100,000 Sign Welsh Cancer Drugs Petition

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

A 100,000-signature petition is being handed in to the Welsh Assembly calling for cancer patients in Wales to get the same treatment as those in England.

Protesters will demand that a Cancer Drugs Fund be set up, similar to the one available for English NHS patients.

Sky News has learned of research suggesting some specialist drugs available on the English NHS, but more difficult to get in Wales, can extend life by an average of 11 months.

The issue of Welsh healthcare has become a political football in recent months.

The Conservatives claim the Labour-run service is failing patients, something strongly denied by the Welsh Government.

Video: Why Was I rejected For Cancer Drug?

The English Cancer Drugs Fund, worth £200m, was set up by the coalition Government in 2010 giving patients access to new drugs.

These drugs are licensed but not recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). The Welsh Labour Government has resisted the idea.

The Health Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford, told Sky News it was an ethical decision not to have a fund.

Mr Drakeford said the fund would favour cancer patients over people with other types of illness and would undermine the purpose of NICE.

He said: "We don't have a cancer drugs fund because, as the best research says, it is ethically dubious, clinically contentious and unpopular with patients."

But many cancer patients disagree.

Beth Margetson, 50, from Porthcawl had to apply to a health panel for the potentially life-prolonging drug Afinitor, but she was rejected.

The Individual Patient Funding Request (IPFR) panels only approve patients who can prove "clinical exceptionality".

Mrs Margetson said: "I'm a 50 year-old woman with a 16-year-old daughter who wants to stay alive.

"I have an 87-year-old father who I have to look after. I want to stay alive.

Video: Oncologist Says Drugs Prolong Life

"I am exceptional because I should be dead by now but I'm fighting for my life so I have a right to have that drug.

"If I'd lived in Bristol I would have had it on the NHS."

John Wagstaff, a Professor of Oncology from the Cancer Institute based at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, said only 15% of his patients are considered exceptional by IPFR panels.

He has recently submitted research for publication by six oncologists which audited 600 kidney cancer patients in Wales, Scotland and England.

He says it shows average survival rates rise from 22 months to 33 months if two drugs, Axitinib and Everolimus, not approved by NICE, are used as treatment.

These drugs are available through the English Cancer Drugs Fund.

The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew R T Davies said: "The reason why Mark Drakeford (Welsh Minister for Health) and Carwyn Jones (Welsh First Minister) will not bring forward a cancer drugs fund in Wales is solely political."

Some Welsh cancer patients have even moved to England.

Annie Mulholland has moved part-time to her daughter's house in London so she can access the drug Avastin on the English NHS to treat her ovarian cancer. 

The petition will be delivered to the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff at 1pm on Wednesday, ahead of a debate on the issue.

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Children's Mental Health Services A 'Disgrace'

Vulnerable young people are being put at risk because of "serious and deeply ingrained problems" in children's mental health services, MPs have warned.

The Health Select Committee report said there are "major problems" accessing inpatient mental health services, with families facing "battles" to have their children treated.

During the inquiry, MPs heard evidence from children who spent months on a waiting list for treatment, while some services admitted they were so overwhelmed that they treated a child only once they had seriously self-harmed.

Children as young as 12 were being held in police cells overnight because of a lack of out-of-hours services, while others were being admitted to mental health wards on the other side of the country, the report found.

Services in some parts of the country have reported up to a 25% increase in the amount of children and young people looking for help.

Dr Sarah Wollaston MP said cyber-bullying and sexting needs to be addressed

Dr Sarah Wollaston, chair of the committee, said the growing threat of sexting, cyber-bullying and graphic online content to children's mental health needs to be addressed.

She said: "Not only do we have a shortage of prevalence data but we have an issue around the data about the provision of services.

"It is a disgrace that we don't have provision data on children's mental health services.

"What we do have is information from all the people we've heard from that there has been an increase in referrals and new issues have arisen around the impact on children's mental health with new technology and the challenges around the online environment that children face, like cyberbullying and sexting."

The report said: "There are serious and deeply ingrained problems with the commissioning and provision of children's and adolescents' mental health services.

"These run through the whole system from prevention and early intervention through to inpatient services for the most vulnerable young people."

NHS England has said that 6% of the mental health budget is spent on children, despite half of all adult mental health problems starting before the age of 14.

The report called on the Government to invest in services, particularly early intervention measures.

Peter Liver, director of ChildLine, said: "These findings do not come as a surprise to us here at ChildLine. We have held over 34,000 counselling sessions with young people this year who have told us they have suicidal thoughts.

"Children are telling us they feel unable to ask for help from anyone else and we need to ensure they know they are not alone."

Norman Lamb, care and support minister, said a task force had been launched to improve services and a new waiting time standard would be introduced.

He said: "I strongly welcome this report, which will support our work and the work of the task force to make sure children and young people's services get the priority they deserve."

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Twin Babies Die After 999 Crew Kept Out Of Flats

A woman is in a coma and her premature twin baby girls have died after paramedics were prevented from getting into a block of flats in Birmingham.

Jocelyn Bennett, 27, was 32 weeks pregnant and dialled 999 after suffering severe stomach pains.

A paramedic arrived at Pleck House flats in Druids Heath along with two ambulance crews, but Ms Bennett was in such agony she was unable to buzz them into the building.

The crews tried the buzzers of all the other residents in the block, but they reportedly mistook them for police officers and refused to open the door.

It was only after police arrived, some 31 minutes after the first 999 call, that paramedics were able to get into the flat and begin treatment.

The two babies, Melody and Rose, had their life support machines switched off on Tuesday after a decision by their family.

Ms Bennett remains in a coma in hospital and is unaware of what has happened, her family told the Birmingham Mail. Her partner Kevin Clarke, 31, was not at home at the time.

She had suffered a placental abruption, resulting in the premature delivery of Melody. Rose was delivered by emergency caesarean in hospital.

Both babies suffered multiple organ failure and had been on life support since the incident last Wednesday. Ms Bennett suffered a cardiac arrest and severe blood loss.

Her father, Joe Bennett, told the Birmingham Mail: "They looked so perfect and when the ventilators were taken off their tiny bodies, I expected them to start moving.

"The vicar performed a lovely service and then the girls were held by Kevin for the last time.

"We left him with the twins so he could spend time with them on his own."

Mr Bennett said his daughter may have suffered brain damage after her heart stopped.

He also said that a previous police raid on the block meant residents there refused to answer their buzzers.

He told The Times: "If any residents see flashing blue lights they don't answer their calls because they fear it'll be another raid.

"No one answered their buzzers when the paramedics tried them."

Birmingham City Council (BCC), which owns the flats, said it had a system which allowed for emergency services access, and said an "urgent investigation" is now underway.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Crews had difficulty getting into the building.

"They tried to contact all of the other flats within the block, all with no answer."

A spokesman for BCC said: "Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

"We have systems to provide emergency access to our blocks for the emergency services and an urgent investigation was commissioned as soon as we were made aware of the matter.

"The ongoing investigation will involve all other agencies concerned."

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Gaddafi Good For Britain, Says UKIP's Reckless

Muammar Gaddafi was good for immigration control - and helped contain the number of North Africans heading for Britain, UKIP's Mark Reckless has said.

Mr Reckless said helping to remove the dictator from power had been one of David Cameron's biggest mistakes.

The former MP, who defected from the Conservative Party in September and hopes to give Mr Cameron a bloody nose at the Rochester by-election this month, said thousands of migrants were coming over from Libya by boat to Italy.

Migrants heading for the Italian island of Lampedusa

He said they were being "waved through Italy"  and then headed for Calais to cross the Channel for Britain.

Mr Reckless was speaking at a public meeting in Rochester, where UKIP is hoping to win its second seat in the House of Commons. The issue of immigration is becoming a key battleground of the General Election.

Video: Oct 12, 2013: Lampedusa Tragedy

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across.

"He had an agreement with Italy that stopped it. Since he's gone we've no idea what's going on in Libya, it's too dangerous for anyone to go there."

He said that since Gaddafi's regime had fallen the "bad guys" were being replaced by "even worse guys".

He added: "We bombed them, that's what we did. That's how this government helped Libya. It got rid of somebody, albeit an Arab nationalist dictator, who actually gave a level of stability to the area."

His comments come as a report by University College London found immigrants from outside the EU have cost the UK £118bn in the 17 years to 2011.

