Driver Killed After Exiting Car On M'way

A driver died when he got out of his car in the middle lane of a motorway and was struck by a number of vehicles.

It happened on the southbound carriageway of the M18 near Doncaster shortly after 7am on Friday.

The 53-year-old, from Gilberdyke, Humberside, was believed to have got out of his blue Ford Escort after it stopped in the middle lane between junction three and two.

A 26-year-old in a green Ford Transit tried to avoid a collision but clipped the Focus, then hit the man, South Yorkshire Police said.

Two lorries collided with the van, then one of the trucks hit the man.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said the 53-year-old suffered "fatal injuries" and five people in other vehicles received whiplash.

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Brit Charged Over Threats To Kill US Students

Detectives have charged a British man in connection with alleged threats to shoot dead 200 children at a US school.

Sky Tyne and Wear reported Northumbria Police arrested Reece Elliott, 24, from South Shields, on Friday on suspicion of making threats to kill.

An anonymous post made on Wednesday on a Facebook memorial page set up for a deceased student threatened a mass killing spree, saying: "I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself."

Elliott has been charged with making threats to kill, and was remanded in custody after appearing before South Tyneside Magistrates Court.

He entered no plea, and offered to visit the local police station every day to avoid being remanded in custody.

When magistrates decided against this, he puffed out his cheeks and shook his head.

The prosecuting solicitor had earlier told the court: "I am not so sure this defendant knows just how serious this case is."

Homeland Security in the US was informed of the comments, and the threats led schools in Warren County, Tennessee, to tighten security.

Some reports said as many as 3,000 students did not attend classes the next day.

The post said: "My father has three guns. I'm planning on killing him first and putting him in a dumpster. Then I'm taking the motor and I'm going in fast.

Warren County Schools tightened security following the threats

"I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself."

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Kristin Helm said its cyber crime agents are helping in the investigation and the source of the post had not been identified.

It is not yet known whether any potential prosecution will be brought in England or the US, or both.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "At 2.12pm on Friday February 8, police received notification that a man had posted threatening information on Facebook.

"A 24-year-old man from South Shields has been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and is currently in custody.

"The message is believed to have been posted on Wednesday. There is nothing to suggest it posed any physical threat to any school either here or in America."

Bobby Cox, director of Warren County Schools in Tennessee, said: "As most of you are aware we received notice of violent threats directed at Warren County High School late Wednesday evening, February 6.

"We put an action plan together with the local authorities to ensure the safety of our schools and our campuses across the system.

"We wanted to make sure that we had all the facts before we sent a mass message out via our calling system to you.

"Currently the Sheriff's Department is working with the TBI and Homeland Security to trace down the person who posted this message.

"We have increased the presence of Police and Sheriff's Deputies in our schools today and tomorrow and all schools will limit access into each building to ensure the safety of our staff and students."

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported police officers were posted to 11 schools in the area.

In December, gunman Adam Lanza killed 27 when he opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

He died at the scene and the body of his mother, Nancy Lanza, was found at his family home. She had been shot in the face.

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Policewoman Killed In Car Crash

A 27-year-old policewoman has died in a road crash involving a suspected stolen car.

The officer was travelling in a police car on routine patrol at the time of the smash in Londonderry.

Two other officers in the patrol car were hurt in the crash, which happened at around 3.40am on Saturday morning, but their injuries are not life-threatening.

Police are hunting for two males who fled the scene on the Limavady Road in the direction of the Ebrington area of the city.

The Limavady Road remained closed at its junction with Glendermott Road and Clooney Terrace while investigations are carried out.

Ulster Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Ross Hussey said he was "shocked and saddened" by the officer's death.

"I would like to pass on my heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of this officer," he said.

"We can only imagine the pain that they must be feeling. I hope that her injured colleagues make a speedy recovery.

"This young woman's death in the line of duty serves to re-emphasise the dangers faced by the officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on a daily basis, as they put themselves in harm's way to protect the whole community. They deserve our full support."

The Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office has been informed.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

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Police Defend Sex Assault Victim Handling

Greater Manchester Police has defended its care of Frances Andrade, who killed herself after giving evidence against her abusers.

More follows...

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Celebrities Get Doodling For Good Cause

A host of celebrities have been showing their artistic side for charity by taking part in this year's National Doodle Day.

Doodles by famous faces including Sir Ian McKellen, Steven Gerrard, Michael Sheen, Joanna Lumley, Lorraine Kelly and Chris Tarrant are being auctioned to raise money for Epilepsy Action.

The celebrity doodle eBay auction will run from today, National Doodle Day, to Sunday, February 17.

More than 1,000 celebrities have taken part in National Doodle Day since it began and members of the public can join them by doing their own doodle.

Epilepsy Action is also inviting schools, workplaces and groups to 'do a doodle, donate a pound' with the chance of a prize for anyone taking part.

Philippa Cartwright, fundraising events manager at Epilepsy Action, said: "National Doodle Day is always fantastic fun and every year we receive lots of wacky and wonderful doodles from celebrities and members of the public alike.

Joanna Lumley is among the stars who have put pen to paper

"Over £250,000 has been raised since the very first event in 2004, and taking just a few minutes of your day to get creative will help people who are affected by epilepsy and their families.

"Just £6 could support someone newly diagnosed with epilepsy, providing advice and information from our experts when they need it most.

"Absolutely anyone can take part so please get doodling with your schoolmates, friends, family or colleagues, or bid on your favourite celebrity doodle. It really will make all the difference in helping us to create a brighter future for people affected by epilepsy."

Epilepsy affects around one in every 100 people in the UK alone and 87 people are diagnosed with the condition every day. Each year Epilepsy Action directly helps over 1.1 million people through a range of services.

To find out more about National Doodle Day or to enter the competition visit the website or call 0113 210 8800.

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Salford Crash: Two Die As Parked Cars Hit

Two people have died in a crash involving seven vehicles in Greater Manchester.

Police were originally called to reports of an aggravated burglary taking place at a house in Farnworth where a red Audi was stolen.

The vehicle was spotted a few minutes later by a police patrol car travelling in the opposite direction.

Officers turned around in an effort to pursue the car but immediately lost sight of the vehicle.

A few minutes later, police received reports that the Audi had collided with parked cars in Leigh Road, Boothstown, Salford, and that the vehicle had exploded in flames.

The accident happened on this street in Salford, Manchester

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers attended the scene with firefighters from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and two people were pronounced dead at the scene."

A number of homes on Leigh Road were also damaged during the collision.

Police said they had been working with fire crews to ensure the properties affected were "made safe".

