Pilots Concerned Over Helicopter Safety

Helicopter Crashes Into Glasgow Pub

Updated: 3:40pm UK, Saturday 30 November 2013

Police have warned that the number of people killed when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub will rise in the "coming hours" after confirming one death.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland said they were now dealing with a "search and recovery operation" after rescue teams worked through the night to try to pull people from the wreckage of The Clutha Vaults pub. 

But he said they were still hoping to find survivors alive in the remains of the building.

According to Sky News sources at least six people died when the helicopter crashed through the roof of the lively city nightspot, which was packed with more than 100 people watching a band, at 10.25pm on Friday.

Eyewitnesses have described the helicopter "falling like a stone" on to the roof, while some have suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub when the helicopter struck, told Sky News: "Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is."

William Byrne, who was listening to the band with his brother, said: "There was a huge bang and there was a couple of seconds of almost stillness after this band and then the whole other side of the pub from where I was collapsed and then the roof and gantry of the bar collapsed."

Footage showed confusion outside the pub in the moments after the helicopter hit the roof and those inside the building told how it was 15 minutes before they knew what had happened.

People at the scene told how they worked to form a human chain to carry unconscious people out of the pub.

Among the helpers was Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene."

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday morning, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Sadly at this time I can confirm one fatality. We expect that number to increase over the coming hours."

He confirmed that a further 32 people had been taken to Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary with "multiple injuries".

Sir Stephen said that specialist teams were working to stabilise the building in a "difficult and sensitive" operation and said:  "We're still in a search and recovery phase, and as always our prayers are that it is successful and we do recover people alive."

He said: "There are people on the scene trying to make contact with anyone who may be alive... All we can do is confirm there has been one fatality but we are fearful there will be more."

Rescue teams had said they had contacted people inside the pub overnight but Sir Stephen could not say when the last contact had been made.

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News how she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the aircraft hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, 38, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his 59-year-old father, also called John, had been sitting at precisely the spot the aircraft had come down and that he had been killed but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it's also St Andrew's Day and it's a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy."

He praised the "instinctive bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" who went to the rescue of those trapped inside the pub and the emergency services.

The police have given no details of what has happened to the crew of two officers and a civilian pilot on board the helicopter.

It is still unclear what caused the crash, with one eyewitness saying the aircraft "dropped like a stone" and police have now launched a full investigation into the crash under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 

Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) were on the scene on Saturday morning trying to piece together what had happened.

Aviation expert David Learmount, a pilot and safety editor at the aviation news website Flightglobal, told Sky News: "This type of helicopter is sophisticated and robust. It's a very modern aircraft. I think what has happened here is that you have had an aircraft that became either uncontrollable or partially controllable.

"We just don't know how much control the pilot did have in the final seconds of the flight. Something dramatic has probably suddenly occurred - probably some mechanical failure of some kind."

The British Airline Pilots' Association said that the crash did raise concerns over helicopter safety.

A tent had been erected on top of the pub on Saturday morning over the wreckage of the aircraft, whose rotor could be seen protruding from the roof.

The helicopter, a EC135 T2, which is widely used by the police, has a good safety record, with one incident in 2007 after which the AAIB asked manufacturers Eurocopter to look at a stability system switch.

Members of Esperanza, the band playing at the time of the tragedy, all escaped from the wreckage unharmed.

They posted on their Facebook site: "Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other. The police, ambulances (and) firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions.

"Our biggest concern is that everyone is found and can get the care and help they need."

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help.

"We have offered the Scottish Government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured."

Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "There will be lots of people worried about their loved ones who are unaccounted for, and my thoughts are with them, and also with the people of Glasgow, who are an incredibly strong people, who showed last night in reaction when the helicopter hit, great bravery, great courage, great calm, in the midst of all this."

A number of St Andrew's Day events were being cancelled on Saturday morning as the tragic toll of Friday night's crash started to become apparent.

Flags across Scotland were flying at half mast throughout the weekend and the Scottish Football Association said there would be a minute's silence at the 13 Scottish Cup games on Saturday.

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

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Ministers To Fund £300m Energy Bill Rebates

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Ministers are to fund a £300m plan for a £12 rebate on every domestic electricity bill in the country as part of a Government effort to combat a round of inflation-busting energy price hikes.

Sky News has learnt that the Government is finalising plans this weekend for a series of measures ahead of next week's autumn statement by the Chancellor, George Osborne.

The debate over energy costs has intensified in recent days as ministers have sought ways to regain the political initiative following the Labour leader Ed Miliband's pledge to impose an energy price freeze for 20 months if Labour wins the next general election.

Five of the 'Big Six' energy companies, including Centrica, the owner of British Gas, and Npower, have announced plans for substantial price increases in the last six weeks. The hikes have sparked a furious row in Westminster and the City about the industry's profitability.

Insiders said on Saturday that the Government package would include an agreement between the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and a group of companies known as distribution network operators, whose charges account for approximately 20% of consumers' energy bills.

The deal between ministers and these companies, which include National Grid, would involve restructuring their cost-profile over the 15-year period during which they have set out their investment plans.

This measure is expected to lead to an average of £5 off customers' bills, although the precise amount will vary by region, with some parts of the country not seeing any such saving, a source said.

Details of the package of measures could be announced as early as Sunday following intense Whitehall horse-trading over what has become one of the Government's most pressing domestic challenges.

The £300m rebate will be funded by altering the funding of the Warm Home Discount, which funds one-off electricity discounts for thousands of vulnerable customers. This is expected to be transferred to general taxation rather than being funded by the energy companies.

A Whitehall source said the £12-per-account rebate would require licence changes to be overseen by Ofgem, the energy regulator, but that this was unlikely to prove a significant obstacle.

DECC is understood to be keen for the £12 rebate to be clearly marked on consumers' bills and is extracting assurances from the big energy suppliers that they will agree to this.

The largest cut to energy bills is expected to be generated by a roughly £40-per-household saving on a green levy called the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO), which was introduced only this year.

The cost of the ECO, which costs the major suppliers about £1.3bn annually, is to be lowered by lengthening a programme of providing home insulation to 2017.

According to a letter from the Government to energy companies cited in reports this weekend, ministers want to introduce legislation to implement the changes.

"The government intends to make changes to the ECO order with a view to extending the period over which the obligation will run and reducing the expected cost of compliance. The government will consult on detailed proposals shortly and will subsequently look to introduce the necessary legislation as soon as possible," the letter said.

"The changes include extending ECO beyond its current March 2015 deadline. The government's specific proposal in this respect is that a new binding target should be set for March 2017."

David Cameron and Nick Clegg are understood to have been discussing the publication of a joint article in a Sunday newspaper to announce the moves, although it is unclear whether that plan will go ahead.

Ed Davey, the energy and climate change secretary, has informed the energy industry of the full package of proposals in recent days although sources insisted that they were not yet finalised.

The Big Six are expected to announce price cuts or reductions to their planned price increases as soon as the Government's proposals are unveiled.

The overhaul of the ECO will represent something of a u-turn by the Government. The levy places legal obligations on the larger energy suppliers to deliver energy-efficiency measures to domestic energy customers.

It operates alongside the Green Deal and is designed to help people make energy efficiency improvements to buildings by allowing them to pay the costs through their energy bills rather than up-front.

On Friday, Downing Street denied a report that it was pressing the Big Six to agree to freeze prices until after the next election, underlining Mr Cameron's sensitivity about Labour's recent eye-catching policies.

In a statement, Jonathan Reynolds MP, the Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister, said:

"The Energy Company Obligation is David Cameron's scheme. He only introduced it this year and a few months ago he was even boasting that it was bigger than previous energy efficiency schemes.

"Labour has consistently said that ECO should be reformed to make it better value for money and targeted at those in fuel poverty. But what the public really needs is a Labour government implementing a price freeze until 2017 and resetting the energy market so that it works for the long term."

A Downing Street spokeswoman declined to comment while the Treasury could not be reached on Saturday.

A DECC spokeswoman said: "Government is looking closely at the impact of green levies on consumer bills and how the measures they support are paid for. Details of this review will be announced by the autumn statement."

