Lawrence Family To Ask May For Public Inquiry

Stephen Lawrence's family are meeting the Home Secretary to ask for a new public inquiry into claims that police secretly hunted for information to smear their campaign.

Michael Mansfield QC, who represents the family of the murdered student, said they also want the inquiry to investigate all cases of undercover activity carried out by the Metropolitan Police's former Special Demonstration Squad throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

It follows claims by one of the squad's former undercover officers, Peter Francis, that he was told to "dig up dirt" on the Lawrence family, Stephen's friend Duwayne Brooks, who witnessed the murder, and campaigners shortly after Stephen's death in 1993.

Mother Doreen Lawrence

Allegations have also been made that officers secretly bugged meetings they held with Mr Brooks and his lawyers.

Earlier this week, Mrs May said Mr Francis' claims would instead be investigated in two ongoing inquiries - one into the undercover operations of the Special Demonstration Squad and another into alleged police corruption in the original Lawrence inquiry.

After the announcement, Mr Lawrence said he had "no confidence" that these would get to the bottom of the issue.

Mrs May said she would be "ruthless" in purging the Metropolitan Police of any misconduct and made clear that prosecutions could follow the inquiries.

Father Neville Lawrence

Scotland Yard said it was investigating reports that officers secretly bugged meetings with Mr Brooks.

"An investigation into the circumstances of what took place has now been started by the DPS (Directorate of Professional Standards), " it said.

"This investigation will seek to establish exactly what was authorised and what happened to any material which may have been gathered, in the context of the legal framework of that time."

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Mum Yvonne Walsh And Baby Killed: Man Charged

A 28-year-old man will appear in court today charged with murdering a mother and her seven-month-old baby.

Wesley Williams was charged last night with two counts of murder following the deaths of 25-year-old Yvonne Walsh and her son Harrison.

Both victims, who died as a result of pressure to the neck, were found at their home in Chells Grove, Billesley, Birmingham, on June 2.

Williams, who is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court, is alleged to have murdered Ms Walsh and her son between May 31 and June 2.

In a statement issued last night, Hayley Firman, Head of the West Midlands CPS Public Protection Unit, said: "I have advised officers from West Midlands Police that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to charge Wesley Williams with the murders of Yvonne Walsh and her seven-month-old son, Harrison Walsh.

"The decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"Wesley Williams now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial."

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Police Investigate Racist Graffiti At Mosque

Racist graffiti including swastikas has been painted on a mosque in Redditch after intruders forced their way in to the site.

The damage at the mosque in Jinnah Road was caused between 2am and 4.30am on Wednesday and was discovered by a targeted police patrol.

The graffiti, including swastikas, had been sprayed on to walls and at least half a dozen windows using paint taken from builders' cabins on the site.

Intruders had forced their way on to the site through a gate and then broke into the main building of the mosque.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, North Worcestershire police commander, said: "For as long as I can remember the relationship between the Muslim community in Redditch, the police and the wider community would best be described as excellent.

"Due to incidents happening nationally targeted patrols have been put in place and these will now be further increased as we will not tolerate mindless attacks of this nature.

"I will be arranging meetings with the chairs of the mosques, local civic leaders and the Independent Advisory Group to reassure them of our commitment and determination to do everything possible to prevent and further such incidents and track down those responsible for this attack."

The graffiti comes just days after detectives in Walsall launched a major hate-crime investigation when a small home-made bomb exploded near a mosque.

Around 150 people were evacuated from their homes in the Caldmore area of Walsall on Saturday night while bomb disposal experts made the device safe.

West Midlands Police said a loud bang heard by residents late on Friday "appeared to be consistent" with the device exploding. No one was injured and it caused minimal damage.

Last week two men were charged in relation to an alleged arson at a mosque in Gloucester, and an Islamic cultural centre in Grimsby was hit by petrol bombs last month.

Mosques in Braintree, Essex, and Gillingham, Kent, have also been targeted.

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Mosque Bomb: Anti-Terror Police Drafted In

Counter-terrorism police have been drafted in to help with a hate crime investigation after a home-made bomb exploded near a mosque.

