Fake Shaman: Juliette D'Souza Gets 10 Years

A woman posing as a shaman managed to con £1m out of her victims by telling them she could heal cancer in their children, among other false promises.

Juliette D'Souza convinced a range of people to hand over money to save the lives of loved ones, avoid being made redundant or cure a variety of illnesses.

The judge in her trial at Blackfriars Crown Court said that perhaps the "most upsetting" victim was one who gave D'Souza £176,000 over several years to help her get pregnant.

When she actually fell pregnant, D'Souza told her to have an abortion as the unborn child would be "deformed" and "ill".

The fraudster was able to fund an extravagant lifestyle

Many of her 11 victims were left in financial ruin, with one elderly woman having more than £200,000 "remorselessly extracted" from her over 12 years.

D'Souza, 59, from Hampstead, north London, was jailed for 10 years on Friday after being convicted of 23 counts of obtaining property by deception and fraud between 1998 and 2010.

Judge Ian Karsten QC said she had cast a "spell" over her victims and told them to hand over large amounts of money or face "terrifying" consequences.

D'Souza visited Suriname and claimed to send money there as a "sacrifice"

He said: "It is the worst case of confidence fraud I have ever had to deal with or indeed that I have ever heard of.

"The most serious aspect of this case is that you wrecked the lives of a number of your victims and you have done it out of pure greed."

The court heard that D'Souza told her victims the money would be used as a spiritual offering and hung off a "special, sacred tree" in the Amazonian rainforest.

In fact she used the proceeds to fund an extravagant lifestyle, spending her cash on a £3,000 Hermes handbag, luxury holidays and antique furniture among other items.

The total amount she defrauded in relation to the charges on the indictment was £908,400, but on the evidence given by victims the final sum was closer to £1m.

Among the places she advertised was Tatler magazine, saying she charged just £35 for a consultation.

But she then demanded large sums for the "sacrifices" she claimed were being sent to Suriname in South America.

The self-proclaimed healer claimed to have helped cure actor John Cleese's daughter of cancer, boasted that she had known Princess Diana and said she could introduce a young singer to Simon Cowell.

One victim was told to pay £18,000 or her partner would die.

She used some of the money she "extracted" to fund holidays abroad

Another was 82-year-old former opera singer Sylvia Eaves, who was duped out of more than £350,000 over 12 years.

Other victims included retired solicitor Richard Collier-Wright, who paid £7,000 to cure his terminal leukaemia, and former photographer Jocelyn Bain-Hogg, who handed D'Souza thousands to improve the health of his mother who was having heart surgery.

Speaking after the sentence, Mrs Eaves said: "I feel terribly sad that somebody who is so clever would resort to that, especially as she was a friend of mine.

"I feel terribly let down that she could behave like that."

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Sudan Mother's Death Sentence Condemned

Sudan is facing growing international condemnation after a woman was sentenced to death and forced to give birth while shackled to a prison floor for marrying a Christian.

The US State Department described the case of Meriam Ibrahim, 27, as "horrific" and continues to press Sudanese officials to intervene.

Muslim women in Sudan are forbidden from marrying out of their faith - but although Ms Ibrahim has a Muslim father, she claims to have been brought up a Christian as that was her mother's faith.

A court rejected this argument and found her guilty of apostasy in renouncing Islam and adultery for marrying a Christian, Daniel Wani.

Ms Ibrahim was sentenced to 100 lashes and death by hanging earlier this month but her killing was suspended for two years so she could nurse her daughter Maya, born on a floor on Wednesday after guards at Omdurman Women's Prison refused to release her.

Daniel Wani holds his newborn baby in prison

"We're concerned about this horrific case, and we've expressed that many, many, many times," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

"We'll continue to press through every channel we can our concerns about this case."

Former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is the latest high-profile tweeter to express outrage about the case following posts from Mia Farrow and Richard Branson.

"Meriam Yahya Ibrahim's death sentence is abhorrent," Mrs Clinton wrote. "Sudan should stop threatening religious freedom and fundamental human rights."

The couple married in 2011

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has also voiced concern.

"Our religions tell us that human interactions should be shaped by compassion and humanity, not by death sentences," he said. "Christians and Muslims should be able to coexist alongside each other."

US embassy officials have been attending Ms Ibrahim's public hearings and are monitoring the appeals process in Khartoum.

Ms Ibrahim remains incarcerated with her newborn baby and 20-month-old son.

Mr Wani, a US citizen, said on Thursday his wife and children were holding up well.

"As for the new situation, her psychological condition seems to be slightly better and Martin (the son) is also in good condition and is not naughty as was the case before. And the girl, of course she is still small, she's in good health."

Mr Wani with young son Martin

Both the US and UK governments have summoned the country's charge d'affaires to discuss the case - which Mr Wani is hoping will be reviewed.

"I hope they will take another look at the case - they will find many flaws, enough to cancel the judgement or close the case," he said.

Ms Ibrahim's ordeal has raised questions about whether the UK should continue to provide aid funds to Sudan.

The Department for International Development gave £42m in aid to Sudan in the last financial year

"Sentencing a woman to death for following her religious beliefs is truly appalling," a DFID spokesman said.

"The UK does not provide any direct funds to Sudan's government. Instead, we get aid directly to the most vulnerable people - including women and girls - through independent agencies like the UN.

"Improving girls' and women's access to basic services, economic opportunities, and human rights in Sudan is a top priority for DFID Sudan."

Islamic sharia law has been in force in Sudan since 1983.

