Horsemeat Scandal: 'Prepare For More Cases'

More cases of contaminated meat may be revealed within days, the Government has warned as it raised fears that an international criminal conspiracy was behind the horse meat scandal.

The warning came as The Independent newspaper claimed up to one in 30 horses being exported to Europe for consumption could contain traces of a drug known as Bute which is harmful to humans.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said the next set of results on all retailers and manufacturers' processed beef products could reveal further traces of horsemeat.

"There may well be more bad results coming through, that's the point of doing this random analysis," Mr Paterson said.

The results, ordered by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), are due on Friday.

But David Clarke, chief executive of Red Tractor Assurance, a food guarantee scheme that covers British production standards, urged people to put the scandal into perspective.

Paterson: 'Prepare for more bad news'

He told Sky News: "The news in the last three weeks has been of great concern to consumers. But to get it in perspective it is only affected a small part of the food that is in the shops.

"I would hope that all of the fresh meat that people are eating for Sunday lunch today should not be affected by this."

Mr Clarke added that the food industry had learnt lessons from the last few weeks, namely that "this very cheap processed meat produced with raw materials that are traded all across the world, all across Europe, is potentially a problem".

Meanwhile, one of the food companies at the centre of the horsemeat scandal has said it is considering taking legal action against its suppliers.

Frozen foods firm Findus UK, which has taken its beef lasagnes off shelves after some were found to have up to 100% horsemeat in them, said it was looking into legal action as an internal investigation "strongly suggests" that the contamination "was not accidental".

The Ministry of Agriculture in Romania - to where the horsemeat has been traced - has launched an inquiry after two of its abattoirs were implicated in the scandal.

And Findus Nordic, another arm of the Findus Group, said it would sue French firm Comigel and its suppliers over horsemeat being found in beef lasagnes.

Meanwhile, the Environment Secretary also revealed retailers have agreed plans to improve their food testing, adding that they hold the "ultimate responsibility" for making sure their products do not contain horse meat.

Mr Paterson was speaking after attending an emergency meeting with bosses from leading supermarkets, trade bodies and the FSA on Saturday to discuss the scandal which has seen chains including Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Iceland withdraw some products.

Aldi has withdrawn products containing horsemeat

He said supermarkets and trade bodies had already begun plans to carry out more testing and report their results on a quarterly basis.

They had also agreed that consumers should be compensated for buying withdrawn products with no questions asked, he said.

Mr Paterson added: "It's a question of either gross incompetence, but as I've said publicly and I'll repeat again, I'm more concerned there's actually an international criminal conspiracy here, and we've really got to get to the bottom of it."

But shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh accused the Government of being too slow to act.

She told Sky's Dermot Murnaghan: "I think ministers have been completely behind the curve. Owen Paterson should have ordered tests on those burgers when they were withdrawn three weeks ago.

"We'd now been in a position to tell consumers how far the adulteration has gone, whether they're able to trust processed meat."

Scotland Yard have met representatives from the FSA, although there is currently no official police investigation.

The Trading Standards Institute has said the discovery of such high levels of horse meat suggests "deliberate fraudulent activity".

Food safety experts have said there is no risk to public health.

Tesco and Aldi have also withdrawn a range of ready meals produced by Comigel over fears that they contained contaminated meat.

The GMB union said all hospitals, schools and meals-on-wheels services should verify that horse meat had not been served to vulnerable people.

Responding to fears that school dinners might be contaminated with horsemeat, the Department for Education said schools and councils were responsible for their food contracts.

A spokeswoman for the Local Authority Caterers Association said: "We are as sure as we can be that this is not affecting the school catering area."

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Children's Road Safety TV Adverts To Be Axed

Television adverts teaching children how to cross the road are to be scrapped for the first time in 60 years - despite a rise in the number of deaths.

Campaigns such as Tufty the Squirrel and the Green Cross Code man will be axed due to Department for Transport budget cuts.

Road safety campaigners have criticised the decision, saying it will lead to more youngsters being killed on Britain's streets.

Official figures show the number of children killed or seriously injured on the roads has risen by 8%.

In the three months to September, 420 died or suffered severe injuries, compared to 390 during the same period in 2011.

The series of puppet animation road safety adverts featuring Tufty the Squirrel were created in the 1950s to introduce clear and simple safety messages.

The Green Cross Code, which has undergone several changes over the years, followed urging pedestrians to "Stop, Look, Listen, Think", or "Stop, Look, Listen, Live".

