Mr Bean Star Settles £900k Car Insurance Bill

Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson has successfully claimed more than £900,000 from car insurers to repair his rare and valuable McLaren F1.

His claim, which is thought to be the highest ever recorded in the UK, follows a 2011 crash on the A605 near Haddon, Cambridgeshire, that left Atkinson with a badly damaged shoulder.

The unusual repair job is extensively documented in Classic & Sports Car magazine, with a picture of the burgundy McLaren on the cover.

Ben Stagg, specialist insurer with RK Harrison, said the quality components used to make an F1 are one reason the repair costs were so high.

The high-performance car makes extensive use of carbon fibre and needed specialist care - it took weeks just to get a proper insurance estimate.

Rowan Atkinson at the wheel of his McLaren F1 supercar in 1998

"All modern supercars are predominantly carbon fibre - most Lamborghinis, most Ferraris - and the smallest ding in carbon fibre is a big repair job," said Stagg.

"And part of the engine bay is gold, that's the best heat conductor. It's the materials they used compared to everyday cars that make it so expensive."

He said many owners baby their expensive cars, driving them only a few times a year in perfect weather conditions, but Atkinson actually drives his McLaren extensively.

The Blackadder star told the magazine he believes supercars should be used, not sequestered in garages.

"It depresses me when great cars are hidden away," he said. "It's a crime not to use it."

Magazine editor Alastair Clements said Atkinson, 58, should be applauded.

"He let us do the story because he wanted other enthusiasts to know that he loves it, that he isn't just some celebrity with an expensive car, that he's owned it for 15 years and loved it for 15 years," he said.

"He's put it back exactly as it was. He's a bit of a hero. It's much more than the value."

Although the insurance claim may seem eye-watering to most drivers, the last used McLaren F1 sold on the open market went for about £3.5m, said Stagg.

After the year-long repair project, it is thought the actor's annual insurance premium could be as high as £60,000.

Atkinson, whose Mr Bean act was revived during the Olympics opening ceremony last summer, is currently appearing on the West End stage in Quartermaine's Terms, by Simon Gray.

He has received rave reviews for his portrayal of St John Quartermaine, a hapless and lonely English language teacher at a Cambridge school in the early 1960s.

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Helicopter Tribute At Crash Pilot's Funeral

The funeral of the pilot who died when his helicopter crashed after clipping a high-rise crane in central London has been held near his Berkshire home.

Pete Barnes, 50, died from multiple injuries last month when he crashed beside The Tower at St George Wharf in Vauxhall.

Some 500 family, friends and fellow pilots filled Reading Minster to pay tribute to Mr Barnes, a pilot with 25 years' experience.

Flowers with a helicopter on top were laid on his coffin, which was carried into the Minster by fellow pilots, among others.  A helicopter flew past the Minster twice at the end of the service.

The order of service for Pete Barnes's funeral

A red, white and grey floral tribute was laid outside the Minster, carrying a note which said "G-Barnesy".

Another note read: "Barnesy, you were tip top... Gone too soon but never forgotten."

The pilot, from Mortimer, Berkshire, had two children - 12-year-old Alexandra and eight-year-old Freddy - with his partner Rebecca Dixon.

On the day he died he was flying from Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey to Elstree in Hertfordshire but was diverted to Battersea heliport due to the bad weather.

Shortly afterwards, his Agusta A109E helicopter clipped the crane.

Witnesses described hearing a loud bang and seeing a flash of light as the twin-engine aircraft crashed near Wandsworth Road.

Video footage and photos flooded on to social media sites showing chaotic scenes, burning wreckage and vehicles charred by flames.

Pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, from Sutton, Surrey, was also killed in the incident as he walked to work. He died from severe burns and a leg injury.

Mr Barnes had flown as an air ambulance pilot and in several films during his career, including Oscar-winning Saving Private Ryan and Tomb Raider II.

He has been described as "a good guy" who was "full of life and great fun".

During the service, a poem chosen by Mr Barnes's children - Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney - was read out and the pilot's brother Chris was among those to read a tribute.

The song I Wanna Be Like You from the Jungle Book was played as mourners filed out at the end.

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Russian Banker's Shooting: Man Arrested

Moscow police have arrested a man suspected of shooting a prominent Russian banker in London last year.

German Gorbuntsov was shot outside his flat in east London on March 20, 2012.

The 45-year-old was attacked by a man armed with a pistol as he was entering the premises in Canary Wharf in the evening.

He survived six shots to the stomach, but was in a coma as a result of the assassination attempt.

The Russian Interior Ministry said in a statement that the suspect - 33-year-old Moldovan Vitali Proca - had been arrested on Wednesday in Moscow.

The arrest was confirmed by Interpol and Britain's Metropolitan Police.

Mr Gorbuntsov's lawyer, Vadim Vedenin, said he had not been informed by police.

