Manchester

Manchester Pride officials have shared an update regarding their financial difficulties.

Earlier this month, the LGBTQIA+ festival made headlines after various performers revealed that they hadn’t been paid for this year’s event, including Drag Race UK star Saki Yew.

“It’s gone too far. As performers, we’re used to waiting for money, but there’s no communication and no answer. A lot of performers are starting to give up hope of being paid,” Saki told BBC Newsbeat in October.

“We put in the hard work with weeks and weeks of rehearsals. We put in the time, so give us an answer.”

Drag Race UK star Zahirah Zapanta and Adam Ali echoed similar sentiments, with the latter publishing a letter on behalf of other acts who were awaiting payment.

Following immense backlash, Manchester Pride’s Board of Trustees released a statement on 16 October, revealing that they were in “the process of determining the best way forward” with their legal and financial advisers.

“We know that moments like this can raise questions and emotions. We want to ensure that our staff, interns, artists, contractors and suppliers, who are all a part of our community, are heard and considered,” they wrote.

After an additional week of silence and growing speculation, the event’s board of trustees confirmed that Manchester Pride had started the “legal process of voluntary liquidation.”

“A combination of rising costs, which are affecting the entire events and hospitality industries, declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format aimed to challenge these issues, along with an unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride, has led to the organisation no longer being financially viable,” they wrote in a statement released on 22 October.

“We regret the delays in communicating the current situation; however, we were keen not to jeopardise financial opportunities while our discussions were ongoing. We were proactive and determined to identify solutions to the financial issues.

“We’ve been actively working with several partners, including legal and financial advisors, to do everything we could to find a positive solution. We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners. Despite our best efforts, sadly, this has not proved to be possible. We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation.”

The board also revealed that the organisation’s staff team will be made redundant, adding that they were “very distressed at the position” they found themselves in.

“The Manchester Pride team have now handed over the details of suppliers and artists who are owed money to the liquidators who will be handling the affairs of the Charity and contacting everyone,” the board concluded.

In a separate statement to Sky News, Equity’s North West official, Karen Lockney, confirmed that they are “collecting contractual information to pursue all options to recoup money owed, and will begin these processes immediately.”

As for the future of Manchester Pride, the Manchester City Council confirmed that “a new chapter” for the festival will take place in August 2026.

“The council will play a full and active role in bringing together the LGBTQ community to help shape how the city moves forward to ensure a bright and thriving future for Manchester Pride,” the council added.

The 25-year-old, who has 48 caps for the Netherlands, has found love in Manchester – settling down with her partner Ruth, who she met on a dating app.

Now an openly gay woman, Casparij says the community is “close to her heart”.

“It was hard at times growing up until I got into women’s football. It was normal and openly spoken about [at Heerenveen],” she said.

“I learned a lot about myself. I didn’t have that when I was young, I had so many doubts and questions.

“I was lying awake at night thinking ‘is this weird or am I weird?’ Being able to be that role model now with my partner, for so many young girls, is so important.”

The right-back has a platform to promote inclusivity in women’s football and has taken full advantage.

She wears rainbow laces on her football boots, rainbow armbands, regularly posts messages of LGBTQ+ support on social media and in April, dedicated her goal against Everton to the transgender community.

“Why I find it really important to spread the word and stand with people is because in modern society if it’s often not against you, you won’t say anything,” said Casparij.

“It’s important that we stand up for people that need it so they feel supported. For example, the trans community. They are good people and I care about them.

“I want to show that I stand with them. I’m hoping to inspire people to do the same. I think we need more togetherness generally and a sense of community.”

She has supported numerous campaigns – most recently becoming a patron for the LGBTQ Foundation, helping to fund helplines against domestic abuse and transphobia.

“I think queer women are having a tough time at the moment and I want to help them have safe spaces,” said Casparij.

“In domestic violence, for example, queer women are often overlooked. I want to make sure they have a place to heal and someone to talk to.

“I want to be a woman that helps women.”

She is also passionate about setting an example to young, gay women – the type of representation she wished she had as a child.

“It’s nice to be able to make other people take away doubt. It’s about helping them to understand why they are feeling how they are feeling,” she added.

“I always love being surrounded by queer people. Feeling included and supported is important. All I want to do is spread love.”

Manchester United condemned Liverpool to a fourth successive defeat as Harry Maguire’s late goal sealed a 2-1 win over the spluttering Premier League champions.

After losses against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea, Arne Slot’s side endured their most painful setback of the season at the hands of their bitter rivals on Sunday.

Bryan Mbeumo put United in front after two minutes and although Cody Gakpo equalised in the 78th minute, Maguire grabbed his club’s first win at Anfield since 2016 with an 84th-minute header.

Maguire’s goal also secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in Ruben Amorim’s tenure as United boss.

The defeat leaves Liverpool four points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the table and Arne Slot still searching for answers on how to get the right balance after splashing out nearly 450 million pounds ($604m) on new players in the transfer market.

United close to within two points of their historic football rivals and up to ninth in the table to ease the pressure on Amorim after his biggest win in nearly a year in charge.

After three consecutive defeats for the first time in Slot’s reign, Liverpool could barely have imagined a worse start on Sunday.

Mbeumo sped past Virgil van Dijk with ease before firing past Giorgi Mamardashvili from Amad Diallo’s pass after barely a minute.

The home side and support were furious that play was not stopped in the build-up after Alexis MacAllister went down with a head injury, inflicted by his own captain, van Dijk.

Slot left big-money signing Florian Wirtz on the bench for the second consecutive game as he looked in vain to find the right balance between defence and attack.

Gakpo should have levelled for the defending champions when he hit the post from Mohamed Salah’s through ball in Liverpool’s one flowing move of the first half.

Bruno Fernandes then spurned a glorious chance to double the Red Devils’ lead when he hit the outside of the post when unmarked from the edge of the area.

At the other end, Senne Lammens was rarely troubled in the first 45 minutes, but produced a big save when called upon to deny Alexander Isak his first Premier League goal since joining Liverpool for a British transfer record 125 million pounds ($168m).

A Gakpo deflected cross then came back off the post and the Dutchman rattled the woodwork for a third time early in the second half.

Slot turned to his near 200 million pounds ($268m) in forward options off the bench as Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike were introduced on the hour mark to join Salah, Gakpo and Isak in a five-man attack.

Salah has scored more goals than any other player in this fixture, but his lack of form showed in a wild finish to slice wide with just Lammens to beat at the back post.

Liverpool’s wealth of attacking talent finally broke the door down when Federico Chiesa, who had replaced Isak moments earlier, drilled in a low cross that Gakpo converted from point-blank range.

Yet, their defensive frailties meant parity only lasted six minutes as Maguire was left unmarked to head in Fernandes’s looping cross.

