Royal Prank Call Nurse 'Was Found Hanged'

Timeline: Kate Prank Call Tragedy

Updated: 4:38am UK, Tuesday 11 December 2012

Here are some of the key developments surrounding the death of hospital nurse Jacintha Saldanha following a hoax phone call by two Australian radio hosts.

Monday, December 3
The Duchess of Cambridge is admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London with severe morning sickness.

Tuesday, December 4
2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian make their hoax call to the hospital in the early hours of the morning, posing as the Queen and Prince Charles. Nurse Jacintha Saldanha puts them through to a colleague who divulges details of how doctors have been treating the Duchess.

Wednesday, December 5
A King Edward VII's Hospital spokesman confirms the Australian radio station made the prank call, saying it "deplores" the act and is conducting a review of its phone system.

Thursday, December 6
The Duchess of Cambridge leaves hospital.

Friday, December 7
:: Ms Saldanha is pronounced dead at staff accommodation close to the hospital. She is thought to have taken her own life, although a post-mortem examination is yet to be held.

:: King Edward VII's Hospital releases a statement saying: "It is with very deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Ms Saldanha. She was an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues."

:: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge send their condolences to Ms Saldanha's family.

Saturday, December 8
:: Ms Saldanha's family in southwest India speak of their heartache. Her mother-in-law, Carmine Barboza, says: "Jacintha was a very caring woman. She used to call us every Sunday without fail. We just cannot believe what has happened."

:: Ms Greig and Mr Christian go on indefinite leave from the radio station after they are bombarded with abusive and threatening messages on social media websites.

::  Lord Glenarthur, chairman of the King Edward VII's Hospital, writes a latter to 2Day FM calling for the "truly appalling" broadcast to "never be repeated".

:: Max Moore-Wilton, chairman of Southern Cross Austereo which owns 2Day FM, describes the events over the past few days as "tragic", but adds: "The outcome was unforeseeable and very regrettable."

Sunday, December 9
:: It emerges Mel Greig and Michael Christian may be questioned by London's Metropolitan Police.

:: Ms Greig and Mr Christian express a desire to speak about the tragedy, but are still in hiding.

:: The Australian Communications and Media Authority, which regulates radio broadcasting, says it is considering whether it should launch an investigation into whether the presenters breached the commercial radio code of practice.

Monday, December 10

:: Mr Christian and Ms Greig break their silence, expressing their regret and sorrow over the tragedy in a series of emotional Australian TV interviews. They insist they never expected their phone call to go so far and thought hospital staff would hang up on them. Both extend sympathy to Ms Saldanha's family.

:: Ms Saldanha's family pay tribute to a "loving mother and wife". Speaking on their behalf, MP Keith Vaz says: "They are really grateful for the support of the British public and the public overseas for the messages of support and kindness."

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Mutant Rats: Catchers Call For Stronger Poison

Rat catchers are asking for permission to use stronger poisons to deal with a plague of super rats that have developed resistance to common vermin control methods.

The mutant brown rats, which carry life-threatening diseases, have been emerging from their traditional havens in sewers and ditches and taking refuge in people's homes.

The problem has been made worse by recent wet weather, which has driven hordes of rats from flooded drains.

Some of the worst-hit areas are in the affluent home counties including Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxford and Henley-on-Thames, home to the Royal Regatta.

The Health and Safety Executive has been running a consultation after poison manufacturers applied to use stronger poisons, including brodifacoum which is currently restricted to indoor use, to control the UK's estimated 80 million rat population.

Graham Chapple says the mutant rats are "breeding prolifically"

Graham Chapple from Newbury-based Rapid Pest Control told Sky News: "They're super rats in that they've genetically mutated and developed resistance to the poisons we currently use.

"The recent wet weather and flooding we've had has seen them pushed out of the sewers and we've had a lot more calls about people seeing rats in the loft or spotting them during the day, which used to be relatively rare.

"They're just looking for somewhere safe to do what rats do, which is breed prolifically.

"The mutations seem to be spreading reasonably quickly and I know they are having problems in Birmingham, Scotland, Hampshire and other areas.

"It is not so much that brodifacoum is a stronger poison, just that the rats haven't developed resistance to it, so it will be much more effective."

Rats carry diseases that can be passed on to humans, including Weil's disease, which can lead to kidney failure.

Olympic champion Andy Holmes, Sir Steve Redgrave's partner in the 1988 Seoul Games, died from Weil's disease in 2010 after falling ill following a rowing event in Lincolnshire.

