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No Takers For Cashback Green Deal Scheme

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 17 November 2012 | 20.14

Not a single household has yet signed up for a flagship Coalition energy efficiency scheme despite a £1,000 cashback offer ministers said would get it off to a "flying start".

Green Deal is designed to help homeowners make energy saving home improvements to their properties from January.

The scheme covers the upfront costs of improvements such as insulation and new boilers and allows homeowners to pay the money back through savings on bills.

Households have had since October 1 to have their home assessed for improvements.

However, climate change minister Greg Barker has admitted that no home assessments "have yet been lodged on the register".

Labour said the admission meant the Green Deal scheme was in tatters.

But the Department of Energy & Climate Change blamed the lack of formal applications on people waiting until nearer January, when building work can actually start, before getting involved.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey announced the first-come-first served £125m cashback offer last month in a bid to persuade people to sign up - with those committing to the most work offered up to £1,000.

He said the scheme would provide an "unprecedented choice" for consumers wanting to make their homes more energy efficient.

"This cashback offer will help get the Green Deal off to a flying start. It really is a great offer - the more work households have done, the more energy they stand to save and the more cash they receive," he said.

In response to a parliamentary question from shadow climate change minister Luciana Berger, Mr Barker said: "While we understand a number of appointments for the in-property assessments have been made, no assessments have yet been lodged on the register."

A DECC spokeswoman insisted that the Green Deal was "coming alive" and that it was pleased with the progress made so far.

"We understand that assessments are generally being scheduled to take place closer to the date at which a plan can be signed and the work can begin - this makes perfect sense," she said.


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Meningitis B Vaccine Set To Be Approved

A lifesaving meningitis B vaccine is set to be licensed for use in the UK in a move that could save thousands of lives.

The disease, which is the most common and deadliest form of meningitis in the country, affects some 1,870 people each year, many of them children, and results in death for one in 10 sufferers.

The approval of the new 4CMenB vaccine, which has been developed by pharmaceutical company Novartis, has been hailed by the charity Meningitis UK as the "biggest leap forward in the field" in three decades.

The vaccine received a "positive opinion" verdict from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Friday, meaning that the vaccine is considered safe and effective.

It will be the first meningitis B vaccine approved for use in the UK, which has one of the highest incidence rates in the world.

One in four sufferers is left with life changing after-effects, such as brain damage and limb loss, with children under five most at risk from the disease.

The charity said the next stage will be to give the vaccine - which has the trade name Bexsero - a marketing licence. It is expected to receive its UK licence early next year.

Meningitis UK wants the vaccine to be introduced into the Government's routine immunisation schedule as soon as possible, so it will be automatically given to children. The jab is recommended for those aged two months and older.

Meningitis UK founder Steve Dayman, who lost his baby son to meningitis and septicaemia in 1982, said: "This is a landmark moment in the fight against meningitis - I have waited three decades to hear this.

"It is vital that the vaccine is introduced in the UK immunisation schedule as soon as possible. It will save countless lives and prevent many people enduring the suffering caused by this devastating disease.

"We will be campaigning hard to make the Government introduce it."

The decision on whether to introduce the vaccine to the immunisation schedule will be made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), who advise the Government on vaccination.

There are a large number of meningitis B strains in the UK - more than in many other countries - which makes producing a vaccine very difficult. Meningitis B accounts for about 90% of cases in the UK.

The new vaccine is described as a real breakthrough as studies have shown it should protect against 73% of strains which cause the disease in the UK.

Scientists have been attempting to develop a broad-ranging Meningitis B vaccine for years and have used a revolutionary new approach called reverse vaccinology to create it.

This involved sequencing the genome of the bacteria and identifying proteins that provoke an immune response against a broad range of strains.


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Young Drivers 'Face Passenger Restrictions'

By Richard Suchet, Sky News Reporter

Young drivers could be banned from carrying passengers who are not members of their own family in a bid to cut the number of deaths on the roads.

More than 1,500 17 to 24-year-olds in the UK were killed or seriously injured while driving a car last year, according to the Department for Transport.

They accounted for 25% of all car deaths and injuries in 2011.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the Daily Telegraph he would consider measures put forward by the Association of British Insurers which could cut the number of accidents involving young motorists.

"There is a suggestion as to whether you should look at a restriction whether anyone could carry passengers for six or nine months when they have first passed their test," he said.

"There are suggestions about them only perhaps being allowed to take a family member to drive a car when you are learning, you have to have a qualified driver in the car. So these are all sorts of areas that I think we can look at."

Abi Phillips (left) and mother Della Phillips Kelly's sister, Abi (left), and mother, Della

Kelly Phillips, 17, from Surrey, died in 2005 when the car she was a passenger in hit a tree at 80mph.

She had been sitting in a car listening to music with a 17-year-old boy who did not yet have his licence.

The decision to go for a drive on the public road cost them both their lives.

Kelly's mother, Della Phillips, told Sky News: "I try to hide behind this facade of strength. But inside I'm crying all the time, I'm missing her all the time.

"It's like a craving, you're not seeing the memories you expected to see when you have a child."

Ms Phillips is calling for an alternative approach to the measures being considered by the Government.

Driver IQ campaign The Drive IQ campaign

She is backing a free education campaign called Drive IQ - an online education programme that puts pre-drivers and novices through potentially hazardous road scenarios. 

Some 350 schools and 30,000 young people already use the programme but it could be rolled out to thousands more.

She said: "When it comes to young people being safer in cars, lack of knowledge can kill. I know that only too well.

"We want every mum and dad out there to ensure their child and their child's school/college uses Drive IQ straightaway as it addresses attitude and behaviour.

"We have to tackle this issue right now." 

:: Road Safety Week runs from November 19 to November 25. For more information visit www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk.


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Electoral Commission To Probe Police Vote

Low Turnout For Police Commissioner Polls

Updated: 7:33pm UK, Friday 16 November 2012

Dire turnouts have threatened to undermine the first ever police and crime commissioner elections, with as few as 10% of voters casting their ballots in some areas.

The Electoral Reform Society branded the elections a "comedy of errors" after a record low turnout left at least one polling station - in the Newport area - completely unused.

It said it could end up being the lowest voter turnout ever in peacetime history.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the elections for the new commissioners had descended in to a shambles, with many voters taking to Twitter to describe the low turnout at their polling stations.

A UKIP MEP, John Bufton, even called for Home Secretary Theresa May to resign for presiding over a "shamefully low turnout".

In Wiltshire, the first force area to declare, the overall turnout was 15.8% as Tory candidate Angus Macpherson, a magistrate, won after a second round of voting ahead of Labour's Clare Moody.

But in one part of Wiltshire, Devizes, only 10.41% of voters took part.

Polling stations elsewhere across the country appeared to be equally as quiet as many people opted not to vote for the first generation of PCCs, despite about £75m being spent on the campaign.

Newport City Council confirmed to Sky News that no voters attended one of its polling stations, despite it being open for 15 hours from 7am to 10pm on Thursday.