Gakpo should still have rescued a point when he headed wide with the goal gaping from Jeremie Frimpong’s inviting delivery.

But Liverpool fell to their first league defeat at Anfield in over a year in another blow to their hopes of usurping United with a record 21st English top-flight title.

Maguire told Sky Sports that it “meant everything” to get the win.

“It has been a long time coming to come to this ground and pick up three points,” he said.

“The old cliche is that it is only three points, but it definitely isn’t – it means a lot more than that for the club, the boys and the fans.”

Van Dijk told Sky Sports that Liverpool need to stick together to get through such a difficult period.

“It is an interesting time because we have to stick together, not just us as players but as a club and the fans who want us to win,” Liverpool’s captain said.

“We need to stay humble, stay working and keep our confidence as high as possible. When things get tough, it is important we keep the mentality of being there for each other. It is a long season,” he said.

In Sunday’s earlier Premier League game, Emi Buendia’s curling shot sealed a 2-1 comeback win for Aston Villa against Tottenham.

The victory continued Villa’s resurgence after a desperate start to the season and denied Spurs the chance to provisionally move up to second in the standings.

Buendia shimmied his way across the edge of the box in the 77th minute at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before sweeping a perfect shot low into the bottom corner.

It was Villa’s fifth-straight win in all competitions after failing to pick up a victory in their first six games of the campaign.

It ended Spurs’ seven-game unbeaten run that looked set to continue when Rodrigo Bentancur fired the home team ahead after just five minutes.

Morgan Rogers levelled the game in the 37th before Villa went on to take all three points and consign Tottenham coach Thomas Frank to his second league loss since taking over in the summer.

Follow the build-up, analysis, and live text commentary of the game as Liverpool and Man United face-off at Anfield.

‘Legendary’, ‘pure class’ and ‘on another level’ are just some of the terms used to describe Kevin de Bruyne this week.

The Belgian is enjoying one of his best starts to a season since moving to Napoli on a free transfer this summer which begs the question, did he leave Manchester City a year too early?

The exodus of senior City players in the past year has been well documented, with the likes of Ederson, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker all leaving for pastures new.

De Bruyne was also deemed surplus to requirements – despite 16 trophies and more than 400 appearances – and the midfielder, reluctant to leave, joined Napoli when his contract expired in June.

“I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it,” said De Bruyne back in April. “Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing, but I understand clubs have to make decisions.”

It turns out the 34-year-old was correct in his self-assessment.

If you’re looking for a great day out for the whole family this winter, we’ve got you covered

Lapland UK

After incredible success in the south of England, Lapland UK is coming to Cheshire this year – HOORAY! – and we cannot wait. A truly magical experience from start to end, as the name suggests the event is designed to transport visitors to Lapland, the home of Father Christmas. With incredible attention to detail, dazzling decor, mesmerising costumes, and a truly magical feel throughout, it really is core memory territory. It’s also as close as one can get to hopping on a plane to Lapland itself. Believe me, at times you’ll feel as if you’re actually there. During their visit, children (and their grownups!) can help elves make toys, have a go at ice skating, meet Father Christmas himself – and so so much more. Running between 13th Nov and the 24th Dec, Lapland UK is currently sold out BUT tickets do become available regularly through the returns portal though so it’s always worth keeping an eye out here just in case. Prices start from £60 per person.

East Lancashire Railway Santa Specials

All aboard the Santa steam train! Days out don’t get more magical than taking a trip on the East Lancashire Railway Santa Special Service. Get into the festive spirit with a mince pie as the train chugs along through the Great British countryside, with some very special guest appearances along the way. Presents are given to the kids, while grown ups can enjoy a Baileys. There are carols and music too – it’s just magical. The service, which sets off from Bolton Street Station, Bury, runs until Christmas Eve, with prices from £22.50 per person. New for this year, on 22, 23 and 29 November, ELR is also putting on a Santa Special train specially designed for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with a quieter overall experience and a calm carriage.

Glow at RHS Bridgewater

Embrace the dark evenings and wander through the magical Glow light show with a mulled wine or hot chocolate. RHS Bridgewater will be lit up this December, with twinkles and sparkles adorning pathways, trees and bushes. It’s a real winter wonderland that the whole family will enjoy. Tickets are available from 4.30pm – 9pm, until December 30. Prices for members start at £8.25 for adults and £4.50 for children. Non-member prices start from £13.50 for adults and £7.25 for children. Under-fives go free.

Yuletide at Tatton Park

Take a walk through the world of winter folklore at Tatton Park and join in their Yuletide celebrations, with music, performance, puppets and a glittering light trail to enjoy. There will be marshmallows to roast around the fire, hot chocolate to drink and magical characters to meet, along with stories from a traditional teller. An unmissable, unforgettable, ethereal experience for the whole family. From the 15th November until 23rd December, off peak tickets (15th, 23rd, 30th Nov) cost £19 for adults and £11 for children (under twos go free), and standard tickets cost £22 for adults, £12 for children, and under twos go free.

Dunham Massey Christmas Light Trail

An enchanting after-dark experience is perfect for the whole family, this year’s Light Trail at beautiful Dunham Massey is set to be the best yet. Visitors will explore the enchanting grounds of Dunham Massey after dark, meeting the parkland’s resident deer, and marvelling at the sites 500 year old oak tree. Pause for pictures at the 30-metre-long Christmas Cathedral, marvel at new installation – ‘Tis The Season’ – which brings seven giant neon baubles to the estate’s majestic trees, enjoy Shatter, a striking collection of 50 illuminated shards up to four metres high, and delight at Fish are Jumping, a playful series of 20 leaping fish. The event runs from Friday 14 November to Saturday 3 January. Off-peak tickets are £19 for an adult, £12.50 for a child with family tickets (2 Adults & 2 Children) starting from £40. Standard tickets are £27.50 for adult, £18.50 for a child, with family tickets (2 Adults & 2 Children) starting from £60.

Christmas at the Trafford Centre

There’s plenty to enjoy at the Trafford Centre this Christmas! First up, kicking off proceedings on Nov 15th is the Christmas Parade, running from 11.30am til 2.30pm and featuring a whole host of Christmas characters – including Santa himself! Then, back for another year from Nov 22 til Dec 24, is the Trafford Centre’s beloved Grotto, where children can meet Santa himself. This year, little ones are invited on a top-secret toy-making mission as Santa prepares to launch the very first Giggle Gizmo — a magical super toy centuries in the making! Tickets cost £27 for children, which includes a gift. Adults cost £9.50. Elsewhere, there is plenty to keep families of all ages busy, from a glittering ice rink to a festive fairground. There’s lots to eat and drink too.

