SF has biggest income of parties

28 July 2011 Last updated at 15:39 GMT Sinn Fein continued to have the largest income of all the main parties in Northern Ireland last year - taking in more than ?1.2m.

The party spent less than it took in and remains in the black by ?76,960.

The figures, published by the Electoral Commission, also reveal that the DUP and the SDLP are in the red.

The Ulster Unionists show a healthier balance than previous years with income of around ?440,000 and a balance sheet in the black by around ?40,000.

UUP treasurer Mark Cosgrove said he was delighted his party "continued to show a good set of financial figures and looked forward to maintaining these in the future".

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DUP: Income of ?268,456; spent ?335,678 - net loss of ?67,222

Sinn Fein: Income of ?1,289,335; spent ?1,212,375 - ?76,960 in the black.

UUP: Income of ?440,949; spent ?398,295 - ?42,654 in the black.

SDLP: Income of ?346,946; spent ?413,238 - net loss of ?66,292

Meanwhile, the SDLP is refusing to comment on whether or not some staff have been given notice.

The party's chief executive Michael Savage told the BBC that the SDLP did not comment on staffing matters.

He added the party's financial position was similar to other organisations across Europe especially on the back of election campaigns.

"I acknowledge the party has a deficit which we are addressing as an organisation and a plan is in place to deal with that," he said.

Accounts were also filed by the Conservative Party in Northern Ireland.

It took in ?408,127 and spent ?391,359 leaving it in the black by ?16,768.

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MoD plans 7,000 civilian job cuts

29 July 2011 Last updated at 12:55 GMT The latest cuts will bring numbers at the MoD down to about 53,000 civilian posts by 2020 Thousands of civil servants are to lose their jobs at the Ministry of Defence, in addition to some 25,000 posts that were already set to be cut.

The Guardian has seen a letter, sent by the department's top civil servant, which says a further 7,000 civilian jobs are to be axed.

Union leaders have called the decision "shameful" and defence officials have also expressed concerns.

The MoD said the cuts would ensure the front line had maximum funding.

The letter says the MoD needs to "bear down further on non-front line costs".

The cuts were not mentioned in Defence Secretary Liam Fox's last statement to Parliament, which revealed significant extra cuts to Army numbers.

The MoD is already trying to cut some 25,000 civilian posts over the next few years, as announced last October in the defence review.

Questions remain

That review outlined the future shape and size of Britain's armed forces, with defence spending set to fall by eight per cent over four years.

The decision taken to close more jobs will bring numbers at the MoD down by around a third over a period of nine years - to about 53,000 civilian posts by 2020.

The letter outlining the further job losses is signed by the permanent secretary, Ursula Brennan, and is being sent to all civilian staff.

It argues that the cuts are necessary and concedes that the move will raise questions which cannot "be answered immediately".

Continue reading the main story Jo Coburn BBC political correspondent

This comes from a letter from the permanent secretary and it follows the emergence of a budget shortfall.

A few months ago it emerged there was an overspend of ?1bn just for the last year but they are now saying that from 2015, the overspend could be ?10bn.

The unions argue it's political. They say there is no need to get rid of so many people in civilian jobs. They say it's ideological shrinkage of the public sector in the defence department.

But the permanent secretary says she will explain why the cuts are necessary (later) and they are in order to bring non-front line costs down.

The overspend comes from an internal review at the the MoD of their financial liabilities over the next decade.

It says the risk of cost-overruns on equipment has been understated in the SDSR (strategic defence review).

It expresses a hope that many of the job losses will be achieved by "natural wastage", with "compulsory redundancy" only being used as a last resort.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said it was "totally unreasonable" for the MoD to be cutting so many posts when efforts were still being made to reduce the previously announced cull of jobs.

The union's general secretary Mark Serwotka said cutting so many civilian and military jobs could put lives at risk.

"This is a shameful way to treat anybody, far less the people who serve on the front line, and those who support them.

"Since the defence review announcement in October, PCS has been thwarted at every turn in our attempts to find out where these cuts will be made and what impact it will have on the front line.

"How can the MoD announce more job cuts when they have no idea how they will run the department just now?"

Mr Serwotka said the union had been working on a programme for defence that identified and reduced waste and freed up service personal to serve in the front line by "civilianising" military posts it sees as non-essential.

He added that according to the MoD's own records, it spends approximately ?6bn per annum on external expenditure such as consultants.

An MoD spokesman said: "The government has tackled the ?38bn black hole in the MoD's finances, delivering substantial savings through difficult but necessary decisions.

"The aim of these cost savings is to ensure that the maximum funding is available for the front line.

"We hope to achieve these efficiencies through natural wastage wherever possible with compulsory redundancy programmes serving only as a last resort."

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Griffin challenged

27 July 2011 Last updated at 16:47 GMT Nick Griffin squeezed home narrowly ahead of his rival in the BNP's ballot A ferocious "war of the roses" over the leadership of the far-right British National Party has left it badly split and potentially mortally wounded.

Nick Griffin squeaked home by just nine votes in this week's national ballot of party members to retain the chairmanship he has held since 1999.

Griffin, who sits as Member of the European Parliament for the North West region, faced a strong challenge from the other side of the Pennines.

His only rival in the contest was the party's other MEP - Yorkshire and the Humber's Andrew Brons.

"Probably, this was the worst mandate the Chairman could win," Brons wrote to his supporters on his BNP Ideas website shortly after the result was announced.

"In effect, the party is split from head to toe and there remain grave questions of doubt over the fitness of many existing officers of the party to exercise control over its operations."

It is a far cry from the high point of the 2009 European Parliamentary elections when Griffin and Brons shocked the political establishment by mustering enough popular support to take the party's first seats in a UK national election.

Their European seats were both won by the narrowest of margins, but it raised expectations that the self-proclaimed defenders of the "British indigenous population" could be on the verge of further breakthroughs.

The time for division and disruption is over; now is the time to heal”

End Quote Nick Griffin Griffin defiant

Instead, Griffin's disastrous appearance on the BBC's Question Time a few months later and an embarrassing result in the 2010 general election has led to vicious infighting which could yet see the BNP implode.

In his own statement issued shortly after the election Nick Griffin said: "The time for division and disruption is over; now is the time to heal. Now is the time to move on. Now is the time to get back to work.

"We have a party to build and a nation to save. Let us go forward together!"

Griffin's rallying call might be too late.

In an online video election webcast recorded at the start of the campaign, Andrew Brons said members and activists had been voting with their feet for at least and year and leaving the party.

'Civil war'

At one stage he claimed a third of the membership and two thirds of its activists had left because of what he called Griffin's "unnecessary civil war" to stifle opposition.

The BNP has always been cagey about its total membership but this election for its national leader reveals just how small it has become. The number of ballot papers returned was just 2,316.

In fact, across every council in Yorkshire, the party could muster just 50 candidates at the 2011 elections earlier this year. Not a single one mustered enough votes to become a councillor.

The nightmare is not over for Nick Griffin or the BNP.

In his latest blog "Reply to Dissatisfied Supporters" Andrew Brons issues a clear warning: "If the leadership wants peace, he can have peace and we can get on with work that will contribute towards our substantive aims.

"If on the other hand if he were to choose war, he would meet an equal and opposite force."

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Labour publishes media meetings

30 July 2011 Last updated at 10:13 GMT Ed Balls met Rebekah Brooks and Will Lewis (right) in February The Labour Party has published a list of the shadow cabinet's meetings with the media.

Ed Miliband had already published the list of his meetings with newspaper proprietors and editors since he became Labour Party leader in September 2010.

The new details come after documents released earlier this week disclosed meetings with cabinet ministers.

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls met Rebekah Brooks and Will Lewis from News International in February.

He also met the former News of the World editor Colin Myler at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester last September and attended a News International reception at the conference.

Mr Balls met Mr Myler again in March and June and attended a News International reception as recently as 16 June.

The shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper attended that same reception and the one at the party conference.

She also met Mr Myler in September.

Shadow cabinet office minister and minister for the Olympics Tessa Jowell met Rupert Murdoch's daughter Elisabeth socially in London and Oxfordshire several times over Christmas 2010. Rebekah Brooks was also at two of these gatherings.

Summer party

Ms Jowell also attended Elisabeth Murdoch's summer party in Burford, Oxfordshire on 3 July 2011.

The Tories have already given full details of their meetings with the Murdochs and other media chiefs

The shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland Shaun Woodward also met Ms Brooks socially in Oxfordshire on Boxing Day and again, in France, in June.

Eleven of Mr Miliband's 32 meetings were with News International executives or editors.

It has previously been reported that the Prime Minister David Cameron had 26 separate meetings with executives from Mr Murdoch's companies since last May's election.

Mr Miliband had 15 meetings or social contacts with News International executives over the same period, while the Chancellor George Osborne had 16.

Mr Cameron has ordered all ministerial meetings with media proprietors, senior editors and executives to be published.

It comes amid fears politicians have become too close to the Murdoch empire.

Mr Cameron, Mr Miliband and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg published a list of their meetings earlier this month.