Last month a couple in Camden, north London, found their baby girl covered in blood after being bitten by a rat.

Brian Watson, with the "giant rat" he found and killed

In April, grandad Brian Watson told how he battered a "giant rat" to death in Consett, County Durham.

University of Reading researcher Alan Buckle has backed the use of new poisons after finding evidence of rats in Oxfordshire and Berkshire developing resistance to conventional rodenticides.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "Studies show a large part of southern England has rats who have mutated to resist standard poisons.

"Pest controllers are having problems and more potent poisons need to be used carefully and responsibly."

Environmental experts have raised concerns about the danger of brodifacoum - which bleeds the rodents to death - and other strong poisons killing other wildlife, such as barn owls who would eat dead rats, if used outdoors.

The Health and Safety Executive said it had been running a consultation on the issue for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

A spokesman said: "We recognise there may be problems with resistance to some rodenticides in certain areas within the UK and therefore there is a demand for certain products to be used outdoors, which currently are restricted from such use.

"We are considering the current position for dutyholders to be able to use these products.

"To help inform the decision making process HSE has recently conducted a stakeholder engagement initiative and HSE is in the process of reviewing the responses received as a result."

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April Jones: Search To Continue Into New Year

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

As police continue their search for the body of April Jones, her parents say their tragic loss does not get any easier to bear.

It has been 10 weeks since the five-year-old vanished near her home in Machynlleth, Powys.

A statement from her parents, Coral and Paul, said: "We understand that Christmas will be a particularly difficult time without April being amongst us, but as parents of Harley and Jazmin, we will obviously acknowledge the festive season as best we can.

"We realise that this is a big news story, but for us it is our life, and we are coming to terms with the fact that our baby girl has been taken from us."

Police say officers from all corners of the UK are helping in the search operation.

There are 16 search teams comprising of a leader and six officers, as well as twelve specially trained dogs.

They are involved in one of the largest search operations in police history.

Specialists have been searching rivers and the sea as well as mines and quarries.

Superintendent Ian John said: "We will keep looking until we are satisfied that we have exhausted all lines of inquiry.

"We are not putting an end date on the operation and we are not willing to speculate how long it will last.

"But we will say that we are committed to stay here until we can be sure that there are no more viable places to look for April's body.

"The investigation team will continue their work to uncover what happened that evening and to prepare for the trial."

Mark Bridger, 46, from Ceinws, near Machynlleth, has been charged with April's murder, child abduction and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

He remains in custody with a court appearance set for next month.

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UK Scientists Drill Through Antarctic Ice

British scientists have begun drilling through the Antarctic ice in the hope of finding extreme life forms in a hidden lake.

The team of 12 scientists are using hot water to melt a borehole through 3km (2 miles) of the continental ice sheet to reach Lake Ellsworth.

The freshwater has been sealed off by the ice sheet for up to half a million years, and is kept liquid by the warmth of the bedrock.

Scientists hope to find microbes that somehow survive in the cold, dark water with few nutrients.

Engineer Andy Tait from British Antarctic Survey said the drill uses water heated to 90 degrees Celsius and pressurised to 2,000 PSI - 20 times more powerful than a car jet-wash.

"This is a huge but delicate operation," he said.

"This will be the deepest borehole ever made this way. It is the most effective way to obtain rapid, clean access to Lake Ellsworth."

The team hopes to reach the pristine lake in four to five days.

They will then drop down sterile probes to sample the water, and take a 3m (10 foot) long core of the lake sediment.

They will have just 24 hours to complete the mission before the borehole re-freezes.

The team hopes to obtain 'clean access' to the lake

Principle investigator Martin Siegert from the University of Bristol said: "We are about to explore the unknown and I am very excited that our mission will advance our scientific understanding of Antarctica's hidden world.

"Right now we are working around the clock in a cold, demanding and extreme location. It's testing our own personal endurance, but it is entirely worth it."

If microbes are discovered, it will encourage scientists who believe life could exist in similar lakes beneath the icy crust of Jupiter's moon Europa.

Lake Ellsworth could also reveal whether the Antarctic ice has ever disappeared in the past - and whether climate change could cause it to melt again, with a catastrophic rise in sea-levels.

The mission is a consortium of the British Antarctic Survey, the National Oceanography Centre and nine universities. It is funded by the National Environment Research Council.

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'Shocking' State Collusion On Finucane Murder

The notorious murder of Pat Finucane in Northern Ireland may never have happened had it not been for "shocking" state collusion, according to a new report.

