Search Begins For New Child Abuse Inquiry Chair

The search is under way for a new head of the inquiry into historical child sex abuse after Fiona Woolf became the second chairwoman to quit.

Mrs Woolf stepped down on Friday after victims' groups told Home Office officials they were "unanimous" in the view that she should go.

They had raised concerns over Mrs Woolf's social links with former Home Secretary Lord Brittan, who is likely to be called to give evidence to the inquiry.

Mrs May is expected to brief the House of Commons on Monday

Her predecessor, Lady Butler-Sloss, resigned in July after similar questions were raised over her ties to prominent figures associated with the investigation.

The race is now on to find a suitable replacement as Home Secretary Theresa May faces criticism over the two failed appointments.

Video: Woolf Quits Child Abuse Inquiry

Chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, Keith Vaz, told Sky News: "This has been a chaotic process.

"One would have expected the Government to have learnt from the first resignation of Lady Butler-Sloss, (and) to have consulted widely, to have done their due diligence and then to have presented to parliament and the public the name of the new chair.

"All they've succeeded in doing is delay the start of this inquiry, and frankly embarrass Fiona Woolf, who has had to resign because of the whole process that has been involved in her appointment."

Mrs May is expected to face some tough questions from MPs when she makes a statement to Parliament on Monday outlining the next steps in the process.

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1. Gallery: The Redrafted Letter At Centre Of Woolf Row

   A letter from Fiona Woolf to the Home Secretary referring to her links to Leon Brittan went through several drafts.

2. Chair of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz criticised Mrs Woolf, saying the final version showed a more "detached" relationship with the Brittans than the first one. For example, it stressed there were a number of other people present at dinner parties.

3. Mr Vaz had said Mrs Woolf's appointment had been "chaotic" and she should decide whether she wishes to remain as chair of the inquiry. It was confirmed on Friday afternoon that she would be stepping down

Labour leader Ed Miliband said Mrs May needs to explain why simple background checks were not done ahead of Mrs Woolf's appointment.

"It seems inexplicable, given what happened to the first head of the inquiry, that some basic questions were not asked of Fiona Woolf, before she was appointed, about her connections," he said.

"Theresa May has some explaining to do. To lose one chair is a misfortune but to lose two is total carelessness on her part."

Mrs Woolf came under increasing criticism following claims a letter setting out her contacts with the Lord and Lady Britton was redrafted seven times, with guidance from Home Office officials, before being sent to the Home Secretary.

Video: Woolf Resignation: 'Very Damaging'

Announcing her resignation she said: "Ever since the issues first arose, I've been worrying about the negative perceptions and there's been a lot of negative comment and innuendo and that has been getting in the way as well.

"I was determined that the inquiry got to the bottom of the issues for them and if I don't command their confidence to run the panel fairly and impartially then I need to get out of the way."

Mrs Woolf was appointed in September to chair the inquiry, which was launched earlier this year to examine whether alleged abuse by politicians and other powerful figures between the 1970s and 1990s was swept under the carpet.

She replaced Lady Butler-Sloss, who stepped down after her suitability was called into question, due to the fact her late brother, Lord Havers, was attorney general during the period when many of the alleged offences are said to have taken place.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Child Abuse Inquiry Controversy At-A-Glance

The resignation of the head of the inquiry into historical child sex abuse allegations is the latest in a string of controversies that have dogged the investigation before it has even started.

Here is an at-a-glance background to the most recent development in the saga:

:: City lawyer Fiona Woolf was appointed in September to chair the panel inquiring into UK institutions' handling of historical child sex abuse allegations.

:: The original nominee, Lady Butler-Sloss, stepped down because her late brother, Lord Havers, was attorney general during much of the period in question.

:: Then came the criticism of Mrs Woolf's appointment because of her social links with former home secretary Lord Brittan and his wife.

Video: 'Most Extraordinary' Situation

:: Her connection with Lord Brittan was under the spotlight because he is likely to be called to give evidence to the inquiry about his handling of child abuse allegations.

