- Starmer urged to expel Iran’s ambassador immediately over RAF base threat
- Greece issues red weather warning as dust storm disrupts flights in Crete
- Trump’s Latest Efforts Fail to Alleviate Market Uncertainty
- Hungary uses EU veto to block Ukraine aid and sanctions, raising concerns
- Iran Threatens ‘Crushing’ Response to US Policy Changes Amid Tensions
- Barber visited by police after placing fake parking tickets on cars | News UK
- St Helena reveals world’s oldest tortoise, Jonathan, is alive at 193
- Luxembourg earns highest average hourly wage in Europe at €49.7
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Starmer urged to expel Iran’s ambassador immediately over RAF base threat
Get you up to speed: Starmer urged to expel Iran’s ambassador immediately over RAF base threat
MPs are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to expel Iranian Ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi after he threatened UK military bases amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Keir Starmer faces intensified pressure from MPs, including Bob Blackman and Luke Akehurst, to expel Iranian ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi following threats to British military sites.
MPs including Bob Blackman and Luke Akehurst are pressing Keir Starmer to expel Iranian ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi over recent threats to UK military sites.
What we know so far
Calls for the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, intensified after he threatened potential strikes on British military bases. Senior MPs from various parties are urging Keir Starmer to take immediate action following Mousavi’s comments regarding Iran’s possible targeting of UK sites linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Cameron Khansarinia, chief of staff to exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi, has demanded that the Prime Minister remove Mousavi and proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. He described the Iranian regime as a “direct threat” to British national security, emphasising the seriousness of Mousavi’s remarks.
The situation follows similar actions taken by other nations; for instance, Lebanon expelled its Iranian top diplomat amid escalating tensions, and Australia previously removed its ambassador over related issues. Critics, including Conservative MPs like Bob Blackman and Greg Stafford, argue that the UK’s response is inadequate, asserting that Mousavi’s position in London should be untenable due to his threats against British interests.
Starmer’s government has faced mounting pressure to reassess its diplomatic stance towards Iran, particularly as the IRGC remains unproscribed in the UK despite international designations. Both Blackman and Stafford have insisted that any dialogue with Iran must shift following these recent threats, urging a firm response from Downing Street.
The Foreign Office has previously summoned Mousavi for discussions, but no decisive action has been taken to date. As tensions rise, the possibility of expulsion remains a pressing issue for the UK government.
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‘Hesitant’ Keir Starmer told to expel Iran’s ambassador ‘at once’ after RAF base threat | News UK
Prince Reza Palavi’s closest aide and senior MPs have called on Keir Starmer to expel the Iranian ambassador in London after he threatened to attack British bases.
MPs from across the political divide told WTX that Seyed Ali Mousavi should be kicked out of the UK after he signalled Iran could target UK military sites linked to the war in the Middle East.
Cameron Khansarinia, who is the chief of staff to the exiled prince of Iran, demanded the prime minister expel Tehran’s representative ‘at once’ and proscribe the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group.
Lebanon’s government has already expelled their Iranian top diplomat since the outbreak of the war, while Australia kicked out its ambassador last summer over antisemitic attacks linked to Iran.
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Keir Starmer has not taken the same action, despite condemning Iran’s outrageous strikes across the Gulf, including against RAF bases.
The final straw for critics of the Regime came this week when Mousavi said Tehran is considering strikes on British military sites because US bases are using them in the Middle East.
In response, Mr Khansarinia said: ‘The Islamic Regime is a direct threat to Britain’s national security… Its Ambassador has even threatened to attack UK military bases.’
The top aide to Iran’s leading opposition figure, Reza Pahlavi, continued: ‘Its terrorist ambassador should not have the pleasure of serving at the Court of St. James and should be expelled at once.’
These calls were echoed by Bob Blackman MP, the chair of the influential 1922 committee of Tory MPs, and high-profile Iran hawk.
The Harrow East MP WTX: ‘An ambassador who stands in London and tells us that British bases and British lives are legitimate targets has no place in this country.
‘He should be expelled immediately. The Iranian embassy should be shut down, every IRGC agent and intelligence operative on British soil shown the door, and the IRGC proscribed as a terrorist organisation without further delay.’
The UK has expelled the Iranian ambassador before.
The Coalition government kicked out all of Iran’s diplomats after the storming of the British embassy in Tehran in 2011, before the Islamic Republic returned to London in 2015.
