Young Drivers 'Face Passenger Restrictions'

By Richard Suchet, Sky News Reporter

Young drivers could be banned from carrying passengers who are not members of their own family in a bid to cut the number of deaths on the roads.

More than 1,500 17 to 24-year-olds in the UK were killed or seriously injured while driving a car last year, according to the Department for Transport.

They accounted for 25% of all car deaths and injuries in 2011.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the Daily Telegraph he would consider measures put forward by the Association of British Insurers which could cut the number of accidents involving young motorists.

"There is a suggestion as to whether you should look at a restriction whether anyone could carry passengers for six or nine months when they have first passed their test," he said.

"There are suggestions about them only perhaps being allowed to take a family member to drive a car when you are learning, you have to have a qualified driver in the car. So these are all sorts of areas that I think we can look at."

Kelly's sister, Abi (left), and mother, Della

Kelly Phillips, 17, from Surrey, died in 2005 when the car she was a passenger in hit a tree at 80mph.

She had been sitting in a car listening to music with a 17-year-old boy who did not yet have his licence.

The decision to go for a drive on the public road cost them both their lives.

Kelly's mother, Della Phillips, told Sky News: "I try to hide behind this facade of strength. But inside I'm crying all the time, I'm missing her all the time.

"It's like a craving, you're not seeing the memories you expected to see when you have a child."

Ms Phillips is calling for an alternative approach to the measures being considered by the Government.

The Drive IQ campaign

She is backing a free education campaign called Drive IQ - an online education programme that puts pre-drivers and novices through potentially hazardous road scenarios. 

Some 350 schools and 30,000 young people already use the programme but it could be rolled out to thousands more.

She said: "When it comes to young people being safer in cars, lack of knowledge can kill. I know that only too well.

"We want every mum and dad out there to ensure their child and their child's school/college uses Drive IQ straightaway as it addresses attitude and behaviour.

"We have to tackle this issue right now." 

:: Road Safety Week runs from November 19 to November 25. For more information visit www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk.

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Electoral Commission To Probe Police Vote

Low Turnout For Police Commissioner Polls

Updated: 7:33pm UK, Friday 16 November 2012

Dire turnouts have threatened to undermine the first ever police and crime commissioner elections, with as few as 10% of voters casting their ballots in some areas.

The Electoral Reform Society branded the elections a "comedy of errors" after a record low turnout left at least one polling station - in the Newport area - completely unused.

It said it could end up being the lowest voter turnout ever in peacetime history.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the elections for the new commissioners had descended in to a shambles, with many voters taking to Twitter to describe the low turnout at their polling stations.

A UKIP MEP, John Bufton, even called for Home Secretary Theresa May to resign for presiding over a "shamefully low turnout".

In Wiltshire, the first force area to declare, the overall turnout was 15.8% as Tory candidate Angus Macpherson, a magistrate, won after a second round of voting ahead of Labour's Clare Moody.

But in one part of Wiltshire, Devizes, only 10.41% of voters took part.

Polling stations elsewhere across the country appeared to be equally as quiet as many people opted not to vote for the first generation of PCCs, despite about £75m being spent on the campaign.

Newport City Council confirmed to Sky News that no voters attended one of its polling stations, despite it being open for 15 hours from 7am to 10pm on Thursday.

Elsewhere, turnout was 11.42% in Wigan, 12% in Rochdale, 12.59% in Oldham and 12.49% in Manchester. For Greater Manchester as a whole it was 13.46%.

In Essex, just 12.81%% of voters took to the polls.

Even in Humberside, where Lord Prescott's name on the ballot paper raised the profile of the election, turnout was only 19.48%.

Sky's election analyst Michael Thrasher said the low turnout was "hardly surprising" given the elections were held in dark and chilly November "for an office that no-one has heard of" across unfamiliar police authority areas.

He said the numbers raised questions over the legitimacy of the office and those elected.

Mr Thrasher, a professor of politics at Plymouth University, added that it could end up costing as much as £13 per vote that was cast.

"When you work out how much it's going to cost per vote it becomes quite ridiculous," he said.

But policing minister Damian Green defended the turnout, saying it would improve in years to come.

He told Sky News: "I think it's likely with something new coming on that people will take time to get used to it.

"But I'm absolutely sure they will get used to it in the future and the measure of the success will be the difference they make to policing over the next few years."

Prime Minister David Cameron insisted police commissioners would have a mandate despite the low turnout.

He added: "Remember, these police and crime commissioners are replacing organisations that weren't directly elected at all."

Elections for the new office have been held in 41 police areas outside London.

The newly-elected police and crime commissioner will have the power to control budgets, set policing priorities, and hire and fire chief constables.

The Electoral Reform Society had predicted a turnout of 18.5% before the polls began, which would be below the previous record low in a national poll in peacetime - 23% in the 1999 European elections.

The society's chief executive, Katie Ghose, said: "This election has been a comedy of errors from start to finish.

"The Home Office has operated under the assumption that 'if you build it they will come'. Democracy just doesn't work that way.

"There have been avoidable errors at every step, and those responsible should be held to account."

One of the biggest problems has been that people are not prepared to put a cross beside the name of someone they know little, if anything, about.

Glenda Adcock from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk said she always votes, but not this time.

"I know nothing about the candidates or anything really so I'm not bothering," she said,

And while Bernard Jennings had decided he would take part, he agreed the information had been poor.

"I think they could have done a lot more to help people out so you have a better understanding of what everyone stands for," he said.

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Green Deal Cashback Scheme 'In Tatters'

Not a single household has yet signed up for a flagship coalition energy efficiency scheme despite a £1,000 cashback offer ministers said would get it off to a "flying start".

Green Deal is designed to help homeowners make energy saving home improvements to their properties from January.

The scheme covers the upfront costs of improvements such as insulation and new boilers and allows homeowners to pay the money back through savings on bills.

Households have had since October 1 to have their home assessed for improvements.

However, climate change minister Greg Barker has admitted that no home assessments "have yet been lodged on the register".

Labour said the admission meant the Green Deal scheme was in tatters.

But the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) blamed the lack of formal applications on people waiting until nearer January, when building work can actually start, before getting involved.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey announced the first-come-first served £125m cashback offer last month in a bid to persuade people to sign up - with those committing to the most work offered up to £1,000.

He said the scheme would provide an "unprecedented choice" for consumers wanting to make their homes more energy efficient.

"This cashback offer will help get the Green Deal off to a flying start. It really is a great offer - the more work households have done, the more energy they stand to save and the more cash they receive," he said.

In response to a parliamentary question from shadow climate change minister Luciana Berger, Mr Barker said: "While we understand a number of appointments for the in-property assessments have been made, no assessments have yet been lodged on the register."

A DECC spokeswoman insisted the Green Deal was "coming alive" and it was pleased with the progress made so far.

"We understand that assessments are generally being scheduled to take place closer to the date at which a plan can be signed and the work can begin - this makes perfect sense," she said.

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Comet Closing Down Sales As 41 Stores To Shut

The stricken retail chain Comet will close 41 stores by the end of the month unless a buyer can be found, administrators have confirmed.

Redundancies were "inevitable" although administrators Deloitte said they would look to place staff from closing stores into other nearby outlets.

Up to 500 jobs could be under threat at 27 of the stores where closing down sales began today. A further 14 closing down sales will begin early next week.

Chris Farrington, joint administrator, said: "We are very grateful to the company's employees for their professionalism, loyalty and support at this difficult time and all employees will of course continue to be paid for all the work they do while the company is in administration."

Deloitte had already announced 330 redundancies at the company but there have been no job losses among shop staff as yet and all the chain's 236 stores remain open at present.

The bulk of the staff cuts have been made in Comet's head office in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, as well as its site in Hull and call centre in Clevedon, Somerset.

The collapse of Comet marks one of the biggest high street casualties since the demise of Woolworths in 2008 and came a month after the failure of JJB Sports.

The group was hit by weak high street trading conditions, competition from online rivals and being unable to secure the trade credit insurance needed to safeguard suppliers.

In particular, it was knocked by the lack of first-time home buyers, which had been key customers for Comet, according to Deloitte.

The high street electricals market in the UK has come under huge pressure as cash-strapped shoppers put off purchases of big-ticket items such as TVs and large appliances and online rivals take a bigger slice of the sector.

Comet's administration comes just months after it was taken over by investment firm OpCapita, which bought the chain for a nominal £2 in February.

Angry staff at the chain have called for ministers to investigate the retailer's collapse and the way its former private equity owners ran the company.

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Meningitis B Vaccine Set To Be Approved

A lifesaving meningitis B vaccine is set to be licensed for use in the UK in a move that could save thousands of lives.

The disease, which is the most common and deadliest form of meningitis in the country, affects some 1,870 people each year, many of them children, and results in death for one in 10 sufferers.

The approval of the new 4CMenB vaccine, which has been developed by pharmaceutical company Novartis, has been hailed by the charity Meningitis UK as the "biggest leap forward in the field" in three decades.