Last year 40,000 migrants, most from Syria, Eritrea and Somalia, crossed from the shores of North Africa to Europe, many in dangerous wooden boats.

In October last year 359 people were killed when a boat making the crossing sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa.

Italy has asked for extra funding to help it deal with the influx and warned earlier this year that as many as 600,000 people were preparing to make the journey from North Africa.

The numbers crossing have increased significantly since the Middle East crisis unfolded and it is estimated around 20% of those coming from North Africa end up in Britain.

The Government was criticised last week for its decision to stop rescuing migrants who were pitched into the sea, saying it would help to deter those thinking of making the decision.

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Christmas Costs 'Falling' Amid Price War

A retail industry body has said Christmas shoppers look set to benefit this year as it charts falling shop prices, with food costs growing at their lowest level since at least 2006.

The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) shop price index for October, compiled by Nielsen, showed that the battle for customers between discounters and the major supermarket chains was providing benefits for consumers.

It measured falls in the price of kitchen essentials such as milk, cheese and eggs for the first time since February 2010.

The BRC said convenience food was also cheaper than it was a year ago.

Total food inflation stood at just 0.1% in October, the lowest rate since the index began in 2006, after three consecutive months at 0.3%.

Overall, shops reported deflation for the 18th-consecutive month, accelerating to an annual rate of 1.9% in October from 1.8% in September as key agricultural commodity costs fell further amid market concern about the world economy.

The report said that in addition to that, discounts on clothes and electrical goods also continued to have an impact.

BRC director general Helen Dickinson said: "With the current competitive environment, retailers are passing most of these savings on to consumers.

"This should mean great deals for shoppers as they start stocking up on seasonal fare.

"As Christmas swiftly approaches, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that budgets will go a little bit further this year."

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Flood Defences At Risk With Funding Squeeze

A lack of cash for flood defences is increasing the risk of serious problems in many areas if winter storms hit, a spending watchdog has warned.

The National Audit Office (NAO) says half of the country's flood defences - more than 1,300 schemes - are only being maintained to a "minimal level".

But the Government insists there has been a real-term increase in flood defence funding.

Somerset was particularly hard-hit by the winter floods

Whitehall made an extra £270m available following the winter storms last year, which saw widespread flooding during the wettest winter on record, including an additional £35m in each of the next two years for maintaining defences.

The NAO report said the additional money restored funding for maintaining defences to 2010-11 levels in cash terms.

Video: Feb 21: UK Flooding View From Above

But in real terms - adjusted for inflation - the report found it represented a 6% drop in spending for maintenance since the Tory-led coalition took office.

Without the extra cash from the Government following the winter floods, total funding for flood protection has fallen by 10% since 2010.

While the Environment Agency has improved efficiency, the increased risk of extreme weather events as a result of climate change means current budgets will be under pressure, the NAO said.

The winter storms flooded 7,700 homes and 3,200 commercial properties, as well as cutting off power to hundreds of thousands more households and flooding 49,000 hectares of agricultural land, with areas such as the Somerset Levels particularly badly hit.

Video: Flood-Hit Family Put Home On Stilts

Responding to the report, chairwoman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee Margaret Hodge, said: "I am deeply concerned that current levels of spending are not enough to maintain flood protection, with five million homes at risk of flooding and people's livelihoods in jeopardy.

"It is alarming that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has cut spending on flood protection by 10% between 2011-12 and 2014-15 and it had to react with an emergency bailout of £270m following the winter floods in 2013."

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: "The agency, as it recognises, will need to make difficult decisions about whether to continue maintaining assets in some areas or let them lapse, increasing in future both the risk of floods and the potential need for more expensive ad-hoc emergency solutions."

But Floods Minister Dan Rogerson said: "The NAO has drawn conclusions on funding based on inappropriate comparisons.

Video: Feb 11: Hammond Cornered On Floods

"We have invested £3.2bn in flood management and defences over the course of this parliament which is a real term increase and half a billion more than in the previous parliament.

"Not only are we spending more than ever before, but we are also ensuring that our investment strategy will deliver long-term value for money."

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Bankrupt David James Auctions Off Shirts

Bankrupt former England goalkeeper David James is being forced to auction off more than 150 signed shirts, shorts and match balls.

The 44-year-old was declared bankrupt despite earning around £20m during a football career that took in spells at Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City.

It has been reported that a costly divorce from wife Tanya in 2005 was one of the main reasons for his financial difficulties.

The lots due to be sold off at hilcoind.co.uk from 18 November include James' goalkeeper's jersey from England's 4-1 thrashing by Germany in the 2010 World Cup second round.

Also on sale is the dark blue top he wore as an unused substitute in England's 2006 World Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Portugal.

An England shirt from between 2005 and 2007, signed by teammates such as Wayne Rooney, is among the collection.

James' FA Cup final Portsmouth top is also available, as are signed shirts from his time at Liverpool during the 1990s and, inexplicably, Phil Neville's shirt from England's 2004 European Championship win against Switzerland.

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Funeral For 'All Round Legend' Jack Bruce

Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker have said goodbye to their former Cream bandmate Jack Bruce at a funeral full of music.

The stars were among mourners, who also included Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera and Procol Harum's Gary Brooker, who paid tribute to Bruce who died from liver disease 11 days ago.

The service for the Scottish-born bass player and singer was held at Golders Green Crematorium in north London.

Bruce, 71, was most famous for his role in the 1960s supergroup Cream, along with Baker and Clapton, who created enduring tracks such as White Room, Sunshine Of Your Love, I Feel Free and Badge.

The trio reformed for a series of shows in 2005, which included dates at the Royal Albert Hall.

The guests sang Morning Has Broken, the Beatles hit Strawberry Fields Forever and Bruce's track Theme For An Imaginary Western to honour the man who was described in the order of service as a "beloved husband, father, granddad and all round legend".

His friend and Cream lyricist Pete Brown shared reminiscences during the funeral, which also included contributions from Bruce's son Malcolm, daughters Natasha and Kyla, a poem written by another son Corin and a tribute from his wife Margrit.

One of the late musician's bass guitars was displayed prominently, flanked by floral displays shaped like the bass clef motif, which was also pictured on the front of the order of service.

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M&S Profits Up But Warm Autumn Hits Clothing

M&S has reported a 2.3% rise in half-year profits, but said its troubled clothing division was hit by an unseasonably warm September.

The retailer's latest results marked a 13th consecutive quarterly fall in underlying sales of general merchandise, which include clothing, while web sales fell more than 6% in the six-month period.

M&S said its margins improved in the first half, helping it drive underlying profits higher for the first time in four years to £268m, and it signalled that shoppers should not expect discounting ahead of Christmas by raising its non-food margin projections.

The food business, which has been growing steadily against a backdrop of struggles elsewhere, continued to impress in the 26 weeks to 27 September with sales up 3.6%.

M&S Simply Food stores are helping drive profitability

M&S said the success of its Simply Food stores meant it was planning to open 200 new outlets over the next three years.

The company insisted that it had turned around womenswear - with sales rising 1.3% over five months and improved customer feedback.

Video: Expert Opinion On M&S Website Woes

But it did not provide a six-month figure - choosing to omit September's sales because it was "an unseasonable month."

Nevertheless, Chief executive Marc Bolland told Sky News he was pleased by the performance, saying "style is back" and "wraps are in".

Mr Bolland, who took over in 2010, said the group was improving "step by step", but a new clothing team he set up in 2012 had so far failed to deliver a sustained increase in sales.

M&S estimated a 1.3% hit to clothing from "unseasonal conditions" in September - with the mild weather, also charted by rival Next, not helpful for shifting high-margin winter coats, knitwear and boots.

Mr Bolland has spent over £2.3bn to address decades of under-investment, overseeing the revamp of products, stores, a new website and marketing.

He said the disappointing internet sales figure was a consequence of the new website, which has cost M&S £150m.

Mr Bolland blamed a "massive change, moving to a new platform".

Shares in M&S, which were down almost a fifth over the past year ahead of today's results, rose 6.5% when trading began on the FTSE 100.

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British Troops Going Back To Iraq For IS Fight

Britain is sending troops back to Iraq to help local forces in the battle against Islamic State militants, the Defence Secretary has confirmed.

Michael Fallon said the UK was "stepping up" its military presence in the country, with its forces to offer further training to Iraqi soldiers and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

It comes after a "small specialist" team was sent to instruct Peshmerga in the northern city of Irbil last month.

