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Author: BBC News

  • Diddy faces two new lawsuits alleging assault against boys

    Diddy faces two new lawsuits alleging assault against boys

    Two new lawsuits have been filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs accusing the music mogul of sexual assault.

    Both lawsuits, which were filed in New York, include accusations by men who were underage at the time of the alleged assaults.

    In one, the alleged victim was 10 at the time. The second alleges Mr Combs assaulted a teenage boy who was auditioning for the popular MTV reality show “Making the Band”, which the rapper produced.

    In a statement to the BBC, representatives for Mr Combs said he “never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone – man or woman, adult or minor”.

    Warning: This story contains details some readers may find disturbing

    More than two dozen lawsuits have been filed against Mr Combs in recent months with allegations that include rape, people being drugged, underage assaults, intimidation and sexual extortion.

    The rapper is also facing federal criminal charges in an alleged sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

    The two lawsuits filed on Monday were brought by attorney Tony Buzbee, who has said he represents more than 100 alleged victims and plans to file dozens of lawsuits against Mr Combs in the coming weeks.

    In the first lawsuit, which was filed anonymously, the plaintiff alleges that Mr Combs assaulted him in 2005 when he was 10 years old and an aspiring actor and rapper.

    To support their son’s ambitions in entertainment, the boy’s parents enlisted the help of an industry consultant who suggested they travel to New York for meetings with music professionals.

    During the trip, the consultant set up an “audition” with Mr Combs, who requested a private meeting with the boy, the lawsuit says.

    The lawsuit claims the consultant escorted the boy to Mr Combs’ hotel room, where he was left alone. The boy performed several rap songs for Mr Combs, who told him he had the potential to become a star.

    According to the complaint, Mr Combs asked the boy how committed he was to pursuing his dream and the boy replied that he would “do anything”.

    During the meeting, a third person gave the boy a soda that made him feel “funny”, but at the time, the plaintiff thought the feelings were from happiness over the meeting, the lawsuit states.

    The rapper is then accused of disrobing and ordering the boy to perform a sex act.

    When the boy resisted, Mr Combs allegedly assaulted him. The plaintiff says in the complaint that he lost consciousness and woke up in pain with his pants undone.

    Mr Combs told him if he told anyone he would hurt his parents, according to the lawsuit.

    In the second lawsuit, an unnamed male alleges he was sexually assaulted by Mr Combs in 2008.

    The plaintiff was 17 when he was auditioning for the MTV reality competition Mr Combs produced.

    During various rounds of the audition process, Mr Combs allegedly asked the plaintiff how he would handle situations involving sexual pressure.

    He and his bodyguard went on to force the teen into sexual acts, the lawsuit states.

    Mr Combs is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York following his September arrest on federal charges.

    He was denied bail and will remain in custody until his trial in May.

    He has denied all the allegations against him.

    “Mr Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process,” his representatives said.

    If convicted of racketeering, he could face life in prison.

  • ‘Dune’ actor, Chalamet, makes appearance at fan event

    ‘Dune’ actor, Chalamet, makes appearance at fan event

    Timothée Chalamet stunned fans after making a surprise appearance at a lookalike contest for the actor.

    The Wonka star crashed the event in New York City attracting a chorus of screaming fans.

    Chalamet was seen posing for pictures with his curly-haired doppelgangers during a brief appearance at Washington Square Park.

    The city’s police moved on the crowded event which attracted hundreds of people.

    Variety reported that Chalamet sneaked his way through the crowd hiding behind a mask and baseball hat, before creeping up to two lookalikes who had been posing for photos, sparking shrieks across the park.

    The contest, organised by YouTuber Anthony Po, promised a $50 (£39) prize for the winner and had attracted thousands of RSVPs to an online invite.

    A fan of the Call Me by Your Name and Dune actor, Lauren Klas, described what made a good Chalamet. “It’s all in the nose,” he told AP news agency.

    “All of his bone structure, really.”

