Hannah MacLeod's Olympic Medal Returned

Hockey player Hannah Macleod has had her missing Olympic bronze medal returned.

Scotland Yard said it been posted anonymously to the England Hockey head office in Buckinghamshire.

Bronze medals belonging to Macleod and rower Alex Partridge were allegedly stolen along with their Team GB Olympic jackets on Tuesday.

The alleged thefts happened as they partied at a London nightclub after a reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the achievements of the 2012 athletes.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were retaining the medal as part of their inquiries, but they were "looking forward to reuniting Hannah with her medal shortly".

Detective Chief Inspector James Harman, of Westminster CID, said: "We are still looking to recover the second medal, and we stress that our inquiries remain active.

"Our appeals for information stand and I take this opportunity to reiterate them. If the public can help we ask them to do so.

"Alex's medal has yet to be traced, and he is understandably keen to be reunited with it as soon as possible."

Macleod, 28, had asked via Twitter for whoever took the medal to post it back to the hockey headquarters at Bisham Abbey.

On Wednesday, she tweeted: "I'm not after punishment. If you picked up a Bronze Olympic medal that isn't yours pls just send anonymously back to GB hockey-Bisham Abbey."

Macleod told The Sun she had been scouring eBay to see if it was on the auction website.

"I want it back so much. I had a look on eBay in case it ends up there," she told the newspaper.

A 31-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation on Thursday, before being bailed to return to a west London police station on November 23, pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to call Westminster CID on 0207 321 7650, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Death In Police Custody: Cocaine Use A Factor

An inquest into the death of a man who died in police custody has ruled the cause of his death as "misadventure" due to his being in a "cocaine-induced excited delirium".

However, jurors also suggested police failings may have been a contributory factor in his death

Jacob Michael, 25, was arrested for affray at his home in Widnes in August 2011 after allegedly threatening police with a hammer.

He had called police himself claiming he had just been threatened by someone with a gun. When officers arrived, there was a struggle in his bedroom and he was subdued with CS spray and police batons.

The inquest was played CCTV footage which showed a distressed Mr Michael being loaded into the back of a police van in handcuffs. On the video, he appears out-of-breath and can be heard repeatedly apologising to officers.

The jury heard Mr Michael was a cocaine user who would occasionally "binge" on the drug and that he had been taking it the weekend before his arrest.

After arriving at Norton police station, another police video shows four arresting officers carry Michael into the custody suite by his arms and legs while still in handcuffs.

Officers at the station can be seen standing over Mr Michael, one with a foot on his left leg, before Mr Michael becomes motionless and police make several attempts to resuscitate him.

Jurors were told by coroner Nicholas Rheinberg they had to decide whether Mr Michael was treated appropriately and whether "any force used by the police was reasonable and lawful".

Delivering the verdict, the coroner said: "Partying and his heart's susceptibility to cocaine probably contributed to the death."

The jury decided the "fear, flight and fight" response caused during the arrest "may have also contributed to the death".

They also concluded "ineffective" police training, procedural failures, failures to carry out a "timely assessment" of Mr Michael's state and a lack of communication may have also contributed to the death.

Speaking outside the coroner's office, Mr Michael's mother Christine blamed police for her son's death and said the family was disappointed at the verdict.

"He dialled 999, (he) hadn't done nothing wrong," she said. "He should have been left alone for us to deal with. It was an abandoned phone call, they should have just left Jacob and he'd be alive today.

"We didn't have much faith in getting a good result".

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Terror Trial Hears 'How 7/7 Went Wrong'

Three men accused of planning a huge suicide terror attack discussed how the 7/7 London bombers did not do enough damage because the attackers had forgotten to use "nails and stuff", a court has heard.

Irfan Naseer, 31, Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali, both 27, all from Birmingham, are on trial for allegedly plotting a bombing campaign.

Prosecutor Brian Altman told the jury technical examination of a laptop they had used showed a Google search for the term "muhammed siddique khan as sahab", who was one of the 2005 London bombers.

In a taped conversation read out during their trial, Naseer is then heard allegedly discussing the bombings and agreeing with another man that it had gone "a bit wrong" and that not enough damage had been done.

The court was told he said: "You know what? They forgot to put the, they didn't put the nails and stuff in, man."

Khalid was also recorded talking about wanting to see "AQ", and telling Naseer the instruction to spread the knowledge into Europe, their trial at Woolwich Crown Court was told.

Naseer then allegedly said: "AQ's main aim is ... the knowledge that they give us, we want more and more people have stance in Europe. So they can start whacking you there, yeah, do you understand?"

The men also joked about their last meal before their planned attacks and finding a second wife in paradise, the court heard.

In another taped conversation, it was alleged the men had suspicions that they were under police surveillance.

"Naseer had a feeling, correctly as it turned out, that 'they were gonna do something here soon'. In other words, there might be a police raid," Mr Altman said.

They then discussed always having someone inside the flat so that bugs could not be planted. Or if they had to leave, going out via a window to create the illusion that someone was still in, or by installing a spy camera to cover the front of the house, the court heard.

The three men are accused of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, which they deny.

Naseer, Khalid, and Ali are alleged to have planned a bombing campaign, collecting money for terrorism and recruiting others for terrorism.

Naseer and Khalid are also accused of travelling to Pakistan for training in terrorism, and it is alleged Naseer also helped others to travel to the country for the same purpose. The trial was adjourned until Monday.

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Berlusconi Sentenced To Four Years In Jail

Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has been sentenced to four years in prison for tax fraud connected to his television channels.