Around 150 people were evacuated from their homes in the Caldmore area of Walsall on Saturday night while bomb disposal experts dealt with the small device.

West Midlands Police said a loud bang heard by residents late on Friday "appeared to be consistent" with the device exploding. No one was injured and it caused minimal damage.

The remains of the device were found in an alleyway adjoining the Aisha Mosque and Islamic Centre in Rutter Street on Saturday by a local man who took them home and showed them to his wife.

The mosque's imam also took them home later before anyone realised their significance.

Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said: "The force is taking this attack against the mosque very seriously and we have a major investigation under way.

Police confirmed the suspicious package was an explosive device

"To that end, I have called in support from all over the force, including the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, which has a number of experts supporting the inquiry.

"Specialist investigators have been working all day and continue to ensure that we maximise every opportunity from the crime scene."

She added: "At this stage we are keeping an open mind on a motive, but have recorded it as a hate crime. A hate crime is any criminal act committed against a person or property that is motivated by the offender's hatred of people because of their gender, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation."

Police have stepped up patrols in Walsall to reassure the community, despite believing the planting of the device was an isolated incident.

The mosque is known for its open policy, welcoming people from other religions. A spokesman said there have never been any problems at the venue.

Zia ul Haq, a committee member and spokesman for the Aisha Mosque, thanked the police and local authority for their support.

"We found this suspicious item which we didn't consider to be very serious or very threatening. but as a precaution we thought that we would call the police and bring this to their attention," he said.

A bomb disposal team near the mosque

"They have taken this very seriously and they have supported us wholeheartedly."

Bomb disposal experts from the Royal Logistic Corps attended the scene to ensure the device was safe and forensic teams spent several hours conducting a detailed search for evidence.

About 80 people evacuated from the area as a precautionary measure overnight were given shelter by Walsall Council, while 70 residents stayed with friends or family.

Councillor Zahid Ali, portfolio holder for public health and protection, said: "We stand shoulder to shoulder together as a community in support of the police.

"We've worked very hard with the community and shown that we were there for them when the evacuated residents needed shelter.

"Walsall has really shown its mettle in coming together and responding with calm determination."

It comes after a number of recent incidents at mosques following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, London.

Last week, two men were charged in relation to an alleged arson at a mosque in Gloucester, and an Islamic cultural centre in Grimsby was hit by petrol bombs last month.

Mosques in Braintree, Essex, and Gillingham, Kent, have also been targeted.

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Gus Poyet: Brighton Boss Fired During TV Show

A 'surprised' Gus Poyet learned he had been sacked as Brighton manager while working as a football pundit on a live television programme.

The Uruguayan was appearing on the BBC which was covering the Confederations Cup match between Spain and Nigeria.

Poyet, 45, found out about his dismissal when the show's staff handed him a copy of a club statement during the first half.

The programme's host Mark Chapman read out the statement about the sacking in the half-time break.

The club had announced the dismissal, which had not been unexpected, on their Twitter feed.

Poyet said: "I think the BBC have a great story forever, because a manager getting information that he is being released from his employment by the BBC is quite surprising.

"I have had no communication, no texts, no email. I didn't receive anything on my phone so it is all up to you and the timing.

"The only thing I'm concentrating on is the appeal. I will appeal because it's the right thing to do."

The statement claimed the club had informed Poyet of the decision, but he refuted that.

After the match ended, Poyet re-appeared on screen and revealed the Championship side had subsequently made contact.

Poyet plans to appeal against the sacking

In the statement, Brighton said Poyet's three-and-a-half-year tenure had been terminated following a decision by the Seagulls' internal disciplinary panel into a, so far, unidentified matter.

It said: "Gus Poyet has been informed today by Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club's internal disciplinary panel that his employment has been terminated with immediate effect.

"This followed his suspension, an investigation, and a subsequent formal disciplinary process. In line with the club's own procedures, and UK employment law, Mr Poyet now has a right of appeal. As such, the club will make no further comment on this matter."

Poyet confirmed he would be appealing against the decision.

Brighton have remained tight-lipped over the reasons for the disciplinary action against Poyet and he declined the opportunity to shed any further light on the club's reasons for his dismissal.

