Freddie Flintoff Wins First Heavyweight Fight

Flintoff Swaps Lord's For The Ring

Updated: 12:46pm UK, Saturday 01 December 2012

By Charlie Thomas, Sports Presenter

What to do when you hang up the boots? It's the perennial dilemma for the professional sportsman. And the answer these days comes in a variety of forms.

You might choose to replace the discipline of training by going into coaching, or management.

Miss the dressing room banter? You could head for the studio and take up punditry.

There's always the celebrity circuit of dancing in sequined suits or eating bugs in Australian jungles.

And if you're a cricketer you might well think about becoming a correspondent, as Mike Atherton and Derek Pringle have done with notable success.

Few, though, plunge feet first into a completely different sport, which was what made Freddie Flintoff's desire to take up boxing so compelling.

Would he fall flat on his face or would he reveal skills hitherto hidden? In other words, was this just reality TV in another guise?

But then Freddie's life has never run according to most normal rules.

Comparisons with that other great England all-rounder Ian Botham followed him throughout his playing career, and Freddie also seems to share Sir Ian's maverick appetite for new experiences.

Where Beefy replaced life on the road with marathon charity walks over the Alps or the length of Britain, Freddie chose to raise money for Sport Relief by breaking various unlikely world records, like the farthest distance to score a bullseye and popping the most party poppers in a minute.

To his credit, Flintoff appears to have thrown himself into his latest sporting incarnation with complete professionalism.

Few expected him to win last night; most, especially his wife Rachel and trainer Barry McGuigan, were simply hoping he didn't get badly hurt.

But while there was scant evidence that Freddie had missed his calling by becoming a cricketer rather than a boxer, Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch told Sky News he was impressed by Flintoff's fitness and dedication.

The irony is that Freddie is probably fitter now than at any time during his professional cricketing career.

Had he shown such dedication to the gym in his younger years it's probable that he wouldn't have suffered the weight-related injuries that cut short his playing days.

But then again, he wouldn't have been Freddie Flintoff then would he?

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Leveson: 50,000 Sign Hacked Off Petition

An online petition demanding the Government act on Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations in full has attracted 50,000 supporters in less than 24 hours.

Support for the petition launched by Hacked Off, the group campaigning for victims of phone hacking, has doubled overnight.

It comes as the Culture Secretary warned newspaper editors not to drag their feet in acting on Lord Justice Leveson's calls for setting up a new press watchdog.

Maria Miller will meet the newspaper industry's most powerful editors next week to push for urgent action.

Lord Hunt of Wirral, the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, who will also attend, told The Times he wanted a speedy industry resolution to help persuade the public and MPs that laws were not needed to underpin the new independent regulator.

Paul Dacre has acknowledged that swift action is needed

"There's an awful lot we can agree on and I have suggested to the industry (that we) all read the report, digest it and seek out the common ground and unite with one voice," he said.

Ms Miller's warning will come the day before editors on the Code of Practice Committee, chaired by Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, meet to decide how to tackle the Leveson recommendations.

Mr Dacre said: "Lord Justice Leveson has set us a number of challenges: our task is to address them as urgently as possible."

It comes as reports emerged that Foreign Secretary William Hague warned Cabinet colleagues earlier this week that a "Leveson law" would undermine the UK's ability to address freedom of speech issues globally, particularly on cases such as the jailing of punk band Pussy Riot in Russia.

A Government source told The Daily Telegraph: "It was a very serious presentation. He warned that Britain demonstrating that we have a free press is part of our ability to say we believe in democracy."

Best-selling novelist JK Rowling at the inquiry last November

But David Cameron is under intense pressure to drop his opposition to a law backing up the new watchdog the press has been tasked with devising.

The Prime Minister is facing a backlash from victims of media intrusion over his resistance to legislation.

Author JK Rowling has said that she felt "duped and angry" by Mr Cameron's hesitance to "cross the Rubicon" and introduce a press law.

The Harry Potter author, who gave evidence about press intrusion into her family's privacy to the inquiry, said: "If the Prime Minister did not wish to change the regulatory system even to the moderate, balanced and proportionate extent proposed by Lord Leveson, I am at a loss to understand why so much public money has been spent and why so many people have been asked to relive extremely painful episodes on the stand in front of millions."

The most high-profile victims of phone hacking refused to meet the Culture Secretary on Friday, saying they felt let down by Mr Cameron's response.

Gerry McCann said it was time for politicians to 'do the right thing'

Despite the boycott, Ms Miller has met the leaders of the Hacked Off campaign and described the talks as frank.

Madeleine McCann's father Gerry said giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry would have been "almost useless" if the proposals were not implemented in full, and urged the Prime Minister to "do the right thing".

London bombing hero Paul Dadge, a victim of phone hacking, said he was very disappointed with Mr Cameron's stance and called on him to back the public rather than the press.

Christopher Jefferies, the landlord wrongly arrested for the murder of Joanna Yeates, warned it would be a "disaster" if the recommendation on legislation was ignored, and said he would feel "let down" by Mr Cameron.

Lord Justice Leveson condemned the "culture of reckless and outrageous journalism" that dominated sections of the press for decades as he unveiled the findings of his 16-month inquiry on Thursday.

The Appeal Court judge called for a new watchdog with statutory underpinning to be given the power to require prominent apologies and impose fines of as much as £1m.

Mr Cameron immediately voiced "serious concerns and misgivings" about legislative action, and said the press should be given a "limited period of time" to show it could get its own house in order.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "Many of the victims of sections of the press will be feeling utterly betrayed by David Cameron."

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Hector Camacho: Funeral Held In New York

A funeral is being held in New York for former world champion boxer Hector "Macho" Camacho as police in Puerto Rico continue to investigate his fatal shooting.

The ceremony took place on Saturday morning at St Cecilia's Catholic Church in Manhattan's Spanish Harlem, the neighbourhood where the flamboyant boxer grew up.

A carriage drawn by white horses carried his body through the neighbourhood to a public wake at the church on Friday night.

Camacho celebrates beating Sugar Ray Leonard in 1997

Camacho, 50, was fatally wounded in a shooting on November 20.

In the 1980s, he won titles in three weight classes and had memorable bouts with Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and Sugar Ray Leonard.

But after his career peaked, he was plagued by drug, alcohol and other problems.

In 2007 he was sentenced to seven years in prison for the burglary of a computer store in Mississippi. While arresting him on the burglary charge in January 2005, police also found the drug ecstasy.

A judge eventually suspended all but one year of the sentence and gave Camacho probation, but he ended up serving two weeks in jail after violating that probation.

Camacho will be buried after the service at St Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx.

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Sub-Zero Weather Hits Britain As Snow Falls

A dusting of snow has fallen across parts of the UK, with more predicted over the weekend as many areas are gripped by sub-zero temperatures.

The frosty conditions are in contrast to the torrential rain and windy weather that played havoc in some parts of the Midlands and in North Wales at the start of the week.

Around 1cm of snow has settled in parts of northern England and Scotland, including Cumbria, Teesside and County Durham, while 2.5cm has covered the Pennines and the Southern Uplands.

In the midlands, southern England and Wales temperatures are below freezing, and as low as -5C in some areas.

The frosty weather is expected to last for the next few days, with more snow predicted in the north and Scotland tomorrow night.

The freezing temperatures have brought with them a risk of ice, following the recent heavy rainfall.

Temperatures have dropped across the country

The Met Office issued a low-level warning of severe weather, affecting much of the UK for the morning.