The vaccine received a "positive opinion" verdict from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Friday, meaning that the vaccine is considered safe and effective.

It will be the first meningitis B vaccine approved for use in the UK, which has one of the highest incidence rates in the world.

One in four sufferers is left with life changing after-effects, such as brain damage and limb loss, with children under five most at risk from the disease.

The charity said the next stage will be to give the vaccine - which has the trade name Bexsero - a marketing licence. It is expected to receive its UK licence early next year.

Meningitis UK wants the vaccine to be introduced into the Government's routine immunisation schedule as soon as possible, so it will be automatically given to children. The jab is recommended for those aged two months and older.

Meningitis UK founder Steve Dayman, who lost his baby son to meningitis and septicaemia in 1982, said: "This is a landmark moment in the fight against meningitis - I have waited three decades to hear this.

"It is vital that the vaccine is introduced in the UK immunisation schedule as soon as possible. It will save countless lives and prevent many people enduring the suffering caused by this devastating disease.

"We will be campaigning hard to make the Government introduce it."

The decision on whether to introduce the vaccine to the immunisation schedule will be made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), who advise the Government on vaccination.

There are a large number of meningitis B strains in the UK - more than in many other countries - which makes producing a vaccine very difficult. Meningitis B accounts for about 90% of cases in the UK.

The new vaccine is described as a real breakthrough as studies have shown it should protect against 73% of strains which cause the disease in the UK.

Scientists have been attempting to develop a broad-ranging Meningitis B vaccine for years and have used a revolutionary new approach called reverse vaccinology to create it.

This involved sequencing the genome of the bacteria and identifying proteins that provoke an immune response against a broad range of strains.

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Fuel Prices: AA Demands Action For Motorists

The AA has accused ministers of failing drivers and businesses by not clamping down on what is sees as unfair fuel prices.

The motoring group says while average unleaded prices have gone down from 138.95p a litre in mid-October to 135.08p - with diesel dropping from 143.74p to 141.89p - motorists are still being short-changed.

It believes the fall in wholesale petrol prices across Europe should have knocked UK pump prices down by between 10p and 11p a litre instead of by an average 4p.

Despite the signs that the Chancellor is poised to postpone the planned fuel duty rise of 3p a litre due in January, the AA said drivers were facing a series of pressures including a "postcode lottery" in fuel prices.

It found that motorists in one area can be charged as much as 5p a litre more than drivers a few miles away.

AA president Edmund King said: "The Government momentarily had a grip of this monster when the previous Transport Secretary (Justine Greening) called in the industry to agree wholesale price transparency.

"This initiative stalled when the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) called for information on road fuel pricing - to which the industry has responded by pumping up wholesale prices and then not passing on cost savings in a timely fashion.

"The average UK domestic energy bill is £1,252 but the cost of fuel for the average car consuming 1,200 litres a year is over £1,500.

"This week the Government said it was going to tackle high gas and electricity bills, yet lets drivers and businesses down by not reacting swiftly to runaway wholesale and pump prices."

Earlier this week, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Sajid Javid said the Government understood the pressures facing households and was determined to help with the cost of living.

He said: "The Government is doing all it can to help hard-working families with the cost of living and putting money back into their pockets.

"Action on fuel duty is part of this. Fuel duty is currently 20% lower in real terms compared to its peak in March 2000 and 7% lower compared to May 2010."

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Demoted Christian Wins Facebook Post Ruling

A Christian man demoted for posting his opposition to gay marriage on Facebook has won his breach of contract action against his employers.

Adrian Smith lost his managerial position, had his salary cut by 40%, and was given a final written warning by Trafford Housing Trust (THT) after writing gay weddings in churches were "an equality too far".

The comments were not visible to the general public, and were posted outside work time, but the trust claimed he broke its code of conduct by expressing religious or political views which might upset fellow workers.

Mr Smith brought breach of contract proceedings, saying the trust acted unlawfully in demoting him.

At London's High Court Mr Justice Briggs ruled in his favour, saying the trust did not have a right to demote Mr Smith as his Facebook postings did not amount to misconduct and was a breach of contract.

Justice Briggs concluded: "Mr Smith was taken to task for doing nothing wrong, suspended and subjected to a disciplinary procedure which wrongly found him guilty of gross misconduct.

"(He was) then demoted to a non-managerial post with an eventual 40% reduction in salary. The breach of contract which the Trust thereby committed was serious and repudiatory."

Mr Smith said in a statement: "I'm pleased to have won my case for breach of contract today. The judge exonerated me and made clear that my comments about marriage were in no way 'misconduct'.

"Britain is a free country where people have freedom of speech, and I am pleased that the judge's ruling underlines that important principle.

"But this sad case should never have got this far. Long ago, Trafford Housing Trust should have held their hands up and admitted they made a terrible mistake.

"Had they done this then my life would not have been turned upside down and my family and I would not have had to endure a living nightmare."

The Christian Institute, the group that paid for Mr Smith's legal case, welcomed the ruling.

Spokesman Mike Judge said: "This is a good day for free speech. But would Adrian have won his case if marriage had already been redefined? I don't think so. The Government should stop playing politics with marriage, because it's ordinary people like Adrian who'll get it in the neck."

Matthew Gardiner, chief executive at Trafford Housing Trust said: "We fully accept the court's decision and I have made a full and sincere apology to Adrian.

"At the time we believed we were taking the appropriate action following discussions with our employment solicitors and taking into account his previous disciplinary record.

"This case has highlighted the challenges that businesses face with the increased use of social media and we have reviewed our documentation and procedures to avoid a similar situation arising in the future. Adrian remains employed by the Trust and I am pleased this matter has now concluded."

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Ashdown: Withdraw Troops From Afghanistan Now

British forces must withdraw from Afghanistan as quickly as possible before any more troops are killed, Liberal Democrat former leader Lord Ashdown has said.

In a damning assessment of the campaign in Afghanistan, he said allied forces had failed to build a sustainable state and establish a government which was untainted by corruption.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said British forces will leave the country by the end of 2014 but writing in the Times, Lord Ashdown, a former special-forces officer, said it should be sooner.

He said: "We cannot pretend there is any more to do in Afghanistan. The urgent priority is to get out. It is not worth wasting one more life in Afghanistan.

"All that we can achieve has now been achieved. All that we might have achieved if we had done things differently, has been lost.

"The only rational policy now is to leave quickly, in good order and in the company of our allies. This is the only cause for which further lives should be risked."

Lord Ashdown said the failure to establish a functioning state was not the fault of British troops but of the international community to work with the country's leaders and neighbours.

Former Royal Marine Lord Ashdown wants an immediate exit

He added: "The international community in Afghanistan needed to speak with a single voice in pursuit of a single plan with clear priorities.

"Instead we have been divided, cacophonous, chaotic. We should have concentrated on winning in Afghanistan where it mattered, instead of distracting ourselves with adventures in Iraq.

"We should have engaged Afghanistan's neighbours, instead of going out of our way to make them enemies. Our early military strategy should have been about protecting the people instead of wasting our time chasing the enemy.

"We should have made fighting corruption our first priority instead of becoming the tainted partners of a corrupt Government whose writ, along with ours, has progressively collapsed as that of the Taleban in the south has progressively widened."

His comments come amid an increasing number of green-on-blue attacks where members of the Afghan National Army have turned on allied troops.

On Remembrance Sunday, Captain Walter Barrie was playing in a football match between British and Afghan soldiers at his base in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province when he was shot dead at close range.

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Paedophile Warwick Spinks Traced By Ceops

A paedophile who had been on the run for 15 years has been found in the Czech Republic.

Warwick Spinks was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Thursday after he was tracked down by officers from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop).

The 48-year-old was convicted in 1995 of a series of sexual offences against boys, including serious sexual assault at knifepoint, taking a child without lawful authority and taking indecent images of children.

He was jailed for seven years but this was reduced to a five-year term on appeal.

Spinks went missing in 1997 while released on licence and fled the UK.

He used various aliases while on the run, including Willem Van Wijk and William Spinks.

Ceop chief executive Peter Davies said: "Ceop officers, in conjunction with officers at the Metropolitan Police Service and Soca (Serious Organised Crime Agency), have worked tirelessly over a number of years to locate and trace a high-risk child sexual offender, who believed he could avoid being managed in the UK by travelling overseas.

"I hope this arrest sends a clear message to other missing child sexual offenders that however far you travel to avoid facing the consequences of your actions, we will track you down and bring you to justice."

Spinks now faces serving the remaining 18 months of his sentence.

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Dave Lee Travis Arrest: DJ Denies Wrongdoing

DJ Dave Lee Travis has denied any wrongdoing after being arrested by police investigating the Jimmy Savile sex abuse claims.

Speaking outside his home near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, the 67-year-old protested his innocence and said he did not want his name associated with "bloody evil" child abuse.

He said: "This is nothing to do with kids, all right? That's the first thing. Because that to me is the most important thing in the world and I do not wish to have my name sullied around something that bloody evil, to be honest.

