British army veteran Soldier F found not guilty of Bloody Sunday murders

A Bloody Sunday paratrooper has been found not guilty of committing two murders and five attempted murders in Derry in 1972.

Delivering his judgment at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran – referred to in court as Soldier F – fell well short of what was required for conviction.

Soldier F had been accused of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The veteran had also been accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O’Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.

Thirteen people were killed when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in the city.

The non-jury trial heard evidence across four weeks, which included statements by two of Soldier F’s colleagues.

Soldier F was present at Belfast Crown Court for each day of the trial, concealed behind a curtain in the courtroom. Relatives of the men killed and supporters of Soldier F also attended each day of the trial.

In his judgment, Judge Lynch said there was no concept of “collective guilt” in the courts.

He said the crown had failed to establish that Soldier F was “knowingly and intentionally assisting in the shootings, with intent to kill, or was shooting himself with that intention”.

He said the sole evidence against Soldier F was provided by two other veterans, Soldiers G and H, and that there were difficulties in relying on it.

The judge said: “Their statements, the sole and decisive evidence, cannot be tested in a way that witnesses giving evidence from the witness box would be. Delay has, in my view, seriously hampered the capacity of the defence to test the veracity and accuracy of the hearsay statements.”

Judge Lynch told Belfast Crown Court that on Bloody Sunday a number of members of the Parachute Regiment entered Glenfada Park North in Derry and started firing at unarmed civilians at a distance of 50 metres or less.

He said this had resulted in two murders and a number of people being unlawfully wounded.

The judge said: “They had totally lost all sense of military discipline. They were members of a regiment formed in 1942 at the behest of prime minister [Winston] Churchill, and had a proud record in World War Two.”

He added: “Those who fought valiantly against SS Panzer divisions in 1944 have had their regiment sullied by some of their successors shooting in the back unarmed civilians fleeing from them on the streets of a British city.

“Those responsible should hang their heads in shame.”

In the packed public gallery at Court 12, gathered relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims gave no visible or audible response as Soldier F was found not guilty on all counts. There was also no reaction from those in the public gallery supporting the former paratrooper.

The family of one of the men killed vowed to fight on. McKinney’s brother Mickey said outside court: “The families and wounded and our supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride in our achievements. The blame lies firmly with the British state, with the RUC who failed to investigate the murders on Bloody Sunday properly, or indeed at all; and with the British army who shielded and enabled its soldiers to continue to murder with impunity.”

Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor who represents some of the Bloody Sunday families, said there was no right of appeal in the case but they were waiting for a review from the Public Prosecution Service in relation to alleged perjury by former soldier known as Soldier H at the Saville Inquiry, and said they would push for a prosecution “without further delay”.

‘Little more than photocalls’: What has Reform’s Doge team done since it was set up?

Reform UK’s Doge team has been accused of doing little more than “photocalls” at councils that it vowed to “save a lot of money” for when it was set up four months ago.

The Elon Musk-inspired cost-cutting team, set up by Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf, pledged to work with Reform-controlled councils across the UK after the party’s big wins at local elections in May.

The party promised councils a free team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors to “visit and analyse” their finances to “identify wasteful spending and recommend actionable solutions”.

Doge has not identified specific targets but Reform has pledged to cut spending on things such as diversity and inclusion programmes.

However, The Independent has found that the unit has only visited three of the 12 councils since the May elections – and has been met with barriers preventing them from making much progress.

Of the 12 Reform-controlled councils, only Kent, West Northamptonshire and Worcestershire have hosted Mr Yusuf and his team for talks.

Reform UK insisted Doge had met with more councils, but North Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Durham, Staffordshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire county councils all told The Independent they are yet to have been visited.

In West Northamptonshire, the council said that, despite initial meetings, there have been “no further discussions” as it is “waiting for the return of Due Diligence documents for Reform’s nominated representative”.

Its spokesperson said work will not progress unless such checks are complete and added: “In the meantime, the Council continues to progress its own plans to drive efficiencies and seek savings through transformation ahead of the budget setting for next year.”

Daniel Lister, the Conservative group leader in West Northamptonshire Council, said the two visits have been “more or less just photocalls so far”.

“I’m not sure they’re going to do very much and there’s no progress,” he told The Independent. “Their general understanding of local government is quite poor, given most information is in the public domain and publicly accessible.”

He added: “There’s naivety and a lack of understanding. I don’t think we’re going to see very much coming out of Doge anywhere.”