Mr Fallon, who visited British army trainers teaching Peshmerga fighters how to use heavy machine guns given by Britain, insisted that no combat troops will be deployed to Iraq.

He said the latest move would see UK troops teaching Kurds infantry skills such as sharp-shooting and first aid, while more equipment will be provided.

The UK will also send advisory personnel to Iraqi headquarters.

There have been growing calls to provide more assistance to new Iraqi prime minister Haider al Abadi as his country's forces struggle to reclaim territory from IS, also known as ISIS or ISIL, in the north and west.

Britain took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein

Mr Fallon held talks in Baghdad with the PM and Iraqi security advisers, before flying north to Irbil to met the President of the Kurdistan regional government Masoud Barzani and prime minister Nechirvan Barzani.

"The need is now," he said.

Video: How Is Islamic State Funded?

"It's a very immediate challenge from ISIL. As they start to push ISIL back out of the villages and towns that ISIL have gone into they are going to need this kind of assistance with roadside bombs, particularly to counter the terror tactics that Isil have been using.

"So, we are looking very urgently now how we can get more training help to them in the next few weeks."

Asked about concerns of mission creep, he said: "This is a very limited mission.

"The Prime Minister's made it very, very clear we are not going to recommit combat troops to Iraq. We've been there, we've done that.

"What we are going to do is to help the new government of Iraq and its own army take the fight to Isil through the aircraft we have deployed in the sky, through intelligence gathering, and through specialist training."

British troops took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq that overthrew Saddam Hussein, and later took responsibility for Basra and the south of the country.

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NHS Alcohol-Related Admissions Near '10 Million'

By Frazer Maude, North Of England Correspondent

Almost 10 million people a year are receiving NHS treatment because of alcohol, according to new figures.

The report compiled by Alcohol Concern shows the number and cost of treatments for illness and injury caused directly by drinking, like binge-fuelled trips to A&E or liver disease.

It also shows the cost of conditions in which alcohol is a significant factor.

A new online map highlights the total number of alcohol-related NHS admissions hit almost 10 million in England during 2012-13.

While A&E admissions accounted for six in every 10 alcohol-related hospital visits, inpatient admissions were responsible for almost two thirds of the total cost burden.

In England as a whole the figures suggest that drinking is attributable for almost half of all head and neck cancer inpatient admissions at a cost to the NHS of £65.3m.

A&E admissions accounted for six in every 10 alcohol-related visits

Just over 13% of all malignant breast neoplasm admissions were attributable to alcohol, costing the NHS £27.1m.

In total 9.6 million people in England are now drinking in excess of Government guidelines, with 2.4 million of those classed as high risk.

1/5

1. Gallery: Men & Women: Alcohol Guidance

   Women's bodies, in general, process alcohol at a slower rate than men's, says Drink Aware

2. Alcohol can affect women's fertility, create a greater risk of breast cancer and increase some side-effects of the menopause

3. The NHS estimates that around 4% of UK women show signs of alcoholism

4. Alcohol daily guidelines for women are 2-3 units of alcohol, equivalent to a 175 ml glass of wine

5. Alcohol daily guidelines for men are no more than of 3-4 units of alcohol, equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer

Commenting on the data, Alcohol Concern Chief Executive Jackie Ballard said: "The NHS is now facing an intolerable strain from alcohol-related illnesses.

"We need to ensure adequate alcohol care pathways are prioritised and appropriate services are put in place to ease this burden."

Dr Carsten Grimm, Clinical Lead for the Alcohol Service in Kirklees, Yorkshire, said: "It is vital that people understand the full consequences of drinking at unsafe levels can have on their health.

Video: Alcohol NHS Impact Regional Guide

"With almost 10 million alcohol-related hospital admissions, we can see just how serious an impact unsafe levels of alcohol consumption is having on our health system."

A Department of Health statement said the Government is well aware of the costs caused by drinking.

"We know that alcohol-fuelled harm costs society about £21bn a year and are determined to reduce this burden to taxpayers. The rise in admissions is very concerning and we are taking action to tackle cheap and harmful alcohol.

Video: Pill Could Cut Desire For Alcohol

"We have given local authorities £8.2m over three years to tackle health issues in their communities like harmful drinking.

"We are working with industry to promote drinking within recommended guidelines and responsible drinking through local schemes, and are already making headway by removing a billion units from the market over four years." 

Video: 'We've Seen Liver Disease Double'

Video: New Report On Drinking And Health

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Writer's POW Father Inspired Prize-Winning Book

Australian novelist Richard Flanagan has won the Man Booker Prize after drawing on his father's World War Two prisoner of war experience to write The Narrow Road To The Deep North.

The book tells the story of Dorrigo Evans, a surgeon imprisoned in a Japanese work camp on the Thailand-Burma railway where tens of thousands of people died.

Named after a classic work of Japanese literature, the book is dedicated to Flanagan's father - referred to by his prisoner number, 335.

He died aged 98 on the day his son finished the book he had been working on for 12 years.

Flanagan, 53, is the third Australian to win the prize, which includes a trophy and an award of £50,000.

"As a child, my father taught me the Japanese words 'san byaku san ju go'. It was his number, 335, that he answered to as a slave labourer of the Japanese on the Death Railway," Flanagan said.

The Duchess of Cornwall presented the award

"It was, I guess, a strange mystery. Occasionally I glimpsed what that enigma might be in laughter, a grimace, a hand momentarily tensing on my shoulder, or the recited lines of others. After many years, I discovered it was also me.

"And so I am a child of the Death Railway. I am a writer. And sometimes it falls to a writer to seek to communicate the incommunicable."

The Australian writer left school at 16, before later winning a scholarship to the University of Oxford in England, where he completed a Master of Letters degree and worked as a river guide.

He initially wrote history books, before switching to fiction.

"I do not come out of a literary tradition, I come from a tiny mining town in the rainforest in an island at the end of the world. My grandparents were illiterate and I never expected to stand here before you in this grand hall in London as a writer being so honoured," he said.

"The two great themes from the origin of literature are love and war: this is a magnificent novel of love and war," said academic AC Grayling, who presented the award at a ceremony attended by the Duchess of Cornwall in London's Guildhall.

"This is the book that Richard Flanagan was born to write."

This was the first year writers of all nationalities have been eligible for the Booker, previously open only to authors from Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth of dozens of former British colonies, including Australia.

Some British writers had expressed fears that the change in eligibility could lead to US dominance of the 46-year-old award.

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Royal Hoax Radio DJ Seeks Work In The UK

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

One of the Australian DJs at the heart of the royal hoax phone call scandal has told a UK radio conference she would like to work on the airwaves in Britain.

Mel Greig appeared at Radio Festival 2014 in Manchester where she told delegates that making a speech at her engagement party had made her realise she was ready to return to radio.

"When I held that microphone I realised I did want to return to media," the DJ said.

"When I held it and felt so comfortable that's when I thought 'No, this is what I've always known, this is what I've done, it's such a powerful medium to get our messages across, I don't want to give this up'."

Nurse Jacintha Saldanha killed herself in 2012

Asked if she would move to the UK, the DJ replied: "It's beautiful here so, absolutely, I'd love to move here if the opportunity came up."

Greig apologised for her role in the incident at the inquest of nurse Jacintha Saldanha last month, and told the conference of her horror and disgust at the part she played in the prank.

Video: Hoax 'Pressing' On Nurse's Mind

"I was disgusted with myself, that I'd played a part in this poor woman's suicide, it was very hard to deal with."

Greig added: "It was horrific. And at the time I felt that I deserved it, people were saying you deserve to die and I honestly thought I do deserve to die.

"I had failed as a human being - someone has taken their own life because of something I was involved in."

In 2012 Greig and co-host Michael Christian called the hospital treating the Duchess of Cambridge for acute morning sickness posing as the Queen and Prince Charles.

Jacintha Saldanha, who transferred the call to another nurse on the Duchess's ward, was found dead a few days later.

Video: Hoax Nurse's Family Speak Of Grief

Ms Greig subsequently suffered from depression.

She said broadcasting wasn't a job but a passion and she'd be a wiser presenter after a tough two years on the sidelines.

She has a regular slot on breakfast TV in Australia but otherwise is "being patient with it and hoping the right opportunity comes up".

Critics accuse the DJ of playing the victim to rebuild her own career - but the Australian insists that's not the case.

