Volunteers Keep Revellers Safe Over Christmas

By Emma Birchley, East of England Correspondent

A front-line team of volunteers has been confronted with the aftermath of assaults, drug abuse and too much to drink as the Christmas festivities for some got out of hand in Norwich.

Sky News spent the night following staff on board the city's SOS bus and medical unit as they coped with one of the busiest party nights of the year.

It was not until after 1am that the trouble really started.

The police called the bus to say a woman was intoxicated nearby. It emerged she had not only drunk too much but had also taken drugs.

She was taken in a minibus back to the main bus to be checked over.

Shift leader Holly Brown said: "People can go unconscious, choking on their own vomit, they can be incontinent.

The volunteers help ease the workload for emergency services

"We need to judge what has happened. We need to make sure they are OK as we want them to get home safely."

Next it was a trip to a report of an assault on a young woman inside a club. She had cuts on her face and was ushered onto the minibus.

Some people will still end up in hospital, but by responding to reports of injury and sickness the pressure is taken off other services such as Accident and Emergency and ambulance crews.

Leigh Baggaley, 25, works for St John's Ambulance Service and first started helping on the bus five years ago.

"It's an eye-opener. If we weren't here there would be lots more A&E admissions.

"We don't tell people what to do but we try to educate people on how they should drink."

The SOS bus was the first of its kind to be set up in the UK

The volunteers even keep every type of phone charger so that drinkers can get back in touch with lost friends. And they offer flip-flops in return for a small donation for those finding their high heels a challenge.

The SOS bus was the first of its kind to be set up in the country back in 2001 and operates every Friday and Saturday night.

Action was taken after two teenagers were found dead in the river following a night out in Norwich. A short time later,  the body of a 21-year-old was discovered in the toilets of a nightclub in the city after drinking too much.

As well as the setting up of the bus, a radio system was installed linking the SOS team with the police, pubs and nightclubs.

Toby Middleton is operations manager of four clubs in the city including Roccos and Mercy.

He said: "Having the facility of having the bus and the people who are prepared to do it free of charge and help us with our duty of care ... is a great asset."

In the past five years alone the SOS bus and medical unit have looked after more than 3000 people.

It has proved such a success that towns and cities are following Norwich's lead.

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David Coleman: Veteran Sports Broadcaster Dies

David Coleman, the veteran sports commentator and long-time A Question Of Sport presenter, has died at the age of 87.

The Grandstand and Sportsnight presenter, who retired in 2000, died peacefully with his family at his bedside after a short illness.

The BBC's director general Tony Hall said: "David Coleman was one of this country's greatest and most respected broadcasters.

"Generations grew up listening to his distinctive and knowledgeable commentary. Whether presenting, commentating or offering analysis, he set the standard for all of today's sports broadcasters."

The renowned athletics commentator worked for the corporation for almost 50 years, covering 11 summer Olympic Games, his final one in Sydney in 2000.

He also covered six football World Cups and was the host of the Question Of Sport for 18 years. He was awarded an OBE in 1992.

Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter: "Sad to hear David Coleman has died - the voice of BBC Sport for as long as I can remember."

David Coleman - "a giant of sports broadcasting"

Sky News Sports Editor Nick Powell described Mr Coleman as a "giant" of sports broadcasting.

He said: "A lot of sports broadcasting has been shaped by what David Coleman did all those years ago."

Olympic athlete Linford Christie said: "My deepest condolences go out to David's family at this sad time. 

"David was a no nonsense, straight-talking true gentleman and an iconic voice of sport, but at the heart of it all was a massive sports fan and supporter of good performances."

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett described him as "a thoroughly decent guy", having been quizzed by Mr Coleman 45 years ago on BBC1's Feedback show.

"David Coleman had to deal with a man who couldn't see talking about a film which David Dimbleby had produced and which had caused enormous controversy by displaying dead and naked bodies.

"Why I ever wrote in I shall never know, but it was certainly a way of being blooded in terms of future interviews over the past 45 years.

David Coleman, Frank Bough and Tony Gubba mark 21 years of BBC Grandstand

"I know that as well as his family and friends, many of us will mourn him as someone who represented the best in broadcasting and of decency in public life."

Former England striker Gary Lineker was among those remembering Mr Coleman - whose brevity at the microphone, including his signature "one-nil" catchphrase, earned him many fans.

He wrote on Twitter: "Sad to hear, David Coleman has died. A giant of sports broadcasting. Brilliant, gifted, precise and concise. Much more than 'one-nil' #RIP"

The father-of-six, who lived in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, was awarded the Olympic Order in 2000. The award is the highest honour of the Olympic movement.

Mr Coleman also found himself the subject of a regular column in satirical magazine Private Eye, with its Colemanballs feature documenting commentators' gaffes to this day.

One of his comments the magazine immortalised was: "That's the fastest time ever run, but it's not as fast as the world record."

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Heather Mills' Anger Over Paralympic Boot Row

Heather Mills has revealed her anger over a dispute about a ski boot which ended her hopes of representing Britain at next year's Paralympic Games.

Speaking in a six-minute video posted on YouTube, the ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney claimed an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) official "had it in for me".

The row erupted when the 45-year-old Paralympic skiing hopeful was told by IPC official Sylvana Mestre that she would have to change her ski boot to comply with IPC rules.

Ms Mills reacted angrily to the request, and reportedly told Ms Mestre she would "make your life a misery".

Ms Mills competing in Queenstown, New Zealand, in August

The IPC later accused Ms Mills of having committed a "disgraceful outburst".

But in her statement on YouTube, Ms Mills said Ms Mestre "wouldn't listen to me at all" and rejected reports that she had threatened to harm the official.

"She wouldn't listen to me at all. I never physically touched her, like the misreporting in the media (said I did)," she said.

"She has never made a statement saying I physically harmed her. The ridiculous reports that she begged me not to hit her are just tabloid rubbish.

"I just said to her, very loudly, I was very upset, that I'd had enough of this, and that I wouldn't be involved in these ridiculous rules."

Ms Mills had her left leg amputated below the knee after a road traffic accident in 1993.

She earned a place in the development squad of the British Disabled Ski Team (BDST) in 2010 and won a silver medal in a slalom race in New Zealand in August.

She has since quit the BDST, ending her hopes of competing at the Games in Russia next March.

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Clutha Tragedy: Comedy Gig To Help Raise Cash

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

Glasgow's comedians are lining up to raise a laugh for victims of the Clutha Pub tragedy.

They also hope tonight's comedy gig will raise several thousand pounds for the Clutha Appeal Fund, which has already amassed more than £220,000.

Friends and relatives of the 10 people who died when the Police Scotland helicopter crashed into the Glasgow pub have been invited to the show at the city's O2abc Academy. 

They will be joined in the audience by emergency service workers who helped at the scene of the tragedy.

Comedian Janey Godley told Sky News: "The love and affection of Glaswegians will carry every laugh from that stage right up into the rafters. That's who we are, as a people; you might knock us down but we'll get up and - do you know what? - we'll get up laughing."

Jai McDowall recording the tribute song Won't Forget

The comedy show is one a number of initiatives aimed at raising cash for bereaved families suffering financial hardship as a result of the crash on November 29.

Those who died included the three occupants of the helicopter along with seven customers in the pub. Five people remain in hospital, being treated for a range of serious injuries.

Four police officers who attended the scene of the accident have recorded a song called Won't Forget, which features Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall on vocals.

Police officers Paul Keenan (L) and Jamie Easton

PC Paul Keenan, who wrote the song, told Sky News: "It obviously involved our friends and colleagues, so we felt personally touched by it. It was a tragic loss of life, so we came up with the idea of recording a charity single."

PC Jamie Easton said: "The police is such a close-knit family and it was such a terrible disaster, everybody felt it. Being at the scene myself, it was terrible both for the emergency services and the public. You could see the effect it had on everybody, so I'm grateful to be able to play on the track."

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Migrants: Cameron Warned UK Faces Isolation

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

The Bulgarian President has warned David Cameron that he risks being judged by history as a Prime Minister who has isolated the UK and damaged its reputation.

Rosen Plevneliev said his countrymen were watching Britain's immigration debate unfold and raising questions about the "democratic, tolerant and humane British society".

It comes as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says the Lib Dems will not accept any further curbs to migrants and a Tory backbencher warns that the rhetoric on immigration could stop non-white people voting Conservative.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has also insisted a cap on EU migrants is "not going to happen".

