India: Tear Gas Fired At Gang Rape Protesters

Indian police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters who were demanding justice and safety for women following the brutal gang rape of a student on a bus.

Thousands of demonstrators in New Delhi surged towards the president's palace chanting "we want justice" and carrying banners reading "hang them now".

Clashes between the protesters and riot police erupted when a group tried to break through barricades and some started throwing stones.

The police responded by opening fire on the crowds with gas and water, and using batons to try to control the masses.

It is the sixth day of protests in the wake of the attack on the 23-year-old physiotherapy student and her 28-year-old male companion by six drunk men on a bus.

They took it in turns to rape her and attack her with an iron rod, causing serious intestinal injuries, before throwing her off the bus.

The men claimed it was her punishment for being out in the evening with a man.

The woman is still battling for her life in a New Delhi hospital but her story has sparked massive demonstrations in a country where rape is the fastest rising crime.

There have been six days of protests since the brutal rape of a student

The number of rape cases in New Delhi alone has risen 17% from 2011 to 661 this year, according to government figures.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, spokesman for the main national opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, said New Delhi "is becoming the rape capital" of India.

He urged the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, "to please respond to the deep sense of pain, agony and concern of the young people".

Experts say a combination of abusive sexual behaviour and a scant fear of the law because of the woefully low conviction rate, encourage such attacks in the city, which has a population of 19 million.

The government has appealed for calm and has said it will press for life sentences for the woman's six attackers, pay her medical bills and improve policing.

Junior home minister R.P.N. Singh told India's CNN-IBN television network: "The government is trying to do whatever it can to take measures and make sure that women are safe in the country."

Doctors at the hospital where the woman is being treated said in a statement she is in a critical but stable condition and had been removed from a ventilator.

Five suspects were arrested soon after the attack, which happened on Sunday, and a sixth was taken into custody on Friday.

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British Boy Dies Hiking In Australian Bush

A 14-year-old Scottish boy has reportedly died from heat exhaustion after collapsing during a hike with his father in Western Australia.

Local news reports have quoted police as saying the two were hiking in the Cape Range National Park, south of Exmouth, on Friday when the boy collapsed to the ground.

Police say the father and son were not carrying a great deal of water, according to Australian TV ABC.

Temperatures in the region were well above 40C (104 degrees Fahrenheit) at the time, police said, urging tourists to carry plenty of water when hiking in such conditions.

The boy's father called emergency services, and police located the pair around 700 metres down a gully and not far from a car park, according to the reports.

The boy was treated on the track before being transferred to Exmouth Hospital, where he later died.

The boy's father is a 49-year-old man from Geraldton, in Western Australia's mid-west, the reports said.

A police spokeswoman told The West Australian: "It is a known path and bush track.

"They were not lost. It is not suspicious. It is just a tragic accident."

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Royal Prank Call: CPS To Consider Charges

Lawyers are now deciding whether to bring charges over the prank call to the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was treated.

A nurse working at the King Edward VII Hospital, where the Duchess was suffering from severe morning sickness, killed herself after being duped by the hoax by two Australian radio presenters.

Jacintha Saldanha, 46, transferred the call from the DJs pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles to the ward where the Duchess was being treated. Another nurse gave them details of her condition.

Ms Saldanha, a mother-of-two, was found dead in nurses accommodation just three days later on December 7. She had hanged herself.

Jacintha Saldanha and her husband Ben Barboza

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will now consider whether any potential criminal offences may have been committed, Scotland Yard said.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Following the death of Jacintha Saldanha, officers have liaised with the CPS as to whether any criminal offences had been committed in relation to the hoax call made to King Edward VII Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday December 4.

"On Wednesday December 19, officers submitted a file to the CPS for them to consider whether any potential offences may have been committed by making the hoax call."

About 2,000 people turned out for the funeral of Ms Saldanha earlier this week in the small Indian town of Shirva, near Mangalore, where her husband Ben Barboza was born.

Mr Barboza and the couple's two children, Lisha, 14, and Junal, 16, have said that her death has left them "shattered" and her loss has left an "unfillable void".

Ms Saldanha left three notes, the opening of an inquest into her death has heard. It has been reported that one was critical of the hospital and its treatment of her.

The Australian DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig have had death threats

However, officials at the hospital have insisted that they offered her a great deal of support during the fall-out from the hoax and did not criticise her or discipline her.

In a letter to the MP Keith Vaz, who has been supporting the family, John Lofthouse, the Chief Executive of King Edward VII Hospital, said: "Jacintha was reassured on a number of occasions by senior management that no blame was attached to her actions and that there were no disciplinary issues involved, because she had been the victim of a cruel trick."

Following the death of Ms Saldanha, the two DJ's Mel Greig and Michael Christian and other staff at the radio station 2DayFM received death threats.

As many as a dozen staff were moved to safe houses while executives at the broadcaster were given bodyguards.

Miss Greig and Mr Christian gave a television interview apologising to Ms Saldanha's family and saying they too were shattered.

They said their prank had prompted "a tragic turn of events no-one could have predicted or expected".

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), the parent company of 2Day FM, has ended the DJs' Hot 30 show and suspended prank calls across the company in the wake of Ms Saldanha's death.

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Weather: Floods Bring Christmas Misery

Families preparing for Christmas have been hit by floods and travel chaos as heavy rain batters Britain.

The southwest of England has been particularly badly affected by the downpours and three severe flood warnings - which means there is a danger to life - were issued in Devon and Cornwall.

