Exclusive: Home secretary ‘breaching duty to court’ by making claims about reason for group’s ban that she has not disclosed in legal case

Lawyers for a co-founder of Palestine Action have accused the home secretary of running a “cynical media campaign” which breaches her duty to the court in proceedings challenging the group’s proscription.

In a letter sent to the government’s legal department on behalf of Huda Ammori, who has been granted permission for a judicial review of the decision to ban the group under the Terrorism Act, her lawyers say Yvette Cooper’s public statements are not backed by her disclosures at the high court.

Kim Cotton says laws, little changed since being rushed through in response to her pregnancy in 1985, are ‘dinosaur’

Much has changed since Kim Cotton became the UK’s first surrogate 40 years ago, when she was forced to flee hospital on the floor of a car under a blanket, such was the level of media frenzy around her story.

She describes it as a harrowing experience and wishes much of that surrogacy journey had been done differently. “It wasn’t the right way to do surrogacy, but it was the only thing that was offered,” she says.

From coveted Kryptonite locks to lightweight and combination designs, these are the bike locks our experts swear by – as well as tips for keeping your bike safe

• In the US? Check out our top-rated bike locks there

Few among us do not have a tale of a stolen bike: you leave work with your helmet fastened or come out of a shop after picking up some milk, and your bike has disappeared.

Tens of thousands of people reported a bike theft to police in England and Wales in 2024, so having the right lock is crucial to protect your two-wheeler. But just as everyone has their own preferred bike, choosing the right lock, from ultra-secure bolts to lightweight devices, is very personal.

Best affordable lock:
Halfords 23cm D Lock

Transforming bare and compacted soil in vineyards can boost numbers of important invertebrate, say advocates

Vineyards are generally the most inhospitable of landscapes for the humble earthworm; the soil beneath vines is usually kept bare and compacted by machinery.

But scientists and winemakers have been exploring ways to turn vineyards into havens for worms.

Calls for ‘Thatcher-style tax on bank profits’ to raise billions of pounds rattle bank shares

• UK bank shares tumble after call for windfall tax on lenders in budget

With bank shares sliding, investors are piling into defence stocks instead.

Babcock (+1.4%), Melrose (+0.95%) and BAE Systems (+0.7%) are all among the FTSE 100 risers, as optimism over a breakthough in the Russia-Ukraine war fades.

They are also talking again about a special extra profit tax for banks - Rayner suggested upping total take from 28% to 30%. Do you know how much this will raise? Based on OBR forecasts it would bring in an extra

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