"The second thing I want is to say, yes, there's a complete denial there, but there's nothing else I can tell you because otherwise I might be stepping on the police's feet and I don't want to do that because it might affect their investigations."

He added: "There's one very important point I want to get across here - when I read the papers this morning I could not believe it.It was like, you know, 'DLT caught in Savile probe' and all this.

"I'm going to make one thing extremely clear to you, and I'd be really obliged if you all make sure that this gets into your articles and gets on to the television and you don't leave this bit out - the Savile probe is nothing to do with things I've been talking to the police about.

Burmese pro-democracy Aung San Suu Kyi listened to DLT's World Service show

"So let's get down to brass tacks here - the first thing is I've been talking to the police about sexual... I can't even remember what the word is now - in the old days it was called 'putting your arm around somebody and giving them a cuddle' but nowadays God knows.

"But anyway, I was accused quote of squeezing the boobs of a couple of women. So the point I want to make here is that none of the things I've been talking to the police about, or have talked to them about, is to do with children.

"I want this completely clear. My name appeared in the paper this morning ... alongside Gary Glitter and Jimmy Savile, so that's not on."

He added: "If you'd like to actually put in your papers that Dave Lee Travis categorically denies that there was anything... oh, that's the problem you see,as soon as you deny something, oh, there must be something to deny.

"Yes, there's an ongoing police investigation about me and two grown women, all right? And this has to be completely clear with all of you.

Dave Lee Travis, pictured in 1982

"Any talk about children is, it's just insensing, all right? I am and always have been completely abhorred by anything to do with children and anything to do with child molestation and anything like that.

"I don't really want to be in a headline where people look and see Savile's name and see my name and think: 'Oh God, is he at it as well?' Not true, all right? You have a categorical denial about children. That is absolutely set in concrete, I promise you."

He went on: "It's a story, it's a big story. But you know, I'm saying I do not wish to be sucked into anything that is talking about paedophilia and that, and this is not just me protesting too much, trust me.

"I've actually said, and if you look into the archives you might find that on my radio shows in the past when there's been a paedophile case, I've said: 'Well, hey, instead of putting them in jail and doing this, send them round to my place and I'll sort them out'. That's how strongly I feel."

He continued: "I think that sometimes, you know, us guys who are a bit older, who are, shall we say, tactile, which is not a terrible thing to be, in the old days you put your arm around somebody and gave them a little kiss or a cuddle.

"Yeah, that's fine. But nowadays, you know, you'd have to stop and think: 'Is this an assault?'

"Now, I'm not saying that I haven't put my arms round people or anything like that, and I'm not saying that any of this is right or wrong at the moment, but I'm just trying to get the facts out."

His comments came after his weekend radio show was taken off air "with immediate effect" by Magic AM following his arrest on Thursday.

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Lord McAlpine: Twitter Users Face Action

The former Tory wrongly linked to a child sex abuse scandal because of a botched Newsnight investigation is poised to reach a settlement with the BBC.

Lord McAlpine's lawyers are in talks with the corporation and have indicated they could agree terms as early as today.

The peer's solicitor has also urged anyone who named him on Twitter to come forward so they, too, can reach a settlement.

"We know who you are," he warned, adding specialist firms had recorded each offending post and the authors would be tracked down if necessary.

Lord McAlpine took legal action against the BBC after a Newsnight show led to him being mistakenly implicated in a paedophile ring that targeted a Welsh care home.

Although the show did not name the peer and only referred to a senior Conservative from the Thatcher era, it quickly led to him being identified online.

The Newsnight show led to George Entwistle (L) quitting as director-general

The fallout fuelled an existing crisis at the corporation sparked by the Jimmy Savile abuse allegations and led to the resignation of director-general George Entwistle.

Media watchdog Ofcom has now launched an investigation into both Newsnight and ITV's This Morning, which came under fire for ambushing David Cameron with a list of alleged paedophiles.

Indications of an early settlement with the BBC came as Lord McAlpine spoke directly about the affair for the first time, and said it had left him devastated.

He pointed out that the whole situation could have been avoided if BBC investigators had called him before airing the claims.

"They could have saved themselves a lot of agonising, and money actually, if they had just made that telephone call," he told BBC Radio 4's The World At One.

"They should have called me and I would have told them exactly what they learned later on - that it was complete rubbish and that I had only ever been to Wrexham once in my life."

He added: "It gets into your bones, it makes you angry, and that's extremely bad for you to be angry, and it gets into your soul and you just think there is something wrong with the world."

The BBC was already in turmoil because of the Jimmy Savile scandal

The peer admitted he felt the damage to his reputation was beyond repair because the cloud of suspicion would never completely disappear.

"No it can't be repaired. It can be repaired to a point, but there is a British proverb which is insidious and awful where people say 'there's no smoke without a fire', you know, 'he appears to be innocent, but...',he said.

"It's very difficult and so this is the legacy that sadly the BBC have left me with."

Paedophiles are "quite rightly figures of public hatred", he said, and added: "Suddenly to find yourself a figure of public hatred, unjustifiably, is terrifying."

The peer's solicitor Andrew Reid indicated he is seeking a smaller payout from the BBC because of the inevitable impact on the British public.

"Lord McAlpine is more than aware that the ultimate people who will paying for any monies that he may receive are in fact the licence payers, the people who really own the BBC," he said.

"He is very much aware of this and hence any agreement that is reached is tempered in the light of that."

He also urged those who had named the peer on Twitter to apologise, saying: "We know exactly the extent of what you've done.

"It's easier to come forward and see us and apologise and arrange to settle with us because, in the long run, this is the cheapest and best way to bring this matter to an end."

Sally Bercow, wife of House of Commons speaker John Bercow, is among those who alluded to Lord McAlpine on Twitter. She has since apologised.

An official report into the Newsnight programme, published this week, concluded staff had failed to complete "basic journalistic checks" ahead of the show on November 2.

Steve Meesham, who claimed that a senior political figure of the time had abused him, was not shown a picture of the person he pinpointed and Lord McAlpine was given no right of reply.

There was also confusion about the chain of command and who had ultimate responsibility for signing off the show because editors had stepped aside in the wake of the Savile scandal.

After rampant speculation prompted the peer to issue an extraordinary statement protesting his innocence, Mr Messham was shown a picture and confirmed he had made a mistake.

Newsnight made a full, on air apology for the broadcast and hours later Mr Entwistle resigned. BBC director of news Helen Boaden and her deputy Stephen Mitchell have also now stepped aside while internal inquiries take their course.

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ITV And Newsnight Investigated By Ofcom

Ofcom's Letter To MP Rob Wilson

Updated: 12:23pm UK, Thursday 15 November 2012

Here is media watchdog Ofcom's full letter to MP Rob Wilson, who complained about Newsnight and ITV.

15 November 2012

Dear Mr Wilson,

Newsnight, BBC2, 2 November 2012 and This Morning, ITV1, 8 November 2012

Thank you for your letters to Ed Richards, dated 8 and 9 November 2012, concerning the above programmes.

Mr Richards has passed your letters to me as the Director of Standards who has responsibility for the team within Ofcom that sets and enforces the rules within the Broadcasting Code ("the Code").

I understand from your letters that you seek Ofcom's confirmation that it will investigate whether:

- ITV was in breach of Section Seven of the Code by failing to provide an opportunity to respond to the individuals whose names were disclosed by Philip Schofield in connection with allegations of child abuse made in This Morning; and,

- The BBC was in breach of Section Seven of the Code by failing to provide the individual against whom allegations of child abuse were made in the Newsnight programme an appropriate and timely opportunity and to respond to the allegations before the programme was broadcast.

I can confirm that Ofcom considers that both the Newsnight and This Morning programmes raise issues warranting investigation in relation to:

1) the application of generally accepted standards by ITV and the BBC; and,

2) the application of standards to prevent unfair treatment to an individual, and unwarranted infringements of privacy.

Ofcom has general duties under section 3 of the Communications Act 2003 ("the 2003 Act") to (among other things) secure the application, in the case of all television and radio services, of:

1) standards that provide adequate protection to members of the public from the inclusion of offensive and harmful material in such services (Section 3(2)e of the 2003 Act); and

2) standards that provide adequate protection to members of the public and to all other persons from both (i) unfair treatment in programmes included in such services; and (ii) unwarranted infringements of privacy resulting from activities carried on for the purposes of such services (Section 3(2)(f) of the 2003 Act).

Therefore, Ofcom has begun investigations into whether the BBC and ITV maintained appropriate standards and ensured that these programmes complied with Rules 2.1, 7.1 and 8.1 (and the relevant "Practices to be followed") of the Code.

You also queried whether the current wording of Section Seven of the Code creates a potential loophole, in relation to innuendo and social media, which broadcasters can use to avoid the fairness requirements of the Code. We believe that Ofcom is able to investigate and properly address the issues raised by the broadcast of these programmes and the resulting speculation on social media and do not consider that there is a potential loophole of the manner you describe. However, I would be happy to discuss this issue with you if that would be helpful.

