Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg announced their delightful baby news in a heartwarming social media post last month
Strictly’s Dianne Buswell’s beau Joe Sugg says ‘I’m sorry’ in move after baby news (Image: GETTY)
Strictly Come Dancing stars Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg found love on the BBC series when the YouTuber, 34, took part in the programme back in 2018. The couple embarked on a whirlwind romance having been together for the past seven years. They have since shared they are set to welcome their first child together, a baby boy, next year. In a recent vlog Joe issued an apology to his girlfriend Dianne, 36, as he made a candid admission. The presenter has been busy making changes to the couple’s home as they prepare to welcome their new arrival. However, Joe revealed that his partner Dianne would have to move out of one of the bedrooms to make way for a nursery as he issued an apology.
He began: “The plan for the nursery is this… I’m really sorry Dianne. But your bedroom is about to be changed.” Joe went onto clarify that while the couple don’t sleep in separate bedrooms when they first moved into the property, Dianne secured her own space where she can cary out tasks like dying her hair its signature red.
Joe Sugg issued an apology to Dianne Buswell (Image: YOUTUBE JOE SUGG)
He panned the camera around the spare room which had its own ensuite bathroom.
Joe continued: “When I say Dianne’s bedroom I don’t mean her actual bedroom. We do actually share the same bedroom and the same bed funnily enough.
“This room we call it Dianne’s room is one this is where she puts all of her clothes,” as he pointed toward the built-in wardrobes.
Joe went on: “Behind me is where she stores more clothes. And here [pointed to bathroom] is the only shower where she is allowed to do her hair.
“Because as someone who has lived with Dianne for seven years now – it’s a thing where the red hair dye does go everywhere. Particularly the grouting in the shower… it just goes pink.”
He explained it would continue to be Dianne’s bathroom but the room will now be their son’s nursery.
Meanwhile, the professional dancer recently gave fans an update of her own. The Australian-born performer, who is currently competing in this year’s BBC One dance contest with Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis, unveiled her baby bump in a gorgeous polka dot dress.
Following her Tuesday (October 7) appearance on It Takes Two, Dianne provided an expectant mother update.
She captured a mirror selfie and whilst standing sideways, revealed her growing baby bump whilst declaring: “Little boy says hi.”
Dianne will be returning to the dancefloor on Saturday night.
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SAD NEWS: Boxing star’s son, 17, 𝘋𝘪𝘦𝘴 in latest family tragedy after dad’s 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 at 37
Arturo Gatti Jr – the son of the legendary Canadian boxer Arturo Gatti – has d!ed at the age of 17, it has been confirmed by friends in social media posts released on Wednesday. As per French-speaking Canadian network TVA Nouvelles, he was in Mexico with his mother Amanda Rodrigues prior to his passing.
First reports of the terribly sad news came through Chuck Zito, a friend of the family and former bodyguard of Gatti Sr, in an Instagram post on Wednesday. He wrote: “It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say,…. R.I.P. to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR.
“My condolences to Arturo Gatti Senior’s Mom, Sisters, Brothers, and his daughter Sophia.”
Long-time coach Moe Latif was reportedly due to head to Mexico, where Arturo Jr and his mother were situated, this week. However, that has not transpired as he wrote to Instagram: “It is unfortunately not a rumor or a joke. Arturo is gone.”
Tributes from the boxing community have flooded in over the last few hours with most reflecting on his boxing potential and the legacy of his family. However, there have also been concerns over how he was exposed to some troubling experiences at such a young age, which included his father’s funeral being attended by hundreds.
Gatti Jr had been attempting to carve out his own path in the sport after his father’s tragic d3ath in 2009. He had enjoyed a storied career in Boxing with championship titles won in two divisions and numerous memorable bouts.
His trilogy with Irish-American pro boxer Micky Ward is particularly synonymous with his legacy alongside fights against Tracy Harris and Gabriel Ruelas.
Unsurprisingly, Gatti Jr. also got involved in the sport and first laced up a pair of gloves when he was just six. Despite still being so young, he enjoyed several promising amateur bouts in the Montreal area. Gatti Jr was born just under one year prior to his dad’s infamous passing in Brazil.
The legendary boxer was found d3ad in the South American country in 2009 while on vacation with his wife and son. Having found his body, Rodrigues was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but was later released with authorities ruling it as suicide.
