Housing Shortage Sees More Tenants Evicted

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

Increasing numbers of private tenants are being evicted or exploited by landlords cashing in on the increase in house prices and the shortage of rented accommodation, according to latest figures.

Citizens Advice (CAB) saw a 38% rise in the number of people turning to the charity for help with eviction notices served on them, despite being up to date with their rent.

CAB recorded 5,000 cases across the country in 2013/2014 where tenants complained about being forced from their homes, even though they were not in arrears. That figure is up from 3,750 the previous year.

Problems in London and the South East are particularly acute, the charity said, where many house prices are the highest in the country.

Private tenant Ryan Herran told Sky News he was being forced from his Muswell Hill home of five years, because he complained about damp and mould in the property and demanded his landlord fix the problem.

After months of wrangling with the owner, he was eventually served with a section 21 eviction order.

"I was actually in shock for a couple of days because I've always been a good tenant and always paid my rent and never engaged in anti-social behaviour," he said.

"I did ring up the property management company and they told me they don't have to give a reason under the section 21 eviction notice. They said they felt they were doing me a favour by at least giving me two months notice."

Mr Herran believes his eviction is motivated by spite and certainty on the part of the landlord that he would easily be able to find another tenant.

The number of tenants seeking help over eviction has nearly doubled

Roger Harding from the homelessness charity Shelter said: "Sadly landlords can evict for no reason, even if you've been keeping up with the rent. 

"We've found many worrying examples where landlords have evicted people simply because they don't want to have to deal with repair issues and that's something we want to see outlawed."

During January to March 2014 house prices rose by 18% in London and 10% in the South East, compared to the same period the previous year.

CAB's figures reveal those rises were mirrored by an increase in private tenants reporting they had been served with eviction notices, despite being up to date with their rent.

The charity said the number of tenants in London and the South East seeking help over eviction notices between January and March 2014 was 900, compared with 400 over the first quarter of the year before.

Landlord Richard Blanco rents out properties across six London boroughs and is also a member of National Landlords Association. He said private landlords are often unfairly maligned.

"There's a small minority of rogue landlords who might try and increase rents but really the most sensible business model for landlords is to maintain the property well and to have a good relationship with tenants and to try to ensure tenants stay as long as possible," he said.

Mr Blanco said, contrary to widespread belief, more than three quarters of private tenants have not faced an increase in rents over the past 12 months.

The Government is in the process of introducing new legislation which it hopes will strengthen the rights of private tenants and help protect them from exploitation, or unjustified eviction.

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Govt 'Out Of Touch' On Term-Time Holiday Ban

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

New rules banning holidays during school term time are penalising families who have no choice but to take their children out of school, some parents have told Sky News.

Maxine Ingrouille-Kidd, whose son Curtis is severely disabled, said she was threatened with a fine when she asked for permission to take her son on a cruise during term time because it was the only time accessible cabins were available.

"A cruise is a good sensory experience for Curtis ... and it is important for us to have family time together," she said.

"We did try to go at half term and they didn't have an accessible cabin.

"We're really limited by what Curtis needs.

"We didn't think (the school) would refuse us because he has a life-limiting condition and we thought they would appreciate that it was important for Curtis to be with us.

"Despite having up to 40 seizures a day, he's actually quite healthy and has had very few absences."

Curtis, who is quadriplegic, epileptic, blind and has cerebral palsy, was refused permission by his school in Somerset under new rules which came into force last September.

Under the rules, headteachers can only grant permission for term time leave in "exceptional circumstances" - a discretion some parents claim is not being used properly.

Stewart Sutherland, who says he has been unable to take a family holiday for five years because of his job, was prosecuted and fined £996 after he pleaded guilty to taking his three children to Greece on a holiday booked prior to the new rules being introduced.

"The Government is out of touch with society when it introduced these rules," said Mr Sutherland.

"The country does not come to a standstill when the kids are on holiday - there's always someone who is still working."

"Family time is sometimes just as important as schooling," he added.

The Government said the new rules are fair and have reduced the number of pupils regularly missing school by 130,000.

"We have been clear that all headteachers are free to grant pupils leave in exceptional circumstances," a spokesman for the Department for Education said.

"It is up to headteachers to decide whether to grant time off and how much time to grant.

"We are also giving schools the flexibility to set their own term times so they can change dates to ones that work for their pupils and families.

"Parents can urge schools to make use of this new freedom."

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Jellyfish Invade Cornwall - But Don't Panic!

By Richard Suchet, Sky News Reporter

Tourism bosses are trying to reassure holidaymakers that a huge surge in the number of jellyfish off the coast of Cornwall poses no danger.

Every summer the waters around the South West of England are a thriving area for marine life.

But this year the warm currents have brought with them swarms of jellyfish; in particular the harmless Barrel jellyfish, which can measure up to one metre in diameter.

The Barrel is usually found further up the western coastline; Wales, Northern England, and Scotland.

There are concerns that people could be put off from visiting Cornish beaches.

Tens of thousands of tourists are due to visit Cornish beaches this summer

Malcolm Bell from Visit Cornwall told Sky News: "It's no different really to rock pooling - you keep your eyes open for the crabs and everything else.

"It's part of the habitat, it's part of the fun thing about having a British beach holiday."

According to data collected by the public and submitted to the Marine Conservation Society, there were 1,133 sightings of jellyfish last year - a "sighting" can mean anything from a single creature to an entire bay full of jellyfish.

By mid-July of this year there were already more than 500 sightings and that number will increase significantly as the summer months go on.

Scientists at the University of Exeter who are examining the data say the number of reported jellyfish is dramatically higher than when the study began nine years ago.

The Moon jellyfish is the most common species

There is no trend in the number of sightings reported by the public and therefore no suggestion that climate change might be a factor in this year's bloom.

Most common is the Moon jellyfish, which makes up 29% of the entire population. They are generally small, translucent, and have a very mild sting.

There have been sightings of the infamous Portuguese Man O'War, which carries a nasty sting although they are far more rare.

Conservationist Patrick Maher from Dive Newquay said: "The important thing to remember with jellyfish is that they can continue to sting even after they have been washed up on the beach and are dead.

"Don't poke them, don't pick them up - avoid them and allow the authorities to remove them, seek medical advice if you get stung by one, but we are very lucky in Cornwall to have these types of species in our waters."

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Child-Rape Trial Halted After Judge 'Fell Asleep'

The trial of a man accused of raping a child was halted because a judge fell asleep, it has been claimed.

An investigation has been launched into the allegations that Recorder Philip Cattan nodded off as a young alleged victim gave evidence via video-link.

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office confirmed it is looking at what happened at the trial of John Quigley at Manchester Crown Court.

After the allegation was made, the judge stopped the trial and it will now be relisted.

A spokesman for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said: "The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office is aware of the allegation that Recorder Philip Cattan fell asleep during a trial at Manchester Crown Court.

"The matter is being considered in accordance with the Judicial Conduct (Judicial and other office holders) Rules 2013."

In a statement, the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The jury has been discharged in the trial of R v John Quigley at Manchester Crown Court following an issue that arose at court during the cross examination of the first complainant in the case.

"The trial will be relisted as soon as possible. The complainants and other witnesses have been kept informed."

Quigley, 49, of Avon Road, Burnage, Manchester, denies a number of sex offences including raping a child under 13.

