'Euro Leaders Are Cowards' Over Juncker Vote

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has labelled Europe's leaders "cowards" for electing arch-federalist Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission.

Prime Minister David Cameron's only ally was Hungary as he attempted to block Mr Juncker, who he claims is not the right man to force through EU reform.

The Tories have promised a referendum on EU membership should they win the next election - and Mr Hunt believes "cowardice" from Europe's leaders can only make a vote to quit more likely.

"As a result of cowardice yesterday from other European leaders who weren't prepared to say in public what they said in private, they're going to have to work a lot harder to persuade the British people that Europe has a reform agenda," he said.

Mr Hunt claimed the British people would be "proud" of the Prime Minister - and that his position would ultimately help the UK renegotiate its relationship with Europe.

"You're getting European leaders queuing up to say how much they want Britain to stay in the EU, how they'll make compromises," he said.

Former Luxembourg premier Mr Juncker was backed by Germany's Angela Merkel

"We want to be a country in control of our own destiny, we want to stop abuses of the welfare system and NHS.

"We're not going to take part in some grubby face-saving deal where we pretend we've got a deal - a feature of the last government. We want substantive reform in Europe."

The Prime Minister said his fellow EU leaders had made a "serious mistake" but vowed to keep fighting for reform in Europe.

"This is going to be a long, tough fight and frankly sometimes you have to be prepared to lose a battle in order to win a war," he added. "It has only stiffened my resolve to fight for reform in the EU, because it is crying out for it."

Mr Cameron claimed Britain had "made some small steps forward" during the vote discussions.

This included an agreement that ever-closer union allows for different paths of integration and respects the wishes of countries such as Britain that do not want a closer relationship.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was an advocate of Mr Juncker, but amid the vote she urged EU colleagues to "compromise" with Britain.

The PM argued Mr Juncker was not the "right person" for the post

"I think we can find compromises here and make a step towards Great Britain," she said.

Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "The last 48 hours doesn't show Europe is unreformable, it shows David Cameron is not the man to reform it because he has become toxic.

"Because people doubt his motivations, because people doubt the way he operates, it's made people say 'We're not going to ally with Britain'."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "I think what's clear is that any cards that Mr Cameron may have had to play have been spent, and have been lost over a futile battle that he was bound to lose from the beginning.

"(Any) renegotiation now doesn't look very likely. He has been humiliated today but worse than that, he actually looks very isolated."

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Missing Elvis Impersonator: Man Arrested

Police hunting an Elvis impersonator wanted in connection with a firearms alert that closed a Cornish school have arrested a man.

Police detained a 60-year-old man on land in Widegates, Looe, and recovered two firearms, around 9.30pm on Friday.

The man was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and was being taken into custody at Launceston police station.

He was first taken to a local hospital for a medical assessment as a precaution.

Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation.

Police tweeted a version of this photo of Derrel Weaver

Armed officers were called after a domestic-related alert at 60-year-old Derrel Weaver's home in Widegates around 9.30pm on Thursday.

The nearby Trenode Church of England Primary School was closed. Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted a photo of Mr Weaver of Higher Widlake Farm.

The caption read: "Have you seen this man, Derrel Weaver, 60, #widegates Looe, if you see him please ring 999 and do not approach."

Police maintained a "high presence" at the scene near Looe

Another tweet added: "Police are doing everything possible to maintain public safety, but we ask local people to be patient during this time."

Mr Weaver's Google+ page says he owns a tree surgery business and is also a "rock n roll singer".

Local resident Ann Chudleigha said Mr Weaver was a well-known member of the community.

The decision to close the school was made by its headteacher in consultation with police.

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House Sitters Bag Top Properties On Cheap

By Gemma Morris, Sky News Reporter

More and more young professionals, who cannot afford to get on the housing ladder, are bagging themselves plush temporary accommodation for very little money under "guardian schemes".

Becoming a guardian is a bit like glorified house sitting - often in grand and eccentric properties that would otherwise be left standing empty.

It saves the property owners from forking out on security costs and also keeps squatters at bay.

At the same time, the guardians get to live in buildings they could otherwise only dream of - while paying monthly fees which can sometimes be as low as 20% of the market rental rate.

One of the properties on offer to guardians from Ad Hoc Property Management

Robyn Winfield-Smith is a theatre director who lives in a 10,000 sq ft building in the heart of London's West End.

Her bedroom is a spacious former dance studio.

She says being a guardian works for her and her housemates because they cannot afford typical rents in the capital.

"This enables us to stay within the careers that we want whilst living very cheaply."

Recent figures from LSL Property Services put the average monthly rent in England and Wales at £745 per month.

In London, it's £1,124.

This home in Hampstead Heath is offered as planning permission is obtained

Guardian schemes are only ever temporary, usually for a few months or years, and tend to be while the building owners await planning permission.

But Robyn enjoys the constant change.

"You can bring along all your furniture and create a brand new home every time you move ... Some of the buildings we've had have been extraordinary."

Properties managed by guardian companies include churches, pubs and other commercial buildings as well as privately owned more "normal" looking flats and houses.