The Observer leads with a rebuke by the Bulgarian President

Transitional controls on Romanian and Bulgarian migrants will be lifted in under two weeks.

Some think-tanks have warned that 50,000 people could arrive from the two countries each year.

Mr Cameron has reacted to concerns about the move with a string of interventions including to limit access to benefits for those travelling to the UK.

And at the European Council meeting in Brussels this week he threatened to veto the EU accession of new countries such as Albania and Serbia without strict new immigration rules.

One idea put forward by the PM is to set a GDP limit below which countries will not be given free movement of labour if they join the EU.

Mr Plevneliev said he feared for the safety of Bulgarians in Britain. He said "iron curtains" should not remain in the 20th century, arguing that this was a time to bring down walls, not to build them.

"Mr Cameron should never forget that a politician is remembered in history not with the everyday business," he said.

Mr Clegg makes his comments in the Sunday Times. He has supported the crackdown on benefits for immigrants saying the right to move and work is not the same as the right to claim.

Mr Clegg has warned he will block moves to curb immigration from the EU

"But this is where we draw the line," he says, rejecting talk of "arbitrary" caps on EU nationals. That was a policy idea being considered by the Home Office that was leaked to the media in recent weeks.

Mr Clegg's party is traditionally liberal on immigration and did support an amnesty for illegal immigrants before the last election. But public fears have led the Lib Dems to drop the pledge, admitting that public trust in the immigration system is broken and it would be asking too much.

Mark Field, a Conservative backbencher, has also entered the debate saying the tough talk on immigration could turn off non-white voters.

He has warned Mr Cameron not to repeat the mistakes made by Mitt Romney, the US Republican candidate, in 2012. He said failure to reach out to the Hispanic community had meant it had failed to understand his stance on immigration.

Labour's David Hanson, shadow immigration minister, said the Government was "hopelessly split" on the issue.

"Rather than deal with genuine concerns in a calm and measured way the Prime Minister has sought headlines and panicked on issues he could have dealt with much earlier," he said.

"Once again the rhetoric fails to match the reality with this government on immigration."

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'Church' Expecting Festive Flock Of Atheists

By Isabel Webster, Sky News Correspondent

A "church" that is "taking the Christ out of Christmas" is expecting an influx of believers at its festive services this year.

The Sunday Assembly is a godless congregation with the slogan "live better, help often, wonder more".

Since it began in London earlier this year, it has grown by 3,000% with Sunday Assemblies being opened in 30 major cities across the British Isles and overseas from Vancouver to Sydney.

It aims to be "part atheist church, part foot-stomping show and 100% celebration of life".

Co-founders of the Sunday Assembly: Pippa Evans and Sanderson Jones

British comedians Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans came up with the idea after enjoying the sense of community and fellowship at a Christmas service - particularly singing carols - but feeling uncomfortable during the "God bit".

Ms Evans explains: "For me it was always about finding this amazing sense of community that the church is so good at finding, but without the God bit, which so many people find a sticking point.

"So we thought, how can we recreate all the amazing things that church does and that is what we are trying to do with the Sunday Assembly.

"We're sure many people will feel the same this Christmas and we're prepared for another influx of non-believers".

Thirty Sunday Assemblies have sprung up in cities across the world

Celebrities like Dan Snow and Lloyd Grossman have made guest appearances at Sunday Assembly gatherings in London.

The Right Reverend Declan Laing, Bishop of Clifton, said the Sunday Assembly demonstrates "the human need to celebrate and to belong" and added it would be "interesting to see how it develops".

He said: "I think people will have those needs satisfied to begin with but will need something more eventually."

Bishop Laing points out that the Catholic Church is also enjoying a surge in parishioners in the wake of their new charismatic Pontiff, Pope Francis.

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Police Review Nigella Lawson Drug Admission

Police have said they are reviewing evidence after Nigella Lawson's admission in court that she had taken drugs.

The 53-year-old TV cook revealed during the fraud trial of her two former personal assistants that she took the class A drug with her late husband John Diamond when he found out he had terminal cancer.

She also admitted in court to taking the drug in July 2010 when she claimed she was being "subjected to intimate terrorism" by her former husband, art dealer Charles Saatchi.

Scotland Yard said on Friday that officers would not look into the issue at this stage, but the force would review the decision if new evidence came to light.

However in a statement released last night, the force said "a specialist team from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will examine the evidence emerging as part of a review into this matter".

During the trial, it emerged that Mr Saatchi alleged in an email that Ms Lawson's drug use meant she allowed their former assistants, Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, to spend what they liked.

Mr Saatchi made drugs claims in an email that was used in court evidence

The message said: "Of course now the Grillos will get off on the basis that you (and) Mimi were so off your heads on drugs that you allowed the sisters to spend whatever they liked and, yes, I believe every word they have said."

Scotland Yard's latest statement said: "After the MPS's decision not to investigate at this stage was queried in press reporting, we would like to clarify the position with regard to this witness.

"The senior investigating officer received legal advice that the witness's admissions did not by themselves provide sufficient evidence to bring charges.

"On that basis therefore, and in absence of any other corroboration, there is no imminent prospect of a prosecution being mounted.

"As we said however, should any evidence come to light that can be investigated further, we will review this decision. A specialist team from the MPS will nevertheless examine all the evidence emerging as part of a review into this matter and in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service, will determine an appropriate way forward."

Commander Stephen Watson said the evidence heard in the trial at Isleworth Crown Court would have "implications".

He told The Sunday Telegraph: "Part and parcel of that review we will undertake will be to look at all aspects of the testimony that was given in the trial, which is now public knowledge, and will reveal itself in the transcripts of the trial.

"There are implications in terms of what has been said during the course of that trial and all those implications will be taken into account in determining an appropriate way forward."

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Weather Warning As Travel Delays Expected

Millions of travellers preparing for the Christmas getaway are being warned to expect delays on the roads and railways as strong winds and heavy rain are expected across Britain tomorrow.

At least 27 rail networks are expected to be affected by the weather on Mondaywith gusts of up to 60mph likely nearly everywhere in the afternoon, possibly reaching 80mph later in the day in some areas.

Weather disruption on the A9 southbound in Scotland (pic: @EuanWest)

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the day, and motorists are being told to brace for problems - particularly those heading to the southwest of England and parts of Scotland.

The Cumbrian Coast Line between Carlisle and Barrow is already shut due to a landslide, while flooding has closed part of the line in Crowborough.

The scene beside the A9 at Drumochter this morning (pic: @BEAR_Scotland)

Cumbrian Police are urging people to take extra care and be prepared for flooding caused by heavy rain.

The Highways Agency, in conjunction with the Met Office, is advising drivers of high-sided or other vehicles vulnerable to high winds to avoid several roads including the M4 from junctions 22 to 23 and the M5 from junctions 18 to 19.

Many delayed passengers vented their frustration on Twitter

John McTaggart, head of on-road services at the Agency, said: "We are working closely with the Met Office to monitor conditions ahead of tomorrow.

"Road users are urged to check traffic and weather conditions before setting out on journeys and to heed any advice such as speed restrictions once they are on the strategic road network.

"Be aware of sudden gusts of wind, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles plenty of space.

The Met Office 'Be Aware' warning covers the whole UK

"In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close certain bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow the clearly signed diversion routes. "

Arriva Trains Wales, c2C, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country, First Capital Connect and trains to Heathrow Airport are all expected to be affected.

Virgin Trains said delays were "likely" but that tickets dated for travel on Sunday or Monday would be accepted for travel "on any train on either day".

Approximately two trains per hour are expected to run between Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and all other stations into London St Pancras International from noon on Monday.

South East trains say buses have replaced trains from Hastings to Tonbridge due to a landslip at Wadhurst, East Sussex.

East Coast trains intends to operate the published timetable until 16:00 tomorrow after which services to and from London King's Cross will be reduced to four trains per hour.

Rail operators say passengers with tickets for trains tomorrow should travel today if possible. East Midlands Trains have confirmed that anyone with ticket for tomorrow may travel today. Advance ticket holders may also travel on services earlier than the time specified on the ticket.

Virgin Trains advised passengers with tickets valid tomorrow to travel before 3pm where possible due to expected speed restrictions.

