Madeleine Police Identify New Search Area

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent

The renewed search for clues into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is to move to a new area outside of Praia Da Luz, Sky News has learned.

Portuguese police have told Sky News a new dig will begin on land somewhere between Praia Da Luz and the town of Lagos on Wednesday.

The development comes as search teams appear to have discounted parts of the site in Praia Da Luz where digging has been taking place all week.

Several areas of scrubland have been filled in

Officers used shovels and wheelie bins to fill in some of the holes they dug on scrubland as the search entered its sixth day on Saturday.

Some of the small yellow flags that were placed on areas of interest within the site earlier this week were removed.

Sniffer dogs from South Wales Police are again on site with their handlers working in different sections of the scrubland.

The search, not far from the holiday complex where the McCanns were staying in 2007, will continue throughout the weekend.

The search resumed in Praia da Luz on Saturday

Meanwhile, the family of missing Ben Needham have told Sky News their "thoughts and prayers" are with the McCanns as the investigation steps up in Portugal.

Some of the experts involved in the renewed search were also deployed to the island of Kos in Greece in 2012 when South Yorkshire Police led a review into Ben's disappearance.

Ben vanished in 1991 when he was 21 months old, after his mother and grandparents moved there from Sheffield.

Speaking to Sky News, the Needham family said: "Our thoughts are with the McCanns in this search for Madeleine.

Ben Needham (left) and Madeleine McCann (right)

"We ourselves know that this sort of investigation will be a very difficult time for the family.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them."

Officers have been allowed to continue their work through the weekend in Praia da Luz after the Portuguese authorities granted them extra time.

The resort of Praia da Luz in Portugal

Forensic archaeologists, anthropologists, dog search teams and various specialist police officers from several UK forces have been working on the site.

The Metropolitan Police has not revealed why it has chosen to search the area of scrubland or any details of what it has found so far.

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Hero's Welcome For 'Great Escape' D-Day Veteran

A D-Day veteran who went "AWOL" from his care home to see Friday's commemorations in France has returned to a hero's welcome.

Bernard Jordan, 90, was cheered and hugged by staff waving Union Flags at The Pines nursing home in Hove, Sussex.

"I had a great time. I'm really pleased I did it," he said after the Brittany Ferries ship Normandie arrived in Portsmouth.

Quizzed on whether he would go back next year, he replied: "Yes, I expect so. If I am still here, definitely!"

The former Royal Navy officer said his wife had known about his trip.

Mr Jordan gets a hug from staff at his nursing home

And in a statement issued after his return to The Pines, Mr Jordan said he didn't realise what a "stir" he would cause.

"I want to thank everyone for their kind words and best wishes following my trip to Normandy - I never imagined my visit would cause such a stir!

"I'm delighted to be back at home with my wife and the wonderful staff here at The Pines. I was never banned from going to the commemorations, I just decided to make my own way there."

Brittany Ferries said Mr Jordan enjoyed a breakfast of bacon, two fried eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee during the seven-hour crossing.

A statement released by Mr Jordan

The pensioner would be given free crossings to the D-Day commemorations for the rest of his life, the company confirmed.

Police were called on Thursday night when staff realised the veteran had gone out at 10.30am and had not been seen since.

Mr Jordan was wearing his medals when he left but covered them up with a grey jacket and secretly boarded a coach to France.

At 10.30pm on Thursday - 12 hours after he was last seen - a younger veteran called to say he had met the pensioner on a coach on the journey to the commemorations.

The 90-year-old waves as his ferry home arrives in Portsmouth

He said the pair were sitting in a hotel in Ouistreham, Normandy, where world leaders have been mingling with veterans to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Mr Jordan, a former mayor of Hove, was pictured with "Candy Girl" ferry staff on the way back to England.

Staff member Sonia Pittam told Sky News the 90-year-old was "a game old boy".

She said: "He certainly has his wits about him, he didn't say much about the landings, just how pleased he was to be on board and couldn't believe how everyone was looking after them and all the people waving on the route to the harbour entrance."

Mr Jordan pictured on board the ferry home (Pic: Stephen Tuckwell)

His niece Susan Knowles said she was "very proud" of her uncle.

She told Sky News: "The last time I saw him would be at a family funeral that he made his way down to again, and we were all quite amazed that he'd made his way to Bournemouth to this family funeral, on the train, on his own.

