News

Newly elected Labour MP reveals how she was raped, age 15

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2024

NEWLY elected Labour MP Natalie Fleet has bravely revealed how she was raped at the age of 15.
In a harrowing GBNews.com interview to be broadcast this Sunday (July 21), Ms Fleet says she still has “weekly nightmares” about what happened two decades on from the attack.
After being raped, Ms Fleet fell pregnant but says the daughter she gave birth to is now the “love of her life”.
Sitting down with GB News’ Gloria De Piero in an exclusive interview she explains that she’s decided to speak about what happened because the actions of her attacker – who told her to have an abortion – were “not ok”.
Ms Fleet also fears many women are suffering and unable to get the support they need.
That’s why she plans to use her platform in Parliament to use her teenage experiences, which also saw her spent a period homeless, as a catalyst for change.
Reflecting on what happened to her two decades ago, Ms Fleet, now a mother-of-four, said: “Today, 23 years later, I look back and I think, it wasn’t ok. That was an older man. I didn’t know we were having unprotected sex. I was a child and (it) is statutory rape. At the time this isn’t something that we were talking about. It’s not how I saw myself. I still have weekly nightmares about it.
“I have a huge privilege and advantage to be in Parliament and I’m thrilled to be here. But what happened in my childhood still has a massive impact on me, which is why I’m so excited about what the next Labour government is going to do.
“At 15, you definitely think you’re old enough to do all these things. I wanted to give my daughter the best life. But another thing that I can do now I’m in Parliament is I want to be a voice for all of those people, all of those women that have children in far from ideal circumstances.
“That’s why I wanted to talk about where my daughter came from and about what happened. It was really difficult for me to say to her, ‘I don’t think this was entirely consensual, and I think I might have been groomed, and I don’t think this is an appropriate relationship’. She took it really well. I Googled in advance f0r some tips, just a fact sheet or ‘how to deal with this’ and I found nothing.
“I found absolutely nothing. I found there were fact sheets about rape being used as a war crime. But there was nothing else. There’s no acknowledgement that it happens in the UK. And the more research I’ve done, I’ve found that there are over 3,000 conceptions every year from rape. But there’s no charity to support those women.
“There’s no help, advice, or support helpline that you can go to. No help on ‘how do I tell my child, that I love, that is everything to me, that this is where they came from?’”
Explaining why extra support in this area is so desperately needed she continued: “It is biologically very clear what happened to me because I was 15 years old, and he was older. I can prove where she came from, so that’s statutory rape. But there are so many women that this happens too who don’t speak about it.

“They dare not speak about it because they know they won’t be believed. And then even if by some miracle, we move to a society where women are believed, once you say this is your child, then that man can come and have access to that child.
“Even if you prove it’s rape, that man can have access to that child and help bring it up. And that’s absolutely terrifying. This is a perpetrator that has hurt the mother, who can then have access to the child.
“He told me to have an abortion at the time. He’s never met her. He never wanted anything to do with it. And he was very dismissive. He told me many times that he knew lots of ways that he wouldn’t have to pay a penny towards her, because all his friends had already evaded the CSA.”
Describing the relationship she now has with her daughter, Ms Fleet said: “So she’s 23 now and is the absolute love of my life. I am so proud of everything she is. I am thrilled. She makes me proud every single day. But at the time, when I was 15, I felt full of shame and guilt and responsibility. And all I was determined to do was make sure that she had a life that was as good as she would have had to any age parent. That was what I was determined to do.”
Outlining how she plans to use her role as an MP to push for change, she said: “I am a product of the last Labour government. It wasn’t a perfect Government, but it changed my life and it was transformational. When I was younger, things were tough and I had a Labour government.
“When we were homeless, the Labour government made sure that there was enough housing stock for us to be rehoused. And then when I had my first child at a very young age, I could send her to a Sure Start nursery. I could carry on, go to university with a first in the family scholarship.
“I could work in a minimum wage job. I could send my children because I’d got two by then, to a Sure Start nursery, and it just felt like I needed the support of the state. And my God, I got it.
“And, before I became an MP, I worked for a trade union and I was absolutely desperate to give back to my teachers. My teachers had invested in me. The Labour government made sure that my teachers had time to teach me and look after me, and I then saw that I was paying taxes and they weren’t being invested in young children like me or teachers. That’s why we needed a new Government?”
“On my estate, the estate where we were rehoused, I looked around and people struggled. And I see now there are people that I was close to when I was younger who are now suffering with addiction and poverty scars.
“What poverty has done to me has meant that I work and work and work and work and work. If somebody knocks on my door, I won’t answer it because I’m still scared it’s the bailiffs. That’s what happens to you in your childhood, it stays with you. In areas of Bolsover it’s absolutely heart-breaking.
“But I could either be angry about what’s happened over the past 14 years, sad and feel powerless, or I could come into Parliament and try and do something about it. I mean, what an honour.”

