Crackdown on gangs after stab death

• Seydou Diarrassouba was stabbed on Boxing Day

Police have arrested 17 suspected gang members in a bid to dampen "rising tensions" and prevent reprisal attacks following the murder of a teenager on the UK's busiest shopping street.
Seydou Diarrassouba, 18, was stabbed in the heart after a fight broke out at a Foot Locker sports shoe store on London's Oxford Street on Boxing Day.
Investigators said a number of gangs were present at the time of the killing and were aware of people wanting to "seek retaliation or revenge" for what had happened.
In order to pre-empt any further violence, officers yesterday conducted a series of raids across the capital arresting 17 people for a range of offences including grievous bodily harm, robbery, affray, intent to supply drugs, burglary, forgery and handling stolen goods. A large amount of cash was also seized.
It came after police bailed 11 people arrested over the murder or Mr Diarrassouba. The motive of the attack is yet to be established.
Met Police Commander Mak Chishty said: "We were aware of rising tensions in the wake of the murder and, having monitored the situation closely, including various comments that have been made on social networking sites, we felt it vital we take robust and prompt action in order to pre-empt any potential future violence. We don't want to see any other young person or anyone else lose their lives."
Further raids were expected across the capital. Mr Chishty added: "This is just one of a series of measures we are carrying out in order to enhance the safety of the public and visitors to London. We will continue to aggressively pursue any lawful opportunities against those who choose to become involved in violent crime and thus protect potential future victims, in line with the Commissioner's pledge on total policing."
Mr Diarrassouba, from Mitcham, south west London, died from a single stab wound which pierced his heart.
A number of weapons were recovered at the scene and police have said they are particularly interested in obtaining videos of the fight shot on camera phones. Another youth was stabbed on the same street just a few hours later.
The 11 people arrested earlier this week - two 22-year-olds, five 19-year-olds, three 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old - have been bailed to dates in mid-January. Those arrested in Friday's raids, which took place at properties in Merton, Wandsworth, Southwark and Westminster, remain in custody at various London police stations.

Two men, including a soldier, hailed as life savers

Two men, including a soldier at home on leave in Shropshire, are being hailed life savers after they helped rescue a woman from the River Severn in Shropshire in the dark.

The incident was close to Washbrook Road, Bridgnorth, on Tuesday night.
Both men went into the river and helped the woman until the emergency services arrived.
An ambulance service spokeswoman said it was not known how the woman, aged in her 50s, came to be in the river.
A spokesman said: "The emergency services were alerted to a woman in her 50s being in the river.
'Difficult and dangerous' "A 56-year-old man initially went into the water to try and help.
"He was joined shortly afterwards by a 22-year-old soldier who was walking home at the time. It is not known how long the pair were in the water for.
"The soldier went into the water up to his shoulders and held the woman afloat until firefighters were able to bring them both to the shore."
He added in the meantime the other rescuer had been helped out of the water by his wife.
He said the woman was suffering from the effects of hypothermia and was semi-conscious.
She was assessed at the scene before being taken to Princess Royal Hospital for further assessment and treatment.
The spokesman said the middle aged man refused treatment and was left at home.
The soldier, who is based at Catterick Barracks in Yorkshire and serves with the Mercian Regiment, was checked over at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.
"West Midlands Ambulance Service will be writing to the soldier's commanding officer in recognition of his efforts to help a member of the public in extremely difficult and dangerous conditions," he said.
"The service will also write to the other gentleman that went to help in recognition of his efforts too."

Duke of Edinburgh leaves hospital

The Duke of Edinburgh waved as he left Papworth Hospital

The Duke of Edinburgh has left hospital four nights after having a coronary stent fitted.

The prince, who smiled and waved to reporters as he left, has now returned to the Royal Family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The 90-year-old had been in Papworth Hospital since Friday after being admitted following chest pains.
Prince Philip missed the royal Christmas celebrations and had to sit out the traditional Boxing Day shoot.
He sat upright and smiled broadly as he left the hospital.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "On departure, Prince Philip thanked the staff at Papworth for the excellent care he has received during his stay.
"He is very much looking forward to rejoining his family."
Buckingham Palace also said no decision had been taken on how soon the Duke would resume public engagements or whether he would attend Sunday's service at St Mary Magdalene church on the Sandringham estate.

He left with a wave and feeling "very cheerful" according to Buckingham Palace.
What we don't know, of course, is what the doctors have told the Duke. Has he left hospital with a completely clean bill of health, or have the doctors concluded that he must now make substantial changes to his working routine?
That is something the Duke will resist. He may be 90 years old but he still regards it as his duty (and his wish) to support his wife in every way he can.
The Queen relies on his presence and his companionship, and any change in his ability to accompany her on her public duties would be a significant blow to her.
Next year is, of course, the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the monarch has made it clear that she wants to visit as many different parts of the UK as possible.
These programmes, together with the health of the Queen and the Duke, are very much in mind.
Officials are only too well aware that they are a couple who are of the generation which prefers to put duty first.
But the events of the past few days have brought home to people that no-one is invincible, and that there is a need now to treat the health and wellbeing of this couple as even more of a priority.

The prince is said to have been advised by doctors to rest.

BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the prince had participated in more than 300 engagements in the last 12 months.
The Duke's next formal engagement is not until 17 January when he is due to attend a dinner at the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge.
He was unable to attend the Christmas Day service at the church or lead the Royal Family's shooting party on Boxing Day, as would usually be the case.
This year the prince was under doctor's orders not to leave his bed while he was kept under observation.
On his arrival at Papworth doctors discovered a blocked artery and went ahead with a "minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting", which was declared a success.
Stenting involves inserting a tube called a stent into an artery, to improve blood flow.
It was the most serious health scare suffered by the normally spry nonagenarian.
He usually accompanies the 85-year-old monarch and in the autumn he travelled to Australia on a 11-day official visit to Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.
Scores of police officers combed the grounds of the hospital in the early hours of this morning in preparation for the Duke's departure.

Osborne to address MPs on Vickers' report into banking

 

Mr Osborne will give a statement to Parliament after the government publishes its response to the report

Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce to MPs that he will legislate to separate retail banking from more risky investment activities.

The move was recommended by Sir John Vickers in his report into banking, launched after the financial crisis.
Business Secretary Vince Cable told the BBC on Sunday that the government would accept the report "in full".
However, BBC Business Editor Robert Peston has learned that reform may not be the 100% as originally billed.
In one key area the banking industry has succeeded in getting the Treasury to water down one of Vickers' recommendations, he said.
This is the proposal that the biggest UK banks should have enough capital plus loans that could be converted into cash to cope with losses equal to one fifth of the size of their total balance sheet.
As Robert Peston understands it, HSBC has successfully argued that it would be disproportionately expensive for it to do this. In HSBC's case they are much bigger outside the UK than inside.
If they had to raise up to 20% of their global balance sheet they would have to raise huge amounts of expensive new capital or loans. The Treasury is to soften the blow. It will do this by requiring the big banks to raise capital and loans equivalent to 20% of that part of their balance sheet, which British tax payers would have to support in a crisis.
Banking overhaul However, our correspondent said Sir John Vickers and his commissioners had been successful in achieving most of their aims, and the UK's financial system will be overhauled.
"Our banks will in the coming five years be forced to undergo significant financial, cultural and managerial reconstruction."
Labour's shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said the recommendations needed to be implemented in full. He told the BBC it was important that Britain had a system that could provide businesses with the credit they needed.
"Now, we still have short-term issues with the access to credit that businesses are facing, they're having problems with, and we need to make sure that it's not watered down. Which is one of the reasons we've said that the chancellor should ask Sir John Vickers to come back in twelve months' time and report on progress of implementation of those recommendations."

