and warnings were given for people to leave
Police said community members also tried to intervene
were arrested for offences including failure to comply with the dispersal order
They have been bailed pending further enquiries
Members of the local charedi community claimed CST representatives were seen speaking to police officers before the arrests
A local rabbi claimed the situation escalated after CST directed the police to arrest one boy
“If parents or teachers had been called instead
The rabbi also questioned the decision to shut down festival floats and stop music
despite police having initially approved the events
But CST denied any involvement in the arrests
“CST was not in any way responsible for the arrests of five Jewish teenagers in Golders Green on Purim
and any suggestion of CST involvement in those arrests is totally false and wrong,” a spokesperson said
“A local CST representative attended the scene after the trouble that led to the arrests had already started
he may well have prevented further arrests from occurring.”
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Jane Prinsley is the Investigations Correspondent at the Jewish Chronicle
Jane Prinsley
1 min readPosters accusing the Community Security Trust (CST) of “betraying” the Jewish community have appeared around parts of Golders Green
The JC understands that some residents unaffiliated with the CST have removed many of the posters
The posters featured the CST’s blue logo with the word “protecting” crossed out and replaced with “betraying our Jewish community”
They were plastered on walls and lampposts in the area early on Friday morning
including on a wall with posters of the hostages
The campaign follows the arrests of five Jewish teenagers
were arrested in connection with alleged offences
including assaulting an emergency services worker
failing to comply with a dispersal order and public order offences
150 to 200 people were part of a drunken crowd when police ordered them to disperse
described by one community member as a “baying mob”
The arrested teens spent the night in custody
where a local representative said they had no access to kosher food or tefillin
They were released on bail last Friday pending further enquiries
Some members of the strictly Orthodox community accused the CST of identifying the teenage suspects to the police – an allegation the charity strongly denied
A CST spokesperson said: “CST was not in any way responsible for the arrests of five Jewish teenagers in Golders Green on Purim and any suggestion of CST involvement in those arrests is totally false and wrong
He tried to calm tempers and in doing so he may well have prevented further arrests from occurring.”
But a local individual connected to the poster campaign said: “The only way that trust can be rebuilt is if there is a public apology from the CST and from the police acknowledging things went wrong.”
The posters underscore tensions between some members of the Charedi community and the CST
The JC understands that a CST volunteer was spat at while on duty in Golders Green by a strictly Orthodox local in an incident some time before Purim
In a letter to parents on Thursday informing them about the arrests
Hasmonean headteacher Miriam Langdon said: “We take such matters very seriously and will be taking appropriate action once investigations have been concluded.”
CST
Purim
Francesco Macri is head chef and dough master at Alley Cats Pizza
He's most recently curated the menu for their new Chelsea location
drawing on family recipes passed down from his grandmother
as well as techniques honed during his time in Rome and London
He's agreed to share his favourite food and drink spots in Golders Green with Hot Dinners readers
bread is a staple in our diet and so Carmelli Bakery is one of my essential stops
It has been there forever and has a loyal following
Their bagels are some of the best I have tried and luckily it is open very early which works perfectly for my schedule
Great Japanese restaurant with a few locations around London - they are always full and have a great and varied sushi offering
They have huge hotpot dishes in the center of selected tables and I love creating the broth and adding in different ingredients
A vibrant Turkish restaurant with an open kitchen and huge charcoal grill which creates a great atmosphere
so it is a great place to go with a group of friends
This is one of my favourite restaurants for the summer as they have table grills where you can cook various types of meats as well as many classics of Korean dishes
which is now my go-to drink when I am there
The owner is really nice and they serve old-school Italian dishes - very reasonably priced with great Italian draft beers - it's the perfect place for a Saturday night
For more of these local area guides, visit the My Manor page.
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There’s a line in the programme for The Bowie Show where Creative Director Simon Gwilliam says
I held onto one thought: What if Bowie himself were sitting in the audience?”
I never met the man but I think he would have probably left very early as The Bowie Show does no justice to the Star Man’s phenomenal catalogue of superb music
Bowie’s output over a fifty-year career had nuance and subtlety and this show has none of that – every song is blasted out at an ear-bleeding level – my watch kept giving me “Loud Environment” warnings and I measured the decibel level at 99; 100dB is (and I quote) “Equivalent to the noise produced by a motorcycle or a jackhammer at a distance of 1 meter away
Exposure to 100 dB for an extended period can cause hearing damage and potential hearing loss”
Sian Crowe and Greg Oliver at times had to shout over the five-piece band
sometimes straining to get their pitching right
There’s also some voiceover from John Lennon (who co-wrote “Fame” with Bowie) but it’s drowned out by the band
The problem (well one of them) with The Bowie Show is that it’s neither a tribute show nor theatre – it falls between two stools
there’s a dance troupe of eight who do interpretive dance although at times it’s difficult to see what they were interpreting – a dancing yeti (or was it a “woodland creature”?) anyone
It’s all a bit strange – maybe they’re trying to live up to the marketing blurb of “It’s the freakiest show”
is Billy Gwilliam’s superb video design which complements the music and is very creative and innovative being projected onto a big screen at the back and onto panels on either side of the stage
Another saving grace are the always interesting
costumes worn by the singers and the dancers (although not by the on-stage band who seem to have turned up in their street clothes – a trick missed?)