His feud with the club has gathered pace since Brighton suffered a play-off defeat to Crystal Palace last month.

Poyet, assistant manager Mauricio Taricco and coach Charlie Oatway were subsequently told to stay away from the club in the wake of a disciplinary hearing, although Taricco's ban has since been lifted.

Poyet said he had not expected Sunday's decision, which came after a disciplinary hearing had to be adjourned last week when he opted not to attend.

"Not really. Today there have been plenty of phone calls between the representatives," he said.

"Everybody and the viewers can take their own conclusion about the way I have been informed.

"(Are they) messing with my career? We'll see. I think it is too early to say. I'm looking forward to making sure we clear this."

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Lawrence 'Smear Plot': Cameron Wants Inquiry

The Prime Minister David Cameron has said he wants an immediate investigation into claims the Met Police carried out an operation to "smear" the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.

The claims emerged in an interview with a former undercover police officer.

Peter Francis said he was told to find "dirt" that could be used against members of the Lawrence family, shortly after the 18-year-old was killed in a racist attack in April 1993, the Guardian reported.

He was also asked to target the friend who witnessed the murder and campaigners angry at the failure to bring his killers to justice, the newspaper said.

Downing Street said Mr Cameron was "deeply concerned" about the allegations and wants them looked into.

Mr Lawrence's mother, Doreen, told the Guardian that there was no justification for efforts to discredit her family following her son's murder.

Doreen Lawrence said the revelation 'tops' everything she knows

Scotland Yard said it recognised the seriousness of the allegations and shared the concerns of the Lawrence family.

"The Met must balance the genuine public interest in these matters with its duty to protect officers and former officers who have been deployed undercover, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances," a spokesman said.

"At some point it will fall upon this generation of police leaders to account for the activities of our predecessors, but for the moment we must focus on getting to the truth."

The claims have surfaced as a result of a joint investigation into undercover policing by the Guardian and Channel 4's Dispatches programme, to be broadcast this evening.

Mr Francis, who reportedly posed as an anti-racist activist in the mid-1990s, said he came under "huge and constant pressure" to "hunt for disinformation" to undermine those arguing for a better investigation into the murder.

The teenager's death sparked a change in how race crimes are investigated

He told the Guardian: "I had to get any information on what was happening in the Stephen Lawrence campaign.

"They wanted the campaign to stop. It was felt it was going to turn into an elephant.

"Throughout my deployment there was almost constant pressure on me personally to find out anything I could that would discredit these campaigns."

Mr Lawrence, an aspiring architect, was stabbed to death by a group of up to six white youths in an unprovoked racist attack as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, southeast London.

In January 2012, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of being involved in the attack and sentenced to life imprisonment after a forensic review of the case found significant new scientific evidence on clothing seized from their homes following the murder.

Responding to Mr Francis's claims, Mrs Lawrence told the Guardian: "Out of all the things I've found out over the years, this certainly has topped it."

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described Mr Francis's claims as "shocking and appalling" and called for Home Secretary Theresa May to seek a faster investigation into his specific allegations.

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Robber On The Run After Fleeing Court Dock

Police are searching for a teenage robber who fled a court dock as a judge was about to send him to jail.

Unemployed Ricky Kerry, 19, ran from the dock at Southend Crown Court after being sentenced to 28 months in prison for robbery, said Essex Police which has begun a manhunt.

A spokesman added: "He made off on foot at just after 12.45pm in the direction of Baxter Avenue. He was wearing a grey tracksuit and has brown eyes."

It is understood Kerry, of Southend, escaped through heavy double doors at the entrance to the court and down two flights of stairs.

Security guards chased him but could not catch him.

The force said Kerry was being sentenced for a robbery in Southend in April in which he punched a man and took his mobile phone.

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.

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GCHQ Spies 'Tap Fibre Optic Cables For Data'

British spies have secretly accessed fibre-optic cables carrying huge numbers of emails, Facebook messages and other communications, according to The Guardian.

