Bank Holiday Weather: Temperatures To Soar

Britain looks set for a balmy Bank Holiday weekend, with temperatures expected to reach up to 21C on Monday.

After the coldest start to spring for more than 50 years, forecasters say a prolonged period of dry, "rather warm" weather will arrive just in time for the three-day break.

Many areas are expected to remain dry throughout the weekend, with light showers across central England, Wales and Scotland on Saturday clearing by the evening.

Sunny spells are forecast across the country on Sunday but Monday looks better still, with temperatures set to climb well above the 14.7C average maximum temperature for May.

Sky News weather forecaster Nazaneen Ghaffar said there is "some uncertainty" in the forecast but added: "It looks like Monday will be warm and mainly dry across southern areas, thanks to a south-westerly air flow pushing in warmer air.

"However, there will be the risk of rain across northern and western parts of the UK and Ireland."

Some parts of the UK could be 6C warmer than the May average

London and the South East will enjoy the warmest weather on Monday, although temperatures could reach 17C in Wales and 18C in western areas.

Scotland and Northern Ireland will be a little cooler, with highs of around 15C.

The Met Office said the weather is set fair until mid-May, when "slightly more unsettled, showery conditions" are forecast.

"Temperatures should recover from near normal towards rather warm, and it will feel pleasantly warm in any sunshine inland," a spokesman said.

"Towards the end of next week, temperatures should rise further and become warm across many inland areas under strong spring sunshine."

The warm spell follows the coldest March in the UK since 1962.

Mean temperatures plummeted to 2.5C - 3C lower than the long-term average and were the joint fourth coolest since records began.

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Three British Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan

Three British soldiers have been killed in a roadside bomb attack in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

The soldiers from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were killed when their Mastiff vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) whilst on a routine patrol, the Ministry of Defence said.

The attack took place on Tuesday in the Nahr-e Saraj district. The three were evacuated by air to the military hospital at Camp Bastion but could not be saved, the MoD said.

Their families have been informed.

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said another six have been injured.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the country has paid a "very high price" for the work it is doing in Afghanistan.

The soldiers were aboard a heavily-armoured Mastiff vehicle

"It is important work because it's vital that country doesn't again become a haven for terrorists - terrorists that can threaten us here in the UK," Mr Cameron added.

"But today our thoughts should be with the families and friends of those that have suffered."

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the deaths were "a reminder that there is still a great amount of danger out there".

Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was "tragic news".

The deaths bring to 401 the overall number of British troops killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 years, with total losses at 444.

Six have now died in 2013.

Since June 2007 there have been 330 attacks on Mastiff vehicles, but this is the first time that anyone has died as a result of an attack. 

A ministry spokesman said the attack "underlines the threats faced by our personnel as they continue to hand over security operations to their Afghan counterparts ahead of UK combat operations concluding by the end of next year".

"Security in Helmand, where most UK forces are based, is steadily improving with Afghan forces already responsible for the bulk of the province - but the environment in which our troops operate remains risky and dangerous, including the threat of improvised explosive devices and insurgent attack.

"We will continue to do all we can to minimise these risks but they can never be removed entirely."

The attack came on the third day of what the Taliban has called its spring offensive. In past years, spring has marked a significant upsurge in fighting between the Taliban and Nato forces with their local allies.

This fighting season is a key test, as the international coalition is scheduled to hand over security responsibilities to Afghan forces next year.

Sky News' Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall said: "The Taliban have announced their annual spring offensive in a brutal manner.

"By carrying out this attack they are not only saying that spring has come, they are also underlining that even though everyone knows the British are leaving, they will still be coming after them all the way to the end."

The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion.

They deployed to Afghanistan in March from their base in Penicuik, Midlothian, near Edinburgh.

The last time so many UK soldiers were killed in one attack was in March 2012, when six died as their Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up by a massive improvised explosive device near the town of Lashkar Gah.

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UKIP Nazi Salute 'Was Grab For Camera'

A UK Independence Party (UKIP) candidate accused of making a Nazi-style salute was trying to grab a camera from his girlfriend, according to his party leader.

Nigel Farage said Alex Wood, 22, who is standing for a council seat in Somerset, wanted to stop his girlfriend taking photos of him "imitating a pot plant".

The picture, showing Mr Wood leaning forward with his arm almost straight out in front of him, was exposed by a national newspaper who found it on Facebook.

