Turkish Holidaymakers Killed By Hotel Chemical Agent

A family of four who were thought to have died from food poisoning during a trip to Turkey were ‘most likely’ killed by a chemical agent in their hotel, investigators have said.

The family had become violently sick at their hotel in Istanbul last Wednesday, just two days after travelling there from Hamburg, Germany. 

It was originally believed that the family had died following a deadly bout of food poisoning after they had set out for the Besiktas district in the north-east of the city to sample local foods on November 12.

But a preliminary report from the Turkish forensic institute has demonstrated that the deaths of father Servet, 38, mother Cigdem Bocek, 27, and their two children, Masal, three, and Kadir, six, were most probably caused by chemical poisoning at the hotel, state broadcaster TRT reported.

The forensic institute is looking into reports of poisoning from chemicals used to combat pests in the Turkish hotel, and samples are now being analysed, according to the news channel.

Although the possibility of food poisoning being the cause of death has not been entirely ruled out, it is now thought to be unlikely.

The German family were transported to the hospital on November 12 after they had ventured out to try the popular street snack midye – a dish of stuffed mussels served with lemon. 

They later ordered a mix of dishes at a local restaurant, including kokorec, made from calf intestines, and tavuk tantuni, a type of chicken wrap.

Before heading back to their hotel, the family indulged in some Turkish cuisine from a store in the Fatih neighbourhood.

However, the kids quickly began experiencing severe nausea and vomiting. Bocek and Servet began exhibiting the same symptoms while travelling to the hospital.

The taxi driver who took them has since revealed that they seemed ‘in a panic’ on their way to the hospital.

‘I tried to talk to the father. When I asked him what was happening, he replied: “We ate and drank something, and it probably affected us”. He said to me: “Please, take us to the nearest hospital”.’

He added that the young girl had been vomiting continuously, and that the mother appeared ‘semi-conscious’ during the ride.

Tragically, the two children died on Wednesday, Bocek lost her life on Friday, and Servet died on Monday following the sickness.

The grandfather of the children has demanded answers and asked whether others have fallen sick.

Another two tourists staying at the same hotel were hospitalised on Saturday after displaying symptoms of nausea and vomiting, according to BirGün newspaper.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday: ‘The investigation is currently being carried out comprehensively. It will be revealed what caused the deaths.’ 

Following investigations, 11 suspects have now been arrested, and according to the Anadolu news agency, arrest warrants were issued for four of them on Monday evening.

These included sweet vendors, stuffed mussels sellers, a kokorec vendor and a cafe owner. 

This is a shocking tragedy – an innocent family wiped out by the careless use of poisons – no compensation or punishment could ever make this right, because it sounds like health and safety are nonexistent in Turkey, and for an entire family to die is simply tragic.

The irony of it all was that this was a Turkish family living in Germany who had just gone back for a holiday and died there. What a tragic fate.

Home Office Funds Anti-Radicalisation Boyband

The Home Office secretly financed a boyband to tour Muslim areas of Britain and sing songs with anti-radicalisation themes, it has been announced.

The British-American pop trio, known as ‘Mr Meanor’, visited schools across the north of England in 2016.

Large portions of Iraq and Syria were under the authority of the Islamic State terror group at the time, and hundreds of Britons had journeyed to the Middle East to join the militants.

Social media posts from the time document how the boy band performed to students in towns and cities such as Sheffield, Manchester, and Runcorn.

The posts also promote their charity single ‘Think About It’, which includes references to the 9/11 terror attacks in New York in 2001, and the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005.

The Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace, a Warrington-based organisation, was officially credited with organising the school’s visit.

But the Politics Home website reported it was part of a ‘covert’ Home Office initiative to deter potential Islamist extremists.

Financial records are said to disclose that the charity received £400,000 in funding from the Home Office’s counter-terrorism Prevent scheme shortly before the tour.

This was labelled in accounts as ‘Panther [programme]’, according to the website.

LinkedIn posts by former contractors are also said to indicate the tour and campaign were organised by the Home Office.

Communications for the tour were reportedly handled by Breakthrough Media.

The firm has previously been revealed to be a favoured contractor of a ‘propaganda’ arm of the Home Office, the Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU).

RICU documents from 2015 are said to show how BreakThrough Media had worked with the Foundation for Peace charity.

One school visited by Mr Meanor during their 2016 tour was reported to have been Parrs Wood High School in Manchester.

A former student at the school was thought to have travelled to Syria in 2013.