Labour MP Luke Akehurst piled more pressure on the Prime Minister to do the same again with Mousavi, questioning Sir Keir’s response to Iran’s ongoing strikes in the Middle East.
The North Durham MP told WTX: ‘It doesn’t make sense that we have normal diplomatic relations with Iran, a state that is attacking our allies in the Gulf, blockading our oil supply in the strait of Hormuz, sponsoring terrorism, and slaughtering tens of thousands of democracy protesters.
‘I would favour expelling their Ambassador and withdrawing our own diplomats from Iran.’
The Foreign Office has twice summoned Iran’s ambassador in London for a dressing down since the start of the conflict in the Middle East.
However Conservative MP Greg Stafford said the situation with Iran had ‘now moved beyond half-measures’.
The Farnham and Bordon MP told WTX: ‘Recent remarks by Iran’s Ambassador are utterly unacceptable. Any suggestion that the United Kingdom could be targeted, in any form, amounts to a direct threat and must be treated as such.
‘Yet the Labour Government’s response has been hesitant and wholly inadequate…The Iranian Ambassador should be expelled without delay.’
Sir Keir once again faced calls to clamp down on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) over claims the group is involved in spreading violence in the UK.
The Prime Minister has so far refused to proscribe the IRGC, which would make it illegal to support the group in the UK, despite the fact the European Union, the US and Canada have done so.
Mr Khansarinia said: ‘The Islamic Regime has a network of operatives and terror cells across the UK, threatening the lives of UK citizens.
He went on: ‘it is an abdication of moral responsibility and a shame that the Prime Minister has not sanctioned the IRGC.’
Former Tory party leader Iain Duncan Smith, who also served as Shadow Defence Secretary, said: ‘The IRGC spreads terror, threatens British citizens, targets Iranian dissidents and fuels antisemitism and extremism, including here in the UK.
He continued: ‘If the Government were finally to proscribe the IRGC, it would fundamentally change our diplomatic relationship with the Iranian regime and would inevitably require the Iranian Ambassador to return home.
‘Labour should stop hiding behind process, proscribe the IRGC and take the steps necessary to protect British citizens.’
Both Bob Blackman and Greg Stafford called on the government to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group.
Downing Street has always emphasised the sanctions they have placed against the IRGC, using asset freezes, travel bans and director bans.
This has included more than 500 Iranian individuals and entities connected with the Regime.
In July 2025, the UK joined 13 other countries in condemning Iranian intelligence activities
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Greece issues red weather warning as dust storm disrupts flights in Crete
Get you up to speed: Greece issues red weather warning as dust storm disrupts flights in Crete
Skies over the Greek island of Crete have turned blood red due to a cloud of dust from the Sahara, causing flights to be diverted including a British Airways service rerouted to Corfu. The Greek national meteorological service has placed a red warning over the island for heavy rain and violent thunderstorms as Storm Erminio hits.
The Greek national meteorological service has placed a red warning over Crete for heavy rain and violent thunderstorms as Storm Erminio approaches, stating that flooding from the rain poses a “significant risk to life and evacuations are possible.” According to weather experts, the dust phenomenon known as ‘calima’ has resulted in extremely high levels of dust, exceeding 1,000 micrograms per cubic metre of air.
Amber warnings will remain in place on Crete and several eastern islands tomorrow, while yellow warnings continue to affect much of the mainland. The phenomenon known as ‘calima’ is anticipated to last for a day or two.
Man dies in Athens and skies turn blood red over Crete in Sahara dust storm | News World

The skies appeared almost apocalyptic over Crete (Picture: EPA)
Skies over the Greek island of Crete have turned blood red and flights arebeing diverted as a cloud of dust from the Sahara drifts over the region.
Planes have been grounded at the island’s main airport in Heraklion, while a British Airways service from London was rerouted to Corfu.
Another flight from Brussels was diverted to Athens after the thick dustreduced visibility to around 1,000 metres – a point at which it is considered unsafe to land.
Weather experts warned the phenomenon – known as a ‘calima’ – had led to extremely high levels of dust with more than 1,000 micrograms per cubic metre of air.
The Greek national meterological service placed a red warning over the island for heavy rain and violent thunderstorms as Storm Erminio hits.
