Manchester Dogs' Home Fire Fund Tops £1m

More than 110,000 people have donated £1m to an online appeal following the devastating blaze at Manchester Dogs' Home in which more than 50 animals died.

Police are continuing to question a 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of arson after the outbreak of the fire which prompted a huge response from local people who came out to try to rescue the dogs and provide support.

A member of staff at the dogs home told Sky News it was "like something out of a horror film".

Colin Ballance, the liaison officer for Manchester Dogs' Home, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester - one of the country's largest kennels - said the scene was "horrendous" with flames up to 20 feet in the air when he arrived on Thursday night.

A woman saves a dog from the fire. Pic: @manchesterfire

Mr Ballance managed to rescue two dogs from the building complex before thick black smoke stopped him.

"You could hear them screaming but the thing was, you couldn't do anything," he said.

Mr Ballance said: "It was unbearable, it was like something out of a horror film. Something I don't want to remember if you know what I mean, but I will never forget it."

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jones, from Greater Manchester Police, said a youth from the local area was detained within an hour of the fire being reported just after 7pm.

Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping" as the fire spread through the buildings.

There were reports of people risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.

Mr Ballance says he will never forget what happened

Part of the roof of the single-storey kennels collapsed and 30 firefighters battled the flames, said Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station commander Paul Duggan.

Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in several fundraising campaigns being launched, which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds within a few hours.

On its Twitter page, Manchester Dogs' Home said: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful.

"We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled."

Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs' Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".

Firefighters said 150 dogs were rescued. Pic: Manchester Fire

She said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.

The blaze provoked an angry response on social media, but police warned people not to "take matters into their own hands".

A JustGiving site set up by the Manchester Evening News with the aim of raising £5,000 had secured £500,000 by 11.30am. It hit the £1m mark at about 7.15pm. 

The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893.

It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.

Police were asking people with donations of bedding, food or bowls to take them to Central Park Police Station.

Reverend Mike McGurk from the nearby Christ Church said they had received donations of dog food and blankets throughout the night.

"People have come from York, Derby and even Stevenage to donate supplies. It's been incredible how strong the support is and how generous people have been," he told Sky News.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Major Blaze Hits Nottingham University Campus

Around 60 firefighters have brought a major blaze under control at Nottingham University.

The "significant incident" began at approximately 8.30pm on Friday at the GlaxoSmithKline building on the Jubilee Campus.

Witnesses said they have heard loud explosions from the building, which is under construction and unoccupied.

No one was injured and no other buildings were affected as fire crews fought to gain control of the fire while it tore through the timber-framed building, sending burning debris into the sky above.

Nottingham Fire and Rescue group manager Joanne Wooler-Ward said: "No other buildings have been affected, fortunately no people were involved in this fire and we've had 12 crews here, that's over 60 firefighters.

Smoke was seen billowing from the university campus. Pic: Sam Bradley

"Credit to those firefighters who pulled out all the stops to prevent this fire spreading.

"When we arrived, the fire was a significant size - it could be seen from quite a distance - and there was a smoke plume spreading towards the campus area so we sent out a message for people to keep doors and windows closed.

"The firefighters have worked hard to contain that fire and stop it from spreading to any other buildings."

The building is under construction and is unoccupied. Pic: Sarah Armes

In a statement, university registrar Dr Paul Greatrix said: "Thankfully, there have been no casualties as this is a building that was still under construction."

The carbon-neutral building, which was due to be opened early next year, cost £15.8m and would have had enough laboratory space for more than 100 researchers.

Some eyewitnesses on Twitter have claimed that the complex has been "completely destroyed".

Dr Greatrix added: "(Saturday) we are due to welcome prospective students and their families to Nottingham for our Open Day and we would like to stress that this is still going ahead as planned."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Great Depression' Warning For Scottish Voters

A leading bank's warning that a Yes vote could be a mistake akin to those that sparked the Great Depression has threatened to overshadow the biggest weekend of political campaigning in Scotland's history.

At least 2.6 million leaflets will be delivered to households in 48 hours as polls suggest Thursday's vote is on a knife-edge.

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend a rally by the Orange Order in support of the Union in Edinburgh - and their cause has been backed by Deutsche Bank.

The financial institution claims the economic arguments against independence are "overwhelming".

Alex Salmond arrives in Dundee on the latest leg of his Yes campaign

Chief economist David Folkerts-Landau said a Yes vote could be a "mistake as large as Winston Churchill's decision in 1925 to return the pound to the Gold Standard or the failure of the Federal Reserve to provide sufficient liquidity to the US banking system, which we now know brought on the Great Depression in the US".

Mr Folkerts-Landau said he found it "incomprehensible" that Scots were even contemplating withdrawal from the UK, and pointed to the "recessions, higher taxes, lower public spending and higher interest rates" that had afflicted nations seen as potentially heading for the eurozone exit.

But Scotland's SNP Government accused him of failing to take into account the country's "strong fiscal position".

Gordon Brown is applauded after his Glasgow speech supporting a No vote

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be in Glasgow having promised on Friday to use the occasion to explain what independence will mean for jobs and wealth creation.

She said the Yes campaign's "momentum is still growing and will soon become unstoppable, as people reject the Downing Street-orchestrated campaign to talk Scotland down".

The Yes side was planning to have more than 35,000 volunteers on the streets of Scotland over the weekend, manning 473 registered street stalls.

Meanwhile, Labour big-hitters such as former prime minister Gordon Brown and shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran will be trying to persuade the public to vote No in the country's east.

Yes supporters have grafittied over a No campaign banner

The latest opinion poll by ICM in Saturday's Guardian put decided voters 51-49% in favour of No. 

Many of Britain's newspapers reported on comments by a former SNP deputy leader which appeared to threaten recriminations against businesses that backed a No vote.

Jim Sillars said there would be "a day of reckoning with BP and the banks" if Scotland votes Yes, adding that BP would "need to learn the meaning of nationalisation".

Nigel Farage attacked Alex Salmond but suffered protests from demonstrators

In a fiery interview with Sky News, Mr Sillars said he was simply using "robust" language to draw attention to the "orchestrated fear campaign coming from Downing Street".

