British grandmother sentenced to death in Bali to be sent back to UK after 12 years in prison

A British grandmother who was sentenced to the death penalty for drug-traffickingwill be freed from one of Indonesia’s most notorious prisons and returned to the UK, ending a 12-year ordeal for her family.

Lindsay Sandiford, 69, could be free to return home from Bali on Tuesday after an Indonesian government source told AFP that an agreement had been reached with the UK government.

“The practical arrangement will be signed today. The transfer will be done immediately after the technical side of the transfer is agreed,” the source said.

Shahab Shahabadi, a 35-year-old British national who was arrested in 2014 and later imprisoned on drug charges, will also be released.

Sandiford, from Teesside, was arrested at Bali airport in 2012 after customs officers discovered a haul of cocaine worth an estimated £1.58m in a hidden compartment of her suitcase when she arrived from Thailand. She was sentenced to death the following year.

Sandiford claimed that a British gang had forced her to smuggle drugs from Thailand to Bali and threatened to kill one of her two sons if she refused to cooperate.

Indonesia has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, with multiple foreign nationals facing death row over the years for drug offences.

A statement by the Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Correction confirmed a press conference was scheduled later on Tuesday to announce the “release of two British nationals”.

Sandiford has been held in the Kerobokan Prison, one of Indonesia’s worst jails that holds 1,000 more inmates than the 357 it was built for in 1979.

ABC News said in a 2017 report from inside Kerobokan that almost 80 per cent of its prisoners are in on drug charges.

Kerobokan has seen several riots in the past decade alone, some of them deadly.

The New York Times reported that staff are bribed by wealthier inmates to give them drugs and even let them out on trips.

While the prison is high-security, breakouts have occurred. Notably, in 2017 four foreign inmates escaped by digging a 50ft tunnel under the prison walls from an open courtyard.

The prison saw another major breakout in 1999 when prisoners set fire to their mattresses and overwhelmed the guards trying to contain the flames. Almost 300 prisoners escaped.

At the time of Sandiford’s arrest, there were 90 prisoners awaiting execution in Kerobokan.

Indonesia’s strict laws surrounding drug trafficking have resulted in international tensions with other countries.

In 2015, Jakarta faced a diplomatic crisis when two Australians convicted as part of a heroin smuggling squad were executed by firing squad.

Sandiford launched an appeal to have her sentence reduced, but it was rejected, which is often the case for drug appeal cases in Indonesia.

New Japanese PM is Thatcher fan who wants to be ‘Iron Lady’

Japan’s stock market hit a record high on Tuesday as the country elected Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister.

Ms Takaichi won 237 votes in the 465-seat lower house, securing her position as Japan’s 104th prime minister after a coalition deal between her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin). She was later approved by the upper house and sworn in on Tuesday afternoon.

Her victory marks a major breakthrough in a country where men still dominate politics, but it also signals a sharper turn to the right on issues such as immigration and social policy. Economically, investors expect her to double down on stimulus measures – a stance that has fuelled what traders have dubbed the “Takaichi trade.”

Ms Takaichi, a heavy metal drummer and admirer of the former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, comes from the same hardline LDP faction as the late Shinzo Abe, and is expected to pursue the same mix of high government spending and easy monetary policy that once fuelled his “Abenomics” agenda.

The Nikkei 225 index responded by inching close to the never-broken 50,000 mark before lunch on Tuesday after a second straight day of record gains, while the broader Topix index reached its highest level in 34 years. The yen weakened to about ¥151 per US dollar, boosting exporters such as Toyota and Sony.

Ms Takaichi replaces Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political vacuum and wrangling since the Liberal Democratic Party’s disastrous election loss in July.

“Political stability is essential right now,” Ms Takaichi said earlier on Monday at the signing of a coalition agreement with Ishin leader and Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, with the policies agreed to by the pair underscoring Ms Takaichi’s hawkish and nationalistic views. “Without stability, we cannot push measures for a strong economy or diplomacy,” she added.

Tuesday was generally a strong day for Asian markets, with gains across the region amid signs of easing US-China trade tensions. On Monday, US president Donald Trump downplayed the risk of a clash with China over the issue of Taiwan and expressed his hope of reaching a “very strong trade deal”.

Chinese equities joined the advance, with the Shanghai Composite up 1.2 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi hovered at record highs, led by semiconductor firms.

