'Asbos For Extremists' To Tackle UK Jihadists

By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Home Secretary Theresa May is planning to bring in new laws to tackle the threat of British jihadists - including "anti-social behaviour orders" for extremists.

Mrs May will announce a three-point plan to counter British Muslim extremists, warning that the security threat to the UK will continue for decades.

The measures would target the activities of radical preachers, such as Anjem Choudary, whose extreme rhetoric currently does not constitute a crime.

Full details are yet to emerge, but the new power will be designed to restrict extremists' behaviour and language.

As with an Asbo, it could result in a criminal conviction carrying a jail term if breached.

Mrs May has unveiled her crackdown in an article in the Daily Telegraph.

Theresa May's warning echoes recent comments from David Cameron

She discloses that she will make it illegal to join extremist groups that preach violent views, but are not directly involved in terrorism.

Currently, the threshold for banning membership of organisations, such as the Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIL), requires the Home Secretary to prove that the group is directly involved in terrorist acts.

The new power could target Islamist political organisations and other Muslim groups that tacitly support extremism.

In addition, state-funded organisations such as councils and schools will be given a new legal obligation to combat extremists.

Mrs May uses the Telegraph article to echo a warning about extremism made by the Prime Minister in a newspaper report last weekend.

The Home Secretary writes: "We are in the middle of a generational struggle against a deadly extremist ideology.

Cardiff students Khan (L) and Muthana (C) appeared in an IS video

"We will be engaged in this struggle for many years, probably decades. We must give ourselves all the legal powers we need to prevail.

"I am looking again at the case for new banning orders for extremist groups that fall short of the legal threshold for terrorist proscription, as well as for new civil powers to target extremists who seek to radicalise others."

The measures proposed by Mrs May are similar to recommendations for legislation made by the Government's Extremism Task Force last December.

Those recommendations were surprisingly omitted from the Queen's Speech this year.

But there is no suggestion yet that the Home Secretary plans to introduce emergency legislation when MPs return to the Commons on September 1.

David Cameron said during his brief return to Downing Street from his holiday after the murder of journalist James Foley that there would be "no knee-jerk reaction".

Radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary

The problem of radicalisation was highlighted in June when two Cardiff students - Reyaad Khan, 20, Nasser Muthana, also 20, - were identified in a propaganda video for IS posted on YouTube.

The two men along with Muthana's younger brother Aseel, 17, were lured to join extremists fighting in Syria and Iraq.

And a jihadi fighter in Syria told Sky News in July that he was training British teenagers as young as 16 to fight in the war.

Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, said: "More action is needed to respond to the serious problem of people travelling to fight with ISIL.

"The Home Secretary's confirmation that she is continuing to look at the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Taskforce, announced last December, is welcome.

"Though there remains no detail on things like civil powers to tackle extremists or extremist groups for people to consider.

"However I remain concerned that the Government is not addressing the gaps in the Prevent programme - especially the lack of support for community led approaches to preventing radicalisation.

"And the Home Secretary also needs to respond to the concerns raised by the current and previous Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation about the decision to weaken control orders, where they have advised that stronger measures should be put in place."

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Mackay: 'No Excuse' For Offensive Texts

Former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has apologised for sending a string of racist, sexist and homophobic text messages.

Mackay said there was "no excuse" for the texts, sent while he was boss of the Welsh club.

He said: "Out of 10,000 text messages in and out of someone's phone, I sent three, and that being the case, looking at them, they are completely unacceptable, inappropriate, and for that and any offence I've caused, I sincerely apologise.

"That's something that I did, and for that, there is no excuse."

Mackay was accused of sharing the texts with Iain Moody (L)

Mackay and Cardiff's ex-head of recruitment Iain Moody had been accused of sharing the offensive texts, which were included as part of a dossier of allegations sent to the Football Association by the club.

Both men were sacked by Cardiff last season, long before details of the messages emerged.

Cardiff said LMA chief Richard Bevan should stand down over its statement

The emergence of the dossier appeared put an end to Mackay's hopes of landing the Crystal Palace manager's job, while Moody has resigned as the London club's sporting director over the affair.