:: He denies failing to act on a dossier of paedophilia allegations he received while in office in the 1980s.

:: Mrs Woolf has lived in the same street as the Brittans for the last decade, and not only has she invited the couple to dinner at her house three times, she has also dined at their home twice, met Lady Brittan for coffee, sat on a prize-giving panel with her, and sponsored her £50 for a fun run.

Video: Victims Have No Confidence In Woolf

:: With doubts about whether Mrs Woolf could have the confidence of victims, a photograph surfaced showing her chatting to Lady Brittan at a prize-giving event last October - after she told Home Secretary Theresa May that she had had "no social contact with Lord and Lady Brittan since April 23 2013".

:: Mrs Woolf faced intensified calls to quit after documents were published showing a letter setting out Mrs Woolf's contacts with Lord Brittan and his wife was redrafted seven times, with guidance from Home Office officials, before being sent to Mrs May.

:: Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz said Mrs Woolf's appointment had been "chaotic" and that she should decide whether she wishes to remain as chair of the inquiry.

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1. Gallery: The Redrafted Letter At Centre Of Woolf Row

   A letter from Fiona Woolf to the Home Secretary referring to her links to Leon Brittan went through several drafts.

2. Chair of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz criticised Mrs Woolf, saying the final version showed a more "detached" relationship with the Brittans than the first one. For example, it stressed there were a number of other people present at dinner parties.

3. Mr Vaz had said Mrs Woolf's appointment had been "chaotic" and she should decide whether she wishes to remain as chair of the inquiry. It was confirmed on Friday afternoon that she would be stepping down

:: A solicitor for victims told Sky News they had no confidence in Mrs Woolf, and called for the inquiry "to start again".

:: The Home Office had given its backing to Mrs Woolf and her panel, expressing confidence they could carry out their duties "to the highest standards of impartiality and integrity."

:: She has now quit after mounting pressure over her role. As she stepped down, Mrs Woolf said it was concerns expressed by victims that had "turned the tide" and prompted her to give up the post.

Video: Abuse Inquiry Head 'Not Suitable'

Video: 'An Ordinary Citizen'

Video: July: Sex Abuse Inquiry Judge Quits

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Boost For Aspiring Female Footballers

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

A pioneering new academy is offering future stars of women's football the opportunity to train while studying for their A-levels.

Trials have begun for teenage girls who want to join the academy at Leeds City College.

A major attraction is the links it will have with America, where most budding female footballers dream of playing.

The academy is partly run by UK-based agency Sports Recruiting USA that helps talented players win scholarships with universities in the US.

The girls say women's football is growing in the UK, but not fast enough

Rosie Gill, 16, is among those hoping for a place. "Women's football over there is bigger than it is in England" she told Sky News.

"It's just bigger and better over in America."

The profile of women's football in Britain is growing. Later this month the English side will play Germany at Wembley in front of its biggest ever crowd. The match will form part of England's preparations for the World Cup next year in Canada.

Yet girls feel there are a lack of opportunities at grassroots and university levels in Britain. By contrast American universities offer lucrative sports scholarships. Teams have big sponsors and players are paid enough to play as full-time professionals.

Scotland international Kim Little left Arsenal after six years to join Seattle Reign. She told Sky News: "Of course the first thought should be to produce players and to make them want to stay in this country.

Molly-Mae is off to the US but wishes the UK offered the same opportunities

"I think the position of women's football in this country is at a great place but to put young girls in the American scholarship environment where they are training every day is a great thing.

"I know friends of mine have gone across and they are training in the early morning every day and getting that mentality is definitely a good thing. To take the American mentality over here of training that much will be good for the game."

Molly-Mae Sharpe, 17, is going to America next year but wishes there were the same opportunities here.

"I just don't feel it's fair that the money is so different," she said.

"Sometimes women have to pay to play football and men get millions of pounds every year to play."

She doesn't believe that will change in her lifetime.

But her coach, FA tutor Anthony Gallagher, says he believes with the right financial backing women's football will continue to grow in Britain. 

