Downing St plays down Bercow spat

29 June 2011 Last updated at 15:22 GMT Mr Bercow often steps in to tell MPs to quieten down Downing St has insisted the PM is "entirely" happy with the way John Bercow runs PM's questions - after he stepped in to cut Mr Cameron short.

The Speaker stopped a sustained attack by Mr Cameron on the Labour leader Ed Miliband by calling the next question.

And after another lengthy answer he told the PM the session was "principally for backbenchers".

The BBC's Vicki Young said Mr Cameron appeared to glare furiously at the Speaker when he was interrupted.

It comes amid growing tension between Downing Street and Mr Bercow over ministers briefing the media on policy issues before they tell Parliament.

In recent weeks, Mr Bercow has summoned several ministers to the Commons to answer urgent questions from the Opposition after stories had appeared in the press.

Cut off

But our correspondent said Mr Bercow was now prepared to go further and grant emergency debates, if government ministers continued to ride roughshod over Commons protocol in this way.

Continue reading the main story Vicki Young Political correspondent, BBC News

The most startling moment of Prime Minister's Questions was David Cameron's clash with the Commons Speaker, John Bercow.

Mr Cameron was in full flow, accusing the Labour leader of being afraid to ask questions about strikes and the economy, when the Speaker interrupted and called the next question.

The prime minister appeared to stand his ground at first, glaring furiously at the Speaker before resuming his seat on the front bench and muttering with George Osborne. Both men looked incandescent.

One tweeter has described it as a "Paddington Bear Hard Stare".

Afterwards Downing Street insiders tried to play the incident down saying they were "entirely happy" with the way the Speaker chairs question time.

Emergency debates can last for three hours and take precedence over all other business - potentially causing serious disruption to government legislation.

The Speaker, who chairs debates between MPs, is the chief officer and highest authority of the House of Commons.

Mr Bercow was a Conservative MP before being elected to the politically impartial role in 2009 - in which he was backed by many Labour MPs.

It is his job to keep order in the Commons and he often remarks at prime minister's questions that the public do not appreciate rowdy behaviour in the Commons. He also cuts MPs short for long or irrelevant remarks during debates.

But at prime minister's questions on Wednesday it was Mr Cameron's turn to be cut off.

Angry glare

It started when the PM responded to Ed Miliband's suggestion that people up and down the country were asking: "What is he doing to our NHS?"

Mr Cameron chose to respond in lengthy fashion by criticising Mr Miliband for not raising the issue of Thursday's public sector strikes - and raising the issue of Greece's debt crisis.

As he suggested Mr Miliband "has to talk about the micro because he can't talk about the macro" Mr Bercow cut in with: "We're very grateful" and called Conservative MP Guto Bebb to ask a question.

As MPs roared, Mr Bercow told them: "Order, order. I appeal to the House to reflect on what the public thinks of this sort of behaviour."

Journalists in the Commons press gallery spotted Mr Cameron shooting an angry glare at the Speaker.

As the half-hour session drew to a close, the Speaker interjected again as the prime minister answered a question about rising crime from Labour's Clive Efford, who urged him to "get a grip in London".

In his response, Mr Cameron went through various crime-related policies the government had put into place, then went into a lengthy explanation about the Metropolitan Police's "Operation Target" - as he finished listing its successes, the Speaker appeared to reprimand him, saying: "Order, prime minister's questions is principally for backbenchers."

Mr Bercow has clashed with some Conservative MPs - including Tory chief whip Patrick McLoughlin and backbencher Mark Pritchard - since becoming Speaker. Others, such as Nadine Dorries, have been critical of him.

However he has also won praise for being far more willing than his predecessor to grant urgent questions, which let MPs force ministers to come to the Commons to make statements.

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Anderson inspires England victory

By Pranav Soneji
BBC Sport

First one-day international, The Oval:

England 229-8 (32 overs) beat Sri Lanka 121 (27 overs) by 110 runs (D/L method)

Anderson was assisted by poor shot selection by the tourists Alastair Cook's first home match as England one-day captain began with a 110-run win (D/L method) over Sri Lanka at The Oval in the first of five ODIs.

After a three-hour rain delay reduced the game to 32 overs-a-side, Craig Kieswetter (61) and Eoin Morgan (45) led the charge in England's 229-8.

James Anderson (4-18) then tore into Sri Lanka's top order, reducing them to 15-4, and he also took two catches.

Graeme Swann (3-18) cleaned up the tail as Sri Lanka were all out for 110.

The thumping victory extended Cook's 100% winning record as England one-day skipper to 4-0 after three wins as stand-in captain during last year's tour to Bangladesh.

His role with the bat was minimal - dismissed for only five - but he managed his bowlers with quiet efficiency, although the match was effectively won inside the first five overs of Sri Lanka's innings.

Continue reading the main story

Alastair Cook's England are off and running with a comprehensive smashing of a very, very good one-day side

Former England batsman Mark Butcher on Test Match Special

Their lacklustre batting effort was not what Sanath Jayasuriya would have wished in his final international appearance for his country, arranged at the behest of the government he now represents in parliament.

After 13,428 one-day runs, the left-hander only added two to his tally in his 445th international, although his return to the pavilion was accompanied by a fitting tribute after a 22-year Sri Lanka career.

The tourists welcomed back captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, fully recovered after breaking a thumb in the Lord's Test, and he opted to bowl first in humid conditions complemented by threatening, overcast grey skies.

England welcomed back Anderson and Jonathan Trott, who both missed the Twenty20 demolition in Bristol on Saturday, while Surrey fast bowler Jade Dernbach was handed his one-day debut at his home ground.

However, just seven overs were possible before a spectactular thunderstorm, and the inevitable downpour which followed, halted play for nearly three hours.

England had lost Cook in that time, caught behind feathering a faint edge chasing a wide ball down leg side in the third over.

When play eventually resumed, England lost the obdurate Trott for 23, lbw to Suranga Lakmal, bringing Kevin Pietersen to the crease.

Jade Dernbach impressed with his variations at his home ground

The former captain, alongside Kieswetter, scored at a healthy rate, combining lusty hitting with intelligent running, although Pietersen survived a very close run-out attempt on 25 in the 16th over.

His reprieve was brief when he clattered leg-spinner Jeevan Mendis' first delivery - a long-hop - to midwicket, where a grateful Dilshan clung on.

New-man Morgan launched into his repertoire of extravagant strokeplay, unleashing the reverse sweep and his unique "change-up" stroke against the double spin attack.

Kieswetter brought up his half century with an imperious straight six, high into the Members' stand, but a thick top-edged sweep off off-spinner Suraj Randiv and into Lakmal's hands curtailed his promising 56-ball innings.

Morgan continued the onslaught, punishing Jayasuriya in particular and looked set for a half century, but his attempts to bring up his 50 with a six were thwarted when he guided Lakmal to Thilina Kandamby at long-off at the start of the 26th over.

Ian Bell became Jayasuriya's 323rd - and final - one-day victim when he was adjudged lbw sweeping a straight delivery.

But Bresnan and England Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad gave the innings late impetus with a stand of 47 in 31 deliveries and a decent target to defend.

England set about their task with relish as Anderson, dropped from the team during the World Cup, removed Dilshan in the first over.

Then Jayasuriya's one-day career ended rather anti-climatically when he drilled a poor delivery from Bresnan to Eoin Morgan at backward point, shaking his head as he walked off to a standing ovation.

The tourists' early troubles turned into a full-blown crisis at 15-4 when Mahela Jaywardene and Kumar Sangakkara were dismissed within four deliveries by the rampant Anderson in the fifth over, the former trapped leg before and the latter chipping a simple catch back to the bowler.

The Duckworth/Lewis target became unobtainable when, at 40-5, Dernbach earned his first one-day wicket courtesy of a brilliant outstretched catch at midwicket by James Anderson in the 12th over when Angelo Mathews misjudged a short delivery.

Wickets fell at regular intervals before lusty late-order hitting from Lasith Malinga (26) and Randiv (24) took Sri Lanka beyond their lowest one-day total against England - 99 all out at Perth in 1999 - but Swann removed both with five overs to spare to wrap up the victory.

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R.I.P. Bard hologram

29 June 2011 Last updated at 12:20 GMT Parting is such sweet sorrow Cheque guarantee cards, those symbols of a simpler time when the written word was mightier than the pin number, have checked out. They have been bounced into the after-life because not enough people used them in this life.

The cheque guarantee card had been unwell for some time and the writing was, not on the back of a cheque, but on the wall.

The date of its departure, Thursday 30 June, will be particularly felt by students who once relied on the old faithful to buy pizzas from less-than-impressed delivery drivers or portions of fries from nonplussed guardians of McDonald's.

Unlike a debit card, a cheque book and guarantee card never let them down and never revealed their dirty little secret - that their bank account was actually empty.

The first guaranteed cheque was written in 1965. Before plastic became king, paying for goods often involved whipping out the cheque book in its faux leather holster and flashing the guarantee card.

A cashier would then conscientiously jot down the card number, the expiry date and the guarantee limit on the back of the cheque.

