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Leaders Trade Insults Over TV Debates At PMQs

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 11 Maret 2015 | 23.15

There have been vicious exchanges during Prime Minister's Questions as David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed for a second week running over the election debates.

Broadcasters say they will go ahead with the debates without the Prime Minister after he ruled out proposals for two debates with the seven party leaders and one head-to-head clash with Mr Miliband.

During very personal exchanges at PMQs, the Labour leader said Mr Cameron was using "pathetic feeble excuses" and "ridiculous tactics" as he challenged him to meet on the three dates.

"You are not going to be able to wriggle off this ... There is only one person preparing for defeat and it is this Prime Minister," Mr Miliband said.

"We know you lost to the Deputy Prime Minister last time, why don't you just cut out the feeble excuses and admit the truth: you are worried you might lose again."

In response, Mr Cameron claimed the Labour leader was trying to "crawl into Downing Street" with the Scottish National Party's help.

"You want to talk about the future of a television programme, I want to talk about the future of the country," Mr Cameron said.

"The truth is you are weak and despicable and want to crawl to power into Alex Salmond's pocket."

Mr Miliband then said to the PM: "Why are you chickening out of the debates with me?"

"Everyone can see it. I'll tell you why this matters because it goes to your character. The public will see through your feeble excuses," he said.

"Instead of these ridiculous tactics, why don't you show a bit more backbone and turn up for the head-to-head debate with me? Any time, anywhere, any place."

The Prime Minister replied: "I'll tell you what goes to character: someone who is prepared to crawl into Downing Street in alliance with people who want to break up the future of our country.

"What a despicable and weak thing to do: risking our defences, risking our country, risking our United Kingdom.

"If you had an ounce of courage you would rule it out."

Mr Cameron said: "You have been offered a debate and you won't take it. Any time, any place, anywhere but you won't take it."

The Prime Minister has claimed the debates in 2010 got in the way of campaigning and so says any debate should take place before 30 March.

His chief spin doctor, Craig Oliver, said at the weekend the Prime Minister's "final position" was for a single debate to take place in the week starting 23 March.

The four broadcasters - the BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 - have said they will stick to their previously announced plans for three debates during the campaign ahead of the General Election on 7 May.

Meanwhile, a ComRes poll for ITV News found that most people (64%) believe Mr Cameron has damaged his reputation by trying to avoid the debates with other leaders.

The poll also found that 71% of people think the debates should still happen even if the Prime Minister does not take part.


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Jeremy Clarkson: I'm Off To The Job Centre

Jeremy Clarkson: I'm Off To The Job Centre

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Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson joked he was "off to the Job Centre" as he left his London home after being suspended by the BBC.

When asked if he planned to resign after allegedly trying to punch one of the show's producers, he replied: "I've been suspended, haven't I?"

Appearing relaxed as he made his way to a waiting car, he then told reporters: "I'm off to the Job Centre."

More than 400,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for the 54-year-old to be reinstated

The Top Gear host was suspended and the show put on hold after he apparently became involved in a "fracas" at the end of filming in Newcastle.

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  1. Gallery: Top Gear In Production In North Yorkshire

These photographs taken last week show the Top Gear team filming in the Yorkshire Dales near Hawes. Pictures: Thomas Beresford @ North Yorkshire Snow Updates www.facebook.com/NorthYorkshireWeatherUpdates

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Jeremy Clarkson: I'm Off To The Job Centre

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson joked he was "off to the Job Centre" as he left his London home after being suspended by the BBC.

When asked if he planned to resign after allegedly trying to punch one of the show's producers, he replied: "I've been suspended, haven't I?"

Appearing relaxed as he made his way to a waiting car, he then told reporters: "I'm off to the Job Centre."

More than 400,000 people have now signed an online petition calling for the 54-year-old to be reinstated

The Top Gear host was suspended and the show put on hold after he apparently became involved in a "fracas" at the end of filming in Newcastle.

1/17

  1. Gallery: Top Gear In Production In North Yorkshire

These photographs taken last week show the Top Gear team filming in the Yorkshire Dales near Hawes. Pictures: Thomas Beresford @ North Yorkshire Snow Updates www.facebook.com/NorthYorkshireWeatherUpdates

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Car Makers Attack 'Anti-Diesel' Campaign

By Gerard Tubb, Sky News Correspondent

A growing campaign to blame the drivers of diesel cars for dangerous air pollution has been attacked by motor manufacturers.

Emissions from diesel engines, including particulates and nitrogen oxides, have been linked to heart disease, cancer and asthma, while air pollution is said to kill 29,000 people a year in the UK.

