Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

BBC Director General: Clarkson Crossed A Line

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 25 Maret 2015 | 23.15

Tony Hall, the BBC Director General, has released this statement regarding Jeremy Clarkson.

"It is with great regret that I have told Jeremy Clarkson today that the BBC will not be renewing his contract.

"It is not a decision I have taken lightly. I have done so only after a very careful consideration of the facts and after personally meeting both Jeremy and Oisin Tymon.

"I am grateful to Ken MacQuarrie for the thorough way he has conducted an investigation of the incident on 4 March.

"Given the obvious and very genuine public interest in this I am publishing the findings of his report. I take no pleasure in doing so.

"I am only making them public so people can better understand the background. I know how popular the programme is and I also know that this decision will divide opinion. The main facts are not disputed by those involved.

"I want to make three points.

"First - The BBC is a broad church. Our strength in many ways lies in that diversity. We need distinctive and different voices but they cannot come at any price.

"Common to all at the BBC have to be standards of decency and respect. I cannot condone what has happened on this occasion.

"A member of staff - who is a completely innocent party - took himself to Accident and Emergency after a physical altercation accompanied by sustained and prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature. For me a line has been crossed.

"There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations.

"Second - This has obviously been difficult for everyone involved but in particular for Oisin. I want to make clear that no blame attaches to him for this incident. He has behaved with huge integrity throughout. As a senior producer at the BBC he will continue to have an important role within the organisation in the future.

"Third - Obviously none of us wanted to find ourselves in this position. This decision should in no way detract from the extraordinary contribution that Jeremy Clarkson has made to the BBC.

"I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear. Jeremy is a huge talent. He may be leaving the BBC but I am sure he will continue to entertain, challenge and amuse audiences for many years to come.

"The BBC must now look to renew Top Gear for 2016. This will be a big challenge and there is no point in pretending otherwise. I have asked Kim Shillinglaw to look at how best we might take this forward over the coming months. I have also asked her to look at how we put out the last programmes in the current series."

Investigation Findings

On 9 March 2015, Jeremy Clarkson reported to BBC management that he had been involved in a physical and verbal incident with Oisin Tymon, the producer of Top Gear, at the Simonstone Hall Hotel, North Yorkshire, whilst working on location. The incident had occurred on 4 March 2015 and Jeremy Clarkson was suspended on 10 March, pending investigation.

I was asked to undertake an investigation to establish the facts of what occurred. In conducting my investigation, in line with the BBC's usual practice, I interviewed a number of witnesses and others connected with the incident. Accounts were agreed, based on my interviews, with each participant.

Having conducted these interviews and considered the evidence presented, I conclude the following: on 4 March 2015 Oisin Tymon was subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack by Jeremy Clarkson. During the physical attack Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip. The verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period, both at the time of the physical attack and subsequently.

Specific facts I have found as part of my investigation are as follows:

:: Earlier on 4 March, studio recording of Top Gear had taken place in Surrey and the presenters had travelled that same evening to the location shoot in North Yorkshire.

:: The incident occurred on a patio area of the Simonstone Hall Hotel, where Oisin Tymon was working on location for Top Gear.

:: The physical attack lasted around 30 seconds and was halted by the intervention of a witness;

:: It is the case that Oisin Tymon offered no retaliation;

:: The verbal abuse was directed at Oisin Tymon on more than one occasion – both during the attack and subsequently inside the hotel – and contained the strongest expletives and threats to sack him. The abuse was at such volume as to be heard in the dining room, and the shouting was audible in a hotel bedroom;

1/11

  1. Gallery: Who Could Replace Jeremy Clarkson?

    Model and TV presenter Jodie Kidd is a well-known car expert and amateur racing driver. She currently presents The Classic Car Show on Channel 5

Actor and comedian Stephen Fry famously drives a black cab around London and would be a popular choice for many

]]>
23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cameron Rules Out VAT Rise In Next Parliament

Prime Minister David Cameron has ruled out a rise in VAT in the next parliament if the Conservatives are in power after the election.

In the final head-to-head debate with Ed Miliband before the election, he appeared to wrong-foot the Labour leader by unexpectedly ruling out an increase in the tax.

As his opening question, Mr Miliband asked whether the Prime Minister would give a straight answer and rule out a VAT rise if his party forms the next Government.