Philip Cattan is a practising barrister in the Manchester area as well as a recorder, which is a part-time judge. He belongs to the St Johns Buildings Chambers in the city.

When Judge Gabriel Hutton was found to have nodded off during a rape trial at Gloucester Crown Court in 2002, causing it to be abandoned, he was disciplined.

Mr Cattan will not be commenting, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said.

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Tulisa Found Guilty Of Assaulting Blogger

Tulisa Contostavlos has been found guilty of assaulting a celebrity blogger at V Festival in Essex last year.

The N-Dubz star, 26, hit Savvas Morgan during a row in Chelmsford last August.

She was found guilty by a judge at Stratford Magistrates' Court in east London and ordered to pay a total of £3,020.

This consisted of a £2,700 contribution towards the cost of the prosecution, a £200 fine, £100 compensation to Mr Morgan and a £20 victim surcharge.

Contostavlos shook her head and smiled in disbelief as the guilty verdict was read out.

She appeared to mutter "this is bulls**t" as she walked out of the courtroom. She has vowed to launch an appeal against her conviction.

Savvas Morgan rowed with Contostavlos at V Festival

District Judge Angus Hamilton said: "I am quite sure to the requisite standard of proof, based on my analysis of the evidence that I have heard, that Ms Contostavlos did strike Mr Morgan in the face during an argument and that that blow caused minor bruising and swelling."

He said Contostavlos acted in a "confrontational" manner when she turned towards her victim, who she reportedly held a grudge against after he included a link to her sex tape on his blog.

"Her decision to seek to deal with Mr Morgan herself strikes me as aggressive and confrontational," the judge said.

He went on to say that he had a "number of points of concern" about her evidence during the trial.

He found that she "changed her account" of what she did with her hands during the confrontation. At one point she claimed she raised them in a defensive gesture but later said they remained by her sides, he said.

Her assistant, Gareth Varey, was cleared of using threatening behaviour during the incident.

Jeremy Dein QC, barrister for Contostavlos, said in mitigation that his client was provoked by the actions of her victim in relation to the sex tape.

He told the court: "Mr Morgan played a significant part in humiliating and debasing Ms Contostavlos' reputation, clearly for financial gain."

Earlier this week, a drugs trial against Contostavlos collapsed at Southwark Crown Court after the judge said there were "strong grounds" to believe that undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood - known as the Fake Sheikh - had lied in the witness box.

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UK Economy Emerges From Six-Year Downturn

Official figures show the UK economy has emerged from six years of lost growth to return to its pre-crisis peak.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Britain's economy was now bigger than it was before the financial crisis as gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 0.8% in the second quarter of the year.

The performance matched that of the previous quarter, although today's figure is only a first estimate and subject to revision.

It meant that on an annual basis, growth was 3.1% higher than was measured in the same period last year, leaving total output 0.2% higher than in the first quarter of 2008 - its previous peak.

Consumer spending is still driving growth

The measure of GDP per head - taking account of a growing population and weaker productivity - remains below the peak.

In its April to June calculations, the ONS charted 1% quarter-on-quarter growth in the service sector - which accounts for 75% of total UK GDP - while industrial production rose 0.4%.

However both construction and agriculture made negative contributions of 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. Both were hit by the effects of a very wet winter and spring.

The construction sector was damaged by a weak May

The ONS said only the service industry was now bigger than it was before the crisis, with industrial output and construction still 10% smaller.

Chancellor George Osborne said: "Thanks to the hard work of the British people, today we reach a major milestone in our long-term economic plan."

He tweeted: "We owe it to hardworking taxpayers not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

"Economy bigger than previous peak in 2008 but long way to go - the Great Recession was one of deepest of any major economy & cost UK 6 years."

The pace of the recovery will feed into expectations about the timing of an interest rate rise by the Bank of England though its governor Mark Carney recently suggested it would be tied to improved data on wage growth.

Ed Balls accuses ministers of creating a cost of living crisis

While employment has soared in recent months, salary growth has fallen to 0.3% year-on-year and continues to lag inflation - last measured at 1.9%.

The scenario that has left the Bank fearing the impact of any rate rise on consumers, whose spending remains the biggest driver of economic growth.

Labour's shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, said of the latest GDP figures: "At long last our economy is back to the size it was before the global banking crisis - three years after the US reached the same point.

"But with GDP per head not set to recover for three more years and most people still seeing their living standards squeezed, this is no time for complacent claims that the economy is fixed.

"Wages after inflation are down over £1,600 a year since 2010, housebuilding under this government is at its lowest level since the 1920s and business investment is lagging behind our competitors.

"Labour's economic plan will make Britain better off and fairer for the future."

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Mother Admits Beating Mikaeel Kular To Death

Mikaeel Kular's mother has pleaded guilty to killing her three-year-old son, who she subjected to repeated assaults.

Rosdeep Adekoya had been accused of murder but admitted a reduced charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Edinburgh.

She confessed to wrapping Mikaeel's body in a duvet cover, putting it in a suitcase and driving to Dunvegan Avenue in Kirkcaldy, where she hid the case under a bush in woodland behind a house.

The death of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular touched the community

Mikaeel's disappearance from his Edinburgh home in January sparked a huge search involving police officers, firefighters, mountain rescue teams and the coastguard, as well as members of the public.

His body was eventually found 25 miles away in woodland in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Adekoya's internet searches included "Get rid of bruises"

Adekoya had called 999 to report her son missing to police, telling officers he got out of bed and climbed on a stool to unlock the front door of his home.

But in court she admitted to beating her son to death, repeatedly punching him and causing his body to hit against a hard object or inflicting blunt injuries on his head and body between January 12 and 15.

She also pleaded guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice by pretending to police he had gone missing.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice told the court: "The basis for the plea tendered being accepted is that the Crown accepts that the accused had no intention to kill Mikaeel and that the assault perpetrated upon him, although severe, fell short of the wicked recklessness required for murder."

Explaining the charge of culpable homicide, Sky's James Matthews, at the High Court in Edinburgh, said: "Basically she beat up her son causing his death but she didn't mean to kill him, and that's been accepted by the prosecution authorities."

The toddler's body was found in woodland behind a property in Kirkcaldy

He said after killing Mikaeel, Adekoya had done the school-run taking her four other children to school before continuing on to dump his body behind a property where her sister was staying.

"Her concocted story unravelled under questioning by police, and it was when they spotted inconsistencies in her story that she broke down and told them where Mikaeel's body was," Matthews added.

The car used by Adekoya to dump Mikaeel's body after the school-run

Adekoya's internet history showed searches including "I find it hard to love my son", "I love all of my children except one", "Why am I so aggressive with my son" and "Get rid of bruises".

The court heard Mikaeel died on the night of Tuesday, January 14, from injuries inflicted the previous Sunday.

Hundreds of members of the public joined the search for the youngster

His mother "lost her temper" when he was repeatedly sick following a trip to a Nando's restaurant at the city's Fountain Park.

Mikaeel had more than 40 separate injuries to his body, including bruises to his back, chin and cheek, trauma to the brain, haemorrhage in the spinal cord and injuries to his arms.

Mr Prentice said: "If medical assistance had been called for death might not have resulted."

Sentence was deferred until August 25 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

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Miliband: 'I Am Not Your Bacon Sandwich PM'

Ed Miliband has told people if they wanted a Prime Minister who could eat a bacon sandwich then they should "vote for the other guy".

