Recruitment Drive For 11,000 New Army Reserves

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

One of the largest military recruitment events of its kind will be held in London today to help the Ministry of Defence increase the number of Reserve forces.

Hundreds of soldiers, sailors and airmen from London-based Reserve regiments will take part in the day at Horse Guards Parade. It will include a parachute jump from a Lynx helicopter by four Reservists.

As part of plans for 'Future Force 2020', the government is hoping to increase the number of the Army Reserve from its current size of 19,000 to 30,000.

The Air Force Auxiliary is to expand to 1,800 personnel and the Navy's Maritime Reserve to 3,100. These recruits will offset large redundancies for regular servicemen and women in all three services. The Army will shrink to 82,000 soldiers from 110,000.

It is a plan that has been widely criticised from a number of corners, and there is considerable doubt over the ability of the military to hit the recruitment targets.

A gunner from the Royal Artillery prepares to fire his light artillery gun

The most up-to-date figures will be released next month, but it's generally thought that only a few hundred new recruits have signed up this year, well short of the numbers needed.

As part of the plans, the name of the Territorial Army is changing to Reserve Force in keeping with the new image.

£1.8bn has been committed over 10 years to supplement training and equipment for Reserve soldiers in order that will receive the same level of kit as their regular counterparts.

The number of overseas training exercises will increase to 22 per year from seven last year. But this, and any operational deployments, would put increased strain on small businesses.

To compensate for that, the Ministry of Defence is offering a financial package to any companies losing staff to Reservist duty. This would allow them to recruit temporary replacement workers.

A gunner from the Royal Artillery carries a high explosive shell

Speaking ahead of the recruitment event, the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond defended the controversial plans for the Reserve force.

"We are completely revitalising our Reserve Forces, growing their trained strength with fresh incentives, better pay and more opportunities for working and training alongside Regulars," he said.

"This exhibition highlights just how many fantastic opportunities there are for anyone looking for a rewarding, challenging and exciting second career."

Reservists will be expected to operate alongside their regular colleagues and perform the same role regardless of their part-time nature.

In an interview last month, Andrew Cameron, the Chief Executive of Combat Stress, warned that reservists are twice as likely to suffer mental health problems and predicted a growth in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases if the Reserve Force was expanded.

The Ministry of Defence references other countries, such as the United States, which has a large and successful Reserve element to its military.

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Fat-Fighting Strategy To Slim Down Nation

By David Bowden, Senior Correspondent

A dozen of the biggest food manufacturers and retailers have pledged to cut the amount of saturated fat in their products.

The Department of Health says the move will cut enough fat to fill one-and-a-half swimming pools from our diets and save thousands of people from heart disease.

Supermarket giants Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons are among those who have signed up to the Government's Public Health Responsibility Deal to help improve the nation's health.

Sainsbury's director of corporate affairs, Alex Cole, says what is good for our waistline is also good for the company's bottom-line.

"There's absolutely a business case for doing this. We know our customers want products that are healthier. If we can provide them with those options, an easy way for them to make a healthy choice, we do sell more."

With one in four adults obese and one in three children obese or overweight by primary school leaving age, Britain is regularly mocked as a nation of fatties.

But the Government is clear this is not diet by diktat, and health minister Jane Ellison insists this is not about the 'nanny state'.

"We're not trying to tell people, from Whitehall, exactly what they should be eating or manufacturing, this is about us working together with industry to actually try and give people more options to lead a healthier life," she said.

Sainsbury's 'traffic light' system has proved effective

According to NHS Choices, the maximum recommended daily amount of saturated fat for a man is 30g and for a woman it is 20g, yet most Britons eat 20% more than that.

A survey done by Sainsbury's to coincide with the latest phase of the Public Health Responsibility Deal says that most people are confused by which are good fats and which aren't and that one in five believes all fats are bad.

The trouble is saturated fat is the kind of fat found in some of our tastiest treats - pies, cakes, biscuits, sausages, bacon, cheese and chocolate.

But even chocolate firms are getting in on the low-fat act.

Nestle has signed up to cut down on saturates and come up with a new formula for the wafer inside KitKats, though the chocolate itself is unchanged.

But the unfortunate truth is that most of us not only eat too much, we eat too much of the wrong things and unless we start to change our eating habits we're still going to stay fat and probably die before our time.

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Miller Redpath: Body Found In Back Garden

Police searching for a missing teenager have found a body in his overgrown back garden.

Public schoolboy Miller Redpath, 18, went missing from his family home in Wenhaston in Suffolk in August.

Suffolk Police said an officer went to the house on Thursday as part of their inquiries and found the body during a search of the garden.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out, however the cause of death remains unknown, police said in a statement.

"At this stage the death is still being treated as unexplained," the statement said.

"Officers have not yet been able to identify the deceased and further tests are required, however early indications suggest that it is the body of 18-year-old Miller Redpath.

"Further searches are taking place at the property and specialist trained officers continue to support Miller's mother at this difficult time."

The discovery comes after Mr Redpath's mother made an emotional appeal for information about her son's disappearance.

"I think he went out purposefully to do something, in order to return shortly, and something went horribly wrong," Anastasia Miller said earlier this month.

"Everything was on track for him as he was doing well at school, he was thinking of London University, had lots of friends and I just don't understand what happened," she added.

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'Hurricane': UK Will Take Full Force Of Storm

A storm which could reach hurricane strengths of 80mph or more will definitely hit Britain on Monday, weather experts have warned.

There were hopes the huge storm brewing over the Atlantic Ocean would miss the UK, and sweep instead through the English Channel.

But meteorologists are now certain it will strike the south west of England and could leave a trail of destruction as it gusts north-east across the country, causing structural damage, and bringing down trees and power lines.

Roads may also be hit by flash flooding, bringing rush hour traffic on Monday morning to a halt, and homes could be flooded.

Severe weather alerts are in place for England and Wales, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", for the southern half of England and Wales.

There is a lesser yellow warning, meaning "be aware", for the rest of Wales and England up to the border with Scotland.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "The storm is coming through at the worst possible time; from around midnight to midday on Monday - which takes in the rush hour when people are trying to get to work.

An amber warning is in place across the southern half of England and Wales

"Winds gusting at 80mph are quite capable of bringing down trees and power lines and causing structural damage.

"Trees are still full in leaf at this time of year and the ground is quite damp so there is more chance they can be ripped from the ground, and branches ripped from trees.

"There's also the possibility of flooding with torrential downpours and leaves blocking drains. South Wales and southern England are most at risk.

"There is likely to be flash flooding on roads and the AA will be out in force."

She said Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

But the storm will develop on Saturday and intensify on Sunday fairly close to the coast before it strikes with full force.

The storm will intensify on Sunday and hit the UK on Monday morning

A strong jet stream and warm air close to the UK are contributing to its development and strength.

Winds could top 80mph as they hit seaside towns and villages before slowly losing power as they gust across the UK and out to the North Sea.

Some have compared its potential to the Great Storm of 1987 and record-breaking gales in south Wales in 1989.

It will strike two weeks later than the Great Storm of 1987, which left a trail of destruction on October 15 and 16.

Veteran weatherman Michael Fish famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

Winds could top 80mph as the storm hits seaside towns and villages

This time he warned people to "batten down the hatches" and keep checking the forecasts as the powerful storm approaches.

Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, said: "The timing couldn't really be worse, potentially causing significant travel disruption on Monday morning, which is one of the busiest times on the roads.

"If it's bad where you are, keep tuned to the weather and traffic reports - in case of road or bridge closures - and heed any local police advice about whether it's safe to travel.

"At a minimum, take a fully-charged mobile phone and warm, weatherproof clothing."

He said the AA's specialist flood rescue team, driving modified Land Rovers, have been working all week and are on stand-by.

The Metropolitan Police has urged people to avoid calling 999 during the storm unless there is a real emergency.

A spokesman said: "The Metropolitan Police Service is reminding Londoners to dial 101 when contacting police when it's not an emergency with expected increases in demand brought about by high winds in the next few days."

Related Stories

Weather: Storm Alerts As UK Set For 'Hurricane'

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Weather: Storm Alerts As UK Set For 'Hurricane'

Severe weather alerts have been issued amid fears Britain is about to be hit by the most powerful storm in years.

A Met office image shows a forecast for the storm on Monday

A series of wind, rain and flood alerts are now in place as forecasters predict gales of more than 80mph - classed as hurricane strength. 

The Met Office warned people to "be prepared for the risk of falling trees as well as damage to buildings and other structures".

The storm is currently developing over the Atlantic and will potentially hit UK land on Sunday night and into Monday.

Forecasts show how the storm might develop and move towards the UK

Today, forecasters urged people to prepare for the storm, with some comparing its potential to the Great Storm of 1987 and record-breaking gales in Wales in 1989.

Sky weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "Late October is notorious for strong storms, with a wind gust of 124mph recorded in the Vale of Glamorgan in 1989.

"Should this storm achieve its potential, it is likely to bring down trees and to cause damage to roads and buildings, possibly causing major transport disruption and power cuts."

The Met Office website shows amber and yellow alerts for Monday

Wheeler said the storm was due to develop over the Atlantic in the next 24 hours as a strong jet stream and warm air combine to create a deep low-pressure system.

While its trajectory is unclear, there are fears it may hit land, wreaking chaos over England and Wales.

If it does make land, it is likely to hit Wales and the South West first before sweeping east and touching most of the country.

Exposed coasts in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent are most likely to feel the brunt of the winds.

The storm could also miss land completely - sweeping instead through the English Channel.

Met Office senior forecaster Helen Chivers said: "Winds of that strength are damaging winds - there will be a risk of damage to homes and trees and disruption to travel.

"This is not a storm you see every winter. The storm of 1987 is one, and the Burns day storm in January 1990 is another."

Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

But this one is unusual in that it is expected to appear much closer to land, potentially moving across the country while it is in its most powerful phase.

The storm is expected to strike two weeks later than the Great Storm of 1987, which left a trail of destruction on October 15 and 16.

There are already fears the storm may compare to the Great Storm of 1987

It flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

Forecasters at the time famously failed to predict the severity of the storm.

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UK Economy: GDP Growth Accelerates To 0.8%

The Chancellor claims there is now "real momentum" in the UK's economic recovery after GDP growth of 0.8% was measured in the third quarter.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it marked the strongest period of growth in more than three years - with services, construction and manufacturing all expanding.

It was also the third successive period of improving output, in line with the expectations of economists, though some had forecast growth to have reached 1%.

The ONS said construction - a sector bolstered by Government initiatives such as Help to Buy - surged by 2.5%.

George Osborne said: "This shows that Britain's hard work is paying off & the country is on the path to prosperity."

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Today's encouraging #GDP growth figures are another sign we are turning a corner."

Labour argued the growth was "long overdue".

Housing market recovery is reflected in the GDP growth

Overall GDP was 1.5% ahead of the same period last year - a time when the economy was being boosted by the Olympics and Paralympics.

But the economy remains 2.5% off its pre-recession peak at the start of 2008.

During the third quarter, construction was boosted by new work on private housing and private commercial building as well as domestic home repair and maintenance but remained 12.5% off its 2008 high.

Housebuilders have been buoyed by the Government's Help to Buy scheme, which recently launched a new phase offering mortgage guarantees.

Production grew by 0.5%, though this remains 12.8% off its 2008 level, while within this manufacturing improved 0.9% in the third quarter.

Lower gas and electricity demand over the hot summer hurt growth

The powerhouse services sector, which represents three-quarters of economic output, grew by 0.7% and is now 0.6% above its pre-crisis peak.

The largest contributions here came from business services and finance, followed by distribution, hotels and restaurants.

But the wider statistics highlighted one piece of bad news - in terms of UK growth.

The contribution from utilities - including gas and electricity - tumbled by 6.8% in the period, possibly a result of the warm summer compared to the same period last year which was largely a washout and cool.

The figure was seen as a potential factor behind the decision among energy suppliers to increase household bills - to make up for lower demand.

Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said: "Britain is booming again with the economy showing the most sustainable and robust-looking upturn since the financial crisis."

But Alan Clarke of Scotiabank said the figure was a "tad disappointing" - given survey data indicating growth nearer 1% - and "wasn't a home run".

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said: "After three damaging years of flatlining, it's both welcome and long overdue that our economy is growing again.

"But for millions of people across the country still seeing prices rising faster than their wages this is no recovery at all."

Dave Prentis, general secretary of the Unison union, said growth figures will "mean nothing to the vast majority of people in this country faced with mounting household bills and stagnant wages."

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Missing Belfast Zoo Monkeys Spark Hunt

A search is continuing for two missing monkeys who escaped from Belfast Zoo on Monday.

The two are part of a group of six lion-tailed macaques who made the great escape from their enclosure, wrong-footing their keepers who remain in hot pursuit.

One of the escapees was brought down in a "rugby tackle" by a keeper that, a member of the public suggested, would make him a shoe-in for the Ireland rugby team.

Four of the animals have since been caught but the elusive duo are still at large.

A statement from zoo manager Mark Challis said: "Six lion-tailed macaques escaped from Belfast Zoo on Monday.

"Four of the macaques have since been returned to their enclosure, where they have rejoined the rest of the group.

The monkeys are not dangerous but should not be approached

"The other two animals have been sighted onsite or in close proximity to the zoo.

"We have been monitoring their movements over the past few days and we have a number of traps and staff located in the areas where they are frequently being spotted.

"We are confident that all of the macaques will soon be found and returned to their enclosure.

"If anyone sees the lion-tailed macaques we would ask them to contact the zoo immediately. 

"Although they pose no danger to the public, we would ask that you do not attempt to approach or catch the animal."

Lion-tailed macaques can reach up to two feet in length.

Sightings can be reported to the zoo on 028 9077 6277.

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Grangemouth's Future Saved In Last-Minute Deal

Grangemouth petrochemicals plant has been saved following a last-minute deal.

The 800 workers who were due to lose their jobs at the Falkirk plant - Scotland's largest industrial site and its only refinery - were told the news at 11am today.

It came after the Unite union confirmed it would now "embrace" a survival plan in an effort to reverse a decision by Swiss-based owner Ineos to close the business.

Calum MacLeod, chairman of Ineos' petrochemicals division, told a news conference a "great cheer" went up from workers as he told them their jobs were safe.

But he said "very limited redundancies" would have to be made.

Asked by one reporter if he had held a gun to Scotland's head, he replied: "I don't think that's the case."

