Theresa May 'Shocked' By Diabetes Diagnosis

Is Theresa May's Revelation A Ploy?

Updated: 1:27pm UK, Sunday 28 July 2013

By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Did Theresa May decide to reveal that she has Type 1 diabetes and needs daily injections because she knew a committee of MPs was due to reveal a deep malaise in migration statistics?

Was the timing of her candid interview about her illness and her weight loss an attempt to deflect attention from the harsh criticism of the immigration figures by the Public Administration Select Committee of MPs?

Or is that a conspiracy theory too far? No doubt the Home Secretary would say so quite emphatically.

Mrs May has always attracted a lot of jealousy from male colleagues as she has risen to near the top in the Conservative Party.

Many resented her "nasty party" jibe when she was party chairman and there were plenty willing her to fail when David Cameron appointed her Home Secretary in 2010.

I recall senior frontbenchers joking at a Tory conference a few years back: "Theresa May, or maybe not. She used to be indecisive, but now she's not so sure."

But since 2010 she has proved to be a steely, unflappable, safe pair of hands at the notoriously perilous Home Office and those Tory MPs who used to mock her are silent now.

Since her adept handling of the Abu Qatada debacle ended successfully with his deportation three weeks ago, she has reinforced her position as a front-runner to become the next Tory leader.

And the latest whispering about her among colleagues was that her weight loss in recent months was a deliberate makeover as part of a leadership bid.

Not so, she has declared in the Mail On Sunday, though she confirms she has lost almost two stone.

She was diagnosed last November and at the moment she needs two injections a day, either in the stomach or the thigh, which can't be any fun.

Leadership bid?

"This was not some Machiavellian plan because there is no leadership bid," she insists.

Not yet, certainly. But one day, I predict, assuming her health is robust enough to allow her to "get on with it", as she puts it.

There will be sympathy for her, even from her detractors and political opponents.

Her disclosure proves that politicians are human, like the rest of us, and not as indestructible as they would sometimes have us believe.

So why didn't she reveal the illness earlier?

I suspect she wanted to get the Abu Qatada mess sorted out first.

Better to reveal her illness when her political stock is high, which it certainly is now - and which makes the immigration statistics fiasco even more frustrating and embarrassing for the Home Secretary.

As Bernard Jenkin, chairman of the Public Administration Committee, rightly says: "Most people would be utterly astonished to learn that there is no attempt to count people as they enter or leave the UK."

I was struck by the comment of Westminster City Council leader Philippa Roe, who gave evidence to the committee and said: "Disney World has better technology to keep track of its visitors than we as a country do."

Labour claims the select committee's report casts into doubt the Home Secretary's claims to have cut net migration.

She would dispute that - as she would the suggestion that the timing of her announcement about her illness had anything to do with the inevitable row over migration figures.

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'Adoption Parties' Help Form New Families

By David Crabtree, Sky News Correspondent

Organisers say a pilot "adoption party" project for prospective parents to meet children in need of new families is proving a huge success.

According to the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), at one recent activity day event in Kent 34 out of 54 children found possible links to new foster parents.

The events are designed for people who are already well advanced in the adoption process.

They get to meet children at play while the youngsters enjoy face, painting, climbing and other activities.

The children's foster parents or social workers attend the event to support them.

It is part of a scheme to help speed up the process and find adoptive parents for those children who may be more difficult to place.

More than 6,000 children are going through the adoption process with only 1,800 prospective parents approved and waiting for a child.

One couple adopted sisters aged five and six, after attending an adoption party in the Midlands. Their identities have to be protected.

The 'adoption parties' include a range of activities

Their new mother Kirsty said: "We saw them playing, it was lovely. We just had the feeling that we could be parents to these children.

"It is like they have always been part of our family. It is still fairly early days, but it is like they have always been with us."

A number of events have been held around the country and more are planned.

Of the 170 children who have  attended the first four events, families have been identified for 29 of them, a success rate of 17%.

Bridgett Betts, the Adoption Activity Day programme manager, said: "There have always been more children waiting for adoptive families, than we have adoptive families to parent them.

