Mums-To-Be Admit Drinking Too Much Booze

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs Editor

Thousands of women a year are giving birth after admitting having drunk too much during their pregnancies, a Sky News investigation has found.

Although government guidelines warn pregnant women against drinking more than four units a week - equivalent to two large glasses of wine -  hospitals have recorded a significant number drinking much more.

The first hospital figures of their kind suggest that more than 2,000 babies a year are born to mothers who have breached alcohol guidelines.

Heavy drinking during pregnancy increases the health risks to children

And experts say the problem is likely to be much worse as NHS trusts rely on women to honestly report how much they have drunk.

The figures - obtained by Sky News following a Freedom of Information request - show that in the last three years, 2,496 mothers-to-be told hospital staff in England they were drinking at least four units of alcohol a week.

In the worst cases, South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust recorded four women drinking more than 34 units a week over that period.

Liverpool Women's hospital recorded 17 women drinking more than 20 units a week, and two drinking more than 10 units every day.

However, fewer than half of all England NHS trusts (45 out of 108) were able to supply figures.

Figures obtained by Sky News also reveal gaps in monitoring of consumption

Extrapolating the figures suggests that just over 2,000 mothers-to-be admit to drinking too much during pregnancy.

Overall, the hospital statistics showed around 0.5% of pregnant women admitted drinking more than the Department of Health guidelines.

Heavy drinking during pregnancy increases the risk that babies will be born with foetal alcohol syndrome - a life-long condition that can leave children physically and mentally disabled.

One woman whose son was born with foetal alcohol syndrome after she drunk heavily during pregnancy following years of alcoholism, said little was done to help her break her addiction.

"When I was five months pregnant, I told the midwife that I was an alcoholic and that I couldn't control my drinking," said Samantha Marchant, 40, from Slough.

"They referred me to a drug and alcohol team which put me on a drinks diary ... I'd have liked them to say 'you can have a place in rehab', but it wasn't offered."

Samantha Marchant says more must be done to help mums-to-be break habits

"I didn't know about the biology of what happens if you drink in pregnancy," added Ms Marchant, who is now a recovered alcoholic and works to raise other women's awareness of the dangers of drinking during pregnancy.

Dr Raja Mukherjee, lead clinician for the national foetal alcohol spectrum disorder clinic at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: "All the research has shown that high level alcohol exposure causes significant damage to a developing foetus.

"We know that women are drinking more .. 90% of women in this country drink and they don't all suddenly stop when they are pregnant."

The figures obtained by Sky also reveal significant gaps in the monitoring of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

More than 90% of hospitals do not ask women about their alcohol consumption throughout pregnancy, and three of the NHS trusts did not ask pregnant women about their drinking at all.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Archbishops Split Over Right-To-Die Debate

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has made an extraordinary U-turn by announcing he is backing laws to legalise assisted dying.

His support for Labour peer Lord Falconer's Bill, which will be debated in the House of Lords next week, goes against the Church of England's official line that the law on assisted suicide should not change.

Lord Carey said it would not be "anti-Christian" to legalise assisted suicide and that by opposing reform the Church risked "promoting anguish and pain".

Tony Nicklinson died two years ago

He said the case of Tony Nicklinson - the locked-in syndrome sufferer who died after being refused the legal right to die - had the "deepest influence" on his change of heart.

"Here was a dignified man making a simple appeal for mercy, begging that the law allow him to die in peace, supported by his family," he wrote in the Daily Mail.

"His distress made me question my motives in previous debates. Had I been putting doctrine before compassion, dogma before human dignity?"

Assisted suicide is already legal at clinics like this in Switzerland

Mr Nicklinson's widow Jane said she was "amazed and thrilled" at Lord Carey's U-turn.

His comments come as a surprise because he was part of a coalition that helped stop Lord Joffe's Assisting Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill in 2006 in the House of Lords.

But while the former Archbishop has come out in favour of a change in the law, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has condemned the Bill as "mistaken and dangerous".

Writing in the Times, Archbishop Welby warned the "deep personal demands" of individuals should not blind people to the pressures others could be put under should the practice become legal.

Lord Falconer's Bill would allow adults to ask for help to die

"It would be very naive to think that many of the elderly people who are abused and neglected each year, as well as many severely disabled individuals, would not be put under pressure to end their lives if assisted suicide were permitted by law," he wrote.

Archbishop Welby said a law that permitted assisted suicide would be "bound" to lead to some people feeling they ought to stop "being a burden to others".

Under the 1961 Suicide Act, it remains a criminal offence carrying up to 14 years in jail to help take someone's life.

If successful, Lord Falconer's Bill would allow mentally capable adults in England and Wales to ask for help to die if they were suffering from a terminal illness and had less than six months to live.

Modelled on a system in place in the US state of Oregon, patients would be able to administer a fatal dose of drugs to themselves, but would not be able to be given help if they could not lift it or swallow it.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Croc On A Plane: Reptile 'May Have Caused Crash'

An escaped crocodile may have caused a plane crash which killed a British pilot and 18 others, an inquest has heard.

Chris Wilson died when the jet he was co-piloting plunged to the ground during a routine flight across the Congo in August 2010.

No cause for the crash has ever been established but an inquest was told a crocodile may have sparked a stampede by roaming around the aisles moments before the aircraft came down.

It is thought the plane, which was travelling from Kinshasa to Bandundu, may have nosedived as passengers and crew members ran from the reptile.

Assistant Coroner David Dooley said it was "apparently quite normal" for animals to be carried on the plane, adding: "It was used like a taxi in this regard."

"There is apparently a video of the crocodile being taken out of the plane," he told the hearing at Gloucester Coroner's Court.

"(Investigators) think it may have frightened the cabin crew member and she ran forward, with the other passengers following.

"The weight shift caused by the panic may have affected the plane, causing it to nosedive or stall."

Mr Wilson moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010 after giving up his job as a cabin crew member to follow his dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

The 39-year-old worked for local company Filair but is said to have become increasingly concerned about the flying ability of co-pilot Danny Philemotte, who owned the firm.

In a statement read to the court, his brother, Martin, said:  "Every time he flew with Mr Philemotte, there was always one incident or another.

"He said he didn't want to fly with him anymore.

"He said if it wasn't for the fact they could see where they were going, they wouldn't ever get anywhere because Mr Philemotte couldn't read the instruments.

"He said he didn't know how Mr Philemotte was still alive (because) his flying was so bad."

Timothy Atkinson, an air accident investigator, said he had reviewed evidence from the Congolese authorities but was unable to draw any definitive conclusions because they were not given the plane's black box data recorder.

