Ashya's Parents Wanted Proton Beam Treatment

The parents of Ashya King have said they removed him from a Southampton hospital because they were unable to get a specialist treatment on the NHS.

In a YouTube video, Brett King said they were hoping to get to the Czech Republic to seek proton beam radiotherapy for their five-year-old son.

The treatment is currently only available to treat eye conditions on the NHS in the UK, but is already being used by European countries and in the US for a range of cancers in adults and children.

It differs from X-ray methods by focusing proton beams more precisely at cancer cells, with doses aimed directly at the tumour, and spares the healthy tissue and organs behind it.

Ashya's parents were arrested on Saturday near Marbella, Spain

Speaking in the video, Mr King said: "It zones in on the area, whereby normal radiation passes through his head and comes out the other side and destroys everything in his head.

"We pleaded with them (in Southampton) for proton beam treatment. They looked at me straight in the face and said with his cancer - which is called medulloblastoma - it would have no benefit whatsoever."

Ros Barnes, whose son Alex went to the US after he was unable to get beam therapy in the UK for his brain tumour, said she would do the same thing as Ashya's family.

She told Sky News: "We were told the same thing, that Alex's tumour wasn't suitable for proton therapy by the NHS here in this country.

His family want him to receive proton beam treatment in the Czech Republic

"The alternative here was radiotherapy, and he was only four years old at the time it would have caused extreme brain damage and probably wouldn't have worked either. So yes, I would have done the same as this family.

"They wanted us to have the operation here and for him to have radiotherapy, but he would have been blind, brain damaged and in a wheelchair, if he survived, and his prognosis was terrible."

David Langton-Gilks died in 2012 aged 16 from the same medulloblastoma after receiving treatment at the same Southampton General Hospital.

His mother Sacha said more research was desperately needed into the disease.

Ashya is now in a children's hospital

She said: "I did not want to hear what they had to say, often, and I wanted to run away. You could hear the planes going over the hospital from the airport behind you could see the ferries leaving from the children's cancer ward.

"And it's like - 'get us out of here, this just can't be right for children, surely there's a better way?'

"Unfortunately, the only better way is research... we've got to get better treatments for these children because what's available now is limited, it has horrendous side effects and I'm so sorry for the Kings."

Professor Justin Stebbing, consultant oncologist at Imperial College in London, told Sky News trials on proton beam treatment had yet to be completed.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "Decisions on treatment for individual patients are made by doctors who are best placed to know what their patient needs.

"We are investing £250m in new proton beam therapy facilities, in Manchester and in London, and more people are being funded to go overseas until facilities are available in the UK."

A spokesperson for NHS England added the NHS supported 99 children to travel abroad last year for proton beam therapy. The treatment costs an average £100,000 per patient, it added.

The only current proton beam facility is in Clatterbridge Centre for Cancer NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool.

Ashya's parents are facing extradition to the UK after they were arrested in Malaga at 9pm UK time on Saturday.

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Police On Alert Amid Nato Summit Protest

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky Reporter

Anti-war protesters have been demonstrating in Newport, as South Wales prepares to host the Nato summit.

Around 1,000 people gathered outside the crown court before they made their way through the city.

Anti-war protesters are gathering in calls for 'world peace and justice'

As well as a strong Welsh contingent, demonstrators came from as far as the US, Belgium, France and Ireland.

Police are expecting more demonstrations this week including one on Thursday that may be "something a little more challenging" as protesters try to get to Celtic Manor Resort, which is the focus of the summit.

Adam Johannes: 'It's really important another voice is heard'

Among those taking part in Saturday's march was veteran CND campaigner Bruce Kent.

He said: "Nato's continued expansion has brought about the current problems with Russia.

"If you put yourself in their shoes, you would be concerned at the growing military presence on your doorstep.

"We need to think about peaceful ways of resolving problems not ramping matters up further with the sabre rattling that Nato have been doing.

"We need to say no to Nato and no to nuclear weapons. The money being spent on Trident would far better served in health or education."

Adam Johannes, from the Stop the War Coalition, said: "Some 60 world leaders will be meeting. They'll be making their voices heard and it's really important that another voice is heard, the voice of millions of people around the world who want peace and justice, who reject the policies put forward by our leaders.

