FSCS employee fired for flashing incident during video call
Two Capgemini consultants based in India, who were on the call, complained to the FSCS the following week. An internal investigation concluded the staffer was “inappropriately dressed” and “naked from the waist down.”
The man stood up during a Teams call to adjust a cable behind his computer, without wearing any trousers.
A MANAGER was sacked from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) after accidentally flashing his genitals during a video call, an employment tribunal has ruled.
The digital production manager, referred to as DB in the tribunal’s ruling, was earning £58,580 a year when the incident occurred. He stood up during a Teams call to adjust a cable behind his computer, without wearing any trousers, The Telegraph reported.
The tribunal said: “During the call, after approximately three minutes 26 seconds, the claimant stood to adjust a cable behind the computer and revealed he was wearing nothing from the waist down. His genitals were visible.”
Two Capgemini consultants based in India, who were on the call, complained to the FSCS the following week. An internal investigation concluded the staffer was “inappropriately dressed” and “naked from the waist down.”
DB, born in India, in the employment tribunal’s ruling, told his line manager in an email that he did not realise his camera was on and closed his laptop when he noticed. He was dismissed in January 2024 for breaching FSCS rules requiring employees to be dressed appropriately.
He later filed a complaint for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination. The tribunal ruled the dismissal was lawful and said his discrimination claims were not well founded, The Telegraph reported.
He was jailed in October after admitting to breaching an injunction that barred him from repeating false claims about a Syrian refugee who had successfully sued him for libel. (Photo: Getty Images)
STEPHEN YAXLEY-LENNON, also known as Tommy Robinson, is set to be released from prison within a week after the High Court reduced his 18-month sentence for contempt of court.
The far-right anti-Islam activist was jailed in October after admitting to breaching an injunction that barred him from repeating false claims about a Syrian refugee who had successfully sued him for libel.
The Solicitor General had taken legal action against Yaxley-Lennon for comments made in online interviews and a documentary titled Silenced, which was viewed millions of times and shown in Trafalgar Square in July.
The sentence was made up of a 14-month punitive element and a four-month coercive element. Mr Justice Jeremy Johnson had said the four-month part could be lifted if Yaxley-Lennon complied with the court order to remove Silenced and related content from social media and other platforms.
On Tuesday, Yaxley-Lennon appeared via video link from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes. His lawyer, Alex Di Francesco, told the court that Silenced had been removed from accounts under his control and that requests were made to remove other interviews where the false allegations were repeated.
Judge Johnson ruled that Yaxley-Lennon had “purged” his contempt. “The practical effect is that the defendant will be released once he has completed the punitive element, which I understand will be within the next week,” he said. The original release date had been set for 26 July, but it has now been moved up to 26 May.
The judge noted that while there was “an absence of contrition or remorse”, Yaxley-Lennon had given assurances that he would comply with the injunction in the future and understood the consequences of breaching it again. The court accepted that he had shown a “change in attitude” and had taken steps to comply with the order.
Yaxley-Lennon, 42, was jailed for 10 admitted breaches of the injunction after two contempt of court claims were brought against him by the Solicitor General. The injunction was first issued in 2021 after he falsely accused a Syrian teenager in a viral video of being violent. The teenager later won a libel case against him.
He was accused by some media and politicians of inflaming tensions that led to riots across Britain in July and August last year, following the murder of three girls at a dance workshop in Southport.
In January, a post from his social media account claimed that US billionaire Elon Musk was paying some of his legal fees. Musk has not confirmed this.
The UK is set for a wet start to the bank holiday weekend, with forecasts predicting a 600-mile stretch of rain spanning almost the entire country, from Cornwall in the southwest to Caithness in the far northeast of Scotland.
Widespread rain across England
Weather maps from WXCharts.com suggest that much of England will be affected by rain on Saturday afternoon. Cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool are all expected to see showers. While most areas will receive light rainfall under 1mm per hour, parts of Cheshire could experience more intense showers, reaching up to 4mm per hour. Rain is forecast from the south coast and southeast through to East Anglia and across the Midlands and north of England.
Scotland is set for heavy showers on the west coast
In Scotland, a similar picture is developing. Widespread rain is expected, particularly along the west coast, where precipitation could reach 2–3mm per hour. Rain is also likely in Edinburgh, while Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire may avoid the heaviest showers. The northern county of Caithness is forecast to see some rain, though it is unlikely to extend as far as John O’Groats.
Wales to experience central downpours
These weather systems are likely to bring spells of rain, some of which may be heavyGetty
Wales is forecast to receive significant rainfall as well, particularly in central areas where it could range between 1 and 2.5mm per hour. The showers are expected to be consistent across the region, contributing to the nationwide wet conditions.