Flooding from the rain will pose a ‘significant risk to life and evacuations are possible’, HNMS said, while the storms will also result in ‘danger to life from lightning, hail, flooding and storm damage’.
The entire Greek mainland and many islands have also been given yellow and orange warnings for rain and storms, with only the Dodecanese islands off the coast of Turkey avoiding the worst of the weather.

A man takes a picture of the bizarre scene in Heraklion (Picture: EPA)
A man was found dead under a car early this morning in the Nea Makri close to Athens, the local fire department said.

The dust placed a filter-like tint over the island (Picture: Eleftherios Elis/AFP via Getty Images)
Trees have been uprooted, a wall at a ceramics factory has collapsed and greenhouses have been damaged in gale-force winds.
Some schools have also been closed amid the storm.

Some locals were brave enough to venture into the dense cloud (Picture: EPA)

The ‘calima’ is expected to only last a day or two (Picture: Eleftherios Elis / AFP via Getty Images)
A tornado reportedly flipped a truck that was preparing to be loaded with agricultural exports in Pachia Ammos in the north of Crete.
In Chania, on the north-west coast, a light rain mixed with the dust to land as mud on houses, cars and streets.
Amber warnings will remain in place on Crete and a number of eastern islands tomorrow, while yellow warnings continue to cover much of the mainland.
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Trump’s Latest Efforts Fail to Alleviate Market Uncertainty
Trump‘s Latest Efforts Fail to Alleviate Market Uncertainty
Oil prices surge
Trump’s remarks about U.S. troop withdrawal and threats against Iran caused Brent crude oil prices to rise over 7%, reaching $107.50 per barrel.
UK wholesale gas prices surged over 6% following Trump’s address, reflecting renewed fears of energy supply disruptions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Food inflation in the UK is expected to reach at least 9% by the end of the year, according to the Food and Drink Federation.
Briefing summary
Donald Trump’s recent primetime address intensified concerns among investors, as he announced a potential U.S. military strike on Iranian electric plants, resulting in a spike in oil prices by over 7%.
The UK wholesale gas price rose by more than 6% following Trump’s comments, while Asian stock markets saw significant declines, with Korea’s Kospi and Japan’s Nikkei indices dropping over 4.5% and 2.3% respectively.
Full reading: Clear market uncertainty despite latest Trump attempt to soothe concerns | Money News
The latest attempt by Donald Trump to ease uncertainty over the US and Israel’s war on Iran has only heightened investor concerns.
The US president’s primetime address, saying American forces could leave Iran in two to three weeks, while threatening to strike Iranian electric plants “extremely hard”, has caused the fallen oil price to jump again.
Money blog: Top chef shares most underrated ingredient
A barrel of benchmark Brent crude oil is now up more than 7% at $107.50 since his comments, having fallen below $100 yesterday. Oil prices impact the cost of petrol and diesel, home heating oil and prices throughout the economy.
It was a similar story with the UK wholesale gas price, which rose more than 6% following Mr Trump’s statements. British electricity prices are still tethered to wholesale gas costs.
Asian stock markets were also in the red, with Korea’s Kospi and Japan’s Nikkei indices posting big falls of more than 4.5% and 2.3%, respectively.
Oil prices rise after Trump speech
The crux of the worry is of a 1970s-era energy crisis due to the month-long disruption to shipping in the key oil and gas shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.
More than a fifth of the world’s oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) is typically transported through the channel but for the last month, it’s been too dangerous and expensive for most tankers to pass.
Iran has attacked many ships making the journey and insurance companies have hiked premiums.
That’s meant shipments not getting through from major petrostates of the Gulf, oil and gas storage filling up and energy producers powering down.
Oil and gas production is not easily switched on and off, meaning resuming supply will not be a speedy process.
Impact in the UK
As the dollar rose amid continued uncertainty, sterling fell. Before Mr Trump’s announcement, a pound bought $1.33, which dropped to $1.32 this morning. A pound now buys slightly over €1.15, down from €1.16 on Wednesday afternoon.
That means buying dollar-priced goods, such as oil, becomes even more expensive than yesterday.
And after strong rises on Wednesday, the UK’s flagship stock index, the FTSE 100 of the most valuable London Stock Exchange companies, shed 0.6%.
Home heating oil prices have remained at more than double pre-Iran war levels, while motoring organisation the RAC said UK petrol and diesel prices in March jumped more than in any previous single month.
