Oxford News
Former minister Oxfordshire MP refuses to back Starmer
Anneliese Dodds MP has refused to comment on whether she is standing by the Prime Minister amid reports that over 80 of Labour’s MPs have demanded his departure.
Asked if she will back Sir Keir to continue his premiership at this time, call for his resignation or a timetable for departure, she chose not to share a statement at this time.
This comes after the resignation of three ministers from the government, Alex Davies-Jones, Jess Phillips and Miatta Fahnbulleh.
Stepping down as victims minister, Alex Davies-Jones, criticised Sir Keir for a lack of “bold, radical action” as she urged him to quit.
Ms Dodds is also a former minister, having resigned as international development minister and minister for women and equalities in February 2025, in protest of aid cuts.
Resignations from the government have led to a promotion for another Oxfordshire MP, Sean Woodcock.
The Banbury MP has been made a parliamentary private secretary (PPS), after Joe Morris, a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Tom Rutland, a PPS to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, Cabinet Office aide Naushabah Khan and Melanie Ward, a PPS to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, all quit on Monday evening, May 11.
Department for Work and Pensions aide Gordon McKee and Ms Mahmood’s PPS Sally Jameson also left their posts, having expressed a loss of confidence in the Prime Minister.
Asked about his appointment and whether he would back Sir Keir to continue in his premiership, he said: “I am proud to have been asked to serve.
“It is a real honour both for me and the people of Banbury who put their faith in me at the 2024 general election.
“I will take the issues that are important to Banbury to the heart of government and ensure that they remain my focus.”
He has not explicitly lent his support to the Prime Minister in this statement.
The MP had also been asked to confirm if he is backing Sir Keir, calling for his resignation or a timetable for departure.
The Prime Minister is understood to have defied calls for him to vacate Downing Street, telling his Cabinet the country “expects us to get on with governing” and “that is what I am doing”.
A statement understood to have been signed by more than 100 Labour MPs backing Sir Keir Starmer urges colleagues to start “working together”.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook warned against a “descent into chaos” by triggering a formal challenge.
Thames Valley Police has said that they have been called multiple times to Mill Meadow in Henley to assist youngsters incapacitated through alcohol.
Mill Meadow is a popular beauty spot alongside the River Thames where community events are held.
READ MORE: Warning amid reports of ‘significant rise’ in Oxfordshire car theft
Police community support officer Claire Hewett said: “Over the last two weeks police have been called to Mill Meadow to assist youths under 18 years of age who were incapacitated through alcohol use.
“While on patrol on Saturday April 25 a police officer from the Henley Neighbourhood Policing Team found young female under the age of 15 in an intoxicated state.
“She was with friends but was found to be unable to walk by herself, uncoherent and slipping in and out of consciousness she was taken to hospital by the ambulance service.
“On Friday May 8 Thames Valley Police were informed by the ambulance service that there was a large gathering of youths in the play area at Mill Meadows, this was at approximately 9:30 pm.”
READ MORE: Oxford motoring group calls for ‘cycling education’ after A40 incident
The officer added that parents should warn their children about the “dangers of alcohol misuse” and that the team would be in attendance at Mill Meadows when possible.
She said: “The police and ambulance services are there to offer support and help in these situations, but this type of experience is unpleasant and traumatic for the young person and should be prevented.
“If any help or information is needed you can make contact with your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, we are happy to help.”
The Grocer Chef, in Ardington, closed its doors on Wednesday, April 29.
The tearoom then reopened under new ownership on Tuesday, May 5.
Mary-Kei and Venetia, the new owners of the tearoom, said: “We have taken over the Grocer Chef and will be running it as is until the end of June.
READ MORE: Man found, named and charged after urgent police search
“The plan at the moment is to then reopen under a new name on July 11.”
Keith and Maria Greig, the previous owners of The Grocer Chef in Ardington, near Wantage, revealed at the end of April they would be retiring.
In a statement, they said: “We are open today (Monday 27), this Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29, and then we are closed until next Tuesday, May 5, reopening under new ownership.”
Thames Valley Police warned the public that Tony Bertrand, aged 36, should not be approached if seen and the public should instead immediately call 999.
The man from Oxfordshire was wanted in connection with an assault and strangulation of a person known to him.
Thames Valley Police has now said Bertrand has been found, charged and remanded.
He was described as white, around 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build, with dark brown hair, a thick beard and green eyes.
During the incident, which happened on Saturday March, 28, he assaulted and strangled someone known to him.
Police say the victim sustained a fractured wrist and required medical treatment. She has since been discharged from hospital.
He is known to frequent the Deddington, Adderbury, Banbury, Rugby and Northampton areas.
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoBicester man denies sexually assaulting two young girls
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoBanbury cake company with 400 year history shut down
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoBicester crash: Motorcyclist ‘seriously injured’ in hospital
-
UK News3 weeks agoTV tonight: Shetland meets CSI in a new drama about a disgraced cop | Television
-
UK News3 weeks agoStarmer says it ‘beggars belief’ he wasn’t told about Mandelson vetting failure as he faces Commons – UK politics live | Politics
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoLorry overturns on Oxfordshire A43 roundabout with driver trapped
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoOxfordshire ‘hidden trap’ pothole leads to compensation payout
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoYoung farmers club hosts fun farm competitions in Bicester