Despite that, controversy has remained surrounding his d3ath even well over a decade on, with many of his close friends and family not accepting the theory that he d!ed by suicide.
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Victoria Beckham.
Victoria Beckham was quick to dismiss the idea of adding another member to their brood when husband David Beckham jokingly suggested having “another baby”.
The three-part Netflix documentary, which premiered today, Thursday, October 9, chronicles Victoria Beckham’s journey from her Spice Girls days to launching her own fashion label.
The series culminates with her lavish runway show at Paris Fashion Week last week, attended by Vogue icon Anna Wintour.
In a subsequent scene, the couple are seen enjoying some downtime at their Cotswolds home, discussing their future plans.
Ex-Manchester United star David Beckham starts off: “Now we’re both…well I’m almost 50. You’re 51.”
Victoria Beckham shuts down husband David Beckham’s baby idea with three-word response (Image: NETFLIX)
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham have been married since 1999. (Image: GETTY)
Victoria responds: “Oh my God. David. We’re 101 [together]. We don’t look bad for 101.
“But what’s next?” David queries, to which Victoria replies: “What’s next? There’s so..”
However, before the fashion mogul can fully express her ambitions, he interrupts with a grin: “Another baby?”
Caught off guard by his suggestion, Victoria exclaims: “Another baby? My God. No.
“We’ve still got so much that we want to do” she continues, affirming she’s “not stopping yet” but remains coy about her upcoming plans.
The Beckhams are already parents to four children: their eldest Brooklyn Beckham, 26, Romeo Beckham, 23, Cruz Beckham, 20, and their 14-year-old daughter Harper Beckham.
The Beckhams family attending the Netflix premiere of David Beckham’s documentary Beckham in 2023. (L to R): Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz. (Image: GETTY)
In a series of endearing post-credit scenes, Victoria is seen preparing for the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards surrounded by her family.
In a sweet moment, her daughter Harper confessed to her mum that she believed the event was named after her.
When it came time to present the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Harper took to the stage, proudly announcing: “Tonight I’m so proud to present the Entrepreneur of the Year Award to a truly inspiring woman who means the world to me, my amazing mummy, Victoria Beckham.”
While the rest of the Beckham clan feature prominently throughout the documentary, including backstage at the Harper’s Bazaar event, son Brooklyn is noticeably absent.
He makes a brief appearance being photographed with wife Nicola Peltz at Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week runway show, but Brooklyn isn’t shown sitting with his dad and siblings.
Dianne Buswell addresses ‘horrible’ Motsi Mabuse comment following BBC Strictly outrage: ‘The judges don’t know’
Dianne Buswell opened up on how she felt during Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing when judge Motsi Mabuse told the pregnant dancer she needs to “rehearse more”.
Ms Buswell, 36, partnered with Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, 66, took to the floor in the second live show of the series last weekend with an energetic Cha Cha Cha.
Unfortunately, a few slip-ups occurred, which didn’t go unnoticed by the judging panel.
Ms Mabuse had some positive comments for the couple, describing them as “like sunshine when you pair up together”.
Diannie Buswell is pregnant with her first child
|BBC
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However, she went on to address what she had deemed “the elephant in the room.”
After pointing out the mistakes in the routine, she told the disgruntled audience: “There were guys, sorry, let’s just be honest.”
She concluded: “Just let’s try next time to rehearse and stick to the routine.”
During Tuesday’s Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, host Janette Manrara pointed out: “Motsi said that you needed to rehearse more because of the mistakes that happened on the night.
“But you couldn’t have rehearsed more. You did a lot of training. What did that comment mean to you?”
“Look, the judges don’t know how much we train and all of that,” Ms Buswell acknowledged, before adding: “So you know, a fair comment coming from her.
“However, we literally have rehearsed our maximum amount of hours.
“He [Stefan] is someone that repeats, repeats, repeats, repeats, to the point that I have to tell him, ‘we need to have a break.’
“Like I am the one saying, ‘I think we need to have a little moment to rest the brain.’”
Ms Mabuse’s comment sparked outrage on Saturday night, with viewers flooding X with complaints about the remark.
Ms Buswell herself, who is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg, also responded to the suggestion of rehearsing more at the time, replying: “I don’t know how much more we can rehearse, Motsi!”
“Find a way, I don’t know, we have to get one performance without those tiny, tiny creepers in there,” the judge doubled down in response.