He pointed out that Ineos had invested £1bn in the business and would invest another £300m to secure its future for at least the next 15 years.

Another £300m will be invested at the site, Ineos says

He said it was "only right" that by making such a "huge investment" the company had to make sure it had a "long-term sustainable base".

The agreement will see fuel production resume at the company's oil refinery today after a shutdown of more than a week.

The closure would have been a major setback for the Scottish National Party, which is leading the campaign for Scotland's independence from the UK.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This news is a tremendous fillip for the workforce and the whole Grangemouth community, following what could have been a potential disaster."

Later, in an interview with Sky News, Mr MacLeod declined to say how many redundancies would be made. He said the £300m would be spent on building a new gas terminal at the site.

Asked what he thought of union tactics during the negotiations, he said it would have "saved a lot of traumatic effects" if union officials had begun the talks a week ago with the same attitude they had had over the past two days.

The closure would have been a huge blow for Alex Salmond

Jim Ratcliffe, chairman of Ineos Group, said: "This is a victory for common sense. Unite advised employees to reject change and vote for closure. Thank goodness people finally came to their senses. Grangemouth now has a great future."

Ineos said Unite had made a "dramatic U-turn" and had agreed to a three-year pay freeze, no strikes for three years, and moving to a "modern" pension scheme.

Earlier, Unite's general secretary Len McCluskey said shop stewards had decided to accept the company's survival plan "warts and all" in the wake of the closure decision.

Unite's Scottish secretary, Pat Rafferty, said: "Grangemouth is the powerhouse of the Scottish economy - it now has a fighting chance of upholding this crucial role into the future.

"Obviously today's news is tinged with sadness - decent men and women are being asked to make sacrifices to hold on to their jobs, but the clear wish of our members is that we work with the company to implement its proposals."

Ineos caused shockwaves on Wednesday when it announced it could not continue to operate its loss-making petrochemicals division, leaving 800 jobs at risk and many more contractors facing the axe too.

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Footballer Toure Wants Action Over Race Chants

A black Premier League footballer has demanded action from Uefa after rival fans in the crowd made monkey noises during a match in Russia.

Manchester City's Yaya Toure, who is from the Ivory Coast, said he was furious at the behaviour by supporters of CSKA Moscow during Wednesday night's Champions League clash.

TV footage showed a group of topless CSKA fans waving their arms and chanting in a way that Toure said he found "unbelievable".

The 30-year-old, who was wearing a 'No to racism' arm band during the match, said: "I'm not just disappointed, I'm furious.

"I'm very, very disappointed about what those fans have done and I think Uefa has to take action because players with the same colour of skin will always be in the same position.

Toure tackles a CSKA Moscow player

"It's stupid these people. I don't know, it just happens in football. It's unbelievable.

"Uefa has to take action to right it otherwise I think they will just continue."

Mr Toure called for CSKA to be forced to play in an empty ground for a several months as a punishment.

City, who won the match 2-1, confirmed they intend to make a formal complaint to Uefa over the matter.

City's regular captain Vincent Kompany, who was not involved due to injury, later tweeted: "Racist chants again in Moscow today. We've all said enough. @UEFAcom, @GovernmentRF, CSKA, all eyes are on you now.. #StopRacism."

The incident comes amid widespread criticism of prejudice connected to a number of sporting events in Russia.

The country is hosting the World Cup in 2018 and the Winter Olympics in Sochi 2014.

Campaigners recently attempted to get the UK and other countries to boycott the Sochi games over allegations of homophobia by the Russian state.

Sky's Ian Woods said here have been a series of recent racist incidents at football matches.

Bananas have been thrown on to the pitch or waved in the direction of black players such as Christopher Samba and Roberto Carlos.

Fans of Zenit St Petersburg last year issued a manifesto calling on the club to halt the signing of black players and later marched through the streets of the city repeating their demands.

Under Uefa rules, a player has to complain to a referee during a match to prompt an investigation to be carried out afterwards.

Toure said he did complain, which means Uefa will be obliged to investigate.

A spokesman for CSKA Moscow on Thursday told Sky News claims of racism were a "fabrication". He asked for a tape of the behaviour to be sent to him to look at and said he would not comment further until he had seen it.

The Russian player's union refused to comment.

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Murder Investigation After Death Of Boy, 2

A murder inquiry is under way after the death of a two-year-old boy who was admitted to hospital with serious head injuries.

West Midlands Police said a 21-year-old man and a woman, 25, were being held on suspicion of murder after the boy died at Birmingham Children's Hospital on Tuesday.

The boy, who has not been named, was initially admitted to hospital in Coventry at about 1pm on Monday, and later transferred to Birmingham for treatment.

Police were alerted to the boy's admission to hospital by medical staff.

A forensic post-mortem that was carried out was inconclusive, and further tests are needed to establish the cause of death, according to a force spokesman.

A house in Richmond Street, Coventry, has been cordoned off as part of the investigation.

More follows...

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NHS Trusts: Quarter Identified As 'High Risk'

44 NHS Trusts At High Risk

Updated: 10:01am UK, Thursday 24 October 2013

There were 44 trusts in the two bands with the highest risk, with 24 trusts in the highest possible band 1.

Band 1:

Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust

Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

South London Healthcare NHS Trust

Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Band 2:

Barts Health NHS Trust

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust

Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

North West London Hospitals NHS Trust

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation TrustN

Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Weston Area Health NHS Trust

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Royal Mail May Have Been Undervalued

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

JPMorgan told the Government earlier this year that it believed Royal Mail could be worth up to £10bn, including its debts, ahead of the postal operator's privatisation.

Sky News has learnt that corporate financiers from the Wall Street banking giant presented a spectrum for Royal Mail's value ranging from £7.75bn to £9.95bn - the top end of which was more than two-and-a-half times the price at which ministers ultimately sold shares in the company in the most important state asset sale for decades.

The Government sold shares in Royal Mail for 330p each earlier this month, valuing the company's equity at £3.3bn.

Including its roughly £800m of net debt, the privatisation effectively attributed an enterprise value to the company of £4.1bn, above the average valuation of £3.6bn ascribed to it by the nearly two dozen firms which pitched to advise on the sell-off.

The revelation of JPMorgan's valuation of Royal Mail will fuel the controversy over whether Royal Mail was undervalued by the Coalition.

The bank valued the Royal Mail from £7.75bn to £9.95bn, Sky News learns

However, it will also lend credence to those who have argued that many of the banks which participated in the process argued for unduly optimistic valuations for a company facing the twin pressures of industrial action by staff and a sharp long-term decline in its core letters delivery business.

Cabinet ministers including Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, and George Osborne, the Chancellor, have lined up to defend the price of the sell-off following an immediate surge in Royal Mail's share price in the hours after it floated.

Moya Greene, Royal Mail's chief executive, has also backed the Government's stance, endorsing Mr Cable's view that the share price would settle once the hype surrounding the sale had subsided.

Sky News also understands that Citi and Deutsche Bank also pitched valuations well above the £4.1bn point at which the shares were sold, according to sources at those banks and in Whitehall.

Insiders said that Citi had suggested an upper valuation of £7.3bn, while Deutsche Bank argued that Royal Mail could be worth between £6.4bn and £6.9bn.

Neither Citi, Deutsche Bank nor JPMorgan were appointed to work on the privatisation.