It said: "Due to the recent wet weather there is an increased risk of icy patches, even on roads that have been treated with salt, where water run off/seepage may wash off any earlier salt treatment.

"The public should be aware of the risk of ice on roads and pavements."

Patroller Andy Smith warned the weekend would be "winter's first serious test for drivers and their cars".

"Ice is the real concern, as it's been so wet recently, and it's very hard to distinguish between a puddle on the road and treacherous black ice," he said.

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The snowfall in pockets of the UK has prompted a flurry of bets on a white Christmas - a gamble that typically peaks in mid-December.

"We've only opened one flap on the advent calendar and we're already inundated with money for a UK-wide white Christmas," said Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes.

Latest odds show Edinburgh is 5/2 for a white Christmas, ahead of London and Manchester, both 3/1.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said it would be sunny for most on Saturday.

"Snow showers will continue to run into northern and eastern Scotland, and may occasionally run into North Sea coasts," she said.

"Top temperatures will reach 5 or 6C. In western parts, cloud will increase and temperatures will rise as rain spreads off the Atlantic.

"Progress will be slow, however, and it will be Sunday before that rain makes much impact on mainland UK, by which time, there is the risk of seeing some snow on the leading edge.

"For the bulk of the country, there will be a fine end to the day followed by a cold and frosty night, and a bright start to Sunday morning."

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Magician's Head Set On Fire In TV Prank

A US magician has been seriously injured after a TV host set his head on fire live on television.

Wayne Houchin was appearing on a show in the Dominican Republic when, in an apparently unscripted prank, its host dropped flammable liquid on his head, setting him alight.

Houchin's own crew, who were at the show, rushed to save him and put out the flames - but not before he had suffered burns to his head, face, neck and right hand.

Houchin tried to extinguish flames after his head is set alight

The illusionist, who hosts Breaking Magic on the Discovery Channel, was rushed to hospital where he says he is "in pain" but recovering.

Houchin, who was in the country promoting his Curiosidades show, wrote on Facebook after the incident: "I was not aware he was going to do this. This was not a stunt or part of an act - this was a criminal attack.

"The fast actions of the rest of our Curiosidades team saved my life. The fire was put out and I was rushed to the emergency room.

"I have bad burns on my head, face, neck and right hand. I am in pain, but am recovering. I will update you on the situation when I can."

He drops to the floor as his crews put out the flames

He has continued to report on his progress on Twitter and in one of his more recent posts wrote: "The doctors are cautiously optimistic that I will fully recover with no scars."

He has extended his stay in the Dominican Republic following the incident on Monday so he can remain in hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

The host used a liquid called Aqua De Florida to set Houchin alight.

It is a flammable cologne popular in Latin countries, which is also used as a sacred cleaning spray by shamans and witch doctors in the Caribbean.

Houchin immediately after the incident

Houchin has received hundreds of comments from well-wishers, including from fellow magician David Copperfield who wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts are with you and your family. Best wishes on a swift and complete recovery."

Once described as "a cross between a con man and a street magician", Houchin first came to prominence in 1999 at the age of 16 when he escaped from a straitjacket hanging 50ft above a busy road.

In 2010 he "stopped time" for the Dominican Republic in a live televised illusion.

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Floods: £120m Extra Cash For Defences

The Government has announced £120m of new funding for flood defences which it says will improve protection for up to 60,000 homes.

It comes amid clean-up operations across the UK in the aftermath of the recent flooding which devastated communities in the South West, Midlands, Wales and North East.

Ministers said £60m will be targeted at areas where improving defences against flooding could unlock investment and growth in the area, and the rest will go to speed up delivery of up to 50 schemes already in the pipeline.

They believe the money, which will be delivered between next year and 2015, will not only boost defences, but also provide £1bn in economic benefits.

Potential projects which could benefit from the funding include Leeds, where the riverside area is regularly threatened by floods and defences could protect 250 businesses, employing more than 100,000 people, and more than 3,100 homes.

Residents of Old Malton begin to deal with the aftermath of the floods

The money is in addition to the £2bn being spent on flooding and coastal erosion this spending period up to 2015 - half of which is for capital projects such as flood defences.

Earler this week, the Prime Minister hinted a cash boost may be on the way. Defending the Government's spending plans on flood defences, David Cameron told the Commons: "We believe by spending the money better and by leveraging from private and other sectors we can increase that level of flood defence spending.

"The spending that is already under way will protect an additional 145,000 homes between now and 2015, but if we can go further, of course we should."

But ministers have faced criticism that they have cut flood defence spending at a time when their own advisers say hundreds of millions of pounds more cash is needed to help the UK cope with greater risk of flooding as the climate changes.

This summer, government climate advisers said flood defence spending is 12% below levels in the last spending review period, with a gap opening up of £860m between money pledged for 2011/15 and what is needed to maintain protection.

James Brindley sweeps muddy sediment out of the Swan Pub in St Asaph

Earlier this week, a report by Wildlife and Countryside Link, which includes 38 charities, warned not enough money was being spent on flood defences and said ministers were failing to prevent unnecessary building in areas at high risk of flooding.

Figures released by the Environment Agency showed some 1,600 properties were flooded during the recent bout of bad weather, while flood defences had protected more than 54,000 homes.

Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh said: "This year's floods have shown how short-sighted the Government was to cut investment in flood defences by £95m a year, leaving homes and businesses unprotected.

"Flooding is the biggest threat the UK faces from climate change, yet even after today's mini U-turn the Government will still be spending less on flood defences next year than in 2008.

"Every £1 invested in flood defences saves £8 later and provides much needed construction work.

"What a shame ministers have wasted two years looking for shovel ready infrastructure projects while 294 flood schemes have been postponed or cancelled."

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Weather: Snow On The Way As Britain Shivers

A light dusting of snow is expected to fall across parts of the country tonight with up to 4cm forecast to fall in some areas.

Upland areas such as the Pennines, the North Yorkshire Moors and north east Scotland, could be blanketed in white by tomorrow.

Temperatures are expected to plummet to a freezing -5C tonight leaving icy conditions on the roads which are expected to last until Sunday afternoon.

The Met Office has issued a Level 3 severe weather alert, triggered when social and healthcare services are required to target specific assistance to high-risk groups such as the vulnerable and elderly.

Sky's weather forecaster, Chris England, said: "A band of showers spreading from north-west Scotland to north Wales and the north Midlands overnight will bring a centimetre or two of snow to the mountains, and perhaps a light dusting to lower levels of northern England later as temperatures fall to freezing and below.

"There's a small chance of some snow across central England and Wales for a time tomorrow morning, especially over the highest ground, but most places, if they get wet at all, will see rain.

"Icy surfaces forming where the showers leave the ground wet will be a bigger problem tonight and early tomorrow".

On Sunday, a rain-band spreading from the west will bring a spell of snow to northern hills, and perhaps to some lower levels for a time, but the snow won't amount to a great deal away from the Scottish peaks  and will mostly turn to rain quite rapidly.

The wintry weather is in contrast to the torrential rain and floods have caused havoc in some parts of the Midlands and in North Wales.

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Ex-BBC Radio Presenter Denies Sex Offences

A former BBC presenter has "strenuously denied" sexual offences against children, claiming that his links to the corporation attracted undue attention.

Michael Souter, 59, of Loddon, Norfolk, has been charged with 18 offences relating to boys, one offence against a man and one against a woman.

The charges relate to six different boys and two adults and include serious sexual offences and indecent assault which allegedly took place in Norfolk between 1979 and 1999.

The earlier charges overlap with Souter's career at the BBC in the 1980s, during which he helped launch Radio Norfolk including a stint presenting the breakfast show.