"I can't say for sure if women's football will be as big as men's football. But if you look at the United States, women's football is the fastest growing sport in America."

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Scrap Cautions In Punishment Shake-Up

The Government is piloting a scheme to abolish police cautions and replace them with what it says are tougher new penalties.

Under the trial, three police forces will scrap the current system, which sees minor offences punished with formal warnings.

Those who commit minor offences could instead be asked to offer a written or verbal apology to the victim or make good by offering financial compensation or repairing any damage.

Chris Grayling says the new system removes the 'soft option'

More serious offences for repeat offenders will be handed a suspended prosecution.

That means they could face court if they fail to comply with a set of conditions which could include paying a fine or attending a rehabilitation course.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said the system overhaul means offenders will no longer get away with the "soft option".

"Under the new system we are introducing, offenders will face prosecution if they fail to comply with the conditions set by the police, so that no one is allowed to get away with the soft option," he said.

Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and Leicestershire police forces will trial the system for 12 months.

If successful it is expected to be rolled out across England and Wales.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Theresa May Accused Of Bungling Over Inquiry

In an interview explaining why she has become the second child abuse inquiry head to quit before starting work, Fiona Woolf blamed "negative comment and innuendo".

Yet in her resignation letter to Theresa May, the lawyer and Lord Mayor of London said she was standing aside because she wouldn't have "widespread victim support".

Both are true. And it's probably also true she never wanted the job in the first place. She obviously wouldn't have been appointed if Baroness Butler-Sloss - the Home Secretary's first choice - hadn't quit.

Baroness Butler-Sloss withdrew because her late brother, Michael Havers, was Attorney General at the time of the original abuse allegations in the 80s.

Groups representing victims said they could not support Mrs Woolf

Now Mrs Woolf has gone because she's pally with Leon Brittan, the home secretary at the time, and his wife Diana.

The seven drafts of correspondence published by Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee of MPs, revealed five dinner parties, three at her house and two at the Brittans' (who live in the same street), coffee mornings, sitting on a panel with Lady Brittan and sponsoring her for a fun run.

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1. Gallery: The Redrafted Letter At Centre Of Woolf Row

   A letter from Fiona Woolf to the Home Secretary referring to her links to Leon Brittan went through several drafts.

2. Chair of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz criticised Mrs Woolf, saying the final version showed a more "detached" relationship with the Brittans than the first one. For example, it stressed there were a number of other people present at dinner parties.

3. Mr Vaz had said Mrs Woolf's appointment had been "chaotic" and she should decide whether she wishes to remain as chair of the inquiry. It was confirmed on Friday afternoon that she would be stepping down

Very cosy. No wonder Mr Vaz - who can congratulate himself on another high-profile scalp - said the appointments process was "chaotic" and the Labour MP and anti-child abuse campaigner Simon Danczuk has accused the Home Office of "colluding in a cover-up".

All of which means the Home Secretary will have some tough questions to answer when she makes her statement to MPs on this fiasco on Monday.

Mr Vaz, for a start, says Mrs Woolf's friendship with the Brittans should have been checked out before, not after, she was appointed.

Mrs May says she plans to meet survivors' groups. They would say - and did say after their meeting with relatively junior civil servants at Westminster - that she should have done that much earlier.

Video: Survivors To 'Fight Tooth And Nail'

Labour's Yvette Cooper made the same criticism of the Home Secretary.

Mrs May also says she is going to consult with "relevant parliamentarians". I assume she means Yvette Cooper and MPs like Mr Danczuk, as well as the all-powerful Mr Vaz.

But her critics will say it's all a bit late now. The Home Secretary stands accused of bungle after bungle in this whole messy affair.

And while the politicians bicker and argue, the inquiry still hasn't started and the continuing delay is adding to the distress of the victims.

Video: Victims 'Relieved' As Woolf Quits

If it takes as long to find the next inquiry head as it took to find Mrs Woolf - six weeks - that will take us almost to the end of the year and probably means the inquiry won't start until 2015.

As for Mr Vaz, he obviously can't call the late Geoffrey Dickens, who's said to have handed Leon Brittan a dossier of allegations in 1983, or the deceased Michael Havers.