They said inquiries were ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

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Horsemeat Scandal: 'Criminal Activity' Blamed

Who's In Charge Of Keeping Food Safe?

Updated: 10:57am UK, Friday 08 February 2013

There are a number of different agencies responsible for food labelling and safety in the UK.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for food standards legislation in England that is principally non-safety, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) monitors standards that are safety based.

Food Standards Agency:

The FSA, a non-ministerial government department, is responsible for protecting public health in relation to food.

This includes food safety and hygiene, labelling for safety and allergies and food law enforcement.

It aims to:

1) make sure foods produced or sold in the UK are safe to eat

2) ensure imported food is safe to eat

3) make sure food producers and caterers give priority to consumer interests in relation to food

4) give consumers the information and understanding they need to make informed choices about where and what they eat

5) make sure regulation is effective, risk-based and proportionate, is clear about the responsibilities of food business operators, and protects consumers and their interests from fraud and other risks

6) ensure enforcement is effective, consistent, risk-based and proportionate and is focused on improving public health.

In the wake of the horsemeat scandal the FSA announced it is demanding a more comprehensive testing programme from food businesses.

Chief executive Catherine Brown said: 'Following our investigations into Findus products, the FSA is now requiring a more robust response from the food industry in order to demonstrate that the food it sells and serves is what it says it is on the label.

"We are demanding that food businesses conduct authenticity tests on all beef products, such as beef burgers, meatballs and lasagne, and provide the results to the FSA. The tests will be for the presence of significant levels of horsemeat."

There are separate FSAs for Scotland, Wales and the Irish Republic.

Defra:

In July 2010 food labelling was transferred from the FSA to Defra.

Food standards legislation sets out specific requirements for the labelling, composition and, in some cases, safety parameters for specific high value foodstuffs which are potentially at risk of being misleadingly substituted with lower quality alternatives.

The legislation makes sure consumers are not mislead as to the nature of food products when it is sold to them.

It also makes the playing field level for food producers, so they have established standards they can work to when producing well known or traditional foodstuffs.

Most legislation on food standards is developed in Europe, with full involvement from UK Government officials.

Secondary legislation is then used to either implement the requirements or put in place enforcement powers, depending on the nature of the European legislation

Meat:

For a range of meat products there is legislation setting out specific compositional and labelling requirements.

The rules set out minimum meat content requirements for certain meat products sold using reserved descriptions such as sausages, burgers, corned beef, meat pies, pasties, etc.

In addition, there are very specific labelling rules for certain meat products that look like a cut, joint, slice, portion or carcass of meat.

Where any added water over certain limits as well as any added ingredients of different animal species to the rest of the meat must be mentioned in the name of the food.

Department of Health:

The DoH takes the lead on nutrition labelling police in England.

In October 2012 it announced proposals for front-of-pack nutrition labelling that displays how much fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar and calories foods contain.

This is colour-coded and shows a guideline daily amount.

The advertising of food is regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority.

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Phone Hacking: Duchess And 17 Others Settle

The Duchess of York is among the latest phone hacking victims to reach settlements with News Group Newspapers.

The company, which published the now-defunct News Of The World, has agreed to pay a further 17 people including Sarah Ferguson, whose voicemail messages were repeatedly intercepted by journalists.

Actors Hugh Grant and Christopher Ecclestone, singers Hugh Grant and Kerry Katona and self-proclaimed mystifier Uri Geller will also receive undisclosed settlements.

Meanwhile, Colin Stagg, who was wrongly accused of murdering Rachel Nickell in 1992, will receive £15,500 from the company.

His settlement was the only amount made public at the High Court.

More follows...

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Mother Killed In Hinckley Shooting Named

A mother-of-two killed in a shooting in Leicestershire has been named by police.

Hayley Pointon, 30, died from a single gunshot wound at an address in Hinckley on Sunday night.

Police leading the investigation have appealed for witnesses who may have seen two hooded men nearby at the time of the shooting.

Detective Superintendent Tom Davies said: "Hayley's death has left two young children without a mother and it is vital that those involved are dealt with.

"We are still keen to speak to anyone who saw two men in the area at the time.

"The men both had their hoods up and were said to have left the scene in a dark car that was parked in the street.

"If you were in the area or you have any information about the incident or the events leading up to it, please come forward."

Three men have so far been arrested in connection with the shooting, including a 26-year-old man who has been released without charge.

The other two, who are aged 29 and 36, have been released on bail pending further investigation. Ms Pointon was from the Coventry area.

:: Anyone with information is urged to call Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Dale Cregan Trial: Hearing Gets Under Way

The trial of a man accused of murdering two women police officers is under way.

Dale Cregan, 29, is accused of killing PCs Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, in a gun and grenade attack on September 18 last year.

Four months earlier former amateur boxer Mark Short was gunned down at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on the evening of May 25. His 46-year-old father was found dead on August 10 following a blast at a house in nearby Clayton.

Cregan arrived at court amid tight security

Cregan denies four charges of murder, four of attempted murder and one of causing an explosion.

The jury was told by Mr Justice Tim Holroyde that the case will "probably be extensively reported by the media" and they should judge only what they hear in the courtroom.

The trial takes place amid one of the tightest security operations ever mounted for a court case, with more than 150 police officers surrounding Preston Crown Court.

PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes

Armed officers are positioned on overlooking rooftops and sniffer dogs have been used to check surrounding shrubbery and walls.

Cregan arrived in a convoy of vehicles earlier this morning, as a helicopter hovered overhead.

The media area in the courtroom is full, and a further 50 reporters are seated in a specially set up annex with audio and video links to court.

Family members of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone, arrive at court

The parents of the two officers, along with PC Bone's partner and sister, walked into court together.

Parents Paul and June Bone held hands, as did PC Bone's partner Clare Curran who walked in with the officer's sister Vicky.

PC Hughes's parents are separated. Her father Bryn arrived with wife Natalie while PC Hughes's mother Susan walked in with a police family liaison officer from Greater Manchester Police.

There is a heavy police presence outside Preston Crown Court

Cregan appears alongside nine alleged associates.

They deny a range of offences including murder, attempted murder, causing an explosion, possessing a firearm and assisting an offender.

The jury for the 12-week trial was sworn in earlier this week and the lawyers have spent three days locked in legal argument about the details of the case.

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Gove Admits Axing GCSEs Was 'Bridge Too Far'

Q&A: Gove's GCSE Reforms

Updated: 11:22am UK, Thursday 07 February 2013

Michael Gove's plans had been described as the biggest education overhaul for a generation but now he has been forced into a U-turn. Here is an explainer.

