Explosions Carried Out On Suspicious Car

A bomb disposal team has carried out a number of controlled explosions on a suspicious car in a Bristol street.

Police were called to Cassell Road, in the Fishponds area of the city, around 4am.

Officers found the car smelt strongly of fuel.

A 200-metre cordon has been set up and around 460 homes evacuated, with many residents moved to a rest centre set up at a nearby school.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the scene and carried out several controlled explosions on the vehicle.

Bomb disposal experts

"This is a normal operational response to incidents of this nature."

Chief Superintendent Geoff Spicer said: "I'm very grateful to residents for their continued co-operation and patience.

"Public safety is a priority for us and the exclusion area was set up as a necessary precaution.

Cassell Road was sealed off by police

"We'll be carrying out a full and thorough investigation into this incident now the controlled explosions have taken place.

"At this stage we believe this is an isolated incident and could be linked to an ongoing dispute and we're progressing with lines of enquiry.

"The exclusion zone is likely to remain in place until at least 2pm today, so I'd advise people to avoid the area, as there are road closures in place."

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Retailers' Credit Union To Defy Payday Lenders

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Some of Britain's biggest high street names, including New Look and Next, are forming a credit union that will offer staff an alternative to the sky-high interest rates charged by payday lenders.

Sky News has learnt that RetailCure, which has also received backing from entrepreneurs such as Rymans owner Theo Paphitis, is drawing up plans to launch later this year.

The new venture has received start-up funding of £1m and will eventually be accessible to the 4.8 million people who work directly in retail or in related sectors of the economy, half of whom earn less than £8 an hour.

It will be chaired by John Lovering, a veteran retailer who has led buyouts of companies including Debenhams, Homebase and Somerfield.

Mr Lovering is also chairman of the Retail Trust, an industry charity which has been working on plans for the new credit union for some time.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: "The industry feels that we have to find a way of providing a source of cheap, reliable credit for our people.

"The three million in retail and the nearly five million in the wider industry do have a need for low-cost, value-for-money, short-term borrowing facilities, and that's what we as an industry are trying to provide."

Booker and Matalan have also agreed to support RetailCure, while John Lewis Partnership and Wm Morrison have been approached and are expected to provide financial assistance.

The launch of RetailCure comes amid a still-intense political debate about the business model employed by payday lenders, which charge interest rates that work out at more than 5,000% on an annual basis.

The high street chains' credit union will charge interest on a sliding scale from roughly 7% to nearly 28% depending upon the borrower's credit history.

Mr Lovering expects the average loan request to be lower than £5,000, and believes that RetailCure could ultimately become Britain's biggest credit union.

"We think we can build a loan-book of £50m and attract 50,000 members relatively quickly," he said.

Assuming it receives regulatory approval, savers who deposit funds with RetailCure will be protected by the same Government guarantee as that which covers high street banks.

Earlier this week, the Church of England unveiled a pilot scheme through which a new credit union network will be piloted in three of its dioceses.

That project is being led by Sir Hector Sants, the former boss of the City watchdog, which since April has had oversight of consumer credit providers such as payday lenders.

Last year, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Justin Welby, said he had told the then boss of Wonga that he wanted to "compete (the company) out of existence".

The remarks sparked acute embarrassment for the Archbishop, however, when it emerged that the Church of England's pension fund was among the investors in one of Wonga's financial backers.

In its annual report this week, the Church Commissioners said they had yet to dispose of the holding because doing so would crystallise a significant loss for its pension fund.

Some industry stakeholders were sceptical about the prospects for RetailCure.

Russell Hamblin-Boone, chief executive of the Consumer Finance Association, which represents short-term lenders, said greater choice was welcome but warned that it faced significant uncertainties.

"What this body will have to do is make sure it complies with very stringent regulations that are applied to financial services.

"I would ask questions around what is going to be the collection policy, what happens if somebody leaves the retailers business still owing a debt, how are you going to collect that?"

RetailCure hopes to launch formally in November.

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Body Found In Search For Missing Dorset Nurse

Police investigating the disappearance of a nurse who went missing from the hospital where she works have found a body in a car.

Detectives believe the body is that of 44-year-old Rui Li, who was last seen leaving Poole Hospital in Dorset at around 6pm on May 23.

Two men, aged 60 and 26, are being questioned on suspicion of murdering Ms Li, from Boscombe in Bournemouth.

The body was found "concealed within a silver Fiat Punto" along Verwood Crescent in north Bournemouth, a spokesman for Dorset Police said.

Rui Li's car was seen on CCTV leaving Poole Hospital on May 23

Detective Inspector Marcus Hester added: "This remains a very proactive investigation and we're still appealing for the public's assistance."

Specialist officers are forensically examining the vehicle and the surrounding area, which is some four miles from Ms Li's home in Burnham Drive.

