told

This essay is excerpted from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.”

On January 20, 2004, I took a seat in the gallery of the House of Representatives to hear President Bush deliver his State of the Union address. The seat came courtesy of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Ten months earlier, Bush had made the decision to invade Iraq after his administration’s historic campaign of lies convinced the American people that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. We would not extricate ourselves from that costly conflict for another seventeen years. Much of his speech that night was a further attempt to sell to the nation the justification for his war. “Had we failed to act, the dictator’s weapons of mass destruction programs would continue to this day,” Bush said. He characterized the Patriot Act, which had unleashed a new magnitude of spying on American citizens, as “one of those essential tools” in the war on terror.

“Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery” by Gavin Newsom

(Penguin Press)

The rest of his speech was standard fare, ho-hum really, until he reached a section near the end about American values and the need for us to “work together to counter the negative influences of the culture and to send the right messages to our children.” He said he was troubled by activist judges in activist states who were threatening to undo the Defense of Marriage Act signed into law by his predecessor, President Bill Clinton. We had to “defend the sanctity of marriage” as the union of one man and one woman, he said. If need be, he would seek a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

As I was leaving the chamber, a middle-aged couple next to me was talking about how pleased they were that their president was finally confronting the “homosexual agenda.” The word homosexual came out of their mouths bent by contempt. I was supposed to head downstairs for a reception with Congresswoman Pelosi and a delegation of California Democrats, but I needed a breath of fresh air. Outside the Capitol, I kept walking and muttering to myself. “These are my people Bush is attacking. My constituents. My staff. My closest advisers.” In the cold and dark of Washington, I called one of my aides back in San Francisco and pledged that I was “going to do something about it” as soon as I returned home.

The law in our state was no different from the law in every other state. Same-sex unions could not be recognized by the local assessor-recorder’s office. They were illegal. As I explained to aides my willingness to now defy that law, I held up a copy of the California Constitution. In Article I, the first section promises that “all people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights.” Among these rights are pursuing and obtaining “safety, happiness and privacy.” It was not until Section 7.5 that these rights were then abridged: “Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” This not only contradicted the first section but was discriminatory on its face.

My top staff didn’t disagree with my reading, but almost to a person they were opposed to my taking on the issue. Steve Kawa, my chief of staff, a gay Bostonian whose accent cut through all nonsense, pulled me aside and spoke from his heart. His father had renounced him for being gay, and he wanted nothing more than to live in an America where homophobia was no longer the norm. But swinging open the doors to the city clerk’s office and inviting gay men and lesbian women to the marriage altar was political suicide, he argued. We were new to office, for one thing. And polls showed that less than one third of Californians supported gay marriage.

The “go it slow” admonition was the mother’s milk of Democratic politics. In the endless battle for the hearts and minds of moderates, it seemed the only feasible way for a Democrat to get elected and govern. But this was San Francisco, and we were talking about equal protection under the law for a class of people whose ostracism by family, friends, and community had brought them to San Francisco in the first place. If not here, where? Eric Jaye, one of my campaign consultants, could see my quandary. I was caught between my conscience and the sound political advice of the people closest to me. We had several late-night conversations on the phone. “What the f— are you doing here? Why did we work so hard to win if you can’t do something bold?” he asked. “This is a short life, Gavin. Your time as a politician to get things done is just a blip.”

I thought back to my model for the wine store. The entire purpose was to turn the staid on its head and create a new reality. I called Joyce Newstat, my policy director, who was also gay. “We need to do this,” I told her. She could hear in my voice that I had made up my mind. “OK, but we can’t afford to take a wrong step,” she said. “Gays and lesbians have a history of being blindsided, and you don’t want to become part of that narrative. Give me a week or two to reach out to the community.” Joyce sat down with Kate Kendell, the brilliant executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, based in San Francisco. “Who is this guy?” Kendell wondered. “He can’t just come waltzing in here and upset the delicate balance we’ve taken years to achieve.” Joyce told her I couldn’t be talked out of it, that it had become internalized after I had gone to Washington and heard the words of bigotry ring out in the Capitol. “Well, OK. But if he’s going to do it, he has to do it right,” Kendell said. She directed her attorneys at the center to work with our team on fashioning a plan.

