Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith has today backed Rishi Sunak in the race to become the next Prime Minister.

Mr Smith is the first local MP to declare his support for a candidate to succeed Liz Truss, which could be resolved as soon as Monday.

In a tweet this afternoon, Mr Smith said Mr Sunak would “restore financial credibility” and unite the party.

https://twitter.com/JulianSmithUK/status/1583457402258567170

According to betting site Oddschecker, Mr Sunak remains the favourite to be the next PM at 4/5. But Boris Johnson’s odds have been slashed dramatically to 32/21 while Penny Mordaunt is the outsider at 9-1.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, have yet to comment publicly on their choices.

Mr Jones and Mr Smith supported Sunak in his failed summer bid against Liz Truss.

Adams was one of Johnson’s staunchest allies, and was made a Cabinet Office minister in his government. But a number of moderate Conservatives have threatened to resign the whip if Johnson wins.

Mr Jones and Mr Smith both called for Mr Johnson’s resignation while he was still in office.

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Mr Jones said “lawmakers cannot be lawbreakers” and “we have come to the end of the road with this Prime Minister” and urged him to “move aside for the good of the country and our politics”.

Mr Smith urged Mr Johnson to “take the lead in a responsible transition to ensure stable government for our country”.

It seems the election of Sunak, who represents Richmond in North Yorkshire, would go down well with many local Conservatives, who may see added value in having a Prime Ministerial constituency on their doorstep.

Carl Les, the Conservative leader of North Yorkshire County Council, also declared his support for Mr Sunak during his leadership battle with Ms Truss.

So although a Johnson win might prove popular with Mr Adams, it could raise some difficult questions for those MPs, such as Mr Jones and Mr Smith, who just three months ago were calling on him to quit.

Police have appealed for a key witness to come forward after a 19-year-old man was assaulted in Starbeck.

The man was attacked by four teenage boys while walking across Belmont Park towards Wentworth Close on August 31 between 4.30pm and 5pm. He had to go to hospital with an eye injury.

A teenage girl intervened in the assault and the teenagers walked away.

As part of an investigation into the assault, officers are appealing for the girl to come forward.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“There is no further description of the suspects, but the victim recalls one of the teenage boys was carrying a blue tooth speaker at the time of the assault.

“As well as appealing for the key witness to get in touch, officers are also asking for any information or private CCTV footage that could help to identify the suspects.

“If you can help the investigation, please email jemma.grant@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Jemma Grant.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220156586 when providing details.”

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• Harrogate Porsche driver jailed for causing death of cyclist
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A Porsche driver has been jailed today after causing the death of a cyclist on the A168 near Boroughbridge.

James Bryan, 37, was rushing to get some shopping for his parents on May 10, 2020, when his Porsche Carrera 911 ploughed into the back of a bicycle ridden by married father-of-two Andrew Jackson, 36, York Crown Court heard.

Bryan was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial in September. However, he admitted causing death by careless driving.

He appeared for sentencing at York Crown Court this morning, where he was jailed for nine months.

‘Distracted by something’

During the trial, which began last month, prosecutor Anne Richardson alleged that in the moments before the crash at Allerton Park, Mr Bryan must have been distracted by “something” because Mr Jackson was clearly visible.

She claimed that evidence showed he must have been looking at, scrolling through, or reading posts on social media.

Mr Bryan had taken cocaine and been drinking at his friend’s house in Cheshire the night before the fatal collision at Rabbit Hill Park.

A roadside test in the aftermath of the crash showed that although he wasn’t over the limit for either drink or drugs, there were traces of cocaine, or a cocaine breakdown product, in his system.

Ms Richardson claimed that Bryan, who celebrated his 35th birthday just two days before the accident, would have been impaired by the drugs in his system and from being hungover and tired from the alcohol and festivities the night before.

He was on his way to drop off some groceries at his parents’ house who were isolating during the covid lockdown when the accident occurred at about 1.40pm.

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Bryan, of St Mary’s Avenue, Harrogate, was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He denied the allegation but admitted causing death by careless driving in that he didn’t leave enough room to drive around the bicycle.

Defence barrister Sophia Dower claimed that Bryan was in a “fit and proper state” to drive and was not using his phone at the time of the crash.

She claimed Mr Jackson’s bike had veered right from the edge of the road into the path of Mr Bryan’s black Porsche, and that her client “didn’t have enough time to react”.

The off-duty doctor who was at the scene said Mr Jackson had suffered a serious head injury and his helmet was broken.

Police knock ‘changed our lives forever’

Andrew Jackson

During the sentencing hearing today, a victim impact statement from Mr Jackson’s father, Paul Jackson, was read in court.

Mr Jackson said he and his wife, Ruth, can remember the knock on the door from police which he said “changed our lives forever”.

He said:

“He was only 36 years old when he was killed. He was in the prime of his life.”

Mr Jackson added that he and his wife “found it difficult to express how the loss has affected us”.

