Austrian Alps Fall Kills British Climber

A British climber has died in the Austrian Alps after losing his balance and plunging around 200 metres (650ft) down a slope.

Police said the 42-year-old man, who has not been named, was hiking with a companion in the Tyrol region in western Austria on Friday.

Neither was an experienced climber, according to police.

The Foreign Office confirmed it was communicating with the Austrian authorities.

A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Austria. We are providing consular assistance to the family." 

The official tourism website for the area said it is popular with novice hikers and seasoned climbers, with a rating system that includes "easy" hiking trails, moderate mountain footpaths and "extreme" Alpine routes.

The latest tragedy comes just over a month after a British skier died when he fell down the north face of the Aiguille du Midi mountain in the French Alps.

The man was with another skier when they were caught in a storm while descending the challenging Vallee Blanche near Chamonix.

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EDL Leader Robinson Arrested Amid Tribute Bid

Two English Defence League leaders have been arrested in London as they attempted to march to Woolwich, where Drummer Lee Rigby was killed in May.

Tommy Robinson shouted, "You are enforcing Sharia law", at officers who held him on suspicion of obstructing police as he tried to enter the London borough of Tower Hamlets.

The EDL had previously announced plans to walk through part of the capital before gathering outside Woolwich Barracks, near where Drummer Rigby was hacked to death in broad daylight.

But the Metropolitan Police put conditions on the march which demanded that it ended at Old Palace Yard, opposite the House of Lords.

As well as planning to lay flowers in memory of Drummer Rigby, Mr Robinson and EDL co-leader Kevin Carroll, who was also arrested, were walking to raise money for a young girl fighting cancer.

Sky Correspondent Tom Parmenter said: "They'd walked six miles when they were arrested outside Aldgate East underground station.

"Police had been tracking the walk across London and had regularly spoken to them about their route.

"The EDL leaders had been warned not to go past a large mosque in east London or enter the borough of Tower Hamlets.

"As they approached the boundary of the borough they were warned again by officers who told them they may be arrested."

Mr Robinson and Mr Carroll repeatedly asked if they would actually be arrested before another man approached the pair and assaulted Mr Carroll. 

Mr Robinson is led into a police van

Parmenter said: "As police officers tried to deal with the situation the EDL leaders continued to walk forward and then a senior policewoman placed the pair under arrest."

The pair, who were wearing T-shirts bearing the words "support our troops", were led into a police van in handcuffs while complaining about their treatment. They were taken to Wandsworth prison, in southwest London, and two other men were arrested over the assault.

At the start of the walk in Hyde Park, Mr Robinson had said: "There's two of us doing a charity walk.

"They're (police) saying it (Tower Hamlets) is a Muslim area but to me there is no Muslim area, there are just areas of my capital city that if I have to walk from A to B then you have to walk through."

"Obviously I don't want to get arrested and I don't want to get in trouble so we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." 

Scotland Yard said the conditions were imposed because of fears the march and the gathering would result in "serious public disorder" and it had warned that a breach would lead to arrest.

The Met said it had attempted to work with the EDL to facilitate the march and gathering and offered them two alternative routes that avoided the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is home to the East London Mosque.

In a statement posted on the EDL's Twitter feed, the group said: "Tommy Robinson & Kev Caroll arrested for obstructing the police and carted off."

The statement claimed "negotiations" for their release were taking place and that the pair still hoped to walk to Woolwich to lay flowers.

Mr Robinson earlier replied to a tweet asking him what weather he was expecting for Saturday: "ill be in a cell by lunch time so won't matter. Ha ha"

The EDL campaigns against what it says is the spread of radical Islam, but it has been accused of Islamophobia and previous rallies have ended in clashes with anti-fascist groups.

Earlier this week, two American political activists who founded an anti-Muslim group were banned by the Home Secretary from entering the UK following reports they were to attend this weekend's march.

Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer, who set up Stop Islamisation of America and run the website Jihad Watch, have been forbidden from entering the country on the grounds their presence would "not be conducive to the public good".

The police also banned the British National Party from marching from Woolwich Barracks earlier in June and ordered it to move its protest to Westminster.

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Constable's The Hay Wain Attacked: Man Charged

A man has been charged with criminal damage after Constable's masterpiece The Hay Wain was attacked by a protester at London's National Gallery.

Paul Douglas Manning, 57, was arrested on Friday at the gallery after somebody glued a four-inch photograph of a young boy to The Hay Wain.

Manning, of Kirkstone Road, Sheffield, has since been charged by the Metropolitan Police and he was remanded on bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court. He will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 12.

No lasting damage was done to the 1821 painting in room 34, a gallery spokeswoman said.

"Conservation staff were on the scene very rapidly and the painting was removed for treatment," she said.

"No damage to Constable's original paint occurred and there is no lasting damage to the painting."

The incident happened as Fathers4Justice said it was abandoning its five-year "attempted engagement with the political establishment" and called on fathers to take "independent weekly direct action" in the spirit of the Suffragettes 100 years ago.

The Hay Wain is one of the country's most recognisable works of art.

It shows an idyllic rural scene with a cart - the eponymous hay wain - in the river Stour in Suffolk.

The National Gallery spokeswoman said it would investigate the security breach but praised "the prompt action and quick thinking" of staff who intervened.

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Lions Tour: Australia Win Levels Series

Australia beat the British and Irish Lions 16-15 to level the three-Test series in a titanic second Test in Melbourne on Saturday.

The Wallabies scored the clinching converted try four minutes from the end and survived a penalty kick after the full-time siren from Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny.

Halfpenny slotted five penalties but missed one from the halfway mark with time expired that would have given the Lions victory.

The Lions dramatically beat Australia 23-21 in the first test in Brisbane last week but the Wallabies overcame a raft of injuries to their backline thanks to a late converted try from Adam Ashley-Cooper and three penalties from Christian Leali'ifano.

"There's still a test series up for grabs, by no means is it over," said Lions captain Sam Warburton.

He added: "It sets it up for a great finale."

The third test, which will be a series decider, will take place in Sydney next Saturday.

The Lions are the favourites to win and if they do, it will be their first Test series triumph since they toppled South Africa 16 years ago.

:: Watch the final test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions on Sky Sports 1HD from 10am on Saturday July 6.

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Cameron Visits British Troops In Afghanistan

By Joey Jones, Deputy Political Editor

David Cameron has travelled to Afghanistan to pay tribute to the work of British troops on Armed Forces Day.

The Prime Minister made an unannounced visit to Camp Bastion in Helmand Province where he met troops on the front line, dined with them in their living quarters and took control of a bomb disposal robot.

He also met Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai in the capital Kabul amid faltering efforts to engage the Taliban in a political process of reconciliation.