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Chilcot Iraq Inquiry Talks Deal 'A Whitewash'

Chilcot Report Edges Closer Amid Icy Exchanges

Updated: 4:49pm UK, Thursday 29 May 2014

By Adam Boulton, Political Editor

At last, 11 years after British and American forces invaded Iraq and five years after Sir John Chilcot began his official inquiry into Britain's role in the war, it seems that the report could soon be published – perhaps even before the 2015 General Election, as David Cameron has demanded.

The report has been delayed by a stand-off between the inquiry team and two successive Cabinet Secretaries, Sir Gus (now Lord) O'Donnell and Sir Jeremy Heywood, who blocked publication of conversations and private notes between Tony Blair and then US President George W Bush on confidentiality grounds.

They also opposed publication of Cabinet minutes and other official records.

Tony Blair has repeatedly denied that he was the cause of the hold-up. Both O'Donnell and Heywood worked closely with his government.

Now an icily choreographed public exchange between Chilcot and the Cabinet Office confirms that the logjam has been broken.

Chilcot had been embarrassing the government deliberately by refusing to go ahead with one of the final legal steps required before publication of an official report - so-called "Maxwellisation".

Named after a 1969 court victory by the late disgraced business tycoon Robert Maxwell, this process requires that those criticised in the report are sent drafts of the relevant sections for comment prior to publication.

The inquiry is not required to take on board what they say.

The inquiry argued that their report would be incomplete unless they could refer to cabinet minutes and details of the Blair Bush relationship.

They argued that Blair and other members of his team had already negated the high expectation of confidentiality traditionally granted to a Prime Minister in their own published memoirs.

In essence, publication of the details of these exchanges should allow the public to decide whether Tony Blair committed Britain to war at an early stage come what may.

Documents will still not be published in full. But the Cabinet Secretary agreed earlier this year that the inquiry can give details from over 200 Cabinet level meetings, including quoting extracts of the minutes.

Yesterday the two sides also agreed that they will now negotiate on what "gists and quotes" they can include from 25 notes from Blair to Bush and more than 130 records of conversations between the two leaders.

Direct quotation will be "the minimum necessary" but the public announcement of a deal suggests that the government side has given ground decisively.

Unless there is exceptional foot dragging during the negotiations, they should be concluded in a matter of weeks. The inquiry team has already completed its draft and specified what it would like to quote.

Maxwellisation is a private matter between the inquiry and its subjects but on past form it should take no longer than three months.

After that Sir John says he will submit the finished report to the Prime Minister, "as soon as possible".

It will then be up to David Cameron to decide when we get to see the Iraq Inquiry report.

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Violent Robber On The Run From Open Prison

A robber has become the latest in a series of prisoners to go on the run from an open jail in the UK.

Simon Rhodes-Butler, 37, was jailed for seven years in September 2011 for a robbery on a garage owner in south London.

He absconded from Category D HMP Ford open in prison in West Sussex on May 22 and has been missing ever since, according to Sussex Police.

Other absconding inmates of recent weeks include Michael Wheatley

Rhodes-Butler and his accomplice Ilyas Ismal attacked the garage owner and took his Rolex watch in south Norwood in March 2011.

The owner told Croydon Crown Court he feared for his life after he was wrestled to the ground by the pair.

The two men then fled after abandoning their car, ran into the car park of a block of flats, and were then arrested.

Police have launched an appeal for information to track Rhodes-Butler, who is from Tottenham, north London. Members of the public have been warned not to approach him.

PC Steve Reed, of Sussex Police, said: "We need to speak to anyone who might have an idea where he could be or where he has been staying."

He is the latest in a spate of criminals to go on the run from open prisons.

This week Michael Wheatley, 55, known as the "Skullcracker", was jailed for life for a raid on a building society while on the run from HMP Standford Hill in Kent.

His case has sparked a review of open prisons.

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Asda's England Flag 'Looks Like KKK Costume'

Supermarket chain Asda has defended the sale of a wearable England flag which has been likened to a Ku Klux Klan outfit.

The St George's Flag, emblazoned with the word "England" and featuring a peaked white hood, sparked a social media storm when it went on sale in ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.

But a spokeswoman for Asda, which has priced the novelty garment at £3, said: "We opted for a hood... as you never know what the British weather will bring.

Ade Brandwood's wife bought the flags while shopping in Asda. Pic: Twitter

"We want customers to get behind the team without getting wet."

England fan Ade Brandwood was among those who questioned the supermarket's decision to sell the flags.

His picture of the red and white cape, which has now been retweeted thousands of times, was accompanied with the message: "I'm not sure they set the right tone."

One user called Simon wrote: "'ENGLAND RULES OKKK'. Honestly, do Asda simply not bother to see how these things look when worn?"

Another, called Kieran, added: "They do look dodgy to say the least."

The flag was still available on Asda's website at lunchtime Friday, accompanied with the description: "Support England in the World Cup with this unique wearing flag!"

The supermarket's spokeswoman added: "We know there's chatter on Twitter... but it's simply a flag with a hood - nothing more, nothing less."

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Kim Jong-Un 'Makeover': Is There A Sinister Side?

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un's new look could be part of a ruse to help him develop a nuclear arsenal, Sky News has been told.

A series of images showing the despot laughing and smiling - often dressed in a straw hat with his jacket loose - have been released by the usually secretive state this month.

They were taken during visits to hospitals, children's centres and construction sites - and Leeds University lecturer Adam Cathcart, a leading commentator on North Korea, thinks the motives are clear.