    Contestants were also asked about their French language skills, plans to make the world a better place and romantic intentions with Kylie Jenner, who the star is rumoured to be dating, AP reported.

    Eventually Miles Mitchell, 21, from Staten Island, was crowned winner dressed in a Willy Wonka outfit, before he tossed candy to the crowd from a briefcase.

    Earlier this month, a new trailer was released for A Complete Unknown which will see the star depict Bob Dylan.

    The biopic is set in the 1960s and follows Dylan’s rise to the top of the charts.

    The film is set to be released in December in the US and in January in the UK.

  • Tarzan star Ron Ely dies aged 86

    Tarzan star Ron Ely dies aged 86

    US actor Ron Ely, best known for playing the role of Tarzan in the 1960s television show of the same name, has died aged 86.

    “The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad,” the actor’s daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, said in an Instagram post.

    Tarzan originally aired on NBC television network from 1966 to 1968, during which time the actor broke a number of bones and was reported to have been attacked by animals while performing his own stunts.

    After retiring from acting in 2001, Ely became an author and published two mystery novels.

    Ely made a brief return to acting for one television film, Expecting Amish, in 2014, where he played an Amish elder.

    In the 1980s, he appeared in other hit television programmes including cruise ship-based comedy The Love Boat, as well as Wonder Woman with star Lynda Carter.

    Born in Texas in 1938, Ely went on to marry his high school sweetheart in 1959, before divorcing two years later.

    He was also known for hosting the Miss America pageant in the early 1980s, where he met his second wife Valerie Lundeen. The couple went on to have three children.

    Lundeen was stabbed to death aged 62 by their son, Cameron, at their California home in 2019. He was then shot dead by police after being deemed a threat by attending officers.

    Ron Ely filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the force, though the judge ruled the officers had acted in self-defence.

    The Tarzan star died at his home in Los Alamos in Santa Barbara, California on 29 September.

    Announcing the death in an Instagram post on Wednesday, the actor’s daughter said: “My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader.”

    She added: “I knew him as my dad – and what a heaven sent honour that has been. To me, he hung the moon.”

  • Idris Elba to support Africa’s film business over the next decade

    Idris Elba to support Africa’s film business over the next decade

    British actor Idris Elba has told the BBC that he will relocate to Africa within the next decade as part of his plans to support the continent’s movie industry.

    The 52-year-old star of the hit series The Wire is behind nascent projects to build a film studio on the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar as well as one in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

    Born in London, Elba, whose mother is from Ghana and father from Sierra Leone, has a strong attachment to Africa.

    He wants to leverage his star power to back its burgeoning film business as he says it is vital that Africans get to tell their own stories.

    “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of an industry meeting in Accra.

    “I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. I’m here to bolster the film industry – that is a 10-year process – I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent.”

    But in the spirit of Pan-Africanism he will not commit to living in a specific place.

    “I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in Freetown [Sierra Leone’s capital], I’m going to live in Zanzibar. I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories – that’s really important.”

    One goal he does have is to make a film in his studio in Accra one day.

    Elba, who played South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela in the 2013 biopic Long Walk to Freedom, believes that it is vital for Africans to be centre-stage in the entire film-making process. That is in front of the camera, behind the camera and also in financing, distribution, marketing and showing the final product.

    He imagines that just as movie audiences around the world know the differences between the US cities of New York and Los Angeles without necessarily ever having visited them, they will one day have a more nuanced understanding of the continent.

    “This sector is a soft power, not just across Ghana but across Africa.

    “If you watch any film or anything that has got to do with Africa, all you’re going to see is trauma, how we were slaves, how we were colonised, how it’s just war and when you come to Africa, you will realise that it’s not true.

    “So, it’s really important that we own those stories of our tradition, of our culture, of our languages, of the differences between one language and another. The world doesn’t know that.”

    With Nigeria’s Nollywood producing hundreds of movies a year, films are arguably one of the country’s most successful exports. There is also a tradition, especially in parts of Francophone Africa, of making high-quality films.