The costumes are designed and made by Sophie Gwilliam (it’s a family affair)
Rebecca Martin and Erin Holden with some being sourced from Simon’s mum Nana Sheila (told you it was a family affair) who sells vintage clothes
Apart from being very loud (my ears are still ringing as I write this)
it’s also very long – nearly two hours forty-five (including an interval) as it features something like twenty-five of Bowie’s best-known songs although thankfully nothing from Tin Machine (a little note for all you Bowie aficionados out there)
there are also some odd black-outs between songs
This doesn’t happen all the time as occasionally
one song segueways into another with some music or video but this doesn’t happen enough and it makes for a fragmented show that doesn’t have a natural flow
Another problem is the soulless (ironic as it’s now owned by a church!) Golders Green Hippodrome
but there’s also no signage up to the circle where we were sitting and I met a number of people wandering down the stairs as the only door into the auditorium wasn’t marked
There are also doors marked “Exit” that lead nowhere – I thought I was trapped
ever to wander the corridors of the old music hall
The Bowie Show is now heading off on tour to play more hospitable venues where it will probably find more audiences like last night who loved it and cheered it to the rafters (as you may have guessed
Bowie had a great affinity with space writing songs such as “Space Oddity
“Starman” and “Life On Mars” and appeared as an alien in “The Man Who Fell To Earth”
Prepare to take a journey into the mind of the original rock ‘n’ roll alien… from his gender-bending alter-ego Ziggy Stardust in the 1970s
through the dark and desolate years of Berlin
the pure joy of Let’s Dance to the genius of Blackstar
this show takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that will make you laugh
With a cast of world-class musicians and dancers choreographed against dramatic landscapes and thought-provoking visuals
combining original twists with unique storytelling visions
the show pulls all the strands of David Bowie’s fragmented life together
treating audiences of all ages to a night of breathtaking
unexpected and ‘other worldly’ performances
Musicians: Alex Turney (musical director/keys)
Previous An Interrogation – Hampstead Theatre | Review
Celebrating Arts Education with ICONS at Stockton Globe
turned into amateur hour by friends and family
mates shouting between circle and stalls etc
Weinbaum of London initiated a public menorah in the Golders Green section of London
faithfully driving the cherry picker each year to prepare the nightly lighting
still serves as a beacon of light through the efforts of shliach Rabbi Yossi Simon
the Giant Menorah that goes up at this time of year
The familiar and iconic symbol of Chanukah spreads a message of hope and resilience
Weinbaum faithfully driving the cherry picker each year to prepare the Menorah for its nightly lighting
a local artist who is now over 100 years old
drew a picture of the first Giant Menorah lighting in 1984
ensuring the Menorah remains a beacon of community spirit and unity
Inspired by the vision of the Rebbe who championed public Menorah lightings as a way to share the universal message of Chanukah
What started as a pioneering concept has since grown into a global phenomenon
with thousands of public Menorahs now lighting up cities around the world
From the iconic Menorah at the Brandenburg Gate
the very site where Hitler announced the “Final Solution;” to Menorahs standing near the Arch of Titus in Rome; Central Manhattan and Mexico; to name but a few; these symbols of hope and faith have become a beacon for Jews and non- Jews alike
giving the message that live will always prevail the darkness
The Menorah serves as an enduring reminder of resilience and faith
and the Menorah celebrates that unyielding spirit
the Menorah stood as a symbol of pride that Jews in this country are grateful for the religious freedom that the UK offered
where antisemitism is unfortunately rampant
the Menorah’s message feels more relevant than ever
Its light reminds us that even in the darkest times
We can spread light and create a ripple effect of positivity and peace.As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Golders Green Menorah
let us take a moment to embrace the powerful message: A candle’s flame is not diminished when it is used to light another flame
Acts of kindness and goodwill only grow when shared
let’s take a moment to pray for peace worldwide and for the safe and IMMEDIATE return of all the hostages
Let the light of the Menorah inspire us to strive for unity
You’re invited to join the celebration
Every night of Chanukah at 6PM (7PM on Saturday night
with no public lighting on Friday night).The highlight will be on Sunday
29th of December – the Annual Kids’ Night – with thousands in attendance
To get your own Menorah or to find out more information about Chanukah, visit chabadgg.com/Chanukah
Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment
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where she became a tireless advocate for Holocaust remembrance
helped share her story with younger generations on TikTok
and the pair co-authored the bestselling memoir Lily’s Promise
“My great-grandmother spent her life reliving the horrors of the Holocaust
humanity could learn from the worst crime in history
She made herself a promise in Auschwitz: that if she survived
when Benzi Brofman reached out and said he wanted to create this mural
I knew there was no better way to honour her legacy and the extraordinary life she lived than to have it here
She rose from the ashes of Auschwitz with resilience and purpose
and now it’s so special to see her story and face framed in paint
The mural has been warmly received by the community
with many describing it as a fitting tribute to a woman whose life symbolised survival
The eruv does NOT include any part of the North Circular Road (A406)
Shomrim North West London confirmed they received eight calls to their control room in relation to the incident
Local residents also assisted police in searching the area to locate the man as officers attempted to arrest him
He is believed to have been detained on Highfield Avenue Nw11
In a statement Barnet Metropolitan Police later confirmed they were able to arrest a man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence
“We are not searching for anyone else in relation to the incident,” added the statement
“So far there have been no reports of any injuries
“The incident is being treated as a potential hate crime.”
6 min readPolice arrested five teenagers in Golders Green
including pupils from Hasmonean Boys School
during Purim celebrations on Thursday evening last week
aged 14 to 18 – four of whom are current Hasmonean students – were arrested for offences including assaulting an emergency services worker
failing to comply with a dispersal order and public order offences
The commotion on the night of Purim unfolded outside Hot Cut on Golders Green Road when police attempted to disperse a large gathering of youngsters
There were between 150-200 people in the crowd when the police asked them to disperse
described it as a “baying mob of young men”
The group ignored officers' orders to leave – and according to sources
while another threw a carton of juice into the crowd
Video footage of the incident shows seven Metropolitan Police officers tackling boys to the pavement as a crowd of onlookers
the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers intervened in a number of disturbances
causing potential danger to road users and pedestrians
“A decision was taken to implement a section 35 dispersal order and several warnings were given to those in attendance to leave the area
Members of the community also tried to intervene and persuade those involved to leave.”
“A total of five males – aged between 14 and 18 – were arrested for offences including failing to comply with the dispersal order; assaulting an emergency services worker and public order
All five have been bailed pending further enquiries.”
The fracas erupted while tensions were high during the exuberant Purim festivities
with celebrations involving underage drinking
the JC understands there had been another incident when allegedly there was an altercation between the driver of a car and boys dancing in the road
police said a separate incident had occurred on Bridge Lane
One was bailed and the other was released under investigation while enquiries continue
A local resident told the JC that things "went from bad to worse" on Friday when police asked a group celebrating with music in the car park of Beth Shmuel Synagogue on Golders Green Road to turn off their speakers
Others said there were high levels of youth intoxication
During a separate incident a Purim float – which was escorted by police from Friday morning – arrived outside pizza shop Slice in Golders Green at around 2pm
As the boys on the parked float celebrated
near the vehicle a Community Security Trust (CST) volunteer spotted a suspicious package
One witness said the bag was marked with a local rabbi’s name
It prompted an interruption to the festivities
and the music was turned off – but the bag turned out to contain mishloach manot (Purim gifts)
a local teen said: “All of the boys were getting a bit rowdy and upset because the whole thing had been ruined
We spent all this money on the float and the whole thing was ruined
one boy [lit] a smoke bomb and people started dancing.”
