Suspension of Bradford MP: analysis from Look North Communities Reporter
Sabbiyah Pervez
Journalist, BBC Look North
Naz Shah burst onto the political scene during the 2015 General election. She was selected by the Labour party to challenge Respect MP George Galloway. But she wasn’t their first choice. The party’s National Executive Committee had imposed an all women shortlist from which Amina Ali, a Labour Councillor from Tower Hamlets, was initially chosen. But four days after her selection, Amina stood down claiming the move to Bradford would cause ‘massive disruption’ for her children.
Naz Shah, who was at the time third place in the selection, was then imposed by the NEC as the Bradford West Candidate. She went on to reclaim the Labour seat in Bradford West, defeating George Galloway with a majority of 11,420 votes.
She was celebrated locally and nationally for her unique background and life experiences. Growing up in poverty in Bradford, Ms Shah, and her family were abandoned by her father who eloped with a neighbour’s teenage daughter. She has spoken openly about her experience of surviving a forced marriage and domestic violence.
Today she was suspended by the Labour party over a Facebook post she shared in 2014. Ms Shah claimed that the posts were made “at the height of the Gaza conflict in 2014, when emotions were running high around the Middle East conflict. But that is no excuse for the offence I have given.” The Gaza conflict she refers to prompted mass protests against Israeli occupation of Palestine in Bradford, in which Ms Shah took part.
Listen: 'Tickle signing was a no brainer' - Daryl Powell
BBC West Yorkshire Sport
Castleford Tigers have signed experienced forward Danny Tickle on a deal until the end of the season.
The 33-year-old former Wigan Warriors and Hull FC man was a free agent having been released by Widnes Vikings last month.
Tigers coach Daryl Powell says the signing of Tickle was 'a no brainer'.
West Yorkshire MP calls for merger of all Yorkshire Police forces following Hillsborough verdicts
Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative MP for Elmet & Rothwell, has called for the disbanding of South Yorkshire Police and the setting up of a Yorkshire-wide force.
The call to merge all the forces, including West Yorkshire, has come from Alec Shelbrooke following the inquests into the Hillsborough victims which ruled that the 96 Liverpool fans who died were "unlawfully killed".
BBCCopyright: BBC
Quote Message: Consider very seriously whether the only way that faith can be brought back to policing in South Yorkshire... [is by] merging all four Yorkshire police forces and getting rid of the name South Yorkshire Police." from Alec Shelbrooke The Conservative MP for Elmet and Rothwell
Consider very seriously whether the only way that faith can be brought back to policing in South Yorkshire... [is by] merging all four Yorkshire police forces and getting rid of the name South Yorkshire Police."
Watch: Hail in Leeds city centre
Nick Wilmshurst
BBC Local Live, Leeds
We started the day with sunshine. We end the afternoon with hail. Good old Yorkshire weather.
Eighteen teams will take to the start line in East Yorkshire on Friday, with a number of world and Olympic champions in the field, alongside many veterans of the Tour de France and UCI World Tour circuit.
Tom Moses, from Keighley, is one of our key West Yorkshire riders in the Men's Peloton, and he's told BBC Radio Leeds he's got a gruelling weekend ahead:
Castleford Tigers: 'Carney to blame for exit' - Daryl Powell
BBC West Yorkshire Sport
Castleford head coach Daryl Powell has indicated that Justin Carney's behaviour was behind the winger's acrimonious departure from the club.
Carney, who scored 63 tries in 62 appearances for the Tigers, accepted responsibility for the actions that led to him leaving the Jungle in an interview during pre-season, in which he also expressed his desire to make a fresh start.
Quote Message: Justin's found a new club and it's best for both parties.. There are certain things that you can accept in a rugby league club and certain things that you can't. The most important thing for me now is what we have got in front of us. We've got to move on from this." from Daryl Powell Head Coach, Castleford Tigers
Justin's found a new club and it's best for both parties.. There are certain things that you can accept in a rugby league club and certain things that you can't. The most important thing for me now is what we have got in front of us. We've got to move on from this."