The character fronting the advert, the Green Cross Man, was a costumed superhero created in 1970 as an aid to teaching young children the code, and for promoting general road safety.

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Fox Bites Off Baby's Finger In Cot Attack

A fox dragged a one-month-old baby from his cot and mauled his hand, biting off one finger, it has been reported.

The boy was left seriously injured after the animal crept into his bedroom in Bromley, southeast London.

His mother was alerted by his screaming and rushed into his room to see his hand in the animal's mouth, the Mail On Sunday reported.

After a short struggle, the mother managed to free him, but by then his finger had been ripped off.

Plastic surgeons were able to reattach the boy's finger and he is said to be recovering well at home.

The animal had got into the family home through an open backdoor.

The fox attack happened in Bromley on Wednesday

Neighbour Paula Wellington told Sky News: "I was at work when it happened but heard about it when I got back. The ambulance was still here and then police forensics arrived.

"I've seen foxes around here before but I've never heard anything like this. I saw the mother a couple of days ago and she told me the fox had got into the house and grabbed the baby.

"She was fighting with it, trying to pull it away from the baby. She said it lasted a couple of minutes and she had to wrestle the fox off the baby.

"The fox had the baby she said and she was really shaken by it. It's really scared everyone and the family have now moved out."

Another neighbour, Khadine Peters, said: "I was on the school run but when I got back I heard people screaming that a fox had attacked the baby. I think it's really terrible. You see them around here all the time.

"I look out of my window and often see a big fox sitting on the grass in the front garden. Something should be done about it but nothing has, no one from the council has been around."

Boris Johnson: 'Something must be done'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We were called at 1638 on February 6 by staff at St Thomas's Hospital to reports a baby boy who had been admitted to hospital after being attacked by a fox.

"Police attended to find a four-week-old baby with a hand injury. The baby was admitted to hospital after the attack at its home address in Bromley."

London Mayor Boris Johnson said more needs to be done to deal with the problem of urban foxes.

"Thankfully this sort of attack, though terrible, is rare, but we must do more to tackle the growing problem of urban foxes," he said.

"They may appear cuddly and romantic but foxes are a pest and a menace, particularly in our cities."

A spokesperson from Lewisham Council, the local authority that covers the area, said: "Although rare, fox attacks can be devastating as this tragic case shows and our thoughts go out to the family at this difficult time."

The spokesperson advised residents to make their homes and back gardens "less attractive to foxes" by using repellents and "making sure that waste food is always disposed of in secure, lidded bins and containers".

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the only reason a fox would attack is due to fear.

"It's extremely unusual for foxes to attack young children or anyone," she said.

Lola (L) and Isabella Koupparis were attacked by a fox in June 2010

"It's not typical fox behaviour at all. Foxes will come closer to a house if there are food sources.

"Then they can become quite bold, but they usually do back off and run away when there's people around."

In June 2010, twin baby sisters Lola and Isabella Koupparis were attacked by a fox while sleeping in their cots in east London.

Isabella was found with deep cuts to her arm and Lola's face was covered in blood. Both underwent surgery at the Royal London Hospital.

The issue of foxes attacking humans has divided the public, with many sceptics questioning recent cases amid fears of a backlash against urban foxes.

In April last year, wildlife presenter Chris Packham said he simply did not believe reports of people getting attacked by the animals.

The broadcaster said there was no proof foxes attack dogs and cats and would only do so except in "exceptional circumstances".

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Frances Andrade 'Devastated' At Being Called Liar

A woman who killed herself during the trial of a man who abused her was left "devastated" after being called a liar in court, her husband has said.

Frances Andrade's testimony was central to the case against choirmaster Michael Brewer and his ex-wife Kay, who were found guilty of sexually assaulting their victim more than 30 years ago.

However the 48-year-old's body was found less than a week after she gave evidence in the trial at Manchester Crown Court.

She had taken personal issue with some of the questions put to her by Kate Blackwell QC, representing Brewer, during cross examination.

Mrs Andrade told her: "You are hugely insulting, even though it's your job."

Her husband Levine, 59, told the Mail on Sunday: "She was dreading being a witness. She had to go on anti-depressants, possibly her drugs were getting stronger and having no effect, but the court tipped her over the edge."

He said Mrs Andrade was adopted as a baby, and abused by an uncle from the age of three.

Her mother did not believe her, he said, which made Ms Blackwell's accusation that she was a liar even harder to bear.

"That was devastating because it's what her mother used to tell her.

Andrade was described as an "amazing person" by friends and family

"I know it's not personal, she [the barrister] has to do that, she has to attack, she has to defend her client.

