Centrica Chief Laidlaw Rules Out BG Switch

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Sam Laidlaw, the boss of Centrica, has ruled himself out of the running to take the top job at BG Group, the troubled FTSE-100 energy group.

Sky News has learnt that Mr Laidlaw, whose departure from the owner of British Gas is expected to be announced within weeks, has told friends that he is not interested in the BG role.

The vacancy at the helm of BG emerged in May, when Chris Finlayson was ousted after just a year in the job, following problems with key exploration projects and a string of profit warnings.

Mr Laidlaw, who has been Centrica's chief executive since 2006, was linked with the BG role in 2012, and was reported this weekend by one newspaper as having agreed to take the job.

However, insiders confirmed that Mr Laidlaw had had no serious discussions on either occasion with BG, which is now understood to have identified a preferred candidate to replace Mr Finlayson from outside the UK.

BG's new chief executive could be announced at around the time of its second-quarter results at the end of next month, said one.

By coincidence, Centrica's new boss is likely to be appointed at around the same time, with Iain Conn, a senior BP executive, involved in ongoing negotiations with the company.

Sky News revealed last month that one of the potential obstacles to Mr Conn's appointment as Centrica's new boss is his multimillion pound shareholding in BP, a significant proportion of which has yet to pay out.

BP's latest annual report shows that Mr Conn owns approximately £3m-worth of BP shares and has about £16m-worth of additional awards which are subject to performance criteria.

Mr Conn had also been sounded out about joining BG, but is not thought to be in talks about that role.

British Gas is often confused with BG Group, although the two are now entirely separate companies after being privatised by Margaret Thatcher in 1986.

Centrica plc was created in 1997 following a demerger from British Gas plc, which was then renamed BG.

BG now has a market value of just over £43bn, and is repeatedly touted as a takeover target for the likes of Exxon-Mobil, America's biggest energy group.

Centrica's market value stands at £16.45bn, with its shares having fallen by more than 12% during the last year as political heat on the major domestic energy suppliers has intensified.

BG and Centrica both declined to comment.

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Labour Plan To Double Paternity Leave

Fathers could be given a month's paternity leave and paid at almost twice the present rate, under proposals being considered by Labour.

New fathers should be paid at least the minimum wage of £6.31 an hour for the four weeks off to encourage them to take time off to be with their newborns, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank.

At present men receive only a statutory £138.18 a week – just £3.45 an hour - with employers encouraged to make the pay up to the usual salary.

The low level of pay has been blamed for the reluctance of fathers to take time off to be with their child - just 55% take off the fortnight.

The IPPR estimated a pay increase would increase the number of men taking paternity leave to 70%.

Senior research fellow Kayte Lawton said: "Fathers who take more than a few days off around the birth of their child are more likely to be actively involved in raising their child than those who do not.

"Fathers' greater involvement in family life can make it easier for mothers to return to work after taking maternity leave, which helps to raise the family's income and lessen the impact of motherhood on women's careers."

Labour is considering adopting the proposal. Shadow childcare minister Lucy Powell said: "There clearly are problems with dads being able to play the role they want to in those first weeks and months of a baby's life.

"There are cultural barriers and also the level of pay is a problem for many. It's a very interesting proposal. It's certainly something we're looking at."

Conservative Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said the policy would be too expensive adding: "This policy would mean even more spending, more borrowing and more taxes - exactly what got us into a mess in the first place.

"It's the same old Labour, they haven't learnt."

Last week it emerged that fewer than one in 50 new fathers took up the right to additional paternity leave - where men are entitled to 26 weeks' leave after the mother has returned to work.

Only 1.4% of new fathers took additional leave in 2012-13, under the policy introduced by the coalition in 2011. In 2011-2012 it was 0.8%.

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England Physio Injures Ankle Celebrating Goal

Gary Lewin will be flying home from the World Cup early after dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal.