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Mud, wet and leers

29 July 2011 Last updated at 01:01 GMT By Justin Parkinson Political reporter, BBC News As David Cameron prepares to unwind on a summer break in Italy, he and his fellow party leaders will be hoping to avoid prying camera lenses. It was always thus, as these snatched pictures of a bathing Winston Churchill reveal.

Forget Brad and Angelina.

When it comes to selling magazines even Posh and Becks had nothing on the British power couple of 100 years ago: Win and Clem.

Later revered by many as Britain's greatest prime minister, Winston Churchill had, for a few glorious days, the most looked-at beach body in the empire.

The svelte home secretary and his wife Clementine appeared on the cover of society bible Tatler in October 1911 dressed only in their swimming costumes.

The 36-year-old politician frolicked in the waves and lazed on a canoe with his "charming" 26-year-old spouse and their friend Captain Jervis, as they holidayed in Dieppe, northern France.

Tatler boasted that its "ever-ubiquitous" photographer had been "fortunate enough" to capture them at play in the chilly waters of the Channel.

As the UK's parliamentarians prepare to get away for this year's break, current Home Secretary Theresa May will be hoping she does not suffer the same fate over the coming weeks.

Indeed, in the 24-hour media age, seclusion - not exposure - seems to be a paramount concern.

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced he will be spending two weeks away from prying eyes at a Tuscan farmhouse on a private estate, while his deputy Nick Clegg will holiday with his wife's family in Spain.

Slow exposure

Labour leader Ed Miliband is preparing to get away to an undisclosed location over the next few days, once he recovers from a nose operation.

So, why was Mr Churchill apparently so unbothered by the press attention?

His briniest hour: Churchill trod carefully as he emerged from the Channel

Tatler noted that the Churchills were enjoying themselves "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife".

But was there a traitor within his own crowd?

"Hand-held cameras were in common use by this time," said Colin Harding, curator of photographic technology at the National Media Museum. "They were also getting quite fast. It wasn't a case of someone with a large black cloth over their head standing there for several minutes to take a photo.

Continue reading the main story

The equivalent today would be Hello! magazine featuring George Osborne on the beach in Cannes”

End Quote John Walton Journal of Tourism History "A lot of the people in Dieppe at the time would have had cameras, so it would not have been that noticeable if someone was taking pictures on the beach.

"Magazines like Tatler, which traded in society gossip, often bought in pictures from their readers, so it's not beyond the bounds of reason that Churchill was snapped by a member of the public with a hand-held camera. It could even have been a friend or a member of his own party."

Mr Harding doubts it was a set-up by Churchill to boost his image.

"The whole point of public figures in that period was they wanted to appear responsible and respectable. Someone pictured cavorting around in the waves didn't present the right image.

"Perhaps Churchill was quite naive. A modern politician, more aware of the power of pictures, would try to appear in public while on holiday only when it suits them and in a carefully arranged way.

"If it was David Cameron in his swimsuit, the picture would be exactly as he wanted it."

'Really posh'

During the early 20th Century, Dieppe was still a fairly fashionable - but not quite "top drawer" - destination for the British upper classes.

It was only a few hours away on the ferry - not the ideal location for a peaceful getaway for someone as famous as Churchill.

Modern politicians are more lens-aware than their predecessors

However, John Walton, editor of the Journal of Tourism History, said the "culture of the paparazzi" hadn't developed then. "There weren't so many picture magazines to fill. Politicians weren't as worried about being plastered over the press as they are now.

"You didn't have people going around Europe, shooting their telephoto lenses at people."

The location perplexes Dr Walton as much as the picture.

"Dieppe at the time was quite a high-class resort but it wasn't in the same class as Biarritz, where Edward VII had been a regular visitor. That was really posh and it's where I would have expected Churchill to go."

'Painful'

There is some mockery in Tatler, perhaps a double-entendre satirising Mr Churchill's legendary desire to rise to the top of politics.

As he walks gingerly up Dieppe's pebbly beach in one picture, the caption reads: "The Climber: The Home Secretary's Painful Progress."

The 1911 Tatler remains a curiosity. It shows an era before long-distance travel was easily possible, even for the rich.

It was also a transitional time when mass photography was beginning but image manipulation and publicity management were unheard of.

Today's picture magazines focus on that modern creation: celebrities. They hardly existed 100 years ago.

"It's quite amazing really," said Dr Walton. "The equivalent today would be like Hello! magazine featuring George Osborne on the beach in Cannes as its cover."

Now there's a thought.

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'Murder MPs' blogger imprisoned

29 July 2011 Last updated at 17:02 GMT Bilal Zaheer Ahmad was arrested on 10 November 2010 An internet blogger has been jailed for 12 years after admitting soliciting the murder of MPs who had voted in favour of the Iraq War.

Bilal Zaheer Ahmad, 23, from Wolverhampton, was also sentenced for other terrorism offences.

Prosecutors at Bristol Crown Court said Ahmad had used a website called revolutionmuslim.com to encourage others to attack MPs.

The website has since been closed down by the authorities in the US.

Sentencing Ahmad, the judge, Mr Justice Royce, described him as a "viper in our midst" and said he was "willing to go as far as possible to strike at the heart of our system".

The judge told him: "Whatever our views on the Iraq War, we are a democracy.

"You purport to be a British citizen, but what you stand for is totally alien to what we stand for in our country."

Ahmad, an IT graduate from Dunstall Hill who holds both British and Pakistani passports, pleaded guilty to using the website to encourage the murder of MPs who he claimed had supported the 2003 invasion.

Surgery meeting

In his web posting on the Islamic extremist website, he advised readers on the site's message board how to find out constituency surgery details and provided a link to an online shopping site selling knives.

He also had in his possession electronic copies of books called '39 ways to serve and participate in jihad' and 'Zaad-e-Mujahid: Essential provisions of a mujahadid'.

His messages came a day after the conviction of a Muslim woman, Roshonara Choudhry, for the attempted murder of Labour MP Stephen Timms.

Choudhry stabbed Mr Timms, the Labour member for East Ham, in the stomach at a surgery meeting. Ahmad praised her attack and said it should inspire others to follow suit.

The day before Choudhry was sentenced, Ahmad posted on Facebook: "This sister has put us men to shame. We should be doing this."

Two days later, he posted on the Metro newspaper website: "I think Timms got let off lightly, in comparison to the countless civilians that have been killed as a direct result of the war he voted for.

"Roshonara Choudhry is a heroine. Free Roshonara Choudhry and give her a medal for justice."

'Ironic gesture'

When he was arrested, Ahmad told officers: "I shouldn't have let my emotions get away from me. It was completely irrational. It was tongue-in-cheek, I'm not in a cell or anything like that."

Continue reading the main story

It was wrong, it was perverted and he now absolves himself from it completely. He was a follower and not a leader”

End Quote Imran Khan Ahmad's defence lawyer Prosecutor Mark Dennis QC said: "He claimed that the posting of the entry had in effect been a spur of the moment act, done partly as an emotional response to recent events, partly out of 'insolence' and partly as an 'ironic gesture'."

The court heard that Ahmad first became radicalised as a teenager and was an active contributor to several extremist websites.

Imran Khan, defending, said Ahmad had fallen in with members of Islamist movement al-Muhajiroun when aged 16 at college because he felt excluded from mainstream society.

He said Ahmad's growing interest in Islam had been at odds with the non-religious upbringing of his parents.

"This is not the case of a man indoctrinating but of a man who has been indoctrinated by others," Mr Khan said.

"It was wrong, it was perverted and he now absolves himself from it completely. He was a follower and not a leader."

'Track offenders down'

The head of West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, Det Ch Supt Kenny Bell, said it was a "challenging investigation" because Ahmad was posting on foreign-based websites, and international cooperation was key in securing the conviction.

"Online extremism is an area of counter terrorism policing that we are increasingly focussed on.

"We need to protect vulnerable individuals from being urged to commit serious crimes by extremists and radicalisers who are exploiting the internet. We can and will track offenders down."

As well as being jailed for 12 years, Ahmad was ordered to serve an additional five years' extended period on licence.

The other terror offences included one for intent to stir up religious hatred and three counts of collecting information likely to be of use to a terrorist.

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Whitehall's web habits revealed

29 July 2011 Last updated at 11:47 GMT By Victoria King Political reporter, BBC News The list reveals the eclectic tastes and varied hobbies of civil servants Belly dancing, Doctor Who and the Roman Empire are just some of the interests of civil servants as revealed by their web browsing habits.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has disclosed the 1,000 sites visited most often by staff while at work.

The BBC website came top, but employees are also spending time apparently shopping, gambling and house-hunting.

A DfT spokesman said personal internet use by staff should be restricted to official breaks.

The details were published in response to a Freedom of Information request by campaign group the TaxPayers' Alliance. They cover the period from January to May this year.

'Leave reality behind'

Many of the websites come as no surprise - Google is close to the top along with a number of newspapers and news blogs. The BBC homepage is number one with 7.4 million hits.

