Schools 'Asking Parents To Pay For Textbooks'

Teachers are concerned poorer pupils are being put at a disadvantage by an increasing number of schools asking parents to pay for textbooks, computers and trips away.

More than two fifths (43%) of parents have contributed around £50 a year per pupil for things not linked to their child's school work, according to a poll by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).

And 70% have donated up to £50 a year per pupil to help pay for items and trips that are related to the school curriculum.

In some cases, families have been asked for donations to help with the upkeep of school buildings.

Staff are worried children could be put at a disadvantage or made to feel left out if their parents are unable to afford the hand-outs.

The survey, which questioned around 500 people working in England's state schools, comes as ATL is due to debate the issue at its annual conference in Manchester next week.

Schools are increasingly turning to parents for help with pens and books

The resolution calls on the union to express concerns that schools increasingly need to ask parents for voluntary contributions and the effect it has, particularly on poorer families.

It says: "The burden of meeting this request falls disproportionately on poor families and increases the disadvantages for these children."

Jo Inglis, an ATL member from Wokingham who is proposing the motion, said just 7% of teachers felt that asking parents for donations had no impact on disadvantaged pupils.

Jo Fludder, a Reading teacher who is seconding the motion, said: "Parents who have difficulties putting their children into school uniform, providing them with transport to school and with food, find the added pressure of additional money demands from schools very stressful."

A Department for Education spokesman said there is "absolutely no obligation" for parents to donate.

"If a parent is unable or unwilling to pay, their child must be given an equal chance to take part in school life," he said.

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Osborne Jail Threat For Offshore Tax Evaders

Wealthy people who stash money in offshore accounts to evade paying tax could be sent to jail, the government has said.

Chancellor George Osborne said new proposals could mean that people who hide their cash overseas could face criminal charges even if they did not intend to evade tax.

Mr Osborne, who is consulting on the new powers, said there would be "no safe haven" for anyone who cheats the Exchequer.

It comes after concerns that some wealthy people are costing the government millions of pounds a year by keeping money away from the glare of UK authorities.

HM Revenue & Customs will have the power to prosecute people who do not declare their foreign income, regardless of whether they intend to avoid payment.

Previously, in order to earn a conviction with a jail sentence, prosecutors had to show that individuals intended to avoid paying tax on foreign income.

Mr Osborne, who has been at the International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington, told the Financial Times: "We are changing the balance of the law so the burden of proof falls on those who are hiding their money offshore and we don't have to prove that they intended to do so."

He added: "It is totally unacceptable for people not to pay the tax that is due and the message will be clear now with this new criminal offence that if you're evading tax offshore, there is no safe haven."

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been criticised for not prosecuting enough tax evaders.

Sky News' Ecomonics Editor Ed Conway said there has been much international discussion about what can be done to clamp down on people who hide money overseas.

David Cameron has previously announced a crackdown on so-called shell companies to help combat tax evasion and corruption.

The new criminal offence and sanctions are expected to come into effect next year, but many are expected to contribute to the consultation before that can happen.

The announcement was greeted by dismay from some, with critics suggesting the law could result in people being jailed when they were genuinely ignorant of the law.

Bill Dowdell, head of tax at Deloitte, told The Times: "It's horrifying. People should not be put in prison unless you can prove intent.

"I'm shocked to find that an offence which could lead to a prison sentence could be decided on a strict-liability basis."

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Most Voters Want Farage In Leaders' Debate

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

A new poll suggests most of the public believe Nigel Farage should take part in any televised leaders' debates ahead of next year's general election.

A Comres poll has found 51% of people think UKIP should be represented alongside David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Lib Dem Nick Clegg.

Even more - 53% - say the Prime Minister would look like a coward if he refused to take on Mr Farage.

It comes amid Conservative fears that the right-wing UKIP could top the polls in England in next month's European elections.

Mr Cameron said debates "sucked the life" out of the last campaign

The party is enjoying a popularity boost after Mr Farage easily won a television debate against Mr Clegg.

The party thinks its overall poll position - which at 15% is well ahead of the Lib Dems - means it ought to be included in any further debates.

And Mr Farage has warned that if the party is excluded he will provide "an alternative form of entertainment on the evening".

The poll was carried out for Grassroots Conservatives, a Tory pressure group that feels the liberal wing of the party has too much control over the leadership.

Mr Clegg, left, had challenged Mr Farage to a debate

James Joshua, executive director of the organisation, told Sky News that Mr Cameron would be most respected by party members if he took the UKIP threat on face to face.

But some senior Conservative strategists do not want their leader to take part in the clashes at all - because they believe three debates in quick succession before the 2010 election cost the party a majority.

Mr Cameron said the debates "sucked the life" out of the campaign.

Others argue that UKIP should not be included because they have not achieved any success in general elections with no seats, while other small parties excluded from the debates do have MPs in Parliament. 

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Scotland 'Should Determine Its Own Future'

By Niall Paterson, Scotland Correspondent

"Put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands." That is the message Alex Salmond will deliver to delegates today at the SNP's Spring Conference.

As the nationalist party committed to fulfilling an 80-year pledge to gain Scotland its independence from the United Kingdom continues to reduce the gap in the polls ahead of September's referendum, he is expected to maintain that the vote is not about him.

"This referendum is not about this party, or this First Minister, or even the wider Yes campaign," he will say in the speech, which will be shown live on Sky News at 3pm.

"It's about putting Scotland's future in Scotland's hands.

"Our party is hugely popular, and we are currently five, 10 and 15 points ahead in polls for Westminster, Europe and Holyrood respectively.

"But a Yes vote in September is not a vote for me, or for an SNP government in 2016.

"It's a vote for a government in Scotland that the people of Scotland choose, pursuing policies the people of Scotland support."

The speech, much like the campaign, will make much of the fact that Scots have voted in a way at significant variance with the overall result of recent general elections.

He will say: "I tell you what (the government of an independent Scotland) won't be. It won't be a government led by a party with just a single MP in Scotland.

"A government dismantling our welfare state. Determined to privatise public services.

"In an independent Scotland we can give this guarantee: The era of unelected Tory governments handing out punishment to the poor and the disabled will be gone and gone for good."

Results vary, but the Yes campaign is still significantly behind the No vote in all major polls, although the margin has narrowed in recent months.

And despite the fact the Yes campaign has yet even to come close to a majority in said polls, the SNP leader in Westminster remains upbeat, with five months of campaigning to go.

"When people are able to contrast the Yes case with the No case and understand the momentum is going in the direction of the Yes case, I'm confident we will get a Yes result," Angus Robertson MP told Sky News.

"It might surprise some people in the bunkers of Whitehall and Westminster when it does, but when they wake up they will realise this is about Scotland governing itself like so many other places have decided to do over recent decades.

"We will have excellent relations with our friends on these islands.

Mr Salmond says a Yes vote is a vote for the future of Scotland

"But we will always have a government that we actually elect making better decisions for people who life here - regardless of where they are from."

Given their lead in the polls it's unsurprising that the Better Together camp remains positive, despite considerable media and public opinion branding their campaign negative.

Asked whether it was easier for people to enthuse about independence rather than maintaining the status quo, Lewis Macdonald, a Labour member of the Scottish Parliament, told Sky News: "It's important to say there's a lot to be enthusiastic about.

"The union has worked very, very well for many generations and it's delivered us many benefits. But this isn't about change versus the status quo. This is about devolution, the kind of change that people in Scotland have wanted for a long time.

"It's a referendum that will be decided by the judgement people make at the end of the day. I think many people have made up their minds, some still have to choose.