"There is no evidence suggesting an engine failure or a nose dive, although I cannot be sure without looking at the plane," he told the court.

"The accident appears to have the hallmarks of a stall and spin, which may have been from a variety of causes.

"Essentially, it fell out of the sky."

Mr Dooley recorded an open conclusion, saying a lack of witnesses and data from the black box "have only resulted in vague guesses as to what happened".

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Northern Ireland Parade Day: Man Stabbed

Tens of thousands of members of the Orange Order are on parade across Northern Ireland.

Around 3,500 police officers are on duty after the discovery of a letter bomb at the country's main sorting office overnight.

A 28-year-old man was stabbed during fighting between republican and loyalist factions at Ormeau Bridge, a normally peaceful spot where predominantly nationalist and unionist communities meet in South Belfast.

Tensions are high as marchers take to the streets

July 12 is the date when the Orange Order mark Protestant King William's ancient victory over Catholic King James, and is the biggest day in the marching season.

A third of the officers are based at Ardoyne in north Belfast, where the Parades Commission has imposed restrictions on a march.

A parade on Saturday morning passed peacefully but Orangemen are prohibited from returning this evening past the homes of Catholic residents who oppose the march.

Bonfires marked the start of the July 12 parades

It came after police confirmed a suspicious package discovered at the sorting office on Mallusk Road in Newtownabbey, on the outskirts of Belfast was a "viable" letter bomb.

A spokeswoman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said experts from the army were sent to the scene of the bomb find.

Loyalists signalled the arrival of July 12 by lighting bonfires at midnight but were criticised for burning election posters of nationalist and republican politicians.

Six hundred parades were expected to take place around the country as a whole.

Organisers have called on marchers to make sure all the parades pass off peacefully.

A map showing the location of the sorting office

Grand Lodge of Ireland Grand Secretary Drew Nelson said: "I would have a message for young protestants or any protestant or unionist who feels strongly about what's happening now.

"If you lift a stone or a bottle on the Twelfth day you are falling into a republican trap," he said.

With the bill for policing parades and flag disputes reaching £55m in the last 20 months, the authorities hope that violence will be kept to a minimum.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teenager Admits Killing Teacher Ann Maguire

A 16-year-old accused of murdering teacher Ann Maguire in her classroom has accepted responsibility for her killing.

Mrs Maguire, 61, was fatally stabbed at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Halton Moor, Leeds, on April 28.

Defence QC Richard Wright told Leeds Crown Court: "He accepts responsibility for unlawful killing. He is not entering a plea. He does accept manslaughter.

"The issue in the case will be whether or not a partial defence is available to him."

Ann Maguire was the first teacher to be fatally stabbed in a British school

The boy, who appeared via video link wearing an orange T-shirt with blue trousers, spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood what was happening.

He was remanded in custody until the pre-trial hearing on September 28.

Mrs Maguire's family were among those inside a packed courtroom.

A note left among the tributes to Ann Maguire by a pupil

Psychiatric reports will now be prepared before the trial, which is due to start on November 3.

Judge Peter Collier QC warned the public not to write anything on the internet that could prejudice a trial - saying others had already been jailed for doing so.

Mrs Maguire was the first teacher killed in a British school since the 1996 Dunblane massacre.

Flowers laid outside Corpus Christi Catholic College in April

She first went to Corpus Christi as a student teacher and last year the school held a celebration of her 40 years of service.

A head of Year 11, she had moved to a four-day week ahead of her planned retirement.

Mrs Maguire lived in the Moortown area of Leeds with her husband, Don, who is a former maths teacher.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Moderate Drinking 'Could Be Bad For Your Heart'

By Harriet Hadfield, Sky Reporter

Advice that suggests alcohol could be good for your heart is wrong and should be updated, according to some experts.

It follows decades of conflicting reports and previous research which suggested light-to-moderate drinking is good for the heart.

Scientists from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine published their new research - based on genetic studies - in the British Medical Journal.

They believe a reduction in alcohol could improve the cardiovascular health of even light to moderate drinkers.

The research - conducted with the University of Pennsylvania - looked at 56 separate studies on the drinking habits of more than a quarter of a million people of European descent.

The report analysed 56 studies on the drinking habits of 250,000 people

The study revealed that some people who carried a genetic variant associated with low alcohol consumption tended to have a healthier cardiovascular profile than those without, and they had a 10% lower risk of coronary heart disease and lower blood pressure.

Professor Juan Pablo Casas, who worked on the study, told Sky News: "Current policy needs to be updated in the light of new evidence.

"Drinking is certainly not good for your heart, so people need to be conscious about the effects of drinking. So the message is the less alcohol the better."

It is frustrating news for drinkers who are often given conflicting advice about alcohol.

The results revealed people who drank less had lower blood pressure

Dr Shannon Amoils, a research advisor at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Studies into alcohol consumption are fraught with difficulty, in part because they rely on people giving accurate accounts of their drinking habits. 

"Here the researchers used a clever study design to get round this problem by including people who had a gene that predisposes them to drink less.

"The results reinforce the view that small to moderate amounts of alcohol may not be healthy for the heart, although the study would need to be repeated in a larger group of people for definitive results."

Nutritionist Nicole Berberian said: "There's a lot of information about dos and don'ts, but the same message always shines through; if you've got the healthy diet and the odd glass of wine or beer coming in on a week by week basis, that's going to be okay."

The advice in general seems to be that the best approach is to drink alcohol only in moderation. 

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

North 'Can Get Rich From Fracking, Not HS2'

The Government should scrap its £50bn high speed rail plans and instead press ahead with fracking in poor parts of the north as a means of generating wealth, a Conservative former chancellor has said.

Lord Lawson said the Coalition's efforts to rebalance the economy were "foolish and unwise" and that there was no case for the proposed HS2 rail link between London and northern cities.

He insisted it was time to "go for" the controversial shale gas extraction technique, particularly in the northwest of England, saying the controversial practice had transformed the economy in parts of the United States.

Speaking to The House magazine, Lord Lawson said: "I think that is foolish and unwise.

"The only sort of rebalancing I would like to see is the north of England share more in the economic success.

An exploratory shale gas drilling site in Salford

"But the way to do that is not by building this absurdly expensive High Speed 2, for which there is no sensible case at all.

"The way to do it is by developing shale gas resources in the north of England, particularly in the North West. We need to go for that.

"If you look at what's happened in the United States it has completely transformed the economies of some of the poorest parts of the United States. We could have that here."