Health

NHS Wales users share mental health support stories

Published

3 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Two Welsh patients say free online programmes helped them manage anxiety and stress

TWO people who transformed their mental wellbeing with the help of NHS Wales’ online support services are encouraging others to seek help during Mental Health Awareness Week.

Kate, 39, from Cardiff, and George Ryley, 27, from Aberystwyth, both say free online self-help programmes helped them regain control during difficult periods in their lives.

The pair were supported through SilverCloud Wales, a suite of digital mental health programmes based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, managed by Powys Teaching Health Board.

The stories are being highlighted as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year focuses on the theme of “Action”.

Parental anxiety

Kate sought help after her young son began suffering febrile seizures, triggering severe anxiety that quickly escalated.

“My chest would tighten and I’d get this feeling like a wave of nausea,” she said. “I couldn’t eat, couldn’t focus.”

She described becoming consumed by fear, constantly checking on her son and worrying about possible seizure triggers.

“I was so distracted at work that I had to stay behind after hours, and at home I didn’t feel I was always present with my son in the right way,” she said.

After speaking with her GP, Kate was diagnosed with parental anxiety and referred to SilverCloud’s “Space from Anxiety” programme.

She said the flexibility of the online course made it easier to fit around family life.

“I could do it in the evening when my son had gone to sleep, or during breaks in the day. It worked around me,” she said.

Kate says she still regularly uses mindfulness, breathing exercises and writing techniques she learned through the programme.

“I haven’t had a single anxiety attack since I started it,” she added. “I’ve not looked back.”

Stress and illness

Meanwhile, Aberystwyth resident George Ryley turned to the service after work pressures and illness left him physically and mentally exhausted.

“I was used to being busy and active,” he said. “Then suddenly, even having a shower would sap all my energy for the day.”

George said a period of poor health linked to mould toxicity left him bed-bound for several weeks and badly affected his mental wellbeing.

After contacting his GP, he was referred for counselling and encouraged to try SilverCloud’s “Space from Stress” programme.

“I didn’t have the most positive mindset at first,” he said. “But as I worked through it, I was amazed at how effective it was.”

Each SilverCloud user is assigned a dedicated supporter who provides encouragement and advice throughout the course.

“Having such lovely feedback on my progress was really motivating,” George said.

“I’ve recommended SilverCloud to so many people who I know have been struggling with stress.”

Taking the first step

Fionnuala Clayton, project manager for NHS Wales’ Online CBT Service, said the stories showed how small actions could make a major difference.

“This Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us that action doesn’t have to be dramatic or overwhelming – sometimes it’s simply about taking that first step to seek support,” she said.

“SilverCloud Wales gives people the tools to understand their thoughts, manage anxiety and stress, and build resilience in a way that fits around busy working and family lives.”

SilverCloud Wales is free to access through NHS Wales and can be used on phones, tablets or laptops.

The service is not intended as a crisis support platform or for those requiring high levels of intervention.

People can sign up at nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup.