What is the current exam system?

GCSEs, which were first taught in 1986, have two tiers - the highest for brighter pupils, with grades up to A*, and a foundation level which only goes up to grade C.

Critics claim the qualifications have been dumbed down by the use of modules and coursework and having less focus on final exams.

The system also lets private exam boards compete to attract schools to choose their exams, which has led to criticism that schools go to those offering the highest pass rate.

What was Michael Gove proposing?

Mr Gove announced last September that GCSEs would be replaced with a new qualification, the English Baccalaureate Certificate (Ebacc).

This would have removed continuous assessment and coursework from core subjects and put the focus back on traditional end-of-course exams.

The first courses were due to start in September 2015, with the first exams in 2017. Initially, it would only apply to English, maths and science.

EBacc certificates in other subjects, such as history, geography and languages, would be introduced at a later date.

A pupil would earn the full certificate if they passed EBacc level in English, maths, the sciences, a humanities subject and a foreign language.

Mr Gove also planned to make exam boards take charge of a single subject, forcing them to bid for a "franchise" to stop them competing.

Why was there such opposition?

The Commons education committee warned the changes were "too much, too fast" and said the Government had failed to make its case for scrapping the GCSE qualification.

According to a recent YouGov survey, 81% of teachers also felt the plans were being rushed through without enough consultation.

Regulator Ofqual raised concerns about it happening at the same time as other GCSE reforms and a radical shake-up of A-levels.

Lib Dems and others were concerned that the new system could marginalise other subjects like arts and sport.

There were also warnings that plans to have single exam boards per subject could breach EU procurement rules.

What is now being scrapped?

The EBacc has been ditched and GCSEs will continue.

Plans for single exam boards per subject have also been axed.

What will still go ahead?

Mr Gove has struck a compromise after conflict with the Lib Dems in the coalition. EBaccs will go but he is still committed to driving up standards.

The role of coursework will be limited, with a tougher syllabus and exams at the end of two years instead of modules.

Subjects like history and English will be tested with longer, essay-style questions and maths and science will see more complex problem-solving questions.

There will also be extension papers in maths and science for the brightest pupils.

A new National Curriculum will focus on the core knowledge pupils must acquire from the age of 5 to 14 so that they are better prepared for exams.

League tables ranking schools on the number of pupils getting five A*-C grades will also be axed and replaced with an average points score from their performance in eight subjects.

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Stuart Hall Vows To Fight 'Callous' Sex Charges

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has vowed to fight sex offence charges and "regain my reputation".

He said he had been through a "living nightmare" and questioned why the allegations had taken so long to surface.

The 83-year-old was speaking after a brief appearance at Preston Magistrates Court.

He told reporters: "The allegations are pernicious and callous and cruel and, above all, spurious. I'm not guilty and I will be defending (myself against) the accusations.

"Like a lot if other people in this country today, I'm wondering why it's taken 30 and 40 years for the allegations to surface.

"The last two months of my life have been a living nightmare. I've never gone through so much stress in my life and I'm finding it difficult to sustain.

"Fortunately I have a very loving family and they're very supportive and I think but for their love I might have been constrained to take my own life.

"But they've encouraged me to fight on and fight the charges, regain my reputation and good name, whatever I've represented to this country down the years.

"I was a healthy 83-year-old but I'm now incubating a heart complaint and I'll be very lucky to survive another couple of years.

"But I hope to survive those two years and regain my honour and reputation and more than ever, my life."

Hall faces one charge of raping a 22-year-old woman in 1976 and a further 14 charges of indecently assaulting 10 girls aged aged nine to 16 between 1967 and 1986.

Hall, of Prestbury Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, appeared at the same court last month to face separate charges of historic sex offences.

He pleaded not guilty on January 7 to three indecent assault charges dating between 1974 and 1984.

At today's hearing, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address and was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on March 1.

Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century and was last year awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.

His eccentric and erudite football match summaries have made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.

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Poverty Blamed For Increase In Child Neglect

Nine out of 10 teachers, police officers and social workers come into contact with children they suspect are being neglected - but 40% feel powerless to intervene, blaming a lack of resources.

A report by Action for Children also reveals that members of the public who would like to see more support when reporting such concerns has almost doubled in three years to 44%.

The charity's Helen Donohoe told Sky News: "The reason 40% feel powerless to intervene is is not because they don't want to do something or because they don't know what to do, it's because they don't have the resources or, just as importantly, the right resources in the right place to take action early.

"In many ways they feel problems have to be far worse before they can take action, they feel they don't have the resources to do something early because they are so stretched into other areas of more extreme and immediate need."  

Lisa Nandy: 'Report should be a wake-up call'

The study found that a third of the public who had concerns about a child did not tell anyone - mainly because they did not think they had enough evidence - while 15% were worried of repercussions.

Some 14% of professionals have reported a rise in suspected child neglect over the past year and of these, nearly three-quarters believed a deterioration in parenting skills was a contributing factor to the increase.

Two-thirds believed greater poverty was to blame and more than half blamed family breakdowns.

The report is one of the most comprehensive reviews into child neglect; the second in an annual series by the University of Stirling. Six thousand members of the public, a range of professionals and 27 local authorities took part in the research.

Dame Clare Tickell, the charity's chief executive, said: "It is of grave concern that one in every 10 children could be suffering neglect.

"We know that early help has the potential to transform the lives of children and families, yet today's report tells us that the public aren't being given the know-how they need and professionals' best efforts are being hindered by stretched budgets and a lack of resources."

Action for Children wants the Government to introduce a website with a post code function to enable the public to seek the most appropriate help at the earliest opportunity for children they are worried about.

The charity is also asking the Government to meet its commitment to putting measures in place to support professionals to make decisions whether and when to intervene.

Shadow minister for children and young people, Lisa Nandy said: "It's shocking that so many more children are facing neglect and ill-treatment than this time last year. This report should act as a wake-up call."

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Care Home Paedophile Ring: Two Men Arrested

Two men have been arrested as part of a police probe into an historic paedophile ring involving children's homes in southwest London.

Boys were allegedly taken from up to three care homes in Richmond to the Elm Guest House in Barnes where they were abused by gay men, said Sky News' crime correspondent Martin Brunt.

A 66-year-old man from Norfolk and 70-year-old John Stingemore from East Sussex have been arrested on suspicion of sexual offences, said police.

Stingemore is believed to have been deputy head at one of the care homes at the time of the abuse in the early 80s.