An Italian court delivered the verdict against the ex-leader and 10 others in a six-year-old tax fraud trial.

The 76-year-old was also barred from holding political office for five years.

In Italy, cases must pass two levels of appeal before the verdicts are final. Berlusconi is expected to appeal and is unlikely to go to prison due to his age, the lengthy appeals process and statute of limitations.

If he goes to prison he will only serve one year due to a 2006 amnesty law aimed at reducing prison overcrowding.

The verdict comes two days after Berlusconi announced he will not run for premier in upcoming elections.

During the trial, prosecutors alleged the defendants were behind a scheme to purchase the rights to broadcast US movies on Berlusconi's private Mediaset television networks through a series of offshore companies and had falsely declared the payments to avoid taxes.

Prosecutors further alleged they inflated the price for the TV rights of some 3,000 films as they re-licensed them internally to Berlusconi's networks, pocketing the difference amounting to around €250m (£200m).

Other charges of false accounting and false statements in financial reports were thrown out because the statute of limitations expired.

The court sentenced Berlusconi and his co-defendants to pay €10m (£8m) to Italian tax authorities, a statement said.

The trial began in July 2006, but was put on hold by a now-defunct immunity law that shielded Berlusconi from prosecution while he was premier until it was watered down by the constitutional court.

The trial also faced delays as Berlusconi cited conflicts with his schedule as premier.

Berlusconi has been tried numerous times for his business dealings. He has always denied wrongdoing and alleged that the cases were politically motivated.

In each case to date, he has been cleared or seen the statute of limitations expire. The statute of limitations in this case is set to expire sometime next year.

Berlusconi also is on trial in Milan on charges of paying for sex with a prostitute and trying to cover it up.

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Winterbourne View Abuse: Ex-Carers Jailed

Care Home Abusers Sentenced

Updated: 12:14pm UK, Friday 26 October 2012

The former staff admitted 38 charges of either neglect or ill-treatment of people with severe learning difficulties. They are:

:: Wayne Rogers, 32, of Purton Close, Bristol, pleaded guilty to nine charges of ill-treating Ms Deville, Mr Tovey and Miss Blake. He denied a charge of ill-treating Miss Bisset, which was accepted by the prosecution and he did not face trial. He was jailed for two years.

:: Alison Dove, 25, of Chipperfield Drive, Bristol, pleaded guilty to seven charges of ill-treating Miss Guilford, Miss Bisset and Miss Blake. She pleaded not guilty to ill-treating Mr Tovey, which was accepted by the prosecution and she did not face trial. She was jailed for 20 months.

:: Graham Doyle, 26, of Brackendene, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, pleaded guilty to seven charges of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied charges of wilfully neglecting Miss Guilford and ill-treating Mr Tovey. The prosecution accepted the pleas and he did not face trial. He was also jailed for 20 months.

:: Jason Gardiner, 43, of Mellent Avenue, Bristol, admitted two charges of ill-treating Ms Deville and Mr Tovey. His four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Gardiner was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Michael Ezenagu, 29, of Malabar Court, India Way, Shepherds Bush, west London, pleaded guilty to two counts of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied two further of ill-treating the same patient and a third similar charge against Mr Tovey. The prosecution accepted the pleas and he did not face trial. His six-month jail term was suspended for two years. Ezenagu was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Danny Brake, 27, of Beechen Drive, Fishponds, Bristol, also pleaded guilty to two charges of ill-treating Miss Blake and Mr Tovey. His four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Brake was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Charlotte Cotterell, 22, of Melrose Avenue, Yate, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one charge of ill-treating Miss Blake. She denied a second charge against the same victim, which was accepted by the prosecution and she did not face trial. Her four-month jail term was suspended for two years. Cotterell was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and complete 12 months supervision.

:: Holly Draper, 24, of The Old Orchard, Mangotsfield, Bristol, pleaded guilty to two charges of ill-treating Miss Blake. She was jailed for 12 months.

:: Neil Ferguson, 28, of Emersons Green, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one count of ill-treating Miss Blake. He denied a second charge of ill-treating the same patient, which the prosecution accepted and he did not face trial. His six-month jail term was suspended for two years. Ferguson was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

:: Sookalingum Appoo, 59, of Dial Lane, Bristol, admitted three charges of wilfully neglecting Miss Blake. He was jailed for six months.

:: Kelvin Fore, 33, of Ellesmere Walk, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to one charge of wilfully neglecting Miss Blake but denied a second allegation against the same person, which was accepted by the prosecution and he did not face trial. He was also jailed for six months.

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Malala Dad: My Daughter Will Rise Again

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

The schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan will "rise again", her father has said.

Fifteen-year-old Malala Yusufzai was reunited with her father Ziauddin, mother Toorpekai and two brothers at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she is being treated.

The family flew in from Islamabad on Thursday night.

Malala was shot because she had campaigned for girls' education in Pakistan.

At a news conference, Mr Yusufzai described the shooting as a pivotal moment for the country. "When she fell, Pakistan stood. This is a turning point," he said.

Pakistani police are hunting prime suspect Atta ur Rehman

"I'm thankful to all the people all over the world. They condemned the attack and prayed for my daughter. 

"She will rise again, she will stand again."

Mr Yusufzai said Malala was walking, talking, eating and smiling - and that all signs of infection were gone. He added that she would be having hearing and sight tests later.

He said: "I am thankful that you are very much concerned about my daughter's health. You have supported the cause for which she stands, the cause of peace and education."

He said Malala had just done a second mid-term exam and was on her way home in a school van in the Swat Valley on October 9 when two men stopped the vehicle at pistol point and asked which child was Malala, before one opened fire.

