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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