Thank you for raising these matters with Ofcom. Given the public interest in your original letters to Ofcom, we have placed a copy of this response on our website.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Close

Ofcom Director of Standards, Content, International and Regulatory Development

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Reward Of £10k Offered After Deadly House Fire

A reward of up to £10,000 is being offered to help catch whoever was responsible for a house fire which killed six members of the same family.

Essex Police recently said they suspect there was a burglary at the house shortly before the blaze.

Sabah Usmani, her sons Muneeb, nine, and Rayyan, six, and daughter Hira, 12, died in the fire in the early hours of October 15 at their home in Barn Mead, Harlow.

A third son, Sohaib, 11, and daughter Maheen, three, died later in hospital. Dr Usmani's husband, Abdul Shakoor, was the only survivor.

Crimestoppers said it would pay the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Ann Scott from the charity said: "This is an absolutely heartbreaking incident which has devastated and shocked the entire community.

"It is impossible to imagine how Dr Shakoor, who survived the fire, is coping with the loss of his family.

"Please come forward to the independent charity Crimestoppers so this truly awful crime can be solved."

Dr Usmani's husband Abdul Shakour was the only survivor

She added people had "nothing to fear" by contacting Crimestoppers as all witnesses could remain anonymous.

Information is particularly wanted about a group of four males who were outside the house in the early hours of October 15.

They are described as aged between 16 and 19 and wearing tracksuits and baseball caps. There were two others on bikes.

The first is described as 15 to 18 with ginger or light brown hair. He was wearing black jogging bottoms with stripes down the legs, a hip-length anorak style jacket with a hood and was riding a light-coloured bike.

The second was riding a black mountain bike. He is described as 16 to 18 and was wearing a light grey top.

A Ford Focus parked nearby also caught fire around the same time.

A laptop bag containing personal items belonging to Dr Shakoor was found abandoned near lock-up garages in Whitewaits, Harlow, on October 26.

It is thought the laptop might have been stolen in the burglary. Officers are yet to trace his black Toshiba laptop which has a two-pin connection used with an adaptor.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Dave Lee Travis 'Arrested By Savile Police'

Former DJ Dave Lee Travis has been arrested by police investigating the Jimmy Savile child abuse scandal, Sky sources say.

The one time Radio One star and former presenter of Top Of The Pops, is reportedly being questioned on suspicion of sexual offences.

He was arrested by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Operation Yewtree at his home in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, at 7.45am, according to sources.

Sky's Tom Parmenter is at the DJ's home. He said: "We have seen a number of police vehicles, firstly one marked police car and then an unmarked police car leaving this property. Then another two cars arrived.

"We believe that Dave Lee Travis' wife is still inside the home and we wait to see if there are any further developments."

He added: "We know from previous statements from Dave Lee Travis that he has always strenuously denied any misconduct or any sexual assault allegations made against him."

Dave Lee Travis, left, with Jimmy Savile

It is understood that the allegations do not directly involve Savile and are classed under the strand of the investigation termed "others".

The Metropolitan Police Service is leading a national investigation into abuse allegations made against the disgraced Jim'll Fix It presenter.

Officers are looking at three strands within their inquiry - claims against Savile, those against Savile and others, and those against others.

Most of the "others" allegations have been made against people associated with the entertainment industry.

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr and a 73-year-old man have already been arrested and bailed in connection with the investigation.

More follows...

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Inbetweeners Actress Sent Twitter Death Threat

Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack has been sent death threats by a Twitter user.

Atack, who played Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the E4 show, contacted the police after receiving a number of threatening tweets from a user calling themself Jeff Jones.

A message from Twitter account @jeffjon56599388 said:  "Emily its time 4 u to leave this world, ur last hours wnt be pleasant, it will acheive (sic) the objective."

Another said: "u sound happy!? im glad!!! visit yr family now ... tell them goodbye! it'll be yr last chance to do so!!!!!!"

The 22-year-old actress, who was born in Luton, contacted Bedfordshire Police and urged her followers to do the same.

The police are now investigating the threats that were sent to the star

From her account @EmAtack, she tweeted: "Everyone report @jeffjon56599388 https://twitter.com/jeffjon56599388@ never read/seen anything so vicious towards me in my whole life."

Atack, who has also appeared on ITV's Dancing On Ice, then replied to her abuser saying: "Prison for you."

She told her fans: "Hi all, thanks for your nice tweets! Police are on the case. X"

A police spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that we received a complaint reporting malicious communications and our investigations are ongoing."

Malcolm Browning, Atack's agent, said: "This has been a very upsetting and unsettling incident for Emily, but we are reassured that the police have responded so quickly and are taking this matter so seriously."

The Inbetweeners, which aired for three series from 2008 to 2010, spawned The Inbetweeners Movie in 2011 and a forthcoming spin-off series called Drifters.

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Energy Firm SSE Defends 38% Profits Rise

The energy firm SSE has defended a 38% rise in half year profits at a time when its gas and electricity bills are rising by 9% on average.

The company, formerly known as Scottish & Southern Energy, made an adjusted profit before tax of £397.5m in the six months to September 30.

SSE's retail business, which supplies electricity and gas to homes and businesses, reported an operating profit of £75.7m for the first-half after posting an operating loss of £101.4m a year ago.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, the firm's chairman, said: "While some observers may choose to criticise SSE for making a profit and paying a dividend (of 25.2p per share - a rise of 5%) I believe that profit and dividend allow SSE to employ people, pay tax, provide services that customers need, make investments that keep the lights on and create jobs while providing an income return that shareholders like pension funds need."

In August SSE, which trades as Southern Electric, Swalec and Scottish Hydro and is the UK's second-largest generator of electricity, became the first of the so-called 'big six' energy firms to announce inflation-busting increases to household bills.

It blamed "sustained increases" in the cost of using the electricity and gas networks, costs associated with mandatory Government schemes and the price it had paid for energy in the wholesale markets for the 9% rise, which came into effect last month.

Wholesale gas charges had risen 14% year-on-year, the group said and its bill increase would add another £8.53 a month on to the typical monthly direct debit, dual fuel customer - taking the average annual bill to £1,274.

In its statement today SSE said that despite the rise its retail profit margin was just 1.5%.

"The prices achieved for generating electricity have been weak and higher gas and non-energy costs unfortunately had to be reflected in the increase in household energy prices."

Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, suggested energy firms only had themselves to blame for criticism of profits.

"The furore over wholesale costs, energy pricing and company profits has deepened consumer distrust in the energy industry.

"Energy companies need to make profit so they can invest in our energy infrastructure. But if confidence is to be rebuilt in this market, the information that all energy firms are required to provide must be fully transparent, comparable, and include profit and trading information from across the whole of their business."

SSE's share price opened up slightly when trading began on the FTSE 100.

At the same time, rival npower - another of the 'big six' confirmed an operating profit - a different measure to that of SSE - of £238m for its first nine months.

That represented a 2% fall on the same period last year, the company said.

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Woman 'Refused' Abortion In Ireland Dies

By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent

Investigations have been launched after a pregnant woman died in hospital in Ireland after allegedly being refused an abortion.

Savita Halappanavar, 31, suffered a miscarriage and septicaemia. Her husband Praveen claims doctors refused to carry out a termination for religious reasons.

Mrs Halappanavar, who was from India, was 17 weeks pregnant when admitted to Galway University Hospital.

She was suffering from agonising pain and, according to her husband, made several requests for an abortion.

Mr Halappanavar, 34, said doctors had refused to terminate the pregnancy because there was a foetal heartbeat and told his wife: "This is a Catholic country."

The young woman, who had been practising as a dentist in the Republic of Ireland for some time, died on October 28 after developing septicaemia - an infection in the blood.

Her death is expected to spark a backlash against the Irish government, criticised by left-wing members of parliament for failing to introduce new laws to permit abortion in life-threatening circumstances.

Clare Daly, a Socialist Party member of parliament, said: "A woman has died because Galway University Hospital refused to perform an abortion needed to prevent serious risk to her life.

"We were told this situation would never arise. An unviable foetus - she was having a miscarriage - was given priority over the woman, who unfortunately and predictably, developed septicaemia and died."

Galway Roscommon University Hospitals Group and the state's health officials have launched an investigation.

The family will be interviewed as part of that review and results are expected within three months.

The Galway hospital said doctors have carried out all standard practices in notifying the death to the coroner, informing the Health Service Executive and completing a maternal death notification.

"It is standard practice to review unexpected deaths in line with the HSE's national incident management policy," it said.

"The family of the deceased is consulted on the terms of reference, interviewed by the review team and given a copy of the final report."

A spokesman added: "The Galway Roscommon University Hospitals Group wishes to extend its sympathy to the husband, family and friends of Ms Halappanavar."

The Department of Health also expressed its condolences but said it would wait for the two investigations to be completed before commenting further.

Abortion remains illegal in the Republic unless it occurs as the result of medical intervention to save the mother's life.

There is, however, no agreed method for determining such circumstances.

Abortion is legal in Northern Ireland but only if there is an immediate threat to the mother's life or a long-term threat to her physical or mental health.

