Police Hunt Fans Over Racist Station Chants

A gang of men, believed to be Chelsea fans, are being hunted by police after being heard shouting racist chants at St Pancras station.

The men were returning from Paris by train on Wednesday, the day after the club played Paris St Germain in the French capital.

The incident happened at the central London station at around 8pm, and was reported by a member of the public who was "disgusted" by their behaviour, the British Transport Police (BTP) said.

It comes after police released images of three men - believed to be Chelsea fans - who they want to speak to in connection with a separate incident on the Paris Metro on Tuesday.

The three men police want to speak to

A group of fans were captured on video stopping a black man boarding a train and chanting: "We're racist, we're racist, and that's the way we like it."

Speaking about the incident at St Pancras station, Superintendent Gill Murray of the BTP said: "The men shouted as they walked through the station having alighted from the train a short time earlier.

Video: Fans Victim: Push Because Of 'Skin'

"If you travelled on the train from Paris or were at the station and have information which can assist our investigation I would urge you to get in touch as a matter of urgency."

Supt Murray continued: "It's clear that unfortunately there is still a minority who think it is acceptable to behave in such an abhorrent manner.

"There is more that needs to be done to publicly condemn this type of behaviour and British Transport Police is actively working with football clubs, the football authorities and other key agencies to tackle this appalling behaviour."

Video: Chelsea Manager 'Ashamed'

The club has suspended five people from Stamford Bridge, the club's stadium, while it investigates the incident on the Paris Metro.

Chelsea said it has received "substantial information" following an appeal for witnesses and an investigation was ongoing.

The club has reiterated its vow to ban for life anyone proved to have been involved, and is helping police in the UK and France.

Video: Chelsea Fans Condemn Paris Racists

Manager Jose Mourinho has said the club is "ashamed" of the supporters, and said he would welcome the victim - Sylla Souleymane - to a future home game.

Paris-born Mr Souleymane, 33, has said he thinks the fans who abused him should be jailed.

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Firefighters Battle Industrial Blaze In Erith

Almost 100 firefighters have battled to get a blaze inside a block of industrial units under control.

The smoke and fire from the blaze in Erith, South East London, could be seen from miles away.

More than 50 people called emergency services to report the fire, which happened at around 2am in Yarnton Way.

Firefighters battled the blaze for three hours Pic: London Fire Brigade

A storage warehouse was completely destroyed, and the blaze also affected two adjacent units.

While no homes were affected, the London Fire Brigade advised people living near the scene to close their doors and windows due to large volumes of smoke.

Station Manager Norman Perry said: "Fire crews worked hard to bring this under control. 

The cause has yet to be determined. Pic: George Bash

"The blaze was in an industrial area and we managed to stop it spreading to any residential homes.

"We are likely to be at the scene throughout the morning damping down pockets of fire."

Firefighters at the scene of the blaze

The fire was under control by 5.40am.

The cause has yet to be determined.

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PM Pledges £300m In Fight To Defeat Dementia

More than £300m is to be spent over the next five years on research, medical trials and training to tackle dementia, the Prime Minister has announced.

David Cameron plans to set up an international dementia institute in England in a bid to make the UK a world leader for research and medical trials.

A separate multimillion-pound fund will be launched to help establish an international investment scheme to discover new drugs and treatments that could slow down the onset of dementia or even deliver a cure.

Some 1.3 million NHS workers, from surgeons to hospital porters, will be given training in how to give those with dementia the best possible standards of care.

Businesses and public services will be encouraged to offer greater understanding and support for people with the condition.

Video: Oct: Dementia Plan A 'Travesty'

And a further three million volunteers are to be recruited to train as "dementia friends" to help care for sufferers. 

Mr Cameron said: "Dementia is one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime, and I am proud that we are leading the world in fighting it.

"Because of the growing strength of our economy, we can invest in research and drug development, as well as public understanding, so we defeat this terrible condition and offer more hope and dignity for those who suffer.

"That way, we can help make Britain a country that offers security in retirement for all."

Video: 2014: Dementia Care Plan Revealed

Other pledges include having the majority of people in England living in "dementia friendly communities" by making shops, transport and other public places more accessible to people with the condition.

And initial dementia assessments by GPs will take place in an average of six weeks and will be followed by better onward support.

There are around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with the number expected to hit a million within the next 10 years.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Dementia Friends is truly changing attitudes and capturing the public's attention.

Video: June: Dementia: Threat To Humanity

"Together we are transforming lives today and reaching out for preventative treatments and a cure tomorrow.

"This Government has rightly prioritised dementia.

"We would all acknowledge the work that remains to be done, but the PM deserves credit for the phenomenal achievement in getting dementia on the national and global agenda and this has resulted in significant progress."

Mr Cameron visited High Wycombe on Saturday to meet people with dementia, and dementia friends.

Video: Sept: Cost Of Dementia Care Soars

He said: "What today's announcement is about is a very simple but bold ambition, and that is to make the United Kingdom the best place on the planet in terms of researching into dementia, in terms of diagnosing people with dementia and then in terms of treating, helping and caring for them.

"Not just hospitals and care homes, but the whole of our country making dementia friendly communities."

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PM: Schools Must Fight 'Appalling' Teen IS Trend

David Cameron has told schools, colleges and universities they must play a role in stopping teenagers travelling to Syria to fight alongside Islamic State terrorists.

The Prime Minister's comments were made amid questions over how three schoolgirls from East London were able to leave their homes and travel to Turkey without being stopped.

Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16 and a third 15-year-old girl, who has not been named, were last seen on Tuesday morning as they left their homes in East London, telling their families they would be out for the day.

Shamima Begum tweeted a friend understood to have previously fled to Syria

It has emerged they were questioned just two months ago after one of their classmates, also 15, travelled to Syria and yet they were still able to board a Turkish Airlines flight at Gatwick which landed at Istanbul on Tuesday evening.

The Prime Minister said their disappearance was "deeply concerning," stressing that authorities would do "everything we can to help these girls."

Video: 'It Is Deeply Concerning'

However he said their case proves the fight against Islamist extremist terror is "not just one that we can wage by the police and border control."

"It needs every school, every university, every college, every community to recognise they have a role to play," he said.

"We all have a role to play in stopping people from having their minds poisoned by this appalling death cult."

The Metropolitan Police disclosed the three girls were questioned by officers in December as part of a "routine inquiry". According to The Times none of the three was subsequently monitored by counterterrorism police. 

