EC President Claims UKIP Could Beat Tories

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

UKIP could topple the Conservatives to become the "first force" in British politics, the President of the European Commission has said.

Jose Manuel Barroso criticised the Conservative party for becoming eurosceptic, warning that voters might "prefer the original to the copy".

He made the provocative comments during his annual state of the union address.

Mr Barroso hit out at anti-Europe sentiment, arguing it would drive the continent back to a time in which it was riven by conflict.

He said: "Let me say to those, including some in this House, who rejoice in Europe's difficulties and want to roll back our integration and go back to isolation - the pre-integrated Europe of the divisions, the war, the trenches, is not what people desire and deserve."

He said it was the commission's "duty" to preserve and deepen the EU.

After his speech, Mr Barroso took part in a debate.

Martin Callanan, the leader of the European Conservative group, said the commission was representing the "vested interests of the European District in Brussels not the people of Europe".

Nigel Farage's party is a formidable force, Mr Barroso suggests

Mr Barroso hit back: "I think increasingly your party and your group is looking like UKIP."

But Nigel Farage's anti-Europe party had a better chance of wooing the British electorate, he added.

He said: "Because when it comes to being against Europe people prefer the original to the copy.

"That is probably why they are going to vote more for Mr Farage than Mr Callanan."

He said he did not make the comments with any "satisfaction".

Mr Callanan said it was a "bit rich" for an unelected head of the European Commission to give electoral advice.

A source close to Prime Minister David Cameron said Mr Barroso should "respect the views of the governing party elected by the people of Britain".

The source added: "Of course it would be more convenient to the Brussels elite to have other parties they think they can ignore.

"However, the Prime Minister will continue to stand up for the British people fighting to ensure they get the best deal in Europe and have a say on it in a referendum by 2017."

Mr Farage said Mr Barroso was right to say that the only real debate is whether Britain remains in the EU and "not the unrealistic promises by David Cameron".

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Boris Johnson Tells Opponent To Get Stuffed

Boris Johnson has told a Labour opponent to "get stuffed" during a heated discussion about fire services in London.

The Mayor of London lost his temper with London Assembly member Andrew Dismore during a debate at City Hall about cuts.

Mr Dismore asked him to explain how the closure of fire stations and loss of fire fighter posts in the capital would not reduce fire cover.

Andrew Dismore asked the mayor to justify fire station closures

Mr Johnson replied: "Because we are improving fire cover, as I have said several times."

Interrupted and asked how, he continued: "By continuing to reduce deaths from fire and continuing to reduce the incidence of fire. That is the name of the game."

Mr Dismore accused him of lying to the people of London during his election campaign.

The Mayor shot back: "Oh get stuffed," prompting a series of "oohs" around the chamber.

He was immediately asked to withdraw the remark and said: "I am sorry, I am sorry. It just popped out."

Mr Johnson, who is renowned for his colourful turns of phrase, has form in expressing his anger at the London Assembly.

In February, he called them "great supine protoplasmic invertebrate jellies" for deciding not to quiz him about his budget.

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Man Set On Fire: Murder Pair Jailed For Life

Two men have been jailed for life for killing a man by setting him on fire and trying to kill his brother the same way.

Jakub Ostrowski and Mariusz Florowski were both convicted of murder and attempted murder earlier this month.

The pair were each sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in jail for the murder of 35-year-old Benedykt Nowak, also known as Ben.

They also got 27 years for the attempted murder of Sam Nowak and eight years for recklessly endangering the lives of others by arson as police said justice had been done.

Both men's sentences will run concurrently and they have been told they must serve a minimum of 30 years before they are considered for release.

During the three-week trial, the Old Bailey heard how police were called last February to reports of a fire at a commercial premises in the Dilloway industrial estate in Southall.

Ben Nowak died after suffering severe burns (Pic: Met Police)

London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service also went to scene and Ben and 27-year-old Sam Nowak were taken to hospital suffering serious injuries where Ben later died.

Police said 37-year-old Ostrowski, of Isleworth, and Florowski, 38, of Greenford, carried out a prolonged violent attack on the brothers before drenching them both in petrol.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Reeves said: "Acting together they then set light to Benedykt Nowak causing him such severe burns that he later died in hospital.

"Przemyslaw (Sam) Nowak managed to escape but was severely injured in the attack.

"The subsequent fire also caused a vast amount of damage putting the lives of residents and emergency service personnel at risk.

"Benedykt Nowak was murdered in a callous manner and this was witnessed by his courageous brother who bravely gave evidence in court.

"The investigation team are satisfied that justice has been done in this case. However, this does not detract from the continued grief and suffering that the actions of Mariusz Florowski and Jakub Ostrowski has had on the family of Benedykt Nowak."

