Hamilton Wins On Silverstone's 50th Anniversary

British Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton has won the British Grand Prix - as Silverstone celebrates its 50th race.

The former world champion sped across the line some 28 seconds ahead of second place Valtteri Bottas after his main rival and teammate Nico Rosberg dropped out after suffering gear box problems.

Britain's Jenson Button came fourth, just 0.8 seconds behind Australian Daniel Ricciardo, on whom he was gaining before they both crossed the finish line.

Hamilton was heard saying over his cockpit radio: "England! What a great feeling guys - I couldn't be happier" before stopping his car and hugging his team mates.

Tens of thousands of supporters cheered as he crossed the line and later took to the podium for the national anthem.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the British Grand Prix

Hamilton is the first British winner of the Silverstone Grand Prix since 2008, when he won the event for the first time.

His win takes him to within four points of his main rival in the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship, team mate Nico Rosberg, whose lead had looked increasingly secure.

Silverstone hosted its first Grand Prix in 1948

The result was tough for Jensen Button who had started the race in third place and has yet to score a podium place at his home Grand Prix event.

The start of the race began in dramatic fashion, with a red flag brought out by the marshals following a crash after only one lap.

Button restarted the race in second, with Hamilton fourth.

Today Silverstone contributes £9bn to the British economy

Hamilton's win came on a day when Formula 1 legends descended on the motor racing circuit for a special parade to mark the 50th Grand Prix at the world famous Northamptonshire track.

Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi were among the F1 heroes to take part in front of a bumper crowd.

The first British Grand Prix at the track was won in 1948 by Italian driver Luigi Villoresi in a Maserati.

Two years later, the World Championship was founded and Silverstone was given the honour of staging the first round, with a huge crowd of 150,000 turning out, only for star attraction Juan Manuel Fangio to break down mid-race.

The first ever British winner was Peter Collins in 1958, whose victory came just weeks before his death in the German Grand Prix.

Nine other Britons have won at Silverstone.

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New Airport Security Checks 'Unavoidable'

Airlines To Scrutinise Smartphones Amid Threat

Updated: 8:12am UK, Friday 04 July 2014

Airlines with direct flights to the US have been told to tighten their screening of mobile phones amid fears terrorists could use them in bomb attacks.

US officials singled out Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets for extra security checks.

They will apply to US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the officials said.

The new precautions come in response to requests from US authorities, who fear attacks on planes flying to America.

US security officials said they fear bomb makers from the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have worked out how to turn the phones into explosive devices which can avoid detection.

They also are concerned that hard-to-detect bombs could be built into shoes.

A US official said that other electronic devices carried by passengers also are likely to receive more intense scrutiny.

Airlines or airport operators that fail to strengthen security could face bans on flights entering the US.

On Thursday, the US Homeland Security Department announced on plans to step up general security checks, but offered few details on how airlines and airports will implement them.

An official familiar with the issues said the US believes that while it is possible there may be some additional delays at security checkpoints, at most major airports passengers will not be seriously inconvenienced.

The official said most passengers taking long-distance flights arrive well in advance of scheduled departures, leaving time for extra screening.

But he said the US could not rule out disruptions in countries where airport infrastructure and security procedures are less sophisticated.

In the UK, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the additional security was not expected to cause "significant" disruption to flights.

He told Sky News: "There will be extra security checks but they will be made in the course of events people already go through and I hope there will not be significant delays."

But British aviation security expert Philip Baum said heightened security will inevitably mean longer queues and increased waiting times to board flights at UK airports.

"It will mean (more) random searches, secondary searches and an increase in the number of passengers asked to remove shoes and possibly all passengers being asked to remove shoes if they're going on certain flights," he said.

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Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic Wins Men's Title

Novak Djokovic has defeated Roger Federer in the men's singles final on Wimbledon's Centre Court.

After losing the first set in a tie-breaker, the Serbian fought back to defeat his Swiss opponent 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4.

The victory - which is Djokovic's second at Wimbledon, and his seventh Grand Slam win - sees the 27-year-old return to number one in the world rankings.

It also denied the 32-year-old Federer the chance to take a record-breaking eighth win at the All England Club.

More follows...

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Scotland Moves To Slash Drink-Drive Limit

By Niall Paterson, Scotland Correspondent

Drinking a pint or a single glass of wine could soon put you over the legal driving limit in Scotland, under proposals due to reach the Scottish Parliament in the next few weeks.

Currently more than 80mg of alcohol in the bloodstream per 100ml would make you a drunk driver - the Scottish Government wants to reduce that to 50mg.

That would bring Scotland into line with Germany, France and Spain - but create a situation where crossing the Scottish border after consuming one drink could lead to a drink-driving conviction.