Even though the banks may disagree, it looks as if their expensive and intensive lobbying to get the Vickers report watered down has come to very little. Their only success has been the time frame. Banks will not be forced to partially split their investment banking divisions from their retail or High Street divisions until 2019 at the latest.
But apart from that, banks will have to begin a process to completely rearrange their corporate affairs and raise billions in additional capital, which non-UK based banks will not have to do.
Barclays boss Bob Diamond claims that the reforms will end up costing the entire banking industry up to £7bn. Before we all wipe our crocodile tears away, let's not forget who might ultimately pay for that in higher interest rates and lower borrowing amounts? You and me.

In the UK, the financial crisis started with Northern Rock being bailed out by the taxpayer, but went on to include both Lloyds and RBS receiving substantial sums of public money.

The Independent Commission on Banking was set up by the coalition Government last year to review the financial sector after the crisis.
It published its report in September and looked into ways of avoiding such bank failures in the future.
The report said it would "make it easier and less costly to resolve banks that get into trouble".
It recommended that a bank's retail business should be ring-fenced from its investment business, with this and other recommendations being implemented by 2019.
Mr Cable seems to be sticking to this timetable, promising on Sunday that "primary legislation will be done in this parliament".
He told the The Andrew Marr Show: "Our big banks were at the very centre of the financial crisis, what the Europeans call Anglo-Saxon financial capitalism. It needs reform."
Mr Osborne will give a statement to Parliament after the government publishes its response to the report.

Pair 'attempted £5,000 Coleen Rooney blackmail'

 

Coleen Rooney lost her mobile phone at a Black Eyed Peas concert last year

 

Coleen Rooney was subjected to a £5,000 blackmail plot involving hundreds of personal family photos on her mobile phone, a jury has been told.

Jennifer Green, 25, and Steven Malcolm, 42, from Manchester, deny demanding the cash from the wife of Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney.
Both were arrested after Mrs Rooney's phone went missing at a concert at the MEN Arena in Manchester in May 2010.
The trial at Manchester Crown Court is expected to last a week.
Ms Green's partner, Lee Platt, has admitted handling stolen goods and blackmail, the jury was told.
Deborah Gould, prosecuting, said: "The prosecution case is that these two defendants together with Lee Platt, who is the partner of Jennifer Green, came into possession of the camera and the memory card and then sought by unlawful means to make money out of the situation."
Ms Gould said the defendants Ms Green, of Heaton Park Road, Blackley, and Mr Malcolm, of Silkin Court, acted as a gang.
She said they contacted Manchester United Football Club trying to extract £1,000 from Coleen Rooney's agent for return of the memory card and the photographs
.

 

Jennifer Green and Steven Malcolm deny demanding the money

She added: "Following some unpleasant publicity about Wayne Rooney, they then decided to up the ante and increased the amount of their demand to £5,000.
"They approached various media outlets including Hello magazine, The Sun and (Daily) Star with a view to selling them, these private stolen images.
"After Hello magazine informed Wayne Rooney's agent, a man called Paul Stretford, of the approach, the police were informed and decided to deploy an undercover police officer who pretended to be Coleen and Wayne Rooney's publicity agent."
The court heard the officer pretended he wanted to buy back the camera and contact was made with the gang.
The officer arranged to meet Mr Malcolm in the Marriott Hotel in Manchester city centre.
"When he arrived for the meeting, Steven Malcolm was in possession of a black folder which contained 11 sheets," Ms Gould said.
"Upon which were printed about 400 thumbnail-sized images which had come from the memory card contained within Coleen Rooney's stolen camera."
Police later found the fingerprints of Ms Green and her partner Lee Platt on pages within the folder, the jury was told.
Ms Gould said the pair, along with Mr Malcolm, were part of the plot to extract money from Mrs Rooney.
The trial continues.

Nick Clegg warns European veto 'bad for Britain'

Nick Clegg says he is 'bitterly disappointed' by Mr Cameron's veto

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says David Cameron's veto of EU treaty changes was "bad for Britain" and could leave it "isolated and marginalised".

But he blamed French and German "intransigence" and pressure from Eurosceptic Conservatives for putting the PM in "a very difficult position".
Initially Mr Clegg said the coalition was united over the use of the veto.
But he told the BBC he had "made it clear" to Mr Cameron it was "untenable" for him to welcome the move.
Sources close to Mr Clegg have told the BBC he "couldn't believe it" when he was told the summit in Brussels had "spectacularly unravelled".
The prime minister blocked changes to the EU's Lisbon Treaty at an EU summit, arguing that the proposed changes were not in the UK's interest.
It now looks likely that all 26 other members of the European Union will agree to a new "accord" setting out tougher budget rules aimed at preventing a repeat of the current eurozone crisis.
'Bitterly disappointed' As leader of the Liberal Democrats, Mr Clegg is far more pro-European than his Conservative coalition colleagues.

The deputy prime minister claimed the outcome would have been different if he had been prime minister at the talks as he would not have to worry about Eurosceptic backbenchers”

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme: "I'm bitterly disappointed by the outcome of last week's summit, precisely because I think now there is a danger that the UK will be isolated and marginalised within the European Union.

"I don't think that's good for jobs, in the City or elsewhere, I don't think it's good for growth or for families up and down the country."
He said he would now be doing "everything I can to ensure this setback does not become a permanent divide".
The deputy PM said he had learned of the veto in a phone call from the prime minister at 0400 GMT, shortly before Mr Cameron gave a press conference announcing it publicly.
Asked what his reaction had been, the Lib Dem leader said: "I said this was bad for Britain.
"I made it clear that it was untenable for me to welcome it."
'Unacceptable' demands The new accord will hold eurozone members to strict budgetary rules including:

• a cap of 0.5% of GDP on countries' annual structural deficits
• "automatic consequences" for countries whose public deficit exceeds 3% of GDP
• a requirement to submit their national budgets to the European Commission, which will have the power to request that they be revised

Mr Cameron has said he was seeking certain "safeguards" from Europe on protection of the single market and the UK's financial services industry.

Businesses are now desperate to hear a positive statement from Mr Cameron about how the UK's position in the single market can somehow be buttressed”

But French President Nicolas Sarkozy called those demands "unacceptable".

Mr Clegg said unwillingness to negotiate from France and Germany, combined with "outright antagonism to all things European" from parts of the Conservative Party, had left Mr Cameron in a difficult position.
"He couldn't come back to London empty-handed because self evidently, if he'd done so, he wouldn't have been able to get whatever had been agreed through the House of Commons so all we would have had would have been a delayed crisis."
On Friday, a spokesman for Mr Clegg said he had been "consulted throughout" the 10 hours of unsuccessful negotiations in Brussels - a claim backed up by Foreign Secretary William Hague.
He told the BBC the Lib Dem leader was fully "signed up" to the decision to veto the proposed treaty.
'Better way forward' Mr Cameron will make a statement in the House of Commons on his decision on Monday - and the Labour leader called on him to use it to "explain why he did something was so bad for Britain and bad for British jobs".
"He did this because the Eurosceptic wing of the Conservative Party has effectively taken over and that isn't good for the national interest," Ed Miliband said.
"What I say to Liberal Democrats and others is that we will work with anybody who thinks this position can not stand. We must find a better way forward for Britain."

Every time the bond markets twitch I can see the finger being pointed at those awful Anglo Saxons in the City of London”

Nigel Farage UK Independence Party

Mr Hague insisted Britain was "not marginalised", and told Sky News that while "everybody knows" that the Tories and Lib Dems had different views on Europe, the negotiating position taken by Mr Cameron "was agreed in advance" with Mr Clegg's party.

