More Green Spaces, Or Different, Safer Green Spaces?

Children in the UK urgently need more easy-to-access green space, according to the head of a sports charity calling on private schools to open up their grounds.

It seems Kieran Connolly hasn't seen a map of London, which is absolutely loaded with green spaces.

Connolly grew up in south-east London and played on the Catford Pitz pitches there before they were bought in 2011 by St Dunstan’s college. He said: “Pitz was a bit of a lifesaver for me, and I think many other young people. The gate was just open, you could go in and play. There was space for everybody. You’d go there, meet people, play matches, meet with your friends, spend hours there. They weren’t even locked, you just go there and play for free.” However, the £22,599-a-year independent school initially reserved the fields for sole use by its students. Connolly contacted councillors who were able to help him persuade the school to allow the charity to use its floodlit pitches once a week to provide football sessions for young people in Catford.

Was it the pitch that was wanted, or the safety and security of being somewhere other than any of those green spaces open to the public, I wonder? 

Since August last year, St Dunstan’s has given free access to Sports Fun 4 All for an hour every Monday after the school day ends. The school has also become more involved with local community groups, schools in and around Catford, and its latest partnership is with Chelsea FC, which will include hosting regular tournaments on the site for local state schools. And most recently, through a partnership with St Dunstan’s college, Lewisham council and the Westside Young Leaders Academy, the Lewisham Young Leaders Academy (LYLA) was established to help disadvantaged African, Caribbean and dual-heritage children aged eight to 18. The space is also opened up free of charge to local primary schools to use for their sports days.

I am getting a definite feel from between the lines that the main threat to African, Caribbean and dual-heritage children's enjoyment of sports in public spaces is other African, Caribbean and dual-heritage children in those public spaces, who haven't brought along footballs, but zombie knives and machetes...

While Connolly is grateful to now be able to run the sessions, he would love all children to have easy access to green space in the way private school students have. “It would be better if we had way more floodlit facilities and green spaces for these young people to play sport and football. We’re not here to make the next professional footballer. What we have done is given hundreds of young people access to a free space every single week that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to access.”

But then where would we build all the extra housing we apparantly need to accommodate this ever-growing 'community'? 

Wrong Tense!

It never used to be, what changed, I wonder? 

Akter had come to the UK from Bangladesh, where Masum was also from. She had been living above a shop in Oldham but was staying in Bradford on the day she was killed.

Ah! 

Muhammad Shehzad said crime had worsened significantly since he came to the UK in 2003.

You don't say?  

He blamed Rishi Sunak for driving down living standards to the point where people felt the need to turn to crime.

“If you give a good chance to work, crime goes down,” said Shehzad. “There needs to be more investment in this country, my home.”

What difference do living standards make to the typical Muslim mysogynistic crime of passion? 

Naz Shah, the Labour MP for Bradford West, said the city had been traumatised by what was a rare attack on an ordinary day.

Yes, Reader, this Naz Shah.  

“People are very clear this is a very isolated incident and Bradford isn’t like this,” she said, adding that the fear was not that people would be killed in a random attack on the street but that women were being murdered by men.

Muslim men, Naz. Your voters,  

“I went to speak to literally hundreds of women in the Chaand Raat events, prior to Eid, where everybody gets their mehndi done. We had a conversation and all of them were saying: ‘When is this going to stop, men killing women?’ It wasn’t about Bradford, it was generally women really, really angry that, again, a woman has been murdered. They were saying: ‘Naz you need to talk more about it. This has got to stop.’

Women at segregated events urging another woman to do something about it? It's a nonsense, and it's what has turned Bradford into what it is today. 

"All the bazaar men by the Nile, they got the money on a bet..."

Dr Medhat Keshta, 66, had been struck off after he was accused of putting his own greed before patients when he forged a letter pretending to be from his former employers falsely claiming he had been paid better money when he worked there - before faking a back problem to take six weeks off and then moonlight for another NHS trust. When asked to explain his dishonesty, the father-of-two said he had 'misjudged the situation' cited his large ego and claimed he had 'followed the same procedures covered in Egypt'.

Well, better he goes home and tries it there, then. Once we deport him. We are deporting him? 

He said he had 'no choice' but to demand better money as his daughter Fatima was due to start university and added: 'Culturally, a husband and a father are the 'god' of the house. I did not want my family to find out that I lied and forged a letter. 'This is not how I want to set an example to my family and the wider public.'

Well, now you're in a national newspaper, so that didn't go well, did it?  