Robyn Winfield-Smith enters her London dance studio home

Arthur Duke, managing director of Live-In Guardians, said the number of young professionals applying to be guardians in the past 18 months has grown.

"One of the attractions is the fact that they pay at least 50% of the going market rental which is all inclusive so there's no bills on top and no council tax either.

"We used to get around 8-10 on line applications a day, whereas now we are getting around 15-20."

Critics though warn it is not a solution to the housing crisis.

Antonia Bance, from Shelter, said: "We'd urge caution, [there are] very few tenancy rights attached to property guardianship schemes. If we're looking to solve our housing crisis the thing that we need to do is build more affordable homes."

Robyn admits there are some downsides too, but she is not put off.

"You're not allowed pets, not allowed smoking, and not allowed to have more than two people for longer than three hours  - that's the kind of general rule on guests. But that's fine because what we're getting in exchange is this amazing environment to live in."

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Armed Forces Day: PM And Salmond Attend

Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond are joining crowds marking the sixth annual Armed Forces Day in Scotland.

Thousands are expected to enjoy piping, parades and a Red Arrow display in Stirling to honour servicemen and women past and present.

The Princess Royal and Labour leader Ed Miliband are also attending as Stirling Castle provides the backdrop to parachute, helicopter and jet displays.

Those wanting to join in can adopt a "Twibbon", which will add an image of the Armed Forces on to their Twitter or Facebook profile.

A 'selfie' taken by a Red Arrows pilot ahead of the display. Pic: @RAFRed8

Meanwhile, Saracens rugby stars made a surprise visit to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, to mark Armed Forces Day.

They were shown how the camp and surrounding air routes are defended and in return put on a coaching session.

Flanker Will Fraser said: "That was hard work. Not only is the stretcher hard to run with but the other kit, such as the helmet and body armour, adds to the difficulty.

England footballers Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart show their support

"I have total respect for the service personnel here who have done this for real with their wounded colleagues on a stretcher."

Meanwhile, the Queen is due to honour First World War veterans on the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo which is widely thought to have sparked the conflict.

The monarch will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London for a Drumhead Service of Remembrance led by the Bishop of London.

Preparations take place ahead of the annual event

Armed Forces Day was established in 2009 to celebrate the service of Army, Navy and RAF members and their families.

The annual celebration is being staged on the same weekend Stirling marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

The two-day event will feature a re-enactment of the legendary clash which saw Robert the Bruce defeat the English army in 1314.

Some 300 'Warriors' will participate, choreographed by the team behind the battle sequences in hit films Gladiator and Robin Hood.

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Liam Neeson's Nephew Critical After Fall

Liam Neeson's nephew is said to be in a critical condition after falling from a 20ft-high telephone box on a night out.

Ronan Sexton, the son of the actor's sister Bernadette Sexton, suffered serious head injuries after the fall at 4am near Brighton Pier, East Sussex, on Sunday.

Ms Sexton is said to be at her 30-year-old son's bedside where he is fighting for his life.

Police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

A Sussex police spokesman said: "Just after 4am on Sunday, June 22, a 30-year-old Worthing man had climbed on to the top of a telephone kiosk outside Brighton Pier when he fell 20ft to the ground, sustaining a serious head injury.

"He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital and was later transferred to Hurstwood Park Hospital in Haywards Heath where he is currently in a critical condition.

"The man had been enjoying a night out with friends, who were present when he fell, and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

"There is no further police investigation."

Five years ago, Neeson's wife Natasha Richardson died after hitting her head while skiing in Canada.

The Taken star, 62, now lives in New York with their two teenage sons.

In an interview with US show 60 Minutes in February,the Irishman said he was still struggling to come to terms with her loss.

He said: "It was never real. It still kind of isn't. There's periods now in our New York residence when I hear the door opening - she would always drop the keys on the table and say hello.

"So any time I hear that door opening I still think I'm going to hear her. Grief hits you like a wave, you get this profound feeling of instability."

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Two 'Violent' Men Escape Secure Hospital

Two men with a history of violence have escaped from a secure hospital unit in Surrey.

Jason Bratton, 36, and Neil Emery, 46, went missing from the facility at Epsom General Hospital at 10.45am on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector Dan Voller, of Surrey Police, said: "Both do have a history of violence and although there is no indication of any direct threat to the public, anyone who believes they have seen either is urged not to approach them but to phone police immediately.

"Because we believe they have not taken their medication, the men may also be at risk of harming themselves.

"We are carrying out extensive searches for both men, but we need the public's help."

Bratton is white, 5ft 3in tall, of a slim build with short black hair.

He was wearing a grey tracksuit, a white T-shirt, a grey baseball cap and white trainers.

He also has a blue Celtic band tattoo around his upper arm and is familiar with Aldershot, Farnborough, Farnham and Southampton.

Emery is white, 5ft 8in tall and of a stocky build with short, black, greying hair and a scruffy beard.

He was wearing a white T-shirt, three-quarter length khaki trousers and boots and has links to the Woking and Richmond areas.

Both had been detained under the Mental Health Act and require various medications.