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash: 'Hopes For Survivors'

Police have warned that the number of people killed when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub will rise in the "coming hours" after confirming one death.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland said they were now dealing with a "search and recovery operation" after rescue teams worked through the night to try to pull people from the wreckage of The Clutha Vaults pub. 

But he said they were still hoping to find survivors alive in the remains of the building.

According to Sky News sources at least six people died when the helicopter crashed through the roof of the lively city nightspot, which was packed with more than 100 people watching a band, at 10.25pm on Friday.

Firefighters on the roof of the pub

Eyewitnesses have described the helicopter "falling like a stone" on to the roof, while some have suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub when the helicopter struck, told Sky News: "Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is."

William Byrne, who was listening to the band with his brother, said: "There was a huge bang and there was a couple of seconds of almost stillness after this band and then the whole other side of the pub from where I was collapsed and then the roof and gantry of the bar collapsed."

Footage showed confusion outside the pub in the moments after the helicopter hit the roof and those inside the building told how it was 15 minutes before they knew what had happened.

The scene of the rescue operation on Friday night

People at the scene told how they worked to form a human chain to carry unconscious people out of the pub.

Among the helpers was Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene."

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday morning, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Sadly at this time I can confirm one fatality. We expect that number to increase over the coming hours."

He confirmed that a further 32 people had been taken to Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary with "multiple injuries".

Sir Stephen said that specialist teams were working to stabilise the building in a "difficult and sensitive" operation and said:  "We're still in a search and recovery phase, and as always our prayers are that it is successful and we do recover people alive."

Those inside the pub gather outside after the crash Pic: Paul Agnew

He said: "There are people on the scene trying to make contact with anyone who may be alive... All we can do is confirm there has been one fatality but we are fearful there will be more."

Rescue teams had said they had contacted people inside the pub overnight but Sir Stephen could not say when the last contact had been made.

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News how she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the aircraft hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, 38, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his 59-year-old father, also called John, had been sitting at precisely the spot the aircraft had come down and that he had been killed but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it's also St Andrew's Day and it's a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy."

John McGarrigle says he is sure his father was killed in the crash

He praised the "instinctive bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" who went to the rescue of those trapped inside the pub and the emergency services.

The police have given no details of what has happened to the crew of two officers and a civilian pilot on board the helicopter.

It is still unclear what caused the crash, with one eyewitness saying the aircraft "dropped like a stone" and police have now launched a full investigation into the crash under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 

Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) were on the scene on Saturday morning trying to piece together what had happened.

Aviation expert David Learmount, a pilot and safety editor at the aviation news website Flightglobal, told Sky News: "This type of helicopter is sophisticated and robust. It's a very modern aircraft. I think what has happened here is that you have had an aircraft that became either uncontrollable or partially controllable.

"We just don't know how much control the pilot did have in the final seconds of the flight. Something dramatic has probably suddenly occurred - probably some mechanical failure of some kind."

The British Airline Pilots' Association said that the crash did raise concerns over helicopter safety.

An EC135 T2 like the one that crashed into the Clutha Vaults

A tent had been erected on top of the pub on Saturday morning over the wreckage of the aircraft, whose rotor could be seen protruding from the roof.

The helicopter, a EC135 T2, which is widely used by the police, has a good safety record, with one incident in 2007 after which the AAIB asked manufacturers Eurocopter to look at a stability system switch.

Members of Esperanza, the band playing at the time of the tragedy, all escaped from the wreckage unharmed.

They posted on their Facebook site: "Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other. The police, ambulances (and) firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions.

"Our biggest concern is that everyone is found and can get the care and help they need."

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help.

The Clutha and the hospitals where the injured were taken

"We have offered the Scottish Government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured."

Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "There will be lots of people worried about their loved ones who are unaccounted for, and my thoughts are with them, and also with the people of Glasgow, who are an incredibly strong people, who showed last night in reaction when the helicopter hit, great bravery, great courage, great calm, in the midst of all this."

A number of St Andrew's Day events were being cancelled on Saturday morning as the tragic toll of Friday night's crash started to become apparent.

Flags across Scotland were flying at half mast throughout the weekend and the Scottish Football Association said there would be a minute's silence at the 13 Scottish Cup games on Saturday.

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

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Glasgow Helicopter: Video Of Crash Aftermath

Video shows the moments after a police helicopter crashed into a crowded pub in Glasgow.

One onlooker filmed the scene as people stood outside The Clutha in Stockwell Street wondering what had caused a huge crash and filled the venue with choking dust.

Customers are seen wandering back into the pub, not realising that a helicopter had spun out of control and smashed into the roof.

Eyewitnesses were watching a live ska band when the ceiling started to cave in.

Emergency services at the scene

Grace MacLean told Sky News: "There was a band on, they were quite loud, and we just kinda heard a whoosh and some smoke.

"We looked around and no-one really knew what was going on. Everyone just carried on listening to the band. And then we kind of looked again and the roof was gradually coming down.

"Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is. No-one had a clue what was going on. There was no loud noise.

"People were helping each other out. Everyone started helping people who were hurt. People had some head injuries. Lots of people were covered in dust. There were lots of people shocked. No-one knew it was a helicopter crash until people told you."

William Byrne, who was watching the band play with his brother, said: "I thought 'has the band blown something', something electrical like a speaker or something, you could never have foreseen that it was something remotely like a helicopter.

"I didn't know until about 15 minutes later that it was a helicopter. My thoughts were that something just blew and then the ceiling just collapsed. I had no concept of what it may have been that happened."

Firefighters on the roof of the pub where the helicopter crash-landed

Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy happened to be driving past the pub immediately after the crash.

"I jumped out and tried to help," he said. "There were people with injuries. Bad gashes to the head. Some were unconscious."

He described how a human chain formed to help pass unconscious casualties out of the pub so that "inch by inch, we could get the people out".

Scores of passers-by in the area ran to the venue after seeing or hearing the aircraft go down.

Connor Gillies, from Radio Clyde News, told Sky News of the "scenes of chaos" and "continuous stream of sirens" in the area on Friday evening.

Mr Gillies described seeing "blood on the shirt" of Mr Murphy, who he said was "clearly very shaken, very upset by the whole thing".

Wesley Shearer, who posted pictures on Twitter of the scene, said: "This is unbelievable. Just spent 20 minutes pulling people out of the bar."

MP Jim Murphy helped people out of the venue

Jan Hollands, who also tweeted pictures from the scene, said she heard the crash and described it as "scary".

:: Police have issued an emergency telephone number for concerned relatives - 0800 092 0410.

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Woolwich Trial: 'Killer Nearly Beheaded Soldier'

Lee Rigby's mother and widow left the Old Bailey in tears today after hearing how the soldier was nearly decapitated outside a primary school.

Relatives fled the packed Old Bailey courtroom moments before the jury was shown video footage of the Fusilier being hit by a car, driven by the alleged killers.

There were gasps from the public gallery as the video showed a Vauxhall Tigra knocking the soldier down before crashing into a road sign.

The court was told that the two men then got out of the car, dragged the unconscious soldier into the street, and attacked him with a meat cleaver and knives.

Rebecca Rigby, Lee Rigby's widow arrives at the Old Bailey

The defendants chose to mutilate the soldier in the middle of the road - just yards from a primary school - so people could watch, the court was told.

One witness account, outlined by the prosecution, described how one of the attackers "knelt down" by Mr Rigby and took hold of his hair.

"He then repeatedly hacked at the right side of his neck just below the jawline," Mr Richard Whittam, QC, prosecuting, said.

Another witness described the attack as "like a butcher attacking a joint of meat", Mr Whittam added. 

Jurors were also shown a phone camera video clip of one of the alleged killers, Michael Adebolajo, speaking with blood on his hands.

He says: "The only reason we've killed this man today is because Muslims are dying daily by British soldiers.

A tribute to Lee Rigby, 25, who died in south east London

"This British soldier is one - he is an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."

Speaking into the camera, he went on: "I apologise that women had to witness this today but in our lands our women have to see the same.

"You people will never be safe. Remove your governments - they don't care about you.

