lost the property after Winn allegedly defrauded her employer of £64,000 in 2008, which she apparently attempted to repay by taking out a loan from a relative.

In a statement provided to The Independent, Winn said at the time: “[The] Observer article is highly misleading. We are taking legal advice and won’t be making any further comments at this time.

“The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared, an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives. This is the true story of our journey.”