Donations Flood In After Cyclist's Death

Charity donations have poured in after a woman who represented England as a elite rower was killed in a collision with a lorry on a fundraising bike ride.

Anna Roots, 34, from west London, suffered fatal injuries on the A386 in Sutherland, on Saturday - the first day of her cycle ride from John O'Groats to Lands End.

She and friend and fellow rower, Rebekah Edgar, were raising money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Donations to their JustGiving page have now more than doubled their original target of £4,950.

Ms Edgar says the pair planned taking on the famous cross-Britain challenge for over a year.

"The first planned day of our ride took us along the scenic north coast of Scotland to a village called Betty Hill," she writes on the charity page.

"Tragically as we descended into the village that afternoon Anna was involved in a fatal collision with a lorry.

"Ian, Anna's husband, has asked me to update this page to share pictures of that day, which show Anna enjoying life as she always did."

Anna rowed with the Mortlake Anglian & Alpha Boat Club in Chiswick, west London.

She competed in lightweight sculls and represented England at the Commonwealth Rowing Championships in Canada in 2010.

She also had several trials for Great Britain but did not get into the squad.

Her husband, Ian, is also a rowing coach and her mother worked with British Rowing for many years.

A spokeswoman for the organisation said: "We are all saddened by the news and are thinking about all of her close friends and family at what will be a sad time for them."

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Call For New Law To Oust Under-Fire Police Boss

Senior MPs are calling for the Government to look at introducing emergency legislation so police and crime commissioners such as under-fire Shaun Wright can be sacked.

Appearing before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Mr Wright said he intended to stay in his job, claiming that resigning would have been the easy option.

South Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner has resisted demands to quit in the wake of a damning inquiry into child abuse in Rotherham spanning 16 years, including five where he was in charge of the town's children's services.

Those calling for him to step down include Prime Minister David Cameron, Home Secretary Theresa May and Labour leader Ed Miliband as well as his deputy, Tracey Cheetham, who stepped down herself in protest at his failure to go.

Keith Vaz MP, chairman of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee

Now, committee chairman Keith Vaz is writing to Ms May "because it is unsatisfactory in our view that someone should be able to say to the public who elected them 'I'm just carrying on'".

Mr Vaz called for Mr Wright's "immediate resignation", and the chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Nick Alston, told Sky News "his position was untenable".

The Jay Report outlined how at least 1,400 children had been subjected to trafficking, rape and other sexual exploitation between 1997 and 2013.

It also said their plight had been ignored by range of agencies, including police, councillors and council officials.

Twenty-five more victims have come forward since the report was published last month.

Former South Yorkshire chief constable Meredydd John Hughes

Mr Wright told MPs the problem of child sexual exploitation was not flagged up to him as a significant issue during his time as a councillor with responsibility for Rotherham's children services from 2005 to 2010.

But Mr Vaz responded by saying: "We don't accept you didn't know."

Mr Wright told the MPs: "I basically think that resigning would have been, perhaps, the easy option given the last fortnight with the various criticisms that have been made and the effect that that's had on both myself and my family."

He said it was his responsibility to the people of South Yorkshire to continue in his post and said no one had raised any questions about his conduct since his 2012 election - a suggestion rejected by Mr Vaz.

David Crompton admits things should have been done differently

Earlier, a former South Yorkshire police boss admitted he had "no idea" about the scale of child abuse in Rotherham while he was in charge.

Meredydd John Hughes, who was chief constable between 2004 and 2011, told MPs he was "embarrassed" at the failure to act to stop it.

Appearing before the same committee, he faced some tough questioning from MPs who said child exploitation "on an industrial scale" had taken place on his watch.

There were heated exchanges with Mr Hughes, who told the committee: "I can say with honesty that at the time I was both deputy and chief constable, I had no idea of the scale and scope of this type of organised crime."

He said he had not seen three of four reports being examined by their inquiry until recently.

He said: "Some of those reports ... I frankly felt sick last night when I read them. I am not immune to the ideas that this is a hideous crime and I am deeply embarrassed."

But he was rebuked by Mr Vaz, who told him his denials were "impossible to believe" in the face of "evidence of the most compelling nature" to the contrary.

After a 32-year career with the police, Mr Hughes said he had "singularly failed the victims of these victims".

His successor, Chief Constable David Crompton, was also questioned and told MPs: "I accept things should have been done differently in the past."