Speaking after his first appearance at Norwich Magistrates' Court, Souter said: "I am well aware this case is a stressful experience for almost everybody concerned, not just me.

"Irrespective of innocence or guilt, people have judged me before one word has been given in evidence in a court of law.

"Many people wonder how much coverage would have been given both in the UK and around the world if the letters 'BBC' had not formed part of my CV.

"The support of my friends and family, during what has been an extremely difficult period, has been overwhelming and humbling and I cannot thank them enough.

"I look forward to being able to prove my innocence and put this awful episode behind me."

Souter did not enter a plea during the 10-minute hearing.

District Judge Peter Veits ordered that Souter appear at Norwich Crown Court on December 14.

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Lindsay Lohan Arrested Over Nightclub Assault

Actress Lindsay Lohan has been arrested after she allegedly hit a woman during an argument at a New York nightclub.

The Mean Girls and Freaky Friday star was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning and has been charged with third-degree assault.

She got into a spat with the woman at Club Avenue, in Manhattan's Chelsea area, before she struck the woman in the face with her hand, police said. The victim did not require medical attention.

Lohan's publicist did not immediately comment.

The arrest is Lohan's latest brush with police in New York City.

She was involved in a NYPD investigation in September after alleging a man had assaulted her in a New York hotel, but charges against the man were later dropped.

Also in September, the actress was accused of clipping a man with her car outside another Manhattan nightclub, but prosecutors chose not to move ahead with charges.

In October, police were called to her childhood home on Long Island after a report of a fight between her and her mother. An investigation revealed "no criminality".

The actress was also involved in a car accident in California this summer that sent her and an assistant to a hospital, but did not result in serious injuries for anyone. The accident remains under investigation.

In May, she was cleared of allegations that she struck a Hollywood nightclub manager with her car.

Lohan remains on informal probation for taking a necklace from a jewellery store without permission last year. Under its terms she does not have to check in with a judge or probation officer but could face a prison term if arrested again.

Her latest film, Liz & Dick, in which she portrays screen icon Elizabeth Taylor, premiered on Sunday.

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New York Good Cop's Boots Gift Is Web Hit

On a cold night in early November a New York policeman came across a homeless man with nothing on his feet - and bought him a pair of boots.

The moment of kindness would have gone quietly unnoticed had it not been snapped by a passing tourist who then posted the photograph to the NYPD's Facebook page.

It has since been viewed almost two million times and attracted more than 20,000 comments. 

The hero officer was later named as Lawrence DePrimo, who told the New York Times: "It was freezing out and you could see the blisters on the man's feet. I had two pairs of socks and I was still cold."

He found out the unidentified man's shoe size, went into a nearby store and emerged moments later with a pair of all-weather boots worth $100 (£62). The store gave him a discount of $25 (£15).

The officer helped the man put the boots on and watched him go on his way.

Mr DePrimo has kept the receipt in his jacket since then "to remind me that sometimes people have it worse".

The photograph was taken by Jennifer Foster, who works in an Arizona sheriff's office.

"I have been in law enforcement for 17 years. I was never so impressed in my life," she wrote on the social networking page.

"It is important, I think, for all of us to remember the real reason we are in this line of work."

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Teen Toyboy Jailed For Killing Lover's Son

The teenage lover of a former Army medic has been jailed for five years for killing her three-year-old son.

Cameron Rose, who was 16 at the time, swung the child by his leg and his head smashed into a wall, while the boy's mother, Sadie Henry, was out on the school run with her other son.

When paramedics arrived at Miss Henry's home in Erith, Kent, Rhys Lawrie's face was so swollen they were unable to open his eyes to shine a light into the pupils. He was also found to have suffered a broken leg.

It was the second time in a week that Rose had attacked Rhys, who suffered from epilepsy so badly it left him barely able to walk.

Just four days before the killing in January last year, he had hit the boy hard enough to cause a brain injury but the boy was discharged from hospital.

Miss Henry, 28, lied to police, paramedics and hospital staff about the attacks because she was trying to hide her relationship with her schoolboy lover.

Rose, who was attending a school for emotionally disturbed children when he began the affair, was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Rhys Lawrie suffered from epilepsy

Sentencing him, The Recorder of London, Judge Peter Beaumont, told him: "Rhys died a dreadful, violent death at your hands and that must not be forgotten."

The couple had met at a bonfire party but they kept their relationship quiet and although Rose spent every weekend at Miss Henry's home he told his parents he was staying with friends.

The court had heard how she continued her relationship with Rose in secret after Rhys' death despite having been told that she must not have anything to do with him.

Miss Henry broke off the affair when Rose was arrested for murder in September 2011. She was cautioned for trying to cover up the relationship.

She told the court: "I felt guilty because my three-year-old son died and the person I cared about saw him die.

"I thought he died from natural causes. I thought I should have been there."

Rose, who had previously been found guilty of arson and had been cautioned twice for damaging his home, claimed the injuries were accidental and that the boy had suffered a fit.

He grinned as he came into court and gave a thumbs-up sign to the Recorder of London. The teenager has been kept in solitary confinement at Feltham Young Offenders' Centre after other inmates learned about the killing.

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PM: No Need For New Law On Press Regulation

David Cameron has rejected the need for new laws on press regulation after Lord Justice Leveson made the case for radical reform.

The Prime Minister broadly welcomed the principles of the judge's 2,000-page report, in which he condemned the "outrageous" actions of newspapers.

But he cast doubt on his central recommendation that a new system of press self-regulation needed to be supported by statute in order to command public confidence.

"I have some serious concerns and misgivings about this recommendation. For the first time, we would have crossed the Rubicon, writing elements of press regulation into the law of the land," Mr Cameron said.

"We should, I believe, be wary of any legislation which has the potential to infringe free speech and a free press.

"In this House, which has been a bulwark of democracy for centuries, we should think very, very carefully before crossing this line."

David Cameron responding to the report in the Commons

His Commons statement came shortly after the judge outlined his proposals for an overhaul of press regulation in the wake of the phone hacking scandal.

It sets the stage for a bitter political battle, with Labour leader Ed Miliband immediately insisting there should be "no more last chance saloons" and backing the report in full.

In an extraordinary move, Nick Clegg will deliver his own statement shortly after he and Mr Cameron failed to agree on a joint Government response.

Lord Justice Leveson plans would see the Press Complaints Commission replaced with a new, independent self-regulatory body overseen by media watchdog Ofcom.

Newspapers would be liable for fines of up to £1m if they break the rules. They would be expected to sign up voluntarily, with "convincing incentives" to persuade them.

Bob and Sally Dowler arriving to read the report

The new regulator should be governed by an independent board appointed without any influence from industry or government and run under the oversight of media watchdog Ofcom.

But any involvement of Ofcom will mean new legislation, a move fiercely opposed by the press and many politicians amid fears of restrictions on free speech.

The findings come 16 months after Lord Justice Leveson was asked to investigate the press and after months of evidence from celebrities, politicians, media figures and the police.

Mr Cameron set up the probe following national outrage at revelations that the News Of The World hired a private detective to hack murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone.

Lord Justice Leveson said he had overseen the most concentrated look at the British press ever which had laid bare how it had repeatedly flouted its own rules.

He stressed that his aim was not to restrict the freedom of the press but declared: "There must be change."

"There have been too many times when, chasing the story, parts of the press have acted as if its own code, which it wrote, simply did not exist," he said.

"This has caused real hardship, and on occasion, wreaked havoc with the lives of innocent people whose rights and liberties have been disdained.