Facebook comes in at 85th, with more than 130,000 hits. Argos is the most regular online shopping destination, but John Lewis, Next and Debenhams feature too.

Plenty of sports fans appear to have been sneaking in a cheeky look or two at scores or fixtures - with goonerweb, chelseaafc and espncricinfo - a cricket stats website - all popular.

Continue reading the main story

It is vital taxpayers are able to scrutinise how time they are paying for is spent”

End Quote Matthew Sinclair TaxPayers' Alliance Some may also be having a flutter - hence the popularity of oddschecker and bet365 - which get 25,808 and 7,328 hits respectively.

But there are a number of unusual sites which reveal some more unexpected pastimes among civil servants.

Coming in at number 385 - with 27,634 hits - is bearsfaction.org.uk - a website run by the Lorien Trust which organises fantasy role-play festivals.

It invites users to "leave reality behind" and "walk amongst goblins, elves and dwarves".

Even more popular, coming in at 115, is etiquettehell.com which gives frustrated sticklers for good manners a forum in which to vent.

Smallworldbellydance.com - a south London belly dancing studio - gets 3,170 hits, while a website for fans of the Roman Empire attracted nearly 100,000.

Some civil servants also seem to be interested in matters of glamour within Whitehall itself.

Sexymp.co.uk - where users get to rank Members of Parliament in order of attractiveness - got 21,477 hits in the five-month period, making it the 465th most popular site.

Meal breaks

The TaxPayers' Alliance said it had contacted all government departments, but the DfT was the only one to provide the information.

Director Matthew Sinclair said: "While many staff work very hard, there have been enough anecdotal reports of time-wasters within the civil service that it is vital taxpayers are able to scrutinise how time they are paying for is spent.

"Other departments need to follow suit and publish this information. There is no practical obstacle to proper transparency."

The DfT was asked whether it could reveal the amount of time spent on each website, but it said it did not keep accurate figures.

A spokesman said: "Our internet access policy states that personal use of the internet by staff should be kept as short as possible and should not in any event exceed one hour each day made in their own time, e.g. meal breaks.

"We also have measures in place to prevent the inappropriate use of internet by staff, for example in relation to pornographic web sites.

"Personal use should not place excessive demands on ICT [information and communications technology] facilities and should not detract from staff's performance of their duties."

The DfT said two staff had been disciplined during 2009-10 due to "inappropriate internet usage".

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Shale gas extraction policy call

31 July 2011 Last updated at 07:44 GMT By Caroline Rigby BBC News Up to ?70bn worth of shale gas reserves may lie in the rocks below south Wales, research suggests Shadow UK Energy Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has called for the UK government to devise a policy on shale gas.

Potential multi-million pound reserves lie under in south Wales but its claimed an extraction method called fracking causes pollution and could lead to earthquakes.

The Ogmore MP says the gas could help supply energy needs but must be handled safely.

The government says attempts to drill for it must be environmentally viable.

Mr Irranca-Davies Davies told BBC Wales Country Focus programme that he will continue to put pressure on UK Energy Minister, Charles Hendry over the issue.

It comes after research by exploration companies found a potential ?70bn of reserves in rocks deep under south Wales and numerous planning applications have been submitted for test drilling to be carried out.

Wind and renewables

Continue reading the main story

If shale gas, for example, can be part of our transition to a low carbon future and can provide cheap affordable gas, as it has done in the US, then great”

End Quote Huw Irranca-Davies Ogmore MP Fracking began in Blackpool this year but has been suspended while a review looks into any link with two recorded earthquakes.

Mr Irranca-Davies said the UK Government must embed shale gas in its wider energy policy.

"The reason is that if you look at anything else, whether it's nuclear, whether it's oil industry, whether it's wind and renewables or even tidal they all fit within a proper coherent policy structure.

"Whereas, with shale gas, we have the risk it will take us unawares."

However, he is not against shale gas exploitation altogether.

Health and safety

"A lot of people recognise that there may well be potential for shale gas. Particularly if you look at the decline in North Sea Gas and our increasing reliance on imported gas -- LNG and elsewhere, pipelines from Russia, pipelines from Norway -- this could have potential."

He added: "If shale gas, for example, can be part of our transition to a low carbon future and can provide cheap affordable gas, as it has done in the US, then great.

"But only if it is done safely, if there's no environmental impacts and the health and safety of individuals in the areas are looked after as well. Why doesn't the government look at this and decide how do it safety, if at all?"

"We'll keep on pushing for it because I don't want to rule out shale gas entirely -- although I know there are some people who would want to see it completely prohibited.

"But I don't agree with them because I think we need to assess both its potential and its risks properly."

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has said companies must go through a variety of checks, including gaining planning permission before any fracking takes place.

Earlier this month Vale of Glamorgan council leader, Gordon Kemp, called for national level guidance on shale gas extraction.

The Welsh Government has also said it would welcome working with UK ministers to set up a policy framework.

A spokesperson said it "would welcome the UK Government working with devolved administrations to put in place a policy framework for shale gas. But the case for a moratorium rests with Westminster."

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The Wallis files

27 July 2011 Last updated at 08:14 GMT Neil Wallis, former deputy editor of the News of the World who gave PR advice to the Met Police The Metropolitan Police can't find the document setting out the details of the public relations consultancy services it controversially bought from Neil Wallis, former deputy editor of the News of the World.

But it hasn't lost all the files associated with the contract. It does have the restaurant receipt for the meal with Mr Wallis which was claimed on expenses by Dick Fedorcio, the Met's Director of Public Affairs.

This shows that the pair of them consumed veal burgers washed down by a bottle of Chablis at an ?80 lunch together at a Westminster restaurant in the run up to Mr Fedorcio agreeing to give the Met's business to Mr Wallis in September 2009.

'Shocked'

This contract was one example of the closeness between the Met Police and current and former employees of News International, which greatly concerned the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee at its hearings earlier this month.

Mr Wallis has been arrested and questioned by police investigating phone-hacking at the News of the World.

In its report last week the Home Affairs Committee was highly critical of Mr Fedorcio. It said:

"We are appalled at what we have learnt about the letting of the media support contract to Mr Wallis.

"We are particularly shocked by the approach taken by Mr Fedorcio: he said he could not remember who had suggested seeking a quote from Mr Wallis; he appears to have carried out no due diligence in any generally recognised sense of that term."

The BBC has also obtained from the Met copies of invoices submitted by Mr Wallis for his public relations advice and a copy of his contract. However this is only the standard part of the contract.

The force has told us that it cannot find the schedules to the contract which set out the services to be provided and the payments to be made.

Public concern

These documents were provided to the BBC not through the Freedom of Information Act, but under a more obscure and rarely used legal right to information which only applies for a short time each year.

Dick Fedorcio, giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee

This is laid down in the Audit Commission Act, which gives local electors a temporary right of access to the detailed financial records of English councils and police and fire authorities (including contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts). Similar legislation applies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It applies for a period of a few weeks annually, to facilitate the public raising concerns with auditors. The timing is linked to the auditing schedule for each council or authority. It generally falls between May and August, and we are currently in the middle of the relevant period for the Metropolitan Police.

From the point of view of those seeking information this law has several advantages over the Freedom of Information Act. One is speed. In this case we obtained the records within a few days. An FOI application is likely to take 20 working days or sometimes considerably longer to obtain an answer.

Window of opportunity

Another is that the grounds for exempting material from disclosure are narrower than under freedom of information law.

Personal data about staff can still be restricted, but it is harder for authorities to keep other material secret on the basis that it is confidential or threatens commercial interests than it would be in response to an FOI request.

The rights of access under the audit legislation can only be exercised within the narrow window of opportunity and by those with a local interest.

The best source for background material about this law is the website of the Orchard News Bureau, a news agency run by Richard Orange, who is the leading journalistic authority on this subject. The Daily Telegraph has also published a useful listing of when different councils have their open periods.

The coalition government is now trying to encourage citizens to use this right, as part of its campaign to unleash a force of "armchair auditors".

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Glasgow Hogmanay party scrapped

29 July 2011 Last updated at 10:08 GMT More than 4,000 people usually attend the traditional George Square party Glasgow's traditional Hogmanay party in George Square has been scrapped after the city council decided it was no longer delivering value for money.

Instead, the focus will switch to family-friendly events aimed at boosting the day and nighttime economy.

This year's event will finish at 22:00 and feature music, ceilidh dancing and curling on the George Square ice rink.

The council said with services under pressure it was "imperative that we get the best bang for every Glasgow buck".

Value concerns

Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "At the moment we are being asked to justify spending ?34 of public money per head on an event which just isn't delivering value and indeed received a fair amount of negative feedback last year."

Continue reading the main story Jamie McIvor BBC Scotland local government correspondent

Glasgow's decision to scrap the party at the bells in George Square is bound to attract some bad publicity. Claims a hard-up council is acting like a party pooper seem inevitable.

While the need to save money is focusing minds at councils across Scotland, there is a very real question over whether the midnight event represented value for money for Glasgow City Council anyway.

