Written By Unknown on Kamis, 22 Januari 2015 | 14.43
A man wanted over the killing of an off-duty police officer has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Germany.
Timmy Donovan, who was wanted on a European Arrest Warrant, was held at Dusseldorf Airport as he tried to board a flight to the UK, Merseyside Police said.
The 30-year-old was wanted for questioning over the death of PC Neil Doyle, who was killed in Liverpool city centre after a Christmas night out on 19 December.
The officer was married in July and was days away from going on his honeymoon when he was killed.
Off-duty officers Michael Steventon and Robert Marshall were also attacked and treated in hospital for facial injuries.
Two men have already appeared in court accused of PC Doyle's murder and are due to go on trial at Liverpool Crown Court later this year.
Christopher Spendlove, 30, of Brandearth Hey, Stockbridge Village, and Andrew Taylor, 28, of Cherry Tree Road, Huyton, also face charges that they caused grievous bodily harm with intent.
Mr Donovan, from Huyton in Merseyside, is also known as Timmy O'Sullivan.
The Government is planning to bring into force legislation for plain cigarette packaging before the General Election in May.
Health minister Jane Ellison said the regulations would be laid before Parliament in time to be agreed by both Houses before the election.
She said the current "comprehensive" approach was working well, but insisted it was important not to be complacent.
The ban on smoking in private cars will come into force on 1 October this year, the minister also announced.
During an adjournment debate in the Commons, Ms Ellison said tobacco caused around 80,000 deaths a year and that around 600 children in the UK take up smoking every day.
Video:Aug 2014: Plain Packaging In Oz
She said the Government was committed to reducing the numbers of young people who take up smoking, but had been taking its time to consider all relevant evidence, including the possibility of litigation from the tobacco industry.
Ms Ellison told MPs: "We cannot be complacent. We all know the damage smoking does to health.
"This Government is completely committed to protecting children from the harm that tobacco causes.
"That's why I'm announcing today that we will be bringing forward legislation for standardised packaging before the end of this Parliament."
Health groups welcomed Ms Ellison's announcement but business representatives accused the Government of meddling.
Mike Hobday, director of policy at the British Heart Foundation, said: "We are absolutely delighted. The Government has taken another key step towards securing new legislation that will help protect young people from the deadly consequences of smoking."
Video:Confusion Over E-Cigarette Safety
Dr Hilary Cass, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "This is a significant piece of legislation - and a real positive step from Government to protect the health of current and future generations of children.
"With two thirds of smokers starting before they are 18, and the effects of packaging on young people well-known, it is a simple yet important reform in the battle against smoking-related illness."
But Christopher Snowdon, director of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, condemned the announcement.
He said: "This is a gross infringement of the right of companies to use their trademarks and design their own packaging.
"There is no need to wonder what will happen next, we need only look at Australia where the black market has grown and youth smoking has risen.
"To pursue this grandstanding policy in spite of the Australian experience is sheer negligence."
A secret Government file has been unearthed that documents "unnatural" sexual behaviour taking place when the Westminster paedophile scandal was at its height.
It has been kept under lock and key for 35 years on grounds of national security - but will now be released to the child abuse inquiry established by the Government.
Security and intelligence expert Dr Chris Murphy stumbled across it last November while searching documents at the National Archives in Kew.
He was immediately alerted by the title: "PREM19/588 - SECURITY. Allegations against former public [word missing] of unnatural sexual proclivities; security aspects 1980 Oct 27 - 1981 Mar 20."
"I was looking through the 'PREM' Prime Minister file series for the 1980s," the University of Salford lecturer told Sky News.
"I think I did a double-take and then started wondering what the potential implications of the title, which is a little vague, could be."
It is highly likely then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher saw the documents, and was briefed on the security implications, but the identities of those within them remain secret.
Dr Murphy added: "The fact that this file is concerning the Prime Minister and these allegations are being taken to the Prime Minister I think would strike anybody of being potentially of some interest."