Mr Yusufzai, who was speaking with his 12-year-old son Kushal Khan sitting beside him, said Malala had received good wishes from all over the world.

"She is a daughter of everybody, a sister of everybody," he said.

Malala hugs a toy as she recovers in hospital

When asked how he felt when he and his family saw Malala on Thursday night, he said: "I love her and last night when we met her there were tears in our eyes out of happiness."

Mr Yusufzai told reporters that he was thankful to doctors for the "excellent" and "world class" care Malala - who is now expected to make a full recovery - had received in Birmingham.

He was visibly moved as he described how he was told to prepare for Malala's funeral.

"I'm thankful to God," he said.

"I found angels on my side all around me ... she got the right treatment, at the right place, at the right time.

"In Pakistan for the first time we saw that all political parties, the government, children, women, elders, they were crying and praying to God. Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, indifferent of caste, colour or creed, they prayed for my daughter."

It comes after police in Pakistan named the prime suspect in connection with the shooting as 23-year-old Atta Ullah Khan, a chemistry student from the Swat district.

The hospital's Medical Director Dave Rosser said both Malala's long and short-term memory appeared to be intact - and that specialists do not believe there is any significant brain damage.

Describing the mood on Malala's ward, he said: "I think everyone is very pleased. Her father is a remarkable man, she is a remarkable young lady and I think everybody involved is pleased to help."

He said her skull would need to be reconstructed over the coming weeks but that her long-term prognosis was "excellent".

"There's no reason to think she won't make near to a full recovery," he said.

Dr Rosser said she would remain in hospital following the surgery for "a couple of months at most".

He added that Malala had been eating hospital food -and had also enjoyed a halal takeaway.

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British Oil Executive Shot Dead In Brussels

A British oil executive - named by Sky News sources as Nicholas Mockford - has been shot dead in Brussels.

The killing took place on October 14 but Belgian investigators have only just revealed information about his death.

Mr Mockford, who worked for ExxonMobil, was killed as he left a restaurant with his wife.

The Foreign Office said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Brussels on October 14 and we are providing consular assistance."

Police said the businessman was shot as he left an Italian restaurant in Neder-Over-Heembeek, a suburb of the Belgian capital.

It happened at around 10pm as he walked with his wife Mary from the Da Marcello restaurant on Rue de Beyseghem to their car, which was parked nearby.

The attack took place in the Neder-Over-Heembeek area of Brussels

Mrs Mockford was violently attacked and struck several times on her face, as one of the attackers tried to grab her handbag.

A second attacker opened fire on the 60-year-old oil executive, who later died of his injuries.

He was shot three times, once as he lay on the floor, and his wife Mary was left beaten and covered in blood, cradling her husband and shouting for help. He died on the way to hospital.

Witnesses say they saw the couple walk across the street to their Lexus 4x4 car before shots were fired.

It is understood the two men were carrying motorcycle helmets and they initially fled on foot before taking a ring road on a "two-wheeled vehicle".

Shortly after the events, a white van passed Rue de Beyseghem and came across the victims.

Investigators have been questioning the driver of this vehicle.

A neighbour, who does not want to be identified, rushed out to the scene and said: "I heard a strange sound like, tak, tak. I thought that was strange, so I went out to have a look.

"And there was someone lying on the footpath on the other side of the street and someone saying, 'Au secours, au secours (Help, help).' There was someone lying unconscious next to a car."

The neighbour first thought the husband had been in a hit-and-run: "I stayed with them. At one point, he stopped breathing and I gave him first aid and he came back round.

"Then he was again unconscious and I again gave him first aid and brought him round, then the ambulance arrived."

The neighbour then understood that the man had been shot.

She said: "I saw when the ambulance arrived and cut open his shirt and that he had a bullet in his chest and blood on his head. But, of course, I didn't want to move him."

The Daily Telegraph said police in Belgium were considering all possible motives for the shooting, including a carjacking, although Mr Mockford's car was not stolen.

Chief Inspector Wim Van Leifferenge said no-one had been arrested and those responsible were still on the run.

Mr Mockford is understood to have worked for ExxonMobil since the 1970s and was head of marketing for interim technologies for ExxonMobil Chemicals, Europe, promoting new types of greener fuel.

Brought up in Leicestershire, he had moved abroad from Chichester some years ago, living in Belgium and Singapore.

He was married to his Belgian wife for 15 years and had three grown-up children living in Britain from his first marriage, according to the Telegraph.

A family member, who asked not to be named, told the newspaper they thought he had been killed in a professional hit.

The relation said: "We are all confused about what has happened. Nick was a genuinely lovely, clean-cut, mild-mannered, family man."

He added: "He was shot so calmly and so quickly, it smacks horribly of a professional hit, but we can't fathom why. He isn't the type to cave in to blackmail and it just doesn't compute."

A spokesman for ExxonMobil said: "Mr Mockford, a British national, was a department manager at our office close to Brussels, but we have no indication that the incident was work related.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues and we are supporting them as best we can at this very difficult time."

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No Winner For Tour De France Races

The Tour de France races which took place between 1999 and 2005 will have no official winner, cycling's governing body has said.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) decided not to reallocate the seven yellow jerseys won by Lance Armstrong, after the American was stripped of his titles in the wake of a doping scandal.

It also ordered Armstrong to pay back prize money dating back to August 1, 1998.

He is believed to have earned 2.95m euros (£2.36m) for his Tour de France victories alone.

The announcement came after the United States Anti-Doping Agency released a damning report that concluded Armstrong had helped orchestrate the most sophisticated doping programme in the history of sport.

