Fabrice Muamba Marks Comeback On Strictly

Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a heart attack during an FA Cup tie, is to mark his comeback by strutting his stuff on the dancefloor.

The former Bolton Wanderers midfielder will be among the guest stars on the one-off Christmas edition of Strictly Come Dancing.

The announcement comes just weeks after the 24-year-old told of his desire to star in the show.

In a recent interview he said he turned down Dancing On Ice, but added: "I'd do Strictly Come Dancing. I love my salsa, so I'd be well up for that."

Muamba collapsed in front of 35,000 fans in a match against Spurs earlier this year when he suffered his heart problem.

Muamba's heart stopped for 78 minutes

The Zaire-born player, who recently tied the knot with Shauna Magunda, was technically dead for 78 minutes but was brought back after repeated shocks from a defibrillator, which made his heart beat again.

He has since given up football, although he has been allowed to take part in short kickabouts, including one with a group of youngsters for Children In Need.

Muamba - who came to the UK at the age of 11 - will dance with Aliona Vilani who made an early exit from this year's Strictly competition through a damaged ankle while her partner Johnny Ball was voted out during her absence.

A show insider said: "This booking comes on the back of our most successful series ever."

The full line-up is due to be confirmed in a week.

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PM Faces Tory Rebellion Over Gay Marriage

By Darren McCaffrey, Sky Reporter

David Cameron could be facing the biggest Conservative rebellion of his premiership over plans to introduce gay marriage.

Some 118 Tory MPs - more than a third of the party's representatives- have indicated to their constituents that they are uneasy about the highly controversial move, according to The Daily Mail.

The reported figure is a sign of how divided the Conservative Party is over gay marriage, despite both the Prime Minister and Chancellor George Osborne being personally committed to legislating for it.

Ministers have promised to introduce a Bill before 2015, although it has been claimed this week that Mr Cameron actually wants to fast-track legislation and bring it before Parliament early next year.

The Government has indicated that there will be a free vote, meaning that MPs will be able to vote against the Prime Minister's position without facing disciplinary action.

However it is far from clear if all 118 MPs would vote against the legislation.

Sky News have spoken to several MPs quoted in the article who have ruled out voting against the Government.

Openly gay MP for Bournemouth West, Conor Burns, said he hasn't decided whether to abstain or vote in favour but says he doesn't understand why it's being brought forward now.

Other MPs have expressed concerns over whether enough safeguards are in place to protect religious institutions but refuse to indicate whether they oppose the principle of gay marriage.

The Chancellor however believes a large Tory vote against gay marriage will not help the party appeal to centre ground voters.

Mr Osborne warned last week that ditching the policy would be toxic electorally.

He said that polls indicate a "clear majority" in favour of the change, particularly among the young and women.

A significant vote in opposition to the Government's proposals from within Conservative ranks would certainly be an embarrassment for the Prime Minister and a further blow to his credibility.

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Britain Braced For More Heavy Flooding

Britain is bracing itself for more flooding and travel disruption over the weekend as forecasters predict further heavy downpours.

A deep area of low pressure is set to move in over the weekend, bringing more heavy rain to areas already badly hit by Thursday's downpours.

Sky weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "England and Wales could see 15 to 25mm quite widely, with up to 50mm possible in some spots."

The Environment Agency has issued more than 50 flood warnings and over 150 less serious flood alerts.

South and west Wales and the West Country will be worst affected. Strong winds and possible severe gales are expected on Saturday night and Sunday morning,

A man died after becoming trapped in his 4x4

"There's still some uncertainty about where the strongest winds will be, but it looks like southern counties of England will bear the brunt, with exposed parts seeing gusts up to 70mph," said Robinson.

The risk of flooding is increased as many areas are alreadt saturated by the persistent rainfall earlier in the week.

The AA's head of special operations, Darron Burness, said: "With more heavy rain forecast across the Midlands, Wales and the South West, road conditions in the affected areas are likely to only get worse as the ground is so saturated.

"Even if you think you know your local roads, don't be complacent, as flash-flooding continues to be a real risk and is catching people out."

Driving conditions have been treacherous

Meanwhile, Network Rail said trains were likely to be suspended between Exeter and Bristol until Monday.

The majority of the UK was battered by storms on Thursday leaving hundreds of drivers stranded and thousands of homes without power. More than 100 people had to be evacuated as winds reached more than 86mph.

An elderly man died after becoming trapped in his 4x4 in floods in Chew Stoke in Somerset.

In Torquay, Devon, several homes were evacuated after a landslide. Part of a cliff face was hit by a landslip after netting was washed away.

A monkey at a sanctuary in Looe, Cornwall had to be resuscitated after falling ill due to the bad weather. The illness to one-year-old Pepper was the latest setback for Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary affter it suffered serious flood damage on Thursday.

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Tax Backlash Prospect For Independent Shops

By Poppy Trowbridge, Business & Economics correspondent

Independent businesses could benefit from public uproar over low rates of corporation tax paid by global giants Starbucks, Amazon and Google, according to retail experts.

The backlash has been prompted by the revelation that Starbucks has paid just £8.6m UK corporation tax in the past 13 years, on sales of £3.1bn, when most businesses will pay a corporation tax rate of 24% this year.

In 2011, Google paid £6m tax against sales of £395m, while Amazon paid no tax at all in the UK - despite sales here reaching £3.3bn.

Matthew Stych, research director at analysts Planet Retail, believes British retailers can make the most of the furore by highlighting their own contributions and good practices.