Anyone seeing either of the men is urged to phone police on 101, quoting reference number P14183236, or 999 in an emergency.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts who does not want to speak to the police can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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PM Facing 'Utter Humiliation' Over Juncker

The appointment of arch-federalist Jean-Claude Juncker to the top job in Brussels would represent an "utter humiliation" for the Prime Minister, says Ed Miliband.

The Labour leader accused David Cameron of "burning alliances" in Europe, and said Britain lost out as a result.

His criticism came as the PM  faced almost certain defeat in Brussels, with the EU set to approve the former leader of Luxembourg as president of the European Commission.

Labour had backed Mr Cameron in opposing Mr Juncker's candidacy.

Mr Miliband said: "If Mr Juncker is appointed today it represents, after weeks of spin and bluster from the Prime Minister, a total failure to deliver and an utter humiliation.

Angela Merkel is supporting Mr Juncker's nomination

"The reason is that  instead of building alliances in Europe, David Cameron burns our alliances, and its Britain that loses out."

Mr Cameron has been campaigning against the appointment of Mr Juncker, arguing he would block reform of the EU.

He has forced a vote on the nomination, breaking with tradition that the Commission chief is chosen by consensus of the EU's national heads of government.

Speaking on arrival at a summit of the European Council in Brussels, Mr Cameron argued there were times when "you stick to your principles and you stick to your convictions".

The European elections "showed there is huge disquiet about the way the European Union works", and this was the wrong response said Mr Cameron.

Diplomats have expressed concern about Mr Juncker's alcohol consumption

The PM said: "He's not the right person to take this organisation forward.

"I am very clear about the right thing to do. I know the odds are stacked against me, but that doesn't mean you change your mind, it means you stand up for what you believe and vote accordingly."

Mr Cameron has warned fellow leaders of "consequences" if they press ahead with the nomination of Mr Juncker, with British officials making clear he fears his appointment will fuel Euroscepticism in the UK and make it more likely that Britons will vote to quit the EU in the referendum he is planning for 2017.

The PM's stance has left him increasingly isolated at the two-day summit.

Germany has thrown its weight behind Mr Juncker, while other potential allies for Mr Cameron - Sweden and the Netherlands - have dropped their opposition.

Only Hungary remained as a possible partner for Britain in voting against his installation.

Finland's prime minister Alexander Stubb said British voters should "wake up and smell the coffee" about the benefits of EU membership, rather than threaten to quit the 28-nation bloc.

But Eurosceptic Conservative backbencher John Redwood said Mr Cameron's isolation in Brussels was not a cause for concern.

Writing on his blog, the former Cabinet minister said: "The battle over Mr Juncker was but the first skirmish in a long negotiation of a new relationship for the UK with the rest of the EU.

"If the rest of the EU continue to be so unsympathetic to UK requirements, more UK voters will draw their own conclusions about the desirability of our continued membership."

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Hunt Over Firearms Alert That Closed School

Police are warning people not to approach an Elvis impersonator wanted in connection with a firearms alert that closed a Cornish school.

Armed officers were called to a "domestic situation" close to Trenode Church of England Primary School near Looe at 9.30pm last night.

The school was closed as a precaution and police are urgently trying to trace 60-year-old Derrel Weaver amid fears he may have a gun.

Police tweeted a version of this photo of Derrel Weaver

Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted a photo of Mr Weaver, of Higher Widlake Farm in Widegates.

The caption read: "Have you seen this man, Derrel Weaver, 60, #widegates Looe, if you see him please ring 999 and do not approach."

The authorities have asked air traffic to stay clear of the area so the search is not hampered.

Authorities have asked air traffic to stay clear of the area

Superintendent Jim Pearce said: "We would ask the public to be vigilant at what is obviously a disturbing time for local communities.

"There is currently significant enquiries ongoing to locate Mr Weaver and this includes the chance he may be in possession of a firearm.

"There is currently no suggestion that Mr Weaver is any risk to members of the public, but we need to locate him as soon as possible."

Police are maintaining a "high presence" at the scene near Looe

Firearms officers are on patrol in the area.

Mr Weaver's Google+ page says he owns a tree surgery business and is also a "rock n roll singer".

The decision to close the school was made by its headteacher in consultation with police.

Trenode Church of England Primary School has been closed

A police spokesman said: "This unusual decision has been taken as a precautionary measure for safety reasons and because of the ongoing police activity in that area.

"We do understand that this will cause some significant inconvenience for some parents and local residents and this decision was not taken lightly, but public safety is the most important concern of the school and police."

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Abu Qatada Acquitted Of Terror Conspiracy

Timeline: Qatada Legal Battle

Updated: 9:34am UK, Thursday 26 June 2014

Abu Qatada challenged and ultimately thwarted every attempt by the Government to detain and deport him for many years.

Here is a timeline of the legal battle.

1993: Abu Qatada claims asylum when he arrives in Britain on a forged passport.

1994: Allowed to stay in Britain.

1995: Issues a "fatwa" justifying the killing of converts from Islam, their wives and children in Algeria.

1998: Applies for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.

1999: April - Convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan and sentenced to life imprisonment.

October - Speaks in London advocating the killing of Jews and praising attacks on Americans.

2001: February - Arrested by anti-terror police over involvement in a plot to bomb Strasbourg Christmas market. Officers find him with £170,000 in cash, including £805 in an envelope marked "For the mujahedin in Chechnya".