After decades of tax incentives in favour of diesel vehicles, some drivers are now facing penalties for choosing diesel cars that cost less to tax but do more damage to air quality.

London's Mayor Boris Johnson has proposed adding £10 to the daily congestion charge for diesel cars, while Islington residents will soon have to pay an extra £96 for a diesel parking permit.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has been stung into launching a campaign to try to persuade motorists to keep buying diesel cars.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Today's diesel engines are the cleanest ever, and the culmination of billions of pounds of investment by manufacturers to improve air quality.

"We need to avoid penalising one vehicle technology over another and instead encourage the uptake of the latest vehicle technology by consumers."

More than one in three cars on the road is now powered by diesel, up from less than one in 10 in 1994.

The popularity of diesel is the result of favourable vehicle tax rates introduced by the government in 2001 to reduce carbon dioxide levels from petrol engines.

Last year, the World Health Organisation warned air quality in most cities that monitor outdoor air pollution failed to meet safe levels, with people at risk of respiratory disease and other health problems.


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Was Man Murdered For Exposing Paedophile Ring?

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs & Education Editor

Police investigating Westminster-linked child abuse are examining whether a man was murdered because he was about to expose a paedophile ring operating within a London council.

Sky News has obtained details of an internal investigation documenting sexual assaults and abuse carried out by officers within Lambeth Council in the 1990s.

The unpublished report reveals claims from those within the council that Bulic Forsythe, a manager in the housing department whose murder sparked a nationwide appeal in 1993, may have discovered council property was being used to carry out abuse.

That abuse involved senior figures in Lambeth who were using council premises for the rape of women and children, according to the report's remarkable findings.

They used the basement of Lambeth's housing headquarters, the report says, because "sexual assault could be performed without fear of interruption by other staff".

A senior staff member is accused of watching material with "sadistic, bestial and paedophile themes" which "may have been home-produced by staff of people with whom they associated".

One female staff member was subject to a rape on council premises "of horrendous proportions", such that she was still suffering from serious injuries one month on.

She described being raped alongside children and animals by senior figures in the council.

Although the report, which was prompted by alleged breaches of the council's equal opportunities policy, recommends a criminal investigation, its findings were never formally investigated by the police at the time.

Instead, the perpetrators within the council were dismissed from their positions. The report has never before been made public.

It also reveals that colleagues of Bulic Forsythe, whose family have long believed he was murdered to prevent him from blowing the whistle on events at Lambeth, also feared he had been killed as part of a cover up.

"The murder of Bulic Forsythe was seen by some witnesses as a possible outcome for anyone who strayed too far in their investigation or for those who asked too many questions," the report says.

"The panel heard evidence about Bulic Forsythe whilst he was working in social services visiting Hambrook House and speaking to a colleague and telling her that he was going to 'spill the beans'.

"Three days later he was killed," the report says.

Sky News showed the report to Kiddist Forsythe, 21, the daughter of Bulic Forsythe, who was born three months after his murder.

She said: "Some of the stuff that's in here, I honestly can't believe happened. I was very shocked.

"It's really clear the fear that operated in the council - it seems from the report my father felt that fear," she went on, adding he was scared that if he moved jobs "people in power could still get to him".

Sky News contacted a number of people who held senior positions in Lambeth at the time of the alleged incidents. All said the council had elements of dysfunctionality and was plagued by corruption and fear.

Dr Nigel Goldie, former assistant director of social services, said: "There were often rather strange things happening. Things going on behind the scenes that were never properly explained or known about.

"This was in the context of an organisation that displayed dysfunctional features."

There has been a renewed focus on events in Lambeth in the 1980s and 1990s amid growing evidence of a series of paedophile rings operating across England involving the abuse of children in care homes, in some cases allegedly by politicians and other senior figures.

The Metropolitan Police, which has been investigating events in Lambeth at the time under Operation Trinity, said it was considering the report as part of its investigation.

Detective Inspector Sean Crotty said: "This report provides the context to people who were abused in Lambeth.

"What we need is for people who were children at the time and who were abused to come forward."

Lambeth Council said it is supporting Operation Trinity and is working closely with specialist police investigators.

A spokesperson said: "Lambeth Council is determined to do all that we can to support this renewed push to tackle the issue, and ensure that offenders who had previously escaped justice are now held to account."


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Lambeth Council Abuse: Key Findings

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs & Education Editor

Details of an internal investigation documenting allegations of sexual assaults and abuse carried out by officers within Lambeth council in the 1990s have been revealed. They include:

:: There were two sites on Lambeth council property used to carry out sexual assaults. They were used for this purpose "on many occasions over the years".