"This is not just the famous but ordinary members of the public, caught up in events (many of them truly tragic) far larger than they could cope with but made much, much worse by press behaviour that, at times, can only be described as outrageous."

Kate McCann at the QEII centre

The judge dismissed the idea that events such as the hacking scandal at the News Of The World were "aberrations that do not reflect the culture, practices or ethics of the press as a whole".

He also criticised editors for failing to be embarrassed at the level of intrusion and highlighted the use of covert surveillance, "blagging" and deception.

"There has been a recklessness in prioritising sensational stories, almost irrespective of the harm that the stories may cause and the rights of those who would be affected," he said.

Celebrities were treated as "fair game" and newspapers adopted a "significant and reckless disregard for accuracy", he added.

He concluded that politicians of all parties had developed "too close a relationship with the press in a way which has not been in the public interest".

He noted that Mr Cameron went to "great lengths" to woo Rupert Murdoch's News International newspaper empire before the last general election.

He did dismiss the idea there had been any deal of newspaper support in return of policy favours but said the link created a "public perception" problem.

However, he found there had been no bias by former culture secretary Jeremy Hunt over the bid by News Corp to take over BSkyB.

The judge exonerated the Metropolitan Police, which has faced criticism for its original investigation into phone hacking in 2006.

He concluded police had made poor decisions that were poorly executed but said the force's integrity was not challenged.

Protesters dressed as David Cameron and Rupert Murdoch

The Prime Minister and his deputy held talks this morning to try to hammer out a joint coalition response but they eventually decided to respond separately.

This is an early blow to Mr Cameron after he vowed to try and seek a cross-party consensus on a new regulatory system.

The report says it is essential that the new regulatory system is supported in law, but stresses that this is different to statutory regulation of the press.

In a stark warning, he warned that Ofcom could be used as a "backstop" regulator if the industry refused to cooperate with his system.

He expressed hope that a cross-party consensus on his recommendations could be achieved but the publication of his report sets the stage for a bitter, potentially long-winded political battle.

MPs on all sides are divided about how to proceed, with many insisting that any form of law governing the press would be a step too far.

Key figures who took part in the inquiry, which has cost the taxpayer up to £6m, gathered at the QEII centre in London today to read the report in advance of its official publication.

They included Bob and Sally Dowler, Kate McCann, actor Hugh Grant, former F1 boss Max Mosley and ex-deputy prime minister John Prescott.

The Hacked Off campaign group, in an initial statement, warned against any attempts to kick the issue into the long grass.

"These proposals are reasonable and proportionate and we call on all parties to get together to implement them as soon as possible. The press must be given a deadline, the inquiry is over, now is the time for action," it said.

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Flood Warnings Remain As River Levels Stabilise

Residents of flood-ravaged towns across England and Wales are continuing to battle high water levels as a week of torrential rainfall works its way through river systems.

At 2.15pm, a total of 146 flood warnings and 151 alerts remained in place despite the rain easing.

The Environment Agency said areas around slow-responding rivers including the Thames, Trent and Severn were a particular concern, but had now  reached their peak.

An EA spokesman said: "After several days of heavy rain, the ground is saturated and floodwater from small watercourses continues to flow into larger rivers like the Thames.

"The Environment Agency is carefully monitoring the levels in these rivers and will issue flood warnings if necessary."

An RNLI life boat rescues residents in the flooded streets of St Asaph

It has lifted two severe flood warnings - meaning a potential danger to life - for the River Elwy in the cathedral city of St Asaph and the A55 to Rhuddlan in North Wales.

St Asaph remains severely flooded after the River Elwy reached a record high of 14ft 3in (4.35 metres) and burst through flood defences - making it more than 3ft (1 metre) deeper than its previous record of 11ft 4in (3.47 metres) in November 2009.

Hundreds of people spent the night away from their homes.

Insurance assessor David Flatley told Sky News there had been "significant" damage caused by the flooding in St Asaph.

A pedestrian pushes his bike through flood water in Tewkesbury

"It is not just clean water, it is from the river so there are contaminants - there's mud and oil that has run off from the roads," he said.

"People often don't appreciate that things like their kitchens have got to be ripped out, the skirtings have got to be ripped out.

"So as well as the drying out process, which can takes four to six weeks, there is the ripping out before the reinstatement ... in reality it may be more like four or five months before the majority of these people are back in their homes."

Four people have died since the latest bout of wet weather struck and around 900 people in England and Wales have fled their waterlogged homes after heavy rain left many properties uninhabitable.

At Prime Minister's Questions, David Cameron praised the emergency services and "good neighbours" who had helped tackle the flooding.

Flood waters in Oxford

He also defended Government spending plans on flood defences, saying: "The Government is planning to spend over £2bn over the next four years.

"That is 6% less than over the previous four years, but we believe by spending the money better and by leveraging from private and other sectors we can increase that level of flood defence spending.

"The spending that is already under way will protect an additional 145,000 homes between now and 2015, but if we can go further, of course we should."

Thousands of motorists and train services are subject to hold-ups and reduced services in the West Country and the North East.

The River Ouse in York peaked at 4.5 metres, flooding city centre businesses. The Environment Agency said while it does not expect the flood-prone river to rise any further today, it will remain high.

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Gas Blast: Man Admits Two-Year-Old's Killing

A man has admitted the manslaughter of a two-year-old boy killed in a gas explosion at his home.

Jamie Heaton died while watching TV when the blast levelled several homes in Buckley Street, Shaw, in Oldham.

Andrew Partington, an unemployed father of six, admitted causing the explosion when he let his house fill with gas overnight.

The 27-year-old suffered 40% burns and a broken back in the blast and pleaded guilty via videolink from prison during a hearing at Manchester Crown Court.

Three houses were "obliterated" in the explosion

The explosion in June "obliterated" Partington's rented terrace house and two neighbouring homes, with the rest of the row and surrounding streets also left devastated.

Neighbours found Jamie's body as they searched the debris of his wrecked home.

The boy's parents sat in the public gallery holding hands for the brief hearing.

They were flanked by police officers and other members of their family, who wiped away tears as the defendant admitted his guilt.

As well as manslaughter, Partington pleaded guilty to eight charges of destroying neighbouring houses. He was remanded in custody until February 11 when he will be sentenced.

Judge Gilbart also ordered a psychological assessment of Partington before he is sentenced, to assess his dangerousness.

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Louis Walsh Wins £403,500 Over Sun Sex Slur

Louis Walsh has won a 500,000 euro (£403,500) settlement from The Sun after the newspaper carried false sex assault allegations.

The X Factor judge sued the paper after it published a story that was based on a false allegation that he sexually assaulted a man in a Dublin nightspot after a Westlife concert.

The newspaper admitted the claim made by unemployed dance teacher Leonard Watters was false and apologised to Walsh accepting that the "alleged assault did not occur in the first place".

Speaking outside court following the out-of-court settlement, Walsh said he would not have wished what happened to him on his worst enemy.

He said: "I'm very relieved. This has had a terrible effect on me guys. It was all lies.

"And I'm very satisfied with this total vindication for me, but I remain very angry at the treatment I received at the hands of The Sun."

Eoin McCullough, senior counsel for News Group Newspapers, read an apology to Walsh at the High Court in Dublin.

It said: "The Sun unreservedly apologies to Louis Walsh for any distress caused to him as a result of our article."

