Banning social media in UK for all under-16s won't be easy, experts confirm — but will VPNs be ditched?
The UK Government is weeks away from blocking all social media apps for under-16s. While it might sound deceptively simple, the process of locking down a certain category of website and app for one demographic in one country is fiendishly difficult – and could lead to some unintended consequences. Some of the biggest social media companies have already weighed in, explaining why enforcement should not fall on them. GB News spoke to the minds behind critical security apps to see how the proposed internet crackdown from UK politicians is being perceived, and whether it could even work. Rumours suggest Keir Starmer's administration might take action against VPNs, since these popular apps could be used to bypass restrictions. This is something that happened in the wake of the Online Safety Act last summer, which triggered a 1,400% increase in downloads for Britons. Speaking to GB News, one popular VPN brand blasted: "VPNs are a crucial part of the cybersecurity and privacy ecosystem that, when removed, harms everyone using them – not just the individuals targeted in these legislative efforts. Eliminating VPNs will not solve the safety challenges policymakers are trying to address, it will only create greater privacy and security risks."Ahead of a blanket social media ban, the Labour Government launched an experiment to determine whether a blanket social media ban would positively affect teenagers' daily lives.GB News praised for 'freedom of expression' by award-winning VPN For a limited time, viewers can enjoy ExpressVPN for just 6p a day Ministers set up a six-week trial where 300 children between the ages of 13 and 17 are testing out possible social media bans, from a one-hour cap to an overnight blackout. MPs will review whether these restrictions make any difference to children's academic performance, sleep, and home life. Liz Kendall, the Labour MP for Leicester West, said: "I intend to come forward with our proposals before the summer, and I would like to legislate by the end of the year. The consultation, I believe, is one of the broadest of any country.“It not only looks at whether there should be age restrictions on accessing social media, but also whether there should be age restrictions on features and functions like the endless doom-scrolling or curfews overnight.The UK is increasingly restricting and policing online activity, with the Online Safety Act rolled out last summer, adding strict age verification to certain types of websites, apps and forums, forcing Britons to scan their passports, driving licence, credit cards, and other documents to unlock access to controlled content.Chief Research Officer at ExpressVPN, Pete Membrey, exclusively told GB News: "The Online Safety Act is a real step forward — it puts genuine obligations on platforms around harmful content and gives Ofcom teeth to enforce them. But the honest answer is that enforcement needs to move faster and hit harder. "The harm people are worried about — harmful content, addictive design, kids being targeted by algorithms — comes from platform choices, not from VPNs. The tools to tackle that already exist. Alongside that, digital literacy, parental controls, and industry action all matter too."We've already moved proactively — we were the first VPN provider to block Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) sites globally, working with the Internet Watch Foundation, without compromising user privacy. "Regulation is important, but it works best when industry is moving alongside it."The Government's roll-out of the Online Safety Act last summer added strict age verification barriers to thousands of popular websites, forums, and social media services. This is meant to prevent children from accessing harmful content. Britons must verify their age by providing a passport scan, a facial scan, or entering credit card details.Age checks can come in the form of a scan of your face using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that estimates your age based on facial geometry. Alternatively, companies will sometimes have you upload a photo of your passport, driving licence, or national ID card.Companies like Sony have begun enforcing age checks for millions of PlayStation 5 console owners in UK.Despite this, many have been unhappy with the blanket age verifications. As a result of the Online Safety Act being enforced, subscriptions to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) skyrocketed to avoid the restrictions.A VPN can reroute your device's internet traffic to a server in another country, making it appear as if you're currently located outside of the UK – essentially bypassing the new enforcement, which only applies to those based in the UK. As a result, the UK Government is reviewing the potential to ban these online privacy tools for under-16s.Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the government is "laying the groundwork for further action," though any major changes like mandatory age checks for some of the best VPN providers will still need Parliament's approval before becoming law.However, Mr Membrey told GB News a step in this direction wouldn't be ideal. He said, "It would actually make things worse. VPNs aren't how most children are getting around age restrictions, so restricting them wouldn't close that gap. What it would do is remove a real layer of protection from vulnerable young people — LGBTQ+ kids, children in difficult home situations, anyone who needs to reach support services without being monitored. And anyone determined to get around restrictions would just move to free, unregulated services with far weaker security. You end up with worse outcomes than you started with."A spokesperson for another award-winning VPN provider, Surfshark, told GB News: "While we support efforts to protect children online, targeting tools that are essential for online security would be a flawed approach."Blocking VPNs won’t solve a safety problem — it will create a bigger one. VPNs aren’t niche tools used to get around rules; they’re a standard tool people rely on to protect their data online. "Businesses, journalists, researchers, students, healthcare workers, and ordinary people use VPNs every day to protect sensitive data, work safely on public networks, and reduce exposure to tracking and abuse, and have been doing so for decades. "VPNs are a crucial part of the cybersecurity and privacy ecosystem that, when removed, harms everyone using them - not just the individuals targeted in these legislative efforts. Eliminating VPNs will not solve the safety challenges policymakers are trying to address, it will only create greater privacy and security risks."We support evidence-based solutions to improve online safety for young people. Tools like device-level parental controls, responsible app-store governance, and digital literacy programs address where minors actually access content - on their devices and on platforms - while preserving the security and privacy of the internet."It's also important to note that providers like Surfshark already prohibit users under 18 from using their services, and the requirement for a paid subscription with a valid payment method serves as an additional safeguard against underage use. LATEST DEVELOPMENTSRoku hits record-breaking new milestone, and Fire TV just can't competeBritish brand launches long-awaited Sky Q rival to watch, pause, and record tellyBest VPN dealsSpotify is treating you to more than 1,400 Peloton workout classes at no extra costShark launches £130 handheld fan that promises to 'instantly cool' skinWhen it comes to how age restrictions should be enforced, Mr Membrey confirms it should be on the shoulders of social media companies. He told GB News: "Social media platforms should be the gatekeepers here — not VPN providers, not internet infrastructure. They're where the content lives, where the user data exists, and where age checks can actually be applied meaningfully. "Australia is the clearest example of this working in practice."Their eSafety Commissioner pursued a platform-focused model, and even then found that the main reason children were still getting onto restricted platforms was that platforms weren't consistently asking them to prove their age, not that children were using VPNs to get around it. That tells you something important about where the real enforcement gap is. "This is also why we signed an open letter alongside Mozilla, the Tor Project, Proton, and the VPN Trust Initiative, making clear that blunt interventions at the infrastructure level risk undermining the open web without meaningfully improving child safety. It's a genuinely complex area — which is why the Government has run a consultation on it, and why we engaged with that process directly."Mozilla recently fired warning shots at UK regulators regarding possible VPN limitations. How a VPN Protects Your PrivacyA VPN protects your privacy by securing your online activity from being tracked by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other third parties. When you use a VPN, your real IP address is hidden, and your connection is encrypted. This means the websites you visit and your browsing activity are not directly linked to your home IP address.With age-verification systems potentially requiring identity checks or third-party verification services, some users worry about data retention and digital profiling. While a VPN does not remove age checks imposed by UK law, it does prevent your ISP from seeing which websites you access and helps limit additional tracking beyond the verification process itself. Here are a few VPNs that can help protect your online privacy.Is it legal to use a VPN?Let's set the record straight — using a VPN to safeguard your data online is not a legal offence.If you've been issued a company laptop to work remotely, the IT department will likely require you to use a VPN before you start a shift. Needless to say, this isn't against the law.But while VPNs were once solely used in enterprise and government spheres, these apps are becoming increasingly popular with people across the world to improve personal online security. VPNs are only illegal in 10 countries: China, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Iraq, Turkey, UAE, and Oman. If you're currently based in any of these nations or plan on visiting one soon, consider uninstalling any VPN apps from your devices.Outside of these countries, VPNs are legal and can be used without restrictions.But while it might be legal, it's worth noting that using a VPN might be against the Terms of Service of some websites or mobile apps, so it's always worth checking the T&Cs to make sure you're in the clear.***All products and promotions are independently selected by our experts. To help us provide free impartial advice, we will earn an affiliate commission if you buy something. Click here to learn more Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Major car brands recall 1.1 vehicles over serious crash and injury fears - Ford, Toyota, Honda and more
