Reform UK councillor shared Facebook post saying Labour MP ‘should be shot’
A Labour MP has said politicians should not expect to face “death threats as standard” after a Reform UK councillor shared a Facebook post which said she “should be shot”.The picture of Natalie Fleet, who has spoken previously about being groomed and raped as a teenager, was accompanied by a fake quote misattributed to her, which read: “I voted against the grooming gang enquiry.”The Facebook post was shared by Simon Evans, the deputy leader of Lancashire council and cabinet member for children and families.He also reshared text accompanying the picture, which said: “You dozy cow, you should be shot.”Fleet, who is MP for Bolsover in Derbyshire, said: “Posts like this are so common I don’t bat an eyelid.
However, they remind me why my husband and children begged me not to stand.“My first thought is always for the loved ones who have to see it, and any women who may be put off of getting into politics in the future.”She added: “The last Labour government helped me so much; I got into politics because I wanted to pay that forward and help others in my community.Whatever party, we should be able to fight for our areas without death threats as standard.”Evans later deleted the post, saying in an apology on Facebook that he had made “a genuine mistake” and “did not notice the accompanying text”, and had removed the post “immediately” once it was brought to his attention.
“Yesterday, I shared a post featuring Natalie Fleet MP highlighting how she voted on the grooming gang inquiry.As many of you know, this is an issue close to my heart and something I have been campaigning on tirelessly even before I was elected,” Evans wrote.“Unfortunately what I did not notice was the accompanying text of the Facebook post that was created by an unknown user.As soon as this was pointed out, I immediately deleted the post.I would never intentionally call for or wish violence upon anyone, regardless of their political beliefs.
This sort of rhetoric has absolutely no place in our politics,”He added: “I would like to sincerely apologise to Ms Fleet and anyone else for the offence caused,This was completely unintentional and was a genuine mistake that we can all make from time to time, especially on social media,”A Reform spokesperson said: “After investigating the post, the party considers it an honest mistake and will not be taking any action,We accept Cllr Evans’ apology and version of events.
”Since entering parliament at the last general election, Fleet has successfully campaigned for the government to remove parental responsibility from sex offenders where a child is born of rape, a move she told parliament “will protect grooming victims”,“I am proud to be part of a government who have set out an unprecedented ambition to halve violence against women and girls, but what I want us to think about on this day is how we tell our story,” Fleet previously told the House of Commons,“I have spoken publicly about giving birth after being the victim of statutory rape, and I am sick of being told I am brave,I do not want to be brave; I want it to be expected that we tell our truth,”Meanwhile, Reform UK has suspended a campaign manager involved in the Gorton and Denton byelection after reports he used racist and misogynist language on social media.
Adam Mitula, described by Reform Tameside as its interim campaign manager, who has since deleted his X account, confirmed he had been suspended by the party pending investigation, but claimed his social media remarks were “taken out of context”.Mitula had reportedly written posts on X in which he said he would “never touch a Jewish woman” and claimed the Holocaust death toll had been exaggerated and that 60% to 70% of transgender people were paedophiles.He told the Press Association: “The comments in question were taken out of context, and actually defended the Jewish community.”Reform UK said it does not comment on its internal disciplinary processes.
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Les Bleus have variety and gifted youngsters but, by contrast, Steve Borthwick’s men are predictable and flawedFrance (15 points) Three games played, three bonus-point victories banked and the title at their mercy. If they claim another four-try win at Murrayfield on Saturday week, they will secure the crown with a round to spare, setting up a rousing grand slam opportunity in Paris. Above all else, though, Les Bleus have illuminated this year’s championship with their pace and attacking grace, not least “King” Louis Bielle-Biarrey who has been spectacularly good. How many other sides in the world, aside from South Africa, can also interchange their second-row and midfield pairings without missing a beat? Or casually whistle up gifted youngsters such as Fabien Brau-Boirie, Émilien Gailleton and Gaël Dréan who all look instantly to the manner born. When you factor in the squad’s collective ability with and without the ball – to date France have scored the most tries, 18, and conceded the fewest, five – the future looks dazzlingly bright
If you think politics shaped these Winter Olympics, just wait until LA 2028
In Milan, athletes showed that patriotism can be generous. In Los Angeles, that definition will be tested on the biggest, loudest stage sport can offerThe Milano Cortina Winter Games ended on Sunday night as the Olympics always do: in light, spectacle and speeches about unity. In Verona, the Olympic flag passed to the French Alps and the twin flames were extinguished. But unofficially, at least, a flame also flickered 6,000 miles west.If these Games felt political, just wait until Los Angeles a little more than two years from now
Australia beat India by six wickets in first women’s cricket one-day international – as it happened
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US basketball player Jarred Shaw escaped execution in Indonesia, but his prison ordeal continues
Jarred Shaw is locked up in an Indonesian prison – but at least he isn’t facing execution, something that appeared a possibility less than a year ago.The 35-year-old American was a key member of the Prawira Bandung team who won the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) in 2023, the latest highlight in a fascinating professional career that had taken him to countries as varied as Tunisia, Lebanon, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Japan.Shaw did so despite suffering from Crohn’s, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which affects the digestive tract. Like many who live with the condition, he found cannabis helped alleviate his often excruciating symptoms and would use the substance legally for medical purposes in Thailand, where he lived during the IBL’s off-season.That was until he made what he calls a “stupid mistake” and ordered a package of 132 cannabis gummies to be delivered to his apartment complex in Indonesia – leading to his dramatic arrest in May 2025
‘Resilience is the biggest lesson’: Raducanu is ready for revival after setbacks
Emma Raducanu has no immediate plans to appoint a new coach as she attempts to kickstart a frustrating season in the US next month. The British No 1 will play at Indian Wells and in the Miami Open in March without a full-time replacement for Francisco Roig – her ninth coach since she turned professional – with whom she parted company after her second-round exit at the Australian Open in January.“Right now I wouldn’t say I’m actively looking for a coach,” Raducanu says in Tokyo, where on Tuesday she was unveiled as a global brand ambassador for the Japanese clothes retailer Uniqlo after ending her association with Nike.“I think I had a great experience with Francis in terms of how we got on so well … the rapport was great. I think in the end, we just weren’t aligning on certain key aspects
‘Landmark moment’: Emma Lawrence to become first woman to call NRL games
Emma Lawrence will become the first woman in NRL broadcast history to call a game, with Triple M including “one of the sharpest broadcasters in rugby league” on its play-by-play commentary team for the new season.Lawrence, one of the most respected voices in the game, will enter the domain previously reserved for men in a move the radio station called a “landmark moment”. Female voices are present across broader coverage of the NRL, but a woman has never been handed the prestigious play-by-play call before.The move follows other sports which showcase women as lead commentators for men’s matches, including Kelli Underwood on AFL and Isa Guha on cricket.Sports commentator Kate Allman said it was “a win for all women working in commentary and sport broadcasting”
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