The former Celtic and Watford player said he would co-operate with an FA inquiry into the allegations and insisted the texts did not represent his true views.

He said: "I've been in a multicultural football environment for 20 years and I love British football.

"I am no racist and I am no sexist, I'm no homophobe and I'm no anti-Semitic."

Earlier, the League Managers Association (LMA) was forced to backtrack after it was widely criticised for dismissing the messages as "friendly banter".

The initial LMA statement said Mackay had been under pressure when the messages were sent and that he was "letting off steam to a friend during some friendly text message banter".

Cardiff chairman Vincent Tan sacked Mackay and Moody last season

In a new statement on Friday, the association said: it said: "The LMA apologises for some of its wording, in its release yesterday, which was inappropriate and has been perceived to trivialise matters of a racist, sexist or homophobic nature.

"That was certainly not our intention. It is beyond argument that any comments that are discriminatory, even used in private, are totally unacceptable.

"The LMA remains absolutely aware of our responsibility to the game and to promote and uphold the highest standards of behaviour."

Despite the apology, Cardiff have demanded LMA boss Richard Bevan stand down, describing his position as "untenable".

Young footballers told Sky News of their shock at Mackay's behaviour.

Temisan Pop said: "I aspire to be a footballer... It hurts that someone in that position is saying these things. It kind of means, what hope do I have?"

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Hospitals Told To End 'Unfair' Parking Charges

Hospitals have been told to give free or cheap parking to the relatives of chronically ill patients.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said new guidelines for English hospitals have been created in order to end the stress of "unfair" charges.

Patients with disabilities, those who have frequent appointments and members of staff working shifts will also benefit from the changes, Mr Hunt said.

The guidelines state hospital trusts should waive fines when an overstay is beyond the control of the driver, for instance if treatment takes longer than planned.

Jeremy Hunt has come under pressure from Tory backbenchers on the issue

Mr Hunt last month admitted he was concerned about parking fees being charged at some hospitals after being pressed by backbenchers to end "rip-off" costs.

The guidance sets out for the first time that hospital trusts are responsible for the actions of any private firms they use to run parking facilities.

It also calls on hospitals to look at introducing pay on exit systems so those visiting only pay for the time they have used.

Mr Hunt said: "Patients and families shouldn't have to deal with the added stress of unfair parking charges.

"These clear ground rules set out our expectations, and will help the public hold the NHS to account for unfair charges or practices."

Shadow health minister Andrew Gwynne said: "The Tory-led Government scrapped Labour's plans to phase out car parking charges for patients and Jeremy Hunt needs to take responsibility for the fact that, since then, one in four hospitals have increased parking fees.

"Any action to ease the burden of car parking charges on patients and their visitors is welcome. When people go to hospital, the last thing they want to worry about is parking fees."

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Two Men Charged After Tilbury Docks Death

Two men from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland have been charged with people smuggling after an immigrant was found dead in a shipping container at Tilbury Docks.

Essex Police said Stephen McLaughlin, 34, from Limavady, and Timothy Murphy, 33, from Derry, have been charged with conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK.

Murphy was charged with conspiring with McLaughlin between August 1 and 17 "and together with other persons unknown to do an act, namely clandestinely convey 35 Afghan nationals by sea in to an English port, which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law".

It followed the discovery of 35 people in a container at the Port of Tilbury, south Essex, on August 16.

Meet Singh Kapoor, 40, from Afghanistan, was found dead inside the airtight container on a ship that had arrived from Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Murphy appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court in Essex where he spoke only to confirm his name and personal details.

He was remanded in custody and told he must go to Basildon Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on a date to be set during the week beginning November 17.

McLaughlin was also due to appear in court.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Kapoor had failed to establish the cause of his death and inquiries are continuing.

The rest of the group of Afghan Sikhs from Kabul, which included 13 children, survived the ordeal.

They are believed to have fled Afghanistan after suffering persecution and are in the process of claiming asylum in the UK.

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First-Time Buyers 'Getting A Shot At Long Last'

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

The number of first-time buyer sales has hit a seven-year high, according to new figures from LSL Property Services.

There were 30,000 first-time buyer sales in July, up by 25% on a year before and the highest number of monthly first-time buyers since August 2007.