But Lib Dem peer Lord Oakeshott said his party's Business Secretary Vince Cable had "given a very serious warning last Monday in the cabinet against elevating these financial regulation points into a make or break deal".
Asked about Labour's allegation that Mr Cameron did not genuinely want to reach a deal in Brussels, Lord Oakeshott told the BBC's Politics Show he believed "a walk-out quite suited him".
Mr Cameron and his Chancellor George Osborne have insisted the veto was in part to protect the City of London from excessive intervention by Europe, but Labour and the UK Independence Party have both warned that actually no additional safeguards for it were achieved.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the City was "under very serious threat" of "retribution", adding: "Every time the bond markets twitch I can see the finger being pointed at those awful Anglo Saxons in the City of London."
The BBC's business correspondent Joe Lynam said it was not yet clear whether the City would be better or worse off in the long term.
But he said there was a risk that British banks could be affected by deals done by the remaining 26 EU member states which cannot be blocked as unanimity is no longer required except in the case of taxation.

Sacked police chief attacked family

---

A police investigation is under way after a former police officer killed his wife and one of his children before taking his own life

A senior police officer killed his wife and six-year-old girl in a frenzied attack on his family days after being sacked.
Tobias Day, 37, left his two other children with serious injuries before killing himself, detectives believe.
The horror attack at his semi-detached home is believed to have been fuelled by his dismissal by Leicestershire Police last Thursday for misusing force computer systems.
Neighbours and colleagues spoke of their shock over the "respected" former inspector as police confirmed he was fired for "matters concerning honesty and integrity".
Day killed his teacher wife Samantha and his youngest daughter Genevieve, and attacked Kimberley, 15, and Adam, 13, before taking his own life on Thursday. The two surviving children are in serious but stable conditions at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Residents on the Days' quiet residential street in Melton Mowbray were said to have heard screams coming from their home. As officers said they were not looking for anyone else over the attacks, well-wishers laid flowers and balloons near the family home.
Neighbour Gavin Lucas said Day was well-known in the area. He said: "I saw Toby out jogging and with his children. He was a good bloke, always said hello. I wouldn't have expected this from him."
Ivan Stafford, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, spoke of his shock, saying Day had been "a very capable and respected inspector".
"It's absolutely tragic what has happened," he said. "It's been a real shock to the country and to Melton. It has had a huge impact on the force and it is important we have time to get to grips with what's happened."
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is assessing the circumstances of his sacking before a decision is made over a formal external investigation. The police watchdog is not understood to have been told of any complaints to police surrounding the family's welfare after Day's sacking.

Travel disruption as winds sweep south from Scotland

Road and rail travel has been disrupted today as treacherous weather conditions sweep south across the country from Scotland to Merseyside and Wales.

Strong winds batter Glasgow and the coastline at Blackpool  

Scotland is bearing the brunt of the bad weather, with schools in many parts closed and winds of up to 100mph expected.

But forecasters said low pressure over the Western Isles was causing strong gusts as far south as Merseyside and north Wales.

Coastal areas will be hardest hit and winds have already reached 54mph in Crosby, near Southport, and 56mph in Hawarden, Deeside, with speeds expected to peak at around 65mph today.

The Highways Agency has issued an "amber alert" in north-west England, warning that the worst wind conditions can be expected in Cumbria. Officials have closed the A66 between Scotch Corner and Penrith to high-sided vehicles.

A spokesman said: "Drivers of these vehicles should seek alternative trans-Pennine routes including the A69 and M62 as well as the A65.

"The Highways Agency has set signs across the regional motorway network, including the M6 to advise drivers of the restriction."
The East Coast train company said there were extended journey times on its services north of Edinburgh due to 50mph speed restrictions, while some services between London and Newcastle were also expected to be slower than normal.
Services operated by the CrossCountry, First TransPennine Express and Virgin train companies were also affected by the speed restrictions as well as flooding which hit services in the Penrith area of Cumbria.
The Erskine Bridge, linking Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire across the River Clyde, was closed as high winds hit. The Forth Road Bridge, spanning the Firth of Forth between Edinburgh and Fife, was also shut.
Forecasters expect four inches of snow to fall in the Midlands tomorrow as the Government prepares to issue its first big freeze warning of the winter.
Blizzards, drifts and black ice are expected, and independent forecasters predicted snow as far south as the Chilterns.

Michael Barrymore admits cocaine possession

Entertainer Michael Barrymore has pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine at Ealing Magistrates' Court

Entertainer Michael Barrymore has admitted possessing cocaine that was found in his pocket after police approached his car in London.

Barrymore, 59, was detained in the early hours of 22 November after his Citroen DS3 hit a kerb in Acton.
The former host of programmes like Strike It Lucky and My Kind Of People was fined a total of £780 at Ealing Magistrates' Court.
A charge of being drunk and disorderly was withdrawn at the hearing.
Barrymore, born Michael Parker, was held after officers on routine patrol noticed damage to the Citroen, at the junction of The Vale and Dordrecht Road.
The court heard he swore at officers during an angry rant, saying: "Don't you think I've had enough... from you lot over the years?
"I know the law."

This is not part of a general lifestyle that Mr Parker is living”

Richard Gowthorpe Michael Barrymore's lawyer

After he was arrested he was seen trying to conceal a white substance in his mouth, prosecutor Sally Peters said.

A small white rock was found in his trouser pocket and Barrymore tested positive for cocaine at a police station.
He was told the fine would have been higher had he not pleaded guilty.
Barrymore's lawyer, Richard Gowthorpe, said he only had a "a very small amount" of the drug and apologised to police for his behaviour.
"In many ways it's a sad day for Mr Parker to be before the courts and he's pleaded guilty to this offence," said Mr Gowthorpe.
"Certainly he will be punished to a degree by the conviction itself.
"This behaviour is wholly out of character. This is not part of a general lifestyle that Mr Parker is living."
'Good progress' Mr Gowthorpe told the court Barrymore is no longer using drugs and had sought help after the incident, with which he was making "very good progress".
Drug worker Andrew De Cruze said: "He's undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy.
"It's something Mr Parker has found very helpful and is willing to engage further in that process.
"I would say Mr Parker is doing everything he can do address the issues."
Barrymore was also said to be receiving treatment for alcoholism.

Thomas Cook shares dive 75% on news of bank talks

Shares in Thomas Cook have closed down 75% after it announced it was in talks with banks about increasing the amount of money it can borrow.

The travel firm said it had seen a "deterioration of trading", due to political unrest in Egypt and Tunisia and floods in Thailand.
It also said it would delay releasing its full year results until it had concluded the discussions.
Thomas Cook reassured customers that their bookings were fully protected.
Improving 'resilience' Last month, Thomas Cook announced it had arranged a new £100m credit agreement with its bankers.
The company is trying to negotiate about another £100m credit.

Thomas Cook chief executive Sam Weihagen tells customers they can be confident booking with his company

At the end of September its net debt was just under £900m. The new loan, if agreed, would take the figure to over £1bn.
Thomas Cook said that while the last loan had taken four to six weeks to arrange, there was greater urgency this time and it was confident of being significantly quicker this time.
The company has stressed that it is not currently in breach of the terms of any of its loans, but that it wanted to "improve its resilience if trading conditions remain difficult".
Thomas Cook said last month that the terms of an existing £150m loan and an £850m credit facility have been amended to help cashflow.

Holiday protection

Kevin Peachey Personal finance reporter

While Thomas Cook's announcement is worrying for investors, there is no need for holidaymakers to share the same level of concern.
Anyone booked for an overseas package holiday with Thomas Cook is covered under the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme.
This means that even in the worst case scenario - that the company goes bust when holidaymakers are away - customers on package deals are flown home without incurring extra expense. Those who have not already left for their holiday are refunded.
Holiday bookings should also be honoured if there is a takeover.
But, at present, with Thomas Cook in talks with banks, customers need not do anything, and the company has urged those with bookings not to worry.
However, people who have only booked a flight with the company will not be covered by the Atol scheme and are advised to buy suitable travel insurance.
Thomas Cook says though that flights bought in its own stores are still Atol protected.

It is reported to be planning to close 200 of its 1,200 High Street travel agencies and bureaux de change.

