Oldham Sponsors To Cut Ties If Ched Evans Signs

Two of Oldham Athletic's sponsors say they will cut ties with the club if convicted rapist Ched Evans is signed.

Craig Verling, a director of Verlin Rainwater Solutions which sponsors a stand at Boundary Park, said: "The club know our stance and that is if they sign or allow Ched Evans to train we will be out of the door."

Mecca Bingo also says it will end its association with the club if the move takes place.

Evans is believed to have held fresh talks with the side, who insisted in December they would not offer him a contract or a chance to train.

Thousands of people have signed a petition against him potentially joining the club.

Video: 'It's A Very Difficult Situation'

The letter to Oldham chairman Simon Corney - which has attracted more than 20,000 signatures since Sunday - came as the club prepared to stage a news conference today.

Now a local newspaper reports that Mr Corney is "wavering" as a result of the backlash, and the decision hangs in the balance.

Manager Lee Johnson told reporters that the decision was for the board, adding: "Whatever the board decides I will be a part of."

Evans was released from prison in October after serving two-and-a-half years of a five-year sentence for rape.

Video: What Do Fans Think?

He still protests his innocence. Oldham have yet to comment.

Evans had an offer to train with former club Sheffield United retracted in November following a backlash.

Tranmere and Hartlepool have also rejected the opportunity to sign him.

The PFA has said it will support Evans continuing his football career.

Video: Justice Secretary On Evans' Future

News of Oldham's interest has prompted a lively debate on fan forums.

Oldham have previously signed a player convicted of a criminal offence.

Lee Hughes, who served three years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving, played for the club after his release in 2007.

The shadow minister for sport Clive Efford said: "The FA should act for the good of the game and not accept the registration of Ched Evans."

Video: The Legal Position

Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner, Tony Lloyd, said: "Ched Evans is a convicted rapist and, whilst I strongly believe in the principle of rehabilitation, it will send out entirely the wrong message if they offer him a contract."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prince Andrew Back In UK Amid Sex Claims

Buckingham Palace says there is "no record" of the Queen ever meeting a woman who claims she was forced to have underage sex with Prince Andrew.

Sky News understands the Duke of York flew home on a private jet from a ski resort in Verbier, Switzerland, following the allegations, which were made in court papers in the US.

The Duke is understood to be planning to attend the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, later this month, despite the controversy.

A royal aide, meanwhile, has said that after the traditional New Year break a "resilient" Duke of York would "move on and push ahead" with his work.

Buckingham Palace has in recent days issued two denials over the woman's claims.

It has "emphatically denied" the Duke had sexual contact with the woman, who has been named in reports as Virginia Roberts.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman insisted "any suggestion of impropriety with under-age minors" was "categorically untrue".

The woman's father, Sky Roberts, claimed in an interview with the Daily Mail that his daughter met the Queen during a visit to London.

However, a palace spokesman insisted: "There is nothing to suggest the claim is true. We have no record of such a meeting."

Jeffrey Epstein was jailed for 18 months in 2008

Scotland Yard has confirmed it has not received a complaint relating to the case, but added it would investigate if an allegation was made.

Two Sunday newspapers have published details of interviews with the woman, who reportedly named Prince Andrew in US court documents.

Her claim is part of a lawsuit in connection with American billionaire and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein - a former friend of the Duke.

Andrew was photographed with Epstein in New York two years after his release from prison in 2009, and has faced criticism over their friendship.

In an interview in 2011 he denied any sexual contact with any of the young women connected to the banker.

The woman claims that between 1999 and 2002 she "was forced to have sexual relations with this prince when she was a minor" in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein.

She is believed to have been 17 at the time - underage in US law.

The accusation is reportedly contained in a motion filed in a Florida court this week which is part of a lawsuit over how prosecutors handled Epstein's case.

An associate of Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, has branded the claims against her as "untrue" and "obvious lies" after she, too, was reportedly named in the court documents.

But the woman has hit back, saying in a statement: "These types of aggressive attacks on me are exactly the reason why sexual abuse victims typically remain silent and the reason why I did for a long time.

"That trend should change. I'm not going to be bullied back into silence."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Queen And Duke To Make State Visit to Germany

The Queen is to make a three-day state visit to Germany with the Duke of Edinburgh this summer, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The 88-year-old monarch and her 93-year-old husband will travel to the country in June at the invitation of Germany's president, Joachim Gauck, a human-rights campaigner and former East German dissident.

The royal couple last made a state visit to Germany in November 2004.