Fracking - hydraulic fracturing - involves pumping water, chemicals and sand at high pressure underground to fracture shale rock and release the gas trapped in it.

HS2 and fracking are hugely controversial

Wells can be drilled horizontally, leading to exploration under land around the site.

The Government is pushing for the development of a shale gas industry in the UK, claiming it would create jobs and growth, reduce energy prices and cut the country's reliance on gas imports.

But critics say the process causes earthquakes, can pollute water supplies, lead to inappropriate development in the countryside and damage house prices.

Lord Lawson also said David Cameron's EU referendum pledge had "united the party enormously" - but suggested he may have a job to convince his MPs a treaty change can be negotiated.

"I don't think it's on," he said.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing British Yachtsman Found In North Sea

A sailor who had been missing for a week has been found safe and well on his yacht in the North Sea.

It follows an extensive air and sea search by Humber Coastguard after they were contacted by his family.

They were concerned about the 69-year-old's whereabouts because the last telephone conversation they had with him was on Friday, July 4.

Rescuers found the North Yorkshireman on his 17ft yacht Equinox around 80 miles east of Spurn Point, at the mouth of the Humber.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they found him "relatively quickly" thanks to an emergency positioning beacon aboard his yacht which was activated.

He had been last seen in the Kiel Canal in Brunsbuttel, Germany, and was said to have been planning his return to the UK.

Coastguards there carried out a similar search from Helgoland.

French, Belgian and Dutch coastguards were put on alert, and police had also logged a missing person's alert with Interpol.

Mike Green, watch manager at Humber Coastguard, said: "We are all absolutely delighted that this gentleman has been found alive and well.

"It is thanks to an excellent effort by all those involved in the search and rescue and is a testament to the value of emergency beacon equipment.

"It is important that yachtsmen planning this sort of passage have adequate communications and log a passage plan with a shore contact.

"The more information that is available to coastguards, the more concentrated we can make our search efforts," he added.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy With Giant Mole Gives Other Sufferers Hope

Doctors in London are hopeful that their treatment of a boy with a giant mole on his torso will help find a cure for the condition which afflicts dozens of newborn British babies.

Eight-year-old Didier Moltavo suffers from a rare skin condition called Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (CMN).

He was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, where paediatric dermatologists first removed the 'shell' from his back in 2012.

Didier has now returned to Britain with help from Caring Matters Now, a charity which supports those affected by the condition.

"There is no treatment for it but sometimes surgery is used as in this case if you really have to do it to help moving around, but it is not a cure," Dr Veronica Kinsler, lead clinician in the paediatric dermatology department, told Sky's Stephen Dixon.

"The mole is coming back but the reason Didier has come is because we have research here to try and find a cure - a medical treatment for this."

Didier says it is good to know he is not the only person with such a scar

Dr Kinsler said that over the last year researchers had found the cause of CMN.

She said around 30 babies are born each year in Britain with the condition as severe as Didier's.

Some 15% of severe sufferers are likely to die from melanoma, and reducing this is a key part of the programme.

With charity funding from Caring Matters Now, Didier is involved in a collaborative treatment programme between Great Ormond Street and the Beatson Institute in Glasgow.

"For the first time we have been able to reverse this feature (of CMN growth), after birth, with a medicine," Dr Kinsler said.

Researchers are still to publish their findings in a medical journal but promise the results "will be very exciting".

Didier's mole was removed at Great Ormond Street hospital

During his visit to Britain, Didier is meeting other children suffering from CMN - he has not met any in his home country - and is staying with a host family, whose son Mateus has the condition.

Didier's translator, Faryal Iqubal said: "Just before we came on TV, Didier said it was good to know it was not only he who has this scar."

Caring Matters Now chief executive Jodi Whitehouse understands how it affects sufferers - as she has the same condition.

"For the first 15 years of my life I had over 30 operations to try and remove the skin condition, as so little was known about it," she said.

"But Dr Kinsler came on board and it has been a life-saver - and has done amazing research - so we can seriously look at finding a lasting cure."

The initial research funding cost of £80,000 was provided by Caring Matters Now, after 18 people connected with the small charity raised funds by climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa.

Dr Kinsler has also managed to obtain secure funding to further the research project.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Who Am I? Man With Amnesia In Public Appeal

A hospital in Cambridgeshire has launched an appeal for help identifying an amnesia sufferer who is unable to remember any details about his life, including his name and age.

The man, believed to be in his early 20s, was found in a park near Peterborough bus station at 6am on May 18.

He told police he had no memory of who he was or how he came to be there.

He was not carrying any personal documents, a phone or a wallet.

Experts at the Cavell Centre at Peterborough City Hospital say the man, who they have named Robert, is suffering from a very severe case of amnesia.

Robert said: "The last few weeks have been truly horrible. I go through so many different emotions.

"At times I am angry, frustrated, depressed, lost and confused. I just need to find out my name and I hope someone out there will recognise me and help."

Robert is 5ft 9ins tall, weighs 13st and has dark hair and blue eyes.

His accent is thought to be eastern European, although he speaks English. He also understands some Lithuanian and Russian.

Despite efforts to help him regain his memory, doctors say he has made little improvement over the last two months and are now calling for help.

Dr Manaan Kar Ray, clinical director of acute care at the Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Clearly this is very upsetting for him as he cannot recall any details of his life including his own name, age, where he is from, or what he does for a job.

"We have made strenuous efforts to help him with his memory - including taking him back to where he was found - but nothing has been successful so far.

"Our staff have spent a lot of time with him, helping him to recall day-to-day activities, and he can use a computer and play football and basketball, but we are still no closer to finding out who he is.

"Understandably, he is now getting very frustrated and I hope this appeal will mean someone will recognise him and come forward."

Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust on 01733 776014 between 8am and 8pm.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Polar Bear In Schoolboy Attack 'Had Toothache'

The polar bear that mauled a British teenager to death in the Arctic was hungry and had toothache that was likely to have made it more aggressive, an inquest has been told.

A coroner in Salisbury is hearing evidence from a wildlife pathologist about the death of 17-year-old Horatio Chapple.

The inquest was told the bear, estimated to be more than 20 years old, was likely to have been stressed because of pain and therefore acting "unpredictably" when it attacked the camp in Norway's remote Arctic island group of Svalbard.

Horatio suffered fatal injuries to his head and upper body

Wiltshire and Swindon assistant coroner Ian Singleton revealed that a post-mortem examination of the animal found that it had worn-down teeth, with a cavity in one tooth, and swollen and red gums.

The post-mortem report indicated that the pain it was in would have affected its behaviour.

