Fireworks Warehouse Blaze: Police Name Victims

Police investigating a fatal blaze at a fireworks warehouse have released the names of the two people they believe were killed in the explosion.

Simon Hillier, 41, and Stewart Staples, 57, are understood to have died in the fire at SP Plastics on 30 October, Staffordshire Police has said.

Although it could take some weeks to formally identify the victims, evidence found at the site has placed both men at the warehouse.

Supt Ian Coxhead said: "Our sympathies remain with the families involved and we're doing everything we can to help them at this distressing time. It is believed Simon was working at the premises while it's thought Stewart was a customer.

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

Video: Five Hurt In Fireworks Factory Fire

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

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

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

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

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

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Search Begins For New Child Abuse Inquiry Chair

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video: Woolf Quits Child Abuse Inquiry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video: Woolf Resignation: 'Very Damaging'

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

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

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

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

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Terror Warning: Brits Not Safe Anywhere In World

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

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

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

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

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

Video: Aug: Terror Threat Level 'Severe'

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

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

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

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Tower Poppy Memorial Proves Too Popular

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

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

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

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

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

Video: Poppy Appeal: Harry Hops On A Bus

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

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

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

Video: Singer Joins Poppy Appeal

Video: Joss' Official Poppy Appeal Song

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RAF Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bombers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More follows...

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UK Begins Paying Back First World War Debt

The Government has announced it will pay off part of the UK's First World War debt - the first such payment for 67 years.

The Treasury will repay £218m of the £2bn still owed from the 1914 to 1918 war, as part of a redemption of bonds stretching as far back as the 18th century.

The payment, to be made on 1 February next year, will be the first repayment of National War Bonds by a Chancellor since 1947.

The 4% consolidated loans were first issued by Chancellor Winston Churchill in 1927, partly to refinance National War Bonds from the Great War.

Britain has paid £1.26bn in interest on them since then, according to the Debt Management Office.

Chancellor George Osborne said he had decided to redeem some of them now because interest rates are lower than the 4% it is currently paying.

Leaders mark the centenary of the start of the First World War in August

He said he could save taxpayers money by refinancing the debts at a lower rate.

"We are only able to take this action today thanks to the difficult decisions that this Government has taken to get a grip on the public finances," he said.

Video: First World War Records Released

"The fact that we will no longer have to pay the high rate of interest on these gilts means that most important of all, today's decision represents great value for money for the taxpayer."

The Government first issued National War Bonds in 1917 to help finance the crippling cost of the First World War, which saw the deaths of more than 700,000 British soldiers.

They paid out an attractive rate of 5% interest, with huge publicity campaigns urging the public to make a patriotic investment.

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1. Gallery: Ghost Images Put WW1 Back In Focus

   Ahead of the centenary of the First World War, a series of digital composite images have been created by the picture agency Getty Images, comparing scenes from the time and how the locations look today. Here, Serbian soldiers march in the Lord Mayor's show in 1918 with the Royal Courts of Justice in the background

2. Wounded soldiers play football outside Blenheim Palace around 1916 in Woodstock, England, blended with a modern day photo of the area

3. Australian soldiers outside Egypt House in New Broad Street, London, where The Australian Bank is located, in June 1917, and how the street looks today

4. Injured Indian soldiers from the British Army at the Brighton Pavilion in 1915, which was converted into a military hospital, combined with an image of the building today

5. Wounded soldiers and cadets at the Albert Hall on Empire Day in May 1918, with a modern day shot of the London landmark seen behind them

6. German prisoners of war on their way to Southend Pier in 1914 accompanied by guards and watched by locals, combined with a picture of the seafront taken this month

7. A 'male' MKIV tank at the Lord Mayor's show in November 1917, blended with a modern day photo of the street outside the Bank of England

8. British soldiers inspecting a captured German plane in the Horseguards' Parade, the modern day skyline now includes the London Eye

The bonds are held by 11,200 registered holders, with 92% owning less than £10,000 each.

Some of the repayment relates to bonds dating back more than 300 years.

In 1853, the Government consolidated the capital stock of the South Sea Company, which collapsed in the South Sea Bubble financial crisis of 1720.

Video: First World War Anniversary Held

And in 1888, Chancellor George Goschen converted bonds first issued in 1752 to finance the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars, the Slavery Abolition Act (1835) and the Irish Distress Loan (1847).

:: For each day of the four-year war, Sky News will post an update describing developments in the conflict through the special Twitter account, @skynewsWW1

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New Navigation System Amid Fears Of GPS Outage

An array of ground-based radio stations designed to help ships stay on track in the event of a GPS outage have been activated in Britain.

The seven stations overlook the sea from Aberdeen in the north to Dover on the south coast, and can beam low-frequency pulses at vessels to help them avoid collisions.

Vessels usually rely on the GPS satellite system to determine their locations, but temporary outages can be caused by solar storms and people using jamming devices.

The system is a variation of the Long Range Navigation technology used by trans-Atlantic convoys during the Second World War.