'Not travelling' In a conference call, Thomas Cook chief executive Sam Weihagen reassured customers that it was business as usual.
"We have all the protection in place as any other travel company and they should not worry," he said.
Anyone booked for a package holiday with Thomas Cook is covered under the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme, which is funded by contributions from travel companies.
However, people who have only booked a flight with the company will not be covered by the Atol scheme and are advised to buy suitable travel insurance.
Mr Weihagen explained that trading had been particularly poor in France and Belgium, where bookings are down 20% compared with last year, and in Thomas Cook's Russian business.
"Winter travellers from Russia go to Thailand or Egypt," he said, adding that the floods in Thailand and continuing political unrest in Egypt had hit those bookings.

The biggest destination for French travellers in winter is Tunisia, which means that "the French people are simply not travelling".
He said that the trading position in the UK was "tough, but not of the same magnitude".
Thomas Cook shares have fallen 95% from their high for the year of 205 pence per share recorded in January, closing at 10p on Tuesday.
"Clearly the extremely low share price is of concern," said Mr Weihagen, adding that the company was keen to sort out the debt issues so it could then address the share price.
It has been a tough year for travel companies generally. Thomas Cook's rival Tui's shares have fallen 68% from their high for the year, including a further 5.6% fall following Thomas Cook's announcement on Tuesday

UK severs ties with Iranian banks

Chancellor George Osborne said: "We are doing this to improve the national security of the United Kingdom"

The UK has imposed new sanctions against Iran which will cut off all financial ties with Iranian banks.

It follows the International Atomic Energy Agency's report on Iran and concerns about its nuclear programme.
From 1500 GMT on Monday, all UK credit and financial institutions are required to cease all transactions with banks including the Central Bank of Iran.
Chancellor George Osborne said there was evidence that Iran's banks were funding its nuclear weapons programme.
This is the first time the UK has used powers created under the 2008 Counter-Terrorism Act to cut off a country's banking sector in this way.
The United States and Canada are also expected to announce further economic sanctions against Iran on Monday.
'Crucial role' Mr Osborne said: "We have ceased all contact between the UK's financial system and the Iranian financial system.
"We're doing this because of international evidence that Iran's banks are involved in the development of Iran's weaponised military nuclear weapon programme.

This measure will protect the UK financial sector from being unknowingly used by Iranian banks for proliferation-related transactions”

Treasury spokesman

"We're doing this to improve the security not just of the whole world, but the national security of the United Kingdom."

The Treasury said in a statement that Iran's banks "play a crucial role in providing financial services to individuals and entities within Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, as companies carrying out proliferation activities require banking services".
"This measure will protect the UK financial sector from being unknowingly used by Iranian banks for proliferation-related transactions," it added.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is purely civilian and for scientific research, but Western nations fear it is trying to build a nuclear weapon.
A report from the IAEA earlier this month said the organisation had "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme".
It said Iran had "carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device".
Iran correspondent James Reynolds said that despite the IAEA report, Iran had not been referred to the United Nations Security Council for further sanctions because Russia and China were opposed to the move.
He said the sums of money involved were not yet clear, but being able to take part in the international financial system was clearly crucial for Iran, especially its petrochemical industry.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the UK had "consistently made clear that until Iran engages meaningfully, it will find itself under increasing pressure from the international community".
"The swift and decisive action today coordinated with key international partners is a strong signal of determination to intensify this pressure."

Nearly 50,000 NHS jobs 'under threat'

 

The RCN believes nearly 50,000 posts are under threat in England

Nearly 50,000 jobs are under threat or have already gone in the health service in England, union figures suggest.

The Royal College of Nursing report warned in many cases front-line posts were being hit as the NHS was struggling to make savings.
The total represents 3.5% of the 1.4 million people employed by the NHS.
The union said that for some trusts the culls represented significant chunks of their workforces, but the government accused it of "scaremongering".
The RCN warned the cuts could end up harming patient care, while it also predicted the total would rise in the coming months as the figure was based on evidence from less than half the trusts in the country.
The remaining trusts either are not making cuts or have yet to have announced them, the college believes.
Cutbacks The RCN has been closely monitoring job cuts since April 2010.
The posts it has identified have either being lost already or are due to be cut by March 2015.
Many of them do not involve redundancies as the NHS tends to cut posts by not replacing staff who leave or retire.
The total highlighted - 48,029 - is the equivalent of shutting four large hospital trusts.
It includes all types of staff from administrators and porters to doctors and nurses.

Staffing levels should be based on rigorous clinical evidence and should not be arbitrarily lowered in a short-sighted effort to save money”

Peter Carter Royal College of Nursing

 

The union also carried out an in-depth look at 41 trusts where cuts were being made.

In total, nearly half of the posts under threat were clinical and the scale of the cutbacks represented nearly a tenth of the workforce on average.
In the worst cases over 20% of the workforce was due to be culled.
The RCN said the findings were proof that the savings the NHS has to make - £20bn over the next four years - could not simply be achieved through efficiencies.
Evidence was also uncovered of job cuts being made elsewhere in the UK.
Some of the trusts highlighted in the RCN's report have accused the union of using out of date figures, and said they have since downscaled the number of planned job cuts.
The RCN acknowledged the forecasted cuts did fluctuate regularly, but said overall the report was still an accurate picture of what was happening.
RCN chief executive Peter Carter said the scale of the cuts could have a "deep and potentially dangerous impact on patient care".
"Staffing levels should be based on rigorous clinical evidence and should not be arbitrarily lowered in a short-sighted effort to save money."
'Scaremongering' David Stout, deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents managers, questioned whether there would be a large drop in staff numbers overall, saying staff were more likely to be redeployed into other areas rather than losing their jobs.
But he added some would be affected.
"We all need to be honest with the public, patients and staff that we have no pain-free option.
"Managing the financial challenge, while undergoing a huge structural reorganisation, is going to be tough. There is no doubt that many staff will find this personally very difficult."
Health minister Simon Burns said it should be possible to make efficiency savings at the same time as improving patient care and accused the RCN of "typical trade union scaremongering".

Home Secretary praises bravery of stabbed PCs

 

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody

The Home Secretary Theresa May has praised the bravery of four police officers who were stabbed as they tried to disarm a man in north-west London.

Three of the officers remain in hospital following the incident at Kingsbury which started shortly after 08:30 GMT on Saturday.
The man ran into Kingsbury Halal Butchers and grabbed a 12in knife before stabbing the officers.
Mrs May said their bravery was a "vital reminder of the debt we owe police".
Officers "put themselves in harm's way every day to protect the public", she said.
'Immense gratitude' "Nick Herbert (Policing Minister) and I have spoken to the Commissioner to pass on our deep sympathies for the severe injuries suffered and our immense gratitude to the officers for their actions.
"We wish them a full and fast recovery," the Home Secretary said.
Police said the incident started when officers were called to reports of a man causing a disturbance.
Shopkeeper Girish Modha, who owns a nearby sweet shop, said the man started shouting at police.
"He grabbed a piece of fluorescent tubing and brandished it at police.
"He then ran down Kingsbury Road, going into a cash-and-carry shop.

 

Three of the officers remain in hospital but a fourth was treated for a broken hand and released

"At one point I think he threw a brick and smashed a police car window."
The man then ran into the butcher's shop and demanded a "chopper", according to owner Mohammad Qasim.
He said the man then grabbed a 12in knife off the counter.
"After a few minutes police came in and tried to catch him and he stabbed one."
Mr Qasim said there was "plenty of blood inside, everything was a mess".
The man was eventually overpowered but not before the four officers had suffered a range of stab wounds and other injuries as they tried to disarm him.
Commander Christine Jones, of the Metropolitan Police's territorial policing unit, spoke of the officers having "put their lives on the line by confronting this man in what was an extremely violent and spontaneous situation".
They had "demonstrated outstanding bravery", she said.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said his thoughts were with the injured officers and their families and colleagues, adding: "This was an appalling attack on brave individuals who work tirelessly to protect our communities and keep our streets safe."

