Frank le Duc, Brighton and Hove News Journalist Profile

Articles

Labour to nominate oldest councillor to be deputy mayor

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

Labour plans to nominate the oldest member of the council to become the next deputy mayor of Brighton and Hove. Timothy “Ty” Galvin, who turns 85 next month, would be expected to take over from fellow Labour councillor Amanda Grimshaw in May when she is due to step up and become mayor. The Brighton and Hove Labour group of councillors has already reached its decision but a formal vote involving all 54 members of Brighton and Hove City Council is due at a meeting known as “annual council” in May.
Woman, 36, died in fall from bridge on to A27

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A woman died after falling from a bridge on to the A27 Brighton bypass during the evening rush-hour yesterday (Thursday 27 March). The unnamed woman was 36 years old and from Hove, Sussex Police said this morning. She is believed to have fallen from the bridge on to the southern side of the road – the westbound carriageway – at Hangleton. The bridge is between the Devil’s Dyke and A2038 turn-off and the Hangleton and Portslade A293 link road turn-off.
Independent candidate to stand in Hove by-election

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

An Independent candidate is to stand in the Westbourne and Poets Corner by-election for a seat on Brighton and Hove City Council. The by-election has been called for Thursday 1 May after Labour councillor Leslie Pumm resigned, citing health grounds.
A27 reopens after reports of woman falling to her death this evening

3 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

The A27 has reopened in both directions after a woman was reported to have fallen to her death from a bridge over the Brighton bypass in Hangleton. People took to Facebook, saying that they had seen what had happened in response to questions about why the rush-hour traffic was at a standstill. Separately, Sussex Police referred to an incident while National Highways said that there had been a serious collision although what type of collision wasn’t made clear.
Sex attacker targets girl in churchyard this morning

3 weeks ago | sussexonlinenews.co.uk | Frank le Duc

A sex attacker targeted a teenage girl in a churchyard this morning (Thursday 27 March), Sussex Police said. The force said: “Police are investigating a report of a teenage girl having been sexually assaulted in the grounds of a church in Steyning this morning. “At around 9am, officers responded to a report that a girl had been sexually assaulted in the grounds of St Andrew and St Cuthman’s Church, in Vicarage Lane.
Uni boss urges staff not to speak out about free speech fine

4 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Zeeshan Tirmizi |Frank le Duc

On the day when Sussex University was fined £585,000 for breaking free speech rules, the vice-chancellor wrote to all staff urging them not to speak to the media. In an email to staff that was sent yesterday morning, vice-chancellor Sasha Roseneil said: “Sussex has a foundational commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech.”A few lines later, she said: “Given the media interest in this story, there is the possibility that journalists may contact members of staff for comment.
Brighton PC given warning for stealing ornament

4 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A Brighton police officer stole an ornament from a garden while on duty. He has been given a written warning for misconduct. The warning follows a two-day hearing on Tuesday (25 March) and yesterday (Wednesday 26 March) when another officer who went to the same address was cleared of wrongdoing. Sussex Police said: “A Sussex Police officer has been given a written warning after wrongfully taking a decorative spider ornament from a member of the public’s garden.
Brighton man faces jail for child sex abuse

4 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

A Brighton man faces jail after he was found guilty of child sex abuse with three victims – one of them a girl still at primary school. James Quinto, 31, who lived in Carden Crescent and Kingswood Street, Brighton, denied the charges but a jury convicted him at Lewes Crown Cout yesterday (Tuesday 25 March). Judge Mark Van Der Zwart remanded Quinto in custody, with the basketball coach due to be sentenced at a time and date yet to be decided.
Benfield Valley housing plans to go before councillors

4 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

Plans to build more than 100 homes in Benfield Valley are due before councillors next week even though Brighton and Hove City Council – as landlord – has pulled the plug on the project. A report to the council’s Planning Committee supports the scheme, subject to legal agreements, although the committee – made up of nine councillors – must reach its own decision.
Sussex University faces record £585k fine in free speech case

4 weeks ago | brightonandhovenews.org | Frank le Duc

Sussex University faces a record fine of £585,000 over claims that it failed to uphold free speech and academic freedom, according to the Financial Times. The FT said that the fine is expected to be imposed by the higher education regulator the Office for Students (OfS) after a three-year inquiry. The investigation was prompted by the departure of Kathleen Stock who was a professor of philosophy at the university until 2021.