Simon Jones

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Stuart Maisner |Simon Jones

Image source, Stuart Maisner/BBCImage caption, The little ships have gathered to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation DynamoDozens of little ships have gathered in a Kent harbour for an event marking the 85th anniversary of one of the most important episodes of World War Two. A total of 66 boats from across Europe will set off from Ramsgate on Wednesday morning for Dunkirk as part of the commemorations of Operation Dynamo.

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Simon Jones |Zac Sherratt

Image caption, Uzo Mbonu said he joined the prison service to make a difference to the lives of inmatesA former prison officer at HMP Swaleside who suffered racist abuse from colleagues has won an employment tribunal. Nigerian-born Uzo Mbonu said he was targeted and ostracised by other officers at the high-security prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. The tribunal found Mr Mbonu had been a victim of both race discrimination and harassment, and that he was unfairly dismissed.

1 month ago | bbc.com | Simon Jones

Prison officer racially abused by colleaguesZac SherrattBBCUzo Mbonu said he joined the prison service to make a difference to the lives of inmatesA former prison officer at HMP Swaleside who suffered racist abuse from colleagues has won an employment tribunal. Nigerian-born Uzo Mbonu said he was targeted and ostracised by other officers at the high-security prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent.

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Bob Dale |Simon Jones

Image source, PA MediaImage caption, More than 10,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats in 2025 with this group of arrivals on MondayThe number of people who have crossed the English Channel in small boats in 2025 is thought to have reached 10,000. The Home Office said 247 made the crossing on Sunday, bringing the total so far this calendar year to 9,885, with more than 200 thought to have crossed on Monday. In 2024, the figure of 10,000 was reached on 24 May.

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Stuart Maisner |Simon Jones

Image caption, A total of 42 flats were evacuated after the blaze on Crabble HillEfforts are under way to find longer term accommodation for the residents of a block of flats in Kent who were evacuated after a large fire. The blaze, at Conqueror House in Crabble Hill, Dover, started in the early hours of Sunday and 42 families were forced to leave their homes. Resident Wioletta Gawin said: "We lost everything. I can't keep working.