Meanwhile, UKIP leader Nigel Farage arrived in Scotland on Friday and used a rally to hit out at what he described as Alex Salmond's "entirely false prospectus" being offered to voters north of the border.

New research revealed increasing polarisation among those on both sides of the border as the vote approaches.

A survey by debt management company PayPlan found a majority of Scots in debt are worried their debts will worsen after independence.

A separate poll among English voters for the Daily Mail found that while 70% want Scotland to stay in the Union, if they do go 53% believed Scotland should not be able to keep the pound, and 83% think Scotland should be forced to take its share of the multi-billion pound national debt.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Poll Gives 'No' Small Lead In Scotland Vote

The Better Together campaign in Scotland is retaining a marginal lead, according to a new poll that puts No on 52% and Yes on 48%.

The YouGov poll of 1,300 people on the issue of Scottish independence for The Sun and The Times was taken over Tuesday to Thursday.

It covered a period when the leaders of the three main parties all visited Scotland and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown stepped up his involvement in the drive to keep the union.

Thursday was considered a good day for the No campaign as several independent heavyweights expressed their concerns if Scotland was to vote to become a separate country.

Asda and John Lewis said the increased costs of operating in an independent Scotland would inevitably be passed on to the consumer, leading to higher prices.

RBS, which has been based in Scotland since 1727 and employs 11,500 people there, also confirmed it would be moving its headquarters to London if Scotland voted for independence.

Shoppers were warned that independence could mean higher prices

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), meanwhile, said a vote for independence could have a negative effect on the markets in the short-term because of "uncertainty".

The Yes campaign, led by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, had been buoyed at the weekend with one YouGov poll putting it marginally ahead of former Chancellor Alistair Darling's Better Together.

There had been fears that a poor performance by David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, who all travelled north of the border on Wednesday, could result in Yes gaining further ground.

It was also not known how Mr Brown's intervention, in support of the No campaign, would go down with the electorate.

The former premier spoke to Sky News on Sunday and made a speech on Monday setting out an alternative timetable to give the Scottish Parliament more control over finance, welfare and taxation, in the event of a No vote.

RBS will be moving its headquarters to London if there is a Yes vote

Asda CEO Andy Clarke said on Thursday: "If we were no longer to operate in one state with one market and - broadly - one set of rules, our business model would inevitably become more complex. We would have to reflect our cost to operate here.

"This is not an argument for or against independence, it is simply an honest recognition of the costs that change could bring."

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Mr Salmond could not continue to ignore the warnings of retailers, oil companies and the financial services sector.

Mr Salmond attacked a Treasury leak that resulted in RBS's plans being announced in the press of Wednesday night, before the official announcement the following morning.

He wrote to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood demanding to know how the leak had occurred and calling on Mr Cameron to explain the Treasury's conduct.

Yes campaign leader Alex Salmond demanded an investigation into a leak

A Treasury source responded on Thursday night, telling Sky News: "It's nonsense - desperate distraction tactics."

Sir Jeremy responded that the Treasury had simply been confirming what the situation was after reports had appeared elsewhere in the media and there was no breach of the Ministerial Code.

Scotland's Clydesdale Bank also confirmed it would be re-registering in England if voters opted for independence, and Standard Life, which employs 5,000 in Scotland, said it would move some operations south of the border.

A poll released on Thursday, by Survation, found 53% were expected to vote No, and 47% yes. This was unchanged from August 28.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scotland Postal Voters 'Regretting Their Choice'

New Poll Gives 'No' Small Lead In Scotland Vote

Updated: 5:48am UK, Friday 12 September 2014

The Better Together campaign in Scotland is retaining a marginal lead, according to a new poll that puts No on 52% and Yes on 48%.

The YouGov poll of 1,300 people on the issue of Scottish independence for The Sun and The Times was taken over Tuesday to Thursday.

It covered a period when the leaders of the three main parties all visited Scotland and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown stepped up his involvement in the drive to keep the union.

Thursday was considered a good day for the No campaign as several independent heavyweights expressed their concerns if Scotland was to vote to become a separate country.

Asda and John Lewis said the increased costs of operating in an independent Scotland would inevitably be passed on to the consumer, leading to higher prices.

RBS, which has been based in Scotland since 1727 and employs 11,500 people there, also confirmed it would be moving its headquarters to London if Scotland voted for independence.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), meanwhile, said a vote for independence could have a negative effect on the markets in the short-term because of "uncertainty".

The Yes campaign, led by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, had been buoyed at the weekend with one YouGov poll putting it marginally ahead of former Chancellor Alistair Darling's Better Together.

There had been fears that a poor performance by David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, who all travelled north of the border on Wednesday, could result in Yes gaining further ground.

It was also not known how Mr Brown's intervention, in support of the No campaign, would go down with the electorate.

The former premier spoke to Sky News on Sunday and made a speech on Monday setting out an alternative timetable to give the Scottish Parliament more control over finance, welfare and taxation, in the event of a No vote.

Asda CEO Andy Clarke said on Thursday: "If we were no longer to operate in one state with one market and - broadly - one set of rules, our business model would inevitably become more complex. We would have to reflect our cost to operate here.

"This is not an argument for or against independence, it is simply an honest recognition of the costs that change could bring."

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Mr Salmond could not continue to ignore the warnings of retailers, oil companies and the financial services sector.

Mr Salmond attacked a Treasury leak that resulted in RBS's plans being announced in the press of Wednesday night, before the official announcement the following morning.

He wrote to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood demanding to know how the leak had occurred and calling on Mr Cameron to explain the Treasury's conduct.

A Treasury source responded on Thursday night, telling Sky News: "It's nonsense - desperate distraction tactics."

Sir Jeremy responded that the Treasury had simply been confirming what the situation was after reports had appeared elsewhere in the media and there was no breach of the Ministerial Code.

Scotland's Clydesdale Bank also confirmed it would be re-registering in England if voters opted for independence, and Standard Life, which employs 5,000 in Scotland, said it would move some operations south of the border.