Passengers at Kings Cross are advised of disruption to their travel plans

The Environment Agency say flood alerts are in place in several areas across the country and motorists are advised to contact the Highways Agency if roads start to flood with a build-up of surface water. The RAC is predicting that 13 million people will take to the roads from December 24 to 26.

Drivers are being urged to check the latest flood updates ahead of their journey - and to not to drive through dangerous floodwater.

The warning comes after a joint Environment Agency and AA survey found 54% of UK drivers would endanger themselves and their vehicles by driving through moving flood water.

The Environment Agency and the AA strongly advise not entering flood water that is moving or more than 10cm deep.

David Jordan, Director of Operations   at the Environment Agency, said: "Tragically people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through flood water just to save a few minutes.

"Flood water is dangerous. If there is widespread flooding in your area then don't travel and if a road is closed then turn around and make a detour. Your journey could take you a little longer but making the right decision could ultimately save your life."

Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Very strong winds are expected [on Monday] as the deep area of low pressure across the southwest moves northwards past the Western Isles of Scotland.

"Gusts are expected to reach 60mph almost everywhere during the afternoon. During the evening and overnight, wind gusts may reach 70-80mph across central and south-eastern parts of England.

"Heavy rain is also expected to spread eastwards to most of the UK during the afternoon and overnight. So it will be a very wet and very windy day for all areas."

The worst of the weather is expected to clear by the end of Christmas Eve.

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Syria 'Must Answer' For Brit Surgeon's Death

The Prime Minister has called for those responsible for the death of a British surgeon while in custody in Syria to be held to account.

He wrote a letter to Abbas Khan's mother Fatima on Friday, describing her son's death as an "appalling tragedy".

It reads: "Abbas' death is a sickening and appalling tragedy and it is right that the Syrian regime should answer for it.

Fatima Khan at Heathrow Airport after returning with her son's body

"Their despicable treatment of him and refusal to engage with us or the Czechs to enable us to support him is utterly unacceptable.

"We will continue to press for those responsible to be held to account."

Married father-of-two Dr Khan, 32, was arrested more than a year ago after travelling to the rebel-held city of Aleppo to treat injured civilians.

Dr Abbas Khan died while being held in custody in Syria

His family believe he was abused while in custody and have blamed the Syrian regime for his death, despite claims by authorities in Damascus that he took his own life.

The orthopaedic surgeon was on the verge of being released from prison and being allowed home for Christmas.

Mrs Khan and Abbas' brother Afroze arrived at London's Heathrow Airport on Sunday from Beirut on the plane carrying his coffin, which has been taken to Romford Hospital.

David Cameron described Abbas Khan's death as "sickening"

She accused the Assad regime of murdering her son.

She said: "I don't know why they killed my son. I want to ask why on the release date they killed my son. I want answers why they killed my son.

"They are liars, every ministry there in Damascus is full of lies. They killed my son.

"He was in a civilian prison and on Friday it was a holiday in Damascus... and they went and picked him up, a helpless guy, brought him, kept him two days, tortured him more and they killed him Monday morning."

Abbas' brother Shahnawaz Khan and sister Sara Khan told Sky News the family felt let down by British authorities.

He said: "Everything that the Syrian government has done over these past 13 months to us has been arduous and has inflicted much insult upon us.

"I guess this was their final attempt to inflict as much misery upon us as they could."

His brother also dismissed allegations the surgeon had jihadi links and had "picked sides" in the Syrian civil war.

Sara Khan added: "We want the British Government to help the family in getting those answers from the Syrians as somebody needs to own up for this absolutely cruel injustice that has been done to my brother."

Michael Mansfield QC, a criminal barrister who has been advising the Khan family, said: "Once his body is taken to the place of burial, which I understand is east London, then the coroner for that area - because it is a sudden, unnatural and violent death - has an obligation to investigate.

"Dr Khan was due to be released within two or three days, it's most unlikely that someone with the prospect of freedom having been incarcerated for 13 months would take their own life."

A Foreign Office (FCO) spokesman said on Sunday: "Responsibility for Dr Khan's death lies with the Syrian authorities and we are pressing for answers about what happened.

"As Mr Robertson, the Minister of State for the Middle East, said there can be no excuse whatsoever for the treatment Dr Khan suffered from the Syrian authorities.

"In November, Minister Robertson wrote making clear our concerns about his welfare and treatment, stressing that the regime's failure to provide any information indicating Dr Khan's continued detention was legitimate meant his position should be reviewed immediately. These requests were consistently ignored."

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Two Prisoners Arrested Over Inmate's Death

Two prisoners have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 22-year-old inmate died at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire.

More follows...

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Arrest In Suspected Belfast Double-Murder

Police investigating the suspected double-murder of a middle aged man and woman in Belfast have arrested a man.

The 33-year-old was taken into custody just hours after police revealed details of the deaths in the Ravenhill area in the south east of the city - believed to be a domestic homicide. 

Police said the perpetrator responsible for the deaths may have been in a relationship with one of the victims but don't consider they are a threat to the wider public.

Police said they did not want the identities of the middle-aged victims to become public at this stage as not all of their next of kin had been informed of what had happened.

The incident in the Ravenhill area is thought to be domestic-related

Officers found their bodies in the living room of the flat in the Ravenhill Court area yesterday afternoon.

They had been alerted by a member of the public who noticed the front door of the property had been badly damaged.

Detective Chief Inspector Una Jennings, senior investigating officer with the PSNI, said: "We are treating this at the moment as a suspected domestic homicide."

She appealed to whoever was responsible to come forward.

The detective added: "I would describe it as a domestic incident, we believe that the perpetrator of this crime may well have been in a relationship with one or other of the victims."

She said the exact causes of death would not be confirmed until post-mortem examinations were carried out in the coming days.

Asked if the perpetrator posed a danger to the wider public, Ms Jennings said: "We don't consider they pose a risk to the public at this time."

Detectives have appealed for anyone who noticed anything suspicious in the Ravenhill Court area between 3pm on Wednesday and 3pm yesterday to contact them.

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Fire Death At Flat During Firefighter Strike

A man has died in a blaze in a north London flat while firefighters were striking over pensions.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been forced to release a statement denying the strike had any bearing on the man's death.

Fire crews were called to the flat fire on Oakfield Road in Hornsey at about 9.52pm on Saturday.

"The fire damaged part of the ground floor flat and sadly the body of a man was found at the scene," an LFB statement read.

The incident occurred while industrial action, organised by the Fire Brigade Union, was under way.

The union's London branch wrote on Twitter before the incident: "Firefighters preparing for their sixth strike in dispute over pensions, to take place tonight between 6.00pm and 10.00pm."

It later wrote: "Information coming in which suggests the London Fire Brigade's contingency plans failed disastrously tonight."

Firefighters finished at the scene at 11.14pm. Two fire engines and 14 firefighters and officers from Hornsey fire station attended the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said on Sunday: "Based on early investigations into this death, it is not believed that the strike made any difference to the outcome.

"It does not appear that neither the contingency fire crews, nor LFB's own crews had they not been on strike, would have reached him in time and have successfully rescued him."

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Iran Claims 'MI6 Spy' On Trial After Capture

Iran says it has arrested a "spy" accused of working for the British secret intelligence service.

A court official said the man had confessed to his alleged crimes and was on trial.

He was detained in the town of Kerman in southeast Iran after authorities spent months tracking him down, the semi-official ISNA news agency said.

The suspect is accused of meeting four British intelligence operatives and giving them information.

Dadkhoda Salari, head of the Kerman revolutionary court, said: "Through the efforts of Iranian security forces, an MI6 spy has been arrested.

"He has met British intelligence officers in person 11 times, both inside the country and abroad, and provided them with intelligence."

It has not been suggested the alleged spy is a Briton, and Tehran has a history of announcing the arrest of people it claims are spying without releasing more details.

But the news is potentially embarrassing at a time when diplomatic relations between the UK and Iran had been improving after a two-year freeze.

On Friday, Iran's new envoy to Britain, Hassan Habibollah-Zadeh, held talks in London on his first visit since his appointment in November.

And a British diplomat, non-resident charge d'affaires Ajay Sharma, said he had "detailed and constructive discussions" about the UK's relationship with Iran during talks earlier this month.

He visited the site of the UK's embassy in the Iranian capital to assess the damage caused when it was ransacked by a mob in 2011, an incident which prompted the Government to pull its staff out of the country.

