NHS Volunteers Help Ease Maternity Pressure

By Isabel Webster, West of England Correspondent

Volunteers are being used by the NHS at the Royal Gwent Hospital in South Wales to ease pressure on overstretched maternity wards.

Twenty so-called "maternity buddies" handle babies at the request of new mums while they sleep or shower, sit and chat to keep them company, help with meals, or even change water in flower vases.

The unpaid helpers are given basic training in confidentiality and infection control but are not permitted to carry out any clinical duties including bathing or changing newborns' nappies.

The buddy scheme was piloted at the hospital over a six-month period and has now gone live due to its success.

Linda Hall, a mother of four and grandmother of two, finds time around her full-time job at a nursery to pop into the postnatal ward whenever she can.

"The midwives are so busy that sometimes the new mums are anxious about buzzing and asking for help," she said.

"So we just come along and get them some milk or some drinks - all the things the midwives struggle to fit into their busy days."

The scheme is intended to free up the midwives so they can focus on clinical care.

The NHS is looking to increase volunteers at hospitals

The Royal College of Midwives believes there is a shortfall of around 5,000 midwives in England and Wales as a result of the birth rate exceeding the rate of midwives joining the profession by around 6%.

But the Aneurin Bevan Health Board in Gwent maintains the buddy scheme is not about plugging a staffing gap.

Suzanna Hardacre, the senior midwifery manager at the Royal Gwent Hospital, said: "We're not short-staffed. We don't have any shortages of health care support workers or with midwives. There are sufficient clinical staff to be able to give that care.

"Our volunteers are purely there to enhance the patient and the woman's experience while she is in hospital with us."

A recruitment drive is now under way to bolster the number of volunteers in NHS hospitals across the UK.

Many hospitals already enlist them to help patients eat their meals and the Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust says their volunteers sometimes help to make the beds.

But Beverley Lawrence Beech, from the Association For The Improvement of Maternity Services, warns that unskilled helpers are no substitute for trained health professionals.

"If they really want to enhance patient experiences what they should be providing is community based midwifery. But this is the first step towards removing yet more midwives," she said.

"Frilly hand-holding is no substitute for proper trained midwives who know to look out for things like postnatal depression or infections."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wiggins Thanks Well-Wishers After Collision

Bradley Wiggins has said he is "looking forward to getting back on the bike" after he was injured in a collision, as it emerged a van driver may face prosecution.

The 32-year-old Olympic champion cyclist spent a night in hospital having suffered a bruised hand and ribs after he and a van collided in Lancashire on Wednesday. He is now recuperating at home.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and messages over the last 48 hours, and of course all the staff at the Royal Preston Hospital who looked after me so well," Wiggins said on www.teamsky.com on Friday night.

"Although I'm still a little bit sore, I will now be spending time at home with my family and concentrating on making a full recovery.

"I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike soon and continuing my preparations for the 2013 season."

After a formal interview, van driver Cath Burrows, 44, was summonsed by Lancashire Police over driving without due care and attention.

In a statement, a police spokesman said: "Following a voluntary attendance for interview with Lancashire Police, a 44-year-old woman from West Lancashire has been reported for summons for driving without due care and attention.

"However, an investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is still under way."

Wiggins was reportedly riding a mountain bike to meet a group of local cyclists near to his home in Eccleston when the collision happened in Wrightington, shortly after 6pm.

Wiggins, who became the Tour's first British winner in July before winning Olympic time-trial gold at Hampton Court on August 1, also issued an apology for a one-fingered gesture to photographers as he travelled home on Thursday.

He said on Friday: "I would also like to apologise for the gesture that I made when I arrived home yesterday afternoon.

"I was tired, in a lot of pain, and just wanted to get inside, but I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I'm sorry for that."

In a separate road accident, British cycling head coach Shane Sutton was also admitted to hospital on Thursday with a fractured cheek bone and bleeding on the brain.

The 55-year-old was riding along the A6 Stockport Road in Levenshulme when he was involved in a collision with a blue Peugeot 206 driven by a 61-year-old man.

Sutton was part of the management team which has helped Wiggins to many successes including the world's toughest bike race and this year's time trial gold medal at the London Olympics.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hertfordshire Crash Leaves Three Men Dead

Three men have been killed in a collision between a car and a lorry on the A10 in Hertfordshire.

The men - the driver of the car and two passengers, thought to be in their late teens and early 20s - died at the scene.

They were travelling in a Vauxhall Corsa on the northbound carriageway near Turnford, at 2.15pm on Friday, when the collision with a Mercedes lorry happened.

A fourth person in the car suffered serious injuries and was taken by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel for treatment.

The driver of the lorry was not injured.

Sergeant Colin Jenkinson, of Hertfordshire Police, said: "We are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the collision and are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in contact as soon as possible.

"Perhaps you saw the vehicle just before the collision took place or maybe you saw something immediately after. Any information you provide could be crucial to our investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Olympic Stadium: Dismay Over Delayed Future

By Enda Brady, Sky News Correspondent

Olympic and Paralympic champions have voiced their dismay at news that the stadium may not open fully until the summer of 2016.

Four bids are still being considered as full-time tenants at the Stratford venue, but each bid will require significant and time-consuming modifications.

Dennis Hone, chief executive of the London Legacy Development Committee, revealed this week that it will not re-open until August 2015 at the earliest and probably not before August 2016.

Olympic champion Jessica Ennis told Sky News it was important the stadium was opened to the public without delay.

She said: "I've some amazing memories of the stadium, like a lot of other athletes.

"I'd love to see it opened to the public as soon as possible."

Leyton Orient FC are among four bidders to use the stadium in Stratford

Paralympic double gold medallist Hannah Cockroft said it was vital to speed up the process so that the goodwill generated by the success of London 2012 could be tapped into.

"The danger is that if it's not opened fully to the public for four years then that interest will wane," she said.

"It's an amazing venue and people want to see it, they want to be a part of it. I really hope they sort this out, they have to."

A transformation project costing nearly £300m is currently under way at the site and is expected to last up to 18 months.

The park itself will be opened to the public on July 27 next year, one year to the day the Games opened in London.

Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, told Sky News: "The stadium is vital for the legacy of the Games, but the important thing is to get the right tenant in."

The four bidders are West Ham United FC, Leyton Orient FC, a Formula One venture and the University College of Football Business - an academic institution owned and run by Burnley FC.

A final decision is expected in the first half of 2013, or possibly sooner.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

BBC Boss 'Was Unaware' Of Child Abuse Slur

Lord McAlpine: Full Statement

Updated: 10:45am UK, Friday 09 November 2012

Tory peer Lord McAlpine today described reports linking him to the North Wales child abuse allegations as "wholly false and seriously defamatory". Here is his full statement.

"Over the last several days it has become apparent to me that a number of ill-or uninformed commentators have been using blogs and other internet media outlets to accuse me of being the senior Conservative Party figure from the days of Margaret Thatcher's leadership who is guilty of sexually abusing young residents of a children's home in Wrexham, North Wales in the 1970's and 1980's.

"It has additionally become apparent to me that a number of broadcasters and newspapers have, without expressly naming me, also been alleging that a senior Conservative Party figure from that time was guilty of or suspected of being guilty of the sexual abuse of residents of this children's home.

"It is obvious that there must be a substantial number of people who saw that I had been identified in the internet publications as this guilty man and who subsequently saw or heard the broadcasts or read the newspapers in question and reasonably inferred that the allegation of guilt in those broadcasts and newspapers attached to me.

"Even though these allegations made of me by implication in the broadcast and print media, and made directly about me on the internet, are wholly false and seriously defamatory I can no longer expect the broadcast and print media to maintain their policy of defaming me only by innuendo.

"There is a media frenzy and I have to expect that an editor will soon come under pressure to risk naming me. My name and the allegations are for all practical purposes linked and in the public domain and I cannot rewind the clock.

"I therefore have decided that in order to mitigate, if only to some small extent, the damage to my reputation I must publicly tackle these slurs and set the record straight. In doing so I am by no means giving up my right to sue those who have defamed me in the recent past or who may do so in the future and I expressly reserve my rights to take all such steps as I and my solicitors consider necessary to protect my interests.

"On Tuesday, 6 November the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Theresa May MP, made a statement in the House of Commons about the historic allegations of child abuse in the North Wales police force area.

"She explained that in 1991, North Wales Police conducted an investigation into allegations that, throughout the 1970s and 1980s, children in homes that were managed and supervised by Clwyd County Council were sexually and physically abused.

"The result of the police investigation was eight prosecutions and seven convictions of former care workers. Despite the investigation and convictions, it was widely believed, she said, that the abuse was in fact on a far greater scale, but a report produced by Clwyd Council's own inquiry was never published, because so much of its content was considered by lawyers to be defamatory.

"In 1996, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, the then Secretary of State for Wales, invited Sir Ronald Waterhouse to lead an inquiry into the abuse of children in care in the Gwynedd and Clwyd Council areas. Mrs May told the House of Commons that the Waterhouse inquiry sat for 203 days and heard evidence from more than 650 people.