"He sort of just came walking up and we were quite surprised to see him there, because of his age and that, we didn't expect him to be there.

"If he's determined to do something he will."

Mr Jordan has been named as the 'AWOL veteran' (Pic: Gracewell Healthcare)

Care home boss Peter Curtis said staff at the home had tried to get Mr Jordan onto an accredited tour with the Royal British Legion but the request ended up being too last-minute.

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Relatives 'Got Cards From Murdered Couple'

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

Relatives of a couple who were shot dead and buried in their back garden received Christmas cards supposedly from them after their deaths, a court has heard.

The bodies of William and Patricia Wycherley lay undiscovered for 15 years at their home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, until a tip-off led police to the house.

Their debt-ridden daughter, Susan Edwards, and her husband Christopher, are accused of murdering the couple in May 1998 and stealing £245,000 in pension payments and benefits, up until their arrest last year.

Other relatives were unaware of the deaths.

Vivian Steenson, a niece of Mr Wycherley, told Nottingham Crown Court she had received correspondence from "Uncle Bill" before and after his death, that was supposedly from him, including a Christmas card in 2007.

A statement was read to the jury from another niece of Mr Wycherley, Christine Harford, who described getting a call from Mrs Steenson to ask if she'd "seen the news" about the couple's deaths.

She said Mrs Steenson said: "Maybe it was a suicide pact and I remember saying that didn't explain all the Christmas cards my mum had received."

Peter Joyce QC had earlier told the court that in 2011 Mrs Edwards sent a Christmas card to relatives saying her father was "having his second youth" and her parents were travelling in Ireland.

Susan Edwards and her husband Christopher deny murder

She stated that "I cannot really keep up with where he is planning to settle!" and "it is really good to see them with such zest".

A statement was read out saying Hilary Rose, another relative, recalled receiving a card from Susan Edwards saying her father was touring Ireland and "was going to travel until he died".

Ms Rose said her mother had received a Christmas card signed "Bill and Pat".

"She told me she'd been trying to call Bill but it kept ringing and ringing, she was concerned, she asked my husband to check on them in Mansfield but he was working in London and didn't have time," she stated.

The court has been told Mrs Edwards admits killing her mother due to "severe provocation".

In her account, her mother had already killed her father and an argument developed whereby Patricia Wycherley told her daughter she knew that she had been abused by her father.

She said her mother also claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Christopher Edwards in the early 1990s.

The prosecution does not accept the account.

Dafydd Enoch QC, defence counsel for Christopher Edwards, asked Mrs Steenson about how William Wycherley had reacted when his daughter married Mr Edwards.

Mrs Steenson said he had been "irrationally jealous".

The Edwards deny murder, but admit burying the couple.

The trial continues.

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Baby Poisoning: Dad Says Child 'Was Suffering'

The father of a baby who died after contracting an infection from a suspected contaminated drip says he hopes his death will prevent other babies dying.

Nine-day-old Yousef Al-Kharboush, who was born eight weeks premature, passed away on Sunday while being treated at St Thomas' Hospital in London.

With three new cases, 21 babies have now been struck down with blood poisoning in neonatal intensive care units in 10 hospitals.

It is believed an intravenous fluid supplied by the London-based pharmaceutical firm ITH Pharma is to blame.

All the babies were given a fluid called parenteral nutrition, which is supposed to deliver a variety of nutrients intravenously when a baby is unable to eat on its own.

Speaking at a pre-inquest review at Southwark Coroner's Court, Yousef's father Raaid Sakkijha said: "My son has just died. I don't want more children to.

Yousef died at St Thomas' Hospital in London

"If you looked at Yousef, he was dying because of this product. He was suffering. He died because of this."

He added: "The hospital was very helpful. It was just an unlucky incident.

"I was hoping to hear this product would be completely stopped from production until they make sure that... no other babies are being contaminated.

"I won't have a baby in the next nine months but I hope other people who have babies will be safe."

Consultant neonatologist Dr Karen Turnock, from St Thomas' Hospital, said Yousef became "increasing unstable" before his death and tests showed evidence of the bacterium known as bacillus cereus.

ITH Pharma has said the suspected contamination has been traced to a "sourced" single raw material ingredient.

It is understood all of the other babies are responding to treatment with antibiotics.

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Hollie Gazzard: Ex Admits Killing Hairdresser

The former boyfriend of a hairdresser who was stabbed to death while at work has pleaded guilty to her murder.

