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Boris Johnston being treated in intensive care after ‘condition worsens’

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BORIS JOHNSON is being treated in intensive care after his condition worsened yesterday, with Downing Street warning that the Prime Minister may need to be put on a ventilator as he fights off coronavirus infection.

He was transferred to an intensive care unit at around 7pm yesterday on the advice of doctors after being taken to St Thomas’ Hospital for treatment just under 24 hours earlier.

Mr Johnson was conscious on admission to intensive care, Downing Street said, and asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to stand in for him.
“Since Sunday evening, the Prime Minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus,” a spokesman said in a statement issued at 8.10pm.
“Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.
“The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.
“The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.”

The news sparked a flood of well-wishes on social media, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeting: “My thoughts are with the PM and his family – sending him every good wish.”

The news followed mounting questions over whether Mr Johnson was well enough to continue leading the government, with Number 10 insisting he remained in overall charge of efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

The Prime Minister posted on twitter at 1.20pm that he was in “good spirits and keeping in touch with my team”. But in a sign of the seriousness of his condition, Mr Raab – who chaired the daily coronavirus ‘war cabinet’ yesterday morning – admitted he had not spoken to Mr Johnson since Saturday.

It comes as the latest official figures showed 5,373 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, as of 5pm on Sunday – an increase of 439 on the previous day.

Foreign Office Minister James Duddrige appeared to call on the Prime Minister to stand back from his duties to recover, posting on twitter: “Take care boss. Get well.
Come back fighting. But for now rest, look after yourself and let the others do the heavy lifting.”

And Mental Health Minister Nadine Dorries, who herself recovered from coronavirus, said many of its sufferers would be “felled” by symptoms of fatigue and fever.

At yesterday’s daily press briefing on coronavirus, Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Chris Whitty declined to say, under repeated questioning from journalists, whether it was appropriate for the Prime Minister to lead the government from a hospital bed.

Prof Whitty insisted he was “absolutely not going to discuss any individual patient,” and said he was not Mr Johnson’s physician.
But he later added that some patients of his were able to “handle massively complicated things from their hospital beds”.

The Prime Minister first experienced symptoms and was confirmed as having coronavirus last Thursday, with his cough and high temperature continuing for 11 days.
Having previously been described as “mild”, Downing Street said yesterday that his cough and fever were “persistent”.

Mr Raab said the Prime Minister had “a comfortable night” at St Thomas’, across the River Thames from parliament, where he was taken at around 8pm on Sunday.

The decision was made on the advice of Mr Johnson’s private doctors and was a precautionary measure to undergo tests, and not an emergency admission.

But his official spokesman did not deny reports that the Prime Minister had been given oxygen, and would not comment on whether he was being treated for pneumonia.

Coronavirus patients not being allowed visitors in hospital, but Downing Street said a ministerial red box with official papers had been delivered to the Prime Minister’s hospital bed – despite Downing Street saying Mr Johnson would “follow the advice the same as anybody else”.

A report in Russian media that the Prime Minister had already been put on a ventilator was dismissed as “fake news”.

Downing Street insisted it had been “transparent throughout” about Mr Johnson’s health, and would communicate any change in the Prime Minister’s condition to the public.

In his twitter post yesterday afternoon, Mr Johnson wrote: “I’d like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain.
“Stay safe everyone, and please remember to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.”

At the daily coronavirus press conference in Downing Street, Mr Raab said ministers and officials were continuing to work “full throttle” to ensure the Prime Minister’s instructions were implemented.
“He’s in charge, but he’ll continue to take doctors’ advice on what to do next,” he said.

Mr Johnson had been expected to leave isolation on Friday, with the pound trading lower on currency markets over fears about the impact that his extended absence from Number 10 could have on the response to the coronavirus outbreak.

His fiancée Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant, revealed on Saturday that she was recovering after also contracting the virus.

Earlier, former Prime Minister Tony Blair said it would be “hellish” for Mr Johnson to be in hospital at the peak of the crisis.
Asked by the BBC’s Today programme whether the Prime Minister should give up control of the government to focus on his recovery, Mr Blair said: “I’m not going to second guess them on that.