"It's a golden opportunity that comes along once in a decade or so, to really capitalise on the negative publicity that some global retailers are receiving at the moment," he says.

"I think it's a huge opportunity that independent retailers in the community must seize now".

Google and Amazon are also accused of paying low taxes on big profits

Independent booksellers in Hertfordshire are doing just that. With support from the Booksellers Association they have launched an advertisement campaign to publicise the fact they pay their taxes.

"People need to think about where they are spending their money and we are hoping that this campaign will bring that to their attention," said Sheryl Shurville, co-owner of Chorleywood Bookshop.

But other analysts are not convinced such consumer campaigns will have any long-term benefit.

"We're unlikely to see any massive dip in the sales of these companies under scrutiny," says Douglas McNeill, chief analyst at Charles Stanley.

"Whilst ethical issues can temporarily make people pause for thought, consumers make their choices on the basis of eternal basics of price, quality and convenience."

Mr Stych says large brands may yet find a way to turn around the negative publicity.

"As far as Amazon and Starbucks are concerned, I think there's an opportunity to strike a more conciliatory note," according to Mr Stych. 

"This is for them also an ideal opportunity to regain or re-forge that bond with local consumers".

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Electricity Bills: Green Power Plan To Add £100

Green power could add £100 a year to electricity bills by 2020 under new government plans.

An estimated £110bn is needed in the next decade to renew the UK's ageing electricity infrastructure and much of that is set to go into low-carbon power sources such as wind farms.

But the coalition's long-awaited green energy strategy is set to treble the costs levied on bills from £2.35bn a year to £7.6bn.

And the increased cost to bill-payers from the drive for clean energy could reach £178 a year by 2030, before adjusting for inflation, experts believe.

However, officials say that while consumers will pay more towards green energy strategies they will also save money through increased energy efficiency at home.

The forthcoming Energy Bill, which aims to drive the investment, has been the subject of political wrangling within the coalition.

There have been mixed messages about how committed the Government is to supporting a greener economy or backing new gas power.

But agreement has now been reached on contentious areas.

Energy secretary Ed Davey told Sky News: "By making sure Britain produces our own clean energy we can insulate consumers and insulate the British economy from imported gas prices which is better for energy security."

Significantly, the bill will not include a limit for the amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted per megawatt hour of power from the electricity sector by 2030.

The Government believes the spending level agreed for low-carbon power subsidies will allow the UK to meet goals to supply 30% of electricity from renewables by 2020.

Environmental campaigners have reacted angrily to the news that carbon emissions will not be capped.

John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace, said: "By failing to agree to any carbon target for the power sector until after the next election, David Cameron has allowed a militant tendency within his own ranks to derail the Energy Bill.

"It's a blatant assault on the greening of the UK economy that leaves consumers vulnerable to rising gas prices, and sends billions of pounds of clean-tech investment to our economic rivals."

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Spurs Fan Stabbed In Rome Rampage Recovering

An English football fan is recovering in a Rome hospital after being stabbed by Italians who stormed a bar and attacked a group of Tottenham Hotspur supporters.

Ashley Mills, in his mid-20s, was seriously hurt in the attack in the early hours of Thursday, suffering injuries to his skull and thigh.

But Rome police say his life is not in danger and he is being kept in the San Camillo hospital for observation.

The Spurs fans were out drinking in a pub in central Rome ahead of their team's Europa League match with Lazio when a group of about  50 masked assailants stormed the bar and attacked them.

The hooligans - their faces covered by motorbike helmets and scarves - were armed with knives, baseball bats and knuckle dusters, witnesses and police said.

The attack was in The Drunken Ship pub, a popular tourist spot in Rome's busy Campo de Fiori, and has been blamed on Lazio "Ultras", or fanatical fans.

The Drunken Ship after the attack

Witnesses said some of the assailants had shouted "Jews" at the Tottenham fans. The north London team is known for having a large Jewish fan base.

Lazio supporters are known to include far-right extremists and fascist sympathisers.

But Lazio president Claudio Lotito denied club supporters were responsible, saying: "When it emerges who was really responsible, some people will be surprised."

The attack left seven people injured, including an American and a Bangladeshi, and the pub in tatters, its windows broken, chairs and tables overturned, and blood stains on the floor.

Police have named other injured British fans as Dave Lesley, Stephen Tierney and Christopher Allen.

There were no reports of violence during the 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night, but some Lazio fans aimed anti-Semitic chants at Spurs supporters.

In the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane in September, Lazio fans aimed monkey noises and gestures at black Tottenham players, leading UEFA to fine the club £32,500.

The attack confirms Rome's reputation as a dangerous city for English football fans, with supporters of Manchester United, Middlesbrough and other English teams also involved in violence in recent years.

The Drunken Ship's owner, Marco Manzi, said the Spurs supporters were for the most part quiet and well-behaved when the attack took place.

"Then arrived what I presume were Italian supporters wearing scooter helmets with their faces covered with scarves, carrying stones and rocks. They arrived in the pub and they attacked the English supporters," he said.

Police in Rome said the homes of more than a dozen suspects had been searched.

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Steel Giant Tata Cuts 900 Jobs Across UK

Indian-owned Tata Steel confirms it will close 12 plants in Britain.

The move will result in 900 job losses, the company confirmed, including 580 in South Wales, 155 in Yorkshire, 120 in the West Midlands and 30 on Teesside.

Sites to close include Tafarnaubach and Cross Keys in South Wales, and it will also reduce shifts at Rotherham and Hartlepool in response to lower demand for products.