The UCI said it "acknowledged that decisive action was needed in response to the report". 

It justified its decision to leave the 1995-2005 Tours without a winner, saying that "a cloud of suspicion would remain hanging over this dark period".

"While this might appear harsh for those who rode clean, they would understand there was little honour to be gained in reallocating places," it said in a statement.

Pat McQuaid, president of the UCI, wants to put cycling "back on track"

The UCI also confirmed it will set up an independent external commission to look at criticisms levelled at the organisation over the Armstrong affair.

A report and recommendations from the group is expected to be published by June next year.

Pat McQuaid, president of the UCI, said: "We are determined to turn around this painful episode in the history of our sport.

"We will take whatever actions are deemed necessary by the independent commission and we will put cycling back on track.

"Today, cycling is a completely different sport from what it was in the period 1998-2005. Riders are now subject to the most innovative and effective anti-doping procedures and regulations in sport.

"Nevertheless, we have listened to the world's reaction to the Armstrong affair and have taken these additional decisive steps in response to the grave concerns raised."

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Syria: Deadly Car Bomb Attack In Capital

At least five people have been killed and 32 wounded in a car bombing in southern Damascus, according to Syrian state television.

The blast in the capital comes on the first day of a ceasefire brokered by UN and Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi.

The regime and the main rebel force, the Free Syrian Army, had both agreed to temporarily lay down their arms.

"The explosion of a booby-trapped car outside the Omar bin Khattab mosque in the Daf Shawk district killed and wounded dozens of people," the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The attack comes hours after three people were reported to have been killed by tank and sniper fire in the Damascus suburb of Harasta, which was apparently targeted in a violation of the temporary truce agreed to mark the four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al Adha.

The Syrian army said it had been responding to attacks by armed rebels that were in violation of the ceasefire.

"Armed terrorist groups attacked military positions, thereby clearly violating the halt to military operations agreed by the army command.

"Our valiant armed forces are responding to these violations and pursuing these groups," the military said in a statement, adding that rebel attacks had taken place against its positions in Deir Ezzor, Daraa, Idlib and in the Damascus region.

The Syrian army had said it would cease military operations from Friday to Monday for the Eid al Adha holiday, but warned it would react if "armed terrorist groups" carry out attacks or reinforce their positions, or if fighters cross into the country.

President Assad pictured at a prayer service on Friday

Rebels in a northern town close to the Turkish border also reported one of their fighters was shot dead by a sniper, and a Reuters journalist in the town heard what sounded like four rounds of tank fire.

In a statement read on state television after the truce deal, the Syrian army said it would still respond to gunfire or roadside bombs and keep rebels from bolstering their positions or getting supplies.

A Free Syrian Army commander also said rebels would retaliate if they were attacked.

On Friday morning, Syrian state television showed President Bashar al Assad attending morning prayers for the start of Eid at a mosque in Damascus.

He was pictured smiling and looking relaxed as he spoke to other worshippers, in his first television appearance for more than a month.

During prayers, Imam Walid Abdel Haq called on Syrians to "stop quarrelling because you are all brothers".

"Do you not see what has been happening for two years in the country, the destruction and death? Stop this," he said.

Protests were reported to have taken place in Raqa in the north east, where security forces fired tear gas, and in the southern Deraa province, where three people were injured as police fired live rounds to disperse demonstrators.

Activists said protests also took place in Damascus and Aleppo.

In the Idlib village of Al Habit protesters chanted against Mr Assad, saying: "Traitor, give up, you have destroyed Syria."

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Savile: Freddie Starr Offers To Talk To Police

Comedian Freddie Starr has said he is prepared to speak to police in connection with abuse allegations made against Jimmy Savile.

Mr Starr appeared with Savile on an episode of the BBC television show Clunk Click in 1974 alongside a 14-year-old girl who has accused him of molesting her.

Ms Ward had told ITV she had been "horribly, horribly humiliated" by Starr, adding he had a "very bad attack of wandering hands" when she met him.

Starr denied touching Karin Ward inappropriately and denied meeting her on the show. He lawyer issued a statement claiming he had been mistaken and he had appeared on the programme after all.

"Mr Starr cannot be expected to recollect every show that he has appeared on and to remember every person that he has ever met," he said.

"In respect of Karin Ward this was not a name that Freddie could remember and therefore had no recollection of meeting her.

Karin Ward (in yellow) appeared with Starr on Clunk Click in 1974 pic: BBC

"It would now appear from seeing footage of a Clunk Click show aired in 1974 that in fact Freddie was mistaken and therefore that he had in fact been on a Jimmy Savile show.

"However, this does not detract away from the fact that Freddie vigorously denies the awful allegation that has been made by Karin Ward which, despite this footage, is still totally unsupported and uncorroborated by any other evidence."

Speaking outside his home the 69-year-old comedian said: "I have said from the word go that I wanted to be interviewed. I have always said that I wanted to be interviewed.

"I have got the press phoning me up to ask if I have been interviewed. I got sick of it. Everybody, the press, the police, people at the BBC, they knew that things were going on with Jimmy Savile.

"Everybody is guilty of this. You can put the finger on everybody at the BBC and the fella's (George Entwistle) only been in the job for four months. This fellow was at school when all this was happening."

A spokeswoman for Mr Starr said: "Freddie is prepared to be interviewed by the police, but his lawyer has been in touch with the person heading the investigation and they have no intention of questioning him.

"I asked him the direct question whether the police wished to question Mr Starr as we had heard from the Press that such questioning was imminent.