"And these children are often older children, children with disabilities or sibling groups and BAAF wanted to look at the idea of using adoption parties which have been very popular in the United States."

Sir Martin Narey, the Government's adviser on social care, believes activity days may help with the "scandal" of black children waiting longer for foster parents than white children.

He said: "What they do is bring together potential adopters and potential children and they recognise the fact that there is some chemistry involved in these relationships.

"Children and parents can meet each other and you see if there is something there that might make an adoption successful.

"Their record of getting children adopted who might not otherwise get adopted, is very very good and the success in the adoptions lasting forever is good."

He and BAAF say adoption parties will become more common and bring forward more adopters for a growing number of children who need a home.

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Gloucester Stabbing: Three People Arrested

Three people have been arrested after a man was stabbed to death close to where a carnival procession passed just hours earlier.

Officers were called to Park End Road in Gloucester shortly before 8pm last night following reports that a man had been stabbed.

The road borders Gloucester Park, where the town had held its annual family carnival and fete celebrations, including a procession.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said two men and a woman have since been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A cordon remains in place at the scene.

Detective Inspector Jon Thompson said: "I would like to reassure people living in the area or visiting Gloucester that this type of incident is extremely rare.

"The investigation is ongoing and three people are currently in custody.

"However, we would still like to speak to anyone who was in or around Gloucester Park at the time and who might have seen what happened."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Weather: Downpours As Summer Getaway Begins

Torrential rain, thunder and lightning is blighting the first weekend of the school holidays, as thousands set off across the UK for their summer break.

The heavy downpours have already caused flash flooding in the South East and the Midlands, with more expected today as the rain spreads north and west.

In just four hours yesterday evening Market Bosworth in Leicestershire endured 61mm of rain and many other areas saw between 20mm and 30mm, with similar amounts forecast today.

This compares with an average rainfall of around 80mm for the whole month of July.

A woman shelters from a heavy downpour in Clapham, London, last night

The Met Office has increased its weather warning level to "amber", the second of three levels, urging residents in the Midlands and north of England to be prepared for storms likely to cause surface water flooding and disruption today.

The Environment Agency has also issued 32 flood alerts in the same areas, and two more serious flood warnings near Rochdale and Sheffield as river levels rise.

But forecasters said there is a chance of being hit by heavy downpours almost anywhere in the UK today.

Sky News Weather Presenter Jo Wheeler said: "Yesterday's torrential rain brought flash flooding and miserable road conditions to many parts of central southern England, the Midlands and the North.

"Today, the heaviest rainfall will be over eastern Scotland as the low pressure system drifts away north and east.

Storms are likely to cause further disruption in many parts of the UK

"So there'll be some dramatic weather yet to come for Scotland, with some heavy bursts of rain, thunder and lightning.

"Elsewhere, after a mild start to the day, it'll be a mixture of sunshine and showers."

It comes after a glorious run of baking sunshine in July which has turned increasingly unsettled over the last week.

The weather is likely to remain changeable over the next few days.

Wheeler added: "Tomorrow will be unsettled everywhere.

In contrast to Britain, Rome is experiencing scorching weather

"Heavy showers or thunderstorms will be prevalent once again, particularly in the north and west and Scotland may see some longer spells of rain.

"For all, temperatures will be a little bit lower, and closer to what we expect to see at this time of year."

As temperatures in Britain cool, other parts of Europe are sweltering in a heatwave.

Italy is thought to be experiencing its hottest weekend of the summer so far, with the mercury hitting 38C (100F) in Rome yesterday.

A strong heatwave coming from Africa and nicknamed 'Charon' by local forecasters is running over Italy with temperatures set to rise up to 40C (104F) in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Austria's capital Vienna saw temperatures reach 36C (97F) and Berlin in Germany recorded a high of 35C (95F) on Saturday.

Even higher temperatures are expected over the next few days.

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Immigration Figures 'Little Better Than A Guess'

Official figures showing how many immigrants are coming to the UK are "little better than a guess", according to a report by MPs.

The report by the Public Administration Select Committee says the number of migrants coming to the country is not properly measured, and warns the statistics are "not fit for purpose".