"It's showing that maybe he's a bit of a reformer," Mr Cathcart told Sky News.

"They're trying to seduce the people who are willing to be convinced that maybe this generation is different. This buys them time to build their nuclear programme.

"It buys them time if there's less pressure from the West, and we're less likely to impose sanctions.

"Their real goal is to be seen as a de facto nuclear state."

North Korea has carried out three nuclear tests since 2006, eliciting a series of sanctions from the West.

In April US President Barack Obama issued a warning against a mooted fourth test.

Mr Cathcart believes the regime monitors closely its global perception - as illustrated when two officials confronted a London hairdresser over a poster of Mr Kim with the caption "Bad hair day?"

"They are sensitive to public opinion in the West," he said.

"They're reading what we're reading - they'll be reading this article on Sky News."

Mr Kim, 31, is modelling himself on his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, who ruled between 1945 and 1994 and is "unassailable" in North Korea, according to Mr Cathcart.

"The straw hat is harking back to the days of his grandfather, a period of nostalgia. Kim Il-sung died in 1994 before the famine kicked in and so was not as tainted by that.

"Kim Jong-Un has studied the way his grandfather acts, his mannerisms and the way he laughs - that's all deliberate."

As well as being seen across the world, images of Mr Kim appearing as a modern, amiable leader are designed to send an image to Koreans both north and south of the border, according to Mr Cathcart.

"It's the old story of a socialist government showing it is going in the right direction - especially as they have so many strikes against them with the killing of his uncle and all the sanctions.

"The office of Propaganda and Agitation are constantly trying to connect him to a new, prosperous image.

"You have to also recognise there are rumours about his health emanating from South Korea - it's part of an information war between the two countries.

"He has to be seen to be healthy, because what would happen if he wasn't around? Is his baby daughter going to take over?"

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UK On Course For Third Warmest Spring

This spring is on course to be the third warmest since records began in 1910, according to figures from the Met Office.

Based on information up until May 28 the mean temperature for the UK is 8.97C (48.15F).

If conditions remain average over the weekend, this May will rank only behind 2007 (9.05C/48.29F) and 2011 (9.15C/48.47F), according to the Met Office's National Climate Information Centre.

Saturday is forecast to be a predominantly dry and fine day with spells of warm sunshine.

Up to the May 28 the temperatures have been 0.8C above the long-term average for the UK.

A couple enjoys the warm weather in Margate, Kent

March, April and May have all seen above average temperatures, the Met Office said.

The current run of above-average temperatures continues a trend that began in December.

All of the months from then through to April have each been at least 1C above the long-term average.

It has been particularly warm in Scotland this spring.

The current mean temperature (7.63C/45.73F) is just above the record of 7.61C (45.7F) set three years ago.

But although the temperatures have been higher than normal, May has been duller and wetter than average, experiencing 97.7mm of rain - 140% of the long-term average.

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Theron 'Should Apologise' For Rape Comment

Charlize Theron has come under fire for comments she made comparing fame and press intrusion to being the victim of rape.

The South African-born actress was speaking to Sky News while promoting her new film A Million Ways To Die In The West.

She said that "every aspect" of her life had become "fodder" for a brand of journalism that exists "in a dark room".

She said: "I don't (Google myself) - that's my saving grace. When you start living in that world, and doing that, you start feeling raped."

The actress has been a long-time anti-rape campaigner, appearing in a number of adverts, but critics have warned she is at risk of undermining all of her hard work.

Theron and her mother Gerda

Rape victim Jill Saward told Sky News Theron's remarks are "abhorrent" and she should apologise.

Ms Saward said: "I was really shocked and disgusted by what she'd said.

"Being in the situation she'd been in, campaigning for rape, she definitely ought to know better.

"I think that press coverage can be very damaging, it can be very difficult, but it is absolutely nothing in comparison."

Online editor of Grazia magazine in South Africa Cheska Stark told Sky News that with sexual abuse such a huge issue in South Africa, the actress should have been more careful.

"I understand that she has been violated but to compare that violation with that of a rape victim, for me is ridiculous," she said.

Theron won an Oscar for her portrayal of rape victim and serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003 and her mother Gerda was also a victim of domestic abuse. Gerda shot and killed Theron's father in self-defence in 1991.

She says she is "protective" of her privacy and especially that of her young son Jackson.

Feminist activist Kate Smurthwaite agreed that the 38-year-old did not make a "fair comparison" and should consider apologising.

Katie Russell, a spokeswoman for sexual violence charity Rape Crisis in England and Wales, said: "We are concerned when anyone uses rape as a metaphor for less serious issues and uses the language around sexual violence casually because it trivialises sexual violence and it fails to acknowledge what is a very serious crime."

Theron promoting her new film with Amanda Seyfried and Seth MacFarlane

The star's remarks attracted criticism on Twitter, with one user saying "she should try telling that to a real rape victim".

@Geoffbanksracing tweeted: "Sorry but I have little sympathy for Charlize Theron. Make millions from being famous, there's a downside."

But Danielle Weakley, editor of women's interests division at Media 24 magazine in Johannesburg, said she had sympathy for the stress that can come from being famous.

"It is unimaginable - the intrusion of the paparazzi and media must be enormous," she said.

Twilight star Kristen Stewart was forced to apologise when she made similar remarks in 2010 during an interview with Elle magazine.

Gwyneth Paltrow drew criticism this week for comparing her struggle with internet trolls to being a soldier in a war.