Elsewhere, turnout was 11.42% in Wigan, 12% in Rochdale, 12.59% in Oldham and 12.49% in Manchester. For Greater Manchester as a whole it was 13.46%.

In Essex, just 12.81%% of voters took to the polls.

Even in Humberside, where Lord Prescott's name on the ballot paper raised the profile of the election, turnout was only 19.48%.

Sky's election analyst Michael Thrasher said the low turnout was "hardly surprising" given the elections were held in dark and chilly November "for an office that no-one has heard of" across unfamiliar police authority areas.

He said the numbers raised questions over the legitimacy of the office and those elected.

Mr Thrasher, a professor of politics at Plymouth University, added that it could end up costing as much as £13 per vote that was cast.

"When you work out how much it's going to cost per vote it becomes quite ridiculous," he said.

But policing minister Damian Green defended the turnout, saying it would improve in years to come.

He told Sky News: "I think it's likely with something new coming on that people will take time to get used to it.

"But I'm absolutely sure they will get used to it in the future and the measure of the success will be the difference they make to policing over the next few years."

Prime Minister David Cameron insisted police commissioners would have a mandate despite the low turnout.

He added: "Remember, these police and crime commissioners are replacing organisations that weren't directly elected at all."

Elections for the new office have been held in 41 police areas outside London.

The newly-elected police and crime commissioner will have the power to control budgets, set policing priorities, and hire and fire chief constables.

The Electoral Reform Society had predicted a turnout of 18.5% before the polls began, which would be below the previous record low in a national poll in peacetime - 23% in the 1999 European elections.

The society's chief executive, Katie Ghose, said: "This election has been a comedy of errors from start to finish.

"The Home Office has operated under the assumption that 'if you build it they will come'. Democracy just doesn't work that way.

"There have been avoidable errors at every step, and those responsible should be held to account."

One of the biggest problems has been that people are not prepared to put a cross beside the name of someone they know little, if anything, about.

Glenda Adcock from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk said she always votes, but not this time.

"I know nothing about the candidates or anything really so I'm not bothering," she said,

And while Bernard Jennings had decided he would take part, he agreed the information had been poor.

"I think they could have done a lot more to help people out so you have a better understanding of what everyone stands for," he said.


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Job Cuts 'Inevitable' At Striken Comet

The stricken retail chain Comet will close 41 stores by the end of the month unless a buyer can be found, administrators have confirmed.

Redundancies were "inevitable" although administrators Deloitte said they would look to place staff from closing stores into other nearby outlets.

Up to 500 jobs could be under threat at 27 of the stores where closing down sales began today. A further 14 closing down sales will begin early next week.

Chris Farrington, joint administrator, said: "We are very grateful to the company's employees for their professionalism, loyalty and support at this difficult time and all employees will of course continue to be paid for all the work they do while the company is in administration."

Deloitte had already announced 330 redundancies at the company but there have been no job losses among shop staff as yet and all the chain's 236 stores remain open at present.

The bulk of the staff cuts have been made in Comet's head office in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, as well as its site in Hull and call centre in Clevedon, Somerset.

The collapse of Comet marks one of the biggest high street casualties since the demise of Woolworths in 2008 and came a month after the failure of JJB Sports.

The group was hit by weak high street trading conditions, competition from online rivals and being unable to secure the trade credit insurance needed to safeguard suppliers.

In particular, it was knocked by the lack of first-time home buyers, which had been key customers for Comet, according to Deloitte.

The high street electricals market in the UK has come under huge pressure as cash-strapped shoppers put off purchases of big-ticket items such as TVs and large appliances and online rivals take a bigger slice of the sector.

Comet's administration comes just months after it was taken over by investment firm OpCapita, which bought the chain for a nominal £2 in February.

Angry staff at the chain have called for ministers to investigate the retailer's collapse and the way its former private equity owners ran the company.

Related Stories


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Ashdown: Withdraw Troops From Afghanistan Now

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 16 November 2012 | 20.14

British forces must withdraw from Afghanistan as quickly as possible before any more troops are killed, Liberal Democrat former leader Lord Ashdown has said.

In a damning assessment of the campaign in Afghanistan, he said allied forces had failed to build a sustainable state and establish a government which was untainted by corruption.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said British forces will leave the country by the end of 2014 but writing in the Times, Lord Ashdown, a former special-forces officer, said it should be sooner.

He said: "We cannot pretend there is any more to do in Afghanistan. The urgent priority is to get out. It is not worth wasting one more life in Afghanistan.

"All that we can achieve has now been achieved. All that we might have achieved if we had done things differently, has been lost.

"The only rational policy now is to leave quickly, in good order and in the company of our allies. This is the only cause for which further lives should be risked."

Lord Ashdown said the failure to establish a functioning state was not the fault of British troops but of the international community to work with the country's leaders and neighbours.

Paddy Ashdown Former Royal Marine Lord Ashdown wants an immediate exit

He added: "The international community in Afghanistan needed to speak with a single voice in pursuit of a single plan with clear priorities.

"Instead we have been divided, cacophonous, chaotic. We should have concentrated on winning in Afghanistan where it mattered, instead of distracting ourselves with adventures in Iraq.

"We should have engaged Afghanistan's neighbours, instead of going out of our way to make them enemies. Our early military strategy should have been about protecting the people instead of wasting our time chasing the enemy.

"We should have made fighting corruption our first priority instead of becoming the tainted partners of a corrupt Government whose writ, along with ours, has progressively collapsed as that of the Taleban in the south has progressively widened."

His comments come amid an increasing number of green-on-blue attacks where members of the Afghan National Army have turned on allied troops.

On Remembrance Sunday, Captain Walter Barrie was playing in a football match between British and Afghan soldiers at his base in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province when he was shot dead at close range.


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Fuel Prices: AA Demands Action For Motorists

The AA has accused ministers of failing drivers and businesses by not clamping down on what is sees as unfair fuel prices.

The motoring group says while average unleaded prices have gone down from 138.95p a litre in mid-October to 135.08p - with diesel dropping from 143.74p to 141.89p - motorists are still being short-changed.

It believes the fall in wholesale petrol prices across Europe should have knocked UK pump prices down by between 10p and 11p a litre instead of by an average 4p.

Despite the signs that the Chancellor is poised to postpone the planned fuel duty rise of 3p a litre due in January, the AA said drivers were facing a series of pressures including a "postcode lottery" in fuel prices.

It found that motorists in one area can be charged as much as 5p a litre more than drivers a few miles away.

AA president Edmund King said: "The Government momentarily had a grip of this monster when the previous Transport Secretary (Justine Greening) called in the industry to agree wholesale price transparency.

"This initiative stalled when the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) called for information on road fuel pricing - to which the industry has responded by pumping up wholesale prices and then not passing on cost savings in a timely fashion.

"The average UK domestic energy bill is £1,252 but the cost of fuel for the average car consuming 1,200 litres a year is over £1,500.