It was only when their families raised the alarm that authorities discovered the girls had fled the country.

Sky News has also uncovered a tweet sent from Shamima Begum's Twitter account two days earlier, asking a friend already in Syria to follow her so they can start messaging privately.

The friend is understood to be a former private school pupil from Glasgow who travelled to Syria to marry a fighter.

In a statement the Metropolitan Police said they found "nothing" in December to indicate the girls were likely to flee.

IT said: "There was nothing to suggest at the time that the girls themselves were at risk and indeed their disappearance has come as a great surprise, not least to their own families."

Video: Schoolgirls Run Away To Syria

Turkish Airlines reportedly did not notify authorities that the girls had boarded the flight to Turkey - a known stop for would-be jihadists travelling to Syria.

Questions have now been raised over how the girls - who attended the Bethnal Green Academy school and were described as "straight-A students" - were able to leave the UK so easily.

Former Metropolitan Police border control officer Chris Hobbs told Sky News that checks for people departing from UK airports made it a "walk in the park for jihadis and girls like this" to leave.

"At the moment you go through security, you get on the plane, you might be checked by a private security guard," he said.

"Unless you're very unlucky you won't pass under the eyes of anyone from UK law enforcement.

"If you're on a watch list then you will ping the system. If you're not on the radar then the odds are you will get on the plane without too many problems."

The number of Westerners who have travelled to Iraq and Syria to join IS is thought to be about 3,000, including as many as 550 women, according to the London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Police have issued the following descriptions of the girls.

:: Shamima Begum, 15

1/7

1. Gallery: Schoolgirls May Have Gone To Syria

   Scotland Yard are trying to trace three teenage girls from the same East London school who are believed to have run off to Syria

CCTV captured images of the girls at Gatwick Airport

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Super Tide And Strong Winds Brew Up Flood Risk

"Super tides", 50mph winds and large waves are threatening to combine to bring flooding misery for coastal communities in England this weekend.

The warning comes as many in the South East woke up to a covering of snow on Saturday, with forecasters predicting further blizzards for northern areas.

The biggest flood risk is in the southwest, with six "immediate action required" warnings issued by the Environment Agency (EA), mainly for the Somerset coast, and five for the northwest.

Two warnings are also in place around the Wye Estuary in the Midlands. There are also dozens of lower-level amber flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible.

Most of the serious warnings are in southwest England. Pic: EA

"It's possible we could see some large waves and spray and urge people to take care near coastal paths and promenades and not to drive through flood water," said the EA's flood risk manager, Jonathan Day.

The spring "super tides" occur regularly when the gravitational pull of the sun and moon combine.

But the pull of the planets is also at an 18-year peak, making the tides slightly bigger this year, according to the EA.

Surfers on the River Severn made the best of the tidal boost, riding the incoming bore wave on Saturday morning.

Southeast England also saw a dusting of snow on Saturday morning

Crowds gathered on the banks to watch the phenomenon, which at its peak can reach 13mph and three metres in height.

Saturday's wave is one of several large surges expected in February and March.

Meanwhile, heavy snow is also set to add to a turbulent mix of weekend weather, causing travel problems in Pennine areas and the Highlands.

A woman on a paddle board prepares for the Severn bore surge

Parts of southeast England have already had snow this weekend, with rural areas of East Sussex, Surrey and Kent seeing some picture postcard scenes.

The Met Office said freezing temperatures on Saturday night would see more wintry showers sweeping in in the morning.

"The whole of the country will experience strong winds and severe gales over the course of tomorrow, meaning it will be a wet and windy day for many - and a snowy and windy day for northern parts," said Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge.

"Winter is not over just yet."

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Spies 'Hacked' SIM Cards To Listen To Calls

British and American spies stole the encryption keys from the largest SIM card manufacturer in the world to eavesdrop on calls, a US news website says.

Calls made on the 3G and 4G networks are encrypted - but by stealing the keys, intelligence agencies were able to monitor mobile phone communications without the permission or knowledge of customers, phone companies and foreign governments.

The UK intelligence agency Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) teamed up with the US' National Security Agency (NSA) to target Dutch SIM card manufacturer Gemalto.

Gemalto manufactures around two billion SIM cards every year

The company creates around two billion SIM cards annually for 450 wireless networks around the world.

It is believed that employees of Gemalto had their emails penetrated after being contacted via Facebook.

In one GCQH slide cited by The Intercept, the agency said it had access to Gemalto's "entire network".

A spokesman for Gemalto said the firm will "devote all resources necessary" to understand the "sophisticated techniques" used to get the SIM card data.

The breach was revealed in documents handed to The Intercept, a website edited by Glenn Greenwald and owned eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

The GCHQ document cited - dated 2010 - states that the operation allowed it and the NSA to monitor phone activity without leaving a trace.

Gaining decryption keys also meant that previously uncrackable information held by the agencies could be understood.

GCHQ said it does not comment on intelligence matters, but said all of its work is legal.

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NHS Misses A&E Target For 20th Week In A Row

Accident and emergency departments across England have failed to see 95% of their patients within four hours for 20 weeks running.

The crucial target was not met in the second week of February - with just 91.6% of patients being admitted, transferred or discharged in the four hours after they arrive at a ward.

In comparison, 92.9% of casualty patients were treated in line with NHS England's expectations in the seven days to 8 February.

"Last week saw a sharp increase in A&E attendance and emergency admissions - up by nearly 15,000 on the week before. These are the highest levels since Christmas and are also up on the same week last year," said Dr Barbara Hakin of NHS England.

An estimated 420,700 patients went to an accident and emergency department last week.

Video: Why Are A&E Wards Struggling?

This admissions figure is the highest seen since the week before Christmas, when 446,473 attendances were recorded.

Dr Hakin added: "This has resulted in a slight impact on waiting times, but we continue to admit, treat and discharge more than nine out of ten patients within four hours."

In recent weeks, the Royal College of Nursing has said the system is in crisis - with chronic underfunding and staffing shortages to blame.

A growing number of NHS hospitals have had to declare "major incidents" as they struggle to cope with the rising number of admissions.

"Bed blocking" also continues to be a serious issue - and last week, 4,000 hospital beds were unavailable because of delays in transferring patients who could be discharged to other care facilities.

