Louise Haigh signed off on 'needless' emergency wildfire alert that startled millions of people

Louise Haigh, who is head of the Cabinet Office, is understood to have approved the alert, which led to panicked Britons jamming 999 lines and startled drivers swerving across motorways.

The unexpected siren-like warning sounded on phones at 7pm, prompting startled reactions online as people were urged to avoid anything that could spark a wildfire

Emily Bashforth | Live News reporter Published August 14, 2026 7:12pm Updated August 14, 2026 7:19pm An emergency alert was issued amid the fifth heatwave (Picture: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire) Millions were sent into panic tonight as an emergency alert appeared unexpectedly on their phones. At around 7pm, people across