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Obama's Embattled Veterans Secretary Out

Beleaguered Veterans Secretary Eric Shinseki has stepped down after being summoned for a showdown meeting with President Barack Obama at the Oval Office.

Mr Obama said: "A few minutes ago Secretary Shinseki offered me his own resignation. With considerable regret, I accepted."

The president also said he would leave it up to the Justice Department to determine if there had been any criminal wrongdoing in the healthcare scandal engulfing the Veterans Affairs agency.

Claims surfaced last month that up to 40 veterans may have died while awaiting treatment in the Arizona healthcare system, spawning a nationwide inquiry.

Mr Shinseki led the agency for five years

Before the Oval Office meeting Mr Obama told ABC he planned to have a "serious conversation" with Mr Shinseki, who led the agency for five years, about his "capacity" to do the job.

Sky News' US correspondent Amanda Walker, in Washington DC, says that at the beginning of his presidency Barack Obama said government needed to be "smarter and better".

Five years on and a litany of bureaucratic failures later - there's little sign of that happening.

Like the National Security Agency revelations and the failed healthcare rollout, this latest saga is being read - certainly by Republicans - as another Obama management disaster.

Republicans (and politically vulnerable Democrats) had called for him to go

Wounded heroes and failed healthcare are two very emotive topics that strike at the heart of American values and concerns.

Mr Shinseki may have gone but the problems at the VA remain.

Ultimately, says our correspondent, the pressure is on the president to put this right.

Mr Obama has appointed Sloan D Gibson, currently deputy Veterans Affairs secretary, to run the department on an interim basis. 

Appearing at a conference for homeless veterans in Washington DC earlier on Friday morning, Mr Shinseki apologised.

Claims of mistreatment for America's veterans were political plutonium

The retired four-star general said he would oust the leadership of the Phoenix hospital at the centre of the affair.

He told the event: "We now know that VA has a systemic, totally unacceptable lack of integrity within some of our veterans health facilities."

Republican and Democratic lawmakers had been demanding he quit over the controversy.

But right up until the last minute, Mr Shinseki had given no sign that he would step down.

An interim report this week found that up to 1,700 military veterans were "at risk of being lost or forgotten" after being kept off waiting lists amid "significant delays" at the Phoenix clinic.

The Veterans Affairs inspector general is now investigating facilities nationwide.

The government-run system provides medical care to about 6.5 million US veterans annually.

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Thousands In 'Thumbs Up' Tribute To Stephen

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

Thousands of people have posted "thumbs up" photos on social media in memory of fundraiser Stephen Sutton.

Using #thumbsupforstephen, the idea was launched by hundreds who gathered at Lichfield Cathedral for his public farewell ceremony, the culmination of a two-day vigil attended by some 10,000 people.

Crowds of people give a thumbs up outside Lichfield Cathedral

It was followed by spontaneous applause for the teenager, who lost his fight with cancer on May 14.

The hashtag quickly caught on and Twitter said around 11,000 tweets had been sent accompanied by #thumbsupforstephen in an hour.

Among those in the crowd was Shelley Checkley, who told Sky News that Stephen had once given an "inspiring and awesome" talk to her children.

Stephen's mother Jane and brother Chris prepare to release yellow balloons

She said: "It was amazing to know him and always see him smile, always be positive, never, never sad.

"I've known him give help to adults with cancer and made them feel more positive, he was an amazing person.

"He's made me feel more determined that every day you do everything right and don't moan about things that are insignificant or petty and live every day to the full."

Among those posting photos online in tribute to Stephen was three-year-old Sienna Riley, who has battled cancer since she was 20 months old.

Sienna Riley's family posted a picture on Twitter. Pic: @sarahhancoxuk

Her aunt Sarah Hancox, 31, said Sienna's family - who are raising money for her treatment - posted a snap because they had been inspired by what Stephen had done to raise money and awareness.

When he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, Stephen set about raising thousands of pounds for charity.

After Stephen posted a photograph online earlier this year, showing him giving the thumbs up while he was in hospital, the appeal went viral.

Comedian Jason Manford, who backed Stephen's campaign, gives a thumbs up

By the time he died the total raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust was well above £3m, and the figure has now topped £4m.

Comedian Jason Manford was also at the service. He helped the teenager spread the message online and described him as a "credit to humanity".

Stephen's coffin left the cathedral accompanied by drummers from Pandemonium, who performed at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, to reflect his love of music.

He had said he wanted "fun" put into his funeral, and chose the colour yellow as his emblem to signify happiness and sunshine.

Stephen's mother Jane and brother Chris released yellow balloons in his memory and people left yellow bouquets outside the cathedral.

Ben Wigley, a friend of Stephen's, told Sky News that musicians had made a record called Hope Ain't a Bad Thing to raise further money for charity.

RNLI members from Gravesend, St Abbs, Poole and North Berwick. Pic: RNLI

He said Stephen had heard the song and "loved it".

He said: "He was a pleasure to be around, it was hard not to smile, he lifted the spirits of everyone.

"He wanted for the funeral as little black as possible, to celebrate his life not mourn his death."

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Rolf Harris 'Disguised Dark Side Of His Character'

By Nick Pisa at Southwark Crown Court

Rolf Harris used "bear hugs" to hide his serial sexual abuse and is good at disguising a "dark side" of his character, a court has heard.

The TV entertainer, who denies 12 charges of indecent assault, is facing questions from prosecutor Sasha Wass QC.

She told the jury all the alleged victims describe a similar scenario: bear hugs then sexual molestation.