December - Becomes one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in west London.

2002: Arrested by police in a council house in south London and detained in Belmarsh high-security jail.

2005: Freed on conditional bail and placed on a control order but arrested again in August under immigration rules as the Government seeks to deport him to Jordan.

2008: April: Court of Appeal rules deportation would breach his human rights because evidence used against him in Jordan might have been obtained through torture.

May - Granted bail by the immigration tribunal but told he must stay inside for 22 hours a day.

June - Released from Long Lartin jail in Worcestershire and moves into a four-bedroom house in west London.

November - He is rearrested after the Home Office tells an immigration hearing of fears he plans to abscond.

December - Qatada's bail is revoked by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) after hearing secret evidence that the risk of him absconding has increased.

2009: Five Law Lords unanimously back the Government's policy of removing terror suspects from Britain on the basis of assurances from foreign governments and it is ruled he can be deported to Jordan to face a retrial on the terror charges.

He is awarded 2,800 euro (£2,500) compensation by the European Court of Human Rights after the judges rule that his detention without trial in the UK under anti-terrorism powers breached his human rights.

2012: January - European judges rule he can be sent to Jordan with diplomatic assurances but not while "there remains a real risk that evidence obtained by torture will be used against him".

February - He is released on strict bail conditions.

April - Rearrested as the Government prepares to deport him after Jordan gives assurances it will "bend over backwards" to ensure he receives a fair trial.

March - Qatada's legal team loses its bid to have the case heard by the Europe's human rights judges, clearing the way for deportation proceedings to continue.

May and August - Siac rejects Qatada's applications for bail.

October - Siac holds appeal hearing.

November - His appeal is granted and he is granted bail.

December - Qatada is moved to a larger residence in the greater London area.

2013: March 9 - It emerges Qatada has been arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. He is ordered to stay in custody and sent to Belmarsh.

March 21 - Police reveal the cleric is being investigated over extremist material.

March 27 - Home Secretary Theresa May loses her appeal over Siac's decision to allow Qatada to stay in the UK. The Home Office vows to appeal.

April 17 - The Home Office formally announces that it is seeking leave from the Court of Appeal to take the case to the Supreme Court.

April 22 - The Court of Appeal refuses permission to go to the Supreme Court, forcing the Home Office to appeal directly to the highest court in the land.

April 23 - Theresa May tells MPs she has signed a new treaty with Jordan that should pave the way to deportation, but warns it might take "many months".

May 10 - Qatada's barrister says he will go back to Jordan voluntarily if the treaty on the use of evidence obtained by torture, guaranteeing he will not be tortured, is ratified by the Jordanian parliament.

May 20 - Qatada is refused bail by the Special Immigrations Appeals Commission after "jihadist material" is found on a computer memory stick.

July 2 - The new treaty between Jordan and Britain is fully ratified, sparking claims Qatada could be on a plane within days.

July 3 - A Jordanian government official tells AFP the cleric is due back on Sunday.

July 7 - Flown from RAF Northolt to Jordan

December 10: Pleads not guilty to terrorism charges at a state security court in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

2014: June 26 - Acquitted of conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism but remains under arrest over charges relating to an alleged plot to target tourists in Jordan in 2000. 

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Royal Family Costs Taxpayer 56p Per Person

By Tadhg Enright, Sky News Business Reporter

The Royal Family spent £36.1m of taxpayers' money last year - a figure portrayed by royal aides as 56p for every person in the country.

The Sovereign Grant, which is set at 15% of profits made by the Crown Estate, rose from £31m in 2012/13.

Buckingham Palace was at pains to highlight how the all of the extra money was spent on maintaining and repairing palaces and castles.

Sky News cameras were invited into Buckingham Palace to see asbestos removal which has cost £800,000 over the past two years and to Windsor Castle where a 10-year project to replace its lead roof cost £900,000 last year.

Cameras were not invited into Kensington Palace's Apartment 1A which has been renovated as a new home for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, where the cost of has spiralled to £4.1m from an original estimate of £1m.

Royal sources pointed out the 20-room apartment, which had previously been used as an office, was "completely uninhabitable" and needed a "complete refit".

Despite the high cost, they stressed it was "not opulent" and had been completed to a "very comfortable but ordinary level". 

The royal couple had used their own money to meet the cost of carpet, furniture and a high spec kitchen.

When asked if Prince Charles had made a contribution to the fit out, an aide said: "It's not unusual for a parent or grandparent to help a young couple set up in their first home."

The accounts also showed the total cost of official travel fell by £300,000 to £4.2m.

Around £434,000 was spent on the visit of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to India and Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference.

A total of £255,000 was spent to send Prince Charles to represent the Queen at the funeral of Nelson Mandela.

Royal sources said his long, complicated journey at short notice necessitated the chartering of an aircraft but that other options had been considered.

Sir Alan Reid, keeper of the Privy Purse, said public funding of the monarchy had fallen by 8% in real terms in the last two years when maintenance costs are stripped out.

He added: "We take our responsibility to run as efficient an operation as possible.

"In our view we think that we do as good a job as possible in terms of trying maximise the value for money."