"This week the Government said it was going to tackle high gas and electricity bills, yet lets drivers and businesses down by not reacting swiftly to runaway wholesale and pump prices."

Earlier this week, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Sajid Javid said the Government understood the pressures facing households and was determined to help with the cost of living.

He said: "The Government is doing all it can to help hard-working families with the cost of living and putting money back into their pockets.

"Action on fuel duty is part of this. Fuel duty is currently 20% lower in real terms compared to its peak in March 2000 and 7% lower compared to May 2010."


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Navy's New Hi-Tech Attack Sub Leaks Water

The Royal Navy's multi-billion pound hunter-killer submarine HMS Astute encountered a flooding problem during sea trials last year, it has emerged.

Officials said the attack vessel let in tens of litres of water due to a corroded metal cap on one of its cooling pipes. As a result it was  forced to resurface.

Electrical switchboards were also found to be fitted incorrectly and concerns were raised about the accuracy of instruments monitoring its on-board nuclear reactor.

Despite the teething problems, defence officials said the issues had been rectified and it was "normal for first-of-class trials to identify areas where modifications are required".

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "During trials last year, HMS Astute experienced a leak which was immediately isolated and the submarine returned safely to the surface.

"An investigation found one small part, which had not been made of the correct material, had corroded. A replacement was fitted at sea and the submarine continued with her programme.

"BAE Systems has carried out a full assessment which concluded all similar parts were fitted correctly."

The MoD said a full assessment concluded the material had no impact on the submarine's operation.

HMS Astute nuclear submarine leaving Barrow-in-Furness The MoD said it was normal for sea trials to identify problems

But the leaking incident is not the first time Astute has encountered problems during sea trials. In April 2012 she ran aground near the Isle of Skye after attempting to pull alongside another vessel.

Officers on the bridge lost their bearings and inexplicably switched off the echo sounder which would have enabled the crew to get a real-time feed on the depth of the sea below.

Responding to corrosion problems, the spokesman added: "All Royal Navy submarines are subject to a continuous, thorough assessment of their components to minimise the risk of corrosion."

Officials would not comment on reports that Astute also suffered from speed and propulsion issues during the trials.

The MoD added: "HMS Astute's sea trials were designed to rigorously test all aspects of the submarine to meet the exacting standards required for operations.

"It is normal for first of class trials to identify areas where modifications are required and these are then incorporated into later vessels of the class.

"These will be the most technologically advanced submarines ever to serve with the Royal Navy and will provide an outstanding capability for decades to come."

The Astute Class of attack submarines will progressively replace the Trafalgar Class vessels currently in use.

HMS Astute, which was built by BAE systems, is yet to enter formal service.


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Demoted Christian Wins Facebook Post Ruling

A Christian man demoted for posting his opposition to gay marriage on Facebook has won his breach of contract action against his employers.

Adrian Smith lost his managerial position, had his salary cut by 40%, and was given a final written warning by Trafford Housing Trust (THT) after writing gay weddings in churches were "an equality too far".

The comments were not visible to the general public, and were posted outside work time, but the trust claimed he broke its code of conduct by expressing religious or political views which might upset fellow workers.

Mr Smith brought breach of contract proceedings, saying the trust acted unlawfully in demoting him.

At London's High Court Mr Justice Briggs ruled in his favour, saying the trust did not have a right to demote Mr Smith as his Facebook postings did not amount to misconduct and was a breach of contract.

Justice Briggs concluded: "Mr Smith was taken to task for doing nothing wrong, suspended and subjected to a disciplinary procedure which wrongly found him guilty of gross misconduct.

"(He was) then demoted to a non-managerial post with an eventual 40% reduction in salary. The breach of contract which the Trust thereby committed was serious and repudiatory."

Mr Smith said in a statement: "I'm pleased to have won my case for breach of contract today. The judge exonerated me and made clear that my comments about marriage were in no way 'misconduct'.

"Britain is a free country where people have freedom of speech, and I am pleased that the judge's ruling underlines that important principle.

"But this sad case should never have got this far. Long ago, Trafford Housing Trust should have held their hands up and admitted they made a terrible mistake.

"Had they done this then my life would not have been turned upside down and my family and I would not have had to endure a living nightmare."

The Christian Institute, the group that paid for Mr Smith's legal case, welcomed the ruling.

Spokesman Mike Judge said: "This is a good day for free speech. But would Adrian have won his case if marriage had already been redefined? I don't think so. The Government should stop playing politics with marriage, because it's ordinary people like Adrian who'll get it in the neck."

Matthew Gardiner, chief executive at Trafford Housing Trust said: "We fully accept the court's decision and I have made a full and sincere apology to Adrian.

"At the time we believed we were taking the appropriate action following discussions with our employment solicitors and taking into account his previous disciplinary record.

"This case has highlighted the challenges that businesses face with the increased use of social media and we have reviewed our documentation and procedures to avoid a similar situation arising in the future. Adrian remains employed by the Trust and I am pleased this matter has now concluded."


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Dave Lee Travis Denies Wrongdoing

DJ Dave Lee Travis has denied any wrongdoing after being arrested on Thursday.

 "This is nothing to do with kids," Travis said.

Speaking outside his home near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, the 67-year-old protested his innocence and said he did not want his name associated with "bloody evil" child abuse.

He said: "This is nothing to do with kids, all right? That's the first thing. Because that to me is the most important thing in the world and I do not wish to have my name sullied around something that bloody evil, to be honest.

"The second thing I want is to say, yes, there's a complete denial there, but there's nothing else I can tell you because otherwise I might be stepping on the police's feet and I don't want to do that because it might affect their investigations."

Dave Lee Travis, photographed in 1982 Dave Lee Travis, pictured in 1982

His comments come after his weekend radio show was taken off air "with immediate effect" by radio station Magic AM following his arrest on Thursday.

A 1977 episode of Top Of The Pops featuring Travis due to be shown on BBC4 last night was pulled.

Last month, Travis vigorously denied allegations that he groped two women while in BBC studios - one alleged he had put his hand up her skirt, while the other said he had "jiggled" her breasts.

Police said the present allegations against Travis do not directly involve Savile, and are classed under the strand of their investigation termed "others".

Officers are looking at three strands within their inquiry: claims against Savile, those against Savile and others, and those against others, with most of the "others" allegations  being made against people associated with the entertainment industry.

Ex-glam rocker Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr and a 73-year-old man have already been arrested and bailed in connection with the investigation.

Meanwhile, the former judge leading the BBC inquiry into the Savile scandal has launched an appeal for witnesses.


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ITV And Newsnight Investigated By Ofcom

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 15 November 2012 | 20.14

Ofcom's Letter To MP Rob Wilson

Updated: 12:23pm UK, Thursday 15 November 2012

Here is media watchdog Ofcom's full letter to MP Rob Wilson, who complained about Newsnight and ITV.