Mr Cameron's trip to Afghanistan followed comments made by General Nick Carter, a senior British Army officer and deputy commander of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).

In an interview with the Guardian, Gen Carter acknowledged there may have been opportunities to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table more than a decade ago.

Mr Cameron was shown some of the latest surveillance equipment

"The problems that we have been encountering over the period since then are essentially political problems, and political problems are only ever solved by people talking to each other," he said.

Speaking in Lashkar Gah, Mr Cameron told Sky News: "I think you can argue about whether the settlement we put in place after 2001 could have been better arranged.

"But at the same time I know that you cannot bank on that, which is why we have built up the Afghan army, built up the Afghan police, supported the Afghan government so that after our troops have left ... this country shouldn't be a haven for terrorists."

Mr Cameron also told soldiers about plans for a permanent memorial to those who have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2001.

The monument for the 444 British personnel killed in the conflict will be built at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and will be funded by fines paid by banks following the Libor scandal.

The Prime Minister joined British troops for a meal at Camp Bastion

Meanwhile, a senior British military source suggested that Nato forces would need to assist the Afghans for up to five years after the combat role ends in 2014.

The British military have committed to running an academy for Afghan officers but the source suggested that Nato could also be required to help with close air support, casualty evacuation and logistics.

A senior No 10 source said it will be for the National Security Council to decide what the UK's ongoing role would be but added: "We have done our fair share."

"The Prime Minister has been clear that we have paid a heavy price and already given a lot," he said.

"Our combat troops will leave at the end of next year.

"The only military commitments we have made beyond 2014 are to part-run the officer academy and to provide financial support to sustain Afghan forces. We have not been asked to do anything more.

"The Prime Minister's view is that we have done our fair share and it will now be for other Isaf partners to carry the main burden."

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Police Dog Bites Boy In Oldbury Back Garden

By David Crabtree, Sky News Midlands Correspondent

A 10-year-old boy has been attacked and badly injured by a police dog while playing in his grandmother's back garden.

Tom Cutbill was bitten up to three times by the animal on Sunday afternoon during a police search for metal thieves in the Oldbury area of Sandwell in the West Midlands.

The dog, on a leash with its handler, entered the private back garden where the boy was playing during the pursuit.

The German Shepherd cross mauled the boy's right leg. Tom required two hospital operations and is now recovering at the family home in Rowley Regis.

The boy's father expressed his disgust and shock at what had happened.

Martin Cutbill, 40, a warehouse manager, told Sky News: "I am disgusted and want  to know how this was allowed to happen. I am shocked and amazed.

"My son has gone through a terrible time. He is only recently out of hospital, starting to take his first steps on crutches. It happened on Sunday afternoon.

"There were quite a few puncture wounds and tears to his skin. We haven't heard much from the police."

The child's grandmother is reported to have witnessed the attack, telling local newspaper the Express and Star that it was "like a horror movie".

West Midlands Police issued an unreserved apology to the child and his family.

The force has informed the Independent Police Complaints Commission, and is carrying out its own investigation into how the boy came by the serious injuries while the dog, a German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois cross, was on a leash.

The dog's handler had been sent to support fellow officers who were searching an area near Western Road for four men seen running away from a quantity of copper wiring.

Chief Inspector Ian Marsh said: "This poor young boy has gone through an absolutely horrendous ordeal and my thoughts are with him and his family as he recovers from his injuries.

"We apologise unreservedly for what has happened and have launched an investigation to fully understand exactly how an innocent young lad came to be bitten by a police dog in the safety of his own back garden.

"Police dogs and their handlers receive intensive training and play crucial roles in the arrest of suspects day in, day out, but on the very rare occasions where things go wrong, it's vital we understand why and learn the lessons to ensure it doesn't happen again."

The officer and the dog involved continue to carry out regular duties after an initial independent assessment.

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Hospitals Urged To Ban Junk Food Sales

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

Doctors have backed a call to remove items such as crisps, fizzy juice, burgers and chips from hospital ward trolleys and vending machines.

The motion was put to the annual conference of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Edinburgh by cardiologist Dr Aseem Molhatra, who accused NHS managers of "selling sickness".

He told the conference: "For too long, short term financial considerations of hospital management have taken precedence over the health of the community.

"The obesity epidemic represents a public health crisis, but it is a public health scandal that by legitimising junk food hospitals have themselves become a risk factor for diet related disease by perpetuating the revolving door of healthcare.

"It's time to stop selling sickness in the hospital grounds."

Dr Malhotra claims that the hospital environment legitimises junk food and increases consumption of it - in spite of public awareness of its health dangers.

"Patients in hospitals continue to be served disgraceful meals of poor nutritional value, slowing their recovery, lengthening their stay, and increasing costs," he told Sky News.

Doctors want warnings at fast food outlets in hospitals (Flickr: Al King)

"The fact that a half of the 1.4 million NHS employees are overweight or obese is a clear demonstration that education is ineffective when an unhealthy food environment in the workplace is working against you."

The BMA now intends to lobby the Department of Health and the NHS Confederation to ban hospital junk food sales and to have health warnings displayed where it is on sale. 

Already, however, it has been met with resistance from NHS management.

GP and NHS Confederation director of policy Dr Johnny Marshall told Sky News: "These brands and outlets help normalisation of the hospital environment, which is important for good patient experience.

"Many NHS trusts rent space to commercial outlets, providing a service that is highly valued by patients, their families and other hospital users.

Dr Marshall said that the majority of hospital shops also offer more healthy options such as fruit, smoothies, tea and coffee.

However, he added: "If a patient who has been in hospital a week wants a few mint imperials, or a parent wants to buy their child who has just had a broken arm reset some chocolate buttons, as a doctor I think that is absolutely fine.

"The key thing is that the NHS ensures there are easy ways for patients, staff and other users to make healthy choices"

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Rugby Player Jailed Over Million-Pound Fraud

A man has been jailed for eight months after being caught playing rugby while making a £923,000 claim for wrist injuries.

David Ribchester, 31, was secretly filmed at his local rugby club where he was "seen to grab the ball with both hands and go into a hard tackle" despite claiming he was unable to carry out the most basic of tasks such as tying his shoelaces, the Old Bailey heard.

Ribchester, who exaggerated the injuries he received to his hands and wrists in a workplace accident in February 2006, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at the court last month.

Sentencing him, Judge Nicholas Cooke told him: "David Ribchester, it is greed that has brought you to this and unfortunately there is a lot of greed out there.

"Genuinely injured people putting forward wholly honest claims are viewed sceptically because of the publicity in relation to this sort of matter.

David Ribchester

"Anyone who is tempted to behave in a dishonest way to the extent that you did by attempting to exploit a system which exists to compensate the genuinely injured will end up going to prison."