The first private abortion clinic on the island opened in Belfast last month.

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April Jones: Police Stop Searching River

Police looking for missing five-year-old April Jones have switched the focus of their search to a forest, the police officer in charge of the operation has said.

Superintendent Ian John, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said officers had stopped combing the river, which had previously been at the centre of the search, and were instead looking at the land around it.

He said they still had 150 officers working on finding April at any one time in a continued effort to find her, more than six weeks after she went missing.

April was last seen on October 1, getting into a vehicle after playing near her home on the Bryn y Gog estate in the town of Machynlleth, Powys.

Her disappearance sparked the biggest search operation ever undertaken by the Dyfed-Powys Police force, covering 23 square miles.

Seventeen specialist teams continue to work on the case and are investigating all lines of enquiry.

Officers and coastguards had concentrated their efforts on the River Dyfi but are now focusing on the 6,000 hectares of surrounding forest land.

Search teams scouring the River Dyfi

Supt John said: "We've still got a number of search areas to investigate, but at the moment teams are primarily working in the Dyfi Forest.

"We are not searching the river actively now. The coastguard have stopped doing that, they have adequately searched the water as much as they can.

"Instead, it's primarily the woodland areas, the old slate quarries and the fields which are the main focus of the operation now."

Hundreds of members of the public joined in the search for April and they continue to raise money to help fund the search.

Supt John said: "I can't truly express how hard going the work is, the guys have been out there in the pouring rain day after day and still they continue.

"We are not searching weekends anymore because they officers all need to rest, but we are still working at an intensive level."

Mark Bridger, 46, a former abattoir worker, has been charged with April's murder and is due to appear in court on January 11.

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Baby Died After 'Serious Failures' At Hospital

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

A baby died at Birmingham Children's Hospital after "serious failures", a coroner has ruled.

Hayley Fullerton suffered heart failure following corrective surgery in November 2009, one month after her first birthday.

Recording a narrative verdict following an inquest into Hayley's death, Aidan Cotter, coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said: "The failures by a number of the staff at Birmingham Children's Hospital were serious but not gross."

He said he could only make a finding of neglect if there had been a "gross" failure to provide medical attention .

Paula Stevenson holding her daughter Hayley.

Following the verdict, Hayley's mother, Paula Stevenson, said that she planned to sue the NHS over her daughter's "preventable and predictable" death. 

She said: "Today is Hayley's day - I have been waiting three years to speak up.

"Hayley died like an abandoned animal - nobody listened to me while Hayley was dying and nobody listened to me when Hayley was dead."

Ms Stevenson, who flew to the UK from Australia to attend today's hearing with Hayley's father Bobby Fullerton, added: "Our entire family has been completely devastated by what happened and to this day we continue to grieve for Hayley.

"I still cannot understand how trained medics could ignore the fact that she was slowly deteriorating before their eyes.

"They had seven days to spot that something was seriously wrong but all those precious opportunities were missed."

Hayley was born with a condition that restricted blood getting from her heart to her lungs.

After an operation at another hospital, she was sent to Birmingham for corrective heart surgery.

Hayley Fullerton suffered a collapsed lung after heart surgery.

The operation was a success, but complications set in when Hayley's right lung collapsed.

Ms Stevenson, told the coroner's court earlier this year: "I was hoping she would be put in intensive care.

"I was waiting and waiting for someone to come so I was very aware and alert. I was telling her sorry I could not get help."

She also claimed that her child had been failed "abominably" and said her experience at the hands of some staff has been "brutal".

Ms Stevenson, who is originally from Northern Ireland but now lives in Australia, went on to allege that she gave a nurse a £100 gift voucher in an effort to secure better care for Hayley.

"I truly believe if the medical teams had listened to me and my parents, Hayley would still be alive today. They turned their back on her. She was overlooked and neglected," she said.

In an internal review of Hayley's death, the NHS found that a "hierarchy" among medics deterred junior staff from referring Hayley back to a paediatric intensive care unit in the days before her death on November 11.

In a statement issued after the coroner's verdict, the Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: "When Hayley died we recognised that some of her care fell below our usual high standards and for this we offer a heartfelt apology for the distress that has been caused.

"We've taken all the steps possible to learn from this."

Ms Stevenson has now set up a website, heal-trust.org, which campaigns for the NHS to use Rapid Response Teams, which families, friends or patients can call if they feel their concerns over treatment aren't being heeded.

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Club Drugs: Health Warning As Use Increases

By Niall Paterson, Sky News Correspondent

The number of people seeking treatment for their use of so-called "club drugs" is on the rise, according to new research.

The report, "Club Drugs – Emerging Trends And Risks", from the National Treatment Agency for Substance Abuse (NTA) - says that last year 6,486 people sought treatment – up from 4,656 in 2005-6.

Paul Hayes, the chief executive of the NTA, said: "It is clear that some club drug users are developing serious health problems and even dependency.

"While drug use overall is falling, there is an increase in the number of people turning to treatment for club drugs. The numbers remain small compared to heroin and crack addiction, but services need to be geared up to meet these emerging needs.

"For those who do seek treatment, they stand a very good chance of overcoming their problems. Many have personal support and resources that put them in a good position to recover. We would encourage anyone who is developing a problem to seek help."

Club drugs include ketamine, methamphetamine, GBL, GNH, ecstasy and mephedrone.

While the number of people seeking treatment for such drugs is small compared to heroin and crack cocaine, experts warn that abuse of club drugs could lead to significant health problems, or even dependency.

Psychiatrist Owen Bowden Jones of the club drug clinic at Chelsea and Westminster hospital said "This group of substances can result in harmful effects such as bladder damage and psychosis.

"However, treatment can be very effective and we have seen some excellent results, with people overcoming a range of complicated physical and psychological problems.

"While overall the drug treatment system has made tremendous gains in recent years, particularly in tackling heroin and crack, newer club drug use is a significant challenge and we are still learning the full extent of the resulting harms.

"It is important that investment in services is maintained so that appropriate support is available for those who need it."

The report noted that ecstasy remains the most commonly treated club drug – although the number of new adults entering treatment had halved since 2005-6.

Both ketamine and mephedrone are becoming increasingly popular with clubbers.

However, the report also found that club drug users do well when they seek treatment. Last year 61% of adults who left treatment for club drug use did so having completed their programme successfully.

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Prince Charles Myths Denied By Clarence House

Claims Prince Charles has seven boiled eggs cooked for his breakfast but only eats one have been dismissed by Clarence House as part of a new royal myth-busting mission.

The anecdote was first written about by Jeremy Paxman, the Newsnight presenter, in his book On Royalty in 2006 - apparently the Prince is so fussy about how he likes his eggs that he requires a selection to take his pick from.

But now, on a new website dedicated to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the tale has been refuted.

In the FAQs section, 26 questions are answered about the royal couple, ranging from how many staff they have, to whether Camilla still smokes - apparently she gave up "many years ago".

The site says Prince Charles pays 50% tax on his earnings from the Duchy of Cornwall but he does not pay corporation tax because the Duchy is a trust not a company.

In response to a question about whether he has made plans for his coronation, Clarence House said he has not been involved in any discussions and does not plan on giving it any consideration during his mother's reign.

It also confirms that the Duchess of Cornwall will not become Queen when her husband accedes to the throne.

Queries about the Prince's environmental credentials and his choice of cars are also addressed.

"The Prince does not own or choose to drive around in a Bentley. The car is required for some engagements for security reasons and is owned by the Metropolitan Police.

"Normally, the Prince and the Duchess are driven around in a Jaguar XJ diesel, his main official car.

"In order to reduce net emissions from car travel, the Prince's Jaguars, Audi and Range Rover have been converted to run on 100% biodiesel made from used cooking oil, and his 40-year-old Aston Martin to run on 100% bioethanol made from waste wine."

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are on a royal tour of Australia and New Zealand to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee.

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Abu Qatada Freed After Winning Appeal

Terror suspect Abu Qatada has been released on bail after winning his latest appeal to avoid extradition to Jordan.

The radical cleric smiled as he was driven from Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire and returned to his family home in north west London.

He was taken from the maximum security jail in a black Volkswagen people carrier and made no attempt to hide from photographers.

Protesters gathered outside his house shouted "out, out, out" when he arrived later and was escorted inside by officials.

Abu Qatada will have to obey a curfew

Resident Jackie Chaunt, 50, said: "He shouldn't be here. It's a disgrace." Aaron Baker added: "We're paying for all this as taxpayers. Its ridiculous."

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said in the Commons that the case shows why the Human Rights Act needs overhauling.

"All of us believe the law should not operate in this way and this case underlines my view that there is a very real need to major changes to the way the European human rights framework operates," he said.

Qatada was granted bail on Monday after judges ruled returning him to his home country to face trial would breach his human rights.

Home Secretary Theresa May had obtained assurances from Jordan that evidence obtained through torture would not be used at his trial.

But in a serious blow, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) said this could still not be guaranteed and refused to back the Government.