    Elba has previously recognised the talent in Africa’s film industry, but said the facilities were “lacking”.

    A 2022 report from UNESCO backed up the actor.

    The UN’s cultural agency said that despite “significant growth in production”, the business of film-making across the continent was hindered by issues such as piracy, insubstantial training opportunities and a lack of official film institutions.

    Elba believes with the right momentum and involvement of governments willing to create an enabling environment, a virtuous circle can be established.

    “We have to invest in our story-telling because when you see me, you see a little version of yourself and that encourages us.”

  • Russians feared dead after plane shot down in Sudan

    Russians feared dead after plane shot down in Sudan

    Russia’s embassy in Sudan has said it is investigating reports that a cargo plane with Russian crew was shot down in Darfur, a key battleground in the civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    The aircraft, identified as a Russian-made lyushin Il-76, was on a mission to deliver equipment and medicine to the army-held city of el-Fasher, military sources told Sudanese media.

    On Monday, the RSF said it had downed a Russian-made plane flown by the Egyptian military that it accused of bombing civilians – though it was identified as an Antonov.

    Egypt denies accusations that it has been providing military support to Sudan’s army during the 18-month conflict.

    The vicious struggle for power between the army and RSF began in April 2023, leading to what the UN has called one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

    Some estimates suggest up to 150,000 people have been killed since the war began last year, according to comments made in May by US special envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello.

    The UN estimates it has also forced more than 10 million people – about a fifth of the population – from their homes.

    Details about the crash and its mission are murky.

    The Russian embassy in the capital, Khartoum, said it was co-ordinating with the Sudanese military-led government to gather more information about the crash and those who were onboard.

    According to the Sudan Tribune news website, all members of the crew – including three Sudan nationals and two Russians – were killed in the crash.

    It quotes military sources as saying it came down in the Malha area, near the border with Chad, en route to the besieged city of el-Fasher. This has not been independently verified.

    El-Fasher is the only city still under army control in the western Darfur region – and has been under attack from the RSF since April.

    The RSF says it has the plane’s black box and seized documents related to the plane and its mission.

    Viral footage from the alleged scene of the crash shows RSF soldiers with what appears to be Russian passports and identification cards next to the plane wreckage.

    Some reports suggest a technical fault may have been responsible for the crash – but both the army and RSF are saying it was shot down.

    Others indicate it may have mistakenly been targeted.

    This is because some documents seen in circulating video footage suggest the aircraft was affiliated with an airline previously linked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The Middle Eastern country denies allegations that it has been arming the RSF – though the UN says there is credible evidence.

    Fresh diplomatic attempts to negotiate a cessation of hostilities between the rival forces in Sudan have failed to make progress.

    Fierce fighting has recently escalated around Khartoum, which is largely controlled by

  • Blade Runner 2049 maker sues Musk over robotaxi images

    Blade Runner 2049 maker sues Musk over robotaxi images

    The maker of the film Blade Runner 2049 has sued Tesla, Elon Musk and Warner Bros Discovery, alleging they used imagery from the movie without permission.

    Production firm Alcon Entertainment claims it had specifically denied a request from Warner Bros to use material from the film at the launch event for Tesla’s long-awaited robotaxi.

    Alcon alleges that despite its refusal Tesla and the other organisers of the event on 10 October used artificial intelligence (AI) to create promotional imagery based on the film.

    Tesla and Warner Bros did not immediately reply to requests for comment from BBC News.

    The “financial magnitude of the misappropriation here was substantial,” the lawsuit said.

    “Any prudent brand considering any Tesla partnership has to take Musk’s massively amplified, highly politicised, capricious and arbitrary behaviour, which sometimes veers into hate speech, into account,” it added.

    Alcon also accused the event organisers of “false endorsement” by suggesting a connection between the production company and Tesla.

    Warner Bros, which hosted the robotaxi launch event at one of its movie studios, was also the distributor of Blade Runner 2049 when it was released in 2017.

    The highly-anticipated sequel to the 1982 cyberpunk classic Blade Runner, starred Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas and Jared Leto, and won two Academy Awards.