15 November 2012

Dear Mr Wilson,

Newsnight, BBC2, 2 November 2012 and This Morning, ITV1, 8 November 2012

Thank you for your letters to Ed Richards, dated 8 and 9 November 2012, concerning the above programmes.

Mr Richards has passed your letters to me as the Director of Standards who has responsibility for the team within Ofcom that sets and enforces the rules within the Broadcasting Code ("the Code").

I understand from your letters that you seek Ofcom's confirmation that it will investigate whether:

- ITV was in breach of Section Seven of the Code by failing to provide an opportunity to respond to the individuals whose names were disclosed by Philip Schofield in connection with allegations of child abuse made in This Morning; and,

- The BBC was in breach of Section Seven of the Code by failing to provide the individual against whom allegations of child abuse were made in the Newsnight programme an appropriate and timely opportunity and to respond to the allegations before the programme was broadcast.

I can confirm that Ofcom considers that both the Newsnight and This Morning programmes raise issues warranting investigation in relation to:

1) the application of generally accepted standards by ITV and the BBC; and,

2) the application of standards to prevent unfair treatment to an individual, and unwarranted infringements of privacy.

Ofcom has general duties under section 3 of the Communications Act 2003 ("the 2003 Act") to (among other things) secure the application, in the case of all television and radio services, of:

1) standards that provide adequate protection to members of the public from the inclusion of offensive and harmful material in such services (Section 3(2)e of the 2003 Act); and

2) standards that provide adequate protection to members of the public and to all other persons from both (i) unfair treatment in programmes included in such services; and (ii) unwarranted infringements of privacy resulting from activities carried on for the purposes of such services (Section 3(2)(f) of the 2003 Act).

Therefore, Ofcom has begun investigations into whether the BBC and ITV maintained appropriate standards and ensured that these programmes complied with Rules 2.1, 7.1 and 8.1 (and the relevant "Practices to be followed") of the Code.

You also queried whether the current wording of Section Seven of the Code creates a potential loophole, in relation to innuendo and social media, which broadcasters can use to avoid the fairness requirements of the Code. We believe that Ofcom is able to investigate and properly address the issues raised by the broadcast of these programmes and the resulting speculation on social media and do not consider that there is a potential loophole of the manner you describe. However, I would be happy to discuss this issue with you if that would be helpful.

Thank you for raising these matters with Ofcom. Given the public interest in your original letters to Ofcom, we have placed a copy of this response on our website.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Close

Ofcom Director of Standards, Content, International and Regulatory Development


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Twilight's Final Movie Premieres In London

Thousands of Twilight fans, some of whom had camped out for days, got their reward when the stars of the vampire saga arrived for the premiere of the final film in the series.

Robert Pattinson told frenzied fans in London's Leicester Square that the saga had "changed everything" about his life.

The arrival of the British actor and his co-stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner was greeted with wild screaming and cheering from thousands of so-called 'Twi-hards'.

Some 6,000 of them packed the square. Many came from outside the UK, with fans from the USA, Dubai, Sweden, Norway and Hungary all amongst the crowd.

Stewart, who plays Bella, dazzled in a black lace jumpsuit, designed by Zuhair Murad.

Meanwhile, her on and off-screen partner Pattinson, who plays Edward, and Lautner, who plays Jacob, wore smart suits.

Pattinson, 26, told the crowds the saga connected to people on a "primal" level.

"For me it's changed everything about my life. I don't even think I'd be acting if I wasn't doing this, or if I hadn't done the first one," he said.

"It's crazy. The character and the whole experience combined for me.

"It's definitely really created something which connects to people on a very fundamental level, it's like primal."

He joked the fans must have a "mental disorder" to camp out in the cold but said it was "really nice" that they had stuck around, especially after five years of the films.

He said: "It's very, very, very cold and I don't understand what kind of mental disorder you have."

Stewart, 22, said: "This is weird, right? I don't know. I'm so happy that every single bit of the story is done.

"Usually we're at one of these premieres going, I don't know, you can't really feel it because you're not done. You're a little desensitised by it all because you have another one coming up.

"This time it's a trip, it is weird."

Meanwhile, Lautner, 20, said the director calling the final cut on his final scene was an emotional moment for all involved.

"My last scene was the slow dance scene between Jacob and Bella. It was an emotional time for all of us."

He also refused to settle the fierce debate among Twi-hards, who divide themselves into 'Team Edward' and 'Team Jacob' camps, in reference to the love triangle at the centre of the saga.

Asked if Bella made the right decision, Lautner said: "To be honest, I don't think she could have gone wrong either way - Jacob and Edward couldn't be more different.

"So yeah, I think she made the right choice but I don't think she would have made the wrong choice if she went with Jacob."

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 is released in UK cinemas on Friday.


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Savile Cops Arrest Man For Sex Offences

A man in his 60s and from Bedfordshire is being held by police investigating the Jimmy Savile child abuse scandal.

He was arrested at 7.45am on suspicion of sexual offences and is being questioned.

A police spokesman said the allegations made against him do not directly involve Savile and are classed under the strand of their investigation termed "others".

The Metropolitan Police Service is leading a national investigation into abuse allegations made against the disgraced television presenter.

So far, around 450 potential victims have come forward and 200 allegations of sexual assault have been made.

Officers are looking at three strands within their inquiry - claims against Savile, those against Savile and others, and those against others.

Most of the "others" allegations have been made against people associated with the entertainment industry.

So far Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr and a 73-year-old man have been arrested and bailed in connection with the investigation.

Children's charity the NSPCC said it had received 236 calls about Savile, an average of five per day, since the first sexual abuse allegations emerged.

The number of contacts made about other claims of sexual abuse has trebled in the last month, rising to 550.

Director of the NSPCC's helpline Peter Watt said: "Sometimes people wait months or years before reporting abuse but we would urge them to act quickly so they can get help as soon as possible.

"While the whole Savile episode has been distressing it has also led to more victims of abuse seeking support, which is positive."

More follows...


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Lord McAlpine: Twitter Users Face Action

The former Tory wrongly linked to a child sex abuse scandal because of a botched Newsnight investigation is poised to reach a settlement with the BBC.

Lord McAlpine's lawyers are in talks with the corporation and have indicated they could agree terms as early as today.

The peer's solicitor has also urged anyone who named him on Twitter to come forward so they, too, can reach a settlement.

"We know who you are," he warned, adding specialist firms had recorded each offending post and the authors would be tracked down if necessary.

Lord McAlpine took legal action against the BBC after a Newsnight show led to him being mistakenly implicated in a paedophile ring that targeted a Welsh care home.

Although the show did not name the peer and only referred to a senior Conservative from the Thatcher era, it quickly led to him being identified online.

George Entwistle and Lord Patten. The Newsnight show led to George Entwistle (L) quitting as director-general

The fallout fuelled an existing crisis at the corporation sparked by the Jimmy Savile abuse allegations and led to the resignation of director-general George Entwistle.

Media watchdog Ofcom has now launched an investigation into both Newsnight and ITV's This Morning, which came under fire for ambushing David Cameron with a list of alleged paedophiles.

