Winter Blast Brings More Travel Misery

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Video: Sky News UK Weather Forecast

Severe weather is continuing to batter the UK, bringing gale-force gusts, heavy rain and more travel disruption.

The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" warnings for large parts of the country, with snow and ice in parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England.

Winds peaked at 90mph (145kph) overnight at Needles Battery on the west coast of the Isle of Wight.

Snow covering parts of Hadrian's Wall. Pic: English Heritage

Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said: "Even during the morning rush hour winds of 40 to 50mph were reported across southeast England along with some very intense rainfall."

The bad weather caused disruption to rail services in Wales and Scotland during the morning commute.

1/7

1. Gallery: Snow Blankets Parts Of UK

   Middleham Moor in the Yorkshire Dales after overnight snow

The blanketing of snow came overnight, showing that winter is well and truly here. Continue through for more images

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And drivers in Scotland, North Wales and the North of England were also advised to allow extra time for their journeys because of ice on the roads.

In Wales, flooding between Machynlleth and Caersws caused disruption between Pwllheli/Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury. Passengers in these areas were warned to expect delays of almost an hour-and-a-half.

In Scotland, the poor conditions meant trains could not run between Mallaig and Fort William.

Some ferry crossings at the Port of Dover were delayed due to the weather conditions, officials said.

1/21

1. Gallery: Weather Bomb Explodes On UK Coast

   Large waves roll in near the pier in Blackpool as stormy weather causes disruption across parts of the UK, with power cuts, ferry and train cancellations and difficult driving conditions

Waves crash onto the promenade

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Winds in the English Channel were gusting to force 10 amid "very rough" sea conditions.

But most parts of the country are set to get a break from the stormy weather later in the day.

Sky News Weather Producer Chris England said: "Southern Britain will have a mainly fine end to the evening, but there will be a scattering of showers elsewhere, wintry over the hills.

"Showers will develop more widely for a time tonight, but they will be well scattered and will become largely confined to northern and western coastal counties by morning."

1/18

1. Gallery: Snow And Ice Across Parts Of UK (Dec 8)

   The Met Office issued warnings for snow, ice and wind across Britain. Here Abigail Wright, aged eight, makes a snow angel as she and her family enjoy the overnight snow at the summit of the Kirkstone Pass in Windermere, Lake District

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Weather warnings were also issued in Ireland, with wintry showers forecast in the western and northern counties and snow forecast for lower and higher ground.

The latest stormy weather comes after a so-called "weather bomb" hit the north of the country over the last two days.

Waves of 52ft were recorded and thousands of homes were left without power.

Wind speeds of 144mph were recorded on St Kilda, an uninhabited archipelago 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.

Video: Predicting Weather 'Bombs'

Gale-force gusts of more than 80mph also struck some northern coastal areas.

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

Video: Sky News UK Weather Forecast

Severe weather is continuing to batter the UK, bringing gale-force gusts, heavy rain and more travel disruption.

The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" warnings for large parts of the country, with snow and ice in parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England.

Winds peaked at 90mph (145kph) overnight at Needles Battery on the west coast of the Isle of Wight.

Snow covering parts of Hadrian's Wall. Pic: English Heritage

Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said: "Even during the morning rush hour winds of 40 to 50mph were reported across southeast England along with some very intense rainfall."

The bad weather caused disruption to rail services in Wales and Scotland during the morning commute.

1/7

1. Gallery: Snow Blankets Parts Of UK

   Middleham Moor in the Yorkshire Dales after overnight snow

The blanketing of snow came overnight, showing that winter is well and truly here. Continue through for more images

]]>

]]>

]]>

]]>

And drivers in Scotland, North Wales and the North of England were also advised to allow extra time for their journeys because of ice on the roads.

In Wales, flooding between Machynlleth and Caersws caused disruption between Pwllheli/Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury. Passengers in these areas were warned to expect delays of almost an hour-and-a-half.

In Scotland, the poor conditions meant trains could not run between Mallaig and Fort William.

Some ferry crossings at the Port of Dover were delayed due to the weather conditions, officials said.

1/21

1. Gallery: Weather Bomb Explodes On UK Coast

   Large waves roll in near the pier in Blackpool as stormy weather causes disruption across parts of the UK, with power cuts, ferry and train cancellations and difficult driving conditions

Waves crash onto the promenade

]]>

Winds in the English Channel were gusting to force 10 amid "very rough" sea conditions.