    Elon Musk has referred to the original film several times in the past, hinting at one point that it was a source of inspiration for Tesla’s Cybertruck.

    Alcon is currently producing a spinoff television series Blade Runner 2099.

    Separately, the director of 2004 sci-fi film I, Robot accused Mr Musk of copying his designs for humanoid machines and self-driving vehicles.

    The title of Tesla robotaxi event – We, Robot – which played on the the title of an Isaac Asimov short story collection, caught the eye of Alex Proyas.

    “Hey Elon, can I have my designs back please,” Mr Proyas said in a post on X which has been viewed more than eight million times.

    But the claim was met with scepticism online, with some suggesting his own film is derivative.

  • A million people hit by flooding in South Sudan

    A million people hit by flooding in South Sudan

    Over a million people in South Sudan have been affected by floods across much of the country, the UN’s humanitarian organisation, Ocha, has said.

    More than a quarter of those – many in the north – have been forced from their homes by rising waters.

    Ocha said the displaced were seeking refuge on higher ground, but the rains have also meant that getting aid to those who need it had become increasingly difficult.

    This is one of the worst flood seasons that South Sudan – a country with a population of more than 11 million people – has experienced in recent decades.

    In Pibor, in the east, 112,000 people have lost their homes, according to a government relief agency there.

    Those who have fled to higher ground “don’t even have food, they left everything in that previous location”, Joseph Nyao, director of Relief and Rehabilitation told the BBC from Pibor.

    He added that the government was urging people in areas threatened by floods to “immediately move to higher grounds that have been identified by local authorities for their safety”.

    “The level of water is still increasing and the displacement is continuing.”

    In May, the government alerted the international community to the risk of exceptional floods that were expected to hit the country in the subsequent months.

    Ocha said that since the rains began 15 major supply routes have been rendered impassable, affecting the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to some 500,000 people in different parts of the country.

    This all comes as South Sudan continues to deal with the impact of the 18-month civil war in neighbouring Sudan.

    More than half a million Sudanese refugees and returnees from South Sudan have been registered in South Sudan since April last year.

    South Sudan, already in the throes of a worsening humanitarian situation, is seeing its ability to respond become further overstretched, Ocha warned.

  • Zambian president sacks top judges who ruled in favour of his rival

    Zambian president sacks top judges who ruled in favour of his rival

    Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has now sacked three top judges he previously suspended over alleged judicial misconduct, drawing further accusations of political interference in the judiciary.

    The three Constitutional Court judges presided over a presidential petition in 2016 in which they dismissed Hichilema’s challenge against the election victory of former President Edgar Lungu.

    They also took part in a controversial ruling allowing Lungu to stand in the 2021 elections, despite having twice served as Zambia’s president.

    Their dismissal comes after they lost a court application for a review of a judicial panel’s decision recommending their suspension.

    On Sunday evening, a statement released by the presidency said they had been “removed with immediate effect” following a recommendation by the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC).

    “The removal of the judges is in exercise of the powers vested in the President under [the Zambian constitution],” it said.

    The three judges – Justice Annie Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga, and Justice Palan Mulonda – have not publicly commented on the matter.

    The JCC had investigated them over allegations of gross misconduct following a complaint by Moses Kalonde, a private citizen.

    Last year, the JCC rejected a complaint from lawyer Joseph Busenga, who had petitioned for the removal of the three judges, alleging that they had mishandled the 2016 election petition.

    There has been mixed reactions to the dismissal of the judges.

    Political tensions have been in rising in Zambia ahead of elections in 2026, when Hichilema and Lungu are expected to face each other for a fourth time.

    Social and political commentator Laura Miti says informed Zambians are split between those who feel this is a legal but self-serving move by the president and others who back him.

    “My view is that the judges misbehaved spectacularly in the presidential petition in 2016. That being true this comes across as the president exacting revenge for their judgment which is highly concerning,” she told the BBC.

