Gerry Adams Questioning Extended By 48 Hours

Police investigating the murder of Jean McConville have been given an additional 48 hours to question Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

The 65-year-old, who has always vehemently denied allegations levelled by former republican colleagues that he ordered the murder of Ms McConville, voluntarily presented himself for interview on Wednesday.

His custody was extended on Friday night after Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness claimed the detention of his long-time party colleague and friend was politically motivated ahead of elections later this month.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her home by an IRA gang in 1972

Mr McGuinness accused "very senior people" in the PSNI who were opposed to the peace process of engaging in "political policing".

"There is a cabal in the PSNI who have a different agenda - a negative and destructive agenda - to both the peace process and to Sinn Fein," he said.

Mr McGuinness contrasted the treatment of Mr Adams with a series of cases involving the British military - such as the Bloody Sunday killings of 1972 - where no action had been taken.

Mr McGuinness said Sinn Fein would "reflect" and "review" its support for policing in the region if Mr Adams is charged but urged republicans to remain calm if and until that happened.

Martin McGuinness says the arrest of Mr Adams was politically motivated

Police are questioning Mr Adams about the killing of the Belfast mother of 10 in 1972.

She was wrongly suspected of being an informer to the British Army.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her children in the Divis flats in west Belfast by a gang of up to 12 men and women.

She was interrogated, shot in the back of the head and then secretly buried - so becoming one of the "Disappeared" victims of the Troubles.

A new mural of Gerry Adams is painted in Belfast's Falls Road

Her body was not found until 2003 on a beach in Co Louth, 50 miles from her home.

Ms McConville's eldest daughter, Helen McKendry, has told journalists she is now prepared to name the people responsible for her mother's death.

PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott has vowed the investigation into Ms McConville's death will be "effective, objective and methodical".

No one has ever been charged with the murder of the 37-year-old widow.

Helen McKendry says she is ready to name the people who killed her mother

But after years without progress in the criminal investigation there have been a series of arrests in recent weeks.

The recent police activity followed a decision by a US court compelling a Boston university to hand over to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) recorded interviews with republicans about the murder.

Boston College interviewed a number of former paramilitaries about the Troubles on the understanding transcripts would not be published until after their deaths.

But that undertaking was rendered ineffective when the court ordered last year that tapes that contained claims about the killing be given to detectives.

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Max Clifford: New Claims Under Police Review

Scotland Yard detectives are looking into new allegations against disgraced publicist Max Clifford, who has spent his first night in prison after being jailed for eight years.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said other people had since come forward with allegations since Clifford was sentenced yesterday for a string of sex sexual offences against four women aged 15 to 19.

"We have received further information and this is currently subject to review," he said.

Meanwhile, children's charity NSPCC helpline said the 71-year-old's "substantial sentence" sent a "clear message" that victims of historic abuse can achieve justice.

Its director Peter Watt said: "It's clear the judge has recognised the pain and suffering Clifford caused and the additional distress he put his victims through by forcing them to relive their ordeal in court.

"His victims showed an enormous amount of courage in coming forward, four through the NSPCC helpline, and were treated with contempt throughout by Clifford, who called them liars and fantasists in court.

The prison van carrying Clifford

"As we heard in the trial, Clifford seriously damaged many years of their lives, with some being left suicidal by their terrible experiences at his hands."

He added: "The sentence, and those of other recent cases up and down the country, sends a clear message that victims of non-recent abuse can get justice.

"All allegations, however long after the abuse took place, must be fully investigated and assessed by the police and CPS, with victims fully supported."

Passing sentence, Judge Anthony Leonard told Clifford: "The reason why (your crimes) were not brought to light sooner was because of your dominant character.

"Your victims thought you were untouchable, something I think you too believed."

Judge Leonard condemned Clifford's 'contemptuous' behaviour

He also blasted Clifford for causing an "additional element of trauma" to the women he abused by his "contemptuous attitude".

