Legal Highs: Ban At Reading Leeds Festival

By Frazer Maude, North of England Correspondent

The parents of a man who died after taking a "legal high" drug have welcomed a decision by the organisers of a music festival to ban the products from their sites.

Christopher Scott, 23, from Swindon, died at the Great Western Hospital in July after taking the chemical marketed as AMT (alpha-Methyltryptamine).

His father Michael says the family are "so pleased" that promoters of the Leeds and Reading Festivals have banned the sale or use of legal highs at the events this weekend.

"Everybody knows illegal drugs - there's a big risk behind them - but as soon as you start saying 'oh it's a legal high' you get the misconception that it's okay," said Michael.

"They think it's not dangerous, it's legal, so it must be fine. And then they get the impression they can take as many as they want."

A photo of Christopher Scott at home of his family

Christopher was a father of three and only after his death did his family find out that his partner was pregnant with his fourth child.

The Government finds it hard to legislate against the drugs, as whenever one is banned the manufacturers only have to make slight changes to the chemical formula in order for the new compound to be legal again.

Former legal highs Mexxy and Black Mamba are now classified as Class B drugs, and are therefore illegal.

Sky News bought a number of the legal highs from a shop in the North of England, including AMT which Mr Scott took.

They are also freely available on the internet.

The websites, sales staff and the packaging of the chemicals all warn that these items are not for human consumption, but are for research purposes.

The drug has been banned at Leeds and Reading Festivals

Melvin Benn, organiser of the Leeds and Reading Festivals, said: "We were happy to fall in line with the Home Office request and not allow these legal highs to be sold on site.

"No one really knows what effects these things have, and of course people are still going to take them. But they won't be buying them from retailers at any of my festivals."

Mr Scott and his family used to make annual visits to the Reading Festival.

Although delighted that the festival has banned the drugs, Mr Scott's father believes more needs to be done.

"The Government needs to really seriously rethink what it's doing with this concept of legal highs. Just the word 'legal' is making everyone think it's ok to do it, that it's fine. It's not," he said.

"I'm never going get my son back. I only had one son and I'm never going to get him back."

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Helicopter Crash: Four Dead In North Sea

Police have named the four oil workers who died after a helicopter ditched into the sea on its way to Shetland.

The victims are: Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland; Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin; Gary McCrossan , 59, from Inverness; and George Allison, 57, from Winchester.

The Super Puma L2 went down at approximately 6.27pm on Friday, around two miles west of Sumburgh airport as it was returning to Shetland from the Borgsten Dolphin platform.

The helicopter was carrying 16 workers and two crew.

One of the rescued workers is moved on a stretcher

"The bodies of three people have been recovered and work is underway to recover the body of the fourth person," Police Scotland said in a statement.

The body of the fourth victim is understood to be in the wreckage of the aircraft.

All the families have been informed.

A search operation involving coastguard, police, RAF and local lifeboats was able to rescue 14 people from the sea, including the two crew. They were taken to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.

"Five were discharged and nine detained overnight either for observation or suffering from exposure," the police statement said.

The helicopter is reported to be in several pieces but the wreckage has now been secured by the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution).

Helicopter operator CHC, which operates in 30 countries, said on its website that it was temporarily suspending all Super Puma L2 flights worldwide as a precaution.

Some of those rescued were able to walk unaided after the rescue

It has also suspended flights in Aberdeen "as a mark of respect".

Amanda Smith, the mother of one of the workers, Sam Smith, said that her son had telephoned her from hospital after suffering cuts in the crash.

She told Sky News: "He said it seemed to lose power and there was no time to brace, they just dropped into the sea.

"He was by the window so he was able to escape that way as it rolled over.

"He said he had come off better than a lot of people. It didn't seem real, I would say two hours later it's just beginning to sink in."

CHC said it was flying for oil company Total and that the aircraft had lost communication as it approached the airport on the southern tip of Shetland's main island.

A coastguard boat searches the North Sea

A spokesman said: "The aircraft was on approach to Sumburgh Airport at approximately 6.20pm when contact was lost with air traffic control."

Mark Abbey, regional director for CHC, expressed his "heartfelt sympathies to all those involved" but said the company would not be speculating about the cause of the crash.

Investigators from the Department for Transport's Air Accidents Investigation Branch will look into the incident.

The helicopter was upside down in the water when rescuers arrived, said Sky's James Matthews in Aberdeen.

"At least three of the four who died had trouble getting out of the wreckage. One body remains in there this morning," said Matthews.

The survivors were aided by waterproof immersion suits that helped keep them afloat and warm in the North Sea.

The tide - which was heading towards the land - also helped survivors.

Jim Nicholson, RNLI rescue co-ordinator, said: "There appears to have been a catastrophic loss of power which meant the helicopter suddenly dropped into the sea without any opportunity to make a controlled landing."

He said the weather was not "particularly good" at the time of the incident.

"There was a fresh wind, not overly strong, visibility is not particularly good and it was misty in the area - but I doubt if that would have had any impact on causing whatever happened to the helicopter," Mr Nicholson said.

Last year, two Super Puma helicopters ditched in the North Sea only six months apart.

Several helicopters have been involved in the search operation

All passengers and crew were rescued in both incidents, which were found to be caused by gearbox problems.

However, the latest incident marks the fourth in four years involving Super Puma aircraft.

In April 2009, 16 people died when a helicopter returning from BP's Miller platform crashed 11 miles from Peterhead after a "catastrophic failure" in part of its main gearbox.

