Litvinenko Inquiry: Widow Hopes For Truth

By Alex Rossi, Sky News Correspondent

The widow of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko says she hopes the inquiry into his murder will reveal the truth about his death.

Marina Litvinenko has told Sky News she wants closure for her and her son Anatoly and also wants to put an end to the conspiracy theories surrounding the crime.

She said: "I know my husband was killed, I saw how it happened. It was a torture. He died a long 23 days in front of me, in front of his son, in front of his friends."

She said she was "fed up" with speculation that her husband had smuggled radioactive material for a "dirty bomb". 

The inquiry is diplomatically sensitive and it was initially blocked by the government. There were fears it would cause too much damage to an already bad relationship with Moscow.

Video: Widow Wants To Save Husband's Name

Former Voice of Russia London bureau chief Dmitry Linnik said the fallout from the Ukrainian crisis and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 means the relationship between London and Moscow can hardly get any worse.

He said: "It is as bad as it probably can be short of an open conflagration in a military sense."

Alexander Litvinenko was a former agent for the FSB, the successor organisation of the KGB.

Video: Former KGB Agent Denies Murder

He was an outspoken critic of the Kremlin. He defected to the UK in 2000 - it's thought he then worked for MI6 as an informer.

While in Britain he accused Vladimir Putin of many crimes, including ordering the murder of the human rights journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

Litvinenko fell ill after meeting two Russian contacts - Dmitry Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi - at the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square on 1 November 2006.

Video: Litvinenko Inquiry 'Needs Answers'

He had drunk tea that had been poisoned with polonium 210, a rare radioactive isotope.

The two men are now both wanted by the British police on suspicion of murder but an extradition request has been refused by the Russian Federation.

Both men have consistently denied the allegation of murder.

Video: Poisoning Timeline

The inquiry, which opens on Tuesday and is scheduled to last for the next 10 weeks, will attempt to fathom what their involvement was and ultimately whether or not the Russian state orchestrated the killing.

:: Follow the inquiry live from the Royal Courts of Justice on Sky News

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aer Lingus Deal With BA Owner Moves Closer

The Aer Lingus board says it is willing to recommend the financial terms of an approach by the owner of British Airways.

The Dublin-based carrier's statement was seen as support for the proposed £1bn (€1.36bn) takeover by International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), but it said the bid's success was in the hands of major shareholders, which include Ireland's government. 

The airline said: "IAG has indicated that it would only proceed with its third proposal with an indication from the Board of Aer Lingus that it would be willing to recommend the financial terms of the Revised Proposal.

"Having considered this request, the Board has indicated to IAG that the financial terms are at a level at which it would be willing to recommend, subject to being satisfied with the manner in which IAG proposes to address the interests of relevant parties.

"The Board notes IAG's intentions regarding the future of the company, in particular that Aer Lingus would operate as a separate business with its own brand, management and operations, continuing to provide connectivity to Ireland, while benefiting from the scale of being part of the larger IAG group."

IAG confirmed it wanted Aer Lingus to join the Oneworld airline alliance, of which its brands BA and Iberia are members, and become part of of a joint business that IAG operates over the North Atlantic with American Airlines.

IAG said it "believes that the proposal would secure and strengthen Aer Lingus' brand and long-term future within a successful and profitable European airline group, offering significant benefits to both Aer Lingus and its customers.

"IAG recognises the importance of direct air services and air route connectivity for investment and tourism in Ireland and intends to engage with the Irish government in order to secure its support for the transaction."

Aer Lingus was privatised nine years ago, leaving the Irish government with a current 25% stake.

Ireland will want assurances from IAG over its plans for the key Dublin to Heathrow route.

No-frills carrier Ryanair, which owns 29.8% of Aer Lingus following a series of failed takeover attempts, may be tempted to sell as it has been told by UK authorities to draw down its stake on competition grounds.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sky: Labour Biggest Party In Hung Parliament

Labour will be the largest party in a hung parliament after May's General Election, according to a Sky News projection based on the latest poll of polls.

According to Sky's figures, which look at the national figures and those just for Scotland, Labour will fall short of an overall majority by 40 seats.