The cheque and its guarantee card were the Darby and Joan of personal finances. They went everywhere together and enjoyed a happy life until they were cast aside with one electronic swipe.

Their number had been up for so long, most people won't even realise they still have one. A quick look at the back of a debit card will, in most cases, reveal a hologram or logo of the Bard and a cheque guarantee limit.

The Bard has been its symbol since 1990, chosen merely for his recognisability, not any reference to the Merchant of Venice. One can only speculate on how much he would have relished a cheque guarantee card when he was a struggling writer unable to buy enough ink for his quills.

Though now the card is no more, one of his famous lines from Hamlet might need a little reworking: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be, for tis the end of the cheque card guarantee."

Friends of cheque guarantee cards, many of whom it has to be said are in their golden years, still rely on them for paying tradesmen, such as plumbers, carpenters and window cleaners.

The cheque is facing the guillotine itself in 2018 and its broken heart over the loss of its partner will no doubt hasten its demise.

No flowers.

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Labour MPs 'to cross picket line'

29 June 2011 Last updated at 15:09 GMT Mr Miliband has criticised the strike but did not mention it in Wednesday's exchanges Labour MPs will be expected to cross picket lines during Thursday's public sector strike, the party has said.

A spokesman for leader Ed Miliband said Labour MPs would "come to work as normal" in Parliament despite a pension strike affecting up to 750,000 workers.

David Cameron taunted the Labour leader over the issue in the Commons, saying he could not raise it as he was "in the pocket of the unions".

Mr Miliband has criticised the strike but did not mention it at PMQs.

Asked whether Labour MPs would cross picket lines outside Parliament and other public buildings, a spokesman for the Labour leader said they "will be coming to work as normal".

The PCS Union has said some of its members who work inside Parliament, in roles such as security staff, will picket outside the building.

'Cannot talk'

On Tuesday, the Labour leader and First Minister in Wales Carwyn Jones said his cabinet ministers would not cross any picket lines but would continue with their work across Wales.

Continue reading the main story A funded final salary schemeNormal retirement age is 65, minimum age is 55MPs can contribute either 11.9%, 7.9% or 5.9% of their ?65,738-a-year salaryPayments are increased in line with the retail prices indexAccrual is capped at two-thirds of an MP's final salaryThe coalition agreement included a commitment to consult with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority on "how to move away from the general final salary pension system"The prime minister's official spokesman said "low numbers if any" of the 200 civil servants that work at Downing Street are expected to take part in the strike.

Teachers, civil servants and other public sector workers are due to stage a one-day strike in protest at plans to raise the station pension age, raise employee contributions and link pension values to the generally lower consumer prices index (CPI) rather than the retail prices index (RPI).

Mr Cameron said there had been "not a squeak" from Mr Miliband or other Labour MPs on the issue of the strike or reforms to public sector pensions during the 30-minute weekly session of prime minister's questions.

"Clearly this is the issue that they simply don't want to talk about on the other side of the House," he said.

He added: "Because they (Labour MPs) are all paid for by the unions they cannot talk about this issue."

The prime minister said the proposed strike action was "irresponsible" as talks between ministers and unions were continuing and the government's proposals were fair to workers and fair to the taxpayer.

'Mistake'

The leader of the opposition often tends to quiz the prime minister on an issue dominating that day's headlines.

David Cameron at PMQs: 'Not a squeak on strike and pensions'

But Mr Miliband decided to use the six questions he is allotted each week to attack Mr Cameron over what he said would be a huge rise in NHS bureaucracy as a result of government reforms and the cost of making NHS staff redundant.

The Labour leader has made his views on the industrial action clear, however, saying on Tuesday it was a "mistake" and "should not go ahead" as it would inconvenience parents and children.

He has urged both sides to continue negotiations, arguing that public sector pensions do need to be reformed. But he has criticised the government for what he said was their "provocative and reckless" handling of the negotiating process.

'Up to individuals'

Labour MP John McDonnell has called on Mr Miliband "to do what is right" and support those taking action.

Mr McDonnell, who chairs the PCS parliamentary group, said he was "disappointed" by the Labour leader's opposition to the strike.

He said many of those affected by the proposed pension changes were natural Labour supporters but that the party was leaving them with nowhere else to go and would continue to haemorrhage votes as a result.

The GMB, which sponsors a large number of Labour MPs, said it was "up to individuals and their consciences" about whether they choose to cross picket lines.

Up to 5,000 schools in England will either close entirely or partially on Thursday and the UK Border Agency has said some travellers could face disruption at airports and other points of entry and should consider making alternative arrangements.

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Soft launch

29 June 2011 Last updated at 01:52 GMT By Leah McLaren Canadian journalist When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge cross the Atlantic to celebrate Canada's birthday on Parliament Hill in Ottawa this week, it will be more than just a social call.

Not only is the first royal tour for the newlyweds a photo opportunity to die for - just think of all the different hats and dresses Kate will wear - for Canada, it's a matter of cultural identity.

The couple will visit the setting for the children's book Anne of Green Gables

While Canadians remain deeply divided on the issue of the monarchy, support for Crown rule appears to be gaining ground, thanks to what will be three royal tours in as many calendar years and a staunchly traditionalist Conservative prime minister, Stephen Harper.

When Charles and Camilla popped over for a visit in November 2009, loyalist crowds were embarrassingly thin on the ground. An Angus Reid poll conducted at the time found that two-thirds of Canadians wanted to see an elected home-grown head of state.

But just seven months later when the Queen came to stay, royal support had perked up. A record-breaking crowd of over 100,000 turned up to greet Her Maj on Parliament Hill - more than double the regular turnout.

Surveyed at the time, Canadians reported overwhelmingly positive feelings for the Queen and the number who felt the monarchy was outdated then dropped to just under half - not exactly a 21-gun salute, although we gave her one of those as well.

Monarchist agenda

Presumably the Palace learned its lesson: If Britain wants to strengthen Commonwealth bonds, send over your most charismatic royals. And it helps if they are extremely good-looking.

Continue reading the main story Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh: 2002, 2005, 2010Prince of Wales: 2001, 2009Princess Royal: Four visits between 2003 and 2010Prince Andrew: Every year except 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2010Prince Edward: Every year except 2004, 2005 and 2007Prince Harry: 2007Now that Canada is the first to officially welcome Will and Kate, the nation is poised to return the love.

And what better choice of host could there be? Like the royal couple themselves, Canada is young, clean-cut, polite, uncontroversial and financially secure. A bit dull, perhaps, but we make up for it with upbeat small talk and unfailing good manners. It's an approach to life the Royal Family instinctively understands.

Last spring, Canadians got up in droves in the wee hours to watch the royal wedding - a reception that could only have validated Prime Minister Stephen Harper's own not-so-covert monarchist agenda.

In the past couple of years, his Tory government has re-introduced the crown to Canada Customs agents' badges, emphasised the swearing of allegiance to the Queen in the Oath of Citizenship and reportedly has plans to to tie together the bicentennial of the War of 1812 (in which Canada, as a colony, fought with British troops against the US) with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year.

When asked during last spring's election campaign whether he supported UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's wish to abolish male primogeniture in the Royal Family (a move that would have serious constitutional ramifications for Canada), Mr Harper was dismissive.

The Queen enjoyed a day at the races during her 2010 tour

"The successor to the throne is a man. The next successor to the throne is a man. I don't think Canadians want to open a debate on the monarchy or constitutional matters at this time. That's our position, and I just don't see that as a priority for Canadians right now at all."

Love story

Judging by the warm-to-slathering reception William and Kate have received from the Canadian media so far, the PM's instincts are right.

Continue reading the main story

There are some who say the monarchy will survive longer in Canada than in Britain, and they might be right - William, King of Canada”

End Quote Cathrin Bradbury Maclean's Intelligence Unit While Canadians might have strong opinions about the monarchy when polled, the Monarchist League of Canada estimates that in fact fewer than 0.6% of the population is actively engaged in the debate over the issue of republicanism.

The prevailing mood in parliament is, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

John Fraser, author of the forthcoming book The Secret Crown: Canada's Fling With Royalty, recently observed: "The idea of a Canadian monarchy, derived from our history and evolved through our federal and provincial offices of governor general and lieutenant governors, rests on a firm foundation of two sturdy and irrefutable facts: It exists and it works."

Maclean's, a popular Canadian news magazine (for which Fraser and I occasionally write), has produced four special commemorative issues and a royal wedding book since the the royal couple announced their engagement late last year - that's over 500 glossy magazine pages devoted to a pair who live an ocean away.

Cathrin Bradbury, editor-in-chief of Maclean's Intelligence Unit, says Canadians can't get enough of the young royals.

"It's a love story - a happy, well-matched, stylish pairing of two great-looking young people with the future gleaming in their eyes," she said in an interview, adding that the fascination is not just about celebrity.

"Canadians, many Canadians, are proud and serious monarchists. It's part of who we are, and how we govern ourselves. And it's a very visible way that we are not American, and not being American is central to our identity. There are some who say the monarchy will survive longer in Canada than in Britain, and they might be right. William, King of Canada."