Indications of an early settlement with the BBC came as Lord McAlpine spoke directly about the affair for the first time, and said it had left him devastated.

He pointed out that the whole situation could have been avoided if BBC investigators had called him before airing the claims.

"They could have saved themselves a lot of agonising, and money actually, if they had just made that telephone call," he told BBC Radio 4's The World At One.

"They should have called me and I would have told them exactly what they learned later on - that it was complete rubbish and that I had only ever been to Wrexham once in my life."

He added: "It gets into your bones, it makes you angry, and that's extremely bad for you to be angry, and it gets into your soul and you just think there is something wrong with the world."

BBC Broadcasting House The BBC was already in turmoil because of the Jimmy Savile scandal

Lord McAlpine's solicitor Andrew Reid indicated he is seeking a smaller payout because of the inevitable impact on the British public.

"Lord McAlpine is more than aware that the ultimate people who will paying for any monies that he may receive are in fact the licence payers, the people who really own the BBC," he said.

"He is very much aware of this and hence any agreement that is reached is tempered in the light of that."

He also urged those who had named the peer on Twitter to apologise, saying: "We know exactly the extent of what you've done.

"It's easier to come forward and see us and apologise and arrange to settle with us because, in the long run, this is the cheapest and best way to bring this matter to an end."

Sally Bercow, wife of House of Commons speaker John Bercow, is among those who alluded to Lord McAlpine on Twitter. She has since apologised.

An official report into the Newsnight programme, published this week, concluded staff had failed to complete "basic journalistic checks" ahead of the show on November 2.

Steve Meesham, who claimed that a senior political figure of the time had abused him, was not shown a picture of the person he pinpointed and Lord McAlpine was given no right of reply.

There was also confusion about the chain of command and who had ultimate responsibility for signing off the show because editors had stepped aside in the wake of the Savile scandal.

After rampant speculation prompted the peer to issue an extraordinary statement protesting his innocence, Mr Messham was shown a picture and confirmed he had made a mistake.

Newsnight made a full, on air apology for the broadcast and hours later Mr Entwistle resigned. BBC director of news Helen Boaden and her deputy Stephen Mitchell have also now stepped aside while internal inquiries take their course.


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Railway Guard Jailed Over Teen's Death

Railway guard Christopher McGee has been jailed for five years over the death of teenager Georgia Varley.

The 45-year-old was convicted of the manslaughter of the drunk teenager after he signalled for a train to move as she was leaning against the carriage.

He was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence by a unanimous jury at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday following a two-week trial.

College student Georgia, 16, had been on a night out in Liverpool with friends when she fell between the train and the platform at the city's James Street station in October last year.

She was three times the legal drink-driving limit and had 0.083mg of the drug mephedrone, or Mcat, in her system at the time, the court heard.

l-georgia-varley Georgia was described by her father as "special and unique"

The prosecution said McGee, of Edenhurst Avenue, Wallasey, Wirral, was negligent because he gave the signal to the driver to start the train when Georgia was in contact with the train and was in an "intoxicated state".

McGee, who denied manslaughter, told the jury he thought Georgia was moving away from the train when he gave the signal to depart. He also said he did not know how drunk she was.

But Mr Justice Holroyde told McGee: "In my judgement, the CCTV footage is unequivocal, Georgia Varley was not moving away and she was not showing any sign of moving away.

Christopher McGee Christopher McGee had denied manslaughter

"She only moved when the movement of the train deprived her of support and caused her to lose balance and fall to her death."

He added: "You did not intend to kill or even injure her, but you displayed an appalling disregard for her safety, and she paid for your criminal negligence with her life."

CCTV footage of the incident was shown to the jury during McGee's trial.

Georgia could be seen mistakenly getting off the train just before 11.30pm, and then turning around and leaning against the side as she realised her friends were still on board.

The Birkenhead Sixth Form College student was then seen to stagger and fall down the gap as the train moved off, before stopping after travelling around 30ft.


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Treatment Of Schizophrenia Patients 'Shameful'

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 14 November 2012 | 20.14

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

Standards of care in some mental health units are so poor that they make patients worse, not better, a new report claims.

An independent inquiry into schizophrenia describes the care given to some patients on secure wards as "shameful".

The Schizophrenia Commission found staff in some units are burnt out and demoralised, and are shut away in offices doing paperwork rather than talking to patients.

The commission's report, An Abandoned Illness, says patients are given drug treatments and then left to watch television, when they should be receiving psychological help, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

On average a stay on an acute mental health unit costs more than £12,000.

Professor Robin Murray, who chaired the commission, said more money should instead be aimed at better - and cheaper - intervention in the early stages of illness, which can reduce the likelihood of patients deteriorating to the point that they need acute care.

"People are being badly let down by the system in every area of their lives," he said.

"People with psychosis need to be given the hope that it is perfectly possible to live a fulfilling life after diagnosis.

"We have no doubt that this is achievable."

Schizophrenia affects more than 220,000 people in England alone. One in six people will have symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations, at some stage of their lives.

The Commission calls for clearer warnings on the use of cannabis, to reduce the risk of schizophrenia.

It also says psychiatrists should improve their prescribing to ensure patients are on effective treatment with the minimum of side effects.

Laura Sherlock used to be a professional trombone player and toured the world, despite suffering delusions and feeling suicidal.

She was put on anti-psychotic treatment that left her unable to play music.

"I felt numb, deathly tired and barely able to move or think," she said.

"When I stopped taking my tablets I was given medication by injections - I had no say in my own treatment."

Paul Jenkins, of the charity Rethink Mental Illness, said: "It is a scandal that in 2012 people with schizophrenia are dying 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population and that only 7% are able to get a job.

"Too many people are falling through the gaps in the system and ending up in prison or homeless."


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The Killers' Gigs Cancelled Due To Sore Throat

The Killers have been forced to cancel one of their UK concerts after just four songs because their lead singer was suffering from a sore throat.

Thousands of fans at the sold-out Manchester Arena were left disappointed when Brandon Flowers was unable to continue the show after losing his voice.

The US rock band had been due to play a second gig at the Arena on Wednesday, but that has now been cancelled as well.

The Killers apologised for the abrupt cancellation and said they hoped to reschedule both gigs.

They tweeted: "Both Manchester shows (scheduled for the 13th & 14th) have been cancelled. We will have info about the rescheduled dates very soon."

They added on Facebook: "Manchester, we started something we couldn't finish and we're so, so sorry. Working on rescheduling tonight and tomorrow's shows. Will let you know new dates ASAP."

Brandon Flowers of The Killers performing on stage at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park Flowers, seen here in August, managed to struggle through three full songs

Katherine Vine, a reporter for the Manchester Evening News, was at Tuesday night's gig. She said: "They played Mr Brightside and it sounded fine. I thought it was going to be great.

"But after the third song, Smile Like You Mean It, Brandon said that his voice had gone and that he had a Chinese remedy drink so he would take that.