Despite the party leader believing his excuse, Mr Wood is still suspended as police investigate his claim that offensive comments were made after his account was "hijacked".

Mr Farage, on a visit to Ramsey in Cambridgeshire ahead of Thursday's elections, said he was considering reinstating him.

"I am in absolutely no doubt at all that that photograph of Alex Wood was nothing to do with a Nazi gesture," he said.

"He was literally reaching across the pub to pull the camera away from a girlfriend who was photographing him and I have witness statements that support that.

"I am very angry that a 22-year-old was sacked from his job quite wrongly because of what was said in a national newspaper."

Alex Wood's UKIP campaign leaflet (Pic: Facebook)

Another picture obtained by the Daily Mirror showed Mr Wood with a knife between his teeth in front of a Union flag, but he claims this was a pirate-themed Hollywood stunt.

"You don't expect to go into politics, so it was a silly prank at the time," said the would-be county councillor.

Asked about the comments on the website, he said: "Racist, homophobic, fascist views absolutely disgust me. I'm completely against such views so these statements are not mine."

Mr Farage, writing for The Huffington Post, admitted he "nearly had kittens" when he first saw the "salute" photo but said he believed Mr Wood's story.

"I believe him when he says that he was angrily trying to take a camera off his girlfriend who was annoyingly taking pictures of him in the pub imitating a pot plant," he wrote.

"The fact that this is supported by the people who were with him that night suggests that he has been unfairly treated."

Nigel Farage on the campaign trail in Ramsey

Mr Wood has insisted he will still stand in the elections and would "emerge victorious" but his excuses were greeted with ridicule online.

Trending on Twitter as #ukipexcuses, one poster wrote: "It wasn't a Nazi salute I was just calling back my falcon."

Another added: "It wasn't a nazi salute, a tiny invisible unicorn was dancing on my hand."

UKIP is fielding a record number of candidates in Thursday's elections as it aims to capitalise on a surge in popularity and recent by-election success.

The party has accused the Tories of running a "coordinated smear campaign" due to fears it will erode their vote in the contests.

Cabinet minister Ken Clarke fuelled the row by calling party members "clowns" and suggesting some of their supporters were racists.

David Cameron, who once called UKIP members "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists, mostly" said on Wednesday; "I'm not calling anybody anything."

Mr Farage has admitted that some UKIP candidates have "embarrassed" the party but insisted they had all been vetted.

"We have done what due diligence we can at branch level. If people seemed to be very, very odd we didn't accept them but we have taken people on faith," he said.

"We don't have the resources to trawl through absolutely everybody's social media sites and that has led to one or two embarrassments."

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Madeleine McCann's Parents 'Closer' To Truth

Madeleine McCann's parents say a police review into their daughter's disappearance is making "excellent progress" as they mark the sixth anniversary since she went missing.

In an interview with Sky News, Kate and Gerry McCann asked the public to remain vigilant about possible sightings and talked about adapting to life without Madeleine.

Madeleine was nearly four when she vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal on May 3, 2007 as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends.

Friday will mark the six-year anniversary of her disappearance.

"With the review the Met have been doing over the last two years I think we are closer to finding out what happened," Gerry McCann said.

"But for Kate and I until we find Madeleine or the person responsible then we're still miles away."

He also said of the review: "We certainly feel they're making excellent progress".

The couple, who will mark the anniversary with a service in their village, said although they struggle with various occasions, including Madeleine's birthday, they are coping with her absence.

"It's a horrible, confusing, uncomfortable situation to be in. As time's gone on we've obviously got stronger and you do adapt to living in that situation," said Kate.

She said their home is full of photos and other memories of Madeleine.

"She should be here and we should celebrate with her but we still celebrate her and her being part of our lives."

Gerry McCann said that seen from a distance his family is like any other. The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, also have twins.

"Twins do everything that other eight-year-olds do, and they've been a tremendous source of pleasure and joy for us," he said.

"They're so adaptable and it's a matter of fact to them that they've grown up with their older sister missing."

The couple thanked the public for their "tremendous support", and urged people travelling abroad to keep vigilant about possible sightings of  Madeleine.

"Someone knows - not just the people involved in the crime. Other people will know as well, or will be strongly suspicious," said Kate.

Her husband added: "The key message is - if someone thinks they've seen Madeleine, contact police straight away."

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Coronation Street's Bill Roache Arrested

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has been arrested over historical allegations of sexual assault.

