Today at the Royal Courts of Justice Sophie Holmes admitted to being in contempt of court.

Published 25 July 2019 From: Attorney General’s Office and The Rt Hon Geoffrey Cox QC MP

A 25 year old woman from Leeds has been found in contempt of court, after she interrupted a trial at Bradford Crown Court in October 2018.

In the early hours of 20 October 2017 Sophie Holmes and her boyfriend Paul Serrant were together at his home when the property was attacked and hit with 20 military grade bullets from an assault weapon. No one was injured in the attack.

A police investigation took place and 3 individuals were charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

When speaking to police Holmes stated she had been approached by another man, who had threatened to have her house attacked. He was not charged in relation to the attack, however during the trial Holmes shouted from the public gallery that he was the shooter. She then fled the court. As a result, the Judge overseeing the proceedings had to discharge the jury.

Today at the Royal Courts of Justice Sophie Holmes admitted to being in contempt of court. She was committed to prison for 6 months, suspended for 2 years.

Following the decision, the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC MP said:

“Ms Holmes’ outburst impeded the course of justice and not only resulted in the jury being discharged and the extra cost of another trial, it also led to the prolonging and disruption of a delicate case. It is therefore appropriate that Ms Holmes has been found in contempt of court.”

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is anticipating the launch of ‘A Joint Effort’ phase 2 competition later this year.

Published 25 July 2019 From: Defence and Security Accelerator and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

It is anticipated that phase 2 of ‘A Joint Effort’ competition will launch later this year. This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and Next Generation Technologies Fund competition is looking for innovative joining technologies that enable the use of advanced materials and/or designs on military platforms in land, sea and air environments.

We are keen to encourage suppliers to collaborate in the next phase to strengthen bids. In order to help facilitate this we have set up a closed LinkedIn group to allow current suppliers and those interested in applying to phase 2 (either independently or as a consortia with successful phase 1 suppliers) to interact, get to know each other and form mutually beneficial collaborations. If you are interested in applying to join the group, please fill out this DASA collaboration form (MS Word Document, 15.7KB) .

Phase 1 of A Joint Effort launched in November 2018 as a parallel call between the UK (Materials for Strategic Advantage programme within the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) and Australia (Defence Science and Technology Group, Next Generation Technology Fund and Small Business Innovation Research for Defence) and was managed by DASA.

Many different materials are within scope, including joining combinations of composites, metals, ceramics and polymers. Potential joining solutions should provide enhanced capability through one of the following:

• improved performance through use of new material combinations or structural designs
• improved durability of structures through better joints
• improved ability to maintain joints through the life of the military platform

The full phase 1 competition document can be found here.

MP for Dumfries and Galloway, Alister Jack, has been appointed as Secretary of State for Scotland

Published 25 July 2019 From: Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland and Alister Jack MP

Following his appointment as Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack said:

“I am honoured to have been appointed Secretary of State for Scotland at a time when we face very significant challenges as a country.

“We need to leave the EU in a way which works for Scotland and the whole of the UK. We can, and will, leave the EU, and in doing so open up new opportunities for Scottish businesses.

“We need to continue to defend the Union against those who would seek to tear it apart. In 2014, the people of Scotland voted to remain part of a strong United Kingdom. We will stand up for their decision against those who would try to impose unwanted and divisive constitutional change.

“At the same time we need to work with the Scottish Government in boosting Scotland’s economy, which continues to lag behind that of the rest of the UK, in large part due to the Scottish Government’s anti-business and high tax ideology. The UK Government will continue to invest across Scotland, including through city and growth deals and supporting our oil and gas industry.

“There are challenges ahead of us, but I am confident that we will meet them successfully, building a path to a more prosperous country.”

2015 to present Victoria, British High Commissioner 2012 to 2015 Accra, Deputy High Commissioner 2011 to 2013 FCO, Head of Strategy, Asia Pacific Directorate 2010 to 2011 FCO, Deputy Head of Far Eastern Department, Asia Pacific Directorate 2007 to 2010 FCO, Country Coordinator for Afghanistan & Iran, Migration Directorate 2007 FCO, Head, Nigeria & Central Africa Section 2005 to 2007 Washington, Head of Public Affairs 2003 to 2005 FCO, Assistant Private Secretary to FCO Minister 2002 to 2003 FCO, Desk Officer for Sierra Leone, Africa Directorate 2000 to 2002 FCO, Internet Editor, E-Media Team 2000 Joined FCO

Centrally approved new spending on property, advertising, consultancy, technology and recruitment.