At the same time, the data reveal average first-time buyer deposits are 10% lower than this time last year.

Down payments averaged £26,642 in June, a decrease from £29,609 12 months ago.

David Newnes, from LSL Property Services, said: "A whole generation of young buyers were trapped on the sidelines of the property market as the economy recovered from the recession, struggling to save for a deposit whilst inflation remained stubbornly high, savings rates were stuck at a historic low, and real wages fell.

"But the recent increase in high LTV (loan to value) lending options - enabled by Help to Buy - has allowed them a shot at getting on the ladder at long last."

Yet purchase prices are on the rise, and mortgage rates are climbing, meaning buyers could still struggle with debt and repayments.

First-time buyers paid 8% more over the last year, with the average price paid for a new home now £155,844, according to LSL Property Services.

Simultaneously, average mortgage rates climbed for the fourth consecutive month in July to 4.19%.

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Failing Doctors Could Be Forced To Say Sorry

Doctors could be forced to say sorry to patients or their relatives if they have been found to have made a mistake.

The proposed move is part of the General Medical Council (GMC) consultation which will help "improve patient protection and public confidence in doctors".

Whether or not they have apologised may also be taken into account when a fitness to practice panel is deciding on what sanctions the medic faces, the document said.

And those who fail to blow the whistle on a failing colleague could face stricter sanctions under the plans.

"In the vast majority of cases one-off clinical errors do not merit any action by the GMC," said GMC chief executive Niall Dickson.

"But if we are to maintain that trust, in the small number of serious cases where doctors fail to listen to concerns and take action sooner to protect patients, they should be held to account for their actions.

"We want patients, doctors and other professionals to give us their views - this consultation is a chance to make sure the action we take is fair to doctors while never losing our focus on protecting the public."

The consultation was launched today and will close on November 14.

Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, honorary treasurer of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "Patient safety is always of paramount importance and GPs work really hard to ensure that all patients receive the best possible care.

"All GP practices have a system to review instances where things could have gone better and GPs are required to reflect on 'significant events' during their annual appraisal and through the revalidation process.

"Anything that further improves the care that we deliver to our patients - and the trust that they have in us should be welcomed.

"But it is essential that any action resulting from these proposals is taken in the best interests of patient safety and care and not used as an excuse to criticise doctors who are doing a very difficult job in increasingly difficult circumstances."

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Football Ground Standing Pledge By Lib Dems

Fans of football clubs in England's top two divisions would be able to stand at games under plans put forward by the Liberal Democrats.

The party wants to change the law to allow standing areas to be brought back at the grounds of Premiership and Championship teams.

All-seater stadia were introduced more than 20 years ago in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster which left 96 Liverpool fans dead.

All-seater stadia were introduced in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster

The party stresses it does want a return of the terraces of the 1980s, but says safe standing areas could be introduced using "rail seating", which have been successfully used by top tier clubs across Europe, including in Germany, Austria, and Sweden.

These can be locked in an upright position to allow fans to stand and lean against a barrier, but can also be converted back into seating as required.

Many fans say standing provides a better atmosphere, and the Liberal Democrat's point out 70% of clubs support the move.

It also claims safe standing would enable clubs to cut the cost of tickets.

However, there remains strong opposition with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), which has said previously it would need to be convinced over whether it could work.

The Hillsborough Family Support Group is also against a return of standing at matches.

While the Liberal Democrats stand little chance of winning the next election, the return of another coalition government could see the safe standing proposals form part of negotiations in any power-sharing agreement.

Liberal Democrat sports spokesman John Leech said: "The Liberal Democrats believe football clubs should be allowed to introduce safe standing areas where there is a desire to do so.

"Safe standing is allowed in many other sports and we do not believe that the top level of football should be an exception.

"We are not calling for a return of the terraces of the 1980s. Modern safe standing areas using 'rail seating' operate very successfully in top tier football across Europe.

"When clubs and fans are in favour of safe standing and it can be done safely, then the Government shouldn't get in the way.

"That is why Liberal Democrats want to change the law to let clubs introduce safe standing.

"Safe standing offers supporters more choice, a better atmosphere and cheaper tickets."

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Middle Lane Hogging Rife Despite Fine Threat

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Correspondent

A year since laws were brought in to stop motorists hogging the middle lane, more than half of drivers admit they still do it.

New research has found 52% of motorists know that middle lane hogging is illegal.

Yet despite this, 59% owned up to staying in the central lane, rather than just using it for overtaking, with those aged 65 and over being the worst offenders.

The South East of England was also found to be the country's middle lane hot spot, with the M4 near Slough having the highest incidence of hogging.

The analysis came from traffic flow data from nearly 6,500 sites on the Highways Agency motorway network and the insurance firm Direct Line.

The most common reason for why people drove in the middle lane was because it is an easier way to drive on motorways because it saves changing lanes.

Rob Miles, director of car insurance at Direct Line said: "Lane hogging causes congestion, reduces the capacity of the roads, and most crucially, can be dangerous. 

"It is also illegal which means drivers could face a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points on their licence if caught.

"Motorists are risking their own safety and the safety of other road users through their actions so we'd urge them to be aware of the other lanes and drivers around them when on the road.

"If the inside lane has space, you should move into it."

Benjamin Heydecker, Professor of Transport Studies at University College London, fears that as well as adding to congestion and accidents, middle lane hogging is also a sign that people are driving around in a dream.

Prof Heydecker said: "Annoying other drivers is a bad idea, it doesn't add to road safety, but also I'm concerned that the drivers that are holding the middle lane aren't engaged in the driving task and that's bad for safety."

In August 2013 the Government introduced new careless driving laws to curb lane hogging and tailgating; those caught by police now face a £100 fine and points on their licence.

There are currently no nationwide figures for the number of people pulled over for lane hogging, but the Department for Transport told Sky News they intend to undertake research to examine how effective the introduction of careless driving as a fixed penalty offence has been.

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Rail Passenger Fares To Rise By 3.5% In 2015

Rail passengers face a hike of 3.5% in train fares in 2015 amid anger over the high cost of train travel.

Campaigners have been protesting at 45 train stations across the country over ticket price increases far outstripping wage rises.

The fare rise is determined by adding 1% to the just-published Retail Prices Index inflation figure for July, which is 2.5%.

There is anger over the disparity between fare increases and wage rises

But train companies have a "flex" option to add another 2% to some fares, as long as the overall average stays at RPI plus 1%.

It means some fares could go up by 5.5%.

Campaigners say the hike will mean fares have leapt by almost a quarter since the coalition came to power, while over the same period wages have risen by 6.9%.

It has already led to calls for the Government to again cap the increase to just the RPI  figure as it did last year.

Kevin Rowan of the TUC said it was bad news for passengers, and claimed the fare hikes were going towards the profits and shareholder dividends of the private train operators.

Labour has also condemned the rise, with Shadow Transport Secretary Mary Creagh saying: "David Cameron has allowed train companies to sting passengers with inflation-busting fare rises of over 20% since 2010, costing them hundreds of pounds. We can't go on like this."

But Transport Minister Claire Perry defended the rises arguing there had been an "unprecedented investment" in the rail service.

She told Sky News: "The challenge is making sure fares are fair."

David Sidebottom, director of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, said many travellers would be concerned about the fare rise.

He said: "This level of fare increase puts more pressure on the railways to ensure passengers get an excellent service for the money they are paying.

"We hope the Government will step in again as it did last year, to ensure that train fares in England do not rise above the rate of inflation announced today."

The transport charity Sustrans said: "Last year the Chancellor showed he understood the negative impact of high rail costs on the economy by holding fares to an inflation-only increase. He needs to take action again this year."

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Inflation Drops More Than Expected In July

The two measures of UK inflation have dropped more than expected in July, prompted by discounting on the high street.

According to official data, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) stood at 2.5% and the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was 1.6%.

Economists had expected a CPI rate of around 1.8%, after official figures showed a June rate of 1.9%.

CPI now appears to be headed back towards May's figure of 1.5%, which at the time was the lowest level for four-and-a-half years.

Inflation has been below the Bank of England (BoE) 2% target for seven straight months - the first time this has occurred since 2005.