The Unite union's Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty, said the safety record was "unacceptable" and called on the oil and gas industry to use "every means at their disposal to demonstrate that its fleet is fit for purpose".

:: CHC has set up a helpline for concerned relatives on 01224 296 866.

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London: Woman Killed In Double Shooting

A 24-year-old woman has been killed in a double shooting in north-west London.

Scotland Yard said officers were called after reports of gunshots in Kilburn.

Another woman, also 24, was shot but not seriously injured in the incident in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police officers were called to the scene after reports of gunshots

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Officers were called at 4.20am on Saturday, 24 August, to reports of shots fired in Kilburn High Road.

"Police and London Ambulance Service attended the scene to find two women suffering from gunshot injuries. Both were taken to London hospitals.

"A 24-year-old woman was pronounced dead later on Saturday morning."

Scotland Yard said they believe they know the identity of the woman who was killed, and next of kin have been informed, but she has not been formally identified.

The other woman is not believed to be seriously injured

A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

Officers from Operation Trident - which investigates gang crime and shootings in London - are at the scene.

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Gibraltar Row: Spanish Divers Inspect Reef

The diplomatic row between Britain and Spain has intensified after footage emerged of Spanish police divers inspecting a controversial concrete reef off Gibraltar.

Spanish police published the footage showing one of its divers during an inspection of the artificial reef, which was built by the British overseas territory.

Gibraltar's government has dropped 74 concrete blocks onto the sea floor to create the reef, which it says will boost marine life.

Madrid has reacted furiously to the construction, with Spain claiming that its fishing industry has been damaged as a result.  

Fishermen say there are iron bars protruding from the blocks which tangle and break their fishing nets.

A Spanish police diver approaches the concrete blocks on the sea floor

But the Rock's Governor, Sir Adrian Johns, says the actions of the police divers - as revealed in the footage - mark a "serious violation of British sovereignty".

In a statement, the Government of Gibraltar said: "Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar notes the incident of executive action taken by the Guardia Civil in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters in the area of the new artificial reef.

"The matter of this serious incursion will not assist in de-escalating the present tensions."

Tensions between Spain and the British territory have been described as at their worst in 40 years.

Spain has imposed tighter controls at its border with Gibraltar amid the continuing row, causing long tailbacks at the crossing.

HMS Westminster sails into Gibraltar on Monday

The move has prompted angry words from British officials.

But Gibraltar's chief Minister Fabian Picardo has said the waters could be re-opened to Spanish fishermen again by October, potentially offering a means to resolve the spat.

Mr Picardo said Gibraltar would not remove the concrete blocks, as Spain demands, and rejected four-way talks with Spain, Britain and Andalusia.

On Monday, HMS Westminster arrived in Gibraltar a day after Spanish fishermen were involved in a stand-off with UK military and police boats.

The type 23 frigate was due to spend three days on the Rock, before joining several other vessels taking part in a pre-planned international training exercise in the Mediterranean and Gulf.

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Small Plane Crashes Into Leicestershire Field

Two people have been killed after a light aircraft crashed in a field in Leicestershire.

Leicestershire Police were called by the ambulance service shortly before 8pm on Wednesday night to a report that a plane had come down near Wymeswold, northeast of Loughborough.

Officers have confirmed that the pilot and passenger died.

They said relatives have been informed of the incident.

Police are working in conjunction with the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) to investigate the cause of the crash.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact on 101 quoting incident 711/21/08/13.

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Half Of Seven-Year-Olds Not Exercising Enough

Half of all seven-year-olds do not get enough exercise - with girls far less active than boys according to new research.

Only 51% of all seven-year-olds in the UK achieve the recommended hour of exercise every day.

The figure breaks down to just 38% of girls hitting the target, compared with 63% in boys.

Half of this age group is also sedentary for an average of 6.4 hours or more every day, experts have found.

The research, published in the online journal BMJ Open, found that children of Indian origin and those living in Northern Ireland are among the least physically active of all seven-year-olds.

Experts from the University College London's Institute of Child Health examined data for 6,497 children.

The youngsters wore an accelerometer to measure exercise levels which was attached to an elastic belt round their waist. It was only removed when bathing or when the children went to bed.

In total, the experts were able to record 36,309 days of data based on the children wearing the accelerometer for at least 10 hours a day over the course of a week.

Girls were more sedentary and less active than boys while only one in three (33%) children of Bangladeshi origin met the recommended daily exercise minimum.

Among the four UK countries, children in Northern Ireland were the least active, with just 43% managing the recommended 60 minutes, while children in Scotland were most likely (52.5%) to achieve the target.

Around 52% of all children in England managed the 60 minutes but there were regional differences.

The researchers wrote: "The results of our study provide a useful baseline and strongly suggest that contemporary UK children are insufficiently active, implying that effort is needed to boost physical activity among young people to the level appropriate for good health."

Senior author Professor Carol Dezateux, from the Institute of Child Health, called for policies to promote more exercise among girls.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "We have committed to giving primary schools £300m of ring-fenced funding to improve PE and sport, and help all pupils to develop healthy, active lifestyles, and have invested a further £3m to extend Change4Life School Sports Clubs to areas with the highest childhood obesity."

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North Wales Care Home Abuse Inquiry Arrests

Detectives investigating historic sex abuse at children's homes in North Wales have arrested a man and woman on suspicion of indecent assault.

Officers attached to Operation Pallial, the investigation into recent allegations of historical abuse in the North Wales care system, arrested the pair at an address in Seaford, East Sussex.