The trip will follow shortly after the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Prince Philip saw wartime service in the Royal Navy while the Queen joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a mechanic.

The June trip will be the fifth state visit by the royal couple to Germany.

In July 2000, during an official visit to Berlin, the Queen opened the new British embassy.

Buckingham Palace said in a short statement: "The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will make a state visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from 24 to 26 June.

"Her Majesty and His Royal Highness are visiting at the invitation of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck."

Mr Gauck and his partner, Daniela Schadt, were the guests of the Queen and Duke at a lunch at Buckingham Palace in November 2012.

News of the state visit comes just two days before German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits London for talks with Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Queen and Prince Philip have scaled back their overseas trips in recent years, allowing other members of the royal household to represent them, including Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry.

Last year they attended the 70th anniversary commemorations of D-Day in France and also made a one-day trip to Rome.

Prior to that, the monarch had not left Britain since visiting Australia in October 2011.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Labour: Spending Take-Down A 'Dodgy Dossier'

The battleground for the most unpredictable General Election in decades shifted to spending today as five senior ministers lined up to pull apart Labour's plans.

In an unprecedented move George Osborne, Theresa May, William Hague, Sajid Javid and Nicky Morgan joined together to present a document they claimed showed £20.7bn of unfunded Labour spending promises.

Mr Hague, the Leader of the House of Commons, said that using Treasury costings this amounted to £1,199 more borrowing and debt for every working household.

The Tory fight-back line-up

Between them they highlighted a number of unfunded Labour spending promises including:

:: Food waste in landfill ban = £500m

Video: Miliband Outlines Labour Plans

:: Cancellation of police spending cuts = £299m

:: Forcing teachers to have teacher status = £177m.

Labour was swift to dismiss the Tory spending figures as a "dodgy dossier."

Ed Balls MP, Labour's shadow chancellor, said: "This dodgy Tory dossier is riddled with untruths and errors on every page. It isn't an impartial exercise but a political smear based on false assumptions made by Tory advisers, including dozens of claims which are not even Labour's policies."

They pointed out that David Cameron had announced £7.2bn of unfunded tax cuts at the Conservative Party Conference.

Critics were also quick to point out the Tories had based their figures on a number of assumptions. Labour has pledged only to "make cycling safer" and yet this had been costed at £63m.

And questions were raised over whether it was right to use Government figures for party political gain.

It came after Ed Miliband attempted to take the fight to the Tories by rallying party activists to wage a "once in a generation fight" claiming he could "rebuild the country".

Video: Winner Might Not Get Number 10 Keys

On day one of the General Election battle, as politicians returned to Westminster after the Christmas break, the Labour leader promised action on the deficit, the NHS and the return to 1930s levels of public spending. 

However, Mr Osborne accused Mr Miliband of making £2.3bn of unfunded spending cuts in that speech alone with pledges on GP appointments, one-week cancer tests and apprenticeships.

Mr Miliband urged party members at a rally in Salford to take to the doorsteps and hold four million conversations with voters, saying his party could match the Tories' spending power only by marching on the streets to speak directly to people.

He said it was time to determine who the country works for. "It is a choice between a Tory plan where only a few at the top can succeed and our public services are threatened - or a Labour plan that puts working people first, deals with the deficit and protects our NHS."

1/1

1. Gallery: In The Margins: The Monday Tour

   Joey Jones takes a journey across the UK as part of Sky News' In The Margins campaign

And he accused the Prime Minister - who was noticeably absent from today's proceedings - of playing "risky and irresponsible games" with the European Union for political gain.

With 122 days to go until the vote, Sky News has launched a campaign looking at the 150 marginal seats which could be so influential in the outcome of the election.

Nick Clegg also kick started his party's own fight for a return to power in a coalition, burnishing Lib Dem credentials as the party that could anchor either the Tories or Labour from the worst of each party's cutting and borrowing excesses.

He accused the Tories of attempting to sell swingeing public service spending cuts as "continuity" when they were "even deeper" because of £7bn of unfunded tax cuts.

He said: "That's not sticking to the plan. That is a new plan to shelter the very wealthy and impose unnecessary cuts to public services."

He also warned that Labour will "borrow and borrow" and the country could end up paying billions more each year in interest on the debt.

It comes as Britain's former top civil servant, Lord O'Donnell warned in an exclusive interview with Sky News that the face of Westminster could be very different after May and the Government could be a coalition of three parties.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fears For Eight As Vessel Overturns Off Scotland

A major search effort has resumed in a bid to find the missing crew of an overturned cargo ship.