Oaks On Ice at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks

Making Christmas shopping magical, this year sees the launch of Oaks On Ice, a gorgeous ice skating rink and festive experience for the whole family. Elsewhere you’ll find festive food, drinks and treats on offer, as well as music and entertainment to enjoy. Launching on October 24th, tickets start from £12.50 for adults, £9.50 for children aged four and up, and £36 for families.

A Decade Of Magic at King St Townhouse

This winter sees King Street Townhouse celebrate its 10th birthday, with a whole host of Christmassy things to enjoy. First up, there’s the Festive Afternoon Tea, launching on 17th November and starting at £35pp, with nostalgic artisanal handmade desserts (an eggnog and clementine macaron, a mulled winter berry roulade topped with a miniature gingerbread man, and a rich Belgian chocolate and pistachio tart. Elsewhere, in the hotel’s gorgeous spa, visitors can enjoy the Decad’ant Ritual, a new limited-edition treatment available throughout November and December. This restorative experience begins with two hours of blissful relaxation in the thermal suite before a 60-minute ‘Comfort and Glow’ treatment, with facial and scalp massage. Finally, cosy up for some classic Christmas films (think Love Actually and Home Alone) in the Screening Room from 15th November to 24th December. Tickets start at £15pp.

City Centre Christmas Markets

Manchester’s Christmas Markets will open across the city on Friday 7 November and close on Monday 22 December. And this year will see the reopening of a section of Albert’s Square, with A Taste Of Christmas – jam packed with tasty food, drink and treats to enjoy, as well as crafts to buy. The square will also be home to a huge ferris wheel, giving breathtaking views of Manchester’s Town Hall. As well as Albert Square, you’ll find stalls at Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street. Exchange Square, King Street and The Corn Exchange.

Bar Hütte

A seasonal alpine-ski themed Christmas pop up venue in Great Northern, this season Bar Hütte will play host to cosy karaoke booths, and festive events like wreath-making mornings and Santa meet-and-greets. A wonderful meeting place for all ages, there’s plenty to enjoy throughout winter. For groups of friends, and colleagues looking for an after-work social, guests can look forward to a bustling atmosphere under the twinkling lights too. Expect live music performed by local musicians and DJ’s, oven-baked pizzas and Bombardinos; an Italian mountain classic of warm rum, cream & cinnamon shot, served topped with whipped cream.

BOXER Brad Rea has paid a gushing tribute to the late Ricky Hatton – and vowed to fight on to make his mentor proud.

Hatton – Britain’s most beloved fighter – sadly passed away aged just 46 in September – leaving behind an iconic legacy.

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Manchester light-heavyweight Rea was inspired to take up boxing by the legendary City fan and the two grew a formidable bond together.

Hatton befriended, coached and mentored Rea up until his sad passing.

Today, on Friday October 10, 2025, Hatton is laid to rest with his funeral at the Manchester Cathedral.

Rea – who fights Lyndon Arthur on November 1 – is in attendance and opened up on his special bond with the heroic Hitman.

He told SunSport: “I was lucky that I did have a good relationship and we were friends.

“But I think so many people, even people that maybe just met him once, maybe people that just got a picture with him once, seeing him in the pub or whatever, because of the way he was, everyone feels like they have that kind of personal connection with him.

“He was just down to earth and he was just one of us at the end of the day, no matter how big he made it.

“I think that’s why it has affected so many people and everyone does kind of feel like they know him in a way because he was so down to earth.

“So it’s been a tough one for me to take. It’s been a tough one for most of the boxing scene to take.”

Despite becoming inseparable, Rea admits the novelty of Hatton’s presence in his life never wore off.

He said: “It just kind of merged into one. I was with him so much and I’d see him so often and we’d spend so much time together in the gym kind of every day.

“You do kind of forget how big he was, how loved he was, and how many people he had an effect on.

“Then every now and again you’d be out sparring or you’d be walking down a residential street somewhere and you’d go, ‘It’s Ricky.’ You know what I mean?

“It’s not just Rick, this is the Hitman and, yeah every now and again I kind of had to pinch myself a little bit and go, ‘This is Ricky Hatton I’m sat in Nando’s with.’ It was a bit surreal.”

Despite Hatton’s superstardom and unrivalled fanfare – he dreaded ever being looked at as anything other than a working class people’s champion.

Rea said: “He was just one of the boys at the end of the day.

“He was so down to earth and that was why the other side come with it he didn’t think he was better than anyone else.

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“He didn’t think he was a superstar and I think they probably go hand in hand, kind of just being so down to earth and then still being taken back by all the support.”

Two-weight world champion Hatton would spend 12 hard weeks preparing for his fights – and the rest of his time down the pub with his friends.

Rea was fortunate enough to have socialised with the boxing great – preferring to leave some of their more chaotic tales forever untold.

He beamed: “Oh, there’s so many. There’s so many but all of them I’m just laughing, I’m smiling because it’s just stupid times, rubbish jokes, cracking rubbish jokes.

“I’m lucky that I got multiple different sides of him. I got him as a coach, I had him as part of my team in my corner. I had him as a friend.

“I’ve been to the football with him. I’ve been out for a beer with him, I’ve been on a weekend to Dublin with him, I’ve had all different sides of him.

“I’ve got many memories to kind of look back on. Some stories that I can tell and some I’ll probably keep to myself!”

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Rea was hit with the devastating news just months before his European title defence against Arthur at the Co-Op Live Arena.

And he has since returned to Hatton’s Hyde – where emotions are high.

Rea, 27, said: “I’d not been there for a while. It is a bit surreal. It is a little bit weird.

“Every time I’ve been in there, the majority of the time he’s in there, and he’s cracking jokes, you know, he’s being Rick.

“But at the end of the day there’s me, there’s a load of other lads in there that still got a job to do and he’d be disappointed if we were moping about and we weren’t training.

“He’d want us to get back at it and he want us to crack on and. So you’ve kind of just got to keep cracking on and do what you can to try and make him proud.”

And the best way to make City super-fan Hatton proud? Beat United supporter Arthur – a friend of former sparring partner – in their hometown.

Rea chuckled: “You know what it is? It’s more how we’d react if I let myself get beat by a United fan!

“He would never let me hear the end of it. He would be on my case and I can’t do that to him. I can’t let him down on that front.”

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Rock band Oasis, who Hatton adored and would later befriend, were building on Manchester’s reputation as a capital of the music world.

Manchester United were dominating English football.

Hatton was playing his part in the ring and also giving his Manchester City-supporting backers something to cheer while their team struggled in the Red Devils’ shadow.

In the city centre, a new venue opened and staged a Torvill and Dean performance on its opening night.

“It was fortunate that they built the Manchester Arena when they did,” said Speak of the indoor venue that welcomed its first customers in 1995.

