Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has sparked controversy by claiming that migrants are eating swans from London's Royal Parks, allegations that have been firmly denied by the parks' managing charity. During an LBC radio interview, Farage stated that "swans are being eaten in royal parks" and that carp were being taken from ponds "by people who come from different cultures." When pressed by host Nick Ferrari about whether eastern Europeans and Romanians were responsible, Farage responded, "So I believe."

The Royal Parks charity quickly issued a rebuttal, stating that no such incidents have been reported across London's eight royal parks. A spokesperson emphasized that "we've not had any incidents reported to us of people killing or eating swans" and highlighted the organization's close work with the Swan Sanctuary to ensure swan welfare. Swans are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to kill, harm, or disturb them in the UK.

Fizza Qureshi, chief executive of the Migrants' Rights Network, condemned Farage's comments as "ridiculous, harmful and nothing new," accusing him of "regurgitating debunked stories" that have resurfaced since 2007. She characterized the claims as "not only absurd but utterly dangerous" and suggested they were drawn from "unverified social media and far-right organizations" to deliberately incite hatred against migrants.

The allegations bear similarity to former US President Donald Trump's claims about Haitian migrants eating Americans' pets, with Labour MPs pointing to the comparison as evidence of Farage's unreliable rhetoric. The controversy emerges amid ongoing political tensions between Reform UK and Liberal Democrats, though wildlife authorities maintain there is no evidence supporting the swan consumption claims.

Shed Seven, the Yorkshire Britpop legends, have announced a special one-off summer 2026 performance at Halifax's Piece Hall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their landmark 1996 album 'A Maximum High'. The band will deliver a full album performance followed by a second set of greatest hits during the Live At The Piece Hall concert series on June 6. This Halifax date will represent Shed Seven's only headline show of summer 2026, making it a particularly significant event for both the band and their dedicated fanbase.

The anniversary concert will feature special guest performances from Seb Lowe and The Guest List, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Tickets for this exclusive event are scheduled to go on general sale at 10am on Friday, October 24, available through major ticketing platforms including Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and the Piece Hall's official website. The band's return to the Halifax venue follows their previous 2021 performance at the historic courtyard, establishing a continuing relationship with the West Yorkshire location.

'A Maximum High' represented a defining moment in Shed Seven's career, reaching the UK top 10 and selling more than 250,000 copies while spawning five Top 40 singles. Band frontman Rick Witter expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration, stating the band is 'looking forward to giving A Maximum High the birthday party it deserves' and noting particular excitement about 'revisiting some of the songs we haven't played for decades.' The event promises to attract fans from across the country for what organizers describe as a 'one night only' celebratory event.

Shed Seven joins a diverse lineup of artists scheduled for the 2026 Live At The Piece Hall series, including Embrace, Ethel Cain, David Gray, Billy Ocean, Opeth and The Ks. The band's upcoming schedule also includes appearances at the Isle Of Wight Festival in June, featuring headliners Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure, followed by a supporting performance for Richard Ashcroft at Englefield Estate in Berkshire as part of the Heritage Live series in July. Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Charitable Trust, emphasized the significance of hosting these 'Yorkshire heroes' back at the venue for this milestone celebration.