Experts have already examined Ms Li's house.

Her distinctive Porsche Boxter, with the personalised number plate L1 RUI, was found outside a property in Wolverton Road.

A Ford Connect van which police wish to trace as part of their inquiries

Several vehicles have been seized.

In a statement released by police earlier this week, her 18-year-old daughter Lu Yao appealed for information about her mother's whereabouts and urged her to get in touch, even if she "just wanted to get away".

"My mum is a very conscientious and caring nurse and never lets anyone down, Miss Yao said.

"She is a very loving mum, supporting me with my studies from when I came to the UK from China.

Ms Li worked as a nurse at Poole Hospital

"She prides herself on her timekeeping and my mum has never gone missing before.

"This is completely out of character and I'm very worried. I really miss her and I just want her home."

Ms Li moved to the UK from China a decade ago and started working at the hospital in 2009.

Her next of kin has been informed.

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Edinburgh's Long-Awaited Trams Hit The Tracks

The Scottish capital's newly-finished trams have taken their first paying passengers, marking an end to a long-running saga over ballooning costs and massive construction delays.

Trams trundled through the streets of Edinburgh for the first time in 58 years on Saturday as the new service was opened to the public.

The line, which runs from Edinburgh Airport to York Place, left Gyle shopping centre at 5am bound for the city centre.

One enthusiast holds a sign from the old tram system that ran until 1956

The sight of the trams on the city's streets will come as relief to many who have witnessed six years of disruption and delays, in part due to a bitter dispute between the council and the contractor.

The controversial project was due to have been in operation by 2010 and was initially planned to be considerably larger.

However, spiralling costs meant it was slimmed back to just one line. 

The controversial project saw costs double

The project ultimately cost £776m, double the figure originally anticipated, leading to calls for a public inquiry.

Those involved in the scheme now hope the controversy is behind them.

Edinburgh City Council transport convener Lesley Hinds said: "The tram project has been hugely challenging for the people of Edinburgh but now there seems to be a growing positivity in the city about the start of a brand new transport service.

Not everyone in Edinburgh has been disheartened by the delays

"I know from first hand experience how trams can transform and enhance a city and I'm determined Edinburgh should make the very most of the opportunities ahead."

The service costs £5 for a single trip from the airport and £8 for a return.

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'Real Action' Needed In Hunt For Missing Briton

The brother of a British man who disappeared while trekking on a paradise island off Malaysia has urged the Government to appeal to local authorities to step up search efforts.

Gareth David Huntley disappeared four days ago after attempting to find a waterfall in the jungles of Tioman Island, off the peninsula's east coast.

He told friends at a charity project he had been working with he would return by 2pm that day but he has not been seen since.

A group of volunteers and local people have been into the jungle to search for the 34-year-old but have not found him.

Mr Huntley had been volunteering at a Turtle sanctuary

Mark Huntley said "real action" is needed to find his brother.

He said: "We need real boots on the ground in Malaysia. We need real pressure from William Hague at the Foreign Office. So far we haven't heard a word from him or David Cameron.

"Gareth's been missing now for five days and he's alone in the jungle. This was a man working out there as a wildlife volunteer - he deserves our assistance.

"This situation of delayed searches is all too familiar. We call on David Cameron to make just one phone call to the Malaysian authorities and kindly request they step up the search."

Mr Huntley's mother earlier demanded authorities step up the search for her son, who was on an extended holiday.

Janet Southwell said: "I'm extremely concerned and anxious about my son.

"He's been missing for four days now and as yet I've had no contact from any official agency advising me as to the progress of the search.

"At this stage I feel it's essential that the search be intensified as time is running out for Gareth, so I'd really appreciate the support of the Malaysian authorities and the UK Government with this."

A file picture of a beach on Tioman Island

Twenty Malaysian police officers and a search dog are now involved in the search.

Mr Huntley's family and girlfriend are also due to fly out to the region this weekend.

One of his friends who is in the area and doing what he can to help is Kyle Neo Kai Fu, who told Sky News he is certain his friend is alive.

"He knows a lot of things about self-sustainability," he said. "I think he's a survivor."

Kyle Neo Kai Fu and Gareth Huntley

Survival expert Ken Hames told Sky News there are "lots of hazards" in the jungle apart from heavy rain.

"You've got deadfall from trees that have rotted, you've got hornets … quite a lot of things to contend with."

According to one of the accountant's close friends, Malaysian authorities have so far failed to conduct a thorough search.

Sophie Wilson told Sky News: "Nothing has come from the authorities. As far as we're aware, the police were informed and haven't been doing anything. They've been incredibly lethargic.

"They've said they're performing a search but all evidence on the ground suggests they're just not taking this seriously."

Mr Huntley, from east London, had been working as a volunteer at the Juara Turtle Project, a conservation charity on Tioman Island.