This is where Hatton had 15 of his professional fights. “It would become his fortress,” Speak said.

By the time Hatton fought Kostya Tszyu in 2005, he was selling out the arena.

Hatton stopped the man who was regarded as the world’s best light-welterweight to win the IBF title.

Danny Jackson, a close friend to Hatton and Manchester City’s matchday announcer, delivered an emotional speech in memory of his pal at the recent City-United derby.

He gives Hatton credit for putting his beloved football club – now giants of the world game – in the spotlight.

“You look at Rick’s time as a boxer, there wasn’t a lot to like about City then,” Jackson said.

“Rick was a bit of a shining light in that period. He got City’s brand out there to millions of people.”

Retired world champion Anthony Crolla described the Tszyu fight as “one of the greatest nights Manchester has ever had in any sport”.

The next day, Hatton set up camp at the New Inn in Hyde for what had become a regular celebration – nicknamed the not-so-nice shirt nights.

“He didn’t want to swan off to celebrity hotspots; he wanted to be around his mates and having a laugh,” said Jackson.

Paul Smith, the Liverpool world title challenger who trained alongside Hatton, remembers one fancy dress party when Hatton dressed as ‘Ginger Spice’ Geri Halliwell.

Those kind of images would get out and help to keep Hatton in the hearts of those from Manchester, because they could see he was one of them.

That never changed. This summer, Hatton attended a friend’s stag do in Portugal.

They set him up by giving him dissolvable swimming shorts to wear in the pool.

“There were a group of lads there from Leeds by the pool idolising him and they were saying ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this to a superstar’,” said Jackson.

“He took the stick, he gave the stick, just a normal guy.”

The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landingafter issuing a ‘fuel Mayday’ as it travelled to Prestwick Airport in Glasgow from the Italian city of Pisa

A Ryanair flight was forced to make a dramatic emergency landing after coming within six minutes of “running out of fuel”. An investigation has been launched into the incident involving a Malta Air flight, operating on behalf of Ryanair.

The plane was en route from Pisa, Italy, to Prestwick Airport in Glasgow on October 3 when it issued a “fuel Mayday”.

The aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Manchester after the cockpit crew issued a 7700 squawk code – the universal signal for a general emergency. Before this, the plane made several unsuccessful attempts to land at both Prestwick and Edinburgh airports.

Nearly two hours later, it safely touched down in Manchester. Upon landing, the plane had only 220kg of fuel left – enough for just five or six minutes of flying.

Passenger Alexander Marchi revealed that the chaos began even before they took off from Pisa, as protestors managed to storm the tarmac amid a strike.

A passenger told the Ayr Advertiser: “After leaving late from Pisa because of a general strike and protesters invading the tarmac at the airport we were worried that we wouldn’t get to Prestwick before the storm hit.

“Everything was fine until we started our descent. The plane was circling a few times before trying the first time but pulling up almost immediately.”

More than 40,000 people tracked the plane as it failed to land at Prestwick before attempting to touch down in Edinburgh, again without success. The flight eventually landed in Manchester, with passengers on board eventually reaching South Ayrshire via bus 10 hours late.

Upon landing, the aircraft had just 220kg of fuel remaining in its tank – sufficient for merely five or six minutes of flight time, according to reports.

Passenger Alexander Marchi revealed the mayhem began before they’d even departed from Pisa, as demonstrators managed to breach the runway during industrial action.

He told Ayr Advertiser: “After leaving late from Pisa because of a general strike and protesters invading the tarmac at the airport we were worried that we wouldn’t get to Prestwick before the storm hit.

“We were told we would try one more time or we’d have to go to Manchester. The second time it was a very bumpy ride and we almost reached the tarmac, but at the last minute we pulled up very sharply.

“We realised how bad things had been after seeing the images after finally landing at Manchester with almost no fuel. There was a lot of relief.

“People were wanting to get off and definitely were not up for flying any time soon. “

A Ryanair spokesman said: “Ryanair reported this to the relevant authorities on Friday (Oct 3). As this is now subject of an ongoing investigation, which we are cooperating fully with, we are unable to comment.”

ROBERT Jenrick should stop lecturing the public on integration, Sir Keir Starmer has blasted.

The PM hit out at the Shadow Justice Secretary after he claimed he “didn’t see another white face” during a visit to Birmingham.

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Sir Keir slammed the comment on Thursday night, saying “it’s quite hard to take anything that Robert Jenrick says seriously.”

He accused the senior Tory of “running a leadership campaign” instead of making serious political arguments.

Speaking on a flight to Mumbai, where he will meet Indian President Narendra Modi, Sir Keir said: “We’re working hard on questions of integration, but we need no lessons or lectures from Robert Jenrick on any of this.

“He’s clearly just engaging in a leadership campaign.”

The row erupted after senior Conservatives rallied behind Mr Jenrick’s claim that Britain must confront “ghettoised communities” and a “dangerous” lack of social cohesion.

Labour figures branded the comments “racist”, but Tory leader Kemi Badenoch defended her colleague, saying there was “nothing wrong with making observations.”

Shadow Cabinet Minister Claire Coutinho also backed him, saying: “If you walk through an area and don’t see a single white face, it is a sign that integration has failed.”

The controversy broke out during the Tory party conference in Manchester after The Guardian obtained a secret recording of Mr Jenrick describing a 90-minute visit to Handsworth earlier this year.

He told members at an Aldridge-Brownhills dinner: “I went to Handsworth in Birmingham the other day to do a video on Twitter and it was absolutely appalling.

“It’s as close as I’ve come to a slum in this country.

“But the other thing I noticed there was that it was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to.

“In fact, in the hour and a half I was filming news there I didn’t see another white face.”

Just nine per cent of Handsworth’s population is white, with most residents of Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi heritage, official data shows.

Asked if he regretted his comments, Mr Jenrick told the BBC: “No, not at all and I won’t shy away from these issues.”

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He said he mentioned skin colour “because it’s incredibly important that we have a fully integrated society regardless of the colour of their skin or the faith that they abide by.”

He also linked the terror attack in north Manchester last week to a lack of integration.

Ms Badenoch again backed her shadow minister, saying she would take The Guardian report “with a pinch of salt.”

The Tory leader said: “What he and I both agree with is that there are not enough people integrating.

“There are many people who are creating separate communities.”

Labour last night pounced on the remarks, saying Mr Jenrick had “crossed a red line.”

ANOTHER wife of the Manchester synagogue terrorist said the attacker “raped” her and lied about being married with a child.

The woman, whose identity is being protected, told how Jihad Al-Shamie abused her mentally and sexually after they first met on Muslim dating app Muzz.

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She had converted to Islam in 2012, ten years before meeting Al-Shamie.

The woman became trapped in a volatile cycle in which he would flip between being “vile” and then “nice” to draw her back in to their on-and-off relationship.