Mr Cameron replied - apparently muddling some of his words: "He's right, straight answers deserve straight questions, and the answer's yes."

The Prime Minister - watched by his wife and children from the public gallery - countered by demanding that Mr Miliband rule out a rise in National Insurance contributions, but he would not.

Mr Cameron said: "This is Labour's jobs tax, this is their tax of choice, this is what they clobber working people, families, enterprises with."

The exchange opened with Mr Miliband joking about Mr Cameron's "retirement plans", after he said he would only serve one further term.

Mr Cameron shot back: "In 43 days time I plan to arrange his retirement, Mr Speaker."

Later, the Prime Minister touched on the support touted by the SNP's Alex Salmond for Labour in the event of a hung parliament.

He said: "As far as I can see Alex Salmond has taken the entire Labour Party as hostage and then today we've got the ransom note."

A separate head-to-head television debate between the pair before the election will not take place after Mr Cameron declined to take part.

However they have both agreed to appear separately in a live question-and-answer session hosted by Sky News and Channel 4 on Thursday at 9pm.


23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Church Appoints Its Second Woman Bishop

The new Bishop of Hull is to be the Reverend Canon Alison White.

Only the second woman to be named as a bishop, the Rev Canon White is currently priest-in-charge of Riding Mill in the Diocese of Newcastle.

Announcing the news, the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said: "This is a joyous day! I am delighted to be welcoming Alison as the next Bishop of Hull.

"Whilst she will be working with others across the Diocese of York encouraging faith in urban life, she will have particular responsibilities for the vibrant city of Hull and the glorious coastline and countryside of the East Riding.

"Alison is a person of real godliness and wisdom - it is fantastic that she has accepted God's call to make Christ visible together with all of us in this Diocese of York."

The Rev Canon White said: "In 2010, I was privileged to be invited to take part in the York Diocesan Clergy Conference where I got a profound sense of a Diocese with faith and hope.

"I know that there is a real vision to be generous churches making and nurturing disciples and can't wait to be part of loving God and growing the Church in this great part of Yorkshire."

The new bishop, who became a priest in 1994, is married to Bishop Frank White, assistant bishop of Newcastle.

She will be consecrated on 3 July at York Minister.

The Church of England named its first woman bishop last July. 

The Rev Libby Lane was consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Stockport at York Minster in January.

 


23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Salmond Reveals Plans To 'Lock Out' Tories

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

Alex Salmond has said that the Scottish National Party will attempt to "lock" David Cameron out of Downing Street if the Conservatives try to form a minority Government after the General Election.

Scotland's former First Minister, who hopes to be an MP himself, said his party would vote as a block against Tory policy in a bid to trigger a vote of no confidence.

Critics accused him of trying to sabotage the will of the British public - should the Conservatives be the largest party on 8 May.

The comments come as Mr Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband clashed for the final Prime Minister's Questions of this Parliament.

The intervention is significant because the two biggest parties are now neck-and-neck in the polls, meaning neither is on track for a majority.

In that situation, they would be heavily reliant on other parties to get votes through Parliament. But the SNP - whose own surge in the polls could leave them with 50 MPs compared with just six now - have long been hostile to the Conservative party.

"The Tories would have to go straight effectively for a vote of confidence, usually the Queen's Speech, although it could be otherwise, and we'd be voting against it," Mr Salmond told the New Statesman magazine.

"So if Labour joins us in that pledge, then that's Cameron locked out."

That would then trigger a vote of no confidence and give Labour two weeks to try to form a Government.

Mr Salmond's interview took place over a fish and chip lunch, at which he ordered a bottle of pink champagne to celebrate the publication of his new book about the referendum campaign: The Dream Shall Never Die.

During the interview, Mr Salmond also revealed that Nelson Mandela was the historical figure with whom he most identified.

The Conservatives hit back at the SNP figure last night, with deputy chair Bob Neill describing it as a "sinister threat".

Labour may not find it helpful either.

Its leader in Scotland, Jim Murphy, who is giving a speech later today, has warned that votes for the SNP can only serve to weaken Labour's position overall, making them less likely to win the election.


23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Women On Boards: 'Enormous' Progress Made

A 25% target for the number of women on FTSE 100 company boards this year is close to being met already following "enormous" progress, according to the latest figures.