The offences are alleged to have been committed between 1975 and 1976 against an 11-year-old  boy.

The suspects, aged 63 and 60, have been taken to a police station in Sussex where they will be interviewed by officers from Operation Pallial.

The latest arrests are the sixth and seventh in the inquiry. One person has been charged.

Detectives are looking into 140 allegations relating to 18 care homes between 1963 and 1992.

The former Bryn Estyn Children's Home has been at the centre of claims

A report published in April outlining the first stage of the inquiry revealed the alleged victims were aged between seven and 19.

It said 84 people - 75 male and nine female - had been named by complainants.

Of these, 16 were cited by more than one alleged victim and 10 could now be dead.

In 2000, the Waterhouse Inquiry was established to study claims linked to homes in the former council areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd since 1974.

Following Waterhouse, eight people were prosecuted, seven of whom were convicted.

In July, another damning report which revealed 'extensive' child abuse in North Wales care homes was finally published.

The report claimed police officers and other professionals could have been identified as potential "perpetrators of assaults" 17 years earlier.

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MSP Bill Walker Guilty Of Domestic Abuse

An MSP has been convicted of a string of domestic abuse charges against his three ex-wives and a step-daughter.

Bill Walker, 71, from Alloa, Clackmannanshire, was found guilty of a catalogue of attacks on the women between 1967 and 1995.

The Independent member for Dunfermline, who denied all the allegations against him, was convicted following a two-week trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Walker faced 23 charges of assault at addresses in Edinburgh, Stirling, Midlothian and Alloa, and one charge of breaching the peace.

He was convicted of all of the charges during the 28-year period.

Sheriff Katherine Mackie, who heard the case without a jury, found Walker guilty of assaulting his first wife Maureen Traquair on three separate occasions in the 1960s and 1980s.

On one occasion, he punched her in the face two weeks before their wedding day in January 1967, giving her a black eye.

The MSP was also found to have assaulted his second wife Anne Gruber 15 times at various addresses in Edinburgh and Midlothian between 1978 and 1984.

The attacks included punching her on the head and body, slapping her in the face, throwing a bottle at her, kicking her and spitting on her face.

He also brandished an air rifle at her house, committing a breach of the peace, the court found.

The politician was convicted of four assaults on his third wife Diana Walker, three of which involved slapping or punching her on the face.

The attacks happened between June 1988 and January 1995.

Mrs Walker said he "whacked" her with full force before their wedding, "thumped" her in the face, threw a tray at her and slapped her repeatedly.

The court heard he also made her sign an agreement saying she would do all the shopping and cleaning.

Walker was also found guilty of assaulting Mrs Gruber's daughter Anne Louise Paterson by repeatedly striking her on the head with a saucepan during a row over a trifle in 1978.

Mrs Gruber told the court: "He turned on her and whacked her repeatedly over the head with a yellow saucepan that was so badly broken up it was put in the bin.

"He battered her so hard she was down on the floor. Her head was bleeding and she was bruised."

The politician had claimed he acted in self-defence after being assaulted by Ms Paterson, who was then 16.

His behaviour was described by the prosecution as being "violent, domineering, controlling and relentless". Procurator fiscal Les Brown said he had acted like a "caveman".

He engaged in "systematic physical and emotional abuse" towards the women over a prolonged period of time, the court was told.

The MSP had alleged he was being smeared and this his ex-wives were colluding in an attempt to "score some points".

But Sheriff Mackie said she did not find him a credible witness and rejected his claim the evidence was fabricated.

Walker, who will return for sentencing on September 20, was tight-lipped as he left court with his solicitor but a short statement was read on his behalf.

Russel McPhate said: "Mr Walker is obviously disappointed to be convicted of all the charges today. The verdicts, in particularly the comments of the sheriff, will be very carefully considered.

"In the meantime, he'd like to thank his wife, his family, his colleagues, his staff and his friends, who have supported him throughout this ordeal, which of course has lasted since March last year and is not over yet."

Mrs Gruber and Mrs Walker were both in court but left without making any comment.

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Prisoners Cold Call From Jail Call Centres

Prisoners are being employed to gather insurance details from members of the public at call centres set up inside jails.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed inmates are working as call centre operatives at HMP Oakwood in Wolverhampton and HMP Drake Hall in Staffordshire.

They carry out market research for insurance companies as part of a scheme officials claim prepares them to return to work after their release.

Without revealing they are in jail, they read from a script, which reports suggested included asking possible customers their names and postcodes.

It was also claimed prisoners would inquire about the total value of homeowners' possessions and any items that were particularly valuable.

Government sources made clear the workers do not have access to the "full address details" of any members of the public.

And they also said the scripts used did not "require" inmates to find out about the value of possessions owned by the customer.

The Ministry of Justice said prisoners should not 'sit idle'

The cold callers work from secure computers with no internet access and are not allowed a pen to stop them recording any of the data.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "We do not want prisoners sitting idle in their cells when they should be working towards their rehabilitation.

"We prepare offenders for work inside prison so they can get a job after release. This reduces the chances that they will reoffend in the future, meaning lower crime and fewer victims.

"All prisoners working in call centres are risk assessed and stringent security measures are in place, with calls supervised and recorded."

However, critics warned the scheme could put customers are risk.

Peter Cuthbertson of the Centre for Crime Prevention told The Sun: "Trusting criminals with people's financial details is incredibly naive. Burglars will know who to target when they are released."

HMP Drake Hall has been a prison for women since the 1970s, while HMP Oakwood, which is now run privately by security firm G4S, is a prison for men.