"We think these protests are really important, not only in terms of showing world leaders but also in shaping public debate."

Some 150 dignitaries, including 67 heads of state, are due to meet next Thursday and Friday at the Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, with dinners and events also planned in Cardiff.

The summit will focus on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the situation in Afghanistan, and security challenges across the Middle East and North Africa. Representatives from all 28 Nato countries are attending.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Armitt, the police officer in charge, has described it as one of the largest security operations in British history, and "completely uncharted territory".

He told Sky News: "There is huge confidence in the UK's ability to deliver a quality security operation around major events, if you look at the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, that sort of thing.

"We know we can do it and people recognise that. All the visiting countries have concerns, which we have to give them assurance about. We work very closely to make sure we do that."

Some 9,500 police officers from across the UK have been drafted in to protect the world leaders and police any demonstrations. 

Nearly 11 miles of steel fencing has been erected around the Celtic Manor Resort, in Cardiff City centre and at Cardiff Bay, where seven Nato warships will be stationed.

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James Argent Apologises For Sparking Manhunt

The Only Way Is Essex star James Argent has said he "can't apologise enough" for the worry he caused after his family reported him missing and a police manhunt was launched.

There were concerns for the reality TV star's well-being earlier because he had not been seen since 3am on Friday at his home in Woodford Green, Essex.

Argent's father later said his son had been in touch to explain his "phone was broken and he's now on his way to Blackpool".

His agent Neil Dobias also confirmed the news: "I'm not sure of any of the details but he's called home and spoken to his mum. I just know that he's safe and well."

Argent with Towie's Tom Pearce at the National Television Awards in January

Argent tweeted afterwards: "Hi I'm so sorry to have worried everyone. I'm fine and safe but again can't apologise enough x."

He was meant to be flying out of Gatwick on Friday morning, but he did not make his flight and did not contact his family, friends or agent, who he was supposed to be meeting.

They said it was was "unusual" and very out of character.

His agent told Sky News earlier: "James was meant to meet me at the airport yesterday morning for a work trip to Majorca but he never turned up and now we are all very concerned."

Argent completing the London Marathon in 2012

The 26-year-old, who joined the Towie cast along with his best friend Mark Wright when the series first aired in 2010, is known to frequent the Brentwood area and nightclubs in Redbridge.

Argent, who has more than 1.4 million followers on Twitter, mentioned missing his ex-girlfriend and Towie co-star Lydia Bright in a tweet on Thursday.

He wrote: "I really miss my old pal @LydiaRoseBright will you hurry up and get back from Italy ASAP! #Needy x."

Their will they/won't they relationship was the focus of the Essex-based show's last series.

Argent with Lydia Bright

The response on Twitter to concerns about Argent's whereabouts was huge this morning.

Former Towie star Sam Faiers tweeted: "We're all worried come home @RealJamesArgent."

Fans also expressed their concerns on social media, with one tweeting: "I hope @RealJamesArgent is found unharmed and well!! Xx."

Another wrote: "Omg can't believe it, hope @RealJamesArgent is okay."

Later, Towie star Gemma Collins tweeted: "Arg is ok."

Argent collected Towie's Bafta Audience Award in 2011 and completed the London Marathon in just over six hours in aid of Cancer Research in 2012.

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Sunday's National Newspaper Front Pages

THE PAPERS' TOP STORIES

The Observer

Former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Paddy Ashdown slams a "kneejerk" Tory response to the "jidhadist threat" as David Cameron considers stepping up anti-terror measures.

The Sunday Times

Some of Britain's most influential imams have put a fatwa, or religious decree, on British Muslims fighting alongside IS extremists in Iraq and Syria, describing them as "heretics".

Mail On Sunday

A poll for the newspaper has found that UKIP is set to defeat the Conservatives with a landslide 64% of the vote in the Clacton by-election.

Daily Star Sunday

Simon Cowell is threatening to pull the plug on X Factor if it proves a ratings flop.

The Sunday Telegraph

A "remarkable" new heart drug will cut deaths by a fifth, according to research on more than 8,000 patients.

Sunday Express

Britons fighting for the Islamic State will be banned from returning to the UK under new plans to be unveiled on Monday.

The Independent on Sunday

The Home Office is to be investigated over what Tony Blair's ministers and officials knew about the abuse of children in Rotherham.