"The attacker was wearing a mask and was standing behind German's back," Mr Vedenin said. "So unfortunately German doesn't know how the attacker looked like."

He added Mr Gorbuntsov "is now feeling better, but not as good as before the assassination".

"He was in coma for so long, he had to learn how to walk and do easiest things again. Now he is capable of walking himself."

Proca is also wanted for attempted murder in Romania, and faces extradition.

According to Interpol, he allegedly gunned down his victim in a shooting in a Bucharest parking lot on November 26 last year.

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NHS Deaths: Health Sec Urges Police Probe

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has urged police to investigate the hundreds of deaths caused by neglect and abuse at Stafford Hospital.

In the wake of a damning report into care failings at the hospital, Mr Hunt said it was "absolutely disgraceful" that nobody had been "held to account" for the premature deaths of up to 1,200 people.

"I think it's absolutely outrageous that potentially more than a thousand people lost their lives because of poor care and not a single person has been brought to book," he told The Daily Telegraph.

"This was a public inquiry that was designed to help us understand why the system didn't pick up what went wrong but I think it is absolutely disgraceful with all those things happening, whether it is doctors, nurses or managers, nobody has been held to account."

Mr Hunt said the police should look at the evidence already in the public domain and insisted it was not for him to say who was guilty and who was not.

Jeremy Hunt wants individuals to be 'brought to book'

"As a politician, I am not in a position to say this nurse is guilty, this nurse is not, and all these things have to be decided at arm's length following due process. This is about people's careers and livelihood and there has to be fairness of course," he said.

Robert Francis QC, who led the inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, uncovered a "disaster" in the standards of basic care and medical treatment for some of the most vulnerable and elderly patients.

Reporting this week, Mr Francis said there were failings at every level of the NHS and that the culture among healthcare staff must change.

He said: "What we need to avoid is yet another wholesale reorganisation of abolishing organisations and creating new ones.

"This is about how people behave when they go to work and their ability to raise concerns and be honest about what's going on in their hospitals."

Stafford Hospital victim Alan Nash died after his bowel was perforated

His comments came after it emerged there were 3,000 more deaths than expected at another five NHS trusts between 2010 and last year.

A review has been launched into Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Patients' campaigner Julie Bailey, whose elderly mother Bella died at Stafford Hospital, called for individuals in the NHS to be held accountable for the failings in care.

She said: "This is an opportunity to put down the gauntlet and say enough is enough. From today you will be held accountable for your actions - it's no good saying in the future you will be held accountable.

"We want accountability for the hundreds of deaths and the suffering our loved ones had to put up with."

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London Library Reopens Despite Funding Cuts

By Liz Lane, Sky News Reporter

One north London library will be celebrating National Libraries Day more than others today.

Friern Barnet has defied the odds and become Britain's first People's Library. It was shut last April because of council funding cuts, but has officially reopened its doors this week, after a campaign lasting five months.

Frances Briers uses the service often. Her husband suffers from leukemia, and the library provides an escape.

She said: "Just so I can get away from the hussle and bussle of life and talk to healthy people, have a bit of rest, respite, read the book, read the paper, and get away from everyday life, really."

She was devastated when it shut suddenly last year.

"I couldn't believe it. We had been to the council meetings, petitions, lobbied everyone to try and save it and it was shocking that we felt that no-one was listening to us."

The Occupy campaign group moved into the building in September. Activists slept there every night and together with local residents kept services running on a voluntary basis, while well-wishers donated thousands of books.

Campaigners in Friern Barnet have fought to keep their library open

Local rabbi Jeffrey Newman joined the campaign. He said: "There was a real outburst, there was a real outcry. People felt that something they'd just taken for granted and that they cared about had just been taken away."

This week Barnet Council agreed various community organisations could take over the premises for the next two years.

Pat Caplan, one of the library's trustees, said: "I think it shows if you're really determined enough you can make a difference, you can win a little battle even if you can't win the war, and try to do something about preserving a public asset."

This is an exception, as 201 libraries closed in the UK between 2010 and 2012, leaving 4,265 open.

Visits to libraries also dropped 2.4% to 306.6 million in the year to March 2012, according to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

Hundreds of events are planned across the UK to mark National Libraries Day, and people are being encouraged to go out and borrow a book.

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Driver Killed After Exiting Car On M'way

A driver died when he got out of his car in the middle lane of a motorway and was struck by a number of vehicles.

It happened on the southbound carriageway of the M18 near Doncaster shortly after 7am on Friday.

The 53-year-old, from Gilberdyke, Humberside, was believed to have got out of his blue Ford Escort after it stopped in the middle lane between junction three and two.

A 26-year-old in a green Ford Transit tried to avoid a collision but clipped the Focus, then hit the man, South Yorkshire Police said.