Even if the war were to end in a few weeks the membership body for food and drink manufacturers, the Food and Drink Federation, said estimates food inflation will rise to at least 9% by the end of the year.
Latest effort to calm markets
The overnight address by Mr Trump was just the latest in a line of attempts to assuage fears of investors and his voters over the duration and cost of living impact of the war.
In the first week of the war, he said the US Navy could escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s Iran address: Clarity or confusion? Watch Mark Stone’s analysis
After this did not materialise, the Trump administration lifted sanctions on Russian oil so Indian refineries could begin processing the fossil fuel.
Persistently higher oil prices were not lowered by Mr Trump’s repeated statements that many of his objectives had been attained and the war would conclude soon.
His suggestion that US troops could seize the major Iranian outlet for oil exports, Kharg Island, also did not move the needle on oil.
Hungary uses EU veto to block Ukraine aid and sanctions, raising concerns
Hungary uses EU veto to block Ukraine aid and sanctions, raising concerns
Hungary has employed its veto power within the EU to block or delay aid to Ukraine and EU sanctions on Russia since 2022.
With 27 EU members, Hungary’s repeated vetoes exemplify a heightened risk of political deadlock, challenging the bloc’s ability to act decisively under geopolitical pressure.
“Vetoes are used as political leverage for unrelated goals,” said Thu Nguyen, acting co-director of the Jacques Delors Centre, highlighting a significant shift in their application.
Key developments
The EU has faced repeated deadlocks in decision-making due to Hungary’s use of its veto power, impacting aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia since 2022. This trend reflects a strategic shift in veto usage, according to experts.
Hungary’s recent veto of a previously agreed €90 billion Ukraine loan package marks a significant escalation, as it defied prior commitments not to block such decisions. This development indicates a worrying evolution of political leverage within the EU.
Passerelles, Article 7, coffee breaks: How the EU works around the veto

Under the EU’s unanimity rule, one member state can halt decisions on foreign policy, sanctions, taxation, and enlargement. With 27 members at the table, there is significant potential for deadlock, and in recent years, it has moved from a theoretical risk to a political reality.
Hungary has used the veto, or threatened to, to block or delay Ukraine aid, EU sanctions on Russia, and budget decisions repeatedly since 2022. Experts note a shift in how the veto is used.
“Vetoes are used as political leverage for unrelated goals,” says Thu Nguyen, acting co-director of the Jacques Delors Centre. “Sometimes to unlock EU funds or appeal to domestic voters.”
EU institutions are exhausting every procedural option as the deadlock drags on. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas made clear on March 19 that the bloc has mechanisms to break it, but only decisive leadership will deliver results.
The debate is no longer just about Hungary. It is about whether the EU’s decision-making architecture is fit for purpose amid geopolitical pressure.
A new form of escalation
Nguyen points to the €90 billion Ukraine loan package, agreed in December 2025 with an opt-out for Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, as a watershed moment. Hungary subsequently moved to veto the enhanced cooperation arrangement it had already agreed not to block.
“This is, I think, the first time where a member state is vetoing a decision after there had been agreement to, in fact, not veto the decision,” she says. “That veto that comes after having agreed not to veto it is also a new form of use that we have not seen before.”
Dr Patrick Müller, Professor for European Studies at the University of Vienna and the Vienna School for International Studies, describes the broader dynamic as deliberate and strategic. “One could just call it blackmail or hard bargaining,” he says. “But the way Hungary goes about it is that it tries to veil this link, so it’s not easy to detect because it’s not explicit.”
There are four main tools the EU can use to work around a veto. None of them is clean. All of them carry trade-offs.
Passerelle clauses: the switch nobody flips
Activating these clauses demands the same consensus they aim to replace. Since their 2009 introduction, none has been used. As Nguyen says, “The big problem is you can only end unanimity with unanimity.”
Constructive abstention: Opting out without shutting down
Under EU foreign policy rules, a member state can abstain from voting rather than block it, pledging not to interfere with the decision while distancing itself politically. It has been used twice. In 2008, Cyprus abstained on the launch of EULEX Kosovo.
In 2022, Ireland, Austria, and Malta abstained from allowing lethal aid to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility, unwilling to co-fund weapons deliveries but unwilling to stop others from doing so.
Constructive abstention is a niche tool. It only works if a state steps aside rather than fights.