"But Fran found it amazing that a woman could do a job like that.

"I understand. If I was put in that position as the accused, I'd want the very best fighting on my behalf but maybe it was unfair it was a woman. Maybe she was chosen thus.

"I hope they can change the law. Fran felt as if she was on trial. She kept saying: 'I can see why nobody comes forward. I can see how people crack under the pressure'."

He added: "If only she could have heard the verdict today. It's not the most amazing verdict but at least it shows she wasn't lying. They believed her."

Mr Andrade also criticised the court system, saying it was difficult for people to defend themselves.

"Fran said it was particularly awful because in a normal conversation you can defend yourself, but she got reprimanded so many times for fighting back.

"They talk about telling the truth, the whole truth, but you don't get the chance.

"When Brewer completely denied it, Fran went ballistic. It's like the Nazis – you can forgive but don't ask anyone to forget."

Despite Mr Andrade's criticisms, the judge in the case indicated that Ms Blackwell had acted professionally.

The police have also said that they urge all sexual assault victims to seek support.

Brewer, 68, a former National Youth Choir music director, and his ex-wife Kay, were both found guilty on five counts of indecently assaulting the former music student. They will be sentenced later.

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Baftas: Daniel Day-Lewis Tipped For Glory

Daniel Day-Lewis' dominance of the awards season is expected to continue at the Baftas tonight, where he is the hot favourite to win the Best Actor award.

The star, who has already won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award for his performance in the title role of Steven Spielberg's political biopic Lincoln, is also tipped to win an Oscar later this month.

He will be joined at tonight's event by some of Hollywood's biggest names including Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway and George Clooney.

Dame Helen Mirren, Hugh Jackman, Javier Bardem and Jennifer Lawrence are also among the stars who will be treading the red carpet at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Dame Helen Mirren has been nominated in the Best Actress category

Lincoln leads the field in terms of nominations with 10 in total, with nine each for Les Miserables and Life Of Pi.

Bookmakers William Hill have made Day-Lewis, who plays US President Abraham Lincoln in the film, 1/25 on to win the Bafta and are also predicting success for the Bond film Skyfall.

Two Bond stars - Dame Judi Dench and Javier Bardem - get nods, with Skyfall itself nominated for Best British Film.

A spokesman for William Hill said: "Skyfall is arguably the best Bond in 50 years and we think that the British Academy will be tempted to recognise that on Sunday night."

Dame Judi Dench is in the running for her role in Skyfall

Bardem's performance as Bond villain Raoul Silva in Skyfall has been recognised with a nomination for Supporting Actor along with Day-Lewis' Lincoln co-star Tommy Lee Jones, Alan Arkin, Christoph Waltz and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Dame Judi is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as spy master M in the same film, which has eight nominations.

Dame Helen is nominated in the Best Actress category for her role in Hitchcock - playing the wife of the filmmaker.

She is joined on the shortlist by Amour star Emmanuelle Riva, Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook, Rust and Bone's Marion Cotillard and Jessica Chastain for Zero Dark Thirty.

Day-Lewis' Best Actor nomination sees him up against names including Ben Affleck and Hathaway's co-star Hugh Jackman.

The short-list is completed by Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook and Joaquin Phoenix for The Master.

:: BAFTA CONTENDERS

Best Film

Argo

Les Miserables

Life Of Pi

Lincoln

Zero Dark Thirty

Outstanding British Film

Anna Karenina

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Les Miserables

Seven Psychopaths

Skyfall

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer

Bart Layton, Dimitro Doganis - The Imposter

David Morris, Jacqui Morris - McCullin

Dexter Fletcher, Danny King - Wild Bill

James Bobin - The Muppets

Tina Gharavi - I Am Nasrine

Film Not in the English Language

Amour

Headhunters

The Hunt

Rust And Bone

Untouchable

Documentary

The Imposter

Marley

McCullin

Searching For Sugar Man

West Of Memphis

Animated Film

Brave

Frankenweenie

Paranorman

Director

Michael Haneke - Amour

Ben Affleck - Argo

Quentin Tarantino - Django Unchained

Ang Lee - Life Of Pi

Kathryn Bigelow - Zero Dark Thirty

Original Screenplay

Michael Haneke - Amour

Quentin Tarantino - Django Unchained

Paul Thomas Anderson - The Master

Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola - Moonrise Kingdom

Mark Boal - Zero Dark Thirty

Adapted Screenplay

Chris Terrio - Argo

Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin - Beasts Of The Southern Wild