But he also told the committee: "Things are better now than they used to be."

Mr Vaz had taken the unusual step of requiring the witnesses to swear an oath before the hearing started.

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Scotland: Can Party Leaders Turn The Tide?

By Faisal Islam, Political Editor, In Edinburgh

The visit of the Westminster party leaders to a rebellious Scotland could turn out to be the biggest gamble in British political history.

The United Kingdom's territorial integrity is up for grabs, and in the last eight days of a long campaign the leaders have turned upside down a central tenet of the No campaign's two-year strategy.

Yet with the poor personal ratings of Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg and Mr Miliband in Scotland, it is far from certain that the gambit will come off.

Since its inception, the No campaign in Scotland has been adamant about one thing: to allow the referendum to turn into Scotland vs England, or Scot versus Tory would be completely disastrous.

The campaign avoided TV showcases that framed the debate as a battle between nations. David Cameron was advised, told really, not to even contemplate a debate with Alex Salmond.

The arrival of Cameron and co. is a change in tactics

It was a conviction shared for many years by Alex Salmond. In his first months as First Minister, launching a National Conversation on independence in 2007, he acknowledged that turning the less than a third of the population backing independence into the majority required one necessary but not sufficient condition: a Conservative government.

In his dreams, the First Minister could not have imagined then or even last year, or even last month, that he would be neck and neck, facing a visiting Tory Prime Minister fighting for the preservation of the Union.

As we head to the last week of this campaign, will flags, flights and flattering words really ensure the survival of the union?

Polls seems to give Alex Salmond the upper hand now

The Saltire is flying above Downing Street and Whitehall departments and will do so until the end of the referendum campaign.

The party leaders will be stressing their commitment to an enhanced timetable for new powers for Scotland.

And above all, expect a lot more fine words about the relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK. "Stay with us" and "let us stay together to change Britain together" are among the gentle invocations from leaders. It sounds a little like an Al Green back catalogue.

Voters go the polls on September 18

The Scottish nationalists are struggling to contain their glee. Alex Salmond offered to pay for a bus for the leaders to come to Scotland and again challenged Mr Cameron to a debate.

Leading pro-independence politicians claimed to be staggered that the No campaign were "wrapping themselves in the flag" at the last minute when their campaign had not.

The key to this gamble is establishing what has caused the surge in the Yes vote's polling over August.

Can Gordon Brown make a difference?

Clearly the TV debates have played their part, especially the second one.

Labour voters have come over to Yes, attracted to Mr Salmond's vision of a progressive centre-left Scotland, free of Conservative influence from Westminster. The Yes campaign have moved to an emotional argument based on vision, confidence and hope.

That is how ex-prime minister Gordon brown has managed to seemingly take charge of the No campaign. He incredibly bounced Downing Street into backing his Burns Night timetable for what he calls "Home Rule" for Scotland. The leaders are expected to offer a new constitutional convention.

And that is why the Westminster leaders are attempting today's love-bombing blitz. The United Kingdom has seen nothing like it before.

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Pregnant Kate Too Sick To Make Harry's Games

The Duchess of Cambridge's acute morning sickness will prevent her attending the opening ceremony and start of the Invictus Games.

Kate, who is expecting her second child following the birth of Prince George, was also forced to cancel an engagement in Oxford earlier this week.

Kensington Palace said in a short statement: "The Duchess of Cambridge will not attend the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games this evening or the athletics event tomorrow.

"The Duchess's attendance on the forthcoming visit to Malta will be kept under review and a decision taken closer to the time."

Kate is suffering from another bout of the illness hyperemesis gravidarum, which she experienced during the early stages of her first pregnancy.

Prince Harry at a pre-games drivng challenge in Warwickshire

Her current pregnancy has not passed the 12-week stage and there is speculation her second child could be due in April next year.

Hyperemesis gravidarum, which affects 3.5 per 1,000 pregnancies, causes severe vomiting and can lead to dehydration, weight loss and a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine, called ketosis.

It is thought Kate became unwell sometime last week.

When her husband Prince William visited Oxford University on Monday without her to open the new China Centre, he said she had experienced a "tricky few days".

The royal couple have meanwhile been offered some advice from former England football captain David Beckham - get more sleep before the next baby arrives.

Kate at a WW1 memorial ceremony in Belgium on August 4

The father of four, who was a guest at their wedding, told ITV's Lorraine show: "Get some sleep because jumping from one child to two is a big step even though I thought jumping from two to three was bigger."