Conditions are so bad that rail passengers have been told to avoid parts of southwest England and South Wales.

And motorists and shoppers faced difficult conditions on one of the busiest weekends of the year for travel and shopping.

The town of Braunton in north Devon has been effectively cut off, with homes and shops under water, after the River Caen burst its banks.

Liz Spear, chairman of Braunton Parish Council, said a river was running through the centre of the town.

"It's really bad. We had flooding seven years ago but it was nothing like this," she said.

Floods in Helston, Cornwall, led to homes being evacuated

Some residents in Helston, Cornwall, were evacuated overnight after river levels rose and the Environment Agency warned that widespread flooding was "imminent".

There are fears about the River Cober in the town with more rain expected later on Saturday, raising fears some families may not be back home for Christmas.

Cornwall Council spokeswoman Trisha Hewitt said: "There is expected to be 30mm of rainfall during a six hour period from 5pm.

"As this is falling on saturated ground, this could cause further flooding."

The EA has issued 126 flood warnings - where flooding is expected - across the whole of England and Wales, and 338 flood alerts, where flooding is possible.

There was a heightened flood risk across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West and East Sussex, North Yorkshire, South Wales, Ceredigion and Gwynedd.

In Scotland, 17 flood warnings - mostly in Tayside - and 15 flood warnings were issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

The Met Office released amber weather warnings, which mean "be prepared", for heavy rain and strong winds across south-west England, Yorkshire and Humber, Wales, central Scotland and the Grampians until Sunday morning.

Flood-hit streets in York

Heavy rain was forecast to continue across much of the country throughout today as the Christmas getaway continued.

The water has already led to major issues on road and train networks, spelling trouble for Britons travelling this weekend.

The First Great Western train company advised passengers whose travel was not essential to avoid any journeys west of Taunton in Somerset because of flooding and landslips.

Arriva Trains Wales told passengers to avoid any rail travel in South Wales. Both operators were using road vehicles to transport passengers, but efforts were hampered by a lack of vehicles and flooded roads.

Meanwhile, staff shortages and signalling problems caused disruption on London Midland services. Buses replaced trains on some routes, while passengers were warned of possible cancellations at short notice.

Mark Ridge, landlord of The London Inn in Braunton, only moved into the pub seven months ago with his family and had spent £90,000 on renovation work.

"We were hoping this weekend would be our bumper weekend, to carry us through January, February, trade wise, but it's just killed it now," he said.

A man wading through Braunton, Devon

"You just can't put words to it how devastated you are, you work hard all year round and this happens three days before Christmas.

"It's not just the lack of trade and finances coming in, but having to replace everything as well."

Annette Essex, who owns a pet shop in Braunton, said: "Suddenly at 6am the banks of one of the rivers broke and the water came flooding down Caen Street and into the high street and we were under about 3ft of water in our store area.

"It was like a torrent of water. It was quite scary because you could hear the swish of the water and the whole road just turned into a river in the space of about 30-40 minutes."

:: Related Links

:: Travel and weather updates on the Sky News live blog

:: All the latest from Sky News weather

:: The latest Environment Agency warnings

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X Factor Hopeful Who Glassed Man Avoids Jail

An X Factor hopeful who was axed from the show after she glassed her boyfriend has avoided jail.

Lucie Slater, 21, was sentenced to 51 weeks in prison suspended for two years, a two-year supervision order and 120 hours of community service.

Slater, from Ryton, Gateshead, had pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding DJ William Aitken in June.

Lucie Slater was part of a girl band called Quantro

The couple were drinking wine together at his house when she came across a message on Facebook that she did not like, the court heard.

"We were cuddling," Mr Aitken recalled. "Next thing I knew she swung round and hit me with a glass and my face began to pour with blood."

The woman also threw a laptop across the room.

Slater then drove him to hospital, where she first claimed he had fallen down the stairs but later admitted what happened, the court was told.

Slater, a bar promotion worker, was part of girl band Quantro but they were thrown off the ITV talent show when the attack came to light.

'I still love her and I want to know why she did it,' says Mr Aitken

Judge Toby Hedworth said: "Drink played a greater role than is now suggested.

"I also take into account the effect of your actions on Mr Aitken. All that he has ever sought in these proceedings was an acknowledgement of what happened."

Mr Aitken called the assault 'life changing'

Due to his injuries and the time he spent in hospital, Mr Aitken lost his business and modelling career, the court heard.

Mr Aitken said the experience was "life changing" and called the assault "an act of stupidness" that caused a lot of damage.

"I really did not think she was capable of something like that. We are not speaking to each other now," he said.

"I still love her and I want to know why she did it. It's a really sad love story. We did not plan our future like this. Instead of us breaking up, we have been ripped apart."

Slater was initially charged with the more serious offence of wounding with intent but her plea to the lesser charge was accepted by the prosecution.

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School Shooting Petitions: Obama Vows To Act

Barack Obama has acknowledged the outpouring of support for stricter gun laws after last Friday's deadly school shooting in Connecticut.

In a new video, the president responds to the "We the People" public petition section on the White House website. 

Nearly 200,000 people have urged the Obama administration to address gun control in one petition, and others related to gun violence have amassed more than 400,000 signatures.

"In the days since the heartbreaking tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, hundreds of thousands of you, from all 50 states, signed petitions asking us to take serious steps to address the epidemic of gun violence in this country," Mr Obama said.