Mr Jackson’s wife, Jenny, told the court today Andrew was her “best friend and team mate” and that it was “so hard not having him around”.

She said:

“My children should be growing up to know what it feels like to be hugged by their father.”

In mitigation, Bryan’s defence said the defendant had expressed remorse and had suffered from “fragile mental health”.

Ms Dower said he had suffered from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder since the crash.

She said:

“If Mr Bryan could turn back the clock, he would do it in a heartbeat.

“Whatever sentence this court imposes today, we all know that Mr Bryan is going to have to live the rest of his life knowing that his careless driving killed Mr Jackson.”

Sentencing Bryan, Judge Simon Hickey said that Mr Jackson was “there to be seen” and not at fault for the collision.

Judge Hickey said a combination of tiredness and “interaction with a device” led to Bryan hitting Mr Jackson.

He said:

“That is why you hit Mr Jackson from behind. 

“No blame is attached to him… because of your inattention he could have been avoided.”

Bryan was jailed for nine months, of which he will serve half before being released.

He was also disqualified for two years and ordered to pass an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again.

Catch Seafood, which bought the former Graveley’s fish and chip restaurant in Harrogate, has closed.

A spokesman for the company confirmed today all five Catch restaurants had ceased trading and the company had gone into administration, with the loss of 60 jobs.

It is the third major blow for Harrogate’s hospitality sector in a matter of days, with Samsons restaurant and restaurant and cocktail bar 63rd+1st also closing.

Catch bought Graveley’s in 2019 and reopened the restaurant on Cheltenham Parade in April last year after a £250,000 refurbishment.

Changing such a well known name was controversial.

Many people made a beeline for Graveley’s on trips to Harrogate, with former chat show host Michael Parkinson once describing his perfect day as watching Joe Root score a century in an Ashes Test at Headingley followed by a big plate of fish and chips at Graveley’s.

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A Catch spokeswoman said at the time the restaurant reopened.

“Graveley’s is an institution in Harrogate so we appreciate it is going to be a big thing to change the name.”

The new venue boasted a champagne and oyster bat as well as cocktails. But 18 months on it has served its last customer.

Catch also had fish and chip restaurants in Holmfirth, West Vale, Headingley and Street Lane.

The spokesman for the company said today he had been advised not to comment until the liquidation process was underway.

Harrogate Borough Council said today that it’s parking enforcement manager, Steve Rogers, has resigned with “immediate effect”.

It follows a Stray Ferret investigation that exposed Mr Rogers for being behind the abusive and obscene anonymous Twitter account @ChippyGlory.

Many victims of his abuse were Harrogate councillors and well known people in the town.

The Stray Ferret tracked the @ChippyGlory account for two years after being told from a source that it was run by a council manager.

Following our report on Tuesday, the council launched an investigation into Mr Rogers.

At the same time Liberal Democrat councillors called for Mr Rogers instant dismissal and Conservative councillor Nick Brown called for his immediate suspension during the investigation.

We will be publishing reaction to his resignation as we receive it.

The council has said it will not be making any further comment.

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Harrogate Photographic Society‘s free centenary exhibition has started at St Peter’s Church.

The exhibition includes about 130 photographs taken by members, including some historic images of Harrogate.

The society was founded on October 23, 1922 and was originally based at a shop on King’s Road.

The exhibition will run until Thursday next week and is open from 10am to 4pm daily, except on Sunday when it is open from noon to 4pm.

The society meets weekly on Monday nights in Harrogate.

Some of the exhibits

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Craft beer lovers in Harrogate can rejoice as a new town centre bar is set to open today.

Husk Beer Emporium and Bar, which is situated on Station Square, will showcase local and UK wide beers.

Joint owners Danny Duckworth and Tom Gill opted for the venture as a natural progression from their shop on Kings Road.

Mr Duckworth told the Stray Ferret that the pair felt the time was right to move towards opening a bar.

He said:

“We have had the shop for three years and we like to think that has created the awareness of world beer in Harrogate.”

Food, drink and an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of beers

The bar will sell food and drink, including a draught line with everything from German lager to hazy pale ales.

For Mr Duckworth, part of the reason for setting up to bar was to create a place which will also offer affordable, interesting beers.

Three of the draughts on sale will be under £5, enabling people who may not normally opt for a craft beer to be able to try them.

Those who are enthusiastic about their beers will also be to try the “Aladdin’s cave” of unique brews downstairs.

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Customers will be able to design their own grilled cheese sandwiches, while cocktail lovers can sample a range of drinks.

Dogs and children will also be welcome in Husk.

In the long-term, there is also an ambition to put live music on for those who like songs to go with their craft beer.

Crucially for Danny, the aim of the new bar is to create a place for everyone to drink – not just beer enthusiasts.

He said:

“We wanted to create a place where we would want to drink.”

Husk Beer Emporium and Bar will be open from midday today.