:: Watch the Press Preview on Sky News every evening at 10.30pm and 11.30pm. Sunday night's reviewers are Labour MP Dame Tessa Jowell and Political Editor of The Sun on Sunday, David Wooding.

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20th Anniversary Of Provisional IRA Ceasefire

We knew the statement was imminent but the significance of the moment it came would be lost on no one.

It was 10:50 on Wednesday 31st August 1994, when John Daly interrupted his programme on Downtown Radio for a newsflash.

I remember his words: "And now we join David Blevins at the newsdesk on a momentous day for Northern Ireland."

I remember my words too: "In the last few minutes, the Provisional IRA has declared a complete and unequivocal ceasefire."

Bombings are no longer daily occurrences in Northern Ireland

Our political correspondent Eamonn Mallie had been among the relatively small number of journalists given access to the ground-breaking document.

The statement read: "Recognising the potential of the current situation and in order to enhance the democratic process and underlying our definitive commitment to its success, the leadership of the IRA have decided that as of midnight, August 31, there will be a complete cessation of military operations. All our units have been instructed accordingly."

My first thought was for the victims of IRA violence, whose funerals I had reported, whose families I had interviewed.

Martin McGuinness said the ceasefire was critical to ending the conflict

Ten months earlier, 10 people - including one of the bombers - had died in an IRA bomb on Belfast's Shankill Road.

Some 1,696 of the 3,466 people killed in 'The Troubles' (49%) had died at the hands of the Provisional IRA.

But Prime Minister John Major and Taoiseach Albert Reynolds had come up with a peace plan - the Downing Street Declaration.

It would culminate five years later in the Good Friday Agreement and ultimately, in the decommissioning of the IRA's weapons.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander, told the Belfast Telegraph this week: "I think of all the decisions that have been taken, if you are asking what was absolutely key and critical to end the war, and end the conflict that has existed to the detriment of all of us for far too long, the most important decision of all the decisions taken in the last 20 years was the IRA ceasefire."

On one level, Northern Ireland has been transformed in the last 20 years, with shootings and bombings no longer daily occurrences.

Simmering tensions remain over contentious issues such as parades

But dissident republicans, who oppose the political settlement, and simmering tensions at the interfaces continue to threaten a fragile peace.

Politicians have tried and failed to deal with the contentious issues of flags, parades and the legacy of the conflict.

Earlier this week, Nancy Soderberg, a former US Deputy National Security Advisor, accused them of "an abysmal abdication of leadership".

It may be another two decades before a cessation of political hostilities allows Northern Ireland to realise its full potential.

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Muslim Leaders Issue Fatwa Against IS Britons

Muslim leaders have reportedly issued a fatwa condemning Britons who fight for extremists in Iraq and Syria.

The fatwa, which The Sunday Times newspaper said had been issued by imams, is the strongest denunciation yet by the Muslim community of UK citizens who join militants of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, formerly known as ISIL and ISIS.

It comes as former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown accused Conservative ministers of "kneejerk" responses to the terrorism threat from extremists - and the US carried out airstrikes against IS fighters near Amerli in northern Iraq.

Air drops were also made to civilians in the area, including two by British Hercules aircraft, as the Iraqi army evacuated people from the besieged town as Iraqi and Kurdish forces closed in on IS fighters.

A number of Britons are known to have joined Islamic State militants

The UK Government has raised the terror threat to Britain from "substantial" to "severe", although Home Secretary Theresa May said there was no evidence to suggest an attack was "imminent".

Issued by a learned Muslim scholar, a fatwa is an edict that may concern any aspect of Islamic life.

Technically it cannot be revoked and dies only with the person it is imposed on.

The Sunday Times reported six senior Islamic scholars have endorsed the fatwa, describing Britons allied to Islamic State cells as "heretics".

According to the newspaper, the fatwa says Muslims have a "moral obligation" to help those in war-torn Syria and Iraq, but that they should do so "without betraying their own societies".

Lord Ashdown said the terror threat should be countered 'without panic'

The term fatwa rose to prominence in the West in 1989 after the author Salman Rushdie was forced into hiding after having a "death fatwa" issued against him.

It was imposed by Ayatollah Khomeni, then Supreme Leader of Iran, who said Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses, had "insulted" Islam.

