London

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan Sadiq Khan has hinted he would back a second referendum on the UK's withdrawal from the EU if Parliament rejects a Brexit deal. Asked whether the UK required a second referendum on the deal, the London Mayor replied: Let’s wait and see what Parliament decides. Parliament must have a vote. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: I think it depends how Parliament votes surely if Parliament was to vote in favour of the deal our Government does then that makes redundant I suspect the referendum. But if Parliament was to reject any deal done by our Government then that opens up clearly what happens then. Either our Parliament is sovereign or it is not. If Parliament rejects the deal done by our Government then of course that raises a whole host of ques...

The first borough-wide Big Clean Up event is taking place next week, as Tower Hamlets Council encourages everyone to 'love their neighbourhood'. The council, its partners and volunteers will be hitting the streets from 23 – 27 October to pick up litter, tackle graffiti and help to keep areas clean. And residents are invited to submit their nominations for the public spaces and streets which might need an extra bit of TLC. Mayor John Biggs said: "We want everyone to be proud of and enjoy the areas where they live, which is why we launched our Love Your Neighbourhood campaign; so we can work with local people to improve their neighbourhoods. We know that clean streets are a priority for our residents, so we're adding to our usual cleaning activities next week and working with our partners in...

    Man remains missing after Tower Bridge fal,detectives said. City of London Police said the man was seen on Tower Bridge at around 5.50pm on Friday October 13. A CCTV image of the unidentified man has been released. City police received reports from several witnesses that a man, described as black and wearing dark clothing, had fallen into the river. Officers are continuing to search the area including the river, as well as making local inquiries to identify him. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

    The world famous clock face was barely visible as metal scaffolding rose up above its hands for the first time. The renovation project has caused controversy as it means silencing Big Ben’s bell for four years due to health and safety concerns for workers. But the Commons has confirmed that the bells will still ring in the New Year and toll for Remembrance Day, as well as any other important national events. Last month the estimated cost of the restoration work was doubled to £61 million after workers discovered how complex it would be. A spokeswoman for the House of Commons said: The commissions expressed their disappointment in the cost increases, and the unreliability of the original estimate. In August, crowds gathered outside the Palace of Westminster to hear the fina...

Those people most at risk in Tower Hamlets are being encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu as the autumn chill sets in. The NHS is encouraging people over the age of 65 or with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and chronic lung disease including COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease), or with a weakened immune system to take up the free flu jab. Front-line health and social care workers and personal carers are also being encouraged to get the jab to prevent them from unintentionally spreading the virus to people they come in to contact with. John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets said: "Those considered most vulnerable can have serious complications with the flu. "I would advise residents in Tower Hamlets who are most at-risk to get vaccinated ...

An Indian restaurant owner has been fined more than £40,000 after council officers discovered an infestation of cockroaches and mice. Restaurant Dhaka Biryani in Mile End was closed down immediately following a routine inspection carried out in July 2016. Having established the restaurant was not registered on the Food Safety System, the council's Environmental Health team visited the premises as a routine inspection. In carrying out a full food hygiene inspection, officers found a severe infestation of cockroaches and mice. Environmental Health Officers found cockroaches brazenly appearing in the well-lit kitchen in droves despite typically being nocturnal indicating that the problem had been deep-rooted and longstanding. Closer inspection revealed that a mouse infestation also existed as...

    A gang of moped thieves who carried out more than 100 phone muggings in a 16 day rampage across London laughed and shared jokes as they were jailed for more than 18 years. Claude Parkinson, 18, was the leader of a teenage gang who toured the capital's streets on stolen mopeds snatching phones out of unsuspecting pedestrians' hands. Known to friends as Big CJ, Parkinson was likened to he Artful Dodger as he led one of the raids. The crime spree climaxed on May 4 when Parkinson, two boys aged 15 and 16, and a fourth accomplice who has never been caught, terrorised Oxford Street shoppers and targeting pedestrians outside BBC Television Centre. Evening Standard editor George Osborne was among those who fell victim to Parkinson's crew as they carried out 33 offences in the spac...

Award winning Victoria Park is the venue for the Tower Hamlets Council's free fireworks display this year. Victoria Park won the award for best large park in London at the London in bloom Awards last month andplays host to the spectacular sci- fi themed display from 7pm. Organised by the council's Arts, Parks and Events Team and produced by Walk the Plank, this year's Guy Fawkes celebration will bring an exciting sci-fi vibe with a mix of both contemporary and classical tracks synchronised to a dizzying sequence of fireworks and special effects. Blasting off at 7pm, residents can journey to the stars and enjoy a stunning and free display. The park will be open earlier in the evening with refreshments available to be bought on site from 5.30pm. Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs sa...