Louis Walsh lines up with his fellow X Factor judges

The Sun published an article in its editions on June 23, 2011, with the headline "Louis Probed Over 'Sex Attack' on Man in Loo" in which it was wrongly claimed Walsh has groped Watters at the celebrity nightclub Krystle following a Westlife concert in April 2011.

When the official complaint was made, The Sun and the Irish Sun printed the story before Walsh was questioned under caution. He denied the accusations against him.

Watters was subsequently jailed for six months for making the false allegations.

The newspaper accepted that the accusation was false but initially denied defamation, saying it had acted fairly as the story was based on police inquiries into the allegation.

Walsh's lawyer, Paul Tweed, said that a great deal of damage had been done to his client because of the online spread of the story and added that it was something he hoped Lord Leveson would address in his report on media standards.

The case was settled before the President of the High Court in Ireland, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns.

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Runaway Emu Captured By Police In Barnstaple

An escaped emu has been captured by police after it was spotted running through a town and trying to enter people's homes.

Two officers found the 4ft-tall bird "in a state of panic" after they were called out by concerned residents in Barnstaple, North Devon.

Acting Sergeant Zoe Parnell said the emu was "running up and down the street, trying to get into people's houses" before it was caught.

She said: "When we first had the call from the public, I thought it was a bit of a wind-up.

"But when I arrived at the scene to check it out, I could see this bird in the street. It was trying to get into people's houses.

"Obviously it was finding that difficult, and would try the next one. I must admit that while I'm not normally scared of birds, I was a bit nervous with this one."

Officers said the 4ft bird was in a 'panicked' state

The bird was later caught by PCSO Stephen Huxtable, who picked up the fugitive and put it in the back of a police car.

He said: "It's a bit of a state in the back of the car now - there's mud, feathers and a few other things...

"This (catching a wild bird) is not the sort of thing we get taught during training, so I was a little unsure of how best to deal with this.

"I asked one woman if she would mind taking the bird into her lounge to catch it, and understandably she was a little reluctant to do that.

"I've been in the police force for seven years now, and I must say this is one of the most bizarre incidents I have ever been called to.

"I'd only been back in the office for a few minutes and already a few of my colleagues started cracking jokes about me 'feeling peckish'."

The emu has been handed to Diana Lewis, who runs an "animal ambulance" service in north Devon, and will later be reunited with its owner, police said.

The emu is native to Australia, and was propelled into popular culture in Britain in the 1970s by entertainer Rod Hull, whose routine included an aggressive, mute emu puppet.

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Man Who Raped Girl, Four, Jailed Indefinitely

A 21-year-old man has been jailed indefinitely after admitting he raped a girl aged four.

Liam Ineson, of Lancaster, subjected his victim to a six-month "campaign of abuse", police said, targeting her on a number of occasions earlier this year.

He was given an indeterminate sentence after pleading guilty to rape and sexual activity with a child.

Ineson, of Ryelands Road, will serve nearly six years before his sentence is reviewed.

Detective sergeant Simon Coates, of Lancaster police, said: "Ineson preyed on a young girl and then tried to make her keep the abuse a secret.

"He is a dangerous individual and the indeterminate sentence means he should not be released from prison until experts are satisfied that he no longer poses a threat to our community."

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Nadine Dorries Has To Wait For Whip Ruling

Nadine Dorries has been put on probation by the Tories after returning from her stint in I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!

The Mid-Bedfordshire MP has been warned her suspension from the party will not be lifted until she can prove she has built bridges with her constituents and fellow MPs.

Ms Dorries expressed confidence that she would soon be back on the Tory benches - but party sources made clear she is "very much in limbo".

The MP was suspended when it emerged she was heading to the jungle in Australia to participate in the ITV reality show, despite Parliament being in session.

She insisted it was an opportunity to reach out and connect with the public but was the first contestant to be kicked off the programme.

Ms Dorries hears she is the first celebrity to be booted off (Pic: ITV)

The MP was summoned to meet with Tory Chief Whip Sir George Young on Tuesday morning after flying back to the UK to face the music.

After the meeting, a spokesman for Sir George said: "The whip has not been restored and nor will it be until she proves that she can rebuild bridges with her constituents, her association and her parliamentary colleagues."

However, a cheerful Ms Dorries insisted: "I think we will be fine" and described the talks as "very good-natured" and "very happy".

"We have adjourned the meeting and we are reconvening this time next week, if not before," she added.

The MP after her first bushtucker trial (Pic: ITV)

She also stressed that she wanted to stay in Parliament.

"Of course I want to be an MP. An MP is not doing a job, it is a life choice. If I didn't want to make that life choice, I wouldn't be doing it, I can assure you," she said.

The outspoken backbencher claimed she still had a "huge amount of support" in her constituency and had returned to more than 700 emails which were "very complimentary".

She denied that she was trying to cultivate an alternative career in television, saying that she had been trying to find new ways of engaging with the public.

"I have gone to a place where 12 million people go and engaged with them at their level," she said.

"I don't want a television career. I do want a platform which engages with the public on a different level from that which Westminster offers."

The MP also claimed that she still did not know how much she was being paid by ITV for her appearance on the show, amid reports of a £40,000 fee.

Ms Dorries has been fighting ever since she emerged from the jungle, arguing that former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell had given her permission to take time off.

Mr Mitchell told Sky News that he had not given her the go-ahead to be away in November and that the first he knew of it was when publicity around the show began.

Ms Dorries claims that she has only missed three sitting days in Parliament, with the rest falling over half-term.

On Monday night, she described the furore as "slightly hysterical" and said the show had done wonders for her profile, calling herself the "best-known MP in Britain".

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Bill Tarmey Funeral: Corrie Says Goodbye

Coronation Street stars have gathered in Manchester to pay their respects to the actor Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth in the long-running soap.

Tarmey, 71, became one of TV's most recognisable faces as the long-suffering husband to nagging battleaxe Vera, played by Liz Dawn.

The ceremony at the Albion United Reformed Church in Ashton-under-Lyne was attended by a host of the actor's former co-stars including Julie Goodyear, William Roache and Kevin Kennedy.

Moving readings and tributes were given by his granddaughter, grandson and Coronation Street co-stars Nigel Pivaro, who plays his son Terry and Samia Ghadie , who plays Maria O'Connor.

Ghadie described Bill as "devoted to his family" and said he had been a "surrogate father" to her during her first months on the soap.

"He was genuinely one of the most decent and honourable men you could ever wish to meet, " she said.

"Jack and Vera were a truly unforgettable and formidable partnership, and I doubt we'll ever see that again. They were simply iconic and Jack Duckworth will forever be a true Coronation Street legend.

Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn in character

"On behalf of everyone who works at Coronation Street and has worked on the programme during its 52 years, and the loyal viewers who have followed the programme throughout these years - Bill, we salute you."

Tarmey worked as a singer in local nightclubs before landing his role on the Street in 1979.

During the funeral service a recording of his track The Wind Beneath My Wings was played whilst a montage charting his career and life was screened throughout the church, leaving much of the congregation in tears.

Tarmey was one of the show's best-loved actors and it was his chemistry and rapport with his on-screen wife that provided some of the most memorable and funny moments in the soap.

Speaking during the ceremony Pivaro questioned why Jack Duckworth was beloved by millions across the world.

He was "a workshy ne'er do well, a layabout and they were just his good points", he said.

Tarmey and Dawn in one of their final scenes together

But the actor added "there is a bit of Jack Duckworth in all of us men, frustration and thwarted ambition, you know the rest".

He continued: "Behind the character was the man. Bill's huge generosity of spirit, his warmth, his wit, his patience, his wisdom."