The MOJ announced plans to pay prisoners to work in call centres last year to enable them to learn new skills.

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Bolton: Pensioner Dies After Intruder Attack

An 87-year-old man who was robbed and beaten in his home by an intruder has died from his injuries in hospital.

Frank Worsley was attacked when he was woken up by a man who broke into his home on Longfield Road, Bolton, in the early hours of August 3.

He was taken to hospital after suffering a stroke and bleeding to his brain, but died there yesterday afternoon.

The grandfather, whose wife Mary died last September, was described as a "solid, dependable guy".

His wife had suffered from multiple sclerosis and he had nursed her for 25 years until her death.

They had two children and were also grandparents.

Mr Worsley, who used to work for the Co-operative Society, was active in his local church, St Bede's in Bolton, until his wife's illness meant Reverend Malcolm Bristow would visit their home to give communion.

Mr Bristow said: "The church has been praying for Frank and people have been asking how he is. He was cared for and an active Christian in his life.

"He was dedicated to his church and his wife and his faith. He was a solid guy, he was a dependable sort of guy.

"Whenever anything like this happens in a local community, people are shocked and concerned and worried.

"It's a sad enough time when somebody loses a loved one at whatever age, but when a loved one is lost in tragic circumstances such as this, it just intensifies the situation. It is extremely sad."

Senior Investigating Officer Andy Tattersall, from GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Frank's family at this devastating time for them, after he sadly passed away in hospital yesterday.

"We will do all we can to support them.

"Our investigation into this case is ongoing and we are appealing for anyone that may have seen a suspicious person or vehicle in the Longfield Road area of Bolton in the early hours of Saturday 3 August, to contact us."

A 24-year-old man, of no fixed address, has been charged with robbery in connection with the incident.

He is due to appear at Bolton Crown Court on Friday.

:: Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 2448 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Taxi Crash: 'Devastated' Father Flies To US

The father of a British woman who had part of her leg severed by a New York taxi says the family is "devastated" by what happened.

Sian Green, 23, suffered the leg injury when a yellow taxi mounted the pavement in the centre of New York and struck her.

Sian Green was with a friend when she was hit. Pic: Instagram

"We are a really close family we are all devastated by what has happened," her father Jason told the Leicester Mercury.

"We don't know what to say.

"We just want to be at our daughter's side right now," he said, adding that he is flying to New York to keep a bedside vigil.

He added: "She is in recovery now, and they have had to amputate what's left of her foot."

A street vendor helps by packing the severed foot with ice. Pic: NBC

The cab hit a cyclist and then ploughed into Ms Green in front of a fountain outside the Rockefeller Center at 49th Street, news reports say.

Ms Green was walking down the road with her friend, eating a hot dog she had just bought nearby, when she was hit, according to the New York Post, which cited witnesses.

Among those who helped the victim was also celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, who records his talk show in a nearby studio.

Dr Mehmet OZ and plumber David Justino. Pic. Facebook

Dr Oz said emergency medical crews were already treating the injured woman.

A plumber who was working in the area, David Justino, used his belt to make a life-saving tourniquet for Ms Green's leg.

Mr Justino said: "I just grabbed my belt, went over, lifted her up, put it on and held it.

"From the shin down, (her leg) was gone."

He added: "I just worried about the blood, there was too much blood."

A friend witnesses the accident. Pic: NBC

Mr Justino told the New York Daily News that she "was conscious the whole time, the poor thing. I wished she would have passed out".

A street vendor reportedly raced to put her severed foot on ice. She was then transport to the hospital.

Sergeant John Buthorn of the New York Police Department said: "The circumstances are still under investigation, whether it was some sort of rage or an accident.

Ms Green is taken to hospital on a stretcher. Pic: NBC

"It looks like her leg or part of it was severed during the accident."

Reports said Ms Green is being treated at Bellevue Hospital, where she underwent surgery to reattach her leg.

According to the New York Daily News, the cab driver was issued a summons for being an unauthorised driver, but was then set free.

Ms Green, 23, had reportedly just started her holiday. Pic: Instagram

Both the driver and the cyclist were treated for injuries, police said.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of a traffic incident involving a British national in New York City.

"Staff at the British Consulate General in New York are providing consular assistance at this difficult time."

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Lifeguards Rescue Children At Treyarnon Beach

A group of nine people, including six children, who were trapped on a beach in Cornwall have been saved by lifeguards.

The group, who were stranded on Treyarnon beach by the incoming tide, huddled together on a small platform above a gully as water began to rush in.

A RNLI spokesman said it was "too dangerous" for crews to reach them by lifeboat as 5ft (1.5-metre) waves lashed the rocky coastline, forcing two lifeguards to abandon their inflatable and swim towards the gully.

One of the lifeguards involved in the rescue spots the stranded group

Zahli Lowe and Dan Lee, who are based at nearby Constantine, swam the youngsters, aged between seven and 12, to a safe part of the bay, where they were picked up by an inshore rescue boat.

They also helped a weaker adult swimmer to safety, while two adults made their own escape from the gully.

"It was a very difficult and long process, made even worse by the time pressures of the incoming tide and a building swell," Mr Lee said.

Two of the youngsters are taken to shore in an RNLI inshore rescue boat

"Thankfully we all know this beach and stretch of coastline very well and were able to read the waves and get them all out safely."

Treyarnon, near Padstow, is popular with families during the summer, when up to 200 swimmers and surfers can be in the water at any time.