Thirty people are killed on Scottish roads each year as a result of alcohol, and 150 seriously injured.

Across Scotland almost 7,500 people are convicted of drink-driving offences each year.

First Minister Alex Salmond recently branded Scotland a "nation of drunks".

A pint of beer could be enough to push drivers in Scotland over the limit

The proposals have been welcomed by many families of those injured or killed by drunk drivers.

Stacey Muldoon, a 23-year-old mother from Lanarkshire, was killed in 2008 when the driver of the car taking her home from a night out crashed into a lamppost.

He was later found to be twice over the legal limit. Her sister, Leigh Payne, believes lowering the limit will in future prevent many other deaths.

"We're coming into line with most of Europe and some of America", Ms Payne told Sky News.

"We've done loads of research and definitely bringing it down to 50mg is the way to go.

"I think that people will now realise that it's not acceptable to have a drink . Physically ordering a drink and drinking it with your dinner you cannot do with 50mg.

Stacey Muldoon died in a car where the driver was over the limit

"Stacey left a twin sister, Kelly. She left two wee girls. They are now 10 and eight. My mum and dad have lost something they can never get back."

The Scottish Government says lowering the limit is a priority. Yet it has been two years since it first consulted on the issue and, as a devolved matter, it does not require legislative action by Westminster.

There has been resistance from the alcohol and pub sector. 

"I think it will lead to loss of business," says Bridgit Simmons, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association.

"Of course pubs serve many soft drinks, there's been a growth in coffee, people eat there, but inevitably people do go to the pub to have one drink...

Bridgit Simmons is concerned the change will damage business for pubs

"They've understood what they can do until now but confusion will mean they just won't go out, and that's of concern to us."

The Scottish Government said it hopes to introduce a bill affecting the change some time in August.

A spokesperson said: "We are working with Police Scotland and the UK Government to prepare for a lower limit, including obtaining the necessary type approvals for the devices used by the police to test drivers. 

"As a lower limit cannot be brought in until the necessary approvals are obtained through the UK Government, we have made clear to the UK Government that we view introducing a lower limit in Scotland as a key priority which we want to introduce as soon as possible."

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Two Men Escape From Open Prison In Lancashire

Two inmates - one serving a sentence for firearms offences - are on the run after escaping from an open prison in Lancashire.

Philip Stephenson, 33, and Gareth Robinson, 24, both from the Oldham area, fled together from HMP Kirkham on Saturday.

Robinson was in prison for burglary, Greater Manchester Police said.

Stephenson, according to the Oldham Chronicle, had been charged with selling or transferring an illegal firearm and possession of ammunition.

They are believed to have got into a silver Volkswagen Golf before heading in the direction of Oldham.

Anyone who offers the men help has been warned they may face action themselves.

Detective Chief Inspector John Mazzolai said: "Neither of these men has been seen since they escaped from prison on Saturday.

"They are not to be approached by members of the public, but if anyone sees them or knows of their whereabouts, please contact GMP on 101 immediately.

"If you would prefer to pass on information anonymously, then you can do this by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"I would also like to remind people that if anyone is found to be assisting or harbouring these wanted men, they too will face being arrested and a possible prison sentence of their own. So please get in touch if you know where they are."

Open prisons have sparked controversy in recent months after a spate of incidents when inmates have gone on the run.

In the most high-profile case, Michael Wheatley, who is known as the "Skull Cracker", carried out a raid on a building society while on the run from HMP Standford Hill in Kent in May.

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Crash Takes Cavendish Out Of Tour De France

One of Britain's top cyclists will miss the rest of the Tour de France after crashing in the final moments of Saturday's opening stage in Yorkshire.

Mark Cavendish dislocated his shoulder in a heavy fall near the finish line in Harrogate - his mother's home town.

The Isle of Man sprinter collided with Australian Simon Gerrans in the last 200 metres and was thrown to the ground in the high-speed smash.

Cavendish lay clutching his shoulder, and after cycling painfully across the line, the 29-year-old was taken to hospital.

The 'Manx Missile', who competes for the Omega Pharma-QuickStep team, later said: "I'm gutted about the crash today.

"It was my fault. I'll personally apologise to Simon Gerrans as soon as I get the chance. In reality, I tried to find a gap that wasn't really there."

The rider crossed the finish line clutching his midriff

X-rays were taken on Saturday night which confirmed the shoulder injury.

His team then decided to wait overnight to see if he was fit to continue the race before ruling him out on Sunday morning.

The first stage lasting 190km began in Leeds and was won by German rider Marcel Kittel. Team Sky's Chris Froome finished sixth.

The high-profile crash marred the opening day of Yorkshire hosting the world's greatest bike race.

Cavendish's Tour De France is now over

Many spectators, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prime Minister David Cameron, were willing Cavendish on as he entered Harrogate.