Meanwhile, Lord Ashdown has argued in an article for The Observer that the current terror threat to the UK is one "one we have faced before and one we know how to deal with - effectively, without panic and without a whole new range of executive powers which could endanger our liberties".

"Indeed, when it comes to facing threats, it was surely far more difficult to cope with IRA terrorists slipping across the Irish Sea than it is to stop jihadis returning from Iraq," he wrote.

He said Prime Minister David Cameron had initially seemed to be keen to avoid a rushed response.

But he argued Tory ministers had recently "indulged in a spasm of kneejerking which would have made even St Vitus feel concerned".

"And Labour, frightened as always when it comes to liberty and security, capitulates to the demand."

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Warning Over 'Dramatic Rationing Of Care'

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

A coalition of 75 leading charities has warned of a "chronic underfunding" of social care in England, following the largest ever independent survey to be carried out into the subject.

The Care and Support Alliance says the poll has delivered a "vote of no confidence" in the system by the public.

It finds that seven out of 10 people believe they will be unable to afford care for themselves or a family member, rising to 77% among the over-60s.

Two thirds of those aged 60 and above think the Government should divert funding from other areas to social care, according to the Yougov poll of 4,500 people.

The Care and Support Alliance is made up of a wide range of organisations including major charities such as Age UK, Scope, Carers UK and the Alzheimer's Society.

They say there is now a "dramatic rationing of care".

It comes days before the final verdict of the independent Barker commission, set up by the King's Fund, which is expected to say NHS and social care should be brought together under one fund.

That would end a divide established decades ago that many argue leaves those with Alzheimer's facing inferior treatment to those with cancer.

Kate Barker, the economist leading the commission, provided possible funding options in an interim report, including the controversial idea of NHS charges.

But it is more likely that her group will call for some sort of ring-fenced tax in the final report.

Richard Hawkes, chair of the alliance, said: "Care is well and truly an election issue.

"The message from the public is loud and unambiguous. It's a real vote of no confidence.

"They are worried about who will care for them or their loved ones, if they can no longer do basic things for themselves.

"Above all, they want the Government to invest more money in the system.

"Every day, our 75 organisations hear horror stories of older and disabled people who struggle to get the support they need to simply get up, get dressed and get out of the house.

"This is also putting unbearable pressure on family carers."

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "We have given an extra £1.1 billion to councils to help protect social care services this year, but we know we need to improve the system.

"Our reforms include putting a cap on the amount people have to spend on care and bringing in a deferred payment scheme to help people cover care costs without having to sell their home in their lifetime.

"For the first time the care system will be built around the needs of each person and will focus resources on keeping people living independently for as long as possible. All this will help to create a fairer system that provides people with better care."

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Schools Struggling With Free Hot Meals Plan

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

Some primary schools will not be ready to give children free hot meals when term starts this week, it has been warned.

All state educated infants, year one and year two pupils in England are entitled to free school dinners from September under plans announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg last year.

A total of £2.30 is being allocated per pupil per day to pay for the scheme, but some councils and schools say they have not had the time or money to create the new kitchens and dining rooms that are needed.

St John Fisher Catholic Primary School in Middlesex will serve meals in the classrooms and use outside caterers until its new kitchen is completed next year.

The school's headteacher, Anne Lyons, told Sky News she supports the plans to give children free food but added: "We've had virtually no funding to implement this, other than the £2.30, which is why we don't have a kitchen.

"We've had to already buy our own furniture, tables and chairs, and so that is a strain on the budget."

Mr Clegg says the changes will ensure all children get a nutritious meal and will save parents and taxpayers money.

However, a survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) published in August found 47% of councils questioned said they had not received enough money from the Department of Education to pay for the changes.

The LGA claimed on average those that were short would need to find around £488,000 to ensure all of the pupils got meals, which could mean taking money from other budgets.

In a statement, a Department for Education spokesman said 239 schools, around 1.5%, would not be ready to serve hot meals at the beginning of term, but will provide cold food.

The statement added: "We have provided significant financial support to schools to help them deliver the policy, including over £1bn over the next two years to pay for the costs of providing the meals.

"Schools and local authorities have also received £150m of additional capital to help upgrade facilities, and we have allocated an extra £22.5m specifically to help small schools."