"Do you think David Cameron is going to get caught in the street, when we start busting our guns, do you think your politicians are going to die? No, it's going to be the average guy, like you and your children.

"So get rid of them. Tell them to bring our troops back so you can all live in peace. Leave our lands and you will live in peace."

Lee's mother Lyn, left the court in tears after hearing some of evidence

More video footage allegedly showed Adebolajo in an Argos store, on the day before the attack - buying five knives. 

On the opening day of the trial, the Old Bailey was told how Mr Rigby was hit by the car from behind as he walked back to Woolwich Barracks, on May 22.

Mr Whittam told jurors that Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, drove the Tigra "straight at" him, at around 30mph to 40mph.

He said: "Both men then dragged his body into the middle of the road. They wanted members of the public to see the consequence of what can only be described as their barbarous acts.

"They had committed, you may think, a cowardly and callous murder by deliberately attacking an unarmed man in plain clothes from behind, using a vehicle as a weapon, and then they murdered him and mutilated his body with that meat cleaver and knives."

Adebolajo clutched a copy of the Koran in the dock as the jury was told how he tried to decapitate the soldier while Adebowale stabbed and cut him.

The death of the soldier triggered a massive police investigation

Mr Whittam said: "They both attacked the motionless body of Lee Rigby.

"He was repeatedly stabbed and it appears it was Michael Adebolajo, the first defendant, who made a serious and almost successful attempt to decapitate Lee Rigby with multiple blows to his neck made with the meat cleaver."

Mr Whittam said one eyewitness, Amanda Bailey, saw the events from inside her Peugeot 206.

She saw the Tigra strike Fusilier Rigby and carry him until the car crashed into a road sign.

"The young man flew off the bonnet and landed about two feet in front of the car," Mr Whittam said.

"She (Bailey) saw that his eyes were open but they looked frozen."

The soldier was dragged into the middle of the road before being attacked

Mr Whittam told the jury that members of the public showed "bravery and decency" in the aftermath of the alleged attack.

"Such heinous behaviour is in distinct contrast to the bravery and decency shown by some of the members of the public present.

"Despite the abhorrence of the scene, one woman went to the lifeless body of Lee Rigby and stroked him to provide some comfort and humanity to what had unfolded.

"Others went to see if they could provide first aid.

"Another woman engaged Michael Adebolajo in conversation despite the fact that he was still holding the meat cleaver and his hands were covered in blood."

The court heard that the two men, who deny murder, were also armed with a gun.

Mr Whittam told the jury of eight women and four men that the firearm was part of the plan the pair had made.

It was used partly to frighten off members of the public before the emergency services arrived.

Member of Lee Rigby's family arrive at court

As a police vehicle swung into Artillery Place, both men moved towards it, Mr Whittam said, and Adebolajo raised the meat cleaver above his head.

The jury was shown CCTV and mobile phone footage of three armed police officers arriving at the scene in a marked BMW.

The officers - two men and one woman - are seen running from their car before one shoots Adebowale and another uses a Taser on Adebolajo.

Adebolajo and Adebowale are also both accused of attempting to murder a police officer, and conspiracy to murder a police officer on or before May 22.

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Mairead Philpott's Appeal Refused By Judge

Mairead Philpott has lost her appeal against the 17-year prison sentence imposed for the killing of her six children.

Mairead Philpott, 33, was jailed alongside her husband Mick at Nottingham Crown Court in April after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Jade Philpott and her brothers John, Jack, Jesse, Jayden and Duwayne.

There was applause from the public gallery as Court of Appeal judges sitting at Nottingham Crown Court dismissed a renewed application by Philpott to challenge her jail term.

Mick Philpott was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years after being branded a "disturbingly dangerous" man.

His wife, who is likely to be released after serving half of her 17-year term, took part in a plan to set fire to the couple's home in Victory Road in an effort to frame his former mistress.

The children were aged between five and 13.

Back (l-r) Duwayne and John, Front (l-r) Jack, Jessie, Jade and Jayden

Members of Mairead's family including her mother Vera, father Jimmy and sisters Bernadette and Jennifer, were in the public gallery for the hearing. Mairead Philpott was not in court.

Setting out Philpott's grounds of appeal, her barrister Shaun Smith QC said: "The essence is the utter dependence of Mairead Philpott on Mick Philpott, whilst not excusing culpability, legally or morally, was not given sufficient weight in assessing the length of her sentence."

He said Mairead was "particularly vulnerable" to a man like Philpott who specialised in taking advantage of young girls with no family support or self esteem.

Mr Smith said Mairead, who had been a loving mother, would forever be known as a child killer and that her sentence would be "a lifetime reminder of her inability to stand up to a disturbingly dangerous man".

The court heard co-accused Paul Mosley had abandoned an appeal of the length of his sentence.

Dismissing the appeal, The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, said there was "no doubt" Philpott had loved her children but that as their mother she had a responsibility to them.

A wedding photo of Mick and Mairead Philpott

Lord Thomas dismissed Mr Smith's claims that she could not stand up for herself against her husband.

"This was not a spur of the moment plan. The risks of pouring petrol inside a building must have been obvious.

"She participated in the setting of the fire as petrol was found on her clothes.

"Her conduct after arrest was one where she continued to maintain the lie that others were responsible.

"It may be that she was under the continuing domination of Michael Philpott."

"It is extremely difficult to understand that during that custody time and the lengthy trial she did not admit the truth, expose the lie and own up to abusing her responsibilities.

The house at Victory Road being demolished

"She was capable of standing up. She could make a choice. She had a responsibility that was not overborne by the will of Michael Philpott."

The decision comes after she lost the first round of a bid to challenge the length of her sentence in July.

The hearing was the first to be held outside London since legislation was passed to allow Court of Appeal hearings to be broadcast.

Philpott's father Jimmy Duffy said outside court that he believed his daughter should have been given a life sentence.

He also told reporters his daughter had ignored his last letter and "has nothing to do with us".

Mr Duffy said: "There is love there because she is my flesh and blood, but I'll never forgive her for what she's done."

He added: "At the beginning I said that the whole trio should've got a life sentence."

Speaking to Sky News, Mick Philpott's former partner Kim Hill said: "At first I didn't realise he was controlling.

"He could play mind games very well. I've never come across anybody like him before."

He went on to attack her, leaving her in intensive care for eight weeks, and he was jailed for three years.

"He's scum. The impact on my life ... each day's different. I still think he should have got six life sentences so he would never get out."

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Live: Harrowing Evidence At Soldier Murder Trial

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1:47pm UK, Friday 29 November 2013

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Saatchi: I Do Not Know If Nigella Took Drugs

Charles Saatchi has told a court he does not know if he believes allegations his ex-wife Nigella Lawson was a habitual drug user.

Speaking at Isleworth Crown Court, the art dealer said he was "utterly bereft" that a private email he sent the celebrity chef referring to her being "off her head" on drugs has been made public.

"If you ask me whether I actually knew whether Nigella ever took drugs, the answer is no," Mr Saatchi added as he gave evidence in west London, where his two former personal assistants are on trial accused of fraud.

Italian sisters Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo allegedly used credit cards loaned to them by the celebrity couple to spend more than £685,000 on holidays and luxury items.

Questioned about the email by prosecutor Jane Carpenter, Mr Saatchi said: "I'm utterly bereft that this private email to Nigella has come back to haunt us both. That's all I have to say.

"The stories that the Grillos were parading was that Nigella had a severe cocaine habit that stretched back a very long time for the entirety of our marriage.

Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo deny the allegations against them

"What I was speculating here was that the Grillos would use this as a defence."

Sky's senior news correspondent Ian Woods, outside court, reported that Mr Saatchi said he had never seen any evidence that Ms Lawson used drugs but that he had questioned other members of the household about whether the allegations were true.

Mr Saatchi later said: "I have never, never seen any evidence of Nigella taking any drug whatsoever.

"I want to be helpful, but I genuinely have no real knowledge at all."

The couple went through a high-profile divorce earlier this year and Mr Saatchi told the court he was "heartbroken to have lost Nigella".

"I wish the last year had never happened," he added.