Two lorries collided with the van, then one of the trucks hit the man.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said the 53-year-old suffered "fatal injuries" and five people in other vehicles received whiplash.

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Brit Charged Over Threats To Kill US Students

Detectives have charged a British man in connection with alleged threats to shoot dead 200 children at a US school.

Sky Tyne and Wear reported Northumbria Police arrested Reece Elliott, 24, from South Shields, on Friday on suspicion of making threats to kill.

An anonymous post made on Wednesday on a Facebook memorial page set up for a deceased student threatened a mass killing spree, saying: "I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself."

Elliott has been charged with making threats to kill, and was remanded in custody after appearing before South Tyneside Magistrates Court.

He entered no plea, and offered to visit the local police station every day to avoid being remanded in custody.

When magistrates decided against this, he puffed out his cheeks and shook his head.

The prosecuting solicitor had earlier told the court: "I am not so sure this defendant knows just how serious this case is."

Homeland Security in the US was informed of the comments, and the threats led schools in Warren County, Tennessee, to tighten security.

Some reports said as many as 3,000 students did not attend classes the next day.

The post said: "My father has three guns. I'm planning on killing him first and putting him in a dumpster. Then I'm taking the motor and I'm going in fast.

Warren County Schools tightened security following the threats

"I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself."

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Kristin Helm said its cyber crime agents are helping in the investigation and the source of the post had not been identified.

It is not yet known whether any potential prosecution will be brought in England or the US, or both.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "At 2.12pm on Friday February 8, police received notification that a man had posted threatening information on Facebook.

"A 24-year-old man from South Shields has been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and is currently in custody.

"The message is believed to have been posted on Wednesday. There is nothing to suggest it posed any physical threat to any school either here or in America."

Bobby Cox, director of Warren County Schools in Tennessee, said: "As most of you are aware we received notice of violent threats directed at Warren County High School late Wednesday evening, February 6.

"We put an action plan together with the local authorities to ensure the safety of our schools and our campuses across the system.

"We wanted to make sure that we had all the facts before we sent a mass message out via our calling system to you.

"Currently the Sheriff's Department is working with the TBI and Homeland Security to trace down the person who posted this message.

"We have increased the presence of Police and Sheriff's Deputies in our schools today and tomorrow and all schools will limit access into each building to ensure the safety of our staff and students."

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported police officers were posted to 11 schools in the area.

In December, gunman Adam Lanza killed 27 when he opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

He died at the scene and the body of his mother, Nancy Lanza, was found at his family home. She had been shot in the face.

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Sex Assault Suicide: Police Defend Handling

Greater Manchester Police has defended its care of Frances Andrade, who killed herself after giving evidence against her abusers.

The violin teacher's testimony was central to the case against choirmaster Michael Brewer and his ex-wife Kay, who were found guilty of sexually assaulting their victim more than 30 years ago.

In a statement released after the verdicts, Mrs Andrade's son Oliver said his mother had praised an officer assigned to look after her, but that police had "heavily advised" her not to receive therapy until the end of the case.

He said: "She was forced to cope on her own with only the support of her family and very close friends.

"This meant that even after several attempts at her own life she did not get the help she needed. The state of mental healthcare in this country needs reform."

Greater Manchester Police say it is the force's policy to encourage victims to seek support.

Victim Frances Andrade has been described as "an amazing person"

GMP's head of public protection Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: "I would firstly like to extend my sympathies to the family of Frances Andrade.

"Our thoughts remain with them at this desperately difficult time and it is tragic she is not able to see she has been vindicated for the bravery she consistently showed throughout the investigation.

"I want to make it clear that it is Greater Manchester Police's policy and practice to encourage victims to seek whatever support they need.

"The advice to Frances not to seek support may have been given by another party but it was not the advice of Greater Manchester Police. Victims who have suffered sexual abuse have every right to seek whatever help they need.

"As Frances' son Oliver said in his very moving statement, the GMP officer who was assigned the case did everything he could to help Frances."

The body of Mrs Andrade, 48, was found less than a week after she gave evidence in the trial at Manchester Crown Court.

The Crown Prosecution Service decided to continue with the trial and Judge Martin Rutland ruled that news of Mrs Andrade's death should be kept from jurors until after they reached their verdicts.

After sending the jury out, the judge said: "Tragically a lady has lost her life during the course of these proceedings. She took her own life. She left no note. We do not know the circumstances in which she took her own life."

Mrs Andrade was visibly agitated on occasions as she gave her evidence over two days on January 16 and 17.

She chose to take to the witness box in full view of everyone in the courtroom, including the two defendants in the dock.

The jury heard that the police investigation was sparked by National Youth Choir teacher Jenavora Williams after Mrs Andrade, her friend, told her about her time at Chetham's.

