The Essential: An anti-migrant rhetoric led to racist graffiti in south east London suburb, locals and MP say

[The Essential]

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View in browser inews.co.uk View in browser Friday 12 May, 2023 The Essential Lunchtime edition by Aaliyah Harris Anti-migrant rhetoric led to racist graffiti in south-east London suburb, locals and MP say Welcome to Friday's The Essential from i.   Anti-migrant rhetoric by politicians over small boat crossings has led to racist graffiti appearing in the suburb where Stephen Lawrence was murdered, the local MP and residents have told i. Six weeks ago residents in Eltham discovered garden fences and street furniture in the south-east London suburb had been daubed with racist slurs and far-right symbols. It was the start of a new spate of hate-inspired vandalism which has periodically plagued the area for three years.    Meanwhile, rail passengers face major travel disruption for the next couple of days as train drivers go on strike in long-running disputes over pay. Members of drivers’ union Aslef are walking out today, while the RMT union will strike on Saturday. The action impacts more than a dozen train operators, crippling services across the country, hitting commuters and those hoping to travel to Liverpool for the Eurovision Song Contest.   Also today, Rishi Sunak is “disappointed” in the European broadcasting union’s decision to block Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, from addressing Eurovision, Downing Street has said. Mr Zelensky had wanted to make an unannounced video appearance at Saturday’s final of the singing contest. He had been expected to implore the global audience of millions to continue backing his country in its fight to resist Russia’s invasion.   One person told i: "Ukraine has planned this with us from bunkers," as we take a look behind the scenes at Eurovision 2023.   Elsewhere, in this week’s Couples Therapy dilemma, relationship expert Jan Day advises on how to re-build communication in a foundering partnership.   Vernon Kay says Ken Bruce fans gave him "the best trolling he’s had" ahead of his Radio 2 start.   Over on the Opinion desk, Vik Fielder shares: "How being forcibly adopted by a white family in the 70s almost destroyed my sense of self."   In the rugby world, i's Hugh Godwin writes how "electric" Ollie Lawrence rose from ashes of Worcester’s demise to win Player of the Year.   And here's our guide on New Brighton, the beach town by Liverpool with the UK’s longest promenade, street art and independent spirit.     Top four stories   1. The lawyer that represented a royal superfan mistakenly arrested at the King’s coronation because she happened to be standing next to protesters has hit out at the Met Police for not taking responsibility for the mistake.    2. Energy firms and their debt agents are still being handed the right to force entry into homes and businesses without Ministry of Justice officials keeping a record of why the warrants are being granted. i's investigations correspondent, Dean Kirby, has the exclusive.    3. The chief executive of Royal Mail, Simon Thompson, is to step down from his role, it has been announced. Mr Thompson, who has been chief executive of Royal Mail since 2021, said he believed it was “the right time for the company to move forward under new leadership” after an agreement was struck between the company and union leaders last month.   4. Hundreds more specialist nurses are needed to cope with the rise in number of people looking for help and support with dementia, the head of a leading charity has warned. One in three people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime (Photo: Ute Grabowsky/Getty Images)   Today's Big Reads   As Imran Khan defies Pakistan’s military, the economy crumbles and people continue to flee the country. Pakistan has a history of military takeovers, political upheaval and social unrest. Imran Khan is the seventh prime minister to be arrested since 1977.   ‘There was no support after my mum was diagnosed with dementia – we were left on our own’. Penny Bell’s mum was diagnosed with mixed dementia in 2016, but it was a long time before she found the help she and her family needed.   Inside another nightmare week for the Met Police, with the leadership in turmoil and officers wanting to quit. One insider told i that the general feeling among the rank and file was that the force’s leadership was "disjointed". Met officers with links to organised crime groups, sex offenders and a history of domestic violence allegations were cleared by vetting procedures in recent months, according to a new review (Photo: Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images)   Around the newsroom   World: Machines in Flames: Documentary proves mystery of French IT workers who bombed tech firms – then vanished. "We don’t want to be locked in the ghetto of programs and organisational platforms," said  the Committee for Liquidation or Subversion of Computers in a statement after burning a Philips Data Systems office.    Culture: From General Franco buying votes to the Carnation Revolution: Surprising ways Eurovision has shaped history. Ahead of Saturday’s final, let us delve into the fascinating political history of this most technicolour of televisual spectaculars.   Money: How I Manage My Money – Opake: Public-school graffiti artist who owed a crack dealer £30k before fame hit. "Do you have a pension? No. I’m an artist! What the f*** are you talking about?"    Sport: Chris Kirkland on his painkiller addiction: "My wife gives me random drug tests now." Former Liverpool goalkeeper opens up on going cold turkey, his week of vomiting and why he can no longer speak to the postman after a year of being clean from a debilitating addiction to prescription drugs.   Thought of the day: Let’s start calling support for the monarchy what it is: a political statement. In a rational society, it is the belief in hereditary monarchy that should be controversial, writes Kate Maltby. The Prince of Wales, King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the Royal Box viewing the Coronation Concert (Photo: Reuters)   Quick escapes   25 secret beaches in Greece the locals don’t want you to know about, from Crete to Halkidiki. In the first of a four-part series, Wild Guide Greece author Sam Firman shares his favourite hidden spots. Giali Beach in Corfu is among the island and mainland options (Photo: Nick Hooton/Wild Guide) That's it. You're up to date  Follow i on Twitter and Instagram. If you have been forwarded this email by a friend, hello! - and please do sign up for yourself here. More newsletters Read more stories Get the i app This email has been sent to divineje...@googlegroups.com, you have received it as you are opted in to newsletters from inews, published by Associated Newspapers Ltd. 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