The service was relayed on loudspeakers for several hundred fans of the show who gathered outside.

The former builder was married to his childhood sweetheart Alison for 50 years and they had two children Carl and Sara.

A life-long smoker, Bill suffered with persistent heart problems, but it was the ill health of his son that forced him to quit the soap in 2010 to help care for him, whilst he battled a brain tumour.

The actor died earlier this month while at his holiday home in Tenerife.

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Flood Water Levels Rise: Hundreds Flee Homes

Rain-battered Britain is struggling to cope with rising flood levels after further heavy rain brought misery to thousands of residents and motorists across the UK.

Householders have already evacuated over 900 properties after deluges left many properties uninhabitable and caused road and rail chaos.

Hundreds of people were urged to flee their homes after the River Elwy reached record levels and surged through flood defences into the beleaguered city of St Asaph in North Wales.

The torrential downpours spread overnight from the South West to North Wales and northern England, leading to the Environment Agency issuing about 180 flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts across the UK.

Residents in St Asaph say they do not remember the area flooding so badly since the 1960s. Some have used canoes to salvage as many possessions as they could carry.

Tina Bailey and her family are rescued in Maisemore, Gloucestershire

Police have said the body of an elderly woman has been recovered from a flooded property in the town, though there are no suspicious circumstances and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

Resident Vincent Jones was asked to leave his home in the early hours of the morning. He said: "I had a knock at 12.30am to say there was an imminent flood, and then at 4.30am we were told to leave.

"When I left, within an hour the water had engulfed us. I put some personal possessions upstairs and made sure we took the children to safety. My sister-in-law on the other side of St Asaph has taken the kids in.

"I'm absolutely devastated. I don't have insurance. It doesn't bear thinking about at the minute. My kids are safe, we'll just have to plod on and sort it out one way or another."

The Environment Agency says that flood defences in St Asaph which were designed to cope with up to 4m (13ft) of water, appear to be holding.

Hotel owner Charlie Ryan and his dog leave their home in St Asaph

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has expressed sympathy with residents but said most of the flood defences around the UK had held up well.

"We offer our sympathies to all those affected. I did see that our flood schemes in the South West are protecting properties. Six thousand key properties were protected in Exeter despite a torrent of water. Fifteen thousand properties in the country are being protected.

"We're spending £2.17bn on flood defences over this spending round. We've opened up new arrangement partnerships with local councils and these flood schemes provide real benefits.

"It's bitterly disappointing and awful for residences who feel safe behind defences which then fail. I can't comment on what's happened in St Asaph because I need to get the details of what's happened there.

"The vast majority of the schemes we've built are designed to withstand floods except under extraordinary circumstances."

Firemen filled sandbags to deliver to residents in North Wales

But Mr Paterson added that the current system for insuring people against floods is flawed, after claims that hundreds of thousands of homes could be left without flood cover due to a row between ministers and the insurance industry over how future flooding bills would be covered.

He also criticised the way insurance companies have raised the issue.

"We're trying to come up with an improved system that gives affordable and universal insurance which isn't a huge burden on the taxpayer.

"We've been involved in detailed negotiations with the Association of British Insurers (ABI), but it was unhelpful of them to throw this into the mix yesterday when people were still struggling to recover from the flooding."

The ABI had claimed that talks about a "safety net" deal to ensure those in flood-risk areas can continue to afford their policies were at "crisis point".

Graeme Trudgill from the British Insurance Brokers' Association said the solution could lie in insurers themselves being insured.

Residents of St Asaph wade to safety

"The insurance brokers we represent want to find a solution. It's a question of getting government and insurers to find the right balance.

"Flood mapping technology is so advanced now we can tell which properties are at risk of flooding and we can insure 98% of the properties in the UK. It's the top 200,000 properties that are very high risk.

"Specialist brokers can insure most of them but it's a case of those properties working with their broker and agreeing to things like air-brick covers on their homes so they're prepared if the worst happens.

"We're looking at a re-insurance solution to provide insurance for the insurance companies. We're confident that next year there will be some broker solutions in place.

Flood levels are continuing to rise in the worst hit areas across the UK despite the forecast of drier spells.

Sky's weather presenter Isobel Lang, said: "Drier weather is on the way. That is definitely welcome news after the exceptional rain of the last few days. However the flood risk will not go away.

A resident collects her belongings in Willington, central England

"Some slow responding rivers such as the Severn, Trent and Thames will continue to rise over the next day or two leading to local flooding problems.

"Areas with high ground water could still experience flooding, and Dorset is a county at risk. There is still a risk of river or surface water flooding across northeast England, north Wales and Northamptonshire, too".

Across the UK, three people have died in the flooding and around 900 homes have been evacuated following a weekend of almost non-stop rain.

There is still a risk of flooding, as the heavy rain in northern England and Wales moves southwards. But the wind and rain are expected to ease over the next few days which are expected to be drier, with freezing temperatures taking hold of the UK instead.

The EA remains particularly concerned about the River Thames, Trent and the Severn, as well as the Northamptonshire area.

The A417 at Maisemore has already flooded and is closed, while the River Severn at Tewkesbury is expected to peak at 4.8m - a metre less than its peak in 2007.

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Winter Weather: Sub-Zero Temperatures Forecast

Winter weather is set to bite later this week with sub-zero temperatures predicted.

Heavy rain will give way to ice, frost and bitterly cold northerly winds from Tuesday onwards.

Temperatures could plummet to as low as -6C in some places, with highs of just 4C.

Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "The weather is set to change dramatically this week as the area of low pressure bringing today's heavy rain slips away southeastwards drawing in cold northerly winds.

"Conditions look a good deal drier from Tuesday onwards, and much of south-west England, the Midlands and Wales could remain dry for the remainder of the week.

"On the flip side, it will feel considerably colder with brisk northerly winds and much lower night and daytime temperatures. Expect sharp frosts and the risk of icy stretches.

"Some showers are still likely to feed in on the winds, but these should mainly affect North Sea coastal counties where they may bring some snow to the North Yorkshire Moors or Cheviots along with higher ground in eastern Scotland."

The cold snap follows a weekend of heavy rain and strong wind, leaving three people dead and forcing hundreds from their homes.

The heavy rain will continue to deluge parts of the South West today, but North Wales and the North East is expected to bear the brunt of the wet weather.

There are nearly 300 flood warnings and 300 flood alerts in place across the country.

Prime Minister David Cameron he promised to ensure "everything is being done to help".

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Weather: Northern England Braced For Flooding

North East England and North Wales are braced for flooding after the band of heavy rain that swamped southern England moved north.

There are just over 200 flood warnings in place across the country and nearly 300 less serious flood alerts, following a weekend of almost non-stop pouring rain left at least 800 homes swamped with water.

Parts of South West England were particularly badly hit, now people in the North East and North Wales are preparing for possible flooding.

A soldier carries a sandbag in Catterick, North Yorkshire

In North Yorkshire, residents of Richmondshire are being offered emergency sandbags to protect their homes from floodwater.

On the outskirts of Darlington, County Durham, the River Skerne was reported to have burst its banks, while pumps are being used to keep parts of the A66 open in the area.

Southbound trains on the East Coast Mainline are experiencing delays of between 20 and 30 minutes due to flooding at Darlington

Residents load sandbags onto a trolley elsewhere in the town

Days of rain and strong winds have left three people dead, forced hundreds from their homes and brought chaos to the roads.

Prime Minister David Cameron vowed he would "ensure everything is being done to help".

Parts of Devon and Cornwall are among the worst hit areas so far - but hundreds of other areas have also been affected, with the South and the Midlands getting badly hit.