"We hear you," he reassured the petitioners.

"I will do everything in my power as president to advance these efforts because if there's even one thing we can do as a country to protect our children, we have a responsibility to try."

Mr Obama joined a moment's silence on Friday morning at 9.30am ET (2.30pm GMT) marking exactly one week since the shooting that killed 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook elementary school.

Churches in Newtown and elsewhere rang their bells once for each of the massacre's victims, and many people paused and stood in driving rain to mark the moment.

Protesters take their gun law campaign to the NRA HQ in Washington

The National Rifle Association (NRA), the country's foremost gun lobby, was also planning a news conference on Friday at 11am ET (4pm GMT).

The president has challenged the NRA to "do some self-reflection" and join a broad effort to reduce gun violence.

The organisation said on Tuesday it would offer "meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again".

Mr Obama has begun laying the groundwork for a push to tighten gun laws, address mental health needs and re-examine the glamorisation of guns and violence.

Vice President Joe Biden is leading a working group of administration officials and outside advisers to offer recommendations by January.

The group is considering reinstating a ban on military-style assault weapons, which expired in 2004, closing loopholes that allow gun buyers to avoid background checks and restricting high-capacity magazines.

Gun-control measures have faced strong opposition from politicians in Congress for the past decade but Mr Obama has suggested he intends to make it a key part of his agenda next year.

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Obama To Pick John Kerry As Secretary Of State

President Barack Obama will nominate Massachusetts Senator John Kerry to succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, a senior administration official has said.

Mr Kerry's nomination marks Mr Obama's first move in a sweeping overhaul of his national security team heading into his second term as president.

The Democratic senator is expected to be easily approved for the cabinet post by his longtime congressional colleagues.

Mr Kerry leapt to the front of Mr Obama's list for the State Department job after UN Ambassador Susan Rice withdrew her name from consideration last week.

She faced harsh criticism from congressional Republicans for her initial accounting of the deadly September attack on Americans in Benghazi, Libya.

Mr Obama vigorously defended Ms Rice, a close friend and longtime adviser, but Republican senators dug in, threatening to hold up her nomination if the president tapped her for the post.

The official who disclosed Mr Kerry's nomination requested anonymity because the president has not announced it yet.

Mr Kerry came to prominence during his failed presidential campaign in 2004 against George W Bush.

John Kerry would take over from Hillary Clinton

He now serves as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

But the 69-year-old has long sought the nation's top diplomatic post.

Mr Obama considered him for the job after the 2008 election, before later picking Hillary Clinton in a surprise move.

Since then, Obama has dispatched Mr Kerry around the world to tamp down diplomatic disputes in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He was also part of the president's debate preparations team during the 2012 election, playing the role of Republican challenger Mitt Romney in mock debates.

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Cancer Boy: Mum Loses Radiotherapy Fight

A judge has ruled a seven-year-old boy who has cancer can have radiotherapy treatment against his mother's wishes.

Sally Roberts, 37, has argued radiotherapy will cause her son Neon long-term harm, and she has been locked in a court battle for alternative treatment.

Doctors have said Neon could die within months if he does not get the radiotherapy.

Mr Justice Bodey, who has heard arguments about the pros and cons of radiotherapy at the High Court in London, said radiotherapy treatment could start.

"The mother has been through a terrible time. This sort of thing is every parent's nightmare," said the judge.

"But I am worried that her judgement has gone awry on the question of the seriousness of the threat which Neon faces."

More follows...

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Barack Obama Trapped By Spider-Man's Web

A photo of Barack Obama getting caught in Spider-Man's web outside the Oval Office has been released by the White House.

The playful encounter between the US president and a staff member's child dressed up for Halloween was captured by his official photographer Pete Souza.

Mr Obama raises his hands in mock fear as he pretends he has been trapped by the superhero.

The intimate snap has been seen by thousands of people since it was posted onto the president's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

On Wednesday Mr Obama was named as Time magazine's person of the year for the second time in four years.

The magazine said the US was in the midst of huge cultural and demographic changes and deemed the president to be both the symbol and in some ways a driving force behind that transformation.

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Plebgate: Second Arrest Over Mitchell Row

Key Dates Of The Plebgate Scandal

Updated: 12:34pm UK, Thursday 20 December 2012

The row over Andrew Mitchell's argument with a police officer in Downing Street has resurfaced three months on. Here are the key developments.

:: September 4 - Andrew Mitchell is appointed Chief Whip in David Cameron's first Cabinet reshuffle.

:: September 19 - Mr Mitchell tries to cycle out of the Downing Street main gates but is stopped by a police officer who tells him he must use a side exit.

The officer on duty makes a log of the encounter, claiming that the Chief Whip swore and called police "plebs".

:: September 20 - Deputy Chief Whip John Randall is sent an email apparently from a constituent claiming he and his nephew witnessed the altercation.

It claims passers-by had been shocked and suggests some could have filmed it, as well as repeating the "plebs" allegation.

:: September 21 - The Sun runs a story on the row titled "Cabinet minister: police are plebs".

Mr Mitchell apologises for not "treating the police with the respect they deserve" but denies using the language reported.

David Cameron says he has apologised and allows him to keep his job but the Police Federation insist he has to go.

:: September 24 - Mr Mitchell says sorry on television as the row refuses to die away but his apology is dismissed as lacklustre and calls grow for him to quit.

Labour calls on Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood to launch an investigation but the appeal is rejected.