Drivers are being warned of massive vehicle recalls being issued by some of the most popular automakers around the world, which could cause serious injuries or accidents.The likes of Ford, Honda and Toyota have issued recalls for hundreds of thousands of vehicles in the United States over the last month. GB News has rounded up the most important car recalls issued over recent weeks that motorists need to know about. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say FordCertain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles are being recalled, according to documents listed with the United States' National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).It warns that seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended.The seatbelt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, preventing it from retracting or extending.Almost 420,000 vehicles are believed to be part of the recall, with customers receiving notification letters in August later this year.Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, which will also be completed for free.The documents state: "Inadvertent deployment of the retractor pretensioner will result in the seatbelt being locked in position and not able to retract or extend, which is noticeable to the occupant. A seatbelt that does not retract or extend may result in injury in the event of a crash. "In some cases, inadvertent retractor pretensioner deployment can cause occupant injury due to rapid seatbelt retraction."LATEST DEVELOPMENTSMajor car brand unveils bold plans to launch robots and 1,500 vehicles at World CupMotorist slapped with driving ban and issued fine for travelling at 28mph in LondonTaxi driver stripped of licence and forced to pay £2,000 in fees for breaking rules on M25HondaThe Japanese brand has warned that the front passenger seat weight sensors may crack and short-circuit in almost 99,000 vehicles.This can cause the airbags to deploy unintentionally during a crash, potentially increasing the risk of injury.The recall impacts certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles.ToyotaMore than 81,000 vehicles under the Toyota umbrella are being recalled because the instrument panel cluster combination meter may fail to display certain warnings or indicators, increasing the risk of a crash.The NHTSA outlined that this means the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101 (Control and Displays).Certain 2025 Lexus UX Hybrid, 2024 Lexus GX, Toyota Mirai, and 2024-2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid vehicles are included in the recall.ChryslerJeep Grand Cherokee (2022-2026) and Jeep Grand Cherokee L (2023-2025) models are being recalled because the side airbags may not deploy properly.A software error in the occupant restraint controller module may cause the delayed deployment of the side airbags during a crash, which could lead to injuries.Around 419,000 motorists could be at risk of being impacted by the recall, although a remedy is available. Dealers will update the occupant restraint controller module software.SubaruDrivers are being warned of recalls to certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles amid fears the moonroof glass may detach.The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle on 69,663 models.NHTSA documents state: "Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Thousands of drivers caught out by AI cameras during month-long road safety crackdown
A major road safety scheme involving AI cameras has caught thousands of drivers breaking the law during a month-long trial in Sussex.Sussex Police placed cameras on the A283 between Steyning and Shoreham from April 13 to May 10 and detected a total of 2,294 offences.Most of the offences involved motorists failing to wear a seatbelt correctly, while hundreds were caught using mobile phones behind the wheel. Sussex Police warned that the figures were "alarming" and highlighted the dangers still present on the county's roads. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Superintendent Jo Grantham said: "The statistics we have seen during this trial have been hugely disappointing and, honestly, alarming. "Over the space of just one month, more than 2,000 seatbelt and mobile phone offences were detected at a single location. These are completely avoidable risks that continue to put lives in danger every day on our roads." The cameras recorded 1,823 seatbelt offences, making up the vast majority of violations. A further 459 drivers were caught using a mobile phone while driving, while 12 motorists were found not to be in proper control of their vehicles. Police also identified 17 drivers who were both using a phone and failing to wear a seatbelt at the same time. Separate patrols carried out by Sussex Police's Roads Policing Unit