    But Makebi Zulu, Lungu’s lawyer in the case, termed the move an “illegality” telling the BBC that “it was executive overreach aimed at interfering with the independence of the judiciary”.

    “No judge should be disciplined for carrying out their judicial function,” he said.

    Under Zambia’s constitution, all judges, including the chief justice, are appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the JCC and with the approval of the National Assembly.

    Political analyst Sishuwa Sishuw says the “reality is that we will always have the problem of incompetent and unqualified judges as long as the process of appointment is led by the executive.

    “It does not matter who is in power,” he posted on X, adding that a “structured and broad-minded approach” is more beneficial than “targeted and individual changes”.

  • One Direction share “devastation” over bandmate death

    One Direction share “devastation” over bandmate death

    Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates say they are “completely devastated” about the passing of their fellow band member.

    In a statement signed by Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles they said: “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say”.

    The pop star, who found fame on The X Factor in 2010, died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina, police say.

    Earlier Payne’s family said they were “heartbroken” as they paid tribute to a “kind, funny and brave soul”, after his death aged 31.

    “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time,” they said.

    Liam was one of five members of One Direction.

    The band’s statement added: “We will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.” and concluded: “We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.”

    Harry Styles, former One Direction band member shared a photo of Liam on Instagram, saying that he “lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve”.

    “The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished of my life.

    “I will miss him always, my lovely friend”.

    Fellow member Louis Tomlinson also shared a separate tribute on his personal Instagram account, thanking Payne for being “the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”

    “Reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life,” he wrote.

    He added he would also support Liam’s son.

    “I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.”

    Zayn Malik, who left the band in 2015, also shared a tribute on Instagram alongside a younger photo of him and Payne asleep in a car: “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time”.

    Cause of death

    Payne, who found fame on The X Factor in 2010, died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo, Buenos Aires, police say.

    Police inspected the area where he fell, and found items including alcohol and a phone.

    Medication was also found in his room.

    In a statement, police said Payne’s body was discovered when an emergency crew were called to the hotel and that “everything indicates that the musician was alone when the fall happened”.

    They added they believed Payne died at the scene and there were no injuries that suggested a third party had been involved.

    Celebrities, stars and TV show ‘X Factor’ mourn Liam Payne

    Following his death at around 17:00 on Wednesday, stars expressed their upset and posted memories of the dad who shared a son, Bear, with former partner Girls Aloud star Cheryl.

    Former bandmate Harry’s mother Anne Twist paid tribute, posting a broken-hearted emoji on Instagram, captioning it: “Just a boy.”

    Singer Rita Ora, who collaborated on a song with Payne in 2018, said she was “devastated” in a post on Instagram, adding that she “loved working with him so much”.

    On Thursday, police in Buenos Aires said a preliminary autopsy suggested the One Direction star died from external and internal bleeding injuries.

    They said the area where Payne fell had been inspected and items including alcohol and a phone had been discovered. Medication was found in his room.

    Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, also shared his condolences on Instagram, saying he was “lost for words” and described Payne’s death as “devastating”.

    Murs said they “always had a good laugh” when they met, mostly talking about “how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF [X Factor] days and the tour we shared together.

    “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams, so to see his life now end so young hits hard. I’m truly gutted and devastated for his family and of course his son Bear losing a dad.”

    Dermot O’Leary, who hosted The X Factor when Liam appeared, posted a photograph of the pair on stage, captioning the Instagram post: “The worst news.”

    “I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing,” he wrote.

    “He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”

    US singer Charlie Puth, a co-writer on Payne’s 2017 song Bedroom Floor, said he was in “shock” after Payne’s death.

    Charlie posted images of the pair working together, alongside the caption “Liam was always so kind to me”.

    The Wanted star Max George described his death as “absolutely devastating news”.

    “Over the last few years I had the pleasure of getting to know him personally and spent some treasured time with him,” he said on Instagram.

    “Liam was absolutely wonderful in terms of support when Tom [Parker] fell ill, performing at the Royal Albert Hall with us for Stand Up To Cancer.