I then went to Mabel Teng, my former colleague on the board of supervisors who was now the assessor-recorder of San Francisco. I asked her what complications would be presented to her official duties if we allowed same-sex marriages at city hall. Mabel, who began her career in politics as an activist with Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition, did not surprise me with her reply. “It would be no problem at all, Mayor.” The marriage of a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, would require hardly any change to the paperwork. Rather than “man and wife,” they would show up in her computer as “Applicant One” and “Applicant Two.”

Alarmed by my plans, my father and Uncle Brennan and their close friend Joe Cotchett — each one steeped in law and politics but only Joe standing six foot four and a former Special Forces paratrooper —attempted a last-minute intervention. They lured me to the Balboa Cafe for dinner and wine. They weren’t the kind to beat around the bush. Did I realize that I was about to torpedo my political career?

Joe got right in my face. “Why are you doing this, Gavin?”

“I’ll tell you why I’m doing this,” I said defiantly. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

I could not have given him a more simple and true answer, and it seemed to hit Joe, who had built his career out of representing the underdog, right in the gut.

“OK,” he said in a different voice. “Then let’s do it.”

With that, my father and uncle went quiet. Not another word was said about it. I left there that night thinking that even my Newsom kin, the ones who had my best interests at heart, could get it wrong from time to time. While I was open to skepticism and second-guessing, indeed I welcomed such a process, in the end I had to trust my own gut. On the matter of civil rights for all Californians, there was no turning back. As for big Joe Cotchett, he ended up joining the ranks of lawyers fighting for the legal right to same-sex marriage.

From “Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery” by Gavin Newsom, published by Penguin Press, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2026 by Gavin Newsom.

Forgotten village in Wiltshire was evacuated in 1943 for US troops to train ahead of World War II, and residents were never allowed to return home

Just a stone’s throw from the ancient monument of Stonehenge, and roughly an hour from Bath, lies a hidden village frozen in time.

The abandoned village of Imber in Wiltshire stands devoid of inhabitants, its buildings crumbling into decay. This once-bustling parish on Salisbury Plain now remains eerily silent, cut off from civilisation and accessible to visitors for only a handful of days each year.

Similar to several other communities nationwide, Imber’s residents were forcibly removed from their properties in 1943 as war loomed. They received just 47 days’ warning before their village was requisitioned to provide training facilities for American forces preparing for the Second World War.

Locals are believed to have assumed they would reclaim their homes following the conflict’s conclusion, but permission to return was never granted. Salisbury Plain subsequently evolved into Britain’s most extensive military training facility, now spanning more than 94,000 acres.

History

Whilst evidence suggests a modest community existed at Imber from as far back as 967 AD, with documentation indicating habitation in the Domesday Book of 1086, the village housed over 150 inhabitants when evacuation occurred.

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During the 14th century, its population peaked at approximately 250 residents, declining to roughly 152 by the 1940s, and following the conflict, the village mourned 28 of its men who had been in service.

A correspondence sent to a resident, providing brief notice of evacuation, read: “Arising out of the decision that increased training facilities are to be made available in the Imber area, I regret to inform you that it is necessary to evacuate the major part of the Department’s Imber Estate, including your dwelling.”

Despite protests from villagers, their efforts proved unsuccessful, and authorities determined even years after the conflict that the terrain remained invaluable for military purposes and too hazardous for civilian habitation.

Initially, however, many people were prepared to leave, viewing it as their patriotic responsibility and wanting to support those serving on the battlefield.

Numerous structures within the settlement sustained damage from explosions during and following the conflict, as well as from military exercises, and subsequently deteriorated further due to exposure to the elements. Even had former inhabitants been permitted to return, the properties would have been uninhabitable.

Battle for the village

In 1961, following years of separation and discontent, over 2,000 individuals gathered to campaign for the villagers’ return. This triggered a public inquiry, though it ultimately ruled in support of Imber’s ongoing military utilisation.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that certain evidence finally emerged, resulting in an agreement permitting villagers to return, but by that point it was considerably too late.

It was subsequently determined that the church could be preserved and would welcome worshippers on the Saturday nearest to St Giles’ Day each year for residents and locals to gather. This tradition continues to this day.