Staff rush to attend to Mr Lewin as he lies on the turf

The 50-year-old jumped off the bench to celebrate Daniel Sturridge's first half equaliser against Italy in Manaus, but hurt his ankle in the process when he landed on a water bottle.

He received treatment on the pitch and was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

A doctor set his ankle before Mr Lewin was taken to hospital

Speaking after the match, which finished 2-1 to Italy, manager Roy Hodgson said it was a "very sad moment".

He said: "In celebrating the goal he jumped up, landed on a water bottle and dislocated his ankle.

The 50-year-old will now fly home to recover

"It was very painful. He was taken to hospital.

"The doctor set it, put it back in at the side of the field, but it's the end of the World Cup for Gary."

Manager Roy Hodgson said the injury was a "very sad moment"

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "What happened to running it off??? The magic spray & sponge??? Our Physio Gary Lewin has to man up!!"

He later apologised, tweeting: "Was only having a bit of banter but just found out that Gary Lewin's injury was serious so apologies for previous tweets on the injury. My bad."

Mr Lewin will be replaced by assistant Steve Kemp

Lewin's assistant Steve Kemp will take over for the rest of the tournament.

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Prisoner On Run Detained - In The Pub

A prisoner who absconded from an open prison has been detained in a pub on the night of England's opening World Cup game.

Kevin Brown, who went missing from HMP Ford in West Sussex on April 10, was arrested in a bar in the Clifton area of Bristol.

Sussex Police said the 54-year-old was held by colleagues from Avon and Somerset Police at about 6pm on Saturday.

Brown is serving a life sentence imposed at the Old Bailey in 2007 for conspiracy to rob and firearms offences.

Sussex Police revealed this week that 89 prisoners were on the run from Ford, near Arundel.

Some have been missing for years, they admitted.

It has also emerged that an appeal to help trace murderer Robert Donovan, 57, had only been made four years after he walked out of the prison.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has already ordered major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.

"Absconds have reached record lows under this Government - down 80% over the last 10 years - but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.

"Open prisons and temporary licence are an important tool in rehabilitating long-term offenders but not at the expense of public safety."

Brown is due to appear before magistrates in Bristol on Monday.

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Captain Scarlet Actor Francis Matthews Dies

The actor who provided the voice of indestructible puppet hero Captain Scarlet in the 1960s TV show has died at the age of 86.

Francis Matthews brought the Mysteron-battling sci-fi character to life in creator Gerry Anderson's programme between 1967 and 1968.

His voice for Scarlet, which was based on the transatlantic accent of Hollywood star Cary Grant, became well-known to generations of children thanks to countless re-runs over the years.

Matthews also became known for playing amateur detective Paul Temple in the TV drama series of the same name and appeared in several Hammer Horror films.

Anderson Entertainment said: "We are very sorry to report that Francis Matthews, best known to Gerry Anderson fans as the voice of the indestructible puppet hero Captain Scarlet, has died aged 86.

"Having previously had a policy of using American accents in their shows to aid sales to America, Gerry and Sylvia relaxed their casting requirements for Captain Scarlet as it was felt that British accents were now more acceptable Stateside than had previously been the case.

"After hearing Matthews' uncanny impression of Cary Grant, a voice that would have been familiar to all on both sides of the Atlantic, he was cast in 1966."

Matthews' wife, the actress Angela Browne, died in 2001, Anderson Entertainment said.

He is survived by his sons Damien, Paul and Dominic.

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William More Popular Than The Queen - Poll

Despite having just celebrated her official birthday, the Queen is not as popular as her grandson Prince William, according to a survey.

Of the 2,000-plus people surveyed by ComRes for the Sunday Mirror and Independent on Sunday, 68% expressed a "favourable" view of the young royal compared with 63% for his grandmother.

Prince Charles lagged well behind on 43% but even the heir to the throne enjoyed a better rating than any of the Westminster figures.

The royals are significantly more popular than Britain's best-known politicians.

London Mayor Boris Johnson came closest to a regal score on 41% - with Prime Minister David Cameron pipping UKIP's Nigel Farage by 28% to 26%.