Two helicopters, four lifeboats and five coastguard rescue teams are looking for the eight people who were on the Cypriot-registered Cemfjord.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said "every effort" was being made to find them.

Pictures released by the RNLI show the Cemfjord during the rescue operation

The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) has also deployed a team to investigate.

The search was sparked after the crew of a passenger ferry raised the alarm when they spotted the upturned hull of the vessel in the Pentland Firth, off the north coast of Scotland.

After darkness fell it was called off, although passing vessels were asked to scan the area, between Orkney and John O'Groats.

The MCA spokeswoman said: "The search has resumed this morning, with two helicopters, four lifeboats and five coastguard rescue teams. There is no sign of any of the crewmen.

The search has been taking place northeast of Wick

"It is early in the day so we will see how the day progresses, but every effort is under way."

German shipping company Brise of Hamburg confirmed that there were eight people on the ship, seven Poles and one Filipino.

A spokesman for the company said: "No distress call was received from the vessel. Bad weather prevailed in the area at the time and conditions remain difficult at the scene, with storm force winds."

Shetland Coastguard was alerted by the NorthLink ferry Hrossey which spotted the vessel around 10 miles east of the Pentland Skerries, about 15 miles from Wick.

The 83-metre bulk cement carrier had been bound for Runcorn, Cheshire, on the west coast of the UK. She was carrying 2,000 tons of cement.

The RNLI tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the crew of the upturned cargo ship, their family, friends and all those involved in today's search operation."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Stabbed To Death In Manchester

A murder investigation has been launched after a 26-year-old was stabbed to death in Manchester's city centre.

The man was found at about 3.25am in Charles Street in the city centre and died later in hospital.

Detective Superintendent Joanne Rawlinson of Greater Manchester Police said: "A young man has sadly died and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his relatives and friends.

"I cannot begin to imagine what they are going through and specially-trained officers are offering them whatever support we can."

She appealed for any witnesses to come forward, adding: "We are in the very early stages of the investigation and we have a team of experienced detectives working to establish the circumstances leading up to his death."

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Det Supt Rawlinson said:"Although one man has been arrested in connection with the murder, we still need to hear from anyone who was around the Charles Street area in the early hours of this morning or has any information which may assist us with our investigation.

"We will have an increased police presence in the area as we continue our investigation and to reassure local residents, so if you have any concerns or information you wish to provide please come and speak to us."

:: Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Two Charged With New Year's Day Pub Murder

Two men have been charged with murder after an alleged axe and knife attack at a Plymouth pub which left builder Tanis Bhandari dead.

Four other people were seriously injured in the "major disturbance" outside the Kings Arms in the village of Tamerton Foliot on New Year's Day.

Police said Ryan Williams, 21, and Donald Pemberton, 20, both of St Budeaux, Plymouth, have been charged with murder.

They are also accused of being in possession of an axe and a knife in a public place.

The pair are due to appear at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The violence took place outside the Kings Arms pub

Police were called to the pub, which had held a New Year's Eve disco, at around 1.30am.

Mr Bhandari was taken to Derriford Hospital with serious injuries, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Another man, aged 21 from Plymouth, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Three others were treated in hospital.

Detective Inspector Gregg Dawe said: "An axe and knives have been recovered and searches are continuing in the Milford Lane area for any further knives that may have been used.

"I want to thank everyone who has assisted us with the police investigation so far. Searches and inquiries are continuing in relation to this incident."

A statement posted on the Kings Arms Facebook page described the incident as a "terrible attack" on a "lovely group of people on the way home from a great night in our pub".

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Salvage Mission After Car Carrier Runs Aground

Salvage experts are assessing how to refloat a car carrier after it ran aground in one of the country's busiest shipping lanes.

Overnight 25 crew members were rescued by a helicopter and lifeboats from the cargo ship which was heading towards Germany and became grounded on a sandbank near the Isle of Wight.

The ship, the Hoegh Osaka, is listing at 45 degrees and there are fears that changes in tide level might destabilise it further.

It was hoped that this morning's high tide would right the ship, but that did not happen and the 180-metre vessel remains stranded on Bramble Bank, in the Solent between Southampton and Cowes.

The stricken carrier has become a tourist attraction with Hampshire Police reporting that car parks along the coast were filling up with people wishing to view it. 

Video: RNLI Rescue Operation

It is not yet clear how the 51,000-tonne Singapore-registered ship, which is capable of carrying thousands of vehicles, got into difficulty in an area notorious for its shallow waters.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the salvage company Svitzer had been appointed by the ship's owners, Hoegh Autoliners, and a salvage team was on its way to make an initial assessment.