The song ‘Think About It’ was released by Mr Meanor in 2016 and was written after the terror attacks in Paris.

It includes the lyrics: ‘See these hashtags all night, Turn the TV on and something else ain’t right, More people gone don’t know how we sleep at night.

‘What I’m hoping is we can lead a precious life, 9/11 changes how we view these things, People want to terrorise, and 7/7 left behind more broken lives right before our eyes.’

It just goes to show that Islam is a threat to our society, not just ours, but other countries as well.

We must stop the migration of anybody who practices Islam, because it is simply too risky to determine who is dangerous and who is not. Hopefully, our government will finally see this before it is too late.

Our government must deport all Muslims, and the boats must be stopped.

If the Home Office has financed this, what else have they secretly funded, past and present? It’s like we’re living in the world’s worst sitcom.

If migrants don’t like the UK or its values, send them home, but they don’t want to go home because there are too many benefits to staying.

Lord Mandelson Investigated For Relieving Himself Against A Garden Wall

Shamed Labour grandee Peter Mandelson could find out the real cost of ‘spending a penny’ after he was caught short in public last week.

If it is determined that the former US Ambassador violated local bylaws by urinating on the street in exclusive Notting Hill, west London, he will be fined.

Following the Daily Mail’s first coverage of Lord Mandelson’s late-night incident, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council has now acknowledged that it is looking into the matter.

Councillor Johnny Thalassites, the London council’s lead member for environment and planning, said it was ‘unacceptable’ for people to treat public spaces as a personal toilet.

He said: ‘We are aware of images appearing to show a prominent politician caught short on one of our streets and are investigating whether an offence has been committed.

‘While we appreciate that nature can call at the most inconvenient moments, we are proud of our borough’s clean streets and amazing spaces, and it is unacceptable for anyone to treat them as a urinal.’

Urinating in public is an infraction under the Public Order Act 1986.

It may be handled with a warning, but it may also result in prosecution or a fixed penalty notice.

Urinating in public during a festival may be punished more severely than in a back alley since the number of people present at the time frequently determines the severity of the violation.

If the conduct involves other charges like indecent exposure or criminal damage, police may also take action.

Typically, urinating in public is covered by local authority bylaws.

Images show Lord Mandelson going to the loo al fresco just before 11 pm while waiting for an Uber after visiting the home of former Tory chancellor George Osborne on Wednesday last week.

After exiting the townhouse, he walked a short distance to the street corner before furtively unfastening his zip and urinating against a brick wall.

An eyewitness said he looked ‘worse for wear’ and managed to splash his upmarket trainers.

The wall belongs to Mr Osborne’s neighbour, James Reed, the tycoon behind Reed Recruitment, who has been critical of Labour’s economic policies.

Mr Reed told the Daily Mail: ‘I’m surprised that whichever of my neighbours he happened to be visiting didn’t offer him a toilet. It doesn’t seem very diplomatic.’

The tenant of a nearby flat added: ‘We have to put up with this sort of revolting behaviour during the Notting Hill Carnival.

‘It’s a shame to see that people still feel entitled to urinate in the street here three months later, and quite outrageous that the person responsible should be a peer of the realm.’

And to think, Keir Starmer thought this individual would be a suitable US ambassador, and what a wretched little man with his despicable manners, he certainly needs to be fined at least.

However, local councils need to make public places for people to urinate more available because there are very few public places where one can take a leak. After all, sadly, there are many people with cancer and prostate problems who can’t wait to go; they just have to go – so was Lord Mendleson just urinating because he’s just had too many bevvies or was it for medical reasons? It would be fascinating to know – hopefully the investigation will uncover this.

However, he was visiting George Osbourne; did he not think to use the bathroom before he left good old Georgie boys’ abode?

Lord Mendleson is a peer of the realm, so he should have more etiquette than that. Peer of the realm, more like peer of the pee-ers.

NHS Doctors Give Disabled Patients Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders Without Consent

Families have slammed the NHS for putting “do not resuscitate” orders on disabled patients without their permission.

An investigation by ITV News discovered that numerous UK hospitals have put blanket ‘Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation’ (DNR) orders on at least 12 patients with learning disabilities after being ordered to cease the practice five years ago.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the blanket imposition of DNRs on disabled people had caused potentially avoidable deaths in a report published in 2020.