Savile: seven allegations of abuse were made while the star was alive

"(the officer) replied in writing 'We have said nothing of the sort. There has been much inaccurate speculation on such matters but should that be considered in the future I have cc'd in the Senior Investigating Officer so he is aware of your details.'

"It would therefore appear clear that the police currently have no intention to question Mr Starr who has continually denied the allegation made by Karin Ward.

"We have always maintained there is absolutely no corroborating evidence to support such a wild allegation. The confirmation from the police today that there is no intention to question Mr Starr at present supports this."

Scotland Yard declined to comment on the claims.

Mr Starr's announcement comes as news emerged that at least seven alleged victims of Jimmy Savile made complaints of sexual abuse against him while he was still alive.

Scotland Yard has admitted four police forces were aware in the 1980s of claims against the former TV presenter and DJ.

The first of the seven claims was made in the 1980s by a young girl, who said she had been subjected to an indecent assault at BBC TV Centre.

More follows...

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Hillsborough Police Chief Bettison Quits

Sir Norman Bettison has resigned as Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, after being accused of a cover-up over the Hillsborough disaster.

The 56-year-old had been due to retire next March, but had been called upon to step down with immediate effect by the region's police authority. He will receive no severance pay.

Amid fears his departure could see him avoid further investigation, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) confirmed the probe into his action would continue.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Merseyside Police Authority, where Sir Norman was previously chief constable, said it would be considering what implications his decision would have for his £83,000 pension.

His resignation was welcomed by relatives of the 96 Liverpool fans who were crushed to death in the 1989 tragedy at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground.

The post on the Hillsborough Family Support Group's Twitter page simply said: "Yay! He's resigned!!"

A total of 96 fans were killed in the Hillsborough disaster

In a statement issued by West Yorkshire Police Authority, its vice chairman, Councillor Les Carter, said: "I can confirm that the Police Authority has accepted Sir Norman's resignation with immediate effect.

"The media attention and Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation is proving to be a huge distraction for the force, at a time when it is trying to maintain performance and make savings of £100m.

"We therefore believe that his decision is in the best interest of the communities of West Yorkshire."

The statement also included comments from Sir Norman, who expressed sympathy for those bereaved by the disaster.

"I have never blamed the fans for causing the tragedy," he said.

He also refuted reports of a conversation it was claimed he had in the months after the tragedy.

"The suggestion that I would say to a passing acquaintance that I was deployed as part of a team tasked to 'concoct a false story of what happened', is both incredible and wrong," he said.

A Liverpool fan pays his respect at the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield

"That isn't what I was tasked to do, and I did not say that."

He added that he would assist inquiries into the disaster itself and the subsequent cover-up - and that he had sought to remain in post to address the allegations against him.

Sir Norman was a chief inspector with South Yorkshire Police at the time of the disaster. He attended the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest as a spectator, and was involved in the subsequent force investigation.

He has been under growing pressure since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report which revealed an orchestrated police cover-up.

Last month's damning report by the panel, which had access to 450,000 documents, found that 164 police statements were doctored - 116 of them to remove or alter "unfavourable" comments about the policing of the match and the unfolding disaster.

A complaint was made to police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) that Sir Norman had supplied misleading information in the wake of the disaster. The IPCC is investigating his role.

Pressure was deemed to have increased on South Yorkshire Police after calls for the Hillsborough inquiry to be extended to the so-called 'Battle of Orgreave', which involved clashes between striking miners and police in 1984.

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, who lost her 18-year-old son James in the disaster, welcomed Sir Norman's resignation and called for his pension to be frozen, pending the outcome of the probe.

"I'm absolutely delighted he's gone but as far as I am concerned he should have been sacked," she said.

Trevor Hicks, HFSG president, said: "We welcome the resignation, because Mr Bettison's position had become untenable and was growing more so with every day that passed. His was a position of trust and he had lost that trust a long time ago."

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Prisoner Votes: PM Defiant Blanket Ban Will Stay

David Cameron has flatly ruled out giving prisoners the vote after Conservative MPs reacted angrily to speculation that the coalition was planning legislation on the controversial issue.

The Prime Minister moved to clarify his position and told the Commons: "No one should be in any doubt. Prisoners are not getting the vote under this government."

However, his comments appeared to contradict those of his Attorney General, who earlier suggested that the UK would have to accept a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and fulfil its international obligations.

Dominic Grieve said the UK could ultimately decide to ignore the European court.

"Parliament is sovereign in this area. Nobody can impose a solution on Parliament," he told the Commons justice committee.

But he warned Britain's reputation would suffer if it ignored the ruling, and he insisted the UK had "a great deal of latitude" in how it complies with the judgment.

Dominic Grieve says the UK will have to accept the ECHR ruling

Ministers are preparing to launch a draft bill to comply with ruling, according to The Guardian.

This is despite Parliament voting overwhelmingly to maintain a blanket ban in February.

Mr Cameron has said the idea of giving prisoners the vote made him "physically ill".

Speaking at the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session, he signalled that he was ready to hold another vote "to put the legal position beyond doubt".

But there are reportedly concerns in the Government that it could face a huge compensation bill if it does not bring forward legislation before the ECHR's deadline of the end of November.

Publishing draft proposals, possibly giving the vote to those serving terms under four years, would give ministers time as there would be a significant period before anything would reach the statute books.

However, any move to grant the vote to any serving prisoners seems set to provoke outrage from many Conservative backbenchers.

Nick de Bois, secretary of the influential 1922 committee, posted on Twitter after the Guardian report was published.

