Regulations governing crossbows in Britain are receiving renewed attention after a man was apprehended with one on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where members of the royal family had gathered for the Christmas holiday.

“We are considering options to strengthen controls on crossbows,” a spokesman for Britain’s Home Office said in a statement Tuesday, as part of a continuing review of rules on lethal weapons ordered this year by Priti Patel, the home secretary.

The renewed scrutiny comes days after an intruder breached the castle grounds on Christmas morning. A 19-year-old man was arrested “on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon,” according to police, while Queen Elizabeth II was on the premises with other members of the royal family.

The British monarch had celebrated the holiday at Windsor Castle instead of at her estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, as is her usual practice. Buckingham Palace said the decision was a “precautionary approach” because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The man arrested, whom police declined to identify, did not enter any buildings or endanger the royal family. But police officers said they found a crossbow after searching him, adding that he was in the care of medical professionals receiving treatment for mental health issues.

Under existing legislation, crossbows can be purchased over the counter or on the internet by those older than 18. Owners do not need a license or certificate to operate the weapons and, unlike shotguns and firearms, police do not have an official record of who owns them and how many are in circulation.

Detectives said they were reviewing a video as part of the investigation, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement Monday, but declined to give further details.

Controls on weapons such as crossbows drew particular concern in 2018 after a British man broke into a neighbor’s home in East Yorkshire, shooting and killing him with a crossbow and injuring his pregnant partner. In a 2021 report investigating the death of the man, a coroner for the county asked top policing officials, including Patel, to review legislation regulating the purchase and possession of crossbows.

“Evidence was heard about the power and lethal capabilities of these weapons, as well as the fact that they are essentially silent,” the coroner, professor Paul Marks, said in the report.

“In my opinion,” he added, “there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.”

The Home Office said work reviewing the legislation was continuing after the episode in East Yorkshire, adding that it was already an offense to possess arrows, or possess offensive weapons in public spaces “without good reason or lawful authority.”

Regulations governing crossbows in Britain are receiving renewed attention after a man was apprehended with one on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where members of the royal family had gathered for the Christmas holiday.

Regulations governing crossbows in Britain are receiving renewed attention after a man was apprehended with one on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where members of the royal family had gathered for the Christmas holiday. “We are considering options to strengthen controls on crossbows,” a spokesman for Britain’s Home Office said in a statement Tuesday, as part of a continuing review of rules on lethal weapons ordered this year by Priti Patel, the home secretary. The renewed scrutiny comes days after an intruder breached the castle grounds on Christmas morning. A 19-year-old man was arrested “on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon,” according to police, while Queen Elizabeth II was on the premises with other members of the royal family. The British monarch had celebrated the holiday at Windsor Castle instead of at her estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, as is her usual practice. Buckingham Palace said the decision was a “precautionary approach” because of the coronavirus pandemic. The man arrested, whom police declined to identify, did not enter any buildings or endanger the royal family. But police officers said they found a crossbow after searching him, adding that he was in the care of medical professionals receiving treatment for mental health issues. Under existing legislation, crossbows can be purchased over the counter or on the internet by those older than 18. Owners do not need a license or certificate to operate the weapons and, unlike shotguns and firearms, police do not have an official record of who owns them and how many are in circulation. Detectives said they were reviewing a video as part of the investigation, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement Monday, but declined to give further details. Controls on weapons such as crossbows drew particular concern in 2018 after a British man broke into a neighbor’s home in East Yorkshire, shooting and killing him with a crossbow and injuring his pregnant partner. In a 2021 report investigating the death of the man, a coroner for the county asked top policing officials, including Patel, to review legislation regulating the purchase and possession of crossbows. “Evidence was heard about the power and lethal capabilities of these weapons, as well as the fact that they are essentially silent,” the coroner, professor Paul Marks, said in the report. “In my opinion,” he added, “there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.” The Home Office said work reviewing the legislation was continuing after the episode in East Yorkshire, adding that it was already an offense to possess arrows, or possess offensive weapons in public spaces “without good reason or lawful authority.”

Britain’s crossbow rules in the crosshairs after Windsor Castle breach

People found guilty of online racist abuse against footballers will be banned from attending games for up to 10 years under new laws, Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel said.

Football Banning Orders, imposed to prevent violence or disorder at regulated matches, bar individuals from attending games for a minimum of three and a maximum of 10 years.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/covid-outbreak-at-aston-villa-made-one-player-reluctant-to-get-out-of-his-car-reveals-boss-steven-gerrard-439331">Covid outbreak at Aston Villa made one player reluctant to get out of his car, reveals boss Steven Gerrard</a>

The existing legislation will be extended to cover online hate offences after Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to toughen measures in July in the wake of racist abuse aimed at England's Black players following defeat in the Euro 2020 final.

"This summer we saw the beautiful game marred by disgraceful racism from online trolls, who hid behind their keyboards and abused our footballers," Patel was quoted as saying by British media.

"Those responsible for appalling racist abuse online must be punished. The changes to the law I am announcing will make sure they are banned from attending football matches."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-liverpool-v-leeds-wolves-v-watford-games-postponed-amid-rise-in-covid-19-cases-439343">Premier League: Liverpool v Leeds, Wolves v Watford games postponed amid rise in COVID-19 cases</a>

The new law will be brought forward early in the new year, British media reported, in the form of an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

According to government statistics, there were 1,359 football banning orders in force across England and Wales as of Aug. 1.

People found guilty of online racist abuse against footballers will be banned from attending games for up to 10 years under new laws, Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel said.

People found guilty of online racist abuse against footballers will be banned from attending games for up to 10 years under new laws, Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel said. Football Banning Orders, imposed to prevent violence or disorder at regulated matches, bar individuals from attending games for a minimum of three and a maximum of 10 years. ALSO READ: Covid outbreak at Aston Villa made one player reluctant to get out of his car, reveals boss Steven Gerrard The existing legislation will be extended to cover online hate offences after Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to toughen measures in July in the wake of racist abuse aimed at England's Black players following defeat in the Euro 2020 final. "This summer we saw the beautiful game marred by disgraceful racism from online trolls, who hid behind their keyboards and abused our footballers," Patel was quoted as saying by British media. "Those responsible for appalling racist abuse online must be punished. The changes to the law I am announcing will make sure they are banned from attending football matches." ALSO READ: Premier League: Liverpool v Leeds, Wolves v Watford games postponed amid rise in COVID-19 cases The new law will be brought forward early in the new year, British media reported, in the form of an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. According to government statistics, there were 1,359 football banning orders in force across England and Wales as of Aug. 1.

Online racist abuse offenders to be banned from football matches: UK Home Secretary Priti Patel

France has withdrawn an invitation to UK home secretary Priti Patel to join talks on the migrant crisis following a public letter from Prime Minister Boris Johnson to President Emmanuel Macron.

France cancels UK invitation to migrant crisis talks after Boris Johnson's letter

David Fuller has admitted to scores of sex attacks on corpses in mortuaries in the worst case of necrophilia in the legal history of the UK.

The 67-year-old electrician pleaded guilty to murdering then sexually assaulting two women in 1987.

He stangled&nbsp;25-year-old Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce, 20, in two separate attacks months apart in Kent, southeast England.

The ''prowler'' was caught following a DNA breakthrough by the police during the investigation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/u-turn-british-government-votes-to-protect-sleazy-mp-owen-paterson-from-suspension-426800" hreflang="en">British government votes to protect 'sleazy' MP Owen Paterson from suspension</a>

During a thorough search of his house, they had found he had filmed himself carrying out the attacks at the two mortuaries.

Between 2008 and 2020, his victims included three children under the age of 18 and others older than 85.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Fuller admitted 51 other offences, including 44 charges relating to 78 identified victims in mortuaries.

''I have never come across anything like it, the numbers, the nature of offending, and I don't know anybody who has, be they police or other prosecutors,'' said senior CPS prosecutor Libby Clark.

"This was a man with a very, very dark secret."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/monster-in-uniform-uk-cop-admits-to-killing-sarah-everard-who-was-just-walking-home-in-the-night-396970">Also read |&nbsp;Monster in uniform: UK cop admits to killing Sarah Everard who was just walking home in the night</a>

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he had asked the health sector to review mortuary and post-mortem access in light of the findings.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel called&nbsp;the case "shocking" and said expressed her&nbsp;heartfelt sympathies for the families of the victims.

"The sickening nature of the crimes committed will understandably cause public revulsion and concern," she added.

Over 150 specialist family liaison officers have been tasked with visiting the victims' families. They will be given $2.0 million or £1.5 million as pay for bespoke support.

(With inputs from agencies)

David Fuller has admitted to scores of sex attacks on corpses in mortuaries in the worst case of necrophilia in the legal history of the UK. The 67-year-old electrician pleaded guilty to murdering then sexually assaulting two women in 1987.

David Fuller has admitted to scores of sex attacks on corpses in mortuaries in the worst case of necrophilia in the legal history of the UK. The 67-year-old electrician pleaded guilty to murdering then sexually assaulting two women in 1987. He stangled 25-year-old Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce, 20, in two separate attacks months apart in Kent, southeast England. The ''prowler'' was caught following a DNA breakthrough by the police during the investigation. Also read | British government votes to protect 'sleazy' MP Owen Paterson from suspension During a thorough search of his house, they had found he had filmed himself carrying out the attacks at the two mortuaries. Between 2008 and 2020, his victims included three children under the age of 18 and others older than 85. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Fuller admitted 51 other offences, including 44 charges relating to 78 identified victims in mortuaries. ''I have never come across anything like it, the numbers, the nature of offending, and I don't know anybody who has, be they police or other prosecutors,'' said senior CPS prosecutor Libby Clark. "This was a man with a very, very dark secret." Also read | Monster in uniform: UK cop admits to killing Sarah Everard who was just walking home in the night Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he had asked the health sector to review mortuary and post-mortem access in light of the findings. Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel called the case "shocking" and said expressed her heartfelt sympathies for the families of the victims. "The sickening nature of the crimes committed will understandably cause public revulsion and concern," she added. Over 150 specialist family liaison officers have been tasked with visiting the victims' families. They will be given $2.0 million or £1.5 million as pay for bespoke support. (With inputs from agencies)

'Prowler' David Fuller admits scores of sex attacks on corpses in mortuaries

Ali Harbi Ali, affiliated with the Islamic State, has been charged with the murder of British MP David Amess.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said he "has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations".