The Invictus Games, for injured servicemen and women, have been organised by Kate's brother-in-law Prince Harry.

She had been due to attend the opening ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London later, along with Harry and William.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will also be present at the event, which will feature an exclusive performance of the official anthem penned by Coldplay's Chris Martin and a flypast by the Red Arrows.

More than 400 competitors - both serving military personnel and veterans - from 13 nations will go head to head in nine adaptive sports over four days, starting on Thursday.

The Duchess is due to make her first official solo overseas visit from September 20-21, touring Malta to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence.

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Energy Firms Return £153m In Unclaimed Credit

The so-called "Big Six" energy companies have launched a campaign to reunite former customers with £153m of unclaimed credit on their accounts.

Up to three million households could benefit from the MyEnergyCredit initiative.

The scheme, launched by the industry body Energy UK, is a response to a demand for action from the regulator Ofgem back in February.

Its estimate then was that up to £400m in closed household and business accounts from direct debit payments was being held by energy firms.

Energy UK said the campaign would encourage customers who have switched suppliers or moved home without leaving a forwarding address to get in touch with their old company if they think they have left money behind.

It also announced changes to help prevent such cash piles building up in future, though it would now impose a two-year deadline for collection of credit, with any funds left behind after that time being donated to help vulnerable customers.

Customers are being urged to claim money left in credit in closed accounts

Energy UK's chief executive Angela Knight said: "We are urging former customers to come forward and make a claim.

"Customers who think they haven't left a forwarding address or a final meter reading when they moved or switched should contact their old supplier.

"The web site myenergycredit.com will help you do this.

"Inevitably, there will be some former customers who will not be found and so the major suppliers are announcing what will happen to credit balances from now on.

"In future, after two years, the credit balance will be used to help vulnerable customers - and suppliers will make it very clear what is happening.

"By 2018, these new arrangements are expected to add up to around £65m of help to those in difficulties.

"The suppliers will kick start this process now by donating £38m for the first two years combined."

Ofgem chief executive Dermot Nolan said: "Today's industry announcement is an encouraging first step by the six largest energy companies to address Ofgem's call to reunite customers with their cash.

"It is good news for consumers and if you think you could be owed money we recommend that you contact your previous supplier.

"This issue is part of a wider challenge of delivering good customer service that the industry must crack if they are to rebuild customer trust and confidence.

"Failure to deliver on the initiatives announced today could trigger further action by Ofgem, including enforcement."

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Hi-Tech Survey Makes New Finds At Stonehenge

A hidden complex of archaeological monuments has been uncovered around Stonehenge using hi-tech methods of scanning below the Earth's surface.

The finds date back 6,000 years and include evidence of 17 previously unknown wooden or stone structures and dozens of burial mounds.

Most of the monuments have merged into the landscape and are invisible to the casual eye.

The four-year study, the largest geophysical survey ever undertaken, covered an area of 12 square kilometres (7.45 square miles) and went three metres (10ft) below the ground.

The area around Stonehenge where the new monuments were found

British project leader Professor Vincent Gaffney, from the University of Birmingham, said: "This project has revealed that the area around Stonehenge is teeming with previously unseen archaeology.

"New monuments have been revealed, as well as new types of monument that have previously never been seen by archaeologists

"All of this information has been placed within a single digital map, which will guide how Stonehenge and its landscape are studied in the future.

The survey team carried out a painstaking search of the area

"This is going to change how we view Stonehenge. It is not yet another find from Stonehenge, it's a fundamental step forward in the way we understand it."

The investigators used a battery of state-of-the-art instruments including magnetometers - essentially advanced metal detectors - ground-penetrating radar arrays, electromagnetic sensors and lasers.

Among the new discoveries are massive prehistoric pits, some of which appear to form astronomical alignments.

New information has also come to light about known monuments, including the Durrington Walls "super-henge" a short distance from Stonehenge.

US President Barack Obama is among recent visitors to Stonehenge

Nearly a mile in circumference, the survey showed it was once flanked by as many as 60 massive posts or stones up to three metres (10ft) high.

Among the many burial mounds is a 33 metre-long (108ft) barrow, within which signs of a massive timber building were found.

Evidence suggests this was the site of complex rituals involving the dead, including the removal of flesh and limbs.