But most parts of the country are set to get a break from the stormy weather later in the day.

Sky News Weather Producer Chris England said: "Southern Britain will have a mainly fine end to the evening, but there will be a scattering of showers elsewhere, wintry over the hills.

"Showers will develop more widely for a time tonight, but they will be well scattered and will become largely confined to northern and western coastal counties by morning."

1/18

1. Gallery: Snow And Ice Across Parts Of UK (Dec 8)

   The Met Office issued warnings for snow, ice and wind across Britain. Here Abigail Wright, aged eight, makes a snow angel as she and her family enjoy the overnight snow at the summit of the Kirkstone Pass in Windermere, Lake District

]]>

Weather warnings were also issued in Ireland, with wintry showers forecast in the western and northern counties and snow forecast for lower and higher ground.

The latest stormy weather comes after a so-called "weather bomb" hit the north of the country over the last two days.

Waves of 52ft were recorded and thousands of homes were left without power.

Wind speeds of 144mph were recorded on St Kilda, an uninhabited archipelago 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.

Video: Predicting Weather 'Bombs'

Gale-force gusts of more than 80mph also struck some northern coastal areas.

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5. NHS 'In Crisis' As A&E Waiting Times Soar

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NHS 'In Crisis' As A&E Waiting Times Soar

Ministers have been warned urgent action is needed to get the NHS through the winter after waiting times in A&E hit record levels.

Figures for the first week of December show 35,373 people waited more than four hours for treatment - the highest number since records began in November 2010 and 66% more than last year.

And 7,760 patients waited between four and 12 hours on a trolley for a bed on a ward - again the worst tally since 2010.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the situation was "very serious" and should serve as "a wake-up call" to the Government.

He said: "Ministers need to come to the Commons next week to tell us what measures they will be taking to take the pressure off the NHS and ensure our hospitals can get through the winter period.

Video: A&E Waiting Times: The Figures

"David Cameron has allowed A&E to sink into crisis and must now accept his responsibility to turn it around."

Dr Cliff Mann, president of the College of Emergency Medicine and an A&E doctor at the Taunton and Somerset Hospital, told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "As the figures show this morning, we are seeing record numbers of people attending our A&E departments and record numbers of people being admitted to our hospitals.

"It's rather too often like trying to get a quart into a pint pot. There's a real pressure on beds, particularly between the hours of about 10 o'clock in the morning to 10 o'clock at night."

Dame Barbara Hakin, the national director of commissioning operations for NHS England, told the same programme "The NHS is under a huge amount of pressure at the moment. We are seeing far more patients than we ever have before.

"But we are still making sure that 91 out of 100 patients receive their treatment - they are either admitted or discharged from hospital - within four hours, which is a really high standard of care.

"Of course we are not complacent. The standard we set ourselves was that it would be 95 out of 100 patients. We have got plans in place to ensure that as we go through the winter, our patients can still be seen swiftly and promptly."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "We know the NHS is busier than ever before, which is why we've given the NHS a record £700m this winter for more doctors, nurses and beds.

"The NHS has ensured there are plans in every area to manage the extra demand."

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Man, 80, Guilty Of Acid Attack On Teenage Ex

An 80-year-old man has been convicted for attacking his teenage ex-girlfriend with acid after she ended the relationship because he was too controlling.

Mohammed Rafiq, from Smethwick, arranged for caustic liquid to be thrown at 19-year-old Vikki Horsman in revenge for her decision.

She was left with serious burns to her face and neck in April after opening the front door of her home in Tividale, West Midlands, and being attacked by Rafiq and his two accomplices, Steven Holmes, 25, and Shannon Heaps, 23.

Jurors at Wolverhampton Crown Court were told the 19-year-old had decided to leave Rafiq because of his controlling behaviour.

Rafiq was initially treated as a victim, having also received minor burns when he was splashed by the liquid.

It was only later that police became suspicious and his part in the plot became clearer, leading to his being charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and perverting the course of justice.

DC Jason Moseley, investigating officer in the case, said: "This was a horrifying and complex case.

"Rafiq's young ex-partner was seriously injured and left with devastating, lasting scars, which one can only presume was his intent given the nature of the planned attack .

"His victim now has to rebuild her life and move on from what was ultimately a controlling, abusive relationship that she paid a high price to leave." 

Speaking after the trial, Ms Horsman revealed the extent of her ordeal.

"What happened that day changed my life forever," she said.

"I have had to undergo lots of treatment for the burns and the damage those people caused. 