"We need to see what we can learn from a tragic situation," the 32-year-old said.

Video: India Remembers Jacintha Saldanha

"I'm hoping that even if one person walks out of this room and it changes their mindset the next time they go to do something that might affect someone, then my job is done."

She also talked about going to hospital for major surgery for endometriosis, a fertility condition, and said: "I was convinced that that was my karma. That I took a mother, and now I don't deserve to be a mother."

A two-day inquest at the High Court heard Mrs Saldanha held herself responsible for the mistake, despite the private hospital's management supporting her and the other nurse as victims of a cruel joke.

Michael Christian has returned to the airwaves on Australian radio.

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Police Bail Limit Review After Yewtree Arrests

The length of time suspects can be kept on police bail is to be reviewed after a number of celebrities were left waiting months to hear if they would be charged with sex offences.

The Home Secretary announced the move in a speech at the College of Policing annual conference.

It comes after the Metropolitan Police came under fire over arrests made during Operation Yewtree, which was set up after the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Theresa May will announce the review

BBC radio presenter Paul Gambaccini and the comedians Jim Davidson and Freddie Starr all had to wait months before finding no action would be taken against them over sex offence allegations.

Gambaccini's lawyers criticised the police after he was told last week he would face no further action, a year after he was questioned by police and released on bail.

Video: 22/08/13: Davidson On Abuse Claims

Davidson was on bail for eight months and Starr for 18 months before being told no further action would be taken.

Mrs May said: "I am pleased that the college is developing evidence-based guidance to bring consistency, transparency and rigour to the way in which pre-charge bail is used in criminal investigations.

"You have consulted on the operational guidance and will publish your findings shortly.

Video: 06/05/14: Starr Charges Relief

"But in parallel we must also look at statutory time limits on the use of pre-charge bail to prevent people spending months or even years on bail only for no charges to be brought."

Human rights group Liberty has called for a six-month statutory limit.

Figures released after a Freedom of Information request in May last year showed there were 57,000 on bail – of those 3,000 had been on bail for more than six months.

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Jobless Total Back Below Two-Million Mark

The latest unemployment figures show the jobless total below the two-million mark for the first time since 2008.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said unemployment fell by 154,000 in the three months to August to 1.97 million, with the jobless rate falling by more than expected to 6% - its lowest level since October 2008.

But the figures also highlighted continuing concerns about wage growth - measured at just 0.7% on an annual basis between June and August.

It meant that earnings were still failing to keep pace with inflation despite annual living cost increases being calculated on Tuesday at just 1.2%.

The ONS statistics also showed that growth in employment had slowed to its weakest pace since May 2013 though it took the total in work to a new UK record of 30.7 million.

The fall in the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in September was the smallest since April last year, down 18,600 month on month.

There are fears the UK's economic recovery risks being damaged by renewed weakness globally - with some economists forecasting a new recession in the UK's biggest market, the eurozone.

Unemployment has fallen by 538,000 over the past year, the biggest annual reduction since records began in 1972.

Prime Minister David Cameron reacted to the figures by tweeting: "The biggest-ever fall in unemployment in history, taking it below two million, is great news. Our plan is working, but there's still much more to do."

The statistics showed progress on the crisis in youth unemployment - which covers 16 to 24-year-olds - easing by 88,000 over the quarter to 733,000.

There were 162,000 unemployed 16-and-17-year-olds, down by 11,000 on the previous three months.

But the number classed as economically inactive increased by 113,000 in the latest quarter to more than nine million - a figure that risks damaging the Government's attempts to bring down the UK's welfare bill.

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Sainsbury's Endures Backlash On Nectar Cuts

Sainsbury's customers have threatened to shop elsewhere after the supermarket chain confirmed it was planning cuts to its Nectar reward points.

The company, which announced the changes in an email, said it was halving points to one per pound spent in store or online from 11 April 2015.

It also planned to stop rewarding customers with points for using their own bags but would continue to award one point for each litre of fuel bought from its pumps.

Sainsbury's insisted there would be "lots of opportunities to boost your balance faster and more value when you spend your points" but recipients of the email took to Twitter to complain.

Chris Whitehead tweeted: "Hey @Sainsburys if I enter into a relationship with an agreed expectation of loyalty, then you change it, expect divorce. Hi @Ocado."

Anna McNally wrote: "So @Sainsburys will no longer be giving me nectar points for reusing my bags but will be giving out extra points on fuel. Sounds very green."

A Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: "We are changing the way customers earn Nectar points and launching more high-value bonus events, like Swipe to Win, 10xpoints on fuel and adding more categories to our Christmas 'Double Up' event so that customers can make their points go even further."

It claimed the changes were a "redistribution" of points rather than a saving on the scheme and said there were no cost savings to the retailer in the first 12 months.

Sainsbury's - like its biggest rivals Tesco and Morrisons - have been losing ground to hard discounters such as Aldi and Lidl in a fierce price war.

Of the 'big four' chains, only Asda has grown its share in recent months.

The new Sainsbury's boss, Mike Coupe, has previously warned that the supermarket sector is facing its most turbulent period in three decades.

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Baby Death: Family Rebuked Over Dangerous Dog

By Lisa Dowd, Sky News Correspondent

A baby girl bled to death from head wounds after being attacked by the family dog, according to the provisional findings of a coroner.

An inquest in Northampton into the death of six-month-old Molly-Mae Wotherspoon heard the baby died at  an address in Timken, Daventry on October 3.

The baby was being cared for by her maternal grandmother, who was herself bitten as she tried to protect the baby.

The child's mother, Claire Riley, identified the body.

Coroner for Northamptonshire Mrs Anne Pember said the family had "paid the ultimate price".

She said during the two-minute hearing: "I understand that the family owned the American Pitbull Terrier who attacked Molly-Mae.

"The public should be aware this breed of dog is classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act for a reason, it is very dangerous.

"The family in this case have paid the ultimate price for owning such a dog - the death of their six-month-old baby."

The inquest was adjourned until February 11.

Police are continuing to investigate the "horrific" circumstances of the dog attack.

Molly-Mae's family issued a brief statement last week.

It said: "The family wish to say at this point that we are totally devastated and in complete shock for the tragic loss of our little princess and ask that we are left alone to grieve."

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Glastonbury In Native American Headdress Ruling

Traders at next year's Glastonbury Festival have been forbidden from selling Native American headdresses following an online petition.

The headwear is often worn by revellers at summer festivals all over the world and has controversially become something of a fashion item.

The campaign was launched on Change.org by Daniel W Round who argues that wearing the headdress is "offensive and disrespectful".

"A concerning trend has become increasingly prevalent over the past few years at Glastonbury and other music festivals – that of the wearing of Native American-style headdresses.

"This summer in particular, I noticed far more festival-goers wearing the headdress as an item of fashion than at previous events - hence this petition," he wrote.

Wearing the headdress has been seen as racial stereotyping

"There has long been consensus among indigenous civil rights activists in North America about the wearing of headdresses by non-Natives – that it is an offensive and disrespectful form of cultural appropriation, that it homogenises diverse indigenous peoples, and that it perpetuates damaging, archaic and racist stereotypes."

Now organisers have added the headdress to a list of things stalls at the event must not sell unless they have prior authorisation.

1/28

1. Gallery: Kasabian Close Glastonbury Festival

   Kasabian headlined the Pyramid Stage on Sunday as the annual Glastonbury Festival drew to close.

2. The band's lead singer Tom Meighan took centre stage as photographers snapped away.

3. Kasabian put on an energetic show, performing hits including Club Foot, Shoot The Runner and Processed Beats.

4. The clean-up after all of teh festivities could take up to six weeks.

5. It is hard to believe the farm will be a functioning dairy again later in the summer.

6. Some of what is left behind is recycled or given to charity.

7. The reveller doesn't seem ready to leave.

8. Dolly Parton performed to more than 100,000 people at this year's Glastonbury Festival.

9. The country music legend said it was an "honour" and a "thrill" to perform at the event.

10. She was joined on the Pyramid Stage by Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora.

11. The crowd was thrilled by Dolly Parton's performance.

12. Earlier, Ed Sheeran also played at Worthy Farm in Somerset.

13. The vocalist has trumped Coldplay to rise to the top of the albums chart.

14. Festival goers enjoyed a packed line-up of acts during the three-day event.

15. Highlights included a performance from Metallica, who took to the stage on Saturday.

16. Ellie Goulding danced her way through an hour-long set.

17. The singer played hits including Starry Eyed, Figure 8 and Anything Could Happen.

18. A damp start turned much of the Glastonbury Festival site to mud ...

19. ... but festival goers still managed to find a sunbathing spot on Sunday.