The George Square celebrations attracted some big names over the years but were always modest compared to the massive celebrations in the Scottish capital Edinburgh.

The crowds along the length of Princes Street include visitors from all across Scotland, the rest of the UK and far beyond. Indeed Edinburgh's programme of Hogmanay celebrations give a big boost to the capital's tourist industry during what would otherwise be a quite spell.

The George Square party, in contrast, mostly attracts Glaswegians

The hope is the family events which will replace the midnight party will prove better value for money and more enjoyable to more people - perhaps even making the city more attractive to visitors.

Although there is a long Scottish tradition of bringing in the New Year in the open air, in many parts of the country that tradition came under threat or died out completely. Instead people began to bring in the New Year at home or with their friends.

In the 1990s though, many cities and large towns started to revive open air festivities.

Glasgow is not the first city to scrap its party at the bells. Aberdeen stopped its big city centre celebrations two years ago to focus on smaller events. Some other places, such as Stirling, have scaled back their midnight celebrations.

And while there is no threat to Edinburgh's Hogmanay, some have spoken about whether the private sector may have to foot a greater share of the cost in the future.

He added: "This is on top of the ?19 ticket price we are asking the public to pay.

"Contrast that with the free fireworks display in November which costs the council just ?1.50 per head, or the hugely popular Christmas lights switch on which costs ?6 per head to stage, and I think most people would agree that Hogmanay in the Square is not good value for money."

Glasgow's traditional Hogmanay celebrations attracts 4,500 to George Square but the council said this was only "a fraction of those out and about in the city" to celebrate the New Year.

The council now plans to focus resources on the existing "Glasgow Loves Christmas" events across the festive period.

This will dovetail with a "Glasgow Loves Hogmanay" series of events on 31 December which will be co-ordinated with the city's hospitality industry.

The aim is to create a family day in George Square rather than a one-off party.

Councillor Matheson added: "At a time when frontline services are under extreme financial pressure it is imperative that we get the best bang for every Glasgow buck and that is not what is happening at the moment."

He added: "The change means that the ice rink and all the other hugely popular attractions in George Square can be open to families and visitors on Hogmanay and New Year's Day which previously hasn't been possible for operational reasons.

"With special Hogmanay events up until 10pm, such as curling on the ice rink and a ceilidh, George Square will have a welcoming family feel to it throughout the New Year period."

The decision to ditch the traditional Hogmanay party has been backed by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Commercial director Richard Muir said: "The entertainment economy is a priority sector for us with our bars, clubs, restaurants and other venues estimated to generate ?600m for the local economy and employing almost 30,000 people throughout the city.

"By promoting Glasgow as a destination we can encourage locals and visitors to use the wide range of top-class facilities, enjoy themselves during their stay and to visit again."

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Website for "supine parliament"

29 July 2011 Last updated at 17:14 GMT Douglas Carswell is an MP who believes in direct democracy If you are nursing a burning question that you would like aired at Westminster, now's your chance.

All you have to do is bung it on a new 'e-petition' website.

There's just one snag; you need to get 100,000 signatures.

Needless to say, one of the first ideas being floated on the internet was to bring back hanging.

Good opportunity

"That's no bad thing," Douglas Carswell, MP, tells me.

"As someone who is very much against the death penalty - we sneer at people who want it.

"Now we could be forced to explain why we can't have the death penalty in a civilised society.

"We should have to make the case - I haven't heard it made for 20 to 30 years.

"It's a good opportunity," says the Conservative member for Clacton, who is a keen advocate of direct democracy.

Support required

The new online petition website, run by DirectGov, has replaced the former Downing Street online page.

Should any of the ideas garner enough support, it will then be up to the Commons backbench business committee to give it parliamentary time.

"Parliament is supine and spineless but the only reason it's getting off its backside and MPs are doing their jobs is because of scrutiny.

"These debates would take them out of their comfort zones. We should explain what we can't do as well as what we can."

The rest is up to you...

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MP 'probably took drugs in club'

29 July 2011 Last updated at 23:56 GMT By Victoria King Political reporter, BBC News Louise Mensch said it was "highly probable" the incident at the club had taken place Conservative MP Louise Mensch has admitted she "probably" took drugs with violinist Nigel Kennedy when she was working for record company EMI.

The MP for Corby said she had been contacted by journalists who said they knew she had taken drugs at a nightclub.

The journalists claimed to have photographs of the night in question.

Asked about the allegation, Kennedy said he did "remember having some great times" with Mrs Mensch.

Mrs Mensch, who also writes romantic novels under her maiden name Louise Bagshawe, has published an e-mail from investigative journalists accusing her of taking drugs and dancing, while drunk, with the musician during her time as a press officer for EMI a number of years ago.

She has also made public her reply to the journalists, which stated: "Although I do not remember the specific incident, this sounds highly probable... since I was in my twenties, I'm sure it was not the only incident of the kind; we all do idiotic things when young."

She later posted a message on Twitter saying her actions had been "idiotic", adding that it was "never a good idea to mess with your brain".

'Pretty scary'

In a statement, Mr Kennedy said: "I am a socialist myself but do remember having some great times with my beautiful and very clever right-wing friend when she was at EMI.

"Louise is pretty scary and I would warn anyone that it's not a good idea to mess with her."

Mrs Mensch denied another allegation that she had been sacked by EMI for writing a novel during work hours.

She said she had used a work computer outside office hours for her book, but the stated reasons for her sacking had been "leaving work early", "missing the odd day at work" and "inappropriate dress".

She also denied making "derogatory references" to her former manager at EMI in one of her books.

'Dig up dirt'

John Whittingdale, the Conservative chairman of the Commons culture committee, on which Mrs Mensch sits, said: "It seems to me Louise has been admirably up front and honest and I think her reputation and credibility are enhanced by that."

A Labour member of the committee, West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson, told BBC2's Newsnight he did not care what Mrs Mensch "did in nightclubs in the 1990s".

He added: "What she has effectively done today is give a very big finger to a... journalist who is trying to dig up dirt on her from many years ago, probably because she is involved in exposing the truth about hacking and what went on on our committee."

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was at Oxford University at the same time as Mrs Mensch, insisted he had only ever witnessed her enjoying a "small glass of sherry".

He told Newsnight the timing of the story was suspicious, although there was no proof there was an attempt to target her because of her involvement in the hacking probe.

Mrs Mensch's profile has increased recently as a result of her involvement in the phone-hacking scandal, questioning News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch as part of the culture committee.

She also became involved in a row with former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan after accusing him of "boasting" about hacking phones in his memoir.

Mr Morgan reacted angrily and demanded she apologise, which she has now done.

View the original article here

MP sorry for Morgan hacking slur

29 July 2011 Last updated at 14:56 GMT By Victoria King Political reporter, BBC News Piers Morgan had vigorously denied Mrs Mensch's accusation Conservative MP Louise Mensch has apologised to former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan for accusing him of "boasting" about hacking phones.

She told the Commons select committee last week that Mr Morgan had been "very open about his personal use of phone hacking" in his memoir The Insider.

But she now says she made a mistake and had misread a newspaper report about the book.

Mr Morgan, who denied the accusation, thanked Mrs Mensch for her apology.

Mrs Mensch made her remarks during the Commons culture, media and sport committee hearing with News Corporation bosses Rupert and James Murdoch on 19 July.

This later developed into a row between the pair on Twitter after Mrs Mensch stood by her remarks but declined to repeat them outside Parliament, where comments have greater legal protection against libel proceedings.

'Outrage'

During the hearing the Corby MP - best known as the best-selling author Louise Bagshawe until she married Peter Mensch, manager of rock band Metallica, in June - asked why the committee not spoken to Mr Morgan about phone hacking.

She said: "As a former editor of the Daily Mirror, he said in his book The Insider recently that that 'little trick' of entering a 'standard four digit code' will allow 'anyone' to call a number and 'hear all your messages'.

"In that book, he boasted that using that 'little trick' enabled him to win scoop of the year on a story about [former England football manager] Sven-Goran Eriksson. That is a former editor of the Daily Mirror being very open about his personal use of phone hacking."

Louise Mensch said she had misread an article about Piers Morgan's book

A furious Mr Morgan, who now hosts his own programme on the US news channel CNN, called the claim "a complete outrage" and challenged her to provide evidence for it.

He also accused her of being "cowardly" by using parliamentary privilege to make it.

On 21 July, Sly Bailey, chief executive of Daily Mirror publisher Trinity Mirror, wrote to the committee demanding the MP correct her remarks.

"On two occasions Mrs Mensch made uncaveated statements purporting to be facts," she wrote. "On both occasions she made allegations that are wholly untrue."

Scoop

In a letter to committee chairman John Whittingdale on Friday, Mrs Mensch said she had "wrongly stated" that Mr Morgan had "been open about personally hacking phones".

"This was based on my misreading of an article in the Daily Telegraph... which covered Mr Morgan's description in his book of how to hack a phone and how he won the Scoop of the Year on the story of Sven-Goran Eriksson and [TV presenter] Ulrika Johnson.