"Statements made to the inquiry named more than 80 people as child abusers, many of whom were care workers or teachers. In 2000, the inquiry's report 'Lost in Care' made 72 recommendations for changes to the way in which children in care were protected by councils, social services and the police.

"Following the report's publications, 140 compensation claims were settled on behalf of the victims.

"Mrs May further said that the report found no evidence of a paedophile ring beyond the care system, which was the basis of the rumours that followed the original police investigation and, indeed, one of the allegations made in the past week.

"Last Friday, a victim of sexual abuse at one of the homes named in the report - Mr Steve Messham - alleged that the inquiry did not look at abuse outside care homes, and he renewed allegations against the police and several individuals.

"I am, as is now well known to readers of the internet and to journalists working for the print and broadcast media, one of the individuals implicated by Mr Messham.

"I have every sympathy for Mr Messham and for the many other young people who were sexually abused when they were residents of the children's home in Wrexham.

"Any abuse of children is abhorrent but the sexual abuse to which these vulnerable children were subjected in the 1970's and 1980's is particularly abhorrent.

"They had every right to expect to be protected and cared for by those who were responsible for them and it is abundantly clear that they were horribly violated. I have absolutely no sympathy for the adults who committed these crimes.

"Those who have been convicted were deservedly punished and those who have not yet been brought to justice should be as soon as possible.

"The facts are, however, that I have been to Wrexham only once. I visited the local Constituency Conservative Association in my capacity as Deputy Chairman.

"I was accompanied on this trip, at all times, by Stuart Newman, a Central Office Agent. We visited Mary Bell, a distant relative of mine and close friend of Stuart Newman.

"We did not stay the night in Wrexham. I have never been to the children's home in Wrexham, nor have I ever visited any children's home, reform school or any other institution of a similar nature.

"I have never stayed in a hotel in or near Wrexham, I did not own a Rolls Royce, have never had a 'Gold card' or 'Harrods card' and never wear after-shave, all of which have been alleged.

"I did not sexually abuse Mr Messham or any other residents of the children's home in Wrexham. Stuart Newman is now dead but my solicitors are endeavouring to locate a senior secretary who worked at Central Office at the time to see if she can remember the precise date I visited that Association.

"I fully support the decision (announced by the Home Secretary in the House of Commons on Tuesday) of the Chief Constable of North Wales, Mr Mark Polin, to invite Mr Keith Bristow, the Director General of the National Crime Agency, to assess the allegations recently received, to review the historic police investigations and to investigate any fresh allegations reported to the police into the alleged historic abuse in north Wales care homes.

"Although I live in Italy and have done so for many years and although I am in poor health, I am entirely willing to meet Mr Polin and Mr Bristow in London as soon as can be arranged so that they can eliminate me from their inquiries and so that any unwarranted suspicion can be removed from me.

"I wish to make it clear that I do not suggest that Mr Messham is malicious in making the allegations of sexual abuse about me. He is referring to a terrible period of his life in the 1970's or 1980's and what happened to him will have affected him ever since. If he does think I am the man who abused him all those years ago I can only suggest that he is mistaken and that he has identified the wrong person.

"I conclude by reminding those who have defamed me or who intend to do so that in making this statement I am by no means giving up my right to seek redress at law and repeat that I expressly reserve my rights to take all such steps as I and my solicitors consider necessary to protect my interests."

McAlpine of West Green

8 November 2012

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ash Dieback: New Trees To Be Destroyed

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

The Government has admitted eradicating ash dieback disease will now be impossible as it revealed some British trees have been infected for two years.

The admission came as the Department for the Environment unveiled a new action plan to tackle the outbreak, which is threatening the UK's native ash trees.

Some 129 sites are now confirmed be infected with Chalara fungus, known as ash dieback disease.

Fifteen of these are in nurseries, 50 in recently planted sites and 64 in the wider countryside.

Under the latest measures, affected new and young trees will be destroyed immediately and the search for the fungus will widen to include towns and cities.

However, burning contaminated mature trees has been ruled out because of fears about the damage to wildlife.

An ash sapling infected with the disease

They also take longer to die and it is thought they could help experts learn more about genetic strains that could be resistant to the disease.

As part of the strategy, the public, along with foresters, land managers and environmental groups, will be told how to spot ash dieback and what to do if they find it.

The proposals to tackle the crisis, which threatens millions of the UK's native ash trees, were finalised by ministers at a Cobra crisis meeting.

Defra officials have worked with the Forestry Commission and other agencies to find the best way to contain the spread of the disease.

The importation of ash trees has already been banned and the planting of new ones halted.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson admits it is impossible to wipe it out now that it has been found in mature trees but insists the British ash can still be saved.

"If we can slow its spread and minimise its impact, we will gain time to find those trees with genetic resistance to the disease and to restructure our woodlands to make them more resilient," he said.

"We now have a window of opportunity for action because the disease only spreads in the summer."

Ash dieback, which causes leaves to turn black and drop off before the whole tree eventually dies, is thought to have arrived in Britain on wind-borne spores blown in from mainland Europe.

Cases have been reported in Sussex, Berkshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Bedfordshire, Northumberland, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Essex.

Other countries including France and Belgium have already been hit hard by the disease but Denmark has been the worst affected - losing 90% of its ash population.

Some of these ash saplings in Suffolk are infected with the disease

There are fears the infection could have the same impact in Britain as the infamous Dutch Elm epidemic of the 1970s, which wiped out most of the country's elm trees.

There are an estimated 80 million ash trees in Britain - one-third of the entire tree population.

Several National Trust sites, including Ashridge in Hertfordshire, have put up signs as an extra precaution to prevent the disease spreading.

Ashridge Estate, a site popular with walkers that has been used in several films including Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, has hundreds of ash trees in its 5,000 acres of woodland.

Estate manager Graeme Cannon told Sky News: "It's potentially very dangerous. Ashridge is here because ash trees feature very prominently in its background and they have done for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

''With ash dieback in the country we'll end up in a situation where we will be losing a lot of our trees and they are an important feature of the British landscape and woodland.

"So far we have not had any confirmed cases in Ashridge but if we do then the impact would be catastrophic.''

Infected saplings are being burned but visitors to woods are also being asked to do their bit by keeping to marked paths to help reduce the spread of infected leaves.

They are also being advised to clean footwear and bike and car tyres of mud and earth when they get home.

Although the Government claims it has acted as swiftly as it could, there has been some criticism that the response has not been quick enough.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Archbishop Of Canterbury 'Astonished'

The Bishop of Durham has been officially confirmed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, in an appointment that was widely expected.

The Rt Rev Justin Welby succeeds Dr Rowan Williams as the spiritual leader of the 77 million-strong Anglican Communion.

The former oil industry executive becomes the 105th holder of the post.

As he addressed the media, he began by saying a prayer and then joked that his appointment was "the best kept secret since the last Cabinet reshuffle".

He went on: "To be nominated to this post is both astonishing and exciting", and it was something "he never expected".

The clergyman, who has been Bishop of Durham for only a year, admitted that the last few weeks "have been a rather strange experience".

The Bishop said he was astonished and excited to be nominated

He added: "We are at one of these rare points where the tide of events is turning and the Church nationally, including the Church of England, has great opportunities to match its very great but often hidden strengths.

"I feel a massive sense of privilege at being one of those responsible for the leadership of the Church in a time of spiritual hunger when our network of parishes and schools, and above all people, means we are facing the toughest issues in the toughest places."

He told reporters that one of the biggest challenges was taking over from Dr Williams, who he claimed "will be recognised as one of the greatest Archbishops of Canterbury".

Bishop Welby also said he was "utterly optimistic about the future of the Church".

He added: "We'll certainly get things wrong, I certainly will. But the grace of God is greater than our biggest failures. We will also certainly get much right and do so already."

Bishop Welby succeeds Dr Rowan Williams

Bishop Welby takes over the leadership of an institution battered in recent years by rows over women bishops and gay priests.

Dr Williams' tenure has been marked by a bruising war between liberals and traditionalists in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion over the issue of homosexuality.

The new appointment also comes as the Church of England stands poised to give final approval later this year for the introduction of women bishops following several years of tortuous negotiations and the departure of some Anglican bishops to the Catholic Church.

The new archbishop, who was first ordained as a deacon in 1992, will also have to face declining Church congregations.

The Bishop of Chichester, Martin Warner, welcomed his appointment, saying he would bring "many gifts and a rich experience of life to this calling".

But he warned: "He faces a daunting task, but the priority he attaches to a spiritual life of prayer, to reflection on the Bible and dependence upon the holy spirit will sustain him, as will the love and support of his family and friends.

"To that support I add my own and my prayers for his future ministry."

Prime Minister David Cameron also welcomed Bishop Welby's appointment and he "wished him success in his new role".

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

NHS Direct Centres: Unison Warns Of Closures

Unison has sparked a row with the Department of Health by claiming almost all NHS Direct call centres are to be closed.

The union claimed 24 of 30 sites will shut at the service, which employs 1,500 frontline nursing and professional staff.