Eventually, Al-Shamie told the woman he was married and had a son, but confessed to keeping them secret.

In text messages seen by the M.E.N, he wrote: “I didn’t tell u because I really like you and wanted u to be my 2nd wife.”

But Al-Shamie told her men can have four wives in Islamic culture and that his first wife “accepts” it.

Within a month of entering into a relationship with him, the pair married in January 2022.

The woman said their Islamic ceremony took place over a video call because of Covid restrictions.

But the marriage was soon filled with coercive and controlling behaviour.

She claimed Al-Shamie raped her, but she did not report it to police.

The attacker’s abuse is laid out in Facebook messages between the couple.

He tells her: “Good luck getting any guy to deal with your rubbish.”

And: “You’re not worth it and I can do better – don’t need someone with your baggage and mental issues.”

To try and win her back, Al-Shamie would promise grand gestures, such as buying a property close to where she lived, although these never came into fruition.

The woman told M.E.N she thought she loved him at the beginning of their partnership.

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“He was caring and understanding and didn’t judge my kids for their needs,” she said.

“He would say ‘I love you, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that’. He was controlling and abusive.

“He did rape me multiple times, but to us we just fulfil what our husband’s say.

“He was one of them where you have got to do it there and then.”

She categorized their relationship as “his way or no way” and described him as constantly being “pushy” – telling her wives had to “obey” their husbands.

The Sun previously reported how Al-Shamie was a teenage drop-out who smoked weed and was obsessed with violent video games.

A former friend told The Sun on Sunday that killer Al-Shamie would smoke around 2g of strong skunk a day when he was a teen and frequently felt the wrath of his parents.

His obsession led him to dropping out of Liverpool John Moores University a year into his English, media and cultural studies degree course in 2011.

Meanwhile neighbours said he would spend his time lifting weights in his garage or wander around in his pyjamas and flip flops.

The woman also reflected this portrayal in her tales of Al-Shamie, who she claimed was always “between jobs” and “living with his parents”.

After their relationship ended, the last time Al-Shamie contacted her was April earlier this year, but she ignored him.

The woman also recalled her horror when she discovered he had committed the Manchester synagogue terror attack.

“My first thought was just ‘why’. He would never preach anything. The only thing he would do was pray,” she said.

“He never showed me, or said anything about, terrorism, or joining anything. It was all about the mosque and praying.”

This comes as another wife of Al-Shamie also came forward with her story after meeting him on the same Muslim dating app.

Born in Syria, Al-Shamie was granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around 16, having entered the UK as a young child.

The 35-year-old was on police bail accused of rape when he carried out the car and knife terror attack in Manchester on October 2.

He claimed to be a devout father but cheated on his wife and married a second woman days after meeting her, The Telegraph reported.

The newspaper said that he met a young woman from Manchester after the Covid lockdown.

It’s believed that he moved in with the woman and her family in May 2022 and they married in an Islamic ceremony.

But he was unfaithful and used a dating app to meet several other women.

Al-Shamie’s first marriage reportedly fell apart six months ago after he married a second woman – but it is not known if this was legal.

Elizabeth Davis, 46, is said to have married the killer in secret and only told her family about him only after the synagogue attack.

A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Liz converted to Islam four years ago.

“Her conversion caused tensions with her family, they say she became a totally different person after that.

“She stopped communicating with relatives and friends.

“It was like she had been brainwashed.

“The family only found out that she had got married to Al-Shamie after the synagogue attack on Thursday.

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“The family are horrified that she has been involved with someone like that.

“It’s possible she got married to him in an Islamic law ceremony.”

Another woman said she was just 18 when she dated Al-Shamie, who she said lied to her about his age.

He told her he was in his mid-twenties and reportedly encouraged her to watch “extreme videos”.

During their four-month relationship, she said he hit her and ordered her to dress more conservatively.

She even said he referenced possibly wanting to join the Islamic State.

She said he stalked her and told her about his rape fantasises.

The Times reported that Al-Shamie used fake name on his dating app accounts but kept getting banned because of his “speech and what he was sending”.

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OLD TRAFFORD continues to suffer from a rodent infestation after a fan claimed to catch a live MOUSE during the game between Manchester United and Sunderland.

A travelling Black Cats supporter shared a post to social media of them claiming to have been next to someone who caught the rodent while in attendance at the ground for the game.

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The social media post showed a photo of a mouse being held in a tall plastic cup.

It was partnered by a caption which said: “How dirty is Old Trafford??

“Woman behind has just caught a mouse in the away end at Old Trafford…

“I’m running out of things I’ve not seen at the match now.”

Other fans also ripped into the stunning pictures on social media, with another fan saying: “No way. Even mother nature is taking the p***.”

SunSport have approached the club for comment.

United emerged with a much-needed 2-0 win against newly-promoted Sunderland thanks to first half goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko.

There was also a noteworthy performance from new goalkeeper Senne Lammens in goal as he helped stop the leaks between the sticks with the Red Devil’s first clean sheet of the season.

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Old Trafford is no stranger to hosting unwelcomed guests in the form of mice.

In February of this year one rodent was seen scurrying over the pitch when United took on Ipswich.

On that occasion a member of staff picked up the mouse before carrying it away.

The mice infestation at the ground was confirmed by hygiene inspectors during a visit to Old Trafford in December.

Mice droppings were found in a food kiosk on the concourse, which prompted a reduction in the hygiene levels at the stadium to drop from four to just TWO stars.

Unfortunately, the source of the rodent problem is believed to come from the location of the stadium itself being between a railway line and a canal.

Following the arrival of minority owners Ineos, United have announced plans to build a new 100,000-seater £2billion stadium which they have dubbed the “Wembley of the North”.

However, last month those plans hit a snag with company owing the land United wanted to build a huge canopy on refusing to budge for less than £400million – way above United’s own estimate of £50m for the lands worth.

Ruben Amorim‘s squad travel to Anfield to face Liverpool after the international break hoping to generate some momentum and pick up consecutive wins for the first time under the Portuguese boss.

Their poor form also saw a United fan refusing to cut his hair until the men’s team win five games in a row celebrate the one-year anniversary of his challenge on October 5.

What we know about the ‘new’ Old Trafford

MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.

The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.

The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.

A capacity of 100,000 is expected.

It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.

The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.

United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.

There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.

However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.

The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.

The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.

Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.

The target is for completion by 2030.

AN EX-girlfriend of the Manchester synagogue attacker was forced to watch Isis terror videos, she has claimed.

Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, unleashed terror outside Manchester’s Heaton Park synagogue on Thursday, leaving two dead and three more in hospital.

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The seven-minute knife rampage took place on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar – Yom Kippur – with the killer then shot dead by cops.

