Innovation

Tributes after sudden death of drugs campaigner Peter Krykant

by Sofia
written by Sofia

Tributes have been paid following the sudden death of Peter Krykant, who led a campaign for safe drug consumption facilities to be established.

The former heroin addict became a public figure after he set up an unofficial facility in a van which he took around Glasgow.

Krykant often talked about his own battles with addiction, admitting he started taking drugs when he was just 11 and speaking out about a relapse in 2021.

Police confirmed the 48-year-old's death was being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course.

A Police Scotland Sotland spokesperson said: "Around 5.15pm on Monday, 9 June 2025, police attended an address in Graham Avenue, Larbert following a report of a concern for person.

"The body of a 48-year-old man was found within. His next of kin has been informed."

Mr Krykant started taking drugs when he was 11 and began to inject heroin at the age of 17, but stopped using drugs for 11 years.

He went on to open a mobile unit in a converted van with the aim of preventing overdoses and the spread of blood-borne viruses among users in Scotland.

He was arrested in 2020 after launching his "safe space" where users could take their own drugs under medical supervision. Charges against him were later dropped.

Earlier this year The Thistle, the UK's first and only drug consumption room opened in the East End of Glasgow in an effort to reduce drug deaths.

Krykant ran for election as an independent candidate in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, campaigning on drug policy issues.

He later said the "cut-throat" world of politics along with the pressure of running the consumption bus caused him to relapse into drug use.

A 'powerful voice'

On social media, the First Minister John Swinney said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear of Mr Krykant's death.

He said: "His powerful voice on drugs policy reform, in particular his tireless work to deliver safe consumption rooms, leaves an important legacy which will be remembered."

Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: "Peter was a tireless campaigner for a fairer, more compassionate approach to handling drug misuse and addiction, and his campaigning has left such an important legacy in the UK's first safe consumption room in Glasgow.

"His advocacy for drug reform, and of course, his yellow van have no doubt saved countless lives in Scotland."

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Economy

City councillor returns as group leader

by Cameron
written by Cameron

A councillor who stood down as group leader of Peterborough First earlier this year has returned to the role.

Mohammed Farooq took over leadership from Chris Harper in October 2024 after Harper spent two years in charge.

But Farooq has now decided to step down, with Harper reselected by his colleagues to become their leader again.

Speaking after the group's AGM, he said he was "delighted and truly honoured" to reassume the position.

Peterborough First
Mohammed Farooq (right) took over from Chris Harper (left) in October

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I take over from Cllr Farooq who did a great job and will stay within the group to support us.

"What I would say to people is watch this space, as there are big things coming for Peterborough First.

"We've established ourselves as opposition but we don't just want to remain as opposition.

"We are willing to stand up and be counted, but to do that we need new people.

"One of our major goals is to start the recruitment process for, if it happens, the 2026 elections. We will be looking to recruit the right type of people to push our numbers up.

"Our goal is to run this council. It's as simple as that."

City council elections are scheduled for May 2026, however there is uncertainty about whether they will go ahead due to the re-organisation of local government.

There is a possibility Peterborough City Council may have to combine with other neighbouring authorities.

Farooq, a former leader of the city council, took over as group leader last October due to Harper's other commitments.

He said it was "absolutely great news" he was back in charge of the group.

"Chris has always been our leader," he said.

"He came off because his work commitments were very busy last year so I came in and covered for him. We are all very great friends in the group.

"Now his work commitments have reduced a bit so I asked him to come and take over."

Farooq said it was a "privilege" to lead the group and wished Harper the best for the future.

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Industry

Fire that killed woman and teen 'not suspicious'

by Henry
written by Henry

A house fire that killed a 15-year-old girl and a 67-year-old woman is not being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.

Teenager Ann Eyre and Zainab Kazinja were in the property in St Patrick's Way in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes, when the blaze broke out on Friday.

Thames Valley Police said a "thorough investigation" was carried out along with the fire service.

While it had been deemed as not suspicious, the cause of the fire remained "unexplained" and the force said a file had been passed to the coroner.

"We continue to support Ann and Zainab's families and our thoughts remain with them and their loved ones," a spokesperson said.

Sam Read/BBC
Police investigated the cause of the blaze along with colleagues at Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

Zainab's friend Qadhya Ali, who described their relationship as like "mother and daughter", said she had "lost someone very special".

She said she was a "very kind, very polite person", originally from Tanzania, who "looked after me and I look after her".

She said Zainab had been in the property in Bletchley visiting Ann at the time.

Police confirmed both Ann and Zainab lived in the town.

Sam Read/BBC
Flowers were laid outside the property in Bletchley where the fire took place
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Economy

Six take on charity bike ride in memory of friend

by Luke
written by Luke

Six teenage boys are planning to ride from Telford to Liverpool in memory of a friend who took his own life.

They all attended Haberdashers Adams in Newport, Shropshire, along with Max Turton, who died last August, aged 16.

Their 100-mile (161 km) ride will start on Friday from AFC Telford United's stadium and finish at Anfield stadium, the home of Max's favourite club, Premier League champions Liverpool.

Wes, Dillon, Ewan, Sonny, Arwinder and Ollie also plan to raise money for the suicide-prevention charity Papyrus.

The boys, who now attend sixth form colleges in the region, plan to cycle 60 miles on Friday and then stay at a hotel in Northwich, before completing the remaining 40 miles on Saturday.