India’s Nifty 50 also hit a fresh 52-week peak, lifted by increased foreign inflows during the Diwali festival season. Hong Kong and Australian shares also made gains.

European leaders ‘strongly support’ Trump’s stance that war should end ‘immediately’

European leaders have issued a joint statement expressing support for President Donald Trump’s stance on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Leaders of nations including the UK, Germany, France, Ukraine and the European Union backed calls for the fighting to “stop immediately”.

“We strongly support President Trump’s position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations,” a statement, published by several European governments including the UK on Tuesday, said.

Trump has been public about the fact he does not believe Ukraine can win its war with Russia and said it will need to make territorial concessions or “face destruction” in a reportedly heated meeting at the White House last week.

“They could still win it, I don’t think they will,” the US president said during a meeting with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Monday, while an anticipated meeting this week between the two was postponed, according to CNN. It comes ahead of a critical Trump-Putin meeting, which does not yet have a date.

Woman plays clarinet during Parkinson’s surgery – with instant results

A woman living with Parkinson’s disease played her clarinet while undergoing brain stimulation, offering surgeons immediate, audible evidence of the procedure’s success.

Denise Bacon, 65, from Crowborough in East Sussex, experienced instant improvement in her finger movements as the electrical current was delivered.

The retired speech and language therapist underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) to combat symptoms of Parkinson’s, including bradykinesia and muscle stiffness.

Diagnosed in 2014, the condition had previously affected her ability to walk, swim, dance, and play her instrument.

During a four-hour operation at King’s College Hospital, Keyoumars Ashkan, a professor of neurosurgery, performed DBS to help relieve symptoms while Ms Bacon stayed awake.

DBS is a surgical procedure using electrodes implanted in the brain and is suitable for some patients with disorders such as Parkinson’s.

The DBS led to instant results on the operating table. Denise had immediate improvement in her fingers, allowing her to play the clarinet easily.

Prof Ashkan said: “Holes half the size of a five pence piece were made in Denise’s skull after a frame with precise coordinates was placed on Denise’s head, acting as a sat nav to guide us to the correct positions within the brain to implant the electrode.

“Once the electrodes were in place on the left side of Denise’s brain, the current was switched on and an immediate improvement was noted in hand movements on her right side.

“The same happened on her left side when we implanted electrodes on the right side of her brain.

“As a keen clarinettist, it was suggested that Denise bring her clarinet into the operating theatre to see whether the procedure would improve her ability to play, which was one of Denise’s main goals for the surgery.

“We were delighted to see an instant improvement in her hand movements, and therefore her ability to play, once stimulation was delivered to the brain.”

Ms Bacon, who played clarinet in the East Grinstead Concert Band until she had to stop five years ago due to her Parkinson’s symptoms, was given a local anaesthetic to numb her scalp and skull.

She said: “I remember my right hand being able to move with much more ease once the stimulation was applied, and this in turn improved my ability to play the clarinet, which I was delighted with.

“I’m already experiencing improvements in my ability to walk, and I’m keen to get back in the swimming pool, and on the dance floor to see if my abilities have improved there.”

Ms Bacon opted for a rechargeable type of pulse generator battery that is implanted in her chest, which can last up to 20 years before it requires replacing.

This monitors her brain activity and can help automatically adjust electrical stimulation when needed.

Prof Ashkan said: “Deep brain stimulation is one of the most effective, evidence-based and long-lasting therapies to control the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, improving tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement.

“Modern advances in DBS technology are now allowing us to personalise the therapy to the needs of our patients, with a positive impact on their quality of life.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv will decline any tickets offered to fans for Aston Villa match

Maccabi Tel Aviv has said it will decline any tickets offered to their fans for their Europa League fixture against Aston Villa next month.

It comes as Keir Starmer’s government had been working with West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to ensure fans from both sides could attend the fixture at Villa Park, Birmingham, on 6 November.

In a statement released on Monday, the Israeli club said that a “toxic atmosphere” had put the safety of fans wanting to attend “very much in doubt”.

It said: “The wellbeing and safety of our fans is paramount and from hard lessons learned, we have taken the decision to decline any allocation offered on behalf of away fans and our decision should be understood in that context.

“We hope that circumstances will change and look forward to being able to play in Birmingham in a sporting environment in the near future.”

Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group, the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for every match at Villa Park, last week said that no away fans will be allowed to watch.