He reported that the group were asked to go home by the CST – but the charity denied these claims
They said: “CST security personnel saw an untended bag and took steps to ensure the safety of over 30 children on a nearby float while the bag was checked by police.”
recounted a separate encounter with police while walking to shul on Friday with his five sons
and an officer jumped out "as if something massive was happening
but he caught up with me in the synagogue courtyard and said
You're not allowed to be drinking on the street.'
'Did you see me drinking on the street?'" The man admitted he had been "a little bit tipsy" but insisted he was not drunk
It wasn't as if I was rolling around on the floor
I was drunk enough not to drive to shul which I normally do."
Two of his youngest children began to cry as he told the officer
"I was not doing anything wrong...' It was a minute before Shabbos
The rabbi of my shul happened to be standing at the door
"On the one day a year we are allowed to be merry
"It is disgusting because they [the Met] wouldn’t do this to any other community," he claimed
Another local noted that rumours circulated ahead of the festival that the police would be "heavy-handed"
"Everyone thought it was a Purim joke," he added
which usually meet community representatives to discuss security before Purim
said: “Our local police teams continue to have positive relationships with many representatives from the Jewish community and we will continue to engage
and factor these into how we police the local area.”
Several meetings took place with various communal groups ahead of this year’s celebrations
But one trustee of the Charedi security charity claimed there was not the usual large meeting with the force
A small minority chose to engage in criminal behaviour
The Met said: “Following consultation with various groups from the Jewish community across several meetings
a policing plan was put in place for the period around Purim celebrations in the Golders Green area
Large numbers of people were able to enjoy these celebrations but a small minority
“Where possible we will seek alternatives to arresting people
and officers did so on various occasions by escorting young people away from potential harm
engage in antisocial behaviour or do not engage with instructions given to them by police
officers will look to detain them to protect the wider community.”
The Purim incidents have highlighted some disagreements between sections of the strictly Orthodox community and the CST
accused the CST of being "extremely heavy-handed"
He added: "The police brought in officers from other boroughs because they knew it was a big night
They did a fantastic job and tried to keep a low profile
but the CST wound them [the police] up and told them who to arrest and stop
A spokesperson stated: "CST was not in any way responsible for the arrests of five Jewish teenagers in Golders Green on Purim
Any suggestion of CST involvement in those arrests is totally false and wrong
A local CST representative attended the scene after the trouble that led to the arrests had already started
may well have prevented further arrests."
a spokesperson for Hasmonean Boys School commented: "We are aware that on Thursday
there was a large group of teenagers (150-200) celebrating Purim in Golders Green
and we await further details about who was involved."
A lot of things that happened were not illegal
we see what goes on in London – how these [anti-Israel] marches happen and nothing ever gets done – and then
for one day a year when we let go on Purim
He said Shomrim had worked through the night to secure the release of the five boys
Golders Green
Court and Crime
Metropolitan Police
But he said that he had been approached by a senior rabbi “who has turned to me on behalf of several Orthodox synagogues and their constituent communities that lie within the boundaries of the proposed eruv
These communities too wish to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to establish an eruv that would benefit their members”
making some amendments to the original application
All the changes have now been approved and work is expected to go ahead in the coming months
A spokesman for KLBD and the United Synagogue said: “An eruv makes Shabbat observance more pleasant in many ways as it enables many thousands of Jewish people living in the area to enjoy Shabbat to the full
Eruvin are especially helpful to families with young children who want to use a pram or baby buggy outside their home on Shabbat and to people who use a wheelchair or walking frame
Others will find it useful to be able to carry house keys
families with young children were home-bound each Shabbat
Many couples who had children too young to walk to synagogue could not attend a Shabbat service together
Grandparents are now able to host their younger grandchildren on Shabbat
Shabbat events are available to all families – young and old
Everyone can now join in the Shabbat religious and social life of the community.”
Jewish News has asked the Federation of Synagogues for comment but there has been no response
was one of the first three women to arrive home on Sunday
together with Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher
The mothers of all three — including Mandy Damari
Emily’s mother — were reunited with their daughters at Kibbutz Re’im
before the former captives were taken by helicopter to Sheba Hospital in Tel Aviv where they will undergo physical and mental health treatment
We know that she was wounded when she was taken captive and we can see that she has lost some fingers.But she was smiling and from what we have heard from other captives who were released last year
she spent a lot of time singing bedtime lullabies to people to keep up their morale.” He said that in consultation with Mandy Damari
he hoped to go to Israel himself soon and see Emily
Those present in Golders Green included baker Tami Pearce
who had made challah in the shape of a hostage support ribbon
who organised the spontaneous rally in Golders Green
has been one of the UK supporters of the hostages who have taken to the streets
tying symbolic yellow ribbons to trees and railings and making sure that the names of the hostages were not forgotten
He pledged that the campaign would continue as long as people were still held captive in Gaza
and urged those present to take support posters and leaflets for those who still remain
He described Emily Damari as “a beautiful British soul
watching Spurs and hanging out with her friends
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve spoken to who told me that they’ve dread Shabbos,” he continued
but I’ve heard from people that hate Shabbos.”
Zimmerman said the motivation to spend years and thousands of pounds on building the eruv had been to assist older people and those who are handicapped
But he then admitted rabbonim know what’s going on in houses” as he told Thursday’s event of those who were finding observing Shabbat in a Strictly Orthodox way a drain on their mental health
He added:”I’m sorry to tell you
and I must tell you the truth that this is what’s going on in many
many houses where people are dreading Shabbos
“And this message goes over to the children
Zimmerman said:”Therefore it’s my firm belief that if we want another generation
or another two generations of shomer Shabbos we have to address this issue
“That is what motivated me to do it.”
will conform to the “highest halachic standards.”
enclosing an area inside the North Circular
converts a public area into notionally private space
in which observant Jews may carry certain items or push wheelchairs or buggies on the Sabbath
The area is already covered by the London Beth Din’s North-West London eruv
but many Charedi Jews in the area were concerned that the United Synagogue run eruv did not conform to the highest standards of religious laws
But some leaders of the Strictly Orthodox Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations have disputed the validity of Zimmerman’s eruv
But others within the UOHC have accepted it
Rabbi Zimmerman said “the new eruv that surrounds the Golders Green neighbourhood surpasses most city-wide eruvin in the world
in that it encompasses only a limited part of the city
and particular effort was invested in its creation
both in terms of strong and stable construction
and in terms of adding many halachic chumros [stringencies] at the request of local rabbonim
such as gates that are able to be closed and many other enhancements.”
