Murder investigation spreads to Spain
Plus: Devolution fightback and Eden Project moves forward
Hello and welcome to today’s edition of The Lancashire Lead. It is now the 57th issue of this newsletter and I’d like to take a moment to thank all of the recent and longer standing subscribers for your support since the launch.
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We’ve previously dived deep into the causes of the far right rise in Burnley, scrutinised our political representatives and last weekend explored an unseen element of the demand for answers over the search for Nicola Bulley. There’s lots more to come.
For today’s issue, we start in Spain where a Lancashire murder investigation has extended into mainland Europe. It comes in response to the killing of Matthew Daulby in Ormskirk in July 2023, when the 19-year-old was stabbed in Ormskirk town centre and later died in hospital.
So far, another 19-year-old - Henry Houghton - has been convicted of his murder and handed a life sentence. The killing happened as part of a larger fight between two groups of young men and while others are facing criminal trials over alleged offences such as affray, another man sought in connection with the actual murder remains at large.
Thomas Dures, now 21, is wanted by Lancashire Constabulary and a £20,000 reward is already available for information leading simply to his arrest. Detectives say he has links to Spain and could be anywhere in the country, with the plea for help finding now extended to holiday makers and residents.
Sharing the new request for help, DCI Andy Fallows said Matthew’s family remain stuck waiting for justice and that officers in the UK and as well as colleagues from the National Crime Agency and Interpol are continuing to search for Dures.
As ever in a tragic case such as this, while the focus is understandably on the man on the run, there’s a devastated family at the heart of things. Having already lost their son in such a devastating matter, they remain waiting for answers and justice. In a statement issued through the force, Matthew's parents Angela and Gary said:
“Matthew was tragically taken from us on 29th July – the victim of a knife crime. To lose Matthew in these circumstances is incomprehensible and something that we just can’t fathom and work out.
“We as ourselves every day; ‘why?’. Why did this happen? Matthew left the house after a normal Friday night evening meal with his girlfriend - excited to go on his holiday – and didn’t come home. And we still don’t know why.
“We really need the public’s help to find Thomas Dures. Someone out there will know where he is. We’re just stuck in limbo as a family. We urge someone out there please, please help our family to locate Thomas Dures. We can then try to adapt to our new life without Matthew.”
The Blackpool Lead will land in inboxes tomorrow - make sure you’re signed up below to receive it first. Also published on the site so far this week are plans to create a rooftop lounge with views of Blackpool Tower a boost to hopes of restoring commercial passenger flights to Blackpool Airport; reports a dog was 'punched and slapped' in a street, and a guide to the major developments changing the face of the town.
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It was only last week we discussed the uncertainty that suddenly surrounded Eden Project Morecambe’s funding when the deputy Prime Minister refused to directly confirm the new government remains committed to giving the full £50m.
But in that time, another very positive sign has been seen through the release of £2.5m of that funding which will allow crucial design and delivery work to progress. Those involved in the major development remain convinced all will go ahead as planned as it’s becoming a common curiosity of the government’s communications that refusing to directly answer such issues creates seemingly unnecessary doubt.
The uses of this funding includes the appointment of an external team including architects to further develop the design of the site on Morecambe’s central promenade area, in advance of construction work taking place. The results of the tender process for this team will be announced in the coming weeks.
Si Bellamy, the Eden Project’s chief transformation officer, said:
“This project is in delivery and this news is yet another step forward for Eden Project Morecambe. The release of this investment will help to build further momentum in the project and the addition of a world-class external design team will enable us to complete the crucial work needed before we begin construction.”
The Lancaster Guardian’s Gayle Rouncivell was among those present at the latest community meeting to discuss the project and reports of confidence from Mr Bellamy.
Thanks to an historic announcement in September, Lancashire does indeed have a devolution deal. But what it does not have is consensus in supporting that deal. A host of political leaders spoke out against the deal in the weeks and days before it was confirmed by the new government and now every Pendle Council political group has confirmed it opposes.