But why haven't he and his Home Affairs Select Committee called Lord Brittan to give evidence?

Surely he could clear up the "negative comment and innuendo" referred to by Fiona Woolf.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Terror Warning: Brits Not Safe Anywhere In World

A worldwide travel warning has been issued by the Foreign Office, amid fears that Britons flying abroad could be targeted in terrorist attacks.

The Government has updated its travel advice for 225 countries and territories to reflect a "generalised threat" that extremists will seek revenge for Britain's involvement in airstrikes against Islamic State.

On Friday night, the Foreign Office warned: "There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attacks globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time."

However, it stressed that the updated advice was not in response to a specific attack.

In August, Home Secretary Theresa May announced that the UK's terror threat level was to be raised to "severe", which means that acts of terrorism are "highly likely".

Video: Aug: Terror Threat Level 'Severe'

At present, the Foreign Office is advising against all travel to five provinces in Iraq – including Anbar and Kirkuk. It has urged Britons to travel to other regions in the country only if it is absolutely necessary.

The FCO is also compelling British nationals to avoid Syria in its entirety, while urging anyone currently there to "leave now by any practical means".

In Turkey, visitors are recommended to stay at least 10km away from its border with Syria, as IS militants and Kurdish troops continue to battle for control of Kobani.

A spokeswoman for the Association of British Travel Agents said: "The Foreign Office has updated the general travel advice advising that British nationals overseas should be aware of an increased threat from terrorism.

"ABTA works closely with the Foreign Office and advises that all travellers should familiarise themselves with Foreign Office advice before they travel, in particular country specific advice for their destination. Holidaymakers should be alert but not alarmed."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tower Poppy Memorial Proves Too Popular

People have been asked to delay visiting a First World War memorial at the Tower of London because it has proved so popular.

Tens of thousands of people made the trip to view the sea of red ceramic poppies in the former moat of the landmark on Friday, leading to problems of overcrowding as the country basked in unseasonably warm temperatures.

London Underground was forced to temporarily close nearby Tower Hill Tube station due to the number of visitors.

The public is being advised to postpone visits, or to go earlier or later in the day.

A spokesman for Historic Royal Palaces, which manages the site, said: "Please note that the Tower of London and the surrounding area is currently very busy due to half-term and interest in the poppies installation.

Video: Poppy Appeal: Harry Hops On A Bus

"We're advising people to postpone their visit to the Tower until after half-term if possible, or to visit earlier in the day, before 10am, or later in the day, after 6pm."

The poppy memorial, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, was created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins.

By Armistice Day on November 11 there will be 888,246 ceramic poppies planted, one for each British and Colonial death during the conflict which began 100 years ago.

Video: Singer Joins Poppy Appeal

Video: Joss' Official Poppy Appeal Song

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

RAF Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bombers

Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian military 'Bear' bombers for the second time in a week, it has emerged.

The Typhoons were sent up from RAF Lossiemouth on Friday to escort the Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft, just two days after UK jets intercepted another two Russian bombers over the North Sea.

It comes amid what NATO described as an "unusual" increase in activity from Russian military jets over European airspace ranging from the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

An RAF spokeswoman said the Russian aircraft had been picked up by the RAF Control and Reporting Centre at Boulmer in Northumberland, which scrambled the Typhoons.

She said: "Following a similar incident on Wednesday 29 October, the RAF Typhoon pilots visually identified the Russian aircraft and escorted them through the UK flight information region."

Video: PM On 'Nerve-Wracking' Plane Drama

Air Vice-Marshal Gary Waterfall, who is in charge of UK air defence, said: "The Royal Air Force was formed to secure the skies over the UK, and it remains our main task.

"This week's news has shown yet again that the RAF's quick reaction alert is an essential element of our nation's security."

The increased Russian activity in the air comes against a backdrop of months of heightened tensions between Moscow and the West following Russia's annexation of Crimea and military incursion into Ukraine.

Analysts say it appears to be a "show of force" by President Vladimir Putin.