"But it is not just what everyone can see that causes me pain. The trauma and distress that Rafiq and his accomplices have put me under have left mental scars that I fear will never go away.

"I still have sleepless nights and keep leaving my home to stay with friends and relatives as I can't bear to be on my own.

"This is what those people have done to me - all because I had the courage to be my own person and escape a controlling man. 

"I know I have to be strong and am pleased that justice has been done."

Rafiq and his accomplices are due to be sentenced on 19 December at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

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'Ring Of Death' Claim After Tycoon Dies

Police have been urged to investigate the death of a bankrupt property tycoon after it emerged four of his reported close friends died in similar circumstances.

Scot Young, 52, was killed after falling around 60ft from a fourth-floor window on to railings in upmarket Marylebone, London, on Monday.

It was described as a "grisly" and "brutal" scene.

Scotland Yard said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

But friends of Mr Young's have since come forward with concerns about a potential "ring of death" in his inner circle.

All five men - Mr Young, Johnny Elichaoff, Boris Berezovsky, Robert Curtis and Paul Castle - appear to have killed themselves after suffering financial setbacks over the past four years.

One anonymous source told the Daily Telegraph that the men were "bullied" to their deaths by the Russian mafia.

Last month, financial consultant and antiques dealer Johnny Elichaoff, 55, said to be a friend of Mr Young, died after plunging from a building in London.

Mr Elichaoff was once married to Trinny Woodall

Mr Elichaoff, the ex-husband of TV personality Trinny Woodall, fell from Whiteleys department store in Bayswater, west London, on 15 November.

Friends and family were said to be shocked that Mr Elichaoff, a former drummer who also appeared on TV, would take his own life.

Police said Mr Elichaoff's death was not being treated as suspicious.

In March last year, Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky, also a business associate of Mr Young, was found dead at his home in Berkshire.

The former billionaire and Kremlin critic was found with a ligature around his neck on the bathroom floor.

Mr Berezovsky was found dead at his Berkshire home

An inquest into his death ended with an open verdict. It heard Mr Berezovsky was in a depressed state when he died.

But his death raised suspicions, not least because of his closeness to the former FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who died after consuming radioactive Polonium in London in 2006.

Mr Berezovsky, who had lived in a self-imposed exile in the UK since 2000 after falling out with Vladimir Putin, survived a number of assassination attempts, including a bomb in his car which decapitated his chauffeur.

He made his fortune in Russia in the 1990s when he bought up state assets that were sold off cheaply.

His wealth was once valued at $3bn (£2bn), but he is thought to have suffered in the financial crisis. In 2009 his wealth was estimated at £450m.

In 2012, he lost a lawsuit against Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich which is thought to have cost him £100m.

Paul Castle, who played polo with Prince Charles, died in 2010

Two other associates linked to Mr Young who died in the last four years were property tycoons Robert Curtis and Paul Castle.

Mr Curtis reportedly fell under a Tube train in northwest London in 2012.

Two years earlier, Mr Castle - who had played polo with Prince Charles - was also killed under a Tube train.

Mr Castle, Mr Curtis and Mr Young were all reportedly involved at one time in property deals with Russian billionaires.

However, all three had encountered financial problems before their deaths.

Mr Young was said to have had huge debts.

Ms Reno (pictured with Mr Young last year) says she is "distraught"

He had been embroiled in multimillion-pound battle for six years with his estranged wife Michelle, which saw him sent to prison.

In 2013, a judge ordered Mr Young to pay his wife £20m after ruling that he was worth £40m. Mrs Young had claimed that he was "worth billions" and said the settlement was "disgraceful".

Mr Young's American model girlfriend, Noelle Reno, said she was "distraught by the sudden loss of my best friend."

Mr Young's ex-wife claimed he was "worth billions"

She has not commented publicly about the suspicions surrounding his death.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org mailto:jo@samaritans.org

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Facebook Miracle: Homeless Man Home For Xmas

A homeless man will have his Christmas wish come true when he sits down for dinner with his family for the first time in 12 years after being reunited with them through Facebook.

George Cunningham told a photographer from the Humans of Ireland page that his main concern over the holidays would simply be finding somewhere he could sit down and have a Christmas dinner.

"I'm homeless and travelling around to any town that has shelter for the homeless so I can get a bed for the night as a lot of places are full. If I had to sleep out in this cold I'd be dead already," he was quoted as telling the photographer, Lee, in the original post on 8 December.