Present Day

Whilst the remainder of the parish has fallen into decline, neglected and forgotten, St Giles’ church in Imber stands preserved as it always has been, safeguarded by the Diocese of Salisbury.

The church achieved Grade I listed status in 1987 and remains a meaningful site for those wishing to commemorate the village and its formerly thriving community.

Annually around St Giles’ Day, a service takes place which draws former inhabitants alongside soldiers who trained in the village and other members of the public. A further service occurs on the Saturday preceding Christmas, a custom established in 2009.

The Ministry of Defence must permit public entry to the village on these occasions, which are now restricted to merely three times annually. Honouring the village’s heritage, ImberVillage.co.uk commemorates the lives of former inhabitants and enables their stories and recollections to be preserved.

AFTER five long years, the dark truth behind Jesy Nelson’s feud with Little Mix has been laid bare for the first time – as the singer reveals she made a secret suicide attempt days before quitting the group.

Jesy — whose abrupt exit from the girl band has been shrouded in mystery until now — claimed her cry for help in the lead-up to her overdose was ignored by bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall.

Thankfully, she was saved by her quick-thinking mum Jan, who raised the alarm after Jesy fell unconscious while on the phone to her.

Speaking about her daughter’s near-death experience for the first time,

Jan said: “For a few days before, she had just been really down and not talking much. She wanted to be on her own quite a lot.

“I got a gut feeling that something wasn’t right. I kept ringing and ­ringing, but there was no answer.

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“She eventually answered the phone and the way she talking was really slurry.

“I heard the phone drop and didn’t hear anything else — I knew she’d done something.”

It was the second time Jesy had tried to take her own life following an overdose in 2013, which she ­previously opened up about in her NTA-winning BBC documentary Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out.

She later said that online abuse over her appearance left her unable to “tolerate the pain any more”.

‘You’ve got to stop’

Her boyfriend at the time, Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo, called an ambulance and she was taken to ­hospital, but one week later was told to “pull it together” to film a video for Little Mix’s single Salute.

Jesy, 34, admits: “It all just got too much for me. My manager was like, ‘Come on Jesy, you need to pull ­yourself together.’

“So it just got swept under the rug and everything went back to normal.”

Reflecting on her second attempt seven years later — just days before she quit Little Mix — Jesy said: “I was so sad. I was so down.”

The star was rushed to hospital by ambulance and missed the final of Little Mix’s BBC talent show The Search, with host Chris Ramsey ­telling fans she had fallen ill.

The singer recalled: “I knew after coming out of hospital that I ­mentally couldn’t do it [be in the band] any more.”

Jesy had sunk into a deep depression after returning to work following the 2020 pandemic.

Recalling the painful breakdown of Little Mix’s friendship days before her overdose, Jesy said: “I sat ­everyone down to explain how I was feeling and I remember one of the responses being, ‘Are you done now? Is that it?’

“She [one of the girls] was like, ‘Can I go now?’”

Fighting back tears, Jesy added: “That made me feel really alone. I felt like there was no point. That no one cared.”

Hidden turmoil within the group led to Jesy trying to take her own life, with her mum Jan insisting: “I can see why they [the other Little Mix members] did get angry at times.

“It’s hard to work with someone who is always down when you are always happy.

“But I personally believe that at Jesy’s lowest of low times, the girls were not really there for her and I think that’s why she’s so sad now.”

In her new Prime Video docuseries Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix, Jesy also makes the bombshell claim that another bandmate tried to quit a year before her shock exit.

Unbeknown to fans, the girls had agreed their next tour would be their last, but a two-year delay pushed their “sisterhood” to the brink.

After Jesy’s second suicide attempt, her mum said: “I kept cuddling her and said, ‘Right, that’s it now. No more.

I didn’t get my opportunity to explain why I couldn’t do this any more. I feel mad that that was taken away from me

Jesy Nelson

“You’ve got to stop doing what makes you unhappy’.”

While in hospital recovering, Jesy made the difficult decision to quit.

But after seeking legal advice, she felt betrayed when her lawyer ­delivered the news to the rest of ­Little Mix without her consent.

Jesy said: “I think they felt really hurt about that and it should never have played out like that.

“I didn’t get my opportunity to explain why I couldn’t do this any more. I feel mad that that was taken away from me.”