A large cave at the end of the gully in which the group was trapped can be explored at low tide.

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Gary Bolton Jailed Over Fake Bomb Detectors

A businessman has been sentenced to seven years in prison for making and selling fake bomb detectors.

Gary Bolton, 47, made millions of pounds selling the devices around the world, boasting they could detect explosives, drugs, ivory, tobacco and even money.

In actual fact they consisted of nothing more than empty boxes with handles and antennae which he made at home and at his Global Technology Ltd offices in Kent.

He denied two counts of fraud as a judge at the Old Bailey described the equipment as "useless" and "dross".

Bolton had background in research or security

Sky's crime correspondent Martin Brunt, at the court, said Bolton spent £1.82, plus the glue and antennae, on each product and then sold them for up to £15,000 each.

The court was told Bolton's company had a turnover of almost £3m, with up to 5,000 devices made.

Prosecutor Richard Whittam QC said tests proved the detectors, first called the Mole and later remarketed as the GT200, performed no better than random searches for explosives.

Bolton claimed they worked with a range of 700 metres at ground level and 2.5 miles (4km) in the air and said they were effective through lead-lined and metal walls, water, containers and earth.

But "double-blind" tests on a Mole device as far back as 2001 showed it had a successful detection rate of just 9%.

Sentencing the father-of-three, judge Richard Hone QC said Bolton had maintained the "little plastic box" was a piece of working equipment, and that he continued to "peddle" it to scores of international clients - including for use by armed forces - despite evidence proving it was "useless".

He added: "You were determined to bolster the illusion that the devices worked and you knew there was a spurious science to produce that end.

"They had a random detection rate. They were useless.

Bolton's company had a turnover of almost £3m

"Soldiers, police officers, customs officers and many others put their trust in a device which worked no better than random chance.

"The jury found you knew this but you carried on. Your profits were enormous."

Mr Whittam said Bolton admitted in interview to having no background in science, research, training or security, the court heard.

Around 1,200 devices were sold to Mexico, while orders were also shipped to parts of Asia and the Middle East.

The devices are still being used in Thailand.

Detective Inspector Roger Cook, from the City of London Police's Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit, said Bolton put "people's lives and livelihoods at serious risk, but his sole consideration was how much money he could make".

"Bringing Bolton to justice is the result of a long, complex and far reaching international investigation and his seven-year prison sentence should act as a warning to others who seek to act corruptly overseas with the belief that they will go undetected," he added.

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Mortgage Lending Up By Nearly A Third

Mortgage lending was up by 29% in July compared to the same month last year, new figures show.

The Council for Mortgage Lenders (CML) said that total gross lending increased to £16.6bn in July, up from £14.8bn in June.

It is the highest monthly estimate since before the financial crisis hit, with lending pitched at £18.6bn in October 2008.

CML market and data analyst Caroline Purdey said: "An improvement in sentiment and activity continues to show in the UK housing and mortgage markets, with a more positive picture also starting to emerge in the economy.

"Our forward estimate of gross mortgage lending in July reinforces a growing evidence base of a strengthening in the housing and mortgage markets."

The lift follows Government initiatives to boost the housing market, which include the Funding for Lending and Help to Buy schemes.

Persimmon also announced strong results on the same day as the CML figures.

The housebuilder's pre-tax profit jumped by 40% to £135m in the first six months of 2013.

Bovis Homes previously reported its half year profits rose by 19% to £18.6m, with average prices up 15% to £188,500.

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Northern Ireland: Man Arrested Over Deaths

A man has been arrested over the deaths of three women in Northern Ireland over the past 11 years.

The 66-year-old was arrested in Dromore, County Down, where the women all died in suspicious circumstances.

He was taken to a police station in Antrim, where he is also being questioned on suspicion of other offences relating to other women.

Michelle Bickerstaff, 47, died in April last year; Margaret Weise, 50, in August 2007; and Elizabeth McKee, 52, in December 2002.

A police spokesman said the families of all three women had been informed of the man's arrest.

An obituary for Ms Bickerstaff, who had four children, said she died suddenly in hospital.

Police said a 64-year-old was arrested in connection with her death at the time. He was released unconditionally.

More follows...

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David Miranda To Launch Legal Challenge

The boyfriend of an investigative journalist who was held under UK terror laws is mounting a legal challenge against his detention.

Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger told reporters David Miranda was launching a civil action over his treatment at Heathrow Airport on Sunday.

Mr Miranda, whose partner Glenn Greenwald reported the Edward Snowden spying revelations, was held for the maximum nine hours after trying to change planes in London.

He was travelling from Germany, where he had visited US filmmaker Laura Poitras who has been working on the Snowden NSA files with Mr Greenwald and The Guardian, to Brazil.

Russia has given Edward Snowden temporary political asylum

Scotland Yard insists the detention was "legally and procedurally sound" and the Home Office has now given police its full support.

A department spokesman said: "The Government and the police have a duty to protect the public and our national security.

"If the police believe that an individual is in possession of highly sensitive stolen information that would help terrorism, then they should act and the law provides them with a framework to do that.

"Those who oppose this sort of action need to think about what they are condoning. This is an ongoing police inquiry so we will not comment on the specifics."

The detention has prompted a storm of protest from civil rights campaigners and an apparent coalition split.

Laura Poitras was nominated for an Oscar

Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Julian Huppert called it unacceptable and "a clear abuse of terrorism powers".

A petition calling for an urgent review of the laws, launched by Four Lions actor Adeel Akhtar who says he was held under similar legislation in the US in 2002, has already gathered 30,000 names.