The injured were flown by helicopter to hospital

Mr Singleton said: "(It) had badly aligned teeth causing them to wear down more than normal. It's probable it affected the bear's ability to gain food and if the bear is in pain it would have increased levels of stress causing it to behave more aggressively and unpredictably than it would otherwise."

Horatio was part of an adventure holiday in August 2011 organised by the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) when he died.

The campsite was in a remote part of Norway's Arctic

The Eton pupil, who was from Salisbury in Wiltshire, was asleep in his tent when the bear crossed trip wire alerts and attacked the group.

He died from fatal injuries to his head and upper body.

Mr Singleton added: "The teeth suggest the bear is very old, more than 20 years based on the appearance of the teeth.

"The fatality rate for bears in Svalbard is high after 15 years, and very high after 20 years, it's rare for a polar bear to reach 25 years."

Cargo was taken away from the campsite after the 2011 attack

A total of four other people in the group, known as Chanzin Fire, were hurt in the attack before the bear was shot dead.

Those injured were trip leader Michael "Spike" Reid, from Plymouth, Devon, Andrew Ruck, from Brighton, Patrick Flinders, from Jersey, andScott Bennell-Smith, from Cornawll's St Mellion.

High Court judge Sir David Steel produced an independent report on behalf of the BSES.

He said the animal was seriously underweight at some 39-stone (250kg) - around 40% below normal.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

New 'Snooping' Law 'Needed To Keep UK Safe'

MI5 and the police will be able to read people's emails and listen to people's mobile phone conversations under emergency laws, David Cameron has said.

The Prime Minister said the measures were needed to "maintain powers to help keep us safe from those who would harm UK citizens", which was essential given the threat from unrest in Syria and Iraq.

The laws will mean internet firms and other companies will be required to store data on "who contacted whom and when" for 12 months.

And he said security services would be able to listen to phone calls or read emails, although they would need to request a warrant, which would have to be signed off by a secretary of state, to do so.

Monitoring emails and phone calls has helped stop terror plots, says PM

Announcing the move alongside Nick Clegg, who had been staunchly against a previously suggested "snooper's charter", he conceded the measures would only be temporary and the public would be given access to details of warrants requested for the first time.

Under plans detailed in the Data Retention and Investigation Powers Bill:

:: Firms will have to retain phone and email detail for 12 months.

:: The number of public bodies allowed to request phone and email details will be limited - Royal Mail, pensions bodies and charities no longer given access.

:: Councils will be banned from asking for information directly from internet and phone providers.

:: A senior diplomat will oversee how information requests can be shared with other countries.

:: There will be an annual transparency report on the warrants issued and why.

:: There will be a review of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which allows councils to snoop on people.

:: All powers are only temporary and will stop at the end of 2016.

Theresa May made a statement in Parliament on the powers

Mr Cameron said the emergency legislation, which is expected to go in front of the Commons on Tuesday, was necessary because the European Court of Justice ruled an EU directive on holding data interfered with the right to respect for private life.

He said some companies had threatened to stop co-operating because they were unsure of the law and many were poised to start deleting data that could be vital to the security services. 

When asked if the measures were simply "state-sponsored phone and email hacking", Mr Cameron said the public should be more worried if the Government did not introduce the new legislation.

The Prime Minister said:"I am simply not prepared to be a prime minister who has to address the people after a terrorist incident and explain that I could have done more to prevent it."

And he stressed the powers, which have the backing of Labour, were the same as had been operating under the EU directive until it had been struck out, and which had helped to prevent terror plots.

He said: "It is the first duty of government to protect our national security and to act quickly when that security is compromised. As events in Iraq and Syria demonstrate, now is not the time to be scaling back on our ability to keep our people safe.

"The ability to access information about communications and intercept the communications of dangerous individuals is essential to fight the threat from criminals and terrorists targeting the UK."

The Government has said that Britons radicalised fighting alongside jihadists from terror group ISIS in Syria and Iraq present the biggest threat to the UK.

Mr Clegg said that "liberty and security had to go hand-in-hand" and stressed the measures were temporary and a greater debate on the powers the Government had in a "post Snowden era" was essential.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Celebrities Among Hundreds Who 'Avoided Tax'

Several names from the world of showbiz have been accused of hiding their money in an aggressive tax avoidance scheme.

George Michael, Sir Michael Caine and Katie Melua all invested in the Liberty tax strategy, according to a report in The Times newspaper.

Some 1,600 people, including QCs, doctors, top businessmen, celebrities, criminals and a judge, are said to have invested in the scheme.

Sir Michael Caine has made 'no comment'

They are accused of trying to shelter a total of £1.2bn in Liberty, which ran between 2005 and 2009.

The scheme worked by making huge artificial "losses" offshore, which members could then use to avoid paying tax on other income.

It meant that for every £1 earned, investors could reduce the amount they paid to 7p in tax instead of 40p, while higher rate taxpayers could earn £1m each year tax free.

To do the latter, they had to pay £70,000 in fees to Mercury Tax Group, the company which ran the scheme.

Katie Melua says she has paid the tax to HMRC she would have owed

According to a document leaked to The Times, Michael is said to have paid £443,000 seeking to shelter £6.2m he earned from record and tour sales.

The newspaper said the singer told the Big Issue in 1996 he would be happy paying 50% to 60% tax under a Labour government.

The singer's spokesman told the paper his "busy schedule" meant he could not answer questions at present.

Singer Melua tried to shelter £850,000. Her lawyers said it was her accountants who did so and that when she found out, she paid the money back.

All four members of the Arctic Monkeys declined to comment

Sir Michael, who is accused of sheltering £600,000, made "no comment", while four members of the Arctic Monkeys, who are each said to have sheltered between £557,000 and £1.1m, also declined to speak.

Sky's political correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "All of these celebrities are going to be targeted by a change of rule.

"HMRC is going to take this tax scheme to court next March but in the meantime the new rules mean they have to pay the money back.

"If they don't, the Government can go directly into their bank accounts and take it."

David Cameron has called tax avoidance schemes "morally wrong"

A number of other celebrities have been identified as having used tax avoidance schemes in the past including Take That star Gary Barlow, who used another scheme set up by Icebreaker Management, and Jimmy Carr, who was said to have channelled cash through Jersey-based K2.

Tax avoidance is legal although David Cameron has described it as "morally wrong".

Asthana added: "The Prime Minister stuck the boot in when The Times first outed comedian Jimmy Carr as a tax avoider.

"He was a little less willing to do so when it was Conservative-supporting Gary Barlow, who had also invested in the scheme we are talking about today."