The Green Party, UKIP and the Scottish National Party are all vying to lure voters away from the traditional two-party system and if the numbers are correct, the SNP could hold the key to any coalition.

It comes with just 100 days until the General Election, as Britain's two largest parties - Labour and the Conservatives - launch new policies in a bid to lure voters.

In an interview with Sky News, David Cameron said he was worried about the future of the country, warning that if Labour was to get the keys to Number 10 in May it would "wreck" the economy.

Video: Sky Reveals Election Predictions

He insisted the Tories could win an outright majority but said the next 100 days would be a "tough fight".

And he insisted his tax cut promises could be funded by the Conservatives' continued careful management of the economy.

He said: "I am worried about the future of our country if we end up with an unstable, left-wing government that starts to borrow and spend and wreck the economic progress that we have made. Of course I worry about that.

"But, we have 100 days to go to make this argument and I think people  can now see, increasingly, our country getting stronger day by day. 

Video: 100 Days To Go Until The Election

"We have not finished the job, there are still many challenges left for us to meet but we are on the right track and when you are on the right track that's exactly the wrong time to turn backwards."

Mr Cameron has promised a renewed squeeze on benefits "within the first few days" of Government if the Tories are re-elected on 7 May.

The Prime Minister plans to reduce the annual cap on welfare payments from £26,000 to £23,000 - with the £135m saved going towards funding for three million apprenticeships by the end of the decade.

The Tories plan a £30bn adjustment in the first two years of government - £5bn from tax evasion, £13bn from cuts across Whitehall departments and £12bn off the welfare bill.

Video: In The Margins: 150 Key Seats

Mr Cameron said this would help to bankroll the tax cuts promised, including increasing the amount at which people start to pay income tax to £12,500 - lifting a million people out of tax.

He added that he was happy for the televised leaders' debates to go ahead but was keen Northern Ireland parties should be included and the showdowns should not "take the life out of" the election campaign.

:: Sky looks at the 150 seats that could play a deciding role in May's General Election. Click here for the link to the In The Margins console.

Meanwhile, Labour is outlining its 10-year plan for the National Health Service, which includes a pledge to improve the care that terminally ill, frail and elderly people receive at home.

Video: The Changing Face Of UK Politics

The announcement of 5,000 new "homecare workers" is part of a wider policy to invest an extra £2.5bn in the NHS, with a view to recruiting 20,000 more nurses and 8,000 additional GPs.

In a speech later this morning Ed Miliband will say: He will claim: "One of the country's most precious institutions faces its most perilous moments in a generation. The future of our NHS is at stake in this general election."

Speaking on Sky News, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said Labour was not thinking about cutting deals with the SNP to form a coalition in the event the party did not secure a majority.

"My focus is on winning a majority for Labour," he said.

Video: The Politics Of Your Weekly Shop

He added that he was not putting his energy into "deal-making" but into making sure the coalition cuts and privatisation in the NHS did not continue.

"The NHS matters more to me than anything and I think it's in a very dangerous position today," he added.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Economy Slows - But Growth Hits 7-Year High

The UK economy grew at its fastest rate for seven years in 2014, but official figures highlight a sharper slowdown in the final quarter than had been expected.

With the economy growing by 2.6% in 2014, Britain is on track to have the world's fastest growing major economy last year.

But gross domestic product (GDP) rose by just 0.5% in the fourth quarter, the weakest level in a year.

It was weighed down by a construction sector which shrunk 1.8% - its worst pace for more than two years - and a contraction of almost 3% in energy supply, as warm weather persisted and power generation was hit.

The performance meant that annual growth for 2014 fell short of the 3% forecast just last month by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

But GDP is now 3.4% higher than its pre-recession peak, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The services sector, which represents more than three-quarters of output, grew by 0.8% as consumers spent more in the run-up to Christmas as wage growth outpaced inflation amid a supermarket price war.

The economy is the main battleground going into the General Election, which is now 100 days away, and the ONS said it was unable to say whether the weaker output in Q4 was a worrying sign for the Chancellor.