"I'm not saying there shouldn't be a law in place to protect us from terrorist threats, but these laws that are being used, I don't think are being applied in the right way," he said.

Reporter Mr Greenwald called the detention a "profound attack on press freedoms and the newsgathering process".

He argued it was "clearly intended to send a message of intimidation to those of us who have been reporting on the NSA (National Security Agency) and GCHQ."

Labour's Yvette Cooper called for an urgent investigation

But the Metropolitan Police said: "The examination of a 28-year-old man under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 at Heathrow airport on Sunday … was subject to a detailed decision-making process.

"The procedure was reviewed throughout to ensure the examination was both necessary and proportionate. Our assessment is that the use of the power in this case was legally and procedurally sound."

It added: "Contrary to some reports the man was offered legal representation while under examination and a solicitor attended. No complaint has been received by the Metropolitan Police Service at this time."

White House officials have revealed the US was given advance notice by police about their plan but says America did not request the move and was not involved.

However, Mr Miranda claims UK officials were doing the bidding of the US by trying to force him to reveal passwords for his electronic devices.

He said: "They were threatening me all the time and saying I would be put in jail if I didn't co-operate.

"They treated me like I was a criminal or someone about to attack the UK … It was exhausting and frustrating, but I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong."

The row has deepened after Mr Rusbridger claimed agents from GCHQ were sent to The Guardian's head office to destroy hard drives containing Snowden data.

Mr Rusbridger, in a comment piece for his own paper, said he was told by phone a few weeks ago: "You've had your fun. Now we want the stuff back."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, in a new statement on Tuesday, called on Home Secretary Theresa May to reveal whether she or David Cameron had known about the detention in advance.

"Is it really possible that the American President was told what was happening but the British Prime Minister wasn't?," she asked.

"The Government needs to explain who authorised the use of terrorism legislation in this case and what the justification was."

She added: "The police and security services work hard to safeguard our national security, and they need powers to prevent terrorism.

"However for public confidence to be maintained it is important that the Government, police and security services are seen to abide by the rule of law, and to operate proportionately with proper checks and balances in place."

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Gibraltar: HMS Westminster Arrives At Rock

HMS Westminster has arrived in Gibraltar a day after Spanish fishermen were involved in a stand-off with UK military and police boats.

The Royal Navy warship sailed in as tensions between Spain and the British territory were described as their worst for 40 years.

The type 23 frigate, which left Portsmouth naval base six days ago, is due to spend three days on the Rock, before joining several other vessels taking part in a pre-planned international training exercise called Cougar 13 in the Mediterranean and Gulf.

Its visit was described by the Ministry of Defence as "long-planned".

But Sky's Defence Correspondent David Bowden, in Gibraltar, said given the growing diplomatic spat, the warship's presence will be seen as a "strong symbol" of Britain's desire to defend its territory.

Yesterday, a flotilla of more than 30 fishing boats was "corralled" by Royal Navy vessels after protesting near the spot where Gibraltar's government placed 70 concrete blocks in disputed waters next to the Rock.

Gibraltar says it has created the concrete artificial reef there to protect local fish stocks from trawling, but Madrid says it restricts their right to fish.

Spanish fishing boats were intercepted as they entered UK waters

The Spanish government has accused Gibraltar of laying the blocks "without the necessary authorisation" in "waters that are not theirs".

It responded by introducing additional checks at the fenced border, and suggesting a 50 euro (£43.30) fee could be imposed on every vehicle entering or leaving Gibraltar.

Yesterday's protest prompted calls for renewed efforts from the European Union to solve the dispute.

Julie Girling, a Conservative MEP for Gibraltar, called the flotilla a "provocative attempt to stir things up yet again" by a government in Madrid facing allegations of corruption.

Afterwards, Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, thanked the British authorities for their help.

Gibraltar border checks have led to long queues that take hours to clear

Mr Picardo, who has reportedly received death threats and been targeted by Spanish internet trolls, wrote on Twitter: "Big thank you also to Royal Navy, Gib Defence Police, HM Customs and Port Authority for their deployment too.

"Cool, professional and calm!"

He said "hell will freeze over" before Gibraltar removes the concrete reef and accused Spain of behaving like North Korea.

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says he will take all legal measures to defend his country's interests.

Locals waving Union flags gathered on the quayside to watch HMS Westminster come in.

Andrea Jones, 46, who works for an online gaming company and has lived in Gibraltar for 12 years, said the frigate's arrival was "a two-fingered salute towards Spain".

Retired Royal Gibraltar Police officer Michael Sanchez, 53, said he would like to see British warships off Gibraltar more often.

HMS Illustrious is also due to take part in the Cougar 13 wargames

"It is getting to be out of control, it is not a spat any more," he said. "If you park something out there grey (a warship) for a couple of days you can see them (the Spanish) calm down.

He added: "These guys need to be taught a lesson. It is no good having (William) Hague, (David) Cameron sending protests galore.

"You have got to stick your nose in there, your face into their face. If not they just get away with it."

On Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron raised the dispute with European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.

He said the checks - which have seen huge delays at the border in recent weeks - were "politically motivated and disproportionate" and therefore contrary to the EU right of free movement.

The row has set relations between Spain and the territory back 40 years, according to Edward Macquisten, chief executive of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce.

He said it was also having an impact on Gibraltar's high season tourist trade, which usually sees hordes of British visitors from Spanish resorts.

Spain ceded sovereignty of Gibraltar to Britain in 1713, but has persistently sought to regain the tiny enclave.