Prickly Quebec

Or perhaps King Harry instead, if you agree with Etienne Boisvert, the Quebec provincial spokesman for the Monarchist League of Canada, who this week told the press he thought William's younger brother ought to take up residence across the pond.

Continue reading the main story 30 June: Arrival in Ottawa. 1 July: Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa2 July: Visit to a cookery school in Montreal3 July: Freedom of the city ceremony in Quebec City4 July: Prince William takes part in Sea King helicopter training session on Prince Edward Island5 July: Visit to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories7 July: Arrival in Calgary8 July: Attend Calgary Stampede. Leave for USBeing third in line to the throne, Prince Harry "has virtually no chance of becoming king and could set himself up here and found a Canadian branch of the Royal Family", Boisvert suggested.

It's an odd notion, especially coming from a Francophone Quebecker. While the monarchist love-in is expected to predominate in the rest of Canada, La Belle Province, as it is known, with its history of separatist tension, is the one place royal visitors can expect to feel some resistance.

A small crowd of 100 protesters disrupted the Prince of Wales' last tour in 2009, and it is expected the Duke and Duchess will be forced to keep calm and carry on through more of the same.

The Quebecois Network of Resistance has announced it will demonstrate at Quebec City Hall against the royal visit's cost to tax-payers (which, according to the Monarchist League of Canada, works out to only a few cents per citizen).

But William and Kate would be wise not to take such insults too personally.

The late separatist politician Rene Levesque once said, "I have great respect for the Queen... but what the hell part should monarchy have in Quebec?"

Until recently one could have said the same for the rest of the country. But once Kate and William have their way with us, I suspect Canada will be singing God Save the Queen.

Leah McLaren is a London-based columnist for The Globe and Mail newspaper.

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Tennis' real hawk eye

28 June 2011 Last updated at 23:04 GMT By Simon Jack Business correspondent, BBC News Rufus frightens away any pests that might venture near to Wimbledon's courts

There are many businesses that thrive during the fortnight of the Wimbledon tennis championships.

However, few of the many catering or hospitality firm employees working at the south London venue for two weeks are prepared to work for scraps of dead mice or quail.

As the All England Club staff prepare the world-famous grounds for each day's new play, look skyward and you will see another member of the team hard at work.

Rufus is an American Harris Hawk who even has his own pass allowing him access to the All England Club.

His job is to clear Centre Court and the surrounding area of the pigeons, tempted by discarded food, who might become a nuisance during the tournament.

Rufus is a high-flying employee of Avian Control System, a Northamptonshire based company founded by Wayne Davis.

Mr Davis, 46, got his first bird of prey, a kestrel, when he was an eight-year-old boy living on a housing estate in Corby.

Wife alert

But it wasn't till the owners of a nearby flour mill one day noticed the effect his birds had on the local pigeon population that he realised there might be a business application for his schoolboy passion.

His firm has now been in business for 13 years, keeping pigeons off factories, landfill sites, hospitals, and other places of work that might be plagued by birds.

And that commercial road led all the way to the All England Club in the south-west of the capital.

For years, stray pigeons fluttered on to Wimbledon's prestige court at major moments, distracting players and disrupting the tournament.

As anyone who lives in, or visits, London will tell you, pigeons in the capital are not easily shooed away and proved unimpressed by officials waving their arms at them.

But their attempts did catch the attention of Wayne's wife, Donna.

"She was watching the tournament on television and saw games being disrupted by pigeons," recalls Mr Davis.

"So she got in touch with the Wimbledon organisers and they liked her idea of bringing in one of my birds to keep pigeons away."

A phone call from the All England Club to Mr Davis followed, asking him to come down for an interview which led to his unusual job.

He has been going back for the best part of a decade now.

Frightening presence

Falconry is a centuries-old pursuit, but this medieval technology has proved superior to modern alternatives.

Mr Davis uses his birds to keep vermin away from Wimbledon courts

And even though this year's pigeons are unlikely to have ever seen an American Harris Hawk before, their instinctive fear of the hawk's shape succeeds in scaring them off where other techniques have failed.

As Mr Davis explains, for the company, it's not just a fortnight's work.

"My bird is flown around the Wimbledon complex early in the morning on three days a week during the tournament," he says.

"It has to be done when there are not many people about, and the hawk has to be 'off-court' before midday when play starts on the outer courts," says Mr Davis.

"He does not kill pigeons, but his presence is enough to frighten them away. It is a deterrent, and an environmentally friendly and unobtrusive way to keep the courts clear.

"I actually visit the site once a week right round the year, as the pigeons do not register the hawk's presence in their memories for very long and it needs a regular presence to keep them away."

Aircraft engines

Birds can present other problems which have expanded the workload for Rufus and his colleagues.

Droppings can create a hygiene and safety issue as they can make work surfaces slippery, while the ammonia present can be corrosive.

Rufus the hawk strikes fear into any pigeons that venture too near to the Wimbledon courts

In flocks, they can be a hazard for aircraft engines and impair pilot visibility.

With such diversity of potential clients, the future of this company looks secure - and as for the employees, future recruitment is in good hands, or talons.

In his office, a young barn owl dubbed Floccus (the meteorological term for a fluffy white cloud) hops around from drawer to computer keyboard, his white down giving way to feathers.

He is getting used to the company of human beings before becoming part of the workforce.

His job might not be pigeon-scaring duties at Wimbledon, but as part of the team as they go round the country to schools and fairs, showing that the ancient British tradition of falconry is flying high and working hard.

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Champion toe-wrestler triumphs again

29 June 2011 Last updated at 11:52 GMT Rules state competitors must call out "toe much" if they want to throw in the towel A pub in Derbyshire has hosted the 35th "World Toe Wrestling Championship".

Male and female competitors took off their socks at the Bentley Brook Inn in Fenny Bentley to compete in the quirky sport, which is based on arm-wrestling.

The event was originally devised by Staffordshire landlord George Burgess in 1976 in an attempt to find a new sport for British people to dominate.

Matches involve players locking big toes to try to force their opponent's digit to the floor over three rounds.

This year saw Burton's Paul Beech, otherwise known as Predatoe, take the men's title while Lisa 'Twinkletoes' Shenton, from Ashbourne, clinched the female title.

Ban on stimulants Champion Paul 'Predatoe' Beech has won the title seven times

Organiser Wendy Payne said: "We had quite a few new challengers this year - about 20 men and eight ladies.

"They didn't last long, mind you."

The event, which previously took place at the Royale Oak in Wetton, moved to its current venue eight years ago and raises money for the When You Wish Upon A Star charity.

Official rules for the sport include a ban on stimulants "except alcohol" and each round begins with the referee shouting "toes away".

Players start each match competing with their right foot, then they change to their left foot for the second round and if a deciding round is needed, they swap back to their right.

Mr Beech, who has won the event seven times, said he would be back to defend his title at next year's competition.

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Probe into banned activist in UK

29 June 2011 Last updated at 14:12 GMT Sheikh Raed Salah was detained on Tuesday evening An investigation has been launched after a leading Israeli-Arab activist managed to enter the UK despite being banned.

Home Secretary Theresa May said Sheikh Raed Salah had been excluded from the UK and the UK Border Agency was taking steps to remove him.

But his solicitor said Sheikh Salah had "no knowledge" of a travel ban and had not tried to conceal his identity.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper accused the government of incompetence.

Sheikh Salah has Israeli citizenship and is the leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel.

The movement, whose stated aim is to advocate Islam among Arab Israelis, offers education and social services and promotes a Palestinian nationalistic stance.

Sheikh Salah was detained by police late on Tuesday evening in London after he returned from a meeting in Leicester, where he had addressed a 500-strong audience.

Islamic leader Sheikh Raed Salah addressed a 500-strong audience in leicester yesterday before being detained last night in London.

The Home Office said he had been accused of making anti-Semitic remarks and was not allowed into this country because his presence would be "not conducive to the public good".

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said he was the leader of a legitimate political organisation.

PSC director Sarah Colborne said he rejected all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism.

"This is a legitimate organisation, which Israel has never moved to ban," she said.

"Before coming to Britain, he faced horrific allegations of anti-Semitism, which he completely refuted.

"He has clarified his position of being opposed to all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism against his own people, the Palestinians."

'Incompetent sham'

Mrs May said although the government did not normally comment on individual cases, in this case it was important to do so.

"I can confirm he was excluded and that he managed to enter the UK. He has now been detained and the UK Border Agency is now making arrangements to remove him.

"A full investigation is now taking place into how he was able to enter."

But Labour's Yvette Cooper said the government's rhetoric of being tough on border controls had been "exposed as an incompetent sham", amid planned cuts of 5,000 UKBA jobs.

"The Home Secretary needs to urgently explain why an individual banned from this country was allowed to walk in and instead of being stopped at the border had to be pursued by the police instead.

"Only this week Theresa May said that coming to this country was a privilege and she would refuse entry to Britain of anyone that she deemed not conducive to the public good. Her words now ring very hollow indeed."

Israel's Arab community numbers about 1.4 million, some 20% of the population. It includes Palestinians who remained in Israel after the 1948 establishment of the Jewish state and their descendants.