It listed centres in Bristol, Sheffield, Wakefield, Nottingham, Hull, Stafford, Chelmsford and Newcastle as being among those affected.

NHS Direct hit back, saying that so far it has only made clear which sites will be kept open to deliver the new NHS 111 service and had not said what will happen to the others.

But Sandra Maxwell, Unison's convenor at NHS Direct, said: "Hundreds of dedicated nursing and NHS professionals are to be made redundant at a huge cost, when their skills could be used within the new NHS 111 service if only the Department of Health took some decisive action."

National officer Michael Walker added: "The Secretary of State for Health should step in and stop this disaster immediately. We need action and we need it now.

"Axing dedicated hard-working nurses is never a good idea at any time, but this will directly impact on patient care. There is no doubt that patients will suffer as a result of this move."

A Unison spokesman added: "Given that many of these NHS call centres are in areas of high unemployment there are very real fears for the staff's future job prospects.

"The Government spending millions on making nurses and NHS professionals redundant at a time when the NHS is under great strain is truly scandalous."

NHS Direct has been bidding for contracts across England to provide the NHS 111 service, which is for patients who need medical help but are not emergencies.

It has been awarded contracts to run the service for 34% of the population, and will deliver it from six of its existing call centres.

These are Middlebrook, Carlisle, Dudley, Exeter, Milton Keynes, London. Its home working scheme will also continue.

Centres where a decision has yet to be made will stay open until June 2013 unless the landlord has served notice or all staff have already been transferred elsewhere.

NHS Direct chief executive Nick Chapman said: "We have not confirmed that any sites are closing.

"At this stage we have confirmed which sites we will be keeping open to deliver NHS 111 in the areas where we have been commissioned to provide the service.

"The future of other NHS Direct sites has not been decided. We are waiting for decisions from the Department of Health and the NHS Commissioning Board about the future of other non-111 services that we could be asked to deliver before making decisions."

NHS Direct answers 4.2 million calls for health advice and information for patients in England every year.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coronation Street Star Bill Tarmey Dies

Former Coronation Street star Bill Tarmey, who played loveable rogue Jack Duckworth in the show, has died.

A spokeswoman for the soap opera said Tarmey, who featured as the long-suffering husband of Vera, died in Tenerife while on holiday.

The actor's family confirmed the news and said in a statement: "The family of Bill Tarmey have confirmed that he sadly passed away this morning in Tenerife. They have respectfully asked the media for privacy as they grieve for a wonderful husband, father and brother."

And the star's former colleagues issued their own statement: "The cast, crew and production team at Coronation Street are devastated to hear of Bill's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's wife and soulmate Ali and their family at this very sad time."

Liz Dawn returned as Vera for Bill Tarmey's final scene as Jack Duckworth

Tarmey, 71, was a native Mancunian. He started out working as a builder and began his showbiz career singing in working men's clubs.

He joined Coronation Street as an extra in 1977 but show bosses spotted his potential and two years later he landed the role that made him famous.

He left the soap in 2010 after more than 30 years playing the pigeon-fancying, loveable rogue alongside Liz Dawn, who played his wife Vera.

He was dogged by ill-health, having suffered a heart attack at the age of 35, and then a stroke a year later.

A lifelong smoker, he underwent a quadruple heart bypass 15 years ago and another bypass operation in June 2002.

Corrie stars have been adding their own tributes on Twitter.

Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in the show, tweeted: "Goodnight Bill Tarmey. You were the best. We'll miss you so much x"

Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Eva in the show, said: "So sad to hear that Bill Tarmey has died. #legend #RIPBILL. My deepest sympathies to all who knew him best xxx".

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jessie J Gig Death: Man Jailed For Murder

A graphic designer has been jailed for a minimum of 14 years for killing a telephone executive with a broken bottle after a Jessie J gig.

Ashley Charles, 26, was found guilty of murdering Phillip Sherriff, 37, and jailed for life at the Old Bailey.

Mr Sherriff died in April four days after being attacked at Pulse nightclub in central London, where the singer had just finished her performance.

Charles, of Nevanthon Road, Leicester, denied the charge, claiming he acted in self-defence.

But Judge Paul Worsley said Charles killed Mr Sherriff, of Preston, Lancs, because he was annoyed.

Judge Worsley told Charles: "This is a tragic case. Mr Sherriff may have pushed you in a crowded bar and made inoffensive remarks to a girl talking to you.

Jessie J was performing at the BlackBerry party before the murder

"You clearly became annoyed at what you perceived was the conduct of Mr Sherriff and lost your temper when he may have pushed against you at the bar."

Charles took a beer bottle from Mr Sherriff's hand and swung it behind him, where it broke, and then plunged it into Mr Sherriff's neck.

"It was a lethal weapon. He was a decent man," added the judge.

He said Charles had done something "which was truly out of character".

Judge Worsley told him: "You did not deliberately smash the bottle you used. I am satisfied you did not intend to kill Mr Sherriff and you were immediately remorseful."

Andrew Hall QC, for Charles, said he acted "in a split second of madness".

Mr Sherriff's wife Jane said in a statement to the court she had launched a campaign to ban glass bottles and glasses from bars and clubs.

Addressing Charles, she said: "I will never let another person like you devastate another family. Your actions have devastated so many people's lives."

Mrs Sherriff said organ donations from her husband saved three other lives, but the lives of her family, including her two young daughters, had been ruined.

Duncan Penny, prosecuting, told the trial Charles had been trying to get free beer at the promotional event organised by BlackBerry, the company Mr Sherriff worked for.

CCTV showed Charles grabbing the bottle and plunging it into Mr Sherriff's neck.

Mr Penny said: "It happened very, very quickly indeed - perhaps one second, one second to take a life."

Mr Sherriff began to bleed profusely as vital blood vessels had been cut.

Mr Penny said the clash came about just after midnight after Jessie J and other performers had left.

As people tried to help Mr Sherriff, Charles was detained by security staff. He asked them: "Is he okay? I wish I had not done that. It was a stupid mistake."

After being arrested by police, he said: "Yeah, I know I bottled him. He kept pushing past me through the bar area."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Surgeon Faces Inquiry Over Breast Cancer Ops

A surgeon is to face a criminal inquiry over allegations about his treatment of more than 1,000 breast cancer patients.

West Midlands Police said they were liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine the course of the investigation into the conduct of Ian Paterson.

Mr Paterson is alleged by a law firm representing some of his former patients to have performed up to 1,150 "unnecessary, inappropriate or unregulated" operations.

Thompsons Solicitors, which is pursuing negligence claims for several women, said Mr Paterson worked at a number of NHS and private hospitals from 1994, including those run by Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, which covers hospitals in Sutton Coldfield, Solihull and Birmingham.

An investigation into Mr Paterson by the General Medical Council potentially spans up to 700 cases of an unregulated procedure that involved leaving some breast tissue behind after a mastectomy, Thompsons said.

It is further alleged that up to 450 women could have had invasive breast surgery when a biopsy might have been sufficient.

The Medical Defence Union said in a statement: "Mr Paterson is co-operating fully with the GMC investigation. He cannot comment further due to his duty of patient confidentiality and the ongoing investigation."

Sky News' Health and Science correspondent Thomas Moore said the GMC has been looking into Mr Paterson for some time, adding that conditions were imposed on his practice in July 2011.

Mr Paterson's GMC record shows that the Interim Orders Panel ruled that he "must not carry out breast surgery" and that he should "confine his medical practice ... to general surgical work and out-patient consultations with patients with breast disease".

Kashmir Uppal, a senior medical negligence solicitor at Thompsons, said she believed patients had been subjected to needless worry and risk.

She said the law firm was also liaising with the GMC to assist its investigations.

"The women who have come forward so far have been very brave," Ms Uppal said.

"Hopefully all who have had unnecessary or inappropriate treatment will seek reassurance or justice."

In a statement confirming the police inquiry into Mr Paterson, who has not been arrested, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Markham said: "West Midlands Police can confirm it has received a referral from the General Medical Council in relation to allegations about the medical practices of a surgeon who previously worked in Solihull.

"A criminal inquiry has been launched and the force is working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine the course of the investigation."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Derby Fire Deaths: Parents Deny Murder

The parents of six children who died during a house fire in Derby have pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder.

Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, made the plea at Nottingham Crown Court.

Jade, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six and Jayden, five, all died in the blaze on Victory Road, Allenton on May 11.

Their brother Duwayne, 13, died three days later in hospital.

Mick, wearing a St Christopher, broke down in tears and held his head in his hands as he entered his plea while Mairead, wearing a cross on a long chain around her neck, was more composed.

However, she became tearful during the hour-long hearing.

A second man, who was charged with the six murders on Monday also appeared in the dock.

Paul Mosley, 45, of Cecil Street, Derby, did not speak during the hearing and stared straight ahead.

The three were flanked by 11 prison officers in the dock, with a line of five sat behind the couple, separating them from Mosley.

All three were remanded in custody.

They will next appear at Birmingham Crown Court at 2pm on November 29.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prison Officers Injured In Attack At G4S Jail

Four prison officers have been injured in an attack by an inmate of Birmingham prison - run by security firm G4S.