A HMRC spokesman said it did not comment on individual cases but added: "We are always happy to help the increasing numbers who want to disentangle themselves from the increasingly fruitless practice of tax avoidance."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bomb Fears: 'Charge All Gadgets' For UK Flights

Airlines To Scrutinise Smartphones Amid Threat

Updated: 8:12am UK, Friday 04 July 2014

Airlines with direct flights to the US have been told to tighten their screening of mobile phones amid fears terrorists could use them in bomb attacks.

US officials singled out Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets for extra security checks.

They will apply to US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the officials said.

The new precautions come in response to requests from US authorities, who fear attacks on planes flying to America.

US security officials said they fear bomb makers from the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have worked out how to turn the phones into explosive devices which can avoid detection.

They also are concerned that hard-to-detect bombs could be built into shoes.

A US official said that other electronic devices carried by passengers also are likely to receive more intense scrutiny.

Airlines or airport operators that fail to strengthen security could face bans on flights entering the US.

On Thursday, the US Homeland Security Department announced on plans to step up general security checks, but offered few details on how airlines and airports will implement them.

An official familiar with the issues said the US believes that while it is possible there may be some additional delays at security checkpoints, at most major airports passengers will not be seriously inconvenienced.

The official said most passengers taking long-distance flights arrive well in advance of scheduled departures, leaving time for extra screening.

But he said the US could not rule out disruptions in countries where airport infrastructure and security procedures are less sophisticated.

In the UK, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the additional security was not expected to cause "significant" disruption to flights.

He told Sky News: "There will be extra security checks but they will be made in the course of events people already go through and I hope there will not be significant delays."

But British aviation security expert Philip Baum said heightened security will inevitably mean longer queues and increased waiting times to board flights at UK airports.

"It will mean (more) random searches, secondary searches and an increase in the number of passengers asked to remove shoes and possibly all passengers being asked to remove shoes if they're going on certain flights," he said.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Assassins Creed Gamer Killed Screaming Newborn

A father has been jailed for eight years for killing his five-week-old daughter who screamed while he played a computer game.

Mark Sandland suddenly lost his temper at his flat in East Sussex, where he picked up Aimee-Rose and violently shook her.

The 28-year-old later told officials he had suffered an epileptic fit and had regained consciousness to find the baby trapped underneath him.

Lewes Crown Court heard Sandland, of St Leonards-on-Sea, had logged onto a website offering tips on how to play Assassin's Creed 3 on November 5, 2012.

The prosecutor, Sally Howes QC, said there would have been little point in him reading the site's step-by-step instructions unless he was playing the game at the time.

The court was told Sandler dialled 999 less than 20 minutes after accessing the website, telling the operator he had suffered a fit.

But the judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, said: "It's obvious that ... you appreciated what you had done and ... lied and sought to cover up what had actually happened."

Dr Hannah Cock, a consultant neurologist, found it was "highly unlikely" that a seizure contributed to Aimee-Rose's injuries.

Miss Howes added: "Even if he had fallen on to Aimee-Rose, her pattern of injuries is not consistent with a fall and crushing alone.

"Dr Cock would have expected more disturbance to adjacent furniture than reported."

The court also heard about a text message sent by Aimee-Rose's mother to Sandland on the day of the attack, in which she asked how her daughter had been while she attended the first class of her university course.

She received a reply which read: "She hasn't shut up since about half an hour after you left."

Sandland, who will serve half his sentence before being released from jail on licence, was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of lack of intent.

The judge said the attack was a "momentary" event that was not pre-meditated.

However, he said there were a number of aggravating factors, including that Aimee-Rose was a vulnerable child and that Sandland was in a position of trust, had lied to authorities and had shown no real remorse.

Lewis Power QC, for the defence, said Sandland would forever "carry the heavy burden" of knowing he had killed his daughter.

"There can be no greater tragedy in life than the death of a child - a young child, a life extinguished, compounded by the fact it was at the hands of a loving parent," he added.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Polar Bear Attack: I Heard Growls And Screams

A teenager has told of the moment she heard a fellow student being fatally attacked by a polar bear during an adventure holiday.

Lauren Beech, from Ilford in Essex, has been telling the inquest into the death of Horatio Chapple, 17, that she saw the white fur of the bear from her tent.

"I heard growls of the bear along with other shouts and screams," she said at the inquest in Salisbury. "I was very distressed and I do not think I had any idea of the timescale."

Scott Bennell-Smith, from St Mellion in Cornwall, was lying asleep in the same tent as Horatio when the bear attacked.

He said: "I felt as if we all woke up at the same time, initially when the tent was shaking I felt someone may have been shaking it to wake us up.

The bear was shot after attacking several people

"The material of the tent roof collapsed over all three of us and I could feel the presence of the bear over all of us. I could feel the size of it and see its paws.

"When the material collapsed over me I couldn't see what was happening.

"From what I remember I think we were all shouting the same thing ... shouting for help."

Mr Bennell-Smith, 20, who was 16 at the time, added: "The material had all ripped, it had fallen about either side of us. I saw the bear attacking someone.

"I think it was right in the centre of the camp, biting (him) in the head.

The expedition was to the Arctic wilderness of the Svalbard islands

"I just put my head down again and tried to stay still basically then I could just hear the bear moving around the camp, just heard commotion."

He was then attacked and injured by the bear, before it was shot.

Horatio was on the adventure holiday to the remote Svalbard islands in August 2011 with the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) when he died.

The Eton pupil from Salisbury, Wiltshire, suffered fatal injuries to his head and upper body.

Four others were hurt before the bear was shot dead at the camp site, where the group, known as Chanzin Fire, had been staying.

Horatio, from Wiltshire, was a pupil at Eton

Also injured during the incident were trip leader Michael "Spike" Reid, from Plymouth, Devon, Andrew Ruck, from Brighton, and Patrick Flinders, from Jersey.

Ms Beech told the inquest that Horatio had found a bear print in the ground just two days before the attack.

She also said she found out after the incident that the local authorities had issued a warning about increased polar bear activities in recent months before the attack.

Describing the paw print discovery on August 3, she said: "That was the day that Horatio noticed the prints of the polar bear. We were advised by the leader they were approximately two to four days old and they were facing in the direction of base camp.

"I remember there was more than one there, one was very distinct and I remember several of us taking photos with this print."

She added: "It may make me sound naive but I remember thinking 'Wow, it's a polar bear footprint' but I do not remember it making me any more worried."

More follows...