"They started the fourth song, but he didn't sing a lot of it and was motioning to the rest of the band that he could not carry on.

"They left the stage and then a bloke came out and said that the gig was cancelled."

However, she said the crowd reacted well to the bad news.

"There were a few boos, but most people just applauded and made their way home," she added.

Manchester Arena said ticketholders should retain their tickets and contact their point of purchase for further information.


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April Jones: Police Stop Searching River

Police looking for missing five-year-old April Jones have switched the focus of their search to a forest, the police officer in charge of the operation has said.

Superintendent Ian John, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said officers had stopped combing the river, which had previously been at the centre of the search, and were instead looking at the land around it.

He said they still had 150 officers working on finding April at any one time in a continued effort to find her, more than six weeks after she went missing.

April was last seen on October 1, getting into a vehicle after playing near her home on the Bryn y Gog estate in the town of Machynlleth, Powys.

Her disappearance sparked the biggest search operation ever undertaken by the Dyfed-Powys Police force, covering 23 square miles.

Seventeen specialist teams continue to work on the case and are investigating all lines of enquiry.

Officers and coastguards had concentrated their efforts on the River Dyfi but are now focusing on the 6,000 hectares of surrounding forest land.

Search and rescue teams Search teams scouring the River Dyfi

Supt John said: "We've still got a number of search areas to investigate, but at the moment teams are primarily working in the Dyfi Forest.

"We are not searching the river actively now. The coastguard have stopped doing that, they have adequately searched the water as much as they can.

"Instead, it's primarily the woodland areas, the old slate quarries and the fields which are the main focus of the operation now."

Hundreds of members of the public joined in the search for April and they continue to raise money to help fund the search.

Supt John said: "I can't truly express how hard going the work is, the guys have been out there in the pouring rain day after day and still they continue.

"We are not searching weekends anymore because they officers all need to rest, but we are still working at an intensive level."

Mark Bridger, 46, a former abattoir worker, has been charged with April's murder and is due to appear in court on January 11.


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Energy Firm SSE Defends 38% Profits Rise

The energy firm SSE has defended a 38% rise in half year profits at a time when its gas and electricity bills are rising by 9% on average.

The company, formerly known as Scottish & Southern Energy, made an adjusted profit before tax of £397.5m in the six months to September 30.

SSE's retail business, which supplies electricity and gas to homes and businesses, reported an operating profit of £75.7m for the first-half after posting an operating loss of £101.4m a year ago.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, the firm's chairman, said: "While some observers may choose to criticise SSE for making a profit and paying a dividend (of 25.2p per share - a rise of 5%) I believe that profit and dividend allow SSE to employ people, pay tax, provide services that customers need, make investments that keep the lights on and create jobs while providing an income return that shareholders like pension funds need."

In August SSE, which trades as Southern Electric, Swalec and Scottish Hydro and is the UK's second-largest generator of electricity, became the first of the so-called 'big six' energy firms to announce inflation-busting increases to household bills.

It blamed "sustained increases" in the cost of using the electricity and gas networks, costs associated with mandatory Government schemes and the price it had paid for energy in the wholesale markets for the 9% rise, which came into effect last month.

Wholesale gas charges had risen 14% year-on-year, the group said and its bill increase would add another £8.53 a month on to the typical monthly direct debit, dual fuel customer - taking the average annual bill to £1,274.

In its statement today SSE said that despite the rise its retail profit margin was just 1.5%.

"The prices achieved for generating electricity have been weak and higher gas and non-energy costs unfortunately had to be reflected in the increase in household energy prices."

Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, suggested energy firms only had themselves to blame for criticism of profits.

"The furore over wholesale costs, energy pricing and company profits has deepened consumer distrust in the energy industry.

"Energy companies need to make profit so they can invest in our energy infrastructure. But if confidence is to be rebuilt in this market, the information that all energy firms are required to provide must be fully transparent, comparable, and include profit and trading information from across the whole of their business."

SSE's share price opened up slightly when trading began on the FTSE 100.

At the same time, rival npower - another of the 'big six' confirmed an operating profit - a different measure to that of SSE - of £238m for its first nine months.

That represented a 2% fall on the same period last year, the company said.


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Requests To Pull UK Google Web Links Double

UK Government agencies and courts nearly doubled their number of requests for links to online content to be removed, Google has revealed.

The internet search firm said it received 97 content removal requests between January and June asking for more than 3,000 items to be taken down.

The firm's Transparency Report said this was an increase of 98% compared with the previous six-month period.

It said it had been asked by one unnamed British law enforcement agency to remove 14 search results.

The force in question said the results were linking to sites that criticised the police, and claimed individuals were involved in obscuring crimes.

Google said it did not remove any content in response to this request.

It said it also received a request from another local law enforcement agency to remove a YouTube video accusing it of racism. Again, it said it did not remove any content.

Google regularly gets requests from government agencies and courts around the world to remove content from its services.

It said: "Governments ask companies to remove content for many different reasons.

"For example, some content removals are requested due to allegations of defamation, while others are due to allegations that the content violates local laws prohibiting hate speech or pornography.

"Laws surrounding these issues vary by country, and the requests reflect the legal context of a given jurisdiction."

Worldwide, Google received 39% more requests to remove links to allegedly defamatory content, while there was a 20% rise in requests regarding privacy and security concerns.

The defamation requests included cases involving a local mayor, judge and police chief in Brazil, a government official in China and a politician's wife in Germany.

In response to a court order in India, Google removed 360 search results linked to web pages containing adult videos that allegedly violated an individual's personal privacy.

In Monaco, Google received a request from the legal representatives of a member of the royal family to remove five blog posts containing images that allegedly violated her privacy.

It said it removed four of the blog posts cited in that request.


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British Soldier Killed In 'Insider Attack'

Written By Unknown on Senin, 12 November 2012 | 20.14

A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan in an apparent "insider attack" at his base, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The soldier, from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was killed while in Patrol Base Shawqat, in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand said.

His next of kin have been informed.

Major Laurence Roche, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "I am very sorry to report the death of a soldier ... who was shot by an individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform at his base in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province.

"This is incredibly sad news for the battalion and everyone serving in Task Force Helmand.

"As we mark Remembrance this weekend, our thoughts now turn to the soldier's family and friends whose loss is so much greater than ours."

The insider attack takes to 438 the number of UK service members to have lost their lives in Afghanistan since operations started in October 2001.

The number of British servicemen killed by Afghan soldiers or police, which have become known as 'green on blue' attacks, is 12 this year, compared with one in 2011, three in 2010 and five in 2009.

At least 54 international troops have died as a result of such attacks - where Afghans turn their weapons on their coalition colleagues.

Responsibility for security in Afghanistan is due to be handed over to local military and police from 2014.

News of the killing came last night after the Queen led the nation in honouring the fallen, as the country fell silent to remember its war dead.