"The only thing I care about at the moment is finding a place to have a Christmas dinner, if I could find a B&B that included a Christmas dinner I'd pay the money. I'd even pay €100 for a hotel if I have to, I just want to have a Christmas dinner."

Lee told Sky News that he thought the man's simple Christmas wish was "pretty amazing" given the vast amounts many people spend on food and presents at this time of year. 

And when George's photograph was put on the Facebook page, which posts images of ordinary Irish men and women, the response was incredible with dozens of people offering to pay for his meal or even host him themselves.

As interest in George's story grew, Lee was contacted by his sister, who had not spoken with her brother for 12 years.

She wanted to invite him home for the holidays, but Lee had no way to contact him in Kinsale, a small fishing port in County Cork.

"I had to ring around the town and get someone to find him," he told Sky News.

"I called around a few places and told them what I was doing. Finally someone got a hold of him and he rang me up." 

George has now spoken on the phone to his sister and his mother, who is sick but had not been able to contact her son to tell him.

And next Wednesday he will be going home to spend Christmas with them.

But the offers of help haven't ended there.

Lee said that a hotel near the family home has said he can spend a night there if he wants and a clothes store has offered him a new suit for the big reunion.

George told the Irish Independent he found it "all hard to believe".

"I kind of lost contact with my family and then, after my photo was put on the internet, I suddenly started getting offers of meals and stuff," he said.

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Yodel Suspends Collections Hitting Deliveries

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Video: Yodel Suspends Collections

A courier firm handling a large number of Christmas online shopping deliveries has suspended new collections for up to two days.

Yodel, whose clients include Amazon and Marks and Spencer, has put on hold handling new parcels while it deals with a backlog from Black Friday.

Customers have taken to Twitter to vent their frustration

While the company stresses it is continuing to make deliveries, the temporary freeze on collecting further parcels for distribution will lead to delays of up to three days for goods to arrive.

Recent retail promotions such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have led to a surge in online orders for goods, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

1/18

1. Gallery: Black Friday: Madness In The Shops

   Yes, really. Shoppers have wrestled over a television. It has come that, people. "Black Friday" is in full swing in Britain and the stiff upper lip Brits are famous for has well and truly left the building. This photo was taken at an Asda in Wembley, north London

Britain's high streets, shopping centres and websites have been awash with discounts as more retailers than ever embraced US-style promotions, seeking to kickstart trading in the key Christmas period

]]>

The police had to be called in at several supermarkets around the country overnight as thousands of customers hunted for bargains

]]>

The rush to grab a deal soon descended into chaos as fights broke out at stores and websites of leading chains buckled under the strain. Continue through for more pictures

]]>

Websites of leading retailers have been crippling under the weight of clicks

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Yodel has apologised to customers, and said it expects to resume normal service by Monday.

But angry shoppers have been venting their frustration on Twitter over delivery delays.

Nick Fowler tweeted: "Hi, ordered over 2 weeks ago still nothing and Yodel tracking just says awaiting collection."

One exasperated post by James & Courtney said: "Never use Yodel. Been waiting a week and a half for a parcel on 24hr service."

Marke branded Yodel "the absolute worst", while Naomi Dolby said her experience over a delayed parcel had been "absolutely shocking".

She wrote: "I can't get hold of a real person at Yodel to track it down."

And in reply to one customer's delivery query the bookseller Waterstones tweeted: "Yodel are currently handling more parcels than they expected, so some deliveries are taking longer than we would like."

Yodel said retail promotions such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday had led to "unexpectedly high parcel volumes across the carrier industry".

In response there had been a "deferment" on some new parcels coming into its sorting centres.

It said in a statement: "By Monday we expect to resume our normal service. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to our clients and their customers.

"We are working closely with our clients on their forecasted parcel volumes for the coming weeks, based on this we are confident that the action we are taking will ensure that normal service is resumed after the weekend."

In a Q&A for concerned customers on its website, Yodel said: "We spent months planning for Christmas, but even with our experience and those of our clients we underestimated how massive the spikes would be. (We were not alone!)

"The whole of the retail supply chain has felt the impact. Retailer websites have been crashing, there have been backlogs in distribution centres and all parcel delivery companies have felt the strain."

Posing the question of "Who came up with the idea of Black Friday?", the firm joked: "We don't know but if you find out please can you let us know as we would like a chat with them!"

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

Video: Yodel Suspends Collections

A courier firm handling a large number of Christmas online shopping deliveries has suspended new collections for up to two days.