A number of other firms among the 21 which pitched are said to have suggested that Royal Mail was worth much less than the £4.1bn enterprise value at which it was sold, underlining the divergence of views about it.

A Department of Business spokesperson said: "A total of 21 banks pitched in May for the business of acting for the Government on the sale of Royal Mail as part of an extensive procurement process. Seven were successful.

"The proposals included indicative valuations of the company based, in many instances, solely on information already in the public domain.  Banks made their own assumptions of Royal Mail's future performance. The range was wide with the median around £3.6bn taking into account [an] IPO [initial public offering] discount.

"The banks' appointment process was overseen by Lazard as independent advisors to Government.

"The banks' proposals came months before any threat of strike action by the unions, financial market uncertainty in the United States and other factors which the Government has already said were taken into consideration in setting a price for the company in September."

George Osborne defended the price of the sell-off

The broad range of valuations presented by bankers is likely to be the focus of a forthcoming probe by the National Audit Office, which is a conventional step following major privatisations.

In a statement on Wednesday, the National Audit Office said: "Given the scale and significance of what has been the first public offering for many years of shares in a publicly owned company, the National Audit Office will be conducting a value for money examination of the privatisation of Royal Mail.

"The examination will cover the issues of how the price range for the initial public offering was set and the discussion of possible revisions to the range."

The Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Select Committee is also examining the privatisation, with Mr Cable and executives from Lazard expected to testify before the Committee on November 20.

Mr Cable last week wrote to the Committee to say that some leading institutional investors had threatened to withdraw their orders for shares if the Government sought to raise the sale price at a late stage of the process.

Bankers often pitch excessively high valuations for companies when they compete to advise on flotations and takeovers in order to ensure they win a slice of the business.

In Royal Mail's case, however, insiders pointed out that it was crucial for the Government to successfully float the company, or "price it to go" in City parlance.

Royal Mail shares were initially listed at 330p

They said it would have been disastrous if the IPO had had to be abandoned, partly because of the embarrassment for ministers and also because it would have ended the prospect of the privatisation taking place before Royal Mail's workforce could go on strike.

Another banker who worked on the deal said that a much higher sale price, followed by a poor after-market performance, would have been more damaging for ministers and incurred a much broader public backlash from those who bought shares.

The Government's remaining stake is now worth just under £2bn and is likely to be sold next year.

Investors who acquired stock in the privatisation have either booked healthy profits or are now sitting on handsome gains following the rise in the share price.

One Whitehall source added that documents published earlier this year showed that the valuation attached to Royal Mail was not one of the key determinants of the Government's decision-making process when appointing bankers to work on the privatisation.

Among the factors that were used to select the banks, they said, were understanding Royal Mail's "equity story" as well as key investor risks such as the feasibility of an IPO and the company's capital structure requirements.

The quality and breadth of their ability to target investor, and relevant prior transaction experience including with the Government were also taken into account, as were banks' proposed fees for working on the transaction.

The row was stoked further this week when the Government was criticised over the disclosure that The Children's Investment Fund, an investor with a track record of corporate agitation, had emerged as Royal Mail's largest private sector shareholder.

Royal Mail shares were trading in London on Thursday morning at around 530p, valuing the group at about £6.1bn including net debt.

A spokeswoman for JPMorgan declined to comment.

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Primark Death: Woman Falls From Liverpool Store

A woman has died after falling from a third-floor balcony at a Primark store in Liverpool.

Officers were called to the clothing store in Church Street by paramedics at 6pm on Tuesday.

The 57-year-old woman was found at the bottom of the escalators on the ground floor.

Moments earlier, she had been seen on the balcony next to the escalators on the third floor, police said.

A doctor, who was in the area at the time, treated the woman at the scene before paramedics arrived.

She was taken to the Royal University Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition but was pronounced dead a short time later.

A police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police can confirm that an investigation is under way after a woman was found with serious injuries inside a clothes store in Liverpool city centre on Tuesday evening."

A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish a cause of death.

The police spokesman added: "Detectives are speaking to witnesses and viewing CCTV to establish the full circumstances of the incident."

Anyone with any relevant information about the incident should call St Anne Street CID on 0151 777 4065 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

At the same store five years ago a three-year-old girl fell through a gap between the escalators.

She survived the fall but suffered multiple injuries, including a broken leg and arm.

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Godparents Named Ahead Of Royal Christening

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named Zara Tindall and six other friends as the godparents of Prince George.

The names were revealed ahead of the christening of the future king and supreme governor of the Church of England at St James's Palace later today.

His other godparents include William and Kate's former private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who continues to serve part-time as their principal private secretary and equerry.

Kensington Palace said the five others are Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Earl Grosvenor, Julia Samuel and William van Cutsem.

Zara Tindall has been named as godmother of the newest royal heir

Mr Baker is an old university friend who attended St Andrews with William and Kate, while Earl Grosvenor, whose first name is Hugh, is the son of the Duke of Westminster.

Ms Samuel was a close friend of Diana, Princess of Wales, and is the founder patron of Child Bereavement UK, which has William as its royal patron.

Mr van Cutsem is an old family friends of William and Harry, while Ms Jardine-Paterson is an interior designer and an old Malborough College friend of Kate, who also uses her maiden name d'Erlanger in her working life.

Kensington Palace confirmed that those invited to the christening include the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, who has become a grandfather for the first time, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.

William van Custem and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton are named as godparents

Kate's family - parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa and James - will also attend, along with the godparents and their partners.

The royal couple have chosen celebrity portrait photographer Jason Bell to take the official pictures to mark the christening.

Mr Bell is renowned for his images of showbiz figures like Sir Paul McCartney, actress Scarlett Johansson and former England footballer David Beckham.

The historic 45-minute service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury will see four generations of British monarchs photographed together for the first time since 1899.

While the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William were all christened at Buckingham Palace, the Duke and Duchess have chosen to break with tradition, holding the baptism in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace.

The intimate gathering in the chapel where Diana, Princess of Wales' coffin rested before her funeral in 1997 will see William and Kate joined by up to 60 close family and friends.

"This is a hugely significant moment for the Queen. It's terribly important for her to be there with her heir, her heir's heir and her heir's heir's heir," said Sky's Royal Commentator Alastair Bruce.

The last time a monarch was photographed alongside three heirs was in 1899 at the christening of Edward VIII. He was cradled by great-grandmother Queen Victoria, alongside his father George V and grandfather Edward VII.

Prince George will be brought from Kensington Palace by his parents dressed in a Honiton lace christening gown, a replica of the one used by more than 60 members of the Royal Family since 1841.

The christening of Queen Elizabeth II in 1926 and of Prince Charles in 1948

Alastair Bruce added: "The Queen decided a number of years ago that the original gown was no longer in a fit state to be used for christenings and so had a new one made, first worn by the Earl and Countess of Wessex's son at his christening."

The Lily font used by the Archbishop will be brought to the Chapel Royal from the Tower of London where it is normally housed as part of the crown jewels.

Not expected to attend the christening are family members Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, who have other commitments.

Former Daily Mirror photographer Kent Gavin took the official photographs at Prince William's christening and realised one vital shot was missing.

"I was told not to approach the Queen, but when I realised they'd forgotten to have the Queen Mother hold Prince William, I had to say something," he said.