Worcestershire County Council and its Reform UK leader, Jo Monk, did not respond to The Independent’s questions about its work with Doge, but opposition councillors have witnessed little progress since the initial visit from the unit.

Councillor Matt Jenkins, the Green and Independent Alliance group leader at Worcestershire County Council said: “From what I’ve heard, Doge haven’t done anything at the county council as they haven’t been allowed access to anything.

“The idea is if you want access, do a freedom of information (FOI) request like everyone else, they can’t have extra information.”

Despite little progress, the team’s one-hour meeting with two council officers cost the authority £144, according to a FOI request.

“All the information is confidential, unless they make a case as to why they can lawfully access the information they have to follow the rules,” Adam Kent, the Conservative group leader added.

“The key thing is that Zia came into the county council with all these promises and then suddenly became aware that they couldn’t do half of the things they wanted to.

“There’s a total lack of awareness of the way to use capital expenditure and there’s a stark realisation of the fact that most of these councils have been operating on threadbare resources.

“They got elected on the basis that they were going to save millions of pounds, only to be met with the brutal reality that they can’t do that.”

Some councils have set up their own internal efforts to identify savings – such as Kent’s Department of Local Government Efficiency (Dolge) – but these work independently from Reform UK’s central unit.

Though Mr Yusuf’s team have visited Kent’s council, a spokesperson at the authority confirmed that since June, “all work on local government efficiency in Kent has been led and delivered by the Dolge team, sitting within the council’s cabinet”.

They added that the administration would “utilise support where deemed necessary and appropriate” from Doge “subject to governance, legal compliance and need”.

Antony Hook, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Kent County Council said: “We haven’t really seen anything of value – which is actually a broader picture of what the Reform administration is very much about. It’s about what headline can we get tomorrow rather than what can we change of substance over time.

“When they announced Kent would be the first place they went to, they turned up unannounced and came in with no clue about how local government works.

“They seemed to think they should have access to all of the council’s information, a bit like how Elon Musk went into US government. But they were told they can’t have everything – we have legislation to protect personal data.

“What they could have is what everyone is entitled to under the FOI Act. There has been talk of a legal agreement but that has never materialised.

“Since July the county council seems to be rowing away from Doge, they have spoken about their own thing and appointed a cabinet member – but it doesn’t sound much different to the cabinet member for finance.”

Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran was approached by The Independent, but did not respond. She recently told the Local Government Chronicle that “Dolge is so much easier than Doge” due to legalities, so they are “making great strides”.

Ms Kemkaran has previously said the internal council team – led by councillor Matthew Moat – had identified £40m of potential savings since they began work in July.

However, the authority’s new adult social care chief Diane Morton earlier this month hinted at a rise in residents’ council tax bills as she warned that services in the county were “down to the bare bones”.

A Reform UK Kent spokesperson said the council had done “fantastic work” to reduce debt by £66m in five months, despite council papers showing it faces a £27.9m overspend in the new year, beyond its £1.53bn budget.

Four Reform councillors were suspended from the authority on Monday after a video was leaked showing Ms Kemkaran telling council leaders to “suck it up” when they questioned her.

One of the suspended councillors, Paul Thomas, was threatened by Ms Kemkaran to be put on mute during the meeting after he questioned whether Reform had the “right” leader and cabinet.

Autistic volunteer ‘sacked’ from Waitrose for asking for pay gets job offer from Asda

The mother of an autistic man who was let go as a Waitrose volunteer after she asked for him to be paid has revealed he has been offered a job by a rival supermarket.

Frances Boyd said her son Tom, 28, had been volunteering twice a week for over four years at Waitrose in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, as it gave him “a sense of purpose and belonging”.

However, when she asked if her son could be paid for “just a few hours”, Tom was let go from his position.

On Thursday, she revealed he had instead been offered employment at rival chain, Asda.

“We’ve had some great news – Asda have offered him two five-hour paid shifts a week,” she told the BBC.

She added: “It’s overwhelming and they are flexible to say if at any time he is struggling they are fine. How amazing that a company could do this.”

An Asda spokesperson said Tom was offered a role as part of their Supported Internship Programme and partnership with DFN Project SEARCH, through which 30 people have been offered work in their stores.

They said: “We have seen the positive impact this has for the individuals who join and for our colleagues and customers too. So, when we heard about Tom and his desire to find meaningful work, we knew he’d be a fantastic fit and we are delighted to offer him a role at his local store.”

Tom started volunteering at Waitrose in 2021 as part of his skills development for the workplace on his further education course.