The actor, who has played Ken Barlow in the TV soap since its launch in 1960, was held at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, this morning.

Mr Roache, 81, faces two allegations of raping the same 15-year-old girl in Haslingden, Lancashire, between April and July 1967.

Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "According to neighbours, plain clothes police arrived at his home in Wilmslow at around 8am. His home is being searched and police are questioning him about historical allegations."

An ITV spokeswoman said the broadcaster was not in a position to comment, but it is understood Mr Roache will not appear in the long-running soap while investigations continue.

Coronation Street bosses are also deciding whether to re-edit scenes featuring Mr Roache, which are due to be aired later this week.

An officer walks down the driveway of Mr Roache's home following his arrest

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "An 81-year-old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire has this morning, Wednesday, May 1, 2013, been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape.

"The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day.

"We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge they will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity."

After his Coronation Street co-star Michael Le Vell was charged with 19 child sex offences, Mr Roache called for anonymity for those accused of such crimes because of the stigma they face even if innocent.

Bill Roache, with Anne Reid, who played his first wife in the TV soap

Speaking to Sky News in March, he said: "If there is to be anonymity for the accusers at this stage, then there should most certainly be anonymity for those accused, until such time as there is strong evidence to show that there was some truth to the allegations at least."

Le Vell, who will not appear as mechanic Kevin Webster while he awaits his trial, has stated publicly that he is innocent and will fight the allegations.

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UK Coal Fights For Future Amid Creditor Talks

UK Coal has admitted it is in talks with creditors to keep solvent but refused to deny a claim it is considering voluntary liquidation.

When a fire at the company's Daw Mill mine forced its closure and 600 job losses in February, UK Coal warned the closure could harm the viability of the whole company unless it got outside help from government or creditors.

The country's largest coal miner released a statement to clarify its position after the Financial Times (FT) reported it had proposed voluntary liquidation and the handing over of its remaining mines to a new company.

The statement said: "We remain positive that we have an underlying profitable business," while chief executive Kevin McCulloch added: "I hope we are close to securing a way forward for our remaining mines.

"There will undoubtedly be some difficult decisions as we have had to look at all possible options."

UK Coal said it was working closely with employees, government and others to try and preserve the 2,000 remaining jobs at its mines.

The FT said a proposal made by the company would mean creditors receiving 32 pence for every pound of debt but UK Coal declined to say if any offer had been made.

The company avoided a debt default and closure of its operations after completing a major debt restructuring with shareholders last December.

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PFA Row Comedian Hits Back With Facebook Pics

A comedian criticised over his performance at the Professional Footballers' Association awards ceremony has responded by posting photos from the event alongside humourous captions mocking the outrage.

The PFA has reportedly demanded Reginald D Hunter repay his fee after he repeatedly used the word 'n*****' during his routine at London's Grosvenor Hotel.

The black American stand-up is well known for his racial content, but the PFA insists it had an agreement with him that "swearing or any racist references were to be avoided".

PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle also said he was "embarrassed" the organisation had booked Hunter, who explained at the start of his set that he uses the word 'n*****' to refer to people of all races.

But after initially opting not to comment on the furore, the comedian posted 37 photos in an album entitled 'The PFA Awards - the horrible aftermath' on his Facebook page.

One showed him surrounded by four other smiling attendees at the event, with the caption: "Reginald D Hunter being chased by an angry anti-racist mob to his taxi."

In another, he is pictured with a female member of the audience at the ceremony, alongside a caption saying: "Reginald D Hunter saluting misogyny with no regard to this woman's feelings."

Black footballer Jason Roberts can be seen beaming next to Hunter in one picture. The caption reads: "Reginald D Hunter and this disgusted PFA attendee prepare to entertain the PFA after party with a reenactment of the fight scene from Django Unchained."

PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes previously said the association was looking to recoup the money it had paid to Hunter for his set.

"We are obviously very upset, because he was briefed," he said.

"We are very aware that we have a very diverse audience there. I can't think of a redeeming feature where you could say that was positive because I actually think the whole performance from start to finish was dreadful,"

Racial abuse cases involving Liverpool's Suarez and former England captain John Terry have been a major source of controversy in English football over the last two years.

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April Jones' DNA 'Found At Bridger's Home'

April Jones' DNA was found on a washing machine belonging to the man accused of her murder, a court has heard.