BBC Strictly: Dianne Buswell keeled over in exhaustion following Motsi Mabuse’s comments
| BBC
Posts shared on X on the matter included one which read: “Such a horrible comment to make. That will make people think they haven’t put the time in.”
“Dianne was NOT happy with the ‘rehearse more’ comment and I’m glad because I nearly jumped out of my seat in anger lol #Strictly,” a second penned.
Janette Manrara asked Dianne Buswell how she felt about Motsi Mabuse’s comment
|BBC
“I feel like telling the eldest contestant with the pregnant pro to rehearse more when they have been doing long days, and it’s clear it was because of nerves and not lack of rehearsal is an extremely unfair thing to say #Strictly,” another added.
Someone else wrote: “I’m so glad Dianne fired back at that rehearsal comment. What the hell else do they think they’ve been doing? What a bizarre criticism #Strictly.”
The Labour policy has been subject to swathes of political criticism since its announcement
Nigel Farage has vowed that he would rather go to jail than carry a digital ID card in his latest retaliation against Labour policy.
The scheme, which would see the UK follow in the footsteps of nations like Estonia, would see every UK citizen and legal resident having to hold a free national ID card aged 16 and over.
“It’ll pave the way for £600million of tax grab we can take from people,” the GB News star raged.
“Before you know it, you’ll have all your medical records on there if you’re not jabbed, because the Government thinks you should be. You’ll find yourself genuinely a second-class citizen.
The GB News presenter warned of ‘becoming a second-class citizen’
“I think the whole thing is appalling. I will not be having Digital ID. Put me in prison; not a problem. I will not be having digital ID and I really mean it.”
Sir Keir Starmer has shut down pleas to halt the introduction of the policy after almost 2.8million Britons signed a petition against the scheme.
Speaking out on the policy, Sir Keir Starmer laid out: “I’m announcing this Government will make a new free of charge digital ID mandatory for the right to work.
“The rule will be that you can’t work if you don’t have Digital ID. And the reason for that is that too many people are working illegally.
“You must have a mandatory Digital ID in order to work because we have to stop illegal working.”
Rebuking Labour’s latest move, the GB News presenter raged: “That is our totally and utterly dishonest Prime Minister at every single level.
“If you are a foreign worker in Britain, you already have to show a form of Digital ID as a foreign worker to your employer on your phone.
“There is a code you have to apply for, and he, if he or she is there employing you legally have to ask for it. So we’re told that’s why we’ve got to have it. Why is he lying to us?”
Widespread criticism against Digital ID stems from the risk of hacking. Meanwhile, others have raised the alarm over the country becoming a “dystopian nightmare”.
Rebutting Nigel’s view, former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng weighed in on the matter, arguing that it is simply “modern technology”.
“It’s going to happen one way or the other. If it doesn’t happen this year, it’ll happen next year. If it doesn’t happen next year, it will happen in three years time,” he told Nigel.
Nigel was quick to fire back that he “supports digital currencies and the 21st century”.
Nigel passionately hit out against Digital IDs on his show
However, he added: “But that is a private transaction between me and an organization or a system, not with Government.”
He explained that he had a problem with giving the Government “the ability to control every element of your life”.
Predicting the future of the policy, he theorised: “I have a feeling that this one, that it’s not going to fly. Blair tried this really, really hard. They tried for years.
“I think this is going to fall flat on his face. I can’t see Labour putting up with it.”
Strictly Come Dancing star George Clarke has urgent medical care and struggled to make it through the live show.
George Clarke needed urgent medical attention after hurting his back (Image: undefined)
Strictly Come Dancing’s George Clarke revealed he needed urgent medical treatment last week after sustaining a back injury during practice sessions. The social media star discussed his injury on his podcast, The Useless Hotline Podcast – welcoming Strictly professional dance partner Alexis Warr as a guest for the first time.
The 25 year old impressed both the judging panel and viewers with his spectacular Paso Doble on Saturday, earning a score of 30.
He secured third position on the leaderboard for the opening two weeks, trailing behind Lewis Cope and Amber Davies who claimed second and first place respectively, reports the Mirror. Despite his commanding performance on the scoreboard, George disclosed on his podcast that his rehearsal time for the Paso Doble was reduced due to requiring physiotherapy for a back injury he picked up during training. “I didn’t want it to be a thing on the night,” he explained. “That’s why they asked in the VT, they were like, ‘Do you want to mention your back?’ and I said, ‘I don’t want it to be a thing.’”