The prosecutor claimed Harris committed child abuse in conducting an affair with his daughter's best friend. She added that he "psychologically dominated that girl" so she kept it secret.

But the 84-year-old said the relationship was based on a "mutual feeling of warmth and affection" - and claimed the alleged victim initiated the affair.

Harris added that he "laughed in disbelief" when he discovered the alleged victim had been "terrified" of him.

He recalled her coming to his house in Bray, Berkshire, to have sex, telling the jury that he took her a cup of tea and she started flirting with him, kicking off her duvet to reveal her bare legs.

Rolf Harris arrives at Southwark Crown Court with his family

Harris said they would "whisper sweet nothings" to each other, but under continued cross examination he admitted he could not remember what was said.

He told Southwark Crown Court he had worked with the NSPCC on child abuse issues, making a campaign video for them.

But Ms Wass described him as a "brilliant and polished performer".

The prosecutor said the trial was "not a talent show" as she recalled how he had entertained the court by singing during his earlier evidence.

Jurors were told: "Underneath the friendly and loveable exterior there is a darker side."

Accused of being "pretty good" at hiding this dark side, Harris replied: "I suppose so."

Ms Wass said the court had to discover "how dark that dark side is".

The jury has been told how his daughter's friend alleges she was molested by Harris twice during a family holiday in Hawaii in 1978.

Harris denies 12 counts of indecent assault on four women

The defendant said it was "possible" he had admired her body sexually during the holiday but insisted "nothing happened" during that period and he had "no recollection" of the other allegations.

Harris explained how he was on a ship exhibiting his paintings when police searched his home.

Under further cross examination Ms Wass said his relationship with the main complainant was not "deep and meaningful" to which Harris replied: "I don't suppose it was."

Ms Wass said: "You didn't even talk to the girl. It was a pretty cynical sexual relationship, no tenderness, no love, no friendship."

Harris replied: "I thought there was."

The prosecutor asked why he initially mentioned two occasions when he had sex with his daughter's friend, but later talked of four.

Harris said there were two "attractive young ladies" in the police interview room which prevented him from going into detail when questioned.

He denies 12 counts of indecent assault on four females aged between seven or eight and 19 between 1968 and 1986.

The trial continues on Thursday.

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Clegg Poll: Vince Cable Must Address Claims

Lord Oakeshott's Statement

Updated: 12:43pm UK, Wednesday 28 May 2014

In his resignation statement, Lord Oakeshott said Nick Clegg has led the Liberal Democrats to a position where the party has "no roots, no principles and no values". Here is the statement in full:

I am today taking leave of absence from the House of Lords and resigning as a member of the Liberal Democrats.

I am sure the Party is heading for disaster if it keeps Nick Clegg; and I must not get in the way of the many brave Liberal Democrats fighting for change.

I leave, with a heavy heart, the party I helped to found with such high hopes with Roy Jenkins, Bill Rodgers, Shirley Williams and David Owen at Limehouse in 1981.

We then, like most Liberal Democrats now, wanted a radical progressive party, not a "split the difference" Centre Party, with, in Shirley's memorable words, no roots, no principles and no values.

But that is where Nick Clegg has led us.

I am sorry I have so upset and embarrassed my old friend Vince Cable and that we were not able to talk before he issued yesterday's statement from China. This is the background:

Several months ago a close colleague, concerned about voting intentions in Twickenham, asked me if I would arrange and pay for a poll to show us Vince's current position and how best to get him re-elected.

I was happy to help, and Vince amended and approved the questionnaire, but at his request I excluded a question on voting intentions with a change of leader.

Although Vince had excellent ratings, both as a Minister and a local MP, he was slightly behind the Conservatives in this poll, as the full details on the ICM website show.

That poll worried me so much that I commissioned four more in different types of constituency all over the country and added back the change of leadership question.

The results were in the Guardian yesterday and on the ICM website. Several weeks ago, I told Vince the results of those four polls too.

The combined message of these five professional and reputable ICM constituency polls, Nick Clegg's dire approval ratings year after year in all national polls, and Thursday's appalling council and European election results is crystal clear: we must change the leader to give Liberal Democrat MPs their best chance to win in 2015.

On Thursday I also commissioned one more ICM poll, in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey; the results should also be on the ICM website tonight.

A few stout-hearted M.P.s and peers and hundreds, maybe soon thousands, of candidates, councillors and Lib Dem members all over Britain are now fighting constituency by constituency for a leadership election.

I have tried to give them the evidence they need to make the change.

I pray that they win, and that the right man, or preferably, woman is now elected to save the Party.

When Charles Kennedy rang to make me a peer, from a panel elected by the party, fourteen years ago he said he wanted me to shake up the Lords.

I've tried - my bills to ban non-dom peers are now law - but my efforts to expose and end cash for peerages in all parties, including our own, and help get the Lords elected have failed.

I am very sorry to leave my many old, close comrades-in-arms on the Liberal Democrat benches all over Britain, and good friends and fellow campaigners across the House.

But the unreformed Lords is now a bloated balloon and at 67 it's time to concentrate on running my business and my charity.

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Political Battle Over Who Can Make Scots Richer

Scots Independence: Rest Of UK Firms Want Union

Updated: 4:40am UK, Wednesday 07 May 2014

By Niall Paterson, Sky News Correspondent

An overwhelming majority of businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland say that Scotland should remain part of the UK, according to a survey for the British Chambers of Commerce.