"My expectation is that those people who still have to make up their mind will come to the same conclusion as those who have already made up their mind.

"At the moment, and for as long as I can remember the split has basically been two to one for remaining in the UK. I expect that the undecideds will come down in much the same kind of split.

"But only time will tell."

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New Hunt For UK's 'Most Wanted' In Cyprus

The List Of Wanted Fugitives

Updated: 11:18am UK, Friday 11 April 2014

The list of suspects police want to question as part of Operation Zygos:

NEW APPEALS

:: Jeffrey Bloor

Bloor, 41, from Brighton, is wanted by Sussex Police for allegedly conspiring to provide horse racing tipping services which failed to deliver what they advertised and also for fraud connected to the breeding of racehorses.

Sussex police allege that, between 30/4/03 and 13/2/08, a betting brochure was produced and distributed to known gamblers whose details had been obtained from mailing lists.

The brochure guaranteed large financial returns if a subscriber paid a membership fee. There was also an offer of large returns for blood stocks which never existed.

The money made by Bloor and his associates allegedly amounted to millions of pounds.

Bloor is described as white, of heavy build, with blue eyes and ginger hair, about 5ft 6ins tall and has a surgical scar on left side of his abdomen.

:: Richard Ardolino

Ardolino, 38, a Briton from Leeds, is wanted by West Midlands police for allegedly conspiring with others to fraudulently obtain mortgages in order to purchase houses across the UK.

The money laundering charge relates to the concealment and transfer of criminal property.

He is described as slim, with short brown hair and has a scar on his right leg.

:: Osman Aydeniz

Aydeniz, 35, a Cypriot who last lived in London, is wanted by the National Crime Agency in connection with conspiracy to supply 17.83kg of diamorphine.

Three others have already been convicted in connection with this offence. He is also wanted for conspiracy to commit theft and transferring criminal property. 

He is described as white.

:: Ozgur Demir

Demir, 39, a Turk who last lived in London, is wanted by the National Crime Agency on suspicion of conspiracy to supply 17.83kg of diamorphine. Three others have already been convicted in connection with this offence.

He is described as white.

:: Ersin Mustafa

Mustafa, 38, a Briton from London, is wanted by the City of London Police and the Financial Conduct Authority on suspicion of insider dealing with seven other individuals.

While employed at the London branch of investment bank JP Morgan Cazenove, he allegedly obtained information about future acquisitions and mergers, which were provided to others who then traded using this information.

Over a two-year period, the group made approximately £2.5m in criminal profits. In July 2008 Mustafa was arrested by the City of London Police and then released on bail. It is believed he fled the UK around December 2009.

He is described as being approximately 5ft 6ins tall, with dark hair of Mediterranean appearance and with a stocky/muscular build.

:: Christakis Philippou

Philippou, 70, was convicted of conspiring with co-defendants to acquire, or sometimes to set up from scratch, travel agency businesses which were used as vehicles for fraud. The travel agencies attracted customers by offering cut-price holidays.

The prices were so low that legitimate companies could not compete with them. In each case, the travel agency ceased to trade, leaving customers without a holiday. This scam defrauded an estimated 20,000 people.

The British citizen is described as 5ft 6ins tall, of proportionate build, with swept back receding dark/greying hair and with bushy eyebrows. He also goes by the name of Christakis Chrysostomou.

EXISTING APPEALS

:: Hasan Akarcay

Wanted by West Yorkshire Police in connection with the Supply of Class A drugs after an alleged associate was found transporting 12.5 kg of diamorphine with a street value of £600,000.

Akarcay is of Cypriot nationality, approximately 5ft 9ins tall, stocky build with a large stomach, balding with black hair at the sides and tanned skin.

He sometimes goes by the names of Hassan Etem or Ibrahim Etem.

:: Martin Evans

Between 1999 and 2001, Evans is believed to have run an organised crime group supplying Class A drugs, most notably cocaine, MDMA and Ecstasy in the UK.

It is thought he set up a system where drugs were imported to the UK and sold and the proceeds converted into foreign currency and sent to the Netherlands for drug purchases.

Evans is also wanted for questioning about fraudulent trading offences as director of an incorporated company, Ostrich Centre Limited, in 1995.

The firm received investments from the public of several hundred thousand pounds, which he is believed to have stolen.

Evans is 5ft 11in - 6ft tall, stocky build, with blue eyes and short brown and greying hair. He also has a welsh accent and a the word 'ME' tattooed on his right arm.

:: Timur Mehmet

Mehmet is wanted for his role in a conspiracy to cheat the public revenue by the operation of a Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) fraud which cost the UK £25m.

He appeared in Court in June 2007 when he was warned he had to be at Court for his trial in October and that failure to attend could result in him being tried and sentenced in his absence.

He failed to attend the trial and subsequently he was found guilty in his absence and sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

:: Costas Sampson

Sampson is of Greek-Cypriot nationality and is accused of raping a girl he met at a Greek club.

The girl was taken unwell after accepting a drink from a stranger, when Sampson and a friend offered to take her home.

It was here that Sampson is alleged to have told a friend of the girl that he was a medical expert. He is accused of raping her while she was incapacitated.

He is also accused of stealing her mobile phone and flatmate's laptop and games console.

Sampson is 5ft 9in, of large build and with a Mediterranean complexion. He has brown eyes, black cropped or shaved hair and is right handed.

:: Mehmet Salih

Between December 2010 and November 2011, Salih is accused of being involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine in the UK.

In May 2011 he allegedly visited Lincolnshire for the purposes of delivering cocaine and collecting payment.

The police apparently recovered large amounts of the drug and upon his arrest he was alleged to be in possession of £20,000.

Salih is 5ft 6in tall, of proportionate build with brown eyes and short dark brown hair. He also has a scar on his right eye.

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Anger As Paedophile Demands Victim Photos

A paedophile is allowed to have intimate photos of a young girl he abused because the police cannot erase them from his confiscated laptop before they return it to him.

The man was jailed for nine years in 2013 after admitting a number of sex offences including assaulting a child under the age of 13.

He has formally asked for a laptop and a mobile telephone to be handed back, according to human rights campaigner Liberty, which is representing the victim and her family.

Photos of the victim dressed in swimwear and leotards are on the computer, but Dorset Police say they cannot delete them because they are not legally classified as indecent or prohibited.

Consequently, the man, who is in his 50s and cannot be named for legal reasons, will still have access to a large number of personal photos of one girl when he is freed.

The victim's mother said: "I am appalled that the man who abused my child can ask the police to hand over our family photos for him to keep for the rest of his life.

"My daughters struggle every day with the devastating consequences of his abuse and this will only make them feel more humiliated and degraded. Why should we continue to be traumatised further?"

Liberty is arguing the return of the laptop and phone would breach articles three and eight of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect against inhuman treatment and invasion of privacy respectively.

In a letter to Dorset Police, the human rights group said the prospect of having the photos returned to the abuser would cause "a significant amount of distress".

The group warns it would be a "an enormous violation" of dignity and personal integrity if the pictures were handed back.

The abuse of the young girl had caused the victim to suffer "enormous psychological harm" and she eats very little, self-harms frequently and is at risk of suicide.

Rosie Brighouse, legal officer at Liberty, said: "Not until the Human Rights Act could victims assert their rights in the British Courts - and Liberty is more than ready to do that on behalf of this family."

In response, Dorset Police said its "present options" were limited as the legislation used to seize the phone and computer required officers to give the owner back his property.

"Furthermore, it would be unlawful for police officers to alter the computer and phone's memories by removing the disputed photographs before returning them," the force added.