A poll released on Thursday, by Survation, found 53% were expected to vote No, and 47% yes. This was unchanged from August 28.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thousands Donated After Dogs Die In 'Arson'

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been donated by members of the public after at least 40 dogs were killed in a suspected arson at one of the country's largest kennels.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson following the blaze at Manchester Dogs' Home.

Greater Manchester Police said the fire was under control.

Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping".

Twitter user @Hoyles10 said: "Big fire at Manchester Dogs Home, apparently the building has collapsed, too late for the animals by all accounts ... Heartbreaking."

A woman saves a dog from the fire. Pic: @manchesterfire

Fellow user @MostonRedDevil wrote: "Manchester dogs home is on fire with all the dogs yelping."

There were reports of people risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.

At least 43 dogs were confirmed by police to have died, with "numerous" other animals having to be treated for injuries, the Greater Manchester force said.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station commander Paul Duggan confirmed part of the roof of the single-storey kennels collapsed.

Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in several fundraising campaigns being launched which have raised more than £400,000 in total.

Part of the roof of the building collapsed

On its Twitter page, Manchester Dogs Home said: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful.

"We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled."

Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs' Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".

She said: "I cannot describe what we have seen tonight. It's soul destroying."

She said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.

TV presenter and singer Jodie Prenger, one of the home's patrons, tweeted: "All my thoughts are with you guys. It's broke my heart to hear such sad news."

The dogs home was established in 1893. Pic: @StacyHilton

The blaze provoked an angry response on social media, but police warned people not to "take matters into their own hands".

Superintendent Marcus Noden said: "We would ask if anyone was in the area and remembers seeing anything suspicious around the dogs home that they call police and tell us what they know.

"As a dog owner myself I understand that many people will feel angry and upset about what has happened, but I would ask that they let the police carry out their investigations and not take matters into their own hands."

Firefighters said 150 dogs were rescued. Pic: Manchester Fire

The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893. It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.

A spokeswoman for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home said staff were "incredibly saddened" to hear of the fire.

Police are asking for people with donations of bedding, food or bowls to take them to Central Park Police Station later, between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teen Killed While Filling Up At Petrol Station

A teenage girl has died after she was hit by a car while filling up at a petrol station.

Eilish Herron was on the forecourt of the Asda garage in Linwood, Renfrewshire, when the crash happened on Wednesday afternoon.

Police Scotland said the 17-year-old was struck by a Ford Focus that collided with her Renault Clio while she filled it with fuel.

Ms Herron, of Paisley, died of her injuries at the scene. The male driver of the Ford Focus was uninjured.

Police say they are investigating the matter and that a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Any witnesses are urged to get in touch with officers on 101.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

David Cameron Love-Bombs Voters: Analysis

By Faisal Islam, Political Editor

Precision love-bombing was the Prime Minister's aim, the target the Scottish people. An emotional Prime Minister issuing a plea to voters not to break up the Union and his heart.

In front of an audience of workers at Scottish Widows, he talked of what the UK had done together: defeat Hitler, the enlightenment, and build the NHS.

A soft audience yes, but the PM had a frank assessment of his own party's image and problem in what is still at least for now a part of the UK.

"Sometimes people can feel like it's a General Election ... you make your decision and five years later you can make another decision ... if you're fed up with the effing Tories you can give them a kicking ... this is a decision about the next century," he told the polite audience.

Speaking first to Sky News after his speech, Mr Cameron told me his head and heart strategy would not stretch to the heavy lifting of the last week of campaigning.

No debate with Alex Salmond, he told me: "It wouldn't be the right approach, because this is a debate about two different visions for Scotland.

"Alex Salmond wants a debate between the First Minister of Scotland and as he put it 'a Tory from England'. It's not the debate that's relevant for two competing visions for Scotland."

John Prescott meets voters in Scotland

The Labour Party heavyweights were in Glasgow, but it was no easier for them.

"Now I'm here to talk particularly to Labour voters," said the former Deputy Prime Minister before being heckled and then telling the heckler to shut up.

Around a third of Labour voters are turning to independence. Inside the Labour leader wooing those vital party faithful tempted by a vision of a kind of People's Republic of Caledonia, a Scotland never again ruled by Tory Westminster.

His answer was Gordon Brown's accelerated plan for new powers for Holyrood over taxation, welfare and transport.

And the Deputy Prime Minister chose safer ground in the borders region, but did not escape yes voters.

"It's not only, of course, a momentous decision for Scotland but it is for the UK as a whole, and I'm convinced that as a united kingdom where we rip up the bonds that bind us together will be weaker and less secure," he said.

Back in Edinburgh, at the back door, a crowd had gathered for a word with the PM. After all, Alex Salmond had been posing for selfies.

But the PM slipped by - it was a missed opportunity for Mr Cameron.

He could - and perhaps should - have stopped the car, got out and chatted to a young Yes T-shirt wearer. As it was it seemed as if he was only comfortable talking to financiers.

Doesn't it show something that the PM can't go into the streets and campaign in Scotland?

"I've done everything I can, been in people's homes, been into people's businesses - but it's not just me making the case," he told me.

There was a spot of fear-bombing over currency, financial firms quitting Scotland and pensions. Head and heart.

Mr Salmond has performed a type of sumo move on the No campaign - neutralised the threat of the confusion over currency vagueness.

A majority of Scots polled by YouGov believe Mr Salmond's assertion that the Westminster parties are bluffing in the refusal of a currency union.

Mr Salmond has then attacked the Labour vote using an amorphous threat to the NHS as his "wedge" issue.

So yes, the love-bombing came with more fear-bombing. Big businesses joined in.

The hope for No, that voters, when they enter ballot boxes in a week's time, reach a "cliff edge", and realise the risks.

A poll at the end of the day provided some respite for No. Among decided voters, No was back ahead by six points at 53%. Who knows what the Westminster armada will do to such numbers.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lloyds And RBS Want New Law To Help HQ Move

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Directors of Britain's two big state-backed banks will press the Government to introduce legislation that would expedite a relocation of their legal headquarters if Scotland votes for independence.

Sky News has learnt that Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) want ministers to introduce a new Act of Parliament that would avoid the need for a lengthy legal process handled by the courts.