In an honest and open speech, the Labour leader detailed his popularity shortcomings, effectively conceded he was "weird" and appeared to encourage people to vote for David Cameron.

He highlighted the moment he was pictured messily eating a bacon sandwich during the local and European election campaign.

Miliband: I don't hug huskies

And he admitted using "long words" that didn't make "soundbites" and urged the electorate not to vote for him if they wanted a PM who had a pint down the pub, or hugged huskies.

Launching Labour's summer campaign Mr Miliband, who also confessed he looked like Wallace, promised to deliver a "different" kind of politics and said he believed in big ideas and sticking to his principles.

It will either be seen as a risky or brave strategy and comes after a slew of negative polls and gaffes during campaigning for the local and European elections.

Miliband: But I do look like Wallace

They included the unflattering bacon sandwich pictures and forgetting the name of the Labour candidate he was campaigning for.

Mr Miliband said: "David Cameron is a very sophisticated and successful exponent of an image-based politics. He made his name as Leader of the Opposition for some fantastic photos, like hanging out with huskies in the Arctic Circle.

"Even my biggest supporters would say I haven't matched him on that. It is not what I care most about. And it's not where my talents lie - as you may have noticed.

"I am not from central casting. You can find people who are more square-jawed, more chiselled, look less like Wallace.

Miliband says politics is not about photo opportunities

"You could probably even find people who look better eating a bacon sandwich. If you want the politician from central casting, it's just not me, it's the other guy. If you want a politician who thinks that a good photo is the most important thing, then don't vote for me."

Earlier this year Mr Miliband signed up Barack Obama's former strategist David Axelrod to advise him how to fight his General Election campaign.

Mr Axelrod has suggested Mr Miliband should aim to emulate Mr Obama's campaign and find a way of connecting with "everyday people" by offering a different way.

Obama's man David Axelrod is advising Ed Miliband

Mr Miliband said: "When people say 'you're all the same, you're in it for yourself, you don't care about my life', they are talking about us: the politicians. Millions of people think that for us, it actually is all about us, that we are in it for ourselves, for our own success, not the country's.

"They believe we value posturing more than principle, good photos or soundbites more than a decent policy, image more than ideas. Unless we stand up now and say that we want to offer people something different, more and more will simply turn away."

On Thursday, Mr Miliband's wife, Justine Thornton, hit the campaign trail in Scotland in a move considered by critics to be an attempt to make him look more "normal".

In the wake of the European elections a poll of nearly 2,000 people found that 41% considered Mr Miliband to be "weird".

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Tory MP Faces Disciplinary For Partner Assault

Conservative MP David Ruffley is facing disciplinary after it emerged he had been given a police caution for assaulting his girlfriend.

The matter has been referred to Michael Gove after Mr Ruffley issued an apology through his lawyers for his "inappropriate action" four months after the incident, saying he did not "condone domestic violence".

The case was raised with Mr Gove by the Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral in the MPs Suffolk constituency.

Officers were called to Mr Ruffley's London flat in March after the incident with his partner Wendy Drew and he accepted a police caution.

However, he now faces a fight for his political future amid suggestions he lacks support in his Bury St Edmunds constituency and could be dropped by his local Suffolk Conservative association.

David Ruffley with David Cameron in 2010

Police and church leaders, support groups and local politicians have all called on him to step down.

In a letter to Mr Ruffley, a copy of which was sent to Mr Gove,  the Very Reverend Frances Ward, said: "I had received sufficient comment and concern from a wide circle of people, both within the cathedral and through the town and county, to have arrived at the opinion that your position is untenable.

"I hope you take on board the extent of the concerns that I shared with you, for the sake of the town of Bury St Edmunds and the Conservative Party.

"It is my belief that you have lost the confidence of a significant proportion of your former supporters and should consider your position."

The Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, who said: "The future of David Ruffley as a Member of Parliament and prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for the Bury St Edmunds constituency is a matter for their association but I hope I have made my views entirely clear - such behaviour is inexcusable."

In his statement, Mr Ruffley said: "In March this year, an incident occurred between me and my former partner, resulting in inappropriate action on my part, which I deeply regret, in respect of which I accepted a police caution for common assault."

He added he had apologised to his former partner and she had accepted the apology and said: "I wish to stress that I would never condone domestic violence under any circumstances."

The local Conservative association has brought forward a meeting of its executive committee from September 9 to July 31 and Mr Ruffley could face deselection ahead of the General Election.

Simon Pott, former vice-chair of the Bury St Edmunds Conservative Association, told Sky News:  "I haven't found anybody who has given him any support. The overriding feeling is that he is going to go.

"The only reason we feel he has given an apology is because he feels his job is on the line."

"He should resign at once and go off to undertake charity work in whichever place will harness his undoubted talents. His place could be taken by someone who has the ability to achieve high office, which is now denied to him."

The Conservatives confirmed the matter was now being dealt with by the newly appointed Mr Gove.

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Glasgow Celebrates The Commonwealth Games

The opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games has taken place in front of a crowd of 40,000 in Glasgow.

The Queen read aloud the message she placed inside the Queen's baton which has been carried across all the Commonwealth nations over the last 10 months.

The ceremony, at Celtic Park, marked the official start of the 11-day competition.

Scottish comedian Karen Dunbar began the ceremony alongside Glasgow-born actor John Barrowman.

The pair sang Welcome to Scotland and then took the audience on a trip around Scotland, featuring a mock Gretna Green, the Loch Ness monster, the Forth Rail Bridge and the home of golf St Andrews.

During a video message at the stadium, Unicef ambassador Ewan McGregor said: "I'm proud to say welcome to Scotland, welcome to Glasgow, welcome to the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games."

Members of the audience sang God Save The Queen, with the mountains and glens of Scotland projected as a backdrop on the giant screen in Celtic Park.

The ceremony also featured singer Amy Macdonald performing Rhythm Of My Heart with Rod Stewart while Susan Boyle sang Mull Of Kintyre.

The Prince of Wales formally opened the last Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010.

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh will continue their visit with a trip to the athletes' village and swimming centre on Thursday.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will also watch some of the games.

Team India, as the hosts of the 2010 games, were the first of the 71 competing Commonwealth members to enter the arena.

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Ex-NOTW Reporter Dan Evans Spared Jail

Former News Of The World reporter Dan Evans has been given a 10-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to phone hacking.

Evans - who was the star prosecution witness in the hacking trial of former NOTW editor and Downing Street media advisor Andy Coulson - also admitted conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice.

His sentence was suspended for 12 months.

The 38-year-old told the court he had accessed the voicemails of a number of celebrities, including Daniel Craig and Kate Moss, while working for the Sunday Mirror and the NOTW.

Andy Coulson was sentenced to 18 months in jail

He said Coulson was played a recording of a message from Sienna Miller to the James Bond actor suggesting they were having a relationship while she was dating Jude Law in 2005.

"Even the office cat" knew about hacking at the Sunday tabloid before it was shut down in 2011, Evans claimed.

Coulson was found guilty of hacking earlier this month and jailed for 18 months.

Mr Justice Saunders, who also ordered Evans to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community, said he had taken into account Evans' guilty pleas.

The judge said he had also taken his agreement to give evidence in the hacking trial and possibly in the future into consideration.

Mr Justice Saunders said: "In the circumstances of this case, and in particular the co-operation that Mr Evans has given and has agreed to give the police and the prosecution in the future as compared with the lack of co-operation from others, I do feel able to suspend the sentence for a period of 12 months.