The BCC, which itself remains impartial in the debate, surveyed close to 2,500 of its members, and whilst 11% said Scotland should vote yes, some 85% preferred the union to remain.

Two thirds said no new opportunities would arise in the event of a 'Yes' vote, and just over a third, 35%, said a formal currency union, a key ambition of the SNP-led campaign, would be in the best interests of the UK as a whole.

The BCC's director general John Longworth said: "Business opinion across the United Kingdom on the Scottish independence debate is far from unanimous. That's only logical, as businesses have different interests, and different views on our complex history of economic and political union.

"In the event of a 'Yes' vote, cross-border trading and currency arrangements loom large in businesses' thinking. If Scotland votes 'no', constitutional questions remain around the devolution of power and the distribution of public funding between nations."

The poll has been seized upon by those campaigning for a 'No' vote, as with a recent report from credit ratings agency Moody's which said an independent Scotland would find itself downgraded.

Edinburgh South Labour MP and Shadow Business Minister Ian Murray said: "This survey confirms what some of Scotland's largest employers like Standard Life, RBS and Shell have made clear. Breaking up the UK would create huge risks and cost jobs in Scotland.

"The majority of businesses in the rest of the UK do not support a currency union. It would be bad for Scotland and bad for the rest of the UK. That's why it is off the table.

"What people in Scotland need from the nationalists is some honesty about what would replace the pound if we leave the UK. Would we rush to adopt the euro or would we set up a separate Scottish currency? The idea that Scots can go to the polls blind on this fundamental issue isn't credible."

Yet there is hardly unanimity north of the border either - nor an overwhelming sense of fear that cross-border trade would come to a juddering halt.

Many here expect business to continue if not entirely as normal then with significant benefits in the longer term.

Tony Banks, chairman of Business for Scotland, a pro-independence campaign group with close to two thousand members said: "This is a survey that of course doesn't include Scottish businesses who have a rather different perception.

"Scottish independence offers real advantages to everyone, not only in Scotland but across our shared markets in Europe - that independence doesn't equal isolation and businesses here are well aware of the opportunities they can gain.

"Even the Scottish Chambers of Commerce survey issued last week conceded that 53% of its members see the opportunities that independence could bring."

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Pakistan Pregnant Woman Stoned To Death

A Pakistani man whose pregnant wife was stoned to death by relatives claims police watched on as she was beaten with bricks.

Farzana Iqbal, who was three months pregnant, was attacked for marrying against her family's wishes.

A mob of around 30 people that included her brother, father and spurned husband attacked her outside Lahore High Court, police told AFP.

The 25-year-old, who was also called Farzana Parveen, was attending court to defend her new husband, Mohammad Iqbal.

Mr Iqbal was a widower with five children when he began seeing the woman

He was accused by the family of kidnapping and forcing marriage upon her.

Speaking to AFP from his home village of Jaranwala, where he had gone to bury his wife, Mr Iqbal said: "The most painful thing is that nobody came forward to save my wife, the police were there and hundreds of lawyers were there along with ordinary men, but they all just watched like spectators."

Police in Pakistan have told Sky News they are investigating the allegation.

Mrs Iqbal's father, Mohammad Azeem, has been charged with murder and the others are being sought, according to AP.

"The brother first opened fire with a gun but missed. She tried to run away but fell down," senior investigator Rana Akhtar told AFP.

Mr Iqbal said the couple had survived a previous attack when the case began

"The relatives caught her and then beat her to death with bricks."

Mr Iqbal was a widower with five children when he began seeing the victim.

"We were in love," he said.

"We demand justice. We were being threatened since we got married."

Lahore High Court

Mr Iqbal said they had survived a previous attack during the first hearing of the case on May 12.

"On Tuesday as we were going to court from our lawyer's office almost 30 people attacked us, including her father, brothers and cousins," he said.

A group of 10 or so people accompanying the couple were overwhelmed by the attack and fled, Mr Iqbal added.

Some 869 women died in so-called "honour killings" last year, according to the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

"Such crimes persisted because of the impunity enjoyed by the killers," the commission said in a report, which noted that Pakistan's blood-money laws allow kin to forgive perpetrators.

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Calais Migrant Camps Dismantled By Riot Cops

French police have evacuated and dismantled three makeshift migrant camps in Calais.

Some 200 riot police surrounded the camps housing migrants from Africa, the Middle East and Asia after a deadline for them to leave expired.

Some migrants had already left, others waited until the eviction itself

Sanitary conditions in the camps were poor and a scabies outbreak was beginning to spread into the town of Calais, said the Governor of the Pas-de-Calais region, Denis Robin.

While many migrants had left the camps ahead of the eviction, some were seen leaving hurriedly carrying their blankets as the police moved in.

Bulldozers were brought in to destroy the tents

Representatives of the migrants were earlier said to be in talks as to whether or not they would accept an offer from the authorities to leave and be rehoused elsewhere in exchange of a promise not to arrest them.

They were offered the chance to shower, receive medical attention and have a change of clothes, shoes and bedding.

Only one migrant is so far reported to have accepted the offer - more than 200 are said to have moved into a food distribution centre.

They are believed to want to refuse alternative accommodation outside Calais because they want to get to Britain.

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Murder Arrest After Dorset Nurse Vanishes

A 60-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a nurse went missing from the hospital where she works.

Rui Li, 44, was last seen leaving Poole Hospital at around 6pm on May 23. 

Officers are now holding the 60-year-old man from Bournemouth, who is known to Ms Li.