He tweeted: "Sitting working with 5 other Cons MPs - if reports of prisoner voting rights are accurate then that's 6 MPs who won't vote for it."

Tory colleague Douglas Carswell added: "Make it 7."

David Cameron at Wormwood Scrubs this week

Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith wrote: "MPs almost unanimously rejected votes for prisoners. If it happens all the same, does that mean the UK Parl officially no longer matters?

"It's no longer a Q of whether prisoners should vote. It's a Q of whether or not the UK Parliament still has the authority to make decisions."

The ECHR admitted that it was up to national authorities to decide exactly who can vote from jail - but said denying voting rights to all inmates indiscriminately was illegal.

Mr Cameron's official spokesman denied the PM was at loggerheads with Mr Grieve on the issue.

"There is a single Government view on this issue, and that is that prisoners should not get the vote," he said.

"As the Attorney General said earlier, Parliament is sovereign in these matters."

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Natalie Portman's Mascara Advert Is Banned

An advert for Christian Dior mascara featuring Natalie Portman has been banned for exaggerating the effect of the product on her lashes.

The magazine advert showed a picture of the Oscar-winning actress with the text: "Lash-multiplying effect volume and care mascara.

"The miracle of a nano brush for an unrivalled lash creator effect. It delivers spectacular volume-multiplying effect, lash by lash."

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) investigated the ad after rival cosmetics firm L'Oréal complained that it misleadingly exaggerated the likely effects of the product.

Dior defended the campaign, saying it had not received any complaints from consumers and believed this meant the advert did not exceed likely expectations of the mascara.

But it admitted Star Wars actress Portman's natural lashes had been digitally retouched in post-production using Photoshop software.

Portman's natural lashes were retouched

It said the retouching was "primarily used to separate/increase the length and curve of a number of her lashes and to replace/fill a number of missing or damaged lashes".

A "minimal amount" of retouching also took place to increase the thickness and volume of a number of her natural lashes, it said.

The ASA said Dior provided some before and after photos showing a model's natural eyelashes and the effects of the product on her lashes.

But it said it had not seen any evidence of the mascara's effects on Portman's lashes where there had not been any post-production retouching.

It concluded the advert was likely to mislead and ruled it could not appear again in its current form.

Portman, 31, who has dual US and Israeli citizenship, starred in hitman film Léon: The Professional alongside Jean Reno and Gary Oldman when she was a child actress.

She rose to mainstream fame as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequels and also starred in the dystopian thriller V For Vendetta.

In 2011, she won an Oscar and a string of other awards for her role in Black Swan.

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North Sea Helicopter Crash Inquiry Begins

A helicopter that ditched in the North Sea with 19 people on board has been salvaged, as air crash investigators begin an inquiry into what happened.

The EC225 Super Puma was on a flight from Aberdeen to an offshore oil rig on Monday afternoon when it was forced to ditch near Fair Isle, between Orkney and Shetland.

A passing tanker helped rescue the passengers and crew, none of whom were injured.

The helicopter was flying to an offshore oil rig. Picture: RNLI/Lerwick

The helicopter was brought ashore in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday morning.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch will look at why the pilot had to ditch, while a Helicopter Safety Steering Group was due to discuss the incident at a meeting in Aberdeen.

A salvage operation was launched after the accident. Picture: RNLI/Lerwick

A spokesman for Eurocopter, the French company which manufactures the EC225 Super Puma, said it had launched its own investigation "with the highest priority".

Three offshore helicopter companies, including CHC which operates the aircraft involved in Monday's incident, have suspended their use of the model.

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Savile: Police Files From 2009 To Be Reviewed

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer is to review legal papers relating to abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile, David Cameron has said.

The Prime Minister said it was essential that lessons were learned from the scandal of Savile's decades of sexual abuse.

He told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions: "The Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that his principal legal adviser will again review the papers from the time when a case was put to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) for prosecution.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions specifically is going to consider what more can be done to alert relevant authorities where there are concerns that a prosecution is not taken forward.

"The Government will do everything it can do, other institutions must do what they can do, to make sure that we learn the lesson of this and it can never happen again."

Mr Starmer said the papers in four cases referred to the CPS in 2009 would be reviewed "out of an abundance of caution".

Abuse claims by BBC star Savile date back decades

He insisted that the decisions not to prosecute "were the right decisions based on the information and evidence then available".

He also said he planned to discuss with the attorney general a new policy, where cases would be referred to social services where an allegation is made but not taken to court due to a lack of evidence.

It comes after charities helping victims of sexual abuse said they had been swamped with inquiries – prompted by the widening Savile controversy.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) has seen nearly a trebling of calls to its hotline.

Napac chief executive Pete Saunders told Sky News: "As we speak it is well over 2,500 calls we have received and is rapidly heading towards 3,000.

"It has been relentless. Normally we deal with up to 300 inquiries weekly but since Savile it is up to 800 a week."

Children's charity the NSPCC said it has received 161 calls relating to Savile, which have been passed to police, and another 105 not related to the performer.

BBC Newsnight editor Peter Rippon has "stepped down" amid an inquiry

These came from adults who wanted to discuss being abused as children following media coverage of the case, and 24 of those allegations have also been referred to the police, the charity said.

Pressure continues to mount on BBC bosses, past and present, over the halting of an investigation into sexual abuse by Savile.

Sources at current affairs programme Newsnight told The Times that director of news Helen Boaden allegedly intervened last year, insisting staff gather evidence as if the late star were still alive and able to sue.