When Jesy later attempted to meet up with the girls, she claims her manager said that Leigh-Anne, Perrie and Jade “would only feel comfortable if there was a therapist present”.

Jesy tearfully said of Little Mix: “I didn’t feel like they were my sisters [any more]. I’d just come out of the hospital. This is the time I need you the most.”

Despite what she’d been through with her mental health battle, Jesy never saw the girls again.

Leigh-Anne went on to say the girls were left so “traumatised” by their bandmate’s exit they needed counselling.

Jesy explained: “Eventually there was a phone call.

“It was really awkward and so weird. It was like talking to strangers.

“It was the most uncomfortable phone call of my life. No one knew what to say.

“And that’s the last time I ever spoke to them as a group. It’s been five years now and every time I think about it, I think, was it them or was it the management? I’ll never know.”

‘Me and Jade cried’

Speaking for the first time about the end of Little Mix being planned a year before her exit when one of the other girls announced they wanted to walk away, Jesy said: “I thought everyone was in a really good place, but I was wrong.

“We got called in for a meeting and I just had this gut feeling that it wasn’t going to be good.

“One of the girls had decided they didn’t want to be in the band any more. I remember feeling my whole world had fallen apart.

“It was a really sad day — me and Jade really cried. I was devastated.”

When pushed to reveal the name of singer who wanted to quit at the beginning of 2020, Jesy added: “I don’t think that’s for me to say because they still haven’t said.

“It’s been really hard to not speak out about this.

“I thought we’d be together ­forever. It was never my decision to leave first.”

When Covid hit, the band’s end date was pushed back by two years.

“That’s when everything got messy,” Jesy said.

“I knew the band was coming to an end because one of the girls had made the decision to leave and I felt like I was being fake.

“I got this very quick realisation that I wasn’t happy.”

Jesy felt “swarmed with insecurities” after returning to the limelight following lockdown.

She began to feel fearful of performing — with panic attacks leading her to pull out of live performances including a BBC Radio One Live Lounge and as a judge on The Search.

Her vocals are also missing from tracks on Little Mix’s final album.

Jesy continued: “I had mentally checked out. It was like my body was telling me, ‘Stop now’.

“That was the moment I thought, I can’t do this any more.

“I just remember thinking, I ­cannot last another two years.

“I felt like it [the relationship with the girls] had shifted.

“There would be days I would cry and be a miserable bitch.

“All those little things build up and build up and they do get to a boiling point.”

Explaining why she is speaking out now, Jesy insists she wants to draw a line under the speculation.

She said: “I really f*ing hate that there were nine and a bit really beautiful years that I had with the girls and I really didn’t want for us to be known for that one sh***y part.

‘Sad and hurt’

“It overrode every amazing thing that we ever did and what we stood for.

“We were genuinely like sisters and I think that is what’s so sad about this whole thing.

“As the years have gone on I see both sides. I see why they would be sad and hurt.”

Little Mix became the first group to win X Factor in 2011 before making UK singles chart history with five No1s and selling more than 75million records worldwide.

Jesy walked out of the girl band in November 2020 and two years later released her debut single Boyz with rapper Nicki Minaj.

On the track Mine, she paired up with Zion Foster — who later became the father of her two children before they split in January.

Little Mix went on an extended hiatus in 2022 to pursue solo careers and start families.

Despite never reconnecting in person again, in May last year Jesy’s former bandmates got back in touch after she became pregnant with identical twins.

Nine-month-old girls Ocean and Story have since been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 — the most severe form of a rare disease affecting muscle strength and movement.

Jesy recently told The Sun there was hope of reconciliation between her and the girls after the five- year feud was “healed” by her children arriving.

In the docuseries, Jesy said: “They reached out to me when I was pregnant.

“It was lovely because I never thought that would happen. It made me really emotional.

“We’re grown women. We’ve got kids. I just think there are so many more important things in life.

“It’s just one of those things that needs to be put to bed now.”

• Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix is available on Prime Video from today.

NEW travel advice has been issued warning Brits not to travel to a major destination in the Caribbean.

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) is advising against all but essential travel to Cuba – the Caribbean’s biggest island – as flights get cancelled.

On Gov.uk, the FCDO states: “Cuba is experiencing severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure, persistent nationwide power outages, fuel shortages, and increasing safety risks.