The voluntary milestone was set by the former trade minister Lord Davies in 2011 following a review.

Business Secretary Vince Cable, who has championed the cause, said just 17 more women were needed to be appointed this year to meet the 25% figure.

Mr Cable said he expected to see further progress, with company boards made up of a third of women by 2020.

On the most recent figures he said: "We must celebrate this outstanding achievement and the change in culture that is taking hold at the heart of British business.

"The evidence is irrefutable - boards with a healthy female representation outperform their male-dominated rivals."

Lord Davies said the rate of change since his report had been "remarkable" and proved that the voluntary approach was working.

A study by the Cranfield University School of Management, published alongside the Government report, found there were 263 women directors in the FTSE 100.

Professor Susan Vinnicombe, director of the Cranfield International Centre for Women Leaders, said: "There is no doubt that the Davies review and the threat of EU-wide quotas has had a major impact on this progress.

"It is crucial that the momentum that has built up around this issue is maintained, especially with the support of whoever is in power after the General Election."

Diageo, the drinks company, and Intercontinental Hotels Group topped the rankings with 45% of their boards made up of women.

The Cranfield report also said the UK was now fifth in the world in terms of female representation.


23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victims Angry At Blood Inquiry 'Whitewash'

HIV and hepatitis C sufferers and their relatives have reacted angrily following the publication of a report investigating how they were infected with contaminated blood.

The Penrose report followed a public inquiry set up by the Scottish government after hundreds of people - many of whom were haemophiliacs - were given infected blood by the NHS during the 1970s and 1980s.

A statement from Lord Penrose - who was not present because he is seriously ill - was read out by the inquiry secretary, Maria McCann, after which several attendees called out "whitewash" to show their disapproval of the findings.

Victim Bruce Norval, who explained he was involved throughout the whole process, had read the report in total as well as every piece of evidence, said the report was "a piece of nonsense".

He went on: "It does not match the evidence, it does not match the charges. It doesn't address the main issues. It degrades patient opinion against medical opinion despite the fact that doctors very clearly have more to lose through an adverse report than we do.

"Their opinion in the form of hearsay, ie: 'We told patients that they were getting hepatitis' was taken over the idea that thousands of UK patients have said: 'No we weren't'."

The statement read on Lord Penrose's behalf said: "For people infected by HIV/Aids and/or hepatitis C, the impact on their lives and the lives of their loved ones has often been devastating.

"I would also comment on the often forgotten suffering of clinical staff, who discovered that the treatments they thought were beneficial to patients actually caused them to become infected with life-threatening conditions.

"They too have been affected, especially when accused of knowing or deliberate attempts to harm patients."

The sole recommendation from Lord Penrose's report was that people who had blood transfusions in the 1970s and 1980s and before 1991 should be tested for hepatitis C.

The Prime Minister, speaking at the last Prime Minister's Questions before the General Election, apologised, saying: "To each and every one of those people I would like to say sorry on behalf of the Government for something that should not have happened.

"While it will be for the next government to take account of these findings, it is right that we use this moment to recognise the pain and the suffering experienced by people as a result of this tragedy.

"It is difficult to imagine the feelings of unfairness that people must feel at being infected with hepatitis C and HIV as a result of a totally unrelated treatment within the NHS."

Scotland's Health Secretary Shona Robison later apologised on behalf of the NHS and her government.

The inquiry only looked at those in Scotland who had been infected.

Thousands more people in England and Wales were also infected at the time.


23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Top Gaffes: How Clarkson Fuelled Controversy

As the BBC fires Jeremy Clarkson over a "fracas" with a producer, Sky News looks at past controversies on his show.

:: Falklands number plate row (series 22, October 2014)

A two-part South America special sparked controversy in Argentina over a car number plate - H982 FKL - alleged to refer to the 1982 Falklands War.

Top Gear's crew were chased out of Argentina by veterans and the episode drew complaints from Argentina's ambassador to the UK, Alicia Castro.

But the team behind the show insisted the number plate was just a coincidence.

:: "Slope" remark during Burma special (series 21, March 2014)

Clarkson was accused of using "casual racism" during a Top Gear special, during which he and his co-presenters built a bridge over a Burmese river.

As a man walked across the bridge, Clarkson said: "That's a proud moment but there's a slope on it."