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Mark Bridger: Prisoner Admits Knife Attack

A prisoner has admitted slashing child killer Mark Bridger across the face at one of Britain's most secure jails.

Bridger, who was jailed earlier this year for abducting and murdering five-year-old April Jones, needed hospital treatment after he was attacked with a makeshift blade on July 7.

Bridger was sentenced on May 30 and was sent to HMP Wakefield, a category A prison where some of Britain's most dangerous offenders are held.

Juvinai Ferreira, 22, admitted attacking Bridger as he appeared via videolink for a short hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

On screen in court, Ferreira, originally from Gambia, looked bored and propped his head up with his hand for most of the proceedings.

At one point, he could be heard asking his guards: "I thought this was going to be quick?"

After judge Christopher Batty told him the case was going to be adjourned until sentencing on October 2, Ferreira said to him: "Can you just not sentence me? I can't keep coming back. Just give me anything and move on."

Ferreira is serving a life sentence for the murder of Elaine Walpole in Dereham, Norfolk, in April 2008.

Bridger was attacked by a fellow prisoner at HMP Wakefield

At the time police said Ferreira moved to Dereham in 2007 with a relative after escaping civil war in Africa.

He befriended Miss Walpole, an alcoholic who lived alone, after they met at a shop and she bought him cigarettes.

A post-mortem examination showed the 47-year-old mother-of-three had been stabbed three times and bitten.

Prosecutors in the case described Ferreira as "sex-crazed".

Father-of-six Bridger, 47, abducted April as she played near her home in Machynlleth in Powys before murdering the schoolgirl.

A judge at Mold Crown Court sentenced the former slaughterhouse worker to a whole-life tariff in May.

The five-year-old's body has never been found.

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Nigel Evans: I'm In Limbo Over Sex Claims

Former Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans has given an emotional Commons speech after resigning to fight allegations of sex offences, including rape.

Evans, who stepped down after being charged on Tuesday night but is remaining an MP, told colleagues the claims had left him "in a land of limbo".

In a Commons packed following PMQs, Evans said the investigation had been the worst experience of his life after the deaths of his mother and brother.

But he cited Winston Churchill as he vowed to clear his name and thanked politicians across Parliament for their support in recent months.

Evans said: "This is clearly the most painful thing I have endured in my life alongside the loss of my mother in 2009 and the loss of my brother earlier this year.

"Winston Churchill said when you are going through hell, keep going. Sage advice. And so I will see this through to the end with the support of the people that mean so much to me."

The MP for Ribble Valley will sit as an independent while he fights the allegations, some of which date back to 2002.

The former Torry promised to focus on "the bread and butter of politics" and speak out for his constituents from the backbenches.

He described his election as deputy speaker as "one of the happiest days of my life" but said he had been unable to do his job since the first allegations were made in May.

"I have not been able to fully fulfil my duties in the chair, which left me in a land of limbo," he said.

A sombre Commons as the MP speaks of his 'hell'

"None of us were elected to the fine office of Member of Parliament to be put in that invidious position, unable to fully fulfil the reason why we were sent here."

The politician had already stepped aside from his Parliamentary duties because of the investigation but formally resigned on Tuesday night after being charged.

Evans, from Pendleton in Lancashire, is accused of two offences of indecent assault, five counts of sexual assault and one rape charge.

They were allegedly committed between January 1, 2001 and April 1, 2013.

The charges came hours after he answered bail about the earlier allegations and was re-arrested over another two claims.

Evans, 55, told MPs on Wednesday: "I now have the opportunity to robustly defend my innocence and seek acquittal."

His first court appearance will be before magistrates in Preston on September 18.

Commons Speaker John Bercow said he had received the resignation "with sadness".

"I wish to thank Nigel for his three years of service to the House as deputy speaker, in which he has proved to be highly competent, fair and good-humoured," he said.

"He has been a loyal and valued member of the team of deputy speakers who assist me in chairing our proceedings. I am warmly grateful to him."

Evans was one of three deputy speakers elected by secret ballot in 2010. Later that year, he came out as gay saying he was tired of "living a lie".

He was a vice chairman of the Conservative Party from 1999 to 2001.

When Iain Duncan Smith became party leader in 2001, he was promoted to the shadow cabinet as shadow Welsh secretary - a post he held for two years.

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Hillsborough: Police Notebooks Handed In

Dozens of police notebooks that could contain vital new information about the Hillsborough disaster have been recovered by investigators.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said 90 pocket notebooks had been handed in to South Yorkshire Police by retired and serving officers.

The force has also found boxes of notebooks and other documents which could also contain important details.

