Ryanair told to remove ‘misleading’ adverts following thousands of complaints
Britain's advertising watchdog has told Ryanair to remove their 'misleading' travel ads after the body received more than 2,000 complaints from viewers.
Britain’s advertising watchdog has told Ryanair to remove its ‘misleading’ travel campaign after the body received more than 2,000 complaints from viewers.
The airline’s recent TV ads were accompanied by the slogan ‘Jab & Go‘ – in reference to COVID-19 vaccines.
A voiceover on the adverts promised that “vaccines are coming – so book your Easter and summer holidays with Ryanair”, proposing holiday destinations such as Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece.
But the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has denounced the campaign, claiming that “the ads misleadingly provided consumers with a reassurance that being vaccinated against COVID-19 was likely to allow them to go on holiday without restrictions.”
The ASA added: “It’s important that all travel companies take particular care, at a time of significant uncertainty about when lockdown restrictions will end, not to mislead or over exaggerate when it will be possible for people to go on holiday.”
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Ryanair said it disagreed with the “baseless” ruling, but has pulled the advertisements regardless.
A spokesperson for the airline commented: “The ASA’s ruling flies in the face of the UK’s successful vaccine rollout, however even though this ruling is baseless, Ryanair will comply with it and the Jab & Go adverts will not run again.”
Ryanair’s ‘Jab & Go’ campaign had been part of its mission to increase bookings following an extremely tough year – with the airline recording enormous losses since the beginning of the pandemic.
This week, the firm revealed that traffic was down 88% to ‘1.3 million guests’.
It also reported a Q3 loss of €306m – compared to a Q3 profit of €88m in the previous year.
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The company’s latest financial statement said that 2021 was set to be the “most challenging year in Ryanair’s 35 year history,” predicting the airline could face “a net loss of between €850m and €950m.”
Strict travel rules have kept hundreds of flights grounded in 2021 – with new rules requiring passengers entering the UK to show proof of a negative COVID test and isolate for 10 days upon arrival.
People visiting or returning from 30 ‘high-risk’ countries must stay in specific accommodation for 10 days.
Restrictions are expected to remain in place for some weeks, with the travel industry looking ahead to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap for exiting lockdown – due to be announced on the week of February 22.
Manchester Airport’s grand opening of its multi-million revamp of Terminal 2 has also been delayed until at least April, but the first images of the transport hub appeared online earlier this week.
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Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
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Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
The Manc -
3rd February 2021 