Some prominent Tory politicians and other high-profile individuals are thought to be involved, said Brunt.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Fernbridge, which was launched after concerns were raised by MP Tom Watson.

Speaking in Parliament in October last year, he said that a file of evidence used to convict Peter Righton of importing child pornography in 1992 contained "clear intelligence" of a sex abuse gang.

Mr Watson alleged that a member of the group had bragged about links with a senior aide to a former prime minister.

Scotland Yard detectives have been interviewing alleged victims - who claim they were abused at the guest house by gay men.

Commander Peter Spindler of the Metropolitan Police said: "This is a complex multi-agency investigation supported by the NSPCC, CEOP and Richmond Social Services involving non-recent allegations of sexual assault against children.

"It is vital that anyone who has been affected by or has information about activity in the early 1980s at the Elm Guest House, or the Grafton Close care home in Barnes, speaks to the NSPCC on their Helpline on 0808 800 5000, or their local police."

A spokesman for Richmond Council, which ran the care home, said: "Richmond Council considers the safeguarding of all children and young people as an utmost priority and we take any allegations of abuse very seriously.

"As such we are offering our full support and co-operation to the police during their investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

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RBS Strikes Libor Prosecution Deal

RBS Chief Gives Up £4m Shares In Libor Exit

Updated: 7:57pm UK, Tuesday 05 February 2013

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

The head of RBS's investment bank will forfeit millions of pounds in past share awards following political pressure for a prominent scalp from the group's involvement in the global Libor-rigging scandal.

I have learnt that John Hourican, who was brought in to rescue the business after the bank was bailed out by British taxpayers in 2008, is to relinquish roughly £4m in share options awarded to him based on past performance.

He will receive a year's salary in lieu of notice, worth around £700,000.

The details of his exit, including the cancellation of his share options, are expected to be announced on Wednesday by RBS.

Mr Hourican will leave the bank at the end of the month, having overseen a massive winding-down of RBS's investment banking operation during the last four-and-a-half years.

His role is effectively being made redundant by a restructuring of the division, and he is leaving despite the fact that both regulators and the bank's board acknowledge that he had no knowledge of, or involvement in, Libor-rigging misdemeanours.

Mr Hourican was asked by the bank's board to forfeit the £4m he is owed in shares in the last few days, according to insiders, and accepted because he is said to have felt it would be in the best interests of RBS.

In addition, he will not receive any form of bonus or share award for 2012.

The bank, which is 82% owned by UK taxpayers, will on Wednesday agree to pay approximately £400m in fines to UK and US regulators.

The majority of the settlement will cross the Atlantic and will be recouped from past RBS bonus pools, as well as payouts for 2012, following a demand from Chancellor George Osborne.

Around £100m of this will be clawed back from hundreds of senior managers across the RBS markets business, as Sky News revealed last week.

RBS is expected to spell out the details of the clawback arrangements on Wednesday.

Regulatory sources said that the Financial Services Authority (FSA) had told RBS that Mr Hourican retains its confidence and will not be prohibited from taking a future role in the banking industry.

Mr Osborne's intervention underlines the acute political sensitivity surrounding such huge fines being paid by a bank majority-owned by taxpayers.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Osborne hinted that the job of Stephen Hester, RBS chief executive, was safe but added: "It is right that those who are responsible - not just those who are directly responsible, but also those who were doing the supervising - must also bear a level of responsibility."

Last week, Sky News revealed the looming row between RBS and the Treasury over Mr Hourican's share awards.

Mr Hourican is understood to have stepped in to protect the role of Peter Nielsen, who heads the markets business and whose job is now thought to be safe.

"He has shown real leadership over this," one ally of Mr Hourican said.

The discussions between RBS and the authorities had not been completed on Tuesday night, but people close to the talks said that the final settlement is likely to include fines totalling roughly £400m.

Between £85m and £90m of the total will go to the FSA, with the remaining sum split between the US Department of Justice and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The settlement will make RBS the third bank to acknowledge that employees committed abuses of the Libor-setting regime, either for personal gain or to project a false impression of their bank's health.

Barclays was fined more than £290m, with UBS, the Swiss bank, hit by penalties of $1.5bn (£958m).

Emails and instant messages sent by RBS traders will also be released by regulators depicting the brazen way in which they attempted to manipulate the crucial inter-bank borrowing rates.

One of the outstanding issues on Tuesday night was whether RBS would be able to avoid criminal charges as part of the settlement, for which the DoJ has been pressing.

Settlements with other banks will follow in the coming months.

RBS and the FSA declined to comment. Mr Hourican could not be reached.

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Alan Greaves: Funeral For Attacked Organist

By Tom Parmenter, Sky Correspondent

The widow of a man who was killed on his way to midnight mass has told Sky News they had a "truly wonderful marriage".

Church organist Alan Greaves, 68, was attacked on Christmas Eve as he made the short walk from his home to his church in Sheffield.

Speaking ahead of his funeral, Maureen Greaves said: "His death was a very great shock and I wasn't prepared for it. I wasn't expecting him to die.

"The fact that the community have responded so well has been a comfort.

"He truly was a gentleman and he was someone whose love and compassion came over very clearly to people."

The couple both worked for Church Army and gave up huge amounts of time helping and supporting others.

Just weeks before his death, Mr Greaves had helped establish a new food bank project for those in need in South Yorkshire.

His widow said: "Obviously the house is full of memories. One of the saddest memories is that the piano has fallen silent.

"It is not something I'm going to get rid of, I will keep it and Alan's two daughters can play the piano and one day one of them might inherit it."

The couple got married in Sheffield in 1972 and had four children together.

The couple were married for 40 years

Mrs Greaves added: "I can look back on 40 years that have been really truly wonderful, even with all its disappointments and things that happen in any marriage.

"It wasn't a perfect marriage, but it was a marriage that was perfect in the fact that we stayed in love with each other."

Since the murder, the family has been touched by the groundswell of support from people affected by his death.

Mrs Greaves said: "It has been very overwhelming and humbling.

"Whenever I have walked on the streets people have come to me to give me a hug to say how sorry they are and especially to ask if they can do anything for me.

"Some people that have done that I know well - others have been complete strangers."

She has written the eulogy to her husband and plans to read it at his funeral at St Saviour's Church in the High Green area of Sheffield.

Two men have been charged with murder.

Jonathon Bowling, 22, and 21-year-old Ashley Foster have both been remanded in custody as the case goes through the courts.

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Internet Safety A 'Major Child Protection Issue'

Keeping youngsters safe online is one of the biggest child protection issues of the modern world, campaigners have warned.