The 25-year-old suspect was the son of an ex-media advisor to a former prime minister of Somalia.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-british-lawmaker-david-amess-stabbed-to-death-421126/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to prosecutor James Cable, he had been planning to kill a member of parliament for years.

The killing of Amess had raised safety concerns about the safety of elected politicians and has prompted for better protection of lawmakers.

They are especially vulnerable when they hold "surgeries", or one-to-one meetings with voters in their constituencies, a tradition considered a bedrock of democracy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-says-will-beef-up-mps-security-after-mp-killed-421531">Also read |&nbsp;UK says will beef up MPs' security after MP killed</a>

Intelligence officers had upgraded the threat level for politicians to "substantial" as per Home Secretary Priti Patel. She called the killing "an attack on our democracy".&nbsp;

Amess was stabbed to death in the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, northeast of London. He was a member of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-declare-fatal-stabbing-of-uk-conservative-mp-as-terrorist-incident-421148">Also read |&nbsp;Police declare fatal stabbing of UK Conservative MP as 'terrorist incident'</a>

His family has urged the public to "Set aside hatred and work together towards togetherness. Whatever one's race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand."

Matt Jukes, assistant commissioner for specialist operations at the Met said "I understand the huge level of public interest in this case. But now a charge has been brought, it is vitally important that everyone exercises restraint when commenting on it publicly, to ensure future court proceedings are not prejudiced in any way."

In 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox was killed as she met constituents near Leeds, northern England, in the febrile run-up to the Brexit referendum. 
&nbsp;

Ali Harbi Ali, affiliated with the Islamic State, has been charged with the murder of British MP David Amess. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said he "has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations".

Ali Harbi Ali, affiliated with the Islamic State, has been charged with the murder of British MP David Amess. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said he "has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations". The 25-year-old suspect was the son of an ex-media advisor to a former prime minister of Somalia. According to prosecutor James Cable, he had been planning to kill a member of parliament for years. The killing of Amess had raised safety concerns about the safety of elected politicians and has prompted for better protection of lawmakers. They are especially vulnerable when they hold "surgeries", or one-to-one meetings with voters in their constituencies, a tradition considered a bedrock of democracy. Also read | UK says will beef up MPs' security after MP killed Intelligence officers had upgraded the threat level for politicians to "substantial" as per Home Secretary Priti Patel. She called the killing "an attack on our democracy". Amess was stabbed to death in the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, northeast of London. He was a member of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party. Also read | Police declare fatal stabbing of UK Conservative MP as 'terrorist incident' His family has urged the public to "Set aside hatred and work together towards togetherness. Whatever one's race, religious or political beliefs, be tolerant and try to understand." Matt Jukes, assistant commissioner for specialist operations at the Met said "I understand the huge level of public interest in this case. But now a charge has been brought, it is vitally important that everyone exercises restraint when commenting on it publicly, to ensure future court proceedings are not prejudiced in any way." In 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox was killed as she met constituents near Leeds, northern England, in the febrile run-up to the Brexit referendum.

Islamic State supporter charged in murder of UK lawmaker David Amess

Boris Johnson recently infuriated UK Home Secretary Priti Patel by overruling attempts to make public sexual harassment a crime. This has further led to concerns at the Home Office that the Prime Minister views the issue as mere “wolf-whistling”, rather than the aggressive targeting of women and girls.

After he blocked plans to make public sexual harassment a specific offence, there have been reports of tensions between Johnson and Priti Patel.&nbsp;

Last week, Johnson announced that he did not support any new law on tackling violence against women as he claimed that there is “abundant” existing legislation.&nbsp;

The sources believe the prime minister has completely misjudged the public mood as Patel's consultation on tackling violence against women and girls, drew feedback from 180,000 contributors. The majority were sent after the murder of Sarah Everard in March.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-safeguard-lone-women-uk-looks-for-walk-me-home-phone-tracker-419503">Also read |&nbsp;To safeguard lone women, UK looks for 'walk me home' phone-tracker</a>

Also, many respondents complained of being hassled daily.

A senior Home Office source, who requested anonymity, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Trying to bring it down to wolf-whistling is massively problematic. But we’re going to make this happen. People are prepared to put their political capital behind this, and the home secretary is among those very much behind it.”

Another source said the prime minister seemed not to understand the issue.

“Make no mistake, Boris Johnson is the person blocking and holding this back. He seems to be stuck in the past on this issue," the source was quoted by The Guardian.

Boris Johnson recently infuriated UK Home Secretary Priti Patel by overruling attempts to make public sexual harassment a crime. This has further led to concerns at the Home Office that the Prime Minister views the issue as mere “wolf-whistling”, rather than the aggressive targeting of women and girls.

Boris Johnson recently infuriated UK Home Secretary Priti Patel by overruling attempts to make public sexual harassment a crime. This has further led to concerns at the Home Office that the Prime Minister views the issue as mere “wolf-whistling”, rather than the aggressive targeting of women and girls. After he blocked plans to make public sexual harassment a specific offence, there have been reports of tensions between Johnson and Priti Patel. Last week, Johnson announced that he did not support any new law on tackling violence against women as he claimed that there is “abundant” existing legislation. The sources believe the prime minister has completely misjudged the public mood as Patel's consultation on tackling violence against women and girls, drew feedback from 180,000 contributors. The majority were sent after the murder of Sarah Everard in March. Also read | To safeguard lone women, UK looks for 'walk me home' phone-tracker Also, many respondents complained of being hassled daily. A senior Home Office source, who requested anonymity, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Trying to bring it down to wolf-whistling is massively problematic. But we’re going to make this happen. People are prepared to put their political capital behind this, and the home secretary is among those very much behind it.” Another source said the prime minister seemed not to understand the issue. “Make no mistake, Boris Johnson is the person blocking and holding this back. He seems to be stuck in the past on this issue," the source was quoted by The Guardian.

Priti Patel furious as Boris Johnson blocks public sexual harassment law

One of the most popular drugs among the young people of the UK is about to be criminalised in the country, Priti Patel said.<o:p></o:p>

As per a report, one on ten (more than half a million) young people between the age of 16 and 24, have been inhaling nitrous oxide in the UK.<o:p></o:p>

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she is ready to "take tough action"&nbsp;on the widespread usage of this laughing gas in the UK. As per reports, Patel is planning to criminalise possession of this drug.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cats-experiencing-life-threatening-stress-due-to-extra-attention-from-owners-410387">Cats experiencing 'life threatening' stress due to extra attention from owners</a></o:p>

Patel has directed the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)&nbsp;to review the harms of nitrous oxide, in order to help the government take a concrete decision on its legal status.<o:p></o:p>

Laughing gas "can cause serious long-term effects such as vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia. It is also commonly used at antisocial gatherings and leads to widespread littering in public places, bringing misery to communities,"&nbsp;Patel said. "Misusing drugs can have a devastating impact on lives and communities. We are determined to do all we can to address this issue and protect the futures of our children and young people."<o:p></o:p>

The drug is widely available in small cylinders which is then usually transferred to a balloon, from which young people inhale it in form of a gas. Commonly known as the laughing gas, it is a common sight in clubs and parties.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/climate-change-us-extreme-weather-conditions-associated-to-arctic-warming-410374">Climate change: US extreme weather conditions associated to Arctic warming</a></o:p>

Nitrous oxide is also easily available online, however, majority of the suppliers attach a warning against using this drug for psychoactive properties.<o:p></o:p>

While Patel believes this is an important step to control drug usage in the country, some experts have opposed this move and warned against a possible spread of hesitancy in young people.<o:p></o:p>

"The government’s insistence on criminalisation and incarceration for minor drug offences worsens problems linked to illicit drug use, including social inequality and violence,"&nbsp;said Burcu Borysik, head of policy at the Royal Society for Public Health. "The heavy-handed enforcement approach to drugs does nothing but spread fear among young people, prevents them from seeking the support they need, and unnecessarily drags them into the criminal justice system."<o:p></o:p>

One of the most popular drugs among the young people of the UK is about to be criminalised in the country, Priti Patel said. As per a report, one on ten (more than half a million) young people between the age of 16 and 24, have been inhaling nitrous oxide in the UK.

One of the most popular drugs among the young people of the UK is about to be criminalised in the country, Priti Patel said. As per a report, one on ten (more than half a million) young people between the age of 16 and 24, have been inhaling nitrous oxide in the UK. Home Secretary Priti Patel said she is ready to "take tough action" on the widespread usage of this laughing gas in the UK. As per reports, Patel is planning to criminalise possession of this drug. Also read | Cats experiencing 'life threatening' stress due to extra attention from owners Patel has directed the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to review the harms of nitrous oxide, in order to help the government take a concrete decision on its legal status. Laughing gas "can cause serious long-term effects such as vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia. It is also commonly used at antisocial gatherings and leads to widespread littering in public places, bringing misery to communities," Patel said. "Misusing drugs can have a devastating impact on lives and communities. We are determined to do all we can to address this issue and protect the futures of our children and young people." The drug is widely available in small cylinders which is then usually transferred to a balloon, from which young people inhale it in form of a gas. Commonly known as the laughing gas, it is a common sight in clubs and parties. Also read | Climate change: US extreme weather conditions associated to Arctic warming Nitrous oxide is also easily available online, however, majority of the suppliers attach a warning against using this drug for psychoactive properties. While Patel believes this is an important step to control drug usage in the country, some experts have opposed this move and warned against a possible spread of hesitancy in young people. "The government’s insistence on criminalisation and incarceration for minor drug offences worsens problems linked to illicit drug use, including social inequality and violence," said Burcu Borysik, head of policy at the Royal Society for Public Health. "The heavy-handed enforcement approach to drugs does nothing but spread fear among young people, prevents them from seeking the support they need, and unnecessarily drags them into the criminal justice system."