Northern Ireland is largely dry with isolated showers
Northern Ireland is likely to remain mostly dry, though light rain could fall in parts of Londonderry and Belfast. County Down may experience heavier bursts, with rainfall rates of up to 3mm per hour, according to WXCharts.
Met Office warns of unsettled weather
The Met Office has also issued a long-range forecast covering 23 May to 1 June, warning of a change in conditions over the bank holiday weekend. “More unsettled conditions are likely to develop, with weather systems moving in from the Atlantic,” it stated.
The unsettled weather is expected to begin in the northwest of the UK later on Friday or during Saturday, gradually spreading across the country through the weekend. These weather systems are likely to bring spells of rain, some of which may be heavy, and possibly strong winds.
“There will be drier and brighter intervals between systems,” the Met Office added, “but also showers, some of which could be heavy or thundery.” Temperatures are expected to be close to seasonal averages, though the strong winds may make it feel cooler.
Driest spring takes a turn
The forecast comes after a spell of unusually dry and sunny conditions, which had put spring 2024 on track to become one of the driest on record. This weekend’s weather signals a significant shift as wet conditions return to much of the UK.
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Cllr Patel moved to Harrow in 2000 and was first elected in 2002.
Cllr Anjana Patel has been sworn in as the new mayor of Harrow at the council’s Annual Meeting held on 15 May. She becomes the 73rd mayor of the borough and the UK’s first British Tanzanian-Indian born woman to hold the post. Cllr Yogesh Teli was appointed deputy mayor.
The outgoing mayor, Cllr Salim Chowdhury, handed over the robes and chain of office to Cllr Patel during the ceremony. Her mayoral theme for the year is “Kindness, Caring and Respect.”
Harrow marks its 60th year as a London borough in 2024. Cllr Patel will lead the borough’s jubilee events. Her chosen charities are VIA, which supports individuals affected by drug and alcohol dependency, and the Samaritans.
Cllr Patel moved to Harrow in 2000 and was first elected in 2002. She currently represents Belmont Ward and has previously held cabinet roles including Community and Culture, Schools and Children’s Development, and Environment and Community Safety.
Rupesh Patel was named mayor’s consort. The ceremony was attended by local leaders, residents, and faith representatives. Cllr Patel paid tribute to her mother and spiritual guide Pramukh Swami Maharaj, quoting: “In the joy of others lies our own.”
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Nandy became culture secretary after Labour’s election win, following the loss of shadow culture secretary Baroness Debbonaire’s seat.. (Photo: Getty Images)
LISA NANDY’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) may be scrapped under plans being considered by Downing Street as part of a broader civil service efficiency drive. The move would end 33 years of a standalone department for arts and cultural matters and place Nandy’s Cabinet future in doubt.
The government is exploring reallocating DCMS policy briefs to other departments, which could result in job cuts. Cultural and arts issues may be transferred to the Communities Department, and media matters to the Business Department, The Telegraph has reported. Responsibility for the BBC licence fee remains undecided.
No final decision has been made, but formal advice on the department’s closure had been prepared for prime minister Keir Starmer’s March 13 speech, where he announced plans to abolish NHS England and reduce bureaucracy. The announcement was not made then but The Telegraph understands that there remains interest in taking the move in Number 10. Starmer has pledged to streamline the Civil Service, cut running costs by 15 per cent, and move roles outside London.
DCMS was created by prime minister John Major’s government in 1992 as the Department of National Heritage and helped oversee the launch of the National Lottery. In 2023, the department lost oversight of online safety rules to the newly formed Science, Innovation and Technology Department.
Nandy became culture secretary after Labour’s election win, following the loss of shadow culture secretary Baroness Debbonaire’s seat. Her future, along with ministers Sir Chris Bryant, Stephanie Peacock, and Baroness Twycross, is uncertain if the department is closed.
A Downing Street source told The Telegraph, “It is about a lean and agile state. It is not about individuals or reshuffles.”
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Migrants swim to board a smugglers' boat in order to attempt crossing the English channel off the beach of Audresselles, northern France on October 25, 2024.
A PERSON has died after a small overloaded boat sank while attempting to cross the English Channel, according to French authorities.
The incident occurred overnight from Sunday to Monday, and 62 people were rescued from the water, the Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said.
A French Navy helicopter spotted an unconscious person in the water. The individual was later declared dead by the medical team on board a French assistance and rescue intervention tug, French authorities said.
A mother and her baby suffering from hypothermia were taken to hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The French tug rescued 50 people, the RNLI rescued two, and the Border Force Ranger recovered nine people, the BBC reported.
The remaining rescued individuals were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer quay and handed over to land rescue services.
A migrant also died in a Channel crossing attempt in April.
More than 12,500 people have crossed the Channel on small boats so far in 2025. April's crossings were 42 per cent higher than in 2024 and 81 per cent higher than in 2023, BBC reported.
Home Office figures show this is the highest January–April total since records began in 2018.