The court heard Ribchester told doctors he needed help with his personal care including getting in and out of the bath and that he could not open jars, carry out housework, play the drums or drive his car.

He also conned psychiatrists into thinking he was emotionally scarred by the accident and was diagnosed with moderate post-traumatic stress disorder and with showing features of a major depressive disorder.

He even told them he felt as though he was not a proper father as he could not pick up his young daughter.

But insurers began to suspect him after his injuries seemed to be getting worse over time, and referred him to their in-house counter-fraud team who carried out surveillance.

Between February 2008 and October 2009, Ribchester was filmed on a number of occasions driving his car, carrying his daughter, building garden furniture, pushing a trolley, and loading and unloading heavy shopping bags.

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Power Warning: Higher Risk Of Shortages

The energy regulator has warned of a greater risk of power shortages in three years' time - although it says blackouts are unlikely.

Ofgem said electricity margins could tighten in 2015-16 to between around 2% to 5% and the generation industry must get a grip on the problem through greater investment and other initiatives.

But the study did admit it was difficult to anticipate rising demand because of various factors including uncertainty over the strength of the UK economy and the timing and scale of plant closures and mothballing.

Ofgem said the report illustrated the need for the timely implementation of the Department for Energy and Climate Change's capacity market reforms.

It said: "Electricity margins could tighten in 2015-2016 to between around 2% and 5% depending on demand.

"This means that the probability of a supply disruption increases from 1 in 47 years now to around 1 in 12 years for 2015/16 or lower.

"If the projected decline in demand does not materialise margins could fall to 2%."

Ofgem has been working with Government and National Grid to explore options that would provide consumers with additional safeguards against the increased risk to security of supply.

These include giving National Grid the option to buy extra reserve generation to balance the electricity network.

Andrew Wright, Ofgem's Chief Executive, said: "(Our) latest report on electricity security of supply highlights the need for reform to encourage investment in generation.

"This is why Ofgem welcomes DECC's (Department for Energy & Climate Change) commitment to introduce a capacity market that will provide a longer term solution to this problem at a time when Britain's energy industry is facing an unprecedented challenge to secure supplies."

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Oxford Sex Ring Brothers Jailed For Life

Two sets of brothers have been jailed for life for their sadistic abuse and rape of young girls as part of a sex ring they operated for seven years.

Sentencing the seven men who abused the girls as part of a gang, Judge Peter Rook said: "These were sexual crimes of the upmost gravity. The depravity was extreme, each victim was groomed, coerced and intimidated."

Judge Rook jailed brothers Akhtar Dogar, 32, and Anjum Dogar, 31, for a minimum of 17 years telling them they had been found guilty of "exceptionally grave crimes".

Mohammed Karrar was given life with a minimum of 20 years for the 18 "dreadful offences" he committed, including raping a child under 13. His brother Bassam Karrar, was jailed for life with a minimum of 15 years.

Brothers Akhtar and Anjum Dogar were jailed for life

Kamar Jamil, 27, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years. Assad Hussain, 32, and Zeeshan Ahmed, 27, were both jailed for seven years.

The judge said the gang, all of whom were of Pakistani or north African origin, had targeted vulnerable girls, and said on occasions "the depravity was extreme".

"You targeted the young girls because they were vulnerable, underage and out-of-control," he said.

He said each of the six victims had shown "enormous courage" in giving evidence during the trial.

The guest house where the girls were taken and forced to have sex with men

He said they had come "knowing that they would be accused of lying, knowing they would have to relive their ordeals, knowing that they have not been believed in the past".

The seven men, including another set of brothers, exploited girls as young as 11 and were found guilty of a catalogue of offences including rape, trafficking and organising prostitution last month after a five-month trial.

The girls were plied with alcohol and drugged with crack cocaine and heroin, then trafficked for sex across the country.

Operating from their Oxford base for seven years, the men targeted vulnerable and "out-of-control" youngsters aged between 11 and 16, many of whom were in care homes.

A room at the Nanford Guest House

They groomed them into believing they were in love and then exploited them, injecting them with heroin, forcing them into prostitution and even branding one of them with an electronic cigarette lighter.

The girls were taken to the grubby Nanford Guest House, where they were forced to have sex, often with a number of men.

Most of the six girls who were abused were too scared to face their abusers in court and gave their evidence from behind a curtain.

But one, who was repeatedly raped and sold for sex between 2004, when she was just 12, and 2007, faced down her attackers and told the court: "I am here to tell my story and see the people who abused me found guilty."

Belongings in a room at the Nanford Guest House

Another girl's evidence told how she was told she would be shot if she did not have sex with one of the men when she was 14 and how she rang police after being taken to a flat and realising she was with 11 men who wanted to have sex with her.

Another told how she was plied with drugs and forced to have sex with strangers while being filmed at the age of 13.

The most harrowing account came from a girl who was groomed from the age of 11 and forced to have an illegal abortion on the living room floor of a house in Reading, aged 12.

Mohammed Karrar during his interview with police

A string of failings by social workers and police allowed the Oxfordshire gang to brutally exploit vulnerable schoolgirls, selling them for sex for seven years.

Some of the victims reported their treatment at the hands of the men to police, but their complaints were ignored. One was threatened with arrest if she persisted with her claims.

One of the victims, who had reported her treatment to the police on a number of ocassions told the jury at the trial: "Any self-respecting police officer would have seen something was wrong.

"If you pick up a child who is covered in cigarette burns and bruises, something is fundamentally wrong.

"Adults should be doing their jobs, it's not down to a child."

Following the trial, Joanna Simons, the Oxfordshire County Council's chief executive, apologised to the girls. She said: "We are incredibly sorry we were not able to stop it any sooner."

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Mum Yvonne Walsh And Baby Killed: Man In Court

A 28-year-old man has appeared before a district judge charged with murdering a woman and her seven-month-old baby.

Wesley John Williams was charged last night with the murders of 25-year-old Yvonne Walsh and her son Harrison at a house in Birmingham.

Williams, of Chells Grove, Billesley, Birmingham, spoke only to give his name, address and date of birth during a two-minute hearing at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

Both victims, who died as a result of pressure to the neck, were found at their home in Chells Grove on June 2.

Williams, wearing a grey T-shirt, nodded during the hearing to confirm that he understood the charges against him, and was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

Today's hearing before District Judge Jan Jellema was told that Williams is alleged to have murdered Ms Walsh and her son between May 31 and June 2.

In a statement issued last night, Hayley Firman, head of the West Midlands CPS Public Protection Unit, said: "I have advised officers from West Midlands Police that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to charge Wesley Williams with the murders of Yvonne Walsh and her seven-month-old son, Harrison Walsh.