Asher Maslin, 22, admitted killing Hollie Gazzard at a Bristol Crown Court hearing on Friday.

He spoke only to confirm his name and enter a plea.

Miss Gazzard, 20, was killed as she worked at Fringe Benefits and La Bella Beauty salon in Gloucester on February 18.

A post-mortem examination found she died from multiple stab wounds.

Miss Gazzard had used her Twitter account to express her frustration with a relationship with an ex-boyfriend.

Miss Gazzard was stabbed several times at the salon where she worked

She wrote: "Why are people so selfish?! If a person isn't happy within the relationship why try and make them stay?!"

Since her death, Miss Gazzard's family has set up a charitable trust in her memory which sponsors training for young hairdressers and contributes to campaigns against domestic violence.

In April, hundreds of people took part in a walk from Gloucester to Cheltenham to raise money for the trust.

In a statement, they said: "She was full of life and we are very proud of her.

"The world has lost a treasure, she was so loved by all her family and friends and the brightest star in their lives has now gone out."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating contact between Miss Gazzard and Gloucestershire Police in the lead up to her death.

Judge Neil Ford QC, the Recorder of Bristol, remanded Maslin in custody.

He said: "Your sentencing will take place on a date to be fixed in the relative near future.

"You appreciate that the only sentence that can be imposed is one - imprisonment for life."

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Bean said: "Hollie was a popular and much-loved young woman and the tragic and very public nature of her death has affected a great many people across the community.

"Special tribute must be paid to Hollie's family, who have shown immense strength, patience and dignity in incredibly challenging circumstances."

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White Van Woman 'Held Back By Sexism'

By Clare Fallon, Sky News Reporter

Campaigners are calling for more help to encourage women to enter traditionally male professions, including plumbing, building and plastering.

Despite headlines about the rise of the so-called white van woman and claims a record number of females are working in the trades, industry experts say the proportion is still worryingly low. 

According to Women and Manual Trades, a national organisation which offers support to women, only around 1% of people in skilled trade occupations are female. 

Campaigners say part of the problem is sexist abuse still suffered by some women working in male-dominated professions. 

Hattie Hasan set up Stopcocks, an all-woman plumbing company, after working in the profession for more than two decades. 

She says sexist attitudes are still a problem.

"Unfortunately even after my own 25 years in plumbing things haven't changed much ... girls are still not encouraged to get into the trades.

"Firstly they're not encouraged at school. When I was at school, I just wanted the boys to fancy me, I didn't want to be a plumber and I think that's the pressure for most girls.

Hattie Hassan, who set up her own plumbing firm, calls for more role models

"The second thing is that there are not enough role models. The more female plumbers there are the more there will be because the more people see us the more they'll realise it is a possibility for them.

"There are a lot of things that people say women can't do such as carrying heavy things but health and safety rules mean even if you're a bloke you still can't carry over a certain amount of weight.

"Also I think people seem to forget that women carry babies ... and women do that on a regular basis so I don't think there are barriers where heavy things are concerned."

She added: "The barriers for women are that once women have trained where do they go? The opportunities for getting employment in plumbing are not as widespread as they used to be. It's difficult for lads coming out, but it's even more difficult for girls.

"So really the only route for them is self-employment."

However, there are signs things may improve in the future.

Training centres where construction skills are taught report an increase in the number of women enrolling. 

At Access Training in South Wales, women account for one in 10 of those signing up for courses including plastering, plumbing and electrics.

Mary Henderson swapped her admin job for plumbing

Mary Henderson quit her office job to retrain as a plumber, saying she was fed up being patronised by workmen she had hired. 

"I feel like it's a useful thing to have a trade in this competitive, career-driven industry - it just made sense.

"I used to work in admin, from when I left school, and basically I had a lot of trouble with my own bathroom ... I wanted to do something more practical so plumbing just seemed to pop out at me."

She believes there should be more encouragement for women to get into the trades.

"I don't think practical things are pushed at children leaving education  It's not gender specific, it's just something that boys tend to fall into whereas girls are pushed into the first job that comes and then it just rolls into admin.

"I think there should be more focus on school leavers. I think it's a really good thing to have a trade and it should be suggested to students because exams are forced on them and teachers can't afford to have an interest in what they do after that."