Documents given to the newspaper by US whistleblower Edward Snowden suggest eavesdropping agency GCHQ can analyse data from the network of cables that carry global phone calls and internet traffic under an operation codenamed Tempora.

The newspaper said data had been shared with the organisation's US counterpart, the National Security Agency.

GCHQ, in Cheltenham, refuses to comment on intelligence matters but insisted it was "scrupulous" in complying with the law.

It is the latest in a string of leaks from Mr Snowden, who has told The Guardian he wants to expose "the largest programme of suspicionless surveillance in human history".

The newspaper said there were two principal components to the agency's surveillance programme, called Mastering the Internet and Global Telecoms Exploitation.

The paper claimed Operation Tempora had been running for 18 months.

GCHQ and the NSA can access communications including recordings of phone calls and a user's entire internet history, the documents suggest - and their scans apparently entirely innocent people as well as specific suspects.

Edward Snowden has been charged with espionage

Mr Snowden, who fled the US for Hong Kong after deciding to reveal the NSA's secrets, told the paper: "It's not just a US problem. The UK has a huge dog in this fight," he said.

"They (GCHQ) are worse than the US."

The Guardian reported that GCHQ lawyers told US counterparts there was a "light oversight regime" in Britain compared with America.

The newspaper said the documents revealed that by last year GCHQ was handling 600 million "telephone events" each day, had tapped more than 200 fibre-optic cables and was able to process data from at least 46 of them at a time.

The intelligence gathered is understood to have led to a number of high-profile arrests and convictions, including a terror cell in the Midlands. It is also claimed to have led to the arrest of London-based individuals planning attacks prior to last year's Olympic Games.

A source close to the intelligence agencies told Sky News' Political Correspondent Sophy Ridge that GCHQ scanned data for possible indications of a threat to national security, and that most of the information is not looked at in detail.

The work is legal and subject to ministerial scrutiny, the source said.

Ridge said: "At the same time this is of course going to reignite the big debate over the balance between protecting national security and making sure that people's personal details aren't compromised."

Privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch's director Nick Pickes said: "If GCHQ have been intercepting huge numbers of innocent people's communications as part of a massive sweeping exercise, then I struggle to see how that squares with a process that requires a warrant for each individual intercept. This question must be urgently addressed in Parliament."

A GCHQ spokeswoman said: "Our intelligence agencies continue to adhere to a rigorous legal compliance regime."

US authorities have filed espionage charges against Mr Snowden, a former CIA technician who formerly worked for the NSA, and have asked Hong Kong to detain him.

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Jeremy Forrest: Child Sex Teacher Jailed

A teacher who fled to France with his pupil and spent a week on the run has been jailed after admitting five counts of sexual activity with a child.

Jeremy Forrest, who was convicted by a jury yesterday of abducting the schoolgirl, pleaded guilty to the additional charges and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.

During his trial, the prosecution labelled him a "paedophile" and said he "groomed" the vulnerable teenager.

The 30-year-old insists he still loves the youngster, who broke down in tears and told him she was "sorry" as he was found guilty of her abduction.

She did not attend court for his sentencing but in a victim statement her mother said she had been "robbed" of her childhood.

"I feel like the worst mother in the world," she said. "Someone has got my child and I never saw it coming."

Forrest is led onto a plane to be extradited from France last October

Passing sentence, the judge at Lewes Crown Court said Forrest "chose to ignore the cardinal rule of teaching" by starting a sexual relationship with the teenager shortly after her 15th birthday.

"Your behaviour in this period has been motivated by self-interest and has hurt and damaged many people - her family, your family, staff and pupils at the school and respect for teachers everywhere," Michael Lawson QC said.

"It has damaged you too but that was something you were prepared to risk. You now have to pay that price."

He added: "I have seen nothing in the evidence which shows that at any stage you tried to provide proper boundaries between yourself and her, to discourage her, or let other staff deal with the matter appropriately.

"Indeed all the evidence shows that you encouraged her infatuation and provided opportunities for her to communicate with you and be alone with you."

Forrest arrived back in the UK with his head covered

Rumours of Forrest's relationship with the teenager surfaced in February last year, when the pair were spotted holding hands during a flight on a school trip to Los Angeles.