David Magee - Life Of Pi

Tony Kushner - Lincoln

David O Russell - Silver Linings Playbook

Leading Actor

Ben Affleck - Argo

Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln

Hugh Jackman - Les Miserables

Joaquin Phoenix - The Master

Leading Actress

Emmanuelle Riva - Amour

Helen Mirren - Hitchcock

Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook

Jessica Chastain - Zero Dark Thirty

Marion Cotillard - Rust And Bone

Supporting Actor

Alan Arkin - Argo

Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained

Javier Bardem - Skyfall

Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master

Tommy Lee Jones - Lincoln

Supporting Actress

Amy Adams - The Master

Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables

Helen Hunt - The Sessions

Judi Dench - Skyfall

Sally Field - Lincoln

Original Music

Anna Karenina (Dario Marianelli)

Argo (Alexandre Desplat)

Life Of Pi (Mychael Danna)

Lincoln (John Williams)

Skyfall (Thomas Newman)

Cinematography

Anna Karenina (Seamus McGarvey)

Les Miserables (Danny Cohen)

Life Of Pi (Claudio Miranda)

Lincoln (Janusz Kaminski)

Skyfall (Roger Deakins)

Editing

Argo (William Goldenberg)

Django Unchained (Fred Raskin)

Life Of Pi (Tim Squyres)

Skyfall (Stuart Baird)

Zero Dark Thirty (Dylan Tichenor, William Goldenberg)

Production Design

Anna Karenina (Sarah Greenwood)

Les Miserables (Eve Stewart, Anna Lynch-Robinson)

Life Of Pi (David Gropman, Anna Pinnock)

Lincoln (Rick Carter, Jim Erickson)

Skyfall (Dennis Gassner, Anna Pinnock)

Costume Design

Anna Karenina (Jaqueline Durran)

Great Expectations (Beatrix Aruna Pasztor)

Les Miserables (Paco Delgado)

Lincoln (Joanna Johnston)

Snow White And The Huntsman (Colleen Atwood)

Make-up and Hair

Anna Karenina (Ivana Primorac)

Hitchcock (Julie Hewett, Martin Samuel, Howard Berger)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Peter Swords King, Richard Taylor, Rick Findlater)

Les Miserables (Lisa Westcott)

Lincoln (Lois Burwell, Kay Georgiou)

Sound

Django Unchained

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Les Miserables

Life Of Pi

Skyfall

Special Visual Effects

The Dark Knight Rises

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Life Of Pi

Marvel Avengers Assemble

Prometheus

Short Animation

Here To Fall

I'm Fine Thanks

The Making Of Longbird

Short Film

The Curse

Good Night

Swimmer

Tumult

The Voorman Problem

THE EE Rising Star Award (voted for by the public)

Elizabeth Olsen

Andrea Riseborough

Suraj Sharma

Juno Temple

Alicia Vikander

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Snow To Fall Again As Wintry Weather Returns

Forecasters have warned that another burst of wintry weather is due to hit parts of Britain.

Some areas of central and southern England may see between two and five centimetres of snow by the early Monday, potentially making conditions difficult for commuters.

MeteoGroup forecaster Paul Mott said by this evening there will be significant snow developing in central and southern parts of the UK.

"It won't be everywhere, we are thinking of parts of the Midlands, parts of Wales, East Anglia, areas to the north of London," he said.

"London could see a couple of centimetres, but it is more likely in suburban areas north of the capital.

"The snow could make conditions difficult in the Monday morning rush hour, but it is not expected to last long into the day, and temperatures above freezing should see it go."

Sky News meteorologist Chris England is forecasting outbreaks of sleet and snow today in southern Scotland and northern and eastern England.

"The snow will be mainly on the hills, but will descend to lower levels in the east," he said.

"The afternoon will stay wet for most, with more snow in the north and east. Some heavy, disruptive falls are likely during the evening and overnight."

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NHS Scandal: 'Failing Staff Must Be Struck Off'

The doctors, nurses and manager responsible for the failings that led to hundreds of deaths in an NHS care scandal should be struck off, the Health Secretary has said.

Jeremy Hunt said the failure to hold anyone to account for the events at Stafford Hospital was "one of the most shocking things about this".

"I think this is a problem, I think accountability is very, very important," he told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show.

Asked whether the doctors, nurses and managers responsible for the situation should be struck off, he said: "Absolutely.

"The question I ask as Health Secretary is why is it we have a system where potentially 1,000 people have lost their lives because of bad care and no-one's brought to book.