A rocket carrying a GPS satellite blasts off (File pic)

Several other countries are considering whether to set up their own versions of the system, including South Korea, which was jammed by its northern neighbour in 2012.

The signal from one of the ground radio stations is one million times stronger than a signal from a satellite.

The system is likely to be extended to the west coast and Ireland within six years.

The system is owned and operated by the General Lighthouse Authorities, which said in a statement: "Signals are vulnerable to interference and both deliberate and accidental jamming, which is causing increasing concern because of the wide availability of GPS jammers online."

Jammers can be purchased for as little as £30.

It added: "With this network we'll be able to guarantee the seamless operating of shipping even if GPS goes down."

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Firefighters Poised For Bonfire Period Strike

Firefighters in England will start a four-day strike on Friday evening, as a bitter row over pensions intensifies.

Opponents to the walkout, orchestrated by the Fire Brigades Union, have branded the industrial action as "regrettable and unnecessary" - with emergency services already under strain as weekend bonfires and firework displays commence.

Even though the Government has a contingency plan, with hundreds of contract workers expected to cross picket lines, the public has been warned to remain vigilant and stay safe.

Fire stations in London have warned that they may be unable to attend to minor fires, or help people trapped in lifts.

London firefighters accused the Government of "pension theft" last November

Although the Government has insisted that firefighters enjoy one of the best pension packages in the public sector, the claims have been rubbished by the FBU's general-secretary.

Matt Wreck said: "We have a Government of millionaires who are wrecking the pensions of firefighters, while the real scandal is that their own pensions are by far the most generous anywhere in the public sector.

"How can it be remotely fair that the Prime Minister, already a millionaire, enjoys a far greater subsidy from his employer in absolute and proportional terms than a firefighter who is earning less than £30,000 a year? It is sickening hypocrisy."

The FBU's industrial action is due to begin at 6pm on Friday, but a strike in Wales has been averted after its assembly made a "significant" change of direction by offering an improved proposal.

Penny Mordaunt, Fire Minister, insists the planned pension reforms are fair

Westminster has been pushing to reform firefighters' pensions amid fears that a £600m black hole in the scheme's finances will emerge by 2019 - with a Government spokesman warning that "taxpayers cannot be expected to meet all of these costs".

Fire Minister Penny Mordaunt said: "The Government recognises the role that firefighters play in keeping the public safe, and has worked hard to give them one of the most generous pensions in the public sector.

"A firefighter who earns £29,000 will still be able to retire after a full career aged 60 and get a £19,000-a-year pension, rising to £26,000 with the state pension.

"An equivalent private pension pot would be worth over £500,000 and require firefighters to contribute twice as much."

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Man Held After Body Parts Found On Island

A man has been arrested after a 33-year-old woman's body parts were found by ramblers on an island in Essex.

Angela Millington's remains were discovered in a salt marsh area on Foulness Island on 21 June.

Hikers initially found a collection of bones. Police were called and more body parts were found.

An aerial view of the police murder inquiry

Police have arrested a 51-year-old man, from Westcliff-on-Sea, on suspicion of murder.

He has been taken to Southend Police Station for questioning.

Ramblers found Angela Millington's remains on Foulness Island

Ms Millington was identified after forensic and DNA tests and, while it is not known how long the bones had been there, police believe she was murdered.

She was last seen alive when she visited a housing officer in Westcliff on 21 November last year.

She took money out of her bank account that day and her mobile phone has not been used since the end of that month.

Essex Police said Ms Millington had no fixed address and was known to mix with street drinkers and homeless people.

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Man Arrested Over Fireworks Warehouse Blaze

A man has been arrested over a blaze at a fireworks warehouse in Staffordshire where two people remain unaccounted for.

An investigation has been launched into what caused the explosion at the SP Plastics building at an industrial unit in Stafford at around 5.15pm on Thursday.

Two men were taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, one in his 60s suffering from a back injury and another, in his 40s, with serious burns.

Two women, one in her 40s and the other in her 50s, were assessed for smoke inhalation but discharged at the scene, police said.

Police said a 53-year-old man had now been arrested as part of the investigation.

Video: Witness Tells Of Fireworks Blast

Police Superintendent Ian Coxhead said: "We have a great deal of sensitive and challenging work to complete in order to allow us to establish the cause of the explosion and the following fire."

A "significant volume of fireworks" was being stored on site, and the unit had been all but destroyed in the ensuing blaze, he added.

A search is due to get under way for the missing people, once the premises are considered safe.

Video: 'I Saw A Plume Of Black Smoke'

The blaze took three hours to bring under control - 50 firefighters, eight engines and four specialist appliances were on the scene at its height.

Thick plumes of smoke and bursts of fireworks could be seen exploding in all directions from the factory in a scene which an eyewitness described as "horrendous".

Resident Brian Little told Sky News: "It was horrendous. You would not be surprised if there was one or two injuries. The flames were sky-high."

Video: Stafford Fireworks Factory Ablaze

Video: Five Hurt In Fireworks Factory Fire

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