Mrs Andrade told the court she wanted it to be dealt with internally but she said Mrs Williams went to the police in 2011 without telling her.

She then agreed to co-operate with the police and help the prosecution.

The mother-of-four, from Guildford, Surrey, who was married to acclaimed viola player Levine Andrade, was supported from the public gallery by one of her sons.

At one point she complained about Brewer smiling as she gave her evidence, but she chose to press on without drawing a curtain to block off the dock.

Judge Martin Rudland remarked that she was "clearly undergoing a cathartic experience, whatever the source" while giving evidence.

He said she was "combative" during cross-examination by Kate Blackwell QC, representing Brewer, and she had taken personal issue with some of the barrister's questions but the judge indicated that Ms Blackwell had acted professionally.

During the cross-examination, Mrs Andrade told the barrister: "You are hugely insulting, even though it's your job."

The judge told the defendants a jail sentence for both of them was "inevitable" as he remanded the pair in custody.

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Horsemeat Scandal An 'International Conspiracy'

How Horsemeat Scandal Unfolded

Updated: 9:29pm UK, Friday 08 February 2013

The horsemeat scandal has been unfolding for weeks and products have been flying off the shelves, although not in a good way. Where did it all begin?

January 16

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland says beefburgers with traces of equine DNA, including one product classed as 29% horse, are being supplied to supermarkets by Silvercrest Foods in Ireland and Dalepak Hambleton in Yorkshire, subsidiaries of the ABP Food Group.

Ten million suspect burgers are taken off the shelves, including by retailers Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland and Dunnes Stores.

A third company, Liffey meats, based in Co Cavan, Ireland, was also found to be supplying products to supermarkets with traces of horse DNA.

January 17

The ABP Food Group suspends work at its Silvercrest Foods plant in Co Monaghan, Ireland, until further notice.

Sainsbury's, Asda and the Co-op later withdrew some frozen products as a precaution but had not been found to be selling contaminated food.

January 23

Burger King, which is supplied burgers by ABP Food Group, switches to another supplier as a precautionary measure.

January 25

Waitrose removes a range of frozen burgers made by Dalepak but says its burgers have been tested and are 100% beef.

The Food Standards Agency said tests at a Dalepak plant in North Yorkshire had found no traces of meat contaminated with horse or pork DNA.

However, Aldi found traces of pig and horsemeat in samples taken from three lines of Dalepak burgers.

It withdrew Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Quarter Pounder, Oakhurst Beef Quarter Pounders and Frozen Oakhurst Beefburgers from sale.

February 4

Production at a second meat supplier, Rangeland Foods in Co Monaghan, is suspended after 75% equine DNA is found in raw ingredients, The Department of Agriculture confirm.

February 5

Frozen meat at Freeza Meats company in Newry, Northern Ireland, is found to contain 80% horse meat, The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland said. It is potentially linked to the Silvercrest factory in the Republic of Ireland.

Asda withdraws products supplied by Freeza Meats.

February 6

Tesco and Aldi take down frozen spaghetti and lasagne meals produced by French food supplier Comigel following concerns about its Findus beef lasagne.

The FSA reveals a second case of "gross contamination" after some Findus UK beef lasagnes were found to contain up to 100% horse meat. The products were made by French food supplier Comigel.

February 8

Aldi withdraws its Today's Special Frozen Beef Lasagne and Today's Special Frozen Spaghetti Bolognese after tests showed the products contained between 30% and 100% horsemeat.

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Policewoman Killed In Londonderry Crash Named

A 27-year-old policewoman killed in a road crash involving a suspected stolen car has been named as Philippa Reynolds.

The officer - who had only been in the PSNI force for two years - was travelling in a police car on routine patrol at the time of the smash in Londonderry.

Two other officers in the patrol car were hurt in the crash, which happened at around 3.40am on Saturday morning, but their injuries are not life-threatening.

Police have arrested two men in connection with the crash on the Limavady Road in the Ebrington area of the city.

The Limavady Road has remained closed at its junction with Glendermott Road and Clooney Terrace while investigations were carried out.

The crash happened on the Limavady Road in Londonderry

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said: "It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of our colleague. This is a personal tragedy for her family and also for the whole Police Service.

"She was out on duty, working to keep people safe, when she died. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

"I and my colleagues will ensure that no stone remains unturned as we work to bring to justice those who perpetrated this crime."

Ulster Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Ross Hussey said he was "shocked and saddened" by the officer's death.

A forensic officer examines the scene near the suspected stolen vehicle

"I would like to pass on my heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of this officer," he said.

"We can only imagine the pain that they must be feeling. I hope that her injured colleagues make a speedy recovery.

"This young woman's death in the line of duty serves to re-emphasise the dangers faced by the officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on a daily basis, as they put themselves in harm's way to protect the whole community. They deserve our full support."

The Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office has been informed.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

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