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Man Remanded Over Omagh Bombing Atrocity

A man charged with the murders of 29 people in the Omagh bomb 16 years ago has been remanded in custody.

Prominent Irish republican Seamus Daly, 43, originally from Cullaville in County Monaghan, appeared in the dock at Dungannon Magistrates' Court amid a heavy security presence.

Daly was successfully sued in a landmark civil case over the Real IRA outrage which happened in August 1998.

He was arrested on Monday by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in Newry, County Down, and charged on Thursday night.

Fifteen of those who died were under the age of 21

As well as the 29 counts of murder, he faces two other charges linked to the blast in Omagh and two charges connected to an attempted explosion in Lisburn in April 1998.

The car bomb attack on August 15, 1998, was the deadliest single atrocity of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

The 29 victims included a woman heavily pregnant with twins, three generations of the same family and Spanish exchange students.

Fifteen of the dead were under the age of 21.

More than 300 people were injured in the blast, many suffering life-changing wounds.

The attack dashed hopes of an immediate peace, coming just four months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

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Former Nanny Praises 'Brave' Peaches Geldof

Peaches Geldof's childhood nanny has written a moving tribute to the mother of two, calling her a "brave, beautiful girl" who "almost made it".

Anita Debney was employed by the 25-year-old's parents Bob Geldof and Paula Yates when she was a toddler.

In a message posted on Instagram alongside a photo of Ms Geldof, Ms Debney said she had been the "greatest joy, the most tender part of my heart and soul".

The nanny became something of a surrogate mother following Yates' death in 2000 and Ms Geldof's nickname for her was "Nee Naw".

The pair were still in close contact right up until Ms Geldof's death.

Ms Geldof was found dead at her home in Wrotham

Police were called to the home she shared with her husband Tom Cohen and their two young sons in Wrotham, Kent, on Monday.

Her death is being treated as "non-suspicious but unexplained".

A post-mortem examination on Wednesday was inconclusive and toxicology tests are being carried out to establish a cause of death.

Ms Debney, who has photos of Ms Geldof's sons Astala, two, and 11-month-old Phaedra, on her Instagram page wrote: "I loved her through the good times and the bad. We struggled and survived the darkest of times.

"I never lost faith in her spirit and strength. Always held out my hand to help her when she struggled and fell.

"She overcame so much and my love and appreciation of her indomitable spirit never wavered.

"The joy we shared in her beautiful babies was so deep and meaningful and filled both of our hearts with love and devotion.

"She blossomed in motherhood and excelled at raising the sweetest, happiest babies in the world.

"She was passionate in her zeal to speak up for the needs of babies everywhere and lives have been changed because of that.

"What a wonderful legacy she has left to the world. My darling girl. You almost made it."

Ms Geldof's body was released to her family on Thursday and it is understood plans for a funeral are under way.

Her elder sister Fifi Honeyblossom Geldof also used Instagram to say goodbye, writing: "My beautiful baby sister ... Gone but never forgotten. I love you, Peaches x"

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Co-op 'Power Struggle' As Myners Quits Board

The former City minister, Lord Myners, has quit the board of the troubled Co-operative Group amid opposition to his planned reforms of the business.

News of his resignation emerged just hours after Midcounties Co-operative, which operates Co-operative Energy as well as Co-op-branded food stores, voted against his early proposals.

Euan Sutherland resigned one month ago

His full report was not due to be completed until the end of the month but the work will continue despite his decision to step down as an independent director.

No reason for his decision was given though the deeper uncertainty over the group's future structure risks splitting the co-operative movement.

In interim findings released last month, after chief executive Euan Sutherland quit citing the group's structure as 'ungovernable', Lord Myners warned the group would collapse unless drastic steps were taken to overhaul a "massive failure" of governance.

His shake-up plans include a move to abolish its 21-member board, splitting it into two with a plc-style panel responsible for commercial decisions and representatives from its traditional membership sitting on a separate body.

It is reported that Midcounties is not the only regional board set to oppose the reforms though the board did accept his interim report's findings.

Lord Myners was appointed to the board in December and tasked with the independent review after a disastrous year for the Co-op in which its banking arm needed to be rescued by hedge funds following the discovery of a £1.5bn hole in its finances.

It has twice delayed the release of its banking division's results - now due on Friday - while the bank faces a series of investigations into what went wrong including scrutiny of the appointment of former bank chairman, Paul Flowers, despite his lack of knowledge of the sector.

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Royal Tour: Kate And William's First Walkabout

The Duke of Cambridge has joked that his son is preparing for a rugby career following Prince George's boisterous New Zealand playgroup appearance.

Prince William was speaking at a state reception in Wellington's Government House, where he unveiled a new portrait of his grandmother, the Queen.

The Duke charmed his audience by suggesting the prince had been heard performing the haka - the war dance made famous by the All Blacks rugby team.

He said: "Thank you for hosting Catherine, George and me during our time in New Zealand.

"I hope that George doesn't keep you up, he has been known to be particularly vocal at 3am and I swear I heard him doing the Haka this morning.

The royal couple spoke to veterans in Blenheim

"He's a bonny lad and you'll be pleased to know that he's currently preparing for life as a prop forward."

The Duke and Duchess were earlier greeted by huge crowds on the first major walkabout of their tour as they paid their respects to New Zealand's war dead in Blenheim.

During the event, New Zealand's Prime Minister John Keys reaffirmed his country's commitment to the royal family for many years to come in an interview with Sky News.

Director Peter Jackson snaps the Duchess during their museum tour

Speaking about Prince William, he told Sky's Royal Correspondent Paul Harrison: "He will be king of New Zealand and I think for New Zealanders, they feel a strong connection with the royal family.

"The country is hugely in favour of being a constitutional monarchy, probably the opinion polls show it's about four to one in favour of New Zealand remaining a constitutional monarchy, so in all probability William will be king of New Zealand one day."

The couple were given gifts including booties and a teddy bear for eight-month-old George, who was spending the day being looked after by nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo at Government House, the family's base during the tour.

Annette Michna-Konigstorfer, a 55-year-old tutor, said: "I asked him how his kid was and he said he hopes he's not chewing everything at Government House.

"William was fantastic and wonderful - I love all the royal family."

When the Duke met a little girl close to his son's age he played along with a joke about the babies dating when they are older.

Tai Dixon, 35, sat her 11-month-old daughter Iona on a crash barrier and William brought a smile to her face when he tickled the child.

A baby seems overjoyed to meet the Duchess during the walkabout

Mrs Dixon, a midwife originally from Holmfirth, Yorkshire, said: "William said it would be hilarious if he brought George here, he said he was drooling."

She was joined by her mother Cali Grainne Rainbow, who added: "I'm in New Zealand to see my granddaughter and I said she could get together with George and William said he would set them up."

Lilah Bowers, 10, gave the Duchess, who wore a blue Alexander McQueen coat, a black bracelet made out of rubber bands and was told by the royal visitor that it "could start a trend".

Lilah, from Blenheim, said: "We asked her about Prince George and she said she would have taken him everywhere but he would have been a bit noisy."

The couple were in Blenheim to lay a wreath as part of New Zealand's build-up to Anzac Day, which falls later this month, and were wearing commemorative poppy pins in tribute to the fallen.

The royal couple were also given a tour of Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and were presented with a child-size flying helmet, lined with possum skin, for Prince George.

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Peaches Geldof's Body Released To Family

Peaches Geldof's body has been released to her family allowing them to make arrangements for her funeral.

A coroner's spokesman made the disclosure as it emerged that toxicology test results could be released in two or three weeks.

The 25-year-old was found dead at her home in Wrotham, Kent, on Monday and police are treating it as a "non-suspicious, unexplained sudden death".