"The Queen called the Queen Mother into the Music Room, she put her drink down and Diana passed Prince William to her. That's how we got an award-winning shot."

:: Watch coverage of the christening throughout the day on Sky News.

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Plebgate: Davis Wants Police To Wear Cameras

A senior Tory has suggested officers should have their actions recorded as he called for an inquiry into police culture in the wake of the Plebgate row.

Former shadow home secretary David Davis said police should wear a small camera and microphone to record all contact with the public.

Mr Davis, writing in The Times, claimed there was a "crisis of ethics" in the service and that the controversial move would help rebuild a "decline in public trust".

His call came as three officers caught up in the row, as well as their chief constables and representatives of the police watchdog, were preparing to give evidence to MPs.

Mr Davis said: "The police put millions of innocent people under surveillance in order to catch a tiny minority of wrongdoers. Perhaps now it is time to make officers wear a camera and microphone while on duty.

"When they tried this in California, use of force by police officers dropped by two-thirds in a year. This technology could also help to defend police officers who have vexatious claims made against them."

Andrew Mitchell said he met with the officers to "clear the air"

:: Watch the Home Affairs Select Committee live on Sky at 2.45pm

Mr Davis also called for a more powerful Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which should become a British "Untouchables", able to investigate without obstruction and "overrule every chief of police in the land".

He said: "Britain needs root-and-branch reform of policing culture, a feat beyond the powers of even a powerful independent regulator.

"The Government should appoint a Royal Commission to investigate the conduct of the police. The lessons about what behaviour is expected from a British police officer should be instilled from Day One."

He added: "The Commission should not limit its focus to new recruits. In recent days, as the truth about Andrew Mitchell's meeting with Police Federation officials has emerged, it has been senior officers who have responded with a series of implausible denials.

The Plebgate investigation has so far cost more than £230,000

"The mindset of the whole officer class should not be off limits."

After his comments, Met Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe admitted the row had clouded the public's view of Scotland Yard and taken too long to resolve.

"We're all eager to see the outcome of this inquiry and that we get back to some kind of normality, because I think it's not good for the police and it's not good for public confidence," he told LBC.

The top cop added: "Of course if we've done anything wrong, I will be the first to say I'm sorry, we're sorry. Of course I would apologise if we've got things wrong."

He also revealed he had not spoken to Mr Mitchell since the row first erupted last September, saying it was a "dilemma" whether to or not.

"If you talk to someone it can be seen as though you're being influenced or trying to influence someone; if you don't it can be seen as ignorant," he said.

"You have to be careful how much access we give to a public figure compared to somebody who lives in Croydon or Lewisham."

He backed the idea of police wearing cameras and microphones in principle but warned there were issues surrounding data storage, access to the footage and the consent of crime victims.

Mr Mitchell resigned as Tory Chief Whip last October after clashing with police as he tried to cycle out of the main gates in Downing Street.

He has consistently denied calling the officers "plebs" and claims he was the victim of a deliberate attempt to "toxify" the Tories and ruin his career.

Three Police Federation representatives have been accused of trying to discredit the politician in media interviews after a meeting held shortly before he quit.

An internal police investigation into their behaviour after the summit found they had no case to answer for misconduct or gross misconduct.

But an IPCC report last week questioned their "honesty and integrity" and suggested the officers had been motivated by an "anti-cuts campaign".

Inspector Ken MacKaill, Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton and Sergeant Chris Jones acknowledged their "poor judgement" earlier this week but did not issue an outright apology.

They and their chief constables from the Warwickshire, West Midlands and West Mercia forces will all give evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee this afternoon.

Chief Inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams, who led the internal inquiry into the allegations, and IPCC chiefs Dame Anne Owers and Deborah Glass will also appear.

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Stuart Hall Re-Arrested: New Child Sex Claims

Disgraced broadcaster Stuart Hall has been re-arrested and is being questioned by detectives over new, more serious, child sex allegations.

The former It's A Knockout presenter was taken to a police station from prison, where he is serving a 30-month jail term for sexually abusing 13 victims, one as young as nine, over a period of nearly 20 years.

The latest allegations relate to two alleged female victims, aged between 12 and 15 at the time, according to Lancashire police.

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said the alleged offences took place in Manchester and Derbyshire between 1974 and 1980.

"One of these two women claims that he raped her over several years on a regular basis," said Brunt

A police spokeswoman said: "This morning an 83-year-old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire was produced from prison and arrested by detectives on suspicion of a number of sexual offences.

"The allegations are historic and relate to two alleged female victims aged between 12 and 15 at the time.

"They allegedly took place in the Manchester and Derbyshire area between 1974 and 1980. We are not prepared to discuss further details at this stage.

"The man will be interviewed at a Lancashire police station during the course of the day.

"We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously.

"We would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse or who has been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge it will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity."

It comes after it was confirmed that Hall had been stripped of his OBE for broadcasting and charity in the wake of his conviction for sex offences against children.

Hall was initially given a 15-month prison term at Preston Crown Court, but the Court of Appeal ruled that the sentence was "inadequate" and it was doubled in July.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge said his initial denials of his crimes were a "seriously aggravating" feature in the case.

In April, Hall, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, eventually admitted 14 counts of indecent assault against girls aged between nine and 17, and a reporting ban on his pleas was lifted the following month.

He had previously been strident in condemning the accusations, which he labelled "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious".

Hall, whose full name is James Stuart Hall, said he had endured "a living nightmare" and, but for his "very loving family", may have considered taking his own life.

He was a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century, and his eccentric and erudite football match summaries made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.

He also wrote a weekly sport column for the Radio Times magazine up until his arrest.

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Health Tourism: NHS Can Save £500m A Year

The NHS could save £500m a year if it was better at charging foreign nationals to use its services, according to a new report.

This represents a quarter of the annual £2bn cost of treating temporary migrants and foreign visitors given by the Department of Health (DoH).

The savings would come from a crackdown on so-called health tourists, who travel to the UK to access free treatment.

The Government is currently consulting on a package of measures, including a £200 annual levy on migrants from outside Europe.

A new cost recovery unit would also work to recoup money owed by other governments for treating foreign nationals.

Health tourists, such as women who come to the UK in late pregnancy to give birth, cost the NHS at least £70m each year, according to the study on migrant access to NHS care in England.

It also estimates £388m could be recovered from patients who should pay for care but are not always charged.

Officials say that only around 16% of this money - £62m - is currently recouped.

The independent report conducted for the DoH says the NHS has "some of the most generous rules in the world".

At the moment, only hospitals are required to charge for services and even then, emergency care is free.

Jeremy Hunt says the NHS is not an 'international' service

The figures were released ahead of the second reading of the Government's Immigration Bill, which aims to bring in measures to stop migrants abusing public services.

A key measure in the Bill will see temporary migrants, such as overseas students, pay to access the NHS.

Ministers hope the levy on students or foreign workers who come to the UK for more than half a year will generate £200m a year.

The surcharge, combined with better recovery of costs and a deterrent on health tourism, could save the NHS "well over half a billion pounds", a DoH spokesman said.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the NHS is a "national health service - not an international one".

He told Sky News: "I have absolutely no problem at all with foreigners and international visitors using the NHS, but if they are not contributing to it through their taxes they should make a fair contribution in another way.