An intensive forensic search of Mark Bridger's home found a stain matching the five-year-old's profile on the glass door, jurors were told.

Prosecutors said her DNA was also found in the "front crotch area" of his tracksuit bottoms, as well as on a shower curtain.

Meanwhile, Mold Crown Court heard how bone fragments thought to be from a human skull were found in Bridger's house.

Blood stains were also found under the carpet and in the grouting of tiles, jurors were told.

Earlier, they heard how Bridger told police he had "tried to revive" April after running her over with his car.

However, prosecutors said there was no evidence of a collision involving his car and say there were no blood stains or signs of a clean-up inside the vehicle.

Bridger, 47, of Ceinws, denies abducting and murdering April, and unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body - which has never been found - with intent to pervert the course of justice.

The trial continues.

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Dubai: Grieving MotoGP Star Fined For Drinking

A grieving husband whose new wife fell to her death in Dubai has been hit with a fine for turning up to a police station smelling of alcohol.

Former British motorcycling champion Sean Emmett was fined £350 (Dh2,000) for drinking before turning up at the station to sign his wife's death papers.

Vicar's daughter Abbie Emmett, 27, was killed nine days earlier when she fell from the window of a five-star hotel while on their honeymoon.

Dubai's Misdemeanours Court was told that Mr Emmett had been "heavily drunk" and that he confessed to imbibing beer, sambuca and brandy the night before he met police.

Mr Emmett said he had been at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, where his wife fell to her death, before taking a taxi to the Al Rashidiya police station at 9am.

A blood test confirmed he had been drinking and he was arrested and released on bail four days later.

The fine for drinking without a licence was issued in his absence.

Under laws in the Arab emirate, anyone who drinks alcohol should have a licence.

However, bar staff rarely ask for proof and millions of tourists drink there every year.

The couple had flown to Dubai in February after getting married in South Africa.

Abbie had been drinking before she fell from the window of their hotel and died later in hospital.

Police said all the evidence pointed to suicide and closed their investigation.

He father, Rev Christopher Elson, said her family and friends were "shocked and devastated" at her death.

As a professional Grand Prix racer Mr Emmett won 19 superbike races and clocked up more than 50 MotoGP appearances.

Since retiring, he has worked as a private instructor in Addlestone, Surrey, and runs a bike taxi service.

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April Jones: Bridger 'Tried To Revive Her'

The man accused of murdering schoolgirl April Jones told police he "tried to revive her" after knocking her down with his car.

Jurors at Mold Crown Court heard a transcript of the answers Mark Bridger gave to detectives shortly after his arrest on October 2 last year.

He said: "I didn't abduct her. I did my best to revive her. I panicked. The more I drove through the night, the more I got p****d."

However, prosecutors claim there was no evidence of a collision involving Bridger's car and say there were no blood stains or signs of a clean-up inside the vehicle.

"I just wish I know what I've done with her, where I've put her," Bridger told police.

"I can't believe I didn't call the police or an ambulance. There was no life in her - no pulse, no breathing, no response in her eyes.

Mark Bridger denies murdering and abducting April Jones

"She was just on the back seat. I tried to revive her. I did my best to revive her. I don't remember having her in the car when I went back."

Earlier, prosecutors said Bridger invited another girl to his house for a sleepover on the day April disappeared from the small Welsh town of Machnylleth.

He allegedly approached the girl - who was playing with a friend close to his daughter's primary school - shortly after attending a parents' evening on October 1.

The court also heard he was spotted on a hillside clutching a black bin bag the following day, as search teams scoured the area for missing April.

Bridger's movements were outlined on the second day of his trial at Mold Crown Court.

CCTV footage of the 47-year-old visiting council offices and a bank in Machnylleth on October 1 was played to the court.

Jurors were told Bridger spent part of the afternoon looking at dozens of images of a local teenager on Facebook.

They were also shown a text message he sent to his employer that day, which read: "Do you mind if I take today off to get my head around things? Sorry to let you down."

Helicopter footage from October 2 showed smoke rising from the chimney of Bridger's house.

He was filmed walking his dog and, the prosecution claims, had changed his appearance.

When he was arrested later that day, he is said to have told police: "I know what it's all about."

Officers who searched his home noticed the heat and the smell of detergent, the court heard.

Bridger, of Ceinws, denies abducting and murdering April, and unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body - which has never been found - with intent to pervert the course of justice.

The trial continues.

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