A post-mortem examination carried out at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford proved inconclusive, prompting further investigations to try to establish her cause of death.

A spokesman for North West Kent coroner Roger Hatch said: "We can confirm that the body has been released to the family for funeral arrangements to be made."

It is not known where the memorial will be held but a possible choice could be the church where Ms Geldof married her husband, Tom Cohen. 

Ms Geldof with her husband Tom Cohen

Her parents Bob Geldof and Paula Yates were also married at the St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence Church in Kent, and Yates funeral was also held there.

Any inquest is not due to be held until after the toxicology test results are known.

Ms Geldof's body was found on Monday afternoon after officers were called "following a report of concern for the welfare of a woman".

In a touching tribute, her musician father, his partner Jeanne Marine, and Ms Geldof's sisters Fifi Trixibelle, Pixie and Tiger, said the family was "beyond pain", saying: "She was the wildest, funniest, cleverest, wittiest and the most bonkers of all of us."

Fifi Geldof also posted a picture on Instagram of the two of them together when they were children, writing: "My beautiful baby sister ... Gone but never forgotten. I love you Peaches x."

Cohen, with whom she had two young sons, said his wife was adored by him and their two sons Astala, 23 months, and 11-month-old Phaedra, whom he would bring up "with their mother in their hearts every day".

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Half A Billion Pounds 'Wasted' On Anti-Flu Drugs

By Thomas Moore, Science and Health Correspondent

Flu drugs stockpiled by the government for use in a pandemic have little benefit, according to researchers who have carried out a comprehensive new analysis.

The Department of Health has spent £473m on the antiviral medicine Tamiflu - and another £136m on the similar drug Relenza - since 2006.

There are enough doses in storage to treat more than half the population.

But researchers from the independent Cochrane Collaboration and the British Medical Journal (BMJ), who have been given access to the full clinical trial data for the first time, conclude there is "no good evidence" that either drug reduces flu-related hospital admissions or the complications of the disease, such as pneumonia.

And they add that claims that they prevent people spreading the flu virus to others are "unproven".

Craig Heneghan, a doctor at the Cochrane Collaboration, said there was particular concern about Tamiflu because it increased nausea, vomiting, psychiatric events and kidney problems.

He told Sky News: "I am now clear this drug is not to be used in a pandemic situation."

The manufacturers have robustly defended their drugs, insisting that they are safe and effective.

The Department of Health has also underlined the importance of the antiviral stockpile.

The Cochrane Collaboration reviewed data from 20 clinical studies of Tamiflu and another 26 of Relenza.

They found they reduced the duration of flu symptoms by 16 hours, compared to dummy placebo pills.

Dr Fiona Godlee, Editor of the BMJ, urged the Department of Health to carefully consider the new evidence before refreshing the Tamiflu stock nearing its expiry date.

"If the government spends any more money on this drug they are not listening to the evidence," she said.

"I think it would be a strange decision to purchase more of this drug on the basis of the information we have available to us."

However, the Department of Health said the drug stockpile is a vital part of Britain's emergency response to a pandemic, as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

A spokesperson said: "Tamiflu is licensed around the world for the treatment of seasonal flu and is a licensed product with a proven record of safety, quality and efficacy.

"We regularly review all published data and will consider the Cochrane review closely."

UK medical director of Roche, Dr Daniel Thurley, said the company "stands behind the wealth of data for Tamiflu".

He added the researchers' methods were "unclear and inappropriate, and their conclusions could potentially have serious public health implications....(antiviral drugs) are a vital treatment option for patients with influenza".

A spokesperson for GSK said: "We were committed to giving the Cochrane team access to the data they required from the outset and we are pleased to have been able to support their research.

"We continue to believe the data from Relenza's clinical trial programme support its effectiveness against flu and that when used appropriately, in the right patient, it can reduce duration of flu symptoms. Relenza remains an important option for health professionals who are responsible for deciding when these medicines should be used."

Other doctors have also come to the drugs' defence.

Professor Wendy Barclay, of Imperial College London, said reducing symptoms by a day was significant.

"In the community this gets people back to work and school, and having the drugs available also serves as a safety net to treat people who get sick enough to go to hospital."

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HIV Fears Over Increase In Steroid Injections

By Thomas Moore, Sky News Health and Science Correspondent

The number of people who inject themselves with steroids to "bulk up" is rising so fast that drug services risk being left behind, health experts warn.

Conservative estimates by the Home Office suggest around 60,000 people aged between 16 and 59 in England and Wales have injected anabolic steroids in the last year.

And one health worker told Sky News he was seeing "at least" seven new users every week - on top of his existing workload.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) says in new NHS guidance that drug services should set up clinics in gyms to reach mainly young men who are injecting steroids.

Prof Mike Kelly, Director for Public Health at Nice, said they are at significant risk of HIV and other blood-borne viruses from sharing needles, yet they do not use existing needle exchange schemes that were set up in the 1980s for other drug users.

"They do not think of themselves as drug addicts," he said.

"They are fit and healthy. They are doing it to improve their appearance.

"We have to make sure they understand that the risks of injecting those substances are the same as injecting heroin or crack or anything like that.

Nice has recommended that clinics are set up in gyms

"When people share needles they pass on blood to blood and the infection is passed on quickly."

According to Nice 1.5% of people who inject image or performance enhancing drugs have HIV.

David Rourke, harm reduction lead for the Arundel Street Project in Sheffield, said he saw at least seven new steroid injectors every week.

"They lead very normal lives - the majority are working, they have families," he said.

"So it's not looked at like heroin or crack where it can affect your entire life."

He said some parts of the country have no services at all that are aimed at steroid users.

"Those who inject steroids are potentially using them without the correct education or the correct equipment and this can lead to more people injecting unsafely, which can put not just their own life, but the lives of those around them, at risk," he added.

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Arts Subjects Made Tougher In Exams Revamp

GCSE and A-level arts subjects are to be made tougher in the latest stage of a major reform of the exams system.

Nine GCSE subjects and six A-levels will be reformed, with Education Secretary Michael Gove insisting he wants schools to "nurture creative talent in every child".

In September 2016 new GCSEs in art and design, music, drama, dance, citizenship, computer science, design and technology, PE and religious studies will be introduced.

Improved A-levels in music, drama, dance, design and technology, PE and religious studies will be introduced at the same time.

"I am passionate about great art, drama, dance, music and design, and I am determined to ensure every child enjoys access to the best in our culture," Mr Gove added.

"That is why I am delighted that new high-quality qualifications in creative and cultural subjects will be made available to all students."

Music Education Council chair Richard Hallam welcomed the latest announcement.

He said: "This inclusion sends a renewed message of the educational importance of music and other arts subjects."

The new GCSEs and A-levels are part of a major programme of exam reform that will be phased in from next year.

GCSE grades in England are to be replaced with a numbered system to allow examiners to distinguish between the brightest students.

The new scale will see an extra grade added into a revamped qualifications system from one to nine - with nine being the highest mark available.

In the reforms, students taking A-levels will no longer sit exams after one year, and will instead be tested at the end of their two-year course.

AS-levels will be separated from A-levels and become a separate qualification.

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Maria Miller Resigns As Culture Secretary

Maria Miller has spoken to insist she was not pushed from her role of Culture Secretary but had to go because the scandal over her expenses was becoming a "distraction".

In an interview after her early morning resignation following a week of mounting pressure, a clearly upset Mrs Miller said she took "full responsibility" for her decision to step down.