Fewer than one in five said they saw Labour leader Ed Miliband in a good light (19%) - fewer than Foreign Secretary William Hague (25%) and on a par with Chancellor George Osborne.

After their recent public row, Theresa May retains more public favour than Michael Gove (16% to 9%) - with the Education Secretary also attracting significantly more dislikes.

Ms May is significantly better liked by Tory supporters.

Reflecting his party's woeful poll showings, Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is admired by only 13%.

The poll showed a narrowing of Labour's lead over the Tories to 34% versus 32% - the smallest gap for almost two-and-a-half years in ComRes online research.

UKIP and the Liberal Democrats shed a point each to stand at 18% and 7%.

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England Physio Injures Ankle Celebrating Goal

Gary Lewin will be flying home from the World Cup early after dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal.

Staff rush to attend to Mr Lewin as he lies on the turf

The 50-year-old jumped off the bench to celebrate Daniel Sturridge's first half equaliser against Italy in Manaus, but hurt his ankle in the process when he landed on a water bottle.

He received treatment on the pitch and was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

A doctor set his ankle before Mr Lewin was taken to hospital

Speaking after the match, which finished 2-1 to Italy, manager Roy Hodgson said it was a "very sad moment".

He said: "In celebrating the goal he jumped up, landed on a water bottle and dislocated his ankle.

The 50-year-old will now fly home to recover

"It was very painful. He was taken to hospital.

"The doctor set it, put it back in at the side of the field, but it's the end of the World Cup for Gary."

Manager Roy Hodgson said the injury was a "very sad moment"

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "What happened to running it off??? The magic spray & sponge??? Our Physio Gary Lewin has to man up!!"

He later apologised, tweeting: "Was only having a bit of banter but just found out that Gary Lewin's injury was serious so apologies for previous tweets on the injury. My bad."

Mr Lewin will be replaced by assistant Steve Kemp

Lewin's assistant Steve Kemp will take over for the rest of the tournament.

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'Allo! 'Allo! Actor Sam Kelly Dies Aged 70

British actor Sam Kelly, best known for his role as Captain Hans Geering in 'Allo! 'Allo!, has died at the age of 70.

The star's agent Lynda Ronan said Kelly died "peacefully" after a long illness and that he left a "host of friends who were his chosen family".

Kelly appeared in On The Up and Barbara as well as Porridge, and he recently played the wizard in West End musical Wicked.

Ms Ronan said: "Sam Kelly died peacefully this morning after a long illness bravely fought.

"He does not leave any family but a host of friends who were his chosen family. His death is a great loss to them and the profession."

Paying tribute on Twitter, Stephen Fry tweeted: "Very saddened to hear about Sam Kelly's death.

"He played a splendid Hitler in a comedy drama called Stalag Luft I made with Nick Lyndhurst..."

Former Doctor Who, Colin Baker, tweeted: "Cannot believe that lovely Sam Kelly has died.

"We were at drama school together - lovely, funny, talented chap. So sad."

Citizen Smith and My Family star Robert Lindsay said he would dedicate his West End showing of stage show Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Saturday night to Kelly.

He tweeted: "Feel so depressed about the amazing Sam Kelly's passing how do we manage a second comic musical tonight? We dedicate it to him RIP."

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World Cup: England Defeated By Italy In Brazil

England have suffered a narrow defeat in their opening match of the 2014 World Cup, losing 2-1 to Italy in Manaus.

Italy opened the scoring with a Claudio Marchisio goal in the 35th minute, only for England to strike back when Daniel Sturridge scored from a Wayne Rooney cross.

The winning goal came for Italy in the 51st minute when Mario Balotelli scored with a header shortly after the half-time break.

Roy Hodgson's side had several unsuccessful attacking efforts as they tried to get back into the game, but Italy's Salvatore Sirigu put in a strong performance in goal.