The chief executive of the company's European operations, Karl Kohler, said the move was part of a strategy to become an "all-weather steel producer", able to withstand the difficult economic conditions.

Demand for steel in Europe had fallen by 25% since 2007 and was forecast to slump by another 10% this year, Tata said.

Mr Kohler added: "The job losses are regrettable and I know this will be a difficult and unsettling time for the employees and their families affected.

"We will be working with our trade unions and government at a national and local level to ensure we provide them with as much assistance and support as possible."

The company employs 19,000 in the UK and said it remained committed to investing in the business to help create long-term stability.

It confirmed plans to re-start one of two blast furnaces at Port Talbot in the first quarter of next year as part of a £250m investment programme.

Michael Leahy, general secretary of the Community trade union, said it was "sad news" for those affected by the job losses.

"We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the company to ensure our principle of no compulsory redundancies is upheld, although we are pleased to see the company has already committed to offering a package of training and support for those affected by these changes," he said.

"Sadly, these potential job losses are symptomatic of the continuing failure of the Government's economic policy and yet another reason why we are calling on the British Government to take urgent action to stimulate economic growth and help revive the manufacturing sector."

A Welsh Government spokesman added: "This is very disappointing news, and a massive blow to those who will be losing their jobs.

"Tata's decision reflects the serious and ongoing challenges faced by manufacturing industries during these very difficult economic times.

"In addition to these challenges, it is clear that high energy costs and uncertainty over UK Government energy policy are having a significant impact on business investment decisions.

"As a Government, we have warned for some time of the need for these costs to be reduced."

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Mugging Death: Teenagers Remanded In Custody

Two teenage boys charged with murdering a partially-sighted pensioner who died following a mugging have been remanded in custody.

The teenagers, aged 14 and 15, from Southall, were arrested on Wednesday and appeared at Uxbridge Youth Court on Friday morning.

The pair, who are too young to be named, have also been charged with two counts of robbery related to a separate incident.

They are accused of murdering 85-year-old Paula Castle in Greenford, west London.

Mrs Castle, who was registered blind and lived alone, fell to the ground after she was robbed in an alleyway off Oldfield Lane South at 1.50pm on Monday. She died in hospital the following day.

A post-mortem found she died of head injuries.

A card attached to a bunch of flowers at the alley's entrance read: "RIP (lady in alley). What a senseless waste of a good life xxx."

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Savile 'Would Walk In On Women Having A Bath'

Jimmy Savile thought he was "untouchable" and would regularly walk in on female patients at Broadmoor while they were having a bath, it has been claimed.

A former patient from the 1970s said the TV presenter had "total" access to the high-security hospital in Berkshire.

His former personal assistant Janet Cope also claimed Savile worked to gain access to high-profile criminals.

She told ITV's Exposure: "Jimmy was untouchable. (He) was very proud of the fact that he spoke to all these very high-profile poorly criminals."

Ms Cope said that although she had never seen him abuse anyone, he was a controlling person.

She explained: "I knew how he operated so I was very wary of him and I felt there was an undercurrent, there was a bad side, which not many people saw."

Ms Cope said Savile held a position of real authority at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, adding: "He controlled everything. He controlled me.

Savile was said to have complete access to Broadmoor

"Everybody was - I'm going to use the word - frightened of him."

Police are investigating claims the former DJ, who died last year, sexually abused hundreds of women and children.

A former Broadmoor patient told Exposure Savile would often walk in while females were taking baths.

She said: "He would come in when you'd be having a bath ... he would just walk in."

Speaking anonymously, she said Savile once tried to touch her breast - and when she reported him she spent months in solitary confinement.

Lawyer Liz Dux said she was representing nine women who claimed they were abused by Savile at Stoke Mandeville.

"Some of them have had their lives destroyed (by Savile)," Ms Dux said.

"Several of the victims did report matters to members ... no action was taken."

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Tottenham Hotspur Fans Attacked In Rome

A group of English football fans have been injured in a late-night clash in Rome ahead of a Europa League match.

At least nine Britons and an American were hurt when they were set upon by masked assailants in a pub in the Italian capital, according to police.

The Britons were in the country to support Tottenham Hotspur who are due to play Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.

They were set upon by knife-wielding "Ultras" - fanatical fans - when they were enjoying a drink at The Drunken Ship pub, according to reports.

Nine Britons and an American were hurt in the fight

Two of the group were stabbed. One suffered injuries to an artery and is in a serious condition.

Photographs of the pub showed it had been wrecked in the clash, with chairs strewn across the floor and windows broken.

Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported scenes of "urban warfare" erupted shortly after 1am, involving up to 100 "Ultras".

Some of the notorious troublemakers were armed with knives and others wielded baseball bats, according to the paper.

The Drunken Ship is located in the Campo de Fiori  - one of the most visited squares in the historic centre of Rome.

Tottenham Hotspur are due to play Lazio

It is popular because of its colourful food market and nightlife and the American-owned bar is renowned for its lively atmosphere.

There was no response from the pub on Thursday morning.

A police spokesman said a number of Italians involved in the fight had been arrested.

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed they are investigating the clash.

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CCTV Attack: Man Held Over Teenager Assault

A man has been arrested after a 16-year-old girl was punched in the head in an apparently random attack caught on CCTV.

The shocking footage shows a man jogging up behind the 16-year-old and hitting her around the head.