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Going loco

28 June 2011 Last updated at 07:09 GMT By Tim Masters Entertainment and arts correspondent, BBC News An 1870 steam train steals the show at The Railway Children.

A theatre production of The Railway Children returns to Waterloo Station this month - with a genuine Victorian steam train in a starring role. But just how do you get a fully-operational locomotive centre stage?

Like a veteran actor, Stirling Single No.1 - all 66 tonnes of it - relaxes in the wings before making its big entrance in a cloud of steam.

The train is the scene-stealing star of The Railway Children, which is back at Waterloo's former Eurostar terminal after an extended run in 2010.

Continue reading the main story

There's something very human about a steam train and the noises it makes.”

End Quote Matthew Gale Producer, The Railway Children "It's the only real thing in the show, so it had to be authentic," says producer Matthew Gale, as we take a seat in a luxurious carriage behind the locomotive.

The Olivier-award-winning production sees comedian and broadcaster Marcus Brigstocke in the role as Station Master Perks.

The old Eurostar platforms have been converted into a 1,000-seat venue with the audience seated on either side of the railway tracks.

"The theatre was designed for the show. It's quite an extraordinary space," says Gale. "When the audience walk into it you see them go quiet."

The steam train only appears at key moments, and is shunted into the heart of the action by a diesel engine that remains out of sight.

The green and black Stirling Single No.1 locomotive made its stage debut in the York Theatre Royal and National Railway Museum production of The Railway Children in York in 2008.

The engine was built in 1870 by the same workshop that produced Flying Scotsman.

'Childhood memories'

Marcus Brigstocke plays Station Master Perks in the Waterloo production

For its return to the London stage it was carried by lorry from York to Southall where it was put on the tracks and shunted to Waterloo.

"There's something very human about a steam train and the noises it makes," says Gale.

"I'm not a train buff, but there is an emotional connection to trains, and in particular to steam trains. It's part of our heritage, and part of our childhood memories."

He adds: "Marcus Brigstocke as Mr Perks jokes about being upstaged, but in reality nothing overwhelms the story - which is told by the human actors."

E Nesbit's story is known to many through the classic 1970 film version, starring Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbens. An 1871 saloon coach that featured in the film also appears in the stage show.

The success of the UK show has led to an identical production in Canada. The Waterloo theatre space has been recreated in a giant tent next to Toronto's CN tower. Another British steam engine was shipped over for the production.

As any regular rail traveller will know, trains don't always stick to the timetable. How reliable has the Stirling Single No.1 been on stage?

Gale touches the highly-polished teak of the Victorian saloon. "Obviously, the fear has been that the train won't run on time, but it's been fine.

"There are a lot of people involved maintaining the train - there are daily safety checks and practice runs. Trains built in the 1870s were pretty reliable."

He adds that there are seven different safety levels to ensure the train can never run out of control in the auditorium.

But does the noisy 21st century world of Waterloo Station ever intrude on the play?

"There are times when you can hear a train rolling by," says Gale. "We have a big soundscape in the show, but being in a real station adds to the atmosphere."

The Railway Children is showing at Waterloo Station until January 2012

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Disposable incomes fall sharply

28 June 2011 Last updated at 16:45 GMT The squeeze on spending will add to caution about the need for an interest rate rise UK households have seen the biggest fall in disposable income for more than 30 years, official figures have shown.

The Office for National Statistics said that in the year to the end of March real incomes - adjusted for inflation - fell 2.7%, a fall not seen since 1977.

Higher taxes, domestic bills and inflation are all eating away at consumers' spending power.

Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King told MPs there was a "substantial squeeze on real living standards".

According to the latest ONS data for the first three months of 2011 household spending fell 0.6%, its fastest quarterly decline since the second quarter of 2009.

This took the annual fall in household income to 2.7%, a squeeze on spending that was underlined on Tuesday by further gloom on the High Street.

'Uncomfortable'

Chocolate chain Thorntons said it would close some stores and Liverpool-based department store chain TJ Hughes said it was preparing to appoint administrators.

Sir Mervyn told the Commons Treasury Committee that "inflation is clearly uncomfortably high" and contributing to "a very substantial squeeze on real living standards".

He added: "This is the way in which we, as a country, are adjusting to the consequences of the financial crisis and the macroeconomic rebalancing that is necessary to get through that process.

"And it's going to be an uncomfortable period. There's no doubt about that," Sir Mervyn said.

The consumer prices measure of inflation is at a two-and-a-half year high of 4.5%, and may go higher before falling slowly from next year.

But further evidence that consumer spending is under pressure will bolster arguments from those economists and policymakers who believe interest rates should be kept on hold.

The Bank of England has kept interest rates at a record low of 0.5% since March 2009, despite inflation being above the Bank's 2% target for most of that time.

Despite expectations earlier this year that interest rates would rise by the summer to try to curb inflation, many experts now believe the prospect of an increase has now disappeared into 2012.

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Living wage MP offers unpaid job

28 June 2011 Last updated at 17:02 GMT By Victoria King BBC News, Politics reporter Lyn Brown is seeking "an intelligent and enthusiastic volunteer" Campaigners say it is "unacceptable" that an MP who has campaigned for the living wage is recruiting an unpaid worker for her House of Commons office.

Lyn Brown, Labour MP for West Ham, is seeking a "voluntary Westminster worker" for duties including policy research and dealing with constituents.

Gus Baker, from Intern Aware, said she was guilty of "hypocrisy".

Ms Brown said she "would like to pay everyone" in her office, but "did not have the resources to do so".

The Labour Party said staffing decisions were a matter for individual MPs.

Ms Brown's official website states: "Since her election in 2005, Lyn has campaigned tirelessly for a living wage for all."

The living wage is an hourly salary rate - higher than the minimum wage - that campaigners say is necessary to allow a family to meet their basic needs.

In London - including Ms Brown's constituency - it is currently ?8.30.

'Exploitation'

The job advertisement, posted on 15 June, seeks "an intelligent and enthusiastic volunteer" to work in "a busy Westminster office".

Tasks include "answering the telephone, dealing with constituent enquiries and provision of additional clerical support".

The recruit will also be "involved in policy research and the drafting of letter and press releases", and must have "excellent written and IT skills".

Continue reading the main story

It's absolutely unacceptable for MPs to replace full time, salaried workers with unpaid staff”

End Quote Gus Baker Intern Aware While the advert states that hours are "flexible", there is no time limit placed on the post and no expenses offered to cover food or travel.

A Westminster source told the BBC News website that the volunteer - who has already been recruited - will be a direct replacement for an existing, salaried staff member who is leaving for another job elsewhere.

The volunteer is already shadowing the departing member of staff so as to be able to take on all of their existing duties, the source said.

Mr Baker told the BBC it was clear from the list of requirements in the advert that Ms Brown was looking for a proper member of staff.

"It's absolutely unacceptable for MPs to replace full time, salaried workers with unpaid staff. That's the top and bottom line," he said.

"But that Lyn Brown campaigns for the living wage - and has campaigned for the minimum wage in the past - makes this a double hypocrisy.

"What I want to ask her is - how would someone in her constituency from a low income background be able to take up that opportunity?

"The answer is they couldn't, so how can she possibly justify that? It is manifestly unfair."

Ms Brown said it was not true that she was replacing a salaried staff member with an intern.

"I would like to pay everyone who volunteers for me and who is ultimately seeking a wage. The reality is that I do not have the resources to do so," she said in a statement.

"Those who come to me without a wage and seeking paid employment receive expenses and experience and invariably go on to either work in my office or find paid work elsewhere, within a six month period."

Poorer backgrounds

The issue of interns in Westminster has come to the fore recently after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he wanted to ban all informal and unpaid placements.

He said the practice rewarded those with wealth and personal connections and excluded potential applicants from poorer backgrounds or from outside London.

The w4MP website currently lists several unpaid internships of varying lengths.

Among them is Conservative David Burrowes MP, who is looking for someone prepared to work full time for him for 10 months in return for food and travel expenses.

Liberal Democrat Roger Williams is looking for someone for at least three months, again expenses only.

Former Labour minister Hazel Blears has set up the Speaker's Parliamentary Placements scheme, which from September, will offer paid internships with MPs to applicants from poorer backgrounds from across the UK.

Labour leader Ed Miliband attended the launch party for the scheme, telling guests that he fully supported efforts to open up Westminster to the less well-off.

During the Labour Leadership contest, Mr Miliband also signed Intern Aware's pledge promising that if elected, he would campaign for the Minimum Wage Act to be fully enforced to cover interns.

He said he had not personally taken on any unpaid staff and had encouraged other colleagues within his party to do the same. He added that Labour would "look closely at this issue in our policy review".

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Andy Murray column

By Andy Murray
British number one Murray crushes Gasquet to make quarter-finals (UK only)

Wimbledon, R4: Andy Murray beat Richard Gasquet 7-6 6-3 6-2

I'm heading into the final rounds at Wimbledon now and, like a heavyweight title fight, this is the time to step it up.

It was great to get through my fourth-round match so quickly against Richard Gasquet, I was expecting a tough one, but the first set was pretty crucial. Once I got ahead it was always going to be tough for him to come back in such hot conditions.