Sky News highlighted the existence of the file to the Cabinet Office earlier this month.
Sir Bernard Ingham says he spoke to a minister who denied allegations
A spokesperson for the department said: "In this case, the file was kept closed and retained as it contained information from the security services and advice from the Law Officers.
"These classifications are reviewed periodically."
Video:What Might Abuse Files Reveal?
The department would not reveal whether David Cameron or Home Secretary Theresa May were aware of the contents, but promised it would be made accessible to the child sex abuse inquiry.
"We are clear that any files that are pertinent to the historical child sex abuse inquiry will be made available to the panel," the spokesperson added.
Mrs Thatcher's former press secretary, Sir Bernard Ingham, told Sky News he could not recall the file.
He did though confirm that both he and Mrs Thatcher were aware of allegations against a Government minister in the early 1980s.
Video:Sex Abuse Panel To Be Scrapped
Sir Bernard would not name the individual, but said: "I asked him about it and he denied it, so no, I didn't do anything else. What was the alternative?"
In July last year, the Prime Minister promised the survivors of sexual abuse that "no stone would be left unturned" in the pursuit of the truth.
Officials at the Cabinet Office have previously attempted to block requests for information relating to Cyril Smith, the late Liberal politician who is now known to have abused youngsters.
Simon Danczuk MP, who exposed the extent of Smith's offending, told Sky News the "sexual proclivities" file had to be released.
Video:18 Dec: Victim - MPs Were Involved
"I think it is right and proper that the Government now open up this document, let us know what is in there," he said.
"I think there is a culture within Government departments of not releasing information and that has caused some of the problems we now have in getting to the bottom of who was involved in this paedophile network and who was involved in covering it up."
The abuse inquiry was announced in July but currently has no chairman, after first Lady Butler-Sloss and then Fiona Woolf were appointed and then stepped down following concerns over their links to the political establishment.
It is still yet to appoint someone to lead it amid growing calls for action from survivors and campaign groups.
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 20 Januari 2015 | 14.44
Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow in the soap, has died aged 60 after a short illness.
A statement on the soap's website said the cast and crew were "heartbroken".
The actress was part of the ITV soap for 42 years after joining in 1972 - and has been part of some major storylines.
William Roache, who played her on-screen husband Ken Barlow, said: "I feel Anne's loss so personally having worked closely with her for over 40 years.
"We had some rows over the years as Ken and Deirdre, and it was wonderful to play those scenes opposite her.
"Coronation Street has lost one of its iconic characters and Anne will be greatly missed."
William Roache said Kirkbride was 'loving and vibrant'
One of the most memorable plots - the love triangle between Deirdre, Ken and Mike Baldwin - led to her being voted TV Personality Of The Year in 1983.
When her character chose Ken Barlow over Mike Baldwin in 1983, cheers went up as the "result" flashed up on the Old Trafford scoreboard.
Video:Kirkbride Was 'Iconic' - Roache
It read: "Ken and Deirdre reunited. Ken 1 - Mike 0."
In 1993 it was revealed she had throat cancer and she took three months off the show while undergoing treatment.
Many major storylines led viewers and fans to act as if Deirdre was a real person.
So much so that in 1998 then-Prime Minister Tony Blair promised to intervene to get Deirdre released from prison after she was duped into mortgage fraud.
Mr Blair gave his full support to the "Free The Weatherfield One" campaign.
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Gallery: Coronation Street Actress Anne 'Deirdre' Kirkbride Dies
Anne Kirkbride has died aged 60 after a short illness
The actress was one of the best known on British television, having played Deirdre Barlow for more than 40 years
Police forces are being accused of not doing enough to tackle a boom in shoplifting.
A survey shows a 36% rise in the money lost in shop thefts, the highest figure for a decade.
But most shoplifting goes unreported because shopkeepers do not believe the police will respond, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
It said: "Despite the high level of theft, and evidence that some retailers are adopting more consistent "no exception" policies to reporting offences to the police, the majority of customer theft remains unreported.