No more laughing gas: UK set to ban Nitrous Oxide soon

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel met with a group of Afghan refugees who arrived at London Heathrow Airport on Thursday. These evacuees were among the last to escape before two explosions struck near Kabul Airport.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel meets with Afghan evacuees arriving at Heathrow

Two men who were accused of racially targeting UK Minister Priti Patel were summonsed to court on May 29 and charged with sending a grossly offensive message by a public communication network, which comes with a custodial sentence or fine or both.

2 men held for racially abusing UK minister Priti Patel on social media

Two men who were charged with sending a grossly offensive message and accused of inciting "racial hatred" with a social media video targeting UK Home Secretary Priti Patel admitted to the charge in court on Tuesday.

Jake Henderson, 28, posted a video using a racially abusive word to describe Patel after a Covid-19 pandemic in January this year and co-accused Robert Cumming, 26, who was among those who widely shared it online.

Both men admitted sending a grossly offensive message by a public communication network and will next appear at Mansfield

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inaugurating-embassy-in-uae-israel-tells-region-were-here-to-stay-394875">Also Read | Inaugurating embassy in UAE, Israel tells region: 'We're here to stay'</a>

Magistrates' Court in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands region of England, on August 12 for sentencing. The duo remains on bail until the sentencing hearing.

The 50-second video was played in court, where Henderson can be heard saying: "As a white man, I won't be listening to people of colour."

Cumming then shared it along with the caption: "Haters gonna be hating" and four laughing emojis.

Prosecutor Daniel Church, appearing on behalf of the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said the video was "motivated by hostility towards members of racial groups".

The court heard how members of the public were distressed by the comments linked with the video and feared its contents could incite racial hatred.

The duo was summonsed to court on May 29 and charged with sending a grossly offensive message by a public communication network, which comes with a custodial sentence or fine or both.

"Following complaints in relation to a video targeted at Home Secretary Priti Patel and posted on social media in January 2021, the CPS has authorised Nottinghamshire Police to charge Jake Henderson and Robert Cumming with sending a grossly offensive message by a public communication network,” Janine Smith, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said earlier this month.

"The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges to a court to consider,” Smith said.

Two men who were charged with sending a grossly offensive message and accused of inciting "racial hatred" with a social media video targeting UK Home Secretary Priti Patel admitted to the charge in court on Tuesday.

Two men who were charged with sending a grossly offensive message and accused of inciting "racial hatred" with a social media video targeting UK Home Secretary Priti Patel admitted to the charge in court on Tuesday. Jake Henderson, 28, posted a video using a racially abusive word to describe Patel after a Covid-19 pandemic in January this year and co-accused Robert Cumming, 26, who was among those who widely shared it online. Both men admitted sending a grossly offensive message by a public communication network and will next appear at Mansfield Also Read | Inaugurating embassy in UAE, Israel tells region: 'We're here to stay' Magistrates' Court in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands region of England, on August 12 for sentencing. The duo remains on bail until the sentencing hearing. The 50-second video was played in court, where Henderson can be heard saying: "As a white man, I won't be listening to people of colour." Cumming then shared it along with the caption: "Haters gonna be hating" and four laughing emojis. Prosecutor Daniel Church, appearing on behalf of the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said the video was "motivated by hostility towards members of racial groups". The court heard how members of the public were distressed by the comments linked with the video and feared its contents could incite racial hatred. The duo was summonsed to court on May 29 and charged with sending a grossly offensive message by a public communication network, which comes with a custodial sentence or fine or both. "Following complaints in relation to a video targeted at Home Secretary Priti Patel and posted on social media in January 2021, the CPS has authorised Nottinghamshire Police to charge Jake Henderson and Robert Cumming with sending a grossly offensive message by a public communication network,” Janine Smith, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said earlier this month. "The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges to a court to consider,” Smith said.

Men who racially abused UK minister Priti Patel on social media now held

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel unveiled the government's new immigration policy, announcing sweeping reforms to streamline the way in which people enter into the United Kingdom.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel announces 'wholesale' immigration reforms

UK's home secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unprecedented-india-uk-mobility-pact-overcomes-past-barriers-priti-patel-384327">Priti Patel </a>on Monday unveiled the government's new immigration policy while announcing "wholescale reforms".

The plan involves a digital visa regime with Patel asserting that the system should be "logical and fair."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🔴 WATCH LIVE: My keynote speech at <a href="https://twitter.com/WeAreBrightBlue?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WeAreBrightBlue</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/britishfuture?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BritishFuture</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ImmigrationWhatNext?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ImmigrationWhatNext</a> conference 👇🏽<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewPlanForImmigration?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewPlanForImmigration</a>🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/DznXbdiRFj">https://t.co/DznXbdiRFj</a>
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) <a href="https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1396769833971245063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"We are introducing a fully digital border system to make Great Britain&nbsp;safer," Priti Patel said.

Britain had withdrawn support to be governed by the EU in 2016 with Brexit which came into effect on January 1, 2021.

"It is a sheer fantasy that we can give homes to anyone who comes here, British nationality law has not changed since 1983 and is now filled with anomalies," the minister said.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We’re introducing a fully digital border system to make 🇬🇧 safer: 
 
✅ Making it easier to ban serious &amp; dangerous foreign criminals with a US-style ETA. 
 
✅ Making the system easier to navigate for businesses. 
 
✅ Allowing us to count people in &amp; out of the UK for the 1st time. <a href="https://t.co/CZhVAk680G">pic.twitter.com/CZhVAk680G</a>
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) <a href="https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1396776319275438080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Priti Patel said her government was trying to make the system easier to navigate for businesses.&nbsp;

"The government is taking back control of immigration because there is such a thing as too much immigration," the minister said, adding, "I'm proud as a Briton and I'm proud of my parents and my British-Indian background."

The UK home secretary said that the new system will allow the government to ban serious and dangerous foreign <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/priti-patel-comes-under-fire-after-uk-loses-data-of-150000-criminals-356930">criminals</a> with a US-style ETA.

"In 2016, people withdrew their support from the broken immigration system, she said, asserting that the government is not anti-immigration."

According to the plan, the home secretary will be able to grant citizenship in "compelling" and "exceptional" circumstances where somebody has suffered historic unfairness out of their control.

"Our next plan is speeding of removal who have no legal right to live in the UK," Patel said.

Patel also mentioned BNO visas to be issued by the government to help Hong Kong.

"I have a message for those who seeking to disrupt our enforcement officers, we will not allow such disruption," the minister said.

UK's home secretary Priti Patel on Monday unveiled the government's new immigration policy while announcing "wholescale reforms". The plan involves a digital visa regime with Patel asserting that the system should be "logical and fair.

UK's home secretary Priti Patel on Monday unveiled the government's new immigration policy while announcing "wholescale reforms". The plan involves a digital visa regime with Patel asserting that the system should be "logical and fair." 🔴 WATCH LIVE: My keynote speech at @WeAreBrightBlue and @BritishFuture's #ImmigrationWhatNext conference 👇🏽#NewPlanForImmigration🇬🇧 https://t.co/DznXbdiRFj — Priti Patel (@pritipatel) May 24, 2021 × "We are introducing a fully digital border system to make Great Britain safer," Priti Patel said. Britain had withdrawn support to be governed by the EU in 2016 with Brexit which came into effect on January 1, 2021. "It is a sheer fantasy that we can give homes to anyone who comes here, British nationality law has not changed since 1983 and is now filled with anomalies," the minister said. We’re introducing a fully digital border system to make 🇬🇧 safer: ✅ Making it easier to ban serious & dangerous foreign criminals with a US-style ETA. ✅ Making the system easier to navigate for businesses. ✅ Allowing us to count people in & out of the UK for the 1st time. pic.twitter.com/CZhVAk680G — Priti Patel (@pritipatel) May 24, 2021 × Priti Patel said her government was trying to make the system easier to navigate for businesses. "The government is taking back control of immigration because there is such a thing as too much immigration," the minister said, adding, "I'm proud as a Briton and I'm proud of my parents and my British-Indian background." The UK home secretary said that the new system will allow the government to ban serious and dangerous foreign criminals with a US-style ETA. "In 2016, people withdrew their support from the broken immigration system, she said, asserting that the government is not anti-immigration." According to the plan, the home secretary will be able to grant citizenship in "compelling" and "exceptional" circumstances where somebody has suffered historic unfairness out of their control. "Our next plan is speeding of removal who have no legal right to live in the UK," Patel said. Patel also mentioned BNO visas to be issued by the government to help Hong Kong. "I have a message for those who seeking to disrupt our enforcement officers, we will not allow such disruption," the minister said.

'Government taking back control': UK home secretary Priti Patel unveils new immigration policy

The UK has adopted digital visa system from the US to keep a check on the actual number of people entering and leaving the country for the first time.

Digital visa&nbsp;has been unveiled for the people who will be entering the UK without a visa or immigration status. The visitors will now have to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). This will help determine the eligibility of the visitors, UK’s Home Secretary Priti Patel explained.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unprecedented-india-uk-mobility-pact-overcomes-past-barriers-priti-patel-384327">Unprecedented India-UK mobility pact overcomes past barriers: Priti Patel</a>

"Our new fully digital border will provide the ability to count people in and out of the country, giving us control over who comes to the UK," Patel said.

This digital visa has been initiated after the Boris Johnson-led government was criticised for miscalculating the number of European citizens staying in the UK. The Home Office had estimated that nearly three million people from the EU lived in the UK and will be applying to the EU settlement scheme.

However, by April end, more than 5.4 million people had already applied for visa under the scheme and nearly 4.9 million had already been given the nod.

The government estimates nearly 144.7 million passengers arrived in the UK till June 2019, of which nearly 40 million had migrated from the European economic area and Switzerland.

The UK has adopted digital visa system from the US to keep a check on the actual number of people entering and leaving the country for the first time. Digital visa has been unveiled for the people who will be entering the UK without a visa or immigration status.