Sky News sources said the staff members were attacked and slashed with a piece of broken glass.

Two officers suffered serious injuries while the other two were left with minor cuts.

The attack took place in the jail's hospital wing where the employees worked.

A spokesman for G4S said: "The staff, all members of the prison's healthcare unit, were wounded in an altercation with a prisoner on remand, with two staff receiving serious lacerations.

"All staff were transferred to local hospitals for treatment. The prisoner has been contained."

News of the attack emerged as the firm was told it will lose its contract to run the Wolds prison in East Yorkshire from next year and was unsuccessful in its bid to run other jails.

The security firm's spokesman added: "The safety and welfare of our staff and those in our care is our utmost priority, and we have launched an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding this attack."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Collapsed Comet 'Massive' Sale Slated Online

Customers who rushed to a sale at Comet have expressed disappointment over the level of discount.

The electronics retailer had announced a "massive stock liquidation" ahead of store closures as early as next week, but angry shoppers took to Twitter to complain about the price reductions.

Scott Houston said: "Comet 'Firesale' is no more than 10-15% off. Prices aren't even competitive with online prices. Time wasted."

And Matt Arthur tweeted: "Anyone thinking of going to the Comet 'liquidation sale', don't bother. 10% off audiovisual, 20% off kitchen appliances, still cheaper online."

Ajay Deshpande added: "If you are looking for cheap electrical goods then don't go to the Comet 'sale'!"

In response, a Deloitte spokesman said: "The discounts are gentle. It's not a hard sale."

The sell-off, which began at 9am on Thursday, is only available in its 236 stores, with customers unable to buy products online. 

But some customers did manage to bag a bargain, with Alex Pegg tweeting: "In-pulse (sic) buy of the day, an Apple ProBook (£100 off from Comet)".

The sale was announced on Comet's website

The electrical chain said gift vouchers would be accepted on sale items, following the temporary suspension of the tokens over the weekend. 

But it warned customers it will not offer refunds, and any items ordered before the company went into administration that have not been paid for will not be delivered. 

Comet's administrators Deloitte are in the process of winding down the business following its collapse on Friday, which leaves 6,600 jobs hanging in the balance.

But rival Dixons, which owns Currys and PC World, postponed hiring 3,000 Christmas staff by a week to allow Comet staff to apply.

It said it was "amazed" by the number of Comet employees that had enquired about positions so far.

Deloitte is attempting to find a buyer for the business and would not comment on speculation over store closures - although reports suggest stores could start to be closed next week.

If the chain does collapse, it will become one of the biggest high street casualties since Woolworths in 2008.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bradley Wiggins And Coach Shane Sutton Hurt

Shane Sutton, head coach of the GB cycling team, has been taken to hospital after a cycle crash near Manchester.

British Cycling confirmed: "Shane has suffered bruising and bleeding on the brain. He is set to undergo more tests and is likely to stay in hospital for the next few days."

Hours earlier, on Wednesday evening, Olympic cycling hero Bradley Wiggins was himself in an accident. It involved a van and happened near his home in Eccleston, between Preston and Wigan in Lancashire.

He suffered a broken rib and dislocated finger or thumb. He has now left hospital.

Police are to question the driver of a white Vauxhall Astra Envoy van, a local woman, who was uninjured in the collision at a petrol station in Wrightington.

A bike can be seen as police deal with Wiggins' accident. Picture: The Sun

Mr Sutton was involved in an accident with a Peugeot 206 just before 9am on the A6 near Levenshulme in Manchester.

Both riders had been wearing cycle helmets.

A spokesperson for British Cycling said: "It is extremely rare that our riders and coaches are hurt while out cycling on the road, even rarer that two incidents should occur in a short space of time, and we wish Shane and Bradley a speedy recovery.

"Cycling is not an intrinsically dangerous activity but there is much more to be done to improve conditions for cyclists on the roads.

"British Cycling is calling on the government to put cycling at the heart of transport policy to ensure that cycle safety is built into the design of all new roads, junctions and transport projects, rather than being an afterthought."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

April Jones: Man Sentenced For Facebook Posts

An 18-year-old man has been given a six-week suspended sentence for making offensive comments on Facebook about missing girl April Jones.

Sam Busby, a sales adviser from Worcester, was arrested by police after posting grossly offensive sexual remarks on the social networking site.

The teenager pleaded guilty to sending an indecent and offensive message brought under the 2003 Communications Act.

"He told the police that he was an immature teenager and it was an attempt to get some attention," prosecutor Kerry Lovegrove told magistrates in Worcester.

Solicitor Belinda Arris, defending, said Busby felt extremely sorry and ashamed, and was now likely to lose his job.

"He's so, so sorry, he has closed down his Facebook account and no longer engages in any social networking," she said.

Magistrates said they had taken into account Busby's early guilty plea and remorse, as they handed him six-week jail term suspended for 18 months.

In a separate case, another Facebook user was recently given a 12-week jail term for a similar offence where comments were made about the five-year-old.

Police are continuing their search for April more than a month after she disappeared in the Welsh town of Machynlleth. She was last seen on October 1.

Mark Bridger, 46, has been charged with the abduction and murder.

Ms Lovegrove told the court that Busby's initial post on Facebook was a "joke" about April obtained from another website.

Suspect Mark Bridger

Although other Facebook users urged Busby to stop, he went on to write more offensive comments, prompting a woman to contact police.

After his arrest, Busby said he had been responsible for the comments, and told officers he thought they could only be seen by his friends on Facebook.

Magistrates also ordered Busby to pay an £80 victim surcharge and keep to a 7pm to 7am curfew for eight weeks.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sellafield Nuclear Waste Storage Warning

Hazardous waste being stored in run-down buildings at Sellafield nuclear plant is posing "intolerable risks to people and the environment", a watchdog has warned.

For more than 50 years, the owners of the Cumbrian nuclear power station have failed to plan how to dispose of radioactive waste, according to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO).

The public spending watchdog said some of the older facilities have "deteriorated so much that their contents pose significant risks to people and the environment".

Operators of the nuclear power station do not know how long it will take to build storage and treatment centres for the hazardous material or how much the final bill is likely to be, the report says.

Sellafield, the UK's largest and most hazardous nuclear site, stores enough high and intermediate level radioactive waste to fill 27 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Sellafield's radioactive waste could fill 27 Olympic swiimming pools

The highest risks are posed by the ponds and silos built during the 1950s and 1960s to store fuel for early reprocessing operations and radioactive waste, according to the report.

A long-term plan to clean up the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority-owned site, which is managed by Sellafield Limited, was agreed last year after an earlier one stalled because it was "unrealistic".

Progress in 12 of the 14 major buildings and equipment projects considered "critical" for reducing risk, which range in cost from £21m to £1.3bn, failed to achieve what they were supposed to and had not provided good value for money, the NAO said.

The report found there "is still considerable uncertainty in the schedules and costs" of the projects.

Margaret Hodge, who chairs the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said: "Projects of this length and ambition are ripe for dithering and delay.

"I am dismayed to discover the clean-up of Sellafield is no different. The authority's revised plan sees critical milestones shunted back by up to seven years.

"After only 10 months of operating under the new plan, performance in 12 out of 14 major projects has been dire.

"Between May 2011 and March 2012, the seven major projects in construction accumulated delays of between two and 19 months.

"My concern is that unless the authority holds Sellafield Limited to a clear and rigorously benchmarked plan, timetables will continue to slip and costs spiral.

"It is totally unacceptable to allow today's poor management to shift the burden and expense of Sellafield to future generations of taxpayers and their families."

Around 240 of Sellafield's 1,400 buildings are nuclear facilities and so far 55 buildings on the site have been decommissioned.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: "Owing to historic neglect, the authority faces a considerable challenge in taking forward decommissioning at Sellafield.

"It is good that the authority now has a more robust lifetime plan in place but it cannot say with certainty how long it will take to deal with hazardous radioactive waste at Sellafield or how much it will cost.

"Securing future value for money will depend on the authority's ability to act as an intelligent client, to benchmark proposed levels of performance and to provide better contractual incentives for making faster progress towards risk and hazard reduction."

In a statement on its website, Sellafield Ltd welcomed the report and said it was making improvements and "progress"..

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jimmy Savile 'Was Yorkshire Ripper Suspect'

Jimmy Savile was questioned by detectives investigating the Yorkshire Ripper murders, a senior officer who worked on the inquiry has claimed.

Former West Yorkshire Police detective John Stainthorpe said the disgraced presenter was a suspect in the notorious case more than 30 years ago.

Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe has jumped to the defence of Savile, claiming the TV presenter was innocent of newly-emerged child abuse allegations.

Sutcliffe said Savile befriended him during visits to Broadmoor high security hospital.

Mr Stainthorpe, who spent 40 years in the force, told ITV's Calendar News: "When the Ripper was really active, one of the suspects put forward by the public was, in fact, Jimmy Savile.

"Obviously, it was not he, but he was interviewed along with many others."