Ollie said Max was a "joy to everybody around him" and who was dedicated "to making every single person that he knew smile".

He said they spent "so many hours laughing together".

Dillon described him as "a caring, hard-working, funny and most of all a truly loving person".

Family photo
Max Turton was described by his friend Sonny as a boy who "brightened up any room he was in"

The ride to Anfield was chosen because Max was "the biggest Liverpool fan going", Ollie said.

They have already raised almost £4,000 for the cycle ride, and he said the charity, Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide, which has been supported by Max's parents, was "the perfect charity to donate to".

He said the challenge would be tough physically but also very emotional, and he hoped they would find motivation from "knowing exactly why we're doing it and who we're doing it for".

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Innovation

Crews tackle fire in roof of industrial units

by Asher
written by Asher

Firefighters have spent about five hours at the scene of a blaze in the roof of two industrial units.

Eight crews were called to the buildings near the A127 Southend Arterial road, North Benfleet, at about 10:15 BST, Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said.

The fire has been put out but crews remain at the scene to dampen down hotspots.

An investigation will take place to establish the cause.

Steve Osborne, station manager, said that due to "a difficult water supply in the area", the fire service had used a water bowser at the scene as well as an aerial ladder.

People in the area were asked to keep their windows closed due to the smoke.

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Global Trade

'It was an honour to run in Rob's memory'

by Christopher
written by Christopher

Lindsey Burrow has said it was a "great honour" to run the London Marathon in memory of her late husband, rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE.

Burrow died in June 2024 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019.

Mrs Burrow, 42, said: "Rob was so brave and so courageous throughout his battle, and he showed me how to never give up. He was in my ear saying, 'come on, pick up the pace, you can do this'."

She will also run the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on 11 May, fundraising again for the Rob Burrow MND Centre at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.

"It was nice to be able to give back something to those charities which are so close to our hearts," she said.

"Thank you, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported me along the way."

Lindsey Burrow
The banner made by her children was taped up outside at their home after the marathon

Burrow was diagnosed with MND two years after his retirement, following a 17-year career at Leeds Rhinos.

Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, his former teammate and close friend, raised more than £15m for various MND charities.

Mrs Burrow previously told the BBC it was a "privilege" to care for her husband.

"It's so important we keep raising awareness," she said.

"We still don't have a cure. Five people in the UK will be diagnosed with MND today and [I want] to tell other people, other families, that there is hope."

PA Media
In May 2024, only a month before he passed away, the couple attended the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

She said she was "nervous" about taking on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon so soon after Sunday's challenge.

"I'll be sore, but my muscles will heal – patients with MND don't have that luxury," she said.

"I will be running for Rob again. He will be with me all the way."

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Global Trade

Praise for mental health trust after 'good' rating

by Sophia
written by Sophia

An NHS trust has improved from a rating of "inadequate" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to "good".

The Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust had been told to improve after an inspection in 2023.

It provides physical and mental health, adult social care and learning disability services in Shropshire and Staffordshire.

The CQC said the trust was "now providing a safe service that met people's individual needs, which was driven by strong leadership".

The CQC had previously raised concerns that staff shortages affected quality of care.

A report highlighting the new rating followed an inspection in January.

The trust operates units at The Redwoods Centre in Shrewsbury and St George's Hospital in Stafford.

Andy Brand, CQC deputy director of operations in the Midlands, said: "We were really pleased to find the trust had used our previous report and taken on board our feedback to make improvements."

He added that "people told us that they felt safe, listened to and supported by staff" and that "it was encouraging to see how different wards and teams worked together to support each other and share resources when needed".

He said staff and the leadership team at the trust should "be proud of the findings of our report".

The CQC report also found care plans were up to date, that staff were polite and treated people with kindness and respect, and that leaders were approachable, open and visible.

It said there were also enough staff to keep people safe and meet their needs.

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Industry

Communities to consider major solar farm proposal

by Vanessa
written by Vanessa

Plans for a large new solar farm have gone out to consultation among several communities.

A 675-acre (273-hectare) plot of land around Mendlesham, near Stowmarket, has been earmarked for the major White Elm project.

Conservative-controlled Suffolk County Council said it would object to the proposal if high quality farmland was affected.

But Spanish firm Elmya RPC UK Grange Road Ltd, which is expected to submit plans in 2026, said it would power more than 40,000 homes a year. Labour's Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will have the final say on the plans.

A consultation began on Monday and is due to run until 30 June.

The White Elm site, which also surrounds Wickham Skeith and Thwaite, sits five miles (8km) south of another proposed solar farm in Yaxley.

"I'm sure the reaction of many Suffolk residents will be 'here we go again'," said Conservative councillor Richard Rout.

He warned the application would move "very quickly" and urged residents to voice their concerns.

"Do object and give clear reasons why, but also make constructive suggestions to amend and improve the plans in case it goes ahead," Rout added.

Kelly McCormack/BBC
The government will have the final say on any planning application

In a statement, the county council said solar farms "should not remove Suffolk's best quality farmland" from food production.

Concerns have also been raised about where a substation would be built for the development, which is expected to have a 40-year lifespan.

A spokesman for Elmya RPC UK Grange Road Ltd' said it was in the early stages of shaping the solar farm.

He said a storage system was being created to retain any excess energy for "when the sun isn't shining".

"If approved, White Elm Solar Farm would generate enough clean electricity to power over 40,000 typical family homes every year during its 40-year operational lifespan," he added.

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