He added: 'Apologies are not something that are easily granted where I come from. My ego prevented me from reaching full insight into the case early enough and I regret this deeply. I have now reached a stage where I am openly admitting everything I did. I have not felt more at peace with myself as I feel now. I will never put myself in this place again. These mistakes will not be repeated.'

Because we're deporting you?  

Today, it emerged Keshta's name had been restored to the medical register after Fatima, now a pharmacist and nutritionist, agreed to represent him at a tribunal in Manchester to plead on his behalf. It was the third time he had pleaded for his job back.

*sighs* 

MPTS chairman Mrs Becky Miller said: 'Dr Keshta's journey of insight has been long, and he has had to overcome a lot of self-serving justification for his actions.

'The tribunal bore in mind the 2020 Tribunal's concern that he emphasised Egyptian practices which allow a doctor to take a leave of absence from one place in order to work in another and that he sought to minimise his behaviour.

All things that should show his current claims aren't true. 

'But it noted Dr Keshta has since addressed this issue and he admitted that 'self-justification was wrong.' He has since acknowledged the full extent of his dishonesty and has learnt to express his shame in a genuine manner.'

How do you get to be so gullible and hold such a high position? 

Even When There’s No Evidence…

...that's still evidence. To some.

The driver was said to have slowed down to let Misbah Sadique, 37, and her friend Kulsum, cross the road. They were close to home in Waltham Forest and felt safe in a part of east London that they knew well. But, as they stepped out, the car in front of them suddenly, inexplicably, accelerated, one of the women later alleged. It is said that Kulsum was thrown to the ground by the force of the impact and that Misbah was dragged under the vehicle. She claims she was lucky to escape with breaks to her right ankle and foot, ribs and right arm, on top of extensive bruising and abrasions. Three weeks later, she remains in hospital, traumatised and facing a long road to recovery.

The story doesn't mention whther this occurred at a crossing. Which is strange. But the police acted promptly. 

The driver, who did not leave the scene, gave a statement by the side of the road and the police have categorised what happened as a road traffic incident. No arrests were made.

Just one of those things. But wait! 

But Misbah and Kulsum had both been wearing hijabs.

Aha! The game (of victimhood) is afoot! 

Misbah, who has given a statement to the police in recent days, is calling, with the support of her family and the charity, The Islamophobia Response Unit, for the incident on 1 February to be further investigated as a potential hate crime.

Well, sorry, but they already did. And found no evidence of that at all. 

The Met said officers did open a hate crime investigation in response to concerns raised with them. “However, our investigation – including viewing of CCTV – leads us to believe that the women were not in any way deliberately targeted,” said Ch Supt Simon Crick, who is in charge of policing Waltham Forest.

“This was an unfortunate road traffic collision.”

The police said they had asked specialists to review the case as well but that they had come to the same conclusion.

 QED? Well, no, Reader, of course not.

But that Misbah should consider someone capable of running her down purely due to her faith might be in itself be regarded as a damning insight into modern Britain.

Well, it's a damning insight into something, all right. But I really don't think it's modern Britain.  

Who'd Be A Cop These Days?

Mouayed Bashir, 29, who had mental health issues, died after being restrained with his hands cuffed behind his back and his legs bound together at his family’s house in Newport, south Wales.

ABD, which presents with symptoms such as extreme agitation, paranoia, rapid breathing and sweating, is a state that can be exacerbated by restraint and can lead to cardiac arrest.

So he died of acute behavioural disturbance (ABD)? Not so, Reader, not so... 

In a narrative conclusion, the jury said Bashir had taken an unknown quantity of cocaine that resulted in him developing symptoms “in keeping” with ABD. They gave the medical cause of death as “intoxication with cocaine and the effects of cocaine, following a period of restraint”. They said he was restrained “for his safety and the safety of others”.

What else could the police do with someone who was not open to reason for two distinct causes - mental illness and illegal drugs? Of course he had to be restrained! Syill, at least this jury saw sense. 

Not so the coroner: 

Caroline Saunders, the senior coroner for Gwent (Ed: Yes, Reader, she has form...), said she would write to the police to ask about ABD training, in particular a package from the College of Policing that instructs officers to “speak up, speak out” if they observe that a restrained person is in distress.

Outside court, Bashir’s brother Mohannad Bashir said: “We want ABD to be recognised and taken seriously. The family believe police training needs to be modernised, overhauled and updated.”

But he didn't die from ABD! He died as a result of taking illegal drugs! And you yourselves called the police... 

On 17 February 2021, Bashir’s parents became concerned about his behaviour. He had barricaded himself in his room and was smashing furniture and shouting. They dialled 999 and pleaded for help.