She said: "This has been a really difficult 16 months. Because I was cleared of the central allegation made about me by a Labour Member of Parliament, I hoped that I could stay. But it has become clear to me in recent days that it has become an enormous distraction.

"It is not right that I am distracting from the incredible achievements of this Government."

She denied she thought there had been a "witch-hunt" against her because of her role overseeing the reforms on press freedom suggested in the Leveson report, as had been claimed by her aide on Tuesday.

Asked if she was sorry she replied: "I have made it clear and apologised unreservedly to the House of Commons and made sure that it was clear to everybody that I took full responsibility for those findings.

"I want to make that the situation is clear to everybody and make sure that I can move on."

In her resignation letter to David Cameron Mrs Miller, 48, told him she was "very grateful" for his personal support during the growing row over her expenses.

Mr Cameron, who consistently offered public support for his minister, said he was saddened by her departure but hoped the Basingstoke MP could make a return "in due course".

He has announced that Sajid Javid, MP for Bromsgrove, is to become the new Culture Secretary.

Mr Javid, the son of a bus driver, is a former managing director at Deutsche Bank, where he was reportedly on a salary of £3m a year, and a rising star in the Conservative party. He has been tipped as a future leader.

Maria Miller's 32-second apology in the Commons was incendiary

Mrs Miller finally stepped down six days after she was forced to apologise in the House of Commons for her attitude to an inquiry into the allowance claimed on her second home.

The Prime Minister had been under increasing pressure in recent days to sack her from Tory activists and MPs, and Mrs Miller's position had become untenable.

Mr Cameron was facing a difficult time at Prime Minister's Questions at lunchtime and had to tackle Tory back benchers at a meeting of the powerful Conservatives 1922 committee later.

The announcement of her resignation sparked criticism that it had taken so long for her to step down and raised questions over Mr Cameron's leadership.

Labour MP John Mann, who made the original expenses complaint against Mrs Miller, said: "Why has it taken five days in what was a clear cut case she had to leave Government that she could be responsible for media freedom in this country after her behaviour?

"I mean where was the Prime Minister's leadership on this? He should have sacked her straight away when she refused to go."

Lord Tebbit told Sky News: "If the Prime Minister had taken my advice a week ago, if he had asked for it before I had to give it in public, the issue would have been done and dusted by now."

But Education Secretary Michael Gove defended the Prime Minister, telling the Radio 4 Today programme: "I don't think his judgement has been flawed; hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Mr Cameron repeatedly backed his Culture Secretary

"The Prime Minister's attitude throughout has been governed by the basic human decency that is his hallmark."

Mrs Miller's camp had on Tuesday night attempted a fight-back after days of newspaper headlines and the faltering support for her within Government.

Her aide Mary Macleod appeared on Sky News to claim she was a victim of a witch-hunt because she was dealing with press reforms recommended in the Leveson report. She had sent a text to MPs attempting to garner support for Mrs Miller.

She also claimed that Mrs Miller was unpopular because she was responsible for steering through the legislation on gay marriage.

In her resignation letter Mrs Miller said: "Of course, implementing the recommendations made by Lord Justice Leveson on the future of media regulation, following the phone hacking scandals, would always be controversial for the press.

The second home at the centre of the row

"Working together with you, I believe we struck the right balance between protecting the freedom of the press and ensuring fairness, particularly for victims of press intrusion, to have a clear right of redress."

Her departure leaves four women in the Cabinet: Home Secretary Theresa May, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers, and International Development Secretary Justine Greening. Baroness Warsi sits in the Cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio.

Conservatives in Mrs Miller's constituency voice disappointment at her departure. Stephen Marks, a Conservative councillor on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: "She did Leveson on press complaints and I feel the press were going to get their own back on her. I am saddened that she had to resign, but that is the way it is."

Mrs Miller issued a much-derided 32-second apology on Thursday after Parliament's sleaze watchdog upbraided her for her attitude to an expenses inquiry into her claims for a second home.

She was also ordered to pay back £5,800 of wrongly claimed allowances on the house in Wimbledon, southwest London, which she sold for a £1.2m profit in February.

However, it emerged that the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards had found that Mrs Miller should have paid back £45,000 in expenses claimed on the home but this was over-ruled by the Standards Committee of 10 MPs and three independent members, who do not have a vote.

It led to calls for an end to a system where MPs are allowed to police their own expenses, with the head of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, Sir Ian Kennedy, saying they should not "mark their own homework".

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Peaches Geldof Post-Mortem 'Inconclusive'

A post-mortem examination into the death of Peaches Geldof has proved inconclusive pending the results of toxicology tests.

The 25-year-old was found dead at her home in Wrotham, Kent, on Monday and police are treating the death as "non-suspicious" and "unexplained".

A statement said the result of a toxicology report could take several weeks.

Ms Geldof, who had two young sons with her second husband, musician Tom Cohen, was a prolific tweeter and the final message she sent on Sunday was a picture of herself as a child with her mother, with the message "me and my mum".

Her body was found on Monday afternoon after officers were called "following a report of concern for the welfare of a woman", a Kent Police spokesman said.

More follows ...

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Minister Takes Aim At Miller Amid Growing Row

A Conservative minister has criticised Maria Miller's 32-second apology but said it was for David Cameron to decide on the Culture Secretary's future.

Esther McVey's comments came as Tory activists warned the Prime Minister's "completely irrational" support for his minister was damaging the party ahead of the European elections next month and the General election campaign.

Mr Cameron is under increasing pressure to remove Mrs Miller from her post after Parliament's sleaze watchdog ordered her to apologise and repay £5,800 following an expenses investigation six days ago.

The Culture Secretary, who on Tuesday morning attended the Cabinet meeting, gave the briefest of statement's in the House of Commons to voice her regret over her attitude to the inquiry into allowances claims she had made for a second home.

Boris Johnson sidestepped questions over the Culture Secretary

Ms McVey said: "I can honestly say it wouldn't be how I would have made an apology.

"But different people have different styles and do things in different ways."

Asked if Mrs Miller should keep her job, the Employment Minister told ITV's The Agenda: "David Cameron has the final say on this. He's standing by her."

The Prime Minister has continued to offer Mrs Miller his "full confidence", said she had "done the right thing" and urged the press to "leave it there".

A ComRes survey commissioned by Conservative Grassroots, an organisation founded by senior party activists, found that two in three Tory voters thought Mr Cameron should have sacked Mrs Miller.

Maria Miller apology: Gone in 32 seconds

An online petition calling for Mrs Miller to repay £45,000 or go has now amassed 130,000 names.

Mr Cameron is due to address the influential Conservative backbench 1922 committee on Wednesday, where he is likely to face a rough ride and spoke yesterday with its chairman Graham Brady.

London Mayor Boris Johnson on Tuesday morning repeatedly sidestepped questions over whether the Culture Secretary should go.

Independent Standards Authority chairman Sir Ian Kennedy

Speaking on the Radio 4 Today programme he finally said: "I don't know the facts of the case in great detail but it seems to me she is being hounded quite a lot and I suppose my natural sympathies go out to people being in a hounded situation. How about that?"

One Tory MP told Sky's Political Correspondent Sophy Ridge: "It's what people want to talk about on doorstep  and in the pub,everyone has the same view except the Prime Minister."

Conservative Grassroots Chairman Robert Woollard, a former constituency party chairman, said: "Mr Cameron's support of the Culture Secretary is completely irrational.

"When David Cameron spoke about the need for the actions of those in Parliament to pass the smell test, it was exactly for such occasions as these.

"Well this whole issue stinks and as this poll finds, it is incredibly damaging to our party and the PM personally."