Britain has been trying to deport Qatada since 2001

The decision is the latest twist in an 11-year legal battle, that is believed to have cost the British taxpayer at least £1m.

Qatada, once described as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, will have to obey a 16-hour curfew and can only go out between 8am and 4pm.

He will also have to wear an electronic tag, cannot use the internet and will be barred from contacting certain people - who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Round-the-clock surveillance of his home is now expected to be put in place, at a reported cost of up to £100,000 a week.

Downing Street has said the Home Office will be ensuring "we take all the necessary steps" to make sure Qatada does not pose a risk to national security.

Qatada was granted leave to remain in Britain in 1994 after arriving here and seeking asylum but he was convicted of terror charges in Jordan in his absence in 1999.

Since 2001, Britain has been trying to deport him to his home country so that he can be retried but every attempt has been thwarted.

In April, he was rearrested and Mrs May declared he would soon be on a plane - but yet again, he managed to appeal.

The Home Secretary insists he is still "a dangerous man" and the Government is appealing the latest court ruling on the basis that Siac applied the wrong legal test.

"We believe that we have got the right assurances from the Jordanian government," the Prime Minister's spokesman said.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg added: "We are absolutely determined to see this man get on a plane and go back to Jordan, he does not belong here.

"He wanted to inflict harm on our country and this coalition Government is going to do everything we can to challenge this every step of the way to make sure that he is deported."

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Ex-Bishop Held Over Child Sex Abuse Claims

A retired Church of England bishop is among two clergymen arrested over historic allegations of child sex abuse.

Peter Ball, 80, was held at his home near Langport, Somerset, on suspicion of eight sex offences against eight boys and young men aged from 12 to their early 20s, sources said.

The alleged abuse is said to have happened within the scandal-hit Diocese of Chichester in East Sussex and elsewhere in the late 1980s and 1990s.

A second man, an unnamed 67-year-old retired priest, was also detained at his home this morning near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, on suspicion of separate sex offences against two teenage boys in East Sussex between 1981 and 1983, Sussex Police said.

Police said the allegations did not involve the two men allegedly acting together.

The arrests follow a review and subsequent inquiry over the past six months by a team of Sussex Police detectives.

The investigation followed receipt by police in May this year from Lambeth Palace of two reports from a CofE safeguarding consultant.

They contained reviews of Church files relating to safeguarding matters of young people in the Diocese of Chichester during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Officers described it as a "very complex inquiry" during which many people, who are all now adults, have had to be traced along with witnesses and records.

Police said there were no allegations of recent or current offending, and there was no suggestion that any young people are at risk.

Detective Chief Inspector Carwyn Hughes, of Sussex Police, who is leading the investigation, said church officials are co-operating fully with police: "Although the matters referred to are still subject of police investigation, Sussex Police make it clear that the force will always take seriously any allegations of historic sexual offending, and every possible step will be taken to investigate whenever appropriate."

The Diocese of Chichester said the retired bishop - whom it did not name - had had no ministry in Sussex for "many years". Mr Ball is a former Bishop of Lewes who retired as Bishop of Gloucester in 1993.

It said: "Our co-operation with Sussex police in this investigation continues our ongoing commitment to do all that is necessary to bring any alleged criminal matters to the attention of the public authorities, and to ensure that the Diocese of Chichester is a safe place for all in our church communities, whilst being an unsafe place for any who may seek to abuse them."

The Rt Revd Paul Butler, chair of the Churches National Safeguarding Committee, urged any victims of abuse or people with information to come forward and said "support systems" had been put in place for victims.

:: A helpline staffed by the NSPCC has been set up to help anyone who needs support relating to this or other cases: 0800 389 5344.

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Submariner Admits Official Secrets Act Breach

By Darren McCaffrey, Sky Reporter

A former Royal Navy submariner has admitted collecting secret coding programmes that could be useful to an enemy of the UK.

Petty officer Edward Devenney, from Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to gathering details of encryption programmes in breach of the Official Secrets Act.

The 30-year-old also admitted a charge of misconduct in a public office in relation to a meeting with two people he thought were from the Russian secret service.

He said he had discussed information relating to the movement of nuclear submarines with the pair.

They turned out to be British agents who carried out a sting operation in January of this year.

The Official Secrets Act charge was collecting information for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state between November 18 last year and March 7 this year.

Devenney gathered details of "crypto material" - programmes used to encrypt secret information - which could be useful to an enemy.

Edward Devenney on his way to an earlier court appearance

He denied a second count of communicating information to another person and this will not be pursued by prosecutors.

The Ministry of Defence has said no classified information was ever passed on to the Russians or any other countries.

It has described Devenney as somewhat of a Walter Mitty character - referring to the fantasist character in James Thurber's book The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

The judge, who said it was a highly unusual case, adjourned sentencing until December 12.

Some of that hearing will be held in private as the information relates to current British naval operations.

Devenney has been remanded in custody.

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Margaret Moran Found To Have Fiddled Expenses

A Political Career In Tatters

Updated: 2:02pm UK, Tuesday 13 November 2012

Margaret Moran's expenses claims were some of the most notorious of the Westminster scandal and shattered her political career.

It was all a far cry from her promising start in the Labour party in the 90s.

Moran first stood for election in 1992 and finished third in the race for Carshalton and Wallington.

Despite the defeat, she was picked for an all-woman shortlist to stand for Labour in Luton South in the 1997 election, going on to win the seat from the Tories.

She was re-elected in the 2001 election, and promoted to assistant whip, then went on to be voted in for a third term in 2005.

In October that year, her expenses claims for 2004-5 emerged as the second highest in the country - coming to £168,569.

And when the expenses scandal broke in 2009, she was revealed to have claimed £22,500 to treat dry rot at her partner's home in Southampton - 100 miles from her constituency and Westminster.

She remained defiant in the immediate aftermath, saying: "Any MP has to have a proper family life, they have to have support of their partner."

But amid growing public fury she announced she would stand down at the next general election, saying the "understandable public anger" had caused her great stress.

In the first hint of medical problems that would later render her unable to stand trial, she said this had "seriously worsened my existing health problem".

Moran was formally barred from standing again as a Labour candidate and agreed to repay the money.

She had already been off work since the expenses scandal erupted, blaming stress, but the drama did not end there.

In March 2010, she was among several MPs - including three ex-Cabinet ministers - caught in a TV "sting" agreeing to use their position to influence government policy for cash.

The group were secretly filmed discussing the possibility of working for what they thought was an American lobby company.

Moran was suspended from the Labour Party after the revelations.

Little was then heard from her until September 2011 when the Crown Prosecution Service announced she would face criminal charges.

She wept inconsolably throughout a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, having to be passed a tissue by a court official.

It was later ruled that she was unfit to stand trial because of her mental health problems but a trial of the facts went ahead in her absence.

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Prison Officer Murder: 'IRA' Group Claims Attack

A group of militant Irish nationalists has said it was responsible for the murder of a Northern Irish prison officer as he drove to work earlier this month.

The Belfast-based Irish News newspaper said it had a received a statement from a coalition of dissident groups calling itself the IRA.

The group claims to be the successor of the much larger Provisional IRA which fought British forces in the 1970s and 80s but disbanded after the 1998 Good Friday peace deal.

David Black, 52, was gunned down in a high-speed motorway ambush as he drove to the top security Maghaberry jail, near Lisburn, County Antrim, on November 1.

It was the first killing of a prison officer in Northern Ireland in almost 20 years and the fifth fatal attack on a member of the security establishment since 1998.

Mr Black's funeral on November 6

"An active service unit of the IRA executed prison guard David Black," the IRA statement said.

"While the IRA never takes this type of action lightly, the IRA has a responsibility to protect and defend Republican PoWs (Prisoners of War)."

The statement said the killing was a direct response to what it said was the "degradation" of Republican prisoners at Maghaberry, where militant nationalists have been protesting against their living conditions and strip-searches.

Four men have been arrested by police in connection with the murder, but all have been released without charge.

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Burning Poppy Photo: Man Faces Questioning

A man is to be questioned by police after an image of a burning poppy was posted on Facebook on Remembrance Sunday.

Kent Police said the 19-year-old, from Canterbury, was detained last night on suspicion of making malicious telecommunications and is in custody awaiting interview.

The force said in a statement: "A man is due to be interviewed by police this morning following reports that a picture of a burning poppy had been posted on a social media website.

"Officers were contacted at around 4pm yesterday and alerted to the picture, which was reportedly accompanied by an offensive comment."

The arrest was met with disbelief on Twitter, where people mounted a fierce discussion over civil liberties.

Tom Williams, tweeting as @tomwilliamsisme, wrote: "The scary thing is, the man wasn't arrested for burning a poppy - that's not illegal. He was arrested for putting it online."

Jamie's Pants, under @thisisrjg, tweeted: "We do not have a right to not be offended. We certainly don't have a right to lock up someone for offending some people", 

And Thom Lumley, tweeting as @Hotstepperrr, wrote: "Dear idiots at Kent Police, burning a poppy may be obnoxious, but it is not a criminal offence."