Coalitions of the willing: Moving without the full bloc
But Nguyen warns that the limits of this approach are already visible. “We have seen European Council conclusions now split in two, a general one with all 27 member states, and one that relates to Ukraine with only 26,” she says. “That creates the impression that the EU is not able to act as one unity and not able to act decisively and efficiently.”
Article 122: The emergency clause under strain
The Article 7
One rarely discussed mechanism: Article 7 of the TEU allows the EU to suspend a member’s voting rights if it breaches EU values. It was triggered against Hungary in 2018 but has stalled.
“There is a procedure that allows the EU to suspend the voting rights of a member state that fundamentally breaches the values of the European Union,” Nguyen notes. “If there is any solution, it would probably be this one.” But she acknowledges the practical obstacles: “There has always been a lot of reluctance in the Council to implement this very drastic measure, and there has also always been more than one member state that perhaps runs the risk of having its rights suspended under Article 7.”
The EU is not changing its rules. It is bending them more frequently and more creatively than ever before.
Müller argues the bigger risk is what repeated workarounds signal to other governments. “If we go for easy fixes, if we go for compromises and give a government the feeling that this hostage taking is a way to blackmail us, you create incentives to do it in the future as well,” he says.
Iran Threatens ‘Crushing’ Response to US Policy Changes Amid Tensions
Iran Threatens ‘Crushing’ Response to US Policy Changes Amid Tensions
Tensions in the Gulf region are escalating as Iran has issued a stern warning of “crushing” retaliatory attacks following remarks made by US President Donald Trump about a potential withdrawal of American forces. The announcement heightens the risk of conflict, particularly as military forces are already mobilising in response to perceived threats. This escalation draws attention to the ongoing instability in the region, prompting discussions among world leaders regarding potential diplomatic solutions. For comprehensive insight, visit our coverage of global conflict updates.
In economic news, markets are bracing for the implications of these developments on oil prices, with experts anticipating fluctuations given the region’s strategic importance in energy supply chains. The upcoming G7 meeting will be crucial in shaping responses to these security concerns and their economic repercussions. What to watch: the outcomes of the discussions scheduled for next week.
Key developments across the world
Iran-US war: Iran threatens ‘crushing’ attacks after Trump speech
GLOBAL SECURITY — Iran has issued severe threats following a recent speech by former US President Donald Trump regarding troop withdrawal.
The Iranian military spokesperson warned of “crushing” retaliation if the US does not heed Iran’s demands, leading to increased tensions between the two nations.
UK to host coalition talks on securing Strait of Hormuz
DIPLOMACY — The UK will convene 35 nations to discuss the security of the vital Strait of Hormuz.
This meeting demonstrates international efforts to enhance maritime security amid rising tensions in the region, potentially impacting global oil supply routes.
A year on: Four ways Trump’s tariffs have changed the global economy
GLOBAL ECONOMY — A report highlights significant shifts in the global economy as a result of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump.
The economic ramifications have affected international trade patterns, resulting in price increases and changes in consumer behaviour across various markets.
Man dies in storm as Saharan dust shrouds Crete
GLOBAL MIGRATION — Severe weather conditions in Crete, exacerbated by Saharan dust, have led to tragic fatalities.
The incident underscores the ongoing impact of environmental phenomena on human safety and migration patterns within the EU, raising concerns about climate resilience.
Iran military spokesman insists Tehran has hidden stockpiles
GLOBAL SECURITY — An Iranian military official asserted that Tehran maintains undisclosed stockpiles of military resources.
This claim heightens global concerns regarding Iran’s military capabilities and the potential for escalating regional conflicts.
What to watch — The upcoming diplomatic talks in the Strait of Hormuz could set the tone for Middle Eastern security.
Further reading from global news sources
BBC News
Man dies in storm as Saharan dust shrouds Crete
Reuters
Greece’s Crete island covered in orange African dust
The Guardian
‘If he’d stayed on the golf course, we’d be in a better place’: experts on Trump’s tariffs, one year on
Financial Times
UK to host coalition talks on securing Strait of Hormuz
Al Jazeera
Trump’s tariffs one year on: How Americans are paying the price
Barber visited by police after placing fake parking tickets on cars | News UK
Get you up to speed: Barber visited by police after placing fake parking tickets on cars | News UK
Jack Louis, a barber in Great Dunmow, Essex, controversially distributed 1,000 fake parking tickets as a marketing tactic, prompting disapproval from Great Dunmow Town Council.
