Marcus Edwards

Senior Producer covering Wales and the West of England for @Channel4News with @adavies4. My views, although RTs may not be. DMs open.

[Andy Davies @adavies4]

Meanwhile in Welsh politics... NHS waiting lists. A new set of data, but a familiar story:

"Just over 4,700 pathways were waiting more than two years...an increase of 649 (15.9%) from the previous month"

That's for July. The provisional estimate for August shows a further increase to 5,100

Health minister Mabon ap Gwynfor:

“These figures are disappointing and performance is not where we want it to be. The inherited waiting list backlog remains too high, and tackling it remains our top priority"

On his plans to address the problem: "we need time for them to filter through the system and have an impact"

Data here: https://t.co/WKCcQkOJHZ

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

Bluetongue disease explained as UK farmers face worst-ever outbreak

Farmers have had to deal with seemingly endless drought. Now, they are facing a disease that can be deadly for their animals, writes Harry Fawcett.

Read our latest newsletter:
https://t.co/DP7Ey1XzbT

[Rhys Williams﮷ @RhysWilliamsTV]

I spent the final day at Ysgol Clydau with Angharad and her son Osian.

Her children were the fourth generation of their family to attend the Welsh-medium school.

There won’t be a fifth.

Watch full report: https://t.co/rpd2oFeQh0

[Jackie Long @JackieLongc4]

“The coercive control he exerted over her in life he’s exerting over us from behind bars.”

Cat Razzell was just 13 when her father killed her much loved mum, Linda.

24 years later she’s calling for him to be kept in prison until he tells the family where her body is.

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

As temperatures soar, so too do the number of heat-related illnesses in hospitals.

At Salisbury District Hospital, doctors told Channel 4 News they're seeing unusually high demand for the time of year.

Consultant Dr Clare Morden said the pressure is "definitely worse than the winter spike we had this year".

Doctors say this isn't just about feeling uncomfortable in hot weather; extreme heat puts real strain on the body, particularly for older people and those with existing health conditions.

This report is part of our climate special. For more, go to our YouTube page.

[Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service @DerbyshireFRS]

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has declared a major incident due to the impact of the large-scale wildfire at Tintwistle Moor.

Read more: https://t.co/ccvqtBzFw9

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

Ann Widdecombe: 28-year-old arrested after former UK politician found dead.

https://t.co/fbiSM0dKG1

[Marcus Edwards @c4marcus]

Statement continues: “We were supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police. At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident…” (2/2)

[Marcus Edwards @c4marcus]

Devon & Cornwall Police confirm a 28-year-old man has been arrested this evening (11 July) at an address in the South Yorkshire area on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
The force says the suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody. (1/2)

[Kevin Scott @Kscott_94]

Update: Police have confirmed they were in the process of preparing to remove the Moygashel bonfire.

Polic say, "Had the bonfire not been lit police would have secured the site and removed the offending material and seized it as evidence.

A 56-year-old man has been charged with incitement to hatred.

[Lucy Easthope @LucyGoBag]

Get your older and youngest kin ready for the next few days. This heat will be brutal in some urban areas. Windows and curtains closed, really good telly on. Lots of water. Pee should be a pale yellow (yes, talk about pee). Eat little and often. Use lolly ices.

[Avon and Somerset Police @ASPolice]

Thirty years ago, Melanie Hall went missing after a night out in Bath.

We’re asking people to think back to Saturday 8 June 1996.

Were you there? Did you visit Cadillacs? Did you see Melanie?

Even the smallest detail could help. Submit information here: https://t.co/IRfHQhgyOm

[John Healey @JohnHealey_MP]

Lieutenant Commander Gayson, Lieutenant Fisher and Petty Officer Green embodied the best of our Armed Forces. Their loss is truly devastating.

Tonight, we are all thinking of their families, loved ones and those who served alongside them at this deeply tragic time.

[Royal Navy @RoyalNavy]

We can confirm the names of the three Royal Navy personnel who tragically lost their lives during a helicopter training exercise on 3 June:

Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Somerset
Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, Surrey
PO Owen Green, 24, Hampshire

🔗https://t.co/25RFAkJdqq

[Wales Governance Centre @WalesGovernance]

"Voters who stayed with Labour are considerably less happy with the idea of their family speaking Welsh compared to those that switched to Plaid Cymru... Conservative-to-Reform switchers are the most culturally hostile to Welsh-language transmission" 👇
https://t.co/IEM5OoxmQO

[Andy Davies @adavies4]

Our full #c4news interview with Mark Drakeford ⬇️

Team: @daibaker @Stanleigh77 @Suzannah_journo Tim Jones & @c4marcus
https://t.co/ZIsc3pwZtc

[Andy Davies @adavies4]

🚨EXCL: Mark Drakeford, former Labour First Minister of Wales, calls on Keir Starmer to set a timetable to step down as Prime Minister and backs Andy Burnham

In his first interview since Labour’s disastrous Welsh Parliament elections, he tells me:

• The situation for the PM is “irrecoverable”
• Suggests a contest could happen over the summer with a “new Prime Minister in place for September”
• Supports Andy Burnham to become the next Labour leader and Prime Minister - and intends to campaign for him in Makerfield.
• Believes “a strong majority of Welsh Labour members” will want to support Burnham
• Says the level of hostility towards the Labour Party which he encountered in the Senedd election campaign was something he’d never experienced in over 50 years of campaigning
• On Eluned Morgan, the former Labour First Minister, losing her seat: a “desperately sad moment”
• Claims lack of further powers devolved to Wales by the Keir Starmer administration "cut the ground from under us” in Welsh Labour's Senedd campaign

Part of our exchange here
Full interview to follow in next post ⬇️🧵

[dai baker @daibaker]

Rhun Ap Iorwerth answering questions last Saturday on the steps of the Senedd when an impromptu rendition of the national anthem broke out. I’ve gathered all the camera angles I can find and edited together the “directors cut”
🎥 @c4marcus @RichardITVWales @MackesonPaul

[Andy Davies @adavies4]

I asked Rhun ap Iorwerth, First Minister of Wales:

'You know what happens when a new government comes in promising change & can't deliver as quickly as the electorate wants. What early, tangible changes can the people of Wales expect from a Plaid Cymru government?'

His reply⬇️

with #c4news team @c4marcus @daibaker

[Marcus Edwards @c4marcus]

@ClwydEnComu @LlyrGruffydd https://t.co/Te7kMtM87R

[Senedd Cymru @SeneddCymru]

Rydym yn cael trafferthion gyda Senedd TV sy'n effeithio ar ddarllediad y Cyfarfod Llawn.

Gallwch wylio yn fyw ar YouTube: https://t.co/jWI04g5zKK

Rydym yn ymddiheuro am yr anghyfleustra ac yn gobeithio adfer y gwasanaeth cyn gynted â phosibl.