Yodel, whose clients include Amazon and Marks and Spencer, has put on hold handling new parcels while it deals with a backlog from Black Friday.

Customers have taken to Twitter to vent their frustration

While the company stresses it is continuing to make deliveries, the temporary freeze on collecting further parcels for distribution will lead to delays of up to three days for goods to arrive.

Recent retail promotions such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have led to a surge in online orders for goods, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

1/18

1. Gallery: Black Friday: Madness In The Shops

   Yes, really. Shoppers have wrestled over a television. It has come that, people. "Black Friday" is in full swing in Britain and the stiff upper lip Brits are famous for has well and truly left the building. This photo was taken at an Asda in Wembley, north London

Britain's high streets, shopping centres and websites have been awash with discounts as more retailers than ever embraced US-style promotions, seeking to kickstart trading in the key Christmas period

]]>

The police had to be called in at several supermarkets around the country overnight as thousands of customers hunted for bargains

]]>

The rush to grab a deal soon descended into chaos as fights broke out at stores and websites of leading chains buckled under the strain. Continue through for more pictures

]]>

Websites of leading retailers have been crippling under the weight of clicks

]]>

Yodel has apologised to customers, and said it expects to resume normal service by Monday.

But angry shoppers have been venting their frustration on Twitter over delivery delays.

Nick Fowler tweeted: "Hi, ordered over 2 weeks ago still nothing and Yodel tracking just says awaiting collection."

One exasperated post by James & Courtney said: "Never use Yodel. Been waiting a week and a half for a parcel on 24hr service."

Marke branded Yodel "the absolute worst", while Naomi Dolby said her experience over a delayed parcel had been "absolutely shocking".

She wrote: "I can't get hold of a real person at Yodel to track it down."

And in reply to one customer's delivery query the bookseller Waterstones tweeted: "Yodel are currently handling more parcels than they expected, so some deliveries are taking longer than we would like."

Yodel said retail promotions such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday had led to "unexpectedly high parcel volumes across the carrier industry".

In response there had been a "deferment" on some new parcels coming into its sorting centres.

It said in a statement: "By Monday we expect to resume our normal service. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to our clients and their customers.

"We are working closely with our clients on their forecasted parcel volumes for the coming weeks, based on this we are confident that the action we are taking will ensure that normal service is resumed after the weekend."

In a Q&A for concerned customers on its website, Yodel said: "We spent months planning for Christmas, but even with our experience and those of our clients we underestimated how massive the spikes would be. (We were not alone!)

"The whole of the retail supply chain has felt the impact. Retailer websites have been crashing, there have been backlogs in distribution centres and all parcel delivery companies have felt the strain."

Posing the question of "Who came up with the idea of Black Friday?", the firm joked: "We don't know but if you find out please can you let us know as we would like a chat with them!"

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5. Man, 80, Guilty Of Acid Attack On Teenage Ex

00.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Former Minister Denies Torture Report Lobbying

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Video: UK Involvement in CIA Torture

The former Home Office security minister Lord West - in an interview with Sky News - has categorically denied lobbying a US intelligence committee to edit its report on CIA torture.

It comes after Britain was dragged deeper into a row over US torture allegations after the Government admitted it asked for changes in a Senate report on the CIA's behaviour.

Details of 24 meetings since 2009 between UK politicians and diplomats and members of the committee were released following a Freedom of Information Act request.

Home Secretary Theresa May, Labour former minister Lord West and the UK's ambassador to Washington held meetings with the US politicians while they were working on their inquiry.

Lord West - the security minister in the last Labour Government - held talks with the Senate committee, but told Sky News that it was regarding a different matter - cyber security.

Video: UK Wanted CIA Report Changes

The Home Office declined to comment on Mrs May's meeting with the committee in July 2011.

In an abrupt U-turn by No 10, officials admitted changes had been asked for, 24 hours after denying Britain had asked for passages to be removed.

At Thursday's No 10 briefing, David Cameron's Deputy Spokeswoman confirmed British intelligence agencies discussed redactions with their US counterparts.

1/10

1. Gallery: Current And Former Inmates' Allegations

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"My understanding is no redactions were sought to remove any suggestion that there was UK involvement in any alleged torture or rendition," she said.

And then she admitted: "There was a conversation with the agencies and their US counterparts on the executive summary.

"Any redactions sought there were done on national security grounds in a way we would have done with any other report."

