Manchester Airport‘s Terminal 2 has officially reopened to passengers after seven hours of disruption yesterday.
Staff and passengers were evacuated from the newly-opened terminal yesterday afternoon at around 3:20pm after there was reports of a ‘suspicious package’, and police then promptly closed roads and cordoned off the area, while flights and passengers were moved over to Terminal 1 as the package was assessed.
Several police vehicles, ambulances, and fire crews were then spotted by eyewitnesses parked near to the airport.
Manchester Airport issued a statement as the evacuation was underway yesterday and explained: “Following a report of a suspicious package in Terminal Two, a controlled evacuation is taking place as per standard procedure.
“We are in close contact with Greater Manchester Police, who are managing the response, and will provide an update on the situation as soon as possible.”
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Greater Manchester Police then followed with a statement shortly after: Police were called with a report of a suspicious package in Terminal 2 of Manchester Airport at around 3.20pm today [so] the terminal has been evacuated as per standard procedure and a cordon has been put in place as a safety precaution while an assessment is carried out.”
Terminal 2 was evacuated after there was reports of a ‘suspicious package’ / Credit: Twitter (@manairport)
There had been reports that the evacuation was prompted by a ‘trigger’ as a person went through security, according to the MEN, and a security scanner was believed to have picked up a suspicious package.
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Police were reportedly then called to investigate the baggage item and the alarm was raised.
But late last night, after the incident was said to have caused around seven hours of disruption at the airport, Greater Manchester Police concluded that “no security threat” was posed.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: “Following its investigation into a suspicious package reported in Terminal 2, Greater Manchester Police is satisfied that there is no security threat and has lifted the cordon that was in place.
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“We thank passengers for their patience.”
Scott Green – Assistant Chief Constable at GMP – also added: “Thankfully, on examination, the package was assessed and it was confirmed as not being a viable device.”
Featured Image – Manchester Airport Group (MAG)
News
A former beauty queen, 25, has died suddenly after collapsing at stables owned by Michael Owen
Daisy Jackson
A former beauty queen has died at just 25 years old, after she collapsed at the stables owned by Michael Owen.
Jessica Whalley worked at Manor House Stables and had previously taken part in the Miss Tourism Universe pageant.
Emergency services were called to the equestrian facility in Malpas, Cheshire, on Tuesday morning to reports that the young woman had collapsed.
Tragically, paramedics were unable to revive Jessica, and she died at the scene.
Manor House Stables, which is owned by former England, Liverpool FC and Manchester United legend Michael Owen, has put out a statement.
They wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we have to announce that a much-valued member of our team died at work this morning.
“The family have been informed and both the family and the team at Manor House request privacy at this time.”
In a statement, Cheshire Police said: “At around 8.50am today, Tuesday 28 March, police were made aware that a 25-year-old woman had collapsed at a stables on Old Coach Road, Malpas.
“Emergency services attended the location and, despite the best efforts of all those involved, the woman sadly died at the scene.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and her next of kin have been informed. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
It’s heartbreaking to hear Jess lost her life today at the tender age of 25. She was riding out doing what she loved. We had so many great times working in Dubai. May she rest in peace. Here’s her just 72 hours ago. 😔 pic.twitter.com/WE491wmVu4
Keir Starmer says Labour will ‘freeze’ council tax this year if elected
Emily Sergeant
Keir Starmer has said he will “freeze” council tax in England this year if Labour triumphs in the upcoming local elections.
The Labour leader says his party will cut tax “for the many, not just for the top 1%.”
With the next local elections coming up on 4 May 2023, and Labour hoping to gain in its number of seats across England and Wales, Sir Keir Starmer appeared in Swindon today to launch his party’s election campaign, and hit out at the Conservative Party for being “nowhere near good enough” over their last 13 years of power.
Starmer notably blasted the Tories for their decision to raise tax-free pension limits in its most recent Budget announcement – which is set to benefit the most well-off in our society – and said Labour would counteract this and represent working people.
You’d have more money in your pocket with a Labour government.
It comes after almost three in four local Councils say they are planning to increase the cost by the maximum amount allowed after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt raised the cap on council tax increases without a referendum from 3% to 5%.
Council leaders claim they have “little choice” but to increase costs as the rising cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt nationwide.
Speaking at the launch of Labour’s campaign today, Starmer stated “there is a choice on tax” for the public to make in the upcoming local elections.
He added: “A Tory choice – taxes up for working people, tax cuts for the 1% – or a Labour choice, where we cut business rates to save our high streets and where, if there was a Labour government, you could take that council tax rise you just got and rip it up.
I know what it feels like when times are tough.
I’m determined to help everyone who is finding it tough now.
“A Labour government would freeze your council tax this year – that’s our choice. A tax cut for the many, not just for the top 1%. So take this message to every doorstep in your community: Labour is the party of lower taxes for working people.
“That’s the difference we can make. That’s the choice in May. A better Britain.”
Starmer said he intends for the pledges he made in Labour’s local election campaign launch to “send a message to the government” after their 13 years in power.
“What they’ve delivered to our country nowhere near good enough,” he said
“We’ve got to get out there and show people the difference Labour can make. Let them see our hunger for change. We have to prove that this suffocating cost of living crisis, the path of decline the Tories have set Britain on, the endless sticking plaster politics, is not inevitable.
The Manc -
20th October 2021 