One of the other volunteers, Charles Fisher, said police were informed the day after he went missing but did not actively begin searching.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said the local embassy was aware Mr Huntley was missing and was offering support.

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Rise In Emotional Abuse Cases Among Children

By Joe Tidy, Sky News Reporter

The number of emotional neglect and abuse cases referred to authorities has risen by nearly 50% over the past 12 months, according to a leading charity.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) says its helpline dealt with more than 8,000 people suffering emotional neglect and abuse this year.

The charity says some 5,354 of these cases were so serious they were referred to police or children's services, compared to 3,629 cases in the previous year.

Peter Wanless, the CEO of the NSPCC, says the statistics show emotional cruelty is not being recognised in the same way as physical abuse.

"It's very easy for us to see physical abuse if a bone gets broken, but the emotional abuse of a child has just that sort of effect on their mind," he said.

NSPCC helplines receive 60,000 calls each year

NSPCC helplines receive 60,000 calls each year from people who fear children are being mistreated.

They deal with sexual abuse allegations, physical abuse and claims of emotional cruelty.

One solution to the growing issue of emotional cruelty is a change to the law.

Sky News has learned a so-called "Cinderella Law" could see parents who deny their children affection face prosecution.

Robert Buckland MP is hopeful the change will be introduced soon.

He said plans for the new law may be announced in the Queen's Speech.

"I'm very optimistic that in this year's Queen's Speech we will hear this measure being announced," he said.

"It might come in the form of a separate bill; it might come in the form of an amendment to an existing bill going through parliament.

CEO Peter Wanless: Emotional abuse can be as damaging as physical abuse

"But I firmly believe and hope and expect to see this welcome reform being announced this week."

However, some are concerned that this law could unfairly prosecute parents.

Parenting author Frank Furedi said: "Throughout history, the best antidote to cruelty was the cultural and educational development of society.

"We need fewer laws and more opportunities for children, and indeed for their parents, to realise their potential."

One man who knows how this abuse can affect children is Morris Robinson, who was emotionally abused by his father.

He says his childhood was devoid of love, affection and support.

"It's hard to describe when you're left to your own devices, but then you get cruel treatment, verbal cruel treatment," he said.

"You wouldn't get any praise for anything and I don't remember him ever going to school to do anything.

"He would swear abuse at me and when you're a child it's always threatening.

"You would ask him to maybe fix your bike and he'd say: 'I've f*****g told you it won't fix'."

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Insurers Expose £1.3bn In Fraudulent Claims

A record £1.3bn worth of fraudulent insurance claims were uncovered last year as the industry continues to crack down on cheats.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said some £3.5m worth of dishonest claims are uncovered every day.

The figures show an 18% increase in the value of fraudulent claims detected in 2012.

In 2013, some 118,599 fraudulent or exaggerated claims were detected, the equivalent of more than 2,000 each week.

Motor insurance claims were the most expensive and common dishonest claims to be uncovered.

The average value of fraud detected across all kinds of insurance products was £10,813.

Aidan Kerr, the ABI's assistant director, said: "The message is clear: never has it been harder to get away with committing insurance fraud.

"Never have the penalties - ranging from a custodial sentence and a criminal record, to difficulties in obtaining financial products in the future - been so severe."

The ABI says the figures also reveal a "significant" rise in the number of people reporting suspected fraudsters.

Calls from members of the public reporting frauds to the Insurance Fraud Bureau's "cheatline" rose by one third (32%) in 2013 compared with the previous year.

Malcolm Tarling, a spokesman for the ABI, said the industry has also seen an increase in the number of "staged accidents".

This dangerous practice sees fraudsters cause deliberate accidents, often with innocent motorists, in order to cause injuries and claim insurance.

"Staged accidents, which are extremely serious, involve criminal gangs deliberately staging an accident, normally involving an innocent motorist," Mr Tarling said.

"These are increasingly becoming more commonplace and the industry is actively working very hard to crack down on them."

One insurer, AA Insurance, said it identifies more than 100 fraud attempts each week.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: "These figures are encouraging because they reflect the growing success of the insurance industry in the war against fraud, rather than more fraud taking place.

"This should send a strong signal to anyone thinking of trying it on."

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Lord Rennard Is Told To 'Leave Public Life'

Pressure is piling on Nick Clegg to expel Lord Rennard from the Liberal Democrat party after he finally apologised to four women who accused him of sexual harassment.

The ex-chief executive of the party had previously refused to say sorry having maintained his innocence over allegations that he had behaved "inappropriately".

Now it has emerged he has issued an apology in a letter sent to Liberal Democrat HQ.

Bridget Harris, a former adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister, is one of the women who made the allegations.

She resigned from the Lib Dems over the party's failure to act.