Directors of both lenders are concerned that the process for moving their banking licences and legal base - using a mechanism called a Part 7 Transfer under the Financial Services and Markets Act - would be too time consuming.

Amid uncertainty about the currency that an independent Scotland would use, Lloyds and RBS are concerned that credit ratings agencies would downgrade them if they remained domiciled in Scotland.

While they have not yet held talks with the Treasury about the details of new legislation, sources close to Lloyds and RBS confirmed on Thursday that they were keen for it to happen.

The two banks have drawn up plans to move their legal bases to London, although Lloyds' operations have already been based in England for more than a century.

RBS's relocation would be likely to involve the transfer of some jobs, although it declined to say how many in a statement issued on Thursday morning.

"There are a number of material uncertainties arising from the Scottish referendum vote which could have a bearing on the Bank's credit ratings, and the fiscal, monetary, legal and regulatory landscape to which it is subject.

"For this reason, RBS has undertaken contingency planning for the possible business implications of a 'Yes' vote," it said.

"As part of such contingency planning, RBS believes that it would be necessary to re-domicile the Bank's holding company and its primary rated operating entity (The Royal Bank of Scotland plc) to England."

RBS insisted that shifting its legal base to England would have "no impact on everyday banking services used by our customers throughout the British Isles".

Underlining the sensitivity of its latest intervention, RBS said that the referendum was "a matter for the Scottish people" and pointed out that it had been based north of the border since 1727.

"RBS intends to retain a significant level of its operations and employment in Scotland to support its customers there and the activities of the whole Bank," it said.

Lloyds said it was clarifying its own contingency plans following enquiries from customers and employees.

"While the scale of potential change is currently unclear, we have contingency plans in place which include the establishment of new legal entities in England.

"This is a legal procedure and there would be no immediate changes or issues which could affect our business or our customers."

Both banks had already highlighted the potential risks of a 'Yes' vote in results announcements and company documents earlier this year.

The Treasury said that such contingency planning was "understandable" but continued to insist that it was not undertaking such work itself.

"The Government is not making contingency plans for a yes vote.

"However, as the Governor of the Bank of England has made clear, the UK authorities are responsible for financial stability in every part of the UK and will do everything necessary to work closely in all circumstances with all financial institutions who are based or wish to be based in the UK."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Call For New Law To Oust Under-Fire Police Boss

Senior MPs are calling for the Government to look at introducing emergency legislation so police and crime commissioners such as under-fire Shaun Wright can be sacked.

Appearing before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Mr Wright said he intended to stay in his job, claiming that resigning would have been the easy option.

South Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner has resisted demands to quit in the wake of a damning inquiry into child abuse in Rotherham spanning 16 years, including five where he was in charge of the town's children's services.

Those calling for him to step down include Prime Minister David Cameron, Home Secretary Theresa May and Labour leader Ed Miliband as well as his deputy, Tracey Cheetham, who stepped down herself in protest at his failure to go.

Keith Vaz MP, chairman of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee

Now, committee chairman Keith Vaz is writing to Ms May "because it is unsatisfactory in our view that someone should be able to say to the public who elected them 'I'm just carrying on'".

Mr Vaz called for Mr Wright's "immediate resignation", and the chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Nick Alston, told Sky News "his position was untenable".

The Jay Report outlined how at least 1,400 children had been subjected to trafficking, rape and other sexual exploitation between 1997 and 2013.

It also said their plight had been ignored by range of agencies, including police, councillors and council officials.

Twenty-five more victims have come forward since the report was published last month.

Former South Yorkshire chief constable Meredydd John Hughes

Mr Wright told MPs the problem of child sexual exploitation was not flagged up to him as a significant issue during his time as a councillor with responsibility for Rotherham's children services from 2005 to 2010.

But Mr Vaz responded by saying: "We don't accept you didn't know."

Mr Wright told the MPs: "I basically think that resigning would have been, perhaps, the easy option given the last fortnight with the various criticisms that have been made and the effect that that's had on both myself and my family."

He said it was his responsibility to the people of South Yorkshire to continue in his post and said no one had raised any questions about his conduct since his 2012 election - a suggestion rejected by Mr Vaz.

David Crompton admits things should have been done differently

Earlier, a former South Yorkshire police boss admitted he had "no idea" about the scale of child abuse in Rotherham while he was in charge.

Meredydd John Hughes, who was chief constable between 2004 and 2011, told MPs he was "embarrassed" at the failure to act to stop it.

Appearing before the same committee, he faced some tough questioning from MPs who said child exploitation "on an industrial scale" had taken place on his watch.

There were heated exchanges with Mr Hughes, who told the committee: "I can say with honesty that at the time I was both deputy and chief constable, I had no idea of the scale and scope of this type of organised crime."

He said he had not seen three of four reports being examined by their inquiry until recently.

He said: "Some of those reports ... I frankly felt sick last night when I read them. I am not immune to the ideas that this is a hideous crime and I am deeply embarrassed."

But he was rebuked by Mr Vaz, who told him his denials were "impossible to believe" in the face of "evidence of the most compelling nature" to the contrary.

After a 32-year career with the police, Mr Hughes said he had "singularly failed the victims of these victims".

His successor, Chief Constable David Crompton, was also questioned and told MPs: "I accept things should have been done differently in the past."

But he also told the committee: "Things are better now than they used to be."

Mr Vaz had taken the unusual step of requiring the witnesses to swear an oath before the hearing started.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Arrested Over Mum-Of-Five's Fatal Stabbing

A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a mother-of-five from the New Forest.

Police say the 36-year-old man is in custody, where he is being held on suspicion of Pennie Davis' murder. He was arrested in Southampton shortly before 8pm.

The 47-year-old was tending her two horses in a paddock off Hatchet Lane, near Beaulieu, when she was killed.

She suffered multiple stab wounds and her husband Pete later found her body in the field.

Mrs Davis, from Blackfield, worked in a supermarket and married just four months ago.

Police believe it is possible she may have been followed from her workplace to the field.

A 22-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of murder and a 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have both been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Leaders Head North As PM Urges Scotland To Stay

What Happens If Scotland Leaves The Union?

