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$The entrance to Cookham Wood$

'Progress undermined' at prison as issues persist

The independent monitoring board for Cookham Wood in Rochester says it has 'considerable potential'.

4 Sept 2026

$A courtroom sketch shows Erin Patterson attending proceedings via a video link from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, in the Victorian Court of Appeal in Melbourne, Australia, August 19,$

Mushroom murderer trial undermined by 'catastrophic' hotel mix-up, appeal court told

Erin Patterson's defence team appeal against her conviction for killing relatives with a beef Wellington laced with toxic mushrooms.

19 Aug 2026

$Anti-assisted dying campaigners react after MPs voted against the assisted dying bill. Three women stand in a line holding up placards which read: Let's Care Not Kill, Kill the Bill and First Do No Harm. They are smiling and wear t-shirts which support their campaign.$

An extraordinary result - why did MPs reject assisted dying bill this time?

Although supporters say they will try again, for now the momentum has fallen away from a change in the law.

11 Sept 2026

$A man wearing a life jacket walks on a beach at the water's edge$

'One in, one out' scheme costs £56,000 per person returned to France, home secretary says

Shabana Mahmood says the policy has been "difficult" to scale up and the numbers involved are still "relatively small".

6 days ago

$A tanned man in a blue shirt smiling at the camera. He has close cropped graying hair. He is in front of a dark background.$

Charge dropped against cleaner after town disorder

Norfolk Police says "officers identified additional evidence which undermined the case".

21 Aug 2026

$Laura, a woman with short white hair, beams whilst standing next to a pedal loom. It is a large piece of machinery which fills the whole room.$

Weaver's blanket gifted to French president by PM

Laura Rosenzweig from Sedbergh says one of her blankets could now be on the French president's bed.

3 days ago

$A small boat crowded with people.$

Fall in small boats down to law enforcement, agency says

But other factors, including developments in the Middle East, may also be playing a role.

7 days ago

$Sir Ed Davey, an older man wearing a dark suit, white shirt and patterned lilac tie. He is sat in front of the Liberal Democrats logo, depicting a bird.$

'Major deterrent' needed for small boats, says Ed Davey

The Lib Dem leader tells BBC South East the current situation is "not good for the country".

6 days ago

$Two people are hugging. One is wearing a black top and the other a checked shirt and sunglasses. People are stood behind them holding up signs. One reads: "If In Doubt Vote No, Care Not Killing".$

MPs vote against fresh attempt to legalise assisted dying

The proposed law sought to introduce one of the biggest societal changes in recent years.

12 Sept 2026