He continued volunteering there two mornings a week, and was “so proud of his work” stocking and tidying the shelves.

“If I went in and saw him, he was smiling, and it gave him independence, a sense of purpose and belonging,” his mother told the BBC.

“He gave over 600 hours of his time purely because he wanted to belong, contribute, and make a difference.”

Although volunteers do not have the same rights as an employee, they were left feeling “deeply let down” when Tom’s placement was stopped after they asked about the possibility of paid work. She told the BBC that Waitrose said it was because he “couldn’t perform the whole role”.

Waitrose said it was investigating Tom’s case “as a priority” and on Thursday and told the Mail Online it would “like to welcome Tom back in paid employment”.

“As those familiar with Waitrose will know, we care deeply about helping people into the workplace who might otherwise not be given a chance,” a spokesperson said.

“As such, we warmly welcomed Tom and his support worker into our Cheadle Hulme branch to gain experience and build his confidence. We have policies in place to support volunteering, and are investigating what’s happened in Tom’s situation.

“We’d like to welcome Tom back, in paid employment, and are seeking support from his family and the charity to do so. We hope to see him back with us very soon.”

The Independent has contacted Waitrose for a comment.

Migrant in ‘one in, one out’ row to be ‘fast tracked’ to France, Starmer vows

A migrant who returned to Britain after being deported as part of a one in, one out deal is being “fast-tracked” back to France, Keir Starmer has said.

The prime minister vowed that the UK would remove him again “very, very swiftly” as he denied his government’s approach to stopping small boats crossing the channel was “in tatters”.

Sir Keir saidthe Iranian man was already in detention and “he will now be fast-tracked back out of the country, because we obviously have his details”.

“We know he hasn’t got a claim to make, therefore we’ll remove him very, very swiftly. So his return journey back to the United Kingdom is completely pointless, and it’s really important I make that absolutely clear.”

He said no when asked whether the government’s approach to stopping small boats was “in tatters”.

The man returned to the UK in a small boat, marking a humiliating blow for Sir Keir and his pledge to take back control of Britain’s borders.

The news emerged on the same day that the number of migrant arrivals via the English Channel so far this year passed the total for the whole of 2024.

But the deputy PM has claimed the identification of the man was a sign of “progress”.

David Lammy said that it “actually reveals that the individual, who spent thousands of pounds trying to get into this country, as a result of his biometric data can be sent back and that is progress”.

Earlier, children’s minister Josh MacAlister had dismissed the man’s claim to be a victim of modern slavery as “ludicrous”, telling Times Radio: “France is a safe country.”

The man, who is currently being held at an immigration detention centre, told The Guardian he is a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smugglers in northern France.

“If I had felt that France was safe for me, I would never have returned to the UK,” he told the newspaper.

“When we were returned to France, we were taken to a shelter in Paris. I didn’t dare to go out because I was afraid for my life. The smugglers are very dangerous. They always carry weapons and knives. I fell into the trap of a human trafficking network in the forests of France before I crossed to the UK from France the first time.

“They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun and told me I would be killed if I made the slightest protest.

“When I reached UK the first time and [the] Home Office asked what had happened to me, I was crying and couldn’t speak about this because of shame.”

Just 42 people so far have been returned to France under the agreement, announced with great fanfare by the PM and French president Emmanuel Macron in July and designed to create a deterrent, convincing migrants there is no point in making the dangerous Channel crossing – as they could just be sent straight back.

Under its terms, for each small boat migrant returned, one asylum seeker will be allowed to enter the UK from France under a legal route.

At the time, Sir Keir hailed it as a “breakthrough moment” which would “turn the tables” on the people smugglers – but a Downing Street spokesperson on Wednesday said the policy was not a “silver bullet” to tackle the problem.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the government of being in “total chaos” and “too weak to take the tough decisions to secure our borders”.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson said Labour had to “back up their big promises with actions”.

Biology teacher is first UK patient to have ‘gamechanger’ MS therapy

A biology teacher and mother-of-two has become the first patient in the UK to receive a “gamechanger” therapy to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It cannot currently be cured, but treatment can often help manage it.

Emily Henders, 37, was diagnosed with MS on Christmas Eve in 2021 after suffering tingling in her hands.

The teacher from Bushey, Hertfordshire, has suffered four debilitating relapses since her diagnosis, despite taking one of the most highly effective medications for the disease.

But Mrs Henders said she feels “really good” after taking the new CAR T-cell treatment at University College London Hospital (UCLH) last week.