Things will only get more difficult from here on in though, and I need to be right on top of my game and my mind.

The mental side of the game is something that I've consciously tried to improve, and it also comes a little easier as you get older. The most important thing is to stay calm when you're in the crunch time of a match and being really tested physically and mentally.

I know I'll get pushed very hard before the end of this tournament, but it's a challenge that I'm looking forward to.

There's another Briton with a big day coming up this weekend and I'll certainly make sure I send David Haye a message before he fights Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday night. I last spoke to him a few days ago and keep in regular contact, I find it really helpful for my game.

Obviously boxers are a bit different as they have to be larger than life to promote fights, whereas tennis players don't get a bigger pay cheque if more people watch their matches. Tennis is certainly a lot more gentlemanly than boxing, but in any individual sport the psychology plays a big part, especially right at the top level. You need to make sure you're strong in the mind.

In tennis, the guys are mostly very sporting and get on well, but when you're out there you need to put that to one side. I think you need to treat your opponent like they're your worst enemy on the court.

I know John McEnroe thinks we need a little more animosity between the top players and it's probably true. I think everyone would enjoy it a little more if the players were a bit more vocal about any dislike we might have for each other, but at the same time tennis is in a really good place right now.

Lethal Murray cross-court winners sink Gasquet (UK only)

When I was on my way back from the French Open on the train after I lost to Rafa in the semis, everyone was talking about tennis - our match and Federer v Djokovic - and not because they knew I was there, I was just listening in. I've never really experienced that before.

I suppose the last time that happened was in the era of McEnroe, Connors and Borg. I've seen plenty of clips of the aggro between Connors and McEnroe, and I heard some good stories about Lendl from my former coach Brad Gilbert, who had an 0-16 record against him. Unfortunately, due to the number of swear words, I can't repeat any of them here!

But it was a different sport back then and, while there were more examples of players arguing on court, at the same time more of them would go out for dinner together, even the night before they played each other. Nowadays we're probably not close in the same way, but I think everyone's generally a bit more friendly.

My quarter-final opponent, Feliciano Lopez, is a good example because we get on well, but maybe I should take a leaf out of David Haye's book and try a bit of trash talking beforehand.

It will also be interesting to see how my mum copes with me playing Feliciano - or 'Deliciano' as she keeps calling him. I haven't spoken to her about that yet but I'm pretty sure she'll be supporting me on Wednesday, I think.

Visit www.andymurray.com for all the latest news on Andy

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Tough times hit High Street names

28 June 2011 Last updated at 16:25 GMT Carpetright has reported a 70% drop in profit Tough times are continuing for UK retailers with Thorntons set to shut up to 180 stores and Carpetright saying it may close as many as 50 outlets.

Chocolate maker Thorntons said it would shut "a minimum" of 120 shops over the next three years, with the possibility of an extra 60 closures.

Carpetright could close up to 50 shops when their leases run out if it cannot get the rents reduced, it said.

Meanwhile, store chain TJ Hughes is set to go into administration.

If it does, it will join three other retailers who announced over the past week that they had called in administrators in the face of tough trading conditions.

These are fashion retailer Jane Norman; the owner of Moben and Kitchens Direct, Homeform; and furniture firm Habitat.

Rent for the past three months was due last week, and insolvency experts said this had brought a number of High Street names "to their knees", with more set to follow.

Continue reading the main story

There is a serious risk that many thousands of jobs will be lost and many many hundreds of additional shops will become empty and shuttered”

End Quote Robert Peston Business editor, BBC News "It is likely that the next quarter rent day in September could see a further surge in the number of retailers facing administration as High Street stores struggle to pay the rent against a backdrop of decreasing discretionary spending and low consumer confidence," said Julie Palmer, a partner at insolvency practitioners Begbies Traynor.

Declining household incomes and uncertainty about the economy have hit consumer spending.

This was underlined by figures from the Office for National Statistics which showed that real household disposable incomes had fallen 2.7% in the first quarter of 2011 compared with a year earlier - the biggest fall since 1977.

Speaking to MPs, Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King said inflation, which erodes the value of household incomes, was "uncomfortably high".

He added that he was "definitely concerned" by "the squeeze on real living standards".

Matthew Stych, research director at Planet Retail, said: "With no sign of a big improvement in job prospects and rising fuel costs putting pressure on transport and logistics, and a possible interest rate rise on the horizon, it is very difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel."

'Continuing weakness'

Thorntons' store closure announcement followed a strategic review of the business.

It said the outlets to be closed were among the 364 stores directly owned and run by the company.

Thorntons is hoping to see more franchised stores

Thorntons added that it hoped to replace them with franchised stores "in the majority of locations".

It currently has 227 shops run by franchisees.

Chief executive Jonathan Hart said: "Our goal is to refocus the business across all channels, and seek to deliver industry competitive results over the next three to five years.

"Although we see the prospect of weakness in High Street footfall and consumer sentiment continuing, I am confident that this strategy is right."

The company added that it would continue to expand its commercial division, which sells Thornton-branded chocolate via supermarkets and other retailers.

In addition, it aims to continue to grow sales via its website.

Richard Perks, retail analyst at Mintel, said there was an opportunity for Thorntons to turnaround its fortunes, but that it currently "doesn't know where to pitch itself".

'Very challenging'

Analysts said that chains selling homewares and other more expensive items were being particularly hard hit as consumers were forced to cut back.

"Retailers are really struggling to pick up sales on big ticket items," said Matthew Stych from consultants Planet Retail.

Continue reading the main story "Both DIY and large-scale electronics are being affected by this with people putting off purchasing items such as fridges and waiting to revamp their kitchen or buy a new TV."

Carpetright chairman and chief executive Lord Harris said his group was facing "very challenging trading conditions".

He pointed to "fragile consumer confidence producing a weak floor coverings market, leading to a reduction in sales volumes and profitability".

There is uncertainty over the future of 50 of its 559 stores in the UK and the Irish Republic, whose leases run out over the next three years.

Pre-tax profit for the year to 30 April was ?6.6m at the carpet and home flooring group, down 70% from the ?22.3m a year earlier.

Its trading was hit not just by reduced consumer spending, but also the continuing weakness in the housing market.

Annual revenues were 6% lower at ?486.8m.

The company had already issued two profit warnings earlier this year, and it has closed 27 outlets over the past 12 months.

Shares in Carpetright were 3.6% lower in afternoon trading, while those in Thorntons were down 7.2%.

Trade downturn

Liverpool-based department store chain TJ Hughes said it was planning to appoint an administrator after reporting a downturn in trade.

The Liverpool-based firm employs more than 4,000 people at its 57 stores across England and Wales.

It said it would bring in the administrator over the next 10 days.

The retailer was bought out by its management team in March following the withdrawal of credit insurance for its suppliers.

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New £692m motorway route to open

28 June 2011 Last updated at 09:13 GMT The final bill for the five-mile extension could be up to ?692m The controversial M74 extension through Glasgow will open to traffic later - after coming in almost three times over the original estimated budget.

The five-mile (8km) route, which could cost up to ?692m, links the the M74 at Carmyle with the M8 southwest of the Kingston Bridge in central Glasgow.

Supporters claim it will bring economic benefits to the west of Scotland.

Critics of the extension argue it will cause more pollution, increase health problems and fragment communities.

Planning permission for the route was granted in October 1995.

Public inquiry

The scheme was immediately opposed by Joint Action Against the M74 (Jam74) - a coalition of community, environmental and sustainable transport groups.

Continue reading the main story

The new M74 motorway will bring major economic and social benefits to businesses, communities and industry in the west of Scotland”

End Quote Alex Neil MSP Infrastructure Secretary Its case, that the road would pollute and harm local communities, seemed to be strengthened when a public inquiry concluded it should not be built.

This was rejected, however, in 2005 by the then Labour/Liberal Democrat Scottish Executive which said the positive aspects of the extension had not been given enough weight by the inquiry Reporter.

Friends of the Earth Scotland and Jam74 launched a last-ditch legal bid to halt the project but later abandoned this on legal advice.

Construction finally began in May 2008. It was carried out by Interlink M74, a joint venture comprising Balfour Beatty, Morgan Est, Morrison Construction and Sir Robert McAlpine.

When the extension finally opens at 1900 BST on Tuesday, the total cost of the project will be up to ?692m.

The Scottish government said the extension was completed between ?15m and ?20m under budget and had supported 900 jobs during its three-year construction.

BBC Scotland took a test drive along the road ahead of its official opening

Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil said the new road would help generate "as many as 20,000 jobs for the Scottish economy".

"The new M74 motorway will bring major economic and social benefits to businesses, communities and industry in the west of Scotland and the country as a whole," he said.

"Thousands of new jobs will be created and because this crucial piece of infrastructure was completed several months ahead of schedule, millions of pounds of Scottish taxpayers' money has been saved.

"The daily rush hour congestion in and around Glasgow will also be eased, leading to improved travel, which is good news for business, commuters and the many thousands of visitors coming to Scotland."

'Momentous day'

Glasgow City Council leader, Councillor Gordon Matheson, described the opening of the new motorway link as "a momentous day for Glasgow and for Scotland".