The UK has adopted digital visa system from the US to keep a check on the actual number of people entering and leaving the country for the first time. Digital visa has been unveiled for the people who will be entering the UK without a visa or immigration status. The visitors will now have to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). This will help determine the eligibility of the visitors, UK’s Home Secretary Priti Patel explained. Also read | Unprecedented India-UK mobility pact overcomes past barriers: Priti Patel "Our new fully digital border will provide the ability to count people in and out of the country, giving us control over who comes to the UK," Patel said. This digital visa has been initiated after the Boris Johnson-led government was criticised for miscalculating the number of European citizens staying in the UK. The Home Office had estimated that nearly three million people from the EU lived in the UK and will be applying to the EU settlement scheme. However, by April end, more than 5.4 million people had already applied for visa under the scheme and nearly 4.9 million had already been given the nod. The government estimates nearly 144.7 million passengers arrived in the UK till June 2019, of which nearly 40 million had migrated from the European economic area and Switzerland.

UK set to introduce 'digital visa' for travellers arriving in country

A new Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) signed between India and the UK recently is an "unprecedented" reciprocal agreement that will overcome the barriers around mobility and migration of the past, British Home Secretary Priti Patel has said.

The senior Indian-origin Cabinet minister, who signed the partnership's memorandum of understanding (MoU) with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in London last week, said the plan to have 3,000 young students and professionals a year access new work experience benefits in either country under the new pact will be up and running “within months”.

She highlighted that the move, which includes a new “bespoke” plan for 18 to 30-year-olds to apply for a 24-month stay in either country puts youth mobility at the heart of the bilateral relationship.

"This is a very significant unprecedented scheme that will provide additional benefits to both countries. It is highly symbolic," Patel told PTI in an interview on Monday.

"It shows how our two countries have really developed and advanced our relationship, in a purposeful and transformative way; which to be very candid, we did not have previously. Putting mobility at the heart of this relationship is a real change, a real pivot. We have spent too much time in the past speaking about mobility barriers,” she said.

Under the MMP, both sides have agreed to work towards an April 2022 timeline to bring in new systems in place, with work already underway with the High Commission in London and the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

"We have worked at pace for this and we are in the process of finalising the timetable around this. We are not hanging around. We are literally now just putting dates on this," the minister said.

Dubbed as a first-of-its-kind agreement between the two countries, both governments agreed enhanced mobility provisions for young professional Indian and British citizens and swifter and more efficient returns of illegal migrants by accelerating timescales for removals, by committing appropriate resources to facilitate returns.

"We also signed an agreement linked to illegal migration, which is a huge benefit for India as well because obviously there are certain individuals that come in that India wants returned," said Patel, in reference to extradition cases.

The new youth mobility route adds to previous announcements under Britain's post-Brexit points-based immigration system, which the minister said was already “benefitting Indians hugely” as the new rules came in force from earlier this year with the UK no longer bound by European Union laws.

“The whole purpose of the points-based system was to do away with the discrimination that India were at a the disadvantage under previous systems. I have squared that circle in less than 12 months. In less than two years since becoming Home Secretary, I have really moved the needle on creating a new bespoke and reciprocal route for young professionals from the UK and in India to really become part of that professional experience and exchange,” said Patel.

She credited the leadership of the two Prime Ministers – Boris Johnson and Narendra Modi – as well as her counterpart, Home Minister Amit Shah, for driving the mobility agenda forward.

"Through the leadership of the Prime Minister of the UK and Prime Minister of India we have been able to have a Home Secretary and a Home Minister in India in Amit Bhai, driving this agenda forward. It is big, it is significant and it's a landmark agreement that will provide new opportunities to thousands of young people in the UK and in India seeking to live, work and really benefit from each other's cultures but also professional opportunities that both our countries have to offer,” said the Gujarati-origin minister.

"It's significant because over decades Britain has been enriched with the diaspora community and the links we have with India but at the same time, the Migration and Mobility Partnership builds upon the new benefits of the points-based immigration system will give to India through the exchanges of skilled migration,” she added.&nbsp;

A new Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) signed between India and the UK recently is an "unprecedented" reciprocal agreement that will overcome the barriers around mobility and migration of the past, British Home Secretary Priti Patel has said.

A new Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) signed between India and the UK recently is an "unprecedented" reciprocal agreement that will overcome the barriers around mobility and migration of the past, British Home Secretary Priti Patel has said. The senior Indian-origin Cabinet minister, who signed the partnership's memorandum of understanding (MoU) with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in London last week, said the plan to have 3,000 young students and professionals a year access new work experience benefits in either country under the new pact will be up and running “within months”. She highlighted that the move, which includes a new “bespoke” plan for 18 to 30-year-olds to apply for a 24-month stay in either country puts youth mobility at the heart of the bilateral relationship. "This is a very significant unprecedented scheme that will provide additional benefits to both countries. It is highly symbolic," Patel told PTI in an interview on Monday. "It shows how our two countries have really developed and advanced our relationship, in a purposeful and transformative way; which to be very candid, we did not have previously. Putting mobility at the heart of this relationship is a real change, a real pivot. We have spent too much time in the past speaking about mobility barriers,” she said. Under the MMP, both sides have agreed to work towards an April 2022 timeline to bring in new systems in place, with work already underway with the High Commission in London and the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. "We have worked at pace for this and we are in the process of finalising the timetable around this. We are not hanging around. We are literally now just putting dates on this," the minister said. Dubbed as a first-of-its-kind agreement between the two countries, both governments agreed enhanced mobility provisions for young professional Indian and British citizens and swifter and more efficient returns of illegal migrants by accelerating timescales for removals, by committing appropriate resources to facilitate returns. "We also signed an agreement linked to illegal migration, which is a huge benefit for India as well because obviously there are certain individuals that come in that India wants returned," said Patel, in reference to extradition cases. The new youth mobility route adds to previous announcements under Britain's post-Brexit points-based immigration system, which the minister said was already “benefitting Indians hugely” as the new rules came in force from earlier this year with the UK no longer bound by European Union laws. “The whole purpose of the points-based system was to do away with the discrimination that India were at a the disadvantage under previous systems. I have squared that circle in less than 12 months. In less than two years since becoming Home Secretary, I have really moved the needle on creating a new bespoke and reciprocal route for young professionals from the UK and in India to really become part of that professional experience and exchange,” said Patel. She credited the leadership of the two Prime Ministers – Boris Johnson and Narendra Modi – as well as her counterpart, Home Minister Amit Shah, for driving the mobility agenda forward. "Through the leadership of the Prime Minister of the UK and Prime Minister of India we have been able to have a Home Secretary and a Home Minister in India in Amit Bhai, driving this agenda forward. It is big, it is significant and it's a landmark agreement that will provide new opportunities to thousands of young people in the UK and in India seeking to live, work and really benefit from each other's cultures but also professional opportunities that both our countries have to offer,” said the Gujarati-origin minister. "It's significant because over decades Britain has been enriched with the diaspora community and the links we have with India but at the same time, the Migration and Mobility Partnership builds upon the new benefits of the points-based immigration system will give to India through the exchanges of skilled migration,” she added.

Unprecedented India-UK mobility pact overcomes past barriers: Priti Patel

Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Jaishankar met UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on Tuesday and signed the migration and mobility partnership agreement to facilitate legal travel and encourage talent flows.

Indian FM Jaishankar meets UK Home Secy Priti Patel, signs migration & mobility agreement

More than 60 British lawmakers have written to interior minister Priti Patel calling for protests to be allowed in England during lockdown.&nbsp;

Under England's coronavirus rules, it is unlawful for groups to gather for protests and police warned people on Saturday not to head to central London for planned demonstrations, including by anti-lockdown campaigners.&nbsp;

Police were criticised for using heavy-handed tactics on March 13 to break up an outdoor vigil for 33-year-old Sarah Everard. A police officer has been charged with her kidnap and murder.&nbsp;

Further protests followed, fuelled by anger over government plans to tighten the law on demonstrations.&nbsp;

The group of lawmakers, including Conservative Member of Parliament Steve Baker, and Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said that protest should not be a criminal offence.&nbsp;

"We call on you to expressly exempt protests from restrictions on gatherings," they said in the letter, which was organised by campaign groups, Liberty and Big Brother Watch.&nbsp;

The interior ministry, known as the Home Office, said in response that the Covid-19 stay at home order remains in place until March 29, and once it ends, protests can resume subject to agreed social-distancing measures.&nbsp;

"While we are still in a pandemic, we continue to urge people to avoid mass gatherings, in line with wider coronavirus restrictions," a spokeswoman said.&nbsp;

Police said that a significant operation will be in place in London to engage with people breaching Covid-19 regulations, adding that any protesters will be encouraged to return home or could face fines or arrest.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

More than 60 British lawmakers have written to interior minister Priti Patel calling for protests to be allowed in England during lockdown. Under England's coronavirus rules, it is unlawful for groups to gather for protests and police warned people on Saturday not to head to central London for planned demonstrations, including by anti-lockdown campaigners.

More than 60 British lawmakers have written to interior minister Priti Patel calling for protests to be allowed in England during lockdown. Under England's coronavirus rules, it is unlawful for groups to gather for protests and police warned people on Saturday not to head to central London for planned demonstrations, including by anti-lockdown campaigners. Police were criticised for using heavy-handed tactics on March 13 to break up an outdoor vigil for 33-year-old Sarah Everard. A police officer has been charged with her kidnap and murder. Further protests followed, fuelled by anger over government plans to tighten the law on demonstrations. The group of lawmakers, including Conservative Member of Parliament Steve Baker, and Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said that protest should not be a criminal offence. "We call on you to expressly exempt protests from restrictions on gatherings," they said in the letter, which was organised by campaign groups, Liberty and Big Brother Watch. The interior ministry, known as the Home Office, said in response that the Covid-19 stay at home order remains in place until March 29, and once it ends, protests can resume subject to agreed social-distancing measures. "While we are still in a pandemic, we continue to urge people to avoid mass gatherings, in line with wider coronavirus restrictions," a spokeswoman said. Police said that a significant operation will be in place in London to engage with people breaching Covid-19 regulations, adding that any protesters will be encouraged to return home or could face fines or arrest. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 60 lawmakers call for protests to be allowed in England during lockdown 

The governments of Gibraltar and Isle of Man have said that they will not house asylum seekers on behalf of the United Kingdom.