Claudio Marchisio opens the scoring for Italy in the 35th minute

There was an unusual injury for the England squad when the team's physio, Gary Lewin, dislocated his ankle while celebrating Sturridge's goal.

Lewin was carried off the sidelines after suffering the injury in the 37th minute.

The win sees Italy join Costa Rica on three points at the top of Group D.

England physio Gary Lewin receives treatment on the sidelines

A disappointed Steven Gerrard said after the match: "Italy are a good team and we knew how they were going to play it.

"It's disappointing because we put so much into it."

Hodgson selected an attacking line-up for his team's opening clash of the tournament.

The England team prepare to take on Italy at the Arena Amazonia

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling was named alongside Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney in the midfield.

Italy confirmed before the match that their captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon would miss the fixture because of an injury.

Hodgson had expressed his confidence in the team's pre-tournament preparations.

Some 5,000 England fans have travelled up the Amazon to back the team

"I think we are well prepared. I don't think we are concerned about the heat and humidity because we have been training in heat and humidity," he said.

The game at the Arena Amazonia was the first competitive encounter between the teams since Italy beat England in the 2012 European Championship quarter-finals.

Some 5,000 England fans travelled up the Amazon to support the side.

Raheem Sterling takes a shot at goal in the opening minutes

Supporters at home filled the pubs, which were allowed to stay open late for the match after the Home Office announced that licensing laws would be relaxed.

Extra buses were laid on in London to get fans home, however the Tube did not run later than normal.

Police had issued a warning urging people not to drink too much and "wake up in a police cell".

Daniel Sturridge celebrates his goal in the 37th minute

Chief Superintendent Andy Prophet from Essex Police said: "The tournament is a celebration of football and a chance to feel national pride.

"It is however just a game and can never be an excuse for violence or disorder.

"I hope everyone enjoys the World Cup, but experience tells us we need to plan for the minority who spoil things.

Roy Hodgson said his team prepared for the match as well as possible

"My message to anyone planning to go out tonight is have a great time, enjoy the game but please be sensible."

Prime Minister David Cameron sent a good luck message ahead of the match, saying the country is behind the England team "every step of the way".

"On behalf of the whole country I want to wish the England team the very best of luck for the World Cup," Mr Cameron said.

"There is nothing like a World Cup to bring our country together."

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Labour Plan To Double Paternity Leave

Fathers could be given a month's paternity leave and paid at almost twice the present rate, under proposals being considered by Labour.

New fathers should be paid at least the minimum wage of £6.31 an hour for the four weeks off to encourage them to take time off to be with their newborns, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank.

At present men receive only a statutory £138.18 a week – just £3.45 an hour - with employers encouraged to make the pay up to the usual salary.

The low level of pay has been blamed for the reluctance of fathers to take time off to be with their child - just 55% take off the fortnight.

The IPPR estimated a pay increase would increase the number of men taking paternity leave to 70%.

Senior research fellow Kayte Lawton said: "Fathers who take more than a few days off around the birth of their child are more likely to be actively involved in raising their child than those who do not.

"Fathers' greater involvement in family life can make it easier for mothers to return to work after taking maternity leave, which helps to raise the family's income and lessen the impact of motherhood on women's careers."

Labour is considering adopting the proposal. Shadow childcare minister Lucy Powell said: "There clearly are problems with dads being able to play the role they want to in those first weeks and months of a baby's life.

"There are cultural barriers and also the level of pay is a problem for many. It's a very interesting proposal. It's certainly something we're looking at."

Conservative Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said the policy would be too expensive adding: "This policy would mean even more spending, more borrowing and more taxes - exactly what got us into a mess in the first place.

"It's the same old Labour, they haven't learnt."

Last week it emerged that fewer than one in 50 new fathers took up the right to additional paternity leave - where men are entitled to 26 weeks' leave after the mother has returned to work.

Only 1.4% of new fathers took additional leave in 2012-13, under the policy introduced by the coalition in 2011. In 2011-2012 it was 0.8%.

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