"This is an indication that businesses continue to lack confidence in the police response to customer theft.
"The perception remains that some quarters of law enforcement view theft as a 'victimless' crime which is not taken seriously."
Video:Shoplifting Hits 10-Year High
Toy shop owner Steve Mohabir, who runs The Toy Box in Godalming, Surrey, said he faced increasing thefts but found police were rarely willing to arrest suspects.
He said: "To be totally honest I'm really furious.
"I pay a high business rate, but I don't get the police service I need, no local bobby keeping an eye on retailers and our problems.
"If I report shoplifting I get told 'it's not very much' and nothing is done about it, but if it's an armed robbery at the bank they are much more interested."
Mr Mohabir said he has had to resort to investing in an expensive CCTV system and then shaming shoplifters by putting their images on his Facebook page.
The BRC's 2014 retail crime survey put the annual cost of all crime at £603m, an increase of 18%, with a total of three million crimes.
As well as the increase in shoplifting, fraud rose by 12% - more than half committed by organised gangs - and cyber crime also went up.
However, robbery, burglary and criminal damage fell.
The BRC's Director General, Helen Dickinson, said: "In my foreword to last year's report I said that a step change improvement in the law enforcement response to fraud was a desperately needed reform. A year on, this remains the case.
"Although there remains at times a lack of confidence among retailers about the service they receive from police and the criminal justice system, businesses are keen to work with partners to reduce retail crime."
Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish, the National Policing Lead for Retail Crime, said: "Police have been working closely with businesses and retailers for several years, including British Retail Consortium, to help them prevent theft whether from stores or online.
"Stores need to ensure that they have the right security and working practices in place and heed advice to prevent them from being targeted.
"Without retailers making these changes, police will not be able to work in partnership to reduce this type of crime.
"Retailers need to report crimes against them to us so that we can investigate and ensure we have a full picture of offending; our ability to help is undermined if we aren't receiving information about crimes committed."
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 18 Januari 2015 | 14.43
Police investigating the unsolved murder of a grandmother as she house-sat for friends are set to start voluntary DNA screening.
Men who live, work or visit the Bosham area of West Sussex are being urged to eliminate themselves from suspicion following the killing of 55-year-old Valerie Graves.
The DNA screening will take place at the Millstream Hotel in the village from Wednesday.
It is the latest move by detectives who have launched a large-scale manhunt for the killer of grandmother and mother of two Ms Graves.
The claw hammer which may have been used to kill Valerie Graves.
She is believed to have been killed with a claw hammer in a ground floor bedroom in Smugglers Lane, Bosham, on 30 December, 2013.
She was bludgeoned as she house-sat with her sister Jan, mother Eileen and her sister's partner, Nigel Acres, while the property's owners went abroad for Christmas.
Video:Murdered Woman's Family Make Appeal
More than 9,500 people have been interviewed by police, a £20,000 reward has been offered, a BBC Crimewatch appeal has been made and a limited DNA match of a suspect has been yielded.
But despite an exhaustive inquiry, no one has been charged.
The death of Ms Graves shocked the small community of Bosham, which featured in an episode of the ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders.
Last month, Ms Graves's two children Tim Wood, 32, and Jemima Harrison, 35, spoke - along with Mr Acres - ahead of the first anniversary of her murder.
The family said Christmas was put "on hold" as they faced their first festive season without her and as her murderer still remains at large.
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Video:Eurotunnel Services Resume
Passengers are being warned to expect delays on Eurostar services after a lorry fire left thousands stranded on both sides of the Channel.
Passenger services and the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle car service were stopped on Saturday after the vehicle caught fire on the French side of the railway's south tunnel.
The incident led to long queues at St Pancras station in London as services were cancelled, and queues have formed again at the station this morning, Sky's Charlotte Lomas-Farley reports.
There were also delays and queues in Paris.