Forensic experts are investigating three addresses in the Boscombe area and police have appealed for the public's help in working out Ms Li's last movements.

Detective Inspector Marcus Hester said: "We sadly have reason to believe Ms Li may have come to harm and have arrested a man on suspicion of murder.

"However, at this time we do not know her whereabouts.

"Our investigations are focused on establishing exactly what happened between Friday evening and the time Ms Li was reported missing to us on Tuesday morning.

"I would ask anyone who has seen or heard from her since she left work at Poole Hospital to contact us.

"We are building up a picture of her life, so I would also ask anyone who we haven't spoken to already, who knew her well and may have information that could assist us, to get in touch."

Ms Li is described as around 5ft 5in tall and slim.

She sometimes wears glasses and often wears her shoulder-length black hair in a ponytail.

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British Gas Chiefs Poised To Quit In Shake-Up

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

The bosses of British Gas and its parent company are close to stepping down as part of a management shake-up at Britain's biggest energy supplier.

Sky News can reveal that Chris Weston, who runs Centrica's international downstream division, which includes British Gas, is in detailed talks about taking the top job at Aggreko, the temporary power group.

His exit from Centrica has not yet been finalised, and sources close to the situation insisted that he had not yet formally landed the Aggreko job.

If Mr Weston does secure the role, however, his departure is likely to be announced at roughly the same time as that of Sam Laidlaw, Centrica's long-serving chief executive, sources indicated.

Mr Laidlaw's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, and Sky News understands that the company is in advanced negotiations to appoint Iain Conn, a senior BP executive, as his successor.

Centrica said at its annual meeting earlier this month that it was beginning the process of exploring options for management succession, with a replacement also due to be found for Nick Luff, its finance director.

British Gas chief Chris Weston Pic: Daniel Lynch

The intense row about energy prices is said to have been a factor in recent deliberations of both Mr Laidlaw and Mr Weston, who has only held the British Gas role for 15 months, over their futures.

Mr Laidlaw agreed to donate his latest annual bonus to charity, while Mr Weston and other Centrica executives have been the subject of tabloid newspaper attention about their domestic energy consumption and lifestyles.

Announcements about one or more of these moves could be made as soon as this week, although the complexity of ongoing negotiations means that they could yet be delayed or even fall apart, the source added.

"There are a lot of moving parts around all of these appointments," one source said.

One of the factors relating to Mr Conn's potential appointment as Centrica's new boss is understood to be his multimillion pound BP shareholding.

BP's latest annual report shows that Mr Conn owns approximately £3m-worth of BP shares and has about £16m-worth of additional awards which are subject to performance criteria.

Mr Laidlaw's future has been the subject of speculation in recent months

It was unclear on Wednesday whether Centrica would agree to compensate him for part or all of this sum, with a further political row likely to be ignited if it does so.

Mr Conn is one of Britain's most respected industrialists, having run BP's downstream business since 2007 and also serving as a director of Rolls-Royce Holdings, the engine manufacturer.

He is also understood to have been sounded out about becoming chief executive of BG Group, the FTSE-100 gas producer.

The energy sector is expected to be the subject of a full investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority, while Ofgem, the regulator, has mounted an aggressive assault on the conduct of the 'Big Six' gas and electricity suppliers amid criticism of its own performance.

Aggreko, BP and Centrica declined to comment, while Mr Weston and Mr Conn could not be reached for comment.

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Obama Hits Back At Foreign Policy Critics

President Barack Obama has defended his foreign policy, advocating restraint before embarking on more military adventures.

The speech at West Point military academy in New York was Mr Obama's riposte to critics who accuse him of an overly cautious approach that has emboldened adversaries in Syria, Russia and China, says Sky News' Hannah Thomas-Peter, who attended.

Standing by his decision not to intervene militarily in Syria's civil war, Mr Obama said he aimed to "ramp up" US support for moderate Syrian rebels.

Some of America's more costly mistakes in recent years had stemmed from its "willingness to rush into military adventures", he said.

Mr Obama spoke during a graduation ceremony at West Point

He also laid out his argument that modern foreign policy should be rooted in diplomacy rather than intervention.

"Here's my bottom line," said Mr Obama, "America must always lead on the world stage.

"If we don't, no one else will. The military that you have joined is, and always will be, the backbone of that leadership.

Underclassmen listen from the back of the stadium as Mr Obama speaks

"But US military action cannot be the only - or even primary - component of our leadership in every instance.

"Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail."

He also defended his approach to the Ukraine crisis, of seeking to build an international consensus against Russia.

"This isn't the Cold War," he said. "Our ability to shape world opinion helped isolate Russia right away. Because of American leadership, the world immediately condemned Russian actions."

Mr Obama congratulates one of the graduates

Mr Obama said America's planned withdrawal from Afghanistan would enable it to focus on emerging threats from the Middle East to North Africa. 

He said he would ask Congress to support the establishment of a $5bn (£3bn) fund to help countries tackle extremists.

Mr Obama said that extremism remained the principal threat to the US at home and abroad.

Mr Obama also defended his approach to the Ukraine crisis

"But a strategy that involves invading every country that harbours terrorist networks is naive and unsustainable," he added.

He continued to defend his use of drone strikes in countries like Yemen and Somalia, but called for increased transparency on such covert operations.

Republicans have criticised Mr Obama's plan, announced on Tuesday, for the US to keep 9,800 troops in Afghanistan after the war there formally ends later this year.

But he said on Wednesday the US had made much headway in Afghanistan against al Qaeda, and "sustaining this progress depends on the ability of Afghans to do the job". 