Although she is in a minority, Ms Henderson says she is content being a woman in a man's world.

"There is slight banter and it's a little less PC than what you find in an office, but to be honest I find that refreshing rather than threatening."

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D-Day: Queen Hails Courage Of Normandy Troops

The Queen has paid tribute to the "sheer courage" of the Allied troops who stormed ashore on D-Day 70 years ago to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny.

And as events marking the anniversary of the Normandy landings drew to a close, the monarch warned peace and prosperity can never be taken for granted.

The Queen has attended a State Banquet hosted by the French President

Speaking at a banquet in Paris, the Queen said the commemorations honouring the veterans and their fallen comrades, had left the Duke of Edinburgh and herself "filled with emotions".

She added: "With sorrow and regret, remembering the loss of so many fine young soldiers, sailors and airmen; with pride, at the sheer courage of the men who stormed those beaches, embodied in the veterans among us; and with thankfulness, knowing that today our nations are free and sovereign because allied forces liberated this continent from occupation and tyranny.

The Duchess of Cambridge attended a tea party with British veterans

"Knitted together by common experiences of struggle, sacrifice and reconciliation, we remember those times in a way that strengthens unity and understanding between us."

Earlier, she had gathered in Normandy with veterans, politicians, and other heads of state including US president Barack Obama and Russia's president Vladimir Putin to mark the events of June 6, 1944.

Normandy veteran Ken Scott, 98, remembers his fallen comrades War veterans arrive for the service at Bayeux Cathedral

The D-Day operation, involving 150,000 Allied troops landing on five beaches, is history's biggest amphibious invasion, and changed the course of the Second World War.

In her address at the Elysee Palace banquet staged in her honour by President Francois Hollande, the Queen, who delivered parts of her speech in French, also sounded a note of caution.

She said: "Our peace and prosperity can never be taken for granted and must constantly be tended, so that never again do we have cause to build monuments to our fallen youth."

Soldiers landing on Juno Beach in Bernieres-sur-Mer on June 6, 1944

Earlier, at the main ceremony on Sword Beach, Mr Hollande told world leaders they owed it to the sacrifice of those who took part in D-Day to build a "fairer world".

And he called on people to show the same courage in fighting threats to peace, as the D-Day troops did 70 years ago.

David Cameron had also urged leaders to set aside their differences on the "incredibly moving" anniversary of the landings.

Described by wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill as "undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult (operation) that has ever taken place", D-Day proved to be a pivotal moment of the Second World War.

Mr Obama applauds US veterans during the ceremony in Colleville-sur-Mer Cemeteries along the French coast are a focal point for the commemorations

It marked the start of an 80-day campaign to liberate Normandy, that involved three million troops and cost some 250,000 lives.

Services marking their sacrifice were held at beaches and war cemeteries across the region.

In Colleville-sur-Mer, Barack Obama joined Mr Hollande for a service at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, where more than 9,000 soldiers are buried.

In nearby Bayeux, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery, where 4,144 soldiers, 338 of them unidentified, are buried.

And further along the coast in Arromanches, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a memorial service following a tea party with British veterans - many making their final trip to Normandy.

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Parents To Be Punished For Kids' Bad Behaviour

Parents have been warned by Education Secretary Michael Gove they will face punishments for failing to ensure their children arrive at school "ready to learn and showing respect for their teacher".

Mr Gove has vowed to raise school standards "higher than ever before" as he set out an uncompromising vision to get rid of what he believes is a culture of low expectations.

In a speech to the Policy Exchange think tank, Mr Gove insisted mothers and fathers have to take responsibility for their children's behaviour or face sanctions.

He also hit out at teachers who "set children up to fail" by refusing to think they might be intellectually curious or capable of greatness.

Mr Gove said: "We need to ensure that those parents who don't play their part in ensuring their children attend school, ready to learn and showing respect for their teacher, face up to their responsibilities.

"We will, later this year, be outlining detailed proposals to ensure parents play their full part in guaranteeing good behaviour and outlining stronger sanctions for those who don't."

Mr Gove wants to eradicate what he thinks is a culture of low expectations

Sky's Darren McCaffrey said: "One idea Michael Gove is considering is deducting money from child benefit payments from parents who repeatedly refuse to pay fines imposed through persistent truancy.

"Although initially resisted by the Liberal Democrats, the Education Secretary wants to strengthen sanctions on parents to 'tackle the root causes of truancy and misbehaviour'."