during April uncovered even more offences as part of Operation Spotlight, the force's road safety campaign. Officers recorded an additional 73 mobile phone offences and 190 seatbelt violations. Using a mobile phone while driving and failing to wear a seatbelt are among the most common factors linked to fatal and serious injury crashes.Despite the high rate of offences, the number of violations fell week by week as drivers became more aware of the cameras and the risks associated with dangerous driving habits.Superintendent Grantham shared: "What has been encouraging, however, is that we saw offences decreasing week on week as motorists became more aware of the camera and the dangers associated with these behaviours."It demonstrates the power of both education and enforcement in changing driver behaviour, and ultimately helping to keep people safe."LATEST DEVELOPMENTSLabour under pressure to launch new driving laws for animals as landmark petition demands actionMajor car brand popular in the 1980s sells final vehicles ever produced in 'emotional' auctionDrivers turn their backs on EVs as majority refuse to make switch away from petrol and dieselDuring the campaign, officers found several examples of drivers wearing seatbelts incorrectly, including some having the belt behind their back, while others wore it under their arm.The AI cameras use high-definition technology and infrared flash to capture clear images through vehicle windscreens in all weather and lighting conditions.Artificial intelligence software then analyses the images and flags possible offences, and any potential violations are reviewed by at least two trained assessors before further action is taken. Police stressed that the system does not use facial recognition technology as images are automatically anonymised during the first stage of the review process, and footage showing no offence is quickly deleted.Drivers caught using a handheld mobile phone can face a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence.Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said awareness campaigns alone were not enough to tackle dangerous driving.She said: "Such alarming statistics gathered from just one site over four weeks show that we can't simply rely on information campaigns to make our roads safer. We will need technology and officers on patrol to identify and target the most frequent and flagrant offenders."The trial forms part of Sussex Police's wider effort to tackle the so-called Fatal Five offences: speeding, drink and drug driving, distraction, failing to wear a seatbelt and careless driving. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Midland mum has 20 personalities - and they all help raise her baby
Teddy Toff, 29, has distinct identities due to dissociative identity disorder — and says they work as a team to help her James Cartledge and SWNSOliviaStringer (Olivia Stringer) Teddy Toff when she was pregnant with her son. She has successfully managed her condition and her son was born in February. She said she was "thriving" in motherhood, as all her "alters" were happy and fulfilled because they had a "purpose" - and all worked as a team to care for her son. Previously, Teddy could switch from one personality to another, several times daily, and would not remember what she had said or done while a different alter was "out". Between 14 and 18, she spent a total of two-and-a-half years receiving hospital treatment. "I had delusions, hallucinations - I thought there was bugs on my skin, and I was very confused", she said. She underwent treatment with EMDR therapy, which helps process traumatic or distressing memories, CBT, a form of talking therapy that enables people to change unhelpful patterns of behaviour, and DBT, a therapeutic approach created to help individuals minimise impulsive actions. But Teddy still experienced frequent suicidal episodes, and on occasions needed physical restraint . After she was discharged from hospital at 18, Teddy's mental wellbeing showed signs of improvement, and in 2014 she met her former husband who took on the role of her carer. "It was 24 hours a day, he couldn't even leave me home for a couple of minutes", she said. He spotted that she would suddenly begin speaking in a different way but would later not remember her actions or words. "He noticed me talking in different voices, and very obviously acting wildly different", she said. She was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) in 2017. View 3 Images Teddy has had numerous hospital stays. It is a rare condition in which an individual develops multiple identity states as a way to survive overwhelming trauma. "We all just chat along with each other, and communicate openly", she said. She split from her ex-husband in 2020, and later began a relationship with her current fiancé, whom she has known since childhood. She suffered a string of traumatic incidents which triggered psychosis. "I thought every man would harm me, I would scream uncontrollably if a man got within arms distance of me, men's faces turned into demonic shapes", she said. Several of her alters developed suicidal tendencies and she was sectioned in January 2024. "I would be completely fine, and then out of nowhere, this other part of me would come out and try and end my life", she explained.