The girl was left lying on the ground in Plaistow, east London, as her attacker casually jogged off.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A man, aged 34, was arrested yesterday evening in connection with the assault of a 16-year-old female in High Street, Plaistow.

"He remains in custody at an east London police station."

The teenager is now recovering after the attack which happened outside the Black Lion pub at around 12.30pm on November 13.

The girl, who needed work on her teeth following the assault, is said to be "bearing up really well".

Anyone with information can contact Newham Violent Crime Unit on 020 8217 5890 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Flood Alert As Heavy Rain Sweeps The Country

Britain is braced for another day of deluges and flooding as heavy rain sweeps across the country.

Homes were flooded and roads left underwater on Wednesday as downpours caused widespread disruption, and forecasters warn more misery is on its way.

Vehicles were abandoned and there were reports of entire villages being cut off as floodwater surged through lanes and streets and into homes.

The South West and Wales are expected to bear the brunt of the weather as a low pressure system moves eastwards across the country, bringing gusts of up to 70mph and extremely heavy rain.

The Met Office warned that some areas could see up to 60mm (5ins) of rain falling on already saturated ground, leading to further risk of rivers flooding.

Strong winds could yet worsen conditions, particularly surface water flooding, as leaves and debris block drains and channels.

Flood waters surrounding a cottage close to the village of North Curry

More than 80 flood warnings are in place - 50 alone in the South West and 22 across the Midlands - and there are a further 138 less serious flood alerts, the Environment Agency said.

Agency teams are on the ground across the country clearing watercourses of debris and monitoring river levels, and will be out in force over the coming days.

Pete Fox, the Environment Agency's head of flood risk strategy, said: "There is already significant travel disruption due to the wet weather and we would urge people to remain vigilant as further flooding is possible across the South West."

Sky News weather presenter Sarah Pennock said: "Expect difficult driving conditions across western Britain this morning with plenty of surface water on the roads. Gusty winds will cause broken branches and possible disruption."

Cars make their way through floods in the village of Norton near Worcester

While Thursday is expected to be a washout, Friday should be bright and breezy, with sunny spells and scattered showers in the west, before further rain pushes into central southern Britain on Saturday.

There could be snow across the Scottish hills overnight.

The weather caused major problems on the roads yesterday, with the AA attending more than 8,000 breakdowns - 37% more than normal - and 500 floodwater-related callouts by 4pm.

Roads were reported as being impassable around the M5 corridor and in Worcestershire and south Birmingham, and standing water on roads created difficulties for motorists.

Dozens of schools were closed, including 12 in Devon and 17 in Somerset, two of the worst-hit counties, and businesses including pubs and restaurants forced to turn away customers following the floods.

Emergency services in Somerset were also called to a flooded property to help rescue a woman who had gone into labour and needed to get to hospital.

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Teenage Girl's Attacker Caught On CCTV

Video of a 16-year-old girl being knocked unconscious in an unprovoked street attack has been released by police.

CCTV footage shows the assailant approach the victim from behind before punching her so hard she falls over, hitting the pavement face-first.

Police are appealing for information after the teenager was followed from her home by her attacker, who struck without warning outside the Black Lion pub in Plaistow High Street, east London.

Police say the attacker was "a black man of muscular build"

Scotland Yard described the suspect as black and muscular, wearing a black baseball jacket and jeans, with a shaven head and aged between 25 and 30.

A Metropolitan police spokesperson said: "At about 12.30pm on November 13, a male suspect followed a 16-year-old girl from her home address for approximately 500 metres.

"When he was near the Black Lion public house, he ran up behind her and threw a punch to her head.

"This was an unprovoked attack. The victim fell to ground and was unconscious."

After the assault, the suspect turned around and jogged back towards Green Gate Street.

The girl was taken to hospital and released with cuts and bruises later that day.

:: Anyone with information should contact Newham Violent Crime Unit on 020 8217 5890 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Sam Mendes 'Working On A Second Bond Movie'

Sam Mendes could make another Bond movie following the huge success of his 007 debut Skyfall.

The Oscar-winning American Beauty director has been working on a plot for a follow-up, according to the regular screenwriters of the series.

Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have worked on five James Bond films, also revealed they are quitting the franchise.

Speaking during an appearance at the fourth Doha Tribeca Film Festival, Wade said: "We're very happy to have done five Bonds, I think we've gotten it to a good place.

"I know that John Logan (screenwriter) and Sam Mendes have come up with a plot for another one, which takes the pressure off because these films take up a lot of time."

Oscar winner Sam Mendes (R) with Daniel Craig

Purvis, who has been writing movie scripts with Wade for 28 years, said: "We were going to stop with Quantum Of Solace, but it's good to go out on a high with Skyfall."

Current 007 Daniel Craig, who has starred in the last three Bond adventures, is contracted for a further two.

Skyfall, which was released last month, became the UK's biggest box office hit of the year in the space of just 12 days.

It is also the most financially successful Bond film ever, having already taken more money than the highly-acclaimed Casino Royale in 2006.

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One-Week-Old Baby Bitten To Death By Dog

A one-week-old baby boy has died after being bitten by a family pet in Shropshire.

West Mercia Police said the child died in hospital on Tuesday morning after paramedics were called to an address in Woodside Road, Ketley, near Telford. 

Initial indications suggested the boy died after being bitten by the dog - a family-owned Jack Russell. Efforts were by the ambulance crew at the scene and on the way to the hospital to save the child.

The animal has now been put down.

Sky's David Crabtree said the family were "utterly devastated" by what had happened.