The 70 year old said it had been Ms Lawson's idea to give the sisters credit cards and that they did most of the family's personal shopping as part of their roles as assistants.

He told the jury that when he saw the amounts being spent he thought the Grillo sisters had been "naughty" and had wanted to put the matter behind them whereas Ms Lawson wanted to call the police.

Earlier the jury heard from the couple's accountant Rahul Gajjar who said he had increased the sisters' credit limit to £100,000 without telling the art dealer.

Mr Gajjar, 44, said there was "lax control" of spending on cards issued to staff.

Mr Saatchi told the court: "I've very bad at finances. I don't take any interest at all."

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Professionals Star Lewis Collins Dies In LA

Lewis Collins, 67, who played Bodie in the iconic British 1970s TV series The Professionals, has died after suffering from cancer for five years.

The actor, who played Bodie in the crime drama alongside co-star Martin Shaw as Doyle, died on Wednesday, his agent said.

"He died peacefully at his LA home surrounded by his family. Privacy is asked for at this very sad time."

The Professionals, which made stars of Collins and Shaw, was based around the adventures of a fictional crime fighting unit called CI5.

The Professionals was a huge hit in the 1970s and 80s

Its memorable theme tune and action-packed plots made it a huge hit on ITV in the late 1970s and early 1980s for 57 episodes.

Martin Shaw said: "I was very sad to hear today that Lewis has died.

"We spent a very tough four years together in making The Professionals, and shared in the production of what has become an icon of British television.

"He will be remembered as part of the childhood of so many people, and mourned by his fans. I send my love and condolences to his family, and the great many who will miss him."

Collins' other most notable role came in 1982's Who Dares Wins, when he played a member of the SAS.

Bodie and Doyle sped around in a series of iconic British cars of the day

His Professionals character was a former paratrooper and SAS soldier.

In real life he passed the actual selection course for 23 SAS, one of the SAS' two Territorial Army battalions, but was turned down because of his celebrity status.

He also auditioned for the role of James Bond but was turned down by Cubby Broccoli who, the actor said, was really looking for another Sean Connery.

Collins is quoted as saying the producer found him "too aggressive".

He said: "It would be nice to get back to the original Bond, not the character created by Sean Connery, but the one from the books.

Lewis Collins (r) with co-stars Martin Shaw (l) and Gordon Jackson

"He's not over-handsome, over-tall. He's about my age and has got my attitudes."

Collins was born on Merseyside and worked as a drummer in local bands and as a hairdresser before getting into acting.

He married teacher Michelle Larrett in 1992 and they had three sons, Oliver, Elliot and Cameron.

Although he still dabbled in acting, he ran a successful computer business in LA, according to his biography on the film website IMDb.

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Bank Acts To Curb House Price And Debt Risks

By Ed Conway, Economics Editor

The Bank of England has taken its first major step to clamp down on rising house prices and ballooning household debt levels, cutting the incentives for banks to lend to consumers.

The Bank's Financial Policy Committee (FPC), chaired by Governor Mark Carney, said that starting from January banks would no longer get cheap loans from the Bank in exchange for lending to households through mortgages and other debt.

The move is likely to reduce the amount banks are willing to lend on home loans and may push up mortgage rates.

Shares in major housebuilders including Persimmon, Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey fell more than 6% immediately after the announcement.

The Bank also revealed new research showing that households with loan-to-income ratios greater than five now account for around a fifth of total UK mortgage debt, in the latest sign of overheating in the housing market.

Persimmon was among the stocks hit following the bank's announcement

The decision will be seen as a significant shift from the Bank, which until now had insisted that it was comfortable with rates of house price inflation, which on some metrics are rising at the fastest rate since the crash of 2008.

The FPC said from here on the Funding for Lending scheme, under which banks receive cheap funding from the Bank of England for every pound of net lending they themselves hand out, would be focused entirely on small businesses.

Banking analysts have claimed that by far and away the biggest impact of Funding for Lending had been to boost lending levels to households, and to help reduce the borrowing rates they face.

The move may come as an embarrassment to the Chancellor, as it will mean the Bank is effectively clamping down on the housing market at precisely the same time as the Treasury is attempting to stimulate it through his new Help to Buy scheme.

However, the Bank said that while it had the power to recommend changes to Help to Buy, it did not think any were necessary at present.

The report said: "Rising house prices - and any subsequent falls - needn't in themselves pose a threat to financial stability.

"It is the interaction of developments in the housing market with a range of factors, including household indebtedness and leverage in the banking sector, which gives rise to financial stability risks."

Mr Carney said: "Over the past year the Funding for Lending scheme has contributed to the recovery by helping to significantly improve credit conditions, especially for households.

"The changes announced today refocus the FLS where it is most needed - to underpin the supply of credit to small businesses over the next year - without providing further broad support to household lending that is no longer needed."

George Osborne said he agreed that with the housing market starting to pick up, "it is right that we focus the scheme's firepower on small businesses".

"Small firms are the lifeblood of our economy. That's why we're reforming the banks, introducing the employment allowance and now focusing the Funding for Lending scheme to support them," he said.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders reacted to the decision by saying it reflected the improvement in funding market conditions that had been experienced in recent months.

CML director general Paul Smee said: "Although the changes to the FLS may be a surprise, they are not a shock.

"Mortgage lenders are well equipped to meet their funding needs, as wholesale funding market conditions have improved and retail deposits are robust."

The House Builders Federation added: "The economy is in a much stronger position than when FLS was introduced and lenders are now much more able to meet the funding requirements of home buyers.

"In addition the Help to Buy equity loan scheme is now in place and is driving sales and stimulating higher levels of house building."

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Life For Killing Man Mistaken For Paedophile

By Isabel Webster, West of England Correspondent

A man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years for the brutal murder of an innocent man he mistook for a paedophile.

Lee James, 24, admitted killing 44-year-old Bijan Ebrahimi, from Iran, outside the victim's home in Bristol on July 14, 2013 in what the judge described as an "act of murderous injustice".

A second man, Steven Norley, 25, was jailed for four years at Bristol Crown Court for assisting an offender after he admitted helping to burn Mr Ebrahimi's body.

Both were near neighbours of the murdered man.

Mr Ebrahimi was a vulnerable, disabled man who was devoted to his garden and was mistaken for a paedophile by his neighbours when he was seen taking pictures of young people who were damaging his plants.

On July 11 a crowd had reportedly gathered outside his home in Capgrave Crescent, Brislington, calling him a "paedo" and the police arrested Mr Ebrahimi for breach of the peace.

Neighbour Beryl Smith recalled: "I said it's weird. A man out there taking pictures of children and leaning out the window then running in the house and shutting the door.

"The neighbours, by all accounts were shouting 'get out of here you dirty paedo'. Now he could have said 'its of your children damaging my plants'."

Mr Ebrahimi was released without charge the following day, but two days later, in the early hours of Sunday, he was beaten unconscious outside his home by James.

Andrew Langdon QC, prosecuting, told the court how James repeatedly stamped on the head of Mr Ebrahimi, inflicting fatal injuries.

"Following that attack Lee James and Steven Norley dragged Mr Ebrahimi's body about 100 yards out of the crescent on to the verge of a neighbouring road before they poured white spirit over the body and set fire to it."

The case raised serious questions about whether the authorities did enough to protect a vulnerable man after it emerged that Mr Ebrahimi was well known to Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol City Council and to a Bristol-based hate-crime charity SARI.

Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Ebrahimi's sister, Mrs Manizhah Moores said: "The question that now must be answered is whether Bijan's death could have been avoided had he been afforded the protection from the authorities he deserved.

"Lessons must be learned before other vulnerable lives are lost."

Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Nick Gargan issued an apology after the tragedy, saying: "Mr Ebrahimi was someone who deserved the protection of all of us and we are very sorry about what happened to him."

Mr Gargan's apology continued: "The IPCC are carrying out a thorough investigation into the events that led to his death and we await their findings.

"Even before we hear their final conclusions, it's clear there are steps that we can collectively take to keep vulnerable people in our communities safe from harm."

The IPCC have questioned six officers over their handling of the case, three under police caution. All were served notices of gross misconduct and three have been suspended on full pay.