The Education Secretary's approach has seen him clash numerous times with teaching unions, which have accused him of a "personal ideological crusade".

But Mr Gove rejected suggestions his reforms are too demanding, and added his reforming zeal would not diminish.

"I believe we have to embrace reform, lean in to the future, set standards higher than ever before," he said.

Mr Gove said he knew what "real barriers to success look like".

"I spent the first four months of my life in care," he said.

"Both my parents had to leave school at 15.

"My sister spent all her school career set apart from other children who were just as bright as her in a school for children with special needs.

"And I know what setting children up to fail looks like."

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Britain Hit By Torrential Thunderstorms

Most of the UK has been hit by torrential rain and lightning strikes as severe weather warnings are issued for flash flooding.

Thundery rain swept up the country on Saturday morning, with up to 3cm (1.2in) falling in just one hour.

The UK monthly average rainfall for the whole of June is 7.3cm (2.9in).

The Met Office issued yellow "be aware" warnings for heavy rain for most areas of the UK, with only northern Scotland and the extreme Southwest of England expected to escape the downpours.

Water had to be pumped off the surface of the M60 near Stockport

Sky Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Some torrential downpours are likely, especially across central and southern England and Wales, initially with frequent lightning, then northern England, Northern Ireland and southwest Scotland later.

"The intense downpours are likely to cause localised flooding in places with hail possible and gusty winds.

"Later it should improve across most of England and Wales as the rain clears, therefore becoming drier and brighter across these areas before the end of the day."

Heavy rain is forecast for most of the UK during Saturday

John Curtin, director of incident management at the Environment Agency, said: "There is a low but increased risk of flooding this weekend across the whole of England, as isolated torrential downpours are predicted.

"We are monitoring the situation closely in case things change and will have teams ready to respond 24/7."

Early arrivals at Epsom Downs Racecourse for this year's Derby experienced heavy rain before the racing began.

But despite the rain, temperatures remained warm with highs of 25C in London and the South East.

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Labour: Govt 'Negligent' On School Extremism

Labour has accused the Government of "gross negligence" for failing to address the issue of extremism in schools.

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt will make the claim ahead of the publication of an inquiry into claims that Islamist extremists tried a so-called "Trojan Horse" takeover of more than 20 schools in Birmingham.

And his comments were echoed by shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, who said the affair showed the Government did not have a proper strategy to deal with extremism.

Appearing alongside Michael Gove at an education debate hosted by the Policy Exchange think tank in London on Saturday, Mr Hunt demanded the Education Secretary appear in the House of Commons on Monday to answer questions on why he apparently did not act on warnings over the schools.

Mr Gove has denied there is a Government rift over extremism

"Michael Gove's gross negligence comes at the cost of our children's education," Mr Hunt said.

"For years he has been warned that the lack of local oversight in our school system will damage education standards.

"We are now seeing the results: schooling skewed to prevent a broad and balanced education; gender discrimination amongst staff; children exposed to extremist views.

"Michael Gove was warned of these problems in 2010."

Golden Hillock School in Spark Hill, Birmingham, is one under scrutiny

Ms Cooper said official figures showed spending on the Prevent initiative - set up to counter radicalisation - had fallen from £17m in 2010 to £1.7m last year.

She added that funding for police work tied to initiative had also fallen from £24m to £18.7m over the same period.

She said: "There is a much more serious failure by the whole Government to work seriously on preventing extremism.

"The political blame game between ministers must not be a distraction from getting such serious policies that affect our national security back on track."

Yvette Cooper said the Government has no strategy to deal with extremism

Prime Minister David Cameron has ordered an inquiry into an apparent rift between Mr Gove and Theresa May, which emerged this week after a letter from the Home Secretary was published in which she questioned the Education Secretary's handling of alleged extremism in Birmingham schools.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Extremism anywhere in society is a serious problem and we are working together across government to deal with it.

"There is no difference between the Education Secretary and the Home Secretary who are both working energetically together to tackle the challenge posed by any form of extremism."

Some 21 schools in Birmingham have been the subject of an Ofsted investigation after a letter referred to an alleged plot by hardline Muslims to seize control of governing boards in the city.

Ofsted will publish the findings of its investigation next week, but one of the schools is expected to be found as "inadequate", with its management strongly criticised by inspectors.

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