Damaging

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter, under fire for recently emerged videos showing her scolding a reporter and swearing at an aide, expressed remorse for her behavior on Tuesday in her first public remarks since the incidents were publicized.

Porter, a former Orange County congresswoman and a top candidate in California’s 2026 governor’s race, said that she “could have handled things better.”

“I think I’m known as someone who’s able to handle tough questions, who’s willing to answer questions,” Porter told Nikki Laurenzo, host of Inside California Politics and anchor on Fox40 in Sacramento. “I want people to know that I really value the incredible work that my staff can do. I think people who know me know I can be tough. But I need to do a better job expressing appreciation for the amazing work my team does.”

Last week, a video emerged of Porter telling a separate television reporter that she doesn’t need the support of the millions of Californians who voted for President Trump, and brusquely threatening to end the interview because the reporter asked follow-up questions. The following day, a second video emerged of Porter telling a young staffer “Get out of my f—ing shot!” while videoconferencing with a member of then-President Biden’s cabinet in 2021.

Porter on Tuesday said that she had apologized to the staffer. She repeatedly sidestepped Laurenzo’s questions about whether other videos could emerge.

“What I can tell you … is that I am taking responsibility for the situation,” Porter said.

Porter’s behavior in the videos underscored long-standing questions about her temperament and high staff turnover while she served in Congress.

The most recent polls showed that Porter held a narrow lead in the competitive race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is serving his second and final term as governor. After the videos emerged last week, several of Porter’s rivals criticized her behavior, including former state Controller Betty Yee, who said she should drop out of the race.

On Tuesday, Yee argued that Porter’s temperament could imperil Democrats’ efforts to pass Proposition 50, the Nov. 4 ballot measure to redraw congressional districts in California to boost their party’s numbers in the House.

Yee, a former vice chair of the state Democratic party, warned that a Republican could potentially win the governor’s race and Democrats could lose the U.S. House of Representatives because of Porter’s “demeanor.”

“I don’t relish picking a fight, and it’s not even a fight,” Yee said during a virtual press conference. “I’m doing what’s best for this party.”

Porter is also expected to address the issue Tuesday night during a virtual forum with the California Working Families Party.

Prior to her statements on Tuesday, Porter had released one statement about the 2021 video, saying, “It’s no secret I hold myself and my staff to a high standard, and that was especially true as a member of Congress. I have sought to be more intentional in showing gratitude to my staff for their important work.”

The UC Irvine law professor has not responded to multiple interview requests from the Times.

Mehta reported from Los Angeles and Smith reported from Sacramento.

PRINCE Harry was blasted last night for letting a boardroom battle damage his charity Sentebale. 

A watchdog said the public row risked undermining trust in good causes generally. 

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The Charity Commission said chances were missed to settle differences at Sentebale, set up by Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso in 2006 for young people and kids living with HIV and Aids. 

It launched a probe when they stood down as patrons in support of trustees who quit in a dispute with Dr Sophie Chandauka over a fundraising strategy. 

Board of trustees chair Dr Chandauka said the “toxicity” of Harry’s brand since his move to live in the US had seen a drop in donors. 

She accused the Duke of Sussex, 40, of involvement in a “cover-up” of a probe into bullying and harassment. 

Last night, she said the “adverse media campaign” launched by those who resigned “caused incalculable damage” to the charity. 

The Times reported a source close to Harry blasted the report and said the prince was “devastated the chair had been allowed to succeed with a hostile takeover”.

His spokesman said those who rely on Sentebale would bear the “consequences of her actions”. 

The Charity Commission said the public airing of the row harmed Sentebale’s reputation and risked overshadowing its achievements. 

The regulator, which cannot investigate individual allegations of bullying, found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity but acknowledged “the strong perception of ill treatment” felt by some involved. 

David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: “Passion for a cause is the bedrock of volunteering and charity, delivering positive impact for millions of people here at home and abroad every day. 

“However, in the rare cases when things go wrong, it is often because that very passion has become a weakness rather than a strength. 

“Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charity’s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve.” 

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TV chef Lorraine Pascale has hit out at Love Island over what she believes to be ‘tokenism’ after Alima was dumped from the villa and Billykiss coupled up with Conor

TV chef Lorraine Pascale has shared her opinion, claiming Love Island is ‘reinforcing the idea there’s only room for one Black cast member’ at a time after newbie Billykiss Azeez replaced OG contestant Alima Gagigo. The recent episode saw Alima and bombshell Ryan Bannister get kicked out of the villa in a double elimination.

As per the show’s format, the stars chose who to partner up with in the recoupling. Conor Phillips chose to couple up with Billykiss after they bonded during their first date, leaving Alima single and dumped from the villa. This Morning chef Lorraine took to her X, formerly known as Twitter, to complain about the show’s “tokenism”, writing: “Wow @LoveIsland. You finally cast a Black woman who was thriving, and then you replace her with another Black woman?

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“This isn’t representation, it’s tokenism. You’re reinforcing the idea that there’s only room for one of us at a time. That’s not diversity – that’s damage. Do better.”

It is understood ITV refutes any suggestion that any editorial decision it makes is based on race

Some fans shared how Alima could have been saved, with one user writing: “This is actually Ben’s fault when you think about it cause if he really liked Alima he would’ve recouped with her a few days ago, then Connor and Helena would’ve been coupled up and she would’ve been dumped tonight.”