“These conditions significantly affect the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services.

“Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made temporary changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations in order to conserve severely limited energy supplies.

“Flight schedules are also being disrupted due to aviation fuel shortages, with some airlines reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services which risk visitors being unable to leave the country.”

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Flight cancellations include to and from Havana, with aviation authorities warning that no fuel will be available for the next month.

The shortage comes after the US sanctioned the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, as Venezuela is key supplier of oil to Cuba.

President Donald Trump later claimed that the “policies, practices and actions of Cuba directly threaten the safety, national security and foreign policy of the United States“.

He added that he would place tariffs as a punishment on any country that directly or indirectly sells or gives oil to Cuba.

And as a result, the country’s supply has run dry.

This has then impacted flights into and out of the country.

From February 10, jet fuel has been unavailable and this is expected to go on until March 11.

The notice was given by the island’s aviation authorities and impacts Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Coco and other airports.

For example, Air Canada has been forced to cancel its weekly programme of 32 flights.

Brits often travel via Canada to get to Cuba and if you have an upcoming flight with Air Canada or WestJet, you can get a full refund.

Anyone currently in Cuba who is due to fly home is having to catch ‘ferry flights’, with Air Canada carrying extra fuel to manage both outward and return flights.

For those travelling from Europe, flights are usually with Air Europa or Iberia from Madrid to Havana.

Alternatively, you can get a flight from Paris to Havana on Air France or from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines or from Moscow on Rossiya.

However, these flights are likely to be forced into making technical stops for more fuel.

If you already have a flight booked to Cuba and the flight will still be taking off, you unfortunately have no right to cancel and won’t get a refund.

The same goes for if you have a holiday booked with a travel firm and they can still provide the holiday that you booked.

However, if it becomes impossible to carry out your trip itinerary – such as certain activities – travellers should be given the option to cancel.

When FCDO advises against travel, your travel insurance will typically not cover you.

For package holidays, you are generally entitled to a full refund or alternative holiday when the FCDO issues advice against all but essential travel.

The FCDO adds: “If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential.

“Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption.

“Check for messaging from your airline or tour operator.”

In other travel news, travel expert warns of scary holiday scam which could see you out of pocket and out on the street.

Plus, travel expert reveals five hidden risks on trips and how to stay safe when you’re enjoying your time abroad this summer.

Londoners can save more money on weekend breaks to five popular UK cities by opting for one particular method of transport over the train, new research has revealed

New research has revealed that anyone travelling from London to five UK cities can save up to £48 per journey, simply by making their journey via coach instead of the train.

The study, conducted by minibus and coach hire company SMC Coach Hire, analysed travel costs from the capital city to major UK destinations, comparing ticket prices against total mileage to identify where passengers are facing the most expensive rail fares.

The research showed Cardiff as the prime location for making travel savings. While a train journey from London Victoria to the Welsh capital costs an average of £61.39, the equivalent coach journey is just £13.35, a staggering saving of £48.04.

At just 10p per mile, opting to travel by coach offers a fraction of the rail cost for the 131-mile trip.

The top 5 best value routes

The North and Scotland also showed significant disparities, with long-distance travellers set to gain the most from making the journey on a coach:

1. Cardiff: £48.04 saving (£13.35 coach vs £61.39 train)
2. Aberdeen: £47.69 saving (£47.80 coach vs £95.49 train)
3. Leicester: £41.74 saving (£7.35 coach vs £49.09 train)
4. Glasgow: £37.34 saving (£39.45 coach vs £76.79 train)
5. Newcastle: £26.79 saving (£19.50 coach vs £46.29 train

However, distance doesn’t always have a direct impact on the savings. Leicester, one of the shortest routes on the list at just 89 miles, ranked third for total savings. Passengers can make the journey for as little as £7.35 by coach, compared to nearly £50 via rail.