"The decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"Wesley Williams now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial."

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Redditch Mosque: Swastikas Daubed On Walls

Racist graffiti - including swastikas - has been painted on a mosque in Redditch after intruders forced their way into the site.

The damage at the mosque in Jinnah Road was caused between 2am and 4.30am on Wednesday and was discovered by a targeted police patrol.

The graffiti had been sprayed on to walls and at least half a dozen windows using paint taken from builders' cabins on the site.

Intruders had forced their way onto the site through a gate and then broke into the main building of the mosque.

The site in Jinnah Road, Redditch, was broken into on Wednesday morning

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, North Worcestershire police commander, said: "For as long as I can remember the relationship between the Muslim community in Redditch, the police and the wider community would best be described as excellent.

"Due to incidents happening nationally, targeted patrols have been put in place and these will now be further increased as we will not tolerate mindless attacks of this nature.

"I will be arranging meetings with the chairs of the mosques, local civic leaders and the Independent Advisory Group to reassure them of our commitment and determination to do everything possible to prevent and further such incidents and track down those responsible for this attack."

The graffiti comes just days after detectives in Walsall launched a major hate crime investigation when a small home-made bomb exploded near a mosque.

National Front symbols were also painted on windows

Around 150 people were evacuated from their homes in the Caldmore area of Walsall on Saturday night while bomb disposal experts made the device safe.

West Midlands Police said a loud bang heard by residents late on Friday "appeared to be consistent" with the device exploding. No one was injured and it caused minimal damage.

Last week two men were charged in relation to an alleged arson attack at a mosque in Gloucester, and an Islamic cultural centre in Grimsby was hit by petrol bombs last month.

Mosques in Braintree, Essex, and Gillingham, Kent, have also been targeted.

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Woman With Pushchair Attacked At Rail Station

Police have released CCTV images of a man after a woman with a pushchair was attacked as she left a train station, leaving her son with a fractured collarbone.

The woman's two-year-old son was injured as she was dragged to the ground during the assault at Highams Park station, north east London.

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) and the Metropolitan Police attended the station after the woman was attacked at around 3.30pm on Sunday.

Detective Constable Gerry Hughes said: "The victim, who had her two-year-old son in a pushchair, was approached by a man at Walthamstow Central station.

The woman's two-year-old son suffered a fractured collarbone in the assault

"They both boarded the 2.47pm Liverpool Street to Chingford service as the train arrived at Walthamstow Central around 3.03pm.

"During the journey, the man began to racially abuse the victim.

"When the train arrived at Highams Park station, the victim left the train with her pushchair."

He said the man then attacked the victim, who is also black, pulled her hair and dragged her to the ground along with the pushchair. The man then left the scene.

DC Hughes added: "The victim was left understandably shocked but uninjured.

"This was an unspeakable attack on a mother and son, and we are determined to find the man responsible."

:: Anyone with information should contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 using reference B9/LNA of 24/06/13 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Ex-Pilot Guilty Of Murdering Wife In Car Crash

An ex-airline pilot has been convicted of murdering his wife after he deactivated her airbag and deliberately crashed their car into a tree.

Iain Lawrence, 53, was told by High Court judge Mr Justice Leggatt he would serve a minimum of 24 years after being found guilty of murdering his wife Sally.

Prosecutors said Lawrence adopted the brace position as the car crashed into a tree as Mrs Lawrence, who was not wearing a seat belt, died almost instantly.

Lawrence had denied deliberately driving his car into a tree to murder his 47-year-old wife and claimed it was an accident.

But the jury of six men and six women at Leicester Crown Court took just over eight hours to convict him of murder by a majority verdict of 11-1.

The court heard that Lawrence disabled the passenger airbag of his red Peugeot before the crash in Gartree Road in Oadby, Leicestershire, on October 6 last year and, in the moments before the car struck the tree, unclipped his wife's seatbelt.

Sentencing Lawrence, Mr Justice Leggatt said: "The way in which you killed Sally was both brutal and carefully planned.

"How you got Sally into your car, and whether by trickery or force, no-one but you can know. I suspect it was a combination of the two.

Sally Lawrence died along this road in Oadby, Leicestershire

"It was not chance but the result of your careful and cold-blooded planning that you came away from the collision with a few bruises while Sally died of catastrophic injuries."

During the trial, jurors heard that Lawrence was struggling to cope with the break-up of his 12-year marriage.

The couple, of Ring Road, Oadby, were going through an acrimonious divorce and had "locked horns" over the settlement the night before the crash.

They were still living together at their matrimonial home at the time of the crash, although they were leading separate lives.

Mrs Lawrence, who was seeing another man and had instigated divorce proceedings months earlier, had told friends she feared her "calm and cold" husband would try to kill her.

Lawrence claimed he knew nothing of his wife's affair until after her death.

Giving evidence, he told the court he had suffered a spasm in his leg moments before the crash, leaving him unable to hit the brakes as the car headed towards the tree.

Jurors heard that he feigned unconsciousness behind the wheel following the crash.

Witness Peter Hawkins, a retired firefighter, told the jury: "It was as if a child was squeezing his eyes shut pretending to be asleep.

"He was squeezing but the eye was twitching."

Following the sentencing, Mrs Lawrence's sister Catherine Kudhail said: "Sally's murder was an act of pure evil. She was an inspirational, caring, kind young woman with a huge heart. She was so full of life."

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Spending Review: Osborne Wields The Axe Again

Public sector workers, benefit claimants and ex-pat pensioners have all been hit under the Chancellor's drastic plans for extra spending cuts.

George Osborne declared Britain was "moving out of intensive care and from rescue to recovery" but warned the country had to keep on making savings.

As part of moves to save a further £11.5bn across Whitehall, public sector pay will be limited to an average of 1% for 2015/16 and automatic rises scrapped.

Welfare spending including housing benefit, tax credits, disability benefits and pensioner handouts except the state pension will be capped from April 2015.

A council tax freeze due to end next April is being extended for two years, saving around £100 per family, but local authorities face 10% cuts in resources.

And £30m-a-year will be saved by stripping the winter fuel allowance from Britons who move to live in countries warmer than the UK.

George Osborne and Danny Alexander leaving the Treasury on Wednesday

In a 50-minute statement, Mr Osborne said balancing the UK's books involved "difficult decisions", adding: "There never was an easy way to bring spending under control."

But shadow chancellor Ed Ball claimed the new cuts represented a "comprehensive failure" of the top Tory's economic strategy and were simply "more of the same".

"This out of touch Chancellor has failed on living standards, growth and the deficit and families and businesses are paying the price for his failure," he said.