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NHS Delay 'Worsened Distress' After Boy's Death

A family whose three year old son died as a result of NHS errors has hit out at the time it has taken to find out what went wrong.

Sam Morrish died in December 2010 from the effects of sepsis, an illness that could have been treated if he had been assessed properly.

The Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found four separate health service organisations made repeated mistakes in his care.

Cricketfield GP Surgery, NHS Direct, out-of-hours service Devon Doctors Ltd and South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust made what was described as a "catalogue of errors".

The PHSO found there was an inadequate assessment made of Sam's illness, a failure to recognise he was vomiting blood and a three-hour delay before he received antibiotics when he arrived at hospital.

Ombudsman Dame Julie Mellor said had Sam received the appropriate care, he would be alive today.

But his family said as well as losing their son, their distress had been increased by the length of time it had taken for the PHSO to find out what had happened.

In a statement, they said: "The astonishing length of time it has taken for PHSO to finalise this report has inescapably prolonged our distress, as we have repeatedly had to revisit and relive the hardest day of our lives.

"Accordingly, although we are grateful that the PHSO has upheld our complaints, and we want to thank them for the clear recommendations that they have now made, we are left with serious concerns about the competence, capability and accountability of the PHSO itself.

"We pursued our complaints because we wanted to reduce the likelihood of the mistakes that were made in Sam's care, and the subsequent investigations, from being repeated.

"This was not only for the individual organisations that made those errors - but for the NHS as a whole.

Dame Julie Mellor said the NHS "needs to do more"

"We never have been interested in blame. We have only ever been interested in learning and understanding, in the hope of change wherever necessary.

"Clearly we feel the complaints systems failed us, but it is important to note that we also believe it failed NHS staff too."

The family added:  "Now the report has been published we hope that we will be free to concentrate on our futures, and on remembering our beautiful, sparkling, affectionate little boy, who we continue to miss every day."

Dame Julie said: "We've published this case so that the wider NHS learns from Sam's death and action is taken to help prevent lives being lost from repeated mistakes.

"Sadly, this case reinforces that the NHS needs to do much more to prevent avoidable deaths from sepsis."

Dr Graham Lockerbie, speaking on behalf of the local NHS, said it was "determined to ensure that the lessons really have been learnt".

"It's clear that there were shortcomings at every stage of his contact with the health service and that, in the words of the Ombudsman, Sam died when he should have survived."

According to the UK Sepsis Trust, the condition claims 37,000 lives in Britain every year.

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'No Evidence' 90-Year-Old Woman Was Raped

By Mike McCarthy, North Of England Correspondent

Police have found no forensic evidence that a 90-year-old woman was raped in Rochdale.

Greater Manchester Police said on Wednesday they were investigating after the woman claimed to have been dragged from a street and attacked in broad daylight.

She said that a man had approached from behind and put his hand over her mouth on Spotland Road as she was making her way to a butcher's shop.

But after the results of a fast-tracked overnight forensic examination were released, Superintendent Alistair Mallen said: "The lady in question stated she had been raped and she gave the same account when she was video interviewed.

"The results now show that there is no forensic evidence of a rape taking place.

However, we are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of what happened to her."

Specially-trained officers are continuing to work with the 90-year-old.

Greater Manchester Police said that it was important to state that a report was made in good faith, by an elderly, vulnerable lady and, as such, people would always expect them to investigate.

Supt Mallen said: "People may question why we took the decision to go public and, to that, I can say that we had a duty of care to both the complainant and to the wider public.

"When making these decisions we have to weigh up the need to inform the public with the need to reassure them that they are not in any danger." 

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Pair Jailed For Life Over Leicester Fire Deaths

Two men convicted of starting a house in fire in Leciester that killed a mother and three children have been jailed for life.

Tristan Richards, 22, and Kemo Porter, 19, were given minimum terms of 35 years and 25 years respectively after setting the house alight in a bungled revenge attack.

The pair were convicted at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday after a trial that revealed their "misguided and impulsive" arson attack was intended to avenge the fatal stabbing of one of their friends, 20-year-old Antoin Akpom.

Shehnila Taufiq and her three children died in the attack

But they mistakenly set fire to the wrong house and Shehnila Taufiq, who was in her 40s, her 19-year-old daughter Zainab and sons Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15, all died as the blaze ripped through the house in Wood Hill in September last year.

On Monday, Shaun Carter, 24, was found not guilty of four counts of murder over the blaze, but guilty of four counts of manslaughter.

Nathaniel Mullings, 19, Jackson Powell, 20, Aaron Webb, 20, Akeem Jeffers, 21, and 17-year-old Cairo Parker were all also cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. 

Carter was sentenced to 15 years, while Mullings was ordered to serve 15 years in a young offenders' institution.

Webb, Powell and Jeffers were all sentenced to 12 years in prison.

After their deaths, Dr Taufiq said he would "deeply miss" his family

Parker was given eight years detention on account of the fact he was under 18 years of age.

When he was convicted there had been tears from the public gallery and cries of "he's only a baby!".

The trial against all eight defendants heard how they had intended to attack the house of another man they believed was involved in the death of Mr Akpom.