But he fell in the town centre as his mother, Adele Towns, watched from the stands.

More than a million people lined the streets of Yorkshire on Saturday for stage one as crowds flocked from all over the country to get a glimpse of the 198 racers.

Hundreds of thousands more people were expected to turn out for the second stage on Sunday from York to Sheffield - a 201km route where the world's top cyclists faced some of Britain's toughest climbs.

Police have warned spectators to stay safe after some dramatic scenes on Saturday.

A teenage boy was airlifted to hospital with serious leg injuries after he fell from the roadside in Ilkley, into the path of a Tour team vehicle following behind the race.

There were also reports of spectators on the climbs getting very close to the leading riders - often while taking 'selfies' on their phones.

On Monday, the Tour moves south to Cambridge and a 155km stage ending on The Mall, in central London.

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New Airport Security Checks 'Unavoidable'

Airlines To Scrutinise Smartphones Amid Threat

Updated: 8:12am UK, Friday 04 July 2014

Airlines with direct flights to the US have been told to tighten their screening of mobile phones amid fears terrorists could use them in bomb attacks.

US officials singled out Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets for extra security checks.

They will apply to US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the officials said.

The new precautions come in response to requests from US authorities, who fear attacks on planes flying to America.

US security officials said they fear bomb makers from the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have worked out how to turn the phones into explosive devices which can avoid detection.

They also are concerned that hard-to-detect bombs could be built into shoes.

A US official said that other electronic devices carried by passengers also are likely to receive more intense scrutiny.

Airlines or airport operators that fail to strengthen security could face bans on flights entering the US.

On Thursday, the US Homeland Security Department announced on plans to step up general security checks, but offered few details on how airlines and airports will implement them.

An official familiar with the issues said the US believes that while it is possible there may be some additional delays at security checkpoints, at most major airports passengers will not be seriously inconvenienced.

The official said most passengers taking long-distance flights arrive well in advance of scheduled departures, leaving time for extra screening.

But he said the US could not rule out disruptions in countries where airport infrastructure and security procedures are less sophisticated.

In the UK, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the additional security was not expected to cause "significant" disruption to flights.

He told Sky News: "There will be extra security checks but they will be made in the course of events people already go through and I hope there will not be significant delays."

But British aviation security expert Philip Baum said heightened security will inevitably mean longer queues and increased waiting times to board flights at UK airports.

"It will mean (more) random searches, secondary searches and an increase in the number of passengers asked to remove shoes and possibly all passengers being asked to remove shoes if they're going on certain flights," he said.

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Scotland Moves To Slash Drink-Drive Limit

By Niall Paterson, Scotland Correspondent

Drinking a pint or a single glass of wine could soon put you over the legal driving limit in Scotland, under proposals due to reach the Scottish Parliament in the next few weeks.

Currently more than 80mg of alcohol in the bloodstream per 100ml would make you a drunk driver - the Scottish Government wants to reduce that to 50mg.

That would bring Scotland into line with Germany, France and Spain - but create a situation where crossing the Scottish border after consuming one drink could lead to a drink-driving conviction.

Thirty people are killed on Scottish roads each year as a result of alcohol, and 150 seriously injured.

Across Scotland almost 7,500 people are convicted of drink-driving offences each year.

First Minister Alex Salmond recently branded Scotland a "nation of drunks".

A pint of beer could be enough to push drivers in Scotland over the limit

The proposals have been welcomed by many families of those injured or killed by drunk drivers.

Stacey Muldoon, a 23-year-old mother from Lanarkshire, was killed in 2008 when the driver of the car taking her home from a night out crashed into a lamppost.

He was later found to be twice over the legal limit. Her sister, Leigh Payne, believes lowering the limit will in future prevent many other deaths.

"We're coming into line with most of Europe and some of America", Ms Payne told Sky News.

"We've done loads of research and definitely bringing it down to 50mg is the way to go.

"I think that people will now realise that it's not acceptable to have a drink . Physically ordering a drink and drinking it with your dinner you cannot do with 50mg.

Stacey Muldoon died in a car where the driver was over the limit

"Stacey left a twin sister, Kelly. She left two wee girls. They are now 10 and eight. My mum and dad have lost something they can never get back."

The Scottish Government says lowering the limit is a priority. Yet it has been two years since it first consulted on the issue and, as a devolved matter, it does not require legislative action by Westminster.

There has been resistance from the alcohol and pub sector. 

"I think it will lead to loss of business," says Bridgit Simmons, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association.

"Of course pubs serve many soft drinks, there's been a growth in coffee, people eat there, but inevitably people do go to the pub to have one drink...

Bridgit Simmons is concerned the change will damage business for pubs

"They've understood what they can do until now but confusion will mean they just won't go out, and that's of concern to us."