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alzheimer's Test Could Be Ready In Two Years

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

A blood test that identifies patients likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease could be available in two years, according to scientists.

The test, which works long before there are recognisable symptoms, is almost 90% accurate, new research shows.

And the inventors believe it would allow drugs to be tested in the early stages of the disease, in the hope of delaying or even stopping further deterioration.

Professor Simon Lovestone, who devised the test at King's College London, said: "A drug that worked in that preclinical phase would feel like prevention.

"You would go to your doctor take a drug and in effect you would have the clinical symptoms prevented - even if the clinical disease had started in your brain."

Doctors know that Alzheimer's starts to affect the brain at least 10 years before there are outward signs of the disease.

The new test identifies 10 key proteins in the blood of patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment who will go on to develop Alzheimer's in the next year.

Results of a major trial published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia show the test is 87% accurate.

Vivienne Hill, whose mother had Alzheimer's, has welcomed the research

"Alzheimer's begins to affect the brain many years before patients are diagnosed," said Prof Lovestone.

"Many of our drug trials fail because by the time patients are given the drugs, the brain has already been too severely affected.

"A simple blood test could help us identify patients at a much earlier stage."

The test has been welcomed by Alzheimer's Research UK, which funded the study.

But Dr Eric Karran, the charity's science director, cautioned that it needs further refinement before being used by GPs to routinely diagnose the disease.

He told Sky News: "You have false positives, which is where the test says you are liable to get Alzheimer's disease but in fact the test is wrong.

"If this was some benign condition one wouldn't be bothered.

"But we know that Alzheimer's Disease is the most feared diagnosis. So it is very important to understand that point."

Vivienne Hill was devastated that doctors could do nothing to slow her mother Mary's symptoms. She welcomed the new research.

"We knew she was going to slowly deteriorate from a vibrant happy woman to someone who was bedridden for the last three years of her life who could not talk or do anything for herself," she said.

"It's horrible knowing that."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Norwich Toddler Killed By Falling Fireplace

A two-year-old girl has died after suffering serious injuries when a fire surround fell on her at her home in Norwich.

Trinity Coward, from Lakenham, was taken to hospital in the early evening of Sunday but died shortly afterwards.

A police spokesman said: "The circumstances surrounding the infant's death will be subject to a coroner's enquiry although early indications are that this was an unforeseen and tragic event in a family home."

The toddler was taken to hospital but died there

Trinity's parents, Shaun and Kelly Coward, issued a statement.

"Our little princess. Your gorgeous smile and those dimples forever etched on our hearts.

Trinity's parents talked of her "gorgeous smile and dimples"

"Daddy's little baby girl shine bright like a diamond in the sky. Mummy's little angel so loving and cuddly. Can't wait to have snuggles xxx

"Till we see you again all our love from Mummy, Daddy and your brothers and sisters xx"

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Body Found In Reservoir Search For Missing Boy

Police searching for a teenage boy who disappeared after getting into difficulty at a reservoir in Scotland have found a body.

The 14-year-old was reported missing at Torduff Reservoir in Edinburgh's Bonaly Country Park on Monday evening.

Police officers, firefighters and a helicopter search team were sent to the reservoir, where a body was discovered overnight.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed.

Torduff Reservoir is on the outskirts of Edinburgh

However, a spokesman for Police Scotland said officers were trying to trace the boy's family and inform them of the discovery.

Torduff is one of seven reservoirs in Bonaly Country Park, which is part of the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

It is popular with visitors because of its moorland and woodland trails, as well as its views of the Edinburgh skyline to the north.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Unipart Automotive Woes Put 1600 Jobs At Risk

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Britain's biggest independent car parts supplier was on the verge of appointing administrators on Tuesday, putting more than 1500 jobs at risk.

Sky News understands that Unipart Automotive, which has a network of 200 branches, has filed a notice of intention to appoint KPMG to act as administrator following protracted trading difficulties.

Sources said on Tuesday that the company was hopeful of securing a rescue deal prior to KPMG's formal appointment that would preserve most, if not all, of the 1600 jobs.

A deal could be struck before the end of the week, they added, although it was unclear where any new funding would come from.

Unipart Automotive, which was once part of the British Leyland industrial group, is majority-owned by H2 Equity Partners, a Dutch private equity firm, having been sold by Unipart Group in 2011.

According to the company's website, it is the largest independent supplier of car parts, workshop consumables and garage equipment to the after-market.

A report in the Daily Telegraph in May said that Unipart Automotive had completed a refinancing which included new injections of capital from its shareholders.

KPMG declined to comment.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pink Floyd To Release First Album In 20 Years

Pink Floyd will release a new album later this year, the band's first in 20 years.

Polly Samson, the wife of guitarist David Gilmour tweeted: "Btw Pink Floyd album out in October is called 'The Endless River'.

"Based on 1994 sessions is Rick Wright's swansong and very beautiful."

Wright, one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, died in 2008 from cancer.

Backing vocalist Durga McBroom-Hudson also confirmed the news in a post on Facebook, writing: "YES. THERE IS A NEW PINK FLOYD ALBUM COMING OUT. AND I'M ON IT. And there was much rejoicing."

Responding to fans who commented on her Facebook page, McBroom-Hudson said Roger Waters, who left the band in 1985, would not feature.

A source close to the project told The Sun: "This will be one of the most exciting pieces of music for decades because it is the closest we will ever come to a Pink Floyd comeback."

A spokesman also told the paper there will be no tour to accompany the album's release.

The band achieved worldwide fame in the 1970s and 1980s with albums including The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.

After numerous line-up changes over the years, founding members Dave Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Rick Wright reunited in 2005 to perform at Live 8 in Hyde Park.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Network Rail Punctuality Fine To Pay For Wifi

Network Rail (NR) has been ordered to return £53.1m to the Treasury after it "failed to deliver" on major routes.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said that during 2013/14  long-distance and major commuter line punctuality was 86.9%, "significantly short" of the average target of 92%.

The fine will be used to part-fund a pledge to spend up to £90m improving free wifi access on routes across England and Wales.

Commuters on routes into London from Bedford, Brighton, Kent and Portsmouth are expected to benefit from connections at least 10 times faster than those currently available, along with those using services into Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester.

Rail unions criticised the "crazy money merry-go-round" that saw NR funds taken back after failing to meet planned improvements in performance in the five years to March 2014.

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said: "All the politicians are doing is taking taxpayers' money from Network Rail and recycling it through the Treasury - this time to spend on one of their pet projects, faster wifi that should be paid for by the private rail companies.

"Once again, passengers lose out while private rail firms are laughing all the way to the bank."