George Clarke was determined to perform in the live show (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
He continued: “I had a pinched nerve all week in my back. I had acupuncture half way through the week. I went to physio four times.” Regarding how the injury occurred, George confessed that the problem arose after a handstand went awry. “I was like, ‘I’ll throw in a handstand or something.’ I like doing a handstand, if I keep my legs together I’d probably be better at it but it doesn’t feel fun when you do it that way,” he confessed.
“I did that and got up and went, ‘My back hurts a little bit actually. Ah s**t, I’ve got a little twinge in there somehow. I’ll try to carry on.’”
After taking a lunch break, Will admitted he couldn’t return to training and “went straight to physio” instead. “I went to physio the next morning as well. Danced for a bit, sat down,” he added.
Alexis noted that this was the ‘most frustrated’ she had seen George, who chimed in: “Monday is when they throw a load of information at you and then it’s Terrible Tuesday because you’re trying to figure it out.”
Not only was he behind with training, but George had to keep stopping rehearsal due to his back pain.
“It would get to the point where I’m getting it then I had to sit down because my back was hurting,” he explained.
Earlier this week, George expressed his gratitude for the support he’s received during the competition, posting on Instagram: “Probably [a] good time to continue being serious and thank everyone for their unbelievable support so far.
“Whether you’re old or new (here, not just in general) I really appreciate the comments, the messages and obviously the votes!”.
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The Chase’s Bradley Walsh offered his “sincere apologies” to viewers after one player made a major blunder
Bradley Walsh was left apologising multiple times after one contestant made a major blunder on The Chase. The latest episode of the ITV quiz show saw four new hopefuls; Mike, Kieran, Gaynor, and Zoe, take on Shaun Wallace, also known as The Dark Destroyer, in a bid to win some cash. Things got off to a rocky start when Mike stepped up for the cash builder round, managing to answer just three questions correctly. He chose to stick with the £3,000 he’d earned, but was swiftly caught by the Chaser before he could make it back to the team.
Next up was Kieran, who had encouraged Mike to “go big or go home”. Taking his own advice, Kieran bravely opted for the high offer of £32,000, but unfortunately, he too fell short and was eliminated. Third in line was Gaynor, who revealed to Bradley that her father had played for Tottenham Hotspur before the war.
During her cash builder round, Gaynor was asked: “What Merseyside football team runs out to the Z Cars theme tune?”
The 68-year-old chose Liverpool, but Bradley quickly informed her that the correct answer was Everton.
Afterwards, the presenter declared: “For all those of you on Merseyside, I apologise about that. All you red fans, I apologise. All you Toffies, Gaynor can’t have it, she’s a Spurs fan. My sincere apologies to everyone out there.”
The pair quickly put the blunder behind them and shifted their focus to helping Gaynor reach the final with the £5,000 she secured in the cash builder.
However, The Dark Destroyer was in top form and managed to catch her before she could make it through. The fourth and final contestant to take on Shaun was Zoe.
Bradley Walsh repeatedly apologised to viewers (Image: ITV)
As the only one left, the 32-year-old decided to play for an eye-watering £100,000. Despite getting off to a promising start, she couldn’t make it back.
This meant the contestants were entered into a Lazarus round, meaning one player takes part in the final chase to win each teammate £1,000.
It was Gaynor who stepped up, answering 14 questions correctly. Despite the impressive score, Shaun caught her with 27 seconds left on the clock.
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Strictly halted as host forced to apologise for ‘bad language’ in BBC chaos
Strictly Come Dancing’s spin-off It Takes Two descended into chaos when host Fleur East was forced to apologise live on air
Fleur East was forced to issue an apology live on air (Image: BBC)
It Takes Two host Fleur East was forced to issue an apology live on air after professional dancer Alexis Warr used “bad language” during the broadcast. The Strictly spin-off show welcomed Alexis Warr and her partner George Clarke to discuss their stellar performance over the weekend. But as Alexis was explaining a minor hiccup during their routine, she slipped out the word “cr*p” causing Fleur to halt the interview and apologise.
Dancer Alexis said: “At the beginning he hit his position and I knew right away he was locked in and I was just like yes George – and I almost forgot to go, because I was like oh wait crap I have to move”. Fleur briefly paused the programme as she issued an apology to fans at home. She told BBC viewers: “Sorry about the language you just heard, we just get very excited”. Fans slammed the apology, dubbing it “ridiculous”.