Community

Fishguard RNLI volunteers respond after yacht runs aground

Published

4 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SOLO SAILOR HELPED TO SAFETY BY COASTGUARD CREWS

FISHGUARD RNLI volunteers were paged on Saturday evening (May 9) after a 26ft yacht broke free from its mooring and ran aground near Fishguard Lower Town quay.

The charity’s D-class inshore lifeboat, Edward Arthur Richardson, was launched at 7:56pm following a request from HM Coastguard.

Information received was that the yacht, with one person on board, had grounded on the seaward side of the quay.

When the lifeboat arrived, the helm assessed the situation and sea conditions. Swells were lifting the yacht before dropping it back onto rocks below the surface.

Because of the yacht’s position and the weather conditions, it was decided that the safest way to assist the sailor was from the shore. Fishguard Coastguard officers, who were already on the quay side, helped the casualty from the vessel and back up the steps on the quay wall.

The lifeboat remained on standby while coastguard crews assessed the situation. During that time, the helm kept the inshore lifeboat facing into the conditions to ensure the safety of those on board.

Once it was confirmed that the sailor, members of the public and coastguard officers were safely away from the water, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

‘Not viable to tow’

Fishguard RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Cedwyn Rogers said: “Fishguard’s volunteer crew responded to a request from HM Coastguard to attend a yacht with one person on board that was being pushed onto rocks by the weather.

“Once on scene, the helm made an assessment and it was determined that, given the proximity to the quay and accessibility of the casualty vessel from shore, the most appropriate way in which to preserve life was for the casualty to be assisted from the yacht by coastguards.

“With the vessel already aground and the nature of the surf due to the northerly winds, it was not viable to attempt a tow without presenting further unnecessary risks to the lifeboat crew and casualty.

“Once a vessel has grounded, the structural integrity and stability of a vessel is unknown, and to tow it off could compromise that further. In these situations, other means of assisting a casualty will be utilised.

“With the casualty sailor safe with HM Coastguard and no further persons near the water’s edge, the lifeboat returned to station.”

The RNLI added that anyone who is in trouble at sea, or who believes someone else may be in difficulty, should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Pic: RNLI/Rhodri Pugh-Dungey.

Business

Caws Cenarth celebrates growing success with Tesco partnership

Published

4 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WEST WALES cheesemaker Caws Cenarth is celebrating a successful first few months in Tesco stores after its artisan cheeses were launched into the retailer’s Grab and Go range.

The award-winning family business, based in Carmarthenshire, says strong customer demand has followed the launch in selected large Tesco stores across Wales.

The range includes Thelma’s Original Caerffili PGI, Perl Wen, Cenarth Brie and Perl Las, which have proved popular with shoppers looking for high-quality Welsh produce in a convenient format.

Business growth

The success has marked a significant step forward for Caws Cenarth, which has expanded its team and appointed Paul Garnish as Commercial Director to support continued growth.

He will work on strengthening retail partnerships, identifying new opportunities and building on the momentum created by the Tesco launch.

Founded in West Wales, Caws Cenarth has built a reputation for producing artisan cheeses using locally sourced milk and traditional cheesemaking techniques.

The company says the Tesco partnership reflects growing appetite among customers for premium Welsh produce that combines quality, convenience and strong local provenance.

Tesco praise

Tesco Wales buyer Nathan Edwards said: “We’re delighted to see Caws Cenarth go from strength to strength with their artisan cheeses in our Grab and Go range.

“Customers are increasingly looking for high-quality, locally sourced options, and this success is a fantastic example of how Welsh suppliers like Caws Cenarth are meeting these needs.

“Caws Cenarth’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality really stands out, and we’re proud to support their continued growth.”

‘Just the beginning’

Caws Cenarth Managing Director Carwyn Adams said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how our cheeses have been received by Tesco customers.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see more people enjoying what we do, especially as a family business rooted in West Wales.

“We’ve always believed in making cheese the right way – with care, quality ingredients and respect for tradition – and it’s exciting to be able to share that with a wider audience.

“This is just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum.”

The partnership forms part of Tesco’s wider commitment to supporting local suppliers and bringing regional produce to customers across the UK.