Judge Leonard said that due to the age of the offences, that occurred between 1977 and 1984, Clifford was charged under an act from 1956, which set the maximum term for each charge at two years.

Under later legislation passed in 2003, the maximum term would have been 10 years, and for the worst instances would have been charged as rape, which attract a maximum life term.

Clifford, who was taken to Wandsworth Prison in south London, will have to serve at least half his sentence.

The former celebrity agent repeatedly shook his head as the judge made his comments in Southwark Crown Court.

Clifford, who branded his accusers "fantasists", remained defiant ahead of his sentencing, saying: "I stand by everything I have said in the last 17 months."

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Formula One 'Spygate' Engineer Killed In Crash

A former Ferrari engineer who was at the centre of Formula One's "spygate" scandal has been killed in a road accident.

Nigel Stepney, who was sacked by Ferrari after being accused of sabotage and leaking confidential information, was killed on the M20 near Ashford in Kent after being struck by a lorry.

Police are investigating why Mr Stepney stopped on the hard shoulder and got out of his VW Caddy van in the incident on Friday morning.

The 56-year-old, who was working for the JRM motorsport team at the time of his death, has been praised by his family as "a wonderful partner and a hands-on dad".

Mr Stepney's long-term partner, Ash Naidoo, said he was "larger than life and full of energy".

"Motor sport was his passion topped only by his love and devotion to Sabine (his daughter) and I.

Michael Schumacher and Nigel Stepney in 2001

"Nigel was a wonderful partner and a hands-on dad who was besotted with his daughter who idolised him in return.

"They loved each other's company and Sabine was his shadow - delighting in helping him around the garage. Even if Nigel had to be away from home, he would phone her every day."

James Rumsey, the owner of JRM, said: "The motorsport world has lost one of its greatest characters and competitors.

"He will be sorely missed and we send our sincere condolences to his family and the many friends he leaves behind."

Before the "spygate" controversy he worked with world champions Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

Mr Stepney never worked in Formula One again after the scandal, which came to light in 2007.

It emerged when a technical dossier on Ferrari cars was found at home of McClaren chief designer Mike Coughlan.

McClaren were given a record fine and kicked out of the manufacturers' championship after being accused of using the data.

Mr Stepney was sentenced to 20 months in prison after being found guilty of sabotage, industrial espionage and sporting fraud.

He did not serve the sentence.

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Stabbed Leeds Teacher: Minute's Silence Held

Head teachers have held a minute's silence in memory of Ann Maguire who was fatally stabbed at a Leeds school earlier this week.

The tribute was staged at the start of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) annual conference in Birmingham.

Around 300 delegates stood and bowed their heads for the minute's silence and applauded at the end.

Outgoing NAHT president Bernadette Hunter described Mrs Maguire as a "dedicated, inspirational and caring teacher who was loved by so many".

Meanwhile, a book of condolence has been opened at the Cathedral in Leeds for people to sign.

And prayers will be said for Mrs Maguire and her family in every church covered by the Diocese of Leeds.

In a letter to the churches, the diocese administrator Monsignor John Wilson wrote: "Foremost our thoughts and prayers are for Ann and her family, and for the college and local community. It is in the strength of prayer that we stand united in faith."

The 61-year-old was fatally stabbed as she taught a lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College on Monday morning.

The Spanish teacher, who had worked at the school for more than 40 years, was due to retire in September.

A 15-year-old boy accused of murdering Mrs Maguire has been remanded in custody with a provisional trial date fixed for November 3.

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First US Case Of Killer Bug Travels Through UK

Authorities in the US and UK are trying to trace passengers who travelled on the same flight from London to Chicago as a man diagnosed with a potentially deadly Sars-like virus.

The American, who fell ill after flying to the US from Saudi Arabia where he was a healthcare worker, has Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-Cov).

The passenger had flown on a British Airways flight from Riyadh to Heathrow on April 24, before transferring to Chicago.

He fell ill on April 27 and went to a hospital in Indiana with a fever, cough and shortness of breath. He is currently in a good condition.