"I would not have done that had Mr Evans not made a clean breast of his involvement in these offences."

More follows...

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Undercover Police Spied On 17 Grieving Families

Seventeen families were spied on by undercover police officers who operated largely unchecked by management, a report has found.

The officers were said to have gone too far in investigating relatives of murder victims involved in family justice campaigns such as Jean Charles de Menezes and Stephen Lawrence.

And it found police on the Metropolitan Police's Special Demonstration Squad routinely made illicit recordings of conversations and kept information they should not have had.

One reference in the secret police records even referred to a grieving relative planning to go to a funeral although "there was no intelligence to indicate that the funeral would have been anything other than a dignified event".

Derbyshire Chief Constable Mick Creedon, who published the report, said: "Unless the information could have prevented crime or disorder it should not have been retained."

A police spy was placed in the Lawrence family camp

He found: "Operation Herne has identified emerging evidence that in addition to the Stephen Lawrence Campaign, a number of other justice campagins have been mentioned within SDS records.

"Seventeen such justice campaigns have been identified so far. These range between 1970 and 2005, and are as a result of deaths in police custody, following police contact and the victims of murders."

He said officers were in the process of being informed they had been targeted by undercover officers.

The mother of murdered student Ricky Reel, whose family was targeted by undercover officers after her son was killed, has called for a public inquiry after learning of the findings of the review.

The family of the Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead by police in the aftermath of the 7/7 terror attack, are considering legal action after being told references to their campaign were found in the records of the secret unit.

The report was highly critical of the management of the SDS, which operated from 1968 to 2008,  adding it had failed to ensure "proper processes and controls".

It said: "It is quite clear that maintaining the secrecy of the unit and protecting the identity of the officers was of paramount importance to all involved - and in being so focused on this aspect the management of the SDS, of the Metropolitan Police Special Branch and ultimately the Metropolitan Police Executive Leadership of the day collectively failed."

The SDS was set up to infiltrate protest groups but officers on the squad have come under fire for stealing the identities of 42 dead children to use as cover and for "tricking" women into sexual relations in order to carry out their work. It was disbanded in 2008.

A report on the case of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence earlier this year found the Metropolitan Police had placed a "spy" in the Lawrence family camp during the inquiry into the police handling of the investigation.

Peter Francis, of the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), claimed that from September 1993, he had been tasked with "smearing" the Lawrence family campaign.

More follows...

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Govt Accused Of Russian Arms Double Standards

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

The UK Government has been accused of double standards over its continued arms sales to Russia.

It is still exporting £132m of weapons to Russia despite the shooting down of flight MH17 and previously promising to cancel all arms-related contracts to Moscow.

As of May, there were 285 outstanding licences allowing UK companies to export arms either to Russia or another country which might then in time sell weapons to Russia.

The Government responded by saying the licences were only weapons for civilian uses such as clay pigeon shooting.

However, Sir John Stanley, the chairman of Arms Exports Controls Committee, said details showed UK firms were selling missile parts.

William Hague said extant licences would be suspended

When asked on Sky News whether it was certain the arms were not sold for Russian military use, Sir John, a Tory MP, said: "No, I don't think that is an assumption you can make.

"If you look in detail - and we have published the entire list of the exports that are extant to Russia - if you go through the entire list I don't think that components for air to air missiles, components for air to ground missiles, components for missile launchers ... are going to go to any civilian organisation in Russia.

"They must be going to the Russian security services and defence forces."

He has written to the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, asking whether the government plans to revoke the remaining licences.

In March, his predecessor, William Hague, promised "the UK will now, with immediate effect, suspend all extant licences and application processing for licences for direct export to Russia for military and dual-use items destined for Russian armed forces".

Sir John has written to Philip Hammond

However, to date, only 34 of the 285 contracts have been cancelled and the list of arms and parts UK companies still sell to Russia includes sniper rifles, body armour, assault rifles, communications equipment, small arms ammunition and night sights.

In response to the figures, the Foreign Office issued a statement saying the "majority of export licences that remain in place for Russia are for commercial use but we are keeping all licences under review".

"This Government has not approved any licences for the export of rifles or ammunition to the Russian military," the statement added.

On Tuesday, France accused the UK Government of hypocrisy for putting pressure on them over a £1bn arms contract with Moscow.

There were further questions raised for David Cameron over double standards when Labour released figures showing the Conservatives had benefited from £1m of donations from Russian firms and individuals.

Of particular note was the £160,000 payment from Lubov Chernukhin, whose husband was finance minister in Vladimir Putin's first administration, for a tennis match between the Prime Minister and Boris Johnson, with Tory strategist Lynton Crosby as ball boy.

It was an auction prize at a fundraising event.

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Russian Donor Row: Boris Could Scratch Match

Labour's Russian Donor List

Updated: 11:20am UK, Wednesday 23 July 2014

The Labour party's list of Russian donors to the Conservatives.

Below is a list of donations the Conservatives Party has received from those with links to the Russian Government or who may be hit by the sorts of sanctions David Cameron says must be imposed.  These total just under £1m (£910,000).

As an example:

:: George Piskov is close to the Conservatives and the Russian regime. In 2007 he jointly hosted (with the Conservative Peer Lord Northbrook) a party at the House of Lords, inviting guests to savour 'The Spirit of Russia', also attended by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Yuri Viktorovich Fedotov.

:: Alexandre Germanovich donated £10,000 to CCHQ in 2007. He is Executive Board member and Director to the "Russian Direct Investment Fund" which is a $10 billion fund established by the Russian Government.

:: New Century Media have donated £91,000 to the Conservative Party. It is believed that New Century Media, who have been working closely with organisations such as 'Positive Russia' – who seek to portray Putin and Russia in a positive light, are believed to have invited Vasily Shestakov and billionaire Andrei Klyamko to the Tory Summer Ball 2013.

Background:

George Piskov

:: George Piskov has donated £17,378 to the Tories, including a £10K donation direct to CCHQ in 2012.

:: Piskov is a Russian Banker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uniastrum Bank and of Protobase Laboratories – a money transfer company.

:: Piskov sold an 80% stake in Uniastrum Bank for £295m to the Bank of Cyprus in 2008. However, the deal has come under scrutiny and was referred to regulators in October 2013. There are questions surrounding the acquisition with board members apparently failing to act upon advice received, and Piskov has categorically denied allegations of kickbacks to grease the deal.

:: George Piskov is close to the Conservatives and the Russian regime. In 2007 he jointly hosted (with the Conservative Peer Lord Northbrook) a party at the House of Lords, inviting guests to savour 'The Spirit of Russia', also attended by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Yuri Viktorovich Fedotov. 

List of Donations by George Piskov

AU Unit Type Amount Date Received

Westminster North Cash £4,200.00 04/09/2009

Westminster North Cash £1,000.00 16/10/2009

Westminster North Non Cash - Hospitality £2,177.62 12/11/2009

CCHQ Cash £10,000.00 21/03/2012

Total £17,377.62

Lev Mikheev

:: Hedge Fund manager Mikheev has donated £96,000 to the Conservative Party, either to CCHQ or Westminster local associations, between 2010 and 2012. 