A BBC spokesman said the show was not aware the word "slope" was considered by some to be offensive and insisted it was used to make a "light-hearted wordplay joke".

Ofcom ruled that the programme breached broadcasting rules.

:: "N-word" edited out of Top Gear broadcast (series 19, February 2013)

Clarkson was accused by the Daily Mirror of using the "n-word" while filming an episode of the motoring show.

According to the paper, Clarkson "can be heard chanting, 'Eeny, meeny, miny moe...', before mumbling 'Catch a n****r by his toe'."

Clarkson responded by saying he was "horrified" by the allegations.

The BBC launched an investigation into the episode, which was broadcast without the alleged comment.

:: Fallout from the top over India special (series 17, December 2011)

An Indian special, during which Clarkson built a toilet into the back of a Jaguar, claiming it would be "perfect" for tourists because "everyone" who visits the country suffers diarrhoea, sparked a complaint from the Indian High Commission.

It accused the show of "cheap jibes" and "tasteless humour", adding that it "lacked cultural sensitivity".

A BBC spokesman said it had not insulted Indian people or the country's culture.

:: Albanian man's "murder" triggers complaints (series 16, February 2011)

Hundreds of people complained to the BBC after Top Gear aired a segment during which the presenters tried to squeeze an overweight Albanian man, who had ostensibly been murdered, into the boots of their cars.

The presenters pretended to have been sent to the country to test drive cars for a mafia boss.

:: Top Gear slammed over "vulgar" Mexico claims (series 16, December 2010)

A special episode of the show upset Mexicans by describing them as "lazy, feckless and flatulent" and branding their food "refried sick".

It claimed the Mexican ambassador to the UK would not complain as he was likely to be asleep.

In response, ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza wrote to the BBC, describing the comments as "outrageous, vulgar and inexcusable".

Ofcom found the BBC had not breached guidelines but the broadcaster admitted the language used had "reinforced" stereotypes.

:: Lorry load of trouble over "prostitute" claim (series 12, November 2008)

The BBC received hundreds of complaints after Clarkson joked about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes.

"Change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder," he said. "That's a lot of effort in a day."

One MP called for Clarkson to be sacked but the BBC defended its presenter, saying viewers have "clear expectations" of his on-screen persona and humour.

:: Botswana special leaves trail of controversy (series 10, November 2007)

Environmental campaigners claimed Top Gear had damaged Botswana's Makgadikgadi salt pan by blasting through it during a 2007 special.

They claimed tracks left by the team's vehicles would remain visible for decades.

However, the BBC said it was careful to avoid sensitive conservation zones.

:: Dead cow "humour" angers viewers (series nine, February 2007)

During a one-off US special, Clarkson tied a dead cow to the roof of a Chevy Camaro before reversing the car and flinging the animal to the ground.

The stunt sparked complaints to both the BBC and Ofcom, but the broadcaster insisted it was "very typical" of the show's "irreverent humour".

A spokesman added: "No offence was intended."

:: Mock Nazi salute sparks anger (series seven, November 2005)

Clarkson did little to strengthen Anglo-German relations when he made a mock Nazi salute during a segment discussing a new Mini.

He also claimed the car's in-built navigation system "only goes to Poland".

German diplomats sternly pointed out that, had his salute been on German TV, he would have faced criminal charges and even a possible six-month prison term.

The BBC said it would be dealt with under its "rigorous" complaints procedure.

:: Crash test damages villagers' tree (series three, November 2003)

The BBC was forced to hand over £250 to a parish council in Somerset after Clarkson damaged a horse chestnut tree while testing the strength of a Toyota Hilux.

Local people thought the damage had been caused by vandals until later recognising the tree on TV.

The show "unreservedly apologised".


23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Oven Death Firm Fined Over Manslaughter

A kayak maker has been fined for corporate manslaughter after an employee was burnt to death in an industrial oven.

Alan Caterall, a father-of-three who worked as a senior supervisor for Pyranha Mouldings Ltd, was cleaning one of the company's huge ovens used to make the boats when he became trapped.

The rotational moulding oven had developed a fault with a guide rail bearing and had been shut down for maintenance so the bearing could be fixed.

When the maintenance work had been completed the oven was switched back on and put into warm-up mode.

After a few minutes smoke was seen coming from the oven and, when operators opened the door to find the source of the smoke, they discovered Mr Caterall inside.