In scenes replicated at memorials across the UK and Commonwealth nations, the monarch laid the first wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate members of the Armed Forces who died fighting in all conflicts since the First World War.


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Burning Poppy Photo: Man Faces Questioning

A man is to be questioned by police after an image of a burning poppy was posted on Facebook on Remembrance Sunday.

Kent Police said the 19-year-old, from Canterbury, was detained last night on suspicion of making malicious telecommunications and is in custody awaiting interview.

The force said in a statement: "A man is due to be interviewed by police this morning following reports that a picture of a burning poppy had been posted on a social media website.

"Officers were contacted at around 4pm yesterday and alerted to the picture, which was reportedly accompanied by an offensive comment."

The arrest was met with disbelief on Twitter, where people mounted a fierce discussion over civil liberties.

Tom Williams, tweeting as @tomwilliamsisme, wrote: "The scary thing is, the man wasn't arrested for burning a poppy - that's not illegal. He was arrested for putting it online."

Jamie's Pants, under @thisisrjg, tweeted: "We do not have a right to not be offended. We certainly don't have a right to lock up someone for offending some people", 

And Thom Lumley, tweeting as @Hotstepperrr, wrote: "Dear idiots at Kent Police, burning a poppy may be obnoxious, but it is not a criminal offence."

David Allen Green, a journalist and lawyer for the New Statesman, tweeting as Jack of Kent, wrote: "What was the point of winning either World War if, in 2012, someone can be casually arrested by Kent Police for burning a poppy?"

Australian musician and comedian Tim Minchin also tweeted his incredulity, saying: "You've a right to burn a (fake!) poppy. Whether I agree with the action is utterly irrelevant. Kent Police are out of line."

Meanwhile, a man who skateboarded alongside a Remembrance Sunday parade wearing a pink outfit and horned mask has been charged under the Public Order Act, police said.

Jose Paulo Da Silveria, 38, is alleged to have skateboarded beside marching troops as they made their way past the cenotaph towards College Green in Bristol city centre.


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Coach Fall: Woman Hurt On M42 Motorway

A woman has suffered a serious head injury after falling from a coach travelling on the M42 motorway in the West Midlands.

The victim, in her 20s, is believed to have fallen from the vehicle's emergency exit near the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to junction six of the motorway shortly after 11pm on Sunday night.

An ambulance service spokesman said the woman had suffered a serious head injury and was stabilised at the scene before being taken to Coventry's University Hospital.


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Fulham Murder: Pensioner Found Dead In Home

Police have launched a murder inquiry after finding the body of a pensioner during a call-out to a burglary.

Officers were called to Hazlebury Road in Fulham, southwest London, at 6.20am on Sunday after receiving reports of a break-in.

On entering the house they discovered the body of 73-year-old Joseph Lewis Griffiths, who had suffered a violent attack.

London Ambulance Service was called to the property and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said other people had been in the house at the time, but none of them was injured.

Fulham Murder Scene Police and forensic officers at the scene of the murder

He said: "Police have carried out initial house-to-house enquiries and are in the process of forensically examining the scene.

"There have been no arrests at this stage and enquiries continue.

"We are keeping an open mind as to the motive at this very early stage. Next of kin are aware."

Mr Griffiths was married with two grown-up sons, the spokesman said.

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course, he added.

An incident room has been set up at Belgravia Police Station and anyone with information is asked to call 020 7321 7228 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


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Abu Qatada Wins Appeal Against Extradition

Abu Qatada could be freed after winning his latest appeal against extradition, in a major blow to Home Secretary Theresa May.

The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) sided with the radical cleric's lawyers who had argued he would not get a fair trial in Jordan.

This is despite the Home Secretary seeking assurances from the country that no evidence gained through torture would be used against Qatada at trial.

Mr Justice Mitting, Siac's president, has now said he is "minded" to release Qatada on bail but will listen to Home Office lawyers before making a final decision.

The successful appeal is the latest twist in a battle that has now lasted more than a decade. The Government will appeal and Mrs May will address the Commons later.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The Government strongly disagrees with this ruling. We have obtained assurances not just in relation to the treatment of Qatada himself, but about the quality of the legal processes that would be followed throughout his trial.

"Indeed, today's ruling found that 'the Jordanian judiciary, like their executive counterparts, are determined to ensure that the appellant will receive, and be seen to receive, a fair retrial. We will therefore seek leave to appeal."

Qatada, once described by a judge as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, was allowed to stay in Britain in 1994 but was convicted of terror charges in Jordan in his absence in 1999.

The cleric, who is said to have wide and high-level support among extremists, featured in hate sermons found on videos in the flat of one of the September 11 bombers.

In December 2001, he became one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in west London. He was arrested almost a year later and detained in Belmarsh prison.

He has been in and out of jail in the intervening years but was re-arrested in April amid hopes in Government that he could finally be removed from the country.

His legal team lodged a fresh appeal at the European Court of Human Rights but lost, kicking the fight back to the British courts and Siac.


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Victoria Cross Charity Role For George, 12

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 11 November 2012 | 20.14

Bereaved Mum's Journey Of Despair

Updated: 9:44am UK, Sunday 11 November 2012

By Lucy Cotter and Richard Suchet

For the families of those killed in war, Remembrance Sunday can be a day of profound grief.

While the nation - and the Commonwealth - expresses its gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the bereaved are reminded of their own suffering and loss.

Some 53 British servicemen and women have been killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 months and 437 have died there since operations began in 2001.

Margaret Evison's son Mark died in Helmand Province in 2009.

A lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, he was considered one of the finest officers of his generation.

He died aged just 26 after being shot in the shoulder while leading a patrol in Helmand.

Margaret's book Death Of A Soldier describes the aftermath - from the time she was told her son had been injured, up until after his inquest.

It is an incredibly moving account which articulates the loss of a child, and is deeply thought-provoking.

But it also asks important questions about the circumstances surrounding Lt Evison's death, about the Army and the war in Afghanistan.

Ms Evison said: "It's a journey through despair, but also a tale of surprises, sometimes magical ... to pay my respects to a young man who commanded such love and respect in his short life."

Lt Evison was clearly a remarkable man, who achieved a great deal and inspired those who knew him.

Nicknamed 007, he was idolised by his men and was destined for a very bright future in the Army he loved so much.

Brigadier Tim Radford, heading the 19th Brigade in Afghanistan at the time, wrote: "He was charming, utterly focused, thoughtful and he left an indelible stamp.

"I know his soldiers adored him and he was held in such high esteem by them. Mark was described by his solders as having 'a face that was sculpted by angels'. In 25 years in the army, I have never heard soldiers speak with such affection about one of their officers."

The book brings Lt Evison to life through his mother's words, but also uses his own.

He wrote a diary in Afghanistan until a few days before he died which is included, along with extracts from the many letters written to the family from people who knew Lt Evison.

As well as being a very personal story about loss, the book illustrates the heroics of the people involved in trying to save Lt Evison, but also questions whether his death could have been avoided.