A former partner has now claimed she was groomed by Al-Shamie and forced into a “controlling relationship”.

The pair, who met on a Muslim dating app, were in a relationship for four months before she left him over his extremist views, and moved from the UK.

She claimed Al-Shamie told her he wanted to join Isis and also pressured her to become “dedicated to the cause”.

She said: “He used to sit there and make me watch videos – like extreme videos – that I had no interest in.

“I am Muslim and of course I love to learn more. But this stuff was things that I have been raised to not agree with.

“He used to always say I was taught the wrong way and I wasn’t taught right. He was basically just trying to groom me into what he thought.”

Meanwhile, as reported by The Mail on Sunday, it has been revealed one of the women arrested by cops over the synagogue attack was an NHS Mental health peer support worker.

The 46-year-old is a white British woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, and neighbours claimed she had recently converted to Islam.

“I was doing such a course, and she told me she was a peer support worker herself,” said one local.

“She said she travelled to Manchester for her shifts at a hospital.”

Al-Shamie is also believed to have been married to a British Pakistani woman in Manchester.

It is understood they share a two-year-old child, but are no longer in a relationship.

A former friend of Al-Shamie also revealed he was teenage drop-out who smoked weed and was obsessed with violent video game Street Fighter.

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The friend told The Sun on Sunday that killer Al-Shamie would smoke around 2g of strong skunk a day when he was a teen and frequently felt the wrath of his parents.

And he said he spent hours in his bedroom playing the computer game using the name “Jiji”.

His obsession led to Al-Shamie dropping out of Liverpool John Moores University a year into his English, media and cultural studies degree course in 2011.

The former pal said: “He was a bit of a rebellious wild child. He got into a lot of trouble with his parents. He used to smoke cannabis from an early age.

“He would spend a lot of time practising Street Fighter, like obsessively practising this computer game. He was very good at it, to the point where he competed a couple of times in competitions.”

The source added: “It was probably why he dropped out of uni.

“He was spending too much time smoking weed, working out and playing video games.”

He added: “His personality type, he would latch on to one thing and get buried deep into it. The only thing I can think of is that he’s done that but with radical religion.”

Al-Shamie, whose name is said to translate as “struggle of the Syrian” became “reclusive” after dropping out of education and started to practice Islam around 2018.

Neighbours said he would spend his time lifting weights in his garage or wander around in his pyjamas and flip flops.

The pal, who lost touch with him, said: “I heard he became a bit reclusive and appeared to be very into his faith, which surprised me as he was never that kind of guy.

“There were some concerns about his mental health. I don’t know if he ever got professional help.”

He said he was worried Al-Shamie would go down a “rabbit hole”, adding: “He had an addictive personality. My suspicion is that he ended up self-radicalising.”

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Al-Shamie moved to the UK from Syria with his family when he was a young child and was granted British citizenship in 2006.

His father Faraj is a trauma doctor who later divorced his mother Formoz and moved to France.

This comes as four people arrested in connection with the synagogue terror attack will remain in custody for extra questioning.

Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed in the rampage before Al-Shamie was shot dead by armed cops.

Six people have now been arrested on terror charges following the chaos.

Cops confirmed they have been granted custody extensions to hold four people detained in connection with the attack on the Crumpsall synagogue for a longer amount of time.

Two men, aged 30 and 32, as well as a 61-year-old woman arrested in Farnworth will remain in custody for “up to a further five days”.

The force added how an 18-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, also arrested in Farnworth, remain in custody for questioning.

Greater Manchester Police said: “We have been granted warrants of further detention for four individuals currently in custody.

“This means they can remain in custody for up to a further five days.

“Everyone in custody has been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.”

Everyone in custody has been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.

Al-Shamie first drove into worshippers at the Heaton Park synagogue at 9.30am on Thursday morning.

He also stabbed terrified members of the public while wearing a fake “bomb vest” – killing Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53.

Four others were injured in the horror.

Counter-terrorism officers have since revealed the attacker was likely influenced by “extreme Islamist ideology”.

A statement from Greater Manchester Police read: “We believe Al-Shamie may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology.

“Establishing the full circumstances of the attack is likely to take some time.  

“We have now arrested three further people, one man and two women, aged between 18 and mid-40s.

“This brings the number of people in custody arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism to six.”

Al-Shamie was not known counter-terrorism agencies but had previous convictions.

It is not known when the alleged rape took place but the attacker was under investigation by Greater Manchester Police at the time.

GMP confirmed to The Sun Online al-Shamie was arrested but had been released pending investigation.

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THIS is the nerve-wracking moment a Ryanair plane is forced to abort landing in Storm Amy’s 90mph winds.

The dramatic footage shows the pilot unable to land the aircraft at Dublin Airport on Friday.

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It comes as Storm Amy swept in on Friday with wind speeds of over 90mph, sparking widespread travel chaos for millions.

Video footage shows the Ryanair plane descending as it approaches the runway at Dublin Airport.

The aircraft can be seen buffeted by strong winds on its way down, knocking it of course as it nears the tarmac at speed.

Just moments before it is due to touch down, the pilot suddenly aborts the landing.

They then pull the plane back up as its forced to go around the airport before it attempts to make another landing.

A plane spotter posted the footage to social media on Friday, alongside the caption: “Ryanair plane has to do a go around because of the high winds.”

Hundreds of users flocked to the comments with some claiming they were on the flight itself.

“I was on that plane, was a very hairy land,” one posted.

Others claimed that it was the “worst flight of my life” and that this was one of two failed landing attempts before the plane diverted to Manchester.

“That plane was like being on the worst roller coaster ride ever, what you see in that video, doesn’t do justice to what went on onboard,” stated another.

According to them, other passengers were panicking and an “elderly gentleman had to be taken from Manchester Airport straight to the hospital”.

Storm Amy is expected to cause further travel disruption across the UK and Ireland on Saturday with flights, rail and ferry services cancelled.

Belfast International Airport said it was expecting delays on Saturday and advised passengers to check with their airlines.

Due to winds reaching up to 100mph in some areas, “risk to life” warnings have been issued too.

Irish Police confirmed on Friday that a man in his 40s had died following a “weather related incident”.

While over 234,000 homes were also left without power across Ireland with thousands in Scotland also facing continued power outages.

The Scottish island of Tiree has recorded the highest wind speeds at 96mph while a provisional October record for Northern Ireland was set with 92mph gusts in County Londonderry.

An amber wind warning has been issued for the north of Scotland until 9pm on Saturday with yellow warnings covering the whole of Scotland, the north of England and north Wales until the end of the day.

A yellow wind warning will run until 7pm for the rest of England and Wales.

Additionally, yellow warnings for rain are in place in north and west Scotland until midnight and in Northern Ireland until noon.