Today the IPCC confirmed they have also questioned six civilian staff from the constabulary who are believed to be call-handlers.

Bristol City Council has also launched a review into the case.

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Nigella Lawson 'Treated Us Like Slaves'

Two assistants to Charles Saatchi and his ex-wife Nigella Lawson complained they were "treated worse than Filipino slaves" when confronted over their alleged spending sprees on the couple's credit cards, a court has heard.

The finance director for wealthy art dealer Mr Saatchi told jurors that Elisabetta Grillo, 41, made the claim after he wrote to her and her sister about their alleged use of the celebrity couple's credit cards to buy £685,000 of luxury goods for themselves.

Rahul Gajjar told jurors that at first Elisabetta, referred to in court as Lisa, and co-defendant Francesca, 35, were open and apologetic about their spending spree.

But he said that after he wrote them each a letter outlining how the sisters would pay off their debt which they were expected to sign, they became "agitated".

"Lisa was against the proposal and I remember a reference to 'We're being treated worse than Filipino slaves'," Mr Gajjar, 44, told jurors at the west London court.

Charles Saatchi arrived at the west London court on Thursday afternoon

The allegation was made just hours before Mr Saatchi arrived at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday afternoon.

However he later left court for the day without giving any evidence, as the previous witness' evidence took longer than expected.

The court heard that the sums going out of the couple's Coutts-linked accounts were not brought to their attention initially because they were considered "trivial matters".

The household spending at one point topped £1.2m annually - more than £3,200 a day.

Francesca was alleged to have spent up to £40,000 a month on her credit card.

The court previously heard that  the monthly average amount Ms Lawson spent on her credit card was £7,000.

Francesca allegedly ran up a £64,000 bill in June last year as she went on luxury holidays and bought designer clothes.

Elisabetta (l) and Francesca Grillo are on trial over alleged fraud

Mr Gajjar told jurors that the defendant made dozens of payments for personal use.

Her expenditure included over £4,700 on flights to New York, where she spent £1,850 at high-end fashion store Miu Miu and over £2,000 on hotels.

She also used the card to pay a £1,280 bill at the Ritz hotel in Paris on the same day she bought a Chloe dress for £723.

Mr Gajjar told the court he met the sisters at the Saatchi family home off the King's Road, west London, on July 3 last year to examine their credit card statements.

He said Francesca explained that some of the transactions were for payments on behalf of her employers, some she was not sure of and others were personal.

"She admitted that they were for her own use, her personal expenditure, which she was slightly apologetic about and vowed to reimburse the company or Charles," Mr Gajjar said.

Events in the court case may derail the celebrity chef's latest success - a hit US TV show.

The court heard ahead of the fraud trial that her ex-husband made allegations about her serious drug habit.

Some US media outlets have speculated Ms Lawson could fall foul of the country's tough visa regulations.

The next series of ABC's The Taste, which she co-hosts with three other chefs, has already been filmed and is scheduled to return in January.

US rules mean someone can be denied a visa if they have "not been convicted" or even "not admitted" a drugs offence.

A failure to get a visa would stop Ms Lawson publicising the show in the US and throw her role on any future shows into doubt.

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Nigella Lawson Called 'Habitual Criminal'

TV cook Nigella Lawson has been described in court as a "habitual criminal" a day after her ex-husband Charles Saatchi accused her of taking drugs.

The latest claim was made as lawyers argued over whether the trial should go ahead of two of their former employees charged with fraud.

Francesca Grillo, 35, and Elisabetta Grillo, 41, are accused of using a company credit card to buy goods and services for themselves worth some £300,000 while working as their personal assistants.

The Grillo sisters deny the charges and claim Ms Lawson was aware of this expenditure all along.

Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo

But the defendants' lawyers argued the case should not go ahead due to the "manipulation of the court process" by Ms Lawson and Mr Saatchi, who had a high-profile divorce earlier this year.

Isleworth Crown Court earlier heard Mr Saatchi allege Ms Lawson was so high on drugs she was unaware what she had permitted the Italian sisters to spend money on.

Anthony Metzer QC, for Elisabetta Grillo, argued the case should be dropped as the women would not be able to receive a fair trial as Ms Lawson and Mr Saatchi were at "loggerheads" and the alleged drug use damaged the celebrity cook's "credibility as an honest witness".

He said if the trial did go ahead "It's a convenient forum for Mr Saatchi and Ms Lawson to rehearse disputed issues between them ... in the criminal courts where, of course, the possibility of libel is not possible".

Mr Saatchi alleged Ms Lawson had a cocaine habit

Referring to allegations of drug use by Ms Lawson, Mr Metzer said: "If Mr Saatchi is telling the truth, then Ms Lawson is a habitual criminal."

He added: "The defendants' case is that Nigella Lawson lied to her ex-husband about her drug use and about the expenditure that was incurred by the defendants, both expressly and implicitly, because she was fearful of Mr Saatchi's reaction if he knew about the extent of the expenditure and drug use.

"There was a culture of secrecy within Nigella Lawson's marriage."

Prosecutor Jane Carpenter, who argued against dropping the case, said: "The suggestion that these defendants are sacrificial lambs in order to discredit Ms Lawson I do not accept at all."

After hearing submissions, Judge Robin Johnson ruled the trial should go ahead.

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'Bedroom Tax' Leaves Disabled Fearing Eviction

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

Thousands of disabled people are cutting back on food and heating to pay for the so-called "bedroom tax", according to a group of leading charities.

The chief executives of leading groups including Disability Rights UK, Scope, Carers UK, The Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Council For Disabled Children say the policy is having a "devastating impact" on people with disabilities.

More than 50 organisations have signed a letter to Iain Duncan Smith calling for immediate action to exempt disabled people from the Spare Room Subsidy.

They claim that it is harder for people in adapted housing to move and that "it is hitting disabled people who need an extra room for essential home adaptations or equipment which enable them to live independently".

The letter to the Department of Work and Pensions states: "We have been deeply frustrated at reports that disabled people and their families are protected from this policy.

The introduction of the "bedroom tax" has proved controversial

"The stark evidence since the policy was implemented in April clearly shows they are not.

"None of these groups are exempt and our organisations are seeing the devastating impact it is having on those who now face a shortfall in their rent as a result of the changes."

The Government does offer help with extra discretionary housing payments (DHPs) for disabled social housing tenants.

However, the letter points to research conducted by the Papworth Trust which showed that one in three disabled people applying for DHPs are refused, the same number as non-disabled people, and that 90% of disabled people refused a DHP are already cutting back on food, drink, household bills and medication or therapies.

Charities have written to Iain Duncan Smith about the bedroom tax

The letter claims that carers and families of disabled children are "being forced deeper and deeper into debt and falling behind on their rent, putting them at risk of eviction".

Sky News spoke to 47-year-old Heather Simpson from Battersea who suffers from a degenerative disease and needs an adapted property with wheelchair access and a stair-lift.

She has been told by her local housing association that it is unable to find her an appropriate smaller home. 

Come December she is worried she may have to find an additional £80 a month to cover her spare room.

She told Sky News: "I'm stuck basically, there's nowhere for me to go.

"I understand there's overcrowding, but there's nowhere for me to go. So I'll just get into debt."

Council tenants judged to have extra bedrooms now receive less benefit

In a letter sent to Heather last week, her Housing Association, Peabody, said it had 1,600 applicants for rehousing and only 145 places.

In a statement, Peabody told Sky News: "The Government's under-occupancy charge has a significant impact on vulnerable people, and we are working with other housing associations and councils to try and increase the options for people needing to move …

"We would like to see the Government take action to mitigate the impact of this policy particularly for the most vulnerable residents in our homes."  

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson told Sky News: "We are determined to support those who might need extra help through these necessary reforms.

"That is why we set aside £190m this year to do precisely this, with £25m specifically for disabled people living in specially adapted properties.

"The courts have ruled we are meeting our equality duties to disabled people who are affected by the policy.

"The removal of the spare room subsidy means we still pay the majority of most claimants' rent, but the taxpayer can no longer afford to pay the £500m cost of claimants' extra bedrooms."