West Yorkshire's weather: Sunny spells and wintry showers this afternoon
Live Reporting
Oli Woodcock
All times stated are UK
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BBCCopyright: BBC - Bradford West MP Naz Shah has been suspended by the Labour party
- West Yorkshire MP Alec Shelbrooke calls for merger of all Yorkshire Police forces
- Leeds rugby star Kevin Sinfield has announced his retirement from all forms of the game
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- Leeds rugby star Kevin Sinfield has announced his retirement from all forms of the game
- So-called "legal highs" are to blame for an explosion of violence at a West Yorkshire jail
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Latest PostOur live coverage across the day
Oli Woodcock
BBC Local Live, Leeds
Live updates for Leeds and West Yorkshire have finished for the day.
We'll be back from 08:00 on Thursday with the latest news, sport, weather and travel updates from across the county.
Feel free to take a look back at today's top stories from across West Yorkshire - including the suspension of Bradford West MP, Naz Shah, from the Labour party.
In the meantime If you spot something happening where you live, which you think we should know about, you can always get in touch with us by email.
West Yorkshire's weather: Becoming dry with clear periods
Paul Hudson
Weather presenter, BBC Look North
Heavy showers dying out becoming dry with clear periods.
Minimum temperature -1C (30F) with icy patches on untreated surfaces. Light west wind.
Watch: Day two in Junior doctors' strike
Junior doctors are taking part in their second all-out strike in Yorkshire and across England in protest at the imposition of a new contract.
The strike affects A&E, maternity and intensive care for the first time.
Today's strike follows Tuesday's stoppage which many hospitals said they coped well with after being quieter than expected.
Retired health visitor Maureen Gaunt, from Dewsbury, went to accident and emergency for a dog bite.
Latest headlines: Bradford MP Naz Shah suspended from the Labour party and Alec Shelbrooke MP calls for merger of all Yorkshire Police forces
Oli Woodcock
BBC Local Live, Leeds
The top stories in Leeds and West Yorkshire so far this evening include:
Suspension of Bradford MP: analysis from Look North Communities Reporter
Sabbiyah Pervez
Journalist, BBC Look North
Naz Shah burst onto the political scene during the 2015 General election. She was selected by the Labour party to challenge Respect MP George Galloway. But she wasn’t their first choice. The party’s National Executive Committee had imposed an all women shortlist from which Amina Ali, a Labour Councillor from Tower Hamlets, was initially chosen. But four days after her selection, Amina stood down claiming the move to Bradford would cause ‘massive disruption’ for her children.
Naz Shah, who was at the time third place in the selection, was then imposed by the NEC as the Bradford West Candidate. She went on to reclaim the Labour seat in Bradford West, defeating George Galloway with a majority of 11,420 votes.
She was celebrated locally and nationally for her unique background and life experiences. Growing up in poverty in Bradford, Ms Shah, and her family were abandoned by her father who eloped with a neighbour’s teenage daughter. She has spoken openly about her experience of surviving a forced marriage and domestic violence.
Today she was suspended by the Labour party over a Facebook post she shared in 2014. Ms Shah claimed that the posts were made “at the height of the Gaza conflict in 2014, when emotions were running high around the Middle East conflict. But that is no excuse for the offence I have given.” The Gaza conflict she refers to prompted mass protests against Israeli occupation of Palestine in Bradford, in which Ms Shah took part.
Listen: 'Tickle signing was a no brainer' - Daryl Powell
BBC West Yorkshire Sport
Castleford Tigers have signed experienced forward Danny Tickle on a deal until the end of the season.
The 33-year-old former Wigan Warriors and Hull FC man was a free agent having been released by Widnes Vikings last month.
Tigers coach Daryl Powell says the signing of Tickle was 'a no brainer'.
West Yorkshire MP calls for merger of all Yorkshire Police forces following Hillsborough verdicts
Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative MP for Elmet & Rothwell, has called for the disbanding of South Yorkshire Police and the setting up of a Yorkshire-wide force.
The call to merge all the forces, including West Yorkshire, has come from Alec Shelbrooke following the inquests into the Hillsborough victims which ruled that the 96 Liverpool fans who died were "unlawfully killed".