Mr Stainthorpe said the person who gave police the anonymous tip-off was "aiming in the right direction".

"Child perverts soon become child killers," he added.

Peter Sutcliffe was convicted of murdering 13 women in 1981 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is held at Broadmoor and has been told he will never be freed.

Sutcliffe has claimed Savile regularly visited him in custody and the pair became friends.

Dismissing claims the late DJ abused around 300 victims over six decades, he said those making allegations were "jumping on the bandwagon".

Sutcliffe, 66, told The Sun: "It's a load of rubbish. People are just getting carried away.

"He visited a lot. He'd always come and chat with me on visits and I would introduce him to my visitors. Several times he left £500 for charities I was supporting."

Savile, who died a year ago aged 84, is now believed by police to be one of the UK's most prolific child abusers.

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation into the television and radio star's activities. Detectives are following 400 lines of inquiry while the BBC has launched an inquiry into the culture and practises at the corporation in the era of Savile's alleged sexual abuse.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Arrested Over David Black Murder

Police investigating the murder of prison officer David Black have arrested a 46-year-old man.

The married father-of-two was gunned down in a high-speed motorway ambush as he drove to work at Maghaberry prison in Co Antrim.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said: "Detectives investigating the murder of David Black on the M1 motorway on Thursday November 1 have arrested a 46-year-old man in the Lurgan area."

He was taken to Antrim police station for questioning.

Three men, two in Northern Ireland and one in the Republic of Ireland, have previously been questioned and released by police.

The scene of the motorway ambush that killed David Black

Police believe Mr Black, 52, was killed by dissident republicans.

He is the first prison officer to be murdered by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland in 20 years.

Gunmen travelling in a stolen car fired on the victim's Audi near a junction leading to Portadown, Co Armagh, as he was on his way to Maghaberry.

The vehicle careered off the road and into a ditch.

At Mr Black's funeral at Molesworth Presbyterian Church in Cookstown his daughter Kyra, 17, paid tribute to her "special hero".

Thousands of people paid their respects at Mr Black's funeral

The funeral attracted thousands of people and uniformed prison officers carried the coffin to the church behind a Scottish bagpiper who played a lament.

A prison service hat, gloves and a single cream flower were carried on the Union flag-draped coffin as officers formed a guard of honour.

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson, Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Matt Baggott and justice ministers north and south of the Irish border attended.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bus And Tube Fares To Rise Above Inflation

London mayor Boris Johnson was today accused of trying to bury bad news as he confirmed above-inflation increases in tube and bus fares.

He announced a 4.2% average increase from January 2 2013 - and said the figure would have been higher had he not managed to secure additional funding of £96m.

The rise is 1% above the rate of RPI inflation when it was measured in July and used as a benchmark for the planned increase and matches the average rises facing national mainline season ticketholders.

Oyster card tube payments were to be frozen but that did not prevent a furious attack from Manuel Cortes, the leader of the TSSA rail union, who said: "Boris deserves a gold medal in cynicism. Not only does he try to bury bad news on the back of Obama's victory, he also jacks up fares at twice the rate of inflation.

"He also manages to break two election pledges into the bargain, by hiking charges for bikes as well as inflation-busting fare increases. He is the Pinocchio of British politics."

The mayor had also confirmed that charges for his "Boris bike" Barclays Cycle Hire scheme would double.

Such a move would see daily hire going up from £1 to £2, weekly access rising from £5 to £10 and yearly membership going up from £45 to £90.

The bike project has suffered financially as the majority of trips are made within the free 30-minute usage charge period but it was confirmed there would be no additional penalties for late return, non-return and bicycle damage.

Mr Johnson said: "Before the end of the year I will spell out further investment on the transport network that will help us to provide faster, more frequent and reliable journeys for Londoners, which is crucial to the economic development and growth that is so vital to our great city.

"This fares package is hugely important to our millions of passengers and I am very pleased to have secured nearly £100m that will help to keep fares as low as possible, and protect the important concessions that we offer the most vulnerable Londoners."

But Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport union, said the mayor should have announced a fare freeze.

He explained: "This increase shows that we are still paying off a heavy price for the expensive failure of the PPP (public-private partnership) privatisation disaster.

"It also means that the mayor has no excuse for cutting staff and closing ticket offices as he's lumping on above-inflation fare rises.

"We believe there should be a policy of freezing fares to recognise the tough times people are facing, to increase the use of public transport and to help boost the economy."

His words were backed by Richard Hebditch, campaigns director at Campaign for Better Transport.

He said: "Earlier this week, Boris Johnson rightly received plaudits for his support for a living wage in the capital. His position on public transport is in stark contrast.

"By putting fares up above inflation, he is hitting hard-pressed families in the pocket simply for travelling to work."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Atiya: Mother's Plea for Information

The mother of a missing girl abducted by her father says she prays her "little bundle of joy" is safe and well, after being taken to Pakistan without her knowledge.

Gemma Wilkinson, 32, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, said not knowing whether five-year-old Atiya is even alive is an "absolute nightmare".

Atiya vanished in November 2009 after going to stay with her father, Razwan Ali Anjum.

The former insurance salesman said he was taking the girl to Southport. Instead he took her to Lahore, Pakistan, and told Ms Wilkinson she was "never going to see Atiya again", courts have heard.

Anjum, who is in his late 20s, returned to the UK shortly after and was jailed by a High Court judge for refusing to reveal where his daughter was.

Judges have imposed jail terms of two years, 12 months and another 12 months in the hope that he would provide information. They have re-jailed him as each sentence neared its end.

Speaking ahead of Atiya's sixth birthday on Wednesday, Ms Wilkinson said: "It's been an absolute nightmare. As to her whereabouts we know nothing. We've had no contact.

"I'm worrying every day, every single day. Everything is affected by it. When I close my eyes I see her.

"I say goodnight to her every night before bed. I pray she's okay. We don't have any proof that she's okay, there is no proof she is still alive.

How missing girl Atiya Anjum-Wilkinson might look at 4-5 years of age.

"It's been discussed that she could have been sold, but I don't want to believe it.

"She was so funny. She was a little bundle of joy. She loved her lip gloss and handbags - as soon as she got hold of my makeup bag, everything in it was hers. We just want her home."

Ms Wilkinson's "on-off" relationship with Anjum ended in 2008.

"He's enjoying playing his controlling mind games. It's just sick. Razwan is refusing to say where she is, who she's with and he won't say anything other than 'she's in Iran'," he said.

Detective Constable Emma Constantine, of Greater Manchester Police's Child Protection Unit, said: "As far as we know, Razwan has had no contact with Atiya himself.

"He's never received any letters or photographs of Atiya, so there's no way that he knows how she is."

Detective Superintendent Phil Owen added: "We're working with a range of international agencies in order to find out who may be harbouring her, but it presents its challenges and problems and hopefully this is now the time to tug at heart-strings and generate information from the public."

He argued Anjum "will convince himself that she's looked after" but that he couldn't know that.

:: Anyone with information should phone police on 101, the Foreign Commonwealth Office on 020 7008 0878 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Derby Fire: Third Person Appears In Court

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

A third person charged with the murders of six children who died in a house fire in Derby has appeared in court.

Paul Mosley, 45, from the city, was arrested on Monday.

He appeared at Derby Magistrates Court at a short hearing on Tuesday morning, wearing dark trousers and a black waterproof jacket.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

Mosley was sent for trial at Nottingham Crown Court and will appear on November 8 for a plea and case management hearing.

He is due to appear alongside the children's parents Mick Philpott, 55, and Mairead, 31, who have previously been charged with murder.

As Mosley was remanded in custody a number of members of the public were in tears.

Jade, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six and Jayden, five, all died in the blaze on Victory Road, Allenton.

Their brother Duwayne, 13, died  three days later in hospital.

The children's parents Mick Philpott, 55, and Mairead, 31, have previously been charged with murder and are due to appear at a plea and case management hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.

A 49-year-old man, who was also arrested on Monday, has been released without charge.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "Three people have now been charged with the murder of these children.

"This man stands accused alongside Michael and Mairead Philpott.

"Our investigation will continue in an effort to gain justice for the children."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brent Cross Jewellery Shop Targeted In Raid

Four people on three motorbikes - armed with axes and bats - have raided a jewellers at a popular London shopping centre.

The suspects entered Brent Cross Shopping Centre shortly after 10.15am, fleeing with "a quantity of watches and jewellery", according to police.

They drove away in the direction of Hendon Central and the motorbikes were later found abandoned at a nearby golf course.

No injuries were reported but an elderly man at the scene was treated for shock.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said no firearms were seen.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Water Report Warns Of Flood And Drought Risk

The Government's failure to fix Britain's "broken" water system is increasing the risk of flooding and drought, a new report has warned.

The Blueprint for Water report says ministers are failing to produce a long-term, sustainable approach, which works with our natural water systems.

The document - produced by 16 leading environmental groups - says it took the wettest summer on record to avoid serious water shortages this year and more dry winters will put the UK back on drought alert.