22. A usually peacefully corner of Somerset is transformed during the festival ...

23. ... as 175,000 people make Worthy Farm their temporary home.

24. A music fan takes a break from the fun and festivities.

25. Glastonbury Festival isn't all about the music. The English National Ballet performed Lest We Forget, a routine about the First World War.

27. Performers march a model giraffe through Theatre Field at Glastonbury.

28. When the festival goers leave, the clean-up begins. Here, rubbish piles up at a recycling centre at Worthy Farm.

The list also includes cigarettes, alcohol, candles or flares among other items.

Emily Eavis told NME it was not a outright ban.

Mr Round was pleased with the result: "Our petition, small in numbers but passionate in support, pushed this issue right up to Emily Eavis, and she listened.

Video: Govt Abandoned Somerset, Says Eavis

"From next year, alongside candle flares and flags, Native American style headdresses will not be on sale at Glasto stalls."

The campaigner said he hopes to take the campaign to other festivals in the UK.

All 135,000 tickets to next year's event at Worthy Farm have sold out and Fleetwood Mac are among the bookies' favourites to headline.

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Beginners' Luck For EuroMillions Builders

Six builders are celebrating winning more than £300,000 in a EuroMillions lottery draw as part of a syndicate that had entered for the first time.

The men, who work in Glasgow and all live near each other in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, will each get £55,527.90 as a share of the £333,167.40 win.

Five numbers and one Lucky Star came up for the syndicate in last Tuesday's draw.

The lucky winners celebrate their success

The winners - Nigel Himsworth, 41, Adam Wright, 27, Ashley Robinson, 28, Adam Booth, 20, Michael Hunt, 31, and Darren Fisher, 42 - work for a specialist contractor and have been in Glasgow for the past few weeks.

Mr Himsworth said: "I buy a ticket for EuroMillions when it's a rollover and had bought mine one morning before work.

Video: EuroMillions Prize Winner Revealed

"A couple of the lads are new to the team and we were chatting and decided we would give it a go as a syndicate.

"We each put on three Lucky Dips and on the Wednesday morning we checked our tickets.

"Four of us had checked our tickets on the way to work and when we arrived Ashley checked what turned out to be the winning ticket.

"We heard him shouting a mile away.

Video: Couple 'Giggled' At Lottery Win

"We had checked the tickets at 7am and the claim line didn't open until 9am so we were all pacing up and down until we knew everything was confirmed.

"We're over the moon with our win. We went out for a celebration at the weekend when we were home and we were treated like pop stars.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet so no one has decided what to spend their money on at this stage, but I'm sure there will be a few holidays being planned."

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Lord Freud Accused Over Disabled Comments

Welfare minister Lord Freud was under pressure to resign after Labour leader Ed Miliband disclosed he claimed that disabled people were "not worth" the minimum wage.

Welfare charities joined politicians in calling for the Conservative minister to go over comments he made at a think-tank event where he suggested mentally disabled people should only be paid £2 an hour and not the full £6.50.

Mr Miliband ambushed David Cameron with the revelations at Prime Minister's Questions saying it proved the Tories had returned to their "nasty party" past.

Lord Freud, the great grandson of Sigmund Freud, made the comments on 30 September after being questioned on disabled people and the minimum wage by a Conservative councillor.

He said: "Now, there is a small … there is a group, and I know exactly who you mean, where actually as you say they're not worth the full wage and actually I'm going to go and think about that particular issue, whether there is something we can do nationally, and without distorting the whole thing, which actually if someone wants to work for £2 an hour, and it's working can we actually ..."

Video: Miliband On Attack Over Lord Freud

The minister was swift to issue a "full and unreserved apology".

In a statement he said: "I was foolish to accept the premise of the question. To be clear, all disabled people should be paid at least the minimum wage, without exception, and I accept that it is offensive to suggest anything else."

He added: "I am profoundly sorry for any offence I have caused to any disabled people."

Responding to Mr Miliband's attack, Mr Cameron said: "Of course disabled people should be paid the minimum wage."

The Prime Minister, whose son Ivan suffered with cerebral palsy combined with a form of epilepsy before his death in 2009 aged six, added: "I don't need lectures from anyone about looking after disabled people."

Following the exchange in the House of Commons, Mr Cameron's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister will want to hear the full context of what happened and also wants to hear what Lord Freud has to say."

Employment minister Esther McVey said Lord Freud's comments "will haunt him".

A Labour party spokesperson said: "This attempt at an apology is not the end of the matter. Lord Freud claims he merely accepted 'the premise of the question' but it was he who said some disabled people are 'not worth the full wage' and it was he who suggested paying people just £2 an hour. In fact he said he would go away to look at this issue, suggesting that this Government would consider it.

"Someone holding these views shouldn't be in government. Disability charities have already condemned Lord Freud's comments in the strongest possible terms, senior Tories have called for Lord Freud to resign, a ministerial colleague has said these words will 'haunt him', yet David Cameron has so far failed to act." 

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: "The views expressed by Lord Freud are completely unacceptable. The Liberal Democrats are proud to have raised the minimum wage repeatedly in Government and will resist any attempt to cut it for anybody, not least the disabled."

However, they added ministerial appointments were a matter for Mr Cameron.

Tom Pollard, policy and campaigns manager at Mind, said: "It is offensive and outdated to suggest that someone with a disability should be prepared to accept less than minimum wage.

"People with disabilities, including mental health problems, can and do make a valuable contribution to the workplace and should be paid the same as any other employees."

A spokesperson for the disability charity Scope said: "The suggestion that disabled people should be prepared to be paid less than minimum wage is unacceptable." 

Lord Freud has come under fire for previous comments including saying that families hit by the so-called "bedroom tax" can "go out to work" or use a sofa bed when the children come to stay.

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Ebola Outbreak: How Much Is Britain At Risk?

By Thomas Moore, Health And Science Correspondent

As a Spanish nurse becomes the first person outside West Africa to be infected with ebola, here we answer some of your questions.

Now the virus is in Europe, should I panic?

No. The infection of the Spanish nurse is almost certainly a one-off.

Health workers have to go through a strict de-robing procedure to prevent the virus being transferred from their protective gowns onto their skin.

If clothes are removed in the wrong order, if any shortcut is taken on handwashing, or if any sweat is wiped away from the eyes, there can be contamination.

It does not mean the virus is on the loose in Europe. The nurse's contacts have been traced and those deemed to be at high risk have been quarantined as a precaution.

The general population in the UK - or Spain, for that matter - is at no greater risk of ebola today than it was a week ago.

Nurse Teresa Ramos has ebola in Spain

Why bring infected health workers back from Africa at all?

British doctors and nurses are already treating ebola patients in West Africa.

Video: Ebola: School Blocks Charity Mum

Many more will be on their way within weeks, answering the humanitarian call to help countries that have been overwhelmed by the disease.

So far just one - Will Pooley - has been infected and brought back for treatment at London's Royal Free Hospital.

He would not have been able to get the best medical care in Sierra Leone, so the Government repatriated him with strict - and successful - quarantine controls.

But the International Development Secretary Justine Greening has acknowledged on Sky News there is a risk in transferring patients and a hospital is being built with UK money in Sierra Leone.

It will have 12 beds set aside for infected healthcare workers.

What about travellers - shouldn't we screen them?

Video: Bodies Pile Up After Ebola Strike

Public Health England says there is no reason to check arriving air passengers for ebola symptoms. That's in line with advice from the World Health Organisation.

Firstly, it would duplicate the screening of people departing on flights from the affected countries in West Africa.

Secondly, British Airways has suspended direct flights between the UK and Sierra Leone and Liberia.

So passengers from the region would have to change planes in Paris, Brussels, or many other capitals.

Tens of thousands of passengers would have to be checked every day, causing long delays.

Thirdly, temperature scans only detect people with symptoms.

Video: Suiting Up In An Ebola Hotspot

A Liberian passenger treated in hospital in the US was healthy when he travelled and only developed symptoms several days later. Checks on arrival wouldn't have picked him up.

He has now died in a Dallas hospital.

So is the NHS prepared?

GPs have been sent a symptom checklist by Public Health England.