The prime minister then weighed in, calling the move to bar fans “wrong” and for it to be overturned.

The government had been expecting West Midlands Police to set out this week what they would need to police the game safely with both sets of fans present.

Downing Street said earlier on Monday that the UK Football Policing Unit was “reaching out” to Israeli authorities to understand why an Israeli Premier League match between rivals Hapoel and Maccabi was called off on Sunday.

Trouble flared before kick-off in and around the Bloomfield stadium, a venue shared by Hapoel and Maccabi, with violent clashes taking place between supporters.

Maccabi’s statement came just hours after culture secretary Lisa Nandy vowed that resources would not be the determining factor as to whether their fans would be able to attend the game or not.

She confirmed the government was working alongside West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to “consider all the options available” to “ensure fans” from both clubs could attend the game.

“This decision was not made in a vacuum,” Ms Nandy told the Commons on Monday.

“It is set against the backdrop of rising antisemitism here and across the world, and an attack on a synagogue in Manchester in which two innocent men were killed.

“It has a real-world impact on a community who already feel excluded and afraid.

“It is therefore completely legitimate to support the independence of the police to conduct that risk assessment and to question the conclusion that follows when it excludes the people at the heart of that risk.

“Following the decision last week, the government has been working with West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to support them to consider all the options available, and to tell us what resources are needed to manage the risks, to ensure fans from both teams can attend safely.

“If the assessment is revised, the safety advisory group will meet again to discuss options.”

Ayoub Khan, whose Birmingham Perry Barr constituency is home to the Villa Park Stadium, claimed MPs hoping to overturn the decision were playing “fast and loose with” community safety.

While Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree Paula Barker warned of a “slippery slope when safety concerns are ignored” at football stadiums, following the Hillsborough crowd crush in 1989.

Hidden gem holidays: An insider guide to the Dominican Republic

The advent of autumn sees us thinking ahead to how to keep that sunshine feeling going through till winter; and there’s nothing better for keeping our spirits up than the idea of booking a holiday somewhere tropical. Enter the Dominican Republic, a warm and welcoming Caribbean nation perched to the south of the Turks and Caicos islands, and east of Jamaica. Known for its beautiful beaches, premium resorts and some legendary golf courses, there is, as the saying goes, genuinely something for everyone. If you want to make your holiday more than just a fly and flop, there’s plenty to explore, from Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s tallest mountain, to historic sites in the country’s lively capital, Santo Domingo.

But first, where’s the best place to stay? Consider Costa Esmeralda, in the Miches area on the Island’s northeastern coast, a picturesque and pristine stretch of sand fringed with coconut palms that lean over the calm, turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Neighbouring Punta Cana and the wider Bávaro area combine to form what’s known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive hotels which is also popular for windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

Base yourself at Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort Curio by Hilton, an oceanfront resort boasting 800-metres of secluded beach on the shores of Playa Esmeralda. Located just 90 minutes’ drive from Punta Cana International Airport, the emphasis here is firmly on fun and relaxation. It features six restaurants, six bars and lounges, four pools and several water slides, and for those who like to keep fit while away, there’s a pickleball court, a paddle tennis court, and a full-service fitness centre which offers yoga and pilates classes. The Acana spa aims to reconnect soul and spirit with therapies inspired by ancient traditions, while you’ll also find a daily programme of art and cultural activities, plus live nightly entertainment. Bringing the kids? They’ll love spending time at the Coki Cove Kids Club or Palmchat Teens Club.

There’s a choice of rooms, suites or bungalows, all tastefully decorated with Caribbean flair, and offering stunning views. Select accommodations even feature private plunge pools, and Club Azure and bungalow guests have access to additional dining options and a rooftop pool. Talking of dining, you’ll experience a world of flavour, with menus inspired by the traditions of the Caribbean, Thailand, and the Amalfi Coast; think spicy, street-food inspired dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and local favourites. All this, and unlimited drinks and cocktails, too!

What’s more, booking with British Airways Holidays means you can secure your holiday now with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments*. Once you’re ready to jet off, you can enjoy increased checked baggage allowance, a dedicated 24-hour helpline during your trip and the option of quality car hire with no hidden fees, 24-hour support and roadside assistance.