Updated: 2:00pm UK, Tuesday 09 September 2014

Supporters of both sides of the Scotland referendum debate are mounting a final push for votes before the ballot on September 18. Sky News looks at what will happen if Scotland votes Yes to exit the UK:

:: 1.  When would Scotland become independent?

The Scottish Government has set a date 18 months from now, March 24, 2016, for Scotland's independence day.

:: 2. What would happen immediately after a Yes vote?

The first step on the morning after the result comes in would involve the forming of teams from both the Yes and No camps to take part in behind-the-scenes negotiations. SNP leader Alex Salmond has already indicated his deputy Nicola Sturgeon would lead the talks for the Scottish nationalists. It is not yet known who would spearhead the Westminster team.

:: 3. What amendments would there be to the constitution?

The negotiating teams would devise a new constitution for Scotland and dissolve the 1707 Act Of Union.

:: 4. What would happen to the Queen?

The Yes campaign has said Her Majesty would stay as monarch so it would not be surprising if Mr Salmond seeks an audience with the Queen in the days and weeks after the vote.

:: 5. Would Scotland take part in the May 2015 General Election?

Scottish voters would still be able to take part, but their representatives would only potentially serve a 10-month term in office.

:: 6. What currency would Scotland use?

That is still being thrashed out and yet to be decided. The three main Westminster parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats - have ruled out a currency union, although Mr Salmond insists an independent Scotland would keep the pound.

:: 7. How much of the UK national debt would be transferred to Scotland?

This is not yet known, but it is likely to be worked out on a per capita share - based on population.

:: 8. What would happen to Scotland's standing in global affairs?

Scotland would have to negotiate its own entry into the European Union and Nato, and the population would have to decide whether they want to have the euro.

:: 9. What effect would independence have on Scotland's defence force?

The issue of defence is probably one of the most emotive - and uncertain. Scotland is likely to have its own independent defence force, in time, depending on practicalities and finances, for it has its North Sea oil and fishing industries to protect. Scottish nationalists are opposed to having the Trident nuclear deterrent and would want to see it removed from Faslane, on the west coast of Scotland, as soon as possible. However, Nato is fundamentally a nuclear alliance, and if Scotland struggles to become a member of Nato, it is likely to struggle to join the EU too, which would have a big impact on the Scottish economy. There is also the matter of service personnel - some of which will be currently serving in historic English regiments. Any division of troops north and south of the border would take years.

:: 10. What would independence mean in terms of travelling across the Scotland-England border?

An independent Scotland would control its own borders. The SNP would like to see an open border, but Home Secretary Theresa May has already warned she will not allow Scotland to be used as a back door for immigrants getting into England if Scotland adopts a looser immigration policy. So, we could see passport controls on the border between the two countries.

:: 11. Would Scottish citizens need new passports?

A lot depends on whether Scotland joins the EU. Scottish citizens would be entitled to a Scottish passport, but a UK passport would still be valid until it expires. British citizens who were habitual residents in Scotland would be automatically considered Scottish citizens.

:: 12. What would happen to benefits and taxes?

Benefits and taxes will become the responsibility of the new Scottish government. In its white paper on Scotland's independence it says the Scottish Parliament will ensure that the personal tax allowance and tax credits increase in line with inflation.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fast-Track Care For Workers With Stress

Mental illness cost the UK economy up to £100bn last year prompting calls for speeding up care through the health system.

The chief medical officer said there has been a 24% increase in the number of working days lost to stress, depression and anxiety since 2009.

Professor Dame Sally Davies said around 70 million working days were lost to mental illness in 2013.

In her latest annual report, Dame Sally said more needed to be done to help people battling mental illness to remain in work.

She said: "The costs of mental illness to the economy are astounding. Through this report, I urge commissioners and decision-makers to treat mental health more like physical health.

"Anyone with mental illness deserves good quality support at the right time.

"One of the stark issues highlighted in this report is that 60-70% of people with common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety are in work, so it is crucial that we take action to help those people stay in employment to benefit their own health as well as the economy."

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "The treatment gap for people with mental health problems can no longer be ignored.

"Not only are people with mental health problems in need of better support for their mental health conditions, but there is an unacceptable and preventable level of correlation with physical ill health."

Stephen Dalton, chief executive of the NHS Confederation's Mental Health Network, added: "We welcome this bold report and its important contribution to a long overdue national debate."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scottish Referendum Is 'Too Close To Call'

By Joey Jones, Deputy Political Editor

A research agency has said the Scottish referendum outcome is "too close to call" as both sides enter the final days of the vote campaign.

TNS said the Yes and No campaigns were neck and neck with 41% ahead of the vote on September 18.

Tom Costley, head of TNS Scotland, said: "This poll reveals a remarkable shift in voting intentions but the signs were evident in our last couple of polls which indicated a narrowing of the No lead, especially amongst those who told us that they were certain to vote.

"It is too close to call and both sides will now be energised to make the most of the last few days of the campaign and try and persuade the undecided voters of the merits of their respective campaigns."

Gordon Brown revealed a timetable for devolutionary changes on Monday

Some 600,000 people could still have to make up their minds in the referendum, with leaders attempting to win over undecided voters.

It comes as the Scottish leaders of the three main parties unveil a detailed timetable setting out how quickly new powers could be transferred to Holyrood in the event of a No vote.

However, the precise nature of the powers have not been agreed on by all the parties but will give Scotland more control over finance, welfare and taxation.

The Better Together campaign has denied the move amounts to panic measures.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the campaign trail

Gordon Brown attempted to wrest back the initiative for the No campaign on Monday saying he was firing the "starting gun" for the introduction of far-reaching devolutionary changes.

The former Prime Minister is well aware that Labour supporters are increasingly anxious as the polls suggest significant numbers are being persuaded by the Yes campaign.

He told an audience of activists in Loanhead, south of Edinburgh, that far from the positive vision Yes campaigners maintain they are offering, voters should understand that the question is whether "we wish to sever all remaining political connections with our friends, neighbours and relatives in the rest of the UK".

Mr Brown's proposal was welcomed by the Prime Minister but David Cameron was effectively bounced into endorsing Mr Brown's initiative, knowing that he has the ability to energise an electorate that has been resistant to his overtures.