But they got the address wrong and mistakenly poured petrol through the letterbox of the Taufiq family before setting it alight.

The Taufiq family, originally from Pakistan, had a home in Ireland for 15 years before the children moved to the UK with their mother five years ago, to receive an Islamic education.

(L-R top) Jeffers, Parker, Powell (L-R bottom) Webb, Mullings and Carter

After their deaths, the children's father, Muhammad Taufiq al Sattar, a surgeon working in Ireland, said he would "deeply miss" his "beautiful" wife, daughter and two teenage sons.

Speaking outside court after the sentencing, Dr Taufiq said: "I'm satisfied at the sentence and I accept everything.

"My family is with me 24/7 spiritually and these are the main motives for me. My own belief, religion, my God and my family are with me and these are the main motives for me to continue which I have been doing for the last nine months and will continue until my last breath.

"I'm going back to Dublin tonight where I will continue working at the hospital as well as helping at the community centre."

Dr Taufiq said he would be selling the family home, which had been uninsured at the time of the attack.

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Strike By French Air Traffic Controllers Slammed

Airlines have been forced to cancel hundreds of flights to, from and across France on the second day of a six-day walkout by air traffic controllers.

The stoppage comes at the height of the tourist season and follows a rail strike that affected services abroad and domestically and is still continuing in some parts.

According to the country's civil aviation watchdog, about one in five flights travelling to and from several big cities in the south, or taking off from Paris to the south, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, were cancelled on Tuesday.

Passengers also experienced delays on other services.

Some 20% of flights are expected to be cancelled today with easyJet confirming 150 of its 1,400 scheduled services would not be operating though some could still be affected by delays.

Those who are travelling have been warned not to go to the airport "without having been guaranteed that their flight is maintained".

Ryanair was forced to cancel more than 200 flights on Tuesday, and is set to cancel more than 250 today.

The airline slammed the strike, calling on the EU Commission "to remove the right to strike from Europe's air traffic controllers, who are once more attempting to blackmail ordinary consumers with strikes".

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) airlines group also condemned the action.

IATA head Tony Tyler said: "Unions bent on stopping progress are putting at risk the hard-earned vacations of millions of travellers, and from the public's perspective, the timing of the strike could even be regarded as malicious.

"In addition to vacationers, businesspeople undertaking important trips and those awaiting urgent shipments will all face hassles and uncertain waits as flights are cancelled, delayed or diverted around a major portion of European airspace."

Twenty-eight easyJet flights were cancelled, while British Airways said eight flights had been affected.

The majority of Air France's flights were unaffected by the strike, with only 10% of short and medium-haul journeys scrapped.

Not all air traffic controllers are striking, but those who have walked out are protesting against what they say is a lack of sufficient funding for a sector they say is in dire need of modernisation.

They want airport fees for airlines to increase by 10%, while companies want them to decrease.

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Cameron Says Leveson Dealt With Phone Hacking

David Cameron has told Ed Miliband he should accept the findings of the Leveson inquiry as he was tackled over phone hacking.

Tackling the the Prime Minister over his employment of Andy Coulson as his spin doctor, the Labour leader accused him of "wilful negligence" in "bringing a criminal into Downing Street".

Ed Miliband accused the PM of "wilful negligence"

But Mr Cameron hit back and accused him of being "weak" for attacking Rupert Murdoch then posing with the Sun only to apologise to Hillsborough victims a day later.

Mr Cameron admitted in the Commons he had been wrong to take on Coulson, following his conviction at the Old Bailey for phone hacking.

The PM told MPs: "I take full responsibility for employing Andy Coulson. I did so on the basis of assurances that I received.

"But I always said that if those assurances turned out to be wrong I would apologise fully and frankly to this House of Commons and I do so today from this despatch box. This was the wrong decision."

But Mr Miliband said: "Today we know that, for four years, the Prime Minister's hand-picked and closest adviser was a criminal and brought disgrace to Downing Street.

"We now also know that the Prime Minister also ignored multiple warnings about him."

Mr Miliband went on: "The truth about this is that the charge against the Prime Minister is not one of ignorance, it is wilful negligence.

"At the heart of this scandal are thousands of innocent victims of phone hacking he didn't stand up for.

"The Prime Minister will always be remembered as being the first ever occupant of his office who brought a criminal into the heart of Downing Street."

However, Mr Cameron said he was cleared of any wrongdoing by Leveson.

The PM said: "He can't bear the fact that an eight-month inquiry that he hoped was going to pin the blame on me found that I had behaved correctly throughout. That is the case.

"Every single one of these issues was dealt with exhaustively by the Leveson Inquiry.

"He looked into all of these questions about the warnings I was given and the response I gave and he made no criticism of my conduct.

"I know you were disappointed by the Leveson Inquiry but you called for it, it took place and you should heed what it said."

More follows...

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Hacking Trial Jury Discharged On Final Charges

Jurors in the phone hacking trial have been formally discharged after failing to reach a verdict on four final charges.

Andy Coulson, the former Number 10 spin doctor, and the ex-News Of The World (NOTW) royal editor Clive Goodman had been accused of conspiring to commit misconduct in public office by paying police officers for two royal phone directories.