:: September 25 - The Daily Telegraph publishes the full police log of the row, piling yet more pressure on the senior Tory.

:: October 4 - Mr Mitchell pulls out of the Tory party conference to avoid being a "distraction".

:: October 12 - The Chief Whip meets representatives of the Police Federation at his constituency office in Sutton Coldfield but officers remain dissatisfied.

:: October 17 - Labour leader Ed Miliband declares that Mr Mitchell is "toast" during Prime Minister's Questions and accuses the Tories of "double standards".

:: October 19 - Mr Mitchell meets David Cameron at Chequers and resigns but continues to deny using the word "plebs".

:: December 15 - Officers investigating the leak of the police log arrest a serving police officer with the diplomatic protection squad on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

:: December 18 - Allegations emerge that the officer was behind the email to Mr Randall in September but never actually witnessed the argument.

New CCTV footage which appears to conflict with the official police account is also revealed by Channel 4 News.

Mr Mitchell claims he is the victim of a "stitch-up" and demands a full inquiry. Number 10 calls the allegations "exceptionally serious".

Met Police Chief Bernard Hogan-Howe says nothing he has seen affects the original police account.

:: December 19 - Police widen their probe into the case to include the email allegations and the possibility of a police "conspiracy".

David Cameron calls for the claims that an officer tried to "blacken the name of a Cabinet minister" to be "seriously investigated".

Senior Tory figures brand the latest developments "appalling" and suggestions begin that Mr Mitchell could soon be back on the front bench.

A 23-year-old man is arrested at 8pm by Scotland Yard on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence in relation to the affair.

:: December 20 - The second arrested man is released on bail, to return in January.

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Lostprophets' Shock At Watkins Sex Charges

The bandmates of Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins have said they are in a "state of shock" after his arrest on child sex abuse charges.

The 35-year-old appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, accused of conspiring with a woman to rape a one-year-old girl.

The rock band's frontman was remanded in custody to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on December 31.

The other members of the band put a statement for their fans on their website on Wednesday night.

"Following charges made today against Ian Watkins, we find ourselves in a state of shock. We are learning about the details of the investigation along with you," it read.

"It is a difficult time for us and our families, and we want to thank our fans for their support as we seek answers.

"Jamie, Lee, Luke, Mike and Stu."

Watkins is accused of two counts of conspiring to engage in sexual touching with two young children, possessing, making and distributing indecent images, and possessing "extreme" animal pornography.

The conspiracy charges cover a period between May 1 and December 17, and the indecent images a period between August 12 and December 17.

Watkins was remanded in custody on Wednesday, along with two women, aged 24 and 20, who cannot be named.

The Lostprophets have sold more than 3.5 million albums worldwide with Watkins as their frontman.

A planned tour has been cancelled as a result of the sex allegations.

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Village Evacuation As Flood Alerts Spread

Residents of a Hampshire village have been urged to evacuate their homes as heavy rainfall continues to spread across the UK - with more than 270 flood alerts and warnings in place.

The Environment Agency (EA) said a severe flood warning for Wallington prompted the need for an evacuation notice.

It said: "Wallington Village next to River Wallington will be evacuated imminently by Fareham Borough Council and the emergency services.

Heavy rainfall spread this morning

"This is due to a problem in the flood defence around the village. The river is currently just below the top of the defence and cracks have formed in the wall. The river level is very high and will remain so for some time. The wall has cracks in it and may fail."

In addition to the severe flood warning for Wallington, the EA has issued dozens of flood warnings and over 200 flood alerts for England and Wales.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has also put flood alerts and flood warnings in place for Scotland regions.

The Met Office told Sky News that around 20-30mm of rain is expected to fall today in eastern parts of Northern Ireland. Up to 50mm is expected there on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, the EA is constructing flood defence barriers in Shrewsbury in preparation for flooding from the River Severn.

The EA manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Dave Throup, tweeted: "First phase going up now, Saturday peak is only from today's rain, maybe larger peak Christmas Day depending on future rain."

Flood defences were put up today in the riverside town of Bewdley in Worcestershire, and at Upton-upon-Severn existing flood barriers were being monitored as the river rose steadily.

The EA said the River Wye will also continue to rise, reaching a peak at Ross-on-Wye on Saturday afternoon.

Heavy rain has spread across the UK from the South West, falling on ground already saturated from extended periods of rainfall and flooding last month.

Sky's Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said: "The earlier bands of rain will ease, especially in the South West, but successive bands are due to come on Friday.

"They will be very moist and warm and the expectation is for more heavy downpours."

By early-afternoon the AA said it has attended 224 cars driven through or stuck in floodwater and more than 6,800 breakdowns nationally - 1,100 an hour.

The breakdown service said East Dorset and the New Forest in Hampshire were worst affected and there was heavy breakdown demand in London due to Christmas shoppers.

Officials have warned of dangers from flooding

Darron Burness, the AA's head of special operations, said: "Unfortunately, following this morning, some drivers will be asking Santa for a new car after driving down flooded roads."

The AA expected to attend up to 14,000 call-outs throughout the day, compared with around 9,500 on an average Thursday.

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Lostprophets Singer Facing Child Sex Charges

Lostprophets vocalist Ian Watkins is due to to appear in court charged with child sex offences.

Police said the Welsh rock star - whose hits include Last Train Home - had been arrested as part of a continuing investigation.

A spokesman said: "A Pontypridd man has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates' Court today.

"The 35-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession/distribution of indecent images of children.

