From a scandal involving the Princess of Wales’s medical records to more train strikes announced over the Easter break, several major news stories have emerged over the past few days.
This week, Londoners have seen a council tax hike, a new Banksy mural was revealed (and defaced), and a Ramadan message was removed from a major train station following complaints.
In case any of them passed you by, read on to find out about some of the biggest London and UK stories of the week.
The Princess of Wales’s medical records
Three members of hospital staff are being investigated for allegedly trying to access the Princess of Wales’s medical records.
Kate attended The London Clinic in January for abdominal surgery. Earlier this week, a hospital spokesperson said: “We firmly believe that all our patients, no matter their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information.”
Network Rail Ramadan message
Seen at London's King's Cross Station. pic.twitter.com/qBEa7UBM1j
— ilmfeed (@IlmFeed) March 19, 2024
Network Rail removed a Ramadan message from Kings Cross’s departure board following complaints.
The board displayed a “hadith (Islamic epithet) of the day” that read "The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) [Peace Be Upon Him] said: All the sons of Adam are sinners but the best of the sinners are those who repent often."
Visa petitions top 150,000 signatures
More than 150,000 people have signed petitions urging the Home Office to cut its new higher minimum wage thresholds for foreign worker and family visas.
The new restrictions are set to come into force from April 4.
Train strikes over Easter
Aslef has announced new train strikes over Easter, as well as a 24-hour Tube strike on Monday, April 8.
Train drivers at 16 train companies will be taking “rolling one-day strikes” from April 5 to 8.
Banksy mural defaced within days
A new Banksy mural in Finsbury Park was defaced with white paint just days after it was revealed.
Banksy claimed the piece, which features swathes of green behind a pared-back tree to give the appearance of leaves, as their own on Monday. But by Wednesday, it had been vandalised.
Council tax hike for Londoners
Londoners in almost half of the city’s boroughs will pay average council tax bills higher than £2,000 per year.
Residents in 15 of 33 boroughs, who are living in Band D properties or higher, will face higher bills from next month.