“Bro, they should’ve asked if anyone wanted to couple up, Ben would’ve stood up for Alima, Helena would’ve been finally dumped ffs we were so close ugh,” another said.

During her time in the villa, Alima formed a connection with Remell; however, it came crashing down when she learnt he had shared a number of kisses with Poppy at the sleepover.

Upon her exit, Alima has spoken out about where she stands with Remell on the outside, and all things villa life. “Remell and I were getting stronger and stronger by the day,” she said of their relationship.

“When he got the text about the sleepover, I was with him, and as soon as he started smiling.

“I knew this guy; he wasn’t going to be up to any good. When I saw the clip, from that moment on, I knew it would take a lot for us to go back to how we were before. I wasn’t surprised by his behaviour at all.”

She was asked whether she’d be open to having a conversation with Remell after leaving the show. She said: “I don’t hate him and I’m more than happy to be civil, he was part of my experience after all! But in terms of anything romantic, I’ll keep myself away from that.”

After Remell left the villa, Alima found a connection with Ben, but her time was cut short before they could really give it a go. However, Alima’s departure doesn’t mean the end of the road for the couple.

“I want to see how he acts now that I’m not there and if he finds a connection. If he comes back single, I would be interested in seeing if there’s something we could continue…” she teased.

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“Athletes across all sports have been discussing this for a long time, but it hasn’t really changed. Hopefully something can get done soon.”

Asked for his view – as both an ex-player and father-of-four – about what could be done to eradicate toxic abuse, Murray said: “If I’m being honest I don’t know. Me and my wife are trying to keep our children off social media until they are much older, because I think it can be pretty damaging.”

Murray’s eldest child is nine, while his youngest is four. Many social media apps have a minimum age of 13 for users.

Technology firms will have to do more to protect young people from harmful content under the Government’s Online Safety Act. It is being introduced in phases and social media platforms are now obliged to protect users from illegal or harmful content, while more child safety measures are being introduced next month.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC the government will also explore whether further protective measures can be put in place on social media platforms.

Figures provided by data science firm Signify, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) show that in 2024, about 8,000 abusive, violent or threatening messages were sent publicly to 458 tennis players through their social media accounts.

Following Boulter’s comments, fellow tennis players demanded more action, including calls for the introduction of identity verification.

Several of the England women’s football team also plan to give up social media for their forthcoming European Championship defence in Switzerland.

Murray said: “I don’t know whose responsibility it is, I don’t know if the government needs to do more to tackle it, or [X owner] Elon Musk and people like that can do more to stop these messages getting through to individuals.

“I don’t mean just athletes, but then you get into the whole debate around free speech and it’s a difficult one.”

Murray also said athletes could help themselves “by trying to avoid looking at the comments and going on our phones immediately after matches”, but the onus was not on them to solve the problem.

Former British tennis player Naomi Broady, 35, told BBC Radio 5 Live about her experiences of abuse on social media, saying: “I’ve seen the worst of trolling and after I had children, I don’t show their faces any more.”

England forward Alessia Russo says she prefers to stay off social media during major tournaments because of how “damaging” abuse can be.

The 26-year-old was speaking about the issue alongside her Lionesses teammates as they prepare for their European Championship defence in Switzerland next month.

Their comments come after British women’s tennis number one Katie Boulter spoke to BBC Sport about abuse and death threats she has received online,

Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton 22, says she will try and stay away from social media to avoid a “toxic environment” while Chelsea forward Lauren James said “the abuse never really stops”.

“I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game but it’s definitely one that can be really damaging,” said Arsenal forward Russo, 26.

“I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more.

“I read it more than I should have and listened to it more than I should have. The only opinions that matter are my team-mates, my coaches and my family.

“In my first Euros I was on social media and I would have a look, have a scroll, and I got caught in a trap sometimes.

“Going into the World Cup, I completely came off everything and I had people to run my Instagram. I just focused on the tournament.

“It’s personal preference and whatever works for the team. Staying away from it and staying focused as a team is what works for me.”

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, James discussed abuse she received, saying: “Sometimes it’s not even to do with my performance, even when someone loses at Fifa [EA Sports FC video game], my card scores against them and they’re sending me abuse.

“I guess when it’s your first time though, maybe it might touch someone but I’m used to it, I’m going to just brush it off my shoulder.”

Chelsea midfielder Kiera Walsh told 5 Live she no longer uses social media, while club teammate Lucy Bronze added: “People write horrible things and obviously our families read it as well and it can be upsetting if you see something that’s not very nice.

“Social media is amazing in one way and absolutely awful in another way. I think most of us have been off at some point.”

Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone said that while she will still uses Instagram during the tournament, she will respect the decision of any team-mate who decides to keep off social media while in Switzerland.

“I know other people turn their phones off. We have that conversation and all know how each other wants to go through the tournament,” she said.

“If I see something on Instagram I’m not going to tell someone or blurt it out to the team because they don’t want to see it. I think it’s a personal preference.”

Having experienced online abuse as a young player, both her and Russo want to help younger players in the squad deal with it.

“I think from experiences me and Alessia have had in the past, we’ve always been the people that want to make sure the younger or less experienced players coming into the squad feel relaxed and feel OK,” Toone added.

“We have such a talented squad. We have bags of talent coming into their first tournament so we want to make sure they are at ease and feel confident within themselves.”