Labour leader Ed Miliband raised a Saltire over Liverpool and is encouraging other councils to do the same to send the message that England wants Scotland to stay in the union.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said pro-independence campaigners have "10 days of hard work" to win the referendum.

He told STV's Scotland Tonight: "This is about people's belief in our country, whether we have the ability to run our country more successfully and more fairly than the Westminster parties.

"I think all of the evidence and all of people's experience is convincing more and more people that we have the ability to do just that."

The TNS poll shows backing for the Yes campaign is up from 38% last month, while support for maintaining the union has dropped from 46%.

The momentum is for now with Yes, but were that to change the pressure would suddenly become just as strong on the other side.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scottish Jobs Market 'Wobbles' Ahead Of Vote

Uncertainty over the result of the next week's independence referendum may have knocked the confidence of employers in Scotland, according to a survey.

Manpower's employment outlook study measured a six-point fall for Scotland compared to its last survey - with growth in the fourth quarter of 2014 currently expected to be half that of the wider UK.

Hiring intentions nationwide also deteriorated, the survey found, with not only the referendum result knocking UK confidence.

The study was released 24 hours after financial markets reacted negatively to a poll showing the Yes campaign in the lead.

James Hick, managing director of ManpowerGroup Solutions, said: "The UK jobs market has experienced an unprecedented boom so far in 2014, with job creation peaking at its highest level since records began in 1971.

"This raises questions about whether the phenomenal level of job creation we've seen can be sustained.

"The fourth quarter's Outlook suggests it can't, with a two-point fall in hiring intentions - the sharpest dip we've seen in three years.

"While the UK economy is in robust health, there are issues that may be making employers more cautious.

"The eurozone's recovery is stalling, and the UK faces a period of political uncertainty with the Scottish independence referendum, a General Election and a potential vote on EU membership all on the horizon".

Manpower said its previous outlook study indicated that employers in Scotland remained confident about their hiring plans in the run up to the referendum but as September 18 drew closer, that confidence took a tumble.

Mr Hick added: "This could be due to the hesitance of employers to take on staff while there is a big question mark hanging over Scotland's future.

"However, the decline could also be down to the short-term nature of some of the recent hiring we've seen, fulfilling the demands of Scotland's Summer of Sport ...like the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup in Gleneagles.

"It looks like the booming temporary jobs market may have left Scotland at the same time as the Commonwealth Games baton".

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heartbreak: Third Of Foster Siblings Split Up

Thousands of brothers and sisters are being split up when they are placed in foster care - the impact of which can last a lifetime, a charity has warned.

Figures obtained by Action for Children through a Freedom of Information request showed that across 159 UK councils which provided results, 11,082 children with siblings were placed in care between April last year and March this year.

Of these around 3,598 youngsters (32%) were split up from their brothers and sisters.

The charity warned that separating brothers and sisters who are being taken into care can leave children feeling lost or abandoned at what is already a confusing and upsetting time.

Its chief executive Sir Tony Hawkhead said: "For many children, being taken into care can be a confusing and upsetting time; add the distress of being split up from your brother or sister into the mix and the impact will last a lifetime.

"Nobody wants to separate brothers and sisters, but there simply aren't enough foster carers who can look after siblings.

"By arming ourselves with a pool of dedicated people who can provide a loving and caring home to groups of children we will avoid breaking more young hearts in the future."

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "We absolutely agree that siblings should be placed together in a stable and loving home whenever possible.

"That is why we are working closely with councils to help them recruit more foster carers who can meet the needs of children harder to place, such as brothers and sisters.

"We have also quickened up the approval process and provided money to trial innovative approaches to foster carer recruitment."

Latest figures show an annual 9% increase in foster carers, she added.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Search For Alice Gross: Two Men Arrested

Two men have been arrested separately in connection with the murder of missing teenager Alice Gross.

Officers have stressed the disappearance of the 14-year-old schoolgirl, who was last seen on August 28, remains a missing persons inquiry.

But a search area has been expanded as specialist police divers continue examining the Grand Union Canal near her home in Hanwell, west London, where she was last seen.

On Sunday, a 51-year-old man was arrested in Hanwell on suspicion of Alice's murder.

Divers and sniffer dogs have been searching the River Brent

That followed the arrest of a 25-year-old man from Ealing on Saturday for the same offence. Officers have said the two men are independent of each other.

Both men remain in custody at a west London police station.

Alice, who suffers from anorexia, went missing 12 days ago after failing to return home.

She was last seen by her family at 1pm on August 28, and was spotted on CCTV at 4.23pm on the same day walking along the Grand Union Canal.

Police want to speak to cyclists seen near Alice before she disappeared

Officers have released new pictures of five cyclists seen riding along the canal at the same time Alice went missing.

The images show three cyclists passing the Trumpers Way Canal Bridge in Hanwell, just before Alice walked past.

They are followed by two more cyclists who pass under the bridge.

Alice is white, 5ft 2ins tall, of very slim build and with shoulder length, light brown hair.

She was last seen wearing dark blue jeans and a dark green lacy cardigan and carrying a dark rucksack. The bag was recovered last week.

The teenager has not been seen since August 28

She could have been wearing denim blue Vans shoes and tartan-framed glasses.

Officers have urged anyone who befriended Alice at a song-writing workshop at the Camden Roundhouse to contact police.

Last week, Alice's mother Rosalind Hodgkiss, said: "We'd like to say to Alice first of all that we miss her, that we love her and that she's not in any trouble, and we want to know that she's safe. We just want her to come home.

"We're also appealing to anybody who might have seen her or who may have made contact with her or who may know something about her whereabouts to contact police or Missing People, and to just get in touch because we're really concerned about her well-being."

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8358 0100, Ealing Missing Persons Unit on 020 8246 1018 or the charity Missing People on 116000.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ashya King On His Way To Prague For Treatment

Ashya King is on his way to the Czech Republic for specialist proton treatment on his brain tumour.

The five-year-old and his parents Brett and Naghmeh travelled from Materno Infantil hospital in Malaga, where he was being treated, to Malaga airport.

Ashya travelled with his mother in an ambulance and his father followed in a taxi.

