Several writers who've dropped out Bradford Literature Festival over concerns about its funding are "seeking to undermine and misrepresent" a counter-extremism programme, the Home Office has said.

Image source, Google

The Home Office has issued a statement after a number of people pulled out of the event due to support it has received from the Building A Stronger Britain Together, external fund.

Writer Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan said yesterday that the government's counter-extremism agenda "criminalises" Muslims.

Malia Bouattia, Lola Olufemi, Sahar Al-Faifi and Hussein Kesvani have since withdrawn from the event as well.

But in a statement, a Home Office spokesperson said: "It is disappointing that some individuals are seeking to undermine and misrepresent the incredibly valuable work done in communities by our Building a Stronger Britain Together partners.

"Building a Stronger Britain Together is an open and transparent programme, which supports local people in their vital work to bring communities together, promote fundamental values and tackle the spread of all extremist ideologies."

Following Ms Manzoor-Khan's withdrawal, the festival's organisers said in a statement, external that the funding had "allowed us to do important work with women's community groups".

Richard Warwick told the blood inquiry officials "gambled with other people's lives" to save money.

City of York Council says eliminating modern slavery is one of its "big focuses".

The authority says it will be targeting the issue during Safeguarding Week, which starts on Monday:

Huddersfield Town sign Forest Green midfielder Reece Brown for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

A Leeds school bus caught fire earlier, closing lanes on a major road in the city.

It happened on the A64 near Clay Pit Lane just before 13:00, with four fire engines called to the scene.

There were no casualties, according to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Video from the scene shows flames coming from the engine and smoke billowing into the sky:

This was the scene staff at the Port of Hull were met with after a swarm of honey bees decided to set up temporary home on a crane there:

Image source, ABP Hull

Engineers found the bees clustered on the crane on 4 June as they prepared to service the massive machine at the site run by Associated British Ports (ABP) Humber.

Martin Downey, a general manager at ABP in Immingham, who also luckily happens to be a bee keeper, was called to the scene.

He dressed in a protective suit and coaxed the bees into a cardboard box before giving them a temporary home away from the site.

Image source, ABP

ABP says: "While it can be quite daunting to see a swarm of honey bees, they are relatively docile when swarming, having had a good feed before setting off.

"They take on as much honey as they can to sustain themselves until the scouts find a suitable new home."

The bees at the heart of the crane crisis are now getting "buzzy" at a permanent hive at Immingham Bulk Terminal, according to ABP.

Championship side Hull City make an official approach for Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann.

A horsebox which was stolen from Thirsk Racecourse has been recovered by police after the owner appealed for information on Facebook.

Image source, Geograph/David P Howard

The 3.5-tonne Renault horsebox was reported stolen at about 15:00 on Tuesday with police launching a search.

After sightings from several members of the public, officers eventually tracked it down near West Tanfield at about 20:00 the same day.

The owner, who is due to be reunited with the horsebox after police forensic examinations have finished, has thanked people for sharing the Facebook appeal.

North Yorkshire Police say the investigation into the theft of the horsebox is ongoing and officers have warned horse owners to take additional security measures to protect themselves against similar crimes.

A Bradford woman speaks out against the stigma of organ donation within parts of the Asian community.

Two military helicopters have been spotted in the skies over South Yorkshire this afternoon.

The Apache attack helicopters, called Hunter 1 and 2, were seen flying over Sheffield and Doncaster.

They were later caught on camera by a member of Doncaster Sheffield Airport Forum, external at the South Yorkshire airport, where it's believed they refuelled.

Image source, Graham Miller

This type of helicopter has flown in sorties over Afghanistan and Libya, where they were used to hunt and destroy, external tanks.

Several writers have pulled out of Bradford Literature Festival over its funding links to a government counter-extremism programme which it's claimed is "criminalising" Muslims.

Poet and playwright Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan (pictured) withdrew from the festival yesterday due to support it has received from the Home Office’s Building A Stronger Britain Together, external fund.

Writing on Twitter, external, she said: "The government's counter-extremism strategy relies on the premise that Muslims are predisposed to violence and therefore require monitoring and surveillance."

Malia Bouattia, Lola Olufemi, Sahar Al-Faifi and Hussein Kesvani have since withdrawn from the event as well.

Following Ms Manzoor-Khan's withdrawal, the festival's organisers said in a statement, external: "For us, the focus of the Building A Stronger Britain Together work has been on promoting the value of education and the importance of literacy, which is central to the ethos of this festival and entirely of a piece with the other work we do in all communities, regardless of faith or ethnicity."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A community is preparing to fight to save a famous footballing pub in Sheffield after developers announced plans to demolish it to build homes on the site

Image source, Google

The Plough Inn on Sandygate Road is more than 150 years old and is where the rules of the modern game are said to have been drawn-up.