Upgrade to Club World and you’ll also get lounge access**, increased baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, and a spacious seat that converts to a fully flat bed. Members of The British Airways Club enjoy even more benefits in the form of collecting Avios (British Airways’ frequent flyer currency) and earning tier points, which unlock frequent flyer status and other benefits. Avios can also be used towards the cost of your holiday, presenting even greater value for money for members.

All this means you can totally relax during your stay at Hilton Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort, knowing you’re getting the quality and peace of mind you’d expect from a British Airways Holidays.

If you can tear yourself away from the resort – tough, we know – there’s lots to experience throughout the Dominican Republic. Take a day trip to Santo Domingo, one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities; its walled, cobblestoned, historic centre, the Zona Colonial, has impressive Spanish buildings dating back to the 16th century, including the Gothic Catedral Primada de America and the Alcázar de Colón palace, which sits on the laid-back, cafe-lined Plaza de España. The latter is now one of the city’s many museums, displaying striking medieval and Renaissance art. In the pretty Parque del Este is the Faro a Colón, a large mausoleum and museum dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who landed on the island known as Hispaniola (now divided into the Dominican Republic and Haiti) in 1492. For a taste of life in bygone times, visit Altos de Chavón, a fascinating replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village, featuring art galleries and studios, boutiques and a striking amphitheatre.

Looking for something a little more adventurous? Get back to nature at Los Haitises National Park, where you can explore mangrove forests, caves and unique rock formations, or the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua, a series of tumbling falls perfect for swimming, splashing and jumping into. And don’t miss the incredible Hoya Azul, a cenote, or sinkhole, with crystal-clear, aquamarine waters; it’s located in Scape Park, a natural adventure park featuring lush jungles and jaw-dropping cliffs, where you can go zip-lining or explore the caves. There is whale watching in Samana Bay – humpback whales can be found here during their breeding season, January to March. While Lago Enriquillo, a salt lake with surrounding wetlands, is home to crocodiles and various bird species, including flamingos. All in all, your holiday to the Dominican Republic is guaranteed to be unforgettable; so get booking now!

British Airways Holidays packages include a generous baggage allowance for each customer and come with full ATOL protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your holiday to Hilton Zemi Miches Punta with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*.

*Based on two sharing. Full balance due seven weeks before departure. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

**Subject to availability

Met Police to stop investigating non-crime hate incidents

The Metropolitan Police has announced it will stop investigating “non-crime hate incidents” following the decision to take no further action against Father Ted creator Graham Linehan.

The 57-year-old Irish comedy writer was arrested at Heathrow in September on suspicion of inciting violence over three social media posts concerning transgender issues.

His arrest sparked controversy, with criticism from politicians and Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

The head of the Met Police had previously stated officers were in an “impossible position” when dealing with statements made online.

A spokesperson for the police force said: “We understand the concern around this case.

“The commissioner has been clear he doesn’t believe officers should be policing toxic culture war debates, with current laws and rules on inciting violence online leaving them in an impossible position.

“As a result, the Met will no longer investigate non-crime hate incidents. We believe this will provide clearer direction for officers, reduce ambiguity and enable them to focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations.”

Non-crime hate incidents are incidents that do not count as crimes but are perceived to be motivated by hatred towards certain characteristics such as race or gender.

The Met spokesperson continued: “These incidents will still be recorded and used as valuable pieces of intelligence to establish potential patterns of behaviour or criminality.

“We will continue to investigate and arrest those who commit hate crimes – allowing us to comply with statutory guidance while focusing our resources on criminality and public protection.”

Linehan said in a post on social media on Monday: “The police have informed my lawyers that I face no further action in respect of the arrest at Heathrow in September.

“After a successful hearing to get my bail conditions lifted (one which the police officer in charge of the case didn’t even bother to attend) the Crown Prosecution Service has dropped the case.”

He said he will be working to hold the police “accountable” over the incident, alongside the Free Speech Union, which plans to sue the Metropolitan Police for wrongful arrest.

“Throughout this probe, the police have behaved like activists, not impartial upholders of the law,” said the Free Speech Union in a post on X/Twitter.

“Rather than inviting Graham for an interview in September, the Met sent five armed police officers to arrest him at Heathrow airport,” they added.

“So, we’re not stopping here. Police forces cannot continue to suppress lawful free speech without facing consequences.”

Linehan earlier shared further details of the arrest on his blog. He claimed to have “been flagged” and “arrested at an airport like a terrorist”.