Children should be given lessons in how to use the internet safely from as young as five or six.

The call comes amid concerns rising numbers of youngsters are being exposed to online pornography, cyberbullying and forced into sending indecent images to others.

According to the NSPCC, young people are now experiencing new forms of abuse "on a scale never before seen".

The charity said its latest research had found that abuse through mobile phones and the internet is one of the major issues facing young people today.

In total, ChildLine conducted around 3,745 counselling sessions last year over these issues, with a further 250 contacts from children who said they were being "groomed" online.

There was also an increase in calls about online pornography, with some from children as young as 11, the NSPCC said.

It added that previous research had shown many teenagers see "sexting" and hardcore pornography as the norm, with some describing it as "mundane", and some had been blackmailed or coerced into sending indecent images of themselves to strangers or other youngsters.

The NSPCC is calling for all schools to provide age-appropriate lessons in online safety, with pupils themselves sharing advice on how to stay safe.

Safer Internet Day promotes online and mobile phone safety

It also says parents should have access to information to talk to their children about using the internet as they would drugs or the danger of strangers.

The call comes on Safer Internet Day, which promotes the responsible use of online technology and mobile phones for children and young people.

Claire Lilley, from the NSPCC, said: "Young people tell us they are experiencing all sorts of new forms of abuse on a scale never before seen. It's now clear that we are facing an e-safety timebomb, with this being one of the biggest child protection issues of our time."

More than two in five (41%) of those aged 11 to 19, and over a quarter (27%) of those aged seven to 11 have seen something online in the past 12 months that they found hurtful or unpleasant, according to a separate survey commissioned by the UK Safer Internet Centre.

This could include a scary video or pictures, rude images or words and swearing and violent films or games.

The Have Your Say study, which questioned around 24,000 schoolchildren, found that a third (31%) of seven to 11-year-olds and 23% of 11-19-year-olds said that gossip or mean comments online had stopped them from enjoying using the internet.

The poll also found that more than half (57%) of primary school children and 63% of those at secondary school say they want the right to feel safe online.

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Meat Found To Contain 80% Horse, Says FSA

Meat being stored at a factory in Northern Ireland has been found to contain 80% horsemeat, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said.

The meat tested at Freeza Meats in Newry was potentially linked to the Silvercrest factory in Ireland, which has been at the centre of the horsemeat burgers scandal.

The FSA NI statement said: "Of the 12 samples from the suspect consignment that have been tested, two of the samples came back positive for horsemeat, at around 80%.

"The investigation into the traceability of these raw materials and their source is under way."

It stressed that the meat had not yet entered the food chain.

Tesco and a number of other supermarkets removed certain brands of beef burgers from its shelves after they were found to contain horse meat last month.

Experts from Britain's Food Standards Agency (FSA) told the Commons Environment Committee they could not be sure if contaminated burgers were being sold for more than a year.

Silvercrest has been at the centre of the horse meat burgers scandal

At least 10 million burgers were put into storage to be dumped following the debacle.

Controversy and concerns about traceability of food deepened at the weekend when halal food supplied to prisons by a Northern Irish-based company was found to contain traces of pork DNA.

In response to the scandals the FSA has announced that the results of tests on meat destined for UK shelves will be made public, to "provide a clearer picture of standards".

David Heath, the food and farming minister, said: "This is a shared problem, and it needs shared solutions.

"Food businesses' agreement to give regular updates on meat testing is a significant move that will give consumers confidence in what they're buying.

"It's now important that the industry starts sharing this information as soon as possible."

In Ireland, two processing plants have tested positive for equine DNA.

Police were called in after the Rangeland Foods factory in Co Monaghan was shut down when a sample tested positive with a reading of 75% horse DNA in raw ingredient.

Tesco took out an advert to apologise for the sale of the burgers

The ABP Food Group, owned by Larry Goodman, has lost contracts worth an estimated 45m euros (£38m) with Tesco, Aldi, the Co-Operative Group and Burger King over the fiasco.

ABP's plant, Silvercrest, also in Co Monaghan, was found to have been supplying contaminated products.

Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny has pledged to resolve the horse meat crisis as Ireland's fraud squad has been called in to help agriculture authorities track down the source of mislabelled meat.

Mr Kenny said: "This is a matter of reputation, obviously we cannot afford to have that. It is a matter that needs to be sorted out and will be sorted out."

In a statement, the department of agriculture said production had been suspended at Rangeland, a frozen burger supplier established in 1892 with a turnover of 18m euros (£15m) and about 80 staff.

"The company has indicated that none of this product has entered the food chain," the department said.

Committee chairman Andrew Doyle said: "Our committee has followed this story with deep concern. Ireland's enviable reputation in producing green, clean and traceable food, so critical to the prosperity of our euro 10 billion (£8.5bn) agri-food industry, risks being undermined when issues like this arise."

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MoD Attacked For 'Flawed' Jet Decision

The Ministry of Defence has been strongly criticised for its "flawed" decision to buy a different version of the new F-35 fighter aircraft for the Royal Navy's new carriers.

The F-35 has three main models. The F-35A is a conventional take-off and landing variant, the F-35B is a short take-off and vertical-landing variant, and the F-35C is a carrier-based variant.

The Commons defence committee attacked the move to adopt the jump jet version of the F-35 instead of the carrier take-off variant.

At the time, ministers said the F-35C would be more capable and increase compatibility with other navies - even though it would mean mothballing one of the two carriers to save money.

But last May, the MoD went into reverse and returned to the F-35B jump jet version due to fears the cost of fitting carrier landing equipment was spiralling out of control.

The defence committee said the original decision was a mistake that had led to higher costs and further delays to the carrier programme.

"It is clear that the decision was rushed and based upon incomplete and inaccurate policy development. It was taken without the MoD understanding how the change could be implemented," the committee said.

"Perhaps the primary example of how little the MoD understood about this decision is the fact that it was supposed to improve interoperability. This turned out to be incorrect.

"We urge the MoD to learn the lessons of this closed, rushed and flawed decision of 2010."

The report also complained that the lack of a proper defence industrial strategy put the UK at a disadvantage compared with competitor countries.

Defence equipment minister Philip Dunne said the MoD's newly published 10-year equipment plan would ensure the armed forces get the hardware they need in the years ahead.

"The increased financial contingency will help cover future risk and make our equipment programme affordable," he said.

"There is also greater information for industry about our priorities, helping them to invest in the future capabilities our troops need," he said.

Mr Dunne insisted that the switch to the F-35B version of the US-built jet had been "right at the time".