NHS guidelines require medical officials to conduct assessments on a case-by-case basis before issuing a DNR and to consult either the person concerned or their family members. But Julie Benson, whose sister Caroline has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and is non-verbal, said she has been told 15 to 20 times that a DNR was added to her sister’s form and has had to “fight” on multiple occasions to have it removed.

“I get a phone call [saying] Caroline is in hospital from the care home, to be greeted by: ‘We are not going to be able to resuscitate her’,” Julie told ITV.

“Every time she goes into hospital, Caroline will have a ‘do not resuscitate’ in place. That is not my wish. They want me to agree to it. I very rarely do.”

“This is all before anyone has even explained to me what is wrong with Caroline,” she added. “So they don’t say to me, ‘This is a life-threatening situation’. It’s not. It’s a chest infection. They wouldn’t do that to me or you.

“I honestly don’t think they think she is worth that effort, that she can’t have a good quality of life. Caroline has a good life. We go to the park, we go to the beach. Every year, Caroline and I go to Tenerife for two weeks.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was “appalled” to hear that hospitals were continuing to apply DNRs on disabled patients without consent.

“One of the things I’ll be doing off the back of [these] findings is talking to NHS leaders about how we make sure there is individual accountability and consequences,” he said.

“People that are learning disabled have the same rights, the same choices, the same dignity as everyone else. And their lives are of equal value and worth, and I find it honestly utterly repulsive that someone who has a learning disability are written off in this way and certainly without consultation with that person or indeed the people who love and care for them.”

The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) was introduced in the late 1990s, starting in 1997, as a set of guidelines for end-of-life care.

It was created to standardise and enhance palliative care for terminally ill patients in their last hours or days of life at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the nearby Marie Curie hospice.

Supposedly, the Liverpool Care Pathway is no longer in use; it was phased out in 2014 following controversy and was replaced by individualised end-of-life care plans.

The Liverpool Care Pathway was a scandal that generated a lot of controversy due to unfavourable media coverage and public concerns.

The scandal centred on the accusation that patients were sometimes put on the pathway without their family’s consent, and that sustaining treatments like food and water were being removed far too rapidly.

Critics dubbed it the “road to death” and accused the NHS of killing off thousands of elderly patients. Supporters say it helped their relatives have a peaceful and dignified death.

It was straightforward euthanasia, and it continues now, albeit in a different way.

DNRs have to be given by permission. Either by the patient or a family member who is in sound mind and body.

Any doctor or nurse who shortens a person’s life is just a monster and should not be permitted to work in that occupation or care home.

It’s different if that person would no longer have any quality of life or who likely would not recover, or if they do have a DNR, but other than that, it’s the doctor’s and nurses’ duty to endeavour to save that person, whatever the cost.

If a patient has family to support them and say ‘no’ to this evil practice, then they can speak for the patient, but if the patient doesn’t have anybody to advocate for them, they will most certainly be allowed to die; this is what they call ‘euthanasia by default.’

This is tantamount to manslaughter, and it’s totally disgusting.

Longest Walkout By Hospital Blood-Takers In NHS History

Specialist health workers who take patients’ blood have been striking for 236 straight days in what their union claims is the longest strike in NHS history.

The 36 phlebotomists claim the clinical nature of the tasks they perform means they should be on a higher NHS pay scale, worth an extra £1.09 an hour.

Bosses at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have refused to surrender to their demands despite staff at other hospitals successfully arguing their case without the necessity for industrial action.

Union Unison say it would cost the trust £60,000 a year to regrade the affected workers – a quarter of chief executive Kevin McNamara’s annual salary of about £245,000.

It is understood there were 37 phlebotomists on a walkout when the strike began on March 17, with one having returned to work.

Their work at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals is being done by other staff, such as nurses.

The union is providing financial assistance to those participating in the industrial action, although it only makes up a small portion of their income, which is now on the lowest level of the NHS pay scale known as Agenda for Change.

The length of the strike and the size of the rise they are seeking means they are likely to be significantly out of pocket even if they win their case, with sources saying their position is a matter of principle.

Christina McAnea, Unison general secretary, said: ‘It takes a lot of skill to put patients at ease and get them through an experience that makes many people go weak at the knees.

‘But these essential workers are unfairly being paid the lowest rate in the NHS.

‘That in no way reflects the very skilled work they do. Everyone apart from senior managers can see that this is wrong.

‘The trust should stop being so bloody-minded and pay these dedicated staff what they’re due.’