But after sitting through eight months of evidence at the Old Bailey, the jury could not reach even a majority verdict and were discharged.

Sky's Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White, outside the court, said: "There was a move by the legal counsel for Andy Coulson and Clive Goodman to have those remaining counts thrown out ... because they felt the jury would not be able to reach fair conclusions.

"The comments made by the Prime Minister were very prejudicial, suggesting Andy Coulson had been dishonest.

"However, in essence, that argument is a moot point for the moment because the jury has not been able to reach verdicts."

The discharging of the jury comes a day after Coulson was found guilty of plotting to hack phones between 2000 and 2006 while working at the NOTW.

The scandal, which cost the 46-year-old his job as the Prime Minister's communications director and led to the closure of his former newspaper, involved a list of high-profile targets, including Kate Middleton and Prince William, James Bond star Daniel Craig and murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

A decision on whether to hold a retrial will be made at the start of next week, with sentencing possible on Friday.

More follows...

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Iraq Crisis Hits Airlines And Travel Firms

Airline and travel companies have seen their share prices fall in the wake of the latest violence to hit oil exporter Iraq.

EasyJet, IAG and TUI Travel, all operators of fuel-hungry aeroplanes, all saw their share prices fall on Monday.

The cost of a barrel of Brent Crude - used to price international oil - jumped sharply a couple of weeks ago when trouble first flared.

But has now risen even further to stand at above $115, close to Thursday's high and nearing the $115.71 reached on September 9 last year.

"Any spillovers of fighting into the oil-producing southern parts of Iraq will likely take oil, in particular the Brent prices up by another leg," Mizuho Bank analysts said.

Iraqi special forces during a patrol in Ramadi in central Iraq

Iraq is oil cartel Opec's second largest oil producer, pumping out more than 3 million barrels a day.

Global oil prices are close to breaking the nine-month high as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants took four more towns in western Iraq.

ISIS also took a border crossing into Syria on Saturday, amid reports indicating another crossing into Syria.

Sunni tribesmen have taken a border crossing into Jordan to halt it falling to ISIS.

Further pressure to oil prices on Monday came from China, as a report indicated increased output from its manufacturing sector.

HSBC's monthly China manufacturing survey showed activity expanded for the first time this year, indicating that the slowdown in the country's economy is bottoming out, which would lead to increased energy demand.

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Arrests After Newborn's Body Found In Hull

Two people have been arrested after the body of a newborn baby girl was found on a cycle path in Hull.

Police were called to the scene, between Rockford Avenue and Lamorna Avenue, close to the East Park area of the city, at around 9.15pm on Saturday.

They had been contacted by a member of the public who had discovered the baby's body while walking along the path.

Officers closed off the area and carried out a preliminary investigation, which led to a man and a woman being taken into custody.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "Officers attended right away and closed off the area for the body to be recovered and for initial inquiries to take place.

"As a result of the initial investigation two people, a man and woman, have been arrested and are helping police with inquiries at this time."

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ISIS 'May Have Recruited 1,500 Britons'

Timeline: How The Iraq Crisis Unfolded

Updated: 10:23am UK, Monday 23 June 2014

A look back at the main events in the Iraq crisis, which has seen Sunni insurgents from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group move to within 50 miles of the capital Baghdad.

December 2011: US troops complete their withdrawal after the 2003 invasion which led to the removal of Saddam Hussein.

August 2013: More than 70 people are killed in attacks at the end of Ramadan. ISIS claim responsibility.

January 2-4, 2014: ISIS declares itself in control of the western city of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi following clashes sparked by the clearing of a Sunni-Arab protest camp.

February: al Qaeda formally disowns ISIS, which was at one time an affiliate, because of its extreme methods.

April: Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki wins the most seats in a general election.

June 10: ISIS seizes all of Nineveh province in the north, including the capital Mosul - Iraq's second city. Mr Maliki asks parliament to declare a state of emergency.

June 11: The militants launch a wave of attacks further south, taking Tikrit and freeing hundreds of prisoners in Baiji. An assault on Samarra, 70 miles (110km) north of Baghdad, is repelled by security forces.

June 12: Iraq's air force strikes fighters' positions near Mosul and Tikrit.

US President Barack Obama says he is looking at "all the options" to help the government, which fails to secure authorisation for a state of emergency.

The army abandons its bases in Kirkuk, leaving Kurdish Peshmerga troops to take control.

June 13: A top Shia cleric issues a call to arms, telling the population to take up arms and defend their country.

Mr Maliki claims government forces have started to clear cities of "terrorists" and implements an emergency plan to protect Baghdad.

President Obama rules out sending back troops to fight ISIS.

The rebels move into the towns of Saadiyah and Jalawla in eastern province of Diyala.

June 14: Iran offers to work with the US to tackle the crisis, as Britain pledges an initial £3m in emergency aid to help refugees fleeing the violence.

The Iraqi army's fightback continues, with forces retaking the towns of Ishaqi, al-Mutasim and Duluiyah in Salaheddin province.

Troops also regain much of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's home town.

US aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush is ordered to the Persian Gulf.