"Unacceptable cost growth, technical risk and project delays" meant the decision to revert to the jump jet was "in the best interest of defence," he argued.

Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said: "This is another blow to the country's confidence in the Government's competence on defence.

"Days after confusion and contradiction on defence spending, the chaos of the aircraft carrier decision is laid bare.

"This wasted time and money led to a serious capability gap and exposed lacking knowledge of defence procurement.

"The UK has paid at least an extra £100m to have no aircraft to fly from an aircraft carrier for years."

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Savile Police Arrest Man, 65, In South London

Police investigating allegations linked to Jimmy Savile and others have arrested a 65-year-old on suspicion of sexual offences.

The unnamed man was detained at a house in South London.

The allegations are not directly related to any of Savile's offences, police said.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "He falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'others'. We are not prepared to discuss the matter further."

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation, called Operation Yewtree, into allegations against disgraced television presenter Savile and a number of other high-profile figures.

They have separated the inquiry into three strands: claims against Savile, those involving Savile and others and those involving others.

Most of the allegations relating to "others" have been made against people associated with the entertainment industry, including ex-glam rocker Gary Glitter and comedian Freddie Starr.

So far, 589 people have come forward with information relating to the scandal, with 450 saying they were sexually abused by former Top Of The Pops presenter Savile.

Of those making complaints about the late DJ, 73% were children at the time of the alleged offences.

A report released last month revealed that Savile's victims included an eight-year-old boy and children who were seriously ill.

Branded one of the UK's most prolific known sexual predators, Savile now has 214 criminal offences recorded against his name, including 34 rapes.

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Blackpool Stab Death: Man Appears In Court

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

A 22-year-old man has appeared before magistrates in Blackpool accused of the murder of a teenager whose body was found in an alleyway.

College student Sasha Marsden, 16, had been fatally stabbed in the head and face before attempts were made to set her on fire.

During the brief hearing David Minto, who is from Blackpool, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

He stood in the dock wearing jeans and a black and grey jumper as the murder charge against him was read out.

He was remanded back into custody and is due to appear and Preston Crown Court on Tuesday.

The alley where Sasha's body was discovered

Sasha's family weren't in court. On Sunday they made an emotional visit to the murder scene in the town.

A post-mortem examination found the teenager's body was set on fire after she had died from stab wounds to the head and face.

The police issued a statement on behalf of the teenager's family.

Her parents, Jayne and Gary Marsden, said: "No words can express how we feel.

"Our beautiful daughter has been taken from us. She was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, great granddaughter, auntie, niece, cousin and girlfriend. She was very much loved and her loss has left a huge gap in all our lives, a gap that can never be filled.

The 16-year-old was described as 'cheeky and friendly'

"Sasha was your typical teenager, a fun-loving girl who enjoyed spending time with her friends and boyfriend, with her parents being last on the list unless she wanted something or needed a lift somewhere.

"We would ask that we be left alone in private to allow us to come to terms with losing our beautiful precious daughter."

Sasha's brother Mark Brett, 24, said: "She was my little sister and I was so proud of her going to college to do her childcare course. She will be missed by all her family and friends."

Her sister, 21-year-old Katie Brett, said: "She is a gorgeous little lady and knows how to make an impression and when you meet her. You would never forget her.

"She was an expert wind up merchant and although you might be annoyed with her, you couldn't stay mad with her for long."

Sasha's oldest sister, Gemma Aitchison, 26, said: "Cheeky, friendly and stubborn are all things that make Sasha as special as she is and make her overcome anything. She is a beautiful sister and a wonderful and caring aunty too."

And her brother Thomas Nicholl, 21, said: "Sasha was an adorable little sister and was never afraid to put her opinions across no matter what the situation was.

"She always knew how to make us smile, especially after winding us up. She gave the most amazing cuddles and we will miss her so much."

Sasha, whose body was discovered in an alley, was in the first year of a childcare course at Blackpool and The Fylde College and lived with her parents in nearby Staining.

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Richard III's Remains Found In Council Car Park

Remains found beneath a council car park in Leicester have solved the 500-year-old mystery about the final resting place of King Richard III, archaeologists say.

Researchers at the University of Leicester said they had concluded "beyond reasonable doubt" that the skeleton, which showed evidence of an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, was the monarch.

Bone specialist Jo Appleby said a study of the bones provided "a highly convincing case for identification of Richard III".

"The analysis of the skeleton proved that it was an adult male but was an unusually slender, almost feminine, build for a man. This is in keeping with historical sources which describe Richard as being of very slender build," she said.

The skull of Richard III showed evidence of severe trauma

DNA samples from a Michael Ibsen, a Canadian-born furniture maker who is a direct descendant of Richard's sister, Anne of York, provided further certainty.

Dr Turi King, the project geneticist, said: "There is a DNA match between the maternal DNA from the descendents of the family of Richard III and the skeletal remains we found at the Greyfriars dig. In short, the DNA evidence points to these being the remains of Richard III."

The skeleton, with severe trauma to the skull and an arrow in the back, was unearthed on the first day of a three-week dig at the site of what is believed to have been the choir of Greyfriars Church.

The remain were found on the first day of a three-week dig

Historical records show the long-lost church was the burial site of the monarch, following his brutal death at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

The skeleton was found in good condition with its feet missing in a grave around 680 metres below ground level. Its hand were crossed over the front of the pelvis and there was no evidence of a coffin or shroud found with it.

The king's remains will now be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral, the nearest consecrated ground, in keeping with archaeological practice.

Richard III was the last Plantagenet monarch

Shakespeare portrayed Richard III as a hunchbacked tyrant but modern historians argue that the king was the victim of Tudor propaganda. His brief reign from 1483 saw liberal reforms, including the introduction of the right to bail and the lifting of restrictions on books and printing presses.

Richard III was the last Plantagenet monarch, a Yorkist defeated by Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII.

"It will be a whole new era for Richard III," the Richard III Society's Lynda Pidgeon said. "It's certainly going to spark a lot more interest. Hopefully people will have a more open mind toward Richard."

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Most-Wanted Foreigners Hiding In UK Named

A list of the most-wanted high-risk foreign fugitives believed to be hiding in Britain - including three suspected murderers and an accused rapist - has been released.

The list of 17 people, who are wanted by authorities in other European countries but are thought to be in the UK, has been unveiled by Scotland Yard and Crimestoppers.

It is the third Operation Sunfire campaign and includes the search for 32-year-old Dritan Rexhepi, who is wanted over a double murder in Albania and has links to London, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

Edvinas Judinskas, 19, is accused of murder in his native Lithuania over an attack where a gang forced their way in to a flat and beat the occupant to death with a metal rod and wooden chair leg.