Ministers for the Treasury, Cabinet Office, Justice, Environment and Communities and Local Government will have to slash another 10% from their budgets and Work and Pensions 9.5%.

Business and the Home Office face cuts of 6%, the Foreign Office 8% and Culture, Media and Sport 7% while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland offices will also be squeezed by 2%.

The security services were one of the biggest winners with MI5, MI6 and GCHQ seeing a 3.4% increase in their annual budget to help the fight against terrorism.

The Department of Transport has to find 9% in day-to-day savings but also emerged with the largest cash boost because its capital budget is due to rise to £9.5bn.

Mr Osborne promised there would be the largest programme of investment in roads for 50 years and in railways since the Victorian age.

The Ministry of Defence will see its budget maintained in cash terms at £24bn, which will mean a real-terms cut of 1.9%, but money for equipment will rise by 1% a year.

Its capital budget will also be held at £8.7bn, representing a real-terms reduction of 2.3%.

There will be no further reductions in troop levels, although the Chancellor confirmed the civilian workforce will be slashed.

And fines levied against banks for the Libor rate-rigging scandal will be used to fund the Armed Forces Covenant, setting out the nation's obligation to troops in perpetuity.

The Chancellor insisted his measures, which only spared schools, the NHS, overseas aid and the intelligence services, were necessary and fair.

Nurses, police officers and teachers will all be hit by the loss of progressive pay, which sees them earn more each year regardless of performance, with only the armed forces exempt.

Mr Osborne said: "Progression pay can at best be described as antiquated; at worst, it's deeply unfair to other parts of the public sector who don't get it and to the private sector who have to pay for it."

The Chancellor also revealed the Office for Budget Responsibility predicts another 144,000 working for the Government will lose their jobs by 2015/16.

There was immediate anger at the pay changes, with union chiefs claiming civil servants have been made "scapegoats" for the coalition's austerity regime.

Fresh cuts for local authorities also raised concerns, despite Mr Osborne telling MPs spending would only fall by 2% once local government changes had taken effect.

Sir Merrick Cockell, chairman of the Local Government Association, said the reductions would "stretch essential services to breaking point in many areas".

Mr Osborne defended moves to restrict winter fuel payments for ex-pats, declaring he was putting a "limit on the nation's credit card".

"Paying out even more money to people from all nationalities who may have worked in this country years ago but no longer live here is not a fair use of the nation's cash," he said.

An unimpressed Ed Balls during Mr Osborne's statement

But he vowed not to include the basic state pension in his welfare cap, despite Labour signalling it would and experts warning its exclusion would make the limit "meaningless".

In further moves on benefits, jobseekers will have to wait seven days before they can claim handouts and sign in once a week, and foreign applicants will be forced to learn English.

In his last spending review in 2010, Mr Osborne set out plans to eliminate the deficit by 2015 - allowing the cuts to end in time for the election.

But sluggish economic growth and a rising deficit have forced him to impose further drastic savings for 2015/16.

There was some positive news as billions more was pledged for key infrastructure projects over the next five years, further details of which will come on Thursday.

More than £3bn in capital investment will go on affordable housing, Mr Osborne said, and science capital funding will rise from £0.6bn this year to £1.1bn in 2015/16.

The education budget will also rise by £53bn to cover extra spending on schools, with the pupil premium extended and funding for another 180 free schools.

The Commons statement was highly political, coming less than two years before the next election and outlining plans for a time Mr Osborne hopes the Tories will be in power alone.

He said: "I know that times are still not easy for families. But we have a clear economic plan. We've stuck to it. It is working. And I'm determined to go on delivering it."

Labour claims the Government will go into 2015 with state debt at £96bn and has pushed borrowing up by £245bn more than planned at the last spending review.

However leader Ed Miliband has admitted he cannot promise to reverse any of Mr Osborne's cuts in day-to-day spending if he wins the next election.

John Cridland, Director General of the CBI , said: "The Chancellor has carefully walked a tightrope of protecting growth, while making sizeable savings to pay down the debt."

But he warned the Government had to deliver on its promises about infrastructure, saying it was "critical we see a real pipeline of projects" announced by Danny Alexander tomorrow.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "This is a toxic mix of bad economics, nasty politics and dishonest presentation.

"The last thing our struggling economy needs is further cuts to spending to try to close a deficit made worse by the Chancellor's earlier cuts.

"When the medicine is not working and side effects are choking the patient, you need a change in treatment, not more of the same.

Ahead of the statement, Sky's City Editor Mark Kleinman revealed the Government's main body for encouraging inward investment and promoting British companies abroad, UKTI, faced an 8% cut to its budget.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brighter 'Supermoon' Graces Weekend Skies

A 'supermoon' has been appearing in skies this weekend as it appears in its biggest and brightest form of the year.

The phenomenon, known as a perigee full moon, occurs when the Moon reaches its closest point to Earth.

It will appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter, particularly on Sunday night when viewing conditions are likely to be better.

"The clearest skies will be across southern and western parts of England," said meteorologist Billy Payne.

The "Supermoon" rises over the temple of Poseidon in Greece

"Although most places will have a good chance of a clear view."

At its closest, the Moon will be 222,000 miles from Earth, compared with 250,000 miles at its farthest point.

The Moon's distance from Earth varies because it follows an elliptical orbit rather than a circular one.

The most significant effect of the 'supemoon' will be high tides, with scientists dismissing any notion that the phenomenon could cause bizarre behaviour or natural disasters.

:: Send us your pictures of the 'supermoon' and we may include them in a special gallery.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Osborne: More Defence Cuts To Come

The Chancellor says he has agreed a deal over the defence budget, but it will involve some "tough choices" - and civilian job losses.

George Osborne has revealed he settled with the Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond on Saturday night, and is making progress with other departments.

He also confirmed that he plans to use the £250m paid by the banks over the Libor scandal to help wounded service personnel.

Mr Osborne will deliver his spending review on Wednesday. He is expected to say that the British economy is "moving from rescue to recovery", while setting out £11.5bn of cuts in Government departments in the year after the next General Election.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Osborne said: "I have settled the defence department, which people thought was going to be one of the biggest and most difficult challenges, so I have agreed with Philip Hammond a defence budget.

Mr Osborne says he has done a deal on defence spending

"It's going to involve some tough choices. The civilian head count is going to have to reduce in our defence department, we are going to have to renegotiate, with some of our big suppliers, the contracts.

"But I can tell you there will not be a reduction in our military capability, we are not going to reduce the number of our sailors, soldiers and airmen.

"In fact we are going to be able to spend some more money on things like cyber, which is the new frontier in defence."

The Chancellor also confirmed plans to use fines from the banks to support wounded British troops and veterans.