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Chelsea Suspends Three Fans Over Racist Chant

Chelsea have suspended three supporters as the club investigates racist chanting and a black man being pushed on the Paris Metro.

The commuter, Sylla Souleymane, appeared to be stopped from getting on an underground train by fans travelling to a Champions League game against Paris St Germain.

The incident on Tuesday evening was captured on video, including a chant of "we're racist and that's the way we like it".

The club said three people had been suspended from its Stamford Bridge ground and that they would be banned for life if there was "sufficient evidence of their involvement in the incident".

Chelsea said it had received "substantial information" following an appeal for witnesses and an investigation was ongoing.

Meanwhile, one of the Chelsea fans on board the train, Josh Parsons, appears to have been suspended by his employers.

The 21-year-old finance worker is not seen chanting and it is not clear whether he was involved.

It is not clear if Mr Parsons was involved in the offensive singing

But a statement posted on rhe Business & Commercial Finance Club's Facebook page said: "We are utterly opposed to racism in all of its forms and would never tolerate racist conduct among any employee.

"We are investigating the events in Paris and Mr Parsons will not return to work until we have conducted a full and thorough investigation."

Video: Fans Victim: Push Because Of 'Skin'

Mr Souleymane has said he thinks the fans who abused him should be jailed for their actions.

The 33-year-old told Le Parisien newspaper: "These people, these English fans, must be found, punished and must be locked up. What happened should not go unpunished."

He said he thought Chelsea and PSG should face sanctions because it was "also their fault".

The married father-of-three, who was born in Paris but grew up in the town of Val d'Oise, told Le Parisien the whole incident lasted about six or seven minutes.

Video: Racism Victim Calls For Prison Term

He said: "I wanted to get into the carriage but a group of English fans blocked me and pushed me away.

"I understood that it was Chelsea fans and I made the connection with the PSG match. I understand also that they were attacking me because of the colour of my skin."

Mr Souleymane said it was not the first time he had been a victim of racism.

"You know, I live with racism. I was not really surprised by what happened to me even though it was the first time it had happened on the subway."

Video: Chelsea Fans Condemn Paris Racists

At one point, staff from the train company tried to intervene to prevent any fighting, but he said they were more concerned with making sure the trains ran on time.

"I took the next metro and went back home without telling anyone, not even my wife or kids," he added. "What would I have told my kids? That daddy was pushed in the Metro because he's black?"

Mr Souleymane said he did not know he was at the centre of an international scandal until the paper alerted him to the video.

He said: "I did not know I had been filmed. The fact that I am now talking about it will give me the courage to complain to the police."

Video: PM: Chelsea Incident 'Disturbing'

Police in France said no arrests were made in relation to the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Since the video appeared on websites on Wednesday, the behaviour of the fans has been widely condemned across the French and English media, and by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

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More 24-Hour Rail Part Of £10bn London Plan

Chancellor George Osborne and London Mayor Boris Johnson have launched a government plan to put £10bn into London's transport infrastructure.

Mr Johnson promised more 24-hour rail services in the capital where the first round of overnight Tube services are due to get under way soon.

The proposals are part of a package of measures designed to help London stay ahead of New York and other cities in the coming years.

The Government is confident that the plans will create half a million jobs by 2020 and add £6.4bn to the capital's economy by 2030.

Chancellor George Osborne and mayor Boris Johnson said 24-hour services would be expanded on the Tube and extended to London Overground and the Docklands Light Railway.

During an early-morning visit to view maintenance work, they outlined a six-point plan that also extended wi-fi on the Tube.

Night-time Tube services will be expanded to the Metropolitan, Circle, District, and Hammersmith and City lines once Transport for London's modernisation programmes are completed.

Currently 24-hour services will begin on the Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Jubilee and Central lines from September.

Rail unions described the announcement as a "blatant pre-election stunt" and questioned how the figure of £6.4 billion had been worked out.

The £10bn of funding covers investment in new TfL infrastructure over the next parliament, including the Tube improvements, better roads, more buses and cycle lanes.

It is designed to cope with growth that will mean London's population is expected to top 10 million by the early 2030s.

Appearing at the Tate Modern art gallery on Friday morning for the official launch, Mr Osborne said: "This is our long-term economic plan for London. To grow our city and outpace New York.

"To create over half a million new jobs, build over 400,000 new homes, provide £10bn on new transport, back business and science and culture here, give a voice to people here and make London the greatest capital city on earth for the next generation of Londoners."

Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said: "This announcement has been dropped on London by the mayor as a blatant pre-election stunt without a shred of consultation with the union.

"RMT is not opposed to extended running but there are massive issues on staffing, safety and maintenance which have not been addressed and which would need to be signed off by our reps.

"Night running would mean increased drunkenness and risks to both passengers and staff alike and could only work with substantial increases in staffing right across the board."

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Music Teacher Jailed for Sex Attacks On Girls

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

A top musician and conductor has been jailed for 11 years for sex assaults on his teenage students.

Philip Pickett used soundproofed music practice rooms to rape and indecently assault pupils who idolised him.

When one victim's parents complained to the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, its principal took months to reply, took no action and suggested the girl take lessons elsewhere.

Pickett was allowed to continue his celebrated career as a leading authority on baroque music, touring abroad and playing concerts with some of the world's top performers.

Pickett was arrested two years ago over assaults in the '70s and '80s

He became a musical director at London's Globe theatre on the South Bank and founded the New London Consort ensemble.

The 64-year-old was finally arrested when one victim reported him to police two years ago in the wake of publicity around the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Video: Rapist Musician Speaks On Camera

He denied a string of charges from the 1970s and '80s involving sex attacks against young female students.

Pickett, one of the world's leading woodwind instrumentalists, was convicted of two rapes and two indecent assaults on three pupils. He was cleared of six alleged attacks on four others.

Judge Charles Wide described his crimes as "terrible".

"You were their teacher," he said.

"To a degree they were in awe of you, especially the schoolgirls.

"There is the location of the offences, the practice rooms of the Guildhall School of Music, soundproofed and dark. Even if they had shouted they could not have been heard."

One victim, who was 16 at the time, told the Old Bailey jury that during a music lesson in 1978 he demanded she take off her top "to work on your breathing" and then molested her. At her next lesson he raped her.

She did not report him at the time, but told her mother she did not want any more lessons.

In 1984, another victim told her parents of an assault and they wrote to the school asking for an explanation.