    “He supported me a lot personally after Tom passed. I will never forget that.

    “He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I cannot believe he is gone… I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”

    The X Factor said they were “heartbroken” by his passing and were thinking of Payne’s loved ones and all who loved him.

    “He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.”

    On X, Rylan Clark, who was also a X Factor contestant, said the death was “so tragic” , while Jedward sent their condolences to Cheryl, his son Bear and “all the One Direction family”.

    Football team West Bromwich Albion were “saddened” by the passing of “Baggies fan” Payne, and sent their thoughts to his loved ones.

    Mcfly sent their love to Payne’s friends and family, and said they were “shocked and extremely sad to wake up to the news” of his death.

    Liam Gallagher from Oasis, wrote on X: “Life is precious kids and you only get to do it once go easy.”

    DJ and music producer Zedd, who featured alongside Payne on the 2017 song Get Low, called the singer’s death “absolutely heartbreaking”.

    Boyband Backstreet Boys said: “Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat.”

    American singer and rapper Ty Dolla Sign said he would “miss” Payne, captioning videos and pictures on his Instagram story: “Just talked to you two days ago my guy.”

  • Migrant deportations to increase, says EU chief

    Migrant deportations to increase, says EU chief

    EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the bloc could “draw lessons” from the contested Italian policy of processing migrants offshore in Albania ahead of an EU summit focusing on migration.

    She made the remarks in a letter to member states ahead of the meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, where she said the European Commission would present a new proposal for legislation to increase deportations of migrants.

    Von der Leyen – who is just starting a second five-year term as European Commission chief – appears to be responding to pressure on migration from across Europe.

    In her letter to member states, she said the return rate of irregular migrants from EU countries is currently only about 20% – meaning the vast majority of people who are ordered to leave an EU member state do not.

    Many simply stay put or move to another country within the bloc, she said.

    Member states should all recognise the decisions taken by other EU countries to ensure that “migrants who have a return decision against them in one country cannot exploit cracks in the system to avoid return elsewhere”, Von der Leyen wrote.

    Her comments come as Italy kicks off its long-awaited scheme, under which some of the migrants rescued in the Mediterranean will be sent to Albania for processing.

    Earlier this week, 16 men of Bangladeshi and Egyptian origin were moved from the migrant hotspot of Lampedusa, off the coast of Sicily, to one of two purpose-built centres on the Albanian coast where their asylum claims will be examined.

    The centres, which cost about €650m (£547m), were due to open last spring but were plagued by long delays, have been paid for by the Italian government and will be operated under Italian law.

    They will house migrants while Italy examines their asylum requests. Pregnant women, children and vulnerable people will be excluded from the plan.

    Political opponents of right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as well as several NGOs have criticised Italy’s deal with Albania.

    Riccardo Magi, an MP with the left-wing +Europa party, said the Albania scheme was “cruel, useless and expensive”, while NGO Doctors Without Borders said it was “likely to result in further harm and violation of human rights”.

    However, addressing MPs on Tuesday, Meloni argued that the plan was “a new, courageous, unprecedented path” which “perfectly reflected the European spirit”.

    The implementation and the results of the Albania agreement will be watched closely by many EU member states, several of whom have attempted to respond to a surge in support for far-right parties by hardening their rhetoric and their approach to migration.

    In the last few weeks alone, Germany reintroduced land border checks, the French government said it would look into tightening immigration legislation and Poland announced a plan to temporarily suspend the right to asylum for people crossing the border.

    Polish PM Donald Tusk said the controversial move was meant to stop Belarus from “destabilising” Poland by allowing large numbers of migrants into the country.

    In France and Germany, it was grisly murders which prompted calls for tougher action on immigration.

    A Syrian failed asylum seeker stabbed three people to death in Solingen, while a young student was murdered by a Moroccan national near Paris. In both cases, the killings were carried out by men who had been given expulsion orders that had not been enforced.

    Last month, 15 member states signed a proposal by Austria and the Netherlands to improve the “efficiency” of the deportations system.