1. Cardiff – train price to London – £61.39, train per mile – £0.47, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.10, approx distance (miles) 131.33, price difference – £48.04
2. Aberdeen – train price to London – £95.49, train per mile – £0.24, coach price to London – £47.80, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 398.15, price difference – £47.69
3. Leicester – train price to London – £49.09, train per mile – £0.55, coach price to London – £7.35, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 89.38, price difference – £41.74
4. Glasgow – train price to London – £76.79, train per mile – £0.22, coach price to London – £39.45, coach per mile – £0.11, approx distance (miles) 345.20, price difference – £37.34
5. Newcastle – train price to London – £46.29, train per mile – £0.19, coach price to London – £19.50, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 247.73, price difference – £26.79
6. Derby – train price to London – £38.19, train per mile – £0.34, coach price to London – £11.85, coach per mile – £0.10, approx distance (miles) 113.09, price difference – £26.34
7. Bristol – train price to London – £37.99, train per mile – £0.36, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.13, approx distance (miles) 106.38, price difference – £24.64
8. Leeds – train price to London – £43.89, train per mile – £0.26, coach price to London – £21.30, coach per mile – £0.13, approx distance (miles) 169.47, price difference – £22.59
9. Nottingham – train price to London – £35.89, train per mile – £0.33, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 109.35, price difference – £22.54
10. Brighton and Hove – train price to London – £24.69, train per mile – £0.53, coach price to London – £5.40, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 46.89, price difference – £19.29
11. Manchester – train price to London – £31.29, train per mile – £0.19, coach price to London – £12.75, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 163.22, price difference – £18.54
12. Liverpool – train price to London – £30.19, train per mile – £0.17, coach price to London – £11.85, coach per mile – £0.07, approx distance (miles) 178.62, price difference – £18.34

Stephen Chesters, Director at SMC Coach Hire said: “With the cost of living still a major concern for many, these figures highlight just how much ‘rail tax’ people are paying for their commute or weekend breaks.

“Choosing the road over the rail isn’t just about the journey; it’s about keeping nearly £50 extra in your pocket. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway for Valentine’s or looking ahead to a half-term break for the family, coach travel is a great alternative to save some money.”

Brits with dual-citizenships have been told they could be refused entry back into the UK from February 25, 2026, under new ETA rules if they travel abroad without the correct documents

British passport holders could find themselves barred from re-entering the UK from February 25, 2026, under stringent new travel regulations that require additional documentation for entry into the country.

From later this month, the UK will get stricter with its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for all visitors, including those from the EU, USA, and other visa-exempt countries, meaning they’ll need digital clearance before arrival. The system will apply across all modes of transport – aeroplanes, ferries, and Eurostar services – with strict carrier inspections in place. Whilst the average British citizen won’t be impacted by these measures, dual nationals holding multiple passports could face significant complications.

While residents under the EU Settlement scheme or Leave to Remain arrangements are exempt, as their foreign passports contain evidence of their approved UK residency, those with dual citizenship and multiple passports have been cautioned they may struggle to return back to the UK if they overlook one crucial detail.

With the Government recently announcing tougher enforcement of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and eVisa verification at border control, an immigration solicitor has issued an urgent reminder to British dual nationals to carry out one essential check before jetting off on holiday. A UK immigration lawyer and legal expert has issued an urgent warning to Brits on social media, particularly those holding dual citizenship who could face serious travel disruptions.

Skylar McKeith, who has amassed thousands of followers by demystifying British immigration laws and providing guidance on various scenarios including travel, has raised the alarm about upcoming changes that could see some British citizens refused entry to their own country.

“British citizens could be refused entry to the UK,” she cautioned in her video, before detailing how the new ETA regulations could impact British nationals.

“From the 25th February, the UK will fully enforce its ETA system,” Skylar revealed. “British citizens cannot apply for an ETA, so if you are a dual citizen and you travel on your non-UK foreign passport, you may be refused boarding.”

From 25 February 2026, visitors from 85 countries, including the United States, Canada, and France, who previously didn’t require a visa will be unable to legally enter the UK without obtaining an ETA.

The enforcement of these new rules means that everyone wishing to enter the UK must secure digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa, with carriers conducting checks before passengers travel.

Whilst this may seem complicated, it simply means that British citizens holding multiple different citizenships need to carefully consider which passport they use when travelling. Skylar went on to to share her essential advice on navigating this situation.

“The solution is simple,” Skylar advised. “Travel on your British passport, or a foreign passport with a certificate of entitlement.”

A Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) is an official endorsement, usually a vignette in a foreign passport, that confirms a person’s right of abode in the UK, granting them unrestricted living and working rights. Those eligible can apply for these documents via the government’s website at a cost of £589.

For those juggling multiple passports, it’s generally suggested to carry all of them while travelling as it provides more options for visa-free entry. It’s also recommended to use your home country’s passport when entering or returning to that country.

Since the introduction of ETA in October 2023, over 13.3 million travellers have successfully applied, enjoying quicker and smoother journeys. ETA has become an essential aspect of travel, including for passengers taking connecting flights and passing through UK passport control.

Swansea Council had said it would publish the minutes of the meeting, which took place on 22 January, but in its statement claimed they had not done so because the WRU, Y11, and Ospreys objected to it.

The meeting included officials from Swansea Council, the WRU chief executive Abi Tierney, and Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley.

In a statement, the council listed a number of what it called “key facts” that it claims were said at the meeting.

The statement includes that the Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley confirmed that there would not be a professional Ospreys team playing regional rugby after 2027 if the takeover of Cardiff by Y11 went through.

It is claimed that Mr Bradley also said a merger with Swansea RFC could follow, which would see a merged team competing in the semi professional Super Rygbi Cymru instead of the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The council statement said: “Council representatives left the meeting with a clear understanding that the basis of the WRU’s and Y11’s proposals for the future, if the acquisition of Cardiff Rugby by Y11 is completed, was that the Ospreys would not continue as a professional regional team after 2026-27.”

“The council expressed deep frustration that, despite extensive and recent discussions about the redevelopment of St Helen’s, it had not been informed earlier of these proposals. This lack of transparency and engagement is wholly unacceptable.”

The council claim that the WRU’s restructuring proposals would breach UK competition law and has issued pre-action letters to the WRU and Y11 requesting that they pause their plans.

The WRU has proposed cutting one of its four men’s professional sides – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – to three.

The WRU has stated there will be one licence in Cardiff, one in the west and one in the east, with Llanelli-based Scarlets, and Dragons in Newport, expected to be handed those.

I made a major faux pas when going through airport security because I wore something which flags every single time – but I’m not the only one who has made this mistake…

The next time you’re going to an airport, you may want to consider your outfit a little more carefully, as I was told to never wear one item again after making a faux pas. You’d probably assume it would be safe to wear a comfy but cute tracksuit to the airport, right? But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I want to dress for a plane as I would for chilling at home – just a little more elevated, as I am out in public after all. I want to browse the books in WHSmith and buy three, as if I don’t already have seven in my hand luggage, without stressing that my skirt is riding up thanks to my backpack.

That’s why my Juicy Couture tracksuit is a must for flights – or so I thought it was before being ushered to one side and urged not to wear it again when going through security.

Of course, for maximum comfort, I paired it with my Uggs. Yes, I was flying to a hot country, but we were arriving at night, and the transfer had air conditioning, so it was fine.

We dropped our bags off and made our way to security, breathing a sigh of relief that the queue wasn’t long, despite the fact we’d accidentally booked a holiday during half term (our adults-only hotel was uncharacteristically cheap, and we didn’t ask questions).

Then we were told at security we could keep our jackets on and liquids in our bags, which is fantastic, but I’d already taken my jacket off and put it into the tray.

The person handling the trays then asked me: “Are your pants the same as this?” as they gestured to the diamante ‘Juicy’ on the back of my tracksuit top.

“Yes,” I said, as I turned around, and they could see it for themselves. They chuckled to themselves and said I’d definitely be getting stopped when I passed through the scanners.

Lo and behold, when I went through the scanner, something flagged, and it was my tracksuit. I was asked whether I had anything in my pocket, which I didn’t, and then I was sent for my shoes to be checked.

When I was walking away, the person working for security advised me not to wear my Juicy tracksuit to the airport again if I didn’t want to be stopped. I must admit, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this advice, but it’s too comfy and cute.

To be honest, I’ve been stopped and searched to some extent at security every single time I go through – usually because of jewellery – so I think I would’ve set it off anyway. But I assumed there wasn’t any metal with the diamantes on the tracksuit and that it was all just plastic, but who knows.