The CAR T-cell treatment, which experts believe could “transform” lives by halting or slowing down progression of the disease, is custom-built for each patient in the lab. It is part of a global clinical trial into whether it can treat MS.

The person’s own T cells, which are crucial for hunting out infected or damaged cells, are genetically engineered by scientists and fed back into the patient via an infusion to “re-set” the immune system.

CAR T for MS modifies the T cells to recognise and kill B cells, which are known to cause damage and allow MS to advance.

The mother-of-two, who has sons aged six and four, said she was feeling well after receiving the infusion in a three-minute procedure.

“I’m feeling normal and I’ve got energy back. I don’t have any nausea, I’ve had no fevers. I’m feeling pretty relaxed.”

Mrs Henders said her symptoms got “progressively worse” following her diagnosis. “I notice sometimes my foot hits the pavement in a funny way. No-one else would notice it, but I feel it.

“Or when I’m teaching and I’m doing a science experiment, I can feel my hands are shaking, and I’m very much aware that probably the students can see that my hands are shaking.

Mrs Henders said she will “never forget” her first major relapse when an ambulance had to be called and her children had to see her wheeled away.

“I was just getting out of bed and my oldest son was was there with me, and I couldn’t stand up, and it was very scary,” she said.

“The ambulance came, and and I’ll never forget my children’s faces as the medics were rushing in and then strapping me to a chair and carrying me down the stairs and putting me in the back of an ambulance.”

The loving mother worries how her relapses affect her children emotionally, so a good outcome of CAR T-cell therapy for her would be to “never experience a relapse again”.

She also hopes this treatment will prevent her having to use a wheelchair in the future- a probability which is typically very high for MS patients.

According to UCLH consultant haematologist, Claire Roddie, CAR T-cell offers real hope for MS patients and has shown success in cancer and the autoimmune disease lupus.

“Our ultimate goal is to achieve long periods of disease remission with a single, one-time CAR T-cell treatment,” she said, adding it could mean people can come off all their other drugs.

“We are excited about this because we’re taking a treatment developed to treat cancers and re-purposing it for a whole new spectrum of conditions.

“CAR T-cells also go to places in the body that other drugs don’t necessarily get to very effectively.”

She said the therapy has a “one and done” concept where you should not need any more drugs after the treatment, adding: “If we could achieve that in MS, it would transform so many people’s lives.”

Caitlin Astbury, senior research communications manager at the MS Society, said: “It’s early days but, if trial results prove successful, CAR T-cell therapy could be a gamechanger for how we treat the condition.”

The trial aims to recruit up to 18 patients globally by early 2027.

Epic adventures: Trips that follow history’s most intrepid explorers

They say travel broadens the mind – and throughout history that has been the case for some of the world’s pre-eminent scientists, geographers and explorers, whose globetrotting adventures have led to medical breakthroughs, new scientific theories, spectacular art and, above all, a greater understanding of the world we live in.

In celebration of that adventurous spirit, specialist tour operator Travelsphere – who for over 60 years has created extraordinary itineraries to incredible destinations around the world – has partnered with the Royal Geographical Society to encourage people to follow in the footsteps of these pioneering explorers.

With a shared commitment to purposeful and inspiring travel, the Royal Geographical Society have selected a collection of Travelsphere itineraries that have significance to the society and its near 200-year history. Each one explores areas, regions or countries represented within their archives, immersing travellers in a country’s cultural heritage and enabling their own unforgettable journey – while working with, and in support of, the communities and environments visited.

Travelsphere’s escorted tours have everything you need for an enriching adventure. Besides return flights, overseas transfers, handpicked accommodation and many meals, there’s also a range of authentic experiences and excursions included and an expert Holiday Director on hand to guide you through your trip. You’ll get insights into local cultures and see sites you won’t find in a guidebook – with plenty of free time to explore on your own, too. On each tour you’ll share the experience with a group of like-minded travellers.

From the wonders of South America to the historical romance of the Silk Road, iconic India to incredible Indonesia, here’s five examples of the epic adventures awaiting you….