Woodside Road, Ketley

Police are continuing to investigate the precise circumstances of the boy's death as they await the result of a post-mortem.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said: "Our investigation is ongoing but it appears that the baby died as a result of a dog bite.

"The dog in question was a family pet - a Jack Russell - and this animal has been put down.

"A post-mortem will be taking place to establish the exact cause of this baby's death but at this stage it does appear to be a tragic accident.

"With an investigation ongoing, there is no further comment I can make on this matter apart from to say that all our thoughts are with the family of the baby at this extremely sad time."

The emergency services were called to the house just before 8am and the boy was taken to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

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Archbishop: Church 'Lost Credibility' Over Vote

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said the Church of England has a "lot of explaining" to do after the General Synod narrowly voted against legislation introducing the first women bishops.

The draft legislation was carried in the Houses of bishops and clergy but failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority among lay members.

Dr Rowan Williams said the Church of England had "undoubtedly" lost a "measure of credibility" in the wider society following the defeat.

"We have, to put it very bluntly, a lot of explaining to do," he told the General Synod.

"Whatever the motivation for voting yesterday (Tuesday), whatever the theological principle on which people acted and spoke, the fact remains that a great deal of this discussion is not intelligible to our wider society.

"Worse than that, it seems as if we are wilfully blind to some of the trends and priorities of that wider society. We have some explaining to do, we have as a result of yesterday undoubtedly lost a measure of credibility in our society."

Dr Williams' comments came as an emergency meeting of the Church of England bishops was held following the defeat - by just six votes.

The vote was billed as the biggest in the 20 years since the General Synod backed the introduction of women priests in 1992, and came after 42 out of the 44 dioceses of the Church of England backed the legislation.

If the measure had received final approval, it would have gone to the Houses of Parliament before Royal Assent with the first women bishops on course to be appointed as early as 2014.

Rowan Williams was deeply disappointed by the vote

The result was a blow to Dr Williams and his successor, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, who staked their authority on a 'yes' vote.

Dr Williams, who leaves his post at the end of this year after a decade in office, expressed his "deep personal sadness" at the result.

He said he wished Bishop Welby "every blessing" in resolving the issue.

Around a third of all Church of England clergy are women - they also make up just under a half of all those training for ordination.

Women and the Church (Watch), the campaigning group, said the result was a "devastating blow".

The Rev Rachel Weir, Watch chairman, said: "This is a tragic day for the Church of England after so many years of debate and after all our attempts at compromise.

"Despite this disappointing setback, Watch will continue to campaign for the full acceptance of women's gifts of leadership in the Church's life."

But the Rev Prebendary Rod Thomas, chairman of the conservative evangelical grouping Reform, which recommended a no vote, said: "My overall conclusion is that it is very good news for the Church of England.

"We have avoided what could have been a disastrous mistake for our unity and witness."

The defeat came in spite of a series of appeals from senior bishops for the General Synod to support the legislation.

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Danny Nightingale 'Bullied Into Guilty Plea'

The father of an SAS sniper jailed for illegally possessing a gun has told Sky News his son was bullied into pleading guilty at a court martial.

Humphrey Nightingale said: "We knew Danny was not guilty but the judge made it quite clear that if he did not plead guilty he would be sent to a civilian jail for a minimum of five years.

"Our hands were tied and we had no other option - Danny has a lovely wife and a young family.

"We expected a lenient sentence - maybe suspended - but instead he was sentenced to 18 months."

Sgt Danny Nightingale, a father-of-two who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is at the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester, Essex, after admitting possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

The gun, a 9mm Glock pistol, was a gift from Iraqi soldiers he had been training. It had been packed up and returned to him by colleagues in Iraq, after he had to leave the country in a hurry to help organise the funeral of two friends killed in action.

Sgt Nightingale suffers medical problems which affect his memory and said he did not remember having the weapon.

The controversial case has sparked outrage from SAS veterans. MPs will debate the case this evening.

Mr Nightingale said his son was "100% innocent" and urged Prime Minister David Cameron to apply "any pressure he can".

Lawyers for Sgt Nightingale say they will lodge an appeal against his conviction and sentence later this week, as well as applying for bail.

His wife Sally visited him on Monday for the first time since he was sentenced two weeks ago.

Mrs Nightingale said her husband was struggling with being locked up for 16 hours a day.

"Danny's an outdoor person; he never sits still and it's very hard for him to be in there," she said, "but with all the support behind him, that will see him through."

An MP supporting Sgt Nightingale said visiting the soldier had "filled him with determination" to get justice.

Julian Brazier, MP for Canterbury and Whitstable, said: "It was humbling in a way to feel that such a guy, who has given so many years service could have been brought so low by a system of which I am part, the legislature.

"It filled me with a determination that we have to get justice for this guy."

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Cheaper Power Tariffs Under Energy Shake-Up

Energy Secretary Ed Davey will flesh out proposals later to ensure all households are on the cheapest gas and electricity tariffs available.

After weeks of confusion about the Government's plans to simplify the market and reduce bills for hard-pressed families, the Liberal Democrat is expected to use an appearance before the Energy Select Committee to give more details.

It is thought energy firms may be prevented from offering more than four tariffs and be required to automatically move customers on to the cheapest one.

The move comes amid long-standing concerns that many households are paying hundreds of pounds a year more than is necessary for gas and electricity because of the confusing array of tariffs.