Continue reading the main story

A fraction of this vast sum (?692m) could have delivered major public transport improvements, and to make the city easier to cycle and walk around”

End Quote Patrick Harvie MSP Scottish Green Party He said: "Its completion will bring opportunities for thousands of individuals and businesses, support east end regeneration, and help us deliver the best possible Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"Today marks the start of a new era for Glasgow and the west of Scotland with an enhanced transport infrastructure, ensuring the city is better connected both nationally and internationally, and ensuring easier access to, from and across Glasgow."

Although the new road link has strong backing from business leaders and most politicians, it is still fiercely opposed by environmental groups.

Stan Blackley, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said ministerial approval for the road, despite a public inquiry ruling against it, was "one of the worst environmental decisions since the beginning of devolution".

"This new road will, as the inquiry stated back in 2005, have 'very serious undesirable results' and any benefits will be limited, short-term and ephemeral," he said.

"Half of all households in Glasgow do not have access to a car, so this new road will do little or nothing to help them. Instead, it will increase air pollution and carbon emissions. The project's own environmental statement confirms this."

'Pollution problems'

He added: "The new road is completely at odds with Scottish government commitment and targets for cutting carbon emissions, and will make it more difficult for Glasgow to tackle its considerable air pollution problems in the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games."

Green MSP Patrick Harvie described the road opening as "a dark day for Glasgow".

He said: "Successive Scottish governments have ignored the evidence and blundered on with this scheme.

"Hundreds of millions of pounds have been blown, along with the chance to build a city designed around people and their needs.

"A fraction of this vast sum (?692m) could have delivered major public transport improvements, and to make the city easier to cycle and walk around."

The estimated cost of the project was put at ?177m in 1999, increasing to ?250m in 2003 and rising to ?445m by the time the contract was awarded in February 2008.

Audit Scotland put the total bill for the project, including land purchases, at ?692m by June 2008.

It is thought that the final cost will be lower than this estimate.

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Permit for waste plant proposal

28 June 2011 Last updated at 16:19 GMT The agency said the highest possible standards had been set to protect nearby communities The Environment Agency has given its final permission for a food waste electricity plant at Mona on Anglesey.

Anglesey EcoParc Mon now has an environmental permit to break down waste and other material to produce fertiliser and power.

The gas that is produced during the process will be used to generate electricity.

Despite local objections, Anglesey council granted the plant planning permission in December 2009.

The agency said it had set the highest possible standards on the anaerobic digestion plant.

It said the permit would make sure the plant would conform to standards that would protect nearby communities and the environment.

The permit regulates the impact of the plant on the environment by setting conditions on its emissions to air, land and water.

The agency consulted with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Animal Health, Anglesey council, the RAF and local people.

David Edwell, Environment Agency Wales' area manager for north Wales, confirmed the permit had been granted.

Emission limits

"A rigorous assessment over the last few months shows that plans are in place to operate this plant to the highest environmental standards," he said.

If the plant is built, Environment Agency Wales officers say they will enforce the strict emission limits and operating standards "throughout its lifetime".

The permit does not cover issues such as traffic, visual impact or operating hours which were considered part of the planning permission process.

In December 2009, Anglesey councillors approved planning permission despite local objections.

Objectors claimed there was no need for a plant of its size on the island.

They also claimed that waste, including abattoir by-products, would be brought in from elsewhere.

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Fast rail critics 'rich nimbys'

28 June 2011 Last updated at 11:49 GMT The new line - and high-speed trains - would cut the London to Birmingham journey time to 49 minutes Many opponents of a planned high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham are well-off "nimbys", one of the project's leading supporters has said.

David Begg said many of those living on the proposed route were "economically privileged" while poorer people further afield would benefit from the scheme.

He defended a recent ad campaign in favour of the scheme which used the words "their lawns for our jobs".

Critics say high-speed rail is a "white elephant" with few economic benefits.

The government wants the first phase of HS2 (High-Speed Two) to be completed by 2026 arguing the line - which could be extended to Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow by about 2033 - will create jobs, help rebalance the economy and give people wider transport options.

However, some Conservative councillors and MPs - whose constituencies the line would pass through - have been critical of the scheme.

The route runs through rural parts of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire.

'Bogus arguments'

Professor David Begg, the director of the campaign group Yes to high-speed rail, told the Transport Select Committee that he could understood why there was local opposition to the ?32bn project.

But Prof Begg - a former head of transport at Edinburgh City Council and an ex-chairman of the Commission on Integrated Transport - said some opponents "are in a very, very privileged position economically while a number of people who would benefit from high-speed rail are not in the same position".

He defended a recent poster campaign which appeared to suggest the houses of some people living on the proposed route should be sacrificed in order to create jobs for others living further afield.

"I think it was a good campaign," he said. "Nimbyism is a big barrier to infrastructure development in this country.

"We have strong local opposition to schemes which can outweigh the national interest. There is a very vociferous 'No' campaign to HS2 which is extremely well-funded. They have come up with a lot of bogus arguments."

"Nimby" - an acronym of "Not In My Backyard" - is a derogatory term used to describe people who oppose development for self-centred reasons.

'Vanity project'

The Transport Select Committee is holding a series of sessions as part of an inquiry into the merits and cost of the ?32bn project.

Also appearing before the committee, the director general of the British Chambers of the Commerce David Frost said high-speed rail was needed since the UK was "running out" of rail capacity while demand for rail services was rising.

Critics, such as the Taxpayer's Alliance, say HS2 is a "vanity project" that will bring minimal financial benefits, its fares will be unaffordable for many, and will leave many towns along its route with a worse train service as a result.

Opponents of HS2 will give evidence to the committee next month while Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will appear in September.

A recent report produced for the Transport Committee by consultants Oxera concluded that the economic benefits of the project were uncertain.

Their review said London could benefit potentially "at the expense of less service-orientated cities on the line" although it made clear that there was little evidence about the regional and socio-economic impact.

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Louis Walsh considers suing Sun

28 June 2011 Last updated at 15:33 GMT Mr Walsh said he was looking forward to getting back to work X Factor judge Louis Walsh is considering taking legal action against the Sun newspaper after Irish police said they had dropped an inquiry into a claim of an alleged indecent assault.

He said his libel lawyer had been instructed to "vigorously pursue" a case after the tabloid's story.

Dublin police have arrested a 24-year-old man in Navan on suspicion of making a false report against him.

The Sun said it was not commenting on Mr Walsh's statement.

Mr Walsh said: "I have robustly maintained from the outset that this alleged incident did not occur. While I obviously welcome today's confirmation from the Garda that the matter has been dropped I remain outraged that this story ran in the first place in The Sun."

He added: "I have no intention of letting this matter rest until I have received total and absolute vindication...

"This has been a hugely distressing time for me but I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues for their support and I am now just looking forward to getting back to work."

Mr Walsh, 58, is the only remaining member of the original panel now on the X Factor. He has managed a number of groups and performers, including boy bands Boyzone and Westlife.

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Lightning delays Gatwick flights

28 June 2011 Last updated at 17:08 GMT Thunderstorms swept across the South East on Tuesday Passengers have been warned to expect delays after lightning struck the control tower at Gatwick Airport.

The airport said the tower was hit at about 1400 BST during thunderstorms that swept across the South East.

A spokeswoman said departing flights were delayed by the lightning strike, weather conditions and surges on the local power grid.

She said arrivals had not been affected but there would be some disruption to departing flights.

Trains delayed

"There is no damage, as far as I'm aware, and no injuries," the spokeswoman continued.

"Everything is up and running and has been since 1445 BST. Departing flights were suspended momentarily for 25 minutes."

A spokeswoman for National Air Traffic Services (Nats) said: "One part of the system was knocked out for about 10 minutes.

"The lightning had a minor effect but the main reason for the delays was the thunderstorms which the pilots want to fly round rather than through."

Passengers on the Gatwick Express, between the airport and London Victoria station, have also been warned to expect some delays after lightning strikes caused signalling problems.

House fire The fire is believed to have been started by a lightning strike (Photo courtesy Crawley News)

Southern Railway said its services were also disrupted.

In a statement on its website, the firm said: "Southern services are being severely disrupted on the Brighton Main Line due to lightning strikes.

"Passengers should expect delays of up to 70 minutes currently with short notice alterations and cancellations."

Firefighters have been dealing with a house fire in the Maidenbower area of Crawley that is also believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.

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Breakfast murder bet was 'joke'

28 June 2011 Last updated at 14:06 GMT Rebecca Aylward's body was found face down in woodland near Bridgend A teenager has told a murder trial he was only joking over a bet of a cooked breakfast with a friend, who is accused of killing his own ex-girlfriend.

It is claimed the boy, 16, arranged to buy the defendant a breakfast if he carried out his threat to murder Rebecca Aylward, 15. She was found dead in woods near Bridgend.

But the boy said he thought the accused, also 16, was "messing about".

The accused denies murder at Swansea Crown Court and blames the witness.

Rebecca was found dead in woods in Aberkenfig in October 2010.

Her former boyfriend is accused of her murder.

Swansea Crown Court heard her former boyfriend, then also 15, allegedly told his friend: "Don't say anything but you might just owe me a breakfast."