:: Two private removal firms were "frequently" on site, and were believed to have removed evidence of equipment used during sexual assaults, and washed the area down. One firm had keys to all internal lockers, including a cabinet where evidence in a criminal case was kept and later went missing.

:: Items handed to police following the rape of a female member of staff by a colleague on council premises included a semen-stained blanket, soiled tissues, cassettes and a penknife.

:: Bulic Forsythe, a manager in the housing department, told colleagues he was going to "spill the beans" after a visit to one of these sites.

He clashed with an individual who held a senior position and is named in the report as the head of the ring involved in abuse, and then moved from the housing department to social services.

Whilst in social services Bulic told another colleague he believed the individual in housing could still 'get to him'. After his death in 1993, colleagues reported that a report he had compiled went missing from his office.

:: Three male employees, including one in a senior position, were suspended from their jobs in the housing department as a result of the internal investigation.

Despite the findings of rape and sexual assault, and possessing indecent images of children, they were suspended on grounds of a 'breach of the council's equal opportunities policy'.

:: The report recommends a criminal investigation into the allegations of rape, child rape and images of abuse. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed no investigation was ever undertaken at the time.


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Ex-Traveller Set For Divorce Win 20 Years On

A former traveller looks set to get a divorce payout from her ex-husband, who became a millionaire 10 years after they split.

Kathleen Wyatt, who is seeking £1.9m from Dale Vince, did not lodge a claim until nearly 20 years after their divorce.

Mr Vince has described letting her make a claim now as "mad", saying: "This could signal open season for people who had brief relationships a quarter of a century ago."

Supreme Court justices were told that the couple met when students, married in 1981 when in their early 20s, and lived a New Age traveller lifestyle.

They separated in the mid-1980s and divorced in 1992.  

In the mid-1990s Mr Vince began a business career and went on to become a green energy tycoon after launching a company called Ecotricity, now said to be worth more than £57m.

Ms Wyatt, 55, lodged a claim for "financial remedy" in 2011.

Deputy High Court judge Nicholas Francis gave it the green light in 2012 but three appeal judges overturned the decision in 2013.

Now, the Supreme Court justices have ruled it should go ahead, with a judge in the Family Division of the High Court assessing the claim.

One justice, Lord Wilson, said Ms Wyatt's claim was "legally recognisable" and not an "abuse of process".

He noted she had four grown-up children, one of them a son by Mr Vince who had provided "minimal support" for him.

Lord Wilson said £1.9m was "out of the question", but there was a "real prospect" Ms Wyatt would get a "comparatively modest award".

In a statement, Mr Vince said: "I'm disappointed that the Supreme Court has decided not to bring this case to an end now, over 30 years since the relationship ended.

"We both moved on and started families of our own... it's been so long that there are no records, no court has kept anything, and it's hard to defend yourself in such circumstances - indeed the delay itself has enabled the claim, because there is no paperwork in existence.

"I feel that we all have a right to move on, and not be looking over our shoulders. This could signal open season for people who had brief relationships a quarter of a century ago... it's mad in my opinion."

Ms Wyatt said after the hearing: "It's an important judgment."


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Gazza Claims Hacking Linked To Alcoholism

Former footballer Paul Gascoigne has told the High Court having his phones hacked contributed towards his alcoholism.

The 47-year-old started his evidence at the hearing in London to determine what compensation should be paid by Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) in eight representative cases by telling Mr Justice Mann that he was "fuming".

Gascoigne said he repeatedly changed his mobile because he knew there was something going on with it.

His voice hoarse, and shaking with emotion, he said: "I knew I was getting hacked by the Mirror. This continued for ages. Phone calls to my father and family were getting blocked so I changed my mobile. It happened again so I kept on changing mobiles, five or six times a month."

Questioned by barrister David Sherborne, who represents victims of hacking and who has said the practice was rife at all three of the group's national titles by mid-1999, Gascoigne said that, to start with, the experience was "so scary".

The former England midfielder, who is complaining about 18 articles - all accepted to have been the product of illegal activity - said: "I couldn't speak to anybody, I was scared to speak to anybody ... my parents, my family and kids, it was just horrendous.

"And people can't understand why I became an alcoholic."

After speaking briefly, Gascoigne was told he would not face cross-examination by Matthew Nicklin QC, for MGN, and his evidence was going unchallenged.

He replied: "I have waited 15 years to be sat here so I am disgusted, really.

"I would like to trade my mobile phone in for a coffin because these guys have ruined my life. I have no life."