David Allen Green, a journalist and lawyer for the New Statesman, tweeting as Jack of Kent, wrote: "What was the point of winning either World War if, in 2012, someone can be casually arrested by Kent Police for burning a poppy?"

Australian musician and comedian Tim Minchin also tweeted his incredulity, saying: "You've a right to burn a (fake!) poppy. Whether I agree with the action is utterly irrelevant. Kent Police are out of line."

Meanwhile, a man who skateboarded alongside a Remembrance Sunday parade wearing a pink outfit and horned mask has been charged under the Public Order Act, police said.

Jose Paulo Da Silveria, 38, is alleged to have skateboarded beside marching troops as they made their way past the cenotaph towards College Green in Bristol city centre.

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Karen Otmani Jailed Over Body In Wheelie Bin

A woman who killed her lover and hid his body in a wheelie bin in her bedroom for 11 days has been jailed for life.

Mother-of-two Karen Otmani, 42, was told she would have to serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars after being found guilty of murdering Shaun Corey.

After spiking his beer, Otmani tied him to her bed at her home in Forest Hill, south London, before placing a plastic bag over his head on June 4 last year.

She then hid his body in the green bin for 11 days before a police search revealed what she had done, the Old Bailey heard.

She put him into the bin with the help of her friend, Bernard Beddoe, laid it on its side, and covered it up.

Otmani had been talking about getting rid of her on-off lover and had even asked another boyfriend to experiment with some blue liquid to see if it would knock him out, it was alleged.

Bobbie Cheema, prosecuting, told the jury: "When she began to speak about killing Mr Corey, he did not take it seriously."

Bernard Beffoe was found guilty of assisting an offender

Mr Corey, 42, was heard arguing with Otmani in her bedroom before they were joined by Beddoe, 60, whom she called Uncle.

New boyfriend Keith Jones rang police after visiting the flat and being told: "He's in there".

Miss Cheema said: "She said she'd measured her freezer but it was too small and she needed to get another freezer."

The court heard Otmani told officers: "I killed him. He freaked me out and I killed him."

Judge Gerald Gordon told Otmani: "For reasons best known to yourself, you formed the intention to kill your on-off partner.

"You concealed his body for a significant period, causing extra suffering for his family."

Otmani, who wore a pink top in the dock, showed no emotion but thanked the judge after she was sentenced.

Beddoe, of Brockley, south London, was found guilty of assisting an offender and was remanded for reports until December 7.

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Coach Fall: Woman Hurt On M42 Motorway

A woman has suffered a serious head injury after falling from a coach travelling on the M42 motorway in the West Midlands.

The victim, in her 20s, is believed to have fallen from the vehicle's emergency exit near the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to junction six of the motorway shortly after 11pm on Sunday night.

An ambulance service spokesman said the woman had suffered a serious head injury and was stabilised at the scene before being taken to Coventry's University Hospital.

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Qatada Given Bail After Winning Latest Appeal

Abu Qatada is to be freed after winning his latest appeal against extradition, in a major blow to Home Secretary Theresa May.

The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) decided the radical cleric could not have a fair trial in Jordan because evidence obtained via torture could be used against him.

This is despite the Home Secretary securing assurances from the country that this would not happen.

Qatada will be released on bail on Tuesday after Home Office lawyers failed to persuade Siac judges he should stay behind bars.

They insisted that the Palestinian-born Jordanian cleric, whose real name is Omar Mahmoud Mohammed Othman, poses "an enormous risk to national security".

But Edward Fitzgerald QC, for Qatada, declared: "Enough is enough. It has gone on for many years now. There is no prospect of deportation taking place within a reasonable time, in fact there is no prospect at present of deportation at all."

The successful appeal is the latest twist in a battle that has now lasted more than a decade.

Siac has already rejected the Government's application to challenge the decision but permission can still be sought at the Court of Appeal.

Robin Tam QC, for the Home Office, said: "You have made a legal error in setting the threshold too low. We should have the possibility to ask the Court of Appeal to consider that."

The ruling is a blow to Home Secretary Theresa May

The Home Office said the Government "strongly disagrees" with the ruling.

"We have obtained assurances not just in relation to the treatment of Qatada himself, but about the quality of the legal processes that would be followed throughout his trial," a spokesman said.

"Indeed, today's ruling found that 'the Jordanian judiciary, like their executive counterparts, are determined to ensure that the appellant will receive, and be seen to receive, a fair retrial'. We will therefore seek leave to appeal."

Mrs May will make a statement in the Commons later.

Qatada, once described by a judge as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, was allowed to stay in Britain in 1994 but was convicted of terror charges in Jordan in his absence in 1999.

The cleric, who is said to have wide and high-level support among extremists, featured in hate sermons found on videos in the flat of one of the September 11 bombers.

In December 2001, he became one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in west London. He was arrested almost a year later and detained in Belmarsh prison.

He has been in and out of jail in the intervening years and was rearrested in April amid hopes in Government that he could finally be removed from the country.

His legal team lodged a fresh appeal at the European Court of Human Rights but lost, kicking the fight back to the British courts and Siac.

At the hearing last month, Jordan expert Professor Beverley Milton-Edwards, had warned that a fair trial for Qatada there was "unlikely".

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Victoria Cross Charity Role For George, 12

Bereaved Mum's Journey Of Despair

Updated: 9:44am UK, Sunday 11 November 2012

By Lucy Cotter and Richard Suchet

For the families of those killed in war, Remembrance Sunday can be a day of profound grief.

While the nation - and the Commonwealth - expresses its gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the bereaved are reminded of their own suffering and loss.

Some 53 British servicemen and women have been killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 months and 437 have died there since operations began in 2001.

Margaret Evison's son Mark died in Helmand Province in 2009.

A lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, he was considered one of the finest officers of his generation.

He died aged just 26 after being shot in the shoulder while leading a patrol in Helmand.

Margaret's book Death Of A Soldier describes the aftermath - from the time she was told her son had been injured, up until after his inquest.

It is an incredibly moving account which articulates the loss of a child, and is deeply thought-provoking.

But it also asks important questions about the circumstances surrounding Lt Evison's death, about the Army and the war in Afghanistan.

Ms Evison said: "It's a journey through despair, but also a tale of surprises, sometimes magical ... to pay my respects to a young man who commanded such love and respect in his short life."

Lt Evison was clearly a remarkable man, who achieved a great deal and inspired those who knew him.

Nicknamed 007, he was idolised by his men and was destined for a very bright future in the Army he loved so much.

Brigadier Tim Radford, heading the 19th Brigade in Afghanistan at the time, wrote: "He was charming, utterly focused, thoughtful and he left an indelible stamp.

"I know his soldiers adored him and he was held in such high esteem by them. Mark was described by his solders as having 'a face that was sculpted by angels'. In 25 years in the army, I have never heard soldiers speak with such affection about one of their officers."

The book brings Lt Evison to life through his mother's words, but also uses his own.

He wrote a diary in Afghanistan until a few days before he died which is included, along with extracts from the many letters written to the family from people who knew Lt Evison.

As well as being a very personal story about loss, the book illustrates the heroics of the people involved in trying to save Lt Evison, but also questions whether his death could have been avoided.

Ms Evison battled with the Ministry of Defence and found evidence that there was a lack of resources, poor radio equipment, and a delay in the helicopter sent to rescue Lt Evison which had an impact on his care.

She not only questions the Army's deficiencies, but the legitimacy of the campaign in Afghanistan.

However, the book ends on a very positive note, describing The Mark Evison Foundation, which was set up shortly after his death to inspire young people and help them develop their potential.

"We wanted the foundation to reflect Mark's unusual capacity to be a life-enhancer," she wrote. "That became its strap line 'Bring out the best in you'."

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Missing Girl: Man Hands Himself In To Police

A 22-year-old man wanted in connection with the suspected murder of a teenager has handed himself in to police.

Hertfordshire Police said Jack Wall was arrested by officers investigating the disappearance of Amelia Arnold, who was last seen on Wednesday.

Detectives fear that Miss Arnold, aged 19, has been murdered and are focusing their enquiries on her home in Hadrian's Walk, Stevenage.

Wall, also of Stevenage, has been arrested on suspicion of Miss Arnold's murder.

He presented himself to officers at a police station in Hertfordshire after detectives appealed for him to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Redfearn, from the joint Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Amelia's family are extremely distraught and are desperate for information on her whereabouts."

Officers particularly want to hear from anyone who lives in and around Hollybush Lane, Welwyn Garden City, and saw a white van or anyone depositing items in the area on Thursday afternoon or evening.

"I'd also renew my appeal for anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in Hadrian's Walk between Wednesday and Friday to come forward," added DCI Redfearn.

Meanwhile, police are continuing to question a 41-year-old man arrested on Saturday.

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Remembrance Sunday: Tributes To The Fallen

Two minutes' silence have been held to remember those who have fallen in battle.

Marked by the first stroke of Big Ben at 11am and the firing of a gun from Horse Guards Parade by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the silence at the Cenotaph in London was followed by The Last Post, sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines.