Anybody with a fever, who has recently returned from one of the affected countries in West Africa, will be rapidly risk-assessed.

If there is a high chance that their symptoms are due to ebola - rather than malaria or any other tropical disease - they will be quarantined at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

Video: UK Ebola Risk 'Remains Low'

What if we get lots of ebola cases?

The specialist unit at the Royal Free has two beds.

But other NHS hospitals are on standby.

The Royal Liverpool, Royal Victoria in Newcastle and Royal Hallamshire in Sheffield are next in line to receive patients.

And any hospital with an infectious diseases unit could be adapted with quarantine canopies around beds to safely care for patients.

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School Blocks Charity Worker Over Ebola Fears

A school visit by a charity worker in Greater Manchester has been cancelled because some parents were reportedly worried their children would be infected by ebola.

Miriam Mason-Sesay and her nine-year-old son, Kofi - who was due to study at St Simon's Catholic Primary School in Stockton - are from Sierra Leone.

They have been screened, are healthy and have been given unrestricted movement in the UK.

Kofi came with his mother from Sierra Leone on Thursday

The school tried to reassure parents that they posed no risk but a number of parents were insistent the visit should not go ahead.

In a statement, headteacher Elizabeth Inman said: "A significant number of parents have been in touch with me to express their fears.

"Ebola cannot be spread as some parents have suggested.

"There are many parents who believe that the visit should have gone ahead and that we are contributing to misunderstandings by cancelling it.

The charity worker has been living in Sierra Leone since 2000

"The misguided hysteria emerging is extremely disappointing, distracting us from our core purpose of educating your children and is not an environment that I would wish a visitor to experience."

Speaking to Sky News, Ms Mason-Sesay said she and Kofi had come from Sierra Leone on Thursday evening for fund-raising purposes - something she does every March and October for the charity, EducAid, which was started by her brother and a friend who set up schools for children out there.

The charity worker, who has been in the West African country since 2000, said she and her son had not had any contact with anyone with ebola while in Sierra Leone - or anyone who had been in contact with someone who had had it.

"Absolutely not," she insisted. "That's the trouble really. There have been 600 deaths but we're talking about a population of six million, it's less than 0.1%. It's not hiding behind every bush.

"It's a very nasty disease but you have to go looking to get it. You have to be a health worker or a care worker for somebody who is seriously ill.

"It's disappointing that people would think I would endanger their children in that way and be going round other schools if I were a genuine risk."

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Rise In Child Abuse Linked To Witchcraft

Cases of ritual child abuse linked to beliefs in witchcraft are being reported to police in increasing numbers, it has been revealed.

A total of 27 allegations have been made to Scotland Yard in the past year, including two claims of rape, a child being swung around and smacked in the head "to drive out the devil" and others being dunked in water.

Child killings including the murder of 15-year-old Kristy Bamu, who was tortured and drowned by his sister and her boyfriend in 2010, and the death of Victoria Climbie have been linked to such beliefs.

And the number of cases of ritualistic or faith-based abuse of children reported to the Metropolitan Police has increased every year over the past decade.

A total of 24 were passed to the force in 2013; after 19 in 2012 and nine in 2011 - with 148 cases referred to the Met since 2004.

Police were due to meet a group including teachers, child care and health workers to discuss how to tackle an issue that officers say is rarely reported.

Detective Superintendent Terry Sharpe said: "Abuse linked to belief is a horrific crime which is condemned by people of all cultures, communities and faiths.

Kristy Bamu was killed in 2010

"A number of high-profile investigations brought the issue of ritual abuse and witchcraft into the headlines but it is important that professionals are clear about the signs to look for," he said.

"Families or carers genuinely believe that the victim has been completely taken over by the devil or an evil spirit, which is often supported by someone who within the community has portrayed themselves as an authority on faith and belief.

Video: March 2012: Witchcraft In The Congo

"Regardless of the beliefs of the abusers, child abuse is child abuse."

Simon Bass from the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service said his group was "not remotely surprised" at the figures.

"We are pleased that the Metropolitan Police has undertaken such great work in this area, but we are convinced that this form of abuse is hidden, and that the statutory agencies across the UK are facing similar situations," he said.

Kristy Bamu's death was one of a handful of cases where an apparent belief in witchcraft has been linked to extreme violence against children.

He was tortured and beaten before he drowned in a bath at his sister's flat in east London on Christmas Day 2010.

Magalie Bamu and her boyfriend Eric Bikubi became convinced that he was possessed by kindoki, or witchcraft, and was trying to harm or control another child in the family.

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Terror Arrests May Have Foiled Major Plot

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in a series of raids, during which one suspect was Tasered.

The men - all aged 20 or 21 - were detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command at addresses across London as part of an investigation into Islamist terror activities.

Officers believe the raids disrupted what could have been a "significant plot", according to a Whitehall source quoted by the Press Association.

The 21-year-old who was Tasered during his arrest did not require medical treatment, Scotland Yard said. 

"SO15 officers were assisted in the execution of warrants at one of the addresses by officers from the Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19). No shots were fired," police said in a statement.

"A number of residential addresses and vehicles are being searched by specialist officers in west and central London as part of the investigation. The searches are ongoing.

"These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism."

All four suspects have been taken to police stations in central London and remain in custody.

Sky News correspondent Mark White explained: "The information that we're getting from sources suggests that this was an early disruption of what might have been a significant plot had it been allowed to come to fruition.

"There has been a change in recent months in the way that the authorities will approach these plots... the authorities no longer have the luxury of following a terror group that might be buying the ingredients for an explosive device and conspiring among themselves for many months.

"These plots can spring up so quickly that the police have to intervene at a very early stage and that might mean that, at the end of the day, they don't get enough evidence that they can put before the court.

"But that's the trade off - disrupting plots and safeguarding the public at the expense, perhaps, of a trial further down the line."

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EDF Go Ahead for Hinkley Point Nuclear Reactor

French energy giant EDF has been given approval to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in north Somerset, it has been confirmed.

The new-build power station is part of a plan to replace 20% of Britain's ageing nuclear power infrastructure.

Approval for the construction has been confirmed by regulators at the European Commission, following prior approval by Competition Commissioner Vice-President Joaquin Almunia.

The EU examined the bid over concerns the UK Government was giving excess help to the plan.

Mr Almunia said: "After the commission's intervention, the UK measures in favour of Hinkley Point nuclear power station have been significantly modified, limiting any distortions of competition in the single market.

"These modifications will also achieve significant savings for UK taxpayers.

"On this basis and after a thorough investigation, the commission can now conclude that the support is compatible with EU state aid rules."

Britain has previously estimated the new build cost at £16bn but some forecasts have put the total price up to £25bn.

The EU said that under treaty rules, member states are free to determine their energy mix.

It said that the UK has decided to promote nuclear energy and this decision is within its national competence.

However, it insists that when public money is spent to support companies, the commission has the duty to verify that this is done in line with the EU state aid rules, which aim to preserve competition among member states.

Known as Hinkley Point C, it will replace the A station, which is being decommissioned, and the operational B station.

Video: Nuclear Deal 'To Boost Industry'

It is the first in a new generation of UK nuclear power stations.

EDF had earlier said: "A new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point will not only provide a clean, secure and affordable source of electricity for around five million homes, but it will also provide around 900 jobs at the new power stations for more than 60 years."

The lengthy building programme is expected to create 25,000 jobs for almost a decade.

The industry's trade body head, Lord Hutton of Furness, welcomed the decision and said: "The Nuclear Industry Association is pleased the deal for Hinkley Point C has been approved.

"This is an important step in securing the UK's home-grown low-carbon electricity generation while adding jobs and prosperity to the economy."

:: EDF Energy CEO Vincent De Rivaz will be interviewed by Ian King Live tonight at 6.30pm.

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Clegg Admits Lib Dems Tainted By Government

Nick Clegg has said his party has been tainted by time in Government, as he pledged never to make a tuition fees-style "mistake" again.

In his final conference speech before the General Election, the Liberal Democrat leader admitted he was no longer the "untainted ... fresh-faced outsider" who rode into the coalition on the back of "Cleggmania" in 2010.

Mr Clegg accused the Conservatives of lurching right and Labour of lurching left to combat the threat of UKIP, claiming the middle ground for his party ahead of the vote in May.