The issue has become more acute in recent years because of rising wholesale prices that have seen energy charges soar.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey

But the plans sparked warnings that a simpler system could punish some families and bring an end to some of the cheap deals currently on offer.

Energy UK chief executive Angela Knight, representing the energy companies, said:  "Some of the choices will reduce because you can't have a variety of choice, including tariffs that offer you a particularly low rate for a particular time."

Guy Newey, head of energy and environment at centre-right thinktank Policy Exchange, added: "Cutting the number of tariffs and forcing energy companies to put households on the 'best' rate could end cheap deals.

"This risks punishing families who do the right thing and shop around. There is a danger this move could see fewer people switching, reduce competition and therefore push up bills in the long term."

Meanwhile, MPs have called on Chancellor George Osborne to reassure investors the Treasury is committed to moving towards a greener economy.

Mr Osborne must use the autumn statement next month to end the uncertainty over the direction of energy policy, which is undermining investment in the UK's power sector, the parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said.

The EAC also added its voice to calls from business leaders, trade unions and green groups for the Energy Bill, due to be published before the end of November, to include a target to slash emissions from the power sector by 2030.

The cross-party committee's chairwoman Joan Walley said: "The Treasury must end the uncertainty on energy policy and give investors and businesses the confidence to seize the enormous opportunities presented by new clean technologies."

Friends of the Earth's head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: "MPs are right to slam the Chancellor - his gas-fuelled economic strategy will send fuel bills soaring, jeopardise jobs and scupper UK efforts to tackle climate change.

"The Treasury seems hell-bent on killing off Britain's growing green economy, despite the tens of thousands of jobs it can create and business leaders' group CBI's pleas for more backing."

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Hovis Owner Premier Foods To Cut 900 Jobs

The owner of Hovis has announced plans to cut 900 jobs in its struggling bread business as profits become harder to come by.

In a statement, Premier Foods said it was to close two bakeries and reform its delivery network.

The biggest impact will be felt in Birmingham, where 511 jobs are to be lost with the closure of a factory and distribution operation.

Hovis operations at Greenford in west London will also shut costing 196 jobs while Premier said it was also preparing to close distribution sites at Plymouth and Mendlesham in Suffolk resulting in 95 job cuts.

The closures are subject to consultation with employees but are scheduled to take place during the course of 2013.

St Albans-based Premier, which also makes Mr Kipling cakes and Bisto gravy, has seen its Hovis division hit by intense competition in the bread market and a surge in wheat price inflation caused by poor weather.

As a result it is set to lose a £75m-a-year contract with a major grocery chain from the middle of next year after Premier was unable to agree a new deal on sufficiently attractive terms.

It is cutting 130 distribution routes and closing the supply centres to take into account the expected reduction in volumes.

Premier chief executive Michael Clarke said: "We recognise the impact these actions will have for our employees at the sites affected.

"Decisions will not be taken lightly but they are necessary if we are to build a strong and successful future for the bread division and those who remain with our business."

Sky's City Editor Mark Kleinman revealed last month how the business had recruited Goldman Sachs to find a buyer for Hovis.

Premier has offloaded several well-known brands in recent times, including Sun-Pat Peanut Butter and Branston Pickle, as it looks to concentrate on a portfolio of what it sees as core brands.

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UBS 'Rogue Trader' Kweku Adoboli Guilty Of Fraud

UBS 'rogue trader' Kweku Adoboli has been found guilty of a £1.4bn fraud.

More follows...

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Report: Young Brits More Likely To Get Drunk

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

Young people in the UK are more likely to have been drunk by the age of 13 than those in almost any other country.

A report has also found that 15 and 16-year-olds are more likely to have been drunk in the last month than their foreign counterparts.

The survey carried out for the charity Alcohol Concern found only youngsters in Estonia, Malta and the Isle of Man drink more than young people in the UK.

Sixteen-year-old Charmaine McGivern, from Wythenshawe in Greater Manchester, told Sky News she started drinking when she was 13 with a group of older friends.

"They were saying to me 'drink' and because I was younger I took the drink and I was drinking and it was in one of my mate's houses. They were persuasive and everything, telling me to drink, telling me that it was fun, but then I got the hang of drinking."

She described how she ended up in hospital when she was 14 because she was so drunk she fell and broke her ankle.

"It wasn't a nice feeling being in hospital because I had to be on a drip. And it was from there I noticed that I was turning into an alcoholic and basically I was on the booze … and I found out I had alcohol poisoning."

She no longer drinks and says the damage alcohol did to her health has put her off it for life.

But the study found in general young people "drink to get drunk" with 63% of 16 to 24-year-olds agreeing that cheap alcohol promotions encourage then to drink to excess.

In March 1,000 young people aged between 16 and 24 were interviewed by research agency YouthSite for the study. They repeatedly told researchers it is "cheaper to buy a three-litre bottle of cider than buy a ticket to go to the cinema".

The study is being published to mark the start of Alcohol Awareness Week. It claims that alcohol is 44% more affordable now in relative terms than it was in 1980.

Campaigners say it is time to set a minimum price on alcohol

It also found that there has been a 25% increase in the number of off-licenced premises, which means "cheap" alcohol is more available.

Alcohol Concern's programme policy manager, Tom Smith, said: "This report is further proof of the impact cheap alcohol is having on the health and wellbeing of our young people.

"They have told us loud and clear that the way in which alcohol is priced influences the way they drink. We also know that our young people are more likely to have experienced being drunk by the age of 13 than their peers in almost any other European country.