A Eurotunnel spokesman said services resumed at 2.45am UK time.
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Gallery: Travel Chaos In London And Paris
This is the scene at St Pancras International station in London as Eurostar services are cancelled in both directions
The company said trains would not be running on Saturday
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Large queues of passengers have formed - but they are being told they will be unable to travel
]]>
It is a similar scene at Gare du Nord station in Paris - this board shows all services have been cancelled
]]>
Passengers are having to make alternative arrangements
]]>
Passenger service Eurostar says it plans to run a full service today, but only "for passengers who have an existing reservation for this date".
Trains are expected to be delayed by between 30 minutes and an hour.
The company added that people whose trains were cancelled on Saturday are advised not to arrive at stations unless they had already been re-booked.
A Eurostar spokesman said: "All passengers who are booked to travel tomorrow, Sunday 18 January, should check in as normal half an hour before departure.
"Eurostar services tomorrow are already very busy and availability is limited."
Earlier, Eurotunnel spokesman John O'Keefe said a "smouldering load" was found in the trailer of the lorry.
The alarm was triggered after CO2 detectors were activated in one tunnel, Eurotunnel said.
Video:Passengers Hit By Eurostar Alert
A Kent Police spokesman said: "A lorry fire has led to the closure of both bores of the Channel Tunnel.
"The fire was at the French end of the tunnel and is being dealt with by the French authorities.
"There are no reported injuries."
In March, hundreds of Eurostar passengers were delayed after a lightning strike triggered a fire in a building close to the entrance to the tunnel in Kent.
Although there was no damage to the track, four trains in and out of England were affected.
Three eventually reached their destination but the fourth, which had been heading to Paris, was forced to turn back to London.
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Delays As Eurostar Services Resume After Fire
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Eurotunnel Services Resume
Passengers are being warned to expect delays on Eurostar services after a lorry fire left thousands stranded on both sides of the Channel.
Passenger services and the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle car service were stopped on Saturday after the vehicle caught fire on the French side of the railway's south tunnel.
The incident led to long queues at St Pancras station in London as services were cancelled, and queues have formed again at the station this morning, Sky's Charlotte Lomas-Farley reports.
There were also delays and queues in Paris.
A Eurotunnel spokesman said services resumed at 2.45am UK time.
1/7
Gallery: Travel Chaos In London And Paris
This is the scene at St Pancras International station in London as Eurostar services are cancelled in both directions
The company said trains would not be running on Saturday
]]>
Large queues of passengers have formed - but they are being told they will be unable to travel
]]>
It is a similar scene at Gare du Nord station in Paris - this board shows all services have been cancelled
]]>
Passengers are having to make alternative arrangements
]]>
Passenger service Eurostar says it plans to run a full service today, but only "for passengers who have an existing reservation for this date".
Trains are expected to be delayed by between 30 minutes and an hour.
The company added that people whose trains were cancelled on Saturday are advised not to arrive at stations unless they had already been re-booked.
A Eurostar spokesman said: "All passengers who are booked to travel tomorrow, Sunday 18 January, should check in as normal half an hour before departure.
"Eurostar services tomorrow are already very busy and availability is limited."
Earlier, Eurotunnel spokesman John O'Keefe said a "smouldering load" was found in the trailer of the lorry.
The alarm was triggered after CO2 detectors were activated in one tunnel, Eurotunnel said.
Video:Passengers Hit By Eurostar Alert
A Kent Police spokesman said: "A lorry fire has led to the closure of both bores of the Channel Tunnel.
"The fire was at the French end of the tunnel and is being dealt with by the French authorities.
"There are no reported injuries."
In March, hundreds of Eurostar passengers were delayed after a lightning strike triggered a fire in a building close to the entrance to the tunnel in Kent.
Although there was no damage to the track, four trains in and out of England were affected.
Three eventually reached their destination but the fourth, which had been heading to Paris, was forced to turn back to London.