Emergency services were called to the premises in Runcorn but Mr Caterall was pronounced dead at the scene.

In January, the company was found guilty of corporate manslaughter over Mr Caterall's death in 2010. Pyranha Mouldings Ltd was also found guilty of two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Now, the company has been told it must pay a fine of £200,000 and court costs of £90,000 following a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Managing director Peter Mackereth, was also found guilty of two charges under Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He received a nine month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and a £25,000 fine.

Following the verdict, Mr Caterall's family said in a statement: "We are happy with the verdict but it does not change the fact that Alan is no longer with us and his family miss him desperately.

"He has missed his son's wedding and the birth of his new grandson and he will not see his two daughters marry.

Cheshire Police worked alongside officials from the Health and Safety Executive to establish the full circumstances of what happened that day and a four-year investigation resulted in the charges being brought against the company.

Detective Inspector Gary Smith, who worked on the investigation, said: "It should serve as a warning to other employers that they have a duty of care to protect those who work for them and, when this fails, they will be held to account."


23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jeremy Clarkson Could Face Police Action

Jeremy Clarkson faces possible police action for an "unprovoked physical and verbal attack" which left a Top Gear producer with swelling and a split lip.

Clarkson, 54, assaulted Oisin Tymon for around 30 seconds, while shouting "derogatory and abusive language" so loudly it could be heard in a hotel bedroom, a BBC report has found.

The attack at the Simonstone Hall Hotel, in North Yorkshire, on 4 March was only stopped when a witness intervened, BBC Director General Tony Hall said.

Now North Yorkshire Police has asked the BBC for its report and said action will be taken "where necessary".

Mr Hall said the Top Gear presenter's contract will not be renewed and the decision was taken with "great regret".

He said he had spoken to both men and was publishing the findings of the BBC's internal investigation, though he added that he took "no pleasure" in doing so.

The investigation found that Mr Tymon was "subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack by Jeremy Clarkson" and took himself to A&E after being left with a split lip.

It said the attack lasted around 30 seconds and only stopped when a witness intervened.

In a statement North Yorkshire Police said it "is liaising with the BBC regarding the alleged incident in North Yorkshire involving Jeremy Clarkson".

"We have asked the BBC for the report which details the findings of their internal investigation into the matter.

"The information will be assessed appropriately and action will be taken by North Yorkshire Police where necessary."

Speaking after the decision was announced, Mr Tymon said: "I've worked on Top Gear for almost a decade, a programme I love. Over that time Jeremy and I had a positive and successful working relationship, making some landmark projects together.

"He is a unique talent and I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way."

In his statement Mr Hall said: "I cannot condone what has happened on this occasion. A member of staff - who is a completely innocent party - took himself to Accident and Emergency after a physical altercation accompanied by sustained and prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature.

"For me a line has been crossed. There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations."

:: Read the full statement here

The report said "verbal abuse was directed at Oisin Tymon on more than one occasion - both during the attack and subsequently inside the hotel - and contained the strongest expletives and threats to sack him. The abuse was at such volume as to be heard in the dining room, and the shouting was audible in a hotel bedroom."

Mr Hall said "no blame" was attached to Mr Tymon, who, he said, "behaved with huge integrity throughout".

Clarkson's Top Gear co-presenter James May told Sky News he had not been told the news officially but that it was a "tragedy".

"What ought to have been a small incident, sorted out easily, turned into something big."

He said he was sure Top Gear would "continue in some way" but could not say if he would stay because the presenters, along with Richard Hammond, "come as a package".

"It works for very complicated reasons that a lot of people don't fully understand. So that will require a lot of careful thought," he added.

1/11

  1. Gallery: Who Could Replace Jeremy Clarkson?

    Model and TV presenter Jodie Kidd is a well-known car expert and amateur racing driver. She currently presents The Classic Car Show on Channel 5

Actor and comedian Stephen Fry famously drives a black cab around London and would be a popular choice for many

]]>
23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Germanwings Air Crash: Three Britons Killed

Germanwings Air Crash: Three Britons Killed

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

At least three Britons were among the 150 people killed when a passenger jet crashed in the French Alps, the Prime Minister has confirmed.

One of the British victims is 50-year-old Martyn Matthews, from Wolverhampton.