The groups are recommending much greater use of moors, marshes and plants to store and claim rain water, which would help reduce the risk of drought and flooding.

They say simply allowing water to run straight into rivers seriously contributes to the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas.

The Blueprint for Water report measures the Government's performance against 10 steps to sustainable water by 2015.

The latest report scores ministers' performance no higher than a "C" grade on criteria including "waste less water", "price water fairly", and "stop contaminants polluting our water".

Carrie Hume, chair of the Blueprint for Water coalition, said: "Lack of action to fix our broken water system is a false economy.

"We cannot continue to lurch between flooding and drought which is damaging for people, businesses and wildlife."

The Government claims its draft Water Bill will improve the UK's water infrastructure by creating the conditions to "encourage innovation and reduce demand".

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Met Detective Dies After Chasing Suspects

A 30-year-old female police officer has collapsed and died while chasing two suspected mobile phone thieves, Scotland Yard has confirmed.

Detective Constable Adele Cashman, collapsed during the pursuit in Belsize Park Gardens, Camden, at 9.45pm on Monday night.

Police said a smartphone had been snatched out of the hand of a 59-year-old woman in Haverstock Hill and the "much-loved and wholly dedicated" officer chased after the two suspects.

Uniformed officers on duty in the area saw the chase and joined Det Con Cashman and requested more help.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested at the junction of Belsize Grove and a second boy, also 17, was arrested and the phone recovered, Scotland Yard said.

The suspects remain in custody at police stations in north and central London.

A response team officer based at Kentish Town police station, Det Con Cashman was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead but died at 11.10pm.

Her family has been informed and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding her death are under way, the Metropolitan Police added.

Commander Tony Eastaugh said: "The thoughts of everyone in the Metropolitan Police Service are very much with Adele's family, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time.

"Adele worked on both Camden and Wandsworth boroughs and was held in high regard by all who met her."

"She will be sorely missed by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her."

Acting Borough Commander Richard Tucker, from Camden Police, said: "Adele was a much-loved and wholly dedicated officer.

"We at Camden are completely devastated at her sudden passing and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this tragically sad time."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wales House Fire Deaths: Fifth Person Dies

A fifth person has died following a house fire in Prestatyn last month, North Wales Police confirms.

Liam Leonard Timbrell, 23, died on Monday morning at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester. He had been in a critical condition since the fire swept through his home in Maes y Groes on October 19.

Liam was the partner of Lee-Anna Shiers and the father of 15-month-old Charlie, who both died as a result of the fire.

Firefighters had rescued Liam from the first floor

Lee-Anna's niece and nephew, Skye and Bailey Allen, also lost their lives in the incident.

Detective Superintendent John Chapman said: "This is the fifth death as a result of the fire in Prestatyn.  My sincere condolences go out to the families at this tragic time."

More follows...

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Snow And Heavy Rain Sweep Across UK

The first significant snowfalls of the winter have occurred across parts of the South West, with other regions of England and Wales hit by flash flooding.

Snow fell in Somerset, north Dorset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire over the weekend.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "Rain there was so intense it fell as wet snow, which was able to settle. It's believed some places could have seen as much as 10cm, but as soon as the snow stopped falling, it quickly melted." 

Parts of England and Wales were also affected by flash flooding following a period of torrential rain on Sunday.

Some 14 flood warnings were issued, covering the South West, South East, East Anglia, the Midlands and Wales.

There were also 76 flood alerts issued for areas where the threat was less serious.

Bournemouth received the most rainfall in the UK, with 30mm falling in just 24 hours. Little Rissington in Gloucestershire came a close second, recording 29mm of rain - of which 21mm fell in just 12 hours.

Robinson said: "The rainfall amounts were by no means exceptional, but it fell on saturated ground across many areas which meant the rain had nowhere to go.

"Surface water flooding and river flooding were an issue and many flood alerts and flood warnings remain in place on Monday."

Craig Woolhouse, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: "The Environment Agency has issued a number of flood warnings and alerts as a result of heavy rain across the south of England and Wales over this weekend.

"Only last week the organisation warned that flooding could be more likely this winter as a result of heavy rainfall during the summer and higher than normal rivers and groundwater levels.

"Anyone in a flood risk area can get free early warnings with vital information to keep themselves and their property safe."

Meanwhile, forecasters are advising people to wrap up warm if they are going to Bonfire Night fireworks displays.

Nationwide temperatures on Monday are set to drop to between 6-9C and by mid-evening they will fall to around 4-5C.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Camilla Meets Kangaroo On Jubilee Visit To Oz

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Duchess of Cornwall has experienced the Australian outback for the first time when she met Ruby Blue, an orphaned joey.

Prince Charles and Camilla arrived in Longreach, Queensland, on the second leg of their Diamond Jubilee tour.

Wearing a traditional bushman's Akubra hat, Prince Charles told Queenslanders despite being "so jetlagged that I feel a few sausages short of a barbie", it was a joy to be back in Australia.

He said: "For my wife, this is her very first visit and we are incredibly touched by the warm welcome you have given us both."

In the near 35C heat, the Duchess of Cornwall held a white parasol to protect her from the sun as they met a team from the Royal Flying Doctors' Service.

Charles greets locals after admitting he was suffering from jetlag

Longreach is also home to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, which was opened by the Queen in 1988 as a memorial to the explorers, pioneers and settlers of remote Australia, many of whom arrived from Britain.

It was there where the duchess with a huge grin got up close to the orphaned baby kangaroo.

But the highlight for locals was the community barbecue at the Cattleman's Bar and Grill, where Charles spoke with fondness about Australia, where he spent six months as a schoolboy in the 1960s.

He said: "I can recall in every detail the long treks through the bush in searing heat, and for company I remember funnel web spiders, bull ants, leeches that could only be removed with a cigarette end, snakes of every description and kangaroos that overtook us on cross-country runs."

Prince Charles and Camilla are visiting three countries during their tour

Helen House, a spokeswoman for the Stockman's Hall of Fame, said: "I'll take his Royal Highness over to the barbecue, maybe put a XXXX in his hands, give him some tongs and throw the cutlet on the barbecue."

It is a whistle-stop visit, with Charles and Camilla jetting out late in the day for Melbourne where the royal couple will attend the Melbourne Cup.

They will also visit the cities of Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney and Canberra before going to New Zealand.

Support for the royals in Australia, a former British colony, remains strong, although debate flares periodically about whether ties to the monarchy should be cut and the nation become a republic.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cregan Denies Murdering Two Policewomen

Dale Cregan has denied murdering policewomen Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes in a gun and grenade attack.

Cregan, 29, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to the murders of the Greater Manchester Police constables.

The officers were killed on the morning of September 18 as they responded to a report of a burglary in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

Relatives of the PCs attended the hearing flanked by police family liaison officers.

Cregan, who appeared by videolink alongside nine co-defendants, denied another seven charges including the murder of Mark Short, 23, on May 26 and the murder of Mr Short's father David, 46, on August 10.

He also denied four counts of attempted murder and one count of causing an explosion.

Luke Livesey, 27, from Hattersley, and Damien Gorman, 37, from Glossop, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mark Short and three counts of attempted murder.

Anthony Wilkinson, 33, from Beswick, denied the murder of David Short, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, attempted murder and causing an explosion with a hand grenade.

Jermaine Ward, 24, denied the murder of David Short, one count of attempted murder and an allegation of causing an explosion with a hand grenade.

They were remanded in custody until their trial at Preston Crown Court on February 4.

The remaining defendants, Matthew James, Ryan Hadfield, Leon Atkinson, Francis Dixon and Mohammed Ali, were not asked to enter their pleas.

James, 33, of Clayton, Hadfield, 28, from Ashton-under-Lyne, and Atkinson, 34, of Newton-le-Willows, are charged with the murder of Mark Short and three counts of attempted murder.

Dixon, 37, from the Stalybridge area, is charged with the murder of David Short, attempted murder and causing an explosion.

Ali, 23, from Chadderton, is accused of assisting an offender.

They were remanded in custody to return to Liverpool Crown Court on December 20 to enter their pleas on that date.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Predatory Paedophile Kidnapper Is Jailed

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

A predatory paedophile who kidnapped, tied up, sexually assaulted and threatened to kill a ten-year-old boy has been jailed indefinitely.

Michael Jackson, 50, who changed his name by deed poll from Albert English to that of the pop singer, also admitted abducting an 11-year-old girl.

The boy had been on his way back from shops in the Oldbury area of the West Midlands in November last year when he disappeared.

The youngster was held captive at Jackson's ground floor flat for around three hours.

The boy was later spotted at the window of Jackson's flat by a passer-by

In that time the boy was tied up with tape and rope, gagged, thrust into a cupboard with a pillow case over his head and sexually assaulted.

Holding a knife Jackson told the boy: "It's time to die if you make a noise."

He also told the 10-year-old that his father would be murdered and he would never see him mum again.

After bundling the boy into an airing cupboard Jackson went out to play computer games with friends to "build up an alibi".

The boy managed to free himself from some of the bindings and got out of the cupboard. He later told police that it was 'scary, scary scary'.