:: Formerly of Moore Capital, he set up is own hedge fund, Salute Capital which specialised in trade in Russia and the former Soviet Union

:: The fund was liquidated following poor results, and Mikheev returned to his previous role

Alexandre Germanovich

:: Germanovich donated £10,000 to CCHQ in 2007.

:: On Linkedin he describes his specialities as including "Government relations"

:: Is Executive Board member and Director to the "Russian Direct Investment Fund" which is a $10 billion fund established by the Russian Government.

:: Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Strategy Committee to the "State Transport Leasing Company" which is a wholly government owned company providing leasing services to the transport industry. 

:: As part of his work for Severstal he "managed lobbying assignments" to the Russian Government.

:: He started his career as a journalist covering the Kremlin where he "contributed over 400 stories on Vladimir Putin's administration, participating in all foreign state visits, personal briefings with the Russian President. Conducted first ever exclusive interviews with Russian Prime Minister and President Dmitry Medvedev (2000)"

Alexander Temerko

:: A former Vice President of Oil giant Yukos, Temerko fled Russia and received British citizenship, after being charged for fraud.

:: He is a director of Offshore Group Newcastle, who specialise in offshore wind, and gas and oil platforms

:: He has personally donated £259,230 to the Conservative Party, either to the central office or to local associations.

:: OGN has also donated £185,325 to the Conservative Party

:: Temerko is a member of the exclusive 'leaders group' of donors, who are invited to private events and dinners at Number 10, attended by the Prime Minister and other key cabinet members.

:: Temerko reportedly bought a bust of David Cameron, for £90,000 at the Conservative Summer Ball.  He reportedly donated this to the Carlton Club – another high profile Conservative Donor

:: Offshore group Newcastle has also benefited in millions of pounds in grants from the regional growth fund , as well as benefiting from the increase in the 'strike price' paid for offshore wind power .

Lubov and Vladimir Chernhukhin

:: Lubov Chernhukhin reportedly paid £160,000 at the most recent Tory summer ball, for a game of tennis with David Cameron.

:: She had previously donated £5,500 to the Conservative Party

:: She is also married to Vladimir Chenhukhin, former deputy finance minister of the Russian Federation

:: Chenhukhin was a former director of Aeroflot, JCS Russian Agricultural Bank, Vneshekonombank, and Polyous Gold International Limited until April 2014

:: He famously bought the former Midland Bank building in the City for £72 million, with the aim of turning it into a six star hotel, however he has since defaulted on payments and administrators have been appointed

New Century Media

:: New Century Media, who reportedly had a table at the Tory Summer Ball, list as one of their specialisations:

We have particularly strong credentials in Russia and the CIS, providing strategic advice to governments, major companies and high profile individuals doing business in or with Russia and other Central and Eastern European countries. New Century has an established office in Moscow which ensures the seamless delivery Russian corporate services offering.

:: New Century Media have donated £91,000 to the Conservative Party.

:: Run by former Member of Parliament, David Burnside, New Century is believed to represent a number of high profile clients with links to the Russian Federation.

:: New Century is believed to represent Ukranian Billionaire, Dimitry Firtash, who has been indicted on corruption and bribery charges in the U.S.

:: It is believed that New Century Media, who have been working closely with organisations such as 'Positive Russia' – who seek to portray Putin and Russia in a positive light, are believed to have invited Vasily Shestakov and billionaire Andrei Klyamko to the summer ball.

:: Klyamko owns Ukraines Smart Holding group, Regal Petroleum and has large stakes in Iron ore companies Metinvest and Yuzhny GOK

Waterford Finance

:: Described as a "financing boutique" , Waterford Finance donated has donated £63,000 to the Conservative Party between 2010 and 2013

:: Since its incorporation, Waterford has been successful in raising finance, managing asset portfolios and directly investing in counties within the Former Soviet Union (including Kazakhstan) the Middle East, and South America primarily in the oil & gas upstream sector and in gold exploration and production. During which time it has build partnerships with large number of multinational conglomerates and financial institutions as well as with the players with detailed local knowledge such as Soyuzneftegaz in Russia and Kazkommertsbank in Kazakhstan.

:: Business in Russia includes a 25% holding in Astrakhan Oil Corporation, a private oil exploration and production company

:: Waterford has a number of Russian Directors

:: Yuri Shafranik, the former Russian energy minister, is/was previously on the board of Waterford (2011). He has been described as "Vladimir Putin's pathfinder in oil markets"

:: Michael Kroupeev

:: Alexei Kroujikov

:: Another director, Vasili Evdokimov set up law firm called Laptev & Partners' in London to specifically cater for Russian clients

Xenon Capital

:: Xenon Capital partners are a leading Russia based investment and advisory firm

:: Xenon donated £10,000 to the Conservative Party in 2010

:: It has particular interests in the energy market:

:: Xenon acts as the Investment Advisor for Rusenergo Fund, Russia's largest utility fund, which is invested in significant minority stakes across a broad range of Russian electricity generation, transmission and distribution companies.

:: It lists Lord Clanwilliam or Patrick Gillford as a senior advisor, who was recently listed as attending the summer ball

:: He has donated £10,000 to the Conservative Party, and also donated £3200 to David Cameron's leadership campaign

:: He was previously on the board of Polyous Gold – which also boasts Vladimir Cherhukhin as a former director

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Boa Constrictor Alert: Snake On The Loose

Parents have been warned to be on the lookout for an 8ft boa constrictor which could pose a risk to small children.

The reptile was reported missing from an address in Skelmersdale, Lancashire on Tuesday evening.

Heavy-bodied boa constrictors, which kill their prey by wrapping themselves around it, pose a potential risk to children and animals as they might coil around them seeking warmth. 

They can also deliver a nasty bite if they feel threatened.

However, they are not venomous or normally aggressive towards humans.

The warning came a day after two boa constrictors were found near a children's play area in an east London park. Police officers removed the snakes with a litter grabber and brown bags.

Experts said the Skelmersdale snake was likely to have hidden somewhere and gone to sleep.

Inspector Mark Porter, of Skelmersdale Police, said: "While we do not believe the snake is aggressive or would attack anybody, there is the potential for risk to small children or pets from the animal seeking warmth.

"I would urge anyone who sees the snake to get in touch so that it can be recovered safely."

:: Anyone with information about the disappeance in Bearncroft, Skelmersdale should contact police on 101 quoting log number 1586 of July 22.

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Adele's Son Wins Damages For Paparazzi Photos

Singer Adele's son Angelo Adkins is to get a five-figure sum in damages at the High Court over paparazzi photos.

The case was brought against Corbis Images UK Ltd by the singer and her partner, Simon Konecki, over photographs of his "milestone moments".

Adele's lawyer said she was determined her two-year-old son was not and must never be "public property".

"It is a matter of profound sadness that many of his milestone moments, such as his first family outing and his first trip to playgroup, were photographed and published worldwide expressly against his family's wishes," solicitor Jenny Afia told Mr Justice Bean in London.

"Adele and Simon never encourage such photos. Quite the opposite.

"The parents' view is that these images were of routine, everyday family occasions which the paparazzi has no right to intrude upon, profit from and file away in picture libraries for future reference and use."

Corbis will pay damages and legal costs and has agreed it will not use the photos again, Ms Afia added.

The lawyer told the judge that the singer accepted and enjoyed her public profile as a world-famous singer and songwriter.

"She is extremely grateful to the public and press for their support in helping her achieve international acclaim," she said.