The thaw in relations between Tehran and the international community has also seen a deal reached over its nuclear programme.

Responding to the reported arrest a Foreign Office spokesman said: "We don't comment on intelligence matters."

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UK Plans Cap On EU Immigrants - Leaked Report

The number of people allowed to move to the UK from European Union countries could be capped at 75,000 under proposals set out by the Home Office, it has been claimed.

A leaked Government report on the effect on Britain of the EU's policy allowing free movement of people suggests a cap could cut net migration from EU countries by 30,000 from the current 106,000 a year.

The document, seen by The Sunday Times, also suggests blocking EU immigrants from claiming benefits or tax credits for their first five years in the UK.

The proposals would mean professionals and highly-skilled migrants from countries such as Germany, Holland or Austria could only move to the UK if they had a job offer.

Lower-skilled workers would be allowed to settle if they had jobs on an approved list of occupations for which there was a national shortage.

The leaked open borders review was overseen by Home Secretary Theresa May as part of the Government's assessment of the balance of powers between the UK and Brussels.

Other proposals in the paper include giving British citizens a "national preference" by explicitly reserving jobs for them and limiting labour movement from poorer countries joining the EU to the UK until their GDP is 75% of Britain's.

Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday said tougher controls on freedom of movement within the EU will be needed in the future and suggested a GDP-based restriction.

The report was overseen by Home Secretary Theresa May

He said: "When other countries join the European Union we should be insisting on longer transitions and perhaps even saying until you reach a proper share of an average European Union GDP you can't have freedom of movement.

"The reason for that is if you look at migration between Britain and Germany or France and Germany, countries of pretty even GDP, the movements are pretty much balanced.

"Its only when you have a real imbalance when you have a poor country and a much wealthier country that you get these vast movements."

But any attempt to challenge free movement rules is likely to face resistance in Europe.

European Commissioner Laszlo Andor recently hit out at British politicians' comments about the lifting of restrictions on Bulgaria and Romania at the end of this month, saying on Twitter: "Responsible politicians should avoid legitimising xenophobic reactions that indeed weaken the European spirit."

He also served notice that the UK could be taken to court over existing proposals to tighten the rules on migrants claiming benefits.

Asked about the report, a Home Office spokesman said: "We do not comment on leaked documents."

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British 'Space City' Stevenage 'Not A Luxury'

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Reporter

Britain's space industry isn't just 'some luxury' and deserves better backing and support, according to Science Minister David Willetts.

Mr Willetts said more public money and recognition is needed to give the already hugely successful space sector the boost it deserves.

He told Sky News: "Space is not some luxury. Space is creating the technologies that will make everyday life in Britain better and will mean that Britain can pay its way in the world by exporting high quality services.

"We've already got an industry that is worth £9bn a year, it employs 30,000 people but it's got fantastic opportunities for growth."

An unassuming Stevenage office is at the heart of Britain's space programme

An £80m space cooperation fund was announced in the Autumn Statement, and speaking to journalists last week Mr Willetts even compared Stevenage in Hertfordshire to Nasa's base at Cape Canaveral in Florida, saying in the future Britain will be at the heart of the global space effort.

The town of Stevenage, which plays host to a number of space-related companies including Astrium, the third largest space company in the world, has been nicknamed "Space City".

They make a quarter of the world's satellites, from telecommunications satellites to others monitoring weather patterns and gravitational waves.

As part of the European Space Programme, they're developing a Mars Rover which should be exploring the surface of the Red Planet by 2019.

UK scientists will send the Gaia camera into space to map a billion stars

And their latest starring role is helping create Gaia, the largest ever camera to be sent into space, designed to map a billion stars, due for launch this week.

Dr Ralph Cordey, Astrium's head of science, told Sky News: "Some of the things that we're actually doing today might be considered to be science fiction.

"Whether the future will be about colonies on the moon or colonies on Mars I can't say right now, but I know the future will be exciting and what we're doing right now is forming a part of that."

The Government hopes added investment will help forge potentially lucrative partnerships with the likes of India, China and even America, as the international space race continues.

Scientists at work at Astrium's Stevenage HQ

At the National Space Centre in Leicester they welcome the extra financial backing, believing it will provide a great opportunity to showcase what the British space industry has to offer.

Its director of education Anu Ojha said: "In so many areas we are world leaders - in robotics, telecommunications, but in typical British style we don't make a song and dance about it.

"Within the global sector it is well known about our expertise, but among the general public, people are saying, 'UK space programme, what space programme?' and we as a community are on a mission to change that perception."

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Lynne Spalding: Lawyer Denies Alcohol Claim

A lawyer for a British woman found dead in a locked stairwell at San Francisco General Hospital is disputing a coroner's report that her death was probably related to "chronic alcohol abuse".

Lynne Spalding, 57, disappeared from her hospital room on September 21 but her body was not found until 17 days later on October 8.

Assistant medical examiner Ellen Moffat said in a new report that the mother-of-two had been dead for days before the discovery and probably died of "a chemical imbalance due to complications from chronic alcohol abuse".

Ms Spalding was confused and delirious on the day she disappeared and she did not know the day or time or even why she was in the hospital, Ms Moffat added.

But attorney Haig Harris insisted Ms Spalding's death was not related to alcoholism and that she had died of starvation or dehydration.

He told the San Francisco Chronicle that the mention of alcoholism "demeans the memory of this woman, without telling us when she died, how long she was out there suffering".

A spokesman for Ms Spalding's family, David Perry, has also denied she had a drinking problem.

Ms Spalding, originally from Peterlee, Co Durham, had been admitted for a bladder or urinary tract infection and arrived at the hospital thin and frail with her children worried about her condition.

Ms Spalding was found dead in a stairwell at San Francisco General Hospital

Although sheriff's deputies at the hospital did a "perimeter search" of the hospital's 24-acre campus within an hour of her disappearance, it was not until September 30 that they attempted a more extensive search of the grounds.

The next day, after it became clear that not all the stairwells used as fire exits had been searched, a supervisor ordered the stairwell searches to continue, yet "only about half the stairwells" ever were, Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi said.

Ms Spalding's friends and relatives spent days scouring the streets of the Californian city with flyers because they were "under the assumption that San Francisco General had been searched and Lynne was not here".

On October, 4 a hospital staff member told the sheriff's department that someone had reported seeing a body in a locked stairwell of the building where Ms Spalding had been a patient.

A sheriff's dispatcher told hospital officials the department would respond, but there was "no indication that any one was dispatched to that stairwell".

Ms Spalding had lived in the city for more than 20 years and had two grown-up children, a 19-year-old son and 23-year-old daughter, who both live in the US.

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Belfast Bag Bomb: Hunt For Man In Hooded Top

Police believe the man suspected of leaving a bomb outside a busy restaurant in Belfast was caught on CCTV.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland say the suspect was wearing a black hooded top and they released an image of a black Slazenger bag in which the bomb was contained.

The photo was taken moments before the device exploded.

Vigilant passers-by who spotted the dissident republican device minutes before it detonated have been praised by police.

The PSNI said those who alerted them to the device in the packed Cathedral Quarter district on Friday evening averted a tragedy.

Officers acting on misleading information provided in a telephone bomb warning to a Belfast newspaper had been evacuating people from a hotel 150 metres away.

Police search with dogs for evidence after Friday night's bombing

Once informed about the holdall by members of the public, they were able to refocus the security operation on the area immediately around it.

The bomb warning was telephoned to the Irish News at 6pm. It was not until 6.20pm before a member of the public noticed the bag and raised the alarm.

Officers then had until 6.44pm to evacuate 1,000 people from the area before the bomb exploded.

In the event, no one was hurt. Police have described the explosion as "small" but potentially deadly.

Dissident group Oglaigh na hEireann has claimed responsibility. The group, whose name means Soldiers of Ireland, is a splinter group of the Real IRA, who opposed the Good Friday Agreement.

Detective Chief Inspector Justyn Galloway, the PSNI officer leading the investigation into the blast, appealed to anyone who may have seen the suspect carrying the holdall in and around the Cathedral Quarter area.

"Did they see a male wearing a black hoody carrying a black Slazenger bag in and around 6pm last night?" he said.

"If they saw this person or anyone acting suspiciously I would ask them to come forward and speak to detectives."