Public Health England (PHE) has contacted UK passengers on BA Flight 262 who were sitting near the affected passenger, but stressed the risk of infection was "extremely low".

There have been 400 cases worldwide. Pic: NIAID

Britons on the flight who become unwell or experience respiratory problems have been urged to contact NHS 111.

PHE is also working with US authorities to trace any UK passengers on the onward flight - American Airlines Flight 99 from London to Chicago.

It is the first case of Mers-Cov in the US, after diagnosis was confirmed by the United States Centre for Disease Control in Indiana.

Doctor Thomas Briese, Associate Director of Columbia University's Centre for Infection and Immunity, said the case "does not mean that any epidemic is on the horizon or that it will spread".

Mers-Cov belongs to the coronavirus family that includes the common cold and severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which killed 800 people in 2003.

The man travelled on a British Airways plane from Saudi Arabia to Heathrow

Mers-Cov has been found in camels, but officials do not know how it is spread to humans.

Since mid-March, 111 people have tested positive in the Jeddah area of Saudi Arabia, World Health Organisation figures show - the biggest increase in the Mers-Cov outbreak since it was detected in April 2012.

There have been 401 confirmed cases of Mers-Cov infection in 12 countries including 93 deaths, according to the US Centre for Disease Control.

Doctor Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he was "not surprised at all" at the news, "given the amount of travel and air traffic between people in the United States and people in the Middle East".

He said: "There's no question something like this was going to happen."

It is thought that coronavirus may have come from camels

Three people have died so far in the UK as a result of the infection - including one man who died at the end of June.

PHE said the last case to be detected in the UK was in February last year.

Cases have also been reported in France, Germany, Italy and Greece, across the Middle East in Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman and in other countries including Malaysia, the Philippines and Tunisia.

PHE said the period between exposure to Mers-Cov and when symptoms might develop is up to 14 days.

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Philippines: Online 'Sextortion' Plot Smashed

An online sexual extortion plot that is thought to have led to the suicide of a British teenager has been broken by authorities in the Philippines.

Police have arrested 58 people in the archipelago for their involvement in what they describe as a global internet "sextortion" network.

Victims have been lured into giving sexually explicit photos or videos of themselves by people posing online as attractive, young women.

Alan Purisima, the Philippines' national police chief, said those involved in the plot blackmailed their victims by threatening to upload the photos or videos to the internet.

Some have been forced to hand over thousands of dollars, the authorities said.

Hundreds people have fallen victim to the plot in Britain, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the US in the last three to four years.

DCI Gary Cunningham, from Police Scotland, told a news conference in Manila there was strong evidence the British teenager who killed himself had chatted with somebody from the Philippines.

DCI Gary Cunningham of Police Scotland speaks at a news conference

Three of those arrested were alleged to have targeted Daniel Perry, a 17-year-old mechanic who took his own life by jumping off a bridge in Scotland in July last year after being blackmailed.

Daniel was said to have believed that the person he was speaking to online was a girl from America.

His mother, Nicola Perry, said: "The manner of Daniel's death is every parent's worst nightmare. After being targeted by complete strangers online, he was left so traumatised by his ordeal that he chose to take his own life."

The syndicates involved find their victims using a number of internet platforms, not only social media, such as Facebook, said Mr Cunningham.

Mr Purisima added that the gangs involved often ask their victims to use a webcam.

He added: "After getting acquainted with the victims ... they engage in cybersex, and this will be recorded unknown to the victims.

"These images or information are then used to extort sexual favours or money from the victim with the threat of sharing these (images and information) with others."

He added that some of the "sextortion" groups operate like call centres where operators hire men and women, sitting in rows of computer cubicles, to lure in foreign clients.

They usually ask for £300 ($500) from a victim but there have been demands of up to £8,000 ($15,000), Interpol said.

Sanjay Virmani, director of Interpol's Digital Crime Centre, said: "The scale of this extortion network is massive."