British Home Secretary&nbsp;Priti&nbsp;Patel is&nbsp;mulling plans to send people to processing centres abroad to overhaul the immigration system, according to the Daily Mail and the Times.

She is expected to publish details next week of the scheme in which people arriving via illegal methods, such as crossing the English Channel in small boats would be removed to a third country to have any claim dealt with.

Gibraltar Chief Minister&nbsp;Fabian&nbsp;Picardo&nbsp;said Thursday he did not have any discussion with the United Kingdom and had written to Patel that the reports were ''groundless'' and had ''no foundation.''

“Immigration is an area of my responsibility as chief minister under the Gibraltar constitution and I can confirm that this issue has not been raised with me at any level. I would have made clear this is not an area on which we believe we can assist the UK,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Isle of Man issued a statement that it is ''self-governing,'' and&nbsp;the UK government would not be able to open any sort of processing centre on the island without consent. The UK government has not contacted the Isle of Man government about any such proposal.”

Earlier, The Guardian quoted a UK Home Office source saying,&nbsp;“Whilst people are dying making perilous journeys we would be irresponsible if we didn’t consider every avenue.”

The latest proposals have been criticised by immigration experts who called them ''ineffective'' and ''inhumane.''

According to the chief executive of the British Red Cross, Mike Adamson&nbsp;“Offshoring the UK’s asylum system will do nothing to address the reasons people take dangerous journeys in the first place and will almost certainly have grave humanitarian consequences.”

“From the children rescued by the Kindertransport to those displaced by the decade-long conflict in Syria, providing sanctuary in the heart of our communities is what’s needed for people fleeing conflict and persecution and should be a key feature of global Britain as a force for good. Being housed in facilities offshore is the opposite of that.”

The governments of Gibraltar and Isle of Man have said that they will not house asylum seekers on behalf of the United Kingdom. British Home Secretary Priti Patel is mulling plans to send people to processing centres abroad to overhaul the immigration system, according to the Daily Mail and the Times.

The governments of Gibraltar and Isle of Man have said that they will not house asylum seekers on behalf of the United Kingdom. British Home Secretary Priti Patel is mulling plans to send people to processing centres abroad to overhaul the immigration system, according to the Daily Mail and the Times. She is expected to publish details next week of the scheme in which people arriving via illegal methods, such as crossing the English Channel in small boats would be removed to a third country to have any claim dealt with. Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said Thursday he did not have any discussion with the United Kingdom and had written to Patel that the reports were ''groundless'' and had ''no foundation.'' “Immigration is an area of my responsibility as chief minister under the Gibraltar constitution and I can confirm that this issue has not been raised with me at any level. I would have made clear this is not an area on which we believe we can assist the UK,” he added. Meanwhile, the Isle of Man issued a statement that it is ''self-governing,'' and the UK government would not be able to open any sort of processing centre on the island without consent. The UK government has not contacted the Isle of Man government about any such proposal.” Earlier, The Guardian quoted a UK Home Office source saying, “Whilst people are dying making perilous journeys we would be irresponsible if we didn’t consider every avenue.” The latest proposals have been criticised by immigration experts who called them ''ineffective'' and ''inhumane.'' According to the chief executive of the British Red Cross, Mike Adamson “Offshoring the UK’s asylum system will do nothing to address the reasons people take dangerous journeys in the first place and will almost certainly have grave humanitarian consequences.” “From the children rescued by the Kindertransport to those displaced by the decade-long conflict in Syria, providing sanctuary in the heart of our communities is what’s needed for people fleeing conflict and persecution and should be a key feature of global Britain as a force for good. Being housed in facilities offshore is the opposite of that.”

Gibraltar, Isle of Man rule out housing asylum seekers for Britain

UK's Home Secretary Priti Patel is under fire after 150,000 arrest records were deleted from the police database. Reports say 150,000 fingerprints, DNA and arrest records have been lost. How did this happen?

Gravitas: U.K. loses 150,000 arrest records

In a first, the UK police department has lost data for nearly 150,000 arrest records. The incident that happened last week has put the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in a tough position.

The deleted database includes fingerprint history, DNA details and arrest history of thousands of criminals who may be allowed to go free as the evidence against them has been wiped clean and their names and records will not be flagged&nbsp;on the Police National Computer (PNC) anymore.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-tightens-coronavirus-border-controls-uk-bans-south-american-arrivals-356847">France tightens coronavirus border controls; UK bans South American arrivals</a>

This incident took place last week during a usual 'weeding' session which is carried out to remove unwanted data from the official systems. During this exercise, data of thousands of criminals was "accidentally" wiped off by the authorities.

The Home Office has already launched an investigation into the matter and is assessing the extent of damage and danger caused by this accident. However, the office has also added that no data and records of dangerous offenders with serious crimes had been lost.&nbsp;

All lost data has been of the criminals who were arrested and then released when no further action was taken over a period of time. However, a local national publication, The Times, has disputed this statement. The publication has claimed "crucial intelligence about suspects" had been lost in this accident.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-the-vaccine-rollout-will-compare-in-britain-canada-and-the-us-349368">How the vaccine rollout will compare in Britain, Canada and the US</a>

After this, the shadow home secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, has asked Priti Patel to step up and take responsibility for the 'blunder'. "She must urgently make a statement about what has gone wrong, the extent of the issue, and what action is being taken to reassure the public. Answers must be given," the MP said.

This accident had also led to the UK's visa system facing a setback for days and the processing of applications was suspended for nearly two days.

"This is an extraordinarily serious security breach that presents huge dangers for public safety. The incompetence of this shambolic government cannot be allowed to put people at risk, let criminals go free and deny victims justice,"&nbsp;Nick Thomas-Symonds said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-bans-travel-from-south-america-over-brazil-variant-fears-356929">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-bans-travel-from-south-america-over-brazil-variant-fears-356929/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The setback has been caused as the PNC allows the authorities to make real-time checks on people and vehicles in the records. With millions of data saved on this, the situation has been classified as extremely dangerous by experts. "This is potentially catastrophic. If the data has been deleted, police won’t be able to connect evidence at crime scenes to the perpetrator," a source told The Times.

Priti Patel's office has, however, assured hope and quick solution to the problem. "The technical issue with the Police National Computer has been resolved, and we are working at pace with law enforcement partners to assess its impact," the Home Office said. "The issue related to people arrested and released where no further action had been taken and no records of criminal or dangerous persons have been deleted. No further records can be deleted."

In a first, the UK police department has lost data for nearly 150,000 arrest records. The incident that happened last week has put the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in a tough position.

In a first, the UK police department has lost data for nearly 150,000 arrest records. The incident that happened last week has put the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in a tough position. The deleted database includes fingerprint history, DNA details and arrest history of thousands of criminals who may be allowed to go free as the evidence against them has been wiped clean and their names and records will not be flagged on the Police National Computer (PNC) anymore. Also read| France tightens coronavirus border controls; UK bans South American arrivals This incident took place last week during a usual 'weeding' session which is carried out to remove unwanted data from the official systems. During this exercise, data of thousands of criminals was "accidentally" wiped off by the authorities. The Home Office has already launched an investigation into the matter and is assessing the extent of damage and danger caused by this accident. However, the office has also added that no data and records of dangerous offenders with serious crimes had been lost. All lost data has been of the criminals who were arrested and then released when no further action was taken over a period of time. However, a local national publication, The Times, has disputed this statement. The publication has claimed "crucial intelligence about suspects" had been lost in this accident. Also read| How the vaccine rollout will compare in Britain, Canada and the US After this, the shadow home secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, has asked Priti Patel to step up and take responsibility for the 'blunder'. "She must urgently make a statement about what has gone wrong, the extent of the issue, and what action is being taken to reassure the public. Answers must be given," the MP said. This accident had also led to the UK's visa system facing a setback for days and the processing of applications was suspended for nearly two days. "This is an extraordinarily serious security breach that presents huge dangers for public safety. The incompetence of this shambolic government cannot be allowed to put people at risk, let criminals go free and deny victims justice," Nick Thomas-Symonds said. WATCH| The setback has been caused as the PNC allows the authorities to make real-time checks on people and vehicles in the records. With millions of data saved on this, the situation has been classified as extremely dangerous by experts. "This is potentially catastrophic. If the data has been deleted, police won’t be able to connect evidence at crime scenes to the perpetrator," a source told The Times. Priti Patel's office has, however, assured hope and quick solution to the problem. "The technical issue with the Police National Computer has been resolved, and we are working at pace with law enforcement partners to assess its impact," the Home Office said. "The issue related to people arrested and released where no further action had been taken and no records of criminal or dangerous persons have been deleted. No further records can be deleted."

Priti Patel comes under fire after UK loses data of 150,000 criminals

Speaking at the government's daily coronavirus briefing, Patel said: 'A minority of people are putting the health of the nation at risk by not following the rules.'

UK Covid-19: 'Rules are very clear and tough enough', says Home Sec Priti Patel

UK's home secretary Priti Patel has accused&nbsp;a former Foreign Office minister of breaching the coronavirus lockdown regulations after he attended a Christmas party in the capital city of London.

A senior Tory MP,&nbsp;Tobias Ellwood, attended an event at the&nbsp;Cavalry and Guards Club on Tuesday in London. This event was attended by 27 people, a few hours before the city moved into a Tier-3 lockdown to contain the widespread of the novel coronavirus.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-variant-of-coronavirus-identified-in-uk-london-in-tier-3-lockdown-349785">New variant of coronavirus identified in UK; London in tier 3 lockdown</a>

The dinner was hosted by the&nbsp;Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC)&nbsp;in Piccadilly and was being referred to as a 'Christmas party' on the official website — but the information&nbsp;was reportedly removed later. Ellwood, however, has denied this accusation and claimed it to be a business meeting.&nbsp;

"I would not be attending a Christmas party, it was a business meeting," he said. "I went there to meet business people and that is what it was. The club went to extreme lengths so that as a business function it was absolutely Covid compliant."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/closer-to-brexit-trade-deal-but-success-unclear-says-eu-chief-in-european-parliament-350308">Closer to Brexit trade deal but success unclear, says EU chief in European Parliament</a>

Priti Patel, on the other hand, thinks her fellow politician has clearly breached the rules. "Having dinner ... outside of the rules with a large number of people is a breach of the regulations," she said in an interview.