"Other European countries have much better systems in place. We have to recognise that we are one of the most open economies in the world, London is the most international city in the world and we have an NHS that is free at the point of use.

"We need to have some sensible checks so that we can recover money that will pay for more doctors and nurses."

Labour's shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "We are in favour of improving the recovery of costs from people with no entitlement to NHS treatment."

However, he claimed the figures were based on "old and incomplete data" and were more about "spin than substance".

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Prince George Christening: Archbishop's Message

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken for the first time about the christening of Prince George and the moment he will mark the future king's forehead with the sign of the cross.

In a message released by Lambeth Palace, the Most Reverend Justin Welby spoke of the "great times" the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have as parents in the years to come.

The 45-minute christening will take place on Wednesday at 3pm at the Chapel Royal within St James's Palace.

The Chapel Royal at St James's Palace

The ceremony will be conducted by the Archbishop in what he called a celebration of "the next hugely important moment" in Prince George's life.

He said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have had so much advice they could probably fill a house with it.

"My message to them would be 'what a treat, what an amazing gift, what wonderful times you will have'.

"A few months ago millions of people around the world celebrated the birth of Prince George.

"Now we're celebrating the next hugely important moment, which is his christening."

The Chapel Royal has been the setting for historic royal occasions ever since the reign of Henry VIII, such as the marriage of Queen Victoria in 1840.

Beneath the ornate Hans Holbein ceiling, the third-in-line to the throne and future supreme governor of the Church of England will be christened George Alexander Louis.

The Eton-educated Archbishop said: "I will mark Prince George with the sign of the cross on his forehead and that's exactly what every priest always does every single baptism.

"It's an extraordinary moment because that is the sign by which we understand this person belongs to God.

The ceremony will be a private family occasion and an historic event

"There'll be great times, there'll be tough times - there always are with children.

"Through christening you are bringing God into the middle of it all and I know that when he's in the middle of it all, somehow, it's held in his hands, and that's extraordinary."

Mr Welby also talked about how Prince George's baptism means he joins almost 2,000 million people around the world in what he calls the "family of the Church".

Kate and William have 'great times' ahead, according to the Archbishop

But Prince George is entering a family that is dwindling in number.

Both Anglican and Catholic Churches have seen a steady decline in the numbers choosing to christen their children in recent decades.

Reverend Sally Hitchiner, who has worked alongside Mr Welby in the past, told Sky News: "I don't think it's an entirely bad thing.

"My experiences as a priest are that people I meet coming forward to have their child christened tend to be more sincere.

"There tends to be a genuine interest in faith and I always think that being honest in front of your newborn child is a good thing."

A gold proof kilo coin worth £50,000 struck to commemorate the event

She believes William, Kate and of course Prince George, are in safe hands.

She said of the Archbishop: "He's actually quite normal.

"He makes a joke when things are funny and he's not afraid to smile if something goes wrong.

"I would imagine his welcome would be very warm and very personal."

:: For coverage of Prince George's christening on Wednesday October 23 watch on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad.

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Grangemouth: Owner 'In Dark' As Buyer Sought

The owner of the Grangemouth refinery, currently shut down during a bitter dispute with staff, has told Sky News it did not know the Scottish Government was seeking a new buyer.

Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed talks with several parties after two-thirds of workers at the refinery refused to accept new terms and conditions as part of a survival plan for the site's future - a development which seems to have forced the Government's hand given the threat the shutdown poses to fuel supplies.

In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland he warned that the dispute between current owner Ineos and the Unite union was heading for a stalemate and said "alternative options" were being considered.

Unite has welcomed the prospect of a sale

"I don't think it will come as any surprise to anybody that the Scottish Government is looking at alternative options and there will be other players around the globe who will be interested in this particular plant.

"There are discussions...going on with other parties. The Scottish Government will continue to pursue those discussions because we think that is the right and the responsible thing to do."

Mr Swinney dismissed any idea of Government ownership of the site as "not appropriate".

"We are in a situation where the plant is operating successfully within the marketplace and it can work and operate more successfully in the market place," he said.

He urged Ineos to accept a trade union statement that there would be no strike action during negotiations at "face value".

"I can see no good reason for the plant lying idle today and I think it should be started as a matter of urgency," he said.

Ineos had set a deadline of 6pm on Monday for its employees to sign up to changes to pay, pensions and terms and conditions.

The company said hundreds of workers had accepted the proposals, but Unite maintained that, as the deadline passed, two out of three of its members had said no.

Last Thursday, Ineos sent a letter to all 1,350 workers at the site asking them to indicate their rejection or acceptance of the plan.

It said those who supported the survival plan would receive a transitional payment of up to £15,000.

The two sides have been embroiled in a bitter dispute for weeks, initially over the treatment of Unite convenor Stephen Deans, who was involved in the row over a selection of a Labour candidate in Falkirk, where he is chairman of the constituency party.

He was suspended, then reinstated, and is facing an internal investigation, which is due to report on Friday.

The dispute has since widened to the future of the entire site, with Ineos warning that it will close without fresh investment and changes to pensions and other terms and conditions.

The company said the plant, which has been shut down since last week because of the dispute, is losing £10m a month.

Ineos shareholders are expected to meet today to discuss the dispute.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey welcomed news of the buyer talks with the Scottish Government - slamming the company's chairman in the process.

He said: "Jim Ratcliffe's behaviour has exposed a dreadful frailty at the heart of our energy supply, which is that one man's power and wealth can hold our governments and citizens to ransom.

"Our politicians need now to step up. Our public utilities cannot be run by those indifferent to considerations of social responsibility.

"Unite calls upon politicians in Edinburgh and Westminster to support a new beginning for Grangemouth, free of the tyranny of one man's whims.

"If this means securing financial assistance - or even nationalisation - then this must be done. We can have no objections from Westminster when they have handed our nuclear energy future over to the state-owned Chinese and French nuclear industries."

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No National Rollout Of 'Go Home' Migrant Vans

The Government has dropped its controversial 'go home' van campaign aimed at tackling illegal immigration.

The policy will not be rolled out nationwide, following a storm of criticism after it was piloted in six London boroughs this summer.

Posters on the side of vans asked: "In the UK illegally? Go home or face arrest" and showed a pair of handcuffs and an official with a Home Office badge.

The advertising watchdog recently ruled that the arrest statistics cited were misleading, but rejected complaints that the posters were offensive or racist.

The pilot cost £10,000 and its critics included the coalition's own Business Secretary Vince Cable, who called it "stupid and offensive".

However, Tory Immigration Minister Mark Harper said only last week that the approach could be adopted nationwide if it was effective.

Home Secretary Theresa May has now decided it will definitely not be extended, amid suggestions it only prompted one person to leave the UK.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The Home Secretary has seen an interim evaluation and has not been convinced by the results. As such, there will be no further roll-out."

Government 'gimmicks': Yvette Cooper

The decision emerged shortly before the start of a Commons debate on the coalition's flagship plans to tighten the immigration system.

The Immigration Bill will see illegal immigrants blocked from opening UK bank accounts and mean banks, employers and landlords have to check people's status.

Illegal immigrants and foreign prisoners will also have their rights of appeal slashed to make their deportation easier.

And temporary residents will have to pay an annual levy to fund NHS treatment in an attempt to tackle the costs of so-called "health tourism".

