One of the most high-profile mayors for prime minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives, Ben Houchen, was re-elected on Friday, albeit with a much-reduced majority, in a rare win for the party on what was otherwise a tough set of election results.
Houchen won re-election in Tees Valley in northern England, an area that includes the towns of Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, and Darlington which was once a Labour heartland.
He polled more than 53 per cent of the vote, down from more than 70 per cent in 2021.
He won 81,930 votes against Labour rival Chris McEwan's 63,141 and 7,679 for the Liberal Democrats. The turnout was 30 per cent.
Houchen has been mayor since 2017. Media reports say this victory will help Sunak retain his position as Tory leader.
Sunak and other Conservatives had hailed his record on attracting investment and regenerating the area, though he has also faced scrutiny.
In January, an independent review found no evidence to support allegations of corruption on a flagship Teesworks project but criticised a lack of transparency in how it had been managed.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)