His friend told the jury their breakfast bet was just a joke between them and he was "playing along".

He said he did it not because he was horrible, but because he just did not believe his friend would kill Rebecca.

'Done and dusted'

The alleged bet was forgotten about until he received a text from the defendant days before Rebecca's death.

The text read: "Don't say anything but you might owe me a breakfast."

Continue reading the main story

I thought he was quite a sick person because of the way he was talking about killing Becca”

End Quote Friend of the defendant The boy said he sent a jokey text back, because he thought it was all messing about.

"I honestly didn't think he was going to do it - I was just playing along," he said.

The court heard the accused sent another text to his friend saying: "Hopefully by Friday it will be done and dusted."

The friend, who gave evidence via a video link said he called him "sadistic... I thought he was quite sick".

"I thought he was quite a sick person because of the way he was talking about killing Becca," he added.

The court heard Rebecca, of Maesteg, had gone to meet her ex-boyfriend hoping she was going to get back with him.

Her mother reported her missing the next day and her body was found in forestry near the village of Aberkenfig.

A post mortem examination found she had died from blunt injuries to the head, which had broken the base of her skull in four places.

The trial continues.

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Nail bomber loses sentence appeal

28 June 2011 Last updated at 12:56 GMT Copeland admitted killing three and injuring 139 people in 1999 Nail bomber David Copeland has failed in his bid to reduce his minimum jail term of 50 years.

Copeland was given six life sentences in June 2000 for three counts of murder and three counts of causing explosions in London in order to endanger life.

Copeland, 35, from Hampshire, admitted killing three and injuring 139 people.

Under new legislation, a High Court judge set a minimum term of 50 years and the Court of Appeal upheld that sentence on Tuesday.

The original recommendation in his case was that he should serve a minimum of 30 years before he can be considered for parole.

Multiple murder

But High Court judge Mr Justice Burton later described it as a "really exceptional case of deliberate, multiple murder".

During 13 days in April 1999 Copeland caused explosions in Brixton, south London Brick Lane in east London and Soho, central London.

The final blast at the gay pub the Admiral Duncan killed Andrea Dykes, 27, who was pregnant, and friends John Light, 32, and Nik Moore, 31, from Essex.

Copeland intended his bombing campaign to ignite a race war across Britain, his trial heard.

He was tried at the Old Bailey in 2000 for murder after the prosecution refused to accept his plea of guilty to manslaughter on the grounds that he was suffering a mental illness - paranoid schizophrenia.

A Broadmoor Hospital consultant had described him as psychotic and diagnosed schizophrenia.

The original trial judge, Michael Hyam, concluded that Copeland's crimes were motivated by his hatred of black and Asian people and homosexuals.

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What will be a luxury in the future?

27 June 2011 Last updated at 13:15 GMT By Frances Cronin BBC News Worldwide sales of luxury goods are booming and predicted to keep on growing, but the history of luxury shows us just how much the concept of luxury has - and is - changing.

In Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace Hotel it's not only cash that people want to get their hands on quickly; they have a machine dispensing gold bars. Just in case you don't have any easily at hand to buy that Bentley.

Luxury is big business and it's not only among a wealthy few. The luxury goods market is expanding worldwide and is expected to rise by 8% and be worth a cool ?164bn by the end of this year.

China is the nexus. There are now around 500,000 millionaires in the country and the Chinese buy 12% of all luxury goods in the world, according to Barclays Capital.

By 2020 it's predicted to be the world's largest luxury goods market and account for 44% of all sales. By then the Chinese will be buying more luxury products than the entire world is now.

Rarity has always defined luxury, says historian Dr Michael Scott. It means things like gold will always be sought after, but in ancient Greece it also meant a luxury envied and aspired to was meat. For thousands of years the main human diet was made up of fruits, cereals and vegetables and meat was a rarity.

Expensive fish were viewed as "luxury goods" in ancient Greece

Fish also became a luxury available to the affluent in ancient Greece. In democratic Athens in the 5th Century BC everyone knew how much it cost and that made it the ultimate "luxurious consumption". This even spawned insults like "fish lover", which meant someone consumed by greed.

"Meat was a luxury which all Athenians could share in at big public sacrifices, but with fish you could really indulge yourself," says Dr Scott. "Being a fish lover became a political issue at the highest level, because Athenians believed if you showed yourself out of control in one area you were out of control everywhere.

"So if you couldn't control your desire for fish, or you had a liking for very expensive fish, the implication was you were probably morally corrupt and even possibly a tyrant in the making."

Extravagance and lust

In Britain in the Middle Ages spices were a luxury. They were expensive because they were shipped in from the East via new trade routes, along with fine cheeses and wines from the rest of Europe.

The church believed indulging in these items was a sin and introduced days of fasting to limit the eating of such foods. They also made the link between eating spices and "exotic" behaviour.

"When modern English first emerged in the late Middle Ages luxury did not mean excess or extravagance but lust," says Dr Scott.

This is because luxury was, and still is, about "stimulating the senses", says Prof Miri Rubin from the University of London.

"There are very ancient theories about how sense, body and the mind operates so being around beautiful things hearing, touching, tasting and so on all this has to do with your state of mind," she says in her book, Speaking in Luxury In The Middle Ages. "So luxury and sexual wiles are all bound up very powerfully."

The luxury brands of today came out of the time of austerity in the 1920s, when people returned to basic bespoke products. With not much money around, people wanted things to last. Craftsmanship and heritage became important and still are today.

After World War II prosperity flourished in the UK, but while the expanding middle classes wanted luxury they could not afford high-end items. Companies came up with a new set of smaller products including handbags, scarves, wallets and purses.

Crystal piano

The concept was about offering "accessible luxury" and it was a concept consumers embraced. Now 90% of women in Japan have a Louis Vuitton handbag, says Aaron Simpson, co-founder of luxury lifestyle company Quintessentially.

It is described as the "democratisation of luxury goods" - opening up the luxury market to the upper end of the mass market, say analysts Mintel.

This has helped not only fuel the boom in the luxury market at the "accessible" end but also at the high end, with the rich demanding more and companies coming up with ever more extreme items. Pink crystal piano anyone? For just ?495,000 you could own one of the world's first range of crystal pianos, which also come in white and gold.

Continue reading the main story In 1348 the Black Death hit Britain and almost half the population died. This meant the people who survived had a larger share of the wealth The lower classes were better off so they could copy the rich, by dressing in a similar fashion, copying their pointy shoes and leather sword sheaths and wearing fur The elite were distressed that you could no longer tell the rich from the lower classesIn 1363 The Act of Apparell was introduced by Parliament. It specified what every class of citizen could wear and even what food they could eat So what luxuries will people be stimulating their senses with in 10 years' time? Experts predict the market will be fuelled by consumers' "emotional connections", says Lucia Van Der Post, luxury lifestyle commentator and former editor of How to Spend It magazine.

In a speech to the Champagne Assembly, which is made up of champagne producers, she said luxury has evolved from the expensive trinkets and toys of yesteryear, to meaningful experiences with a genuine emotional dimension.

"The traditions of old luxury - the luxury of things - are awfully dull for new consumers. They want to be touched emotionally by their experiences, and there are new priorities, such as ethical concerns and sustainability.

People want unique experiences to savour and remember, says Simpson.

"These have included closing the Sydney Harbour bridge in Australia, so a client could climb up and propose to his girlfriend. Luckily she said yes."

And Asia will be a major force in the market. It has now surpassed Europe's numbers of millionaires for the first time, with 3.3 million. These millionaires have a joint wealth of ?6.7 trillion ($10.8 trillion), according to the latest world wealth report from Merrill Lynch and Capgemini.

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Nimrod aircraft in final flight

28 June 2011 Last updated at 15:42 GMT The RAF's two Nimrod R1 were used for gathering electronic intelligence The Nimrod aircraft has made its final flight for the RAF during a ceremony at a Lincolnshire air base.

The R1 model, used for reconnaissance and gathering electronic intelligence, made a flypast at RAF Waddington.

Chief of the Air Staff Sir Stephen Dalton attended the retirement ceremony and there was also a parade.

Three new Rivet-Joint aircraft will replace the R1 in 2014. Until then, the RAF is sharing - or "co-manning" - planes owned by the US Air Force.

51 Squadron operated the RAF's two Nimrod R1s, with the aircraft using a team of 24 reconnaissance equipment operators, four flight crew and a mission supervisor.

It was typically used to try to intercept communications, such as mobile phone conversations, while flying over enemy territory.

'Lifesaver'

The R1 operated for 37 years and served throughout the Cold War, as well as in the Balkans, Afghanistan and in the current conflict in Libya.

Speaking at the event, Air Chief Marshal Dalton said that it was a "day of celebration" for all that the Nimrod had achieved.

"There is no question this aircraft has given us the ability to do things that would be very much more difficult - and could have cost us more lives if we hadn't had it," he said.

The RAF's top officer also alluded to concerns about relying, temporarily, on the use of American planes for UK airborne intelligence.

He admitted it was a blow, but said the air force could still manage: "It doesn't leave a hole - it dents the depth of our capabilities.