The eruv was “certainly kosher and may be relied up to carry within its boundaries on Shabbos and on Yom Kippur,” he stated
An appeal at the end of last year raised £250,000 for the project
Brigit Grant is the Jewish News Supplements Editor
but the day came when my father said ‘you’re no good to me at the moment
And I’m not doing this because I’m generous
he had business cards printed for himself with the name Mitch Murray Snr.”
The road to that first number one was Denmark Street in WC2 which is where Mitch hung out with other aspiring songwriters such as Lionel Bart and if he wasn’t there he was outside The Savoy autograph hunting and chatting to Humphrey Bogart and Danny Kaye
In time a collaboration with Les Reed who wrote It’s Not Unusual for Tom Jones led to writing and record releases with singer Cleo Laine and then Mitch began working with singer/songwriter Barry Mason of Delilah fame
It was Barry who offered to share his appointment with Ron Richards
assistant to producer George Martin – a generous act that Mitch hasn’t forgotten
“It was a fabulous thing to do and he did it because he thought I’d written a terrific song.”
which Mitch had already recorded with the then unknown Dave Clark Five in a small Denmark Street studio
The ‘meeting’ got the song to publisher Dick James and then to George Martin who wanted The Beatles to record it
“It was the first one they did at Abbey Road
but they didn’t want to do it,” snipes Mitch who is ridiculously youthful at 84
‘we can write better stuff than this’ to which George Martin said
‘when you can write a song as good as this I’ll record it
But when Dick James played Mitch the recording; “I hated it
I told Dick it was terrible and they had screwed it up deliberately
I was told they were going back to the studio in September as George Martin wanted to try it again
that they would never do it right because they’ were songwriters themselves and didn’t want to make mine hip
That’s when we agreed to find somebody who could do it really well.”
“I could tell was a good guy right away because I overheard him on the phone saying: ‘No
For a manager to show concern for fans was rare and he also said sorry about The Beatles ‘thing’ but that he had the second biggest act in Liverpool
Gerry and the Pacemakers and asked me to have a listen.”
When Mitch arrived in Liverpool lunch was waiting in Brian’s office and so were The Beatles.“They were very polite blokes and when I came into the office
Very nice,”says Mitch who was roughly the same age
“Brian also played me The Beatles latest record Please Please Me which they released instead of mine.” But it was the demos by Gerry and The Pacemakers he was interested in and they were enough to convince Mitch to give the band a shot
It was the right decision and How Do You Do It
produced by George Martin went straight to number one
I said it’s fantastic and Gerry Marsden’s voice was perfect
It sounded like an American record which most didn’t in those days
Gerry had his own presence and did it better than anybody could have done
It was the perfect writer band combo for manager Brian who got his first number one and for Mitch who then wrote the follow up single
In Golders Green.“My father by that time who had seen my song go to number one
and kindly started feeding me ideas on bits of paper with titles for songs and one was ‘Do it again
Gerry and The Pacemakers got their second number one with Mitch’s ‘I Like It’ on 16th June 63
The band were now a hot property and song writers clamoured to write for them – including Mitch
“With two hits I thought I had a clear run at Gerry with my songs
Until the day I went to Dick James office and his secretary told me to wait in another office as he was in a meeting with Paul McCartney
‘if you get your song to Gerry I’ll thump you.’ It was said tongue in cheek
but I realised I was competing with John Lennon”
Brian Epstein however was always supportive
“He was very helpful and all sorts of fingers in different pies and worked his magic to get Freddie and The Dreamers to America and on TV with my song I’m Telling You Now
It knocked The Supremes off the number one spot.”
The last time Mitch saw Brian Epstein was in a restaurant in New York
“We met by chance and I thanked him for what he did for Freddie and The Dreamers and what it meant for me
but beyond that I didn’t know much about him
but that he’d also been engaged to a Jewish girl.I don’t remember where I was when I heard that he’d died
many with Peter Callander:Georgie Fame’s The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde
Hello Samantha and Tony Christie’s Avenues and Alleyways which remain Baby boomer favourites
Mitch remembers fondly is Dusty Springfield who his stage star daughter Maz Murray will play in November in a musical about the singer’s life
“Dusty always had to come close to recognise me because she was very short sighted.”
Being recognised is rare for most songwriters
but Mitch thinks there are less obvious rewards
“I remember being on the tube into town when a bloke began whistling
And The Beatles remembered How Do You Do It
as they put the version they recorded in 1962 on their Anthology album 30 years later.To which Mitch responded: “Thank you Paul for buying me a house.” At the screening of Midas Man
Mitch was introduced to actor Jacob Fortune Lloyd who plays Brian Epstein in the film
“I haven’t seen you for 50 years”
“I’ve been away,” replied Jacob
“But I’m back now.” It was another memorably moving moment for the boy who wrote hits in Golders Green
In her new role Sackman has been given the responsibility for tackling the country’s crumbling court system
The government also announced that Ellie Reeves
Labour Party Chair and minister without portfolio would be attending cabinet
Sackman herself is replaced by Lucy Rigby who was also elected in 2024 and represents Northampton North
Barrister Adam Wagner praised Keir Starmer for promoting Sackman to help tackle “one of the most urgent issues in public services – the crumbling court system.”
Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Off Broadway
Cabaret
Dance
Opera
Classical Music
Nashville
Minneapolis / St. Paul
Connecticut
Atlanta
Chicago
Los Angeles
WEST END
UK Regional
Canada
Australia / New Zealand
Europe
Asia
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Africa / Middle East
TV/Movies
Music
The musical tribute to Michael Jackson comes to the newly revived North London venue
With fifteen years experience as a Michael Jackson impersonator and spending two hours in the make-up chair every night getting ready
you can’t fault CJ (Craig Harrison) for commitment
Taking on the mantle of famous performers is no small thing
Many in the audience have dressed up for the occasion even though they look too young to have been around during his Eighties heyday and some of the kids dancing around in black suits and hats were still just glints in their parents’ eyes when the Thriller singer died in 2009
both when creating and delivering this two-hour event
there was a singular thought ringing around CJ’s head: "be careful of what you do
don't go around breaking young fans' hearts."
be more of a blinkered hagiography than a critical look at a complicated figure
And how many times will we hear the high-pitched “hoo-ha” sounds
beginning with the bumping new jack swing of 1992’s “Jam”
ending with the show’s title song from 1988 and rolling out an overlong tribute-within-a-tribute to the Jackson 5 halfway through
It is not easy to tell exactly when he is singing or lip synching but anyone who can pull off sharp moves and rap at the same time is doing something right
the hat-tips and the signature moonwalk slides are reminders that it wasn’t all about the falsetto vocals
the outfits and the controversies; even in silhouette
everyone from Sydney to Sydenham recognised this unique performer
Should the white dancers have worn massive afros when bopping around to “Blame It On The Boogie”
but considering that their outfits were sometimes far more coordinated than their choreography
The problematic side of Jackson is never touched on and CJ very much sees the man he has imitated from the age of four as being on the side of the angels: if we only take one thing away from tonight
it is that the singer wrote tracks like “Earth Song” because he cared about humanity and the planet
Man In The Mirror continues on tour until May 2026.
The historic Saville Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue is set to return to live performance for the first time in over half a century, following planning approval from Camden Council.
Super show that lightens a very dark subject (corecive control), but does not diminish it
Check out photos from the Manchester Opera House gala night featruing a performance from the company of A KNIGHT'S TALE THE MUSICAL. Check out photos from the evening.
Equity members have overwhelmingly re-elected Paul W Fleming to serve a second term as General Secretary of the performing arts and entertainment trade union.
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Rosa Doherty is social affairs correspondent for the Jewish Chronicle
Rosa Doherty
2 min readA long-awaited bus route operating between Golders Green and Stamford Hill will launch at the end of August
Transport for London have announced the 310 bus route will start on August 31 and promises to give the Jewish community a direct connection between the busy hubs of Golders Green and Stamford Hill
The Mayor of London first pledged to extend a bus route from Golders Green to Stamford Hill amid heightened safety concerns among the Jewish population as part of his election campaign in April
Speaking at a Jewish community hustings event earlier this year
Sadiq Khan said that if he was re-elected to the role
Transport for London would extend the current 210 route to provide a single decker bus that travels directly between Stamford Hill and Golders Green
Welcoming the launch of the new route Andrew Gilbert
vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews
said: “The Jewish community want to thank Commissioner Andy Lord and Mayor of London
He said: “The Jews of Golders Green and Stamford Hill will now have a direct transport connection that is part of the standard transport network
We want to thank all of those who have worked on this for more than 15 years
said: “I made the pledge to introduce this route between Golders Green and Stamford Hill
The brand-new bus route will connect Golders Green and Stamford Hill with direct service for the first time
supporting many people in the Jewish community with their daily commutes
“I know there have been concerns about safety given the terrible rise in antisemitism and this route will provide a safe
sustainable and affordable route for local residents as we continue to build a safer
It will be the first time that passengers who wish to travel by bus from one location to the other can do so without having to change
At the moment passengers must take the 210 to Finsbury Park and then change to the 253 or 254 bus toward Stamford Hill
The calls for the new route have been part of an ongoing campaign run by the London Jewish Forum
Route 310 will make stops between Golders Green and Stamford Hill including stops at Highgate Village
Barnet Council’s cabinet member for Environment and Climate Change
said: “It’s great to see TfL continuing to improve public transport links in outer boroughs.”
said: “We’ve long supported a new link between Stamford Hill and Golders Green
which was an aspiration in the Council’s transport strategy
and will help to forge better public transport links between the two communities.”
Stamford Hill
Transport
Community
Of all the proud tribute acts showcased in the sizzle reel preceding Man in the Mirror
Surely the hollow approximation of a band of Beatles re-enactors would be made only more plain by the fact that two living Beatles are still performing
the hazy sheen of reverential nostalgia bestowed upon each of these acts ought to be harmless
directly catered to those who are paying for the pleasure of tunes they already know and which they will be duly served
few demand so wilful an abandonment of one’s critical faculties at the door as this one
The set-up for Man in the Mirror is straightforwardly no-nonsense
A performer introducing himself as CJ will strut across the stage
eerily approximating both Michael Jackson’s appearance and voice as the greatest hits are proficiently struck upon
though it no doubt suffers from the same affliction as most any act of its kind: a simple inability to bottle the dynamism of its subject to a degree that a simple recording of the real thing couldn’t supersede
as well as a clear absence of the real thing’s arsenal of razzle dazzle production tools
As an act presented to the wedding guests of a wealthy host to impress upon them the expenses that went into the festivities
Man in the Mirror may cut the mustard in terms of production value
but it certainly seems like the unmistakably low-rent option next to the West End’s ongoing MJ: The Musical
sometimes a show is marked to a much greater degree by what is not in it
and by the insistently non-interrogative stance required to delight in it
Man in the Mirror’s stopover at the Golders Green Hippodrome falling on the same week that the second part of Dan Reed’s Leaving Neverland – charting the accusations of child sexual abuse two men have made against Jackson – premiered on Channel 4 may be coincidental
There may be a gap between the show’s drive to honour Jackson’s gifts as an entertainer and wider public awareness of his behaviour offstage
it makes a bleak no man’s land for an ostensibly frothy cabaret show to locate itself within
Man in the Mirror demands no reflection from its crowd
so one is tempted to reflect instead on the unspoken contract any piece of media intended to celebrate a showman accused of awful acts must draw up with its audience: essentially
that it be agreed and shaken upon that neither party will trouble themselves with thinking about it much