Analysis on how many non-UK residents are entering and leaving the country is primarily based on "random interviews" of travellers at ports and airports that were introduced to examine tourism trends, the report says.

Just 5,000 migrants a year are identified through the International Passenger Survey and many "may be reticent to give full and frank answers," it warned.

Although the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which uses the research to draw up its migration estimates, has "done its best" to produce informative statistics, the survey "is not fit for the purposes to which it is put" and ministers must find new ways to gather information, MPs said.

Conservative MP Alun Cairns, who sits on the committee, told Sky News: "When we come down to measuring the absolute numbers, it's far too blunt, the way in which they collect the data is too inaccurate and the margin for error is far too great."

In the year to June 2012, immigration was estimated at 515,000 while emigration was estimated at 352,000.

The Coalition aims to reduce net migration - the difference between the two figures - from the hundreds of thousands down to the tens of thousands by 2015.

But MPs warned the Government is at risk of ending up with an "inappropriate" immigration policy if it bases its target level of net migration on uncertain statistics "which could be out by tens of thousands".

ONS migration estimates contain no information on the immigration status of migrants, while statistics produced by the Home Office do not indicate the number of visa holders with valid leave to remain in the UK or the number who overstay their leave to remain, the report said.

The Coalition is aiming to significantly reduce net migration by 2015

Statistics produced by both organisations are "blunt instruments" for measuring, managing, and understanding migration, it added.

The committee said migration figures could be considerably improved if the Home Office and ONS properly recorded and linked the data they already gather.

MPs called for the e-Borders system to be used for measuring immigration, emigration and net migration as quickly as possible.

Committee chairman Bernard Jenkin said: "Most people would be utterly astonished to learn that there is no attempt to count people as they enter or leave the UK.

"They are amazed when they are told that government merely estimates that there are 500,000 immigrants coming into the UK each year.

"This is based on random interviews of around 800,000 people stopped and interviewed at ports and airports each year.

"Only around 5,000 of those are actual migrants, many of whom may be reticent to give full and frank answers, to say the least."

The International Passenger Survey also fails to garner the type of information needed to work out the social and economic consequences of migration, such as demand for the National Health Service or schools.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We disagree with the report's conclusions. Government reforms on immigration are working and the statistics do show that net migration is at its lowest level for a decade.

"The government is determined to build a fairer system and to address the public's concern about immigration.

"We are committed to getting net migration down from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands, and we want to be judged against the very best available evidence."

Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable criticised what he called the Conservative Party's "obsession" with net migration targets.

He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "This idea that you're pursuing a net immigration figure is very misleading because, amongst other things, the largest number of people counted as immigrants are overseas students, who are not immigrants, they're visitors, but under the United Nations classification are counted as immigrants - but they're good for the country."

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Poplar Stabbing: Men Arrested For Murder

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was found stabbed in the back in the street.

The victim, believed to be aged in his early 30s, was found in Poplar in east London shortly after 10pm on Friday and died in hospital a short time later, the Metropolitan Police said.

"Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder," a Scotland Yard spokesman said. "They have been taken to east London police stations."

He said officers believe they know the identity of the dead man, who was found in Simpsons Road at the junction with Poplar High Street, but have yet to formally identify him.

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Michael Cope Held For Murder Of Linzi Ashton

Wanted man Michael Cope has been arrested in Manchester on suspicion of murdering his ex-girlfriend Linzi Ashton.

A statement released by Greater Manchester Police, said: "A man has been arrested following the death of Linzi Ashton, who was killed last month in Salford.

"At about 11.55pm on Friday 26 July 2013, police were called to an address on Larch Road in Leigh following a report a wanted man was at the address.

"Armed officers attended and a 28-year-old man handed himself in to police and was arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody for questioning".

Police released this CCTV image of Cope at a supermarket in Wigan

Linzi, a mother-of-two, was found dead at her home on Westbourne Road, Winton by relatives shortly before 6pm on Saturday 29 June 2013.

A Home Office post-mortem concluded she died as a result of pressure to the neck and multiple injuries.

Cope had a brief "acrimonious" relationship with Miss Ashton, 25, who had two daughters, Destiny, seven, and Daisy, two.