Children in Need breaks record

Celebrities including BBC newsreaders, Miss Piggy, Gok Wan, One Direction and the cast of EastEnders performed for Children in Need

The BBC's annual Children in Need show has raised a record on-the-night total of £26,332,334 - £8m more than 2010.

Host Terry Wogan announced the sum at the end of the six-hour extravaganza, which ended at 0200 GMT.
The show was preceded by a One Show special, which saw the show's co-presenter Matt Baker end his 500-mile rickshaw ride from Edinburgh to London.
Westlife and Susan Boyle appeared, and Fearne Cotton, Alesha Dixon and Tess Daly joined Wogan as hosts.
Signing off at the end of the telethon, Sir Terry said: "That is the greatest single total we have ever made in one night, so thank you.
"Thank you to the British people in these tough times to come up with that kind of money on behalf of Britain's children."
Former X Factor boy band One Direction opened the show by performing their single What Makes You Beautiful.
'Extraordinary' Following his arrival at BBC Television Centre, in west London, shortly after 1910 GMT, Matt Baker described his gruelling rickshaw ride as an "extraordinary" experience.

 

Matt Baker raised more than £1.2m for Children in Need with his rickshaw challenge

"To actually see people running after you with money and wanting you to have it, it's just unbelievable," he told One Show presenter Alex Jones.
Baker, who began the challenge on 11 November and cycled for up to 10 hours a day, raised more than £1.2m for Children in Need.
As the live show kicked off, BBC newsreaders Sian Williams, Sophie Raworth, Susanna Reid and Emily Maitlis were joined by former newsreader Angela Rippon to re-enact the dance routine Rippon performed with Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise in 1976.
The cast of The Wizard of Oz also performed a variety of songs from the hit musical, and revealed they had raised more than £10,000 for Children in Need.
And the cast of Eastenders performed a medley of hits by Queen, on the set of the popular soap.
Later, the Collective, a supergroup featuring Gary Barlow, Ed Sheeran, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Ms Dynamite, Tulisa, Wretch 32, Rizzle Kicks, Mz Bratt, Dot Rotten and Labrinth performed the Children in Need single Teardrop during Friday's live show.

 

Host Terry Wogan introduced his co-hosts Tess Daly, Alesha Dixon and Fearne Cotton

 

Lord Sugar entered the Dragons' Den and Gok Wan, best known for presenting fashion shows, sang.
The cast of comedy series Outnumbered performed Hey Hey We're the Monkees and the Muppets led an all-star version of the classic song Mah Na Mah Na.
There were regional segments to the show, allowing viewers to see fundraising events across the UK.
The aim of the night is to raise as much money as possible to help support children's charities across the country.
A record £2,032,642 has been raised by BBC Radio 2 listeners, beating the £1,693,444 raised last year.

Cable dismisses EU-only finance tax as 'tax on Britain'

 

Mr Cable says a financial transactions tax is irrelevant to Europe's most pressing problems

Vince Cable has dismissed talk of a financial transactions tax being introduced just in Europe, saying this would amount to a "tax on Britain".

The business secretary said the UK would not "fall for" any plan which saw the tax levied in just one jurisdiction rather than globally.
He was responding to comments by a top German politician who suggested the UK had to "make concessions" on the issue.
It comes ahead of talks between David Cameron and Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Several EU leaders, headed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, have argued for a tax on financial transactions - known as the Tobin tax - to be introduced across Europe.
The UK has said it is prepared to consider the move if it is applied equally to all leading global financial centres but will oppose any unilateral move which would damage the City of London.
'Completely irrelevant' Mr Cable told Channel 4 News he had "no objection in principle" to a globally constituted tax.
But he insisted: "What the European Union countries are proposing, and Angela Merkel, is a tax which is effectively a tax on Britain, the revenue of which would go to support the EU budget.
"We are not going to fall for that. It is completely irrelevant to the really urgent needs to sort out the problem of the eurozone. So, of course, we react to that and are critical of that."
The business secretary was speaking after a party ally of German chancellor Mrs Merkel suggested the UK was being self-interested on the issue and neglecting its wider responsibilities.
"When almost 30% of your GDP comes from the financial market business in the City of London, it is understandable that they are saying we want to impose a tax on this ourselves and not an additional one in Europe," Volker Kauder said.
"But I must say, the British are not members of the currency union but they are members of Europe and they also have a responsibility for the success of Europe.
"Our message to the British (is they) cannot be only looking for their own advantages without being ready to make concessions."
Future of Europe If the transactions tax could not be implemented across Europe, he said members of the eurozone should press ahead with one across the single currency area.
The trade unions and the Archbishop of Canterbury are among those who have called for a financial transactions tax, popularly known as a "Robin Hood" tax, to help contribute to reducing the deficit.
But business groups have warned it could do untold damage to the City if applied unilaterally with the risk of major banks and finance firms moving abroad.
Chancellor George Osborne has said a tax on financial transactions that did not include America or China "would be economic suicide for Britain and for Europe".
The debate comes ahead of Mr Cameron's visit to Berlin on Friday and amid arguments over the UK's future role in the European Union if members of the eurozone agree to closer fiscal integration in response to the debt crisis currently gripping the euro area.
In a major speech on Tuesday, Mr Cameron suggested the current financial crisis provided an opportunity for the UK to reclaim powers from Brussels in the future.

Airlines call for Air Passenger Duty to be scrapped

 

British Airways is one of the airlines calling for the tax to be scrapped

Four airlines from the UK and Irish Republic are calling for the UK government to scrap Air Passenger Duty.

The tax, which is applied to almost every ticket on a flight originating in the UK, has risen sharply since it was introduced in 1994.
When APD was introduced, passengers whose journey originated in the UK paid between £5 and £40 per ticket. They now have to pay from £24 to £170.
It is opposed by Easyjet, Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.
The airlines say it penalises British holidaymakers and makes the UK a less attractive destination.
The amount of APD that passengers have to pay depends upon whether their flight is short or long-haul, with business and first class travellers having to pay more than those with an economy ticket.
A Treasury spokesman said that the government had frozen APD this year, and that, unlike many other countries, the UK did not levy VAT on flights.
Revenue raising
 
 "The chancellor put this year's increases on hold, but a further rise of around 10% is expected next year.

We consulted on a range of reforms to APD, including simplifying the tax and making it fairer by extending APD to private jets”

Treasury spokesman

 

"The airlines say that as the tax was first introduced to combat greenhouse gas emissions it should be abolished with the introduction of the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme next year.

"The government is considering making changes to Air Passenger Duty, but has made clear that it regards the tax as an important way of raising revenue, and expects it to generate more than £2bn this year."
Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary said that removing APD would not increase the airlines' profits.
"This has nothing to do with our profits. It is paid by families, paid by passengers going on holidays," he said.
"If it is scrapped, the money goes straight back into families' pockets."
Mr O'Leary also said that as a result of APD, 30 million fewer overseas visitors had come to the UK in the past five years.
He added that with UK passengers having to pay the new Emissions Trading Scheme tax from January, they will be "taxed on the double".
Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group, the owner of British Airways, called on Chancellor George Osborne to set up an independent review of APD.
"This tax is hugely damaging and must be scrapped," he said.
"We challenge the chancellor to undertake an independent review, which will show that the net effect of this tax is damaging."
Consultation process A Treasury spokesman said: "We consulted on a range of reforms to APD, including simplifying the tax and making it fairer by extending APD to private jets.
"We will say more on this in the coming weeks.
"It is also important to remember that the UK is not the only country with an passenger duty, and unlike many other countries the UK does not levy VAT on flights."
At the start of this month APD was reduced for direct long-haul flights from Northern Ireland, in response to competition from services in the Irish Republic, which has an Air Travel Tax of just three euros to any destination.

Britain 'should not withdraw troops from Afghanistan before 2014'

Britain should not draw down troop numbers from the Afghan frontline before David Cameron's 2014 deadline for withdrawal, the head of Afghanistan army in the province has said.