He has links to Woolwich in southeast London, Reading and Greater Manchester - specifically Bury and Bolton.

The list also includes Evaldas Rabikauskas, 29, who is wanted in Lithuania over the rape of a teenager in 2007 and has links to Hackney in north London and Potters Bar in Hertfordshire.

Wanted: Pawel Jakob Chmielorz, Svetlana Mironenkova and Karol Koczmara

Roger Critchell, director of operations for Crimestoppers, said: "The purpose of Operation Sunfire is to track down and arrest murderers, violent robbers, drug traffickers and other criminals hiding in the UK.

"Crimestoppers is supporting this Metropolitan Police operation so that these individuals can be put before the extradition courts to face justice abroad and no longer be a threat to this country.

"Non-national fugitives hiding overseas in countries such as this are a threat to local communities as they most often remain involved in criminal activity and are a danger to those around them.

"We want these criminals off British soil and back to the countries where they have committed these heinous crimes so that justice may be served."

Detective Sergeant Peter Rance, who is leading the operation, warned the public not to approach the fugitives.

He said: "Today I'm asking the public, do you recognise these faces? Maybe you know where these people live, work or socialise?

"They are wanted to face justice for a multitude of crimes in other countries and it is in the UK's interests to help find them."

Anyone with information on the most-wanted is urged to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police said anyone who sees one of the 17 suspects should not approach them but call 999 instead.

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Paul Gascoigne 'Relapse': PFA Vows Support

Paul Gascoigne still believes he can "get back on track" after his latest "relapse", according to players' chief Gordon Taylor.

Gascoigne, who has spoken about alcoholism problems in the past and was sectioned five years ago under the Mental Health Act, appeared to be unwell and trembling at a charity appearance in Northampton on Thursday.

His agent Terry Baker said the 45-year-old had been drinking and needs immediate help, suggesting Gascoigne's life is "always in danger".

The Professional Footballers' Association has vowed to continue giving the former England midfielder as much support as possible - and having been in contact with Gascoigne over the weekend, the union's chief executive Taylor said: "He still feels he is capable of getting back on track and [that] it is a relapse he has had.

"I can only say, whatever help he needs, he must come on [board] and we will help to provide it.

"I think he does need specialist care and a very strong 24-hour support system, but again, it needs him to be part of that."

Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker admits he is struggling to see a positive outcome for his former England and Tottenham team-mate Gascoigne.

He tweeted: "I can only hope he finds peace somehow, but fear those hopes may be forlorn."

Mr Taylor has expressed his concern that the case could be comparable with that of George Best, the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger who died aged 59 in 2005 after a long struggle with alcoholism.

However, he is adamant the PFA will not be giving up on Gascoigne - and after ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel commented on Twitter that the organisation needed to "step up" their efforts to help the troubled star, Mr Taylor has also stressed how much work they have already put in.

He said: "I can't think of a player who has had more support and constant help over the number of years that we have been there for Paul.

"It is quite ironic - it is nice that people like Peter Schmeichel care about him, but they don't appreciate the work we have done for him, a lot of which has to be confidential.

"If anything, I have been criticised at times for keeping faith and trying to keep going with him."

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Blackpool Stab Death: Teen 'Received Threat'

A 16-year-old girl whose body was found burning in an alley had recently received a death threat in an email, a friend of the teen has told Sky News.

Sasha Marsden's body was set on fire after she had died from stab wounds to the head and face, a post-mortem examination has found.

Herr friend, Stephanie Kyle, told Sky News of a threat received by Sasha, which she said police had been told about.

"She got an email saying her time was going to come very soon," she said.

"Obviously this happened, and she's gone and ... we don't know why."

Police released this image of Sasha

Police cordoned off the area in South Shore, Blackpool, after her body was discovered at 9pm on Thursday.

A 22-year-old man was arrested nearby and police have been granted more time to question him.

A woman aged 20 was also held but later released without charge.

A police spokesman said: "Following the death of Sasha Marsden, a Home Office post-mortem examination has been carried out and has found that Sasha died as a result of receiving significant stab wounds to the head and face.

"It also showed that attempts were made to set the body on fire and this was after Sasha had died.

The teenager was on a childcare course at college

"The results have been shared with the family, and specially trained officers are continuing to support them."

On Friday, crime scene investigators carried out forensic searches of the alley behind Kirby Road and at the Grafton House bed-and-breakfast hotel on the same road, which is a few streets off the Promenade.

Carl Evans, owner of the nearby Kimber Guest House, told Sky News he spotted the fire when he walked out into his back garden on Thursday evening.

"I heard the alarms going and saw the smoke, but I thought it was just someone burning rubbish," he said.

The crime scene in Blackpool has been cordoned off by police

He added that some residents had attempted to put out the flames before realising it was a body on fire.

"The lass two doors up said someone seemed to have put something out - like a mannequin - but it turned out to be the body of a 16-year-old girl."

Sasha was in the first year of a childcare course at Blackpool and The Fylde College and lived with her parents in nearby Staining.

Paying tribute, Mandy Pritchard, head of the college's school for society, health and childhood, said she was "a friendly, considerate individual who cared about her fellow students".

Numerous tributes were paid to the youngster on a Facebook page set up in her memory.

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Stafford Hospital Inquiry Will Demand Changes

By David Crabtree, Sky News Correspondent

A report into the quality of care provided by one NHS Trust will call for sweeping changes to how the nation's hospitals are run and regulated.

Hospitals could face fines or be closed down for falling foul of new standards, while patient organisations could be given stronger powers to make sure their voices are heard.

Recommendations for Stafford Hospital will be made by Robert Francis QC, who chaired an independent public inquiry into its patient care and will publish his findings this week.

It comes as a survey of nurses found that more than half believe their ward or unit is "dangerously understaffed".

The Nursing Times poll also found that around a third of nurses said they had witnessed poor care on a regular basis.

A Department of Health spokesperson said there were more clinical staff working for the NHS now than two years ago.

Nearly 2,500 new nurses started working for the NHS in October 2012.

The inquiry into what went wrong at Stafford Hospital has cost £11m

Up to 1,200 people may have died needlessly at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2009, and the organisations and individuals who were in charge at the time will face severe criticism.

A previous report by Mr Francis condemned the hospital, saying the most basic elements of care were neglected.

Patients were left lying in soiled sheets and some remained unwashed for up to a month, while pain relief was provided late or not at all.