ONS chief economist Joe Grice said: "The dominant services sector remains buoyant while the contraction has taken place in industries like construction, mining and energy supply, which can be erratic."

George Osborne said: "Today's figures confirm that the recovery is on track and our plan is protecting Britain from the economic storm, with the fastest growth of any major economy in 2014.

"But the international climate is getting worse, and with 100 days to go until the election now is not the time to abandon that plan and return Britain to economic chaos."

Economists see the recovery being supported in the coming months by low inflation - aided particularly by falling oil costs - and the fact that the Bank of England is unlikely to raise the base rate of interest this year.

Much depends though on the health of the world economy, with the country's biggest trading partner, the eurozone, not due to begin its quantitative easing programme to stimulate activity until March.

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said: "Tory claims that the economy is fixed will ring hollow with working people who are still not feeling the recovery.

"Wages are down by £1,600 a year since 2010 and now these figures show a concerning slowdown in economic growth too.

"Construction is down again, business investment under this government is lagging behind our competitors and exports are way off target.

"And the stagnating wages we have seen over the last five years are the reason why the Chancellor has broken his promise to balance the books."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

NHS Vaccine Delay 'Needlessly' Killing Babies

By Siobhan Robbins, West of England Correspondent

Children are dying needlessly because of a delay in rolling out the meningitis B vaccine in the UK, a campaign group has claimed.

The vaccination was given its EU licence two years ago in 2013, but Meningitis Now says the delay in offering the immunisation to every baby on the NHS is putting lives at risk.

Figures obtained by the campaign group suggest 24 UK children under the age of one could have died from the disease since the vaccine was approved in 2013. Since that time there have been 1,130 cases of the infection.

Meningitis Now founder Steve Dayman said: "Too many of our children are needlessly dying or left disabled due to lethargic bureaucracy."

Since 2013 there have been 1,130 UK cases of the disease

Caroline Williams, from South East Wales, lost her one-year-old son Caden to meningitis B. He died a year after the immunisation had received EU approval.

Ms Williams told Sky News the Government was risking other children's lives by not adding the jab to the NHS baby immunisation programme.

Video: Meningitis Awareness

She said: "The amount of children that could be saved with this vaccine is unbelievable. I know meningitis doesn't just affect babies but it could be saving children's lives and they're still negotiating over price, they're putting a price on children's lives."

The meningitis B vaccine is available on the NHS for groups at increased risk of invasive meningococcal infection, such as children without a spleen, and can be bought privately.

The Department of Health told Sky News the number of cases of the disease has dropped over the last decade.

Video: Brave Tommy Can Still Smile

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "We are very clear that we want to see this vaccine introduced as soon as possible to help protect children from this devastating disease.

"The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended that a MenB vaccine be introduced, but only at a cost-effective price - below the price published by Novartis.

"We need to make sure NHS funds are used effectively and negotiations are continuing."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

More Snow And Wintry Showers Set To Hit UK

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Wintry Weather On The Way

Forecasters are predicting heavy snow to fall across parts of Britain in the coming days, prompting a warning about travel disruption.

Wintry showers are forecast for England's North, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday.

Up to 5cm of snow is expected in low-lying areas and forecasters say higher ground could see in excess of 10cm.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for people to be aware of possible travel disruption.

Strong gusty winds are also expected and visibility may be reduced.

1/23

1. Gallery: White Winter: Snow Falls On England

   A car that crashed into a house in Sheffield in the snow. Pic @VentureResi

]]>

Snow covered trees on the Baitings Reservoir, near Ripponden, as the cold snap continues

]]>

Sheep cross a bridge under Baitings Reservoir dam

]]>

]]>

A statement by the Met Office's chief forecaster read: "An active cold front is expected to push south-east across the UK during Wednesday introducing an increasingly cold and unstable air mass.

"Showers will become frequent and heavy, increasingly falling as snow in the north and west, and driven well inland by strong to gale force north-westerly winds.

"Accumulating snow is likely, especially overnight."

Paul Knightley, UK forecast manager at weather services company MeteoGroup, said strong winds will bring colder air.