The British are increasingly taking a step back from combat operations with two infantry battalions now fully committed to training and mentoring the Afghans 

Britain currently has 9,500 troops in Afghanistan, including special forces, but David Cameron has given assurances that it will remain at that level only until the end of next year. After that military experts expect the numbers to fall in stages in advance of the withdrawal deadline. But the province's top soldier has said a staged withdrawl would harm the battle to secure the province from the Taliban.

"If the British leave, in my personal opinion, this will have a negative effect on security," Brig Gen Sheren Shah said British soldiers were needed "to fight together with us in the front line until 2014".

The Kabul government on Wednesday announced that parts of Helmand would be among 17 provinces that move to Afghan control next year.

President Hamid Karzai will officially name the new areas that are to "transition" from Nato to Afghans leading security at a summit in Istanbul next Wednesday. Up to seven provinces and districts in 10 other provinces will transition giving Afghan forces control of up to 50 per cent of the population.

The second phase of handover, that comes after a few areas went to local control in July, is part of the plan for Nato to gradually withdraw its troops after a decade of fighting.

Downing Street has been circumspect about keeping any troops in Afghanistan from 2015 but the Afghan general said some would still be needed. But Brig Shah said a large number of support troops will also be needed to support the Afghan army for "many years" after the timetabled withdrawal at the end of 2014.
"To be honest I cannot forecast clearly after 2014 how much longer we will need British forces in Afghanistan but our country has been demolished and we have tolerated 30 years war in which we lost everything," he said.
"So we need the international community, especially British influence, for longer. I cannot say for how many years but a number of years."
Helmand has gone from being the trouble spot of Afghanistan almost to its "trophy province" with Brig Gen Shah's 3rd Brigade of 215 Corps seen as the "model" for the rest of the army.
The 44-year-old general has led Afghans as a commander in the Soviet-trained army who defected to the Mujahideen and then helped the Northern Alliance throw out the Taliban.
His brigade now conducts battalion size operations on its own with British advisors in the background.
In another sign of progress it has received the first Afghan "high threat operator" trained up to Western bomb disposal standards.
But the general warned that more advanced training in engineering, logistics and heavy weapons was needed before his brigade could become fully independent. They would also require Nato air power for a long time to come.
The officer also reflected Kabul's worries of greater interference from Afghanistan's neighbours such as Pakistan and Iran following Nato's withdrawal.
"As soldiers we are born to fight, we have no fear of the Taliban after 2014. The only fear we have is of foreign neighbouring countries interfering in Afghanistan." Despite the Afghans taking the lead in security in more Helmand districts beyond the provincial capital Lashkar Gah which they have controlled since July there still remain a number of teething issues.
The British are increasingly taking a step back from combat operations with two infantry battalions now fully committed to training and mentoring the Afghans.
"The Afghan Army is the future, they are our ticket out of here," one commander said.

Briton Dan Wheldon dies in IndyCar race in Las Vegas

 

Wheldon won the Indy 500 earlier this year 

 

British driver Dan Wheldon has died following a massive accident at the Las Vegas Indy 300.

Buckinghamshire-born Wheldon, 33, was one of 15 drivers involved in a crash at the second corner on lap 13 of the series' season-ending race.
Wheldon, who began IndyCar racing in 2002, was series champion in 2005 and won the Indy 500 in 2005 and 2011.
Lewis Hamilton, 2008 Formula One world champion, said: "This is a tragic loss at such a young age."
He said: "He was an extremely talented driver. As a British guy, who not only went over to the States but who twice won the Indy 500, he was an inspirational guy, and someone that every racing driver looked up to with respect and admiration.
"My heart goes out to his family and friends during this extremely difficult time," added Hamilton.

WHELDON PROFILE

• Born: 22 June 1978
• IndyCar wins: 16
• IndyCar champion: 2005
• Indy 500: 2005 & 2011
• 1999: Wins US F2000 championship and is named 'Rookie of the Year'
• 2001: Wins CART Dayton Indy Lights 'Rookie of the Year' award
• 2002: Makes IndyCar debut with Panther Racing
• 2003: Named IndyCar 'Rookie of the Year' for Andretti Green Racing
• 2004: Finishes season second.
• 2005: Wins the marquee Indianapolis 500 race, becoming the first Englishman to do so since Graham Hill in 1966.
• 2005: Claims IndyCar drivers' championship in second full season.
• 2006: Finishes runner-up in championship after a tie-breaker
• 2009: Finishes second at Indianapolis 500 after starting from 18th
• 2010: Comes second again at Indianapolis 500.

Wheldon was airlifted to the nearby University Medical Center where he was joined by his family - including his wife Susie and two young sons Sebastian and Oliver - but his death was announced to his fellow drivers in a meeting at the track.
Formula One driver Jenson Button wrote on Twitter: "Just woken up to the most horrific news. Dan Wheldon RIP."
He tweeted: "I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90s, a true fighter. We've lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy."
It was the first IndyCar fatality since 2006 when Paul Dana was killed during the warm-up for the season-opening Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The accident at the Las Vegas track happened when a number of cars came into contact on turn two, sending several of them airborne, smashing into the outside wall and catch fence.
With cars burning and debris littering the track, the race was red-flagged.
Wheldon had started the race at the back of the field and had made up 10 places in the first 12 laps before the crash.
It was the first-ever death at the circuit in its 40-year history.
IndyCar chief executive Randy Bernard said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Bernard added: "The IndyCar drivers and owners have decided to end the race in honour of Dan Wheldon and the drivers will take part in a five-lap salute."
When drivers returned to the track, Wheldon's 77 was the only number on the scoreboard.
The song Danny Boy was played followed by Amazing Grace as the teams' crew and mechanics stood around the track.
The Briton, who was driving for Sam Schmidt Motorsports on Sunday, had failed to secure a regular ride this season after being replaced by JR Hildebrand at the Panther Racing team.
Despite that, Wheldon put together a deal for the Indianapolis 500 with Bryan Herta Autosport, a race he won after Hildebrand crashed going into the final turn.

He took up IndyCar chief Bernard's offer to pay $5m (£3.1m) if any non-regular series driver entered and won the season finale at Las Vegas.
There were 34 cars entered in the Las Vegas race - one more entry than was the case at the far bigger Indianapolis 500 circuit.
Earlier in the week, drivers had voiced concerns about speeds of close to 225mph being reached at the track during practice.
"I'll tell you, I've never seen anything like it," said driver Ryan Briscoe.
"The debris we all had to drive through the lap later, it looked like a war scene from Terminator or something. I mean, there were just pieces of metal and car on fire in the middle of the track... just debris everywhere."
The ending of the race resulted in Scotland's Dario Franchitti winning a third straight series crown, as a result of rival Will Power also been caught up in the accident.
Franchitti's only thoughts though were for his compatriot, and the 38-year-old was seen in his car in tears before setting off on the five-lap salute.

Defence Secretary Liam Fox 'made serious mistakes'

Liam Fox gives details of Mr Werritty's visits and meetings in the past 16 months

Serious mistakes were made by Defence Secretary Liam Fox in his working relationship with friend Adam Werritty, Downing Street has said.

Mr Fox apologised to MPs for the controversy, insisting that at no time was national security put at risk.
In a statement, he said he met the businessman 22 times - more than previously stated - at the Ministry of Defence and 18 times on foreign trips.
He told the Commons these meetings and trips with Mr Werritty would now end.
Mr Werritty, 34, was Mr Fox's best man in 2005 and a former flatmate and also used to carry cards describing himself as an adviser to "the Rt Hon Liam Fox MP".
He also brokered meetings for Mr Fox and accompanied him on foreign trips, apparently holding meetings without civil servants present.
In total, Mr Werritty spent time with the defence secretary on more a third of his overseas visits - 18 out of 48 - since he came to office in May 2010.
Mr Fox, who denies wrongdoing, set up a Ministry of Defence inquiry into his conduct on Friday. He said on Monday Mr Werritty would give evidence to the inquiry soon.
Prime Minister David Cameron has discussed the findings of an interim report on the inquiry with Mr Fox, a Downing Street spokesman said following the defence secretary's statement.