"So the people who demonstrated the very worst of British values in the Libor scandal, in the City, are now supporting those who have demonstrated the very best of British values - our soldiers who gave so much to defend the country," Mr Osborne said.

Mr Osborne said the Prime Minister's pledge before the last election to protect winter fuel payments for all pensioners applied to this parliament - but did not confirm that it would extend beyond the 2015 poll.

He said: "All those pensioner benefits, not the basic state pension, all those other pensioner benefits of course we have got to look at how we can afford them."

Alongside the cuts, the Chancellor will announce plans for an infrastructure plan to "power Britain back into the economic premier league", using savings to invest in roads, railways, education and science.

Ed Balls says Mr Osborne should pump money into the economy

Final details of the spending review are still being worked out and Mr Osborne confirmed that some ministries, including Vince Cable's Business Department, are yet to agree their settlements.

Mr Osborne is expected to tell MPs on Wednesday: "Britain is moving from rescue to recovery. But while the British economy is leaving intensive care; now we need to secure that recovery.

"Full recovery won't be easy but I won't let up in my determination to put right what went so badly wrong."

Mr Osborne has come under pressure to invest in capital projects in order to help the fragile recovery and he will give details of  "a long term infrastructure plan".

He will say: "We're saving money on welfare and waste to invest in the roads and railways, schooling and science our economy needs to succeed in the future.

"I know that times are still not easy for families. But we have a clear economic plan. We've stuck to it. It is working. And I'm determined to go on delivering it. Now, together, we're moving Britain from rescue to recovery let's build an economy that works for everyone."

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls urged Mr Osborne to pump money into the economy now in order to reduce the need for cuts in two years' time.

Writing in the Sunday Mirror, he said: "Instead of planning more cuts two years ahead, they should use this week's spending review to boost growth and living standards this year and next year.

"More growth now would bring in more tax revenues and mean our public services would not face such deep cuts in 2015."

He said the Government should boost lending to businesses with a new British Investment Bank and reintroduce the 10p income tax band.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

NHS Cover-Up: Burnham Denies Pressuring CQC

Former health secretary Andrew Lansley has told Sky News that he did not threaten to sack a whistleblower who warned that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was in disarray.

The independent regulator is under-fire for giving Morecambe Bay NHS Trust a clean bill of health, despite deaths of mothers and up to 16 babies.

Mr Lansley, now Conservative leader of the Commons, was accused of telling whistleblower Kay Sheldon he was considering her dismissal from the CQC board after she warned a public inquiry in 2011 that the CQC was in disarray and public safety was at risk.

Speaking to Sky News he said: "In relation to Kay Sheldon, the chair of the CQC wrote to me and requested that she should be suspended from the board.

Joshua Titcombe's father wrote to Mr Lansley three years ago

"I invited a very senior personnel professional to inquire into those matters and she did that and reported back to me.

"Contrary to what she recommended I said that I would see Kay Sheldon, and I did, that I would give her an opportunity to comment, and she did, and I didn't remove her from the board."

When pressed on whether he threatened to sack her, he said: "I said I was considering the question of her dismissal, it wasn't a threat.

"I was considering it because the CQC had asked me to do it and an independent personnel professional had recommended it, but I didn't do it."

Ex-CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower denies there was any cover up

Earlier in the day, the Labour former health secretary Andy Burnham was under pressure to explain whether he influenced the CQC at the time it gave the trust a clean bill of health.

Labour's shadow health secretary insisted he did not cover up any problems at England's hospitals in the run-up to the 2010 General Election and was in fact "actively working to identify them".

Mr Burnham told Sky News' Dermot Murnaghan that the suggestion he pressured the CQC was "fundamentally disproved" by the decisions he took while in office.

He cited his decision in 2009 to set up the Francis Inquiry to investigate failings at Stafford Hospital and said he was "taking steps" to address concerns about the health watchdog.

He said: "I can't recollect every detail of every discussion that I had in that period with the CQC.

"I am confident that it wasn't brought to me that there was a major problem at Morecambe and action needed to be taken - that didn't happen.

"What I'm saying is I don't know whether concerns were raised as part of a more general meeting and I would have to review all the paperwork to provide that extra assurance."

Morecambe MP David Morris has asked Mr Burnham to make public any emails, texts and letters in which the CQC was discussed and detail conversations he had with former CQC bosses Cynthia Bower and Baroness Young before the hospital was given a clean bill of health.

Mr Morris and Mr Burnham have exchanged a series of letters with claims and counterclaims surrounding the scandal.

It comes as the father of one of the babies who died at a hospital in Morecambe says he contacted Mr Lansley three years ago.

Mr Titcombe told Sky News he believes the CQC may have been under pressure from senior health officials not to uncover another big hospital scandal.

The reply to his letter from the Department of Health said it was unable to comment on individual cases.

Mr Titcombe and other families who lost babies at the hospital are now calling for a police investigation and an independent inquiry to establish who knew about the alleged cover-up.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wind Farm Plan In Bristol Channel 'Catastrophic'

By Emma Birchley, Sky Correspondent

A battle is being fought to stop one of the world's biggest offshore windfarms being built in the Bristol Channel as the race continues to hit tough targets on renewable energy.

The Atlantic Array is a development of 240 wind turbines that will be visible both from South Wales and North Devon.

If planning permission is granted, it would provide enough power for 900,000 homes and reinforce the UK's status as the global leader in offshore wind power.

But Steve Crowther from the Slay The Array campaign says it will be "environmentally catastrophic".

"They call this an offshore wind farm - it's inshore. It is between this beautiful Devon coast visited by four million people every year and the Pembroke coast visited by three million people every year.

"And people don't come here to see the landscape and the horizon covered in wind turbines. They come here for peace, tranquility, rural settings and seascapes."

But with the Government committed to offshore wind power, the number of turbines is only going to increase.

One of the biggest players in the industry is DONG Energy.

Steve Crowther says the wind farm will destroy the beauty of the area

It operates the 48 turbines at Gunfleet Sands near Clacton, which have been up and running for three years and supply electricity to 120,000 homes in Essex.

UK wind power manager for the company, Benj Sykes, says despite concerns about the efficiency of wind farms, they are generating energy more than 80% of the time.

"They are becoming more efficient by the day and Dong Energy is committed to improving that further.

"By the end of the decade we will see the cost of energy coming down by something like 40%, making them competitive with other technologies."

And with nearly 8000 miles of coastline there is plenty of opportunity for further development.

Offshore wind turbines in the UK can currently generate more than 3GW watts of energy - enough to power two million homes.

In all, 12.5% of the UK's electricity is already created from renewable sources.

The target is to produce around 30% by 2020, which means building many more turbines - and that creates jobs.

In Brightlingsea, an entire business has been built because of the Essex wind farm.