"This survey shows just how urgent action on minimum unit pricing is and we're calling on the Government to set a 50p minimum unit price without delay."

Alcohol Concern chief executive Eric Appleby said: "Having open and frank conversations as a society about the way we drink has never been more important and this report highlights that.

"We know that as a nation we love talking about alcohol and we all have an opinion about it, but are we having the right conversations?

"We've really got to get this right for the sake of future generations. I hope people will embrace this opportunity to get talking and thinking about their drinking."

A Home Office spokesman said: "This is further evidence that cheap alcohol contributes to irresponsible drinking. Introducing a minimum unit price is just one of a range of measures the Government is taking to tackle the minority who cause alcohol-related crime and disorder in our local communities.

"We have already introduced early morning restriction orders to curb alcohol sales, a late night levy to ensure those selling alcohol help pay towards the costs of policing and we have made it easier for local authorities to tackle problematic licenced premises."

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MoD Defends Pig Surgery Training Exercises

The Ministry of Defence has been forced to defend sending Army surgeons for training which involves them operating on live pigs shot by marksmen.

The controversial drills, which take place at a Nato facility in Denmark, have been condemned by animal rights groups as "impossible to justify medically, ethically and educationally".

But an MoD spokesman said: "This training provides invaluable experience, exposing our surgical teams to the specific challenges posed by the injuries of modern armed conflict.

"This training has helped save lives on operations and by participating in the Danish exercises we minimise the overall number of animals used."

The MoD added that the practice, formerly known as Operation Danish Bacon, would not be illegal in the UK, where approval would be granted on a case-by-case basis from the Home Office.

The Government suspended British participation in the surgical training exercises in the summer of 1998 after they were brought to the attention of ministers.

But the courses were reinstated after it was determined there was "no equally effective alternative" and that it was "entirely appropriate and, indeed necessary" for military surgeons to carry out training on animals.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) described the procedure as "invasive and deadly".

Claiming it would be illegal in the UK, Peta called for life-like dolls that "breathe" and "bleed" to replace the use of live animals.

Mimi Bekhechi, associate director for Peta UK, said: "The overwhelming majority of the UK's Nato allies do not shoot, stab and dismember animals for their military training exercises.

"The Ministry of Defence's decision to ship out members of the armed forces for deadly and cruel exercises in Denmark - which would be illegal if conducted in the UK - is impossible to justify medically, ethically and educationally."

Eighteen pigs were used in the most recent tests earlier this month, according to The Mail On Sunday.

They reportedly had circles drawn on their underbellies before a sniper team fired shots intended to damage the organs but not to kill.

Surgeons then treated them as they would battle zone casualties, apparently keeping the pigs alive for two hours before they were put down.

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Empty Shops Rate Sets 'Alarm Bells Ringing'

One in 10 shops in UK high streets and shopping centres were empty in October - the worst figure since the British Retail Consortium's nationwide survey began in July 2011.

As retailers continue to battle against stagnating sales and rising costs, the new figures showed last month's town centre vacancy rate at 11.3%.

A fifth of store units are currently empty in Northern Ireland, while the rate for Wales is 15.1% and for the North & Yorkshire region the rate is 14.6%. Greater London had 7.6% of its units lying empty.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said the latest figures would set "alarm bells ringing" and the financial challenges for both customers and retailers were far from over.

Big brands including JJB Sports, Clinton Cards, Blacks Leisure, Game and Peacocks have either disappeared or scaled back their presence in town centres after going into administration.

And the collapse of electricals chain Comet this month will be another blow.

Mr Robertson renewed his call for Chancellor George Osborne to freeze business rates, which are set to increase by 2.6% in April.

He said: "Many retailers are battling stagnating sales and rising costs, and next year's threatened business rates increase can only make matters worse.

"If the Government wants to breathe life back into our town centres and ensure the retail industry can play its full role in job creation, it needs to freeze rates in 2013."

In response, a Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "Empty shops are a wasted economic opportunity that spoil the town centre.

"That is why we are proposing to scrap the damaging red tape that is keeping so many shops boarded up, allowing young entrepreneurs to open pop-up shops and turn the high streets into an exciting start-up launchpad.

"The best thing Government can do to help businesses is to provide them with a stable economic environment, which is why we want to protect local firms from soaring tax bills.

"We've postponed the revaluation, which will stop soaring tax bills for 800,000 firms, and given businesses the option of spreading this year's increases out over three years.

"Councils also have the power to grant discretionary discounts, and we've temporarily doubled small business rate relief, meaning approximately a third of a million businesses - including many small shops - are currently paying no rates at all."

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Houseboat Fire: 'Human Bones' Found In Oxford

Bones thought to be human have been found on a houseboat that was devastated by a fire.

Police launched an investigation after the boat was set on fire while moored on the canal in Wolvercote in Oxford at around 11pm on Friday.

Detectives believe the boat could have been torched some nine hours earlier but are yet to establish the cause.

The severity of the fire has so far hampered investigations.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Bird of Thames Valley Police, leading the investigation, said: "We have been working closely with the fire service to establish the full circumstances surrounding how the fire happened and now believe that the boat could have been alight at around 2am on Friday morning.

The boat caught fire on a canal in Wolvercote

"The boat has been badly burnt by the fire and so it has been difficult for us to carry out our investigation.

"We have, however, found some bones on the boat which we believe to be human and are working hard to identify these further.

"I urge anyone who might have seen what happened or has information to help us with our inquiries and has not yet spoken to a police officer to come forward."