David Cameron: Liam Fox does "excellent job"

The spokesman said: "It is clear, as Liam Fox himself said yesterday, that serious mistakes were made in allowing the distinction between professional responsibilities and personal loyalties to be blurred - and this has clearly raised concerns about impropriety and potential conflicts of interest."
He said that while the initial conclusion was that no classified or other defence-related official information was discussed with, or given to, Mr Werritty, it was clear "much tighter procedures" were needed in the department to make sure the Ministerial Code was adhered to.
The prime minister is not expected to make a final decision on Mr Fox's future until he sees the full report due on 21 October.
'Sorry' In his statement to the Commons, Mr Fox revealed Mr Werritty, who he met in 1998, had initially worked as a paid intern in his office and later carried out research work, earning a total of £5,800.
Beyond that, he said there had never been a payment from the government.
He also detailed the meetings involving Mr Werritty that had taken place in Dubai and Sri Lanka.

By acknowledging he has made mistakes, Liam Fox clearly hopes to draw a line under this row.
But his apology may make little difference to whether or not he survives in his post.
What will determine his fate is not the extent of his apology, or indeed whether he has breached the ministerial code - it will be determined by whether the prime minister believes Mr Fox can carry on as defence secretary.
If Mr Cameron takes the view that Mr Fox is now too damaged, or unlikely to be able to focus fully on his job, or there are further allegations to emerge, he may decide he has to go.
Central to that decision is the interim report on Mr Fox and the nature of the media coverage.
In short, Mr Fox's fate still hangs in the balance.

He told MPs: "I accept that it was a mistake to allow distinctions to be blurred between my professional responsibilities and my personal loyalties to a friend and, Mr Speaker, I am sorry for this.

"I have apologised to the prime minister, to the public and at the first opportunity available, to the House."
He added: "Mr Werritty was never present at regular departmental meetings, during private meetings we did not discuss either commercial or defence matters.
"He had no access to classified documents, nor was he briefed on classified matters."
But he added: "I accept, with the benefit of hindsight I should have taken greater care to ensure a more transparent separation of government, party political and private business and that meetings were properly recorded to protect myself and government from any suggestion of wrongdoing.
"Again, I accept my personal responsibility for this."
Mr Fox said Mr Werritty would make no more private visits to the MoD, would not attend international conferences where he was present and they would not meet socially abroad when Mr Fox was on official business.
Other details to emerge during Mr Fox's Commons appearance include:

• A meeting last June in Dubai with Harry Boulter, chief executive of the Porton Capital investment fund, came about after Mr Werritty dined at a nearby table and suggested a meeting with Mr Fox who was on his way home from visiting forces in Afghanistan
• An "unofficial" visit took place with Sri Lanka's president in December 2010 at London's Dorchester Hotel
• Among the 18 meetings abroad with Mr Werritty were skiing holidays, weekends away with his wife, conference speaking where Mr Werritty was a delegate and defence-only business

Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said it was clear the defence secretary had "drawn a coach and horses" through the ministerial code rules.
He said "we may never know whether it was arrogance, naivety or hubris which led Mr Fox to this", but the British people expected the highest standards of conduct.
Speaking earlier, the prime minister said Mr Fox had been "a very effective defence secretary", but it was right that an investigation was being carried out.
"I'm sure that we can answer these questions and come through all of this," he said.
"One can't rush these things... there are important elements of natural justice you have to show as prime minister. You've got to give people the time to answer questions, to unearth the information necessary to do that.
"One can't run these things to some sort of pre-ordained media timetable."

Sir Paul McCartney to get married for the third time

 

Sir Paul and Ms Shevell have been together for four years and got engaged in May

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney is expected to marry for a third time later by tying the knot with Nancy Shevell at a London register office.

New Yorker Ms Shevell, 51, is an heiress to a trucking fortune.
The wedding is expected to take place at Old Marylebone Town Hall, which is where Sir Paul married first wife Linda Eastman - also an American - in 1969.
She died in 1998 and Sir Paul, 69, split from second wife Heather Mills during an acrimonious divorce in 2008.
Mirror showbiz journalist Clemmie Moodie said she expected Sunday's wedding to be a low-key affair.
"Given his last marriage to Heather Mills obviously was a fairly lavish, spectacular do and look how that ended... I think this time round it's going to be a far quieter, more civilised affair," she said.
"It's just close family, a few friends - we believe about 30 people - so far more intimate."

 

Paul McCartney married Linda Eastman in 1969

Earlier this month Ms Shevell moved in with Sir Paul at his home in St John's Wood, London, where it is believed a reception will take place.
Ms Shevell, who was married for 20 years to American lawyer and political candidate Bruce Blakeman, became engaged to Sir Paul in May.
The couple began dating four years ago in the upmarket Hamptons area of Long Island.
Life-long Beatles fan Chiara Amato said she had sat outside the register office every day since September 29 in anticipation of the couple's wedding.
She said: "This marriage is going to last. She seems to be really nice and deeply in love with him. I have been listening to The Beatles since I was six-years-old. I have been to see Sir Paul in concert 27 times."
Sir Paul's eldest daughter, Mary, also married at the register office last year.
Ms Shevell is a board member of New York's transportation authority and vice-president of her family haulage firm.
But the wedding is expected to mean an end to her work in the family business and her leaving her position on the board of the transportation body.
Ms Shevell told the New York Post she would "love" the couple to live in the US but she would "probably" move to England after the wedding.

Euromillions prize of £101m claimed by UK ticketholder

 

Friday's winning numbers were 18, 26, 34, 38 and 42 and the Lucky Star numbers 5 and 8

A UK ticketholder has come forward to claim £101m (117m euros) on Euromillions - the third largest lottery jackpot in UK history.

It is not known if a single person, couple or syndicate won the prize.
It is the second major Euromillions win in the UK this year - in July, Colin and Chris Weir from Ayrshire won a record European lottery prize of £161m.
Friday's winning numbers were 18, 26, 34, 38 and 42 and the Lucky Star numbers were 5 and 8.
The claim of holding the winning ticket remains subject to ticket validation.
UK ticketholders have banked the Euromillions jackpot more than 15 times in the last two years.
Last year two anonymous UK winners scooped £113m and £84m.
A National Lottery spokeswoman said of the latest win: "This is amazing news, we are absolutely delighted.
"This is the third biggest winner this country has ever seen... we've got the champagne on ice and look forward to welcoming the ticketholder into the National Lottery millionaires' club."
Nine countries participate in Euromillions - the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria.
Ticket sales in all those countries contribute to the Euromillions jackpot.

London 2012: "100 days of peace" campaign is launched

 

Jimmy Mizen was murdered in a bakery in 2008, and his brother is asking for 100 days of peace

The Olympics must be remembered "for peace as well as sport", the brother of a teenager killed in London has said.

George Mizen, 12, is joining thousands of British children from nearly 500 Catholic schools in London, Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire to call for "100 days of peace" around next year's Games.
The schoolboy lost his brother Jimmy, 16, when he was stabbed at a bakery in Lee, south-east London, in May 2008.
A mass will be held at Westminster Cathedral later to launch the campaign.
It will be attended by George and his parents, Barry and Margaret, plus about 1,400 pupils, some of whom come from the areas of London worst affected in the riots in August.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, will tell them that he applauds the many young people with an "immense desire for peace".
He will also encourage them to spread the message of peace throughout summer 2012.

London 2012 - Begin your journey here

 

He will say he is "immensely proud of the character and leadership of so many young people in our schools as they work for peace and safety on our streets".

