James Knuckey

This piece looked great in the paper earlier this week! 📰

@express.co.uk

Afghan scandal intensifies as civil servants 'didn't know' who worked for UK' EXCLUSIVE: A former minister said there was no "definitive list" of the Afghans eligible for relocation to the UK, adding she had concerns.

Former defence minister Sarah Atherton said when she was in the MoD, she was shocked that defence officials were unaware of who had exactly worked for the UK and was eligible to come to Britain under the ARAP scheme.

www.express.co.uk/news/politic...

Britain's hero WW2 secret agents who fought in 'forgotten war' remembered EXCLUSIVE: The Express attended the landmark gathering which comes weeks before the UK prepares to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War.

Relatives from all SOE operations in Burma have formally gathered for the very first time, weeks before VJ Day 80.

They want to ensure the remarkable contribution of the SOE heroes in the ‘Forgotten War’ is always remembered.

My piece for the @express.co.uk 👇

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2080...

UK Army in key rule change as efforts continue to get more recruits to join The Army's move will enable more people to sign up, at a time when the UK military is experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis.

NEW: The Army has relaxed its rules around tattoos.

Applicants with tattoos on the front and sides of the neck will now be able to progress through the recruiting pipeline.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2080...

Shortages causing UK's elite £88m jets struggling to perform all tasks Delays, lower-than-expected availability, infrastructure gaps and personnel shortages are undermining the jet's warfighting capability, a report has warned.

Britain is failing to get the most out of its F-35B amid availability issues largely caused by shortages, a new report has warned.

The NAO found in 2024, the fleet was only able to perform all its required missions at a rate of about 1/3 the MoD target.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2080...

Tourists fume as they miss flight after 'total mess' at major UK airport EXCLUSIVE: One unlucky traveller described issues at the bag drop as a "mess", adding people were "pushing and shoving" in the hope of getting their bags on their flight.

Some holidaymakers endured a nightmare start to their time away this morning.

An issue at Luton Airport's bag drop — which has now been resolved — saw some travellers miss their flights.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2078...

UK sends team to finally repair stranded jet after snag prompts India mockery The stuck jet has caused a stir on social media and was even mocked by the local tourist board to promote the region.

A team of 14 British aircraft engineers have arrived in India to repair the stranded UK F-35B that has been stuck at an airport in the south of the country for more than three weeks. 🇬🇧 🇮🇳

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...

'Starmer's barred' - Fury in seaside town where hotels are struggling to survive EXCLUSIVE: Hotel owners in a popular coastal resort have shared how trade has fallen, with one claiming Sir Keir Starmer is 'killing us all off'.

My second story from Skegness where local hotel owners have been sharing their recent struggles and anger with the Labour government.

A sign in the window of one hotel reads: “Keir Starmer is barred.”

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2074...

UK's new military housing to go green as part of ‘once in a generation’ upgrade EXCLUSIVE: A minister has revealed new details of Labour's plans to rejuvenate military homes to help resolve the retention crisis that has engulfed the forces.

Exclusive: New build military homes are expected to be self-sufficient which will mean "really low energy costs" for troops and their families.

The Government's Defence Housing Strategy is set to be published after Parliament's summer recess.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2071...

Heartbreak in famous UK seaside town as theme park closes 2 days a week EXCLUSIVE: The theme park has been hit by surging labour and energy costs, plus reduced spending by customers who are 'fearful' of potential tax increases.

My report from my visit to Fantasy Island where the theme park shared the impact of Rachel Reeves’ NI hike and soaring energy prices.

Reform UK’s Richard Tice warned the Chancellor’s policies could lead to a “terrifying double whammy to the national accounts”.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2071...

Israel's Iran strike is 'most dangerous yet' – why that's humiliating for Trump EXCLUSIVE: Israel claimed to have struck more than 100 targets across Iran after launching a series of strikes in the early hours of Friday morning.

Expert says the latest flare-up between Israel and Iran is “much more dangerous” than previous escalations, warning a larger conflict cannot be ruled out.

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...

Linden Groves from The Gardens Trust told @express.co.uk: “It would be the equivalent of someone clearing out all of Shakespeare’s manuscripts and burning them because they were taking up space.”

UK's historic gardens and parks 'under threat' from 'shameful' Labour proposals EXCLUSIVE: Campaigners warn that proposed changes by Labour, ostensibly to make new developments easier to approve, threaten the future of cherished green sites.

EXCLUSIVE: Campaigners warn that proposed changes by Labour — ostensibly to make new developments easier to approve — threaten the future of cherished green sites.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2056...

A new Frankenstein weapon built by Britain has played a critical role in defending Ukraine from Russian drones and cruise missiles.