A review by a leading QC found there was "significant doubt" that Mr Finucane would have been shot dead without the involvement of state agents.

State employees "actively furthered and facilitated" the murder, which was carried out by loyalist paramilitaries in 1989 as Mr Finucane ate dinner with his family.

Sir Desmond de Silva's report concluded that they and state agents played "key roles" in the killing, which is one of the most controversial in Northern Ireland's bloody history.

MPs heard that this involved targeting Mr Finucane, supplying and then helping dispose of a murder weapon and later seeking to obstruct the police investigation.

"It cannot be argued that these were rogue agents," Prime Minister David Cameron said in a sombre statement to the Commons.

Geraldine Finucane and daughter Katherine

The report even said that an officer with the Royal Ulster Constabulary - the official police force at the time - probably proposed Mr Finucane as a possible target.

However, it did dismiss the idea of a wider conspiracy - stressing that no ministers had been aware of the plot or later cover-up.

Despite the stark findings, Mr Finucane's family claimed the review was a "suppression of the truth" that sought to exonerate the British government, Army and intelligence services.

The solicitor's wife Geraldine said: "The dirt has been swept under the carpet without any serious attempt to lift the lid on what really happened to Pat and so many others.

"This report is a sham, this report is a whitewash, this report is a confidence trick dressed up as independent scrutiny and given invisible clothes of reliability but most of all, most hurtful and insulting of all, this report is not the truth."

Other shocking conclusions in de Silva review include:

:: The Army and Special Branch had advance notice of a series of planned assassinations by loyalists but nothing was done.

:: Brian Nelson and William Stobie were agents in the pay of the state involved in the Finucane murder and a third man became an agent after the shooting.

:: There was a "relentless" effort to cover up after the killing as senior Army officers "deliberately lied" to investigators and tried to mislead the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Finucane represented high profile republicans including IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands and was at the peak of his career when he died.

He was shot 14 times in front of his wife and children in the attack on February 12 1989.

His family have led a long campaign for a full public inquiry but their pleas were rejected last year in favour of a new review conducted in private.

David Cameron deliving his statement on the report in the Commons

Sir Desmond wrote: "My review of the evidence relating to Patrick Finucane's case has left me in no doubt that agents of the State were involved in carrying out serious violations of human rights up to and including murder.

"However, despite the different strands of involvement by elements of the State, I am satisfied that they were not linked to an over-arching State conspiracy to murder Patrick Finucane."

The report was handed to the family earlier on Wednesday before the Prime Minister updated MPs in an address reminiscent of his statement after the Bloody Sunday inquiry.

Describing the killing as "an appalling crime", Mr Cameron said reading the findings was "agony".

"The collusion demonstrated beyond any doubt by Sir Desmond - which included the involvement of state agents in murder - is totally unacceptable," he told MPs.

"We do not defend our security forces - or the many who have served in them with great distinction - by trying to claim otherwise.

"Collusion should never ever happen. So on behalf of the Government and the whole country, let me say again to the Finucane family: I am deeply sorry."

Mrs Finucane said she accepted Mr Cameron's apology but suggested he had little choice but to offer one.

"He is a human being. He probably does think it is an atrocious act. But unfortunately he is quite removed from Northern Ireland or what went on in the late 80s so maybe it isn't very hard for him to apologise.

"I will give him the benefit of the doubt and accept the apology but it doesn't go far enough because I don't really know what he is apologising for."

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M6 Chemical Tanker Fire: 10 People Treated

Firefighters were among a group of people treated at the scene of a chemical tanker fire that closed the M6, north of Coventry.

Emergency services said 10 people, including the lorry driver and eight firefighters, were taken to hospital as a precaution after the tanker caught fire at about 9.40am.

One person remained in hospital, authorities said.

A section of the motorway was closed in both directions and motorists experienced long delays, the Highways Agency said.

Some drivers caught up in the traffic queue behind the accident were evacuated from their cars after firefighters put in a 1km exclusion zone.

Some motorists were evacuated (Image: Andrew Hawley)

The ambulance services said more than 100 people were taken to a nearby service station to undergo checks, while local residents were advised to shut their windows.

Warwickshire Police said the drama happened after a tyre blew out and caught fire.

Andrew Hawley, who was at the scene, said on Twitter that the situation was "a nightmare" and he expected to be stuck for hours.

Drivers were advised to stay away from the area as delays were expected to continue late into the day.

Motorists experienced long delays

The motorway was closed northbound between J3 and J3A and southbound between J4 and J3.