Security measures are being ramped up across the centre of Belfast

The lead detective also commended the actions of the public, police and staff in the moments before the bomb went off.

He said: "This device fully functioned. The device contained flammable liquid and explosives and it has some similarities to devices that have been used before by dissident republicans.

"Members of the public were vigilant and they did come forward and speak to police and it clearly averted injuries last night," he said.

He added that analysis of security camera footage from the area would be key.

Security measures are being ramped up in Belfast city centre following the explosion.

Police have been stopping cars and checking car boots at the entrance of Castle Court Shopping Centre in the city since last month.

Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny joined police, political and church representatives and traders in condemning the latest attack.

"I condemn this atrocity as a mindless attack on the sanctity of human life, carried out by people whose depraved agenda cannot, and will not, be allowed to gain a foothold in Northern Ireland," he said.

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have described the bomb attack as "despicable".

In a joint statement, both ministers appealed with anyone with information to contact police.

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Jayden Parkinson: Mother's 'Empty Heart'

Missing Jayden Parkinson's mother has said her "heart is so heavy" for her daughter, who is believed to have been murdered.

In a post on Facebook, Samantha Shrewsbury called Jayden her "baby" and her "princess".

She wrote: "My heart is so heavy baby girl I just want to see you walk through my door with a "Tad Dar" I need you little lady my heart feels so empty without you u know ur My Tinymigriney xxxxxxx."

Jayden's mum's Facebook post

Police looking for the 17-year-old from Oxford have asked the public not to carry out their own searches.

Jayden has been missing for nearly two weeks and is thought to have been killed.

She was last seen leaving Didcot Parkway train station at 4.27pm on December 3 - and did not return home that evening as planned.

The teenager was last seen on December 3

Commander Supt Christian Bunt from Thames Valley Police said it was a "critical time" in their investigation and they are searching a number of sites in Didcot, Oxfordshire, and the surrounding areas.

He added: "We appreciate the public's co-operation and understanding while this takes place.

"Due to the nature of the police searches taking place, we would request the public refrain from organising their own search activity at this stage to avoid the risk of jeopardising the investigation."

A Sky News graphic of the man and suitcase based on police descriptions

Police believe a young man seen struggling with a large suitcase in the area could hold the key to the inquiry.

Officers are trying to find him after he was spotted with the bag in a field in the village of Upton, about three miles south of Didcot, early on December 9.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Murray said: "That suitcase was large, it was heavy, it was difficult to manage and that man was having difficulty removing that suitcase from that area."

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder

Mr Murray said the same man with the suitcase was seen in nearby Didcot about half an hour later.

The man has been described as about 20, white, about 5ft 6in, of medium to slim build, with short dark hair.

The suitcase was about 3ft by 2ft, about 15in deep and light coloured, probably made of canvas material, and had an extendable handle and wheels.

Sky News Correspondent Lisa Dowd, who is in Oxfordshire, said: "The focus of the police search continues to be a patch of farmland next to the village of Upton just a few miles from where Jayden was last seen leaving Didcot railway station.

Upton is about three miles south of Didcot

"Search specialists and forensics officers have created a base next to Saint Mary's church in the village and have been walking along a footpath to a tree-lined copse, which locals say also contains some derelict farm buildings."

Dowd added: "The police helicopter has been hovering above this area, which is next to a disused railway line."

Mr Murray said police were also searching addresses that Jayden "may be associated with". Detectives also uncovered a recycling bin in Didcot to try to find evidence, he said.

He added that officers were certain the man spotted in Upton with the suitcase was the same man seen shortly after in Didcot, but could not say why.

Jayden is white, of slim build with shoulder-length dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing light blue faded jeans, a brown hooded top with red lettering on it, a black waist-length jacket, and dark trainers when she was last seen.

It is believed that on December 3 she walked up Oxford high street through the town centre, arriving at the city's train station at 4.07pm, where she boarded a train to Didcot. She went missing after leaving that station.

Two men aged 17 and 22 remain in police custody on suspicion of murder in connection with her disappearance.

:: Anyone with information has been urged to contact Thames Valley Police on 101 and quote URN 542 10/12, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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NHS Chief Calls For Quality Seven-Day Service

Hospitals in England could face multi-million pound fines if they fail to maintain standards seven days a week, the NHS's medical director has warned.

Sir Bruce Keogh is set to announce his recommendations after a year-long inquiry into NHS care, amid concerns over higher death rates for patients treated on Saturdays or Sundays.

He told the Sunday Times a seven-day NHS "would undo more than 50 years of accumulated custom and practice which have failed to put the interests of patients first".

The obligation to run a full service 24/7 will be written in to hospital trusts' contractual agreements, with breaches leading to potential fines of up to 2.5% on budgets that can be more than £500m.

Sir Bruce will also publish clinical standards, which set out the level of care that patients can expect in any NHS hospital at the weekend.

He added: "Two things are key to this. One is the availability of diagnostic tests at the weekend, because the key to treating somebody is a diagnosis.

"Then you need someone experienced to interpret those tests and to institute the right treatment." 

Sir Bruce plans to end the practice of junior doctors staffing hospitals at weekends without consultants present and hospitals that fail to adapt will face losing the right to use junior doctors altogether.

He said: "Historically at the weekend our service has been delivered largely by junior doctors in training and now we are changing that."

The practice of junior doctors staffing hospitals at weekends could end

The intention is that within three years all patients admitted as an emergency at the weekend will be seen by a consultant within 14 hours.

Those already in hospital at the weekend will have their condition reviewed by a consultant every 24 hours, while routine surgery will be available at weekends for minor conditions such as hernias.

X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans will carry on at the same level as during the week, while heart checks, biopsies and blood tests will also be available seven days a week.

The hospital support network of pharmacies, physiotherapy and occupational therapy will run every day.

Sir Bruce said the NHS lacked compassion by failing patients at the weekend. "People are still kept waiting at the weekend for a diagnosis. We have a system that is not built around the convenience of patients and is not compassionate to patients for part of the week.

"Why should somebody have to take time off work, why should someone else have to take time off work to take them to and from hospital, when, if they were to have their operations on a Saturday, they could spend Sunday recovering and, in many cases, get back to work sooner?"

The inquiry team believe the change will cost about 2% of the NHS's annual operating bill of £97bn, but could be less after potential savings.

Blood tests, heart checks and biopsies would be available seven days a week

Critics suggest the cost could be billions more, but Sir Bruce believes the system of having theatres, consulting rooms and recovery wards lying empty at the weekend could be tackled to cut costs.

The BMA said it supports high quality seven-day patient care.

A spokeswoman said: "Doctors firmly believe that patient outcomes should not be affected by what day of the week they fall ill.

"The BMA is in discussions with the Government on how to develop working patterns which deliver more services across seven days while safeguarding the need for a healthy and productive work-life balance for doctors.

"This is a complicated problem, which will not be easily resolved by one single 'quick fix' solution."

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Patients should be at the heart of the NHS and be able to depend on it every day - not just Monday to Friday.

"I want the NHS to expand to provide seven-day services so that more patients get the right care, when they need it. It is great news that Sir Bruce Keogh will be setting out his plans for the NHS to provide seven day services."

Labour shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "This idea is right in principle but, with the NHS in increasing financial distress, the Government must set out clearly how it will be paid for."

:: Watch NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh live on Sky News at 11am on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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Winter Wonderland Cancelled After Complaints

A Winter Wonderland event in Milton Keynes has been cancelled after attracting a raft of complaints from parents.

Organisers shut down the event in Campbell Park, which included paid-for events such as ice skating, just a day after it opened on Saturday.

The closure came after parents bombarded a Facebook page with complaints about the quality of the Wonderland.

Perry Smith, who attended the event with his children, described it as a "waste of money and time".

He said: "Santas grotto wasn't even like a grotto. It had around 20 trees which were not decorated, the grotto was falling apart and could have caused some injuries.

"I was told by a friend that they had turned up to see Santa at 11 o'clock but he did not turn up until 3 o'clock. Big sign on the door stating 'closed to technical difficulties'."

Another parent Amy Burge said she had never been so "disgusted in all my life" and she left with three "very upset children" shortly after.

She wrote: "There were 2 husky dogs one of which was in a small cage and barking, 2 reindeers which again were in a small pen and could hardly move."

One mother writing on a blog for the Natal Company said her family had paid £42 to pre-book tickets to find "men dressed in Santa outfits from Poundland".