Kerry Baigent, Unison’s South West regional secretary, said: ‘The phlebotomists are standing up not just for themselves, but for every health worker who’s been undervalued and overlooked.

‘It’s time the trust listened and ended the longest strike of NHS workers in history.’

Ms McAnea will support the striking phlebotomists in a protest in Gloucester alongside TUC general secretary Paul Nowak, other union leaders, and employees.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘The Agenda for Change pay system is based on a Job Evaluation Scheme, developed through collaboration between NHS leaders, trade unions and independent experts.

‘It is the responsibility of individual NHS organisations and trade unions to work in partnership to implement the scheme correctly.

‘We have recently agreed to several measures to support this and restore confidence in the scheme, which are being taken forward by the NHS Staff Council.’

The job of a phlebotomist takes a specific amount of mastery. It’s more than a ‘sharp scratch.’ Getting someone who is skilled and in top form is a real blessing, especially for those patients who loathe needles or are difficult to get blood from, like me.

In my opinion, they should just lower managers’ salaries or freeze them so the money that they save can be used on lower-paid staff.

Sadly, the NHS is not fit for purpose, but at least we have an NHS; other countries do not, and we don’t want to give our government a reason to privatise.

Phlebotomists do a really good job, and it is a skilled job, but there are also other ancillary staff in the NHS that never get a mention, yet they are the necessary support in our NHS.

Britain’s Big Freeze Sparks Travel Disruption

Travellers have been warned of across-the-board disruption on Britain’s rail services as temperatures drop to 3C – with additional ‘Big Freeze’ chaos to come.

Temperatures are set to plunge below zero in parts of the UK this week as emergency services continue to deal with the aftermath of Storm Claudia. 

The nation will be hit by freezing Arctic air, and the first snow warning of the season has been issued.

A Yellow warning has been put in place for the Highlands and Eilean Siar, with a period of snow likely to disrupt travel. Snow is also predicted to fall in parts of northern England by Tuesday.

Yellow cold health warnings have also been issued in northern and central England until Friday.

Saturday night marked the coldest recorded since March, with temperatures falling to -7C in Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands.

In some areas of England and Wales, Storm Claudia dumped more than a month’s worth of rain, flooding homes and necessitating evacuations.

Residents in Monmouth, south-east Wales, were dramatically rescued from their homes over the weekend after overnight flooding, but a major incident alert, which warned of a ‘danger to life’, has been lifted.

Worcester was also struck by flooding and power cuts as the River Severn burst its banks. Homes and miles of fields remained swamped on Monday.

Freezing temperatures are likely to follow this week, with the Met Office predicting ‘a cold week ahead with some snow, frost and ice.’

A cold snap is forecast to seize Britain in the coming days, with snow and ice a possibility after what has been a spell of above-average temperatures, the forecaster said.

And now National Rail has been updating passengers on how their journeys will be disrupted, from the West Midlands to the West Country.

Buses are replacing trains between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley on West Midlands Railway services until at least 2.30 pm on Monday.

Wolverhampton and Birmingham International Airport are two of these impacted routes.

No trains will operate between Hereford and Newport until the end of Monday due to Storm Claudia flooding – affecting numerous routes, including between Chester and Cardiff Central, Manchester Piccadilly and Swansea.

Additionally, the railway route between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple has been closed due to flooding caused by heavy rain.

Meanwhile, the AA told motorists to avoid travelling in ‘hazardous weather’. 

National Rail said: ‘Slippery rails between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley mean all lines are blocked. As a result, trains may be cancelled or revised.’

Elsewhere, there is also disruption on services between Plymouth in Devon and Penzance in Cornwall – affecting both Cross Country and Great Western Railway.

Cold weather in the winter is not uncommon; it’s to be expected. It’s called climate change, it occurs four times a year, it’s called Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Big freeze at 3C, well that’s a classic! Makes you wonder how Nordic countries manage.

England used to have extremely bad weather years ago, but I don’t recall missing school; I just went off to school dressed up warm with wellies on.

I can even recall my bedroom window freezing up on the inside, and it was so cold that I would get dressed in bed. Then a quick lick and promise at the bathroom sink before going down to breakfast. You got what you were given for breakfast, like it or lump it. Then it was over an hour to school.

If the central heating was not working in school, it was extremely rare that we were allowed home, and by the time we did go home, it was already getting dark and freezing cold, but I don’t remember feeling disadvantaged. It was what it was. We survived!