The Queen laid the first wreath in Whitehall, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Prince Michael of Kent and Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank.

The Queen laid the first wreath

Wreaths were also laid by Prime Minister David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, opposition leader Ed Miliband and Westminster Plaid Cymru group leader Elfyn Llwyd, as well as high commissioners from Commonwealth countries and leaders of the Armed Forces.

Thousands of veterans have also marched through Whitehall to pay their respects at the Cenotaph.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, currently on their Diamond Jubilee Tour in New Zealand, had already paid their respects, laying a wreath of poppies at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Prince Charles visited Auckland War Memorial with the Duchess of Cornwall

There are a number of services taking place, including at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which was attended by around 3,000 people.

The arboretum's focal point, the national Armed Forces Memorial, is designed so that on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a shaft of sunlight dissects its inner and outer walls, falling on a bronze wreath sculpture.

Services also took place at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.

For the first time, the two most senior members of the Irish government attended Remembrance events in Northern Ireland.

Irish premier Enda Kenny was in Enniskillen, 25 years after the 'Poppy Day bombing' which killed 11 people and injured more than 60. Mr Kenny laid a laurel wreath at the war memorial, only yards from where the no-warning blast detonated a quarter of a century ago

Political leaders also paid their respects

Deputy leader Eamon Gilmore also laid a wreath with Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers in Belfast.

In Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, around 150 servicemen and women attended a service at 11am Afghan time, marking the two-minute silence before a bugler sounded the reveille.

Other ceremonies have been held across Helmand at patrol bases and checkpoints by the 9,500 British forces serving there.

Thousands of people also respected the two-minute silence on Twitter, abstaining from posting messages during the period of reflection. The idea was spread using the hashtag #2minutesilence.

On Saturday night, Rod Stewart performed for the Queen at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance in honour of Britain's war dead.

The show included the traditional two minute silence as poppy petals fell from the roof of the Royal Albert Hall, each representing a life lost in war.

Two minutes of silence begin at 11am every year on November 11 to commemorate the armistice signed between the Allies of World War One and Germany for a ceasefire on the Western Front, which took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

The England cricket team fall silent during their tour match in India

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Remembrance Sunday: Tribute To Helmand Soldier

By Lucy Cotter and Richard Suchet

For the families of those killed in war, Remembrance Sunday can be a day of profound grief.

While the nation - and the Commonwealth - expresses its gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the bereaved are reminded of their own suffering and loss.

Some 53 British servicemen and women have been killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 months and 437 have died there since operations began in 2001.

Margaret Evison's son Mark died in Helmand Province in 2009.

A lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, he was considered one of the finest officers of his generation.

Ms Evison's book describes the aftermath of her son's death

He died aged just 26 after being shot in the shoulder while leading a patrol in Helmand.

Margaret's book Death Of A Soldier describes the aftermath - from the time she was told her son had been injured, up until after his inquest.

It is an incredibly moving account which articulates the loss of a child, and is deeply thought-provoking.

But it also asks important questions about the circumstances surrounding Lt Evison's death, about the Army and the war in Afghanistan.

Ms Evison said: "It's a journey through despair, but also a tale of surprises, sometimes magical ... to pay my respects to a young man who commanded such love and respect in his short life."

Mark Evison was one of the army's brightest stars

Lt Evison was clearly a remarkable man, who achieved a great deal and inspired those who knew him.

Nicknamed 007, he was idolised by his men and was destined for a very bright future in the Army he loved so much.

Brigadier Tim Radford, heading the 19th Brigade in Afghanistan at the time, wrote: "He was charming, utterly focused, thoughtful and he left an indelible stamp.

"I know his soldiers adored him and he was held in such high esteem by them. Mark was described by his solders as having 'a face that was sculpted by angels'. In 25 years in the army, I have never heard soldiers speak with such affection about one of their officers."

The book brings Lt Evison to life through his mother's words, but also uses his own.

He wrote a diary in Afghanistan until a few days before he died which is included, along with extracts from the many letters written to the family from people who knew Lt Evison.

As well as being a very personal story about loss, the book illustrates the heroics of the people involved in trying to save Lt Evison, but also questions whether his death could have been avoided.

Ms Evison battled with the Ministry of Defence and found evidence that there was a lack of resources, poor radio equipment, and a delay in the helicopter sent to rescue Lt Evison which had an impact on his care.

She not only questions the Army's deficiencies, but the legitimacy of the campaign in Afghanistan.

However, the book ends on a very positive note, describing The Mark Evison Foundation, which was set up shortly after his death to inspire young people and help them develop their potential.

"We wanted the foundation to reflect Mark's unusual capacity to be a life-enhancer," she wrote. "That became its strap line 'Bring out the best in you'."

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Man Bailed By Jimmy Savile Inquiry Police

A man in his 70s arrested in connection with the Jimmy Savile sex abuse investigation has been released on bail.

The suspect was held as part of Operation Yewtree - an inquiry into alleged child sexual exploitation by Savile and others.

Police said the man was detained at an address in Cambridge on suspicion of sexual offences, and was taken into custody locally.

He has now been bailed to a date in December pending further inquiries.

The arrest was the third made in Operation Yewtree.

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was arrested first and questioned at a central London police station after being detained at his home in the capital.

Comedian Freddie Starr was arrested next. He was detained twice and released on bail for a second time earlier this month, as part of the Savile abuse inquiry.

The 69-year-old, from Warwickshire, was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences.

He has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged abuse.

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation into former TV and radio presenter Savile, who died last year at the age of 84.

He is now believed to have been one of the UK's most prolific abusers, with about 300 possible victims.

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Man Bailed By Jimmy Savile Inquiry Police

A man in his 70s arrested in connection with the Jimmy Savile sex abuse investigation has been released on bail.

The suspect was held as part of Operation Yewtree - an inquiry into alleged child sexual exploitation by Savile and others.

Police said the man was detained at an address in Cambridge on suspicion of sexual offences, and was taken into custody locally.

He has now been bailed to a date in December pending further inquiries.

The arrest was the third made in Operation Yewtree.

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was arrested first and questioned at a central London police station after being detained at his home in the capital.

Comedian Freddie Starr was arrested next. He was detained twice and released on bail for a second time earlier this month, as part of the Savile abuse inquiry.

The 69-year-old, from Warwickshire, was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences.

He has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged abuse.

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation into former TV and radio presenter Savile, who died last year at the age of 84.

He is now believed to have been one of the UK's most prolific abusers, with about 300 possible victims.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victoria Cross Charity Role For George, 12

Bereaved Mum's Journey Of Despair

Updated: 9:44am UK, Sunday 11 November 2012

By Lucy Cotter and Richard Suchet

For the families of those killed in war, Remembrance Sunday can be a day of profound grief.

While the nation - and the Commonwealth - expresses its gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the bereaved are reminded of their own suffering and loss.

Some 53 British servicemen and women have been killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 months and 437 have died there since operations began in 2001.

Margaret Evison's son Mark died in Helmand Province in 2009.

A lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, he was considered one of the finest officers of his generation.

He died aged just 26 after being shot in the shoulder while leading a patrol in Helmand.

Margaret's book Death Of A Soldier describes the aftermath - from the time she was told her son had been injured, up until after his inquest.

It is an incredibly moving account which articulates the loss of a child, and is deeply thought-provoking.

But it also asks important questions about the circumstances surrounding Lt Evison's death, about the Army and the war in Afghanistan.

Ms Evison said: "It's a journey through despair, but also a tale of surprises, sometimes magical ... to pay my respects to a young man who commanded such love and respect in his short life."

Lt Evison was clearly a remarkable man, who achieved a great deal and inspired those who knew him.

Nicknamed 007, he was idolised by his men and was destined for a very bright future in the Army he loved so much.

Brigadier Tim Radford, heading the 19th Brigade in Afghanistan at the time, wrote: "He was charming, utterly focused, thoughtful and he left an indelible stamp.

"I know his soldiers adored him and he was held in such high esteem by them. Mark was described by his solders as having 'a face that was sculpted by angels'. In 25 years in the army, I have never heard soldiers speak with such affection about one of their officers."

The book brings Lt Evison to life through his mother's words, but also uses his own.

He wrote a diary in Afghanistan until a few days before he died which is included, along with extracts from the many letters written to the family from people who knew Lt Evison.

As well as being a very personal story about loss, the book illustrates the heroics of the people involved in trying to save Lt Evison, but also questions whether his death could have been avoided.

Ms Evison battled with the Ministry of Defence and found evidence that there was a lack of resources, poor radio equipment, and a delay in the helicopter sent to rescue Lt Evison which had an impact on his care.

She not only questions the Army's deficiencies, but the legitimacy of the campaign in Afghanistan.

However, the book ends on a very positive note, describing The Mark Evison Foundation, which was set up shortly after his death to inspire young people and help them develop their potential.

"We wanted the foundation to reflect Mark's unusual capacity to be a life-enhancer," she wrote. "That became its strap line 'Bring out the best in you'."

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