But the then principal John Hosier took months to reply and eventually told them he had received no other complaints, advising their daughter to find lessons at another school.

Mr Hosier, who is now dead, wrote to Pickett saying he was frustrated that the tutor had not contacted him to discuss the allegation, according to documents discovered by the City of London police.

Video: Det Supt Maria Woodall On Pickett

Det Supt Maria Woodall said: "Philip Pickett used his position of authority as an accomplished professor to abuse young talented women who were vulnerable due to their age and the fact they were pupils of his.

"He knew how difficult it would be for them to report his crimes to the school or to the police.

"His access to young women over such a period of time means there could be more victims who have yet to come forward.

"I would urge these people to contact the City of London Police."

Among former students of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama are Beatles producer Sir George Martin, the flautist Sir James Galway and the opera singer Bryn Terfel.

The school said in a statement: "Although these events took place several decades ago, this does not diminish our utter shock that a professional music teacher could abuse the trust placed in him by the school and its students.

"The Guildhall School wholeheartedly welcomes the verdicts. Justice has been done and our thoughts are with the victims of these dreadful crimes.

"The Guildhall School takes the duty of care of its students extremely seriously. Robust safeguarding procedures are in place at the school to ensure safe learning environments for all students and these measures are regularly reviewed."

Pickett lived with his wife in the pretty Cotswold village of Lyneham near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

He tried to delay his sentence so he could attend music festivals abroad.

He was jailed last week, but a reporting ban was imposed until today when the Crown Prosecution Service decided to drop more charges against him.

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Victim Says 'Lock Up' Racist Chelsea Fans

The man caught on video being abused by Chelsea fans on the Paris Metro says he thinks they should be jailed for their actions.

The 33-year-old, who is only identified as Souleymane S, told Le Parisien newspaper it was not the first time he had been a victim of racism.

The French-Mauritanian was filmed being pushed back as he tried to board a train on the French capital's underground system by a group of Chelsea fans.

Chelsea's match in Paris ended 1-1

Having prevented him from boarding, the men began singing: "We're racist, we're racist, and that's the way we like it."

Chelsea Football Club, whose fans were in France to watch their team play Paris St Germain, condemned the behaviour and said it will support criminal action against them.

Video: Chelsea Fans Condemn Paris Racists

Le Parisien said Souleymane did not know he was at the centre of an international scandal until it alerted him to the video.

He told the paper: "I did not know I had been filmed. The fact that I am now talking about it will give me the courage to complain to the police.

"These people, these English fans, must be found, punished and must be locked up. What happened should not go unpunished."

The married father-of-three, who was born in Paris but grew up in the town of Val d'Oise, told the newspaper the whole incident lasted about six or seven minutes.

He said: "I wanted to get into the carriage but a group of English fans blocked me and pushed me away.

Video: Chelsea Fan: It Was Self-Defence

"I tried to force my way in several times. In the scramble, I lost my phone.

"They told me things in English but I did not really understand the meaning of their words. I do not speak a word of English.

"I understood that it was Chelsea fans and I made the connection with the PSG match, which took place the same evening.

"I understand also that they were attacking me because of the colour of my skin.

"You know, I live with racism. I was not really surprised by what happened to me even though it was the first time it had happened on the subway."

Video: Chelsea's First Black Player

He said one of the people on the platform told him he was brave to stand up to such people.

At one point, staff from the train company tried to intervene to prevent any fighting, but he said they were more concerned with making sure the trains ran on time.

"No other passengers defended me, but anyway, what could they do?" he added.

"I took the next metro and went back home without telling anyone, not even my wife or kids. What would I have told my kids? That daddy was pushed in the Metro because he's black?"

Police in France said no arrests were made in relation to the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Video: PM: Chelsea Incident 'Disturbing'

Since the video appeared on websites on Wednesday, the behaviour of the fans has been widely condemned across the French and English media, and by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

The Metropolitan Police in London have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

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Thousands Risk Health Over Cosmetic Surgery

By Richard Suchet, Sky News Correspondent

Thousands of people are putting themselves at serious risk by "recklessly" rushing into having plastic surgery procedures.

The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) has launched a new campaign, Think Over Before You Make Over, urging people to think carefully before going under the knife.

Their research suggests nearly a quarter of all people having cosmetic surgery in the UK do not check their surgeon's credentials and over a fifth are not aware of the risks associated with their chosen procedure.

BAPRAS President and Consultant Plastic Surgeon Nigel Mercer told Sky News: "You would check your electrician's credentials. You would check your plumber's credentials. Why on Earth wouldn't you check your surgeon's credentials?

"Deals have an enormous impact on this market. We've seen Groupon deals for cosmetic surgery and it's mind-boggling when you think about that.

Video: Plastic Surgery Is A Gamble

"You wouldn't go for cut price brain surgery or cut price gall bladder surgery - you would want the best that you can get.

"Cosmetic surgery is not something to be taken lightly and yet thousands of people are putting themselves at serious risk by rushing in to major procedures recklessly, without consideration for their own safety."

According to BAPRAS, those who rush into surgery usually regret it. 59% of patients who have an op less than two weeks after their first consultation find they are less confident in their appearance afterwards.

Anyone considering cosmetic surgery is advised to ensure a surgeon is properly qualified and has substantial experience, as well as checking that they are on the General Medical Council's Specialist Register for the discipline in which they have trained.

Suzie Adams, 40, from Bridgwater in Somerset had her life destroyed by cosmetic surgery.

After three caesareans, she flew to Prague for what she calls "a tidy-up and a tummy tuck".

She thought she was getting a good deal but she was left disfigured and developed septicaemia from her infected wound.

She then had to endure months of follow-up treatment, forcing her out of her job.

Video: Big Rise In Cosmetic Surgery

"The long term effect it had on me? It devastated me," she said.

"I hated my body - it was worse than when I started. I didn't like anybody seeing me, even my children or my partner. I felt like a freak.

"I forced myself to look in the mirror every day to remind myself of the mistake I made because I shouldn't have gone abroad. I should have stayed in this country. 

"My advice to other people is - if you can afford to have it done in the UK, have it done in the UK because the after care is never there. They like to take your money and then that's it.

"I risked my life going over there and if could turn the clocks back I wouldn't have done it."

On the issue of people seeking cheaper surgery abroad, Mr Mercer added: "British people think if they go to Thailand the hospital will be the same as the hospital here.