Video: Were British Agencies Complicit?

And yet on Wednesday, the day the CIA report was published, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman, when asked what redactions had been sought, repeatedly said: "None whatsoever, to my knowledge."

The admission comes after the head of the CIA John Brennan described the techniques used to extract information as "abhorrent".

The Senate report had detailed the US intelligence agency's "brutal" treatment of al Qaeda suspects in a network of secret prisons around the world.

Video: Sky News Debate: CIA Interrogation

On Wednesday night, former President George W Bush's Vice President Dick Cheney robustly defended the programme, which included forms of torture such as "waterboarding".

Andrew Tyrie, the Conservative MP who founded the All Party Group on Extraordinary Rendition, said a judge-led inquiry is now essential as public trust in the security services is at risk of being corroded.

"The Senate's report, and the further reports of redactions, greatly strengthen the case for a full and detailed inquiry into allegations of British facilitation of kidnap and torture, led by a judge," he said.

Video: Brennan Admits 'Abhorrent' Actions

"The ISC has been handed back this task. Given the difficulties they faced in 2007, that is a huge challenge.

"Until that work is completed, until the scope and limits of our involvement are known, allegations – whether true or not - will continue to be made, corroding public confidence.

"We cannot know what, if any, of the material redacted might be of legitimate public concern. Until a full inquiry is completed, it will continue to be claimed that some of it is."

Video: CIA Director Defends Agency Actions

Reprieve spokesman Donald Campbell said: "We already know that the UK was complicit in the CIA's shameful rendition and torture programme.

"What we don't know is why there is no mention of that in the public version of the Senate's torture report."

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5. NHS 'In Crisis' As A&E Waiting Times Soar

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

Video: UK Involvement in CIA Torture

The former Home Office security minister Lord West - in an interview with Sky News - has categorically denied lobbying a US intelligence committee to edit its report on CIA torture.

It comes after Britain was dragged deeper into a row over US torture allegations after the Government admitted it asked for changes in a Senate report on the CIA's behaviour.

Details of 24 meetings since 2009 between UK politicians and diplomats and members of the committee were released following a Freedom of Information Act request.

Home Secretary Theresa May, Labour former minister Lord West and the UK's ambassador to Washington held meetings with the US politicians while they were working on their inquiry.

Lord West - the security minister in the last Labour Government - held talks with the Senate committee, but told Sky News that it was regarding a different matter - cyber security.

Video: UK Wanted CIA Report Changes

The Home Office declined to comment on Mrs May's meeting with the committee in July 2011.

In an abrupt U-turn by No 10, officials admitted changes had been asked for, 24 hours after denying Britain had asked for passages to be removed.

At Thursday's No 10 briefing, David Cameron's Deputy Spokeswoman confirmed British intelligence agencies discussed redactions with their US counterparts.

1/10

1. Gallery: Current And Former Inmates' Allegations

]]>

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"My understanding is no redactions were sought to remove any suggestion that there was UK involvement in any alleged torture or rendition," she said.

And then she admitted: "There was a conversation with the agencies and their US counterparts on the executive summary.

"Any redactions sought there were done on national security grounds in a way we would have done with any other report."

Video: Were British Agencies Complicit?

And yet on Wednesday, the day the CIA report was published, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman, when asked what redactions had been sought, repeatedly said: "None whatsoever, to my knowledge."

The admission comes after the head of the CIA John Brennan described the techniques used to extract information as "abhorrent".

The Senate report had detailed the US intelligence agency's "brutal" treatment of al Qaeda suspects in a network of secret prisons around the world.

Video: Sky News Debate: CIA Interrogation

On Wednesday night, former President George W Bush's Vice President Dick Cheney robustly defended the programme, which included forms of torture such as "waterboarding".

Andrew Tyrie, the Conservative MP who founded the All Party Group on Extraordinary Rendition, said a judge-led inquiry is now essential as public trust in the security services is at risk of being corroded.

"The Senate's report, and the further reports of redactions, greatly strengthen the case for a full and detailed inquiry into allegations of British facilitation of kidnap and torture, led by a judge," he said.

Video: Brennan Admits 'Abhorrent' Actions

"The ISC has been handed back this task. Given the difficulties they faced in 2007, that is a huge challenge.

"Until that work is completed, until the scope and limits of our involvement are known, allegations – whether true or not - will continue to be made, corroding public confidence.

"We cannot know what, if any, of the material redacted might be of legitimate public concern. Until a full inquiry is completed, it will continue to be claimed that some of it is."