The J2 and J3 northbound access and the slip road from Corley Services between J3 and J4 were also closed.

The Highways Agency advised northbound traffic to come off at J2 and use the A46 southbound, A45 and then A452 in order to rejoin the motorway at J4.

Motorists wanting to travel along the M6 from the junction of the A14 and M1 J19 at Catthorpe are advised to use the M1 and A50 instead, while those heading north from London were advised to use the M40.

"Due to the motorway being closed there is a massive tailback of traffic and we are currently advising people to stay away from the area," a police spokeswoman said.

"Fire service are in attendance at the moment at the vehicle and it looks like it could be quite a long job."

Three ambulances were sent to the scene, as well as a rapid response vehicle, paramedics and specialist hazardous area response teams.

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Criminals Receive Christmas Cards From Police

West Midlands Police are sending personalised Christmas cards to criminals warning them to stay away from a life of crime.

The cards, which come in two varieties, are being distributed over the next few days.

The greeting cards are specifically aimed at repeat offenders and hope to deter burglars, robbers and car thieves living in the region from committing further crimes.

"All the presents in the world won't make up for your lack of presence" is the message written on all cards.

The rest of the missive depends on a criminal's personal circumstances.

Felons with a family will receive cards with a wide-eyed child telling their parent that "all I want for Christmas is for you to be there".

The cards have been specially chosen to fit with the criminal's background

For single criminals, the police have opted for a card showing a Christmas dinner table and the words "all we want for Christmas is for you to be there".

The force's Chief Superintendent, Neil Evans, said that "the temptation to commit crime can rise over the seasonal period when members of the public are purchasing high value items".

"We're offering help so our message is, don't ignore it - accept it," he added.

Inside the card is information on how to make contact with officers to seek help with getting off drugs, finding somewhere to live or staying out of trouble with the authorities.

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Submariner Jailed Over State Secrets Breach

By Niall Paterson, Sky News Correspondent

A Royal Navy submariner who attempted to pass top secret information to Russian spies - who later were revealed to be British agents - has been jailed for eight years.

Edward Devenney, 30, was told he had betrayed his country and his colleagues.

Petty Officer Devenney, a mariner with over 11 years service, met two men he believed were named "Vladimir" and "Dimitri" in a London hotel and provided them with sensitive material regarding the movement of British nuclear submarines and operations they had conducted.

But the men were British agents and Devenney was soon arrested and charged with a breach of the Official Secrets Act and misconduct in a public office.

The court heard that Devenney, from Northern Ireland, had suffered bouts of depression and was drinking heavily following a trial for rape, for which he was acquitted.

Police handout of Devenney

His performance at work suffered, so much so that he withdrew himself from a training course and was told in January of this year that if he did not improve by April he would be discharged.

Mr Justice Saunders, sentencing him at the Old Bailey, said Devenney knew what he was doing when he met the two men in January.

He added: "He did supply details of movements and operations carried out and to be carried out by nuclear submarines.

"I am satisfied that in the wrong hands it was capable of affecting the operational effectiveness of nuclear submarines.

"This is a very serious case. The defendant was prepared to betray his country and his colleagues."

Devenney pleaded guilty to breaching the Official Secrets Act by gathering classified information and misconduct by meeting the supposed spies.

Outside court, solicitor Richard Cannon read a statement on behalf of Devenney which said: "I am deeply sorry for the hurt and shame that I have brought on my family and loved ones.

"Prior to these events I gave the Royal Navy 11 and a half years of service and I deeply regret my actions and the effect they have had on the Submarine Service and colleagues."

Mari Reid, unit head for the CPS counter-terrorism division, said: "This was a classic story of betrayal.

"Edward Devenney was employed by the Royal Navy to protect this country from potential threats to our security. Instead, he pursued a course of conduct likely to put his country at risk.

"We rely on the men and women of our armed forces to keep us safe. It is hard to imagine a greater breach of that role than Devenney's actions."

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Oz Watchdog To Investigate Hoax Call Station

Timeline: Kate Prank Call Tragedy

Updated: 4:38am UK, Tuesday 11 December 2012

Here are some of the key developments surrounding the death of hospital nurse Jacintha Saldanha following a hoax phone call by two Australian radio hosts.

Monday, December 3
The Duchess of Cambridge is admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London with severe morning sickness.

Tuesday, December 4
2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian make their hoax call to the hospital in the early hours of the morning, posing as the Queen and Prince Charles. Nurse Jacintha Saldanha puts them through to a colleague who divulges details of how doctors have been treating the Duchess.