People across the Harrogate district will be asked from today for their views on a historic £540 million devolution deal for North Yorkshire.

In August, county council leaders agreed the long-awaited deal with ministers to devolve more powers, including an elected mayor, to North Yorkshire and York.

The deal will see £18 million year worth of funding devolved to the county over 30 years.

Now, as part of the process to bring more powers to North Yorkshire, the public, businesses and charity organisations will be asked for their thoughts on the deal.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said: 

“We really need the public to come forward and give us their views on what is important to them and how devolution can benefit communities and businesses across York and North Yorkshire.

“The chance to secure these decision-making powers and millions of pounds in funding from the government is set to prove a life-changing opportunity for more than 800,000 people who live and work in York and North Yorkshire.

“Devolution will give local leaders the chance to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing people in York and North Yorkshire – whether that be providing more affordable housing, improving skills and education for better job opportunities, boosting transport infrastructure or tackling the climate crisis.”

Pictured: Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Greg Clark MP and Cllr Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council sign the document.

Meanwhile, Helen Simpson, chair of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: 

“This is a historic moment for York and North Yorkshire and creates the opportunity to deliver long-term investment to support business growth.

“I’d like to invite business leaders across the region to contribute to this consultation.”

Consultation on the deal will run until Friday, December 16. People can have their say at the York and North Yorkshire Devolution website here.

What is in the deal?

As part of the devolution deal, a mayoral combined authority would be formed with a directly-elected mayor by May 2024.

It would mirror similar arrangements in the Tees Valley, where Conservative mayor Ben Houchen oversees the combined authority.

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While the planned North Yorkshire deal brings £540 million worth of investment funding, it is lower than the original £750 million requested by local leaders.

However, more power over skills and transport will be devolved.

It will see whoever is elected mayor and the new combined authority have control over the adult education budget and the ability to draw up its own transport strategy.

Control over bus franchising has also been granted to the county and the power to set up Mayoral Development Corporations, which have the power to buy land for housing or employment to regenerate a defined area.

Much of the deal echoes what was given to Tees Valley in 2015, where mayor Houchen has since exercised his economic development powers to buy Teesside International Airport and Redcar Steelworks.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Local businesses attended an event yesterday to find out how Harrogate College can help them fulfil their training and recruitment needs.

The college set up an employers’ network to allow employers from the Harrogate district to influence the college’s courses and training.

Yesterday’s annual event gave representatives from the businesses the opportunity to find out more about what has been achieved in the last year and say what more could be done.

Employers also got a first-look at the proposed pathway to employment programme, which would support the cost and challenges of recruitment and retainment.

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Raworths has been recognised as one of the leading law firms in the north of England.

The Harrogate law firm has been included in the new Chambers UK legal guide 2023, including Band 1 rankings for its Employment and Family teams.

Chambers UK is one of the leading legal professional guides; its rankings drawing on independent research carried out with clients and professional contacts.

Simon Morris, managing partner at Raworths said:

“This is a fantastic boost for the whole team who work so hard to ensure that we provide the best service for our clients across all practice areas.

“To have our teams recognised is a testament to the range and quality of our services and our genuinely integrated commercial and private client expertise, enabling our teams to work together on complex issues across our clients’ personal and business affairs.

“It’s fantastic that these rankings draw directly on client feedback – as cultivating trusted, longstanding relationships with our clients is at the very heart of our business.”

Organisers of this year’s Harrogate Christmas Fayre have said they won’t erect any seasonal attractions until wartime remembrance activities have concluded.

The decision to put up a helter-skelter next to the war memorial two days after Remembrance Sunday divided opinion last year.

Some claimed it was disrespectful to locate it so close to the memorial, so close to Remembrance Sunday; others said the war dead fought for freedom and would have liked the idea of children playing on the rides.

Ivan Nicholson van Ingen, a former soldier of 40 years’ service, contacted the Stray Ferret to seek clarification on this year’s arrangements.

Mr Nicholson van Ingen said many veterans were upset last year at seeing the helter-skelter alongside the memorial and urged the fayre organisers not to install it before Remembrance Sunday, which is on November 13.

A spokeswoman for Destination Harrogate, a tourism division of Harrogate Borough Council, which is one of the Christmas fayre organisers, confirmed this would not happen. She said:

“We would like to assure Mr Nicholson van Ingen and your readers that, as with last year, Harrogate Borough Council has been in contact with the Royal British Legion to advise of plans for the town centre festive attractions prior to any final decisions being taken.

“We can also confirm that as with last year, no festive installations will be put in place this year or in future years before remembrance activities have taken place.”

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The spokeswoman said the helter-skelter was put up on November 15 last year, increased footfall and and “provided a fun, safe, family-friendly experience that was particularly welcomed following the challenges of the pandemic”. She added:

“Our Christmas attractions will be in situ and open to the public between December 2 and January 8 and we look forward to a great opportunity for our residents and visitors to enjoy the festivities in Harrogate.”