She also assured that a proper investigation will be conducted in this matter and penalty will be levied upon the Tory MP. "There are fixed penalty notices. I don’t know the details as to where this happened or the location, but I’m sure ... as it is a breach, that will be followed up."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Apols re my well intentioned attendance at an Iraqi/British Business event. 
It was fully Covid compliant &amp; helpful to learn more about where Iraq’s heading as UK troops are still there. 
But during this challenging time perceptions count. Something I’m now very more conscious of. <a href="https://t.co/fAbEwILmna">pic.twitter.com/fAbEwILmna</a>
— Tobias Ellwood MP (@Tobias_Ellwood) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tobias_Ellwood/status/1339549569881915396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Ellwood took to Twitter to explain his side of the argument and defended this gathering as an opportunity to understand the situation of the Middle East. "We still have troops based in Iraq and the security situation is deteriorating. I work hard to leverage every opportunity to further my understanding of international foreign policy and security matters. I gleaned extremely useful intelligence from this gathering about what is happening on the ground and wider issues affecting the Middle East," he said.

UK's home secretary Priti Patel has accused a former Foreign Office minister of breaching the coronavirus lockdown regulations after he attended a Christmas party in the capital city of London.

UK's home secretary Priti Patel has accused a former Foreign Office minister of breaching the coronavirus lockdown regulations after he attended a Christmas party in the capital city of London. A senior Tory MP, Tobias Ellwood, attended an event at the Cavalry and Guards Club on Tuesday in London. This event was attended by 27 people, a few hours before the city moved into a Tier-3 lockdown to contain the widespread of the novel coronavirus. Also read| New variant of coronavirus identified in UK; London in tier 3 lockdown The dinner was hosted by the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) in Piccadilly and was being referred to as a 'Christmas party' on the official website — but the information was reportedly removed later. Ellwood, however, has denied this accusation and claimed it to be a business meeting. "I would not be attending a Christmas party, it was a business meeting," he said. "I went there to meet business people and that is what it was. The club went to extreme lengths so that as a business function it was absolutely Covid compliant." Also read| Closer to Brexit trade deal but success unclear, says EU chief in European Parliament Priti Patel, on the other hand, thinks her fellow politician has clearly breached the rules. "Having dinner ... outside of the rules with a large number of people is a breach of the regulations," she said in an interview. She also assured that a proper investigation will be conducted in this matter and penalty will be levied upon the Tory MP. "There are fixed penalty notices. I don’t know the details as to where this happened or the location, but I’m sure ... as it is a breach, that will be followed up." Apols re my well intentioned attendance at an Iraqi/British Business event. It was fully Covid compliant & helpful to learn more about where Iraq’s heading as UK troops are still there. But during this challenging time perceptions count. Something I’m now very more conscious of. pic.twitter.com/fAbEwILmna — Tobias Ellwood MP (@Tobias_Ellwood) December 17, 2020 × Ellwood took to Twitter to explain his side of the argument and defended this gathering as an opportunity to understand the situation of the Middle East. "We still have troops based in Iraq and the security situation is deteriorating. I work hard to leverage every opportunity to further my understanding of international foreign policy and security matters. I gleaned extremely useful intelligence from this gathering about what is happening on the ground and wider issues affecting the Middle East," he said.

UK's Priti Patel accuses Tory MP of COVID-19 lockdown breach

More than 150 people have been arrested in central London after anti-lockdown protestors clashed with the local police while they were raising their voices against coronavirus lockdown in the UK.

The Metropolitan Police department said nearly 155 arrests have been made till now breaching coronavirus regulations, assaulting a police officer and possession of drugs.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-60-arrested-in-anti-lockdown-protests-in-london-346127">At least 60 arrested in anti-lockdown protests in London</a>

These protests broke off in the capital city after it was announced that tier 3 lockdown measures will be brought in after December 02. The demonstrators walked&nbsp;

Protestors kept chanting "freedom" as they marched through Oxford Street and nearby Marble Arch while the police department asked the participants to leave. This demonstration also caused disruptions in traffic.

The Met argued that the demonstration was illegal as the country is still under a lockdown, which restricts the movement of people around the city, especially huge gatherings.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britons-to-plant-trees-to-mark-queen-elizabeths-70-years-on-throne-346146">Britons to plant trees to mark Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on throne</a>

Traffic on and around Regent Street was disrupted for long hours as the police tried to arrest more people protesting against Boris Johnson's government. The police also used green smoke to contain the protestors around Carnaby Street and disperse crowds near the Piccadilly Circus.

Protestors complained about police brutality with many claiming they were forced on the ground and were rushed out of every spot. Some locals who were passing by from the areas also complained of being targetted by the police, even though they were not a part of the protest.

"Protest is not currently a permitted exemption to the prohibition on gatherings under the current coronavirus regulations," the Met said in a statement. "Strict regulations have been introduced by the government nationally to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. This means that anyone gathering for protest risks enforcement action by officers."

Home Secretary Priti Patel said, "We've seen our police officers yet again do incredible work to ensure that they help to stop the spread of this awful virus. The people that are protesting today have been protesting for many months, and we’ve seen this over successive weekends.

"We ask everybody to be conscientious – we all know the regulations and the guidance, we have brought these measures in to save lives and to prevent preventable deaths."

More than 150 people have been arrested in central London after anti-lockdown protestors clashed with the local police while they were raising their voices against coronavirus lockdown in the UK.

More than 150 people have been arrested in central London after anti-lockdown protestors clashed with the local police while they were raising their voices against coronavirus lockdown in the UK. The Metropolitan Police department said nearly 155 arrests have been made till now breaching coronavirus regulations, assaulting a police officer and possession of drugs. Also read| At least 60 arrested in anti-lockdown protests in London These protests broke off in the capital city after it was announced that tier 3 lockdown measures will be brought in after December 02. The demonstrators walked Protestors kept chanting "freedom" as they marched through Oxford Street and nearby Marble Arch while the police department asked the participants to leave. This demonstration also caused disruptions in traffic. The Met argued that the demonstration was illegal as the country is still under a lockdown, which restricts the movement of people around the city, especially huge gatherings. Also read| Britons to plant trees to mark Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on throne Traffic on and around Regent Street was disrupted for long hours as the police tried to arrest more people protesting against Boris Johnson's government. The police also used green smoke to contain the protestors around Carnaby Street and disperse crowds near the Piccadilly Circus. Protestors complained about police brutality with many claiming they were forced on the ground and were rushed out of every spot. Some locals who were passing by from the areas also complained of being targetted by the police, even though they were not a part of the protest. "Protest is not currently a permitted exemption to the prohibition on gatherings under the current coronavirus regulations," the Met said in a statement. "Strict regulations have been introduced by the government nationally to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. This means that anyone gathering for protest risks enforcement action by officers." Home Secretary Priti Patel said, "We've seen our police officers yet again do incredible work to ensure that they help to stop the spread of this awful virus. The people that are protesting today have been protesting for many months, and we’ve seen this over successive weekends. "We ask everybody to be conscientious – we all know the regulations and the guidance, we have brought these measures in to save lives and to prevent preventable deaths."

London: More than 150 arrested in anti-lockdown protests

Colleagues defended British interior minister Priti Patel on Friday after the BBC and other media reported that an inquiry looking into claims of bullying against her concluded she had broken ministerial rules.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked officials in March to carry out the inquiry to "establish the facts" after allegations were raised against Patel, one of the most senior ministers in the government.

That followed the resignation of Philip Rutnam, the top official in the interior ministry, who alleged Patel had been guilty of bullying staff.

Citing unnamed sources, the BBC, other broadcasters and UK newspapers said a draft report found Patel had broken the ministerial code - stating that ministers should treat officials with respect - and that there was evidence of bullying, albeit "unintentional".

"In my extensive dealings with Priti Patel she`s been nothing but courteous and kind," Health Minister Matt Hancock, who said he had not read the report, told Sky News, echoing other messages of support on Twitter.

Patel has always rejected accusations of bullying.

The report by the government`s independent adviser on standards was concluded in the summer, but Johnson has not published it, leading to accusations he was staging a cover-up.

The issue comes at a difficult time for Johnson, who is trying to reset his government after his top adviser Dominic

Cummings left Downing Street last week and the prime minister grapples with divisions in his ruling Conservative Party over his COVID-19 policies.

"The process is ongoing and the prime minister will make any decision on the matter public once the process has concluded," a government spokeswoman said following the media reports.

Some media reports suggested that Johnson might address the matter on Friday but would issue no reprimand to Patel.

His government has had an uneasy relationship with senior officials, with several leaving their posts since his election win last December, as part of what was viewed as Cummings` desire to shake up the civil service. 
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the home affairs spokesman for the opposition Labour Party, said the full report should be published and the Independent Committee on Standards in Public Life should investigate Johnson and Patel.

Colleagues defended British interior minister Priti Patel on Friday after the BBC and other media reported that an inquiry looking into claims of bullying against her concluded she had broken ministerial rules.