Anyway, I really don’t mind being stopped at the airport when the person searching me is polite and friendly. I’ve definitely had some vile experiences with security staff at various airports across the world, but thankfully, when flying out of Manchester, they’re usually pretty jovial and are just there to do their jobs, rather than behave like jobsworths.

Someone on X referred to airport security as a “humiliation ritual,” and while I have been made to feel like this in the past, it’s definitely not commonplace.

Although I can’t lie, when waiting for security, I do get a little bit nervous to see how the person will treat me.

I’m not the only person who has experienced this at an airport, either. Several women have taken to X to share their experiences of wearing Juicy Couture diamante items at the airport.

One woman wrote: “My bedazzled Juicy Couture track pants set off the airport security scanner and I had to get a pat down and an explosives test.”

Someone else shared: “I went through airport security in my Juicy Couture pants, and the bum got flagged,” followed by a crying with laughter emoji.

Manchester Airport has been contacted for comment.

KATIE Price has cancelled her podcast after her shock wedding to Lee Andrews and being told to ‘run a mile’ from her ‘swindler’ new husband by his ex. 

New episodes of The Katie Price Show podcast – which the 47-year-old hosts with younger sister Sophie, 36 – drop every Thursday. 

But Katie’s sister Sophie took to social media to announce that an episode would not be dropping today.

“Hi guys, how are you all? I know you’ve all been chomping at the bit to find out what has been going on. All our DMs have been going off,” she began in her video address.

“Let’s just say, it’s been one hell of a week. We have done over a 100 episodes of the podcast which sounds absolutely nuts when it’s just me and Kate doing our b*s chat.

“We will back next week as normal and we will be able you guys on what’s been going on. It will be business as usual,” she signed off.

LOVE HURTS

Katie ‘love-bomber’ Lee is a terrifying type of man – my ex scarred me for life

LOVE HURTS

Katie ‘love-bomber’ Lee is a terrifying type of man – my ex scarred me for life

No doubt fans will be disappointed at not getting an update on married life from Katie, after she tied the knot with Lee, 41, in Dubai last weekend – allegedly just days after meeting. 

Shortly after the wedding The Sun exposed him as a fantasist who lied about his career and faked celebrity links with AI-generated photos.

We also told this week how Lee had proposed to fitness enthusiast Alana Percival four months ago — in exactly the same way.

And now Alana has urged Katie to proceed with caution.

She took to social media to post photos of her on a beach holiday.

But her caption came with a serious message, which read: “Catching flights not fiancés – lucky escape.

“Somebody with your ex right now thinking they found The One,” while tagging Katie in the post.

Alana added: “More to come today’s news is just a warm up.”

She then followed up with an Instagram post as she slammed her ex for his behaviour during their brief relationship.

She claimed: “This man had me shrinking myself, making me not want to speak up.

“Telling me not to speak to my friends about how he acted because they all told me to leave him.

“He even ruined some of my friendships, pulled me away from people I love by protecting him.”

She continued: “Made unlimited promises making me look as bad as him because I was on his side.

“Finally I get to speak freely and tell you all.

“I hope Katie listens, I wish I had listened to all the others that warned me.”

She added: “Please ladies if you experience anything like this run a mile and more. Keep running.”

Chelsea have urged fans travelling to Naples for Wednesday’s Champions League game to “exercise extreme caution” after two supporters needed hospital treatment.

The Italian city has a long history of cases of away supporters being targeted by Napoli ultras.

“The club is aware of an incident that took place on Tuesday evening in Naples,” a Chelsea statement said.

“Two fans are being treated in hospital, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The club would like to remind all supporters to exercise extreme caution whilst in the city and take note of the advice shared ahead of this fixture.”

Fans on social media claimed Chelsea supporters had been stabbed, but there has been no official confirmation of how the injuries were caused.

Around 2,500 Chelsea supporters have tickets for the game, with fans urged to meet at designated areas so they can travel to the ground by shuttle bus under police escort.

In travel advice that was issued to fans earlier this month, Chelsea said: “During Uefa competition matches, attacks on away fans have sometimes occurred in Naples.”

Supporters have been urged not to walk around the city and to avoid wearing club colours or emblems that identify them as Chelsea fans.

Liam Rosenior’s side need a win against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to go directly into the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

Their hosts – Serie A champions last season – are seeking a win to stay in the competition.