Prof Gaffney said it is now clear Stonehenge was not an isolated structure on the edge of Salisbury Plain, but the centre of numerous ritualistic monuments that had grown and expanded over time.

"You've got Stonehenge which is attracting people from large parts of the country, but around it people are creating their own shrines and temples," he said.

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Millennium Falcon Sighting Shocks Photographer

A man has told Sky News he "fell off his seat" when he realised he had captured photos of the new Star Wars set while taking publicity shots of aeroplanes.

Matthew Myatt was taking stock photos for the flying school Airborne Aviation over Greenham Common near Newbury, Berkshire, on Tuesday.

The cast past and present discuss the new film

But when he got home to load the images onto his computer he was amazed to see he had captured shots of a totally different type of aircraft - the Millennium Falcon.

Mr Myatt told Sky News he had noticed something "unusual" on the ground while working but had to get his "son to pinch him" and confirm what he thought it was.

His photo shows the partially constructed aircraft alongside an X-wing fighter, crane and other parts of a set. Mr Myatt said he could also see that trees and bushes had been planted on the common.

JJ Abrams has kept details of his film close to his chest

The former airfield was famous in the 1980s for the women's peace camp that sprang up around it in protest at the stationing of nuclear weapons on the site.

Director JJ Abrams has been filming Star Wars: Episode VII at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, Ireland and Abu Dhabi.

Mr Myatt said: "I grew up with Star Wars but this is something I never thought I'd see in real life. It was a real shocker."

Ford is back on set after breaking his leg

He added that he is planning to go back to have a closer look. 

The new film will see Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill return as Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker. 

Ford had to have surgery on his left leg in June after breaking it on set.

The plot of Episode VII has been kept a secret but it takes place 30 years after the end of Return Of The Jedi.

The film is due for release in the UK in December 2015.

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Scottish Vote: BP Says No To Independence

BP has weighed into the Scottish independence debate by declaring its support for the "integrity of the United Kingdom".

The oil firm's public statement was its first to directly support the Better Together campaign after similar comments earlier this year, in a personal capacity, by chief executive Bob Dudley.

Mr Dudley spoke out on Wednesday in the wake of criticism of Yes campaign estimates for future North Sea oil production and revenues by Sir Ian Wood.

The North Sea oil tycoon - acknowledged by both Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond as the industry's foremost expert - urged Scots not to gamble their economic future on misleading information and promises that could not be delivered.

He cited a report, which he said was sponsored by Yes campaigners and welcomed by Mr Salmond, which claimed there could be another 21 billion barrels of oil from unconventional shale reserves in the North Sea.

Sir Ian sad: "Quite frankly the N-56 report is an insult to the Scottish people.

"As passions rise and hearts risk overtaking minds in the debate, it is vital that Scots are able to make their decision based on fact and not fantasy.

Bob Dudley sees Scotland's future best served within the UK

"The N-56 report gives the impression that 21 billion barrels are in reserves. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Sir Ian has previously stated his belief that there are just 15 years of reserves left before major damage is inflected on the Scottish economy from declining production.

His comments on Wednesday gave rise to BP coming out in favour of the Union.

Mr Dudley said: "BP has been in the UK North Sea for 50 years and we hope to operate here for many years to come.

"However, the province is now mature and I believe Sir Ian Wood correctly assesses its future potential.

"The opportunities today are smaller and more challenging to develop than in the past.

"We also face the challenges of extending the productive life of existing assets and managing the future costs of decommissioning.

"Much of this activity requires fiscal support to be economic, and future long-term investments require fiscal stability and certainty.

"Our business invests for decades into the future. It is important our plans are based on a realistic view of the North Sea's future potential and the challenges the industry faces in continuing to operate here.

"As a major investor in Scotland - now and into the future - BP believes that the future prospects for the North Sea are best served by maintaining the existing capacity and integrity of the United Kingdom".

Leader in Aberdeen of pro-independence group Business for Scotland, Kenny Anderson, rounded on Sir Ian's comments.

He said: "We have stated that 24 billion barrels of oil is a reasonable target to extract if the North Sea is managed professionally and revenues maximised.

"Our sources for these estimates have included Oil and Gas UK, Professor Alex Kemp, Sir Donald McKay and many other leading forecasters and now it seems Sir Ian Wood himself once predicted the higher figure of 25 billion barrels left to produce.