ORR chief executive Richard Price said the money was ordered to be returned as NR had been specifically funded to improve train punctuality.

"But it did not deliver its commitments for passengers who travel on long-distance and LSE services," he added.

London and South East England (LSE) passenger services in 2013-2014 saw punctuality levels of 89.6% against a target figure of 93%.

Between 2009 and 2014, the ORR said around 73,100 additional late trains over and above funded obligations, while for the LSE area there were some 265,500 additional late trains.

However, the ORR said NR did achieve infrastructure targets, bringing in rail enhancement plans on time and within budget.

NR chief executive Mark Carne, who joined in February, blamed increased passenger numbers, in part, for the punctuality problems. 

"We accept that we have fallen short of the regulatory targets for train punctuality and that this is, in part, down to our failure to reduce infrastructure faults quickly enough," he said.

"At the same time, the sharp increase in passenger demand has led us to run more trains at peak times, even when we know this will lead to a more congested railway and punctuality targets may suffer."

There were more than 1.5bn passenger journeys on the network in 2013-2014, up from around 1.2bn in 2008-2009. 

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Five Arrested Over Fake Government Websites

Five people have been arrested over fake Government websites created to con people out of money.

People trying to order official documents such as passports and car tax discs have fallen victim to fraudsters who have mocked up sites.

Almost 6,000 complaints about the sites have been made to Citizens Advice.

The arrests were made under the Fraud Act and consumer protection laws. Those detained are now on police bail.

Lord Harris, chairman of the National Trading Standards Board (NTSB), said his team is "making it as difficult as possible for these online hoaxers to operate".

"We have been working with search engines such as Google and Bing to remove adverts from online search results and we continue to gather intelligence across the country to help tackle this issue," he added.

"We urge you to avoid unofficial websites which could leave you out of pocket or at risk of identity theft. Only use the GOV.UK website to find Government services. If you come across copycat websites, report them to Citizens Advice."

The fraudsters use URLs with words such as govuk and directgov in them, to appear similar to the official sites.

Martin Lewis, creator of the consumer financial advice site MoneySavingExpert, urged people to go directly to the official Government site, rather than using search engines.

He said: "Copycat websites disguise themselves as the real thing, but charge you for a useless service. I've lost count of the number of people who contact me upset and want to know how to get their cash back."

Consumer Affairs minister Jo Swinson said: "It's great that it's becoming easier and more common to use the internet to order official documents such as passports or tax discs, but people should be aware of rogue websites that are out there trying to exploit them."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Channel Tunnel Passengers Evacuated From Train

Hundreds of passengers have been evacuated from a broken-down train inside the Channel Tunnel, causing delays of up to four hours for other services.

The Eurotunnel shuttle train, which was heading to France, came to a halt around 7.30am, seven miles into the 30-mile long tunnel.

It stopped after a problem with the overhead power line.

Some 382 passengers and four dogs were taken off the train and then transferred to the French terminal where they waited for it to be brought out of the tunnel so they could get their cars back.

Passengers were transferred to the French terminal. Pic: Richard Byrom

Services using the one unblocked passenger tunnel were able to continue.

But Eurotunnel warned services were delayed, with hold-ups possibly lasting for the rest of the day.

The company said in a statement: "Our passenger service is currently operating with some timetable disruption. This is due to an incident in the tunnel which is in the process of being resolved.

"There is a waiting time of approximately 60 minutes before check-in and three hours on the terminal. 

"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause to your journey."

The company carries passengers in vehicles on board trains between Folkestone in Kent and Calais in France.

Eurostar, which does not take cars, said if journeys were not essential passengers would be able to exchange tickets, free of charge, to another available service within the next four months.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Airport Security Checks 'Unavoidable'

Airlines To Scrutinise Smartphones Amid Threat

Updated: 8:12am UK, Friday 04 July 2014

Airlines with direct flights to the US have been told to tighten their screening of mobile phones amid fears terrorists could use them in bomb attacks.

US officials singled out Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets for extra security checks.

They will apply to US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the officials said.

The new precautions come in response to requests from US authorities, who fear attacks on planes flying to America.

US security officials said they fear bomb makers from the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have worked out how to turn the phones into explosive devices which can avoid detection.

They also are concerned that hard-to-detect bombs could be built into shoes.

A US official said that other electronic devices carried by passengers also are likely to receive more intense scrutiny.

Airlines or airport operators that fail to strengthen security could face bans on flights entering the US.

On Thursday, the US Homeland Security Department announced on plans to step up general security checks, but offered few details on how airlines and airports will implement them.

An official familiar with the issues said the US believes that while it is possible there may be some additional delays at security checkpoints, at most major airports passengers will not be seriously inconvenienced.

The official said most passengers taking long-distance flights arrive well in advance of scheduled departures, leaving time for extra screening.

But he said the US could not rule out disruptions in countries where airport infrastructure and security procedures are less sophisticated.

In the UK, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the additional security was not expected to cause "significant" disruption to flights.

He told Sky News: "There will be extra security checks but they will be made in the course of events people already go through and I hope there will not be significant delays."

But British aviation security expert Philip Baum said heightened security will inevitably mean longer queues and increased waiting times to board flights at UK airports.

"It will mean (more) random searches, secondary searches and an increase in the number of passengers asked to remove shoes and possibly all passengers being asked to remove shoes if they're going on certain flights," he said.

18.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scotland Moves To Slash Drink-Drive Limit

By Niall Paterson, Scotland Correspondent

Drinking a pint or a single glass of wine could soon put you over the legal driving limit in Scotland, under proposals due to reach the Scottish Parliament in the next few weeks.

Currently more than 80mg of alcohol in the bloodstream per 100ml would make you a drunk driver - the Scottish Government wants to reduce that to 50mg.

That would bring Scotland into line with Germany, France and Spain - but create a situation where crossing the Scottish border after consuming one drink could lead to a drink-driving conviction.

Thirty people are killed on Scottish roads each year as a result of alcohol, and 150 seriously injured.

Across Scotland almost 7,500 people are convicted of drink-driving offences each year.

First Minister Alex Salmond recently branded Scotland a "nation of drunks".

A pint of beer could be enough to push drivers in Scotland over the limit

The proposals have been welcomed by many families of those injured or killed by drunk drivers.

Stacey Muldoon, a 23-year-old mother from Lanarkshire, was killed in 2008 when the driver of the car taking her home from a night out crashed into a lamppost.

He was later found to be twice over the legal limit. Her sister, Leigh Payne, believes lowering the limit will in future prevent many other deaths.