the predominantly over-the-age-of-40 crowd in attendance may only be seeking simple permission to enjoy the pop bangers guilt-free; a dream-safe space for the anti-woke crowd
in the fact that Man in the Mirror refuses any kind of narrative framework
There is no intention to communicate a larger
faux-inspirational idea surrounding Jackson’s personhood to the audience
only an energetic enough willingness to run through the songs
it’s a small mercy that he does not purport to be Jackson himself
revealing that some sense of good taste and limits does persist in the face of the performer’s otherwise all-consuming commitment to the bit
Not Michael’s strict adherence to estate-friendly karaoke keeps the show smoothly digestible
with a welcome spotlight on the background dancers effectively channelling the rest of the Jackson 5 and keeping many of the numbers afloat
Delivering exactly what is promised in a proficient manner
Man in the Mirror cannot help but embody the resolutely unwholesome task of making celebratory musical lemonade from the lemons of Michael Jackson’s fraught legacy
The nostalgic endeavour’s target audience will likely have already decided upon whether the show is for them ahead of time
and while they will likely feel better served by MJ: The Musical
they will still find much of what they are looking for
Thomas Messner Photos: Courtesy of Man in the Mirror
Man in the Mirror: A Tribute to Michael Jackson is at Golders Green Hippodrome until 22nd March 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here
Man in the Mirror: A Tribute to Michael Jackson
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An overgrown space behind Golders Green Library is to be transformed from an empty area with limited access into an attractive garden for residents to enjoy
Barnet Council has been awarded more than £85,000 by Arts Council England to improve a previously unusable area outside the building and create a sensory reading garden
The project will provide step-free access from the rear of the library and spaces for quiet reading with outdoor seating and shading
It will also enable the area to be used for outdoor activities
particularly those linked to sustainability and the environment
A series of planters and raised beds will be used for seed planting and other gardening workshops
with sensory and insect-friendly planting designed to encourage biodiversity
The garden will be designed and managed with local partners
strengthening connections between the library and the community
and encouraging use by groups currently less likely to visit the library
The project also hopes to increase the use of the library by local schools and the number of volunteers supporting it
“Our libraries are among our most cherished local assets
and we want to ensure they are attractive and welcoming spaces for all members of the community
“This funding will create an accessible space for quiet reading and creative activities
encouraging more local residents and groups to make use of the library
“As we continue to focus on improving our local environment
the new garden will enhance biodiversity by providing a habitat for plants
“We are thrilled to be part of the new reading garden project at Golders Green Library
we understand the profound impact that accessible and welcoming community spaces have on the wellbeing of older people
“This reading garden will provide a calm environment where our older residents can engage in the joys of reading
and interact with others in a safe and peaceful setting.”
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A man has been arrested following an incident in Golders Green Road on Sunday evening
which police are treating as a potential hate crime
stating: “Earlier this evening officers responded to an incident in Golders Green Road
We’re now able to provide the update below
“We’re grateful for the support of residents and partners who assisted officers in locating the suspect.”
officers were called at 17:30hrs on Sunday
after reports of a man acting erratically in the street
Witnesses reported that he was attempting to punch passers-by and shouting in Arabic outside Jewish-owned businesses
Officers arrived quickly and carried out a search of the area
Police confirmed: “With the support of local residents and partners they were able to arrest a man nearby on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.”
No further suspects are being sought in connection with the incident
Police also confirmed that there have been no reports of injuries
“The incident is being treated as a potential hate crime,” police added
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The 310 bus will link Golders Green and Stamford Hill after Jewish organisations campaigned for at least 15 years
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A bus that offers a direct link between two of London’s biggest Jewish communities has been launched in a bid to address safety fears in the wake of last year’s Hamas terror attacks on Israel
The 310 bus links Golders Green and Stamford Hill. It has been introduced by Sadiq Khan at a cost of £3.2million to honour a pledge he made during this year’s mayoral elections
Jewish organisations have campaigned for the direct link for at least 15 years
The service – which will use single deck diesel buses - will run for a trial period of “at least 12-months” to assess demand and to allow Transport for London to establish whether it is “viable” in the long term
Unusually it will only operate between 7am and 7pm
The service will be operated by Stagecoach East London
TfL chose not to accept the lowest bid – of £2.4million – because Stagecoach was able to launch the route sooner than the rival bidder
The 310 will follow the same routes as the 210 bus that links Brent Cross and Finsbury Park via Golders Green
and the 253 between Finsbury Park and Stamford Hill Broadway
When confirmation of the route was first announced in the summer
Mr Khan said: “I know there have been concerns about safety given the terrible rise in antisemitism and this route will provide a safe
sustainable and affordable route for local residents.”
Mr Khan told the Standard he was aware that Jewish Londoners had experienced an increase in anti-Semitic attacks and “felt scared” in the wake of the Hamas terror attacks on Israel on October 7 last year
Mr Khan said: “They feel scared because they worry they could be on the receiving end of anti-Semitic abuse
The mayor added: “When I hear families in Stamford Hill say they are scared to visit families in Golders Green
I was told that if there was a direct bus link between these two significant communities
that will give them more confidence to use public transport
“Families were scared about that change [of buses] at Finsbury Park
not because they had suffered necessarily criminality
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“We have got to recognise that sometimes perception can be as important to somebody
said: “In a period where our community is encountering unprecedented antisemitism
any measure that bolsters the confidence of Jewish individuals in using public transport is immensely valued
“This is something we have been campaigning for over 15 years. Stamford Hill and Golders Green have always been centres of Jewish communal life in North London
A direct bus service connecting these hubs will provide substantial benefits to the community.”
Mr Cohen told the Standard he expected the service to be well used
He said many Jewish people travelled between the two areas for schools
“The bus will be running between two very big communities in north London
Jewish communities in Golders Green and Stamford Hill,” he said
“There is already a lot of traffic between those communities.”
He said he expected the new bus to make travel safer
particularly for Jews who are very visible as such
and that has increased since October 7 last year
“Members of the community do feel vulnerable
The fact you have a direct bus route between the two will certainly ease those concerns
There is a tendency to prefer buses to the Underground because one feels a lot safer above ground.”