"One thing is clear, all of the forecasts of the real experts - including Sir Ian's pessimistic one - are far, far higher than those published by the Westminster Government and claimed by Better Together.

"The North Sea represents a huge opportunity to Scotland as an independent country if we move from Westminster's cash cow approach to one of intelligent stewardship in an independent Scotland."

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Woman In Court Over Pennie Davis Fatal Stabbing

A woman has appeared in court charged in connection with the murder of a mother-of-five in the New Forest.

Pennie Davis, 47, had been tending her two horses in a paddock near Beaulieu, Hampshire, when she was fatally stabbed on September 2.

Leanne Doyle, 24, of Beech Crescent, Hythe, appeared at Winchester Crown Court accused of assisting an offender and intending to pervert the course of justice.

She was released on bail and will reappear at the same court on October 1, police said.

On Tuesday night, detectives arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of Mrs Davis' murder. He remains in police custody.

A 22-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of murder and a 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have both been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Mrs Davis suffered multiple stab wounds and her body was found by her husband Pete.

She worked in a supermarket and married just four months ago.

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PM: Referendum Not About Kicking 'Effing Tories'

What Happens If Scotland Leaves The Union?

Updated: 2:00pm UK, Tuesday 09 September 2014

Supporters of both sides of the Scotland referendum debate are mounting a final push for votes before the ballot on September 18. Sky News looks at what will happen if Scotland votes Yes to exit the UK:

:: 1.  When would Scotland become independent?

The Scottish Government has set a date 18 months from now, March 24, 2016, for Scotland's independence day.

:: 2. What would happen immediately after a Yes vote?

The first step on the morning after the result comes in would involve the forming of teams from both the Yes and No camps to take part in behind-the-scenes negotiations. SNP leader Alex Salmond has already indicated his deputy Nicola Sturgeon would lead the talks for the Scottish nationalists. It is not yet known who would spearhead the Westminster team.

:: 3. What amendments would there be to the constitution?

The negotiating teams would devise a new constitution for Scotland and dissolve the 1707 Act Of Union.

:: 4. What would happen to the Queen?

The Yes campaign has said Her Majesty would stay as monarch so it would not be surprising if Mr Salmond seeks an audience with the Queen in the days and weeks after the vote.

:: 5. Would Scotland take part in the May 2015 General Election?

Scottish voters would still be able to take part, but their representatives would only potentially serve a 10-month term in office.

:: 6. What currency would Scotland use?

That is still being thrashed out and yet to be decided. The three main Westminster parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats - have ruled out a currency union, although Mr Salmond insists an independent Scotland would keep the pound.

:: 7. How much of the UK national debt would be transferred to Scotland?

This is not yet known, but it is likely to be worked out on a per capita share - based on population.

:: 8. What would happen to Scotland's standing in global affairs?

Scotland would have to negotiate its own entry into the European Union and Nato, and the population would have to decide whether they want to have the euro.

:: 9. What effect would independence have on Scotland's defence force?

The issue of defence is probably one of the most emotive - and uncertain. Scotland is likely to have its own independent defence force, in time, depending on practicalities and finances, for it has its North Sea oil and fishing industries to protect. Scottish nationalists are opposed to having the Trident nuclear deterrent and would want to see it removed from Faslane, on the west coast of Scotland, as soon as possible. However, Nato is fundamentally a nuclear alliance, and if Scotland struggles to become a member of Nato, it is likely to struggle to join the EU too, which would have a big impact on the Scottish economy. There is also the matter of service personnel - some of which will be currently serving in historic English regiments. Any division of troops north and south of the border would take years.

:: 10. What would independence mean in terms of travelling across the Scotland-England border?

An independent Scotland would control its own borders. The SNP would like to see an open border, but Home Secretary Theresa May has already warned she will not allow Scotland to be used as a back door for immigrants getting into England if Scotland adopts a looser immigration policy. So, we could see passport controls on the border between the two countries.

:: 11. Would Scottish citizens need new passports?

A lot depends on whether Scotland joins the EU. Scottish citizens would be entitled to a Scottish passport, but a UK passport would still be valid until it expires. British citizens who were habitual residents in Scotland would be automatically considered Scottish citizens.

:: 12. What would happen to benefits and taxes?

Benefits and taxes will become the responsibility of the new Scottish government. In its white paper on Scotland's independence it says the Scottish Parliament will ensure that the personal tax allowance and tax credits increase in line with inflation.

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