It said Ms Boaden's approach subsequently influenced the show's editor Peter Rippon to halt the investigation - he has since "stepped aside" while the corporation undertakes a review into Savile's predatory behaviour over several decades on BBC premises.

The spreading concerns of BBC managerial responsibility have also drawn in the previous BBC boss, Mark Thompson, about how much he knew.

Mr Thompson, who recently resigned as director general, said: "I did not impede or stop the Newsnight investigation, nor have I done anything else that could be construed as untoward or unreasonable."

On Tuesday, current director general George Entwistle was urged to "get a grip" on his organisation during a hostile grilling by MPs about the broadcaster's handling of the claims.

Mr Entwistle told the committee he had ordered an internal audit of the operation of the BBC's child protection policies and would report its results to the BBC Trust in December.

He said the corporation was now investigating up to 10 "serious allegations" involving past and present employees over the "Savile period".

Lord Patten has been urged to resign by a former parliamentary colleague

Scotland Yard said 60 of the 200 people who have come forward since ITV first aired a documentary on the former DJ's sexual abuse have made claims against people other than Savile.

It is understood that the Metropolitan Police have made preparations for the first arrests in its own investigation.

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Terror Accused's 'Suicide Bomber Claim'

A man accused with two others of plotting a huge terror attack said they were "suicide bombers driving around ready to take on England", a court has heard.

Irfan Khalid, Irfan Naseer, and Ashik Ali were covertly recorded by police as they drove through Birmingham in September last year.

They pretended to be Formula One commentators covering a race, talking about overtaking drivers including former champions Jensen Button and Nigel Mansell, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

But in the middle of the conversation, as they drove a VW Passat through the city with Ali's brother Bahadar, Khalid said: "It's the four suicide bombers driving around ready to take on England. Oh my God ... take them out", a jury heard.

At the time, the three men on trial are alleged to have been planning and fund-raising for a series of suicide bombs in an attack that could have been bigger than the July 7, 2005 atrocities.

Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, told the jury: "There you have, in the middle of the conversation, Khalid, clearly in his mind, it's 'the four suicide bombers'."

The defendants embarked on "clear terror planning" on September 16 last year, the court heard.

They were allegedly recorded talking at a flat and in the VW about how much explosive could be carried in a rucksack, about the making of bombs and how to use poison as part of a terror attack.

They made a plan to buy a cold pack used to treat sports injuries, with a cover story of a fake injury, because they believed it contained ammonium nitrate, a potential explosive component, the jury was told.

"In the early hours of September 16 the defendants embarked on detailed discussions about how to make an IED, and about sourcing the relevant chemicals to make an explosive mixture," Mr Altman said.

"Naseer can be heard teaching Ashik Ali about bomb making. Their discussion ranged from ammonium nitrate to detonators.

"They discussed chemical formulae, quantities of chemicals, syringes to be used to create a detonator, glue and drinking straws.

"As the bomb-making discussions progressed, the probe (listening device) captured Naseer and Ali in particular talking about items such as nail polish remover, powder from match heads, electrical wiring, the use of batteries, sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, ice packs and alarm clocks."

Items including a syringe and a burnt note covered in formulae and diagrams were later found by police at the flat in Birmingham, the court heard.

They also spoke about fertiliser and compared its ammonium nitrate content with the sports injury cold packs, it was alleged.

Naseer, 31, Khalid and Ali, both 27, and all from Birmingham, are accused of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, which they deny.

Naseer and Khalid are also accused of travelling to Pakistan for training in terrorism, and it is alleged that Naseer also helped others to travel to the country for the same purpose.

The trial continues.

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Israel Bombarded And Militants Killed In Gaza

By Sam Kiley, Middle East Correspondent

Israel has been hit with more than 60 missiles in 24 hours in a surge in violence from the Gaza Strip.

Three militants from the armed wing of Hamas, which rules in Gaza, were killed in an Israeli counter-attack.

Hamas has been trying to suppress attacks against Israel by al Qaeda-related Jihadist groups in recent weeks.

Israel moved military personnel and equipment from a joint exercise with US forces and some of its homeland defence soldiers from a drill based on the fiction of an earthquake, in case of further attacks.

Three migrant Thai workers were seriously injured in the mortar and rocket strikes from Gaza and a family home was hit.

A mosque was reported to have been struck by the Israeli Air Force. Eight people were wounded, as well as the three who were killed.

The mother of a Hamas gunman mourns the death of her son

A statement from the Islamist movement Hamas said those killed were members of its military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.

An Israeli army spokesman said the air force had attacked two groups of Palestinians who were about to fire rockets into southern Israel.

The raids came after the attack on an Israeli patrol that wounded a soldier was claimed by a leftist group, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Military officials were initially unsure what had caused the explosion, but eventually established it was "an explosive device".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again warned he would strike back at Gaza militants, which he said were supported by Tehran.

An Israeli mother carrying her child after an attack

"Today we engaged in exchanges against terrorist aggression that comes from our southern border in Gaza, but it actually comes from Iran and a whole terror network that is supporting these attacks," he said.

"The way to fight terror is to fight terror, and that we shall do with great force."

Defence Minister Ehud Barak noted the explosive device was rigged to a gate on the fence, and said Israel takes the attack "very seriously".

The latest incidents came as the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, made a landmark visit to Gaza where he inaugurated a multi-million dollar project to rebuild the impoverished Palestinian territory.

But Israel's military remains reluctant to get involved in a ground incursion into the region.

Its last major operation there, Cast Lead, was widely condemned internationally for causing civilian deaths and for the use of white phosphorous explosives in urban areas.