Ms Evison battled with the Ministry of Defence and found evidence that there was a lack of resources, poor radio equipment, and a delay in the helicopter sent to rescue Lt Evison which had an impact on his care.

She not only questions the Army's deficiencies, but the legitimacy of the campaign in Afghanistan.

However, the book ends on a very positive note, describing The Mark Evison Foundation, which was set up shortly after his death to inspire young people and help them develop their potential.

"We wanted the foundation to reflect Mark's unusual capacity to be a life-enhancer," she wrote. "That became its strap line 'Bring out the best in you'."


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Jimmy Savile Inquiry Police Arrest Man

A man in his 70s has been arrested in connection with the Jimmy Savile sex abuse investigation.

The suspect is being held as part of Operation Yewtree - an inquiry into alleged child sexual exploitation by Savile and others.

Police said the man was detained at 7.15am at an address in Cambridge on suspicion of sexual offences, and has been taken into custody locally.

The arrest is the third made in Operation Yewtree.

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was arrested first and questioned at a central London police station after being detained at his home in the capital.

Comedian Freddie Starr was arrested next. He was detained twice and released on bail for a second time earlier this month as part of the Savile abuse inquiry.

The 69-year-old, from Warwickshire, was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences.

He has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged abuse.

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation into former TV and radio presenter Savile, who died last year at the age of 84.

He is now believed to have been one of the UK's most prolific abusers, with about 300 possible victims.


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Remembrance Sunday: Tribute To Helmand Soldier

By Lucy Cotter and Richard Suchet

For the families of those killed in war, Remembrance Sunday can be a day of profound grief.

While the nation - and the Commonwealth - expresses its gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the bereaved are reminded of their own suffering and loss.

Some 53 British servicemen and women have been killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 months and 437 have died there since operations began in 2001.

Margaret Evison's son Mark died in Helmand Province in 2009.

A lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, he was considered one of the finest officers of his generation.

Funeral Ms Evison's book describes the aftermath of her son's death

He died aged just 26 after being shot in the shoulder while leading a patrol in Helmand.

Margaret's book Death Of A Soldier describes the aftermath - from the time she was told her son had been injured, up until after his inquest.

It is an incredibly moving account which articulates the loss of a child, and is deeply thought-provoking.

But it also asks important questions about the circumstances surrounding Lt Evison's death, about the Army and the war in Afghanistan.

Ms Evison said: "It's a journey through despair, but also a tale of surprises, sometimes magical ... to pay my respects to a young man who commanded such love and respect in his short life."

Mark Evison Mark Evison was one of the army's brightest stars

Lt Evison was clearly a remarkable man, who achieved a great deal and inspired those who knew him.

Nicknamed 007, he was idolised by his men and was destined for a very bright future in the Army he loved so much.

Brigadier Tim Radford, heading the 19th Brigade in Afghanistan at the time, wrote: "He was charming, utterly focused, thoughtful and he left an indelible stamp.

"I know his soldiers adored him and he was held in such high esteem by them. Mark was described by his solders as having 'a face that was sculpted by angels'. In 25 years in the army, I have never heard soldiers speak with such affection about one of their officers."

The book brings Lt Evison to life through his mother's words, but also uses his own.

He wrote a diary in Afghanistan until a few days before he died which is included, along with extracts from the many letters written to the family from people who knew Lt Evison.

As well as being a very personal story about loss, the book illustrates the heroics of the people involved in trying to save Lt Evison, but also questions whether his death could have been avoided.

Ms Evison battled with the Ministry of Defence and found evidence that there was a lack of resources, poor radio equipment, and a delay in the helicopter sent to rescue Lt Evison which had an impact on his care.

She not only questions the Army's deficiencies, but the legitimacy of the campaign in Afghanistan.

However, the book ends on a very positive note, describing The Mark Evison Foundation, which was set up shortly after his death to inspire young people and help them develop their potential.

"We wanted the foundation to reflect Mark's unusual capacity to be a life-enhancer," she wrote. "That became its strap line 'Bring out the best in you'."


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Remembrance Sunday: Tributes To The Fallen

Two minutes' silence have been held to remember those who have fallen in battle.

Marked by the first stroke of Big Ben at 11am and the firing of a gun from Horse Guards Parade by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery the silence was followed by The Last Post, sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines.

The Queen laid the first wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Prince Michael of Kent and Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank.

The Queen lays a poppy memorial at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday The Queen laid the first wreath following the silence

Wreaths were also laid by Prime Minister David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, opposition leader Ed Miliband and Westminster Plaid Cymru group leader Elfyn Llwyd, as well as high commissioners from Commonwealth countries and leaders of the Armed Forces.

Thousands of veterans have also marched through Whitehall to pay their respects at the Cenotaph.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, currently on their Diamond Jubilee Tour in New Zealand, had already paid their respects, laying a wreath of poppies at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Prince Charles lays a wreath at Auckland War Memorial Prince Charles visited Auckland War Memorial with the Duchess of Cornwall

There are a number of services taking place, including at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which was attended by around 3,000 people.

The arboretum's focal point, the national Armed Forces Memorial, is designed so that on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, a shaft of sunlight dissects its inner and outer walls, falling on a bronze wreath sculpture.

Services also took place at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.

For the first time, the two most senior members of the Irish government will attend Remembrance events in Northern Ireland.

Irish premier Enda Kenny was in Enniskillen, 25 years after the 'Poppy Day bombing' which killed 11 people and injured more than 60. Mr Kenny laid a laurel wreath at the war memorial, only yards from where the no-warning blast detonated a quarter of a century ago

Miliband, Clegg and Cameron Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Prime Minister David Cameron also laid wreaths

And deputy leader Eamon Gilmore laid a wreath with Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers in Belfast.

In Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, around 150 servicemen and women attended a service at 11am Afghan time, marking the two minute silence before a bugler sounded the reveille.

Other ceremonies have been held across Helmand at patrol bases and checkpoints by the 9,500 British forces serving there.

Thousands of people also respected the two minute silence on Twitter, abstaining from posting messages during the period of reflection. The idea was spread using the hashtag #2minutesilence.

On Saturday night, Rod Stewart performed for the Queen at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance in honour of Britain's war dead.

The show included the traditional two minute silence as poppy petals fell from the roof of the Royal Albert Hall, each representing a life lost in war.

Two minutes of silence begin at 11am every year on November 11 to commemorate the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany for a ceasefire on the Western Front, which took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.

England players and staff observe a minutes silence in India The England cricket team fall silent during their tour match in India

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Missing Girl: Man Hands Himself In To Police

A 22-year-old man wanted in connection with the suspected murder of a teenager has handed himself in to police.

Hertfordshire Police said Jack Wall had been arrested this morning by officers investigating the disappearance of Amelia Arnold, who was last seen on Wednesday.

Detectives fear that Miss Arnold, aged 19, has been murdered and are focussing their inquiries on her home in Hadrian's Walk, Stevenage.

More follows...


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