DWP PIP and DLA epidemic 'reaches Disneyland Paris'
Priority queues at the theme park in Paris are full of DWP claimants using their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claims James Rodger Content Editor Leaf Arbuthnot managed to secure an easy access pass despite the NHS app not being on the list of approved documents. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) d isability diagnosis epidemic has "reached Disneyland", it is being claimed. Priority queues at the theme park in Paris are full of DWP claimants using their Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claims to skip long lines. Telegraph writer Leaf Arbuthnot managed to secure an easy access pass despite the NHS app not being on the list of approved documents. After quizzing Disneyland staff over whether the majority collecting disability passes were English, a staff member said: “Oh yes. It’s mostly English people.” Next bank holiday brought forward with bonus one in June confirmed “At the moment there are lots and lots and lots of English people who have priority passes and sunflower lanyards and so on,” a second said. “It’s been this way since Covid,” he added, saying: “I have no idea why. There are parks that are on the stricter side but this one is quite lenient.” Another park regular told the paper: “There are lots of really bitter French people who people in the disabled queue and ask, ‘Well why do they have a disabled card?’ That does happen.” They went on: “When the French are refused a pass they can get annoyed about it – but less than the English. I don’t know if it’s because they’re here or because that’s how it’s done in England.” But the newspaper was quick to point out not everybody in the disability queues had passes for dubious reasons. One legitimate claimant was a British mum, who has fibromyalgia. Article continues below She told the paper: “I don’t think I’d have made it without the passes. I am dying, not going to lie. I’ve taken ibuprofen and paracetamol throughout the day.” Disneyland Paris explains: "A priority card gives priority (but not immediate) access to visitors with official proof of disability accepted at Disneyland Paris. "For attractions, theatres, outdoor shows, parades, meetings with the characters and checkouts at our restaurants and shops." Choose Birmingham Live as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.
Downing Street hits out after Vance post about Henry Nowak
3 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on Google Olivia Ireland, Bernd Debusmann, White House reporter, Iain Watson, Political correspondentand Chris Graham Reuters Downing Street has hit out at "people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division", after JD Vance's comments on the murder of Henry Nowak. The US vice-president blamed the death of the 18-year-old British student, who was fatally stabbed last year in Southampton , on the "mass invasion of migrants" and said the "only response" was "righteous anger". After the post on X, the Downing Street spokesman said the Nowak family had "said they do not want his death to be used to create further division". "Our politics should bring people together even in the most terrible of circumstances. That is who we are as a country," the statement added. Henry Nowak case: What happened and why has it caused national outrage? Henry Nowak murder: What we know about how the events unfolded Sikh MPs say Nowak murder was not about their religion Violent protests took place in Southampton on Tuesday following the release of bodycam footage which showed police handcuffing Nowak as he lay dying after Digwa falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist attack. Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years after he used a 21cm (8in) blade he said he carried as part of his Sikh faith to kill Nowak, who was walking home alone after a night out with friends on 3 December. In his post, Vance said Nowak had died "the same way a civilisation dies: abandoned and handcuffed ". The killing had been as "tragic as it is enraging" and Nowak, he said, would still be alive today "if the last few generations of European elites had stood their ground against the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants". The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that Digwa was born British. The Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister, also appeared to criticise Vance when he appeared on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions programme. "There are people who are trying to import that kind of toxic politics here into the UK and I don't want to have anything to do with it," he said. "I don't think we need advice from American politicians... [on] how to have effective policing here in the UK," he added. On Friday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for an "independent rapid review" into the circumstances surrounding Nowak's death.
Obesity and older mums mean one in four births in England are now delivered by emergency caesarean
One in four babies are now delivered in emergency operations, with experts suggesting the rise in older mothers, obesity and high profile maternity scandals being to blame. Analysis of NHS data shows that the rate of emergency caesarean operations have risen significantly over the last five years. The unplanned surgeries have increased , while the rate of elective caesareans has also increased. Experts have ranked the level of planned and unplanned caesarean’s from 42 comparative countries; in 2020, England was 14th but by 2025, it was up to 9th. NHS England says ‘decisions are made .’ A caesarean section, or C-section, is a cut through the mother's tummy and womb. Emergency C-sections are graded from the most urgent - where there is an immediate threat to the life of the woman or the baby - to those where labour is not progressing well. Older women are more likely to suffer complications and have prolonged labour as their uterine muscles may not work as effectively, leading to weaker contractions.