Israeli police survey the damage caused by a rocket fired by militants

Former head of Israel's National Security Council Ilan Mizrahi said: "It is a very delicate situation. We do not have a free hand like we did in the past.

"Now we have to consider our relationship with Egypt more carefully. I would expect Cairo will try to pacify the situation and we should be careful not to provoke the Egyptians.

"However, it will be impossible to allow this to continue for a long time."

The attacks follow a visit to Gaza by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who pledged $400m (£250m) for a 3,000-home development in what appeared to be a major boost for the reputation of Hamas, which is struggling to balance its militant elements and instincts with its responsibilities as the administration.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Hamad said: "We are seeing a dangerous escalation of Israeli actions. They are targeting us following the recent visit of the Emir of Qatar which took place successfully.

"They are targeting us to disrupt the atmosphere of the Eid holiday and to score political points ahead of the upcoming [Israeli] elections."

Following the violence, Israel closed schools in the areas close to the Gaza Strip - the first time that has happened since Operation Cast Lead.

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Baby 'Choked To Death' At Manchester Nursery

A nine-month-old girl has died after reportedly choking on food at a nursery.

The youngster was taken to hospital from Ramillies Hall School in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday lunchtime but died a short time later.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called to an address on Ramillies Avenue, Cheadle Hulme shortly after 12.20pm on Tuesday by the North West Ambulance Service following reports a child was choking.

"Officers attended and discovered a nine-month old baby had been taken to hospital but was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

"Inquiries are continuing to establish the cause of death." The baby has not been named.

Parents of children at the school spoke of their shock at what had happened.

One mother, Marjan Harrison, told the Manchester Evening News: "There was a letter handed out this morning and staff were talking to parents. They were really upset.

"The letter explained that the little girl felt poorly about lunch time yesterday and an ambulance was called."

Another parent, who did not give their name, said: "I'm concerned and feel sympathy for the girl's parents. And the staff who are fantastic."

The privately-run school caters for boys and girls age 6-11 years old on a site in Cheadle Hulme.

It also has a foundation and nursery years facility where infants from six months to five-years-old are cared for by nursery staff.

The school's principal Anne Poole said: "It is with immense sadness that I can confirm that a child attending our nursery died yesterday.

"Clearly this is a devastating tragedy, and our deepest sympathies are with the child's family.

"As is right and proper, the police are now investigating this matter and we are cooperating fully with officers' inquiries. The health, safety and welfare of all children at Ramillies Hall School are taken very seriously, and we have robust policies in place.

"Our most recent inspection was in 2010 which found us to be compliant in all such areas. Due to the police investigation, we are unable to make any further comment and other questions should be directed to Greater Manchester Police."

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Dyson Launches 'Corporate Spy' Action

Dyson has launched High Court proceedings accusing a German rival of planting a mole within its high-security research and development department.

The British engineering firm, behind bag-less vacuum cleaners and the Airblade hand dryers, claims Bosch was handed secrets by an individual for up to two years.

The alleged rogue employee, who is reportedly Chinese, is said to have worked at Dyson's facility in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

It is said the spy was one of 100 engineers working on Dyson digital motors, which are key to the firm's cordless technology and Airblades.

The company claims secrets were also passed to Bosch's Chinese motor manufacturer and that Bosch's vice president Dr Wolfgang Hirschburger was aware of the engineer's employment.

Bosch Group, which has its UK headquarters in Middlesex and develops automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, declined to comment.

Dyson believes Bosch paid the mole through an unincorporated "business" created specifically for this purpose.

Mark Taylor, Dyson research and development director, said: "We have spent over 15 years and £100m developing high-speed brushless motors, which power our vacuum cleaners and Airblade hand dryers.

"We are demanding the immediate return of our intellectual property."

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Sky Sources: Ford To Close Southampton Plant

Ford is planning to close its Southampton factory as part of its restructuring in Europe, according to Sky sources.

The announcement is expected on Thursday, when Ford's chief executive Alan Mulally is due to hold a business briefing call, and company management meet with union representatives in Essex. 

The company said this was speculation.

It emerged on the day high street retailer Argos said it will have to close 75 stores over the next five years - in another damaging sign about the state of the economy.

The firm reported a 37% fall in group pre-tax profit to £18m in the six months to the start of September.

Ford's Swaythling factory, which has built its iconic Transit vans since 1972, employs around 500 people.

But the future of the site has been uncertain since workers began working single shifts in 2009.

Workers gathered outside the Belgium plant following news of its closure

It is a relatively small part of the company's UK operation, which employs 11,400 people at factories in Dagenham, Halewood, Bridgend and Southampton.

The news comes after the company confirmed it would close its "under-utilised" factory in Genk, Belgium, resulting in 4,300 job losses.

"Ford announced its plans to end production at a major production plant in Genk, Belgium, by the end of 2014," the company said in a statement, adding that the closure would entail a "reduction of approximately 4,300 positions".

Ford of Europe's chief executive Stephen Odell added: "The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford's business in Europe."

In another development for Europe's carmaking industry, the French government offered Peugeot Citroen a 7bn euro (£5.6bn) lifeline following another drop in sales.

The Paris-based company said it was also close to agreeing a 11.5bn euro (£9.3bn) refinancing deal with creditor banks, in addition to the state guarantees, for its lending arm Banque PSA Finance.

Following the announcement, Peugeot shares fell 6.5% - hitting their lowest levels since 1986.

Car sales in Europe have slumped as consumers in the region find their budgets hit by unemployment and government austerity.

Earlier this month, industry figures revealed that the market shrank at its fastest pace for 12 months in September.

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