Colleagues defended British interior minister Priti Patel on Friday after the BBC and other media reported that an inquiry looking into claims of bullying against her concluded she had broken ministerial rules. Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked officials in March to carry out the inquiry to "establish the facts" after allegations were raised against Patel, one of the most senior ministers in the government. That followed the resignation of Philip Rutnam, the top official in the interior ministry, who alleged Patel had been guilty of bullying staff. Citing unnamed sources, the BBC, other broadcasters and UK newspapers said a draft report found Patel had broken the ministerial code - stating that ministers should treat officials with respect - and that there was evidence of bullying, albeit "unintentional". "In my extensive dealings with Priti Patel she`s been nothing but courteous and kind," Health Minister Matt Hancock, who said he had not read the report, told Sky News, echoing other messages of support on Twitter. Patel has always rejected accusations of bullying. The report by the government`s independent adviser on standards was concluded in the summer, but Johnson has not published it, leading to accusations he was staging a cover-up. The issue comes at a difficult time for Johnson, who is trying to reset his government after his top adviser Dominic Cummings left Downing Street last week and the prime minister grapples with divisions in his ruling Conservative Party over his COVID-19 policies. "The process is ongoing and the prime minister will make any decision on the matter public once the process has concluded," a government spokeswoman said following the media reports. Some media reports suggested that Johnson might address the matter on Friday but would issue no reprimand to Patel. His government has had an uneasy relationship with senior officials, with several leaving their posts since his election win last December, as part of what was viewed as Cummings` desire to shake up the civil service. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the home affairs spokesman for the opposition Labour Party, said the full report should be published and the Independent Committee on Standards in Public Life should investigate Johnson and Patel.

Colleagues defend 'kind' UK minister Priti Patel over bullying report

British interior minister Priti Patel said on Sunday she had asked Twitter and Instagram for a full explanation of why anti-Semitic comments made by rap artist Wiley remained on the social media platforms for so long.

Wiley is facing a police investigation after comments appeared on his social media accounts on Friday asserting that Jews systematically exploited Black artists in the music industry, continuing a pattern of exploitation dating back to the slave trade.

"The anti-Semitic posts from Wiley are abhorrent," Patel said on Twitter.

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The antisemitic posts from Wiley are abhorrent. 
 
They should not have been able to remain on Twitter and Instagram for so long and I have asked them for a full explanation. 
 
Social media companies must act much faster to remove such appalling hatred from their platforms.
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) <a href="https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1287353007852716032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"They should not have been able to remain on Twitter and Instagram for so long and I have asked them for a full explanation. Social media companies must act much faster to remove such appalling hatred from their platforms."

Twitter has deleted some anti-Semitic statements on Wiley's Twitter account.

Wiley, 41, whose real name is Richard Cowie, released a number one single in Britain in 2012 and had several other top 10 hits. He received a UK government honour for his contribution to music in 2018.

John Woolf, of A-List Management, has said he would no longer represent the artist.

British interior minister Priti Patel said on Sunday she had asked Twitter and Instagram for a full explanation of why anti-Semitic comments made by rap artist Wiley remained on the social media platforms for so long.

British interior minister Priti Patel said on Sunday she had asked Twitter and Instagram for a full explanation of why anti-Semitic comments made by rap artist Wiley remained on the social media platforms for so long. Wiley is facing a police investigation after comments appeared on his social media accounts on Friday asserting that Jews systematically exploited Black artists in the music industry, continuing a pattern of exploitation dating back to the slave trade. "The anti-Semitic posts from Wiley are abhorrent," Patel said on Twitter. The antisemitic posts from Wiley are abhorrent. They should not have been able to remain on Twitter and Instagram for so long and I have asked them for a full explanation. Social media companies must act much faster to remove such appalling hatred from their platforms. — Priti Patel (@pritipatel) July 26, 2020 × "They should not have been able to remain on Twitter and Instagram for so long and I have asked them for a full explanation. Social media companies must act much faster to remove such appalling hatred from their platforms." Twitter has deleted some anti-Semitic statements on Wiley's Twitter account. Wiley, 41, whose real name is Richard Cowie, released a number one single in Britain in 2012 and had several other top 10 hits. He received a UK government honour for his contribution to music in 2018. John Woolf, of A-List Management, has said he would no longer represent the artist.

UK critical of Twitter, Instagram for being slow to remove Wiley's posts

A 25-year-old man suspected of launching a fatal terror attack in Reading, England on Saturday has been identified by a security source as a Libyan national.

Reading stabbing case: UK terror suspect identified as Libyan national

An assailant went on a stabbing rampage in a park filled with people relaxing in the southern English city of Reading on Saturday, leaving three people dead and two critically injured, according to police.

According to Thames Valley, officers and emergency services rushed to a park in Forbury Gardens after getting reports of “multiple stabbings”. The assailant is understood to be a Libyan and was arrested after stabbing people in Forbury Gardens, Reading at 7 pm Saturday.

The police have said that several casualties were taken to Royal Berkshire hospital and according to the hospital spokeswoman, two people were in critical condition.&nbsp;

The police called in counter-terrorism investigators to check if terrorism may have been the motive behind stabbing.&nbsp;

Till now, every inquiry conducted by the counter-terrorist investigators is leading to that direction (terrorism). The MI5 will be assisting the counter-terrorism police and the security service.&nbsp;

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and home secretary, Priti Patel are constantly informed of developments.&nbsp;

Earlier, the assailant was suspected to be a part of Black Lives Matter campaign. But according to the organisers, &nbsp;the peaceful protest ended nearly two hours before the incident at 7 pm. Crowds who attended had dispersed without any trouble.&nbsp;

Thames Valley Police said: “There is no indication that this incident is linked to the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Reading today.”

Johnson tweeted: “My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene.”

Patel said that she was “deeply concerned” by the developments.

The leader of Reading council, Jason Brock, tweeted: “Concerning reports from Reading town centre – please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident.”

“Officers are on the scene and investigating the incident.”

The National Police Chief’s Council tweeted: “Please avoid speculation or sharing of video or images of the serious incident in Reading. An investigation will be ongoing.”

An assailant went on a stabbing rampage in a park filled with people relaxing in the southern English city of Reading on Saturday, leaving three people dead and two critically injured, according to police.

An assailant went on a stabbing rampage in a park filled with people relaxing in the southern English city of Reading on Saturday, leaving three people dead and two critically injured, according to police. According to Thames Valley, officers and emergency services rushed to a park in Forbury Gardens after getting reports of “multiple stabbings”. The assailant is understood to be a Libyan and was arrested after stabbing people in Forbury Gardens, Reading at 7 pm Saturday. The police have said that several casualties were taken to Royal Berkshire hospital and according to the hospital spokeswoman, two people were in critical condition. The police called in counter-terrorism investigators to check if terrorism may have been the motive behind stabbing. Till now, every inquiry conducted by the counter-terrorist investigators is leading to that direction (terrorism). The MI5 will be assisting the counter-terrorism police and the security service. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and home secretary, Priti Patel are constantly informed of developments. Earlier, the assailant was suspected to be a part of Black Lives Matter campaign. But according to the organisers, the peaceful protest ended nearly two hours before the incident at 7 pm. Crowds who attended had dispersed without any trouble. Thames Valley Police said: “There is no indication that this incident is linked to the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Reading today.” Johnson tweeted: “My thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading and my thanks to the emergency services on the scene.” Patel said that she was “deeply concerned” by the developments. The leader of Reading council, Jason Brock, tweeted: “Concerning reports from Reading town centre – please stay clear of the area as Police are dealing with a serious incident.” “Officers are on the scene and investigating the incident.” The National Police Chief’s Council tweeted: “Please avoid speculation or sharing of video or images of the serious incident in Reading. An investigation will be ongoing.”

UK: Three dead after mass stabbing in Reading, police investigate possible terrorism link

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who had recently shared her experience about facing racial abuse while growing up in Britan, has said that she will not be "silenced" by the Labour Party MPs.&nbsp;

The opposition has accused Ms Patel of using her Indian heritage to "gaslight" the "very real racism" faced by communities in Britain.

In a statement in the House of Commons earlier this week, the Indian-origin cabinet minister had spoken about her personal experience of racial abuse while growing up as an ethnic minority in the UK.

A group of 12 ethnic minority Labour Party parliamentarians, including Indian-origin Virendra Sharma, Tan Dhesi, Preet Kaur Gill, Valerie Vaz, Seema Malhotra and Nadia Whittome, wrote to Priti Patel on Thursday saying, "Being a person of colour does not automatically make you an authority on all forms of racism".

"We write to you as Black Asian and Ethnic Minority Labour MPs to highlight our dismay at the way you used your heritage and experiences of racism to gaslight the very real racism faced by Black people and communities across the UK," the MPs wrote.

Gaslighting refers to a form of psychological manipulation where seeds of doubt are planted against a particular idea.

In response to the letter, Priti Patel on Twitter said, "I will not be silenced by @UKLabour MPs who continue to dismiss the contributions of those who don't conform to their view of how ethnic minorities should behave."

A day after clashes broke out between Black Lives Matter protesters and police officers, Ms Patel had condemned the violence perpetrated by a minority of protesters in an address in the House of Commons.

Ms Patel retaliated with references to her own experiences when an Opposition Labour Party MP questioned whether she fully understood the "anger and frustration" felt by anti-racism demonstrators protesting against the brutal killing of African-American George Floyd in police custody in US.

The minister, born to Gujarati-origin parents who fled Uganda for the UK when dictator Idi Amin expelled Asians from the African country in the early 1970s, said: "On that basis, it must have been a very different Home Secretary who as a child was frequently called a Paki in the playground; a very different Home Secretary who was racially abused in the streets or even advised to drop her surname and use her husband's in order to advance her career... so when it comes to racism, sexism, tolerance or social justice, I will not take lectures from the those other sides of the House."

In their complaint letter, the group of 12 Labour MPs demand that Patel "reflect" on her words and the impact it had on black communities in the UK.