The father-of-two grown-up children is thought to have been travelling to Germany for a business meeting.

His family have said they are "devastated at the news of this tragic incident".

Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, originally from Hull who was studying hospitality in Lucerne, was also a passenger on the fateful flight.

His mother Carol said: "Paul was a kind, caring and loving son. He was the best son, he was my world."

Pawel Pracz, whose wife Marina Bandres Lopez-Belio and seven-month-old son Julian Pracz-Bandres died in the crash, said he was "devastated".

Mr Pracz, who lived with his family in Manchester, said his wife had been in Spain for a funeral and had only bought tickets "at the last moment".

Speaking at the last Prime Minister's Questions before the General Election, David Cameron offered his "deepest condolences" to the families of those who died in the disaster, and said the UK stood ready to offer any assistance it could.

He told the Commons: "It is heart-breaking to hear about the schoolchildren, the babies, the families whose lives have been brought to an end.

"The Foreign Office is working urgently to establish whether any further British nationals were among those on board."

Mr Cameron was speaking as recovery teams resumed their search at the crash site in hazardous terrain.

Overnight rain and snow has made the rocky ravine slippery, increasing problems in reaching the area.

Investigators are also examining the black box cockpit voice recorder of the doomed Germanwings aircraft in the hunt for clues as to what caused the Airbus A320 to come down without issuing a mayday message.

The French authorities said although the black box had been damaged, it is thought to be "useable". Recordings from the recorder have been extracted.

1/9

  1. Gallery: Alps Plane Crash: The Victims

Marina Bandres, who came from Jaca in the Spanish Pyrenees and lived in Manchester, was travelling on the plane with her baby

]]>

Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, originally from Hull

]]>

Eyal Baum, 39, was an Israeli citizen living in Barcelona with his wife. He was among 150 people killed when a Germanwings Airbus A320 crashed in the French Alps

]]>

Opera singer Oleg Bryjak. He was travelling with his wife Maria Radner and their baby. Pic: Liceu Barcelona Opera House

]]>
Germanwings Air Crash: Three Britons Killed

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

At least three Britons were among the 150 people killed when a passenger jet crashed in the French Alps, the Prime Minister has confirmed.

One of the British victims is 50-year-old Martyn Matthews, from Wolverhampton.

The father-of-two grown-up children is thought to have been travelling to Germany for a business meeting.

His family have said they are "devastated at the news of this tragic incident".

Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, originally from Hull who was studying hospitality in Lucerne, was also a passenger on the fateful flight.

His mother Carol said: "Paul was a kind, caring and loving son. He was the best son, he was my world."

Pawel Pracz, whose wife Marina Bandres Lopez-Belio and seven-month-old son Julian Pracz-Bandres died in the crash, said he was "devastated".

Mr Pracz, who lived with his family in Manchester, said his wife had been in Spain for a funeral and had only bought tickets "at the last moment".

Speaking at the last Prime Minister's Questions before the General Election, David Cameron offered his "deepest condolences" to the families of those who died in the disaster, and said the UK stood ready to offer any assistance it could.

He told the Commons: "It is heart-breaking to hear about the schoolchildren, the babies, the families whose lives have been brought to an end.

"The Foreign Office is working urgently to establish whether any further British nationals were among those on board."

Mr Cameron was speaking as recovery teams resumed their search at the crash site in hazardous terrain.

Overnight rain and snow has made the rocky ravine slippery, increasing problems in reaching the area.

Investigators are also examining the black box cockpit voice recorder of the doomed Germanwings aircraft in the hunt for clues as to what caused the Airbus A320 to come down without issuing a mayday message.

The French authorities said although the black box had been damaged, it is thought to be "useable". Recordings from the recorder have been extracted.

1/9

  1. Gallery: Alps Plane Crash: The Victims

Marina Bandres, who came from Jaca in the Spanish Pyrenees and lived in Manchester, was travelling on the plane with her baby

]]>

Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, originally from Hull

]]>

Eyal Baum, 39, was an Israeli citizen living in Barcelona with his wife. He was among 150 people killed when a Germanwings Airbus A320 crashed in the French Alps

]]>

Opera singer Oleg Bryjak. He was travelling with his wife Maria Radner and their baby. Pic: Liceu Barcelona Opera House

]]>

23.15 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger