Oxford News
Prince Harry steps down from role amid controversy
The Duke of Sussex, who is due to relocate with the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet within days, is no longer a trustee of African Parks, a spokesman for the duke confirmed.
The major conservation organisation admitted last year that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers in Congo-Brazzaville.
It followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations that guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
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A spokesman for Harry said the duke, who was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023, remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks.
“The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board,” the spokesman said.
“His commitment to conservation in Africa continues, and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission.”
In 2016, Harry helped move hundreds of African elephants in Malawi to a safer home as part of a project organised by African Parks, describing the experience as “amazing”.
The charity said in 2025 that it had improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
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The Sussexes are preparing to set up home in the UK, in a shock development six years after they quit the working monarchy and moved to California, with the children now enrolled in British schools.
Former Suits star Meghan is said to be pursuing an acting role, with reports she is in talks about a role in the third series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit The Gentlemen, and counterclaims that the deal was off.
The duke and duchess are planning an “extended stay” in the UK, but it has not been confirmed how long this will last.
Meanwhile, the couple’s spokesman has denied reports the pair have struck up a friendship with former Spice Girl Geri Horner and her husband, former Red Bull racing boss Christian, and that the Horners are advising them on their move.
The spokesman described the Sussexes as “great fans” of the couple, who live in the Cotswolds, but said the four had not held a lunch or a summit about Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK.
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“The Horners are not advising them on their return, nor have they been asked to do so,” he said.
The dramatic U-turn by the royal family’s prodigal son Harry leaves many questions unanswered.
It is not yet clear whether taxpayers will foot the bill for the Sussexes’ security.
The Telegraph reported that a long-awaited risk assessment, carried out on the orders of the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), took place at the end of July, but Harry does not know the result.
The duke, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, is said to have pleaded with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for answers.
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He lost a legal battle against the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK, after his level of protection changed when he stopped being a working royal in 2020.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who have been holidaying with the King at Balmoral in Scotland, have yet to respond to news of Harry and Meghan’s plans to return.
Future king William is estranged from his younger brother after Harry criticised him, Kate, Charles and Camilla in a primetime Oprah interview, a Netflix documentary and his autobiography Spare in the wake of his stepping back from royal duties.
The closure affects the route between the A420 and Coxwell Road near Great Coxwell to allow for carriageway widening and the construction of a new signal-controlled junction.
The closure, in effect 24 hours a day, will begin on September 7, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until April 16, 2027.
An alternative route will be signposted via the A420, London Street, Coxwell Street, and Coxwell Road.
The order, issued by Oxfordshire County Council under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, will remain in force for up to 18 months if necessary.
Exemptions are included for emergency vehicles, and signage will be in place to advise drivers of the closure.
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
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