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MasterChef Judge Gregg Wallace In Hotel Brawl

MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace knocked a diner to the floor and punched him in the face for allegedly groping his girlfriend, according to reports.

The former greengrocer and restaurateur - known for using the phrase "cooking doesn't get tougher than this" - was pictured brawling with the man after a five-hour evening of food and wine at a plush hotel.

Wallace, 48, is reported to have punched the man several times because he apparently pinched his 27-year-old girlfriend Anne-Marie Sterpini's bottom.

The fight broke out after he had hosted Dinner With Gregg Wallace at the Wood Norton Hotel in Evesham, Worcestershire.

The hotel's website described Wallace as "the bald one who likes puddings" and promised guests a champagne reception followed by a five-course dinner.

But the scene turned ugly.

A picture in The Sun showed white-shirted Wallace grappling with the man while another man tries to restrain him as other guests look on.

The BBC host was eventually led from the oak-panelled room at the Grade II-listed building and taken upstairs.

Claire Shepherd, 31, who was at the £75-a-head evening, told The Sun: "He kept doing speeches and then we had a Q and A session.

"It became quite obvious that he was very self-important, so a woman on our table tried to make a joke, saying his bakery chain Greggs was doing really well and he must be happy.

"But he didn't laugh. He just said: 'End of questions, enjoy your meal.' It was a tumbleweed moment."

A source told the Daily Mail: "The vast majority of those present were very drunk. I'm pretty sure Gregg had enjoyed a few drinks too.

"In fact, his girlfriend was one of the only people there who seemed sober. Gregg took exception to this man who was supposed to have been touching his girlfriend up.

"A table was knocked over as they grappled."

The newspaper reported that three-times married Wallace and the man later calmed down, apologised to each other and shared a whisky.

Wallace's spokeswoman told Sky News Online: "I can confirm Gregg was involved in a disagreement at an event last night. The situation was swiftly resolved."

She confirmed that police had not been called to the event.

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Monty Panesar Leaves Sussex Over Urination Row

England cricketer Monty Panesar is to leave Sussex County Cricket Club after an internal investigation into claims he urinated on club doormen.

Panesar was fined by police for being drunk and disorderly after an incident at a Brighton nightclub earlier this month.

The 31-year-old was given a fixed penalty notice after being seen urinating in public near the Shooshh Club in King's Road Arches at around 4am.

The Sun newspaper reported that he urinated from the promenade above the venue on to doormen standing below, after being thrown out of the club.

He will leave Sussex at the end of the season after being released from his contract.

A statement from Panesar on the club's website read: "I have endured a challenging time this year off the field and my frustrations have sometimes got the better of me professionally.

"I apologise for letting the club, my colleagues and my fans down."

He said he hoped to put his "personal and professional problems" behind him.

"I am determined to do whatever it takes to gain selection for England this winter," he added. "I want to become the best I can be."

He said he was still confident that he could fulfil his ambition to become the best spin bowler in the world.

It is the latest incident to have involved an England player this summer.

In June, opening batsman Joe Root was punched by Australian counterpart David Warner in the Walkabout bar in Birmingham.

Warner was suspended and missed the first two Tests as a result.

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Tesco Fined Over Strawberry Promotion

Tesco has been fined £300,000 for misleading customers over a strawberry promotion.

More follows...

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Diana's Death: Police Handed New Information

New information that alleges Princess Diana was murdered has been passed to Scotland Yard through military sources, it has emerged.

The information, thought to include the allegation that the Princess of Wales, Dodi al Fayed and their driver were killed by a member of the British military, will be assessed by officers from the Specialist Crime and Operations Command.

According to Sky sources it was given to the police by the former parents-in-law of a former soldier.

The deaths of Princess Diana and Mr al Fayed in Paris in 1997 were investigated and examined during a 90-day inquest led by Lord Justice Scott Baker at the Royal Court of Justice in 2007.

On April 7, 2008, the jury concluded their verdict as "unlawful killing, grossly negligent driving of the following vehicles and of the Mercedes".

Princess Diana and Dodi al Fayed leaving the Ritz Hotel on August 31, 1997

The Metropolitan Police said its assessment was not a re-investigation and does not come under Operation Paget, the inquiry led by Lord Stevens into conspiracy theories surrounding Princess Diana and Mr al Fayed's deaths.

A royal spokeswoman said there will be no comment on the matter from Prince William or Prince Harry, or from Clarence House.

After the inquest, the Metropolitan Police said it had spent £8m on services arising from it and the Operation Paget investigation from 2004 to 2006.

Former Met Police commissioner Lord Stevens published his report in December 2006, rejecting claims that Princess Diana and Mr al Fayed had been murdered.

The wreckage of the Mercedes the pair were travelling in when it crashed

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "We understand this information includes an allegation that Princess Diana and Dodi al Fayed and the driver of their car were killed by a member of the British military.

"The information we're told was passed to Scotland Yard quite recently. It also includes, we understand, references to something known as Diana's diary.

"These are very early days, the information has just come in, and Scotland Yard is adamant in saying that this is not a reopening of its investigation from 2004 when it spent three years looking into the circumstances of the Princess' death.

"But it is taking the information seriously and it is considering and it is possible that a new investigation may open."

Princess Diana, Mr al Fayed and their driver Henri Paul died after the Mercedes crashed in a Paris tunnel on August 31, 1997.

Diana was 36 at the time of her death and Mr al Fayed, the son of former Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed, 42.