Deputy chairwoman of the IPCC Deborah Glass said: "This is an ongoing criminal investigation the like of which has never been seen before in this country.

"Hillsborough has had a history of inquiries by the police and others, many completed quickly, coming to flawed conclusions. Our investigations need to deliver the last, definitive account."

Last month the IPCC revealed that at least one officer made a note of what happened that day, against instructions, and that none of the previous investigations had recovered any such notebooks.

Hillsborough families at a high court hearing

The disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989, is now at the centre of the biggest ever inquiry into police conduct in the UK.

The IPCC said it has uncovered evidence to suggest that the statements of 74 more officers might have been changed, and that fans' witness accounts could also have been altered.

This is on top of the 164 police statements that were previously said to have been amended.

Investigators are to appeal for witnesses in relation to how West Midlands Police ran their inquiry into the handling of the disaster by South Yorkshire Police.

Ms Glass said: "This appeal, which will be launched next week, forms a crucial element to our investigation. We want to hear people's experiences of that process.

"We have already had a number of people contact us with concerns that their statements were amended and we have no doubt there are others who have not contacted us.

"We want to be able to present as full as possible a picture of witness evidence, both for the inquests and the criminal investigations."

Liverpool Football Club is expected to promote the appeal during the team's home match against Southampton on September 21.

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Turkey Shooting: British Family 'Shocked'

The family of three British people shot, including one fatally, in Turkey have said they were "lovely people who would never harm anybody".

Catherine Anne Bury, who was known as Anne, died after she was attacked at the family villa allegedly by her gardener.

Her son Alex, 24, and mother Cecilia, who is in her 80s, were injured in the shooting in the resort of Dalyan on Monday.

The family of 56-year-old Ms Bury thanked people for their "warm wishes and condolences at this very sad time".

Alex Bury was shot in the leg

They added: "Although our family are still deeply shocked and grieving for Anne, we are pleased to say that both Anne's mother and son are recovering from their injuries.

"Both have been given wonderful care, treatment and support by hospital and consulate staff and many other local people."

Mr Bury has described how he pleaded with the alleged gunman Veli Acar to stop the attack, trying to reason with him before he opened fire on his mother.

Speaking from his bed in Mugla University Hospital, Mr Bury told The Times he recognised the gunman as Acar, their gardener who was said to have been in a relationship with his mother.

Mr Bury is recovering in hospital after the shooting

Acar had apparently threatened the family earlier that weekend, but was later released by the police and returned with a pump-action shotgun to the Bury's villa.

Mr Bury, who was shot in the leg, said: "I tried to reason with him. I told him it didn't have to be this way.

"He lifted the gun to his shoulder and gestured for me to go through to my mother and grandmother's room. They had heard me talking and had locked themselves in the room."

Acar is alleged to have gunned down Ms Bury as she cowered in the villa bathroom.

The family added: "It appears that the person that Anne employed as a general gardener/handyman, to look after her holiday villas, has committed this terrible crime.

"We cannot comprehend the mentality of somebody who would do this to three lovely people who would never harm anybody.

"We would like once again to thank everyone for their kindness and offers of help - they are a great source of strength to us."

The alleged gunman was the gardener at the villa

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism confirmed the death of Ms Bury, who lived in the North Yorkshire village of Swainby.

Ms Bury, who trained as a midwife, had been working for an oil company in Dubai in a health role.

Her son worked at a North Yorkshire hotel, the Cleveland Tontine, after taking a year out of university, but is hoping to restart his studies in medicine.

Ms Bury's mother has been discharged after treatment.

Acar is said to have given himself up after the shooting and is due in court.

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Mercury Prize: David Bowie On Album Shortlist

David Bowie has become the joint oldest nominee of the Mercury Prize as his comeback album after a 10-year absence made this year's shortlist.

The 66-year-old music veteran's latest release, The Next Day, is among the favourites to take the award, as he competes against 11 other acts.

Seven of the nominees, including Bowie, have previously featured on the shortlist since the prize was launched in 1992.

Arctic Monkeys - who won it in 2006 - and singer-songwriter Laura Marling each make it on to the list for a third time.

Foals, James Blake and Villagers are among those who make their second appearance.

Arctic Monkeys at this year's Glastonbury Festival

Electronica act Jon Hopkins was previously nominated for his collaboration with King Creosote, called Diamond Mine, but this is his first time in his own right.

Bowie, who was previously up for the prize in 2002 for his album Heathen, is the same age as jazz pianist Stan Tracey was when he was shortlisted in 1993 for Portraits Plus.

Once a prolific pace-setter, Bowie had withdrawn almost entirely from the public eye in recent years and had released no albums for a decade.