He knows the state of his own condition and he will be judging it carefully himself, I’m sure.”

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the Cabinet “hope and expect [the Prime Minister can get back to Number 10 very soon”.

Mr Jenrick told Today: “He has worked phenomenally hard, as have many people across the country. This has been a uniquely intense period and I know for him personally it will be very frustrating that he has had to go to hospital to have these tests.

“He will want to be back in No 10 leading from the front, which is his way. But he remains in charge of the government; he will be updated regularly in hospital, as he has been as he’s self-isolating.”

Meanwhile, the Labour MP for Rochdale Tony Lloyd, who served as shadow Scottish Secretary during the final months of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, has been admitted to
Manchester Royal Infirmary for treatment of coronavirus.In a statement issued by the Labour Party, Mr Lloyd’s family said he was “stable and responding to the treatment and dedicated care that he is receiving from the brilliant doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff.”

Business

Holyhead closure: Storm damage could delay reopening until March

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HOLYHEAD port faces an extended closure following significant storm damage, with fears it may not reopen until March. The disruption has caused widespread consequences for trade, travel, and postal services across the Irish Sea.

The Terminal 3 berth, used by Irish Ferries, sustained extensive damage during Storm Darragh earlier this month. Drone footage revealed a ‘dolphin’ platform had fallen into the sea, exacerbating the situation and impacting the adjoining terminal used by Stena Line.

Currently, all sailings are suspended until January 15, though experts warn this date may be overly optimistic. Garrett Bridgeman, managing director of An Post, Ireland’s national postal service, said: “I don’t think January 15 looks like the date. If you look at the level of work that needs to be done and the safety checks required afterwards, February or March seems more realistic.”

Stena Line stated their priority remains resuming operations safely, while the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is conducting an inquiry into the incident. A spokesperson for MAIB confirmed inspectors are reviewing evidence to understand the circumstances that led to the damage.

The Welsh Government has implemented contingency plans, with additional sailings arranged from Wales and the Mersey area despite challenging weather conditions. Welsh Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “This is a challenge we have never faced before, but we’ll continue working with UK and Irish governments to support businesses and travellers.”

Increased pressure on Fishguard and Pembroke ports

Pembroke Port this week (Images: Martin Cavaney)

With Holyhead out of action, Pembrokeshire’s ports—Fishguard and Pembroke Dock—are facing increased pressure to handle additional sailings. Stena Line and Irish Ferries have already announced extra services from these ports to help ease the disruption.

Irish Ferries has confirmed it will launch a new service from Fishguard, while Pembroke Dock is also experiencing heightened activity with extra crossings scheduled. Passengers and freight operators are urged to check ferry company websites for the latest updates.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates praised the efforts of ferry operators and local authorities in managing the surge in activity at Pembrokeshire’s ports. “Both Fishguard and Pembroke Dock are playing a crucial role in maintaining the flow of goods and passengers across the Irish Sea during this unprecedented disruption,” he said.

Local authorities and Transport for Wales are working to ensure traffic flows smoothly around these ports, with additional measures in place to minimise congestion and delays.

Meanwhile, the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has expressed growing frustration with the lack of clear communication from Holyhead Port authorities. IRHA President Ger Hyland said: “We need correct and true information with a definite timeline. The piecemeal updates have been unhelpful.”

Hyland highlighted the financial toll on hauliers, with some operators facing losses of up to €3,000 per vehicle weekly. He urged ferry companies to increase their efforts to ease the crisis and called on the Irish government to explore financial compensation for affected businesses.

The situation has been escalated to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with calls for direct intervention to expedite repairs and alternative arrangements. Minister of State James Lawless, who met with haulage industry leaders, acknowledged the urgent need for clarity and support.

With Pembrokeshire ports now under increased strain, stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, awaiting updates from Stena Line in mid-January.