The RPI, which unlike the other measure includes housing costs, was recorded in June at 2.6%.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the biggest contributor to the slowing annual inflation rate was discounting on the high street for clothing and footwear.

This was because retailers held off on price cuts throughout June.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks also fell year-on-year, and the CPI was also eased by falling spirits and wine prices.

The ONS said the average house price in London is now £499,000

Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander told Sky News: "The fact that inflation has been below the Bank of England target for seven consecutive months shows that subdued inflation is now becoming the norm as the economy recovers.

"Eliminating the deficit fairly, and repairing the UK economy remains central to the role of Liberal Democrats in Government.

"These encouraging inflation numbers should give businesses the confidence they need to deliver the investment required to boost productivity. Rising productivity is the only route to sustainable increases in living standards."

The data comes as commuters learned they would face a 3.5% increase in rail fares next year, which uses the RPI figure plus 1% to calculate increases.

The further drop to the CPI eases pressure on the BoE to hike the 0.5% base rate, which has been at its historic low for the last five years.

Meanwhile, the ONS said UK house prices increased by 10.2% in the year to June, reaching a new high average price of £265,000.

House prices in the capital, however, shot up by 19.3% in the year to June.

It calculated the average house price in London at £499,000, and said that "house prices are increasing strongly across most parts of the UK".

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Sir Cliff Richard Hires High-Profile Lawyer

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent, Portugal

Sir Cliff Richard has hired the celebrities' go-to criminal lawyer to defend him against a sex assault allegation.

London solicitor Ian Burton flew into Portugal with a colleague and spent five hours in a meeting at the pop star's wine estate overlooking the Algarve coast.

Sir Cliff, 73, was spotted saying goodbye to them at the door of his villa before an aide drove them back to Faro airport to catch their return flight.

The pop star has rarely been seen since returning to his home near Albufeira on Friday, the day after police raided his Berkshire apartment as part of a sex assault investigation.

A man has accused Sir Cliff of sexually attacking him during an evangelical rally in Sheffield in 1985.

The multi-millionaire singer emerged in the grounds of his Portuguese home on Saturday when six friends arrived by car to play tennis.

Sir Cliff played a singles game on Sunday, but did not play on Monday as he spent time with the lawyers.

A man has accused Sir Cliff Richard of sexually assaulting him in 1985

Mr Burton, the senior partner in the firm he founded Burton Copeland, is considered one of the Britain's most successful and experienced lawyers.

He has represented football manager Harry Redknapp, who was cleared of tax evasion, PR agent Max Clifford, who was jailed for sex offences, and former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

His company has also represented TV cook Nigella Lawson, jockey Kieren Fallon, who was acquitted of race-fixing, and the late singer Amy Winehouse.

The online law guide Legal 500 described Mr Burton as "tough and canny" and wrote in an assessment of his ability: "If there is a chance of nipping an investigation in the bud, he will do it."

Mr Burton, 67, said in an interview four years ago: "Anybody can go out and learn the law. Anyone can read a book. Anyone can interpret the law, understand the law.

"But you can't suddenly bolt on the experience of actually having dealt with the thing, actually implementing it when there is a dawn raid."

Sir Cliff denies the sex assault accusation and has criticised South Yorkshire Police for not warning him about the UK raid, but inviting a BBC news crew to film it.

Detectives have spoken to Sir Cliff's lawyers and they are expected to question him in the next few weeks after examining items removed during the raid.

Police were also interviewing a number of people who have contacted them with information in the past few day.

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Coach Overturns On Motorway And Lands In Ditch

Around 50 passengers have escaped serious injury after a coach overturned on a motorway.

Police said the driver hurt his back in the crash on the M5 in Gloucestershire.

The incident, which the Highways Agency described as "serious", happened near Dursley, on the southbound side between junctions 13 and 14.

The section was closed following the crash.

A spokesperson for South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: "We were notified at 9.58am that a coach had left the carriageway. It was the only vehicle involved in the incident.

"There were six casualties and all of them sustained minor injuries. They are being assessed at the scene to see if they need to be taken to hospital."

According to reports, the passengers were on a day trip from the West Midlands to Weston-super-Mare.

More follows...

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