Video: CIA Director Defends Agency Actions

Reprieve spokesman Donald Campbell said: "We already know that the UK was complicit in the CIA's shameful rendition and torture programme.

"What we don't know is why there is no mention of that in the public version of the Senate's torture report."

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1. Breaking News: Flights Cancelled After Traffic Control Glitch
2. Breaking News: Live: Planes Grounded After Computer Error
3. Parcel Delays As Yodel Suspends Collections
4. Express Owner Hands £300k To UKIP
5. NHS 'In Crisis' As A&E Waiting Times Soar

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Undercover Cop Pulls Gun At Police Protest

Senior cops have defended an undercover officer who pulled a gun on protesters after being exposed during a march against police brutality.

The officer was pictured by a Reuters photographer after drawing his weapon during a march in Oakland, California.

The plain-clothed cop was among protesters marching against decisions not to bring charges in the killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in New York.

The march had dwindled from 150 to about 50 people when the officer and his partner were recognised, according to police chief Avery Browne.

Mr Browne said the officers - who were gathering information  - attempted to leave, but a man struck one of them in the back of the head, starting a struggle.

Video: Dec 11: Dozens Arrested At 'Die-In'

The crowd then "encircled the officers and began to close in," according to Mr Browne.

The officer who had not been hit brandished his badge and baton, and ordered the demonstrators to back up, Mr Browne said.

When they failed to back off, the officer drew his weapon. 

Within a minute or two, about 20 uniformed Oakland police officers arrived and detained one of the protesters.

"We are extremely, extremely cognizant and sensitive to the display of a gun (...) It can be very upsetting," said Mr Browne.

Video: Dec 4: Chokehold Decision

But he said the detective involved told him he had been in fear for his and his partner's lives and there was a "mob continuing to advance upon them".

"No one has provided any evidence that the officers were inappropriate in what they did," Mr Browne said.

On previous evenings this week in the Bay Area, riot police have fired tear gas and pepper spray to disperse crowds of demonstrators.

Oakland and neighbouring Berkeley, California, have seen nightly demonstrations all week over the treatment of Mr Garner and Mr Brown, two unarmed black men.

Mr Garner died in New York when he was put in a chokehold by a police officer. Mr Brown died after being shot in Ferguson, Missouri.

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Express Owner Desmond Hands £300k To UKIP

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

The Daily Express owner Richard Desmond has agreed to donate £300,000 to UKIP, bolstering the party's war chest less than five months before the general election.

Sky News has learnt that Mr Desmond pledged the money to help Nigel Farage, the UKIP leader, ahead of a poll which some political commentators believe could result in the party holding the balance of power at Westminster.

Mr Desmond and Mr Farage are understood to have discussed the businessman's donation at a meeting earlier this month.

Mr Desmond has amassed one of Britain's largest fortunes

It was unclear on Friday whether Mr Desmond has actually handed over the money yet or merely committed to doing so.

The news of Mr Desmond's impending financial support for the party strongly increases the prospect of the Express newspaper titles endorsing UKIP ahead of next May's poll.

Mr Desmond has expressed public support for Mr Farage's immigration policies and the extent of Brussels' influence over Britain's domestic affairs.

A recent Daily Express leader column reflected the stance of its proprietor: "Nigel Farage's message is hugely popular across Britain. Huge numbers of people are sick of the EU, sick of mass immigration and sick of a political elite that refuses to listen to the electorate," it said.

Mr Farage has attracted a number of prominent financial backers

The media tycoon is also understood to have pledged additional financial backing for UKIP during his discussions with Mr Farage, although it is unclear how large future sums might involve.

"He is sitting on a billion pounds of cash," one ally of Mr Desmond's said.

There has been speculation that Mr Desmond could be recommended for a peerage by Mr Farage, although some have suggested that the Jewish newspaper owner becoming closer to the party could be complicated by UKIP's affiliation with controversial right-wing parties elsewhere in Europe.

In October, Mr Desmond appointed Lord Stevens, the UKIP peer and former chairman of Express Newspapers, as his company's deputy chairman.

Mr Desmond has amassed one of Britain's largest fortunes from a long career in the media industry.

His ownership of Channel 5, the terrestrial television group, illustrated his talent for transforming the performance of struggling media properties.

Having acquired it for just over £100m in 2010, he sold the business earlier this year to Viacom, the US media group, for a headline-grabbing price of £450m.