The Silk Road – a network of ancient trade routes connecting East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe – is primed for monumental voyages. In the mid 19th century, explorers Thomas and Lucy Atkinson travelled 40,000 miles, mostly on horseback, through the region. Ella Christie, a pioneering Scottish explorer and one of the first female fellows of the Royal Geographical Society, journeyed by train and carriage along the Silk Road, publishing a book, Through Khiva to Golden Samarkand, about her travels. Keeping the spirit of these intrepid voyagers alive, Travelsphere’s Silk Road Adventure: The Five Stans spends 21 days visiting fascinating and off-the beaten track destinations in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Weaving through ancient Silk Road cities, breathtaking mountain landscapes and remote desert wonders, highlights include visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites in Samarkand and Bukhara, eagle hunting demonstrations in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and the magnificent Charyn Canyon. You’ll also dine with Dungan families, learn how to make regional dishes and visit a traditional tea house on a trip that’s as immersive as it is exciting.

Indonesia offers an irresistible blend of fascinating cultural heritage, dramatic natural wonders and idyllic islands. Naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of natural selection, collected 126,500 natural history specimens from the islands of Indonesia, East Malaysia, New Guinea and Brunei – a sign of just how much there is to discover in this corner of the world. Travelsphere’s 16-day Spirit of Indonesia adventure engulfs you in the history and landscapes of the country. You’ll follow in the footsteps of prolific globetrotter, photographer and Royal Geographical Society fellow Edith Beatrice Gibbes, who spent several months on the island of Java. Like her, you’ll want your camera ready at sites like Borobudur – the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and the volcanic crater of Mount Bromo, where you’ll witness the sunrise slowly illuminating the landscape. You’ll also explore the bustling cities of Jakarta and Bandung, delve into the fascinating cultural heritage of Yogyakarta, learn traditional batik methods, search for Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park and relax on the island paradise of Bali.

Peru has long attracted explorers intrigued by its history, architecture and landscapes. Modern day voyagers follow the likes of Victor Coverley-Price, an artist who joined a Royal Geographical Society expedition in 1932, documenting Peruvian landscapes in a series of watercolour paintings. Or Clements Markham who, on a trip to Cuzco in the mid 19th century, discovered the benefits of the cinchona plant to treat malaria – and co-led a later mission to transplant and cultivate it in India. On Travelsphere’s Wonders of Peru tour, expert guides will help you uncover the history of capital city Lima and Cuzco, with its captivating fusion of Inca heritage and Spanish colonial architecture. Other highlights include a stay deep in the Amazon rainforest, with a twilight walk through the jungle and wildlife spotting at Lake Sandoval. You’ll also experience the natural wonders of Lake Titicaca and the Uros and Tequile islands. And no trip to Peru is complete without a visit to the “lost city” of Machu Picchu. Rediscovered in the early 20th century, the 15th century Inca settlement high up in the Andes is every bit as magical as you’d imagine.

In 1893, Fanny Bullock Workman – explorer, travel writer, mountaineer and campaigner for women’s rights – embarked on a two year, 14,000 mile cycling tour of India, Burma, Java and Ceylon with her husband. The couple later published an account of their adventure, ‘Through Town and Jungle’, detailing the architectural marvels they discovered during their trip. At 15 days, the Wonders of India and the Tiger Trail tour is a more manageable itinerary – but still packed with plenty to explore. A journey of contrasts, you’ll enjoy the vibrant streets of Mumbai, get up close with incredible wildlife in the Indian wilderness and discover historic temples, including the Ram Raja in Orchha and the impressive western temple complex at Khajuraho. The trip takes in three national parks, including Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, where you’ll observe tigers in their natural habitat. You’ll hear from a naturalist about how India’s national parks inspired Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book and visit a local village to hear about conservation efforts. This unforgettable Indian adventure is rounded off with a sunrise visit to the iconic Taj Mahal to witness one of the world’s most magnificent sites at its most glorious.

If you share the adventurous spirit that led countless explorers, artists and scientists to embark on epic expeditions through South America, then Travelsphere’s Latin Wonders of the World is for you. A packed 18-day itinerary takes you across four countries and countless iconic sites. In Peru you’ll tour the ‘City of Kings’ Lima, as well as the one time capital of the Inca Empire, Cuzco – plus visit the breathtaking “lost city” of Machu Picchu. Take in the snow-capped Andes before heading into Bolivia, where you’ll rub shoulders with locals at bustling markets in La Paz and visit the spectacular Moon Valley, a lunar landscape of canyons and spires. From there, it’s onto Argentina’s irresistible capital, Buenos Aires where you might choose to visit a gauche ranch or take in a tango show, before heading to the awe-inspiring Iguaçu Falls, one of the world’s largest natural wonders, which you’ll witness from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides. Last but not least, you’ll head to Rio de Janeiro, a city bursting with energy and excitement, for a stay right on the famous Copacabana Beach.