He said some patients were discharged before it was appropriate, only to be readmitted shortly afterwards, while food and drinks were left out of reach of patients, who were forced to rely on family members for their care.

The previous report found the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust was obsessed with targets, cost cutting and processes.

After its publication in 2010, patients and families called for a full independent public inquiry, the results of which are now imminent.

Doreen Duff died in Stafford Hospital five years ago

Julie Bailey, who led the fight for the inquiry after her mother died at the hospital, said: "This is about making sure that this is never allowed to happen again.

"This is to make sure that each hospital is safe and that each person who puts their loved ones into a hospital can be sure they are getting proper care and not being neglected or in a place which is dangerously out of control.

"It has been a long and tough road to get this public inquiry. I hope those involved are duly criticised and that in the future, proper regulations are put into place to make sure that patients come before targets and costs."

Complaints continue to be made at Stafford Hospital. Only last week it emerged that a baby had been found with a dummy taped to his mouth in an intensive care unit.

James Duff lost his wife Doreen at the hospital in 2008. She suffered a stroke and lost the use of her left side before she was admitted.

"When she came out, she was paralysed from the neck down," Mr Duff said. "She couldn't speak and everything had gone. That was all down to lack of care at Stafford Hospital.

"After all that has gone on and what the relatives have been through, it is still going on. Complaints are still being made about Stafford Hospital."

The NHS Trust has defended itself against allegations of recent bad practice.

Dr Charles Spencer, the trust's medical director, apologised for past events which he said were unacceptable.

However, he added: "We have made huge changes to treatments at Stafford and Cannock Hospitals in the last four years.

"That is recognised by the fact that we are among the 20 safest hospitals in the country for patient mortality. Our infections are down our patient satisfaction is up."

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Special Forces: 600 Support Posts To Go

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Around 600 posts could be cut from the support network for Britain's special forces after the military pull-out from Afghanistan.

The Special Forces Support Group is expected to be restructured as Britain's role in the Afghan conflict draws to an end.

The Ministry of Defence thinks the extra support and logistics will no longer be necessary.

The unit is primarily made up of paratroopers from 1 Para and a contingent of Royal Marines.

It was bolstered around five years ago to cope with the demands of fighting in Afghanistan.

These personnel, although some of the UK's most exceptional armed forces, do not complete the same training as SAS or SBS soldiers, neither do they apply the same rules of anonymity.

Their role is to provide logistical support, intelligence gathering and force protection.

The Government does not comment on the special forces, but senior defence sources have stressed this should not be seen as an attack on the special forces.

Of the posts that will be closed, 156 will be from the support group itself, the remainder from a wider network that assists the SAS and SBS.

It is understood that none of the personnel affected will actually lose their jobs because both the Royal Marines and paratroopers are exempt from the latest redundancies.

In the case of the marines, this is because the Navy has pretty much made all the cuts it needs to. The paras are deemed exempt because they are a specialist regiment.

The posts will be closed and those affected will go back to their original jobs.

Paranoia about redundancies in the Armed Forces was revived last month when the latest tranche of job losses was announced. The third round will mean 5,300 soldiers learning they have lost their jobs in June.

The Ministry of Defence defends the cuts as necessary to "meet the challenges of the future".

Former Liberal Democrat leader and Royal Marine Lord Ashdown told Sky News: "My guess is this is a redeployment - it will not cut back on special forces numbers, though it may have an impact on capacity."

Confusion also persists over the defence budget post-2015.

On his recent trip to Algeria, Libya and Liberia, Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters that defence spending would start to rise again beyond 2015, but Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said he thought this only applied to equipment spending.

Jim Murphy, shadow defence secretary, said: "This seems senseless and serious.

"These very specialised, high-end forces, which the UK now needs more than ever, may lose their roles at the same time as ministers hail their importance."

He added: "The country will demand an explanation as to why at a time when more is being demanded of Special Forces these roles may be lost."

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Gay Marriage: Tories Call For Delay To Vote

Around 180 Conservative MPs are reportedly poised to oppose or abstain in a vote on gay marriage to be held on Tuesday.

MPs will vote on the proposals, which will also allow civil partners to convert their partnership to a marriage and enable married people to change their legal gender without having to end their union, for the first time when the Bill has its second reading on Tuesday.

Backbenchers have made no secret of their opposition to the move and were left even more angered when the Tory leadership made clear earlier this week it would not include marriage tax breaks in next month's budget - something that would have been seen as a concession to disgruntled traditionalists.

Twenty five chairmen or former chairmen of Conservative Party associations have sent the Prime Minister a letter warning that the policy will cause "significant damage" at the ballot box.

Michael Gove supports the legislation

The letter calls for a decision to be postponed until after the 2015 general election.

It closes by saying: "Resignations from the Party are beginning to multiply and we fear that, if enacted, this Bill will lead to significant damage to the Conservative Party in the run up to the 2015 election."

David Cameron views the introduction of same-sex marriage as the "Conservative Party delivering the promise it made".

But Geoffrey Vero from Conservative Grassroots told Sky News: "It's very dangerous to scratch the core beliefs of many people and this is a matter which should be taken much more slowly and debated across the country."

Minister for culture Ed Vaizey said he did not think the issue would tear the Tory party apart and told Sky News he thought it was a "civilised debate".

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, a big supporter of reforms, said: "Every year thousands of people choose to marry in a church rather than a registry office because they believe marriage is sacred. Religious freedom is not just for heterosexuals - we should not deny anyone the right to make a lifelong commitment to another person in front of God if that is what they believe and that is what their church allows."

Education Secretary Michael Gove has also thrown his support behind the proposed legalisation of same-sex marriage and promised teachers would not be disciplined for refusing to promote it.

Concerns have been raised ahead of the Commons vote that thousands of teachers could face the sack because they object to the new law.

But Mr Gove made clear that while teachers would have to explain that it is legal, they would not be required to actively promote it.

Writing in today's Mail on Sunday, Mr Gove explained his stance, saying it was wrong to say to gay men and women that their love is less legitimate.

He said: "It's wrong to say that because of how you love and who you love, you are not entitled to the same rights as others. It's wrong because inequality is wrong."

He continued: "Marriage is not undermined by extending it to gay people - it is reinforced by including everyone equally."

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Welsh Secretary David Jones are expected to vote against the plans while Defence Secretary Philip Hammond will vote against or abstain and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith is poised to abstain, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

Tony and Barrie Drewitt-Barlow are gay Christians who would like to marry in their local church where their five children were baptised. Tony said: "It's just about fairness, it's just about being the same as everybody else. We're not asking for more than anyone else, just the same."

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