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Ding Family Murders: Anxiang Du Guilty

Du Got Away After 'Missed' 999 Call

Updated: 3:08pm UK, Wednesday 27 November 2013

The killer who massacred the Ding family was able to flee the country after police mishandled a 999 call from one of the victims, leading to a manhunt lasting more than a year.

Anxiang Du was on the run for 14 months after he stabbed Manchester Metropolitan University lecturer Jifeng "Jeff"' Ding, his wife, Ge "Helen" Chui, and their two daughters, Xing "Nancy", 18, and Alice, 12, on April 29 2011.

Their bodies lay undiscovered for two days in a four-bedroom detached house in Northamptonshire, despite a frantic 999 call being made from Alice Ding's mobile as Du carried out the killings.

Northamptonshire Police have admitted they will "never know what may have happened" if they had responded correctly to the call, made at 3.32pm, in which both girls could be heard screaming before the line went dead.

The call was found to have been "badly mishandled" by the force, resulting in officers being sent to the wrong address and the emergency call closed when nothing untoward was found at that location.

An investigation by the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, later said: "Had police used more detailed checks and a mapping system available to them, the need for a subscriber check would have been established.

"The correct address in Pioneer Close would have been identified and in all likelihood attended by officers within minutes."

Northamptonshire Police have said it was "unlikely" the Ding family could have been saved, but admitted it was possible that Du could have still been at the address if officers had been dispatched to the right location.

The trial heard from pathologist Guy Rutty, who told jurors the family would have died of their stab wounds shortly after they were inflicted due to the blood loss.

However, jurors also heard that Du remained in the Northamptonshire area until late evening.

Du told a psychiatrist after his arrest that he lay down and slept in the Dings' house after carrying out the murders, before leaving under the cover of darkness, taking the family's car.

The silver Vauxhall Corsa was captured on camera at Northampton services off the M1 just before 10pm on April 29.

From there, Du drove to London and the next morning boarded the 8am coach from London Victoria to Paris Gallieni, before travelling on through Spain to Morocco.

The bodies of the Ding family were not discovered until two days later, on the evening of May 1.

Neighbour Jason Horsley reported that he had seen a body lying on the floor through the back window of the Dings' home.

It came hours after officers from Northamptonshire Police visited the property, unaware of what was inside.

They had been asked to visit the Dings by West Midlands Police, who were looking for information in their search for Du, who had been reported missing.

Du's wife had contacted them after he failed to return from work. She told the force of a civil dispute between the two families but not of any threat.

As a result, officers visited the Dings' house at 8.10am on May 1 to ask whether they had seen or heard from Du.

When there was no reply, they simply posted a card through the letterbox and left.

Hours later, Northamptonshire Police received the call from Mr Horsley and the grim discovery was made, sparking a manhunt that would last for 14 months.

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Carole Waugh Murder: Man Found Guilty

A man has been found guilty of murdering Carole Waugh, an oil executive whose body was found in the boot of a car.

Rakesh Bhayani was found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey of killing the 50-year-old, who was stabbed to death at her flat in Marylebone, central London, last April.

His co-accused, Nicholas Kutner, 48, was found not guilty of murder but convicted of perverting the course of justice.

Ms Waugh's body was found in a rented garage in New Malden, southwest London, nearly four months after she disappeared.

Bhayani claimed he only found out about her death seven days after she was killed.

He said he did not contact police because he was involved in a fraud with Kutner and Ms Waugh and feared he would be linked to her murder.

Ms Waugh's body was found at this lock-up in New Malden, southwest London

Bhayani, of Wembley, northwest London, told the court that he went with Kutner to Ms Waugh's flat to remove her body from under a bed.

He said he put the corpse into a bag which was carried to a blue Volkswagen Golf that was initially left in a central London car park before being driven to the lock-up.

Bhayani admitted perverting the course of justice by concealing Ms Waugh's death and also conspiracy to defraud.

Kutner, of Kentish Town, northwest London, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud.

A third man on trial at the Old Bailey, Elie Khoury, 40, of Paddington, central London, was cleared of conspiracy to defraud.

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Wolf On The Loose After Five Escape From Zoo

A wolf is on the loose near Colchester Zoo after breaking through a perimeter fence and vanishing into thick undergrowth.

Police are containing the area while they hunt for the animal.

At 3pm, Essex Police tweeted: "Positive sighting of escaped wolf near @ColchesterZoo and area being contained."

Keepers discovered that five wolves had escaped through a damaged fence during a morning inspection, with a sixth staying in its enclosure.

All but one have been accounted for, although two had to be shot dead.

A statement from the zoo said: "One of the wolves returned immediately of its own accord and one was darted and recaptured. 

"Unfortunately, as they were further away and an anaesthetic dart takes 15 minutes to take effect, two had to be shot.

"The remaining wolf is thought to be sheltering in thick undergrowth and the police are assisting in its recapture. Wolves are naturally timid and provided they are not cornered in any way do not provide a risk to the public."

The statement went on: "Colchester Zoo's keepers have been devastated by the loss of two of their beloved Timber wolves."

Police were called in to help with the search for the still-missing wolf.

"The helicopter and ground units are searching Maldon Road and the fields surrounding after an animal was reported missing shortly after 8am," a statement from Essex Police said.

Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the area to avoid hindering the search.

They are also asked to dial 999 if the wolf is spotted.

In August members of the public were warned not to approach a red river hog that went on the run from the zoo.

And in February 2012 horrified members of the public looked on as a "dazed" barn owl flew into the zoo's lion enclosure and was killed.

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Plebgate: Officer Charged With Misconduct

Plebgate: CPS Statement In Full

Updated: 2:34pm UK, Tuesday 26 November 2013

A police officer has been charged with misconduct over the "Plebgate" affair, which led to the resignation of former chief whip Andrew Mitchell. Here is the statement from Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, in full:

We have considered all of the evidence in this case, including previously unseen, unedited CCTV footage from Downing Street, not referred to by the media.

Taking it all into account, including the accounts of the officer at the gate of Downing Street and that of Andrew Mitchell MP before, during and after the incident, we have found that there is insufficient evidence to show that the officer at the gate lied in his account.

The CPS has also found that there is insufficient evidence to show that Mr Mitchell was the victim of a conspiracy of misinformation.

With insufficient evidence to show that the officer at the gate lied in his account, we must consider other matters, as set out below, on that basis.

I have, however, authorised one officer to be charged with one count of misconduct in public office. I will set out the decision making below.

The evidence

The evidence has been reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors by a Specialist Prosecutor in the Special Crime & Counter Terrorism Division under the personal supervision of Malcolm McHaffie, the Deputy Head of Division. I have in addition sought the advice of an experienced Queen's Counsel.

The allegations made by Mr Mitchell led to an extensive police investigation involving hundreds of witness statements from police and from staff at Downing Street.

Previously unseen and unedited CCTV evidence has been considered very carefully. In addition there has been a detailed enquiry into emails, text messages, social messaging and telephone contact between numerous police officers and members of the public. The locations of mobile telephones have been analysed using cell site technology. We have considered evidence in relation to 14 individuals including 10 police officers, a member of the media and three members of the public.

Downing Street is a high-risk target that is guarded at all times by armed police officers and protected by two pairs of main security gates. A legal order made in 2008 because of the fear of terrorist attack means that no-one may use the street unless they are authorised or directed by a police officer. Officers were instructed only to open the main gates for motor vehicles and there was a publicised policy to that effect.

The evidence shows that on 19 September 2012 there was an incident at the gates of Downing Street between Mr Mitchell and an armed police officer who, in accordance with his instructions, declined to allow Mr Mitchell to exit on his bicycle via the two pairs of main security gates, which were closed. The officer instead directed Mr Mitchell to a nearby large pedestrian gate which he opened for Mr Mitchell.

Both Mr Mitchell and the gate officer describe bad language from Mr Mitchell.

The officer describes the following words from Mr Mitchell:

"You should know your f***ing place, you don't run this f***ing government, you're f***ing plebs."

Mr Mitchell describes it as follows:

"I thought you guys were supposed to f***ing help us".