Buffy and Ted Lasso star Anthony Head dies at 72
8 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on Google Annabel Rackhamand Ian Youngs, Culture reporters Watch: A look back at Anthony Head's career British actor Anthony Head, best known for his roles in TV shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ted Lasso, Merlin and Little Britain, has died at the age of 72. Head found international fame as Rupert Giles in hit supernatural teen show Buffy in the late 1990s. He went on to have a recurring role in sketch show Little Britain as the prime minister, he played king Uther Pendragon in the BBC's Merlin, and appeared as former football club owner Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso. "He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded ," his daughters Emily and Daisy said. Anthony Head played Rupert Giles in Buffy His daughters' statement said "it is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father". "It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many." They also said they knew "how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues and fans of the show he was in", adding that he "loved his job very much" and "always considered himself incredibly lucky". Actresses Daisy Head and Emily Head with their father Anthony at a film screening in 2013 From Nescafe to Ted Lasso: Anthony Head's life in pictures His family acknowledged that "his legacy will live on" and said they considered themselves "lucky" to have watched him doing what he loved throughout his career. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the eponymous Buffy, posted a selection of pictures of her with Head on Instagram. "'Tell Giles I figured it out and I'm ok'. Well, I don't have it figured out and I'm not ok. But I know I'm the lucky one because I knew you," she wrote. "Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world." David Boreanaz, who also starred alongside Head in Buffy, said: "RIP. He was so kind and generous of a soul." Fellow Buffy co-star James Marsters said: "He was an unflaggingly kind and steady presence on the set of Buffy, and the best actor in the cast... I was lucky to have known, and learned from him." Little Britain creator and star Matt Lucas described Head as "unfailingly brilliant, and always so kind and warm". "When we were casting Little Britain, we were looking for a 'Tony Head-type ', because we never imagined for a moment that the man himself would be interested, but he was.
Woman assaulted after stopping to offer help to 'injured' man on road
Appeal after woman assaulted Fife, Scotland Police Scotland Crime Scotland (Image: NQ) This article is brought to you , and has been written . It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Police are appealing for information after a woman was assaulted near Ladybank in Fife on Wednesday, June 3. Around 2pm, the 41-year-old woman was driving her Mercedes A-class on Pitlessie Road, between Ladybank and Pitlessie, when she was signalled to stop by a man standing on the road who appeared injured. The woman stopped her car to assist him and he assaulted her. The woman drove off and reported the incident to police. Officers attended and carried out a full search of the area, however there was no trace of the suspect. He is described as white, aged between 50-60 years, around 5ft 8ins and of medium build with a beard. He was wearing a green waterproof top and black jogging trousers. Woman named following fatal crash near Newton Stewart A87 closed in both directions following one-vehicle crash Four taken to hospital after serious crash near Kyle of Lochalsh Detective Constable Alan Shovlin said: "The woman was injured, however, she did not require hospital treatment. "Extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify and trace the man responsible, and we would urge anyone with information that could help our investigation to contact us. If any drivers with dash-cam were on this road around the time of the incident on Wednesday, please check your footage and get in touch if it holds anything which could be relevant." Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2055 of 3 June. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111. Fife, Scotland Police Scotland Crime Scotland
Mother of estate agent, 22, who died from ketamine addiction says deadly narcotic must become a Class A drug
The mother of a 22-year-old estate agent whose ketamine addiction led to her death has called for the drug to have its classification upgraded. Isabelle Sapherson-Moralee, known as Izzy, suffered chronic pain and was just 5st 9lb (39kg) when she died in April 2025, five years after she first started taking ketamine. Her mother Ann Moralee said she believed young people saw ketamine as safer than other drugs because it is classified as class B. Drug classifications determine the penalties for possessing, taking, making or dealing them, with the punishment's severity increasing from the lowest class, C, to the highest, A. Class C drugs include anabolic steroids, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, and benzodiazepines. Ketamine is classified as class B alongside cannabis, codeine and amphetamines. Drugs classified as class A include cocaine, ecstasy and heroin - the maximum penalty for possessing these drugs is up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both, while supplying and producing them can mean life in prison. Meanwhile possession of class B drugs can be punished , an unlimited fine or both, while supply and production can mean up to 14 years in prison.