In a written statement to the court, Gascoigne said he had benefited from fame but he had also suffered heartache as he faced the end of his playing career.

The constant media pressure had made it hard for him to lead a normal life and his family were no longer as close as they had been, he said.

He also discussed his alcoholism, his treatment for drug abuse and his addiction to Red Bull.

"I have suffered from mental illness, including paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. I am bipolar and I have an addictive personality."

He said he had accused people, including stepdaughter Bianca, of giving stories about him to newspapers.

"I became obsessed about being monitored. I felt that I was being watched or listened into all the time for years and the pressure on me because of that was more than I think any sane person could bear."

While at Everton in 2000, he checked in to the Priory Clinic to get urgent help.

"The main reason why I had to go to get help at the Priory on this occasion was the constant pressure from the media, including articles and threats of articles being published by journalists.

"I was also convinced that my phone was being tapped to get stories about me that very few people knew about. I felt very paranoid at that time about being pursued by the media.

"I felt that I could not cope with the media attention any more and I seriously thought about jumping in front of a train."

Former EastEnders actress Lucy Taggart - previously Lucy Benjamin - told the court that hacking had left her feeling like she was "in a boxing ring without any gloves".

She said: "With each one I always felt like I had to pick myself up and dust myself off and carry on.

"But on the following day or following week there would be another article about something else and it felt like I was being punched and battered and bruised."

She said she still questioned what she had done to deserve "the amount of hacking that took place and the articles that were printed".


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Clarkson's Rise: 'You Can't Live Without Him'

Jeremy Clarkson is best known for his role as a presenter on the hit BBC show Top Gear - and his outspoken and often politically incorrect views on a range of issues.

His comments have won him both admirers and detractors, although Clarkson maintains he should not be taken too seriously.

Now aged 54, he was born in Doncaster where his parents ran a business selling tea cosies, and then Paddington Bear toys.

Their success enabled Clarkson to go to Repton public school, from which he was apparently expelled for bad behaviour.

He took a job in the family business but in 1984 branched out on his own, forming the Motoring Press Agency, with journalist Jonathan Gill.

This led to him writing pieces for Performance Car and his acerbic wit later gained him contracts from The Sun and The Sunday Times.

In October 1988, Clarkson was invited to be one of the presenters on Top Gear. It was taken off air between 2000 and 2002, but since its return has become one of the most watched TV shows on BBC Two.

The show owes much to Clarkson's co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond, but his strong presence and uncompromising views have undoubtedly made him the driving force, as well as an icon for 'petrol heads'.

His disparaging comments - about Norfolk, workers at Hyundai, global warming, speeding, cyclists and Wales among others - have often landed him in hot water and led to calls for him to be sacked.

So far they have been resisted by the BBC, but there are fears the corporation may have no choice but to let him go after the latest episode in which he is alleged to have thrown a punch at one of Top Gear's producers.

The show is one of the BBC's biggest money spinners, pulling in millions of pounds from a devoted - and international - audience.

Its success - and Clarkson's vital part in it - saw BBC TV boss Danny Cohen compare him to a top-flight footballer, telling reporters last year that "no one is bigger than the club".

In an interview with Sky News, former ITV boss Michael Grade described him as the "Kevin Pietersen of broadcasting", adding: "You can't live with him or without him," he said.

Last year, Top Gear was censured by regulator Ofcom for breaching broadcasting rules after Clarkson used a "racial" term during the programme's Burma special, which had aired in March 2014.

The year ended with the show's crew having to flee Argentina after trouble erupted when it emerged they were using a Porsche with the registration number H982 FKL, which many saw as a reference to the Falklands conflict of 1982.

Top Gear's executive producer Andy Wilman described 2014 as "an annus horribilis" for the show after the claims of racism and the near-riot in Argentina.

It is difficult to find exact figures, but it is safe to say the show has made Clarkson and Wilman multi-millionaires.

The 2012 annual report and accounts of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm - show it got a dividend of £4.5m in 2012 from a company called Bedder 6.

The company, which is registered at the west London base of BBC Worldwide was set up by Clarkson and Wilman.

The BBC then owned 50%, with Clarkson reportedly owning around 30% - meaning his dividend would have been around £2.7m in that year, on top of his BBC salary. He has since sold his stake to the corporation.


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Hillsborough Chief Regrets 'Grave Mistake'

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

The police officer in charge during the Hillsborough disaster has described the moment he gave the go-ahead to open a side gate, which allowed around 2,000 fans into already crowded terraces, as a "shocking, almost terrifying moment".

Former chief superintendent David Duckenfield, the match commander, was giving evidence for a second day in the new inquests into Britain's worst sporting tragedy.