Nick Clegg's speech: word cloud

He thanked Ed Miliband for forgetting to mention the deficit in his speech at the Labour party conference, and he thanked the Chancellor George Osborne for announcing he would take away benefits from working age poor - making the party's job easier.

Mr Clegg said the Liberal Democrats were the only party to stand for "decent British values" and against the politics of "blame and grievance and fear" on offer from the other parties and he would "keep hammering away at the system every single day".

Video: Clegg: The Politics Of Blame

And he said he had debated with Nigel Farage on the European Union because someone had to stand up for "liberal Britain".

The Deputy Prime Minister listed all of the Lib Dems' triumphs while in Government, including increasing the personal tax allowance - effectively awarding tax cuts to millions - free childcare, better parental leave, gay marriage and the pupil premium for disadvantaged children.

He said he would not stand by and see the Tories claiming the credit for all the Liberal Democrats had done, telling activists: "David Cameron, you can copy our ideas but you will never imitate our values."

Video: Nick Clegg On Terror Threat

Mr Clegg vowed to increase the personal tax free allowance to £11,000 by 2016 and £12,500 by 2020.

He accused the Conservatives of plagiarising Liberal Democrat policy with Mr Cameron's conference pledge increase the amount people can earn without being taxed to £12,500 by 2020, which would mean a tax cut for 30 million people. 

Increasing the personal allowance was part of the Liberal Democrats' manifesto pledge in 2010 but in the televised leaders debates Mr Cameron told Mr Clegg his plans were unaffordable.

Video: Clegg Invokes The Pub Landlord

Mr Clegg disclosed a conversation with Mr Osborne in which the Chancellor told him: "I don't want to deliver a Liberal Democrat budget"

In his speech, Mr Clegg also hit back at Home Secretary Theresa May for "playing on people's fears simply to try and get your own way".

In her speech to the Tory conference last week, Mrs May accused the Lib Dems of putting children's lives at risk by opposing measures that would allow intelligence agencies access to all phone, internet and email records.

Video: Clegg: Tories Stole Our Tax Policy

Mr Clegg said: "Your Communications Data Bill was disproportionate, disempowering - we blocked it once and we'd do it again.

"There are times when the state needs to keep its nose out of our lives, to give us the freedom to make the most of our lives."

He also had a rebuke for Mr Cameron over his attitude to environmental policies telling party activists: "It's not green c*** to us" as he made a manifesto pledge to five new green laws.

Video: Full Interview: Deputy PM's Wife

The Prime Minister was reported last year to have said: "We've got to get rid of all this green c***."

Mr Clegg also promised the vow on the devolution of powers to Scotland promised by the three party leaders would not be broken.

He paid tribute to the two Britons killed by Islamic State terrorists, saying their deaths had provided British forces in Iraq with a "clear, single objective".

Video: Sky News By-Election Special

He also announced there would be national waiting times for mental health patients and, like Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband, he pledged to increase spending on the like DNHS.

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Kevin Costner's Message For 'Noble' British Troops

Hollywood actor Kevin Costner has recorded a special message for British troops, praising their bravery and commitment.

The star wrote and recorded the emotional message for the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) during a break from filming in Hampshire for his latest movie Criminal.

"It's an incredible selfless thing you've chosen to do to be in the military. To volunteer when you could be pursuing so many other things with your young lives but instead choosing to serve your beloved country," he said.

Costner and BFBS reporter Natasha Reneaux

He called our armed forces "noble" and said they "stand for those who cannot stand for themselves".

Costner admitted that despite having played characters in the military, the roles do not compare to fighting for your country and its allies.

"It's a club you can't buy your way into, a membership that can't be faked or underestimated," he said.

He added that he hopes that those serving in conflict areas are "covered by angels". 

He called the British forces "America's strongest ally" and finished by saying: "I can offer you nothing but respect."

BFBS has been bringing radio to soldiers in the UK and around the world since the 1940s.

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DJ 'Raped Teenager After Pop Fame Promise'

A DJ accused of raping a 15-year-old with Jimmy Savile attacked another teenager who responded to his magazine advert looking for "the next teenage pop sensation", a court has been told.

Former Radio Caroline DJ Ray Teret, 72, raped the 17-year-old after giving her "the promise of the dream" of fame and fortune, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

However, the defendant did not find the budding singer "a jot of work", the jury was told.

Teret, then aged in his mid-50s, was said to have impressed the girl when he took her to his house in the mid-1990s and showed her a Porsche car, gold and platinum discs and photographs on the walls of him with celebrities.

Prosecutor Tim Evans said Teret went on to tell the youngster "there were lots of things potentially happening career-wise" and she needed to be in the "bright lights of Manchester".

It led to "a big send-off" from her family as Teret collected her and drove her to his flat where he raped her after she had red wine for the first time and became drunk, the court heard.

The alleged victim was said to have gone "into a bit of a lockdown" as she submitted rather than consented to sex, jurors were told.

William Harper, 65, is also on trial with Teret

Teret then gave her £40 to buy a new dress, said Mr Evans.

Only "the promise of the dream" persuaded her to stay as Teret continued his abuse, he added.

Mr Evans said: "She got to the stage where she protested and his answer to that was telling, you may think.

"He would say that she was too attractive, her fault then, and more significantly that he couldn't do things for her without it happening.

"Could he make it any clearer to this 17-year-old girl who had not got the fame promised, that sex was the price for the fame she wanted?"

He went on: "And the fame and fortune promised? Teret didn't find her a jot of work. Was providing her with work ever what he was truly interested in?"

Teret, of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, denies 18 rapes, two other serious sexual assaults, one attempted rape, 11 indecent assaults and two counts of indecency with a child.

The historical offences dating back to 1962 are in relation to 17 different girls.

Two other men are also on trial with Teret.

Alan Ledger, 62, from Altrincham, denies a serious sexual assault, two indecent assaults and one count of indecency with a child.

William Harper, 65, of Stretford, denies one count of attempted rape.

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UK Soldiers Deployed To Ebola Epicentre

British troops are to be deployed to Sierra Leone on a mission to help fight the spiralling ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Up to 700 soldiers from the Royal Scots Borders 1st Battalion, based in Holywood, Northern Ireland, will eventually be stationed near the capital Freetown.

Around 40 troops have already arrived in the country, said the Ministry of Defence, and more are flying out soon.

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Matt Munro said: "This is a challenge unlike any, but the point is that we are very well prepared.

"This kind of operation represents, I think, the future for parts of the British Army.

Video: Ebola: School Blocks Charity Mum

"We deployed in the first instance to Sierra Leone at very short notice, not knowing how long my people were likely to be there."

He added that the soldiers were at a very low risk of contracting the virus.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus will also sail and moor off the country's coast and could be used to evacuate any British casualties if needed.

Three Merlin helicopters will be onboard to fly doctors and personnel to hard-to-reach areas.

Video: UK 'Lacks Ebola Experience'

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "The ebola outbreak in West Africa is already a global threat to public health and it's vital that the UK remains at the forefront of responding to the epidemic.

"We are stepping up significantly the UK's contribution and leadership in work to tackle the outbreak, on land, in the air and at sea.

"At the heart of the package is the commitment to provide more than 750 personnel to help with the establishment of ebola treatment centres and an ebola training academy."

Sky's Deputy Political Editor Joey Jones added: "At this stage it's all about trying to make sure that you can set up the proper infrastructure, the proper health services in some of those hard to reach areas.

Video: Bodies Pile Up After Ebola Strike

"There's no plan for some sort of evacuation or anything like that."

It comes after David Cameron chaired a lunchtime meeting of the emergency COBRA committee.

Four major hospitals in the UK - London's Royal Free Hospital and three others in Sheffield, Newcastle and Liverpool, are on standby to deal with any outbreak in the UK.

The hospitals already have infectious disease units and have been lined up to provide "surge capacity" if the virus spreads to Britain.

Video: Suiting Up In An Ebola Hotspot

Experts have said the UK is the third most likely country outside Africa to report an ebola case, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) warning that sporadic cases in Europe are "unavoidable".

Texas ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan - the first to be diagnosed with the disease in the US - died at the Texas Presbyterian Hospital on Wednesday, officials said.

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US Military Jet Crashes In Lincolnshire

A US fighter pilot ejected to safety as their military jet crashed in a Lincolnshire field.

Emergency services were alerted by members of the public to the incident, involving an F-15 fighter plane, near Broadgate in Weston Hills, at about 3.30pm.