"We see and celebrate their generous contribution in varied ways to the alleviation of poverty, their reaching out to those others have cast to the edges," he is expected to add.
The service will end with each child being given a special booklet on peace.
George Mizen said he thought it was important "for people to try and become friends with each other, and I hope the 100 days of peace will do that".
"I also hope that the 2012 Olympics will be remembered for peace as well as sport," he added.

Former US marine Steven Greenoe 'smuggled guns' into UK

 

Steven Greenoe bought guns in the US and smuggled them into Britain, the court heard

A gun used in a fatal shooting in the UK was smuggled into the country on a commercial flight by a former US Marine, a court has heard.

Shropshire-born Steven Greenoe, 37, bought weapons from American gun shops and hid the parts in his luggage, Liverpool Crown Court was told.
Steven Cardwell, 31, from Liverpool and Neil Copplestone, 32, from Ormskirk, are accused of selling the guns.
They both deny charges relating to importing firearms.
Greenoe is awaiting sentence in the US after being arrested at an American airport in July 2010.
The court heard he had bought 81 guns in North Carolina and that some of them were smuggled and used in "serious criminal offences" in the UK.
'Profitable trade' Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said forensic experts had proved guns bought by Greenoe were used in a fatal shooting, which cannot be reported on for legal reasons, an attempted murder in Manchester and an attempted robbery in Liverpool.
The trial also heard undercover police officers in Liverpool bought three pistols which have been linked to Greenoe's US purchases.
Mr Flewitt said the undercover officers paid about £3,600 per gun.
He said: "By way of comparison, Steven Greenoe paid approximately £300 for each gun.
"It follows, therefore, that smuggling guns out of the US to sell to criminals in the UK is an extremely profitable trade."
Mr Flewitt said guns linked to Greenoe were discovered as part of Operation Newhaven on 25 February 2010, when covert police officers in Liverpool paid £10,800 for three Glock handguns.
'Composite' firearm An attempted murder carried out in Cotefield Road, Manchester, when a man was shot in the leg, was also linked to the guns, the court heard.
The gun used in the shooting was never found but cartridges found at the scene match guns bought by Greenoe in America, the jury was told.
Mr Flewitt said a gun used in the attempted robbery of a Liverpool taxi driver on 2 March 2011 was forensically matched to two guns purchased by Greenoe in America and was in fact a "composite" firearm.
Cardwell, of Old Church Close, Aintree, and Copplestone, of Ruff Lane, Ormskirk, both deny conspiracy to import, sell and possess prohibited firearms with intent to endanger life.
The trial is expected to last up to six weeks.

Conservative conference: Avoid petty obsessions - MP

 

The party's leaders have been urged to focus on the problems facing the public

Conservatives must focus on issues that are important to the public, not "petty obsessions" at their party conference, one influential MP has warned.

Nick Boles said they must apply a "relevance test" before raising any issue at the event, starting on Sunday.
Economic turmoil and the UK's links with Europe are expected to dominate the conference in Manchester.
Any arguments over Europe must be practical in nature and not become ideological fights, Mr Boles stressed.
The Conservative leadership is expected to face demands from the right of the party to take a tougher line on issues such as Europe, immigration and social policy.
A group of Conservative MPs has called on the coalition government to re-design its relationship with Europe, in light of the eurozone debt crisis and demands for further fiscal integration, and to start reclaiming powers.
Issue test Other MPs want to go further and hold a referendum on Britain's future membership of the EU.

What we should not do is dwell too long on impossible questions”

Nick Boles Conservative MP

 

Mr Boles, MP for Stamford and Grantham, and former head of the Policy Exchange think tank, said he hoped the Conservatives would avoid "noises off" during their autumn conference.

"I hope that the Conservatives will be focused on what matters to the British public - which is growth, jobs and the rising cost of fuel, not our little petty obsessions," he told the BBC.
"The most important thing is that we have to apply a test before we say anything - any of us, backbench MPs, ministers, whatever.
"The test is: 'Is this an issue for the people around Britain - people that voted for us and those that didn't - that they find crucially important in this very difficult time?'
"If it is not, let's shut up about it, if it is let's talk about it and show how we are going to deal with the issue."
'Risk of caricature' Mr Boles said his party must remain in the centre ground and must not allow themselves to be "caricatured as old Thatcherites or old right-wingers" as they took difficult economic decisions.
On Europe, he said MPs were right to express people's concerns about excessive interference in specific areas but should avoid talk of "theoretical possibilities" when it came to the future of the EU.
"What we should not do is dwell too long on impossible questions of whether or not there will be a day when we can get out of the EU or completely renegotiate our membership.
"Let's deal with the practical stuff."
Mr Boles said a recent meeting of Tory MPs about Europe had been positive, as they had decided not to "obsess about the stuff that perhaps, in the past, some of the Eurosceptics have been going on about".
Mr Cameron, who describes himself as a "practical Eurosceptic" has said his focus is on working within the existing treaty arrangements to get more of the EU and assert the UK's national interest.
But he has said he could push for a renegotiation of existing EU rules on employment and financial regulation at an appropriate time in the future.
James Landale said the prime minister faced a tricky task over the four-day conference to allay the concerns of those on the right who believed too much ground has been conceded to their Lib Dem coalition partners.
He expected a flurry of announcements to show the government was not solely focused on cutting the deficit and had a full agenda in other areas.
In recent days, Conservative ministers have announced a review of the 70mph speed limit on motorways and said £250m will be made available to help councils in England retain or restore weekly bin collections.

South Yorkshire chief constable criticises police cuts

 

South Yorkshire Police has to cut £40m from its budget over four years

The chief constable of South Yorkshire Police has said the government has created a north-south divide through its spending cuts.

Med Hughes said the cuts had had a "disproportionate affect" on forces in the north of England compared to those in the south.
He said areas with higher council tax incomes could withstand the cuts better.
Prime Minister David Cameron said he did not accept Mr Hughes' comments.
South Yorkshire Police has said it needs to cut £40m from its budget over four years.
'Millions more' Mr Hughes, who retires this week after seven years as chief constable, said: "I wish the government had looked more sophisticatedly at the model of spending cuts it was imposing and perhaps imposed them on those forces that were inefficient or better able to withstand the cuts."
The chief constable, who joined the force in 2004, said 80% of South Yorkshire's housing was in the Band A category, which meant less money was raised through council tax.
He said: "Many people in Band A don't pay taxes because they're on various different benefits. So there's a reduced opportunity to raise money locally."
Mr Hughes said forces across northern England would suffer in comparison to the south because they relied on central government grants.
He said forces such as Surrey and Sussex raised "millions more because of the style and standard of housing".
Earlier this year he warned crime would rise because of budget cuts.
The Prime Minister said police forces across England were being asked to make cuts of about 7% or 8% over four years.
He said: "That's the nationwide figure. There are variations, of course there are, but I don't think that's an impossible task to ask of police forces.
"On the issue of the north/south divide I don't accept this. One of the things we are doing is making sure, through the regional growth fund, through enterprise zones, that we help regions like Yorkshire as much as we can."

Two charged over Frankland prison murder

 

Frankland holds more than 800 of the most serious offenders in the prison system

 

Two inmates have been charged with the murder of a child rapist at HM Prison Frankland, County Durham.

Mitchell Harrison, 23, was found with multiple injuries in his cell at the high security prison on Saturday morning.
A 32-year-old man and a 23-year-old man will appear before magistrates on Monday, police said.
Harrison, from Wolverhampton, was jailed in 2009 after raping a 13-year-old-girl in Cumbria in 2009.
A Durham Constabulary spokeswoman said: "The man who died can now be named as Mitchell Dean Harrison, whose last address was in Cumbria.
"Two men, aged 32 and 23, have been charged with murder and will appear before Peterlee magistrates on Monday."
Harrison was given an indeterminate sentence at Carlisle Crown Court in January last year after being convicted of raping the teenager.
He was sentenced to at least four-and-a-half years in jail and was put on the sex offenders register for life.
Frankland holds more than 800 of the most serious offenders in the prison system.