"This was definitely no Wonderland. It felt like an opportunity to rip off parents who had hoped to have a magical day out with their children," she wrote.

Organisers posted a message on the Winter Wonderland MK website, stating: "We regret that this event has been cancelled."

They also promised that anyone who pre-ordered tickets would be issued with full refunds.

The event's charity partner the Papworth Trust said it was "concerned" to hear about the complaints and had withdrawn from the event.

In a statement, the disability charity said: "We are sorry to hear about people's experiences of the day. After consulting with our volunteers and listening to the public's feedback, we have sadly decided to withdraw our volunteers and our association with the event."

A spokesman from The Parks Trust, which looks after Campbell Park, said: "Winter Wonderland MK have told us that they will be contacting all the customers on their database to arrange refunds and that people should get in touch with them via their website www.wwmk.co.uk or by email at info@wwmk.co.uk."

He added: "Before The Parks Trust hires out any sites out to third parties we do ensure that organisers have robust health and safety policies, are fully insured and have a detailed event management plan in place. We also liaise with the local authority and the police through the Safety Advisory Group."

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Balls 'Couldn't Give A T***' About Criticism

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls has told Sky News he "couldn't give a t***" about speculation by newspapers and bookmakers about his future after stinging criticism of his Autumn Statement speech.

On Sky News' Murnaghan show, Mr Balls insisted he had "never been less bothered" about "gossip and tittle tattle" on his Commons performance following George Osborne's update on the economy.

Despite receiving flak for failing to provide a convincing response to improved economic figures, Mr Balls told the show that Labour is still winning argument over the economy.

Mr Balls said the massed ranks of Tory MPs were always going to try to shout down his message, adding many people had in fact congratulated him on his performance in the following days.

He said: "(We have) a really strong economic argument and that's why 300 Tory MPs were going to shout really loudly from the very beginning.

"I decided I was going to take the argument back to them and say no, there is not a recovery for most working people, living standards are falling."

The shadow chancellor questioned why David Cameron and Mr Osborne were laughing on the front bench as he made his case on Thursday, and added: "I have had people coming to me and saying, keep up the fight, because we need a Labour government because we're getting worse off."

And when challenged on people making judgments on his performance and questioning his future, he added: "I'm not complaining at all - what I want to talk about is what is happening in our country.

"The Daily Mail would love me and Ed Miliband out because they want to keep in an out-of-touch Tory Government which is cutting tax at the top.

"That's the nature of politics ... they're betting on David Cameron and George Osborne and Ed Miliband. It's just the way it is ... frankly, I couldn't give a t***"

Grant Shapps, Chairman of the Conservative Party said in reaction to the interview: "Ed Balls remains in deep denial, unable to accept the severity of the economic mess Labour left behind.

"All Ed Balls offers is the same old Labour answer of more spending, more borrowing and higher taxes.

"In four days Balls has sped from a car crash Commons performance to another one on TV.  And he's made clear that Labour can't be trusted behind the wheel of the British economy."

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RAF Helicopter Forced To Land Near Minefield

An RAF Chinook helicopter has been forced to land near an Israeli minefield after engine failure, Sky sources say.

Sources said the aircraft was flying from Amman in Jordan to Cyprus and was forced to land close to the West Bank town of Jericho.

The aircraft landed near the West Bank town of Jericho

There were no reported casualties.

Sky's Middle East correspondent Sam Kiley said: "It appears this Chinook has had a really lucky escape."

Jericho is located near the Jordan River in the West Bank. It has been held under Israeli occupation since 1967.

Administrative control was handed over to the Palestinian Authority in 1994.

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Air Traffic Control: 'Business As Usual'

Major airports have reported they are back to "business as usual" after an air traffic control centre glitch caused chaos across the UK and Ireland.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed on Saturday after problems with a telephone system arose at the National Air Traffic Service (Nats) centre in Swanwick, Hampshire, in the early hours.

Thousands of people endured hours of frustration as flights were affected across the country, including the major airports of Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick.

The problem was resolved at about 7.30pm on Saturday, Nats said, more than 12 hours after first being reported.

It was feared there could be knock-on effects but other than a handful of cancellations at Heathrow, there were no further problems.

Passengers bedded down at Heathrow Airport

The issue arose when Nats' night-time operating system, which combines sectors of airspace for when it is less busy, did not properly switch over to the daytime system, causing a communication problem with the centre's internal telephones.

They stressed that safety was not at risk at any time.

Heathrow was the worst affected, with 228 cancellations on Saturday, representing 15% of its usual daily total of 1,300 flights going in and out of the airport.

Nats' control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire

A spokeswoman for Heathrow Airport said: "On Sunday we have 18 cancellations - 11 arrivals and seven departures - and that's mostly due to crew displacement.

"Apart from that we are pretty much running as normal."

She explained crew displacement is when crew are not where they are meant to be, due to Saturday's cancelled and delayed flights.

A Stansted Airport spokesman said they had experienced no problems on Sunday, while a Gatwick Airport spokeswoman said: "We've been back to business as usual from this morning."

Flight misery at Heathrow's Terminal 5

Nats said on Sunday that all operations were running as normal.

In a statement issued last night, they apologised for the disruption, saying: "The reduction in capacity has had a disproportionate effect on southern England because it is extremely complex and busy airspace and we sincerely regret inconvenience to our airline customers and their passengers.

"To be clear, this is a very complex and sophisticated system with more than a million lines of software. This is not simply internal telephones, it is the system that controllers use to speak to other ATC agencies both in the UK and Europe and is the biggest system of its kind in Europe.

"This has been a major challenge for our engineering team and for the manufacturer, who has worked closely with us to ensure this complex problem was resolved as quickly as possible while maintaining a safe service."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.

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MPs' Pay Rise 'Preposterous' Says Ed Balls

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has called a proposal to boost MPs pay by 11% "out of touch" and "ridiculous" given current economic squeeze.

MPs are to get the inflation-busting rise after the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) refused to scale back the increase.

The watchdog will unveil its final proposals next week - including boosting MPs' salaries by £7,600 to £74,000 from 2015.

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls told Sky News: "I think it's preposterous we should be having this discussion and as a shadow chancellor how could I possibly say to Labour MPs, at this time with the economy like this, when people are under real pressure, when there's a cost of living crisis, that they (MPs) should take a pay rise."

Ipsa is expected to try to quell criticism by announcing a tougher-than-expected squeeze on MPs' pensions in a bid to cancel out the £4.6m cost to the taxpayer.

All three main party leaders have condemned the increase at a time of national austerity, with Labour's Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg pledging to shun the extra cash.

David Cameron has stopped short of matching that pledge - and is under pressure from some Tory MPs to back the increase.

David Cameron is under pressure to back the pay rise

Mathew Sinclair, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance campaign group, said: "Taxpayers will be furious that the pay rise comes at a time when MPs urge public pay restraint."

Following a consultation on the proposals - first set out in July - Ipsa is set to press ahead however.

And MPs have no way to prevent the rise coming into force after the next General Election - unless they change the law set up in the wake of the expenses scandal to stop them setting their own pay.

Research by Ipsa found two-thirds of MPs believe they are underpaid, and the watchdog's chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said politicians' pay must "catch up" after years of being suppressed.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "We believe that the cost of politics should be going down, not up."

Ed Miliband says he will refuse the extra cash

Commons deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle - a Labour MP - cautioned against interfering in the system.

"I agree that MPs should not vote on their own pay," he told the Mail on Sunday. "It should be left to an independent body. It's not in the gift of the party leaders."

Ipsa's original report conceded there is no "compelling evidence" that MPs' current salary level is deterring candidates, making people leave Parliament, affecting the diversity of the House, or lowering the standard of ministers.

Among measures already on the table to offset the cost of the wage rise is an end to "resettlement grants" of up to £65,000 for departing MPs.

Under the plans, that would be reduced to two weeks' pay for every year of service if they are under 41, and three weeks if they are older by 2020.

A £15 dinner allowance would be scrapped, claims for tea and biscuits would not be allowed, and taxpayer-funded taxis home only allowed after 11pm.

There would also be a crackdown on claims for running second homes, with costs such as TV licences and contents insurance no longer being met.

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UKIP Politician In 'Send Them Back' Video

UKIP has again become embroiled in controversy after one of its politicians was caught on camera saying immigrants should be sent home.