They are flying by air ambulance for the three-hour flight to Prague "with all the guarantees regarding the care this youngster needs," said a spokesman for Materno Infantil hospital.

Ashya's father Brett takes a taxi to Malaga airport

The Proton Therapy Centre, where he will receive the specialist treatment, gave the go-ahead for him to travel after reviewing documentation from the Spanish hospital.

Sky's Lisa Holland, in Malaga, said Ashya is expected to arrive in Prague later this morning and will receive the treatment "pretty quickly afterwards".

"He (Mr King) clearly looked very, very relieved," she said.

"This is a man who told us in a press conference a few days ago how pained he was by this whole situation.

Ashya and his brother Naveed

"How he heard his wife crying in a police cell while they spent three days in custody, and they overnighted in a Madrid prison cell awaiting extradition.

"So things have really turned round now for the King family after their separation from Ashya.

"They've got what they wanted which is essentially to be making that journey now to Prague."

Mr and Mrs King were arrested in Spain after they took him from Southampton General Hospital on August 28 without the permission of doctors.

Ashya's parents were arrested for removing him from hospital

They were released when prosecutors withdrew a European arrest warrant.

Portsmouth City Council, which has responsibility for Ashya's welfare, launched family court action against his parents.

Mr Justice Baker, at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court on Friday, ruled Ashya could be taken to the Czech Republic.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Girl, 11, 'Sexually Assaulted' At Picnic Site

Police have increased patrols near Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight after an 11-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted during a family visit to a picnic site.

The girl was at Fort Victoria on Saturday morning when she was approached by a man who assaulted her before walking away, Hampshire Police said.

Detective Sergeant John Stirling said: "This was a rare but very serious incident against a child, during the day in a busy picnic site.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area or who recognises the man from the description."

The man was said to be white with pale skin, aged in his 50s, with grey hair and was clean shaven. He was around six feet tall, of average build and with a deep voice.

He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt with dark blue and light blue stripes and blue jeans.

The force said a man arrested on Saturday was released and no further action is to be taken against him.

It said patrols had been stepped up in the area over the weekend to reassure the local community.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Teenager Alice Gross: Man Arrested

Police hunting for missing 14-year-old Alice Gross have arrested a man on suspicion of murder.

The 25-year-old suspect was arrested in the Ealing area at around 5pm on Saturday and is currently in custody at a west London police station.

His arrest follows information detectives received earlier in the day.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "All lines of enquiry are still open at this time and this remains a missing person investigation at this stage."

Alice was spotted on CCTV before she vanished

Alice, who suffers from anorexia, disappeared from her home in Hanwell, west London, on Thursday, August 28.

She left her home at around 1pm and was captured on CCTV an hour later on the Grand Union Canal towpath near Brentford Lock, walking towards the River Thames.

She was later filmed again at 3.45pm along the towpath heading back to her home.

The footage showed her wearing dark blue jeans, a dark green lacy cardigan and denim blue Vans shoes. She may also have had tartan-framed glasses.

Newly released CCTV images of cyclists spotted in the area

Earlier, the Met Police released new pictures of cyclists riding past the spot where Alice was last spotted, shortly before her disappearance.

The grainy footage show three cyclists riding along the towpath by the Trumpers Way Canal Bridge in Hanwell, moments before Alice walks past at 4.23pm.

They are followed by two more cyclists who pass under the bridge on the Grand Union Canal.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Chalmers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "I would urge everyone to take a good look at the pictures released today to see if it jogs any memories of the day Alice went missing."

A large social media campaign has been under way since the teenager went missing and hundreds of posters have been distributed around the area.

A social media campaign was launched after the 14-year-old went missing

Alice's mother Rosalind Hodgkiss appealed to her daughter directly on the Facebook page Find Alice Gross, saying: "Alice if you can see this, please know sweetheart that all of us love you and miss you desperately.

"You may be sad, you may be angry, you may be hurt, you may be scared too. I just want to hug and hold you. Know that we love you and are there for you whatever you are going through.

"My love please get in touch and let someone know you are safe. Alice please come home. Mum."

Alice is described as white, 5ft 2ins tall and of slim build, with shoulder-length light brown hair.

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8358 0100, Ealing Missing Persons Unit on 020 8246 1018 or the charity Missing People on 116 000.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Madeleine: Book Sheds Light On Mystery Predator

Madeleine: Key Events Timeline

Updated: 8:10pm UK, Monday 30 June 2014

Here is a timeline of the key events since Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

2007

:: May 3 - Kate and Gerry McCann leave their three children asleep in their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz while they dine with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant.

Jane Tanner, one of the friends eating with the McCanns, later reports seeing a man carrying a child away earlier that night.

:: May 5 - Portuguese police reveal they believe Madeleine was abducted but is still alive and in Portugal, and say they have a sketch of a suspect.

:: May 14 - Detectives take Anglo-Portuguese man Robert Murat in for questioning and make him an "arguido", or official suspect.

:: May 25 - Detectives release a description of the man reported by Jane Tanner three weeks earlier after pressure from the McCanns, their legal team and the British Government.

:: May 30 - Mr and Mrs McCann meet the Pope in Rome in the first of a series of trips around Europe and beyond to highlight the search for their daughter.

:: August 6 - A Portuguese newspaper reports that British sniffer dogs have found traces of blood on a wall in the McCanns' holiday apartment.

:: August 11 - Exactly 100 days after Madeleine disappeared, investigating officers publicly acknowledge for the first time that she could be dead.

:: September 7 - During further questioning of Mr and Mrs McCann, detectives make them both "arguidos" in their daughter's disappearance.

:: September 9 - The McCanns fly back to England with their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.

:: October 2 - Goncalo Amaral, the detective in charge of the inquiry, is removed from the case after criticising the British police in a Portuguese newspaper interview.

:: October 25 - The McCanns release a new artist's impression drawn by an FBI-trained expert showing the man described by Jane Tanner.

2008

:: March 19 - Mr and Mrs McCann accept £550,000 libel damages and front-page apologies from Express Newspapers over allegations they were responsible for Madeleine's death.