I was one of a handful of reporters to get up close with the Raven air defence system as it was formally unveiled.

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...

🚨 Former Army chief says Labour's defence spending plans aren't enough

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2... @jamesaknuckey.bsky.social

Fury as Labour admits French steel having to be used for UK's new submarines EXCLUSIVE: The Conservatives say backing the British defence industry must be a "top priority" for Labour.

Excl: The Conservatives say backing the British defence industry must be a "top priority" for Labour after a minister revealed how reliant the Navy is on steel from abroad.

www.express.co.uk/news/politic...

“We have to remember the lessons of history.”

My interview with former Army chief Lord Dannatt in page two of today’s @express.co.uk.

Full story 👉 www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2044...

NATO ally unveils huge £457m naval boost as fears rise over Russian threat A key focus of the investment is strengthened surveillance of critical underwater infrastructure following a series of incidents in the Baltic Sea.

Denmark stepping up on defence

The NATO ally has announced a £457m investment to upgrade its naval forces - dozens of vessels and drones are expected.

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...

Forgot to post earlier… but in today’s @express.co.uk! 📰

The family of Paddy Mayne call for justice for the SAS hero after the Government confirmed it would review the case of awarding him a posthumous Victoria Cross. 🎖️

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2040...

Submariners to get sport pyschology techniques as part of £1m plans EXCLUSIVE: Almost £1 million is expected to be invested in enhancing submariners' resilience amid concerns over the impact of record-breaking deployments.

EXCL: The Royal Navy's Submarine Service is planning to mirror psychology techniques taught to top-level athletes amid concerns over the impact of record-breaking deployments beneath the waves.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2035...

'I visited UK town getting gigantic new theme park - 1 thing surprised me' Express reporter James Knuckey explored the site and surrounding area that'll be home to a new Universal theme park.

I visited the site of the future Universal theme park in Bedfordshire which is going to be absolutely huge.

I chatted to plenty of locals to find out what they thought about the attraction.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2039...

Bombshell World War 2 document could see SAS hero finally awarded VC EXCLUSIVE: New documents shared with the Daily Express shed new insight into why Paddy Mayne's VC was denied as MPs prepare to debate the subject next week.

A posthumous VC for SAS hero Paddy Mayne is being debated in Parliament today.

My story from the weekend on the new evidence suggesting why Mayne controversially missed out on the award in 1945.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2036...

NATO faces 'existential crisis' as Donald Trump to poised to pull US support A former US ambassador sent a strong warning about the issues facing NATO and told the Express that it was "very possible" that Donald Trump could quit the alliance.

My interview with @ivodaalder.bsky.social on the current issues facing NATO, including how allied faith in the US has been “shattered”.

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...

NATO ally Denmark producing hundreds of sea mines over looming Russia threat The UK currently doesn't have a sea mine capability but Denmark is set to produce hundreds of the mines in the coming years as it ramps up its defences.

Denmark has ordered hundreds of sea mines to protect its waters amid increasing concerns over the threat posed by Russia.

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...

Hi Ivo, this is really interesting! Would you be interested in speaking to me for @express.co.uk? James

Former Team GB cyclist shares hardest part of epic 2,600-mile challenge EXCLUSIVE: The former pro cyclist talks the Express through the highs and lows of the gruelling journey to raise vital funds for charity.

Congratulations to former Team GB cyclist Annasley Park who’s just completed an incredible solo row across the Atlantic 🌊

I caught up with Annasley after she received a hero’s welcome at the finish line in Barbados 🇧🇧 @express.co.uk

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2034...

Defence Secretary reveals if US is stepping away from NATO John Healey said the UK and the US "stand for the same thing" and "fight for the same thing".

Defence Secretary John Healey says “America is not stepping away” from NATO.

My story here 👇

www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...

Thousands of new homes are to be built on surplus MoD land as part of new plans unveiled by the Government.

Some of the homes are expected to be for troops, their families and veterans.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2032...

Labour accused of failing to address security concerns after 269 MoD phones lost Exclusive: The Shadow Defence Secretary says the response has not been good enough and "ministers need to show they are gripping this matter".

Exclusive: The Conservatives have accused the Government of failing to address security concerns after more than 260 Ministry of Defence phones were recorded as lost in just two months.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2029...

Reeves' inheritance tax raid puts family firms on the brink in £14bn industry EXCLUSIVE: Family-run construction plant hire firms are warning they, like farmers, will be badly affected by the Government's inheritance tax raid.

Exclusive: Britain’s biggest family-run construction plant hire company is warning it could be one of many in the industry forced to sell or shut down due to the Government’s inheritance tax raid.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2027...