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Bradford
Locals hit back after damning article describing Yorkshire towns as ‘no go areas’
Bradford and Dewsbury were two of four northern towns mentioned in the MailOnline article on academic Ed Husain - who visited UK mosques for book research.
Yorkshire residents have hit out at the Daily Mail following the release of a damning article that described towns in the region as 'no go areas for white people'.
Bradford and Dewsbury were two of four northern towns mentioned in the MailOnline article on academic Ed Husain - who visited UK mosques for book research.
Reams of locals living in the towns have hit back at the piece, contesting the remarks and the publication of the story.
One businessman said Dewsbury is "fed up to the back teeth" of negative press, whilst Musharaf Asghar, a local public speaker known for his appearance on Channel 4's Educating Yorkshire, described the article as pure "lies".
"Anyone who is afraid to enter Dewsbury is more than happy to drop me a message and I’ll take you to one of the best ice-cream parlours in [the town]," he tweeted.
Local leaders have also chimed in with criticism, with former Labour councillor Paul Ellis stating "The media needs to lay off towns like Dewsbury".
"While people like Ed Husain, who has never lived here, gets to publish his book and the Daily Mail gets a headline, people in other parts of the country read it and must think God knows what about the North, despite having never been here.
"Towns like Dewsbury have some of the friendliest people you'll meet."
At the beginning of lockdown, the Muslim community was very active in mobilising to help others, said Ellis, contacting people at the nearby churches to see if there was anyone in their parish who needed food parcels or shopping done for them.
The response has been echoed by a raft of voices in local leadership roles including Councillor Jackie Ramsay, Labour councillor for Dewsbury South, her colleague Councillor Darren O'Donovan for Dewsbury West and Conservative councillor for Wyke in Bradford, Councillor Joan Clarke.
Author Husain said his upcoming book was "not about ‘no-go areas’".
Bradford
Police launch investigation into ‘unexplained’ deaths of two people in Bradford
A police investigation has been launched following the 'unexplained' deaths of two people who were known to each other.
At around 6:55pm on 11 August, officers from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) were first called out to an address on New Stead Rise in Bradford following reports that a woman, aged 52, had been found dead, and then a further call was received at 7:14pm to reports a 59-year-old man was found dead at a business premises on Tong Park Industrial estate.
Both deaths are currently being treated as 'unexplained', WYP declared, and enquiries are being carried out with a forensic examination pending.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry team, confirmed that the deceased are known to each other - which is why an investigation and public appeal for information has been launched.
"Sadly, we are investigating after the deaths of two people at two locations in Bradford," Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said.
"These people are known to each other, and their deaths are being treated as unexplained. We are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with their deaths.
"Enquiries remain ongoing into establishing what has happened."
Can you help? Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101, or by using the live chat options at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting log 1539 of 11 August.
Featured Image - rawpixel
Bradford
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Georgina Pellant -
9th June 2021 