A man rows through a car park in Keynsham, Somerset

Thousands of motorists have had to be rescued from water-logged roads over the past few days.

The dramatic moment that David Dunn rescued a pensioner from his car was caught on camera.

The elderly man had driven into deep flood water in Keynsham, Somerset, on Sunday, and his vehicle began floating down a swollen river.

A homeless woman died after being crushed by a tree in Exeter

Mr Dunn and his son Cameron drove their vehicle into the water and pulled him through the car's window. The pensioner was wet and shaken but otherwise unhurt.

Rainfall is estimated to be around 15mm across the spine of Britain today, less than the 30mm of rain in parts of the West Country, but meteorologists said it would offer little respite to homeowners keen to begin cleaning up.

Some reports have suggested that homeowners in flood-prone areas are at risk of losing insurance cover unless the Government steps in to help the industry.

A car is partially submerged in standing water in Ruishton, Somerset

Mr Cameron wrote on Twitter: "Shocking scenes of flooding in Cornwall and around the country. Govt will help ensure everything is being done to help."

A 21-year-old woman was killed in Western Way, Exeter, after becoming trapped under a fallen tree which injured two others.

Inspector Andrew Webber of Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News that the dead woman had been living in a small tent sheltered against a wall at the roadside.

Homes are left flooded on Cheats Road in Ruishton

"It was a very large oak tree that had been there for ... many years. Obviously we've had lots of heavy weather, it's been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down."

Her death follows that of a man on Thursday, who died when his car became wedged under a bridge near a ford in Rectory Fields, Chew Stoke, Somerset.

A 50-year-old man, named as Kevin Wilkinson, also died after falling into a canal in Watford on Saturday.

Hay bales stand in flood water in fields surrounding the Glastonbury Tor

Both the RAC and AA breakdown services reported surges in flood-related call-outs as roads and highways across the country have been closed due to perilous standing water.

But that has not deterred many motorists from taking their chances.

In Warwickshire three people became stranded on the roof of a four-wheel drive after deciding to go off-road driving.

Flood water blocking the A361 near Taunton, Somerset

Police issued a post on Twitter to say the men had been shouting abuse at those who tried to come to their aid. They were eventually rescued by boat.

National Rail said the severe weather is disrupting services around the country.

Nearly 71,000 properties have been told they could be at risk, according to the Environment Agency.

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New Bank Of England Governor Revealed

Mark Carney has been named as the new Bank of England governor, who will replace outgoing head Sir Mervyn King.

The role of the governor is the most important unelected position in Britain, and is chosen by the Government.

Mr Carney, a Canadian national, will take up his role on June 30 next year.

He was appointed governor of the Bank of Canada in early 2008, for a term of seven years.

According to Bloomberg, Mr Carney said he did not formally apply for the role - indicating he was headhunted by Britain for the job.

Sky's Economic Editor Ed Conway said: "This is a real surprise for the City.

"He will serve a five-year term rather than the eight-year term originally advertised.

"We don't know the future of current deputy governor Paul Tucker, who has been heading towards this role all his career."

Mr Carney was born in Fort Smith, in Canada's Northwest Territories, and received a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University in 1988.

He received a master's degree in economics in 1993 and a doctorate in economics in 1995, both from Oxford University.

A father-of-four, his wife is a British national and his children all hold dual nationality.

Announcing the choice to the House of Commons, Mr Osborne said he would apply for British citizenship.

Prior to joining the Canadian civil service, Mr Carney had a 13-year career with investment bank Goldman Sachs in its London, Tokyo, New York and Toronto.

Mr Carney was appointed deputy governor of the Bank of Canada in August, 2003.

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Breivik: Video Of Killer Parking Van Bomb

CCTV footage of Anders Behring Breivik parking his van and walking off before a massive bomb inside exploded has been shown publicly for the first time.

The security camera video from July 2011 also contains pictures of the significant damage caused by the device which weighed nearly a ton and killed eight people, as well as injuring dozens of others.

Norwegian mass killer Breivik, wearing a security guard's uniform, is seen parking his white van next to a building that housed the prime minister's offices. The PM was not there at the time.

Breivik gets out of the vehicle in the capital Oslo and briskly walks away.

He then got into a second vehicle, a grey Fiat van, which he used to drive to the nearby island of Utoya where he gunned down 69 people, mostly teens, at a Labour Party youth camp.

Footage shows damage to the area after the Oslo bombing

Photographs of Breivik parking the van had previously been released and footage was shown during his trial earlier this year, but this was the first time the video was released publicly.

It is part of a documentary that Norway's public broadcaster NRK will air on Tuesday evening.

The programme also features comments by the security guard on duty that day.

Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in prison

On August 24 this year, Breivik was declared sane and sentenced to Norway's maximum sentence of 21 years in prison - a sentence that can be extended indefinitely if he is deemed a continued threat to society.

Breivik confessed to the attacks, calling them "cruel but necessary" to protect his country from the multiculturalism his victims embraced and which he hates.

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Hatton Retires Again After Losing Fight

Ricky Hatton's fairytale return to the ring ended in defeat after he was knocked out by a ninth-round body shot from fellow former champion Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Hatton, 34, was back in the ring for the first time since a devastating second-round knockout by Manny Pacquiao in 2009.

The Mancunian started aggressively without landing anything of note, until a left hook and short right connected.

But as the fight went on the Ukrainian landed several power shots which did seem to take their toll in the eighth as his momentum built.

Then Hatton was floored in the ninth by a left to the body which sent him crashing to the floor.

The crowd urged their hero to rise but he was simply in too much agony as referee Victor Loughlin stopped the fight with eight seconds left in the round.

Hatton was hoping to prove something to himself, his critics and his demons after seeing his life fall to pieces since the Pacquiao loss.

Hatton waves goodbye after his brief return to the ring

He had decided not to warm up against a soft touch and instead opted to fight against credible opposition in the form of former WBA champion Senchenko.

After the fight an emotional Hatton said he was retiring from boxing for a second time.

"I needed one more fight to see if I had still got it - and I haven't. I found out tonight it isn't there no more. I can look at myself in the mirror and tell myself I did my best, but there is always an excuse to find.

"I got in the best shape I possibly could but if I hadn't been hit with that body shot I would have just scraped over the line with a points win and I honestly think I would still be telling you all the same thing.

"A fighter knows and I know it isn't there any more. I got the opportunity and I got the answers and, no matter how upsetting it is, I have got to be a man and say it is the end of Ricky Hatton."

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Flood Scenes 'Shocking' Says David Cameron

David Cameron has said the scenes of flooding around the country are "shocking" and pledged help for all those affected.

The Prime Minister took to Twitter to voice his concern about the pictures of devastation coming from the South West as Britain braces for more bad weather to come.

He tweeted: "Shocking scenes of flooding in Cornwall and around the country. Govt will help ensure everything is being done to help."

It comes after a 21-year-old was killed when she became trapped under a fallen tree in Exeter on Saturday night. Two men were also injured.

Inspector Andrew Webber of Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News that the dead woman had been living in a small tent sheltered against a wall at the roadside.

"It was a very large oak tree that had been there for ... many years. Obviously we've had lots of heavy weather, it's been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down," he said.

The site of a fallen tree in Exeter, where a 21-year-old woman died

Rescue services in the West Midlands have appealed for drivers of 4x4s to stop taking unnecessary risks. They say a remarkable number of their call-outs have been to people in four-wheel drive vehicles.