And the police came and immediately helped by restraining him from smashing up the family house. How is it their fault that he died? Even with the threat of ABD death or extreme cocaine intoxication, they had no other choice.

In their submissions to the inquest, Bashir’s family said that when police decided to restrain Bashir, they did not consider they could be putting his life at risk.

Of course not; the immediate threat had to be dealt with to stop other lives - yours, theirs - being put at risk. They did their job the best they could under the circumstances, and are you grateful? No.

I Know A Remedy For Overcrowding…

Want to know what it is? It's 'stop breeding'.

When the Guardian visited the family’s home last week, Dareen was wheezing loudly while being cradled by her mother. Large patches of black mould were present throughout the property. The tops of walls and ceilings were stained with streaks of water, probably caused by damp. Airtight plastic boxes full of children’s clothes sat in the living room.

Oh, no! How did this come about? 

The family moved to the privately rented flat in February 2017 and problems with damp and mould developed soon afterwards. Dareen was born last January with a hole in her heart. At five days old she was taken to hospital where she remained for nine days. “She was cold and had breathing problems. They gave her oxygen and warmth,” her father said.

Yes, it's yet another case of 'We are in cramped conditions, but why should that stop us having kids we've no room for?' 

And why do they do this? Because it works:

Despite the new classification, the wait for a new home could be lengthy. Lambeth council said this was due to high demand and a severe shortage of social housing, especially homes for a seven-person household.

*sighs* 

If Only It Was Really 'Shocking'...

Bradford descended into lawlessness yesterday afternoon after a brawl outside the city's magistrates' court led to huge crowds clashing with police.

Yes, the demographic of these 'crowds' are exactly as you'd imagine... 

Youths wearing hoodies and masks were filmed charging after police vehicles and hitting them, as officers attempted to get away from the disorder.At one point a BMW X5 regularly used by armed police, was chased by several men before one appeared to kick it, prompting the driver to hit the brakes and reverse towards crowds before stopping and driving off. In another clip, firearms cops were seen sprinting through the city centre while a large group of officers attempted to hold back crowds at the entrance to the shopping precinct in Market Street.

Once again, the police are too cowed by frequent assaults on them from the usual suspects to treat this as what it is. 

The mayhem has outraged civic leaders, who today insisted Bradford was 'safe' and the city centre was 'open for business'.

*hollow laughter* 

City ward Councillor Nazam Azam said those responsible for the 'abhorrent' incident - widely shared on social media - will feel the full wrath of the law.

'We will not allow this to take place in our city. The perpetrators will be dealt with accordingly and the harshest possible treatment given to them for their actions... They will get the book thrown at them.'

Sadly, if they do, it'll be a paperback. And it'll probably miss. 

Just Stick To Fixing Potholes And Emptying Bins...

Almost a quarter of Bradford residents live in...

Squalor?  

...“food deserts” - areas where there is little access to fresh, healthy food.

*blinks* Really?  

And that number rises to almost two thirds when looking at families with less than £20,000 income a year – according to a recent survey. The figures were revealed during a presentation on Bradford’s new Good Food Strategy – a plan that aims to improve access to healthy food for people across the District.

A council plan to improve something! How can it fail?  

The strategy also calls for water to become the “first choice drink” and for local influencers to be recruited to promote healthy eating.

Oh. I guess I can see how...

But what on earth is a 'food desert' anyway? I've scoured Google Maps and can't see any place lacking in shops... 

Members of the Bradford and Airedale Wellbeing Board were told that areas were classed as food deserts if people living there would have to walk more than 20 minutes to buy fresh food, such as fruit or vegetables.

As a commenter points out, 'Bet they have no trouble at all walking 20 minutes to the benefit office!' 

Or the local mosque... 

Charlotte Ramsden, CEO of the Bradford Children’s Trust, said access to healthy food was not the only issue. She said: “There is also access to cooking facilities. Some disadvantaged families have nothing to cook with – they might have a microwave if they are lucky. To prepare healthy food they need cooking facilities.”

It's Bradford, love! I'd be astounded if there weren't cow-dung fired stoves in the backyards... 

But It Doesn't Really "Apply To All Styles And Genres Of Music", Does It?

Last October, days before what would have been his biggest home town show yet, the chart-topping drill rapper Digga D posted a statement online. “I’m gutted to announce that my Brixton Academy show next week has been rescheduled for reasons beyond my control,” he wrote. “Without going into too much detail, you can probably guess why this might have happened.”