June 15: Photos emerge appearing to show an ISIS massacre of 1,700 captured government soldiers. Baghdad says number is exaggerated.

Reports say militants have overrun Tal Afar, the largest town in Nineveh province.

A bombing in central Baghdad leaves 15 people dead and dozens injured.

Former PM Tony Blair tells Sky News that critics who believe the violence is the result of the 2003 invasion are "profoundly mistaken".

June 16: Video footage purporting to show an ISIS fighter questioning and killing unarmed Iraqi soldiers draws condemnation.

ISIS takes control of Tal Afar and the al Adhim area of Diyala province.

US Secretary of State John Kerry says Washington is "open to discussions with Iran".

June 17: Britain announces it is reopening its Iranian embassy, with William Hague saying the "circumstances are right" as the West looks to improve relations to help tackle the crisis in Iraq.

Iraq's Shia leaders accuse Saudi Arabia of promoting "genocide" by backing Sunni militants.

June 18: Iraq's foreign minister asks the US to carry out airstrikes to help reverse the sweeping gains of Islamist militants in the country.

David Cameron warns that if Britain does not intervene in the Middle East crisis then terrorists will "hit the UK at home".

Insurgents are seen parading through the city of Baiji with captured vehicles after reports they have taken over three-quarters of Iraq's biggest oil refinery.

ISIS charts its brutality and tactics in annual reports called al-Naba - The Report, it emerges.

June 19: Iraqi authorities say government forces have retaken the Baiji oil refinery after fierce fighting.

Barck Obama says US troops will not return to combat in Iraq, but he would be prepared to take "targeted action".

The president also announces additional equipment and up to 300 additional military advisers could be provided to help fight the ISIS insurgency.

June 20: Iraq's senior Shia religious authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani calls for a new government for the country as it struggles to stop Sunni militants.

Barack Obama piles further pressure on Iraq's PM Nouri al Maliki, saying he needs to take urgent steps to heal the sectarian rift in the country, but stopping short of demanding he quit.

A video of British jihadists urging Western Muslims to join ISIS in Iraq and Syria emerges on social media.

June 21: The family of Naseer Muthana, 20, who appears in the ISIS recruitment video and younger brother Aseel, 17, who followed him to fight in the region say they are "devastated". 

The men's father Ahmed Muthana tells Sky News he believes his son Nasser was radicalised in a mosque in the United Kingdom.

In Iraq, dozens of Iraqi troops are killed as ISIS militants seize the crucial Qaim crossing into Syria.

A Shia preacher loyal to anti-US cleric Moqtada al Sadr warns that the 300 US military advisers en route to Iraq will be attacked.

June 22: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei comes out in opposition of US intervention in neighbouring Iraq.

President Barack Obama warns ISIS could grow in power, destabilise the region and pose a threat to the US.

The mother of one of two Britons filmed in a militants' video calling for Western Muslims to fight in Syria and Iraq, Reyaad Khan, pleads for him to come home in an emotional Sky News interview.

A former head of counter-terrorism at MI6 tells Sky's Murnaghan programme up to 300 Islamist fighters from Iraq and Syria may have returned to the UK and it would be "impossible" to keep track of all of them.

June 23: Barack Obama warns ISIS could pose a threat to the US, hours after the Islamist militants make dramatic gains by capturing four towns in western Iraq.

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in Baghdad for talks with Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.

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HS3 Line From Leeds To Manchester Outlined

By Jason Farrell, Senior Political Correspondent

Britain needs a third high-speed railway line to create "a northern powerhouse", George Osborne said today.

The Chancellor used a speech in Manchester to argue that he wants to go beyond the north-south HS2 to create an east-west HS3.

In doing so he hopes to create "a collection of cities - sufficiently close to each other that combined they can take on the world".

The east-west connection between Leeds and Manchester would be based on existing rail routes but speeded up with new tunnels and infrastructure.

The first phase of HS2

It is an effort to address Britain's financial dependence on London, which currently accounts for nearly a quarter of the country's economic output.

Mr Osborne said: "The cities of the North are individually strong, but collectively not strong enough. The whole is less than the sum of its parts. So the powerhouse of London dominates more and more. And that's not healthy for our economy. It's not good for our country.

"We need a northern powerhouse too. Not one city, but a collection of northern cities - sufficiently close to each other that combined they can take on the world. Able to provide jobs and opportunities and security to the many, many people who live here, and for whom this is all about."

Together, the North's largest cities have a higher population than hubs such as New York and Tokyo, Mr Osborne added.

The high-speed network with HS3

Under current plans the £50bn HS2 project will provide 225mph trains from London to Birmingham in its first stage, before creating a Y-shaped network with lines to Manchester and Leeds by 2032/33.

The £21bn second phase would then connect Leeds and Manchester - but it remains an aspiration rather than a pledge.

The Government claims at least 60,000 jobs would be created in "the most important investment in the north for a century".

The proposal will be seen as an attempt to win support for the Conservatives outside their southern heartlands before the 2015 General Election, but a number of MPs with constituencies along the route are opposed to the project.

Mr Osborne said: "Of course, there are opponents of the project - just as there were opponents of the original railways. I've discovered that almost everything worth doing in politics is controversial."

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