Victoria Ayling, 54, who defected from the Conservatives in March, made the comments in a 20-minute video seen by The Mail on Sunday newspaper.

She talks about restricting the numbers of foreigners entering Britain, and then between takes, adds: "I just want to send the lot back, but I can't say that."

Mrs Ayling - a Lincolnshire County councillor and deputy leader of the local UKIP party - then jokes that the inflammatory remark may one day come back to haunt her.

"(It could be used for) some future get back at me. Bribery, blackmail - we need the blackmail music don't we."

Mrs Ayling hit the headlines earlier this year when she confronted David Cameron during the Tory conference and told him she was leaving the party.

It is the latest in a string of controversies for UKIP after MEP Godfrey Bloom sparked fury when he referred to "Bongo Bongo Land" and then resigned from the party for calling female activists "sluts".

UKIP leader Nigel Farage described Mrs Ayling's comments as "slightly odd".

He told The Mail on Sunday: "I have met her two or three times and I have discussed policy at length before accepting her into the party.

"I had no reason to believe she held views that were extreme or inconsistent with ours. While this comment looks odd and unpleasant there may be a context here that is slightly different to the way it appears."

Godfrey Bloom resigned from UKIP after his 'sluts' comment

Mrs Ayling's husband, Rob, from whom she has since divorced, helped shoot the footage in 2008 to promote her political career.

At one point, she says: "We must basically repatriate those that shouldn't be here. That's not quite policy yet. Maybe I should soften it a bit." She then added: "OK. Send them back."

Her ex-husband is then heard to mutter: "National Front."

She replies: "Multiculturalism is dead, I'm allowed to say that, but maybe Britishness is waving the National Front flag a bit."

Mrs Ayling told the paper she stood by her comments. She said they had been taken out of context because she was only referring to illegal immigrants.

"It is nothing different from what the Home Secretary is advocating now any way. And the blackmail music is from a Monty Python sketch. I don't think there is anything there that can be seen as offensive or politically incorrect," she said.

In an official statement, a UKIP spokesperson said: "These comments were made five years ago when Ms Ayling was a Conservative candidate. Off the cuff remarks have been deliberately miscontrued.

"We believe, and she assures us, that these comments refer to the status of illegal entrants to the UK.

"We cannot comment on material made while she was a Conservative candidate but we believe her to be a good councillor and upstanding citizen and will support her through this."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.

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Iraq Deaths: UK Troops To Face 11 Inquiries

British troops are facing 11 separate inquiries into their conduct in Iraq following a ruling by the High Court, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.

The "semi-inquests" will be held into cases of 11 Iraqi civilians who died in UK custody after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Each of the hearings will take an average of three months and the total cost to the taxpayer will be £2m, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

They follow an increasing amount of legal scrutiny being turned on the Armed Forces in the wake of the case of Sgt Alexander Blackman, the Royal Marine sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison for murdering a wounded Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan.

There have been calls for his sentence to be reduced or quashed over fears he would need special protection in prison because of the danger he will be attacked by Islamists.

One in three people (35%) believes he should serve no jail time at all, according to a poll by the Mail on Sunday.

Another 23% believe he should do five years, 20% are in favour of 10 years, while 22% think he should be imprisoned for more than 10 years.

One in three believes Blackman should serve no jail time, says a poll

Commenting on the poll, Sir Gerald Howarth, a former defence minister and current MP for army garrison town Aldershot, said he agreed the sentence was too harsh.

"The highest standard of discipline must be maintained in the Armed Forces and this man obviously committed an offence," Sir Gerald told the MoS. "But 10 years is too much. Five years would be more appropriate."

But former Lib Dem leader and ex-Royal Marine Lord Ashdown said he was content with the judge's decision.

An order banning the naming of Blackman, 39, was lifted by High Court judges after he was found guilty at a court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire.

Former senior officers and MPs reacted against that decision, amid claims he may need protection from Islamists in prison, the Sunday Telegraph said.

Lord West of Spithead, a former first lord of the Admiralty, said: "This is a man who has put his life on the line many times. I am not sure due account has been taken of this."

Blackman shot the Afghan, who had been seriously injured in an attack by an Apache helicopter, in the chest at close range with a 9mm pistol.

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Poverty Report: Hard Work Is Not Paying Off

For the first time, there are more people in working families living below the poverty line (6.7 million) than in workless and retired families combined (6.3 million), a report has found.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that almost 13 million Britons are now living in poverty, having suffered a "sustained" and "unprecedented" fall in their living standards.

The social policy research charity found people remaining in poverty despite moving in and out of work, with some facing "very severe hardship".

At the same time the study finds that the support on offer to people who fall on hard times is "increasingly threadbare".

The report found that job insecurity is common for millions of people, with one in six of the workforce claiming Jobseekers' Allowance at some point in the last two years.

There have also been big shifts in terms of which groups are experiencing poverty: the largest group in poverty are working age adults without dependent children - 4.7 million people are in this situation, the highest on record. Pensioner poverty is at its lowest level for 30 years.

Not all of the findings are negative. There has been an improvement in the labour market with falling unemployment and underemployment, and, over the longer term, improvements in health and education outcomes.

Young adult unemployment has peaked at 21%, and unemployment among the whole population has begun to fall.

The number of people underemployed - ether unemployed, economically inactive and wanting work or working part time but wanting a full time job - fell by 100,000 over the last year.

One of the author's of the report, Dr Peter Kenway, told Sky News: "People are hard hit everywhere. It remains the case that young adults are on low incomes, but more than half of people who are low paid are above the age of 30.

"This is not a phenomenon of people who are at the start of their working lives. We've got people who are really hard-pressed and unable to progress."

Julia Unwin, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's chief executive, added: "This research shows millions of people are moving in and out of work but rarely out of poverty.

"Hard work is not working. We have a labour market that lacks pay and protection, with jobs offering precious little security and paltry wages that are insufficient to make ends meet."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.

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'Slaves' Rescued In Bristol Police Raids

Three men, believed to be victims of slavery, have been "rescued" by police following a series of raids in the Bristol area.

Police officers raided three travellers' sites, a business unit, a house in South Gloucestershire and a house in Bristol.

Two people have been arrested on slavery offences and five others on suspicion of offences including money laundering and handling stolen goods.

A significant quantity of cash was found at one of the addresses.

Three male victims, one aged in his 30s, one in his 40s and one in his 50s, have been taken to a place of safety and are being offered support.

Avon and Somerset Police launched an investigation into forced labour and human trafficking five weeks ago following intelligence built up by CID.

Head of CID, Chief Superintendent Julian Moss, said: "This is an ongoing and dynamic inquiry; our primary aim is to safeguard and protect vulnerable victims.

"We know from talking with other police forces and charities such as Unseen that victims in such cases are often forced to live and work in poor and unsanitary conditions, sometimes with little or no pay.

"Some of those affected will not view themselves as victims and, even if they do, may have been unable to speak to the police or any other authorities for a variety of reasons."

South Gloucestershire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, the National Crime Agency and specialist charities, such as anti-trafficking organisation Unseen and the Red Cross have all been involved in the operation.

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Football Spot-Fixing Claims: Three In Custody

Three people are in custody and being questioned by police in connection over football spot-fixing allegations.

The  National Crime Agency, which is working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission, confirmed it had launched its investigation after being contacted by the Sun on Sunday.

As part of its investigation, the Sun on Sunday recorded footage that appears to show players allegedly arranging spot-fixing.

Ex-Portsmouth defender Sam Sodje allegedly claimed he could arrange a yellow card booking in the Football League, in exchange for tens of thousands of pounds.

The former Premier League player and Nigerian international also allegedly told how he punched an opponent in the groin during a game earlier this year to get sent off in exchange for a £70,000 payout.

The Sun on Sunday

And he claimed he could rig Premier League games, and even said he was preparing to fix matches at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

Another player, Cristian Montano, for Oldham Athletic appears to explain in the video how he attempted to get booked during a match against Wolves, in return for cash.

The ex-West Ham player said: "From minute one I was hacking people down.

"People running past me and I would go clip.

"I run against one player and barged him."

Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey, said: "We treat any allegations of criminal activity in our competitions with the utmost seriousness.

"Given that there is an ongoing police investigation into this matter, we cannot comment further at this time.