"In fact, if you go to Belgium there are no regulations about what should be in an operating room, including oxygen and defibrillators. There are no regulations. So people need to be very careful."

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Man Arrested Over Becky Godden Murder

A 51-year-old man has been arrested over the murder of Becky Godden, who went missing in 2002.

Miss Godden, 21, was killed and buried in a shallow grave on farmland at a Cotswold beauty spot, but her remains were not found until almost a decade after she disappeared.

Superintendent Sean Memory, of Wiltshire Police, said: "We can confirm that a 51-year-old man from Swindon was arrested today on suspicion of the murder of Becky Godden (also known as Rebecca Godden Edwards).

"He has been interviewed and inquiries continue."

Miss Godden was last seen on December 27, 2002

The last sighting of Miss Godden was by a police officer on 27 December, 2002, in the Manchester Road area of Swindon.

In 2011, her remains were found buried in a field in East Leach, Gloucestershire.

In April 2014, a further bone was discovered at the crime scene.

Police have been continuing their investigation into her death in a bid to bring her killer to justice.

Officers have been handing out renewed appeal posters in the local area.

They have urged anyone who saw Miss Godden over Christmas 2002 and into the New Year to contact them.

Mr Memory has said: "We know that Becky was last seen on December 27 2002 and we need people to come forward with any information about where she was in early 2003. Did you see Becky over the New Year period?"

Miss Godden, who had turned to prostitution after becoming addicted to heroin, was not in contact with her family.

Her relatives had previously paid for private rehabilitation treatment in an effort to help her get off drugs.

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Two Missing 12-Year-Olds Found Safe

Two 12-year-old girls reported missing on Wednesday afternoon have been found safe and well, Merseyside Police have said.

Officers had been "increasingly concerned" for Leda Hassan and her cousin Kanni Rafiq after they disappeared from the family home in Arnold Crescent, Toxteth, Liverpool.

They were found in the early hours of Thursday morning.

A police spokesman said: "Both 12-year-old girls have been found safe and well in the past hour.

"Merseyside Police would like to thank all media who carried this appeal and can confirm that the appeal is now cancelled."

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Boy Feared To Have Fallen In River Is Named

An 11-year-old boy who is feared to have fallen into a river in South Wales two days ago has been named by police.

About 50 people are searching for Cameron Comey, who was last seen playing with his brother near the River Towy in the Tanerdy area of Carmarthen on Tuesday.

Just before 4pm on that day, Dyfed-Powys police were called to reports that Cameron, from Carmarthen, had fallen into the water.

Emergency services immediately started a search, which is continuing.

Inspector Eric Evans said specialist teams were being brought in cope with the fast flowing water, tidal waters and dark pools.

"We have approximately 50 personnel from all services systematically searching the river from the point of where we believe the 11-year-old has gone in downstream," said Insp Evans.

"We are being guided by coastguard in relation to the flow of river and tidal water as to how far the boy could have travelled."

A map showing the location of the river where Cameron went missing

Police said a specialist dive team from South Wales Police had been added to the search efforts.

Anyone who believes they may have seen Cameron is urged to call officers on 101.

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Could You Save By Switching Energy Suppliers?

Households across the country could save hundreds on bills by spending just 10 minutes to compare energy suppliers, experts say.

With a Competition and Markets Authority report indicating many customers are paying a high price for failing to make a change, there are several simple steps anyone wanting to switch can take.

:: Check if you are eligible for financial help. Anyone of pensionable age, on a low income or with a disability could be entitled to assistance through a variety of schemes including some listed here.

:: Check a series of market comparison websites, using your energy bills or annual summary, to establish which supplier offers you the best deal.

:: Once you have chosen a new supplier, they will manage the switch with the firm you are leaving. The change could take up to eight weeks.

Video: Should You Trust Comparison Sites?

:: It is also possible to reverse your decision - you have the right to cancel a contract within 14 working days.

:: Switching suppliers is not an effective method of avoiding a backlog of bills and you may need to pay off any debt to your current supplier before you make the change.

:: Anyone looking to switch should also check the terms and conditions on both their old and new deals. Fixed-term contracts may involve a charge to change suppliers.

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis said everyone should check if they could save money on energy bills.

"We need to shout loud about the benefits of switching tariff," he said.

"Too many people think energy firms are 'all the same'. That's far from true, there are huge differences on both price and customer service.

"The worry is that news of recent price cuts, even though they were paltry, will have given many false confidence that they're on a decent deal. Examine the figures and the ugly truth is very different.

"Even after price cuts, someone on a Big Six supplier standard tariff with typical use will pay £1,158 a year, whereas switch to the cheapest tariff and they'd pay just over £900 a year.

"So it's worth people taking 10 minutes to see if they can save themselves £250 - at an hourly rate of £1,500 if someone else was offering this to you as work, would you turn it down?"

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Wages Rise 2.4% As Inflation Eases Further

The latest official figures on wages show annual increases of 2.4% as the rate of inflation eases to 0.3%.

Details released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlight the improvement in pay versus rising prices - boosting the spending power of consumers following six years of pay growth lagging behind inflation.

The ONS said wage increases were mostly boosted by bonuses during 2014, with salaries excluding bonus payments rising 1.6% in the year to December.

The annual rate of inflation was measured at 0.5% in that month, slipping further to 0.3% in January.

Wider figures released by the ONS showed the UK jobless rate hit a new six-year low of 5.7% in the three months to December, down from the 5.8% recorded in the previous month.

Unemployment continued to fall, with the jobless total dipping by 97,000 in the quarter to 1.86 million - almost half a million down on a year ago.

Employment increased by 103,000 to almost 31 million, the highest since records began in 1971.

The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance was cut by 38,600 in January to 823,000, the 27th consecutive monthly fall.

Long-term unemployment was also down, falling by 210,000 for those out of work for over a year, to 638,000.

The cost of living and wider economy have formed the battleground for the looming General Election in May.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: "With unemployment continuing to fall, wages rising, and a record number of people in work, it's clear that the Government's long-term economic plan to get the country back on track is working.

"The jobs-led recovery is changing people's lives for the better on a daily basis. We are getting people into work, making work pay, and in so doing we are ensuring a better future for Britain."

Shadow employment minister Stephen Timms said: "Today's fall in overall unemployment is welcome but five years of the Tories' failing plan has left working people £1,600 a year worse off since 2010.