:: Anyone with information should contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Benefits Cap 'Immoral And Socially Divisive'

Plans for a £500-a-week cap on household benefits have been criticised in a savage attack by the former coalition minister for children and families.

Sarah Teather accused ministers of seeking to "gain popularity at the expense of children's lives" by pushing through a measure they knew was popular but ineffective.

The Lib Dem faced calls for her sacking as children's minister in February after she missed a key vote on the reforms which she had publicly questioned.

She eventually departed from the Government ranks in September's reshuffle.

Speaking to The Observer, she said: "I think deliberately to stoke up envy and division between people in order to gain popularity at the expense of children's lives is immoral.

"It has no good intent."

She went on: "There are all sorts of things you have to do when times are tight that have negative consequences but you do them for good purposes.

"But to do something for negative purposes that also has negative consequences - that is immoral."

She added: "I don't think it was even remotely conceived as a financial cost-cutting device. I think it was conceived as a political device to demonstrate whose side you are on."

She said she was "terrified" about the prospects for many families who would be forced to move to cheaper areas where they would find it harder to find work.

"My fear is that a lot of people will effectively just disappear from the area in which they were living. I think some very horrible things are going to happen," she said, questioning how well child protection and education services would keep track of youngsters.

But a spokesman for Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith accused Ms Teather of hugely-misinformed scaremongering.

"The criticisms Sarah Teather is levelling against the Government's welfare reforms are hugely misinformed and therefore result in needless scaremongering," he told the newspaper.

"It's not fair or right that benefits claimants receive higher incomes than hard-working families who are striving to get on in life.

"Our reforms bring fairness back to the system while ensuring we support the most vulnerable."

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Prisoner Voting Ban: MPs To Debate Again

MPs are to be given another say on whether to give prisoners the vote, as the deadline for Britain to comply with a European ruling on the controversial issue looms.

The UK's current blanket ban on prisoners voting has been judged as unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and officials in Strasbourg have given the Government until Friday to comply with the ruling.

Last February, the Commons called by an overwhelming margin of 234 to 22 for the blanket ban to be maintained, while David Cameron has flatly ruled out the option of handing criminals back their democratic rights.

MPs will this week be given another chance to vote on the issue when the Government introduces a draft bill.

The bill, to be published on Thursday, will give MPs three options, according to The Daily Telegraph.

They will be votes for prisoners who have been imprisoned for four years or less, votes for prisoners who have been imprisoned for six months or less, or no votes for prisoners at all.

There is a risk that this week's Commons vote could set up another clash with the ECHR, which could fine the Government if it does not comply with its ruling.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve has warned against defying the Strasbourg court, saying its ruling imposes an international legal obligation on the UK.

But the Prime Minister has made it clear he would not be letting prisoners get the vote.

David Cameron told the Commons last month: "I do not want prisoners to have the vote, and they should not get the vote - I am very clear about that.

"If it helps to have another vote in Parliament on another resolution to make it absolutely clear and help put the legal position beyond doubt, I am happy to do that.

"But no one should be in any doubt: prisoners are not getting the vote under this Government."

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has said Parliament has the right in law to tell the ECHR that it does not accept its ruling.

But added there would be "consequences" for the UK's position in Europe if MPs do chose to defy the judgement.

In 2005, the ECHR said it was up to individual countries to decide which prisoners should be denied the right to vote from jail, but that a total ban was illegal.

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British Airways 'Twitter Account Hacked'

British Airways has launched an investigation after its Twitter account was apparently hacked and an offensive message retweeted.

The official BA Twitter account seemingly retweeted an offensive and racist message on Saturday afternoon.

After the offensive retweet was deleted, staff at the airline then tweeted an apology.

It said: "Apologies for the last RT. We are sorry for any offence caused and are investigating how this may have happened."

Within minutes, hundreds of Twitters users resent the retweet and later more than 160 followers had retweeted the apology.

The BA account has more than 210,000 followers.

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Energy Bill: The Plan To Keep UK's Lights On

By Gerard Tubb, Sky News Correspondent

Crucial plans to ensure the UK's lights stay on for the next 20 years are due to be published shortly by the Government.

The energy and climate secretary, Ed Davey, has to balance the need to create new generating capacity with commitments to a low carbon future and more electricity from renewable sources.

Many power stations are coming to the end of their life and the Government estimates it will cost £110bn to replace and improve electricity infrastructure over the next decade.

Researcher Malcolm Grimston, from Imperial College and Chatham House, said it is essential that the Energy Bill is a success.

Researcher Malcolm Grimston said it is essential the bill is a success

"We've hardly built any new power stations for over 10 years now and a lot of our existing ones are coming to the end of their lives.

"We used to have a lot of our own gas reserves, they've pretty much gone so were now dependent on imports."

Electricity use is increasing, with suggestions that demand could double by 2050.

Advances in generating technology are increasing capacity, but planning concerns have the potential to derail industry targets.

At Ovenden Moor in West Yorkshire, Yorkshire Wind Power wants to replace 23 wind turbines generating 9.2MW of power with nine turbines generating up to 23MW.

But the size of the new turbines has led to campaigners in nearby Haworth, home to the Bronte Museum, complaining that the environment will be blighted - while denying charges of nimbyism.

"This is everyone's back yard, this is heritage landscape," said Chris Gwent, the heritage and conservation officer for the Bronte Society.

"We don't want them dominating this unique landscape."

The UK is signed up to providing 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and to reducing to zero the amount of carbon pumped into the atmosphere from electricity generation.

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