The local Green Party has been plunged into turmoil after a prominent councillor and former mayoral candidate appeared in court charged with assaulting five people, including three police officers. Meanwhile, Birmingham's Labour leader has sparked intrigue by engaging with a social media post from a rival party that questioned the funding of a local mango festival, and the city welcomes Europe's top athletes for a historic athletics championship.
Green Councillor Charged with Assault
Siobhan Harper-Nunes, a Green Party councillor for Ladywood and former West Midlands mayoral candidate, has been charged with assaulting five individuals, three of whom are police officers. The charges stem from an incident on Thursday at around 5pm in Edgbaston, near the junction of Monument Road and Hagley Road, where police were called to reports of disorder.
The 66-year-old was arrested at the scene and has since been suspended from the Green Party pending an investigation. She is scheduled to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 10 September for a plea hearing. Harper-Nunes has been actively posting her version of events on social media, though the Dispatch cannot share these posts for legal reasons.
Harper-Nunes is a well-known figure in Birmingham's business and political circles. In addition to her 2024 mayoral run, she founded Shakti Women, a women's empowerment agency for businesswomen, and serves as vice chair of the Birmingham Race Impact Group. The case has sent shockwaves through the local political scene, with many awaiting further details.
Labour Leader's Mango Mela Like Raises Eyebrows
Amid a national press furore, Mango Mela, a street party dedicated to the mango, took place today on Soho Road in Handsworth. The event, organised by the Spirit of Pakistan Festival, aims to celebrate food, culture, and community. However, the organisers have faced scrutiny from right-wing media and political groups in recent weeks.
The Daily Express reported that the Spirit of Pakistan Festival received £30,000 from Birmingham City Council this year, though it is unclear how much, if any, was spent on Mango Mela, which is primarily run by local businesses. Birmingham Reform, a local party, shared the story on Facebook, with group leader Jex Parkin questioning whether such funding is "really the right priority" for a cash-strapped council.
Interestingly, among the 203 people who liked the post was Birmingham Labour leader Nicky Brennan, using her personal account. This is surprising given that Brennan attended Spirit of Pakistan's opening event last month, where she praised the festival for "continuing the incredible legacy of [the late Labour councillor and festival founder] Waseem Zaffar." The Dispatch has reached out to Brennan for comment but has not yet received a response.
European Athletics Championships Kick Off in Birmingham
The European Athletics Championships began in Birmingham today, marking the first time the competition has been held in Great Britain. Over 1,500 athletes from 49 nations will compete for 50 gold medals throughout the week, with hopes that the event will reignite the positive atmosphere of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner praised the Alexander Stadium, which was built for the Commonwealth Games, describing it as "one of the best tracks in Europe." He said, "To do it for the first time and to do it in Birmingham is brilliant. It's great for our athletes, it's great for the city." The championships are expected to draw significant crowds and boost the local economy.
Quick Hits: Missing Person Appeal, Airport Chaos, and Volunteer Efforts
West Midlands Police have launched a fresh appeal to find Sarjit Kaur Mann, a Birmingham-born woman who went missing on a family holiday in France nearly 50 years ago. The case remains open, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Passengers travelling from Birmingham Airport over the weekend faced significant delays with luggage, with one traveller describing the situation as "absolute chaos." The airport has yet to issue a full statement, but affected passengers are advised to contact their airlines.
A group of young volunteers from Birmingham travelled to a remote village in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, to help set up a rescue centre after a glacial lake outburst flood devastated the community. Their efforts highlight the city's strong community spirit and international connections.
Media Picks and Weekend Activities
In the media, food journalist Jimi Famurewa visited Maneki Ramen in the Jewellery Quarter as part of his quest to find the UK's best ramen. He praised the Sichuan duck noodles for having "complexity, brightness, and zing." The episode is available on The Guardian's 'Feed with Jimi Famurewa' series.
The Times' Sanchez Manning visited HMP Birmingham to explore how gardening has become a lifeline for inmates, comparing the prison's flowerbeds to displays at Kew Gardens. The article is available behind a paywall.
For those looking for things to do, the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery is hosting an exhibition celebrating the journeys and contributions of Caribbean people who arrived in Britain in the 1950s and 60s, running daily until 15 August. Mango Mela took place this afternoon outside Handsworth Library, offering mango lassis, chaat, curries, and desserts. On Saturday, St Paul's Summer Fete and Birmingham Artisan Market will be held in St Paul's Square from 12-5pm, featuring graphology readings and agility courses for dogs.