Referring to the resignation of Lord Oakeshott from the Liberal Democrats earlier this week, she told Sky News: "If one errant Lib Dem peer has actually himself walked away from the House of Lords as a result of running a few opinion polls, I think that Chris Rennard should be expected to also leave the House of Lords - basically leave public life.

Bridget Harris, left, and Alison Smith, who also received an apology

"I would like to know who does he speak for now in the House of Lords?

"Who does he speak for as a Lib Dem?"

The peer's letter of apology said: "Lord Rennard wishes to achieve closure of the contentious issues that have been in the public domain for the last fourteen months by expressing his apologies to Susan Gaszczak, Alison Goldsworthy, Bridget Harris and Alison Smith.

"Lord Rennard personally accepts the full report of Alistair Webster QC as given to him on March 7th in its entirety.

"He would therefore like to apologise sincerely for any such intrusion and assure them that this would have been inadvertent.

"He hereby expresses his regret for any harm or embarrassment caused to them or anything which made them feel uncomfortable.

"Lord Rennard wishes to make it absolutely clear that it was never his intention to cause distress or concern to them by anything that he ever said or did."

Police investigated claims that Lord Rennard sexually harassed female party activists last year, but decided not to press charges.

But an internal inquiry carried out by Alistair Webster QC found there was broadly credible evidence of "behaviour which violated the personal space and autonomy of the complainants".

Lord Rennard was suspended from the party as a result of the allegations against him, but he remains a Lord.

He is now expected to make a bid to have the Lib Dem whip restored after complying with the recommendations of the inquiry.

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Thousands In 'Thumbs Up' Tribute To Stephen

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

Thousands of people have posted "thumbs up" photos on social media in memory of fundraiser Stephen Sutton.

Using #thumbsupforstephen, the idea was launched by hundreds who gathered at Lichfield Cathedral for his public farewell ceremony.

It was followed by spontaneous applause for the teenager, who lost his fight with cancer on May 14.

Among those in the crowd was Shelley Checkley, who told Sky News that Stephen had once given an "inspiring and awesome" talk to her children.

Crowds of people give a thumbs up outside Lichfield Cathedral

She said: "It was amazing to know him and always see him smile, always be positive, never, never sad.

"I've known him give help to adults with cancer and made them feel more positive, he was an amazing person.

"He's made me feel more determined that every day you do everything right and don't moan about things that are insignificant or petty and live every day to the full."

When he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, Stephen set about raising thousands of pounds for charity.

After he posted a photograph online, showing him giving the thumbs up while he was in hospital, the appeal went viral. By the time he died the total raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust was well above £3m, and the figure has now topped £4m.

A representative from the charity was going to be among those paying tribute at the ceremony, which is the culmination of a two-day vigil attended by thousands of people.

It is understood comedian Jason Manford will be at the service. He helped the teenager spread the message online and described him as a "credit to humanity".

Three well-wishers wear yellow at a two-day vigil to Stephen

Stephen's coffin will leave the cathedral accompanied by drummers from Pandemonium, who performed at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, to reflect his love of music.

He had said he wanted "fun" put into his funeral, and chose the colour yellow as his emblem to signify happiness and sunshine.

Yellow balloons will be released in his memory and people have been leaving yellow bouquets outside the cathedral.

Stephen died from bowel cancer two weeks ago

Ben Wigley, a friend of Stephen's, told Sky News that musicians had made a record called Hope Ain't a Bad Thing to raise further money for charity.

He said Stephen had heard the song and "loved it".

RNLI members from Gravesend, St Abbs, Poole and North Berwick. Pic: RNLI

He said: "He was a pleasure to be around, it was hard not to smile, he lifted the spirits of everyone.

"He wanted for the funeral as little black as possible, to celebrate his life not mourn his death."

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Asda's England Flag 'Looks Like KKK Costume'

Supermarket chain Asda has defended the sale of a wearable England flag which has been likened to a Ku Klux Klan outfit.

The St George's Flag, emblazoned with the word "England" and featuring a peaked white hood, sparked a social media storm when it went on sale in ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.

But a spokeswoman for Asda, which has priced the novelty garment at £3, said: "We opted for a hood... as you never know what the British weather will bring.

"We want customers to get behind the team without getting wet."

England fan Ade Brandwood was among those who questioned the supermarket's decision to sell the flags.

His picture of the red and white cape, which has now been retweeted thousands of times, was accompanied with the message: "I'm not sure they set the right tone."

One user called Simon wrote: "'ENGLAND RULES OKKK'. Honestly, do Asda simply not bother to see how these things look when worn?"

Another, called Kieran, added: "They do look dodgy to say the least."

The flag was still available on Asda's website at lunchtime Friday, accompanied with the description: "Support England in the World Cup with this unique wearing flag!"

The supermarket's spokeswoman added: "We know there's chatter on Twitter... but it's simply a flag with a hood - nothing more, nothing less."

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