Asif Ahmad, British Ambassador to the Philippines, said: "This is not an issue directly involving the Philippines exclusively.

"Cybercrime is international, and is an international problem, it respects no nationality or borders. We are all potential victims of cybercrime, none of us are immune."

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org

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Police To Request More Time To Question Adams

Police investigating the murder of Jean McConville are preparing to request more time to question Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

With the initial 48-hour deadline fast-approaching for officers to either charge or release Mr Adams after his arrest on Wednesday night, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are seeking to apply for an extension.

The 65-year-old, who has always vehemently denied allegations levelled by former republican colleagues that he ordered the murder of Ms McConville, voluntarily presented himself for interview.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her home by an IRA gang in 1972

It came as Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness claimed the detention of his long-time party colleague and friend was politically-motivated ahead of elections later this month.

Mr McGuinness accused "very senior people" in the PSNI who were opposed to the peace process of engaging in "political policing".

"There is a cabal in the PSNI who have a different agenda - a negative and destructive agenda - to both the peace process and to Sinn Fein," he said.

Mr McGuinness contrasted the treatment of Mr Adams with a series of cases involving the British military - such as the Bloody Sunday killings of 1972 - where no action had been taken.

Police are questioning Mr Adams about the killing of the Belfast mother-of-10 in 1972.

Martin McGuiness says the arrest of Mr Adams was politically motivated

She was wrongly suspected of being an informer to the British Army.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her children in the Divis flats in west Belfast by a gang of up to 12 men and women.

She was interrogated, shot in the back of the head and then secretly buried - so becoming one of the "Disappeared" victims of the Troubles.

Her body was not found until 2003 on a beach in Co Louth, 50 miles  from her home.

Ms McConville's eldest daughter, Helen McKendry, has told journalists she is now prepared to name the people responsible for her mother's death.

Helen McKendry says she is ready to name the people who killed her mother

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Matt Baggott has vowed the investigation into Ms McConville's death will be "effective, objective and methodical".

No one has ever been charged with the murder of the 37-year-old widow.

But after years without progress in the criminal investigation there have been a series of arrests in recent weeks.

The recent police activity followed a decision by a US court compelling a Boston university to hand over to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) recorded interviews with republicans about Ms McConville's murder.

Boston College interviewed a number of former paramilitaries about the Troubles on the understanding transcripts would not be published until after their deaths.

But that undertaking was rendered ineffective when the court ordered last year that tapes that contained claims about the killing be given to detectives.

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Clifford Jailed For Eight Years For Sex Crimes

Shamed publicist Max Clifford has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a string of sexual offences.

The 71-year-old, who was found guilty last month of eight counts of indecent assault against four women aged between 15 and 19, will have to serve at least half his sentence.

He was told by Judge Anthony Leonard: "The reason why (your crimes) were not brought to light sooner was because of your dominant character.

"Your victims thought you were untouchable, something I think you too believed."

A group of photographers chase after the prison van carrying Clifford

The judge also condemned Clifford's "contemptuous attitude" and said some of the assaults he committed would be considered rape under current legislation.

Sky's Ashish Joshi, at Southwark Crown Court, said the PR guru appeared "impassive" as the sentence was read out.

"He looked straight at the judge and showed no reaction whatsoever," he said.

"As the lewdest of sex acts were described, he would look away. He would stare at the walls and on a couple of occasions, he shook his head as if to say, 'I still can't believe it'.

During his trial, Clifford branded his victims 'liars' and 'fantasists'

"That was mentioned by the judge, who said the fact he continued to dismiss the evidence against him and trivialise the whole event was the reason he was sentenced to eight years."

Sky's Nick Pisa, who was also in court, added: "Clifford initially remained emotionless but then turned to the gallery, took off his hearing loop, switched off his mobile phone and smiled at his friends before he was led away."

Clifford refused to apologise to his victims when he arrived at court, defiantly telling Sky's Tom Parmenter: "I stand by everything I've said in the past."