Elderly folks, on the other hand, have a somewhat different situation. They need to stay warm, but due to increased electricity and heating prices, they are too scared to turn on their heating, and many of them pass away over the winter.

Matthew McConaughey Sparks Rumours About Running For Office

A viral video showing a stage festooned with American flag bunting and signs reading ‘McConaughey for governor’ sent Matthew McConaughey fans into frenzied speculation that he could be seeking public office.

In the TikTok video, a stage in an Austin field was flanked by Lone Star State flags and what looked to be campaign placards bearing the actor’s name and visage.

‘Is the real life, y’all? Is Matthew McConaughey actually running for governor of Texas? This is crazy. This is in Austin right now,’ the woman recording the footage can be heard saying. 

On top of the optics, the timing also added fuel to the fire as the state’s current Republican governor, Greg Abbott, announced he’s running for his fourth term less than a week ago.

Last month, Democratic legislator Gina Hinojosa started her own candidacy for governor.

McConaughey’s press contact did not immediately respond to Daily Mail’s request for comment; however, Parade Magazine reported that the elaborate stage was likely part of filming for Apple’s series ‘Brothers.’

Excitement about the beloved native Texan running for office isn’t far off, as the Oscar-winner has previously considered running for governor in 2021. 

McConaughey most recently addressed a possible political career a month ago, telling People Magazine he hasn’t ruled out a run, but now is not the time. 

‘It’s something I started looking into probably six years ago and something I’ve continued to study, what that arena is, what it would mean, how could I be useful in it, would I be useful in it,’ he told the magazine.

The Academy Award winner has never said whether he’d run as a Democrat, Republican or Independent. 

However, Texas is a deep red state, and the last Democrat to be elected to state-wide office was former Governor Ann Richards, who served from 1990 to 1995. 

A Uvalde native, McConaughey was invited to the White House during the presidency of the former President. Joe Biden’s administration after a mass shooting in his hometown when 19 children and two teachers were gunned down at Robb Elementary School in May 2022. 

In a rare move, the actor was permitted to stand behind the podium during the White House press briefing, where he gave an impassioned plea for gun reform, tearing up as he spoke about the victims of the massacre.

For now, the actor who lives in Austin is frequently a fixture at the University of Texas at Austin football games. He told People his focus is on raising his kids: Levi, 17; Vida, 15; and Livingston, 12.

‘So let me do what I can with Camila to get these three kids out of the house as healthy individuals, as much as I can make that possible,” McConaughey told the publication last month. 

‘And then opportunities or choices I can make—I’ll be much more free to make choices that won’t have the same consequences they may have now.

‘Because if I did that now, I wouldn’t be able to be the father and spend the time with the family the way that I have so far, and it’s something I’m not ready to sacrifice.’

Matthew McConaughey is an actor, and he should remain in that lane, but as he said, he’s a father and he wants to spend time with his family – he made that perfectly clear.

He’s an actor, not a politician, and we don’t need some actor pretending they know what they’re doing – it’s not a good idea, although Governor McConaughey does have a nice ring to it.

He’s a fantastic actor, there’s no questioning that, but that’s where he needs to stay – we don’t need another Hollywood oddball in politics.

Democrat Rep. Caught Looking At PORN On Plane

A Democrat congressman was pictured peeking at sexually graphic photographs while on an aeroplane – in full view of a disgusted passenger. 

California Rep. Brad Sherman, 71, was seen in images circulating on social media ogling pictures of scantily-clad women on his iPad while sitting on a flight. 

An X user who first shared the images of Sherman on the plane wrote in a post seen by millions: ‘Why did California Congressman Brad Sherman feel it was appropriate to look at porn on his iPad during a flight today?’

‘His district deserves better representation than this!!’

The social media post featured three images of Sherman, who represents California’s 32nd congressional district, with his mouth agape as he looked at pictures of models in salacious poses.

In an interview conducted hours later, the congressman acknowledged that he had looked at the images, but he maintained that he had not been intentionally viewing pornographic material and had only been scrolling through his iPad.

‘If I see a picture of a woman, might I look at it longer than a sunset? Yeah,’ he told Punchbowl News.

The Democrat lawmaker claimed that he was actually on X’s ‘For you’ page when he was photographed.

Sherman added: ‘I must’ve looked at more than 1000 posts.’

According to X, the ‘For you’ page features posts that are ‘based on recommendations of accounts you follow or topics you’re interested in.’