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Yes Campaign Accused Of 'Sinister' Mobbery

A Scotland referendum No campaigner has accused the Yes campaign of "sinister" street mobbery after his tour visits were disrupted by crowds.

Labour frontbencher Jim Murphy described the abuse as "sinister".

He said his last 12 No campaign meetings had been disrupted by hundreds of "co-ordinated" individuals throwing eggs and hurling abuse.

Mr Murphy has been staging a tour of 100 towns in 100 days with weeks to go until the referendum vote takes place.

The Scottish referendum takes place on September 18

He told Sky News: "I don't mind heckles, do you know what I don't mind people throwing eggs, that's just a dry cleaning bill that's neither here nor there.

"Instead of turning up and crowds of people on all sides, I would turn up and there was an organised mob of yes supporters facilitated through the Yes Scotland organisations, through websites, through Facebook and other social media.

"This is co-ordinated, it's sinister and there have been times, across the period, [there have been] hundreds of people involved in it.

"These are people intending to disrupt and silence undecided voters on street corners so they cannot have their say."

Polls have showed the gap between the two campaigns has narrowed

But Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond hit back at the claims, and said there were "idiots" on both sides.

He said: "I condemn any egg throwing or any intimidation from any side.

"I don't hold press conferences accusing Mr Murphy or the No campaign of orchestrating these events because I know that would be ridiculous to do so.

"If Mr Murphy comes bawling and shouting on a street corner near you anytime soon, keep doing your shopping go on with what you're doing.

"It's just like a guy with the 'end is nigh' around his neck, he'll go away soon.

"Let the rest of us get on with the real story, and that is hundreds of thousands of people, never interested in politics in their lives before, are now engaged in the most engaging, participative and empowering debate in political history."

On Saturday, Prime Minister David Cameron told the Scottish Daily Mail he was "emotional and nervous" over the independence referendum, but confident the Union would remain.

The vote takes place on September 18.

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UK Police In Spain To Question Ashya's Parents

The parents of Ashya King, who was taken out of hospital against medical advice, face being extradited to the UK after being arrested in Spain.

Officers in the Malaga area pulled over the family's car at 9pm UK time on Saturday and found the five-year-old and his parents inside after a tip-off from a staff member at the hotel where they were staying.

Sky News sources say British police have arrived in the area to question Ashya's parents - Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45.

The boy from Portsmouth, who underwent "extensive surgery" during an operation on his brain tumour seven days ago at Southampton General Hospital, was taken to a hospital in the local area.

He was in a stable condition, and there is no prospect of him being transferred to another hospital, say Sky sources.

An international search was launched after Ashya was taken on Thursday

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Shead, of Hampshire Constabulary, said his parents were in custody after being arrested on a European arrest warrant.

In response to criticism about the force's actions, he said: "Faced with the situation that we were, we had medical experts telling us Ashya was in grave danger... if he didn't get the care that he needed there was a potential threat to his life.

"So I make no apologies for being as proactive in this investigation as we have been."

He said it was too soon to say when Ashya would come back to the UK, but said Southampton General Hospital was liaising with doctors taking care of him in Spain.

Mr Shead said proceedings to extradite Mr and Mrs King to the UK are expected to start on Monday.

French media had picked up the story after Ashya was taken from hospital

The couple are due to appear in court on Monday morning, according to reports in Spain.

The arrests came as footage emerged on YouTube of Ashya's father, a Jehovah's Witness, insisting they had taken him from hospital to seek a cancer treatment not available on the NHS.

"We were much disturbed today to find that his face is all over the internet and newspapers and we've been labelled as kidnappers, putting his life at risk, neglect," he said.

"As you can see, there's nothing wrong with him. He's very happy actually, since we took him out of hospital."

He said he had spoken to specialists after Ashya's surgery and had requested proton beam treatment, which was not available on the NHS.

Ashya is now being cared for in a Spanish hospital

A spokesman for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust said: "Our priority has always been Ashya's welfare and we are delighted that he has been found.

"We are now working closely with colleagues in Malaga to ensure he receives the essential medical support he needs.

"We are aware of the comments made online by his father.

"Throughout Ashya's admission we have had conversations about the treatment options available to him, and we had offered the family access to a second opinion as well as assistance with organising treatment abroad."

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