Andy White, chairman of Ctruk and Cwind, said: "Three years ago we didn't exist. We started the two companies to go out and help build offshore wind farms for the utility companies so three years ago we had zero people working for us and now three years on we have 150 people working for us."

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suspicious Item At Mosque 'A Hate Crime'

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

A suspicious item found near a mosque in the West Midlands is being treated as a hate crime, police have said.

Almost 40 homes close to the mosque in Rutter Street, Walsall, were evacuated after bomb disposal experts were called to the scene.

The area remains condoned off, but 150 people who were moved from the vicinity are now being allowed back in their homes.

West Midlands Police said they were alerted after the item was found last night by a member of the public.

Forensic experts were at the scene

Superintendent Keith Fraser, the head of crime and operations for Walsall Police, said the incident  is being treated as a hate crime but the motive for placing the item near a mosque remains unclear.

Speaking at the scene, he said: "At around 10.15pm on Saturday, police were called to Aisha mosque in relation to a suspicious item that had been found. The force are taking this extremely seriously.

"We have launched a full investigation into the suspicious item that has been found, and what's going to be the key to this is the public's help in relation to helping us to understand why that suspicious item was in the area."

"Officers are continuing to work hard to establish what the item is and how it got there but the incident is being treated as a hate crime, although the motive for placing the item near to the mosque remains unclear."

The mosque is known for its open policy, welcoming people from other religions. A spokesman said there have never been any problems at the venue.

Abdul Shahid, who lives locally, said:"Something happened here on Friday night. I think there was some wires and some batteries. The Iman took that thing straight to the police.

"I have been told by neighbours of the mosque that they heard a blast on the night of Friday evening. "

Plenty of help was on hand for those affected by the evacuation.

Police have appealed for information

Local councillor Zahid Ali said: "We have put in comprehensive support for them, including food and whatever other support they require.

"It is absolutely wonderful to see that the communities have come together, supporting the residents and most of those residents are back in their homes.

Zia Ul Haq, from the Aisha Mosque thanked the police and local authority for their help.

"We found this suspicious item which we didn't consider to be very serious or very threatening. but as a precaution we thought that we would call the police and bring this to their attention. They have taken this very seriously and they have supported us wholeheartedly' he said.

:: Anyone with information which may help should call police on 101 or click here.

00.35 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wind Farm Plan In Bristol Channel 'Catastrophic'

By Emma Birchley, Sky Correspondent

A battle is being fought to stop one of the world's biggest offshore windfarms being built in the Bristol Channel as the race continues to hit tough targets on renewable energy.

The Atlantic Array is a development of 240 wind turbines that will be visible both from South Wales and North Devon.

If planning permission is granted, it would provide enough power for 900,000 homes and reinforce the UK's status as the global leader in offshore wind power.

But Steve Crowther from the Slay The Array campaign says it will be "environmentally catastrophic".

"They call this an offshore wind farm - it's inshore. It is between this beautiful Devon coast visited by four million people every year and the Pembroke coast visited by three million people every year.

"And people don't come here to see the landscape and the horizon covered in wind turbines. They come here for peace, tranquility, rural settings and seascapes."

But with the Government committed to offshore wind power, the number of turbines is only going to increase.

One of the biggest players in the industry is DONG Energy.

Steve Crowther says the wind farm will destroy the beauty of the area

It operates the 48 turbines at Gunfleet Sands near Clacton, which have been up and running for three years and supply electricity to 120,000 homes in Essex.

UK wind power manager for the company, Benj Sykes, says despite concerns about the efficiency of wind farms, they are generating energy more than 80% of the time.

"They are becoming more efficient by the day and Dong Energy is committed to improving that further.

"By the end of the decade we will see the cost of energy coming down by something like 40%, making them competitive with other technologies."

And with nearly 8000 miles of coastline there is plenty of opportunity for further development.

Offshore wind turbines in the UK can currently generate more than 3GW watts of energy - enough to power two million homes.

In all, 12.5% of the UK's electricity is already created from renewable sources.

The target is to produce around 30% by 2020, which means building many more turbines - and that creates jobs.

In Brightlingsea, an entire business has been built because of the Essex wind farm.

Andy White, chairman of Ctruk and Cwind, said: "Three years ago we didn't exist. We started the two companies to go out and help build offshore wind farms for the utility companies so three years ago we had zero people working for us and now three years on we have 150 people working for us."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brighter 'Supermoon' Graces Weekend Skies

A 'supermoon' has been appearing in skies this weekend as it appears in its biggest and brightest form of the year.

The phenomenon, known as a perigee full moon, occurs when the Moon reaches its closest point to Earth.

It will appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter, particularly on Sunday night when viewing conditions are likely to be better.

"The clearest skies will be across southern and western parts of England," said meteorologist Billy Payne.

The "Supermoon" rises over the temple of Poseidon in Greece

"Although most places will have a good chance of a clear view."

At its closest, the Moon will be 222,000 miles from Earth, compared with 250,000 miles at its farthest point.

The Moon's distance from Earth varies because it follows an elliptical orbit rather than a circular one.

The most significant effect of the 'supemoon' will be high tides, with scientists dismissing any notion that the phenomenon could cause bizarre behaviour or natural disasters.

:: Send us your pictures of the 'supermoon' and we may include them in a special gallery.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Osborne: More Defence Cuts To Come

The Chancellor says he has agreed a deal over the defence budget, but it will involve some "tough choices" - and civilian job losses.

George Osborne has revealed he settled with the Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond on Saturday night, and is making progress with other departments.

He also confirmed that he plans to use the £250m paid by the banks over the Libor scandal to help wounded service personnel.

Mr Osborne will deliver his spending review on Wednesday. He is expected to say that the British economy is "moving from rescue to recovery", while setting out £11.5bn of cuts in Government departments in the year after the next General Election.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Osborne said: "I have settled the defence department, which people thought was going to be one of the biggest and most difficult challenges, so I have agreed with Philip Hammond a defence budget.

Mr Osborne says he has done a deal on defence spending

"It's going to involve some tough choices. The civilian head count is going to have to reduce in our defence department, we are going to have to renegotiate, with some of our big suppliers, the contracts.

"But I can tell you there will not be a reduction in our military capability, we are not going to reduce the number of our sailors, soldiers and airmen.

"In fact we are going to be able to spend some more money on things like cyber, which is the new frontier in defence."

The Chancellor also confirmed plans to use fines from the banks to support wounded British troops and veterans.

"So the people who demonstrated the very worst of British values in the Libor scandal, in the City, are now supporting those who have demonstrated the very best of British values - our soldiers who gave so much to defend the country," Mr Osborne said.

