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Oxford city safety boss took trip paid by Turkey AKP

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In December of 2025, Cllr Lubna Arshad for Blackbird Leys (Labour), a former lord mayor and the council’s cabinet member for a safer Oxford, accepted a visit to Istanbul paid for by President Erdoğan’s party, the AKP.

Cllr Arshad has now explained her reasons for taking the party-funded trip, describing it as “non-political” while acknowledging concerns about the party’s human rights record.

The travel for an “International Women in Local Governments Summit offered by Justice and Development Party (AK Party)” has been listed with an estimated value of £1066 in her registered interests as a gift or hospitality.

The Turkish president, who has been in power since 2014, attended the conference, and Cllr Arshad posed for group photos with him in images shared by the party’s official social media accounts.

President Erdoğan’s government has a recent record of restricting online platforms and free speech, and has been described by Amnesty International as having a “massive crackdown on human rights”.

Clllr Arshad described her experience on the summit, saying it “brought together women leaders from different countries to share experiences, challenges, and best practice in local governance”.

She said: “I attended in my capacity as a councillor and cabinet member for safer Oxford.

“It was an opportunity to engage with other women in leadership roles, exchange ideas, and learn from different approaches to community safety and local government areas directly relevant to my work in Oxford.

“Throughout my time in public office, I have consistently focused on community safety, safeguarding, and tackling issues such as violence against women and girls, exploitation, and inequality.

“Engaging in international forums can provide valuable insight to strengthen this work locally.

“I am aware of wider discussions and concerns around human rights, and I take these seriously.

“My decision to attend was based on the specific focus of the summit and my responsibility to deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.”

The council cabinet member added that she saw the engagement as a “non-political engagement in terms of international matters”, saying that it “should not be seen as an endorsement of any political party or government”.

She stated: “As part of my role, I regularly engage with a wide range of organisations and communities to ensure balanced perspectives and inclusive decision-making.”





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Oxford News

All holidays cancelled due to collapsed UK travel company

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On the Content Ltd was a private limited company that was officially dissolved via a strike-off on April 14, 2026.

The business was originally incorporated on November 24, 2022, and operated with directors Anna Louise Cole and Roma Cots Cole.

The Chipping Norton-based company was involved in travel agency activities, according to Companies House.

The most recent accounts it filed shows the business had just £40 in its bank, down from around £14,000 the year before.

READ MORE: Electric car company collapses into administration with £56m debt

At the financial year ending March 2025, the accounts also show On the Content Ltd had trade debts of £12,396 and owed £215 in tax.

On the Content is not the only Oxfordshire travel company to close in recent weeks.

The Padel Travel Club Limited, which operated from a Henley address, organised padel‑themed breaks and training camps in the UK and overseas.

The business was incorporated in February 2023 and has since been removed from the Companies House register following a voluntary strike‑off, with the final notice of dissolution published in late May 2026.

And Set Sail Cruises Ltd, registered to an address in Bicester, was formally dissolved on March 17, 2026, after a strike-off process, meaning it no longer exists as a legal company.

The travel agency was incorporated on February 4, 2024 and listed its main activity as “travel agency activities”.





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Oxford – Prosecutors to decide if sexual assault case will continue

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Zion Zion, of Bierton Road, Aylesbury, was due to appear at Oxford Crown Court over a video link from hospital on Monday, June 15.

The 65-year-old is charged with two counts of sexual assault which relate to an incident in Oxford on January 7, 2023.

Zion has refused to co-operate with the proceedings so far and did not appear over the video link.

READ MORE: Busy classic car show in sunshine attracts villagers

Due to his refusal to co-operate, Zion is unrepresented.

During a previous court hearing, not guilty pleas were entered on the defendant’s behalf.

A trial date was previously given for November 22, 2027.

On June 15, the court heard an expert’s report had concluded Zion was not fit to plead.

The case will next be heard on August 17 to decide if the case will continue.





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Oxford congestion charge hits hospitality hardest, survey shows

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Oxfordshire County Council today (June 15) published a long-awaited report by Survation Ltd on the impact of the controversial congestion charge on 300 businesses across the city.

It presents a survey carried out by Indiefield on businesses in postcodes from OX1 to OX4 between April 30 and May 15.

READ MORE: Oxford: Elderly woman hospitalised after ‘attempted robbery’

The survey found that the most common pressure reported by businesses was rising costs (69 per cent), while economic uncertainty and transport or travel costs followed closely as key pressures, reported 61 per cent of businesses.

card paymentThe impact of the congestion charge on Oxford’s businesses has been revealed in a new survey (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

The survey found shop-front businesses, including retail, hospitality and tourism, were most likely to report the congestion charge has had a negative overall effect at 47 per cent compared to 24 per cent for other business types.

Shop-front businesses were similarly most to say to the charge has decreased customer numbers (58 per cent versus 18 per cent), made deliveries or servicing more difficult (57 per cent versus 33 per cent), and increased operating costs (43 per cent versus 33 per cent).

Across business types, 39 per cent said deliveries or servicing has become more difficult and more businesses have reported customer decreases (29 per cent) than increases (21 per cent).

However, overall, most businesses in Oxford said they are performing well (72 per cent) and 79 per cent of businesses who gave a view on their performance compared to a year ago said they are doing the same or better.

READ MORE: 15 caravans set up ‘unauthorised encampment’ in Oxford park

The council’s survey indicated that nearly half of businesses (48 per cent) reported no noticeable effect from the congestion charge, while 30 per cent reported negative impacts and 22 per cent positive.

Spend in Oxford’s suburban food and beverage destinations has gone down more than average with comparable cities, and businesses with mobile or transport-intensive operations reported sharper pressures on their trade, particularly around costs and travel.

Cornmarket pedestriansMore businesses in Oxford reported customer decreases (29 per cent) than increases (21 per cent) (Image: NQ)

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “This new data gives us an evidence-based picture of how businesses are faring in the city.

“There are many challenges affecting businesses at this time, and data can help us understand what is having an impact.

“While it’s great that nearly 80 per cent of businesses who gave a view on their performance compared to a year ago said they are doing the same or better, it is clear that many are feeling significant pressures due to a number of local and national factors.

“There is still more to do to improve travel in and around Oxford and help keep the city moving.

READ MORE: Police cordon off Oxford road amid ‘suspicious package’

“The traffic filters trial, from autumn, is one way we’ll further reduce traffic.”

It’s the first monitoring report on the impact of the temporary traffic scheme on businesses to have been published by the council, after it was initially promised that data would come out in January.

The temporary congestion charge has been in place on six roads in Oxford since October 29, designed to help reduce traffic while Botley Road remains closed and the traffic filter trial is delayed.  





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