"But I also don't want to make the mistake of thinking this was all about bad apples."

Mr Hunt has also indicated police should follow up the evidence arising from Robert Francis's inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The inquiry report described a "disaster" in standards of basic care and medical treatment that could have caused up to 1,200 premature deaths.

Up to 1,000 people lost their lives because of sub-standard care

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg also reiterated on Sunday that the police should look at the evidence to establish where there is "clear culpability".

He told Sky News' Murnaghan programme: "My own view has always been that there are parts of poor and criminal behaviour in our society where we are sometimes not tough enough.

"We have seen the anger, quite legitimate public anger about the terrible failings in the banking system - I think quite understandably many people say when are people going to be held to account for this?

"But who is held to account, for what offence, is of course at the end of the day a matter for the police.

"That is why it is quite right that Jeremy Hunt has said that the police should be able to follow the evidence."

He continued: "Some of the individuals who were in management responsibilities at the time are no longer in those positions of responsibility and have long moved on. So you need to look at the detail."

In his report last week Mr Francis said there were failings at every level of the NHS and that the culture among healthcare staff must change.

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Paul Gascoigne In Intensive Care After Detox

Former England football star Paul Gascoigne has been taken to intensive care in the United States after his health declined.

The 45-year-old went to a clinic to help his battle against alcohol addiction but was taken ill and needed hospital care.

Gascoigne's former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Gary Mabbutt told Sky Sports News he had a bad reaction to a detox treatment at a clinic in Arizona .

He has been admitted to hospital for observation, but the indications were he was recovering and would soon be well enough to return to the clinic.

Mabbutt said: "Unfortunately over the last few weeks Paul has had a relapse, which culminated finally, last Monday, in Paul asking for help.

"By Monday afternoon he was on a plane out to Arizona to a clinic specialising in dealing with Paul's specific problems.

"The first thing he underwent was a detox, unfortunately Paul had a very bad reaction to the detox and the clinic decided that as a precaution it was best to transfer him to hospital.

"He was transferred to hospital in intensive care where they could monitor him 24-7.

"But I spoke to Paul's medical team in the UK this morning, they had spoken to Paul and he's recovering and hopefully soon he will be back into the clinic to continue his rehab.

"Over the years he has had a lot of support from the football family, but of course it could be a long road to recovery. Now Paul's asked for the help we can focus on getting through this."

Gascoigne's former England and Tottenham team-mate Gary Lineker tweeted this morning: "Gazza is struggling, Let's hope he can hang on in there. Others have generously offered help. #GetwellGazza."

TalkSPORT presenter and former England cricketer Ronnie Irani and Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans, a long-term friend of Gascoigne, organised his flight to the centre in Phoenix.

The move came following a charity appearance in Northampton during which Gascoigne appeared unwell and shaking.

He then broke down and sobbed on stage in front of a room full of fans.

Irani said last week: "I had a chat with Chris Evans and he just asked how we could help him.

Gascoigne, who has spoken about alcoholism problems in the past, was sectioned five years ago under the Mental Health Act.

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Man Crushed To Death By Door At Music Venue

A man was killed and another suffered serious head injuries after a metal door fell on them at a music venue.

Police were called to G Live in Guildford, Surrey, at about 11.45am on Saturday after a report that two men were trapped beneath the large door.

One of them men had serious leg injuries. He was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other man, who is a member of the popular singing band Fisherman's Friends, was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting with serious head injuries. He has not been named.

The Cornish-based group had been due to perform at the venue just before midday on Saturday. The gig was called off following the accident.

The group was due to perform at the venue when the accident happened

A spokesman for the 10-member band said: "Tragically, a member of the Fisherman's Friends touring party died yesterday following an accident at the G Live venue in Guildford where the group were due to perform.

"One of the Fisherman's Friends was also seriously injured in the accident and remains in hospital."

In a statement Darcus Beese, president of Island Records, the group's label, said: "Everyone here is shocked by this tragic event. Our hopes and prayers go out to the friends and families of those involved."

Fisherman's Friends, from Port Isaac, has been performing shanty music together for more than 15 years, said the group's website.

Saturday night's event at G Live was also cancelled and G Live staff contacted all ticket holders.

Police say their inquiries are in the early stages.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the death.

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Man Arrested Over Toddler Death

Police investigating the death of a three-year-old girl in Sheffield have arrested a man on suspicion of murder.

An ambulance was called to a property on Beck Road, Shiregreen, on Friday night and the infant was taken to hospital where she died a short time later.

More follows...

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