But without warning earlier this year, he suddenly released a single, Where Are We Now?, and announced his comeback album which was warmly received by fans and critics, as were the accompanying videos.

Laura Mvula picked up her first Mercury nomination

There have been persistent rumours of ill-health for the New York-based British star, but these have been repeatedly denied by his representatives.

Five acts are making their debut on the Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist. They are 19-year-old Jake Bugg, Disclosure, Savages, Laura Mvula and Rudimental.

The nominees were drawn from 220 albums submitted to the judging panel.

The £20,000 prize is open to British and Irish acts and aims to reward the best album of the year. It will be awarded on October 30 in a ceremony at the Roundhouse venue in London.

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British Couple Killed In US Holiday Crash

A British couple have been killed in a road crash while on a hiking holiday in the US.

Paddy Heazell, 77, and his wife Julyan, 74, from Snape, near Aldeburgh, Suffolk, died after their rental van careered off the road and hit a tree.

The couple, described as "prominent figures" in their local community, had been hiking in Mount Washington Valley in New Hampshire, New England, for the past three weeks.

They were reportedly travelling with Mr Heazell's brother and his wife.

Paddy Heazell was a passionate supporter of the RSPB. Pic: Archant

The two couples were returning to their hotel near Crawford Notch when the crash happened on Sunday afternoon.

Mr and Mrs Heazell were keen volunteers and worked at Aldeburgh Music, RSPB Minsmere and Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Harry Young, general manager of Aldeburgh Music performance centre, said: "They were very prominent figures in the local community and helped hugely here. Paddy and Julyan have been around throughout pretty much all of our history."

He described the couple as "thoroughly decent people", adding: "They were really, really generous and kind and cultured people, who gave a huge amount of themselves to the local community through volunteering."

A spokesman for the RSPB said Mrs Heazell was an "inspiration".

"Her interest and passion for the natural world was an inspiration to those who met her. She was well known locally, also volunteering for the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and will be sadly missed by all who knew her," he said.

The Foreign Office confirmed two British nationals had been killed and two had been taken to hospital and said it was providing consular assistance.

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Le Vell Trial: 'Right Decision' To Prosecute

The decision to pursue the prosecution of actor Michael Le Vell on child sex abuse charges was the "right" one, says the country's top prosecutor.

It comes as the debate about whether to give anonymity to those accused of sex crimes continues to rage.

Mr Le Vell, who plays Kevin Webster in the ITV soap Coronation Street, was cleared of all 12 charges against him by a jury at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Keir Starmer QC, outgoing director of public prosecutions, told MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee: "A proper assessment was taken in the case and the decision to proceed was the right decision.

"There was a case to answer. That case was answered and the jury took some time to consider their verdict.

"It's not a case on which there was no evidence, had it been it would have been stopped half way after testing of the evidence.

Mr Afzal says evidence against celebrities will continue to be investigated

"It's important we reaffirm that - that if a case results in an acquittal it shouldn't have been brought is wrong."

Mr Le Vell, 48, mouthed the words "thank you" to the jury of eight women and four men who dismissed a string of allegations made by his accuser, who claimed she had been raped and abused while a young girl.

Mr Le Vell's aunt and several former Coronation Street colleagues claimed he had been taken to court just because of his star status.

But another of Britain's top prosecutors denied the defendant was subjected to a celebrity "witch-hunt".

Nazir Afzal, the Crown Prosecution Service lead on child sexual exploitation, insisted "nobody should be above the law" and said he would not shy away from high-profile cases.

He said it "does not matter" if, when looking at the evidence, "it takes us to someone who might have drawn attention to themselves publicly in some way, shape or form".

Ex-broadcaster Hall is serving a 30-month jail sentence for sexual assault

Defence lawyer Nick Freeman told Sky News that Mr Le Vell's acquittal "urgently highlights" the need for anonymity for those accused of sexual offences until they are convicted.

"These heinous allegations carry a terrible social stigma and a revulsion that transcends most other criminal offences," he said.

"These don't die with an acquittal - they stay with a person for the rest of their life."

However, Mark Williams-Thomas, a child protection expert, argued that under the current system victims feel "more confident" in coming forward and speaking to the police.

"We need to look at the detrimental effect not naming individuals could have," he said.

"We know that as a result of the (Jimmy) Savile investigations, people came forward and made allegations.

"Stuart Hall was then prosecuted, having initially vehemently denied the allegations ... and is now in jail."

Mr Le Vell's legal team argued it was a "strange case of child rape" without any DNA evidence or injuries to the alleged victim, who claimed she had been raped and abused when she was younger.

Jurors were told to decide whether the girl was telling the truth or had set out to "quite literally destroy" the actor's life.

Mr Vell is now in talks with ITV about a return to Coronation Street.

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