Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Independent - UK RSS Feed

The Independent - UK RSS Feed

Man arrested after Regent Street shop siege

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 11:01 PM PST

A man was arrested by police today after he broke into a shop in London's Regent Street and threatened to blow himself up.

Government to overhaul child maintenance system

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 11:01 PM PST

Urgent reforms in the child support system are needed to halt the "tragic" scale of family breakdown, Families Minister Maria Miller said.

Labour accuses Lib Dems of dirty tricks in Oldham

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

The Oldham East & Saddleworth by-election descended into acrimony last night as Labour accused the Liberal Democrats of launching personal attacks on their candidate in a last ditch attempt to win the seat.

Striker Bellamy arrested and bailed over alleged assault in Cardiff

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of assault after an incident in Cardiff at 2.45am on Sunday.

Blair recalled to Iraq Inquiry next week

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Tony Blair is to make his second appearance before the Iraq Inquiry, headed by Sir John Chilcot, on 21 January.

High Court to decide on 'home abortions'

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

britain's biggest provider of abortions is seeking a legal ruling in the courts to allow women to have the procedure at home.

Murdered bride 'put up a fight'

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Michaela McAreavey, who was murdered on her honeymoon in Mauritius, had put up a struggle against her attackers, police said yesterday.

Cameron considers fresh anti-strike laws

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

The Government could bring in fresh anti-strike legislation if unions continue to threaten action to coincide with the Olympics or the Royal Wedding. David Cameron said he was "happy to look" at new laws that would prevent strikes unless more than half of the members who were balloted voted in favour.

'British Madoff' took £14m from his investors – and lost the lot

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

To his clients, Terry Freeman had all the trappings of a multi-millionaire City trader with a reputation for risk-free currency investments. Along with holiday homes in Cyprus and France, his wealth had bought him a top-of-the-range Land Rover, an executive box at Tottenham Hotspur and a £120,000 ring for his third wife.

Survivor tells July 7 inquest of 'luckiest escape'

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Lisa French came round from the blast to see the bus behind her had disappeared. The spot where she had first intended to sit was simply wreckage.

Retirement age to be scrapped to 'help' Britons keep earning

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

The government will announce today that it is to scrap the default retirement age of 65 this year, against the wishes of businesses, who fear it will cause legal confusion and lead to a rise in cases taken to employment tribunals.

Miliband to admit Labour government mishandled economy

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Ed Miliband will admit that the last Labour Government was too slow to use the "language of cuts" as he steps up his efforts to re-establish the party's economic credentials.

Scotland Yard fights to keep phone-hacking targets a secret

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

The Metropolitan Police blocked legal action aimed at identifying all the alleged victims uncovered by its criminal investigation into phone hacking by the News of the World. Documents filed at the High Court in London show that Scotland Yard is resisting a claim for a judicial review of its handling of the case, on the basis that it does not have a public duty to contact everyone brought to the attention of detectives.

Tissue under fingernails clue in Mauritius honeymoon murder

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 09:42 AM PST

Skin tissue found under the fingernails of strangled honeymooner Michaela McAreavey could prove crucial to the police case against the three men charged in connection with her murder.

Lack of space 'saved 7/7 survivor's life'

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 09:40 AM PST

A 7/7 survivor told today how she escaped sitting next to one of the bombers because there was not enough room for her laptop bag and his explosives-filled backpack.

City trader admits setting up £14m 'ponzi' scheme

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 09:02 AM PST

A City trader today admitted setting up a "ponzi" scheme in which more than 350 victims were defrauded of up to £14 million.

Rapist jailed for attacks on students

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 09:00 AM PST

A rapist who broke into a university hall of residence and subjected a teenage student to a terrifying sex attack was jailed for at least 12 years today.

Craig Bellamy arrested over 'assault'

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 08:56 AM PST

Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Man and woman held over death of boy, two

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:33 AM PST

A 29-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a two-year-old boy, police said today.

MP Eric Illsley resigns after expenses shame

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:25 AM PST

Disgraced Eric Illsley said today that he was quitting as an MP after being convicted of dishonestly claiming more than £14,000 in expenses.

Muslim worship leader 'raped boy at mosque'

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:23 AM PST

A Muslim worship leader allegedly raped a young boy on numerous occasions as he attended a mosque for religious lessons, a court heard today.

Grooming 'cannot be simplified on ethnic lines'

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:00 AM PST

The sexual exploitation of children cannot be "simplified along ethnic lines where the victims constitute one ethnicity and offenders another", the head of the UK's child protection agency said today.

Train drivers to strike over pay

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 06:12 AM PST

Drivers on Arriva Trains Wales are to take fresh strike action next week in a row over pay.

David Cameron and Ed Miliband cross swords over bonuses

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:55 AM PST

David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed over bankers' bonuses in the House of Commons today, as the Labour leader accused the Prime Minister of applying "one rule for the banks and another for everybody else".

Lib Dem candidate Vincent McKee suspended over fraud claims

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 04:53 AM PST

A Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate was suspended by the party today after allegations that a company he runs was overcharging students.

Second Iraq inquiry date for Tony Blair

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 03:23 AM PST

Tony Blair is to make his second appearance before the Iraq Inquiry on Friday January 21, it was announced today.

Minister issues warning on mortgage shake-up

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 02:15 AM PST

The Housing Minister will today step up the pressure on the City watchdog not to impose tough new mortgage rules which could make it harder for first-time buyers to get on to the property ladder.

David Miliband in talks to become Sunderland vice-chairman

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 02:13 AM PST

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has confirmed the club has held talks with former Foreign Secretary David Miliband over a role at the Stadium of Light.

Bullets sent to Celtic player

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 02:11 AM PST

Bullets sent to Celtic player Paddy McCourt have been discovered in a package by mail staff.

Freezing weather hits BAA airport traffic

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:24 AM PST

Last month's heavy snowfall meant that airport operator BAA handled almost 11% fewer passengers at its six UK airports than in December 2009.

DLR workers vote in favour of strike action

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:14 AM PST

Workers on London's Docklands Light Railway have voted strongly in favour of a strike over a series of rows including jobs, pensions and working conditions, it was announced today.

Pubs allowed extended opening for royal wedding

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 01:12 AM PST

All pubs are expected to be allowed to stay open until 1am for two nights of celebrations for the royal wedding.

Brothers sought over care worker stab death

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 12:59 AM PST

Police want to speak to two brothers over the death of a "gentle" care assistant who was stabbed to death as he held a New Year party at his flat.

MP Eric Illsley faces jail term after admitting expenses fraud

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Eric Illsley was under pressure to resign last night after becoming the first sitting MP to be convicted of expenses fraud.

posted by Greg Shaw at Thursday, January 13, 2011