"We're coming into line with most of Europe and some of America", Ms Payne told Sky News.

"We've done loads of research and definitely bringing it down to 50mg is the way to go.

"I think that people will now realise that it's not acceptable to have a drink . Physically ordering a drink and drinking it with your dinner you cannot do with 50mg.

Stacey Muldoon died in a car where the driver was over the limit

"Stacey left a twin sister, Kelly. She left two wee girls. They are now 10 and eight. My mum and dad have lost something they can never get back."

The Scottish Government says lowering the limit is a priority. Yet it has been two years since it first consulted on the issue and, as a devolved matter, it does not require legislative action by Westminster.

There has been resistance from the alcohol and pub sector. 

"I think it will lead to loss of business," says Bridgit Simmons, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association.

"Of course pubs serve many soft drinks, there's been a growth in coffee, people eat there, but inevitably people do go to the pub to have one drink...

Bridgit Simmons is concerned the change will damage business for pubs

"They've understood what they can do until now but confusion will mean they just won't go out, and that's of concern to us."

The Scottish Government said it hopes to introduce a bill affecting the change some time in August.

A spokesperson said: "We are working with Police Scotland and the UK Government to prepare for a lower limit, including obtaining the necessary type approvals for the devices used by the police to test drivers. 

"As a lower limit cannot be brought in until the necessary approvals are obtained through the UK Government, we have made clear to the UK Government that we view introducing a lower limit in Scotland as a key priority which we want to introduce as soon as possible."

18.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Silverstone Gears Up For Grand Prix Anniversary

By Enda Brady, Sky News Reporter

Formula One legends are descending on Silverstone this weekend for a special parade to mark the 50th British Grand Prix to be held at the world famous Northamptonshire circuit.

Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi are the latest F1 heroes to confirm that they will be taking part, with a bumper crowd expected for a day of celebration at the former airfield.

"The British Grand Prix is the jewel in the crown of British motor sport and one of the most important races on the Formula 1 calendar," said Richard Philips, Silverstone's managing director. 

"The drivers often comment that Silverstone is up there with circuits like Monaco, Monza and Spa as a race they really want to win.

Silverstone is expecting one of its largest ever crowds for today's race

"2014 will be extra special with plenty of commemorative events and activities for fans to look forward to, as well as the race itself, which promises to be as exciting as ever as the teams fight to get the most out of their cars under the new regulations."

Much has changed since that first race at Silverstone in 1948 (several British Grand Prix were held away from there), but the heritage and history remains as strong as ever, not to mention the increasing financial firepower F1 brings to the UK economy.

Mr Philips added: "This region is now a thriving motorsport powerhouse, contributing around £9bn to the British economy and that is all down to Silverstone. Nine of the 11 teams are based in and around here and it all comes down to the Silverstone factor."

Silverstone hosted its first Grand Prix in 1948

The first British Grand Prix at the track was won by the Italian driver Luigi Villoresi in a Maserati.

Two years later the World Championship was founded and Silverstone was given the honour of staging the first round, with a huge crowd of 150,000 people turning out, only for star attraction Juan Miguel Fangio to break down mid-race.

The first ever British winner was Peter Collins in 1958, whose victory came just weeks before his death in the German Grand Prix.

"The cars were very, very different back then," said Jackie Oliver, who raced in F1 in the 1960s and 1970s before going on to become a team owner.

Today Silverstone contributes £9bn to the British economy

"It was an amazing rush to race around Silverstone in those vehicles. They look very different now, but the excitement of a British Grand Prix remains.

"It's a very unique place. I absolutely love coming here, the history of the place gives me goosebumps."

There have been 10 British winners at Silverstone, with Lewis Hamilton the last in 2008.

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle added: "Classic events like Silverstone mean so much. It's a really important race for British F1 drivers. Not having a British Grand Prix would be like not having a Monaco Grand Prix or Monza.

Former F1 driver Jackie Oliver says Silverstone is a 'very unique place'

"It has a massive halo effect on everything we do, including helping to develop young drivers into Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, rally or Le Mans drivers. Look how important the British motor sport industry is to this country.

"We have this incredible business, history, heritage that is British motor sport, and the British Grand Prix is at the heart of it all.

"Thank goodness we have such amazing fans. The spectators keep the British Grand Prix alive, because we don't have government funding. It is driven by selling tickets."

Britain's Lewis Hamilton will be starting in sixth place when the race gets under way later on today.

18.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crash Takes Cavendish Out Of Tour De France

One of Britain's top cyclists will miss the rest of the Tour de France after crashing in the final moments of Saturday's opening stage in Yorkshire.

Mark Cavendish dislocated his shoulder in a heavy fall near the finish line in Harrogate - his mother's home town.

The Isle of Man sprinter collided with Australian Simon Gerrans in the last 200 metres and was thrown to the ground in the high-speed smash.

Cavendish lay clutching his shoulder, and after cycling painfully across the line, the 29-year-old was taken to hospital.

The 'Manx Missile', who competes for the Omega Pharma-QuickStep team, later said: "I'm gutted about the crash today.

"It was my fault. I'll personally apologise to Simon Gerrans as soon as I get the chance. In reality, I tried to find a gap that wasn't really there."

The rider crossed the finish line clutching his midriff

X-rays were taken on Saturday night which confirmed the shoulder injury.

His team then decided to wait overnight to see if he was fit to continue the race before ruling him out on Sunday morning.

The first stage lasting 190km began in Leeds and was won by German rider Marcel Kittel. Team Sky's Chris Froome finished sixth.

The high-profile crash marred the opening day of Yorkshire hosting the world's greatest bike race.

Cavendish's Tour De France is now over

Many spectators, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Prime Minister David Cameron, were willing Cavendish on as he entered Harrogate.

But he fell in the town centre as his mother, Adele Towns, watched from the stands.

More than a million people lined the streets of Yorkshire on Saturday for stage one as crowds flocked from all over the country to get a glimpse of the 198 racers.

Hundreds of thousands more people are expected to turn out for the second stage today from York to Sheffield - a 201km route where the world's top cyclists will face some of Britain's toughest climbs.

Police have warned spectators to stay safe after some dramatic scenes on Saturday.

A teenage boy was airlifted to hospital with serious leg injuries after he fell from the roadside in Ilkley, into the path of a Tour team vehicle following behind the race.

There were also reports of spectators on the climbs getting very close to the leading riders - often while taking 'selfies' on their phones.

On Monday, the Tour moves south to Cambridge and a 155km stage ending on The Mall, in central London.

18.55 | 0 komentar | Read More