The Culture Secretary has agreed to pay back £5,800 wrongly claimed on a second home in Wimbledon, southwest London.

However, it emerged the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards had found she should repay £45,000 but been over-ruled by the Standards Committee, made up of 10 MPs and three independent members who have not vote.

It has sparked calls for further changes to a system that allows MPs to police their own expenses, including from the chairman of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Sir Ian Kennedy.

Mrs Miller has also been forced to deny she will seek to dodge a capital gains tax bill on the £1.47m sale of her partly taxpayer-funded Wimbledon home.

A Number 10 source admitted some MPs had concerns over Mrs Miller, but added: "There are plenty of MPs who have got in touch to say they strongly back Maria as well."

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Irish President On Historic Visit To Britain

Rocking In The Castle With Michael D

Updated: 10:30am UK, Tuesday 08 April 2014

By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent

"When will my time come?" is the title of one of his poems. Almost a century after Ireland secured its independence from Britain, the poetic president's time has come to pay a historic state visit to the next door neighbours.

Michael D Higgins is more than a poet. The 72-year-old head of state, who was born in Limerick and raised in County Clare, is a veteran champion of human rights, Irish arts and sport. He's affectionately known, the length and breadth of Ireland, as Michael D.

He was the first member of his family to attend university and lectured in politics in Galway and Illinois in the United States before running for office himself. He's arguably the most eclectic of the nine presidents in Ireland's history.

Don't be deceived by his grandfatherly appearance. The Irish President has fire in his bones. He's a recipient of the Sean MacBride International Peace Prize, has campaigned tirelessly for victims in Chile and Cambodia, and vigorously opposed the war in Iraq.

A former Labour government minister for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht (Irish language), he helped to establish the country's first Irish language TV channel (TG4) and oversaw the removal of Section 31, which had censored Sinn Fein from Ireland's airwaves.

Anglo-Irish relations have changed beyond recognition since those days. Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, now Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, will attend a state banquet in Windsor Castle during the president's official visit and meet the Queen for a second time.

Long before his installation as Ireland's ninth president, Michael D Higgins had been elected President of Galway Football Club. The Hollywood actor Martin Sheen, who studied in Galway University, describes the Republic's current head of state as a "dear friend".

His fan base includes the former chart-topping Saw Doctors. The band once wrote a song in his honour, entitled 'Michael D Rocking in the Dail (Parliament) Bar'. The military bands around Windsor may not be familiar with that particular track.

President Higgins and his wife Sabine have four days of engagements in the UK, four days which, according to Ireland's Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore, "will not just write another chapter in Anglo-Irish relations but take us well into the book".

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Shrien Dewani Extradited To South Africa

A British man suspected of arranging the murder of his new wife on honeymoon has been remanded in custody after arriving in South Africa to face trial.

Shrien Dewani was taken from Fromeside Hospital to Bristol Airport accompanied by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Extradition Unit.

Officers were met at the airport by representatives from the South African authorities who have escorted him on the flight to Cape Town.

He arrived in Cape Town at about 8.15am UK time.

In a statement the country's justice department said: "Shrien Dewani has landed at Cape Town International Airport and was received by members of the SA Police Service.

Dewani was ferried around Cape Town in a black van

"He arrived in the company of a medical doctor, nurse and members of Saps (South African Police Service) and Interpol."

At a seven-minute court hearing, he was remanded in custody for treatment at Valkenberg hospital until May 12.

Dewani is accused of being behind a plot to kill his new bride Anni, 28, who was shot dead after being kidnapped during a taxi ride through a township on Cape Town's outskirts.

Three men have been convicted already and are serving jail terms. Prosecutors allege Dewani ordered the killing of his wife, who was a Swedish national.

The extradition of Dewani, 34, from Bristol, brings to an end a three-year battle to bring him to court after her death in November 2010.

Dewani was put on a flight from Bristol Airport bound for Cape Town

Dewani's lawyers argued he should not be forced from the UK to face trial until he had recovered from mental health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mrs Dewani's uncle Ashok Hindocha told a news conference on Monday he was relieved his family would now have an opportunity to get justice.

He said: "(I am) relieved. Hopefully this case from now onwards will be about Anni.

"Until now, it hasn't really been about her. You cannot really blame anyone. It's the justice system and the way it is.

"Obviously, we were extremely surprised that it took so long."

Her brother Anish Hindocha added: "It's been very difficult. There is no life in our family any more, we struggle.

Hitman Xolile Mngeni is serving a life sentence for Anni Dewani's murder

"With the help of the South African people, with the help of the British people, we are at least trying to cope.

"We need justice for Anni. That's the only thing in our minds, and we will hopefully get it soon."

Dewani is due to appear in court later where he will be formally charged.

It is understood if he is found fit to do so, Dewani could stand trial in September.

The three men who have already been convicted and jailed over Mrs Dewani's death include taxi driver Zola Tongo, who was given 18 years after admitting his role in the killing.

Xolile Mngeni, who prosecutors claim was the hitman, and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, who pleaded guilty to murder and received a 25-year prison sentence.

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Power To The Regions: Miliband's £4bn Pledge

An extra £4bn will be given to local councils in an attempt to bridge the prosperity gap between London and the rest of the country, under plans from Ed Miliband.

By seizing back power from Whitehall, the Labour leader said, regions would be able to help create jobs and improve business opportunities outside the capital.

In a speech in Birmingham, Mr Miliband warned that UK prosperity was built "far too much" on London.

Tories accused of ignoring Lord Hestletine's review

He said: "We need a prosperous London, but we also need to build prosperity outside it. Today, every region outside London is below the national average when it comes to productivity, while London is 40% above it.

"Britain will never tackle the cost of living crisis and create the new private sector jobs that are essential to doing so unless we break this pattern, reverse a century of centralisation, and change from an economy based on the success of one city to all of our country's great towns and cities: a truly One Nation economy."

The devolution pledge will be included in the Labour manifesto as the party leader attempts to "reverse a century of centralisation".

Mr Miliband also attacked the Tories for failing to take restoring power to the regions seriously by ignoring a review carried out by the Tory grandee Lord Hestletine.

He said: "Michael Heseltine's review called for a massive devolution of funding from Whitehall to the cities."

Mr Miliband said that he had asked the former Labour minister Lord Adonis to "examine every line" of the report to see what more could be done.

Under his proposals cities and towns will be able to put together an economic blueprint for their future and have new powers to allow them to fund infrastructure and economic development projects.

Sir Richard Leese of Manchester City Council welcomes the proposals

They will be able to invest in transport, housing and things like apprenticeships.

The proposal was welcomed by Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council. He said: "Independent forecasts for our cities demonstrate that, with more local freedom, we could deliver an additional £222bn and 1.3 million jobs into the economy by 2030. We therefore welcome the direction of travel set out in the statement by the Labour leader today."

Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps said: "Once again Ed Miliband is talking about a problem which the Labour government he was at the centre of created.

"Labour's great recession made people who work hard poorer, and their unbalanced economy saw just one job created in the North and Midlands for every 10 created in the South."

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Brit Killed On Costas: Friend Tells Of Shock

A friend of millionaire businessman Andrew Bush, who was found shot dead at his home on Spain's Costa del Sol, has said he is "trying to comprehend" his death.

Mr Bush, 48, originally from Bristol, was found lying in a pool of blood with two gunshot wounds to his head at around 3am on Saturday.

Police are looking for Mr Bush's ex-girlfriend, named as Mayka Kukucova, who is thought to have left the property in the businessman's Hummer.

Friend Paul Orchard, who had also been Mr Bush's personal trainer, said he was "devastated".

"It will take me a long time to come to terms with this," he said.