Robbie McDonald reports from this week’s full council meeting where former Labour councillors-turned-independents, Lib-Dems and Conservatives jointly criticised the current Lancashire combined authority plan, amid fears it will see district councils abolished and creation of a more centralised, remote political system further away from people. He writes:
They believe it would concentrate power among a few elite councillors at Lancashire County Council, Blackpool and Blackburn, with no voting powers for districts like Pendle.
Recently, nearby Ribble Valley Council said it would call for a public referendum if Lancashire district councils, formed 50 years ago in 1974, face the axe under a Westminster devolution deal.
Now, Pendle Council’s criticism follows a recent letter from Jim McMahon MP, the new government minister for English devolution, to three leaders at Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn councils involved in the current proposed agreement.
Mr McMahon wrote about the ‘need to continue the pace towards wider and deeper devolution’ and the forthcoming English Devolution Bill. His department would finalise regulations to provide for a Lancashire combined authority. Future changes would bring local transport controls, compulsory purchase powers to buy land or property for regeneration and a fully-devolved adult education budget.
But he added: “I look forward to continuing to work with you to explore all governance models that reflect Lancashire’s geography, economy and political landscape, working with local councils and others.”
But at Pendle Council, Independent Coun Asjad Mahmood, the council leader , said: “I am disappointed with this although I support the principle of devolution. This is essentially the same deal from the old government which is not ambitious enough. I understand the desire to get a quick deal but that’s not my preferred route. We will work constructively on other ideas.
“I want full and proper involvement of all districts. One member, one vote in a new devolved body. I want improved devolution and projects included an expanded M65, better links to Yorkshire including the reopening of the Colne-Skipton railway link. The best deal for Lancashire’s full potential.”
He recommended Pendle Council send comments back to the government, adding: “I want to see details of devolution options with and without an elected mayor. We can put forward an expression of interest to be at the table to have our voice heard.”
Lib-Dem Coun David Whipp, Pendle’s deputy leader, said: “I share the reservations and disappointment about so-called devolution in this letter. I recommend the council send a response which notes the government letter, regrets the continued concentration of power with upper-tier councils and puts on the record our opposition to an elected mayor and concerns about the implied local government re-organisation.
He added: “We understand there is an expectation to hold mayor elections in May 2026, so they are going to plough ahead. But the letter also says the government will look to explore all options.”
He said North Yorkshire now has just one authority covering ‘a vast area’ from the border of Pendle to Scarborough, Richmond and down to near York. It appeared ‘a bit undemocratic and unworkable’.
He added: “I fear the same for Lancashire. Residents will not benefit from a Blackburn-led authority. A mayor will inevitably not listen or fight our causes. This plan is not democratic nor devolution.”
Lib-Dem Tom Whipp agreed, adding: “We have got to understand devolution with fairness. We can’t have an authority far away dictating what happens here. We already get the tail-ends from Preston.”
☕ Moka Café Bar & Restaurant in Preston has closed down after 20 years (Blog Preston).
📢 An announcement will be made before Christmas about whether a third prison is to be built in a Chorley village (Lancashire Post).
🩺 A doctor who failed to adequately assess a patient’s medical needs and went on a ‘rant’ has been suspended (Blackpool Gazette).
⛔ Van drivers and disabled vehicle users have been left blocked by new barriers designed to stop campervans accessing a Morecambe car park (Lancaster Guardian).
✅ Preston City Council ‘remains committed’ to the regeneration of a rundown area after the collapse of a plans for a major high-rise development (Blog Preston).
☀️ Plans for a new solar farm which could provide 80 per cent of Lancaster City Council's electricity consumption have been approved (Lancaster Guardian).
Thanks for reading today’s 57th edition of The Lancashire Lead. As ever your support is greatly appreciated so please share so others can find the newsletter and subscribe to receive future editions automatically. I’ll be back this Sunday with the next issue.
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