Caught off guard, George awkwardly smiled before replying: “Yes… that’s fantastic news,” leaving the studio audience and his co-stars in fits of laughter.
Fans immediately dubbed him an “honest king” online, praising his down-to-earth nature. One viewer posted: “George’s face when he had no idea what the movie was — national treasure behaviour already.” Another joked: “Someone get George a copy of K-Pop Demon Hunters before Saturday!”
Speaking after the show, George admitted he’s still learning to handle the whirlwind pace of Strictly: “Every week it’s something new. I’m having the best time but there’s a lot to take in — the steps, the styles, the costumes, everything.”
Tax rises ‘primary lever’ to balance the books as Rachel Reeves sees backlash after Winter Fuel Payment cut reforms
Sue Ashcombe-Hurt rages at Labour after having winter fuel payment reinstated |
Tax rises from Cancellor Rachel Reeves will be the “primary lever” to balance the books as Britain’s borrowing costs rise above those of nations once considered fiscal basket cases, according to new analysis.
Economists are warning that the Treasury has little fiscal headroom left after the Labour Government was forced to U-turn on tightening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility and cutting benefit expenditure.
Daniel Casali, the chief investment strategist at at wealth management firm Evelyn Partners, explained: “Efforts to find further savings are complicated by internal Labour Party divisions, with MPs rebelling against measures such as means-testing the Winter Fuel Allowance and cutting welfare spending.
“This leaves tax increases as the primary lever to balance the books. However, the Labour manifesto pledged not to raise any of the ‘big three’ taxes – National Insurance, VAT, or income tax – which together account for nearly 75% of total tax revenues.”
“There will be scrutiny on how the Chancellor can credibly raise additional revenue. Potential options could include closing tax loopholes, reforming capital gains and inheritance tax. However, each option comes with political and economic trade-offs.”
UK 10-year gilt yields have climbed to 4.7 per cent, surpassing both Italy and Greece, countries carrying substantially larger debt burdens relative to their economies.
This trend comes despite the Chancellor’s October 2024 overhaul of fiscal rules. The reforms were designed to enhance investor confidence and reduce borrowing costs. The new framework mandates balancing day-to-day spending by the end of Parliament, while targeting lower public sector net financial liabilities.
Yet these reforms have not delivered their promised benefits with economists highlighting that the Britain now carries the unwanted distinction of maintaining the steepest Government bond yields among developed nations.
Rachel Reeves faces a fiscal credibility test as UK borrowing costs surpass those of Italy and Greece, fuelling market concerns over Labour’s economic plans
Multiple forces are pushing Britain’s borrowing costs beyond those of other G7 nations with Mr Casali asserting that the UK finds itself trapped in a stagflationary environment, where weak growth undermines fiscal sustainability.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) projects that Britain will experience the highest inflation among major economies this year. The Bank of England’s perceived restrictive monetary stance, combined with stubborn price pressures, has pushed yields higher.
Political uncertainty compounds these economic headwinds, with polling data revealing widespread public discontent that unsettles bond investors.
Mr Casali added: “Gilt yields reflect more than fiscal policy alone. They also capture expectations around short-term interest rates, inflation and broader monetary conditions.”
Yields have climbed as the Bank of England maintains tight monetary policy amid persistent inflation, fuelling investor concerns over long-term borrowing costs.
He highlighted parallels with US markets, where fiscal sustainability concerns are also intensifying. Britain’s fiscal arithmetic presents major obstacles ahead of the Budget on November 26.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) calculates that securing just £10billion of fiscal headroom by 2029 would require finding £50billion in savings.
Furthermore, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) appears poised to downgrade medium-term growth projections. It has already flagged declining productivity forecasts in its Spring 2025 commentary.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. warns that GDP growth downgrades of just 0.1–0.2 per cent could create budget shortfalls between £9billion and £18billion.
As such, this leaves the Chancellor exploring politically sensitive alternatives such as capital gains and inheritance tax reforms.
Political turbulence threatens to deepen the Chancellor’s fiscal predicament.
Labour’s standing has fallen sharply, with Electoral Calculus projecting that Reform UK could secure 301 seats if current polling trends persist.
That would fall just short of a parliamentary majority. Labour would drop to 153 seats from its current 412, while the Conservatives could fall to 51 seats.
Immigration has emerged as the electorate’s top concern, according to YouGov. It now slightly eclipses economic worries.