"Salvage plans will be developed by Svitzer and reviewed by the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage & Intervention, (SOSREP).

"There is no impact on vessels transiting the Solent as the vessel is not within a shipping channel," a spokeswoman said.

1/16

1. Gallery: Ship Beached In The Solent

   The car carrier ship became grounded on Bramble Bank at around 9.20pm, listing at 45 degrees Pic: Jamie Griffin/M & Y News Agency, Portsmouth

Twenty-five crew were rescued by a coastguard helicopter and lifeboats Pic: @CalshotRNLI

]]>

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ched Evans To Join Oldham Athletic - Reports

League One club Oldham Athletic is set to agree a deal to sign rapist footballer Ched Evans, Sky News understands.

The 26-year-old striker was released from prison in October after serving half of a five year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in 2011.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), which has always taken the stance that Evans, who still protests his innocence, deserved the chance to resume his career following his release from prison, is due to hold a press conference on Monday concerning the player.

There has been no official confirmation or denial from the club, which last month insisted they would not be offering Evans a contract or an opportunity to train. But it is understood further discussions have taken place since then.

The club has previously signed a former convict as a player.

Lee Hughes, who served three years in prison for causing the death by dangerous driving of father-of-four Douglas Graham in Meriden, near Coventry, in 2004, also signed for Oldham after his release in 2007.

Oldham's reported interest in Evans sparked lively debate on unofficial fans forums, with some supporters saying they would not attend another game at the club's Burnden Park home if Evans signed.

On one fans' forum a member named as Underdog wrote: "Please god no ... we are a family club ... He is a convicted sex offender until the courts decide otherwise ... can you imagine the grief we would get as fans ...This is a nightmare, if he signs I will not be returning back to BP until he has gone and would have to consider my role in playershare and trust oldham."

And Bristolatic wrote: "I wasn't 100% comfortable with the Lee Hughes signing, but he did at least show some contrition ... Ched Evans, on the other hand, has shown no remorse whatsoever. Instead, he has chosen to simply declare that he is innocent.

"My conscience would not allow me to be at a game in which he was playing."

However another poster, Hands On, wrote: "We all have to make our own minds up. I have made up mine and believe he should be given the chance to pursue his chosen profession again. I will continue to support my club."

Reaction on Twitter was similarly divided, with some Oldham fans saying they would stop attending games and others backing the club, saying that everyone deserves a second chance.

Sky News Correspondent Becky Johnson said that while the reaction from fans was important, it was the sponsors' "we really need to watch".

"It will be very interesting to see what sponsors here in Oldham will make of this, if as we understand it is the case that Ched Evans will be coming here, because of course in the end in football it does all come down to money," she said.

Evans had an offer to train with his former club Sheffield United withdrawn in November following a backlash from Blades supporters, sponsors and patrons opposed to his return. Some 160,000 people signed a petition against it.

Other clubs including Tranmere and Hartlepool also rejected the opportunity to sign him and a recently touted move abroad to Maltese club Hibernians floundered due to rules on convicted sex offenders and their probation regime.

Evans was jailed in April 2012 for raping a woman in a hotel room in Rhyl, North Wales.

The player denied the offence, saying the sex was consensual, but he was found guilty by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court.

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More

Funeral Held For Glasgow Lorry Crash Family

By Becky Johnson, Sky Correspondent

Hundreds of mourners have gathered for the funeral of three members of the same family killed when a bin lorry crashed into Christmas shoppers in Glasgow.

Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68 and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, all died when the out-of-control refuse vehicle ploughed into pedestrians in the city's George Square three days before Christmas.

Some 700 people packed in to St Patrick's RC Church in Dumbarton, where the family live, for a joint requiem mass for the teenager and her grandparents, with more mourners standing outside.

Three hearses filled with white roses lined the pavement outside the church.

Crash victims Jack and Lorraine Sweeney and granddaughter Erin McQuade

Erin, who was in her first year studying English literature at Glasgow University, had been out Christmas shopping with her family when the crash happened.

Her mother, Jacqueline, was just yards away from her daughter and parents as the disaster unfolded. She arrived at the church holding hands with her 14-year-old son Aidan.

1/13

1. Gallery: Tributes For Lorry Crash Victims

   Flowers were left near the scene of a bin lorry crash which killed six people and left 10 more injured

A service to remember the victims of the disaster was held at Glasgow's St Andrew's Cathedral

]]>

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More