The Scottish Government said it hopes to introduce a bill affecting the change some time in August.

A spokesperson said: "We are working with Police Scotland and the UK Government to prepare for a lower limit, including obtaining the necessary type approvals for the devices used by the police to test drivers. 

"As a lower limit cannot be brought in until the necessary approvals are obtained through the UK Government, we have made clear to the UK Government that we view introducing a lower limit in Scotland as a key priority which we want to introduce as soon as possible."

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MPs To Question Top Official Over Abuse Claims

The most senior civil servant in the Home Office is to give evidence to MPs after the department admitted more than 100 official files relating to allegations of historical child abuse by politicians have been lost or destroyed.

Permanent secretary Mark Sedwill said the documents - which related to a 20-year period between 1979 and 1999 - were "presumed destroyed, missing or not found".

Home Affairs Select Committee chair Keith Vaz revealed on Sky News he has asked Mr Sedwill to appear before the committee on Tuesday to answer questions.

These files are in addition to a dossier alleging historical child abuse involving powerful and famous figures at Westminster in the 1980s that is also missing.

Mr Sedwill says an independent figure will assess how the Home Office acted

Mr Sedwill has said he will appoint a senior legal figure to assess the Home Office's handling of the dossier.

Prime Minister David Cameron has called for Mr Sedwill to establish what happened to the file which was handed to the then home secretary, Leon (now Lord) Brittan, by Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens in 1983.

Lord Brittan admitted he received the dossier and passed it on to officials, but no action was ever taken.

The Prime Minister is under pressure to launch a full public inquiry

Mr Sedwill revealed in a letter to the Home Affairs committee that while the original review had identified 527 potentially relevant files which had been retained, there were a further 114 files which could not be located.

He said that the investigation had not found a single dossier from Mr Dickens, but several sets of correspondence over a number of years to a number of home secretaries containing claims of sexual offences.

However he said that the review had found no record of specific allegations by Mr Dickens of child sex abuse by senior figures.

Mr Cameron has faced criticism for an "inadequate" investigation into what happened to the dossier.

Labour MP Tom Watson has launched a petition calling on the PM to "make amends for historic failures" and establish a national inquiry.

But Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said it was "too soon" for such a move, which could delay the Home Office probe.

Allegations of sex abuse have been made against the late Cyril Smith

"It may well be then that the answer is to have a much broader inquiry but I think it's too soon to come to that conclusion now," he told Sky's Murnaghan programme.

Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics programme, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg did not rule out a wider inquiry, but stressed the ongoing police investigations would have to take precedence.

Former Conservative Cabinet minister Lord Tebbit has told the BBC he believes there could have been a cover-up of the allegations.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "We are currently assessing information and conducting a number of investigations under Operation Fairbank.

"Any material submitted to us, historic or current, is reviewed to establish if it is relevant to these."

Calls for more to be done about allegations of child sex abuse by politicians have increased since the death of Liberal Democrat MP Cyril Smith, who was subsequently said to have been a paedophile.

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Hamilton Wins On Silverstone's 50th Anniversary

British Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton has won the British Grand Prix - as Silverstone celebrates its 50th race.

The former world champion sped across the line some 28 seconds ahead of second place Valtieri Bottas after his main rival and teammate Nico Rosberg dropped out.

Britain's Jenson Button came 4th, just 0.8 seconds behind Australian Daniel Ricciardo, on whom he was gaining before they both crossed the finish line.

Hamilton was heard saying over his cockpit radio: "England! What a great feeling guys I couldn't be happier" before stopping his car and hugging his team mates.

Thousands of people who were watching reacted with cheering as he crossed the line and then stepped on to the podium before the national anthem.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the British Grand Prix

Hamilton is the first British winner of the Silverstone Grand Prix since 2008, when he won the event for a first time.

The start of the race was marred by drama as a red flag was brought out by the marshals following a crash when it was only one lap old.

Jenson Button restarted the race in second, with Lewis Hamilton in fourth.

It came on a day when Formula 1 legends descended on the motor racing circuit for a special parade to mark the 50th British Grand Prix at the world famous Northamptonshire venue.

Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi were among the F1 heroes to take part in front of a bumper crowd.

Silverstone hosted its first Grand Prix in 1948

The first British Grand Prix at the track was won in 1948 by the Italian driver Luigi Villoresi in a Maserati.

Two years later the World Championship was founded and Silverstone was given the honour of staging the first round, with a huge crowd of 150,000 people turning out, only for star attraction Juan Miguel Fangio to break down mid-race.

The first ever British winner was Peter Collins in 1958, whose victory came just weeks before his death in the German Grand Prix.

Nine other Britons have won at Silverstone.

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