Video: Listen To The Sonic Boom

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has said the alliance "remains vigilant and ready to respond" to any Russian threat.

On Wednesday, two Typhoons from RAF Coningsby were sent to escort a suspicious plane to Stansted Airport in Essex.

A sonic boom was heard as the jets made their way to the location of the plane, which turned out to be a civilian Latvian cargo aircraft heading for Birmingham with car parts.

The Prime Minister was overheard on Thursday referring to the incident as "nerve-wracking", saying the RAF were "busy over the skies".

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fireworks Warehouse Blaze: Tributes To Victims

Tributes have been made to the two men who were killed after a series of explosions at a fireworks warehouse.

The bodies of Simon Hillier, who worked at the industrial unit, and Stewart Staples, one of his customers, were discovered by police late on Friday evening.

Mr Hillier's relatives said: "Whilst we are still waiting for a formal identification to be made, as a family, we are resigned to the fact that we will not see Simon again.

"We are all very proud of his sporting achievements and everything else he did in life. He was a fantastic son, brother and a terrific dad, we all miss him dearly."

Mr Staples' family – his wife, three children and a young grandson – added: "We are totally shocked and devastated about Stewart's death.

Video: Five Hurt In Fireworks Factory Fire

"We need to come to terms with the tragic loss of someone who was a devoted and much loved family man."

Staffordshire Police have said it could take some weeks to formally identify the victims, but evidence has placed Hillier, 41, and Staples, 57, at the scene.

Supt Ian Coxhead said: "Our sympathies remain with the families involved and we're doing everything we can to help them at this distressing time.

"We anticipate this will be a lengthy and complex investigation. Our work to establish the cause of the fire is going to take considerable time."

A man in his 40s remains in a critical condition at Birmingham Hospital after Thursday's explosion, and is suffering from serious burns. Another victim has been discharged and is recuperating at home.

Police have said the warehouse is completely destroyed, and described the building as a "dangerous scene".

The unit, based on an industrial estate, had been used to store "a significant volume of fireworks" for four years, and Staffordshire County Council has confirmed that "no safety issues" had been reported with SP Plastics, which owned the unit.

It took hours for dozens of firefighters to bring the blaze under control. One witness described the "deafening and constant noise" as fireworks detonated in the heat.

Police have released a 53-year-old man who had been arrested in connection with the explosion, and he is now being treated as a witness.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Father-Of-Three Shot Dead Tackling Robbers

A father-of-three has been shot and killed as he tackled two robbers who attacked him as he closed up his shop for the night.

Pragaret Singh, 35, was blasted in the chest and abdomen as he tried to grapple with one of the men outside his store in Openshaw, Greater Manchester.

The shopkeeper was just leaving Manchester Food Traders off Wood Street when he encountered the pair and confronted them, detectives said.

Mr Singh, known to family and friends as Charlie, died later in hospital.

Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick said: "Although this investigation remains in its infancy, at this stage we believe Charlie's death was the result of simply trying to protect his business from armed robbers, during which he was shot at least twice."

It is thought that the robbers may have made off with a "large amount of money".

Police arrived at the scene at 6.20pm on Friday and found Mr Singh nearby.

Officers have launched a murder investigation into his death and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

One of the men involved was described as black, in his 20s or 30s, with spikey knotted hair, clean shaven, of a tall slim build and wearing a jacket with the sleeves rolled up.

Police are also appealing to anyone with information about a small silver car, possibly a Vauxhall, which may have been used by the offenders and drove off towards Ashton Old Road after the shooting.

Det Supt Chadwick added: "At this stage of our inquiry we believe this is the tragic death of an innocent businessman and father-of-three who was simply trying to protect his livelihood from criminals.

"As a result, Charlie's entire family have suffered an unimaginable loss.

"Their lives have been shattered and specially-trained officers will be providing as much support as the family need over the coming days and weeks."

Assistant Chief Constable Zoe Sheard urged people to ensure their security measures were in place, such as making sure any CCTV was working and looking out for anyone suspicious.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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