"Accompanying this fresh to strong wind will be numerous wintry showers, falling as hail, sleet and snow.

"Although these are possible almost anywhere from Wednesday afternoon onwards, the higher ground of western and northern Britain and Northern Ireland is most likely to see significant snowfall."

Last week, snow and freezing conditions gripped parts of northern England, the Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

The coldest temperature of the winter so far at -11.2C was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland on January 18.

It beat the previous record low of -9C, which was set on December 27 in Cromdale, Moray, also in Scotland.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: Greece's Syriza Forms Anti-Bailout Coalition
2. Harrowing Stories From Rape Capital Of World
3. 'Historic' Blizzard To Slam US Northeast
4. Hoax Caller Was Drunk And On Drugs - Report
5. Double Murder Suspect Found Dead In Prison Cell

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Wintry Weather On The Way

Forecasters are predicting heavy snow to fall across parts of Britain in the coming days, prompting a warning about travel disruption.

Wintry showers are forecast for England's North, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday.

Up to 5cm of snow is expected in low-lying areas and forecasters say higher ground could see in excess of 10cm.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for people to be aware of possible travel disruption.

Strong gusty winds are also expected and visibility may be reduced.

1/23

1. Gallery: White Winter: Snow Falls On England

   A car that crashed into a house in Sheffield in the snow. Pic @VentureResi

]]>

Snow covered trees on the Baitings Reservoir, near Ripponden, as the cold snap continues

]]>

Sheep cross a bridge under Baitings Reservoir dam

]]>

]]>

A statement by the Met Office's chief forecaster read: "An active cold front is expected to push south-east across the UK during Wednesday introducing an increasingly cold and unstable air mass.

"Showers will become frequent and heavy, increasingly falling as snow in the north and west, and driven well inland by strong to gale force north-westerly winds.

"Accumulating snow is likely, especially overnight."

Paul Knightley, UK forecast manager at weather services company MeteoGroup, said strong winds will bring colder air.

"Accompanying this fresh to strong wind will be numerous wintry showers, falling as hail, sleet and snow.

"Although these are possible almost anywhere from Wednesday afternoon onwards, the higher ground of western and northern Britain and Northern Ireland is most likely to see significant snowfall."

Last week, snow and freezing conditions gripped parts of northern England, the Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

The coldest temperature of the winter so far at -11.2C was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland on January 18.

It beat the previous record low of -9C, which was set on December 27 in Cromdale, Moray, also in Scotland.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: Greece's Syriza Forms Anti-Bailout Coalition
2. Harrowing Stories From Rape Capital Of World
3. 'Historic' Blizzard To Slam US Northeast
4. Hoax Caller Was Drunk And On Drugs - Report
5. Double Murder Suspect Found Dead In Prison Cell

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Double Murder Suspect Found Dead In Prison Cell

A man accused of killing two pensioners has been found dead in his prison cell while on trial for the murders.

Leo Barnes, from Balsall Heath, Birmingham, was standing trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court accused of killing Cynthia Beamond, 80, and Philip Silverstone, 67.

Ms Beamond's family said their lives were painful and empty after her death

Barnes was due to be cross-examined on Friday but had complained of feeling ill.

He was found hanging in his cell at HMP Hewell in Redditch on Sunday morning.

Giving evidence in his defence on Thursday, Barnes told jurors he witnessed assaults on his alleged victims, but denied attacking Mrs Beamond with a saucepan and killing 67-year-old Mr Silverstone with a jack from a hire car.

The 33-year-old said they had died at the hands of an intruder and a Polish man who went "absolutely wild" after a sexual encounter.

The self-confessed cocaine dealer insisted that Mrs Beamond, whom he knew from childhood, was still alive when he left her house before driving to Mr Silverstone's flat in London the next day.

The victim's daughter said the family and her mother had been denied justice.

Beverley Hadley said: "We are devastated as a family that the man we believe is responsible for the brutal murder of my beloved Mum is not going to face justice for this horrendous crime.

"On Friday 27 June 2014 my life changed forever when my Mum and best friend went missing.

"Without Mum, every day of our lives is painful and empty.