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PRO-PALESTINE marches have gone ahead today with protesters gathering in London and Manchester.

The demonstrations are taking place despite calls from Sir Keir Starmer and police to cancel the events following the terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday.

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Dozens of police officers have been seen lined up next to Nelson’s Column in central London ahead of the arrival of hundreds of protesters supporting banned group Palestine Action.

Just after 1pm, protesters from the group Defend our Juries arrived in Trafalgar Square began clapping before sitting down.

They chanted “free, free Palestine” and some began writing “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”, while others held pre-written signs.

A woman in blue scrubs stood in the crowds with a sign reading “nurse against genocide”.

Several campaigners from the Stop the War coalition are already in Trafalgar Square, holding placards and Palestine flags.

The Metropolitan Police said it had arrested six people over the banner draped on Westminster Bridge in support of banned group Palestine Action.

The force said: “Officers were quickly on scene, the banner had been removed and the six people involved have been arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation.”

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian supporters grew to around 100 before speeches began outside Manchester Cathedral.

Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley had asked for protests to be postponed due to the drain on resources while extra officers are stationed at synagogues.

He also warned the rallies “will likely create further tensions and some might say lacks sensitivity” in the wake of the attack.

It comes after pro-Palestine protesters took to the streets just hours after Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were murdered by Jihad Al-Shamie.

The pair were brutally killed by the 35-year-old jihadist during Yom Kippur –  the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Speaking at yesterday’s Manchester synagogue vigil, locals turned on ministers, yelling “you have blood on your hands”.

Furious mourners slammed the Government for not doing enough to stop the “hate marches”, which are still set to go ahead.

TENS of thousands are without power as Storm Amy’s 90mph gusts and torrential rain lash Britain leaving one dead.

The first named storm of the season has swept into the country with yellow weather warnings covering the whole of Britain on Saturday.

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Irish Police confirmed on Friday that a man in his 40s had died following a “weather related incident”.

While 234,000 homes were also left without power across the island of Ireland as Storm Amy brings widespread disruption.

The highest wind speeds so far have been recorded in the Hebrides Islands, Scotland, at 96mph with 92mph gusts recorded in Co Londonderry in Northern Ireland, say the Met Office.

An amber wind warning has been issued for the north of Scotland until 9pm on Saturday with yellow warnings covering the whole of Scotland, the north of England and north Wales until the end of the day.

A yellow wind warning will run until 7pm for the rest of England and Wales.

Additionally, yellow warnings for rain are in place in north and west Scotland until midnight and in Northern Ireland until noon.

Travel chaos has also been sparked across the country with road closures and disruption to public transport.

Train operator, Avanti West Coast, warned of “short notice changes” on Saturday and “strongly recommended” customers making journeys north of Preston to check updates before travelling.

In Scotland, ScotRail suspended services on Friday night and anticipated the disruption would extend in Saturday and possibly Sunday.

Network Rail Scotland route director Ross Moran said more than 60 incidents of flooding, fallen trees and debris on the tracks were reported across the network in the first two hours of the storm.

“Storm Amy has hit parts of the country much harder and more quickly than expected,” he said.

National Rail is carrying out safety checks for obstructions on the line and damage to infrastructure, warning of possible disruptions throughout the UK on Saturday.

Elsewhere, CalMac Ferries also said it expect many services to be disrupted on Saturday into Sunday with many routes already cancelled.

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The iconic Severn Bridge between Gloucestershire and Wales was also forced to close overnight due to strong winds.

While parts of the A19 Tees Viaduct, the A66 in Cumbria and the A628 near Manchester were all closed to high-sided vehicles.

Traffic Scotland has also reported a long list of road closures with Forth Road Bridge closed in both directions.

The Skye Bridge, Queensferry Crossing and Clackmannshire Bridge were also closed to high-sided vehicles.

They also reported a number of road closures due to falling debris and overnight flooding including the M9 eastbound near Stirling.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency had 30 flood warnings in place on Saturday with the Environment Agency issuing six in the north of England one in north Wales from Natural Resources Wales.

Belfast International Airport said it was expecting delays on Saturday and advised passengers to check with their airlines.

All eight of London’s royal parks, including Hyde Park and Richmond Park, will also be closed on Saturday due to the strong winds.

In a statement on its website, the Royal Parks said: “Due to severe wind gusts caused by Storm Amy, all of the royal parks, plus Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens will be closed on Saturday October 4.

“This closure includes all park roads and cycleways, cafes and kiosks, parks sports venues, the Serpentine lido and boating lake, and the royal parks shop.”

“The safety of visitors and staff is our top priority,” the Royal Parks added.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience that these closures may cause.”

It said opening times on Sunday will be delayed because of safety inspections.

The Met Office said wind and rain was expected to ease throughout the evening for much of the country, but severe gales are forecast to continue in north east Scotland with a yellow warning for wind in place from midnight until 9am on Sunday.

Sunday is expected to turn dry and less windy with sunny spells for most areas, but outbreaks of rain developing in the north west.

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The big question at the start of this season – the same one that’s been asked over the last six WSL campaigns – is whether anyone can end Chelsea’s dominance.

The Blues won last term’s trophy by going 22 games unbeaten in Sonia Bompastor’s first season at the helm – part of a domestic treble as they lifted the Women’s FA Cup and League Cup too.

In fact, it’s been more than 500 days since Chelsea last lost a league game – a 4-3 defeat at Liverpool on 1 May, 2024.

Manchester United came close to ending that streak on Friday night in a top-two encounter and Skinner was proud of “the most brave performance” from his players.

“We’re building. You can see it, you can sense it,” he said.

“We are disappointed to not win the game. The chances we created, not many teams could create that against Chelsea. So for us to do that and in the way we did it was credit to them [the players].”

Since their promotion from the Women’s Championship in 2019, United have rapidly emerged as WSL title contenders, finishing just two points behind Chelsea in 2022-23.

The following season they won the FA Cup – their first major women’s trophy.

While a draw against the current league leaders may be deemed a missed opportunity for United, former England striker White believed it showed how far the club has come.

“You have to look at that consistency,” she said. “They’ve played 11 times against Chelsea now and only drawn once, now the second time, so I think it’s really good for their consistency and what they’re doing as a club and a team.

“It shows it’s working and they’re improving.”

Asked if Skinner deserved more credit for United’s rise to compete with more established clubs, White added: “What he’s done with these players, the philosophy, the DNA, how resolute they are.

“He hasn’t got the amount of money or been able to spend the amount of money the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal or [Manchester] City have done.”

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What has his family said?

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What did neighbours say?

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Was he known to authorities?

THE devastating terror attack at a Manchester synagogue yesterday unfolded in just seven minutes, with the rampage leaving two dead and four injured.