"In order to assist their investigation, South Wales Police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets."

Police added that two women, a 20-year-old from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and a 24-year-old from Bedford, had been charged with "similar offences" and are also due to appear in court.

All three have been questioned at Cardiff Bay police station.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Doyle said specially-trained staff were available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding the investigation.

"I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us," he added.

"Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken."

Police are asking anyone with any information concerning the investigation to contact the Operation Globe incident room on 0800 056 0154, or the NSPCC on 0800 389 5347.

Lostprophets have received several Kerrang! Awards and nominations, and have sold around 3.5 million albums worldwide.

Last Train Home and Rooftops were both Top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart, while Last Train Home took the No 1 spot on the Alternative Songs chart.

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Hillsborough: High Court Orders New Inquests

The High Court has quashed the original accidental death verdicts for the Hillsborough victims and ordered new inquests to be held.

The landmark ruling was welcomed by the families of the 96 Liverpool supporters who were killed 23 years ago, and came shortly after the Home Secretary announced a new police investigation into the disaster.

Three months ago, a damning report from the Hillsborough Independent Panel revealed a widespread cover-up by police to put officers in a favourable light and deflect blame for the disaster on to Liverpool fans.

More than 40 families had travelled to London to attend the High Court hearing, and many applauded when the ruling by Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge was announced in the packed courtroom.

Others watched by videolink from Liverpool, where some cried at the news and the mayor called it a "watershed moment".

Lord Judge expressed regret that the families had to go through such a "dispiriting and prolonged" process.

The Attorney General Dominic Grieve said the main basis for his application to have the verdicts quashed was new medical evidence made public in the report by Hillsborough Independent Panel.

The Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989. Pic: David Cannon/Allsport

"It is bitter-sweet. We have known the truth for 23 years," said Michelle Carlile, 44, clutching a photograph of her brother Paul, 19, who died at Hillsborough.

Trevor Hicks, chair of Hillsborough Family Support Group, told reporters outside the courtroom: "Justice is on its way. Everything we've said has been proven to be correct."

The Liverpool supporters died in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989, when their team played Nottingham Forest in a semi-final of the FA Cup.

Watching from videolink in Liverpool, Cathy Crane, whose brother Gary Jones died in the disaster aged 18, said she felt "pleased and delighted".

"It has just been very difficult over the last 23 years. Every day having to fight for the honour of someone who you love and today, at least, people will start to understand what we have gone through."

Marion Brady, whose son Paul was crushed to death, said: "At last we feel we are getting somewhere."

Trevor Hicks lost two daughters in the disaster

The new police investigation will be led by former Durham chief constable Jon Stoddart, and will focus specifically on the 96 deaths.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."

Mr Stoddart will be able to recruit investigators and staff to his team, but he will not be allowed to employ officers or former officers with any prior connection to the Hillsborough disaster.

He is also unable to recruit any officers or former officers who worked in the West Midlands, South Yorkshire or Merseyside police forces.

"I am aware of the great significance and personal responsibility which comes with leading this criminal investigation," he said.

"My first priority is to meet with as many of the families as possible and to establish a working open relationship with them throughout the investigation."

Mr Stoddart added he had already held some meetings and had been "struck by the families' humility and steadfast determination to see justice delivered for their loved ones".

Reacting to the ruling in London, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: "This is a watershed moment on the road to justice for the families of the 96, and I share their overwhelming relief that, after 23 very painful years, the inquest verdicts have been quashed."

He expressed hope that as a result of the new police investigation "those that played a role in causing the disaster and the monumental cover-up are brought to account."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron told campaigners for a tax break on sales of a charity single in aid of Hillsborough to expect good news.

The version of the Hollies' hit He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother by The Justice Collective will help cover the legal costs of the victims' families. Campaigners want it to benefit from a VAT waiver, granted in the past to similar charity singles.

"I think I can confidently predict there will be a decision that will go down well in Merseyside," Mr Cameron said.

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Plebgate: Probe Looks At Police Conspiracy

Police have widened their probe into the Andrew Mitchell "plebgate" row amid allegations that a police officer tried to "blacken" the politician's name.

Some 30 officers are now working on the investigation and will look at claims the officer posed as a member of the public and falsely claimed to have witnessed the argument.

Scotland Yard confirmed it will also be examining whether there was any sort of "conspiracy" to smear the then Tory Chief Whip as part of a "large scale and complex investigation".

The row was revived after claims the officer wrote an email to his local MP giving details of of Mr Mitchell's behaviour when he was prevented from cycling through the Downing Street gates.

There are also fresh questions after CCTV footage of the altercation on September 19 emerged and appeared to conflict with the official police version of events.

David Cameron said at PMQs: "A police officer posing as a member of the public and sending an email potentially to blacken the name of a Cabinet minister is a very serious issue and does need to be seriously investigated.

"The Metropolitan Police Service is conducting a thorough and well-resourced investigation to get to the truth of this matter as quickly as possible.

"The Independent Police Complaints Commission will be supervising the investigation and I think we should allow them to get to the truth."

Andrew Mitchell wanted to cycle out of the main gates

Mr Mitchell, who eventually quit in October after a month under intense pressure, has claimed he was the victim of a "stitch-up" and is demanding a full inquiry.

In an earlier statement, Number 10 described allegations that an officer pretending to be a bystander and had fabricated evidence as "exceptionally serious".

Scotland Yard has vowed to establish the truth "as quickly as possible" but warned "the investigation will not be short".