"The Telegraph report covers the claim of a blogger that this story was acquired by phone hacking, and I misread that as Mr Morgan himself claiming this to be true.

"Therefore, I must apologise to Mr Morgan and the committee for this error about his book."

Mr Morgan later said on Twitter that he "graciously accepted" her apology.

Earlier on Friday, Mrs Mensch admitted it was "highly probable" she had taken drugs while working for record company EMI in the 1990s.

She said MPs were "entitled to a life before politics, including making mistakes".

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Libya taunts UK over rebel death

30 July 2011 Last updated at 10:57 GMT Abdel Fattah Younes had defected from the government in February Libya's government has taunted the UK over the death of rebel military commander General Abdel Fattah Younes.

It has been claimed the former Libyan government minister was shot by an Islamist militia linked to the rebels.

A Libyan government spokesman said the incident showed the UK government had made a mistake by recognising the rebel council as the sole authority in Libya.

He said it was "a nice slap to the face of the British" that the rebels were unable to protect their army chief.

On Saturday, the rebels' Oil Minister, Ali Tarhouni, told reporters in Benghazi that a leader of the Obaida Ibn Jarrah Brigade had provided information on the circumstances of Gen Younes's death.

But he did not provide a motive for the killing, which he said was still being investigated.

On Wednesday, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the UK would recognise the Libyan National Transitional Council of the rebels as the "sole governmental authority", as it expelled Gaddafi-regime diplomats from the UK.

Gen Younes and two aides were killed by gunmen after being recalled from the front line of fighting.

Hundreds of mourners carried a coffin containing the general's body into Benghazi's main square on Friday.

Col Muammar Gaddafi's government in Tripoli said the killing was proof the rebels were not capable of ruling Libya.

'Nice slap to face'

Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said: "It is a nice slap to the face of the British that the council that they recognised could not protect its own commander of the army."

Speaking before Mr Tarhouni's comments, Mr Ibrahim suggested Gen Younes had been killed by al-Qaeda and repeated a claim that the group was the strongest force within the rebel movement, which is based in the east of the country.

"By this act, al-Qaeda wanted to mark out its presence and its influence in this region," he said.

"The other members of the (rebel) National Transitional Council knew about it but could not react because they are terrified of al-Qaeda."

Gen Younes - a former interior minister who had served at the heart of Col Gaddafi's regime since the 1969 coup - joined the rebels at the beginning of the Libyan uprising in February.

On Wednesday, the Libyan charge d'affaires in the UK was called to the Foreign Office to be told he and other diplomats must leave.

Instead the UK will ask the National Transitional Council to appoint a new diplomatic envoy.

It follows similar moves by the US and France. The UK had previously said it recognised "countries not governments".

Meanwhile, Nato said a "precision air strike" had disabled three Libyan state TV satellite transmission dishes.

Nato said the operation was intended to stop "inflammatory broadcasts" by Col Gaddafi's regime.

View the original article here

MPs vote against Murdoch recall

29 July 2011 Last updated at 14:03 GMT Tom Watson MP questions James Murdoch about whether he was aware of the "for Neville" email

MPs have voted against recalling News International chairman James Murdoch to give more evidence on phone hacking.

Labour MP Tom Watson had wanted Mr Murdoch and two ex-News of the World (NoW) executives to appear before MPs.

The former NoW men dispute Mr Murdoch's claim to have been unaware of an email suggesting hacking was widespread.

The culture committee will ask for more details, and chairman John Whittingdale said it was "very possible" Mr Murdoch would be asked to reappear after that.

The Tory MP said it would also write to law firm Harbottle and Lewis which investigated the phone-hacking claims on behalf of News International.

He told a news conference that the Commons culture, media and sport committee would meet again once it had received replies.

Later, Mr Whittingdale told the BBC: "The areas where I'm particularly keen to get additional information is from [former legal manager] Tom Crone, [former editor] Colin Myler and [former legal director] Jon Chapman, where they say the evidence we were given by James Murdoch was wrong.

"So what we've agreed to do is to ask them to give us those extra details. When we have received that response we may well wish to call them in and take oral evidence.

"On the basis of that I think it's very possible we will want to put those points to James Murdoch."

'For Neville'

In other developments:

Earlier this month, James Murdoch told the committee that he was not aware of a key document - known as the "for Neville" email - when he approved an out-of-court settlement with Gordon Taylor, the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive.

But the two former NoW executives, Mr Myler and Mr Crone, later released a statement saying they did inform him of the email.

Mr Murdoch has said he "stands by his testimony" to the committee.

Mr Watson told BBC Two's Newsnight programme on Thursday that he would make the recall requests to the committee on Friday "so that we can get to the bottom of this, find the facts and Parliament can then move on and let the police do their inquiry".

In April 2008, James Murdoch authorised the payment of an out-of-court settlement of more than ?600,000 to Gordon Taylor over the hacking of his phone.

Mr Murdoch has said that, at the time, he did not know the full extent of hacking that may have been going on at the NoW.

That paper's royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were both jailed for hacking into phones of the royal household in 2007.

Ms Payne started campaigning after her daughter Sarah was killed in 2000

But the email in question was marked "for Neville" and is said to have implied the NoW's chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck was also implicated in malpractices.

Before the committee's decision was announced, Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman told the BBC it was right to recall Mr Murdoch before the committee.

She said he gave evidence that had "now been flatly contradicted" by Mr Crone and Mr Myler and that "in the face of a complete conflict of evidence, the committee is entitled to get to the bottom of where the truth lies".

Shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis also said it was vital the select committee heard more evidence from Mr Murdoch.

"[News Corporation and News International] now claim they're in full co-operation mode. If that's the case, and there are discrepancies, it's very, very important that he, and other people who are relevant to this, go back to that select committee and give evidence," he said.

Sarah's Law

The latest development comes after the mother of murder victim Sarah Payne learned she may have been a phone hacking victim.

Police told Sara Payne her details were in notes compiled by Mulcaire, who was used by the NoW, which championed her Sarah's Law child protection campaign.

According to a report in the Guardian, the evidence uncovered by police in Mulcaire's notes is believed to relate to a phone given to Ms Payne by the NoW's then-editor Rebekah Brooks "as a gift to help her stay in touch with her supporters".

The BBC has not been able to confirm whether the evidence relates to this particular mobile.

But Mrs Brooks, who left her role as NI chief executive because of the hacking scandal but denies having had any knowledge of the practice while at the paper, says the phone "was not a personal gift".

She said the allegations were "abhorrent and particularly upsetting as Sara Payne is a dear friend".

In a statement, Ms Payne's charity, Phoenix Chief Advocates, said she was "absolutely devastated" by the claims.

News International said it would co-operate fully with any potential criminal inquiries or civil proceedings which may arise.

John Whittingdale said more information was needed in order to recall James Murdoch

The Metropolitan Police's Operation Weeting is investigating claims of phone hacking at News of the World, which was shut down earlier this month after it emerged that the phone of murder victim Milly Dowler had been hacked.

'Shareholder base'

On Friday it was announced that James Murdoch had received the backing of the BSkyB board to remain as the company's chairman. The decision was confirmed in BSkyB's annual results statement .

BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch told the Today programme the decision to keep Mr Murdoch in the position had been unanimous.

"I think James has got strong support in the shareholder base, he's got strong support in the management base and unanimous support in the board."

Mr Darroch said the board would keep a watching brief on external events but when asked what it would take to get Mr Murdoch to step down, refused to speculate.

He said: "I'm not going to speculate on things in the future, there are a whole set of inquiries that are going on, they will establish the full facts of what's happened, what we will do is focus on our business - Sky - and keep developing that and keep delivering."

Meanwhile, a man has admitted throwing a shaving cream pie at News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch during his select committee appearance with his son James.

Jonathan May-Bowles, 26, of Windsor, Berkshire, admitted behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress in a public place under Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

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MPs push for football fan power

29 July 2011 Last updated at 14:49 GMT Newcastle United fans celebrate, but should they be given a chance to own the club? MPs have given football fans fresh hope they could get an opportunity to own the clubs they support.

The Commons has been looking at the way football is run in England.

It has produced a series of recommendations, including improvements to the management of the Football Association. (Some would say it could hardly get any worse given its recent problems).

It also wants to see football clubs monitored through a licensing system to prevent them getting into financial trouble.

But the committee has also examined the involvement of supporters in their clubs.

It came across some good examples of consultation even at Premier League level.

Sunderland get particular praise in the report for involving their fans, and the report calls for other clubs to follow their example. Arsenal and Liverpool are also praised.

But the committee also looked at how supporters might be able to gain a stake in their clubs.

The MPs say it is currently far too difficult for fans to try and take over teams.

Funding access

Supporters' trusts have been formed by groups of fans, but according to the committee they face too many hurdles when it comes to raising money.

Sunderland's Chairman Niall Quinn cheers on the team with its American owner Ellis Short

The report calls for a change in the law to give trusts special status.

