Former soap actor denies murder

8 July 2011 Last updated at 10:44 GMT Brian Regan denies murdering doorman Bahman Faraji Former Brookside actor Brian Regan has denied murdering a doorman outside a Liverpool pub.

The 53-year-old, who played Terry Sullivan in the soap, appeared via video-link at Liverpool Crown Court to deny murdering Bahman Faraji.

Mr Faraji, 44, was shot in the head as he left the Belgrave public house in Aigburth on 24 February.

Mr Regan, of St Mary's Road, Garston, also denied perverting the course of justice and was remanded until October.

Christine Line, 48, of the same address, denied perverting the course of justice.

Co-accused Edward Heffey, 40, of Beloe Street, Dingle, Liverpool, Lee Dodson, 42, of Logfield Drive, Garston, and Simon Smart, 32, of Kylemore Way, Liverpool, all pleaded not guilty to murder and were remanded into custody.

A date for a trial to take place at Liverpool Crown Court was set for 4 October.

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SNP targets former Lib Dem voters

2 July 2011 Last updated at 23:18 GMT Labour's Iain McKenzie secured the Inverclyde seat, with the Lib Dems losing their deposit The Scottish National Party has launched a drive to recruit disenchanted Liberal Democrats.

The move followed the Liberal Democrats' poor showing in the Inverclyde by-election.

Labour retained the Westminster seat with a majority of 5,838. The SNP substantially increased its share of the vote but came in second.

The Conservatives came third but the Liberal Democrat vote collapsed. The party's candidate lost her deposit.

The SNP leader Alex Salmond is extending an invitation to former Lib Dem voters, saying they would be welcomed to the nationalist party.

The Scottish parliamentary election in May saw the Liberal Democrat representation at Holyrood reduced from 16 MSPs to five.

Local defections Continue reading the main story

The Scottish Liberal Democrats will be working day and night to restore the faith of voters”

End Quote Willie Rennie Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Mr Salmond said: "There is a rich and radical Scottish Liberal tradition, whose supporters no longer recognise their party, and do not understand why the leadership in Scotland takes the side of the Tories on every single issue.

"There have been several defections to the SNP at local authority level since May's election."

The nationalist initiative has been dismissed by the Liberal Democrats.

Scottish party leader Willie Rennie said: "No matter how they dress up their beliefs, the SNP are essentially inward looking and will stoop to anything to secure their sole purpose - separating Scotland from the UK.

"The SNP are not a liberal party.

"The Scottish Liberal Democrats will be working day and night to restore the faith of voters."

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