Early yesterday morning, on Yom Kippur, prayers began at Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

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But the peace was shattered at 9.30am, when the sound of screeching tyres came down the road.

The holy day quickly became one of horror that saw two people – Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitzwas, 66, – tragically killed.

Attacker scouted area before crashing into the gates

Ten minutes before the attack, former Tory minister Grant Shapps‘ father-in-law came “face-to-face” with the terrorist.

The man had scouted the location and argued with security when they would not allow him into the grounds.

“He was claiming that it’s a free country and he should be able to walk in the grounds,” Shapps told the Times.

“Then he came back ten minutes later in the car.”

The carnage began at 9.30am when the black Kia hatchback crashed into the gates of the synagogue after “driving erratically” down the road.

He was stabbing ‘anyone near him’

Witnesses said that the “second” the driver leaped out of the vehicle, he began “stabbing anyone near him”.

“He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue,” an eyewitness said.

The attacker – believed to be 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie – reportedly tried to “stab the window to get in” after those inside barricaded the doors.

An eyewitness said prayers had started when the horror unfolded but Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the service, remained calm and led the congregation to safety with the help of others.

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Police called as public barricaded doors

At 9.31am, police scrambled to Crumpsall, north of Manchester.

A member of the public called the police saying he had seen a car being driven towards a crowd and one man had been stabbed.

The man had tried to kick down the doors, and then tried to use his knife to get in.

When that failed, he resorted to the plant pots that were outside to try smash in the windows.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the man believed to be the offender was wearing a vest which had the “appearance of an explosive device” as the horror unfolded.

Shocking aftermath pictures revealed what is believed to be a bomb belt and a knife near the attacker.

However, cops have since revealed that the device the suspect was wearing was “not viable”.

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Armed cops swarmed the scene

At 9.34am, three minutes after police arrived, armed cops were deployed at the scene as more details of the horrifying rampage emerged.

GMP declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am – which means terrorism is suspected but not confirmed.

The area around the synagogue in Crumpsall was swamped by dozens of police vehicles, along with fire and ambulance crews, while a force helicopter hovered overhead.

Police officers dressed in black combat fatigues and carrying machine guns could also be seen inside the cordon outside the synagogue.

Bomb scare as shots fired

In video shared on social media, an onlooker could be heard saying that the suspect “has got a bomb on him” and appeared to be trying to press a button to detonate it.

“He’s going to blow himself up, he’s trying to press the button,” the person is heard to say – before there a gunshot rings out and the suspect falls to the ground.

After warning the man several times to stand down to no avail, the armed officers opened fire.

The attacker was shot dead at 9.38am – but GMP said they could not confirm his death for sure.

This was because of safety concerns about the “bomb vest” he appeared to be wearing – but was later revealed to be unviable.

Dad-of-three Yoni Finlay – who helped barricade the doors – was injured either by a stray police bullet or from glass when the bullet hit the door.

He was taken to hospital, reportedly undergoing surgery.

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Emergency services on scene

A white lorry marked ‘Bomb Disposal’ arrived at the scene and went behind the cordon outside the synagogue.

A “loud bang” was heard, which police have confirmed was from specialist officers gaining entry to the suspect’s vehicle “as a precaution”.

Paramedics arrived at the scene at soon after at 9.41am and began tending to members of the public.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer – who flew back from Denmark early to chair Cobra – announced that security is being stepped up at every synagogue across the country.

Starmer said: “The attack in Manchester this morning is absolutely shocking, and all of our thoughts are with those affected.

“I am on my way back to London. When I arrive, I will chair an emergency Cobra meeting.”

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Cops raid nearby street

The Mayor of London also announced the Met Police is deploying patrols in Jewish communities and synagogues across the capital.

Later in the day, at 11.38am, a nearby residential street was cordoned off as cops searched houses.

A neighbour of a house raided in Langley Crescent, Prestwich, which appears to be a council house, said she recognised its occupant from photographs of the synagogue attacker.

She told The Telegraph: “He lived there 10 years, with no wife or kids that I could see. He never seemed to speak to anyone around here.

“I recognised him from the pictures of the attacker. I recognised his little car, the Kia, because he’d always park it badly outside ours.

“I’d see him walking around in his pyjamas and slip-on sandals, carrying a shopping bag.

“He was quite bulked up and used to keep his exercise weights in his garage. I’d see them there.”

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Three arrested on suspicion of terrorism

Two men were spotted being led away in handcuffs, and it was later confirmed that three people – two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s – were arrested.

The trio are being held on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. 

Police confirmed that the attack was declared a terrorist incident and an investigation into the horror is being led by Counter Terrorist Officers.

Operation Plato – cops’ response to marauding terrorist attacks – was stood down, but it remains a major incident.

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism.

Large numbers of Jewish people attend synagogues and fast on this day.

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Attacker identified

Yesterday evening, it emerged that the man shot dead is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie.

In an update the force said: “We are now able to confirm that, although formal identification is yet to take place, we believe the person responsible for the attacks is 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie.

“He is a British citizen of Syrian descent.”

His name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service counter-terrorism records, and he is not thought to have been under current investigation.

However, further checks are being carried out to see if any of his details appear anywhere in records of other investigations.

The Home Office confirmed to The Sun that he came to the UK as a young child and was granted citizenship in 2006 as a minor.

He was not known to the police, the Home Secretary has confirmed.

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Attack declared a terrorist incident

Speaking on GB News, Shabana Mahmood said: “In terms of the attacker, this individual was not known to the security services.

“He has obviously been shot dead at the scene, but the police investigations will now continue at pace.”

She thanked members of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall and the police, saying their actions helped save lives.

Speaking at a press conference earlier Chief Constable Stephen Watson branded the attack as a “horrific incident.”

He said: “My thoughts, and those of my officers and staff, are with the families of the loved ones who have been affected by today’s horrific incident, on what is the Jewish community’s holiest day: Yom Kippur.

“This has been officially declared as a terrorist incident, and the investigation is now being led by Counter Terrorist Police.

“We can confirm that two members of our Jewish community have sadly died as a result of this attack.

“Following a rapid response, armed officers from Greater Manchester Police intercepted the offender and he was fatally shot by officers, within seven minutes of the initial call”, he added.

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Two victims named

This morning, two men who tragically died in the rampage were named as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66.

Three other men remain in hospital with serious injuries. One sustained a stab wound and a second was struck by the car involved in the attack.

Cops said: “The third man later presented himself at hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes said: “My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz’s loved ones at this extremely hard time.

“Specially trained Family Liaison Officers are in contact with them.

“They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process.

“Whilst there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones’ wishes are respected.”

Home Office post-mortems will take place later today, a statement from Greater Manchester Police confirmed this morning.