Mr Osborne said the Prime Minister's pledge before the last election to protect winter fuel payments for all pensioners applied to this parliament - but did not confirm that it would extend beyond the 2015 poll.

He said: "All those pensioner benefits, not the basic state pension, all those other pensioner benefits of course we have got to look at how we can afford them."

Alongside the cuts, the Chancellor will announce plans for an infrastructure plan to "power Britain back into the economic premier league", using savings to invest in roads, railways, education and science.

Ed Balls says Mr Osborne should pump money into the economy

Final details of the spending review are still being worked out and Mr Osborne confirmed that some ministries, including Vince Cable's Business Department, are yet to agree their settlements.

Mr Osborne is expected to tell MPs on Wednesday: "Britain is moving from rescue to recovery. But while the British economy is leaving intensive care; now we need to secure that recovery.

"Full recovery won't be easy but I won't let up in my determination to put right what went so badly wrong."

Mr Osborne has come under pressure to invest in capital projects in order to help the fragile recovery and he will give details of  "a long term infrastructure plan".

He will say: "We're saving money on welfare and waste to invest in the roads and railways, schooling and science our economy needs to succeed in the future.

"I know that times are still not easy for families. But we have a clear economic plan. We've stuck to it. It is working. And I'm determined to go on delivering it. Now, together, we're moving Britain from rescue to recovery let's build an economy that works for everyone."

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls urged Mr Osborne to pump money into the economy now in order to reduce the need for cuts in two years' time.

Writing in the Sunday Mirror, he said: "Instead of planning more cuts two years ahead, they should use this week's spending review to boost growth and living standards this year and next year.

"More growth now would bring in more tax revenues and mean our public services would not face such deep cuts in 2015."

He said the Government should boost lending to businesses with a new British Investment Bank and reintroduce the 10p income tax band.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suspicious Item At Mosque 'A Hate Crime'

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

A suspicious item found near a mosque in the West Midlands is being treated as a hate crime, police have said.

Almost 40 homes close to the mosque in Rutter Street, Walsall, were evacuated after bomb disposal experts were called to the scene.

The area remains condoned off, but 150 people who were moved from the vicinity are now being allowed back in their homes.

West Midlands Police said they were alerted after the item was found last night by a member of the public.

Forensic experts were at the scene

Superintendent Keith Fraser, the head of crime and operations for Walsall Police, said the incident  is being treated as a hate crime but the motive for placing the item near a mosque remains unclear.

Speaking at the scene, he said: "At around 10.15pm on Saturday, police were called to Aisha mosque in relation to a suspicious item that had been found. The force are taking this extremely seriously.

"We have launched a full investigation into the suspicious item that has been found, and what's going to be the key to this is the public's help in relation to helping us to understand why that suspicious item was in the area."

"Officers are continuing to work hard to establish what the item is and how it got there but the incident is being treated as a hate crime, although the motive for placing the item near to the mosque remains unclear."

The mosque is known for its open policy, welcoming people from other religions. A spokesman said there have never been any problems at the venue.

Abdul Shahid, who lives locally, said:"Something happened here on Friday night. I think there was some wires and some batteries. The Iman took that thing straight to the police.

"I have been told by neighbours of the mosque that they heard a blast on the night of Friday evening. "

Plenty of help was on hand for those affected by the evacuation.

Police have appealed for information

Local councillor Zahid Ali said: "We have put in comprehensive support for them, including food and whatever other support they require.

"It is absolutely wonderful to see that the communities have come together, supporting the residents and most of those residents are back in their homes.

Zia Ul Haq, from the Aisha Mosque thanked the police and local authority for their help.

"We found this suspicious item which we didn't consider to be very serious or very threatening. but as a precaution we thought that we would call the police and bring this to their attention. They have taken this very seriously and they have supported us wholeheartedly' he said.

:: Anyone with information which may help should call police on 101 or click here.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

NHS Cover-Up: Burnham Denies Pressuring CQC

Former health secretary Andrew Lansley has told Sky News that he did not threaten to sack a whistleblower who warned that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was in disarray.

The independent regulator is under-fire for giving Morecambe Bay NHS Trust a clean bill of health, despite deaths of mothers and up to 16 babies.

Mr Lansley, now Conservative leader of the Commons, was accused of telling whistleblower Kay Sheldon he was considering her dismissal from the CQC board after she warned a public inquiry in 2011 that the CQC was in disarray and public safety was at risk.

Speaking to Sky News he said: "In relation to Kay Sheldon, the chair of the CQC wrote to me and requested that she should be suspended from the board.

Joshua Titcombe's father wrote to Mr Lansley three years ago

"I invited a very senior personnel professional to inquire into those matters and she did that and reported back to me.

"Contrary to what she recommended I said that I would see Kay Sheldon, and I did, that I would give her an opportunity to comment, and she did, and I didn't remove her from the board."

When pressed on whether he threatened to sack her, he said: "I said I was considering the question of her dismissal, it wasn't a threat.

"I was considering it because the CQC had asked me to do it and an independent personnel professional had recommended it, but I didn't do it."

Ex-CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower denies there was any cover up

Earlier in the day, the Labour former health secretary Andy Burnham was under pressure to explain whether he influenced the CQC at the time it gave the trust a clean bill of health.

Labour's shadow health secretary insisted he did not cover up any problems at England's hospitals in the run-up to the 2010 General Election and was in fact "actively working to identify them".

Mr Burnham told Sky News' Dermot Murnaghan that the suggestion he pressured the CQC was "fundamentally disproved" by the decisions he took while in office.

He cited his decision in 2009 to set up the Francis Inquiry to investigate failings at Stafford Hospital and said he was "taking steps" to address concerns about the health watchdog.

He said: "I can't recollect every detail of every discussion that I had in that period with the CQC.

"I am confident that it wasn't brought to me that there was a major problem at Morecambe and action needed to be taken - that didn't happen.

"What I'm saying is I don't know whether concerns were raised as part of a more general meeting and I would have to review all the paperwork to provide that extra assurance."

Morecambe MP David Morris has asked Mr Burnham to make public any emails, texts and letters in which the CQC was discussed and detail conversations he had with former CQC bosses Cynthia Bower and Baroness Young before the hospital was given a clean bill of health.

Mr Morris and Mr Burnham have exchanged a series of letters with claims and counterclaims surrounding the scandal.

It comes as the father of one of the babies who died at a hospital in Morecambe says he contacted Mr Lansley three years ago.

Mr Titcombe told Sky News he believes the CQC may have been under pressure from senior health officials not to uncover another big hospital scandal.

The reply to his letter from the Department of Health said it was unable to comment on individual cases.

Mr Titcombe and other families who lost babies at the hospital are now calling for a police investigation and an independent inquiry to establish who knew about the alleged cover-up.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More