The MPs say they could also be set up as Community Interest Companies or social enterprises. That could give them more access to funding.

The committee also wants to see legislation to protect groups of supporters who already have minority stakes in their clubs. At the moment, a buyer can force them to sell their shares.

And fans could also get a better chance to take over their club if it goes bust.

The report suggests supporters' trusts should be given an opportunity to match any bid for an insolvent club before it is sold.

Club ownership

Some of those changes would please the Newcastle United Supporters' Trust.

We need a reformed FA to oversee and underpin a rigorous and consistent club licensing system and robust rules on club ownership, which should be transparent to supporters”

End Quote John Whittingdale MP Chair, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

It campaigned before last year's election for changes in the law. The Trust has been keen to take over ownership of the club from Mike Ashley but has found it tough to mount a realistic bid.

But it seems unlikely the report will suddenly see fans take over England's biggest clubs.

In evidence to the committee, the Sports Minister Hugh Robertson makes it clear that there will be a limit to fan power.

He doubted there was any room for supporters to own the biggest clubs - potentially ruling out the idea of a trust running a Newcastle or Manchester United.

Hugh Robertson also said there was little scope to offer tax breaks to trusts in the current climate.

And the committee does not see an end to foreign ownership of English clubs.

Instead it wants to see the "fit and proper person" test applied more rigorously to potential owners of any nationality.

It also hopes foreign owners make an effort to appreciate the culture and heritage of the clubs they take over.

Football heritage

Sunderland's American owner Ellis Short gets a mention. The club chairman Niall Quinn says he had spoken to Short about the need to understand the emotion surrounding the club.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair John Whittingdale believes the FA have to tackle problems in English football

But Niall Quinn says the Sunderland model works well because Ellis Short has fully bought into the club's history and potential, and wanted "to go with the fans on an adventure".

John Whittingdale, the committee chair, said: "Significant changes need to be made to the way the game is run to secure the future of England's unique football heritage, and the economic and community benefits it provides.

"The FA is the organisation for the job, but it has some way to go getting its own house in order before it can tackle the problems in the English game, and address the future.

"We need a reformed FA to oversee and underpin a rigorous and consistent club licensing system and robust rules on club ownership, which should be transparent to supporters."

So some progress, but it still seems unlikely we'll see an English Barcelona any time soon.

View the original article here

NHS funds 'moved to rich areas'

31 July 2011 Last updated at 08:32 GMT The Department of Health says NHS spending will rise in real terms this year Labour is accusing the government of moving NHS spending in England away from poorer areas towards richer parts of the country.

It says this is because of changes to the funding for primary care trusts.

For years, areas which have higher incidences of poor health have been given a higher per-capita funding but this weighting is set to be reduced.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley called the claims "nonsense" and said all areas were getting budget increases.

He said NHS spending was going up in real terms across England as a whole and that Labour would not have matched that commitment if it had won the election.

"We're not taking money away from any parts of England, we're increasing the budget for the health service in England," said Mr Lansley.

"The average increase in each primary care trust is 3%, compared to [its] provision the previous year.

"The minimum increase is two and a half percent, and actually the minimum increase is going to Kingston upon Thames in London, which is hardly a poor area."

Labour, however, says the changes will mean less well-off areas such as Manchester and Tower Hamlets in east London losing out in the allocation of health funding, while more prosperous parts of the country - such as Surrey and Hampshire - will benefit.

Its claims are based on an assessment of funding changes made by public health bodies in Manchester.

Shadow health minister, Diane Abbott, stood by the report and said the NHS was under pressure because of a "misconceived reorganisation" by the Conservative-led government.

"A responsible government, which cared about health and equalities, that cared about the health of the poor, would not be taking money away from inner city areas.

"This isn't politics. This is about people's lives. This is about how quickly you can expect to get an operation, whether you get it as quickly as possible, whether you're made to wait artificially long - 15 weeks - rather than as quickly as possible."

The government said the funding changes were based on independent advice and that Labour's figures were misleading.

The Department of Health said the primary care budgets in Surrey and Tower Hamlets would, in fact, increase this year by a similar amount.

It added that a greater emphasis on the prevention of illness in future would assist those living in poorer parts of England.

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PM 'must come clean' over Murdoch

31 July 2011 Last updated at 06:37 GMT Full details of meetings with the Murdochs and other media chiefs have now been released Prime Minister David Cameron and his senior colleagues must "come clean" over their dealings with the Murdoch family, Labour has said.

The party has sent letters to Cabinet ministers, containing more than 50 questions it claims have still not been addressed by the coalition.

It comes in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "We moved quickly to publish all meetings with editors and proprietors."

But Labour is asking what discussions key ministers had with the Murdochs about their attempt to take full control of BSkyB.

The bid collapsed following intense pressure at the height of the hacking revelations.

Labour has demanded Mr Cameron reveals "the dates, nature and content of the discussions" he had with James or Rupert Murdoch as well as ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks about the deal.

The party is also attempting to keep up the pressure on Mr Cameron and his colleagues about Andy Coulson, the former News of the World editor who then worked as Downing Street communications chief for two-and-a-half years.

The letter calls on the Prime Minister to reveal if he spoke to Mr Coulson following his arrest.

'Tangled web'

Shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis said: "The signs are that David Cameron still does not get it.

"David Cameron and George Osborne treated warnings about Andy Coulson with contempt and failed to put a proper distance between themselves and senior News Corp executives during the consideration of the BSkyB bid.

"A tangled web of their own making will not go away until they and their cabinet colleagues give full and frank answers to legitimate questions."

It has previously been reported that Mr Cameron had 26 separate meetings with executives from Mr Murdoch's companies since last May's election.

Labour leader Ed Miliband had 15 meetings or social contacts with News International executives over the same period, while Chancellor George Osborne had 16.

Mr Cameron has ordered all ministerial meetings with media proprietors, senior editors and executives be published.

It comes amid fears that politicians have become too close to the Murdoch empire.

Mr Cameron, Mr Miliband and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg published a list of their meetings earlier this month.

View the original article here

Osborne welcomes Greece debt deal

22 July 2011 Last updated at 13:10 GMT George Osborne says the UK cannot insulate itself from the eurozone's problems Chancellor George Osborne has welcomed the new bailout package for debt-ridden Greece, saying eurozone members had taken "decisive economic action".

He also emphasised that the UK government had delivered on its promise to keep the country out of the bailout.

But he said the UK had a "huge interest" in a stable eurozone and longer term changes were needed.

Leaders of the eurozone countries have agreed a new bailout package for Greece worth 109bn euros ($155bn, ?96.3bn).

It was agreed at an emergency summit of the eurozone's 17 member countries.

Mr Osborne said: "The first thing British taxpayers should know is that we have delivered on our promise to keep the UK out of the Greek bailout.

"But Britain also has a huge interest in a stable eurozone. The package from eurozone countries to support Greece is an important and positive development.

"Even more positive is the demonstration that eurozone political leaders can take decisive economic action.

"That is what they now have to sustain, not just on the details of this package, but also on the longer term changes needed to make the euro work. They have shown they can get a grip, now they need to keep it."

Global confidence

But the deal has come in for criticism from Eurosceptic Conservatives, with backbench MP Bill Cash saying the best solution for Greece was "to get out of the European zone and actually to re-establish a regime in which it can grow".

"The reality is that there is no growth with this massive over-regulation in Europe taking up four, maybe 10% of Greek GDP."

And he warned against Britain signing up to any package that would involve closer European union, arguing instead that the eurozone crisis should be used as an opportunity to renegotiate the UK's membership.

"If it's done by way of a treaty which locks us into the treaty arrangements, but allows the rest of Europe to go ahead with fiscal union, it is effectively creating an aircraft carrier to which we are tied with a rope," he told the BBC News channel.

"And that, of course, will not be in our interest. We need a referendum."

Former minister John Redwood, writing on his blog, said: "All this looks like bad news for the better-run Euroland states. They will pay more to ailing countries.

"They will use their own better credit ratings to borrow to lend more to the troubled countries. This could gradually erode their credit status.

"Predictably the EU is going for more integration, not less, for doubling the bet on the euro rather than quitting."

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has, meanwhile, accused the government of "sitting on its hands and not engaging with this eurozone debate" and of being distracted by the unfolding phone hacking crisis.

In an article for left-wing magazine Tribune, Mr Balls said: "When Britain could be showing leadership - acting as an honest broker in negotiations and proposing a solution for the euro area - our chancellor is absent.

"For him the present crisis seems little more than an excuse to invent more false comparisons between Britain and countries like Greece and Portugal - or to try and blame the current eurozone crisis for the difficulties Britain has been facing since the autumn."

Debt contagion

Greece received its first aid package in May last year, but the debt crisis continues to undermine confidence in global financial markets, with some commentators suggesting it threatens the future of the euro itself.

Athens has already implemented a raft of wide-ranging austerity measures, including spending cuts and tax rises, and earlier this month agreed to further drastic action to cut its debt.

For the first time, the new bailout involves private lenders, including banks, pledging support which will give Greece easier repayment terms.