"Although, we would encourage anyone with any evidence to report it to the police.

"We will be giving our full assistance to the police during their investigation."

The NCA said an active investigation is now under way.

The National Crime Agency is investigating separate fixing claims

A spokesman said: "Three people are in custody and are being questioned by NCA officers. We cannot comment further at this stage."

In a statement, Portsmouth Football Club said: "If these serious allegations are true, then we are extremely shocked and saddened by them, as match-fixing of any type goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.

"The player in question no longer plays for the club and we have not been contacted by the authorities, but of course we would cooperate fully with any inquiry."

The new probe comes after the NCA announced at the end of last month that it had launched a separate investigation into "a suspected international illegal betting syndicate".

Gambling on the matches is thought to have taken place on Asian-based betting services and so far investigators to do not believe British betting markets are involved.

That inquiry was launched after an undercover investigation by the Daily Telegraph newspaper, which recorded one alleged fixer offering to rig two games.

It is understood to involve clubs in the English Football Conference, the level below the Football League.

On Thursday, the NCA revealed that two footballers from Brighton-based Conference South team Whitehawk FC had been charged over match-fixing allegations.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22 and from the Croydon area of south London, were charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law.

The two men have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on December 11.

They are the third and fourth people charged to date in connection with the NCA investigation into the alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Chann Sankaran, 33, from Hastings, East Sussex, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, from Singapore, were charged on November 28 with plotting to defraud bookmakers.

Both were remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on December 13.

Sky News sports presenter Charlie Thomas said both NCA investigations were being carried out separately.

He added: "This is a situation that football has been fearing and had hoped it had nothing to do with football at all, but now it appears it is encroaching on the league as well as the non-league."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.

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Chemical Experts Investigate Mystery Tent Death

Chemical and radiation experts have been called in following the unexplained death of a man found inside a tent in a field.

A passer-by discovered the body while walking in the Port Meadow area of Wolvercote, Oxford, at around 12.25pm.

A strong chemical odour prompted officials to cordon off the area as specially-trained CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) officers were sent to the scene.

Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service are working together on the investigation.

Members of the public are being told to avoid the cordoned off area, and a number of local footpaths were closed, police said.

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Morph: Fans' Support Leads To New Series

By Richard Suchet, Arts and Entertainment Correspondent

Morph - the animated plasticine model made famous by the late Tony Hart - is making a comeback thanks to his fans.

Aardman Animations, the studio which also makes Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit, asked Morph lovers to fund new episodes through the crowd-funding website Kickstarter.

Around £100,000 has been pledged so far, exceeding the original target of £75,000. The extra money means there will likely be 15 new episodes rather than the proposed 12.

Production will start in January and take about six months. All the episodes will be available to watch on YouTube.

Morph co-creator and Aardman founder Peter Lord told Sky News: "I wasn't confident about it as an idea. I was hesitant - is this smart, is this wise?

"But then we started to use social media, Facebook, to investigate whether it was a possibility, whether there was enthusiasm and there seemed to be enough enthusiasm that we gave it a go."

Morph co-creator Peter Lord said the crowd-funding drive was 'fascinating'

Morph made his debut in 1977 alongside the artist Tony Hart, who died in 2009, on programmes including Take Hart and Hartbeat.

At the time of publication, the crowd-funding campaign had been backed by 2,286 people.

Some 839 people had pledged £5 or more and 12 people had pledged over £2,000.

As well as receiving on-screen credits and merchandise, backers will also have the chance to suggest storylines.

"The whole crowd-funding thing is very interesting isn't it? Fascinating," says Mr Lord.

"At one level of input, people get a credit, which I guess is important to them - and the credit will live for all time, it'll be on the records. In the middle of the range they want T-shirts and DVDs and at the bottom of the range they just want a thank you I suppose.

"But I'm enjoying already the sense of interacting with that community because I think that's what it's all about."

Kickstarter has only been open to UK projects for a year but already over £18.6m has been pledged towards 1,676 successful ideas.

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Murder Arrest Over Middlesbrough Woman's Death

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman in her 70s was found dead.

Officers were called to a property in Fosdyke Green, Middlesbrough, at around 4.40pm on Saturday following the "sudden death" of the woman.

The man, who is in his 40s, is being held by police and officers are appealing to members of the public who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward.

The address was cordoned off by police and forensic officers are at the scene.

Detective Superintendent Rob Donaghy said: "Anyone with information should contact detectives as soon as possible.

"I want to reassure members of the community that there will be extra patrols in the area."

A post-mortem examination was due to take place on Sunday.

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Miliband Accuses PM Of 'Reaching A New Low'

Labour leader Ed Miliband has accused the Prime Minister of resorting to a strategy of mud-slinging in an effort to win the 2015 election.

He hit out at David Cameron for using the Paul Flowers scandal to attack his party's links to the co-operative movement.

Writing in the Independent on Sunday, Mr Miliband said Mr Cameron "hit a new low by trying to use the gross errors and misconduct of one man, Paul Flowers, to impugn the integrity of the entire Labour movement".

He said: "We all want proper answers as to what went on at the Co-operative Bank, and the public deserves better than the desperate attempts by the Tory party to score the cheapest political points, including ludicrous claims that Labour's historic links with the Co-op movement were the invention of Rev Flowers.

"Of course, the credibility of their smears was undermined when it emerged that the Chancellor himself was promoting the Co-op's bid to take over Lloyds Bank branches."

The Tories have attacked Labour's links with the Co-op Bank

The Tories have sought to highlight the close links between Labour and the Co-op, including "soft loans" at preferential rates and a £50,000 donation to Ed Balls' office from the Co-operative Group.

But Labour have used the row over the near collapse of the lender to put pressure on George Osborne over the Co-op's aborted bid for Lloyds branches.

Mr Miliband claimed the heated exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions over Labour and the Co-op, along with attacks over the trade unions and seeking to blame Andy Burnham for NHS failings, were part of a plan to fight the "dirtiest general election campaign" for 20 years, masterminded by Tory strategist Lynton Crosby.

"David Cameron cannot resist a low blow when the British public craves a politics on the high ground. His main political strategy is now to sling as much mud as possible in the hope that some of it sticks. When he does so, he demeans his office."

Mr Shapps accused Mr Miliband of 'evading serious issues'

Tory chairman Grant Shapps hit back at the Labour leader, highlighting the activities of Gordon Brown's former spin doctor Damian McBride.

"This is a pathetic attempt to evade the serious issues. Labour have big questions to answer, and when they are asked, they simply try to avoid them by claiming they are smears," he said.

"It is an obvious tactic from the party that brought you the most disgraceful smear operation of modern times, fronted by Damian McBride, and known about, encouraged and tolerated by Ed Balls and Ed Miliband.

"And McBride was simply the latest in a long line of bullying Labour spin doctors, including Alastair Campbell and Charlie Whelan. Incredibly, Labour's new campaign chief Michael Dugher used to be McBride's right-hand man - it's the same old Labour.

"We suggest they explain how the corruption at Falkirk happened, and how the Rev Flowers was allowed to become and remain an adviser, rather than dismiss legitimate questions as smears."

:: Mr Miliband has also been speaking about how his relationship with his brother David has not fully recovered, more than three years after they fought for leadership of Labour.

He told BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs the relationship was "healing" and that David was still his best friend.

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Stabbing: Mother Died From Multiple Wounds

Police have confirmed that a woman found dead in her home in Manchester died of stab wounds.

Officers called to a house on Mayford Road, Levenshulme on Friday discovered the body of 49-year-old Aisha Alam following reports a woman had been killed.

A Home Office post-mortem examination established that Ms Alam, who reportedly had lived at the address for 25 years and had four children, died from multiple stab wounds.

Neighbour and friend Saima Baber said that Ms Alam was "a very, very nice person".

"She was quite quiet and kept herself to herself but was such a lovely lady," Ms Baber told the Manchester Evening News.

"I would always stop and say hello and chat and I would do the same with her daughters as well who are lovely.

"We are all very shocked and scared by what's happened. I saw her daughter at about 8am and everything seemed fine."

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "A woman has been killed and our thoughts are with her family and friends at what is obviously a totally devastating time for them.

"I want to reassure her loved ones as well as those in the local community that we have a team of highly skilled detectives already working on this case but if anyone has any information please call us."

A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody for questioning.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4032 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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