"Every day I wake up thinking about her and believing that this whole nightmare is just a dream, but then the realisation hits me over and over again."

Police said an investigation will be held into Barnes' death but it is not regarded as suspicious.

Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield, who led the murder inquiry, said: "I am shocked to hear about the death of Leo Barnes, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Hewell by prison staff."

A Prison Service spokesman said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hoax Caller Was Drunk And On Drugs - Report

Security procedures are under review after hoax calls were made to GCHQ, during which a number for the eavesdropping agency's boss was disclosed, and to Downing Street, which connected the caller to David Cameron.

The Prime Minister ended the call when it became clear it was a prank, and Downing Street said no sensitive information was disclosed.

A review into the breach is under way at both Number 10 and GCHQ, where a mobile phone number for director Robert Hannigan was revealed to the caller.

A Government spokesman said: "Following two hoax calls to Government departments today, a notice has gone out to all departments to be on the alert for such calls.

The GCHQ headquarters in Cheltenham

"In the first instance, a call was made to GCHQ which resulted in the disclosure of a mobile phone number for the director.

"The mobile phone number provided is never used for calls involving classified information.

Video: 1998: When Penk Punked Tony Blair

"In the second instance, a hoax caller claiming to be the GCHQ director was connected to the Prime Minister.

"Both GCHQ and Number 10 take security seriously and both are currently reviewing procedures following these hoax calls to ensure that the Government learns any lessons from this incident."

It is not known if the same person was behind both hoaxes, but a man claiming responsibility for the call to GCHQ described his actions to The Sun newspaper.

He claimed he was high on drink and drugs at the time and said the situation was "hilarious".

"I've just made complete monkeys out of GCHQ. I've got the mobile number of the director," he told the paper.

"What's more, I am off my face on booze and cocaine."

He added: "I'm definitely going to do it again. It was so easy."

The paper reported that the man telephoned Mr Hannigan claiming to be an ITN journalist, but said the director was suspicious and ended the call.

The mobile phone number for Mr Hannigan is understood to be for an unclassified phone, rather than one of the secure lines used for sensitive communications.

The call to Mr Cameron was made to an official mobile, but the conversation was understood to have been "quite brief".

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Arrested Over Missing Woman In Dorset

Police have arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of murder following the disappearance of a woman in Dorset.

Dorset Police say they hold "grave concerns" for 25-year-old Samantha Henderson, who was reported missing on Thursday.

The man from the village of Corfe Castle in Wareham is currently being questioned by police.

Investigations are continuing, including a forensic examination of Ms Henderson's home.

"Sadly, our concerns for Samantha are so grave that we have arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of her murder," said Detective Inspector Neil Devoto.

"However, we do not know at this time her whereabouts.

"Officers have been carrying extensive enquiries in the area and... further searches have been made near to where Samantha was last seen.

"Our investigations are focused on establishing exactly what has happened to Samantha between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.

"I would ask anyone who has seen or heard from Samantha since Wednesday afternoon to contact us.

"We strongly believe that Samantha may have come to harm and I would like to hear from anyone who we haven't spoken to already and who may have information that could assist us."

Ms Henderson is described as white, five foot three inches tall, with a slim build and blonde hair.

She was last seen wearing a grey jumper, blue jeans and slippers.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Army Review: Senior Officers Set To Be Axed

The number of senior Army officers could be axed under plans to streamline the military's top brass.

Up to one third of the Army's 500 colonels and 200 brigadiers and generals are set to be axed, The Times newspaper reports.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed an Army Command Review will be carried out as part of the Army 2020 reforms.

The plans by the Army's head General Sir Nick Carter are set to be implemented from April.

"The Army Command Review is the next step in the development of Army 2020," an Army spokeswoman said.

"It builds on the delegated model that Defence has implemented as a result of Lord Levene's report on defence reforms.

"It will ensure that the Army's command structure and its staff are best placed to meet future challenges in an agile, imaginative and effective manner."

Reforms have already been confirmed for the number of regular soldiers to be slashed to 82,000 and the number of reservists to be boosted to 30,000.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More