The deal includes the doubling of the maturity of Greece's package from seven-and-a-half years to 15 years and the interest rate being cut to about 3.5%.

The relaxation in lending conditions was also extended to bailed-out Portugal and the Republic of Ireland in an attempt to finally ensure the stability of the single currency and stave off debt contagion from spreading to Italy and Spain.

The deal also involves support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Banks and other private investors will contribute 37bn euros to the package.

View the original article here

Huhne interviewed again by police

22 July 2011 Last updated at 14:48 GMT Mr Huhne has denied the allegations about a speeding offence in 2003 Chris Huhne and estranged wife Vicky Pryce have been interviewed for a second time at police stations in Essex over speeding offence allegations.

Essex Police say a file will be prepared and submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, paving the way for a possible prosecution.

Officers are investigating claims Mr Huhne had asked Ms Pryce to accept penalty points on his behalf.

The Lib Dem energy secretary says the allegations are "simply incorrect".

The pair were interviewed by police last month over the claims he persuaded her to accept a three-point penalty on his behalf in March 2003 so he could avoid a driving ban.

Both Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy, the Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, have rejected calls for Mr Huhne to resign.

Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce were questioned after officers obtained a court order to take possession of a tape recording in which the ex-couple apparently discuss the case.

Last month, The Sunday Times reported it had been ordered by a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court to hand the tape - features a conversation between Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce - to Essex Police.

The paper said it was considering an appeal.

Images of Ms Pryce's driving licence have emerged indicating she received points for an offence in the Essex area on the date in question.

But she is thought to have told police she was at an event in London at the time and it was Mr Huhne who was at the wheel.

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Should MPs be asking the questions?

20 July 2011 Last updated at 16:22 GMT Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood poses the questions They are called witnesses. And in cross-examining Rupert Murdoch and senior Scotland Yard detectives, MPs have turned their select committees into the most dramatic of inquisitorial chambers.

But is it really a job we should be giving to our elected representatives? Are they up to the task? And how much of the power of these exchanges come from the televising of hearings?

Oxford West and Abingdon Conservative MP Nicola Blackwood was only elected at the last election and says she never expected to find a place on the powerful Home Affairs Committee within a year of reaching parliament.

She says that it has been "a steep learning curve".

Huge media attention

The eyes of the world followed her questions to the Met Police Chief Sir Paul Stephenson and John Yates before and after their dramatic resignations.

These hardened policemen were used to difficult interviews, though usually trying to extract their own confessions from suspects.

And the committee's exchanges were being broadcast live on rolling news channels, in this country and abroad.

"Be you ever so high you have to account to the people”

End Quote Nicola Blackwood MP Oxford West & Abingdon

Miss Blackwood says the committee were well aware of the attention.

"You're aware of the attention, because the room was packed, but I honestly did forget the cameras, especially when you get to the heart of the questioning."

What about the way Chairman Keith Vaz cut off some inquiries mid-flow, moving questioning around the room?

"You are under a lot of time pressure, because every one of the committee members wants to pursue their own line of enquiry."

The public's representatives

There had been criticism of earlier hearings for not asking sharp enough questions, or following up lines of enquiry.

The "Hacked-off" campaign group is advised by the Liberal Democrat campaigner for free speech Dr Evan Harris, who lost the Oxford West & Abingdon constituency to Conservative Blackwood at the last election.

Dr Harris has been calling for Lord Justice Leveson's enquiry, asking questions under oath, to start work even before the second police investigation is complete, saying "We see no legal requirement for this to wait until after police enquiries. To do so could damage its ability to get to the truth."

Nicola Blackwood agrees that the full public inquiry will bring a forensically detailed look at the evidence, but insists the MPs inquiries have their place.

"We are asking questions as non-experts, as representatives of the public.

"You can't prepare those questions in advance because you can't always anticipate the way that the discussion will go."

As a result of the scrutiny that started at the Home Affairs Committee both policemen have now resigned, acknowledging serious misjudgements.

Quick reporting Sir Paul Stephenson: "I regret that we went into that contract... because it's embarrassing"

The committee's report was produced within 24 hours, after the 11 MPs sat all day hearing evidence.

At one point in their discussions they were interrupted by sirens and shouting in the next door room as the police dealt with the custard pie interruption to Rupert Murdoch's evidence.

Ms Blackwood says they were determined to get their enquiry completed.

"All those witnesses came at very short notice, and it was very impressive that we were able to get our report out so quickly."

"I know there are other big issues - people losing their jobs, the Euro zone and famine in Africa, but I've had more than 400 e-mails and letters about phone hacking - people wanted answers on these important questions."

"And be you ever so high, you have to account to the people."

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Clegg urges BSkyB stake scrutiny

21 July 2011 Last updated at 17:07 GMT Mr Clegg defended the prime minister's handling of the BSkyB bid Nick Clegg has said media watchdogs must consider "very seriously" whether News Corporation is a suitable business to remain a shareholder in BSkyB.

The deputy prime minister said Ofcom must "show by their actions" that they are taking the issue seriously in the aftermath of phone-hacking revelations.

Lib Dem MPs have been urging the watchdog to apply its "fit and proper" test to News Corp's 39% share in Sky.

The firm dropped its bid to take full control amid political opposition.

Following allegations that the News of the World had hacked into the phones of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and the families of 7/7 victims, all parties united to oppose the deal.

But three senior Lib Dem MPs wrote to Ofcom last week to press for it to examine News Corp's controlling stake in the broadcaster.

Ofcom has said it is "closely monitoring" the situation regarding alleged malpractice at News International - News Corp's UK newspaper arm - and investigations into what happened there.

The regulator has a statutory duty to satisfy itself on a continuing basis that the holder of a broadcasting licence is "fit and proper".

As part of this process, it has said it must "take account of News Corporation's conduct" in assessing whether BSkyB remains fit and proper as a licence holder.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Clegg said this test should be "rigorously applied all the time and not just in a snapshot way".

"Ofcom have confirmed that they have got that ability to judge whether a media group is fit and proper or not," he said.

Continue reading the main story

I think we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really clean up the murky practices and dodgy relationships which have taken root at the very heart of the British establishment”

End Quote Nick Clegg Deputy Prime Minister "And I very much hope that they will show by their actions that they are taking that very seriously".

"This fit and properness test has some meaning. There needs to be evidence quickly that the fitness and properness is applied on an ongoing basis to News International and other media organisations."

Ofcom has stressed it will not act on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations and will do nothing to prejudice any criminal proceedings.

But it has confirmed that it does have the power to act before the conclusion of a criminal investigation if it found a firm or directors were unfit to own a licence.

There have been no allegations made against BSkyB.

News Corp has said it remains committed to its stake in the firm - the UK's largest commercial broadcaster - and proud of its involvement in the firm.

'Murky practices'

Mr Clegg defended the prime minister's conduct during the course of News Corp's attempted bid after Mr Cameron insisted on Wednesday that he had removed himself from the process and had had no "inappropriate conversations" with any News Corp executives over the subject.

He confirmed he had questioned the appointment of former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as Mr Cameron's communications chief but added: "It was the prime minister's decision and the prime minister I think has been quite upfront about the fact that he is responsible for them."

It has emerged that Mr Coulson did not have the highest level of security vetting when he worked at Downing Street - having been subject to "security check" level, rather than the more rigorous "developed vetting".

Mr Clegg also said he hoped the judicial inquiry into what went on at the News of the World, other newspapers and the relationship between the press, police and politicians would lead to big changes.

"I think we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really clean up the murky practices and dodgy relationships which have taken root at the very heart of the British establishment," he said.

Like Mr Cameron and Labur leader Ed Miliband, Mr Clegg has published details of all meetings he has had with newspaper editors, executives and proprietors in the past year.

Speaking at an event in Birmingham, Mr Miliband said the country "needed to look into its soul" after recent events and decide "what standards we want to set" in public life.

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UK cuts interest on Ireland loan

22 July 2011 Last updated at 16:50 GMT Mr Osborne said the UK would "still be more than covering the cost of our borrowing" The UK has cut the rate of interest on the ?3.26bn loan it gave to the Republic of Ireland last year.

It comes after eurozone ministers agreed to reduce the rates Ireland, Greece and Portugal pay on their European Union-led bail-outs.

The UK gave its loan to Ireland late last year, at the same time as the EU and International Monetary Fund agreed to support the country.

The UK has trimmed the rate on the loan from 5.8% to 3.5%.

This is broadly in line with the reduction in interest Ireland will now have to pay for the EU bail-out funds.

Chancellor George Osborne said: "I've been arguing for some time that the interest rates charged for eurozone loans were too high.

"I'm pleased therefore they have now reduced those rates.

"That enables Britain to cut its rate on its loan to Ireland, while ensuring all of the benefit goes to Ireland and not to higher interest rates paid to euro area governments."

Mr Osborne added that the UK would "still be more than covering the cost of our borrowing".