"I've been his personal trainer since last September but I knew him for longer than that.

"We struck a good rapport and I only spoke to him on Friday evening, we were going to meet next week.

Estepona is on the Costa del Sol

"When I was first told, I questioned whether it was true and I kept on saying it can't be. Now I feel just a little bit empty, almost like I'm trying to put pieces together.

"I'm trying to comprehend that it's happened.

"My thoughts go to him and his family. He'll be greatly missed."

Firefighters and police discovered Mr Bush's body after forcing their way into the beachside villa in Estepona where he lived.

The company director's girlfriend alerted police with an emergency call after the attack.

The pair are said to have been ambushed by Kukucova.

The house is a village between the resorts of Estepona and Marbella

She is thought to have been lying in wait for them inside the five-bedroom house.

Mr Bush and his current girlfriend, who is reported to be British, had just returned to their home from a trip abroad.

The suspected killer is still on the run after escaping from the scene in the dead man's Hummer vehicle.

A source close to the investigation said: "It is being treated as murder and police are hunting the dead man's ex on suspicion of committing this crime.

"They are probing the possibility she may have let herself into the property while the occupant was away and waited for several days for him to return."

The businessman's body has been taken to Malaga for a post-mortem examination.

Mr Bush owned a number of businesses in Bristol including a jewellery shop, according to reports.

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Max Clifford Trial: Pauline Quirke Evidence

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter, Southwark Crown Court

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke has described publicist Max Clifford as an "honest and decent man" as the trial enters its closing stages.

Clifford, who turned 71 at the weekend, is accused of indecently assaulting a string of women in his car and his office, some after saying he could get them roles in the entertainment world.

However, Ms Quirke told Southwark Crown Court that the PR guru was nothing like the description that jurors have heard and she told how they worked together to raise funds for charity.

The actress who has also starred in Emmerdale and Broadchurch said that her friendship with him "grew from their connection" to the Rhys Daniels Trust which was set up in the 1990s to help a boy of the same name with Batten's Disease.

Ms Quirke said: "We went to each other's houses and we went out for dinner to restaurants. He came when I was on tour for two years with Birds of a Feather.

"The word integrity comes to mind when I think of Max - he's very down to Earth and normal considering the business that we are both involved in.

"He's a decent, decent man, honest and decent."

When asked by his defence barrister Richard Horwell QC if she had ever seen him "acting inappropriately with women" she replied: "We've been to balls with lots of women, people drinking and I've never seen him doing anything like that.

"I've never seen him behave in any way, shape or form like that."

Ms Quirke added that Clifford had helped raise money for the Trust by bringing stars to a celebrity screening of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and as a result they became "good friends".

As she left court, Clifford, who was dressed in a white open shirt and blue suit, winked and smiled at her.

Earlier, Sky Sports anchor Clare Thomlinson, who worked for Clifford in the early 1990s for six months said she had "no reason to doubt his integrity and honesty", adding that she had left his office on "amicable terms".

She said: "Max had an old school charm, he would open the door for you and ask how you would get home from a late function."

Ms Thomlinson, who was at the centre of sexual harassment claims from disgraced former commentators Richard Keys and Andy Gray, told the court the experience had made her want to testify in the case.

She said: "I have been the victim of sexual harassment at work and I would not be giving evidence in front of a court if I had believed Max was capable of that sort of behaviour."

Clifford, of Hersham, Surrey, denies 11 counts of indecent assault against seven women between 1966 and 1984. His defence is expected to finish on Tuesday when the case continues.

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James Arthur Denies Fallout With Record Label

X Factor winner James Arthur has denied he has been dropped from Simon Cowell's record label for writing a song about terrorism.

Arthur's contract with Syco has reportedly ended after it emerged Follow The Leader includes the line: "I'm gonna blow up your family like I'm a terrorist".

But the 26-year-old wrote on Twitter: "As far as I know, I am still with Syco but I am exclusively signed to Sony. People look too deeply into the media circus. It's about music."

A spokeswoman for Syco declined to comment and Arthur took to Twitter to defend the song, which he insisted was "not promoting terrorism".

"The song 'follow the leader' from the mixtape is not promoting terrorism, it's a story, a reciting of a Stan Esc (Eminem song) letter from a demented fan." he wrote.

It is the latest controversy for the star after a series of online blunders, including criticising his own publicity team for the messages they post on Twitter and compared himself to an "exploited" SeaWorld killer whale.

In November Arthur temporarily left the social network after becoming embroiled in a homophobia row.

The singer, whose most recent single Get Down made it to just number 96 in the chart, said later of that incident that he was "disappointed in myself for being so naive".

Arthur's representatives would not provide Sky News with a comment.

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Brickies Earning £100k As 'Brawn Drain' Hits

A shortage of skilled labourers has helped push pay packets for the country's top bricklayers past the £100,000 mark, according to industry experts.

Recruitment firm Deverell Smith and building consultants EC Harris told The Times the recruitment problem was so acute it was threatening to damage efforts to boost housebuilding.

The firms warned that an exodus of labourers in the wake of the financial crisis meant that the construction industry was struggling to recruit enough bricklayers, joiners, stone-fixers and plasterers now the recovery was gathering momentum.

Australia and New Zealand were thought to have been the main beneficiaries of the emigration and EC Harris said that a decline in apprenticeships meant that the void would have to be filled by migrant workers from Eastern Europe.

New developments are springing up as the market recovers

Demand for construction workers had risen 125% since 2008, the newspaper said, when industry output was largely stopped in its tracks by the credit crunch and resulting recession.

Economic recovery and Government schemes such as Help to Buy, which was launched a year ago, have aided the mortgage market and prompted builders to begin work on their huge land banks to help meet needs for new homes.

But the firms believe problems in the supply chain could undo the boom in property building, with costs rising by up to 7% this year alone.

While the most experienced contract bricklayers are now earning up to £100,000 annually, EC Harris said, material prices were also on the up as manufacturers struggled to recover production.

Mark Farmer, its head of residential, added: "The construction industry is grappling with a real capacity constraint issue at the moment.

"The cyclical 'boom and bust' nature of the sector has led to a gradual attrition of long-term skilled workforce, whether bricklayers or plasterers or experienced project managers.

Rising costs threaten to demolish major projects

"The recession of the last 5-6 years has seen many leave the industry through choice or natural ageing of the workforce and the level of new recruits is just not keeping up.

"What is needed is not casual labour but a trained and experienced workforce which takes many years to generate, so we are now facing a structural capacity issue that cannot be immediately remedied."

He cited volatility in day rates for skilled craftsmen as evidence of the supply and demand imbalance for labour.

Mr Farmer said "During the recession, bricklayer day rates fell by up to 50% as work dried up.

"We are now experiencing a massive rebound as demand outstrips availability of the very best tradesmen.

"Day rates in London are up to £150-£200 day and those that are particularly experienced and industrious, laying up to 1,000 bricks a day, can earn the equivalent of £100,000 a year on an output bonus basis."

He called for the construction industry to work harder to attract the best young talent and invest in off-site manufacture and pre-fabrication of housing to reduce the need for on-site labour.

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Sheffield Half Marathon Axe Sparks Chaos

A popular half marathon descended into chaos when it was cancelled just moments before it was due to start - only for runners to set off anyway.

Competitors were lining up to begin Sheffield's annual 13-mile race when organisers announced it could not go ahead because there was not enough drinking water for those taking part.

But many of the runners ignored the cancellation and set off anyway, with reports of members of the public buying water to hand out instead.