TfL’s director of public transport service planning
said: “We welcome all customers on board the new 310 bus and encourage people to use the service as much as possible and provide feedback during the consultation period
“We hope the new route will help to increase the use of buses and reduce car use by improving travel options for people living in the area.”
the 310 is not able to serve the bus station in Wells Terrace
with stops on Seven Sisters Road and westbound on Rock Street
The early-morning frequency of the 210 bus will be improved from September 21
there will be a bus every 12 minutes before 7am
the route will start to operate 90 minutes earlier than at present
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A developer has submitted a fresh bid to turn a Golders Green office space into 34 flats
The site, St Albans House in St Albans Lane, was subject to an application in September for ‘prior approval’ to convert the space, which is home to several small businesses, for housing, but this was refused by Barnet Council
Under permitted development rights introduced by the government in 2021 industrial or commercial space can be converted to a residential use without the need for planning permission
But this type of work does still need to be reviewed and approved by the local authority
applicant St Albans Lane Ltd resubmitted its application for prior approval at the same location
claiming it had addressed the reasons for refusal
In its previous decision notice the council wrote the flats “would not all meet the minimum national floor space standards”
The notice added “it has not been adequately shown that the proposed units would provide adequate natural light” and “the proposal would not address the transport and highways impacts of the development”
In the resubmitted planning statement from agent Savills
it states the proposals “are demonstrated to meet the minimum space standards” and “all habitable rooms are served by windows to increase internal daylight”
In response to the “impacts” on highways
Savills said:“The proposals restrict future occupiers obtaining parking permits
to address this previous reason for refusal”
with 34 comments online raising objections in response to the first application
Nearly all were concerned over the plan’s removal of CrossFit Atara
due to its being “the only gym” in Golders Green
The second application again proposes its removal
There are two other facilities in the area
the popularity and range of facilities at CrossFit Atara has been heavily vocalised by residents
Local resident Joel Bensoor wrote in August: “CrossFit Atara is the only gym in Golders Green and the only one within walking distance for many residents
Its removal would significantly reduce access to fitness facilities for the local community.”
another local and “longstanding member” of the gym
wrote that the importance of the facility could not be “overstated”
She said: “The gym cannot be relocated as it requires special equipment and very specific infrastructure requirements (for example
very high ceilings and specialist flooring)
therefore it is vital to maintain this facility
“We are in the middle of a national health crisis and shutting down businesses which promote health and fitness for the local community will only worsen the issue
The gym has been instrumental in helping to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of its members.”
No comments have yet been made on the latest application. More information on the scheme can be found via Barnet Council’s planning portal
No other vehicles thought to be involved in crash which left rider in critical condition
Police are probing a motorbike crash which left its rider fighting for life in Golders Green at rush hour on Wednesday
Appealing for witnesses and footage, Met detectives said the crash happened just before 6pm as the motorcyclist was travelling on the A406 North Circular at Brentmead Place
At this time it is not thought there were any other vehicles involved in the collision
which occurred close to Brent Cross Tube station
was taken to hospital for treatment and remains there in a critical condition
a Met spokesperson said: “Police are seeking any witnesses who may have seen the collision or have any dash camera footage that may assist in establishing the full circumstances of this collision.”
Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8246 9820 quoting CAD 5881/21AUG24
You can also call police on 101 or message via X/Twitter @MetCC using the same reference
Over the past two decades the Strictly Orthodox community has grown significantly
but at the moment to travel between the two locations you have to take the 210 bus and get off at Finsbury Park
change to the 253 or 254 bus and head towards Stamford Hill
Campaigners have raised concerns about antisemitic incidents at the existing interchanges at Finsbury Park and have pushed for the direct route
said: “The Jewish community want to thank Commissioner Andy Lord and Mayor of London
“The Jews of Golders Green and Stamford Hill will now have a direct transport connection that is part of the standard transport network
a lightbulb solution has broken through.”
The brand-new bus route will connect Golders Green and Stamford Hill with a direct service for the first time
“I know there have been concerns about safety given the terrible rise in antisemitism and this route will provide a safe
fairer and greener London for everyone.”
This will be the first time that the two areas have been connected by a direct bus service
sustainable and affordable form of public transport connecting residents in North London
with the new route playing an important role in enabling more people in the area to switch from car use to public transport
reducing congestion and improving air quality across the area and beyond
TfL will run a consultation to assess the response to the service
which will be open for 12 months to allow Londoners to provide feedback on how the service is running and to inform TfL’s longer-term service plans
They will be working closely with local communities during the period to promote use of the route and to encourage communities across the route to share their feedback
Route 310 will connect communities between Golders Green and Stamford Hill
The trial of a bus route is part of TfL’s wider vision to improve public transport in London
TfL’s Director of Public Transport Service Planning
said: “As bus ridership continues to grow across the network from last year
it is important that we continue to work to improve and adapt our bus network according to customer demand
We have listened to local communities and hope that the new route 310 can increase bus usage and reduce car usage by improving the travel options for people living in the area.”
Barnet Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change
said: “It’s great to see TfL continuing to improve public transport links in outer boroughs with the new route between Golders Green and Stamford Hill
This route will help communities and individuals in both parts of the city and in between easily travel to see each other and access key services
It will also help to reduce journeys made by car and provide a welcome boost for local businesses in the areas served by the new connections.”
and will help to forge better public transport links between the two communities.”
Felix Pope
4 min readRishi Sunak has said Jews should “never feel unsafe to go into town” as he visited a north London synagogue and pledged to crack down on anti-Israel marches if re-elected
At Machzike Hadath shul in Golders Green and the Bread deli
both in the Finchley and Golders Green constituency
the prime minister received a warm reception
while voters told the JC they would support his party despite it languishing far behind Labour in the polls
Sunak said he would take a “zero tolerance approach to antisemitism” and support Israel
“I will never equivocate on who was to blame
I will not try and bully Israel into making concessions that are not in its interest
I will never forget that there are hostages still being held by Hamas.”