"Low pay has left millions of working families struggling to make ends meet and has led to billions more spent on the housing benefit bill."

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Energy: Big Six Profit From Switching Failure

A competition inquiry into the energy market has found suppliers routinely charging loyal customers up to £234 more per year.

The Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) update on its continuing probe into the sector also contained criticism of the energy regulator's powers - as reported by Sky News on Tuesday evening - saying excessive regulation at Ofgem may be creating barriers to new market entrants.

The key finding in the CMA's updated Issues Statement for consumers concerned the power of switching supplier, with the regulator declaring that long-term customers - many deemed vulnerable - were paying a higher price for failing to move between energy companies.

It said 95% of dual fuel customers of the so-called big six suppliers could have saved an average of between £158 and £234 a year by switching.

It found British Gas, SSE, Scottish Power, E.ON, npower and EDF, earned 12% more from a customer on a standard - instead of fixed - dual fuel tariff.

Video: Should You Trust Comparison Sites?

The report stated: "The evidence that we have seen to date also suggests that the gross margins that the six large energy firms earn are higher for customers on the SVT (Standard Variable Tariff) than for those on non-standard tariffs over the last three years." 

While the Issues Statement does not contain any formal conclusions by the CMA, the ongoing designation of industry regulation as a key focus will embarrass Ofgem at a time when its leadership is under intense political pressure.

Labour has vowed to freeze prices for 20 months if it wins the General Election in May, a pledge which sparked fury among big six suppliers.

They recently cut standard gas tariffs by up to 5.1% in response to a 30% dip in wholesale prices but argue raw energy makes up less than 50% of a bill and they have to pay up to three years up front for their supplies.

They point to the growing cost of green levies and network costs.

Crucially for the big six suppliers, the CMA found that their average profit margin across gas and electricity was 3.3%, with gas being the more profitable of the two.

But the report questions whether the market is working for consumers as almost half of households have been with the same supplier for more than 10 years.

This week, the Government launched a campaign with the slogan "Power To Switch", which is designed to encourage consumers to shop around to find cheaper energy deals.

Provisional findings of the CMA's inquiry will be published in May.

It is expected to stop short of recommending that the big six firms split their generation and supply arms - as some critics have demanded - to give greater clarity on profits.

Energy UK, the industry body which speaks for suppliers, said: "The energy industry continues to support the work of the Competition and Markets Authority and has already introduced a range of voluntary measures, moving towards greater openness and transparency.

"Today is the next stage in the process with conclusions expected later this year.

The industry will review today's releases over the coming weeks with a view to engaging further with the investigation. Individual members will be able to contribute to the debate as the rest of the investigation progresses."

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Teenager Re-Arrested Over Schoolboy Death

Police investigating the death of Oisin McGrath have re-arrested a 17-year-old on suspicion of manslaughter.

The teenager, a pupil at the same Enniskillen school as Oisin, was questioned by officers before being released on bail pending further enquiries.

The 13-year-old from Belcoo, County Fermanagh, died in hospital three days after an altercation at St Michael's College.

On medical advice, his parents decided to withdraw their teenage son's life support and donate his organs for transplant.

Father Seamus Quinn paid tribute to Oisin, a budding musician and sportsman, at his funeral on Sunday.

Video: Hundreds Attend Schoolboy's Funeral

"He was forever smiling, a big wide happy grin etched on his face," he said.

"He was a natural, unaffected young lad, quiet and easy to be with, the kind of smile that drew the best out of you, whether you were young or old.

"Because of his parents' incredibly selfless and faith-based decision, Oisin's falling on the ground and dying like a grain of wheat has brought life to five other human beings."

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Chelsea Fans Stop Black Man Boarding Train

Chelsea have condemned the behaviour of fans who prevented a black man getting on a train in Paris as "abhorrent".

A video shows the commuter trying to board a metro train at Richelieu-Drouot station in the French capital.

A group of supporters are seen shouting and gesturing at the man and chanting "Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea", before pushing him onto the platform as he tries to step into the carriage.

When he tries again to board the train, the man points to a space where he could stand but is pushed back as he steps forward.

The fans then chant: "We're racist, we're racist, and that's the way we like it."

Video: Chelsea Fans Condemn Paris Racists

The supporters are also heard chanting: "Where were you in World War Two?"

They are believed to have been travelling to the Parc des Princes stadium for Chelsea's Champions League game against Paris St Germain on Tuesday night, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

British expatriate Paul Nolan, who filmed the incident and posted it on The Guardian's website, said: "He was obviously completely shocked when they pushed him off.

"I don't think he realised who they were. He then tried to get on again and got pushed off a second time."

In a statement, the club said it would take action if members are found to have been involved.

"Such behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football or society," Chelsea FC said.

"We will support any criminal action against those involved, and should evidence point to involvement of Chelsea season-ticket holders or members the club will take the strongest possible action against them, including banning orders."

A Chelsea fan who was there defended the actions of the group, insisting they were chanting about club captain John Terry and that other passengers were blocked from getting on.

Mitchell McCoy said: "I'm not in the video but I'm on the carriage. We got on the train and at the station where the man was trying to get on we stopped for a couple of minutes.

"He tried to get on and a few people were pushing him off because there wasn't much space on the carriage. You couldn't move.

"People were saying it was because he was black. It's not true at all."

Mr McCoy, 17, who said he didn't sing the song, said it was about Terry, who was banned for four matches and fined £220,000 by the Football Association for racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand in 2011.

The regulatory commission which ruled on the case stated that the Chelsea captain was "not a racist".

The Metropolitan Police is aware of the incident and is working with the French authorities.

The force said: "We will examine the footage with a view to seeing if we can apply for football banning orders, preventing people from travelling from future matches."

A French police spokesman said no complaints have been filed.

Kick It Out chairman Lord Ouseley condemned the incident and said the anti-discrimination body would support any prosecutions.

UEFA, European football's governing body, also condemned the incident, but said it was out of its remit because it happened away from the stadium.

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Son Arrested Days Before Parents Found Dead

A convicted rapist who was recently released from prison is believed to have killed his parents before being found dead.

Ashraf Amrani, 30,  was found unresponsive then pronounced dead on the roof of a flat in west London on Friday afternoon.

Police say he had been arrested for affray on 10 February and was due to answer bail on Wednesday.