The boy found a Stanley knife, pliers and a hammer in the flat and thought they were the tools he was going to be killed with. He armed himself with the hammer should Jackson come back.

A woman spotted the boy at the window of the flat and raised the alarm. Police were called and the youngster jumped from the window into the arms of a police officer. Jackson was arrested a short time later.

Jackson admitted a total of five charges relating to the boy's abduction and that of an 11-year-old girl a few weeks earlier. She was also taped and tied up but was released physically unharmed.

Passing sentence, Judge Walsh stressed that it was likely to be "very many years, if ever" before Jackson was judged to be safe to be freed from prison.

"I am satisfied that had (the 10-year-old boy) not escaped, he would have been subjected to further serious sexual abuse or worse.

"He was, fortuitously, able to escape from the cupboard. When he entered the bedroom, he saw a knife, pliers and a hammer - articles he believed would be used to kill him.

"It is simply impossible to imagine the sheer terror experienced by that young child as a result of your actions."

In the days after the boy's abduction, hundreds of people held demonstrations in the local area calling for action to protect children from paedophiles.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cosy Texts Between PM And Brooks Revealed

Text messages exchanged by David Cameron and former News International boss Rebekah Brooks are likely to cause fresh embarrassment for the Prime Minister.

In one message, Mr Cameron thanked Mrs Brooks for letting him ride one of her horses, joking it was "fast, unpredictable and hard to control but fun".

In another, the journalist, who faces trial in connection with the phone-hacking scandal, praised Mr Cameron's speech to the Conservative Party conference, saying: "I cried twice."

Both of the messages, which were disclosed by The Mail On Sunday, were sent in October 2009, shortly after Mrs Brooks left her job as editor of The Sun and became chief executive of News International, which owns the paper.

The messages are apparently part of a cache of texts and emails handed to Lord Justice Leveson's inquiry into press standards.

Very few have so far been made public.

The leak sheds further light on the close relationship between Mr Cameron and Mrs Brooks, who live near each other in Oxfordshire.

Her husband, the racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks, was at Eton with the Prime Minister.

Mrs Brooks told the Leveson Inquiry earlier this year that Mr Cameron signed some of his missives to her 'LOL' - mistakenly thinking it meant 'Lots Of Love' rather than 'Laugh Out Loud'.

Questions about Mr Cameron's close links with Rupert Murdoch's media empire, and Mrs Brooks in particular, came to the fore after the phone-hacking row erupted.

Mrs Brooks at the Leveson Inquiry

In her Leveson evidence, Mrs Brooks said, at the height of the scandal in 2010, he sent a message through an intermediary urging her to "keep your head up" and expressed his regret he could not be more loyal in public.

It also emerged previously that the Conservative leader rode a police horse, Raisa, which had been lent to Mrs Brooks by the Metropolitan Police.

Lord Justice Leveson is believed to have received a large amount of correspondence from the Prime Minister, Mrs Brooks and former Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson.

However, the inquiry's lead counsel, Robert Jay QC, has indicated that only "relevant" documents will be released.

Labour frontbencher Chris Bryant has challenged Mr Cameron to publish all the material himself, suggesting he was delaying the process because it was "too salacious and embarrassing".

Mrs Brooks and Mr Coulson, an ex-editor of the News Of The World, are among those facing trial for conspiracy to access voicemails.

In a separate case, Mrs Brooks and her husband are among a group charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has always been happy to comply with whatever Lord Justice Leveson has asked of him."

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Contractor Electrocuted At M&S Store In Kent

An investigation is under way into the death of a contractor who was electrocuted in a Marks and Spencer store.

Police said they believed the man died after suffering an electric shock in the M&S store in a Kent shopping centre.

He is thought to have been a contractor who had been called in to repair electrical equipment.

The death was initially treated as suspicious while officers worked out the full circumstances of what happened, but police later said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

The store in the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells was not evacuated as the scene of the accident was not in a public area of the shop.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been advised of the incident and their health and safety officer will be liaising with the police.

A police van outside the store after the incident (Twitter pic: @Kent_999s)

A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "We were called just before 3.30pm to the store in Calverley Road. It is believed a man suffered an electric shock. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The air ambulance also attended."

The spokeswoman said police were called by paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service who arrived at the scene first.

An M&S spokeswoman said: "There has been a tragic incident at the store today and our thoughts are with the family concerned.

"We are now concentrating on doing all we can to assist the emergency services with their investigation and as such are unable to comment any further at this stage."

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tourism Chiefs Slam Departure Tax Increase

The tourist boom enjoyed by London in the wake of the Olympics could be wiped out by next year's increase in airport departure tax, tourism officials have warned.

Around 84% of those questioned in a survey said tourism to the capital would be damaged if the planned rise in Air Passenger Duty (APD) goes ahead next April.

And the majority of holidaymakers questioned by the World Travel Market (WTM) also said their travel plans could be affected by an increase in APD.

APD is charged on the carriage of passengers flying from a UK airport on an aircraft that has an authorised take-off weight of more than 10 tonnes or more than 20 seats for passengers.

It varies between £13 and £184 per passenger, depending on the type of seating they use and the distance they are travelling.

The increase that is expected to take effect next year is thought to be in line with inflation.

Around half of the 1,300 tourism officials questioned for the WTM survey thought the higher resulting air fares from an APD increase would particularly affect people visiting from the growing Bric zone of countries.

This refers to the Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese and South African markets, with Brazilians supposedly the most likely to be put off coming to London.

Of the 1,001 holidaymakers who were surveyed by WTM, more than half said a rise in APD would lead to them altering their holiday plans.

Some said they were likely to swap long-haul trips for short-haul ones. Other respondents said they might book fewer holidays, while around 18% were unsure what they would do.

WTM director Simon Press said: "It's heartbreaking to think the good work of an entire nation (from the Olympics) can be wiped out in an instant by the greed of the Government.

"APD has long been a punitive tax on tourism and its increase will make it even more so and ironically will most likely drive down revenues as fewer tourists come to the UK as a result."

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Arrest Over Callum Hilton Hit-And-Run In Bury

A man has been arrested over the hit-and-run death of a 16-year-old boy in Bury, Greater Manchester Police has said.

Police said the teenage victim Callum Hilton was thrown about 20ft when he was struck by a car as he went looking for directions to a party.

The boy, who was out with friends, was crossing Stand Lane in Radcliffe when he was hit by the silver or white Peugeot which did not stop, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

He sustained a serious head injury and was taken to hospital where he later died with his family at his bedside.

Speaking shortly before news of the arrest emerged, Detective Inspector Amber Waywell of Greater Manchester Police said the youngster's family were "going through hell".

Signs highlight the road's 30mph speed limit

The officer added: "Callum's mother and grandfather just want to know what happened to him. It's just awful. I can't imagine what his family, his mother, will be going through.

"A young boy goes out on a Saturday evening and doesn't come home. She must be besides herself with grief and we are trying to support her as best we can."

Callum was heading to a party which had been publicised on Facebook with two friends and his cousin.

The boys, three aged 16 and one aged 18, were all from the Middleton and Heywood areas of Greater Manchester.

The victim suffered head injuries in the incident in Radcliffe, near Bury

"We don't know exactly what address they were going to," the officer said.

"The reason they were crossing the road was because they needed to get directions and they saw the hotel on the opposite side of the road.

"From viewing the CCTV footage Callum and his cousin had made it half-way across the road and the other two were waiting to cross.

"His cousin was slightly ahead so was narrowly missed and Callum was struck by the vehicle."

She added: "It is a busy road, it's a fast road, it's a slope.

A man who lives close to the scene and witnessed the aftermath described how a neighbour, a nurse, and a passer-by battled to save the boy as he lay dying in the road.

A girl visits the scene of the hit-and-run, where flowers have been laid

He said: "As I was coming back home, the boy was already on the floor and there were two people offering first aid.

"One was a neighbour, a nurse who lives further up the hill and one was a guy who was driving past.

"With the boy were three friends, one was apparently his cousin but I don't know any of them.

"It was heartbreaking to watch. The lad was in a very, very bad way. The frustration of standing there as two people try to save a young kid's life was heartbreaking."

He said cars were "always" speeding up and down the road, a hill leading into Radcliffe town centre.

A car later found near Bury town centre with front end damage was examined by police specialists but is thought "unlikely" to have been involved.

More than 800 people have joined tribute groups to the 16-year-old on Facebook, including one called "Justice For Callum Hilton".

Shannon Howarth wrote on Facebook: "RIP Callum, I'll always remember you as my little pal in primary school, definitely didn't deserve to go at such a young age!!! Sleep well, you'll never be forgotten."

The tragedy happened on a busy main road with regular 30mph speed limit warning signs.

Accident signs have been placed near the spot where the teenager was killed to appeal for witnesses.

Next to a lamppost with a flashing "slow down/30mph" sign, a bunch of flowers had been left in memory of the victim.

The card read "Callum xxx".

Anyone with information should call GMP on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Vet's Remains Identified By Police

Human remains found in a shallow pool last week have been identified as those of missing vet Catherine Gowing.