After eight months of pro-Palestine marches that have featured calls for another “intifada”
a Conservative government will legislate to allow the police to take the cumulative impact of marches into account in considering whether to allow them
“We must change the culture of this country to ensure we remain true to our values,” Sunak said
He had visited Finchley following the October 7 attack to mourn its victims alongside the community
he was proud to have been the first prime minister to order the British military into action to defend Israel when Iran fired a volley of missiles at it
There had been a “shocking” increase in antisemitism following the start of the IDF's campaign in Gaza
“Too many blame Israel for defending itself,” he claimed
Jewish students have been harassed on campus and Jewish birth certificates have been defaced
Sunak insisted he is “determined” to confront the prejudice
Referencing a JC article in which he was referred to as a
“nice Jewish boy,” the prime minister said he had a lot in common with the community as a Hindu
“I know what it is like to be different and to be targeted,” he said
His comments follow undercover footage published by Channel 4 that showed a Reform UK canvasser in Clacton describing Sunak as a “f**king p**i”
Around 20 per cent of voters in Golders Green and Finchley are Jewish
the highest proportion of any constituency in the UK
Labour are expected to win the seat on current polling
The former minister is stepping down after 14 years representing Finchley following death threats and an arson attack against his office
Standing to replace him for Labour is Sarah Sackman
a barrister who is a member of the New North London Synagogue and who previously stood against Freer in 2015
David Cameron's former chief of staff
He told the JC he thought he had a 50 per cent chance of winning the seat
Sunak's visit shows how much the party cares about the constituency
which was formerly represented by Margaret Thatcher
“I as a Christian and he as a Hindu show how people can rally around the Jewish community,” he said
Sunak had shown “steadfast” support for Israel
Touring Bread and buying a box of rugelech
the prime minister spoke to staff and customers
The prime minister told some that he expected England to beat Slovakia two nil in their Euros football tournament game
told the JC after Sunak left that he intended to vote for the Conservative party because of the prime minister
that's the only two words you need,” he said
A woman at the deli to eat lunch said she would vote Tory because they were better prepared to tackle antisemitism
“I believe Keir has changed Labour,” she said
“I don’t believe the people behind him have changed.”
Sunak's visit to the previously safe Finchley constituency underscores the Conservative party's declining fortunes among both Jews and Londoners
After Jewish support for Labour collapsed under Jeremy Corbyn
the party is now leading among the community
46 per cent of Jews say they will vote for Sir Keir Starmer's party
relative to 42 per cent among the population in general
a poll conducted by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research revealed last week
Thirty per cent of British Jews intend to vote Conservative
A poll conducted earlier in the campaign by Survation for the JC found the Conservatives marginally ahead among Jewish voters
The survey of more than 500 voters who identify as Jewish
put the Tory lead at just 9 percentage points – a dramatic drop from the equivalent 2019 figure of 59 per cent
In what appears to be a vindication of Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to root out antisemitism from his party
33 per cent of Jews polled said they intended to vote Labour
National Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement
said: “This poll shows what we are picking it up on the doorsteps – Jewish people understand that Keir Starmer has made good on his promise of zero tolerance for antisemitism and that Labour is a totally changed party from the last general election
“We now see Corbyn kicked out of the party and a significant number of Jewish candidates and JLM allies running for Parliament
We don’t expect every Jew to vote Labour; but we want them to have a proper choice at the ballot box – a choice they were denied in 2019.”
General Election 2024
There has never been an artist quite like him
and he remains one of the greatest entertainers of all time
The fact that sixteen years after his death
he is currently the focus of both a West End musical – aptly named MJ The Musical – and a UK tour of this tribute act proves his long-lasting impact and legacy
Excitement permeates in the build-up and one senses this is very much a fan affair with a number of audience members adorning clothes in the style of Jackson’s most famous outfits
To see young children – not even born before Jackson’s untimely death – dancing along and belting out lyrics proves how timeless the singer’s music
They are all on show tonight with CJ taking centre stage and doing what he clearly loves
The artist is highly regarded as being one of the greatest Michael Jackson tribute acts and it’s not hard to see why
Commanding the stage and showcasing strong vocals
highlights include the famous ‘Billie Jean’ routine of 1983 complete with the signature moonwalk
CJ is clearly a fervent fan of Jackson and chooses to perform songs from almost every era
We open with ‘Jam’ from 1991s Dangerous before History’s ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ amps up the crowd
‘Smooth Criminal’ and ‘Dirty Diana’ from the Bad album follow
‘Human Nature’ and ‘Beat It’ are other high points while ‘Thriller’ is unfortunately somewhat of a misfire
The song – known for its game-changing video – requires tight choreography
but here the backing dancers seem a little lacklustre when compared to their routines on many of the other numbers
the crowd are enthused and there is perhaps even a sense of emotion as many fans can’t help but think this is now the closest we’ll ever get to seeing the real thing
as do early solo hits ‘Rock With You’ and ‘Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough’
‘Earth Song’ has the auditorium waving their phones
although with the house lights suddenly coming on the moment is somewhat lost
Although a few production issues are experienced on this particular night
the performance of CJ and the talents of his backing band make up for it
The anthemic ‘Man in the Mirror’ of course closes the evening and has us all singing along
one of the world’s greatest Michael Jackson tribute artists and supported by a talented cast of performers and musicians who capture the essence of Michael Jackson’s unique style and charisma like no other
in this scintillating production will keep you on the edge of your seat
Featuring all his greatest hits you know and love
This is the show that pays tribute to Jackson’s musical legacy
whether you’re a lifelong fan or experiencing the magic of Michael Jackson for the first time
Book tickets for Man in The Mirror at ATG Venues
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Sackman said those “who perpetuate violence and hate will feel the full force of the law.”
The Jewish MP’s warning came as leading barristers called on ministers to address serious concerns about their safety after it emerged far-right groups were planning to target immigration advice centres in the coming days
raised concerns about the previous Tory government’s repeated attacks on so-called “lefty lawyers” adding Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman also made similar slurs
“Really worrying to hear that the far right are targeting immigration lawyers
including up the road to where I live,” said Wagner
the criminal responsibility for people who riot is the people who are burning and smashing things – and those who directly encourage them
whether at the relevant location or online
“But there does have to be some consideration of why they have quickly decided to target immigration lawyers
They are not responsible for the political choices which appear to have angered some people
“”It is undoubtedly the case that in recent years the right
including senior members of the government
have relentlessly attacked lawyers – especially in the immigration sector – and blamed them for political issues which we have no responsibility for
“”Boris Johnson did it (‘lefty lawyers’) and Rishi Sunak kept it up
and people in high positions such as Suella Braverman (former Home Secretary and Attorney General) did it too
“There was always going to be a cost to this personification of anti-immigration anger
It was a calculated choice to spread blame away from the politicians (who ultimately have responsibility for immigration policy)
who has been representing UK based families of hostages still kidnapped by Hamas
added:”And it cannot be unconnected that after attacking police and mosques
the far right move on to immigration lawyers
“I don’t think the (mostly former) politicians have criminal responsibility
but they certainly have moral responsibility
“And I hope that this doesn’t escalate as lawyers have so often feared in recent years.”
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.