Police advised people to avoid the area as fumes from the burning plane may be hazardous.

A spokesman for USAF's 48 Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk confirmed one of its F-15s was involved in the incident during a training exercise.

He added: "The pilot ejected and is safe."

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: "The pilot appears to have escaped with very minor injury and has left the scene by helicopter.

"The plane has come down in an isolated rural area and no premises have been affected.

"A cordon has been put in place and the public are advised to avoid the area as the plane is alight and the fumes may be hazardous."

More follows...

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Freed Abu Qatada 'Will Not Be Returning To UK'

Timeline: Qatada Legal Battle

Updated: 10:35am UK, Wednesday 24 September 2014

Abu Qatada challenged and ultimately thwarted every attempt by the Government to detain and deport him for many years.

Here is a timeline of the legal battle.

1993: Abu Qatada claims asylum when he arrives in Britain on a forged passport.

1994: Allowed to stay in Britain.

1995: Issues a "fatwa" justifying the killing of converts from Islam, their wives and children in Algeria.

1998: Applies for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.

1999: April - Convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan and sentenced to life imprisonment.

October - Speaks in London advocating the killing of Jews and praising attacks on Americans.

2001: February - Arrested by anti-terror police over involvement in a plot to bomb Strasbourg Christmas market. Officers find him with £170,000 in cash, including £805 in an envelope marked "For the mujahedin in Chechnya".

December - Becomes one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in west London.

2002: Arrested by police in a council house in south London and detained in Belmarsh high-security jail.

2005: Freed on conditional bail and placed on a control order but arrested again in August under immigration rules as the Government seeks to deport him to Jordan.

2008: April: Court of Appeal rules deportation would breach his human rights because evidence used against him in Jordan might have been obtained through torture.

May - Granted bail by the immigration tribunal but told he must stay inside for 22 hours a day.

June - Released from Long Lartin jail in Worcestershire and moves into a four-bedroom house in west London.

November - He is rearrested after the Home Office tells an immigration hearing of fears he plans to abscond.

December - Qatada's bail is revoked by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) after hearing secret evidence that the risk of him absconding has increased.

2009: Five Law Lords unanimously back the Government's policy of removing terror suspects from Britain on the basis of assurances from foreign governments and it is ruled he can be deported to Jordan to face a retrial on the terror charges.

He is awarded 2,800 euro (£2,500) compensation by the European Court of Human Rights after the judges rule that his detention without trial in the UK under anti-terrorism powers breached his human rights.

2012: January - European judges rule he can be sent to Jordan with diplomatic assurances but not while "there remains a real risk that evidence obtained by torture will be used against him".

February - He is released on strict bail conditions.

April - Rearrested as the Government prepares to deport him after Jordan gives assurances it will "bend over backwards" to ensure he receives a fair trial.

March - Qatada's legal team loses its bid to have the case heard by the Europe's human rights judges, clearing the way for deportation proceedings to continue.

May and August - Siac rejects Qatada's applications for bail.

October - Siac holds appeal hearing.

November - His appeal is granted and he is granted bail.

December - Qatada is moved to a larger residence in the greater London area.

2013: March 9 - It emerges Qatada has been arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. He is ordered to stay in custody and sent to Belmarsh.

March 21 - Police reveal the cleric is being investigated over extremist material.

March 27 - Home Secretary Theresa May loses her appeal over Siac's decision to allow Qatada to stay in the UK. The Home Office vows to appeal.

April 17 - The Home Office formally announces that it is seeking leave from the Court of Appeal to take the case to the Supreme Court.

April 22 - The Court of Appeal refuses permission to go to the Supreme Court, forcing the Home Office to appeal directly to the highest court in the land.

April 23 - Theresa May tells MPs she has signed a new treaty with Jordan that should pave the way to deportation, but warns it might take "many months".

May 10 - Qatada's barrister says he will go back to Jordan voluntarily if the treaty on the use of evidence obtained by torture, guaranteeing he will not be tortured, is ratified by the Jordanian parliament.

May 20 - Qatada is refused bail by the Special Immigrations Appeals Commission after "jihadist material" is found on a computer memory stick.

July 2 - The new treaty between Jordan and Britain is fully ratified, sparking claims Qatada could be on a plane within days.

July 3 - A Jordanian government official tells AFP the cleric is due back on Sunday.

July 7 - Flown from RAF Northolt to Jordan

December 10: Pleads not guilty to terrorism charges at a state security court in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

2014: June 26 - Acquitted of conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism over 1998 bomb plots allegations.

September 24 - Acquitted over plot to target Western tourists over the New Year in Jordan in 2000.

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24-Hour Tube Launch Date Is Revealed

London's Tube trains are set to operate a 24-hour service at weekends from September 12 next year, it has been announced.

Night-time journeys in the capital are expected to be cut by 20 minutes on average, with some journeys expected to be reduced by up to one hour.

Transport For London said the new service, first promised by Mayor Boris Johnson and London Underground last November, had been made possible due to modernisation of the network and improved levels of reliability.

Half a million Londoners use the Tube after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays

The launch of the "Night Tube" service will coincide with the Rugby World Cup, which is being hosted in England in September and October.

Fans attending at any of the three venues in London - Twickenham Stadium, Olympic Stadium and Wembley Stadium - will able to make use of the new service.

Mr Johnson said: "London is a bustling, 24-hour global city and by this time next year we'll have a 24-hour Tube service to match.

"Running trains all through the night was once thought impossible, but with the huge investment we've put in and upgrades that have been delivered we stand ready to take the Tube to the next level."

To meet the expected demand of the new service, there will be six trains per hour through central London on all Night Tube lines, including the Jubilee, Victoria and most of the Piccadilly, Central and Northern lines.

There will be eight trains per hour on the Northern line to meet demand at busy stations between Leicester Square and Camden Town.

Boris Johnson: 'We stand ready to take the Tube to the next level'

Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground, said: "We are now less than a year away from the first ever 24-hour services operating on London Underground.

"Already over half a million Londoners use the Tube after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and the introduction of the Night Tube, which will cut journey times and open up new possibilities across the night time economy, is a historic step in our modernisation of the Underground."

While rail unions welcome the move, they have asked for talks with Transport for London managers to ensure it will not be a low cost, low management service.

Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, said: "With Boris still wanting to axe 900 jobs and close all ticket offices, we want to ensure that the new service is properly staffed to ensure safe and secure travel for all passengers and that weekend maintenance work is not postponed to disrupt weekday services."

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iPods Save 750 Lives During Hospital Trials

By Lisa Dowd, Sky Correspondent

The lives of more than 750 patients have been saved at two hospitals after nurses started using iPods instead of paper charts to record patients' vital signs.

Research published in the British Medical Journal found that in one year the number of deaths at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth fell by 397 following the introduction of the new system.

At University Hospital Coventry 372 fewer patients died. The system has been trialled at the West Midlands hospital since 2007.

The special software automatically calculates if a patient is deteriorating and sends out alerts.

Staff have found the system is cutting down mistakes and saving time.

Nurse Amy-Dawn Lees uses an iPod to record a patient's blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels and temperature, as well as tapping in how a patient is feeling.

"The old paper charts were very, very difficult to decipher; the crosses, the arrows, written on the chart by the previous nurse. You can't actually distinguish exactly where the cross is," said Ms Lees.

"On the new electronic charts everything is colour-coded, you are able to see the previous observations in more detail, more accurately and obviously able to see whether your patient is the same, better or worse."

Handheld devices have replaced paper charts at two hospitals

Data from each iPod goes into a central computer system, which doctors, nurses and managers can access.

Patients across all wards are given a score of between 0 and 21.

"We have patients in today with high scores varying from 6, where we're starting to be concerned, to 11, which is the sickest patient we have," said Dr Duncan Watson, Clinical Director of Critical Care at University Hospital.

Doctors and nurses are also alerted to patients' needs by colour codes. Red signifies patients who need the most attention.

"It's radically changed things for us," added Dr Watson.

"It has decreased the mortality rates for the hospital, we are able to identify 10 patients a week and prevent them coming into the intensive care units, we can decrease their length of stay and the patients actually do better as they don't get as sick and we identify them quicker."

The system is expensive, according to Dr Watson - but it has the potential to save money long-term.

More importantly, across the two hospitals death rates have fallen by 15%.

Most hospital trusts still use a paper system, but University Hospital is now almost paper-free.

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