Ms Gowing, who was originally from Clonlee, Co Offaly, in Ireland, was last seen on October 12 at a supermarket near her home in New Brighton, Flintshire, North Wales.

A 46-year old man, from Gynnedd, North Wales, has been charged with her murder.

The remains were found on Wednesday in a shallow pool within a field in Sealand, Deeside.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark Pierce said: "The post mortem confirmed our fears and the results have been passed to Catherine's family.

Police are appealing for any sightings of Ms Gowing's Renault Clio

"We are also awaiting identification of further remains found on the banks of the River Dee in Ferry Lane, Higher Ferry, Chester, on Friday. The search continues for further remains and any other evidence which will assist this investigation."

Ms Gowing was reported missing when she failed to arrive for work at the Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold, Flintshire, on October 15.

Later that week police recovered her car which had been burned and abandoned in a disused quarry.

Clive Sharp, 46, of no fixed address, has been charged with murder and was remanded in custody until January 7, when he is due to enter his plea.

DCI Pierce repeated his appeal for any information regarding any sightings of Ms Gowing's Irish registered Renault Clio, registration 00D 99970, and Clive Sharp's black Volvo, registration S40 AG58 JHE, since October 12, particularly in the Sealand area.

He said: "I would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in fields in the Manor Road area of Sealand to contact police on 101."

00.34 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mobo Awards: Emeli Sande Scores Hat-Trick

Singer-songwriter Emeli Sande has taken a hat-trick of titles at the Mobo Awards, beating Jessie J and Tulisa Contostavlos to the Best Female gong.

The 25-year-old also won Best Album for her number one-selling Our Version Of Events and Best R&B/Soul act at Liverpool's Echo Arena

Sande, who also opened the night with a specially-crafted rendition of My Kind Of Love, said she was "over the moon".

"I really didn't expect to win three and getting the Album of the Year was a big thing for me, so I feel like all the hard work pays off when you get acknowledgement like that," she said.

London hip-hop artist Plan B snapped up Best Male Act and Best Hip Hop/Grime, which he collected from rising global star Rita Ora.

Mobo founder Kanya King MBE said this year's event had been particularly special.

She said: "Each year we're staggered by the calibre of the talent on display at the Mobo Awards.

"This year has been outstanding and we're honoured to showcase the best of the best on the night.

"Tonight has been a night for not only homegrown talent such as Emeli Sande and Plan B, who we've championed from the beginning of their careers, but also less represented genres of music such as gospel, jazz and African, which are equally important for Mobo."

Winners JLS - JB Gill, Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and Oritse Williams

TLC's Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins and Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas collected this year's Mobo Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

Members of Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes's family jetted in to celebrate the honour on her behalf. The singer - the L in TLC - died in a car accident 10 years ago.

Rita Ora flew in from the US leg of her tour to pick up Best Newcomer.

Chart star Labrinth, who was a major hit with fans lining the red carpet, was awarded Best Song in association with PRS for Music for Earthquake and treated the room to a mash-up of his biggest hits.

His fellow chart toppers JLS collected the gong for Best Video for Do You Feel What I Feel and got the crowd on their feet with a performance of their newest single, Hottest Girl In The World.

Misha B presented Rachel Kerr with the Best Gospel gong for her smooth, spellbinding vocals, and D'Banj was awarded Best African Act.

Best Jazz went to Zoe Rahman, who collected the accolade from Delilah and previous double Mobo Award winner YolanDa Brown.

And after an outstanding year, Nicki Minaj beat off stiff competition for Best International Act. Sean Paul was awarded Best Reggae.

The night also saw guest of honour Dionne Warwick presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award to celebrate half a century in the business.

 "It means I'm being thought of in a very, very special way and it's always a pleasure to be thought of in that way," she said.

The event - now in its 17th year - was interspersed with a series of performances from special guests including rapper Wiley, who shared the stage with Skepta and Ms D to perform his new release Can You Hear Me and number one single Heatwave.

Rising star Misha B treated crowds to a version of her debut single Home Run, and Angel wowed the crowd with a super smooth version of his single Wonderful.

Stooshe performed their cover of TLC's Waterfalls on stage, introduced by T-Boz and Chilli.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cosy Texts Between PM And Brooks Revealed

Text messages exchanged by David Cameron and former News International boss Rebekah Brooks are likely to cause fresh embarrassment for the Prime Minister.

In one message, Mr Cameron thanked Mrs Brooks for letting him ride one of her horses, joking it was "fast, unpredictable and hard to control but fun".

In another, the journalist, who faces trial in connection with the phone-hacking scandal, praised Mr Cameron's speech to the Conservative Party conference, saying: "I cried twice."

Both of the messages, which were disclosed by The Mail On Sunday, were sent in October 2009, shortly after Mrs Brooks left her job as editor of The Sun and became chief executive of News International, which owns the paper.

The messages are apparently part of a cache of texts and emails handed to Lord Justice Leveson's inquiry into press standards.

Very few have so far been made public.

The leak sheds further light on the close relationship between Mr Cameron and Mrs Brooks, who live near each other in Oxfordshire.

Her husband, the racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks, was at Eton with the Prime Minister.

Mrs Brooks told the Leveson Inquiry earlier this year that Mr Cameron signed some of his missives to her 'LOL' - mistakenly thinking it meant 'Lots Of Love' rather than 'Laugh Out Loud'.

Questions about Mr Cameron's close links with Rupert Murdoch's media empire, and Mrs Brooks in particular, came to the fore after the phone-hacking row erupted.

Mrs Brooks at the Leveson Inquiry

In her Leveson evidence, Mrs Brooks said, at the height of the scandal in 2010, he sent a message through an intermediary urging her to "keep your head up" and expressed his regret he could not be more loyal in public.

It also emerged previously that the Conservative leader rode a police horse, Raisa, which had been lent to Mrs Brooks by the Metropolitan Police.

Lord Justice Leveson is believed to have received a large amount of correspondence from the Prime Minister, Mrs Brooks and former Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson.

However, the inquiry's lead counsel, Robert Jay QC, has indicated that only "relevant" documents will be released.

Labour frontbencher Chris Bryant has challenged Mr Cameron to publish all the material himself, suggesting he was delaying the process because it was "too salacious and embarrassing".

Mrs Brooks and Mr Coulson, an ex-editor of the News Of The World, are among those facing trial for conspiracy to access voicemails.

In a separate case, Mrs Brooks and her husband are among a group charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has always been happy to comply with whatever Lord Justice Leveson has asked of him."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Contractor Electrocuted At M&S Store In Kent

An investigation is under way into the death of a contractor who was electrocuted in a Marks and Spencer store.

Police said they believed the man died after suffering an electric shock in the M&S store in a Kent shopping centre.

He is thought to have been a contractor who had been called in to repair electrical equipment.

The death was initially treated as suspicious while officers worked out the full circumstances of what happened, but police later said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

The store in the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells was not evacuated as the scene of the accident was not in a public area of the shop.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has been advised of the incident and their health and safety officer will be liaising with the police.

A police van outside the store after the incident (Twitter pic: @Kent_999s)

A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "We were called just before 3.30pm to the store in Calverley Road. It is believed a man suffered an electric shock. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The air ambulance also attended."

The spokeswoman said police were called by paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service who arrived at the scene first.

An M&S spokeswoman said: "There has been a tragic incident at the store today and our thoughts are with the family concerned.

"We are now concentrating on doing all we can to assist the emergency services with their investigation and as such are unable to comment any further at this stage."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tourism Chiefs Slam Departure Tax Increase

The tourist boom enjoyed by London in the wake of the Olympics could be wiped out by next year's increase in airport departure tax, tourism officials have warned.

Around 84% of those questioned in a survey said tourism to the capital would be damaged if the planned rise in Air Passenger Duty (APD) goes ahead next April.

And the majority of holidaymakers questioned by the World Travel Market (WTM) also said their travel plans could be affected by an increase in APD.

APD is charged on the carriage of passengers flying from a UK airport on an aircraft that has an authorised take-off weight of more than 10 tonnes or more than 20 seats for passengers.

It varies between £13 and £184 per passenger, depending on the type of seating they use and the distance they are travelling.

The increase that is expected to take effect next year is thought to be in line with inflation.

Around half of the 1,300 tourism officials questioned for the WTM survey thought the higher resulting air fares from an APD increase would particularly affect people visiting from the growing Bric zone of countries.

This refers to the Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese and South African markets, with Brazilians supposedly the most likely to be put off coming to London.

Of the 1,001 holidaymakers who were surveyed by WTM, more than half said a rise in APD would lead to them altering their holiday plans.

Some said they were likely to swap long-haul trips for short-haul ones. Other respondents said they might book fewer holidays, while around 18% were unsure what they would do.

WTM director Simon Press said: "It's heartbreaking to think the good work of an entire nation (from the Olympics) can be wiped out in an instant by the greed of the Government.

"APD has long been a punitive tax on tourism and its increase will make it even more so and ironically will most likely drive down revenues as fewer tourists come to the UK as a result."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More