In a statement issued shortly after Miss Ashton's death, her family said: "She was the most beautiful, generous, caring person anyone could ever wish to meet. She would never harm anyone and was always there for her children and family.

"Life will never be the same again without her. Our whole family and friends have been devastated by her death. The whole community is in shock."

As part of the manhunt, police searched more than 30 addresses and two men have been charged, one with perverting the course of justice and the other with assisting an offender.

Cope, who is from Salford, had been known to make visits in and around the town centre of Leigh.

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Car Insurance Costs Fall At Record Rate

The cost of car insurance has dipped by record levels, according to new figures.

The average quote for annual comprehensive car insurance has plunged to £594.86 - a 9.8% fall from the figure of £659.53 in July last year, according to AA Insurance.

This is the biggest decrease since the AA insurance index began in 1994.

The figure for third party, fire and theft insurance has also dipped in the last 12 months, going down 4.8% to £820.58.

Comparing July 2013 figures with those of April, the AA showed that comprehensive insurance has fallen 3% and third-party insurance is down 2.2%.

Over the last 12 months, car insurance costs have fallen for all age groups, with those aged 23 to 29 enjoying the biggest decreases with their average costs dipping 12.8% to £738.93.

All age groups have seen 12-month falls of at least 5.4% except those aged 70 or above who have had to settle for a 3.9% fall in premiums. On average, those aged 60 to 69 have the cheapest annual insurance (£342.73) and those aged 17 to 22 have the most expensive (£1,210.54).

AA Insurance director Simon Douglas said: "This will be welcome news for hard-pressed motorists facing sharp fuel price increases.

"Insurers were facing a fast-widening gap between premium income and claims costs, largely driven by whiplash injury claims and fraud which saw very sharp premium increases between 2009 and 2011."

He went on: "That gap is closing and premiums are falling again thanks to competition, as well as improved fraud detection by the insurance industry and tightening of the law that is beginning to curb the number of spurious new whiplash injury claims.

"The news that hundreds of rogue 'no-win no-fee' claims firms have been reined in is welcome and in part, falling insurance premiums reflect that.

"I hope that Britain's shameful reputation as being the 'whiplash claim capital of Europe' will now be put behind us."

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Heavy Rain And Thunder Warning For Britain

Britain's spell of sunshine may be about to end after the Met Office issued a weather warning for heavy downpours and thunderstorms across the country.

Weather experts have warned that some regions of the UK may be hit by localiised flooding this weekend as thousands of holidaymakers prepare to set off for their summer break.

The Met Office has issued a "yellow" warning of rain following concerns that heavy showers and thunderstorms expected over France could move north to affect south-east England and East Anglia.

The thundery weather is then expected to move north to cover large parts of England, with as much as 30mm of rain falling in an hour in South East areas, forecasters have warned.

Sky weather presenter Sarah Pennock said: "Saturday morning will see the cloud build across southern and western Britain. Thundery rain will spread northwards from France, bringing torrential downpours for some.

"Most other places will see a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers with the best of the afternoon sunshine for northwestern England and Wales."

A man walks down a flooded road in Oxfordshire last December

Sean Penston, forecaster at MeteoGroup, said there was "every chance" of flash flooding in areas affected by the torrential rain.

"This rain will keep pushing north on Sunday into northern England and Scotland. Then, moving in from the west, further showers and outbreaks of rain with the risk of thunder will affect south-west England and Wales."

The South East will bear the brunt of the weekend's rain with as much as 30mm expected to fall within an hour, and 50mm within three hours in some places, according to the Met Office.

This compares to an average rainfall of around 80mm for the whole month of July, MeteoGroup said.

In its weather warning, the Met Office said: "Thunderstorms and areas of heavy, thundery rain are expected to move north from France during the course of Saturday afternoon and evening.

"The public should be aware of the risk of localised disruption to travel, due to surface water flooding and lightning strikes."

Temperatures will remain warm for most of the country, however, with highs between 23C to 25C (73F to 77F) for much of England today, Mr Penston said.

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Oxford Shooting: Woman In Serious Condition

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12:17pm UK, Saturday 27 July 2013

Oxford's Crowberry Road where the shooting took place

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