Mr Mitchell was thrust to the centre of a political storm three months ago when a police report about his rant at the Downing Street officer was leaked to the press.

It claimed the senior Tory had warned the policeman: "Best you learn your f****** place. You don't run this f****** government. You're f****** plebs."

The politician has always denied using the word "plebs", although he did admit swearing and getting angry. Instead, he claims he said: "I thought you guys were supposed to f****** help us."

But the "pleb" claim was seized on by the Police Federation and Labour who demanded that he stand down.

The email, now known to be from a fellow police officer, allegedly helped fuel the row and keep up the momentum that eventually cost Mr Mitchell his job.

The policeman wrote to his MP John Randall, apparently not disclosing his job and describing how he had been walking past Downing Street with his nephew when the spat happened.

It suggested Mr Mitchell had sworn repeatedly and called the officers "plebs", as well as claiming passers-by near the gates had been shocked.

The account closely matched the official police log's version of events, which was eventually leaked and published in full by the press.

Mr Cameron summoned his Chief Whip after being told about the email and suggested he had been "caught bang to rights", according to an investigation by Channel 4 News.

When Mr Mitchell flatly denied key parts, the Prime Minister ordered an investigation but this failed to establish who sent the email.

It emerged only when the officer was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office last week.

Contacted by Channel 4 News, the individual seemed to admit that he had never been present when the row happened.

Andrew Mitchell during an ill-fated TV apology in September

Mr Cameron was said to be "furious" when he found out.

Previously unreleased CCTV footage of the clash also showed no evidence of passers-by who could be a man with his nephew.

The video, which has no sound, shows Mr Mitchell talking to three officers by the main gate for around 20 seconds before wheeling his bicycle to the side gate and leaving.

Clips from other cameras suggest there were few members of the public close by at the time - apparently contradicting the police log.

Mr Mitchell said: "'Three phrases were hung around my neck for 28 days and used to destroy my political career and toxify the Conservative Party.

'They are completely untrue - I never said them. I have never called someone a f****** pleb and never would.

"I always knew that the emails were false, although extremely convincing. It has shaken my lifelong support and confidence in the police.

"I believe now there should be a full inquiry so we can get to the bottom of this."

Met Police Chief Bernard Hogan-Howe, speaking before Channel 4 broadcast its programme, said he did not think the new revelations "affected the original account of officers at the scene".

But Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "These are very serious allegations that must be investigated with all possible urgency.

"An allegation that a serving police officer posed as a member of the public whilst fabricating evidence is a matter of the utmost gravity."

Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, suggested the police watchdog or the HM Inspectorate of Police should investigate the affair instead of Scotland Yard.

"There is clearly a need for a robust, transparent and comprehensive investigation," he said.

John Tully, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF), said: "The serious allegations aired in the Channel 4 News report are of concern to the MPF.

"However, as this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to make further comment, other than to say we support a full and thorough investigation to establish the truth."

Former Tory leader Michael Howard said he was "appalled" by the claims and hoped Mr Mitchell would be back in Government "at the earliest opportunity".

The Prime Minister's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister's view remains that he hopes in time Mr Mitchell will be able to return to public life."

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BBC Savile Report: News Boss Quits

The Deputy Director of BBC News has quit after the publication of a damning report into the axing of a Newsnight programme on Jimmy Savile.

At a news conference to address the highly critical findings, the BBC announced the departure of Stephen Mitchell, who had been with the corporation for 38 years.

Mr Mitchell was one of several high-profile figures at the organisation to be criticised in an independent report, led by Nick Pollard, former head of Sky News.

In a statement Mr Mitchell said that he had quit following the "strain over the past month" but rejected criticisms levelled at him by the review, which cost £2m.

Former BBC chief George Entwistle says he feels vindicated by the report

The report said that the decision by Newsnight's former editor, Peter Rippon, to shelve the programme into Savile's "dark side" was "seriously flawed", but taken in "good faith".

Mr Rippon immediately rejected the criticism and said he had never "shirked from my responsibilities".

However, BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten said the BBC accepted the review in its "entirety".

The BBC also announced that it had put in place a new editorial team at Newsnight, as well as accepting Mr Mitchell's departure.

The report paints a picture of a top-down organisation with rivalries and factional fighting.

It said the BBC's management system "proved completely incapable of dealing" with the issues raised by the axing of the story.

It added that "the level of chaos and confusion was even greater than was apparent at the time".

Stephen Mitchell (left) and Peter Rippon

The report found: "The decision to drop the original investigation was flawed and the way it was taken was wrong but I believe it was done in good faith.

"It was not done to protect the Savile tribute programmes or for any improper reason."

The report came at the same time as a review, by the BBC Trust, into a Newsnight report leading to the wrongful identification of Lord McAlpine as a paedophile.

That report concluded that the error had resulted largely from a failure by members of the team to follow the BBC's own editorial guidelines.

Among the senior figures criticised in the Pollard report are former Director General George Entwistle and director of news Helen Boaden.

The review blamed in part an "apparent adherence to rigid management chains" for the failure to deal with the issue.

It said Ms Boaden's attempt to alert Mr Entwistle to potential problems posed by the story during an industry lunch was "too casual".

Nick Pollard presents the report

She is also criticised for not taking "greater responsibility" as the crisis grew.

Mr Entwistle, who resigned after 54 days in the top job, was criticised for appearing to "have taken a long time to take any real control" of the problems at the BBC.