:: April 7 - Three Portuguese detectives, led by Paulo Rebelo, fly to Britain to re-interview the seven friends on holiday with the McCanns when Madeleine vanished.

:: July 17 - Mr Murat receives £600,000 in libel damages from four newspaper groups over "seriously defamatory" articles connecting him with the child's disappearance.

:: July 21 - The Portuguese authorities shelve their investigation and lift the "arguido" status of the McCanns and Mr Murat.

:: August 4 - Thousands of pages of evidence from the Portuguese police files in the exhaustive investigation into Madeleine's disappearance are made public.

2009

:: January 13 - Mr McCann returns to Portugal for the first time since coming back to the UK without his daughter.

:: March 24 - The McCanns launch a localised new appeal for information focused on the area in the Algarve where Madeleine disappeared.

:: April 4 - Mr McCann goes back to Portugal to help film a reconstruction of the events on the night his daughter vanished.

:: April 22 - The McCanns fly to the US to record an interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey to mark two years since Madeleine's disappearance.

:: June 14 - Dying paedophile Raymond Hewlett says he was in the Algarve when Madeleine disappeared and has an alibi - but has no plans to reveal it.

:: August 6 - Detectives say they are hunting a "Victoria Beckham lookalike" with an Australian or New Zealand accent, reportedly seen in Barcelona three days after the little girl went missing.

2010

:: Feb 18 -  Kate and Gerry McCann say they are "pleased and relieved" at a judge's decision to uphold a ban on a book by former detective Goncalo Amaral.

:: Mar 3 -  A newly-released file from Portugese police on possible sightings is called "gold dust" and could lead to a breakthrough, says a spokesman for the McCanns.

:: May 1 - Kate McCann reveals she had thoughts about being "wiped out" in a motorway crash to end the pain of losing Madeleine - but vows never to give up.

:: November 10 - Madeleine's parents launch an online petition to help force a UK and Portuguese joint review of all evidence in the case.

:: November 15 -  The McCanns sign a deal to write a book about their daughter's disappearance.

2011

:: May 13 - The Prime Minister David Cameron asks London's Metropolitan Police to help investigate the case.

:: November 23 - Kate and Gerry McCann appear at the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics.

They tell how media pressure affected their family life and accuse newspaper editors of hampering the search for their missing daughter.

Kate McCann says she felt "violated" when her diary was published without her permission.

:: December 5 - Scotland Yard detectives spend time in Barcelona as part of their re-examination of the case.

2012

:: March 9 - Portuguese police in Oporto launch a review of the original investigation.

:: April 26 - Scotland Yard says Madeleine McCann may still be alive and release an artist's impression of what she may look like as a nine-year-old.

:: July 6 - British detectives examine a claim that the little girl's body is buried near the apartment from where she vanished. It comes after a self-styled investigator sends police radar scans he claims show a burial site.

2013

:: February 11 - Gerry McCann calls for politicians to implement the conclusions of the Leveson Inquiry in full, backed by legislation.

:: February 13 - Police say the results of DNA tests on a girl in New Zealand who was mistaken for Madeleine reveal that she is not the missing British girl.

:: February 21 - Retired solicitor Tony Bennett who published claims that Madeleine McCann's parents caused her death is given a suspended jail sentence.

:: May 2 - Madeleine McCann's parents tell Sky News a police review into their daughter's disappearance is making "excellent progress" as they mark the sixth anniversary since she went missing.

:: May 17 - Scotland Yard say they have identified a number of "people of interest" they want to speak to. It believes it has found enough evidence to reopen the case but the Portuguese authorities are still resistant. 

:: June 15 - The Home Office agrees to fund a full-scale investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

:: October 13 - UK detectives reviewing the case say key details in the timeline of her disappearance have "significantly changed".

:: October 14 - A fresh appeal is launched in a bid to find a suspect detectives say is of "vital importance", with two new separate e-fits - thought to be of the same man seen on the night Madeleine went missing - released by police.

:: October 17 - Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, who is leading the Scotland Yard team, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, and Mr and Mrs McCann meet officers in Lisbon to be briefed on the Portuguese case.

:: October 23 - Britain's most senior police officer Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe defends the way the Portuguese dealt with the initial investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, saying it would have been "very difficult" to immediately know if they were dealing with a serious crime.

:: October 24 - Detectives in Portugal reopen the investigation into Madeleine McCann's disappearance after an internal review uncovers new lines of inquiry and witnesses who were never questioned during the original Portuguese investigation.

2014

:: January 3 - A family source says Kate and Gerry McCann have been denied permission to give evidence at a Portuguese libel trial over a book about the case by former local police chief Goncalo Amaral.

:: January 13 - British police investigate three burglars who were in the area when Madeleine disappeared, and whose phones were apparently "red hot" after she went missing. A letter is sent to Portuguese police asking for help to track them down.

:: January 29 - Scotland Yard officers, including the detective leading the case, fly to Portugal to meet police there and discuss the latest developments.

:: March 19 - Officers from Operation Grange launch a search for a man who sexually assaulted five British girls in the Algarve between 2004 and 2006.

:: April 23 - Detectives identify five new cases where a lone intruder abused young British girls in holiday apartments in the Algarve.

:: May 1 - Kate and Gerry McCann give an interview to Sky News where they are desperate to find out what happened to Madeleine, even if it is the "worst case scenario" as they back calls for a Child Rescue Alert service similar to the Amber Alert system in the US.

:: May 6 - Scotland Yard plans to dig for evidence in three locations in Praia da Luz are approved, with officers set to use ground penetrating radar.

:: May 8 - British Officers reportedly use a military helicopter to photograph potential excavation sites and hold a four-hour meeting with Portuguese colleagues to agree a timetable for new searches.

:: May 22 - Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley says the investigation will enter a "substantial phase of operational activity" in Portugal in the coming weeks. 

:: June 2 - Portuguese police seal off an area of scrubland to the west of Praia da Luz as they prepare to examine the potential excavation site.

:: June 11 - Police begin to search an area between Praia da Luz and the town of Lagos behind a water treatment plant. The search of the scrubland site was later wound down.

:: June 30 - The British team return to Portugal and plan to speak to a key witness and several suspects the following day.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More