But the site, which sits opposite Hallam FC – the oldest football ground in the world – is now set to be torn down.

A community campaign was launched to save the pub three years ago when Sainsbury’s put in an application for the site, which was successfully halted with 250 objections.

The building was also made what's known as an asset of community value – meaning it cannot be developed without approval from planning officers.

The plans are to knock down the existing building and build eight three-bedroom houses with car parking.

The developer, Spacepad, has been approached for comment.

A takeaway in York has been fined a total of £3,557 after being examined by hygiene inspectors.

Image source, Google

Oriental Master Chef on Heslington Road was visited by City of York Council environmental health inspectors four times between June 2018 and January 2019.

During the six-month period, four food hygiene failings were identified.

These included dead flies in the kitchen area, dirty cloths, no disinfectant and the storage of raw chicken next to the wash basin.

Legal action was taken against the owner, Mr Sau Man Lee, after two consecutive food hygiene ratings of zero.

The offences included placing food at risk of contamination, unclean premises, failure to manage food safety, and the failure to provide accurate food allergen information.

Mr Lee pleaded guilty to the four charges on Tuesday at York Magistrates' Court.

He was ordered him to pay a £961 fine and a £96 court surcharge, in addition to £2,500 costs.

The "largest ever" roll-out of 20mph zones across the Bradford district has been announced by the council.

Image source, PA

The £150,000 scheme includes introducing new 20mph zones in Bradford, Shipley, Keighley and Ilkley.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw at Bradford Council said: “We’ve looked into the areas that most need action taken to reduce accidents and injuries to the public."

The proposed 20mph zone in Shipley will cover the area from the A650 from The Branch Pub site to Foxes Corner and back up Saltaire Road to the A650.

The council says the best options for creating a 20mph zone in Ilkley town centre is currently being considered.

The proposals for Keighley are for 20mph zones in areas where there are schools, including St Joseph’s, University Academy, Al Hikmah, St Anne’s and The Holy Family.

The new 20mph zones are due to be introduced in August.

Two properties in Sheffield have been closed by police because of anti-social behaviour.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

The properties, in Sharrow and Gleadless Valley, have been shut to people who aren't the tenant or officials because of drug and anti-social issues.

The orders were granted by Sheffield Magistrates' Court last month.

It's hoped the closures, on Cemetery Road and Blackstock Crescent, respectively, will lead to fewer police call-outs.

The 69-year-old victim was shot in the arm in Thurnscoe, Barnsley, on Wednesday, police say.

Police have released CCTV images of suspects they want to identify after a burglary at a hotel in East Yorkshire where alcohol and a safe were stolen.

Image source, Humberside Police

Officers believe that up to five men were involved in the raid on Dunedin Country House in Patrington, returning twice in the early hours of Monday 3 June.

Image source, Humberside Police

They first took a small safe containing £200 in cash before coming back to steal almost £600 worth of alcohol.

Image source, Humberside Police

Humberside Police want to hear from anyone who recognises the men, who are believed to have arrived at the scene in a small white van.

A decision against holding a public inquiry into plans for a £650m York city centre development has been welcomed by the city's Conservative MP.

Image source, City of York Council

York Central, a 111-acre teardrop-shaped site behind the railway station, which will include up to 2,500 homes, as well as office, leisure and retail space, received outline planning permission in March.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy said the Ministry for Housing has confirmed the development will be allowed to progress.

Mr Sturdy said: “As one of the largest city centre brownfield sites in Europe, it will make a vital contribution towards the city’s long-term housing needs, including much-needed affordable housing.”

However, Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, says she's "disappointed" by the decision, saying it could be "incredibly costly for the city".

Ms Maskell says: “I haven’t given up campaigning for the needs of the people of York rather than developers.”

League Two side Swindon Town sign Rotherham United forward Jerry Yates on a season-long loan deal.

Live music events are to be held at the newly completed £45m Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds for the first time, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Leeds Rhinos

The sporting complex hosts cricket, rugby league and rugby union fixtures.

As part of celebrations to mark the recent refurbishments, the 4,300-seat venue will host singer Leslie Garrett this September.

The first of four cricket world cup games will be played at the stadium tomorrow when England take on Sri Lanka.

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake says: "The following the World Cup has is extraordinary.

"People reckon it's the third most watched competition in the world after the football World Cup and Formula One.

"To be out there on the world stage, England playing on Friday, couldn't be better."