He described his decision that day as "grave mistake" and said he had "no option" but to open the gates.

Under cross-examination from Christina Lambert QC, counsel to the inquest, the retired officer said he did not realise where the fans would go once the gates were opened.

He told the inquest: "It is arguably one of the biggest regrets of my life that I did not foresee where fans would go when they came in through the gates.

"I was overcome by the enormity of the situation and the decisions I had to make and as a result of that - this is probably very hard to admit - as a result of that I was so overcome probably with emotion of us having got into that situation that my mind, for a moment, went blank."

It was a decision that led to a crush in pens three and four of the Leppings Lane stand and resulted in the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans.

Mr Duckenfield said he had a conversation with second in command Superintendent Bernard Murray.

"He said if you don't open the gates someone is going to get killed and that really was a shocking, almost terrifying moment, to feel we'd got to that situation," he said.

"I said 'Mr Murray, if people are going to die, I have no option but to open the gates'."

Mr Duckenfield admitted he lied by not telling people after the match he had authorised the opening of the gate.

He said it was a "terrible" lie that he told because he was "deeply ashamed and embarrassed".

Mr Duckenfield turned to address the families of the victims directly from the witness box, and said: "I deeply regret what happened on the day, it was a major mistake on my part. I have no excuses.

"I apologise unreservedly to the families and I hope they believe it is a very very sincere apology."

Earlier in the hearing, the former policeman said he had held a briefing on the morning of the tragedy but had "no recollection" of what he did until 2pm, an hour before the start of the game.

Under cross-examination from Christina Lambert QC, counsel to the inquest, Mr Duckenfield declared it "remarkable" that he could not remember that period.

The 70-year old said he could not remember patrolling the stadium before the game but was "sure" he had looked at plans showing the layout, the inquest heard.

From the witness box Mr Duckenfield admitted that he had only a "basic knowledge" of the stadium.

Asked by Ms Lambert QC whether he "missed a golden opportunity" to patrol the ground prior to the match to learn about exits and stands, he replied: "I can't disagree with your suggestion but I am afraid I can't answer your question."

The inquest heard how Mr Duckenfield held a briefing on 14 April, the day before the match in which he wrote in a report and delivered, he said, word-for-word: "I cannot stress too highly the word safety.

"The ground will be full to capacity today and some of you may never have experienced a football match of this nature.

"Our job is to ensure the safety of spectators."

The jury was told that a police intelligence report said the behaviour of Liverpool fans in 1989 had been "quite good" but noted some incidents at away matches where Stanley knives and weapons had been discarded "a short distance from the turnstiles".

There were reports, the inquest was told, of "pickpockets and travelling thieves" attending matches.

He told the jury: "I had no personal evidence or major doubts that this match wouldn't pass off in a normal manner."


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Paris Metro Abuse: Five Men Due In Court

Five men involved in abusive behaviour on the Paris Metro ahead of a Chelsea match have been served with summonses.

The men will appear at Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court on 25 March "regarding a police application for football banning orders", Scotland Yard said.

Controversy erupted last month when Chelsea fans were filmed singing racist chants and refusing to let a black man on a train ahead of a Champions League match against Paris St Germain.

Some were heard to sing: "We're racist, and that's the way we like it".

In light of the incident, Scotland Yard said it would examine the footage to establish whether they could make an application for football banning orders.

Chelsea have suspended five supporters from attending matches following the incident after carrying out their own investigation.

Manager Jose Mourinho said he was "disgusted" and "ashamed" by the behaviour, adding the club would be writing to the victim, Souleymane Sylla.

He told Sky Sports he hoped he would accept an invitation to attend the return game against Paris St German.

However, Mr Sylla told French newspaper Le Parisien: "I appreciate Mr Mourinho's invitation, but I can't get my head around being in a stadium at the moment".

In an interview with the Guardian, he said: "What happened has left me really afraid. I just want justice to be done, no more than that.

"I was a little bit hurt physically but in terms of morale I was hurt a lot. It has really affected my life. I can't go back into the Metro, it makes me really afraid.

"I don't think you should be denied the right to take the Metro because you're black. That's what they wanted."

News of the summonses comes as the two teams prepare to meet in the return leg of the tie at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in west London on Wednesday night.

The game is finely poised after the first leg ended in 1-1 draw. The winner will go through to the quarter-finals.

Football banning orders are issued by courts following a conviction for a football-related offence after a complaint by the Crown Prosecution Service or police.

They can last for between three and 10 years. Breaches of the orders can result in a sentence of up to six months in prison.


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