For more information or to book visit travelsphere.co.uk

Grooming gang inquiry ‘may not take place till next year’

A long-awaited inquiry into grooming gangs may now not take place until next year.

Government sources have told The Times that it could take months to find a new chair after both contenders to oversee the probe – former police officer Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson – pulled out this week.

The government is taking urgent steps to find new candidates after the exit of “leading” option Mr Gamble – but ministers will “take the time, likely months”, to appoint the right chair, the source said.

The inquiry has been thrown into disarray after the loss of the two candidates to chair the probe, as well as the departure of five women from the victims liaison panel.

Four of the women who quit have said they would be prepared to return if safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigns, while five of those still on the advisory panel have said they would only stay if she remains in post.

The five backing Ms Phillips said in a letter to Sir Keir Starmer and home secretary Shabana Mahmood that her retaining her role is one of the conditions for their continued participation.

They wrote that the minister has “remained impartial” and “we want her to remain in position for the duration of the process for consistency”.

It came after four of those who quit the panel – Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper and a woman signed only as “Jessica” – sent a letter with conditions that must be met for them to return.

Those include Ms Phillips standing down, for the inquiry to be “laser-focused” on grooming gangs, and for its chair to be a former or sitting judge.

On Wednesday, Mr Gamble withdrew from contention of chairing the inquiry, citing “political opportunism” and “point-scoring” while admitting that his police background meant some survivors “couldn’t place their confidence in me”.

Ms Hudson, who served as a director of children’s services for Lambeth, was reported to have withdrawn on Tuesday.

Speaking on the search for a new chair, the source added to The Times: “With the loss of the leading candidate for the chair of the grooming gangs inquiry, the government is taking urgent steps to ensure a new candidate is found.”

Ministers plan to “re-engage” with victims and “listen to their concerns and take their opinions on the type of person they want to lead the inquiry”. Sir Keir has been personally reaching out to contact the survivors in the middle of the crisis, it is understood.

Baroness Louise Casey, who has been drafted in to support the work of the probe, will work closely with the Government on finding a new field of candidates for chair.

On Tuesday, Ms Phillips told MPs that “allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false”.

A Downing Street spokesperson denied any suggestion Ms Phillips has been sidelined from the case, telling reporters: “Minister Phillips has spent her career fighting for victims and survivors and trying to protect them from abuse.

“And since being in post as the minister for safeguarding, she’s been working incredibly closely with victims and survivors and is determined to get them justice.

The turmoil over the inquiry continues as a report by police watchdog His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services found there has been encouraging progress but “significant challenges” remained in how police tackle child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs.

The watchdog said in a new progress report that issues over data accuracy and co-ordination nationally risk weakening the policing response in efforts to crack down on group-based child sexual exploitation.

Inspectors said more than half of police forces still fail to include data from partners such as charities or social services in their assessments.

Among six new recommendations, the inspectorate called for the universal use of Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s definition of an “organised network”, and for improvements to data collection.

Teacher banned after claiming he’d played for top football clubs

A PE teacher has been barred from teaching after falsely claiming he had played for two professional football teams and an England youth team – only to be found out by a pupil.

Between 2015 and 2016, Aaron Smith told his employer that he had represented West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City between the ages of 11 and 20, as well England schoolboys at U15 level.

A Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel heard that he even falsified several documents, inserting his name in a team sheet including a list of footballers and editing a photograph of the Leicester team with his face, to show off his claim to pupils.

He was rumbled when a pupil and his father were unable to find information online about the football career of Mr Smith, who was employed as a teacher at Woodlands Primary School between 2015 and 2016. 

The panel heard that suspicions were aroused in February 2016, after Mr Smith had presented the falsified team sheet for England with his name during a school assembly.

A witness told the panel that after the pupil and father had raised concerns after failing to find him online, the Football Association confirmed that no match had taken place and Mr Smith had not represented England on any level. 

The teacher also showed students several props, including a football shirt, medals and a photograph with his face edited on.

The panel heard that he later went to work at Co-op Academy Bebington, between 2016 and 2022.

But in applying for a job at the school, the panel found he had falsely claimed to have worked two part-time roles through SY4C, a childcare and sports education service.

Later, in 2021, a welfare meeting was held with Mr Smith after repeated absences from school – the panel found he provided a false letter from doctor from Liverpool psychotherapy and counselling service, who was later found not to exist. 

The school had become suspicious over the letter due to incorrect spelling and grammatical usage. 

The panel concluded it was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Smith “amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession”.

He has been banned from teaching for at least five years.