The next day officers went to a flat in the same street to inform his next of kin, but discovered the bodies of a man and woman - believed to be Amrani's parents Hassan and Zara. 

Police are treating Ashraf Amrani's death as unexplained but the couple are believed to have died in suspicious circumstances and police have launched a murder investigation.

A court official confirmed that in June 2010 the 30-year-old had been jailed for seven years and two months after being found guilty of rape at Southwark Crown Court.

A neighbour who lives in the same street - Westbourne Park Road near the Portobello Road Market - said police had been called to couple's flat on Thursday but a man, believed to be the couple's son, had tried to block them from going inside.

She said: "My brother told me that police had been round and they were looking for the son and opened the door.

"He got the impression he was in there and not letting them in.

She added: "The last time I saw the wife was on Thursday and she didn't look happy. She looked a bit fed up and sad.

"We were walking into the estate together and she said she wanted to go back to Morocco. She was a bit fed up.

"She said her husband had called her and said there was some trouble in the house."

The neighbour, who asked not to be named, said the couple doted on their grandson, who is believed to be around seven or eight years old.

"They were just a really nice couple. I'm just so shocked. They were always so nice," she said.

"She would always go and see her daughter and grandson. The husband was a very quiet man. They had an extremely beautiful house. She kept everything immaculate."

Forensics officers wearing light blue protective clothing and white masks are continuing to search the flat.

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Miliband: Apprenticeships For School Leavers

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Rail Passengers Frustrated By Poor Service

By Katie Spencer, Sky News Reporter

Rail travellers on busy commuter routes say they are frustrated by delays and bad service, with less than half of passengers on some lines saying they are satisfied with their journeys.

A survey carried out by the consumer group Which? found services from England's South East into London are the most likely to be delayed.

Travellers on the Southern train company reported experiencing the most delays, while those least satisfied with their service were customers with the Thameslink and Great Northern / First Capital Connect routes.

Only 44% of customers with Southeastern said they were satisfied with their journeys, and Southern and Abellio Greater Anglia scored only 46%.

The results were based on responses from 7,309 travellers who were asked about journeys they had taken in the 12 months ending in November 2014.

Areas covered included availability of seating, cleanliness of toilets and carriages, as well as punctuality and value for money.

Travellers were also asked if they had experienced a delay on the last journey they had taken with their train company.

It comes as official figures show rail passengers are paying more for services, while Government funding is falling.

A report by the Office of Rail Regulation shows commuters are contributing an increasing amount to the cost of running the railways.

Official figures show the amount passengers are contributing to the funding of the railways stood at £8.2bn in 2013/14 - an increase of more than 6% on the previous year.

In the same period, the level of Government funding was just £3.8 billion, a fall of 8%.

Funding per passenger journey works out to be far less in England than it is in Scotland and Wales.

In England it works out to be £1.88 per passenger journey, whereas in Scotland it's £7.77, and £9.18 in Wales.

Alex Neill, director of campaigns for Which?, told Sky News: "We found commuters are really unhappy with the service they're getting.

"Seven of the 21 providers that we looked at scored less than 50%, which is a pretty poor result.

"People are fed up with overcrowded trains that are dirty, generally late and that are not good value for money."

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CBI Upgrades Economic Growth Forecast For 2015

The Confederation of British Industry has upgraded its economic growth forecast for 2015, after inflation fell to a record-equalling low in December.

According to the group, Britain's economy will expand by 2.7% this year - up from its previous prediction of 2.5%.

It said living standards were improving, with strong levels of job creation and wage growth beginning to gain momentum.

The CBI also believes the future looks rosier for businesses, as lower energy prices cut operating costs and free up more cash for investment.

However, it warned political uncertainty ahead of May's General Election - when coupled with Greece's economic turmoil and the Ukrainian conflict - could make it difficult for exporters to secure new orders.

And, as the price of oil has fallen by around 50% since last summer, North Sea oil companies have taken a hit - stymying jobs and investment in the industry.

Katja Hall, the CBI's deputy director-general, said: "UK growth continues to outshine its counterparts in Europe and progress is 'steady as she goes'.

"Now is not the time for complacency, but falling unemployment coupled with improving wage growth and rock-bottom inflation should mean that people see more money in their pockets."

Although the CBI's forecast is now in line with the International Monetary Fund, the Bank of England is predicting economic growth of 2.9% this year.

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Police Issue Appeal Over Businessman's Murder

Police keen to solve the murder of a diabetic businessman are making a renewed push to trace his killers.

John Luper, 57, was attacked by four or five masked men as he returned from a midnight walk with his dog in the Alwoodley suburb of Leeds in 2004 and dragged back inside his family home.

The house in Alwoodley that Mr Luper shared with his wife and daughter

His wife and daughter were tied up with masking tape while the gang stole jewellery - including a platinum and diamond watch, clothes and cash, totalling £100,000.

The inquest into his death heard the robbers became concerned about his health during the raid and fed him marmalade; possibly in an attempt to boost his sugar levels.

When his family freed themselves they found him unconscious on the kitchen floor and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination revealed he died from asphyxia.

The stolen Cartier watch was one of only four sold in the UK at that time and police have asked anyone who may have been offered such an item to get in touch.

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson said he remained committed to bringing Mr Luper's killers to justice.

"The fact that 11 years have passed since John Luper's death has not lessened how determined we still are to get justice for his family," he said.

"The scientific techniques available to us are developing all the time and we remain hopeful that they will yet provide us with the evidence we need.

"We are convinced that there are people out there who have the information we need to know about who was responsible.

"It is likely that those answers lie within the criminal fraternity who will have been aware of the murder at the time and will have discussed it over the years.

"Allegiances often change over the years and it may be that people are in a better position now to come forward and tell us what they know."

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Two Killed In Crash Involving Bus And Lorry

Two people have died in a crash involving a minibus and a lorry.

Six others were hurt in the collision, which happened near Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

One man is in a critical condition with "serious head injuries" at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre.

Both victims who died were pronounced dead at the scene on the A511 in Tutbury.

Emergency crews were alerted just before 7am on Sunday.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said four people suffered minor injuries, while another is being treated for chest pain in Queen's Hospital in Burton.

Staffordshire Police said the investigation into how the collision happened was "likely to take some time".

It comes after two women died in a three-car collision close to a roadside diner on the southbound A11 in Besthorpe, southeast of Norwich.