Nathan Hudson, of West Midland Ambulance Service, said: "Perhaps surprisingly, we have had to deal with a remarkable number of stuck 4x4s. Just because your vehicle has four wheel drive, does not make it amphibious. They too can become stuck in deep floodwater.

"We would urge people to not try and get across flood water and instead take a short detour, rather than become trapped in their cars and have to be rescued."

The warning follows a report from Warwickshire Police that three people who had decided to go off-road driving in the bad weather had become stranded and were stuck on the roof of their vehicle shouting abuse at rescue teams.

The Environment Agency has currently got one severe flood warnings, which means serious threats to life and property, in the South West in place.

Cars stranded in floodwaters outside homes in Malmesbury, Wiltshire

There are 223 flood warnings in place across the country, mainly in the South West and the Midlands, and 273 less serious flood alerts.

Emergency services were called to rescue people from their homes in the historic town of Malmesbury, in Wiltshire, where waters were 3ft deep in places due to flooding from the River Avon.

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "It's been building up there for a few days and has flooded now in the area down by the river.

"Streets and houses have been flooded and we've rescued four people from two properties, three people from one house and a chap with asthma from another."

In Cambridgeshire, a 70-year-old man died after his car plunged into a river near Earith on Saturday night, however, the police said it was not a weather-related accident.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Police said: "This particular accident could have happened at any time of year."

British team kayaker Sam Anderson takes to the water in Exeter

In Devon 60 people were evacuated from 12 locations because of safety concerns, while in Cornwall 80 properties had been hit by flooding.

Emergency teams have been working to shore up defences, deploy temporary barriers, monitor river levels, clear blockages from watercourses and pump-out flood water from towns.

Richard Benyon, the Environment Minister, said: "We recognise that while somewhere over 400 homes have been flooded, we have actually managed to protect over 24,000 homes by recently constructed flood defences, and so that is, if you like, the silver lining to this cloud."

In Exeter a member of the British kayaking team, Sam Anderson, took advantage of the white waters generated by the floods and took to the River Exe in his kayak.

He told Sky News that he would not encourage others to do the same thing but that he had been kayaking for 10 years and was wearing safety equipment, including a helmet.

He said: "It's really powerful the current. You just cannot go against it you have to go with it because it is really strong and it's really deep as well."

Flooding in Newlyn, Cornwall (Pic: Adam Gibbard)

The rest of Britain is also bracing itself for more flooding and travel disruption, with forecasters predicting further heavy downpours.

Jo Wheeler, Sky News Weather Presenter, said: "The low pressure system that brought flooding rain across the country last night, will slowly clear north-eastwards through the day. 

"The heaviest hit areas of Devon and Cornwall received over two inches of rain in some places.  But the heaviest rain has now moved north, and there'll be a period of some hours before further wet weather is likely.

"Meanwhile, the storm system has taken the wettest weather into central , eastern and northern parts of England. 

"And the strongest winds are to the south and east of the system, with gale force gusts for eastern England, East Anglia and the south-east.  These blustery conditions will also abate as the low pressure system clears away into the North Sea."

Network Rail said trains were likely to be suspended between Exeter and Bristol until Monday. Landslips at Honiton and Dawlish have led to the cancellation of a number of train services.

In North Yorkshire flooding has caused the closure of major roads including the A66, between the A1 and A67.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted: "Please take care when travelling in North Yorkshire. There is lots of standing water on many roads. Reduce your speed."

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Spurs Attack: No Attempted Murder Charges

Two men who were accused of attempted murder following an attack on a Spurs fan in Rome have appeared in court on lesser charges.

Ashley Mills, a Tottenham Hotspur fan who was in Rome to watch the team play Lazio, suffered serious injuries to his skull and thigh when violence broke out in one of the city's bars.

The 25-year-old builder had been drinking with his brother in The Drunken Ship pub before the match when 50 masked assailants stormed in.

Two men, who were initially charged with attempted murder following the attack last week, have now appeared in court.

Lorenzo Contucci, a lawyer for one of the men, said the attempted murder charges had been dropped, but the men instead face charges of aggravated wounding with a weapon.

Mr Contucci explained the judge said the violence in the pub had not been racially motivated, but it was a "football-related crime".

The two men are understood to be supporters of Lazio's cross-town rivals, AS Roma.

The attack left seven people injured, including an American and a Bangladeshi, and the pub in tatters, with its windows broken, and chairs and tables overturned.

Police named other injured British fans as Dave Lesley, Stephen Tierney and Christopher Allen.

The group of attackers covered their faces with motorbike helmets and scarves and were armed with knives, baseball bats and knuckle dusters when they stormed The Drunken Ship pub late on Wednesday night, according to police.

The pub in Rome following the attack

Mr Mills remains in hospital in Rome. The 25-year-old builder from Brentwood, Essex, has spoken of the attack, and said: "There was a good atmosphere in the bar. Everyone from back home having a few drinks, we were having fun. And then the atmosphere changed really quickly.

"I was standing outside the bar drinking, and the next thing I know there are loads of them. It happened very quickly, I don't remember much. I remember being pulled out, along the ground, after I had been stabbed.

"I am not scared now, I was scared at the time."

Mr Mills received head wounds when he was beaten and a knife wound to the top of his right thigh, causing prolonged bleeding from his femoral artery.

The next thing he remembers is waking up at Rome's San Camillo hospital, where his groin wound, considered life-threatening by doctors, was operated on, while his head wound was treated with stitches.

A statement issued by the hospital said Mr Mills remained in a serious condition and would be kept under observation "for a few days".

He has been cheered up by three friends who have travelled to Rome to see him.

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Boris Johnson Seeks To Boost Trade With India

By Alex Rossi, India Correspondent

The London Mayor, Boris Johnson, has arrived in India for a six-day trip to promote closer business ties between the English capital and the fast-growing nation.

Brand "Great Britain" is very much in the limelight at the moment following the Olympics and the Jubilee, and Mr Johnson is hoping to capitalise on that success.

British politicians from all sides of the divide believe increasing trade on the sub-continent makes sense at a time of austerity.

On paper, India is a very exciting proposition at a time when growth in the UK is anaemic at best.

It is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, recording an average growth of about 8% a year over the last decade.

Speaking from Delhi on the opening day of his tour, Mr Johnson told Sky News: "There have got to be opportunities for us in London to work with the Indians and see what we can do to add our expertise.

"Yes, it is true, that Delhi, particularly Mumbai, are growing fast in financial services - but that is good for London, because we have got great expertise in that area. We are here to champion the greatest city on earth.

"We have got to make sure that we are never complacent and that we continue to sell our wares across the world.

"We are in competition now with cities around the world that will want to attract this kind of business. I have a delegation with me here representing all sorts of sectors - retail, builders, banking - and they are here to show London's openness to Indian investment."

With a population of more than 1.2 billion, India is a huge potential market.

The nation is also very young - the average age is just 25 - meaning there are plenty of potential consumers.

But despite the attractive figures, there are pitfalls.

Many companies entering the Indian market are often overwhelmed by a chaotic business environment, bloated bureaucracy and corruption.

However, the Confederation of British Industry's adviser in India, Mark Runacres, says there is money to be made with the right business plan.

"Our business backyard in Europe is depressed. America is just beginning to emerge, and there are very few real growth markets - and India is one of them," he said.

Therefore, he added, "for British business at the moment it is a very significant place both for sales of their goods and services and investment".

The London Mayor will be visiting three cities in India - Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai - over the next five days.

As well as promoting London's business assets, Mr Johnson will also try to encourage more Indian students to attend the capital's universities.

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