Sherman admitted that the sexualized pictures appeared on his X feed mid-flight ‘because of the algorithms.’

‘Is it pornography? I don’t think Elon Musk thinks so,’ Sherman told the outlet.

However, he also admitted he should not have been looking at the risqué photographs.

‘Is it appropriate? No,’ Sherman added.

The senior Democrat’s boldness in the middle of a crowded airliner shocked internet users.

One X user wrote: ‘With the screen brightness ALL the way up. Not an ounce of shame.’

Another added a facepalm emoji and said: ‘Get a privacy screen.’

A third said: ‘This is killing me.’

The California congressman’s conduct even captured the attention of Donald Trump’s inner circle.

Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, posted a close-up of Sherman’s agape mouth on Friday evening.

‘Bruh,’ Cheung wrote. ‘What a total gooner.’

Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace compared the images of Sherman to how she was accused of berating law enforcement at a South Carolina Airport as they escorted her to her gate last month.

If he wanted to watch porn, you would have thought he would have been savvy enough to do it in private, but I guess we can be grateful that he wasn’t drooling all over his shirt while watching it.

Although the ladies in the pictures most likely wear more clothing than some of the celebrities we see on TV, particularly in music videos, people are content to watch them and even allow their kids watch them.

Frankly, that’s pretty tame stuff compared to the everyday images posted on Instagram.

You could hardly call this porn. Victoria’s Secret’s catalogue reveals more skin, but then he’s not a very pretty man. Who would want to be one of those girls he’s looking at?

Scantily clad and porn are two different things. It said porn in the headline, scantily clad in the article, which was it?

Tons of men enjoy pornography, whether it be in a magazine, online or via their iPads, but you wouldn’t want to do it in a public setting, not unless you have some extremely serious issues going on.

Obviously, he shouldn’t have been looking at sites like these on a flight, but at least he didn’t pull his penis out.

Growing Pains: Teenager Dies After Leukaemia Diagnosis

Tributes have poured in for a beloved teenager who tragically passed away just one day after being diagnosed with leukaemia, after he was dismissed as just having ‘growing pains’.

Harley Andrews, 16, met with his GP only weeks ago, saying he felt under the weather. But he and his mum, Gemma, were dismissed and told it was probably a virus or just ‘growing pains’, according to a close family friend.

The keen football and rugby player, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, displayed no additional manifestation until last weekend, when he noticed blood in his urine. His worried dad and stepmum took him to Royal Bolton Hospital on Saturday, where he was told he had an ‘aggressive form’ of the blood cancer. In a devastating turn, he died early the following day (November 9).

Harley suffered internal bleeding in his brain and multiple other organs due to stage four leukaemia, according to tests. Tragically, the boy died a few hours after learning of his diagnosis.

Kaylee Jackson, a close family friend and neighbour who grew up with Harley’s mum Gemma, launched a fundraiser to help with costs, which has already raised more than £8,000 at the time of publication.

The fundraiser says, “Harley was a bright, kind, and loving young soul who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. His passing has left an incredible void in our community.”

“No parent should ever have to face such unimaginable pain, and no family should have to worry about financial burdens while grieving the loss of their child,” it adds. The fundraiser is hoping to “ease some of the financial strain” on Harley’s grieving family, helping toward funeral costs, time away from work and “any other expenses they face during this heartbreaking time.”

Gemma shared an update from the page “on behalf of myself, Kev and [the] rest of the family” thanking everyone who has donated. She wrote: “We really do appreciate and seeing how loved Harley was brings comfort to us”.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Kaylee, a mum-of-five who was Harley’s teaching assistant at primary school, described him as an “all-round good kid” who adored his five brothers and four sisters. She said, “He was in my first class when I was a teaching assistant, so I’ve also taught him. He was a young, lovely, polite boy.

“He was all about family, always with his brothers and sisters and friends. Harley used to love playing football in the street with the kids and giving them piggybacks.

“He started feeling unwell on Saturday, so he went with his dad, Kevin and step-mum to hospital to get checked out. Gemma thought he probably needed some antibiotics – she certainly wasn’t expecting the news they got.

“She had only taken him to the doctor a few weeks ago and said they put it down to growing pains or a viral infection. Obviously, you don’t think that at 16, they could be seriously unwell. I don’t think he showed any real signs and symptoms to either of his parents. Gemma is still in shock at the news. I don’t think it has hit her yet. She hadn’t even processed he had leukaemia before she was told he had passed away.”