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MP wants Filipino worker reprieve

19 July 2011 Last updated at 06:20 GMT Some of the fishermen work out of Kilkeel in County Down A DUP MP has called for changes to immigration rules to allow Filipino fishermen to keep working on NI boats.

Jim Shannon said he wanted regulations changed so approximately 70 men who work on boats in Northern Ireland can stay for longer.

Under current rules many of the fishermen will have to return home this year.

Mr Shannon held talks in London on Monday with members of the Migration Advisory Council.

It helps to draw up immigration policies.

He said if the rules are not changed some boats in Ardglass, Portavogie, Kilkeel and Ballycastle will not be able to put to sea in the future because they will not have a crew.

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Cameron condemns Norway attacks

23 July 2011 Last updated at 02:30 GMT Police say they believe the explosion is linked to the later shooting Prime Minister David Cameron has said he was "outraged" at the attacks in Norway which have reportedly left at least 80 people dead.

He said he has spoken to the country's PM Jens Stoltenberg to express the UK's condolences and offered assistance in tracking down the perpetrators.

A bombing in Oslo severely damaged government offices and a gunman is said to have opened fire at a youth camp.

Diplomats say they are checking whether any British nationals are affected.

Around 250,000 British tourists visit Norway every year, the Foreign Office says on the Norway travel advice section of its website.

And according to the UK Embassy in Oslo, there are also between 25,000 and 30,000 Britons resident in the country.

Mr Cameron said: "My thoughts are with the wounded and those who have lost friends and family, and I know everyone in Britain will feel the same.

"These attacks are a stark reminder of the threat we all face from terrorism.

"I have called Prime Minister Stoltenberg this evening to express my sincere condolences and to let him know that our thoughts are with the Norwegian people at this tragic time.

"I have offered Britain's help, including through our close intelligence cooperation."

The UK's ambassador to Norway, Jane Owen, told the BBC: "We are in touch with the Norwegian government at all levels and also with the police who are trying to work very hard to establish what has happened.

"We are also in very close touch with hospitals and other services to try and establish whether there are any British citizens affected we can help."

She added it was believed to have been the first attack of its kind in the country but said: "The Oslo government, however, has been aware for a long time of the potential danger and threat and have been working to combat it. And we indeed have been working very closely with them on the terrorism agenda."

Embassy assistance Continue reading the main story

Our embassy stands ready to provide assistance to any British nationals who may have been caught up in the attack”

End Quote William Hague Foreign Secretary At least seven people were killed in the bombing and 10 more are known to have died at the camp for young members of the Labour Party in Utoeya, an island outside the capital.

Police arrested the suspected gunman at the camp and the government have confirmed that he is Norwegian. No group has said it carried out the two attacks but police say they are linked.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain stood "shoulder-to-shoulder with Norway and all our international allies" after the "horrific" attack.

"Our embassy stands ready to provide assistance to any British nationals who may have been caught up in the attack."

Scotland's finance secretary John Swinney also sent a message of condolence to Norway.

He said: "I have spoken with David Windmill, the honorary consul general, this afternoon and conveyed on behalf of the Scottish government our deepest sympathy and condolences."

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UK sends more warplanes to Libya

15 July 2011 Last updated at 10:51 GMT There will now be 16 British Tornados deployed to Libya The UK is sending four more Tornado warplanes to support the Nato mission in Libya, in addition to 12 aircraft it has already deployed.

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said the aircraft were well equipped for surveillance and reconnaissance.

"It is important to have this capability available," he said.

Earlier this week, Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on members to provide more aircraft to protect Libyan civilians.

Nato said its warplanes had conducted more than 5,000 air missions since the action began in March.

Meanwhile in Turkey, Arab and Nato diplomats are meeting to consider the next phase of their campaign in Libya. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UK Foreign Secretary William Hague are part of the group of 15 gathering in Istanbul.

It is the fourth meeting of the Libya Contact Group since March.

The conflict in Libya began with protests against Col Muammar Gaddafi's regime and has escalated into a bloody battle for territory between government and rebel forces in the west and east of the oil-rich country.

The uprising, inspired by events in neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt and sparked by the arrest of a Libyan human rights campaigner, began in February. Many were killed as authorities tried to suppress the revolt.

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Press inquiry 'overdue' - Blair

14 July 2011 Last updated at 16:19 GMT News International backed Labour throughout Mr Blair's time in office Tony Blair has said a review of the way politicians interact with the media is overdue, claiming he was "uncomfortable" with the relationship while he was prime minister.

Mr Blair told the BBC there should be an "honest debate" about the issue with each side setting out their views.

But he declined to talk about his own relationship with News International.

As Labour leader he courted the Murdoch press but attacked the media in general shortly before leaving power.

Mr Blair welcomed the public inquiry into press standards, regulation and Westminster's dealings with the media to be launched in the wake of the phone hacking scandal at the News of the World.

'Free and vigorous'

He insisted the media must remain "free, independent, vigorous and investigative" and be allowed to pursue stories in a "proper way".

But he said it was time for a "open and frank" rethink of their relationship with politicians in light of recent events and technological changes which had revolutionised news gathering and reporting and the way people consumed information.

"I think the sensible thing is get it all out and let's have a honest debate about it.

Continue reading the main story

I think most of us who have been at the top in public life over the last few decades have been uncomfortable with this relationship and the way it works”

End Quote Tony Blair "I have wanted this for a long time. I think most of us who have been at the top in public life over the last few decades have been uncomfortable with this relationship and the way it works."

While both sides had their own needs, Mr Blair said politicians still remained dependent on the media for speaking to the public and communicating policy.

"The sensible thing now is to have an investigation which we put everything out there and the politicians explain their problems when they are dealing with incredibly powerful media people."

In opposition and then as prime minister, Mr Blair was often accused by critics of getting too close to News International - the owner of The Sun and The Times which supported Labour through his decade in No 10.

'Feral beast'

In his autobiography, he said he grew to admire Rupert Murdoch - boss of parent firm News Corp - despite the media mogul's right-wing views, describing him as an "outsider" who had "balls".

Shortly before stepping down from office in 2007, Mr Blair took the press to task for what he said was their cut-throat competition and obsession with 24-hour news cycles and personality politics.

He compared the industry to a "feral beast", saying it "tore people and reputations to bits" and threatened politicians' "capacity to take the right decisions for the country".

But despite singling out specific titles for criticism, he did not highlight any Murdoch publications.

"I did not get much support at the time (for the speech)," he said. "But this is a major issue."

Mr Blair, who did not own a mobile phone while he was prime minister, has described the recent revelations about hacking as sickening.

His successor as prime minister, Gordon Brown, launched a scathing attack on News International on Wednesday, accusing it of "illegal activity on an industrial scale".

He also sought to distance himself from the company, claiming he did not have a "cosy or comfortable" relationship with its newspapers despite his own efforts to cultivate them.

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SNP concern at imminent RAF cuts

16 July 2011 Last updated at 23:05 GMT Closures could mean a cut in RAF personnel of up to 74%, the Scottish government claims The Ministry of Defence could be about to announce "massive and disproportionate" RAF cuts in Scotland, according to the Scottish government.

The SNP said it believed an announcement on plans to close a second Scottish military airbase was imminent.

Under a UK government review, RAF Kinloss is already to be axed with the cancellation of the Nimrod contract.

Concern remains over the fates of Lossiemouth and Leuchars.

Westminster SNP leader Angus Robertson said the joint closure of RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth would constitute a 74% cut in RAF personnel in Scotland.

The joint closure of RAF Kinloss and RAF Leuchars would constitute a 53% cut, he added.

"Our defence communities are braced for bad news, they have been treated appallingly by the UK government throughout this process, and they now deserve certainty over their future," he said.

Continue reading the main story

No other part of the country is facing such devastation and Prime Minister Cameron needs to understand this”

End Quote Ewan McGregor Actor "There is no strategic or defence reason why the Ministry of Defence should consider massive and disproportionate cuts to the RAF in Scotland, while concentrating basing, spending and manpower in the south of England.

"Given Scotland's geographic location and the increasing importance of the high north it makes no sense for Whitehall to make swinging cuts to capability, personnel and bases.

"How can a cut of up to 74% in Scotland be justified?"

Mr Robertson contrasted Scotland's situation with Nordic countries, claiming they had similar strategic priorities and yet maintained more airbases and more aircraft.

Actor Ewan McGregor and his brother Colin, who is a former Tornado pilot, have added their voices to the appeal to save RAF Lossiemouth.

'No sense'

Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge star Ewan, who is originally from Crieff, said: "It is simply unimaginable for RAF Lossiemouth to be closed as an airbase in addition to RAF Kinloss only a few miles away.

"No other part of the country is facing such devastation and Prime Minister Cameron needs to understand this.

"Anyone who has been to the north of Scotland understands how important this is.

"Having had the good fortune to fly in a Tornado with Colin I know how critical the retention of RAF Lossiemouth is for the whole region."

His brother, who has just returned from Afghanistan where he visited 617 Squadron, added: "RAF Lossiemouth is the most capable military airbase in northern Europe and it makes no sense to close it."

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