As a result of Corbis agreeing the payment, Adele and Mr Konecki have withdrawn a claim against other defendants in connection with photos taken of their little boy.

Ms Afia said: "Adele and Simon are pleased this matter has been resolved. They continue to do all they can to protect Angelo's rights in relation to the paparazzi, including taking legal action where necessary.

"They will be holding the damages on trust on behalf of the claimant for this purpose.

"They will also continue efforts to improve the laws relating to paparazzi and children generally, building on the successful campaign Adele helped fund in California resulting in far stricter harassment laws."

Later, the lawyer said the case showed taking photographs could be as intrusive as publishing them.

"This case also emphasises a dividing line between celebrities who strive to keep their children out of the spotlight and those who make them part of their brand," she said.

"The children of famous parents are not celebrities. The law can, will and should protect them."

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Litvinenko Public Inquiry: Why Announce It Now?

Key Dates Leading Up To Litvinenko Inquiry

Updated: 12:08pm UK, Tuesday 22 July 2014

A public inquiry into the death of poisoned Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko has been announced by the Government.

Here are the key events leading up to the announcement.

::  October 2000 - Alexander Litvinenko and his family flee Russia, despite an order telling him not to leave Moscow.

::  November 2000 - the former spy asks for asylum at Heathrow Airport.

::  May 14, 2001 - the UK grants him political asylum.

::  November 1, 2006 - Mr Litvinenko is taken ill after having tea with former agents Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun at a hotel in London.

::  November 23, 2006 - the ex-KGB officer dies of poisoning by radioactive polonium-210.

::  May 22, 2007 - Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald decides there is enough evidence to charge prime suspect Mr Lugovoi over Mr Litvinenko's death - he subsequently denied involvement, accusing Mr Litvinenko of being a British spy.

::  July 2007 - Russia refuses to extradite Mr Lugovoi on the grounds that it is against the Russian constitution to extradite someone without firm evidence.

:: October 2011 - A London coroner announces there will be an inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death, with a High Court judge looking at all the evidence, including the various murder theories.

::  May/June 2013 - The inquest is put on hold as the coroner says a public inquiry would be better.

::  July 2013 - The British Government rules out public inquiry.

::  February 2014 - Mr Litvinenko's widow, Marina, wins a seven-year fight to force a public inquiry when the High Court backs her case.

::  July 22, 2014 - Home Secretary Theresa May announces a public inquiry is to be held, saying she "hopes it will be of some comfort to his widow".

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Road Victim May Have Been 'Forcibly Pushed'

Police are investigating the possibility that a woman who was killed after being hit by a car was "forcibly pushed" on to the busy road.

The woman, who has not been named, was hit by a silver Kia on the A47 at Terrington St John in Norfolk at 2.15pm on Sunday. 

She died after suffering multiple injuries. 

A male pedestrian was also killed after suffering severe head injuries.

It is believed that the pair may have been walking barefoot on the eastbound carriageway towards King's Lynn.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Durham said the incident is being treated as suspicious.

He said the main focus of inquiry was that the woman was deliberately and "forcibly pushed".

"Although our investigation is in its early stages, initial inquiries have given me sufficient cause for concern that this was more than just a tragic accident," he said.

"As a result I'm appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the collision - or seen the two pedestrians shortly before the collision - to come forward, no matter how insignificant the information may seem to them."

The woman is described as white, slim and around 5ft 7in tall, with long auburn hair. She was wearing a bright pink T-shirt and black knee-length leggings.

The man was white, 6ft 1in and of slim build, with short dark hair. He was wearing blue denim shorts and a grey T-shirt.

The pair appeared to be barefoot and it is thought they may have been walking towards King's Lynn.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Norfolk and Suffolk major investigations team on 101.

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Trojan Horse Report: There Was Islamist Plot

There is 'clear evidence' of a Islamist takeover plot at Birmingham schools, a Government-led inquiry has found.

School groups and governors worked to instil an "intolerant" Islamist ethos within the city schools and endorsed extremist views, a report by the former head of the Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Unit Peter Clarke has concluded.

Commenting on his findings, Mr Clarke voiced concerns the infiltration of the city schools hardline Islamist groups could lead to the radicalisation of students in the future.

He said that Birmingham City Council had failed to do anything about widespread concerns over the takeover and that senior officers were aware of the problems as early as 2012 but did not act.

The report said: "In fact, there is incontrovertible evidence that both senior officers and elected members of Birmingham City Council were aware of concerns about activities that bear a striking resemblance to those described in the 'Trojan Horse' letter, many months before it surfaced."

It also said that governors were favoured over head teachers.

More follows...

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Litvinenko Death: Public Inquiry To Be Held

The widow of poisoned ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko says she is "relieved and delighted" that there will be a public inquiry into his death.

Marina Litvinenko said the Government's announcement there would be a full investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death sent a message to his killers that "no matter how strong and powerful you are, the truth will win out in the end".

Home Secretary Theresa May outlined the terms of the public inquiry in a written statement.

Investigators will now be able to examine whether his killing was a Russian state-ordered assassination, as has been suggested.

Marina Litvinenko had been fighting for a public inquiry

Mr Litvinenko was poisoned by a cup of tea laced with the deadly radioactive element polonium-210 during a meeting at a London hotel in 2006 with two former Russian agents. He died three weeks later.

Mrs Litvinenko has fought for a public inquiry into his death ever since, but the Government refused on the grounds it wanted to wait for the outcome of an inquest into his death.

Mrs May said in her statement: "I very much hope that this inquiry will be of some comfort to his widow."

The Litvinenko affair has caused significant diplomatic ructions between Britain and Russia. Police have asked for the arrests of two prime suspects, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun, but the Kremlin has refused.

The announcement of an inquiry could not have come at a worse time for Britain's increasingly frayed relationship with Russia as tensions between the two countries intensify over Vladimir Putin's handling of the Ukraine air disaster.

Andrei Lugovoi is now a Russian MP

Sky's political correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "Sources admit it is 'bad timing' but insist there is no conspiracy. They point to a High Court ruling back in February, following a judicial review by Mr Litvinenko's widow. It said there was a pressing need for an inquiry. So the Government had to act.

"But it did so slowly. Today was its final opportunity, according to the source, because it is the day that Parliament breaks up - and given the ruling it would be inappropriate to wait until after the summer."

Mr Litvinenko fled Russia in 2000 and was granted asylum in Britain. His widow claims he was working for MI6 at the time of his death after meeting Mr Lugovoi and Mr Kovtun at the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square.

Last year, Sir Robert Owen, who was conducting the inquest and would now chair the inquiry, said he could not hold a "fair and fearless" investigation into Mr Litvinenko's death because the Government refused to release information on Russian and British intelligence involvement.

Alexander Litvinenko in 1998

He had said a public inquiry would be the best way to proceed.

Mr Lugovoi, who is now a Russian MP, withdrew his cooperation with the inquest in 2013, accusing the British Government of a cover-up.

He has always denied murdering Mr Litvinenko, but has admitted meeting him shortly before his death, however, traces of radiation at key locations on his route from Moscow to London were found.

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Mini-Heatwave After 'Unprecedented' Floods

Firefighters say they have had an "unprecedented" number of 999 calls after thunderstorms and torrential rain wreaked havoc in parts of the South East.

Flash floods left a number of streets under water, while lightning struck several buildings.

The storms are likely to give way to another scorching week, with temperatures of 30C (86F) or higher possible for a three-day spell from Wednesday.

But forecasters warned the mini-heatwave could bring yet more heavy showers, thunder and lightning, especially in the South.

Police blamed some drivers for exacerbating the flooding

In Canvey Island, Essex, one of the areas worst hit by Sunday's storms, urban search and rescue teams were sent to help people trapped by rising water.

Flooding was so "widespread" on parts of the island it took nearly 12 hours to bring the situation under control.

Essex Police closed roads in Southend, Rayleigh, Castle Point, Wickford and Ramsden Heath, while Southend University Hospital's accident and emergency department was shut temporarily.

The stormy weather came after a mini-heatwave

Where roads remained open, flood-hit residents were said to be suffering "further anguish" because some motorists were driving too quickly and causing waves of water to enter homes.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said it had received about 500 weather-related calls.

Assistant chief fire officer Paul Hill said: "Our approach to get through such an unprecedented level of calls was to deal with all risk to life as a priority.

"There was some frustration that with such widespread flooding our crews were unable to pump out properties because there was just nowhere to pump the water away, but we did everything we could to make sure people were and remained safe."

Across the UK, two flood warnings and 21 flood alerts remain in force, with Spixworth Beck, near Norwich, Norfolk, and the River Roach, Prittle Brook and Eastwood Brook in Southend, Essex, at particularly high levels.

John Curtin, the Environment Agency's director of incident management and resilience, said: "As we've seen over the past two days, flooding can happen very quickly, so we urge people to continue to check local weather forecasts and the Environment Agency website for flood risk information on a regular basis.

"We'll continue to monitor the situation closely and support local authorities, who will respond to any reports of surface water flooding."

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Nurse Guilty Of Plotting To Kill And Eat Girl

A nurse has been found guilty of planning to kill and eat a 14-year-old girl to satisfy his cannibalism fetish.

It took jurors at Canterbury Crown Court three hours of deliberation to convict Dale Bolinger of trying to meet the teenager after sexually grooming her and promising to behead and eat her.

The married father-of-three used a fetish website to discuss beheading and eating women and girls for sexual gratification, the trial heard.

He bought an axe from a DIY store in Broadstairs, Kent, the day before he planned to meet the schoolgirl, who had agreed to the plan.

Bolinger told the girl in one online chat: "The idea of us making love and then eating you is a VERY great turn on!

"I have been called a very generous lover and I would be very generous to you before I prepped you for the table."

However, the teenager, a Mexican girl called "Eva", said to be living in Germany, failed to show up at Ashford International Station as planned.

The plot was uncovered by an FBI team in New York which investigates webchat rooms discussing the rape, killing and cannibalism of women.

They discovered an email address was being used in Kent and passed the information on to Kent Police who arrested Bolinger.

The 58-year-old, who used a profile picture of supermodel Naomi Campbell on his profile, listed his interests as "cannibalism, mainly the hunting and preparation of young but sometimes not so young women".

Chat logs between Bolinger and users showed him discussing beheading a 14-year-old, eating children while their mothers watched, and cooking and eating a pregnant woman and her foetus, prosecutor Martin Yale told the trial.

Bolinger told police he thought "Eva" was a man in his 30s "surrounded by pizza boxes" and said he would never decapitate someone in reality.

Paul Jarvis, defending, told jurors: "We say that when you look at all the evidence, it's quite clear that Mr Bolinger is far more Walter Mitty than Hannibal Lecter.

"He is a fantasist and sometimes he goes too far and sometimes he stops, and sometimes - when the person encourages him - the fantasy continues."

However, chat logs showed Bolinger had bragged to others about his plan.

He told police he started having fantasies about cannibalism at about the age of six, adding:  "By the time I got to 14, I turned into the villain of the piece and I wondered what it would be like to eat a girl."

Before the trial, Bolinger admitted other charges, including administering a poison or noxious substance after he put a cloth soaked in dry cleaning fluid over his friend Urlene King's mouth in July 2010.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of making indecent pseudo photographs of children, and seven counts of publishing an obscene article.

Judge Adele Williams asked for a psychiatric and a pre-sentence report to be prepared to "assess the level of risk the defendant poses to the public".

Sentencing was adjourned until September 19.

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Man Held After Fellow Climber Falls To His Death

A man has been arrested after a fellow climber plunged to his death from a coastal cliff.

A 51-year-old man was airlifted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough after falling at Kettleness Point, near Runswick Bay, north of Whitby, on Friday.

He as pronounced dead at the hospital.

North Yorkshire Police said a man his 20s, from the Whitby area, had been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

It is believed he was climbing with the man who died.

More follows...

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Tulisa Contostavlos Drug Deal Trial Collapses

Tulisa Contostavlos's trial for drugs allegations has collapsed at Southwark Crown Court.

The former N-Dubz singer was accused of brokering a cocaine deal for an undercover reporter known as the "fake sheikh".

More follows ...

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Money Pours Into Newcastle Fans Fund From Rivals

Malaysia Airlines Defends War Zone Flight Path

Updated: 4:48pm UK, Saturday 19 July 2014

A Malaysia Airlines official has defended the company's decision to fly over eastern Ukraine after flight MH17 was brought down.

Hugh Dunleavy, commercial director for the airline, said there had been no incidents involving civilian aircraft using the flight path and Malaysia Airlines had been using it "for quite some time".

However, at least three Ukrainian military aircraft were hit by missiles fired by pro-Russian separatists operating in the region in the week before MH17 was shot out of the sky, killing 298 people. Of the victims, 189 are Dutch.

Mr Dunleavy told Sky News: "Now there's been an incident like this, everyone is looking back saying 'you should have done something different'.

"But at the time we were flying, along with many other airlines on that flight path, there had been no incidents involving civilian aircraft.

"These are routes that are traditionally accepted on a day-by-day basis by the air traffic control authorities so they also consider them safe to fly.

"This was something totally extraordinary, it could just as easily have been the aircraft ahead of Malaysia Airlines or the aircraft behind that was hit."

Mr Dunleavy added the airline would now be using an alternative flight path around Ukraine and they have stopped calling the route MH17 out of respect for the victims. It will now be called MH19.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation, a UN agency and other aviation authorities recently issued a "notice to airmen" (NOTAM) putting the eastern edge of Ukrainian airspace off limits up to 32,000 feet because of the conflict.

But MH17 was flying at 33,000 feet when it was hit by a missile fired from what experts believe was a Buk launcher.

Ukraine has now closed all airspace in the east. 

Ismail Nasaruddin, president of the Malaysian Flight Attendant Union, said some crew members were too distraught to work following the tragedy.

He said: "We have lost 21 crew members in a very short time period. This is not something we like to see.

"We are affected, the crew members are demoralised by the essence of this tragic incident.

"What we are looking at now is probably an event that Malaysia crew members have never experienced before."

Daniel Holland, a military aviation expert, told Sky News airspace above war zones should be sealed off to commercial aircraft.

He said: "When a war zone occurs, everything from ground level up until realistically the level of space needs to be sealed off to any and all commercial traffic just to avoid something like this happening where a plane accidentally wanders over a battle ground.

"You've got that probability that an accidental misfire could occur and strike a civilian target without any real rhyme or reason, other than it being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

On Tuesday, Polish blogger Michael Dembinski suggested flying over eastern Ukraine was "worrying".

He wrote: "Take a look at eastern Ukraine and you'll see a procession of civilian aircraft flying along an air corridor between Luhansk, Donetsk, Horlivka, Kramatorsk - places where battles are raging and people are being killed.

"Yet blithely oblivious to what's happening on the ground, some of the world's largest civilian airliners are criss-crossing the area at 38,000ft."

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Last British Victims Of Flight MH17 Named

The final two British victims of doomed flight MH17 have been named as a charity in Newcastle revealed a child in its care has been orphaned by the crash.

John Allen, who worked at international law firm NautaDutilh, has been described as a "much-loved colleague". He died on the flight alongside his Dutch wife, Sandra Martens, and their three sons - Christopher, Julian and Ian.

"He was a person with many talents, and in addition to his professional contribution to our firm he generously shared his musical and athletic abilities with us as well," the firm said.

John Allen was killed along with his wife Sandra Martens and three sons

"All of us who had the privilege of working with John during his 18 years at NautaDutilh came to know him as a kind, down-to-earth and humorous man and many of us have also lost a friend. He will be dearly missed."

His sister Wonder Allen Smith posted a picture of her brother on Facebook with the following statement: "I lost my whole family, my only brilliant brother and his beautiful wife and three magnificent children in the mh17 airplane crash".

The final British person onboard the flight has been named as Andrew Hoare.

Meanwhile, the Percy Hedley Foundation, which cares for disabled people, said it has been unable to contact the family of one of the children in its care. It said it was working with authorities to try and establish what has happened to them.

The foundation has not revealed the nationality of the child or the family.

Nine of the British victims on flight MH17

Another British victim Robert Ayley has been confirmed as being on board the Malaysia Airlines flight. A friend of Mr Ayley has told how the father-of-two almost missed the flight.

Bill Patteson, who was travelling with the 27-year-old around Europe visiting Rottweiler breeders, has told Sky News his friend didn't make it onto the bus to take him from his hotel to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

But Mr Ayley, who was originally from Guildford but moved to New Zealand as a child, managed to get there in time to board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight, which was shot down over Ukraine with almost 300 people on board.

An ex-journalist, helicopter pilot, students and Newcastle United fans are among the other British victims.

Mr Patteson, who flew back to New Zealand the day before, said: "There were so many things that came together to make Rob be on that flight.

"The stars really had to align for Robert to be on that flight, even right down to the last minute.

"Everyone was hoping he'd missed the flight, but Robert being the great organiser that he was managed to get on his flight."

Mr Patteson described his friend as a "really great, confident young man" who was proud of his British roots.

Mr Ayley's wife Sharlene wrote on Facebook: "Rob was our everything. We adored him and there was no one else like him. He touched so many hearts and lives.

Briton Stephen Anderson was on board MH17

"We are grateful to forever have him in our hearts."

Mr Ayley's family said he was passionate about life and his family, adding that when it came to Rob "there were no half measures".

"He found in his boys two little people he could love, understand and trust," they said.

"When they cried they were sad, when they laughed they were happy and when they hugged it was because they loved him."

The statement added: "Sharlene and Rob are soul mates. She is his 'Princess'. She changed his life and he changed hers.

"She held his heart and he held hers. Rob will live forever in his family."

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Photo To Mark Prince George's First Birthday

An official photograph has been released to mark the first birthday of Prince George on Tuesday.

It was taken during a visit with his parents to the Sensational Butterflies outdoor exhibition at London's Natural History Museum.

With his arms outstretched and eyes fixed on where he is going, the photo depicts a happy and confident child.

He is wearing a pair of dungaree shorts from French label Petit Bateau over a polo shirt-style top, shoes and socks.

George with his mum at a polo match last month

The picture was taken by Press Association photographer John Stillwell who has also snapped other key moments in the Prince's life.

These include his first public appearance the day after he was born and his christening last October.

Mr Stillwell said: "Prince George was very lively and very sure of himself and confident - a very determined young boy.

George gets a kiss from his loving Dad

"When you have children yourself you don't realise they grow up in such a short space of time, it's always other people saying how big they've grown.

"So having seen him soon after he was born and at his christening three months later, he's now gone from a baby at his christening to a toddler, that's the biggest change.

"And who does he look like? I'd have to say his dad, William."

George's christening

The birth of George Alexander Louis, known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, saw the world's media camped for days outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in central London.

Kate gave birth to a son weighing 8lb 6oz at 4.24pm on July 22, but the news was not announced until four hours later when members of the Royal Family spoke of their joy at the newest addition to their ranks.

Kate and William leave hospital with their new son

The proud parents could not contain their happiness when they walked from the Lindo Wing and presented their son to the world the following day.

Commenting on George's birthday, a Kensington Palace spokeswoman said: "The family are going to be marking it privately with close family and friends at Kensington Palace."

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Russia 'Arming Thugs' Blamed For MH17 Crash

Britain Warns Putin: World's Eyes Are On You

Updated: 8:48pm UK, Saturday 19 July 2014

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has warned Vladimir Putin the "world's eyes are on Russia to make sure she delivers" on her obligations to the victims killed in the Ukraine plane disaster.

His comments come as David Cameron and Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte called for the European Union to "reconsider its approach to Russia" in light of evidence pro-Moscow separatists brought down the flight on Thursday.

Mr Cameron also spoke to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, while Britain's Russian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.

The UK's response follows accusations pro-Russian separatists removed 38 bodies from the crash scene and attempted to destroy evidence at the site.

The Ukraine government said "terrorists, with the help of Russia, are trying to destroy evidence of international crimes," adding it had obtained data which showed bodies had been taken to a morgue in Donetsk.

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said the Netherlands was "angry" and "furious" by allegations bodies were being dragged around the site.

However, Sky's Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay, at the scene, said there were reports rebels had moved bodies on Friday, but body parts were now officially being removed by Ukraine emergency ministry staff.

Mr Hammond, who chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday, accused Russia of not doing enough to move separatists from the site.

"We're not getting enough support from the Russians, we're not seeing Russia using their influence effectively enough to get the separatists, who are in control of the site, to allow the access that we need," he said.

"This is not about Russia and the West, this is about the whole community demanding that proper access is made available to this site, the victims are properly recovered, and evidence is secured."

Ukraine's Security Council said 18sq km of the 25sq km had been explored and 186 bodies found, while there have been discussions between the two factions over the creation of a "security zone" around the crash scene following allegations of looting and evidence being compromised.

Concerns have been raised by Malaysia about the investigation as a team of international observers complained of being confronted by aggressive armed rebels.

A Ukraine Security Council spokesman said 15 pieces of military equipment were brought over the border from Russia into the eastern Luhansk region overnight.

Critically, the monitors have been unable to speak to anyone about the whereabouts of the jet's two black box voice and data recorders.

However, Alexander Borodai, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, denied rebels had shot down the plane, found the black boxes, or removed bodies. But he said body parts which had fallen into people's homes had been taken away.

British experts are due to join the investigation at the crash site over the weekend.

Some 298 people including 10 Britons and 80 children were killed when flight MH17, flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was brought down near Grabovo, Donetsk, where Ukrainian forces have been battling separatists.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry agreed on Saturday that both countries would use their influence on the two sides of the Ukraine conflict to end hostilities

:: The Foreign Office has set up a helpline for anyone concerned.  Text MH17 to +447860010026, or call 020 7008 1500. Malaysia Airlines's emergency line is 00 6 037 884 1234.

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