Wednesday, December 5
A King Edward VII's Hospital spokesman confirms the Australian radio station made the prank call, saying it "deplores" the act and is conducting a review of its phone system.

Thursday, December 6
The Duchess of Cambridge leaves hospital.

Friday, December 7
:: Ms Saldanha is pronounced dead at staff accommodation close to the hospital. She is thought to have taken her own life, although a post-mortem examination is yet to be held.

:: King Edward VII's Hospital releases a statement saying: "It is with very deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Ms Saldanha. She was an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues."

:: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge send their condolences to Ms Saldanha's family.

Saturday, December 8
:: Ms Saldanha's family in southwest India speak of their heartache. Her mother-in-law, Carmine Barboza, says: "Jacintha was a very caring woman. She used to call us every Sunday without fail. We just cannot believe what has happened."

:: Ms Greig and Mr Christian go on indefinite leave from the radio station after they are bombarded with abusive and threatening messages on social media websites.

::  Lord Glenarthur, chairman of the King Edward VII's Hospital, writes a latter to 2Day FM calling for the "truly appalling" broadcast to "never be repeated".

:: Max Moore-Wilton, chairman of Southern Cross Austereo which owns 2Day FM, describes the events over the past few days as "tragic", but adds: "The outcome was unforeseeable and very regrettable."

Sunday, December 9
:: It emerges Mel Greig and Michael Christian may be questioned by London's Metropolitan Police.

:: Ms Greig and Mr Christian express a desire to speak about the tragedy, but are still in hiding.

:: The Australian Communications and Media Authority, which regulates radio broadcasting, says it is considering whether it should launch an investigation into whether the presenters breached the commercial radio code of practice.

Monday, December 10

:: Mr Christian and Ms Greig break their silence, expressing their regret and sorrow over the tragedy in a series of emotional Australian TV interviews. They insist they never expected their phone call to go so far and thought hospital staff would hang up on them. Both extend sympathy to Ms Saldanha's family.

:: Ms Saldanha's family pay tribute to a "loving mother and wife". Speaking on their behalf, MP Keith Vaz says: "They are really grateful for the support of the British public and the public overseas for the messages of support and kindness."

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Mick Jagger Love Letters Sell For £187,000

Passionate letters sent by Mick Jagger to his secret lover in the summer of 1969 have sold for £187,250.

The Rolling Stones front man penned the love notes - which include song lyrics and a band playlist - to singer Marsha Hunt in the summer of 1969.

The American, who was the inspiration for the 1971 Stones hit Brown Sugar, had expected to receive between £70,000 and £100,000 for the 10 letters.

After the sale, Hunt said: "The passage of time has given these letters a place in our cultural history.

"1969 saw the ebbing of a crucial, revolutionary era, highly influenced by such artists as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, James Brown and Bob Dylan.

"Their inner thoughts should not be the property of only their families, but the public at large, to reveal who these influential artists were - not as commercial images, but their private selves."

The auction house's books specialist Gabriel Heaton said: "These beautifully written and lyrical letters from the heart of the cultural and social revolution of 1969 frame a vivid moment in cultural history.

"Here we see Mick Jagger not as the global superstar he has become, but as a poetic and self-aware 25-year-old with wide-ranging intellectual and artistic interests."

The letters were penned by Jagger while filming Ned Kelly in Australia, at a time when his relationship with Ms Hunt was a closely-guarded secret.

In a separate auction, Bonhams has been tasked with auctioning the Beatles collection, once owned by the legendary band's lead guitarist George Harrison.

His leather jacket - worn on stage during the early 1960s in Hamburg and The Cavern Club - has an estimate of between £90,000 and £120,000.

Also up for grabs is a pair of Harrison's custom-made leather boots from around 1964, and an orange shirt worn during his famous charity event, the Concert For Bangladesh in 1971.

Bonham's director of entertainment memorabilia, Stephanie Connell, said: "This leather jacket is instantly recognisable and was an important part of the Beatles' image in their early years.

"It is extremely exciting to see such an iconic part of Beatles history emerge onto the market, this fresh piece of important music memorabilia never offered at auction before is sure to garner significant interest during the sale."

A guitar used by Sir Paul McCartney in the 1950s - before the Beatles formed - will also go up for sale, with an estimate of between £20,000 and £30,000.

And a collection of photographic negatives of the iconic band could fetch up to £50,000.

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