Although the exact wording of what was said is disputed, both the officer and Mr Mitchell say that the officer warned Mr Mitchell for swearing and Mr Mitchell said he would pursue the matter the next day.

There are no independent accounts of what was said.

The evidence shows that after the incident at the gate the officer immediately told other officers there what had happened; he then made a written note and telephoned a superior officer to inform him. About an hour and a half later, once back at base, he compiled an email about the incident which he sent to his managers and colleagues. The email is what has previously been described as the police 'log'.

Much of the press reporting to date has assumed that the CCTV recordings show that the gate officer lied about the words used during the incident. The CCTV footage that has been aired publicly was edited and did not show the full picture.

We have been supplied with previously unseen and unedited footage of the incident from five different cameras. The CCTV footage does not determine the issue completely as it could be consistent with either the accounts of the officer on the gate or Mr Mitchell. It is clear from the footage that there was sufficient time for the words to have been said either as described by the gate officer or as described by Mr Mitchell, and this has been confirmed by an expert. The fact that an expert has confirmed what is possible does not of itself determine the issue. Both the officer and Mr Mitchell agree that the officer warned him about swearing and that Mr Mitchell made a further remark on leaving. There is no sound recording and the faces of the officer and Mr Mitchell cannot be seen sufficiently clearly. It does show that there are a small number of members of the public present immediately in front of the gate

at the relevant time, but what cannot be seen is how many people were immediately off camera but in the vicinity, at least some of whom then quickly came into view. This is consistent with the officer's account that several members of the public were present. No officer ever mentioned "crowds" being present - this was first mentioned in Channel 4 News/Dispatches programmes in December 2012 and February 2013 - which showed edited footage that was less than clear in a number of regards.

Our determination in relation to the incident also involved careful consideration of evidence concerning conduct and communications by officers and Mr Mitchell both before and after the incident, including the fact that Mr Mitchell's account has varied since the incident.

The claims made in the Sunday Times about a whistle-blower were first made to the police by David Davis MP and Mr Mitchell. They have declined to assist the police by naming them.

Our conclusions

Having carefully considered the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors we have reached the following conclusions:

1) Events at the gate

There is insufficient evidence to say that the police officer on the gate lied (offence considered: misconduct in public office).

There is insufficient evidence to prove that any officer, alone or with any other officer(s), fabricated a false allegation against Mr Mitchell (offence considered: misconduct in public office).

There is insufficient evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy (offence considered: conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office).

2) Information leaks

a) It is clear that information was leaked when an officer, who was unconnected to the incident, sent a copy of the gate officer's email to the media. There is no evidence that this officer requested or received any payment or reward.

We have carefully considered all the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the CPS Guidance for prosecutors on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media.

We considered whether there is sufficient evidence to give rise to a realistic prospect of conviction for either a breach of the Data Protection Act s55 or misconduct in public office.

This type of conduct raises issues in relation to the right to freedom of expression, including the right to freely impart and receive information, and these are important rights enshrined in our law. In all the circumstances of this case we have concluded that a jury is likely to decide that it was in the public interest for the events at the gate to be made public and it therefore follows that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any suspect in relation to this leak.

b) In two instances there is evidence to show that false information was sent, but not by police officers. There is information, but no admissible evidence, which suggests that an officer's partner contacted the media, introducing the word "morons" into the press. However, that person is not a public officer and therefore cannot be considered for an offence of misconduct in public office. There is no evidence that any officer has ever claimed that Mr Mitchell used the word "moron".

In the second instance an unconnected member of the public sent an email to the chairman of the Conservative Party and this was later passed to Mr Mitchell. The email was sent six days after the incident, on 25 September, when the matter was already public. The correspondent claimed to have witnessed and filmed the incident and said that the word "pleb" was not used. The evidence is clear that this email is a fabrication and was in fact based on media coverage, but again, that person is not a public officer and cannot be considered for an offence of misconduct in public office.

c) In addition, two officers were considered for offences of perverting the course of justice in terms of the statements they provided to this investigation, but there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

The conclusions we have reached do not in any way condone the actions of those involved in this case.

The question of whether proceedings under police regulations should follow against any officer is a matter for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Metropolitan Police Service. The fact that an individual has not been charged with a criminal offence does not prevent such proceedings.

3) Criminal proceedings

We have also received evidence in relation to PC Keith Wallis who sent an email to the deputy chief whip, John Randall who was his MP, saying that he had witnessed the incident.

We have decided, having carefully considered the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, that there is sufficient evidence to charge PC Wallis with misconduct in a public office and that it is in the public interest  to do so. I should make it clear the misconduct allegation relates to evidence that PC Wallis falsely claimed to have witnessed the incident, not to how the incident was described in his account.

PC Keith Wallis has been charged and is required to attend Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 December 2013.

PC Keith Wallis now stands accused of a criminal offence and is entitled to a fair trial. Care should be taken that nothing is reported which may prejudice his trial."

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE

MISCONDUCT IN PUBLIC OFFICE, contrary to Common Law.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE

Keith Wallis between the 19th day of September 2012 and 16th December 2012 wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted himself when the holder of a public office, namely a police constable in the Metropolitan Police Service, in that he falsely claimed to have witnessed an incident dated 19th September 2012 and arranged for his nephew to support his false claims.

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Lostprophets Star Admits Baby Rape Attempts

Former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has admitted a string of sex offences, including two charges of attempting to rape a baby.

The singer made a series of admissions in a last-minute change of plea ahead of what would have been his trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Watkins, 36, from Pontypridd, south Wales, insisted he has no memory of what would have been key video evidence at the trial showing the abuse of his one-year-old victim, the court heard.

The charges included sexually touching a one-year-old and encouraging a woman to abuse her own child during a webcam chat.

Watkins also admitted possessing and making child sexual images as well as being behind the plot to rape a baby.

The disgraced rocker was originally charged with actual rape but insisted sex with the child did not take place during the drug-fuelled binge he said he was on at the time.

Watkins originally faced 24 separate charges - all sex offence related.

He pleaded guilty to 11 charges today, nine of which were unchanged and two of attempted baby rape, as opposed to rape.

Prosecutor Christopher Clee QC told the judge that both of the attempted rape admissions were accepted.

He acknowledged that there was an argument regarding what key video evidence seized from Watkins's laptop actually showed.

"From the footage, there is an argument as to whether the full offence is made out," he told judge Mr Justice Royce.

"If it is made out, it is minimal. There is so little difference between the full attempt and the attempt as to make no difference.

"We are prepared to accept the pleas as tendered."

He also told the judge that the prosecution had in mind the effect on the jury of watching the explicit video footage.

Previous hearings discussed arranging counselling for jurors who might need it.

Watkins will be sentenced on December 18.

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Nigella Lawson 'Was Off Her Head On Drugs'

Celebrity cook Nigella Lawson has been accused by her former husband Charles Saatchi of taking drugs.

The claim was heard in court ahead of the fraud trial of two sisters who used to work as personal assistants (PAs) to the celebrity couple.

Italians Francesca Grillo, 41, and Elisabetta Grillo, 35, are accused of using a credit card given to them by the pair to buy things for themselves.

The defendants deny the charges.

The court was read an email from Mr Saatchi to Ms Lawson saying the defendants "would get off" because Ms Lawson was "so off your head on drugs".

The email read: "Now the Grillos will get off on the basis that you, Mimi (and another person) were so off your head on drugs you allowed them to spend whatever they like.

Elisabetta (L) and Francesca Grillo (R) with an unidentified woman (C)

"Yes, I believe every word they said."

Mimi is Ms Lawson's daughter from her first marriage to John Diamond. 

Defence barristers acting for the two defendants had wanted details of the alleged drug use by Ms Lawson - who ended her 10-year marriage to Ms Saatchi earlier this year - to be heard in the case.

Judge Robin Johnson, who read out the email in court, said it could be reported despite the trial at Isleworth Crown Court in west London not having yet started.

Judge Johnson said Mr Saatchi was asked by police to explain what he meant in the message to the TV chef.