A 46-year-old woman died at the scene, police said, while a 30-year-old died later in hospital after the collision at 11.30pm on Saturday. Occupants of a third vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Earlier on Saturday, four people died in two separate tragedies on two of the country's busiest motorways.

Three men died after a coach hit their stationary vehicle on the M1 in Bedfordshire, while another man was killed in a pile-up involving dozens of cars on the M40 in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

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Al Fayed Rape Allegation To Be 'Reassessed'

A rape allegation made against Mohamed al Fayed is being reassessed after "new information" about the case emerged.

The claims were first reported to the Metropolitan Police in October 2013.

Following an investigation by officers at the time, no further action was taken against the businessman, who is the former owner of Harrods.

However, the case against the 86-year-old will now be reviewed.

Mr al Fayed, who strongly denies the allegation, has expressed his "dismay" at the decision.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We can confirm the MPS investigated an allegation reported to us in October 2013. The matter was not proceeded with at the time.

"However, we are reassessing the original investigation as a result of new information."

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NHS Patients 'Feel Ignored And Sidelined'

The NHS is failing some the country's most vulnerable patients by ignoring complaints and failing to show compassion, according to a new report.

The Patients Association says many are left "uninformed" about their treatment, but are scared to complain because they fear recriminations.

Called 'Why our NHS should listen and be human', the report warns says most patients who raise grievances are driven by a desire to improve the system for others rather than punish staff.

The charity also says patients and their families understand doctors and nurses are not always able to answer their questions, but should be kept informed about their care.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: "Today's themes report demonstrates that too often patients and their families are treated without compassion, are uninformed about treatment and next steps, feel ignored and sidelined when they raise concerns or complaints.

Video: Hunt On NHS Whistleblowers Review

"In our report, Why our NHS should listen and be human, we have identified that patients are still being shown a lack of care, compassion and dignity.

"We have also reported that openness and transparency are key themes that patients and the public are concerned about.

"The NHS is failing many of the most vulnerable members of society and patients and the public have told us about inconsistencies in the provision of care, poor standards of care and compassion, and a lack of openness and transparency in communication between healthcare staff, patients and their families.

Video: NHS To Probe Patient Deaths

"These themes can be summed up as a desire to be treated in a humane and caring way with compassion, dignity, openness and honesty."

The association said the NHS must improve its complaints procedures and the support it gives patients.

Ms Murphy added: "It is now time to stop the rhetoric; be honest with your patients and place them central to everything you do, patients and the public deserve nothing less."

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Abuse Inquiry May Probe Crimes Back To 1945

The offical inquiry into alleged child sex abuse may be extended to investigate crimes committed as long ago as 1945, according to Justice Lowell Goddard.

The New Zealand judge took over the inquiry after two other senior figures were forced to step down over establishment links.

The investigation is expected to focus on allegations of alleged wrongdoing dating back to 1970, but Justice Goddard says this could be extended.

The 66-year-old told The Mail On Sunday that fixed cut-off points for inquiries are "artificial".

"The terms of reference talk about going back to 1970, but there is a push from certain quarters to take it back to about 1945," she said.

Video: NZ Judge To Head Abuse Inquiry

"A cut-off point is always a bit artificial - someone who falls on the wrong side of it is aggrieved."

The newspaper said Home Secretary Theresa May supports Justice Goddard's position on the possibility of extending the terms of reference.

Justice Goddard said she "wouldn't shrink" from summoning prominent people to give evidence at the inquiry.

"I don't feel intimidated. Nobody should be beyond the reach of the law," she said.

"Sexual abuse of little children has never been anything short of a serious crime and that does not alter through religious or cultural mores or a different era or time.

"If criminal offending is evident it will be handed to police. There are people who need to be given a voice about what has happened to them."

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HSBC Issues Apology Over Banking Standards

HSBC has taken out adverts in national newspapers offering "sincerest apologies" over past activities at its Swiss operations.

In the open letter to its customers, shareholders and colleagues, HSBC's group chief executive Stuart Gulliver described recent media coverage about practices at the Swiss Private Bank eight years ago as a "painful experience".

However, the Business Secretary has said he wants greater assurances about tax transparency.

Vince Cable told Sky's Murnaghan programme that what emerged is "striking and unacceptable" - and he has called on former HSBC boss Lord Green to answer specific allegations about the business.

The full-page HSBC advert states: "We would like to provide some reassurance and state some of the facts that lie behind the stories.

The advert was published in the Mail On Sunday and The Sun On Sunday

"The media focus has been on historical events that show the standards to which we operate today were not universally in place in our Swiss operations eight years ago.

"We must show we understand that the societies we serve expect more from us. We therefore offer our sincerest apologies."

The bank added that since 2008 it had established a "much tighter central control around who are our customers".

It said it had also implemented tougher standards around tax transparency.

Earlier this week Mr Gulliver sent a memo to the bank's staff saying the revelations were painful and frustrating.

The adverts come amid a political row over tax avoidance, with Labour leader Ed Miliband on Saturday vowing to carry out an inquiry into the UK's tax authority should his party win power in the next General Election.

Mr Miliband argued that people not paying their fair share of tax had left "a £34bn hole in the nation's finances".

Promising an "aggressive" review into Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if his party wins in May, Mr Miliband pointed to suspicions of "sweetheart deals" with wealthy firms.

And the shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, has told Sky News a "crackdown" is needed because there had only been one prosecution out of more than a thousand cases of tax avoidance at HSBC's private Swiss arm.

"Was that because the Conservatives were back-peddling, brushing it under the carpet? Was it because the HSBC boss had now become a minister? Was it because their donors were involved in that HSBC activity? I think we need answers from David Cameron and George Osborne, and we need them soon," he added.

This week, Mr Miliband seized on allegations about tax avoidance by HSBC clients to brand Prime Minister David Cameron a "dodgy Prime Minister, surrounded by dodgy donors".

Speaking on Sky News, Mr Cable said: "I think the worst period we went through was 10 years ago, when all the leading banks were offering industrial-scale tax avoidance to British citizens to avoid British tax - and they were doing it out of London.

"There are still things happening that should definitely not be happening."

After a week of clashes between Mr Miliband and Mr Cameron, the former Tory chancellor Ken Clarke said there needs to be agreement on a "more sensible and defensible" system for funding political parties.

Mr Clarke told The Observer newspaper that the Conservatives should break their reliance on wealthy donors and embrace the need for more state funding of politics.

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