Mr Obama also said he would continue to press for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, and place new restrictions on how America gathers intelligence, amid the fallout from the NSA leaks.

"I believe in American exceptionalism with every fibre of my being," said the President.

"But what makes us exceptional is not our ability to flout international norms and the rule of law."

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Civil Rights Activist Maya Angelou Dies

American author, poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou has died at the age of 86.

She died on Wednesday in her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, her family said.

"Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belaboured by a loss of acuity or comprehension," a family statement said.

"She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace.

"The family is extremely appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love."

Ms Angelou was the author of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Ms Angelou became one of the first black women to write a best-seller, her 1970 autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.

But she thrived in virtually every artistic medium, performing as an actress, singer and dancer in the 1950s and 1960s.

Her story fascinated millions of Americans - starting as a single mother who worked at strip clubs before becoming an acclaimed performer and celebrated poet.

"I'm not modest," she told The AP news agency last year.

"Modesty is a learned behaviour. But I do pray for humility, because humility comes from the inside out."

With South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in 2008

Barack Obama called Ms Angelou "one of the brightest lights of our time", whose voice "helped generations of Americans find their rainbow amidst the clouds."

He said: "With a kind word and a strong embrace, she had the ability to remind us that we are all God's children; that we all have something to offer."

Over the course of her career, Ms Angelou provided eloquent commentary on race and gender.

Tall and regal, Ms Angelou had a deep and majestic voice

She befriended US presidents and such influential cultural figures as Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and the Rev Martin Luther King Jr. 

The renowned poet was chosen to read at Bill Clinton's first inauguration in 1993, where she recited On The Pulse Of The Morning.  

For George W Bush, she read another poem, Amazing Peace, at the 2005 White House Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

In 1998, she directed the film Down In The Delta about a drug-wrecked woman who returns to the home of her ancestors in the Mississippi Delta.

Born Marguerite Johnson in St Louis, Ms Angelou was raised by her parents and grandmother, often moving between Stamps, Arkansas, and San Francisco.

She was raped at age seven by her mother's boyfriend and did not talk for years, choosing to learn by reading and listening.

"I loved the poetry that was sung in the black church: 'Go down Moses, way down in Egypt's land'," she told The AP.

"And then I started reading, really reading, at about seven and a half, because a woman in my town took me to the library - a black school library. ... And I read every book, even if I didn't understand it."

Ms Angelou remained active late in life. She was a fixture on the lecture circuit, giving commencement speeches and addressing academic and corporate events.

She received dozens of honorary degrees, and several elementary schools were named for her.

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Vince Cable Denies Lib Dem Peer's Poll Claims

Lord Oakeshott's Statement

Updated: 12:43pm UK, Wednesday 28 May 2014

In his resignation statement, Lord Oakeshott said Nick Clegg has led the Liberal Democrats to a position where the party has "no roots, no principles and no values". Here is the statement in full:

I am today taking leave of absence from the House of Lords and resigning as a member of the Liberal Democrats.

I am sure the Party is heading for disaster if it keeps Nick Clegg; and I must not get in the way of the many brave Liberal Democrats fighting for change.

I leave, with a heavy heart, the party I helped to found with such high hopes with Roy Jenkins, Bill Rodgers, Shirley Williams and David Owen at Limehouse in 1981.

We then, like most Liberal Democrats now, wanted a radical progressive party, not a "split the difference" Centre Party, with, in Shirley's memorable words, no roots, no principles and no values.

But that is where Nick Clegg has led us.

I am sorry I have so upset and embarrassed my old friend Vince Cable and that we were not able to talk before he issued yesterday's statement from China. This is the background:

Several months ago a close colleague, concerned about voting intentions in Twickenham, asked me if I would arrange and pay for a poll to show us Vince's current position and how best to get him re-elected.

I was happy to help, and Vince amended and approved the questionnaire, but at his request I excluded a question on voting intentions with a change of leader.

Although Vince had excellent ratings, both as a Minister and a local MP, he was slightly behind the Conservatives in this poll, as the full details on the ICM website show.

That poll worried me so much that I commissioned four more in different types of constituency all over the country and added back the change of leadership question.

The results were in the Guardian yesterday and on the ICM website. Several weeks ago, I told Vince the results of those four polls too.

The combined message of these five professional and reputable ICM constituency polls, Nick Clegg's dire approval ratings year after year in all national polls, and Thursday's appalling council and European election results is crystal clear: we must change the leader to give Liberal Democrat MPs their best chance to win in 2015.

On Thursday I also commissioned one more ICM poll, in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey; the results should also be on the ICM website tonight.

A few stout-hearted M.P.s and peers and hundreds, maybe soon thousands, of candidates, councillors and Lib Dem members all over Britain are now fighting constituency by constituency for a leadership election.

I have tried to give them the evidence they need to make the change.

I pray that they win, and that the right man, or preferably, woman is now elected to save the Party.

When Charles Kennedy rang to make me a peer, from a panel elected by the party, fourteen years ago he said he wanted me to shake up the Lords.

I've tried - my bills to ban non-dom peers are now law - but my efforts to expose and end cash for peerages in all parties, including our own, and help get the Lords elected have failed.

I am very sorry to leave my many old, close comrades-in-arms on the Liberal Democrat benches all over Britain, and good friends and fellow campaigners across the House.

But the unreformed Lords is now a bloated balloon and at 67 it's time to concentrate on running my business and my charity.

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