However, Mr Entwistle responded with a statement saying he felt he had been completely vindicated.

"I am pleased that the Pollard Report makes it clear I played no part whatever in Newsnight's decision not to broadcast the original Savile investigation - just as I was not personally to blame in any way for the journalistic failures on Newsnight when it broadcast its erroneous report about the North Wales care home," he said.

The review concluded that the BBC does not have to be taken down "brick by brick" but said the Director General's role as editor-in-chief needs to be examined.

It also said it "raises a question about the insularity of some people within the BBC" who are described as being unaware of wider industry practices.

Also criticised was Mr Mitchell, who decided to remove the Savile investigation from the corporation's Managed Risk Programmes List (MRPL).

The MRPL is an internal mechanism to flag up stories that contain some element of potential danger including risk to the BBC's reputation.

Mr Pollard described that decision as "critical", adding: "It was important to establish why he had done this. Very unfortunately, he could offer no convincing reason".

Mr Pollard said that if it had stayed on the MRPL some of what followed "might well have been avoided".

The report also paints an unflattering picture of relations between staff on Newsnight and in the wider BBC.

It said the decision to cancel the story led to disagreements between show boss Peter Rippon and his journalists and "relationships... began to break down".

It found there was no "undue pressure" on Mr Rippon from his bosses to drop the story, but said his decision to do so "was seriously flawed".

It went on: "He made a bad mistake in not examining the evidence properly".

It also describes the background to his blog post on the issue, which was later corrected after being found to be factually incorrect, as "chaotic".

The evidence given to the review also reveals Mr Entwistle refused to speak to Newsnight reporter Meirion Jones off-the-record because he "didn't trust him to have an off-the-record conversation".

It also includes evidence from Ms Boaden that Mr Entwistle told her he would not accept her resignation but was going to make a public statement that would make "it impossible for Peter [Rippon] not to resign".

The report includes sections of an email sent to Mr Entwistle two years before becoming Director-General.

The email tells him an obituary for Savile had not been done because of "the darker side" to his life though Mr Entwistle told the inquiry he had not read it.

The review said the email, and others like it, indicates "there was knowledge, not just rumour ... about the unsavoury side of Savile's character" in BBC TV shortly after his death.

Speaking outside Broadcasting House in central London, Mr Jones criticised the BBC for pulling the story.

He said: "I hope the BBC takes measures to make sure nothing like that will ever happen again. What I do feel confident about though is the BBC has now taken measures to make sure that children are safe here."

Meanwhile the BBC Trust review into the McAlpine error described the incident as a "grave breach which had been costly to all concerned".

The Trust said it resulted in the public being misled.

Yesterday Lord McAlpine agreed £310,000 in damages from the BBC and ITV over the wrongful allegations.

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Norovirus: New Warning About Vomiting Bug

Almost 880,000 people could have been affected by an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, according to health officials.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says the number of confirmed cases of norovirus is 83% higher than the same time last year,

So far this season, there have been 3,046 cases in England and Wales, compared to just 1,669 cases last season.

But for every reported case there are likely to be a further 288 unreported sufferers, warns the HPA.

The bug has swept the country and has led to the closure of dozens of hospital wards.

It has also affected holidaymakers on two P&O cruise ships, the Oriana and the Azura.

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces and objects.

It is known to spread rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

Anyone displaying norovirus symptoms is urged to stay indoors

Symptoms include sudden vomiting, diarrhoea, or both, a temperature, headache and stomach cramps. The bug usually goes away within a few days.

Although people can suffer from norovirus at any time of the year, activity increases in the winter months, with most cases seen between January and March.

John Harris, a norovirus expert at the HPA, said: "The number of laboratory confirmed cases has risen again, following the drop in the number we reported last week.

"Norovirus is very contagious so we would urge anyone who thinks they may be unwell with norovirus to stay at home and stay away from hospitals and care homes.

"The infection is short-lived although it is very unpleasant while you are unwell. Most people will not need to go to see their doctor and will recover in a couple of days. It is important to take plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration."

A Department of Health spokesperson said the NHS was "well prepared" for the increase in health problems which are typical at this time of year.

The spokesperson added: "Our weekly published figures show the number of beds closed across the NHS due to norovirus symptoms is around 2%. This compares to 2.9% of beds that were closed during the peak of norovirus cases last winter."

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Photos Helped Save Baby Danny Davies' Life

The life of a baby with a rare heart condition was saved by a trip to a professional photographer.

Neil and Fran Davies had booked the session for some pictures of their son Danny, who was just a few weeks old.

Danny's illness was spotted after a photo session. Paul Inskip Photography

When the photographs were developed, the parents noticed purple blotches on Danny's skin had got worse and his hands and feet looked almost blue.

Mrs Davies mentioned her concerns about the blotches to a community nurse who sent them to their GP to get Danny's oxygen levels checked.

It was the first step in a chain of events that ended in life-saving treatment at Southampton General Hospital, where baby Danny was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD).

Mrs Davies, from Felpham, near Bognor Regis in West Sussex, said: "At this point, we were remarkably calm and still didn't think it was that serious. We waited in the kitchen on ocean ward in Southampton while the doctors performed some tests on Danny.

Danny's parents noticed blotches on Danny's skin. Paul Inskip Photography

"Next thing we knew we were ushered through to a private room and told Danny had a very rare congenital heart condition and was critically ill. He was struggling to get oxygen around his body and we were told the next 24 hours were critical.