Mr Desmond's backing for UKIP will be seen as a blow for the PM

Through his Northern & Shell holding company, Mr Desmond also owns the Daily Star and its Sunday sister title, and a portfolio of adult-TV channels.

His backing for UKIP is likely to be interpreted as a blow to David Cameron, who has been courting Mr Desmond's support and recently attended a fundraising event for a Jewish charity for which the Express-owner has raised huge sums of money.

It is relatively unusual for national newspaper proprietors to make such substantial political donations, although Mr Desmond himself gave who gave £100,000 to Labour during Tony Blair's leadership.

UKIP has attracted a number of other prominent financial backers, including Paul Sykes, a businessman, who pledged a further £1.5m to the party.

However, the Financial Times reported on Friday that "war" had broken out at the top of UKIP over the candidacy of the former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton.

Stuart Wheeler, the party's second-largest donor, is reported to have threatened to curb his financial contributions if Mr Hamilton does not get a seat.

The donor is also said to have claimed UKIP is running out of money.

Although changes in the media landscape have made the endorsement of national newspapers less significant than in the past, the main party leaders still view their support at general elections as being of importance.

Mr Desmond declined to comment. UKIP did not respond to requests for comment.

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Flights Cancelled After Traffic Control Glitch

Dozens of flights have been cancelled and many others were delayed after a major computer failure grounded planes in London and the South.

A glitch at the state-of-the-art UK air traffic control centre headquarters in Swanwick, Hampshire, caused severe disruption.

For a time no aircraft were able to take off at some of the UK's major airports. Some flights were allowed to land.

It was claimed airspace over London had been closed but air traffic control company NATS denied this, saying airspace capacity was "restricted in order to manage the situation".

The computer problem is at Swanwick air traffic control centre

NATS later said the system had been restored and it was in the process of returning services to normal.

The glitch lasted from 3.27pm to 4.03pm and Sky sources said a flight planning server had failed.

Video: Passengers Left Waiting On Planes

Airports affected by the disruption included Heathrow, Gatwick and London City. Flight delays were anticipated to drag on into the evening and Saturday.

Heathrow said at least 50 flights have been cancelled and it expected the number to rise.

It said the problem was likely to have a knock-on effect for flights on Saturday because aircraft and crew will not in the correct positions.

British Airways said: "We are working hard to look after our customers who have been affected by the air traffic control failure experienced by all airlines at Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports.

"We anticipate disruption to both departing and arriving aircraft but will do all we can to minimise any impact."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the disruption was unacceptable and he has asked NATS for a full explanation of the incident.

Video: What Is Causing Airspace Problems?

Speaking to Sky News, NATS managing director of operations Martin Rolfe defended his organisation's handling of the chaos.

He said: "It was a technical failure at our Swanwick centre which handles 6,500 flights a day.

"We went through our backup systems and restored things relatively quickly but not without delays to passengers, which we hugely regret.

"These things are relatively rare. We are a very busy island for air traffic control, so we're always going to be operating near capacity.

"What we've seen today is a very quick response. We didn't close any airports, we didn't close any airspace. We reduced the flow to make sure everything could be handled safely."

East Midlands and Birmingham airports said they were virtually unaffected.

Video: Timelapse: Skies Clear Over London

One passenger caught up in the travel chaos was Matt Warren. He tweeted: "Stuck on the tarmac at Heathrow airport. Air traffic control failures. No flights in or out."

David Fitzgerald, who was stuck in a plane on the tarmac at Gatwick, should have been going to Dublin for a 3pm departure.

"We were boarding but then we were told the news there was a major failure at air-traffic control," he said.

"The good news is that some aircraft are being allowed to leave using a lower flight level – it's only the higher flight level that's affected."

Nick Adderley, a police chief superintendent, was also stuck on the tarmac at Gatwick after trying to fly home to Manchester.

He told Sky News: "This is a business flight for me… [I am] trying to get home after a business meeting in London.

Video: November: How Busy Is UK Airspace?

"There are a number of people on board trying to get connecting flights to go on holiday. The spirits are pretty high. The mood is pretty good at the moment."

The centre at Swanwick has been subject to a number of computer glitches since NATS moved there from its old headquarters in West Drayton in west London in the early part of the last decade.

One of the worst problems was a year ago - on Saturday December 7 2013 - when thousands of passengers were left stranded  when hundreds of flights were grounded following a technical fault at the Hampshire centre.

More follows...

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