"Structures of racism, hatred and equality have many layers and therefore, whilst it is true, there are some experiences of racism that we all face, there are also some experiences of racism that we all do not face," reads the letter.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who had recently shared her experience about facing racial abuse while growing up in Britan, has said that she will not be "silenced" by the Labour Party MPs.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who had recently shared her experience about facing racial abuse while growing up in Britan, has said that she will not be "silenced" by the Labour Party MPs. The opposition has accused Ms Patel of using her Indian heritage to "gaslight" the "very real racism" faced by communities in Britain. In a statement in the House of Commons earlier this week, the Indian-origin cabinet minister had spoken about her personal experience of racial abuse while growing up as an ethnic minority in the UK. A group of 12 ethnic minority Labour Party parliamentarians, including Indian-origin Virendra Sharma, Tan Dhesi, Preet Kaur Gill, Valerie Vaz, Seema Malhotra and Nadia Whittome, wrote to Priti Patel on Thursday saying, "Being a person of colour does not automatically make you an authority on all forms of racism". "We write to you as Black Asian and Ethnic Minority Labour MPs to highlight our dismay at the way you used your heritage and experiences of racism to gaslight the very real racism faced by Black people and communities across the UK," the MPs wrote. Gaslighting refers to a form of psychological manipulation where seeds of doubt are planted against a particular idea. In response to the letter, Priti Patel on Twitter said, "I will not be silenced by @UKLabour MPs who continue to dismiss the contributions of those who don't conform to their view of how ethnic minorities should behave." A day after clashes broke out between Black Lives Matter protesters and police officers, Ms Patel had condemned the violence perpetrated by a minority of protesters in an address in the House of Commons. Ms Patel retaliated with references to her own experiences when an Opposition Labour Party MP questioned whether she fully understood the "anger and frustration" felt by anti-racism demonstrators protesting against the brutal killing of African-American George Floyd in police custody in US. The minister, born to Gujarati-origin parents who fled Uganda for the UK when dictator Idi Amin expelled Asians from the African country in the early 1970s, said: "On that basis, it must have been a very different Home Secretary who as a child was frequently called a Paki in the playground; a very different Home Secretary who was racially abused in the streets or even advised to drop her surname and use her husband's in order to advance her career... so when it comes to racism, sexism, tolerance or social justice, I will not take lectures from the those other sides of the House." In their complaint letter, the group of 12 Labour MPs demand that Patel "reflect" on her words and the impact it had on black communities in the UK. "Structures of racism, hatred and equality have many layers and therefore, whilst it is true, there are some experiences of racism that we all face, there are also some experiences of racism that we all do not face," reads the letter.

Won't be silenced: Priti Patel as UK opposition MPs accuse her of 'Gaslighting' racism

Anti-racism protests in the U.K are turning political with several Indian-origin MPs now caught in the debate. The country's interior minister Priti Patel is leading the campaign of balance.

Gravitas: Anti-racism protests: Priti Patel's balancing act

Speaking in the Commons, the Tory MP described racial slurs she was called at school, and said she was "racially abused in the street".

'I was asked to drop my surname to advance my career', opens up Priti Patel on racism

The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel rejected claims made by the opposition on Monday that the British government had ignored racial discrimination by describing her own personal experiences of racial and religious prejudice.

During an exchange in the Commons, Patel, Britain's first Home Secretary of Indian origin, recounted experiences at school in which she had been referred to as a ''Paki.''&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-starts-mandatory-self-quarantine-for-arrivals-304150">Britain starts mandatory self-quarantine for arrivals</a>

Following a weekend of protests across the UK as part of the&nbsp;Black Lives Matter&nbsp;campaign,&nbsp;Patel&nbsp;condemned a "lawless minority" who "regrettably turned to violence" during the demonstrations.

She denounced the "hooliganism" towards "courageous" police officers in central London.

<img alt="Black Lives Matter" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="238b11fa-3979-4851-8280-14073e08b51b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/0_Black-Lives-Matter-Protest-In-Bristol_0.jpg" /> 
Protest in Bristol

In a statement to the House of Commons, the home secretary revealed 200 protests took place across the country, with more than 137,500 people in attendance and 135 arrests as of Monday morning.

She urged the public not to attend future protests amid the continuing&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;pandemic and claimed it was "not for mobs" to tear down statues, following the toppling of a monument to a&nbsp;slave trader in Bristol.

Patel had been responding to Labour MP Flo Eshalomi, who asked if the government understood the anger that led to the destruction of the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston, which was pulled down by protesters in Bristol on Sunday.

"I will not take lectures from the other side of the House. I have already said repeatedly there is no place for racism in our country or in society," said Patel.

The pulling down of the 18-foot&nbsp;bronze statue during a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday has sparked a debate in Britain about racism, history and memory.

The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel rejected claims made by the opposition on Monday that the British government had ignored racial discrimination by describing her own personal experiences of racial and religious prejudice.

The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel rejected claims made by the opposition on Monday that the British government had ignored racial discrimination by describing her own personal experiences of racial and religious prejudice. During an exchange in the Commons, Patel, Britain's first Home Secretary of Indian origin, recounted experiences at school in which she had been referred to as a ''Paki.'' Also read: Britain starts mandatory self-quarantine for arrivals Following a weekend of protests across the UK as part of the Black Lives Matter campaign, Patel condemned a "lawless minority" who "regrettably turned to violence" during the demonstrations. She denounced the "hooliganism" towards "courageous" police officers in central London. Protest in Bristol In a statement to the House of Commons, the home secretary revealed 200 protests took place across the country, with more than 137,500 people in attendance and 135 arrests as of Monday morning. She urged the public not to attend future protests amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic and claimed it was "not for mobs" to tear down statues, following the toppling of a monument to a slave trader in Bristol. Patel had been responding to Labour MP Flo Eshalomi, who asked if the government understood the anger that led to the destruction of the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston, which was pulled down by protesters in Bristol on Sunday. "I will not take lectures from the other side of the House. I have already said repeatedly there is no place for racism in our country or in society," said Patel. The pulling down of the 18-foot bronze statue during a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday has sparked a debate in Britain about racism, history and memory.

Priti Patel recalls childhood racial slurs as she condemns 'hooliganism' towards police

Britain will introduce a COVID-19 quarantine for travellers arriving from abroad from June 8, interior minister Priti Patel said on Friday, a measure that airlines have warned will devastate their industry.

All international arrivals, including returning Britons, will have to self-isolate for 14 days and provide details of where they will be staying under the plans, which were criticised by airlines, business groups and politicians alike.

"Now we are past the peak of this virus, we must take steps to guard against imported cases triggering a resurgence of this deadly disease," Patel said at a news conference.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-trials-of-british-coronavirus-vaccine-backed-by-us-to-reach-10000-300430">Human trials of British coronavirus vaccine, backed by US, to reach 10,000</a>

Those who breach the quarantine in England could be fined 1,000 pounds, and spot checks would be carried out by health and border officials.

The quarantine will not apply to those arriving from the Irish Republic, or to freight drivers, medical professionals and seasonal agricultural workers. The measures will be reviewed every three weeks.&nbsp;

Transport minister Grant Shapps has suggested the government would seek to negotiate "air bridges" for travellers coming from countries with low virus infection rates.

In&nbsp;France, Britain's closest neighbour on the continent of Europe, the government said it regretted Britain's decision. It stood ready to impose reciprocal measures, AFP news agency cited the French interior ministry as saying.

Unlike many other countries, Britain has carried out few tests and checks on visitors, with quarantine limited only to arrivals from China at the start of the outbreak.

Spain and Italy have introduced rules that mean international arrivals must self-isolate for two weeks, while on Friday Ireland gave further details for its own quarantine proposals.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the blanket quarantine was deeply concerning and could be avoided with strong safety measures.

"This approach will damage international business and investor confidence at a time when it is vital to demonstrate that the UK can open for business safely," BCC Director General Adam Marshall said.

The opposition Labour Party supported the measures but said the government's handling of UK arrivals had "lacked urgency, coherence and clarity from the outset". Some members of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative party have also criticised the plan.

Chief among industry critics are airline bosses, who have said the measures would have severe repercussions. Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive, said they would be "unenforceable and unpoliceable."

Ryanair and easyJet&nbsp;have outlined plans to restart some flights in coming months. But under the quarantine plan, Virgin Atlantic will not restart until August at the earliest.

"Introducing a quarantine at this stage makes no sense and will mean very limited international aviation at best," said Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry body Airlines UK. "It is just about the worst thing government could do if their aim is to restart the economy."

Britain will introduce a COVID-19 quarantine for travellers arriving from abroad from June 8, interior minister Priti Patel said on Friday, a measure that airlines have warned will devastate their industry.

Britain will introduce a COVID-19 quarantine for travellers arriving from abroad from June 8, interior minister Priti Patel said on Friday, a measure that airlines have warned will devastate their industry. All international arrivals, including returning Britons, will have to self-isolate for 14 days and provide details of where they will be staying under the plans, which were criticised by airlines, business groups and politicians alike. "Now we are past the peak of this virus, we must take steps to guard against imported cases triggering a resurgence of this deadly disease," Patel said at a news conference. Also read: Human trials of British coronavirus vaccine, backed by US, to reach 10,000 Those who breach the quarantine in England could be fined 1,000 pounds, and spot checks would be carried out by health and border officials. The quarantine will not apply to those arriving from the Irish Republic, or to freight drivers, medical professionals and seasonal agricultural workers. The measures will be reviewed every three weeks. Transport minister Grant Shapps has suggested the government would seek to negotiate "air bridges" for travellers coming from countries with low virus infection rates. In France, Britain's closest neighbour on the continent of Europe, the government said it regretted Britain's decision. It stood ready to impose reciprocal measures, AFP news agency cited the French interior ministry as saying. Unlike many other countries, Britain has carried out few tests and checks on visitors, with quarantine limited only to arrivals from China at the start of the outbreak. Spain and Italy have introduced rules that mean international arrivals must self-isolate for two weeks, while on Friday Ireland gave further details for its own quarantine proposals. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the blanket quarantine was deeply concerning and could be avoided with strong safety measures. "This approach will damage international business and investor confidence at a time when it is vital to demonstrate that the UK can open for business safely," BCC Director General Adam Marshall said. The opposition Labour Party supported the measures but said the government's handling of UK arrivals had "lacked urgency, coherence and clarity from the outset". Some members of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative party have also criticised the plan. Chief among industry critics are airline bosses, who have said the measures would have severe repercussions. Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive, said they would be "unenforceable and unpoliceable." Ryanair and easyJet have outlined plans to restart some flights in coming months. But under the quarantine plan, Virgin Atlantic will not restart until August at the earliest. "Introducing a quarantine at this stage makes no sense and will mean very limited international aviation at best," said Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry body Airlines UK. "It is just about the worst thing government could do if their aim is to restart the economy."

UK to introduce quarantine for international arrivals from June 8

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