"We couldn't quite believe how quickly he'd deteriorated: we went from thinking our son was a healthy newborn to being told his life was in danger within the space of a few hours.

"In fact, we were told that if we'd taken 15 minutes longer to get to Southampton, Danny might not have made it - it was almost unbelievable."

Back home with mum Fran

PA-VSD is a very rare congenital malformation of the heart where the pulmonary valve fails to develop properly, obstructing the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs.

It was a nail-biting time for Mrs Davies, 23, and Mr Davies, a 22-year-old mechanic.

Danny spent four months in hospital undergoing further surgery to reconstruct his heart.

Finally, in October 2010, he returned home. He is now two, has a little sister called Sky and has a new home more suited to his care.

Hospital staff call Danny a real fighter

But he has undergone a further 12 procedures and will need to visit hospital regularly.

Danny has also been referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to see if further treatment, including the possibility of a heart and lung transplant, will help him.

Kevin Roman, consultant in paediatric cardiology, said: "Danny is one of the most complex patients we have ever seen and has been through an incredible journey in his short life.

"He's such a fighter and has quite a fan base here. We will continue to do everything we can for Danny and give him the best outlook in the coming years."

Danny will need regular hospital visits

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Queen At Downing Street For Cabinet Meeting

The Queen has become the first monarch since the 18th century to attend Cabinet on a special visit to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The monarch was met by Prime Minister David Cameron on the steps of Number 10, which had been covered with a red carpet for the occasion.

She wore a deep blue coat and matching dress by Stuart Parvin - immediately dubbed "Thatcheresque" by commentators.

The Queen made the trip without Prince Philip to collect a present bought by the Secretaries of State to mark her 60-year reign.

Cabinet members clubbed together to buy her a set of 60 placemats - one for each year she has spent on the throne.

The mats, which are bespoke and show traditional images of Buckingham Palace, were suggested by the Queen's own aides and made by a Gloucestershire company called Lady Clare Limited.

Officials refused to disclose the value of the gifts. An unspecified donation was also made to the Diamond Jubilee Trust.

Mr Cameron met the Queen outside Number 10

Ministers lined up to shake hands with the monarch before they all went into the final Cabinet of the year.

The Queen took her chance during the meet-and-greet to quiz George Osborne about Britain's gold reserves.

She then sat between Mr Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague for her half-hour stint at the famous Cabinet table.

The Queen is thought to be the first monarch to attend Cabinet since George III in 1781, despite earlier claims Queen Victoria did so.

She only stayed for the first section before leaving ministers to their discussions and moving on to the Foreign Office.

During the meeting, Mr Cameron offered her a "very warm welcome" and congratulated her "on a fantastic jubilee year".

He said Downing Street had researched the last monarch to visit Cabinet and believe it dates back to the 18th century.

George VI, the Queen's father, met Cabinet during World War II, but apparently did not go to the standard meeting.

"We think the last time a monarch came to the Cabinet was in 1781, during the American War of Independence, but I'm happy to report that relations have improved slightly since then," Mr Cameron said.

Some of the 60 placemats given to the Queen

The Queen joked "gently and humorously" that the Cabinet could make the next Queen's Speech on "the shorter rather than the longer side".

The only other moment she spoke was to wish ministers "happy Christmas" as she left.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said all Cabinet ministers had ensured their shoes were "shiny, freshly polished" for the special visit.

"The Queen seemed very relaxed, in a very good mood and took an enormous interest in the Cabinet discussion," he revealed.

"I think people were perhaps more considered in what they say, but nevertheless it was a proper discussion on the general economic situation and the inflation figures and Afghanistan."

He dismissed warnings from some quarters that the Queen was crossing a constitutional line by attending the Cabinet.

"We are her Cabinet, we operate for her. She was sat in the seat where the Prime Minister traditionally sits and, given it's her Cabinet, she can come any time she wants," he said.

Sky's royal commentator Alastair Bruce said: "It is significant because in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year it puts a focus on what headship of the state is all about and that is supervising the democratic process."

The Foreign Office has also announced that the southern part of British Antarctic Territory is to be named "Queen Elizabeth Land" to mark the jubilee.

The region is a barren, landlocked ice and snow-covered area uninhabited by people and virtually devoid of animal life.

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Cancer Boy Surgery Ruling Defies Mum's Wishes

A judge has ruled that a seven-year-old boy should have surgery to remove a brain tumour despite the objections of his mother.

Mr Justice Bodey said that an operation to remove a "residual tumour" left behind after early surgery should go ahead even though Neon Roberts' mother, Sally, refused to consent.

A doctor treating Neon said a scan showed that the surgery needed to be carried out "urgently".

He said the tumour could spread without surgery and it was "highly likely" that Neon would die within a "relatively short period" without further treatment.

Ms Roberts had told the court she wanted opinions from more doctors before proceeding with further surgery.

It is understood he could have the operation today.

Until the presence of the tumour was found by the scan, the court had been due to rule on whether Neon should undergo radiation treatment for cancer, a move that had also been opposed by Ms Roberts.

She told an earlier hearing she was concerned the radiotherapy would have a "damaging effect" on Neon's future.

The boy's father Ben, who lives in London and is separated from Ms Roberts, agreed to the radiotherapy but was "apprehensive", the court heard.

Mr Justice Bodey is expected to hear more argument on the radiotherapy issue at the High Court on Thursday after being updated on Neon's progress.

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