"We can still do the missions we need to do, but this was a more efficient way of doing things. We'll have to use other methods now."

Flight Lieutenant Dave McRitchie, an R1 mission commander, also paid tribute to the aircraft's vital role during its years of service.

"It's something that's played a major part in every operation that UK armed forces have been involved in - now it won't be there."

The MR2 version of the Nimrod finished service in 2010, while its replacement the MRA4 was scrapped in the defence review.

It was decided that ?2bn could be saved over 10 years by not operating the nine MRA4 planes, despite the programme already costing taxpayers ?4bn.

Four Rolls-Royce Spey 251 turbofans

Four CFM International F108-CF-201 turbofans

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Charles's taxpayer funding up 18%

28 June 2011 Last updated at 16:39 GMT The Prince of Wales's personal expenditure rose to more than ?2.5m in the year The Prince of Wales received an extra ?298,000 in taxpayer funding last year but paid ?914,000 more in tax.

Official accounts issued by Clarence House show Charles's tax bill rose 26% to ?4.39m in the year to 31 March, partly due to the new 50% tax band.

Grants-in-aid and government income was up 18% to ?1.96m, after an increase in travel spending for official duties.

Three new aides have been taken on to work for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

The figures are contained in the Annual Review 2011, which covers the activities of Charles and Camilla as well as William, Catherine and Harry.

It shows the prince's non-official expenditure rose ?488,000 to ?2,539,000, primarily because of an increase in personal donations to charity but partly to cover some expenses related to the royal wedding between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April.

Any of the major costs of the royal wedding borne by Clarence House will be included in next year's accounts but specific details of that spending are not expected to be released.

The review reveals that William and Catherine's engagement in November resulted in a large increase in the number of letters received by Clarence House, from 24,616 to 35,968.

Air travel

Prince Charles's private income from his Duchy of Cornwall estate increased by almost 4% to ?17.8m.

The full-time equivalent of 133 members of staff were employed to support Clarence House at the end of March this year, up from 124 in 2010.

Charles and Camilla travelled some 34,000 miles (54,700km) to and from official engagements in the year.

The prince's spokesman Paddy Harverson says the trips produce "a great return for the taxpayer"

The travel included more than 14,000 miles on overseas trips such as visits to India, where the prince opened the Commonwealth Games, as well as Portugal, Spain and Morocco, and 96 engagements with the armed forces at home and abroad.

The spending on official travel by air and rail totalled ?1.08m, a 56% increase.

But the rise in costs was said to be because the major royal overseas trip in the previous year, to Canada, had been paid for by the Canadian government.

The Prince of Wales's principal private secretary Sir Michael Peat said: "That increase has nothing to do with us in that the prince and the duchess don't decide what overseas travel they do on behalf of the Foreign Office and the government."

The prince's spokesman Paddy Harverson told the BBC that Charles and Camilla's overseas trips achieved an "enormous amount".

"We are there to support British policy objectives, support British trade and commerce, help other governments with their issues in the environment, with inter-faith relations, youth employment," he said.

"We do believe, and the government believes, this is essential work that members of the Royal Family do."

Solar panels

The household's carbon emissions fell by 22% to 3,986 tonnes.

In 2010, Charles had 30 solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of his Clarence House residence in London, and 400 are currently being fitted at Home Farm at his Highgrove country home in Gloucestershire.

Electricity may be fed back into the National Grid, creating a new source of income, if the solar panels produce more power than is needed.

When inflation is taken into account income fell slightly because rent receipts were flat and the increase was largely the result of investments in bonds.

The review also reveals that in the year 2010-11:

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited 102 towns and cities in the UKThey received 9,658 guests at royal residencesAbout half of their royal household's energy came from renewable sourcesPrince Charles raised ?123m for his charitiesThe official website for the Prince of Wales received 7.9 million page impressions

Anti-monarchy group Republic is demanding that revenue from the Duchy of Cornwall goes to the Treasury and has called on the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee to launch an inquiry into Charles's funding.

Graham Smith, from Republic, said: "Why on earth are taxpayers continuing to fund his lavish lifestyle when public services are being cut?"

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Klitschko angry at Haye comments

Venue: Imtech Arena, Hamburg, GermanyDate: Saturday, 2 JulyStart: From 2200 BSTCoverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website; live on Sky Box Office (subscription required) Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye fight in Germany on Saturday Wladimir Klitschko has called David Haye's pre-fight goading "disgraceful and disrespectful" ahead of Saturday's heavyweight title fight in Germany.

The Ukrainian was angered by the Londoner's comments about executions, decapitations and ambulances.

"This game, this sport, is very intense and unfortunately there have been a lot of cases where people have been handicapped and people have died during and after fights," said Klitschko.

"It's not something to joke about."

Britain's Haye, the WBA champion, previously wore a T-shirt showing him decapitating the Klitschko brothers (Wladimir and Vitali). He wore a new version of that on Monday.

McGuigan "convinced" Haye will KO Klitschko

And the 30-year-old added: "This is going to be the most brutal execution of a boxer that you've seen for many, many years.

"I'm going to go out there and absolutely destroy him, really quickly."

Haye also responded to a challenge made by Wladimir's brother Vitali - the WBC champion - on Monday.

Vitali, a potential future opponent for Haye, asked the Brit to guarantee he will face the media after the bout.

"I'm coming for you after the fight," said Haye.

"Don't go to the hospital with your brother. Make sure you're there, don't go with the ambulance."

It was a jibe that further angered 35-year-old Wladimir ahead of their fight in Hamburg.

"No matter what, it is disgraceful and disrespectful for a man to wish to damage your health," said the IBF and WBO champion.

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"It's something you do not say. I felt embarrassed at the way David Haye acted in the press conference. Because it also casts a shadow on the sport.

"I just feel an obligation to give him some rehabilitation on 2 July because it will make him a better person.

"It's very important to put his feet back on the ground. I think with all the wins that he got recently he became really cocky and totally big-headed.

"I'm angry for the last three years but it has transformed into concentration and motivation now."

Haye is no stranger to controversy and in November said his heavyweight title fight with Audley Harrison would be as "one-sided as a gang rape".

The Brit has also refused Wladimir's handshake every time it has been offered, creating further bad feeling between the two men.

And Haye, ever the entrepreneur, has also introduced a game to the burgeoning smartphone 'app' market called 'David Haye's Knockout', with users playing as Haye aiming to knock the head off a giant eastern European.

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Reinvention of the book

28 June 2011 Last updated at 14:29 GMT Will bookshelves simply become shelves? Video never did kill the radio star. But it might cause a lot of books to be pulped. Re-written by machine and new technology, paperbacks could become ancient history. Oh-a-aho no.

Oh-a-aho yes, according to John Makinson: chairman and chief executive of the Penguin Group. The likable, ebullient publishing boss - a Tigger in the CEO jungle - foresees a new age where books become electronic gateways to trivia and chat:

"I don't expect that readers will open Jane Austen on page one and read through to page 300 and then put the book down.

"I think they will go on little journeys into other media and other conversations and they will want to do research into the dance moves or recipes of the period or look up info about Jane Austen online or talk to their friends on social networks about the experience of reading the book."

Good golly. Are books as a linear entity over? You'd expect to hear that from Steve Jobs while peddling iPads, but not perhaps from Penguin.

The publishing house was founded in 1935 by Allen Lane whose big idea was to mass-produce huge quantities of well-written, well-designed paperbacks that would be affordable to every household in the country.

Penguin was to be the peoples' publisher: their books read by those attending the universities of life and Oxbridge; available in bookshops and tobacconists. Within 12 months he'd sold three million copies. Visionary is in Penguin's DNA.

So maybe John Makinson's prediction is correct. E-books are all the rage.

Sales increased by 318% in 2010 and continue to motor. Most predict that at least 50% of all books sold within ten years will be digital downloads.

Apple has already sold over 25 million iPads, Amazon is also doing brisk trade in Kindles and then there's Sony's e-reader and so on.

Lacking imagination

We can't rewind, we've gone too far.

But Sarah Waters is worried. The author of Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet said that she wanted "people to read words", adding "If I'm writing a description of a house I don't want there to be an image or link pop up to the sort of house i'm writing about. To me that seems like a failure."

It would inevitably change the role of the author and their approach to the craft of writing.

Some of the first Penguin paperbacks included works by Ernest Hemingway and Agatha Christie

As opposed to having the sole responsibility for conjuring up images, atmosphere and environments in the reader's mind, the e-book author might be closer to a scriptwriter; working with musicians, filmmakers, researchers and actors to create a piece of multi-media content that leaves much less for the 'readers' imagination to do.

That's a thought to turn the stomach of many writers. It could also provide a clue as to why video might not kill off the literary star.

Radio has survived - thrived even - because of its immediacy and inherent ability to fire the listener's imagination.

By abstracting so much material information (faces, places, objects are all unseen) radio gives the unconscious mind an outing and the listener a chance to momentarily un-couple him or herself from the pervasiveness of the rational world.

A book does that and more. It is a chance to escape and set the mind free.

Freer than it could ever be looking up recipes via a hyperlink on Pride and Prejudice.

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