Great Dunmow Town Council condemned Jack Louis’s marketing strategy, stating that mimicking enforcement notices is “inappropriate” and causes “unnecessary alarm” for residents.
Great Dunmow Town Council has acknowledged the distress caused by Jack Louis’s imitation parking notices, advising that such actions are considered inappropriate and could lead to unnecessary alarm.
What we know so far
A barber in Great Dunmow, Essex, has faced scrutiny after placing 1,000 fake parking tickets on cars to promote his business. Jack Louis, the owner of a men’s hair salon, distributed promotional leaflets resembling penalty charge notices (PCNs) that included a discount voucher for haircuts.
Jack, 35, received a visit from police community support officers (PCSOs) following complaints from locals. He defended his marketing stunt, stating that rising costs necessitate creative approaches to attract attention and customers.
The Great Dunmow Town Council responded to the incident, remarking that the placement of materials imitating enforcement notices is “inappropriate” and can cause undue alarm among residents. While Jack noted he has seen increased foot traffic and engagement, officials have urged caution in such promotional tactics.
Despite the controversy, local comments have been mixed. Some found the vouchers humorous, while others expressed frustration at the confusion caused by the fake notices. Jack aims to continue engaging with the community as he navigates the challenges of running a business in a competitive environment.
Read in full
Barber gets a visit from the coppers after putting fake parking tickets on cars | News UK
A barber had a close shave with the law after putting 1,000 fake parking tickets on cars to promote his business.
Jack Louis, who owns his own men’s hair styling salon, left the promotional leaflets which looked like penalty charge notices (PCN) on vehicles in Great Dunmow, Essex.
The ‘tickets’ actually included a voucher for £5 off a haircut rather than a fine which received a mixed reception from locals.
Jack, 35, said he received a visit from police community support officers (PCSOs) over the stunt but said rising costs meant ‘whoever shouts the loudest gets seen and heard’.
Great Dunmow Town Council said placing anything that mimics an enforcement notice is ‘inappropriate’.
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Jack, who has run the community barber shop for nine years, said: ‘You have to reinvent the wheel and get creative.
‘Some people have said it caused them stress – you have to respect that but it wasn’t the intention behind it.
‘I’ve got people talking, which was our aim, and I hope people can see both sides of the coin.
‘It’s helping us boost our business, getting a few more clients on board, while the voucher could help someone out if they’re struggling to set money aside for a hair cut.
‘There was a purpose and a motivation to this marketing – as a business owner you can either sit there and do nothing or you can go out there and get more work.’
Jack spent £140 on the marketing stunt, dishing out £70 for the fake PCNS and another £70 printing out the vouchers, which totalled £5k of money off haircuts.
In response, one person commented on Facebook: ‘Open it, laugh, chuck it in the bin and go on about your day.’
Another said: ‘My partner found one on his car and was raging. I thought it was hilarious and ingenious.’
But one resident posted: ‘If you want some advice on proactive marketing, please let me know! This is not the way to do it! Disgraceful!’
The father-of-two explained: ‘We’ve been here for nine years but business has got harder because of the cost of living crisis, national insurance rises and even down to the price of hairspray.
‘I spend £80 a month just on hairspray now. It used to cost me £3.75 and now it can be around £8.
‘We have had to put our prices up and a cut can cost £35.
‘There are seven barber shops on our high street alone. A lot of these shops can do hair cuts for £15 but there might be something else happening behind the scenes.’
Jack, who also canvasses by handing out leaflets, said the typical marketing usually ended up in the bin and said he was keen to grab attention.
The barber works alongside four other self-employed stylists and said a proactive approach to marketing works.
He added: ‘I’ve had around 50 people come in with their voucher.
‘The police did pop in and ask why I did it. But it’s not illegal.
‘It did cause a stir in the community but it also has gained traction around Essex. I’ve got people talking.’
A Great Dunmow Town Council spokesperson told a local newspaper: ‘We are aware of reports that imitation parking charge notices have been placed on vehicles in the town, which, on opening, contain a promotional voucher for a local barber.
‘We understand that some residents have been understandably distressed, believing the notices to be genuine.
‘While no official penalties have been issued in this case, placing anything on a vehicle in a way that mimics an enforcement notice is inappropriate and risks causing unnecessary alarm.’
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