The Government’s recent ‘one in, one out’ agreement with France on illegal migration faces legal challenges and has shown little evidence of effectiveness.
Internal Labour dissent further destabilises the Government’s position. A survey by Survation revealed two-thirds of Labour MPs oppose the Chancellor’s fiscal rules.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has signalled potential leadership ambitions. Mr Burnham has advocated £40billion in housing borrowing, a proposal that could unsettle bond markets.
10-year government bond yield (%)
LSEG Datastream/Evelyn Partners
According to Mr Casali, there are possible paths are emerging for the November Budget, each carrying major implications for gilt markets.
The most likely scenario involves modest revenue adjustments while maintaining a cautious stance which assumes the OBR avoids significant growth downgrades.
Such an approach might preserve roughly £10billion of fiscal headroom through targeted wealth taxation. However, he notes that the limited breathing room may disappoint bond investors.
An alternative scenario could involve abandoning manifesto pledges and introducing comprehensive tax increases to secure £20billion of headroom. Such measures could dampen business confidence and prove inflationary if firms pass costs on to consumers.
The least probable option would involve loosening fiscal constraints alongside spending reductions, Mr Casali claims. This could ultimately benefit gilt performance by enabling growth-supportive policies and showing pragmatic governance over rigid adherence to fiscal rules.
Susanna Reid clashes with Reform’s Nadine Dorries over Lucy Connolly in furious row on air
Susanna Reid clashed with Nadine Dorries on Wednesday’s edition of Good Morning Britain over in a debate over Lucy Connolly and Ed Balls even tried to diffuse the situation
Susanna Reid has clashed with Nadine Dorries on Wednesday’s edition of Good Morning Britain over in a debate over Lucy Connolly. The journalist, 54, was back in her usual slot hosting the ITV breakfast show alongside Ed Balls when they were joined by Nadine. 68, to chat about her time moving over to the Reform party.
Susanna instantly brought up the topic of Lucy, a woman jailed after being charged with inciting racial hatred over a tweet she posted on the day of the Southport stabbings in July 2023. Lucy has since been released from prison and appeared at the Reform party conference.
When asked about this, Nadine said: “I don’t call her a convicted criminal! It’s a new party, well Reform is the same thing Nigel has been saying for 30 years, banging the same drum, didn’t decide on a policy because it wanted to win votes and I felt a relief to be in a party with other people who share those views.”
Susanna instantly brought up the topic of Lucy, a woman was jailed atfer being charged with inciting racial hatred over a tweet she posted on the day of the Southport stabbings in July 2023(
Image: ITV)
Susanna hit back: “But you were in the Online Safety Bill! It didn’t give you any sort of shiver that someone was at your conference who was convicted of inciting hatred online?”
The two began talking over each other and Nadine hit back: “Absolutely not! In the case of Lucy Connolly, if you want to talk about that we can, but I think we’ll use up all our time-” Then Susanna interrupted again to say “No, specifically Lucy Connolly…”
But Nadine would not back down, even when Ed Balls weighed in on the topic, and she said: “I felt what we saw with Lucy Connolly was a severe reaction to a woman who took down a tweet, and we’ve all posted, Ed, tweets, that we shouldn’t have done. It was in the aftermath of an attack where young girls had been murdered.”
Ed continued to bring up the subject, and Nadine said: “I’m not sure what the purpose of this is..”
Lucy Connolly has since been released from prison and appeared at the Reform party conference(
Image: Getty Images)
She then explained: “I don’t brush off people who have been incited in courts of law. But I think there was a whole issue at the time, this was a long time ago now, of two-tier policing. Lucy Connolly was made an example of, I think the time she spent in prison was extraordinarily long for what she’d done, the tweet she’d deleted.
“I think it’s unfair she was singled out in that way. There was plenty of stuff on social media in that day.”
Lucy served 10 months of her 31 month sentence after writing “set fire to all the f*****g hotels full of the b***** for all I care” on social media. Susanna asked Nadine if she was ‘happy’ to be on stage with a convicted criminal.
Nadine added: “If we’re going to put someone in prison for putting a tweet out, what I want to see is equality and fairness and meritocracy. What I don’t want to see are individuals targeted, teams of thought police knocking on doors.
“I don’t wanna see young mothers as the person who is chosen. I’d like everybody who incited racial hatred on that day to be behind bars, but that isn’t the case. One woman was.”