The youngster played local amateur football, initially for his dad’s team, Leigh Town, before transferring to Astley and Tyldesley FC in January 2023, where he is said to have been a ‘pivotal part’ of a league and cup double triumph in 2024.

A second page, which has raised almost £2,500 at the time of publication, also pays tribute to Harley. It says: “His warm heart, bright smile, and love for football touched everyone who knew him. Whether he was on the field or cheering from the sidelines, the game brought him so much happiness and brought people together.”

Harley was described as “well-liked by all involved in the game”. It added that he was “one of those players that picked himself up and just got on with it, never complained.”

An update on the page read: “On behalf of the family, they are overwhelmed by the public response, generosity and support they feel. The donations will make a massive difference and take away the financial stress. Thank you very much.”

Harley’s football club, Astley & Tyldesley FC, shared the fundraisers on their Instagram page along with photos of the teen with his teammates. They wrote: “Please donate, no matter how small, for Harley and the family. It would mean the world during this difficult time. Thank you for keeping Harley and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Local rugby League team Leigh East shared their sorrow on Facebook, announcing they were ‘heartbroken’ over the loss of Harley, a former junior player. They said that he would be ‘missed by all who knew him’, adding: “Once an East lad, always an East lad.”

I am so sick of these doctors dismissing people, particularly younger people, when they present with symptoms. Doctors, years ago, were so meticulous and really listened to their patients – the system needs a massive overhaul.

People get ill, so they go to their doctor, but are gaslighted into believing there is nothing wrong with them, or just put it down to a virus, they just don’t care, and if they can’t figure out the problem, God forbid they should send you to the hospital – that isn’t in their remit.

A prime example is when my father was ill, he went to his doctor, who said he had Neuralgia and prescribed him some cream and potions. Eventually, my father was told he was anaemic by his doctor and was sent for Iron injections. This went on for about a year or so, then my father was rushed to the hospital for a blood transfusion to be told, ‘Sorry, you have leukaemia’ – he passed away 7 weeks later, and all because his GP wanted to play God.

GPs need to remember that they are not God, and if they are not certain, the patient should be referred before something like this occurs. GPs don’t always have the answer, and therefore, patients should be sent for further investigation. Not everything is a virus!

NHS England To Lay Off Thousands Of Staff

Thousands of NHS staff will be made redundant as the government presses ahead with plans to abolish NHS England, The Independent has been told.

In a briefing to staff on Tuesday, NHS England confirmed voluntary redundancies planned for the organisation, as well as local NHS integrated care boards, will go ahead next year.

In a slide, seen by The Independent, NHS England said there would be a “50 per cent reduction”. It said there is a push for voluntary redundancies and that the roles will be cut from mid-March 2026.

Earlier this year, the government announced the abolishment of NHS England, with plans to bring the organisation under the supervision of the Department of Health and Social Care.

NHS England employs more than 15,000 staff and was set up in 2013 by then-Conservative health secretary Andrew Lansley to give the NHS greater autonomy.

When announcing plans to abolish, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said an “arms-length” body should not make decisions about the more than £150 billion annual NHS England budget, as he promised the move would allow the government to deliver better care.

However, NHS England employees have been in a precarious situation because the government has not previously confirmed that the Treasury will fund the layoffs.

It is unclear how much, if anything, the government will provide the NHS in addition to its current budget so that the layoffs may proceed.

Staff were told they could apply for voluntary redundancy between 1 and 14 December. National approval for redundancies will be given on 18 January.

About 3,000 staff have voiced an interest in redundancy, workers were told, according to an NHS source on the call.

The announcement comes ahead of the much-awaited autumn Budget this month.

The Independent has approached NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care for comment.

I am all for cutting management, as long as it’s not our frontline workers. However, you can never tell with this government, and it’s about time our taxpaying money was spent on health and not talking rubbish.

As long as the funds and savings are assigned to front-line services, it makes sense to lower the number of managers, but sadly, profit is their number 1 priority – it’s not about the care and welfare of its patients, and that is extremely sad.

We should bring back ‘Matrons’ onto every ward because they ran a tight ship, and they were experienced clinical staff in the field of providing leadership. They were there to mentor, and were devoted to the patients in their care, spending time on the wards, stepping in as hands if required.

All of this, meanwhile, seems like a ploy to facilitate the NHS’s privatisation, and our government have done nothing to improve our ailing health service. We have too many administrators, and not enough hospital beds, doctors and nurses.

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