“The moment I stepped off the plane at Heathrow, five armed police officers were waiting. Not one, not two – five,” he wrote.

“They escorted me to a private area and told me I was under arrest for three tweets.”

He reshared the posts, which were originally posted in April, one of which called on people to “call the cops” on trans-identifying people and “if all else fails, punch him in the balls”.

Another post showed a crowd of people at a protest, many holding transgender and LGBT+ Pride flags, which he wrote over the top: “A photo you can smell.”

The third post he claimed had led to his arrest was in response to someone who commented under this photo, where he said: “I hate them. Misogynists and homophobes. F*** em.”

He claimed his belt, bag and devices were confiscated as he was shown to a small green-tiled cell with a bunk and silver toilet, and he was questioned about his posts, which he said “was a serious point made with a joke”.

Separately, Linehan has faced court action for allegedly harassing trans activist Sophia Brooks.

He has denied harassing her on social media between 11 and 27 October 2024 and also denied a charge of criminal damage to her mobile phone, to the value of £369, on 19 October 2024.

A trial got underway in September but has been adjourned.

Rising star Tory MP under fire over ‘deport legal migrants’ comment

A Tory MP who is seen as a possible future leader of the party has been condemned for calling for the deportation of legally settled families in order to make the UK mostly “culturally coherent”.

In comments that have been dubbed “deeply concerning and unpatriotic”, Katie Lam said she thinks large numbers of people with legal status in Britain should “go home”.

Her remarks drew cross-party criticism, with Labour MP Richard Quigley saying they show “how far the Tory party have fallen”.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski told The Independent that the comments were “yet another example of Farage saying jump and the old parties saying ‘how high?’”, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to condemn the comments.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Ms Lam had said: “There are also a large number of people in this country who came here legally, but in effect shouldn’t have been able to do so.

“It’s not the fault of the individuals who came here, they just shouldn’t have been able to do so.

“They will also need to go home. What that will leave is a mostly but not entirely culturally coherent group of people.”

Hitting back at her comments, Mr Polanski said: “If we want to talk about coherency, what does this even mean? Who gets to decide what is or isn’t culturally coherent?

“And how can they call themselves conservatives when they want to erode the fundamental idea that it’s totally unfair to change the rules once someone has made this their home?”

He added: “This is yet another example of Farage saying jump and the old parties saying ‘how high?’”

Ms Lam’s proposals are similar to policies outlined by Nigel Farage, who has promised to scrap indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which would leave tens of thousands of people who have legally settled in Britain at risk of deportation.

The Labour government has also promised to reform ILR, making it available only to those who have been in the UK for 10 years and who can prove they have made a contribution to society.

Responding to Ms Lam’s comments, Mr Quigley said: “This perfectly represents how far the Tory party have fallen and how desperate for relevance they are.

“Being called a rising star in the current Conservative Party is the equivalent of saying you have installed wing mirrors on the space shuttle.

“She should worry more about being politically coherent than attacking people that are legally settled here. People like Katie are exactly what is wrong with our politics. Ambition above all else.”

Fellow left-wing Labour MP Rachael Maskell also hit out at Ms Lam for her remarks, telling The Independent: “There is a good reason why the Conservatives are not in power and are totally unelectable, when they seek to divide our communities and threaten people who are contributing to our economy and country.

“If people are granted the right to be in the UK, we must recognise the enormous contribution that they bring and ensure that they and their children are properly integrated into our communities.

“As things stand, our NHS and social care system would fall over if such a policy were to be introduced.”

In a letter to Mrs Badenoch, Sir Ed dubbed her remarks “deeply concerning and unpatriotic”, adding: “People who have come to the United Kingdom legally, played by the rules and made it their home do not need to ‘go home’. This is their home.”

The Lib Dem leader said Ms Lam’s suggestion of removing thousands of people who are in the UK legally “shows just how far your party has moved away from the fundamental values of decency, tolerance and respect for the rule of law that the vast majority of people in our country hold dear”.

He urged Mrs Badenoch to clarify whether the MP’s comments reflect the party’s position, asking who the party thinks “shouldn’t have been able” to come to the UK legally.

“What does ‘a mostly but not entirely culturally coherent group of people’ mean and how would this be set out in the Conservative Party’s immigration rules?” he asked.