Water is handed out to participants along the route

Organisers wrote on the official Sheffield Half Marathon's official Twitter page: "It is with huge disappointment & regret that we have been forced to cancel this year's race due to a problem with the delivery of water.

"We would like to express our sincerest apologies to everyone involved in the race who will be affected. We will update you future plans asap."

Sheffield resident Sachin Salvi, who pictured some of the runners taking part, said he was glad they had pressed on despite organisers' decision.

"Determined runners and volunteers doing the Sheffield half marathon inspite of the cancellation! Great effort!," he wrote on his Twitter page.

An section of the race along the city's Cemetery Road. Pic: @drsachinsalvi

"Shows the Sheffield spirit! If not would have been such bad publicity for Sheffield with the Tour de France coming!

"A stall was run with water from the local superstores. But there were lots of people handing out water they had bought themselves."

Police maintained a presence on the route. Pic: @drsachinsalvi

South Yorkshire Police said a large number of participants had still chosen to run the race and that officers were already present on parts of the route to assist with the road closures to motorists.

"Working with the organisers, officers attempted to speak to participants who had chosen to run and divert them on to a shorter route to the finish line," the force said in a statement.

"However, officers have kept their positions and stance with the initial road closures to motorists to protect all the runners and ensure their safety is maintained."

A number of angry messages were left on the Sheffield Half Marathon official Facebook page.

Mel Broadhurst wrote: "Absolutely disgusting!!! My friends and I have trained for months some raised a lot of money for charity.

"Terrible lack of communication, won't be doing the Sheffield half again!!!! And I will get my money back!!!!!"

Adam Broadhead wrote: "That is absolutely shocking organisation. You guys have embarrassed the city."

Adam Stern said: "So disappointing for the runners but I also have to say hats off to the Sheffield communities for their efforts in supplying water unofficially to the runners!

"Proud to be from Sheffield for that, just a shame the organisation and communication of the race was so shambolic!!"

More follows...

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Food Waste 'Is Morally Repugnant', Say Lords

The scale of food waste, which sees 15 million tonnes of food dumped each year in the UK and at least 90 million tonnes across the EU, has been branded "morally repugnant" by a House of Lords committee.

The Lords EU Committee said supermarkets should abolish "buy one get one free" offers and not cancel orders of food from farmers after the produce has been grown, a practice which leads to edible food being ploughed back into the fields. 

They also suggested that more unused food sold by retailers should be donated to food banks, rather than sent for composting or landfill as is often the case at present.

In a report, the committee said EU efforts to reduce food waste were "fragmented and untargeted" and called for the new European Commission to publish a five-year strategy within six months of taking office later this year.

Committee chairwoman Baroness Scott said: "Food waste in the EU and the UK is clearly a huge issue. Not only is it morally repugnant, but it has serious economic and environmental implications.

The committee says taking action against food waste cannot be delayed

"The fact that 90 million tonnes of food is wasted across the EU each year shows the extent of the problem and explains why we are calling for urgent action.

"Globally, consumers in industrialised nations waste up to 222 million tons of food a year, which is equivalent to nearly the entire level of net food production of Sub-Saharan Africa.

"We cannot allow the complexity of the issues around defining and monitoring food waste to delay action any further.

"We are calling on the new European Commission, which will be appointed in November this year, to publish a five-year strategy for reducing food waste across the EU, and to do so within six months of taking office."

The report found that the carbon footprint of worldwide food waste is equivalent to twice the global greenhouse gas emissions of all road transportation in the US.

Lady Scott added: "We were shocked at the extent of food waste in the EU. Especially given the current economic challenges the EU faces, it is an absolutely shocking waste of resources.

"Some efforts are already being made, which is very positive, but much more can be done, and so we are calling on the EU, the Government, businesses and consumers to make sure it is."

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Women May Get Right To Fight On Front Line

The British Army is "seriously considering" lifting its ban on women serving in combat roles in line with other countries such as the US, the Chief of the General Staff has said.

General Sir Peter Wall told The Sunday Times he wanted to show women that the army was "open to" women and an equal opportunities employer.

The Ministry of Defence, which under European Law must review the policy every eight years, said there would another review "before 2018".

The last statutory review in 2010 raised concerns that putting women and men together in small units for months at a time could undermine "team cohesion", but said women would be able to meet physical and psychological demands.

Women currently are allowed to serve on the frontline with the artillery and as medics, engineers, intelligence officers and fighters pilots but not in close combat roles.

UK Army women are currently not allowed to serve in close combat roles

Last year, the US lifted its own ban on women fighting on the frontline, joining other countries including Germany, Canada, France and Israel.

Sir Peter told the newspaper: "We've got to take a view on that fairly soon.

"We're in a minority of armies now in that respect. It's definitely something that we need to be considering seriously but we need to go about this with great care, especially with all the other changes going on."

He said: "We have always said that we will look at the evidence and base our decision on what impact it will have on operational capability.

"This isn't just about getting more females into the 30% of roles that are combat trades but getting more of them into the Army per se.

"Women need to see they have equal opportunities right throughout the organisation.

"Allowing them to be combat troops would make us look more normal to society but there will always be people who say the close battle is no place for female soldiers."

Women could soon be fighting alongside men

In 2011, the Government announced that women would be allowed to go to sea with their male counterparts on the Royal Navy's Submarine Service for the first time in its 110-year history.

An MoD spokesman said: "The vast majority of roles in the Armed Forces are open to women and hundreds are currently serving their country with distinction in Afghanistan.

"They are fundamental to the operational effectiveness of the UK's Armed Forces, bringing talent and skills across the board.

"A 2010 review into women serving in combat roles concluded there should be no change to the existing policy and another review will take place before 2018."

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Kate To Fulfil Ambition On Tour Down Under

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Duchess of Cambridge will realise a lifelong ambition when she arrives in New Zealand on Monday.

According to the New Zealand High Commissioner to London, Sir Lockwood Smith, right at the top of Kate's 'bucket list' is a visit to the Southern Hemisphere realm.

"I met the Duchess of Cambridge at a garden party at Buckingham Palace when she was pregnant with Prince George," he said.

"I said to her that I'd love her to come to New Zealand and she said: 'Well, there's a little matter I have to deal with first of course but I have to say coming to New Zealand is top of my bucket list.' And now she's finally making the trip."

Not only has Kate never visited New Zealand and Australia but it will be a first for son Prince George, who will likely one day be King of the two nations.

The tour will largely mirror that of the Prince and Princess of Wales' visit Down Under in 1983, when a nine-month-old Prince William conducted his first public crawl about.

Prince George, who is now eight months old, will arrive in Wellington, New Zealand after travelling long-haul for more that 24 hours.

To minimise the disruption to their son, William and Kate have decided to operate a hub tour in both countries, allowing them to return most evenings to be with George in Wellington and Sydney.

Kate and William travel to New Zealand and Australia with Prince George

Excitement surrounding the royal party's arrival in Wellington for the start of the three-week tour is muted at best, although one local told Sky News: "We don't like to shout about it, and although the flags aren't out, we are quietly excited."

Two women who found it hard to conceal their excitement, however, are the owners of Wellington jewellery business Tory & Ko, who have been commissioned to design three pairs of earrings and one necklace for Kate for her stay in New Zealand.

"It's a complete honour and we are really blown away," Kirstin O'Brien told Sky News.

"She is the most perfect person to wear our jewellery because she is beautiful, sophisticated and she has that lovely accessibility about her," 

The Cambridge family will first visit the North Island, before heading to the South Island where they will spend a night away from Prince George.

All three, accompanied by their entourage including Prince George's newly appointed nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, will later travel to Sydney, Australia, for the second leg of their three week tour.

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