Labour claims the changes, which are the centrepiece of the coalition's legislative programme this year, do nothing to tackle border control and exploitation of foreign workers.

The Opposition will attempt to regain the initiative by tabling a package of measures designed to limit immigration from within the EU.

Freedom of movement rules in Europe mean it is impossible to stop migrants coming to the UK to work but Labour wants to tighten the rules to stop Britons being penalised.

It claims its proposals are the "first serious attempt by any party" to deal with the problems caused by EU migration, which are among voters' top concerns.

Labour's plans include:

:: Making it illegal for employers to deliberately run shifts for foreign workers only;

:: Forcing large firms hiring a worker from outside the EU to offer an apprenticeship in return;

:: Banning unsuitable housing being used as tied accommodation to offset the minimum wage;

:: Increasing the fine to £50,000 for not paying the minimum wage;

:: Trebling the fine to £30,000 for employing illegal immigrants.

Mr Miliband's proposal for firms who bring in foreign workers to be forced to create apprenticeships has already been condemned by business leaders.

The British Chambers of Commerce denounced it as an "apprentice tax" while the Institute of Directors said it was "completely removed from reality".

But shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper claimed Labour's plans were in contrast to Government "gimmicks" like the "offensive" ad vans or texting immigrants.

The Government argues its measures will help reduce net migration from outside the EU to less than 100,000 a year.

Campaigners from the Unite union, who claim the laws represent a backwards, step will protest outside the Commons ahead of the debate.

It highlighted plans to tackle health tourism, branding them "dog whistle" tactics and arguing migrants do not come to Britain to use the NHS but to work in it.

Assistant general secretary Steve Turner said: "The Bill is a further erosion of people's rights as it proposes a complete shrinking of appeal rights and an increase in appeals that can only be made from abroad.

"As it is, Home Office decision making is poor and around 40% of appeals succeed. This Bill, brought in for cynical political gain, must be defeated."

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Scotland: Two Boeing 747 Planes In Near Miss

Two jumbo jets with around 1,000 people on board were just 100ft from crashing over Scotland because pilots confused their flight instructions, it has emerged.

The two Boeing 747s were 30 miles north of Glasgow and preparing to cross the Atlantic when an air traffic controller spotted they were moving closer together.

The UK Airprox Board report shows the two planes heading towards each other

He immediately ordered the plane on the left to make a left turn and the one on the right to make a right turn to move them further apart.

But they did the opposite - bringing the two passenger jets closer together.

When the danger was first spotted the 747s were 10 miles apart, but within a minute they were three miles away and still closing in.

A crash was only averted when the two pilots on each aircraft saw each other and took evasive action, with one plane climbing and the other diving.

At one point, one plane was just 100ft above the other.

Details of the incident, which occurred on June 23 this year, were revealed in a report by the UK Airprox Board, which examines near misses in UK airspace.

Investigators are at a loss to explain how the crews of both aircraft either misheard or misinterpreted their orders.

The report said: "It was apparent that both crews had taken each others' instructions, and the board found it hard to determine why this had occurred; unfortunately no human factor report was available from either crew.

At one point the two passenger jets were only 100ft apart

"The board was surprised that all four pilots had misheard or misinterpreted the avoiding action instructions despite at least one of the crews reading them back correctly.

"One airline pilot member wondered if there could have been call-sign confusion; this was discounted because they were not similar ... the transmissions were clear on the RT recording."

The board said the danger was needlessly increased because the planes had earlier been ordered by air traffic control to fly at the same height of 34,000ft.

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Alcohol Poll: Half Of Kids See Parents Drunk

Almost half of 10 to 14-year-olds have seen their parents drunk, according to new research.

A survey by the industry-funded charity Drinkaware found 46% had seen their parents drunk, with 29% saying they had seen it on more than one occasion.

The poll of 1,000 parents and their children also found 42% of parents admitting their child had seen them or their partner drunk.

But 72% of parents said they felt very confident talking to their child about drinking and 75% believed they were best placed to do so.

Elaine Hindal, chief executive of Drinkaware, said: "While setting rules about alcohol and speaking to children about the risks is a positive step, equally important is that parents understand their significant influence as role models and feel confident to set a good example.

"Children are aware of alcohol from a young age.

"Estimates suggest that around one in three children under 16 in the UK live with an adult binge-drinker, and studies show that the odds of a teenager getting drunk double if they have seen their parents drunk - even if only on a few occasions.

"Understanding the impact of what parents say as well as what they do is important, as both can shape children's attitudes towards alcohol."

Public opinion is mixed on the streets.

In Chester in Cheshire, a mother told Sky News she has no concerns about drinking in front of her family.

"Yes, they have seen me drunk, being silly and doing silly things ... but it doesn't worry me at all," she said.

"I have a teenage daughter who is old enough to drink, but I wouldn't offer to buy her one. I don't encourage her to drink at all."

But a father said he would never get drunk in front of his children because he wanted to set a good example.

He told Sky News: "I normally have a drink after they have gone to bed. However, they have seen me drink, but they have never seen me drunk."

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Boy Charged Over Manchester Uni Sex Assaults

A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the sexual assaults of several women near Manchester University.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with five counts of sexual assault.

He will appear at Manchester City Magistrates Court later today. 

The charges relate to five reports of sexual assault, including three near the grounds of Manchester University, over a period of two weeks late last month. 

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin thanked the public for their assistance in the case. 

"I am extremely grateful to the public for all the calls we received this weekend after putting an appeal out for information in connection with these incidents," he said.

An 18-year-old man also arrested in connection with the assaults has been bailed pending further enquiries.

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Man Admits Murder Of Hertfordshire Pensioner

A 55-year-old man has admitted the murder of a pensioner who was stabbed after going to the aid of his neighbour - a convicted paedophile - during a robbery.

Ian McLoughlin, 55, appeared at the Old Bailey and admitted killing Graham Buck in Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, in July.

Mr Buck, 66, suffered fatal stab wounds when he responded to cries from the home of 86-year-old Francis Cory-Wright in the village near Berkhamsted.

McLouglin met Mr Cory-Wright while in prison and showed up at his house claiming to need help setting up a charity for elderly ex-offenders.

But McLoughlin, already a convicted killer, suddenly grabbed him and demanded money and valuables.

He tied up Mr Cory-Wright, who was jailed for 30 months for indecently assaulting a 10-year old boy in the 1970s, and stuffed silver family heirlooms into a pillowcase and demanded his bank cards and pin numbers.

Mr Buck, a father-of-three, who lived two doors away from Mr Cory-Wright, went to help him after hearing shouting in his front garden.

He confronted McLoughlin as he tried to flee Mr Cory-Wright's house and was stabbed in the neck.

In a police interview, McLoughlin apologised for killing Mr Buck.

"I'm not sorry for what I did to the nonce, but I'm sorry for what I did to the pensioner."

Witnesses described seeing Mr Buck with his throat slashed "wide open", prosecutor Ann Evans said. He died on his front lawn, with his pet dog sitting beside him.

McLoughlin, who has also admitted robbery, is due to be sentenced this afternoon.

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Waste Crime: Rogue Operators Hunted Down

By Emma Birchley, East of England Correspondent

Illegal waste operators are being tracked down and forced out of business as part of a crackdown on their criminal trade.