Asked whether that included his description of the women as "liars" and "fantasists", the PR guru refused to answer and strolled away, posing for photographers as he wandered towards the court steps.

Clifford's behaviour in this Sky News clip was branded 'extraordinary'

During his trial, Clifford crept up behind Parmenter, mimicking the reporter's actions as he recorded a piece for Sky News.

The judge referred to the bizarre incident - which was not broadcast during the trial - in his sentencing remarks, describing it as "extraordinary" and proof he had shown "no remorse".

Clifford used to represent some of the UK's top celebrities, including music mogul Simon Cowell and Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis.

Both men have severed ties with his company, Max Clifford Associates, which was expected to be shut down after the judge passed sentence.

Clifford held his hands in his pockets as he posed for pictures at court

Speaking outside his Surrey home before being driven to court, Clifford admitted: "It's not the best day of my life, is it?"

"I just have to face up to it," he added.

In sentencing Clifford, the judge had to use guidelines in force when the offences were committed in the 1970s and 1980s.

DCI Michael Orchard, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Without the support of Clifford's victims, we would not have secured these successful convictions, and I commend them for their courage, strength and confidence."

"I hope this case gives other victims courage to come forward."

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Woman's Belly Button 'Burst' On Flight

A woman received compensation after her belly button "erupted" on a flight following a botched tummy tuck operation, it has been revealed.

Patricia Jackson, 68, was returning from a holiday in Portugal in 2011 when her navel "unexpectedly burst" after the cosmetic surgery years earlier had gone "wrong", according to Fletchers Solicitors.

She was awarded £22,500 compensation earlier this year after she successfully sued the doctor responsible.

Mrs Jackson said: "The result of my case means that awareness has been raised and it can hopefully change patient care in the future."

Plastic surgeon Edgardo Schiavone had performed an abdominoplasty on Mrs Jackson when he worked at the Hospital Group in Birmingham in 2005, her lawyers said.

Surgeons had removed fat and spare skin from Mrs Jackson before tightening the muscles in the abdominal wall.

But after the procedure Mrs Jackson was told that they had not "created" a new belly button for her because there was not enough skin left over.

Some six years later, while she was on her way home from the Portugal holiday, Mrs Jackson noticed that there were blisters where her old belly button had been.

After her navel burst on the flight, doctors discovered Mrs Jackson's old belly button had been left inside her and she was forced to undergo another round of reconstructive surgery.

Jeanette Aspinall, head of medical negligence at Fletchers Solicitors, added: "This case highlights how easy it is for an everyday cosmetic surgery procedure, like a tummy tuck, to go wrong, both with the surgery itself and if the proper after-care is not administered.

"Mrs Jackson had the operation to gain confidence, and instead was subjected to years of pain and embarrassment."

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Clifford's Sky Antics 'Show Lack Of Remorse'

The judge at Max Clifford's trial said the PR man's mocking appearance behind a Sky News correspondent was "extraordinary" and showed a lack of remorse for his crimes.

Clifford appeared behind Tom Parmenter as he was reporting outside the court while the trial was still continuing on April 8.

He appeared to mimic the correspondent as he described intimate details of the evidence and how his victims were affected.

The piece to camera was not being broadcast live - but Clifford did not know that at the time.

Judge Anthony Leonard said: "I have discovered that you appeared behind a reporter outside this court whilst he was making his report of your evidence and during which you mimicked his actions in a way that was designed to trivialise these events.

"I find your behaviour to be quite extraordinary and a further indication that you show no remorse."

Parmenter said Clifford had later asked him whether his news colleagues had found it funny.

The recording outside Southwark Crown Court was not aired until after Clifford had been convicted.

The 71-year-old was sentenced to eight years on Friday after being found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault against four women aged between 15 and 19.

He will serve at least half that sentence.

Detective Chief Inspector Michael Orchard said it had been a "painstaking investigation" which he hoped would encourage other victims of historical sexual abuse to come forward.

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