The girl, now 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted having a crush on Forrest, who taught at Bishop Bell Church of England School in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

They exchanged flirty text messages, tweets and photographs but denied any wrongdoing when pressed by the school.

Fearing their relationship was about to be exposed when police were alerted last September, Forrest abducted the youngster and took her on a cross-Channel ferry to France, where they spent a week on the run.

The couple dyed their hair, assumed false names and dropped a mobile phone into the English Channel in an effort to avoid being caught, but were tracked down after a Europe-wide search.

The family of Jeremy Forrest give their reaction to the sentencing

In a statement read outside court, Forrest's family said he was "very sorry for his actions" during what they described as a "sorry episode for all concerned".

"Despite the verdict and today's sentence, there are many factors in this case which need to be examined and addressed, including the failure to properly act on early warnings," they said.

"We sincerely hope these are looked into and not simply swept under the carpet."

A spokesman for Bishop Bell School said the staff had only "very limited anecdotal hearsay and no evidence of relationship" when concerns were first raised.

He said that before Forrest fled the country, the school had intended to remove him from the classroom while an internal investigation into possible professional misconduct was carried out.

A jury took just two hours to find Forrest guilty of abduction

The spokesman said staff remained "deeply shocked by the actions of Mr Forrest and his betrayal of the trust that was placed in him".

"It is important that the strongest possible message is sent to all who work with children that they hold a position of responsibility and trust for the lives, and wellbeing, of those in their care," he said.

"We take our responsibility extremely seriously and our safeguarding policies and procedures are robust.

"However, we are determined to implement any learning from these events to ensure that all pupils at the school are as safe as they possibly could be."

Jeremy Forrest was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Ling, of Sussex Police, said Forrest was in a "position of responsibility, authority and trust over the children in his care, which included this young, vulnerable victim".

"He grossly abused the trust placed in him and his actions caused distress and anxiety amongst parents, family members and the school community," he said.

Nigel Pilkington, of the Crown Prosecution Service, added: "We're pleased that Forrest has been sentenced for the full extent of his criminality, sparing his victim and her family from having to go through another trial."

Forrest, of Petts Wood, London, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for each count of sexual activity. The sentences will run at the same time. A one-year sentence for abduction will run consecutively.

The judge also imposed a sexual offences prevention order on Forrest, banning him from working or volunteering with children and unsupervised contact with children forever.

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Serious Speeding Offences In UK Jump By 10%

The number of drivers summoned to court for speeding increased by 10% last year - meaning more drivers are committing the most serious speeding offences, new figures reveal.

In 2012, 48,000 drivers - nearly 1,000 a week - appeared before magistrates for breaking the speed limit - up from 44,000 the previous year.

But the number of fixed penalty notices for lower-level speeding offences fell by 6% to almost half a million.

In total, British motorists were fined £30m for speeding last year.

The police data, obtained by a freedom of information request from LV= car insurance, suggests a growing minority of drivers are committing the worst offences.

Most drivers who were caught speeding said they were spotted by fixed speed cameras (62%), with a significant proportion caught by police with a camera at the roadside (22%) and police without a camera (10%).

Many motorists admit they regularly exceed the speed limit without getting caught.

One in seven (14%) drivers say they avoid detection by memorising where police patrol in their area, while others have technology in their vehicles, such as SatNavs, to detect fixed speed cameras and alert them while driving (16%).

Britain's roads are set to get even faster in future as last week the Government announced that trials of an 80mph speed limit could take place from August this year.

According to current Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines, a motorist caught driving at 80 mph on the motorway (70mph speed limit) would receive an on-the-spot fine but would need to be travelling at 96mph to receive a court summons.

If the speed limit is increased to 80mph, it is possible that only those driving well over 100mph would receive a court summons.

John O'Roarke, managing director of LV= car insurance, said: "While overall speeding convictions are down, it appears that the police are rightly taking a hard line on the most serious speeding offences.

"However, if a driver is caught exceeding the limit by even just a few mph, they can still be fined and given penalty points. Drivers should take care to know their limits to avoid a fine, penalty points or worse."

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