The judge told the court that Mr Saatchi said: "At the time of sending the email I was completely astounded by the scale of drug use set out in the statements (from the defendants).

"Nevertheless I did believe the allegations that I'm referring to in the email.

Mr Saatchi accepted a police caution for assault earlier this year

"I have been asked whether it referred to a belief that Nigella or the children permitted the sisters to spend whatever they liked. I can't remember precisely what I had in mind.

"On reflection, I was simply speculating that the sisters would use this information to defend themselves."

It is alleged that between January 1 2008 and December 31 2012, the Grillos committed fraud by abusing their positions as PAs by using a company credit card for personal gain.

The TV cook is expected to give evidence during the trial, which is due to last at least two weeks.

Earlier this year, Ms Lawson applied to divorce Mr Saatchi on the grounds of his continuing unreasonable behaviour.

The pair broke up after pictures were published in a newspaper in June showing the millionaire art dealer holding his wife of 10 years by the throat.

The incident on the terrace of Scott's restaurant in Mayfair, central London, was dismissed by Mr Saatchi as nothing more than "a playful tiff" but he later accepted a police caution for assault.

More follows...

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Iran Nuclear Deal Reached At Talks In Geneva

An agreement has been reached between Iran and six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

The deal, announced by European Union policy chief Catherine Ashton, is a first step towards resolving a decade-old stand-off between Tehran and the West.

The agreement between the Islamic state and the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia was nailed down after more than four days of negotiations in Geneva.

US President Barack Obama said it was an important first step towards a comprehensive solution to Iran's nuclear programme.

William Hague hailed the agreement as 'very important and encouraging'

He said Iran could not use its next-generation centrifuges under the deal and the limitations under the agreement "cut off Iran's most likely paths to a bomb".

He added that if Iran did not meet its commitments during a six-month period, the US would turn off sanctions relief and "ratchet up the pressure".

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the nuclear deal as an "historic mistake" and reserved his country's right to defend itself.

"Today the world became a much more dangerous place because the most dangerous regime in the world made a significant step in obtaining the most dangerous weapons in the world," he said.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's Mohammed Javad Zarif

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the agreement recognises Tehran's "rights" to maintain a nuclear programme, and it would "never" seek atomic weapons.

The country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: "This can be the basis for further intelligent actions. Without a doubt the grace of God and the prayers of the Iranian nation were a factor in this success."

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron said the deal leaves Tehran further from getting a nuclear weapon and "demonstrates how persistent diplomacy and tough sanctions can together help us to advance our national interest".

Foreign Secretary William Hague said the agreement was "very important and encouraging", adding that it meant "the nuclear programme won't move forward for six months".

However, he acknowledged that "legitimate concerns" remained.

He and US Secretary of State John Kerry are holding talks in London today on the Iran deal and the latest developments in Syria.

Mr Kerry offered assurances to Israel over the nuclear agreement, saying it would make the Jewish state safer over the next six months because the world would have "insights" into Iran's nuclear programme.

Speaking on Iran's Press TV, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the deal was an opportunity for the West to restore trust with the Iranian nation.

He said Tehran would expand co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, to address what he called some concerns.

European Union policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton and Javad Zarif

Iran will get access to $4.2bn (£2.6bn) in foreign exchange as part of the accord, a Western diplomat said.

A senior US official added that the agreement halted progress on Iran's nuclear programme, including construction of the Arak research reactor.

It would neutralise Iran's stockpile of uranium refined to a fissile concentration of 20%, which is a close step away from the level needed for weapons, and calls for intrusive UN nuclear inspections.

Iran has also committed to stop uranium enrichment above a fissile purity of 5%, a US fact sheet said.

The deal has no recognition of an Iranian right to enrich uranium and sanctions would still be enforced.

Refined uranium can be used to fuel nuclear power plants - Iran's stated goal - but also provide the fissile core of an atomic bomb if refined much further.

The deal has sparked fears in Israel, said Sky's Middle East Correspondent Sam Kiley.

"Israel's economy minister Naftali Bennett has said this deal could result in the use of suitcase nuclear devices five years down the line. It could be traced to this historic moment," he said.

"What they're really saying is that the international community, the world's diplomats, have been suckered by Iran in the same way that the international community was successfully suckered, let's face it, by the North Koreans who agreed to a similar deal to downscale their nuclear programme, and after a few months went by actually demonstrated that they had developed a nuclear weapon in secret.

"That is precisely what worries the Israelis."

Diplomacy was stepped up after the landslide election of Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, as Iranian president in June, replacing nationalist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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Sinabung: Thousands Flee Volcano Eruptions

Thousands of people have fled after a volcano in western Indonesia erupted eight times in a few hours, raining down rocks over a large area.

Mount Sinabung has been erupting on and off since September, but went into overdrive on Sunday, spewing out red-hot ash and rocks up to five miles into the air.

Several thousand people fled their homes overnight, bringing the total number who have left the area since the volcano rumbled into life to more than 12,000, local government official Robert Peranginangin said.

"People panicked as the eruption was accompanied by a loud thunderous sound and vibrations. Then it started raining down rocks," he said.

"They ran helter-skelter out of their homes and cried for help."

Residents living near the volcano have been urged to flee their homes

He said there were no known casualties from the latest eruptions.

Volcanology experts have raised the alert level for the volcano, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, to the highest point on a four-point scale, meaning a hazardous eruption is imminent or under way.

The government has urged people living within a three-mile radius of the volcano to leave their homes.

Sinabung is one of dozens of active volcanoes in Indonesia which straddle major tectonic fault lines known as the "Ring of Fire".

It erupted in September for the first time since 2010.

In August, five people were killed and hundreds evacuated when a volcano on a tiny island in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted.

The country's most active volcano, Mount Merapi in central Java, killed more than 350 people in a series of violent explosions in 2010.

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Policing: 'More Bobbies On The Beat Needed'

Putting more police officers on the beat should be at the forefront of efforts to restore public confidence, according to a blueprint for reform by a former Scotland Yard commissioner.

Lord Stevens will unveil the Independent Police Commission report on Monday and set out a raft of recommendations to transform policing in England and Wales.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Lord Stevens, who introduced neighbourhood policing to the Metropolitan Police 10 years ago, said a community approach was needed.

Police are "sadly deteriorated" in the public's eye, he said, and fewer crimes are being solved.

The commission believes the Government should have a Local Policing Commitment, giving every neighbourhood a guaranteed level of policing.

It says there should be guaranteed response times and that every crime should be investigated - or an explanation given as to why not.

Lord Stevens said: "This is the level of service that the public has a right to expect but that has deteriorated in front of its eyes."

Police are returning to a "discredited" style of policing, reacting to incidents rather than responding to the root causes of crime, he said.

Among the 37 recommendations by Lord Stevens' commission are that the social purpose of the police should be enshrined in law, bringing "much-needed consensus" to what the public expect of the police.

Lord Stevens, who was commissioned to carry out the report by the Labour party, said the current programme for reform was "confused" and "fragmented".

He said: "With fewer crimes being solved, a return to merely reactive policing that the public do not favour, Plebgate, Hillsborough and the identity crisis of Police and Crime Commissioners, it is no secret that policing in England and Wales faces challenges."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the findings of the Stevens commission would be consulted on as Labour draws up its manifesto for 2015.

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Ukraine: Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters

Thousands of pro-Europe protesters in Ukraine have attempted to storm government buildings in the capital of Kiev, clashing with police who fired tear gas to keep them back.

Some demonstrators tried to break through police ranks with some throwing stones and hitting officers with the signs they were carrying, as police fought back with batons, according to reports.

The protesters are urging the government to sign a free trade agreement

The demonstration was led by Ukraine's top opposition figures, who are calling for the protests to continue until President Viktor Yanukovych agrees to sign the free trade and political association deal with the EU next Friday.

Ukraine's leaders announced suddenly last week that they were pulling out of the EU agreement, saying the country could not afford to break trade ties with Russia.

The Russian government has worked aggressively to derail the EU deal and bring Ukraine into the Moscow-dominated Customs Union.

But the protesters are demanding the government reverse course and sign a landmark agreement with the European Union.

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