Watch: Hail in Leeds city centre
Nick Wilmshurst
BBC Local Live, Leeds
We started the day with sunshine. We end the afternoon with hail. Good old Yorkshire weather.
Watch: MP Naz Shah suspended from Labour
Labour has suspended MP Naz Shah from the party over comments about Israel.
The Bradford West MP has been heavily criticised over Facebook posts, including one suggesting Israel should be moved to America.
She offered a "profound apology" in a statement to MPs for the posts which were made before she became an MP.
BreakingBradford MP Naz Shah has been suspended by the Labour party
Richard Beecham
Bradford Political Reporter
The Labour press office has confirmed that Bradford West MP Naz Shah has been suspended from the party.
Row over Bradford MP continues
BBC News deputy political editor, John Pienaar, believes Bradford MP Naz Shah will be "suspended shortly."
Of course, we'll bring you the latest news as it happens.
Missing teenager thought to be in Leeds
Police searching for missing teenager, Danni Lee, now believe she is in the Leeds area.
The 18-year-old was last seen on Sunday 20 March at about 19:30 at the Holiday Inn in Barnwood, Gloucester.
Danni is thought to be with David Manning, a 28-year-old man she met on the internet.
Bath time for Bradford "coloured-in" kittens
Two kittens whose fur was coloured in with permanent marker are being repeatedly bathed to help wash out the ink.
The four-week-old kittens, called Shrek and Smurf, were found in Bradford and are being cared for at the city's Cat Watch Rescue centre.
Volunteers have been bathing the kittens in the hope of washing out the stubborn blue and green ink.
Junior doctors strike: 'everything running smoothly' Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Jamie Coulson
Health Correspondent, BBC Look North
Junior doctors are taking part in their second all-out strike in England in protest at the imposition of a new contract.
The stoppage lasts from 08:00 until 17:00 with consultants and nurses staffing A&E and intensive care.
Listen: 'There are opportunities out there for me' - Kevin Sinfield
BBC West Yorkshire Sport
Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield has announced he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old switched codes from league to join union side Yorkshire Carnegie last November after leading the Rhinos to the treble.
He captained Leeds for 13 years and won seven Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups.
Travel update: Broken down vehicle on the M62 eastbound near J22
BBC Travel
A broken down vehicle on the M62 eastbound near J22 is causing some problems this afternoon. Do approach with care.
Latest headlines: David Cameron urges Labour to suspend Bradford MP and rugby star Kevin Sinfield announces retirement from the game
Oli Woodcock
BBC Local Live, Leeds
The top stories in Leeds and West Yorkshire so far this afternoon include:
Listen: Keighley rider set for 'gruelling' Tour de Yorkshire
BBC Radio Leeds
The second Tour de Yorkshire is just two days away.
Eighteen teams will take to the start line in East Yorkshire on Friday, with a number of world and Olympic champions in the field, alongside many veterans of the Tour de France and UCI World Tour circuit.
Tom Moses, from Keighley, is one of our key West Yorkshire riders in the Men's Peloton, and he's told BBC Radio Leeds he's got a gruelling weekend ahead:
Castleford Tigers: 'Carney to blame for exit' - Daryl Powell
BBC West Yorkshire Sport
Castleford head coach Daryl Powell has indicated that Justin Carney's behaviour was behind the winger's acrimonious departure from the club.
The Australian, 27, was suspended by the Tigers at the end of last season and made this season's loan move to Salford permanent on Monday.
Carney, who scored 63 tries in 62 appearances for the Tigers, accepted responsibility for the actions that led to him leaving the Jungle in an interview during pre-season, in which he also expressed his desire to make a fresh start.
West Yorkshire's weather: Sunny spells and wintry showers this afternoon
Keeley Donovan
Weather Presenter, BBC Look North
This afternoon will see sunny spells and showers, with the showers likely to be heavy and possibly wintry.
They'll merge into longer spells of rain/sleet/snow at time.
Maximum temperature of about 8C (46F) with a light northwest wind.