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HS2 Rail Project Cost To 'Double To £80bn'

The cost of the new High Speed 2 rail network will be £80bn, double the current estimate, according to a new report.

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says the plan "defies economic logic" and is calling for the project to be cancelled.

The Department for Transport's official estimate currently stands at £43bn  - a rise from its original figure of £33bn.

The think tank argues that the £80bn price tag could deliver £320bn of value if spent on road and other rail and transport projects.

Work on the first leg between London and Birmingham is due to begin in 2017.

The report's author Dr Richard Welling said: "It's time the Government abandoned its plans to proceed with HS2.

"The evidence is now overwhelming that this will be unbelievably costly to the taxpayer while delivering incredibly poor value for money."

Map of the HS2 route

A spokesman for the DfT said: "HS2 is absolutely vital for this country, providing a huge economic boost which will generate a return on investment that will continue paying back for generations to come.

"Without it the key rail routes connecting London, the Midlands and the North will be overwhelmed. HS2 will provide the capacity needed in a way that will generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds worth of economic benefits.

"The Government is committed to managing the cost within the budget we have set for the project and to securing maximum value for money for the taxpayer, while also ensuring that preparations are properly made for the most significant infrastructure investment the UK has seen in modern times."

The IEA's 58-page report on the cost will be published on Monday.

Meanwhile campaigners are claiming that more than half a million people across Middle England will have their lives affected by the construction of the project.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) is warning that life in towns and villages up to 25 miles from the rail route will be disrupted by the movement of construction vehicles while the line is being built.

The organisation is publishing its analysis of the impact of the project, in the form of a series of maps, based on information it has obtained from HS2.

According to advance details released to The Mail on Sunday, towns along a 40-mile wide corridor - such as Thame in Oxfordshire, Princes Risborough and Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, and Leamington Spa in Warwickshire - will be affected by the millions of extra lorry journeys.

When it is built, some of the country's most tranquil areas will be blighted by train noise of up to 95 decibels near the track - the equivalent of a Tube train - from up to 16 trains an hour travelling at 225mph, the paper said.

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Gibraltar Dispute: Spanish Boats Hold Protest

Spanish fishermen have held a protest near the spot where Gibraltar's government placed 70 concrete blocks in disputed waters next to the British territory.

The demonstration comes 24 hours before the Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster is due to arrive in Gibraltar in a visit described by the Ministry of Defence as "long-planned".

Gibraltar says it has created the concrete artificial reef there to protect local fish stocks from trawling, but Madrid says it restricts their right to fish.

The move has led to further tensions between the UK, Gibraltar and Spain - which has imposed tougher border checks in retaliation.

Around 30 fishing vessels set out from the "Campo de Gibraltar" in southern Spain to form a floating protest - a smaller number than expected.

Sky's David Bowden, at the scene, said hundreds of Gibraltarians turned out in force to rebuff the protest.

"They lined the bay as a flotilla of small fishing boats sailed across from Spain at the other side of the Bay," he said.

"The flotilla, only a dozen or so boats strong, was escorted by a handful of sleek Spanish Guardia Civile speedboats.

HMS Illustrious docks at Rota naval base on Gibraltar

"They were met by an equally strong show of force from the Gibraltar marine police in patrol vessels and highly manouvreable ribs making sure the Spanish invaders did not stray off the imaginary line in the sea that marks Spain from British Gibraltar."

The Spanish government has accused Gibraltar of laying the blocks "without the necessary authorisation" in "waters that are not theirs".

It responded by introducing additional checks at the fenced border, and suggesting a 50 euro (£43.30) fee could be imposed on every vehicle entering or leaving Gibraltar.

On Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron raised the matter with European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.

He said the checks - which have seen huge delays at the border in recent weeks - were "politically motivated and disproportionate" and therefore contrary to the EU right of free movement.

UKIP MEP William Dartmouth, member for the South West of England and Gibraltar, has suggested that a member of the Royal family should visit Gibraltar to mark 300 years of British sovereignty.

The border checks have led to massive queues in recent weeks

"Nothing could demonstrate more to the citizens of Gibraltar how strongly Britain stands behind them in wishing to stay part of the United Kingdom than a visit by a member of the royal family," he said.

The row has set relations between Spain and the territory back 40 years, according to Edward Macquisten, chief executive of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce.

He said it was also having an impact on Gibraltar's high season tourist trade, which usually sees hordes of British visitors from Spanish resorts.

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Mo Farah Knighthood Backed By Cameron

David Cameron has said he would "warmly welcome" a recommendation for Mo Farah to be knighted.

The 30-year-old athlete achieved a historic double-double in Moscow on Friday night as he added two world titles to the twin Olympic triumphs from last summer.

The feat, completed by racing to 5,000m glory at the Luzhniki Stadium, sealed his status as perhaps the best British athlete in history.

Last summer he also took both the 5,000 and 10,000m crowns at London 2012.

Farah has had an incredible year

The Prime Minister said: "The Olympic and world double-double is one of the great sporting achievements.

"If the honours committee were to recommend Mo for a knighthood, I would warmly welcome it."

The Somalia-born, British-raised long-distance runner has been one of the stars of a remarkable period for sport in the UK.

Speaking after his victory on Friday he said: "What a year I've had. It has been, you know, hard work but I enjoyed this year.

"It is great being able to achieve what I have achieved.

"I can't quite believe it at all. It is something I never dreamt of. I am honoured to be able to achieve what I have."

Farah was awarded a CBE at the end of last year.

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