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Education

Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men cancelled in Wales over racial concerns

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WJEC, the Cardiff-based Welsh exam board, has announced that John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men will no longer be included in the GCSE English syllabus in Wales. The decision comes amid concerns over the book’s repeated use of racial slurs and its potential emotional impact on students.

First published in 1937, the novella explores the friendship between Lennie and George as they navigate life during the Great Depression. Despite its literary significance, the text will be phased out from classrooms starting in September.

Rocio Cifuentes, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, supported the decision, describing the text as “psychologically and emotionally harmful” to Black students.

She explained: “During our research into racism in schools, many Black children specifically mentioned this text and the harm it caused them.”

In Of Mice and Men, the character Crooks, a Black stable hand, is subjected to racial slurs and repeated use of the N-word.

‘Not Censorship’

Ms Cifuentes emphasised that the decision was not about censorship but safeguarding students’ wellbeing.

“This is about protecting children who have told us how harmful classroom discussions around this text have been for them,” she said.

“They’ve often been the only Black child in the room when these discussions occur, surrounded by derogatory depictions of people who look like them.”

WJEC said the decision was part of a broader overhaul that merges English Language and Literature into one GCSE. The board also employed an anti-racism consultant to advise on the selection of appropriate texts.

A WJEC spokesperson said: “We’ve provided a choice of works from writers of diverse backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and communities. This new selection aims to enrich the educational experience with themes that resonate with modern learners.”

Tory Criticism

Natasha Asghar MS, the Shadow Education Secretary, has spoken out against the decision, arguing that banning the book is counterproductive and limits educational opportunities.

“Instead of banning Of Mice and Men, we should teach it within its historical context, showing students how overt racism and sexism were commonplace and accepted in the past, and why this was harmful and wrong.

“Censorship doesn’t solve the problem; it prevents young people from confronting and understanding these prejudices, some of which, sadly, continue.

“Even in 2024, we continue to see racism and sexism in society. If we want to tackle this, then instead of banning a classic text, we would do better to challenge media companies that produce music containing misogynistic language and words with racist connotations.”

Teachers React

Rhian Evans, an English teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen, acknowledged the book’s value but understood the reasoning behind its removal.

She said: “We always addressed the use of the N-word carefully in class, discussing why it shouldn’t be repeated. But as a white woman, I can never fully understand how it feels for a child of colour to encounter that word in an educational setting.”

She added: “There are other authors from diverse backgrounds who explore similar themes in ways more relevant to today’s students.”

Previously, Of Mice and Men and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird were removed from the OCR English Literature syllabus in 2014, after then-Education Secretary Michael Gove pushed for the inclusion of more British authors.

The updated WJEC syllabus includes classics such as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Contemporary additions include Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and Christy Lefteri’s The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

The changes aim to ensure a more inclusive and representative literary curriculum for Welsh students.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man given restraining order for stalking ex

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A HAVERFORDWEST man who had difficulty coming to terms with the end of his marriage has appeared before magistrates where he pleaded guilty to stalking his former wife. 

Terry Mochan and his wife, Carol, separated in January 2024, but three months later, Ms Mochan found herself being harassed and intimidated by her former husband.

The first incident took place on April 13 when Mochan, 25, of St Issells Avenue, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, raised his middle finger at his wife in a public place, and shouted at her.

Three days later Mrs Mochan noticed that her ex-husband was following her through Haverfordwest town centre.

“He was driving very closely behind her in his van,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates this week.

In a victim impact statement that was read to the court, Mrs Mochan said both incidents have had a profound effect on her self-confidence.

“She’s now concerned, whenever she’s driving through town, that the defendant will be following her,” said Ms Vaughan.  “It’s having an impact on her life and she’s concerned that he’ll attend her property.”

Mr Mochan was represented by solicitor Mr Gavin Rofer who said the defendant has no previous convictions.

“Both incidents were the result of the breakdown of their marriage,” he said.  “But since April 16 there have been no further incidents.”

After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Mochan £180 and ordered him to pay £325 court costs and a £72 surcharge.  A 12 month restraining order was imposed, preventing him from having any contact with Carol Mochan.

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