A Environment Agency taskforce shut down a record 1,279 sites in the last financial year, almost double the previous 12 months, where traders had dumped or buried waste, or sorted it ready for illegal export without the necessary permits.

The cost of the crime is put at £1bn, according to the organisation's environment and business manager Bob Mead.

"The people who operate illegally probably don't pay taxes, they certainly aren't paying their proper landfill tax, so there are a variety of income sources which government isn't getting," he said.

"And there is the money lost to legitimate industry that would be paying the appropriate taxes."

On the edge of Brigg in North Lincolnshire, enforcement officers found a warehouse packed with thousands of vast bales of plastic as well as mounds of loose rubbish blowing about the yard.

Thick swarms of flies spread to the town, proof that the stinking waste was contaminated.

At the White Hart pub half a mile away the problem became unbearable for owner Andy Carrington.

"This area was badly affected. On this street there is another pub, a butchers, a bakery," he told Sky News.

"It soon became clear we were all suffering, we were all struggling with them which makes the town look bad."

The illegal operator was fined £13,500 but 17 months after the waste was found, most of it is still festering in the unit.

And if he does not remove it, it will be up to the landowner to clear.

By failing to follow procedures and get the necessary licences, rogue operators can undercut their legitimate competitors, like Bell Waste Control in Scunthorpe.

General manager Steve Kent said: "It's so frustrating that we have to go through all the procedures ... to get the lads' health and safety and the environmental management, and bogus operators are going round with none of this, filling warehouses with waste and walking away from it."

The extra funding for the illegal waste sites taskforce ends soon, but the Environment Agency says it will use the methods it has developed to keep the pressure on the criminals.

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Girl, 8, Mauled By Two Bulldogs In Glasgow

An eight-year-old girl is in hospital with serious facial injuries after being mauled by two bulldogs in Glasgow.

The youngster, named locally as Broagan McCuaig, was playing with friends when she was attacked by the dogs in Gartloch Road, Garthamlock, at about 5.10pm on Friday.

She is being treated at the city's Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Her condition is not thought to be life threatening.

A 34-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman have been charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act following the attack.

Neighbour Helen Edgar told the Sunday Mail newspaper: "She is a lovely girl and popular with all the other children.

"She was just playing in the back court and having fun, just like any normal eight-year-old. We are all hoping and praying now that she pulls through."

Local MSP Paul Martin said: "My thoughts are with the family. We have to take robust action to deal with this, and we have to give the victim all the support we can.

"It always seems to be children who find themselves in this position."

A Police Scotland spokesman said the dogs are believed to be American bulldogs.

"The dogs have been seized and one man aged 34 and one woman aged 33 have been charged with offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

"Inquiries are continuing."

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Alps Murders: Brother Denies Involvement

The brother of a British-Iraqi businessman whose family were shot dead in the French Alps has again claimed he was not involved in the massacre.

Zaid al Hilli, whose brother Saad was found dead in a bullet-riddled BMW in September last year, admitted to The Sunday Times newspaper that they were engaged in a bitter inheritance dispute, but said he had nothing to do with the murders.

"I have told the police from the beginning that I am an open book. I have nothing to hide," he said.

The 54-year-old, who was arrested in June on suspicion of masterminding the killings, accused French police of failing to carry out a proper investigation.

Saad al Hilli was shot dead with his wife and mother-in-law

He said they should look at the possibility that the real target was Sylvain Mollier, a Frenchman who was shot dead near the family's car as he cycled through the hills above Lake Annecy.

"They are covering up for someone in France in that region and they know it," Mr Hilli told the BBC.

"Mollier was involved in family disputes and was an outsider to (his) rich family. There is something more to it locally ... most crime has local roots."

The scene of the shooting in France

Saad al Hilli, 50, was shot dead in his car parked in a lay-by on a mountain road. His wife Iqbal, 47, and her mother Suhaila al Allaf, 74, were also killed. Mr Mollier's body was found nearby.

The couple's daughter Zainab, seven at the time, recovered after being shot and pistol-whipped and her sister Zeena, who was four, was found unhurt hiding beneath her mother's body.

French investigators believe Mr Mollier was an innocent bystander who was killed because he stumbled upon the murder scene.

Their lead theory is that a family inheritance dispute was the motive for the killings.

Saad al Hilli's family home in Claygate, Surrey

Mr Hilli, who is due to answer police bail on Wednesday, also denied any involvement in the shooting when he was approached by Sky News last month.

He told The Sunday Times that the last time the brothers spoke, Saad had physically attacked him as they argued over the £1m house in Claygate, Surrey, they inherited from their mother.

"I was on the bed in my bedroom and he pinned me down," he said.

Mr Hilli, who works as a payroll manager for a leisure company, said he had given 25 hours of interviews to British police but has refused to go to France for further questioning.

The killings took place near Lake Annecy

"The French, I don't trust them at all," he told The Sunday Times. "My brother was killed there in that region and I am not going to take the risk."

He revealed that he had taken a day off work on the day of the murders and gone to Worthing, in West Sussex, with a friend.

He said the brothers, who were born to middle-class parents in Baghdad before the family moved to Britain in 1971, had enjoyed a close relationship but fell out over the house.

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Tim Rice Returns To West End After 13 Years

By Richard Suchet, Arts and Entertainment Correspondent

Sir Tim Rice is making his return to the West End with a new musical called From Here To Eternity - his first original show in 13 years.

But the lyricist will be competing for audiences with his old writing partner Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, who also has a new show opening in December.

From Here To Eternity stars talent show winner Darius Campbell and is a love story set on an army base in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941.

From Here To Eternity is a love story set on on an army base

The show is based on the book of the same name by James Jones.

"This is quite a grown-up musical but there's a lot of humour in it," said Rice.

Lloyd Webber's new show is set in the 1960s and retells the events leading up to the suicide of Stephen Ward, after whom the musical is named.

He was the man who introduced model and alleged call-girl Christine Keeler to war minister John Profumo.

Rice (pictured) said it is unlikely he will work with Lloyd Webber again

Speaking at the launch of Stephen Ward, Lloyd Webber said: "This show doesn't really deal with the Profumo affair except in a very brief way.

"What this is really, is a story about how the establishment came together to find a scapegoat for a whole range of things."

The musical masterminds have fallen out and re-united several times over the years.

Together they have scored some of the most popular and commercially successful musicals of all time, including Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Asked whether there was any chance of the pair working together again, Lord Lloyd Webber told Sky News: "I don't think he (Tim Rice) sees himself able to work with me again.

Lloyd Webber's new show opens in December

"But I wish him the very best of luck. He's a great lyricist and that's all I have to say."

Rice said: "It's unlikely we'll work together again because, well, it's unlikely I'll do another show after this one.

"But I said that after the previous one."

There is no suggestion that the timing of the two shows is anything more than coincidence and both men insist there is no rivalry.

But with the proliferation of "Jukebox musicals" that have pop music as their score, such as Let It Be or We Will Rock You - the question is whether Rice and Lloyd Webber still have pulling power.

Webber and Rice pictured in 1970

Theatre critic Mark Shanton believes both men will be feeling a certain amount of pressure.

"Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice created their three biggest hits when they were very young men - before they were 30," he says.

"So of course 30 or 40 years later the stakes are quite high for them to come up with the goods again."

Stephen Ward opens on December 20 at the Aldwych Theatre.

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