The detail that Digga omitted was that the Metropolitan police had spent the preceding weeks putting pressure on the venue – sponsored by O2 and operated by the Academy Music Group (AMG) – to pull the plug on the show.

And why? Well, Reader, I think we all know, don't we? 

The Met’s interest in Digga D, AKA Rhys Herbert, is well documented: in 2020, the Bafta-winning documentary Defending Digga D depicted his efforts to pursue a music career under the terms of a uniquely restrictive criminal behaviour order (CBO), which he is still under.

And still breaking...some people just can't learn, can they? 

The Met – which was found last month by an independent investigation, once again, to be institutionally racist – has an established history of interfering with Black music events in London.

We know, don't we, Reader, as on my blog it's been covered before.  

A central London nightclub owner who also asked to remain anonymous corroborated this experience. “It’s 696 by another name. It’s not a predesigned form, it’s a risk assessment that I have to provide to them. But both parties know exactly what I have to include, which is to state what style of music is playing. And both parties know that if that style of music is one that is preferred by people of colour, then the police will immediately say something like ‘whilst we would never tell you what events to put on, we regard this as high-risk and if anything should happen we will review your licence.’ Which is essentially them saying ‘we will close you down’.”

Good! A bit of pre-emptive action is to be welcomed. 

The Met said this approach “applies to all styles and genres of music”.

Heh! Yes, I'm sure it does. But it's not applied to all styles and genres, and we all know why... 

Digga is forbidden from rapping about certain topics and has to submit lyrics to the Met before releasing new tracks and videos. He was recalled to prison in 2019 for a breach of his CBO – inside, a stabbing left him partially sighted – and again in 2020 after pleading guilty to his role in a central London brawl where machetes were wielded.

That's why! 

What's The French For 'Keeping Your Appointment In Samarra'..?

Mallet's victims on Friday included Emine Kara, the leader of the Kurdish women’s movement in France, who was refused asylum in the country earlier this year.

This infuriated Kurdish nationalists, who accused the French authorities of not doing enough to protect her.

Hey, if she'd gone back when her claim was refused, she wouldn't have been around to catch a bullet in Paris, would she? 

Beccuau referred to a burglary at his Paris home in 2016 which he believed was carried out by immigrants – a crime that helped radicalise him.

Something the police here might want to bear in mind... 

It was a year ago – on December 8 2021 – that the Frenchman went on the rampage in a refugee camp in Paris.

‘He used a sabre to slice two men, and damage six tents at a camp in the Bercy park in the 12th arrondissement of Paris,’ said the investigating source. ‘He was wounded when one of the refugees was disarming him. Two Sudanese refugees were badly wounded in the attack.’

The former train driver was put on remand in prison, while awaiting trial for attempted murder linked to racism, but he was bailed on December 12. Restrictions included having his French passport removed, and he was also banned from keeping any kind of weapon, while under ‘judicial supervision’.

Sounds like the judicial system over there is no better than ours... 

Have They Thought Of Taking This To Its Logical Conclusion?

McDonald's has opened up a fully-automated restaurant in Texas, which is completely run by machines so you don't have to speak to anyone, and it has left people on the internet divided.

Between those who think it's a great idea, and those who think it's a wonderful idea, I assume? 

In a press release, the fast food chain explained that the restaurant, which is now open, is geared towards customers who are planning to 'dine at home or on the go,' so there is no seating inside the restaurant and it's 'considerably smaller than a traditional McDonalds.'

It described the new concept as a 'fast and seamless experience for both customers and crew.'

'There's never been a McDonald's restaurant quite like this before,' the press release stated.

And oh, what the 'staff' will miss! So...why stop at automating just the food delivery?

 You know it makes sense!

It'd Take A Heart Of Stone, Wouldn't It?

A man was shot dead when his friend accidentally opened fire with a submachine gun as they prepared to go on a 'ride-out' attack, a court has heard.

Mohamed Muhyidin, 28, was found in a ditch near Heathrow Airport with a single gunshot wound to the back on the morning of October 31 last year around an hour after he was allegedly killed by Chiragh Amir Chiragh, 39.

Prosecutors say they were about to embark on a 'ride-out' in a Toyota Prius to attack unknown targets when Chiragh shot his friend in the back with an Agram 2002 submachine gun fitted with a silencer.

Ooopsie!  

Oh, hello again!

Chiragh, from Kenton, north-west London, Shakeel, from Barking, east London, and Ahmed, from Hounslow, west London, deny manslaughter, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and an alternative count of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

From where...?