No 10 Aide Quits Over Abuse Images Claims

A government aide has been arrested over child abuse imagery allegations.

Patrick Rock was arrested at his home in the early hours of February 13 - hours after Downing Street reported the matter to police.

The 62-year-old, who was the deputy head of Downing Street's policy unit and a key aide of David Cameron's, had resigned the previous day.

Mr Rock, who is not married and is from west London, was one of a number of advisers and officials involved in drawing up the Government's policy on internet porn filters.

The search engine companies Google and Microsoft agreed last year to introduce changes to make it harder to find child abuse images online.

A spokesperson for Number 10 said: "Subsequently, we arranged for officers to come into Number 10 have access to all IT systems and offices they considered relevant.

"This is an ongoing investigation so it would not be appropriate to comment further, but the Prime Minister believes that child abuse imagery is abhorrent and that anyone involved with it should be properly dealt with under the law."

The spokesperson stressed the work was "led by somebody else, and decisions were taken by ministers".

According to the Daily Mail, which broke the news of the arrest, Mr Rock had particular responsibility for home affairs issues in the policy unit.

Mr Cameron brought Mr Rock back into Downing Street in 2011 after working with him at the Home Office under Michael Howard in the 1990s.

He was a protege of Margaret Thatcher and is credited with coining the phrase "cows moo, dogs bark. Labour puts up taxes".

Mr Rock stood for MP in 1984 for the Tory safeseat of Portsmouth South but after a disastrous by-election campaign he suffered a crashing defeat losing out to the then Liberal SDP Alliance candidate, Mike Hancock.

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Holidaymakers Warned Over Online Scams

By Tadhg Enright, Sky News Correspondent

Police have warned holidaymakers to be wary of online booking scams after £7m was stolen by fraudsters last year.

A total of 4,500 cases of booking fraud were reported to police in 2013, with almost a third of cases involving consumers paying for holiday villas and apartments that did not exist.

A report by fraud investigators from The City of London Police said the other most common scams included fake airline tickets and some package holidays to sporting events and religious pilgrimages.

Detective Superintendent Pete O'Doherty said: "The internet has changed the way we look for and book our holidays.

"Unfortunately it is also enabling fraudsters, using online offers of villas, hotels and flights that simply don't exist or promising bookings that are never made, to prey upon those looking for that perfect break."

Laura and Seán Parks told Sky News about their ordeal after they were scammed while trying to book a Valentine's Day break while Seán, a soldier, was home on leave from Afghanistan.

Having seen an online advertisement for log cabins near Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands she was duped into paying £400 into the fraudster's bank account - only to find upon arrival that the cabins did not exist.

Seán said that booking service appeared to be legitimate: "The website looked 100%. Everything else, the invoices, they all looked genuine."

Laura added: "He was using a booking company, wasn't he? And I contacted the booking company to ask if they were aware of any of this and they weren't.

"But you have no reason to doubt anything when you have invoices coming through, and you're paying into a bank account."

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, the travel industry body the Association of British Travel Agents and the Get Safe Online campaign have urged consumers to be wary and prepared the following advice:

• Do your research: Do not just rely on one review, do a thorough online search to ensure the company's credentials. If a company is defrauding people there is a good chance consumers will post details of their experiences, and warnings about the company, online.

• Use your instincts: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Pay safe: Never pay directly into an owner's bank account. Paying by direct bank transfer is like paying by cash and the money cannot be traced and is not refundable. Where possible, pay by credit card or a debit card that offers protection.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "Fraudsters are conning unsuspecting holidaymakers and travellers out of thousands of pounds each year - leaving them out of pocket or stranded with nowhere to stay through fake websites, false advertising, bogus phone calls and email scams."

Get Safe Online chief executive Tony Neate said it was vital for holidaymakers to do their research before booking.

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Childcare 'Costs Families More Than Mortgage'

Families are paying more on average for childcare than they spend on their mortgage, a new report says.

According to the Family and Childcare Trust study, parents are spending more than £7,500 a year on childcare for two children - around 4.7% more than the average mortgage bill.

Its also says some families may be spending more on childcare than they do on their weekly shopping.

Information for the report came from family or children's information services at councils in England, Wales and Scotland.

Each local authority was asked to give the cost of 25 hours and 50 hours of childcare as provided by nurseries and childminders.

They were also asked to give figures on the average cost of 15 hours childcare in an after-school club, or for a childminder picking youngsters up from school.

It found a family with one two-year-old child attending nursery part-time and a five-year-old in an after-school club will be forced to spend £7,549 a year on average.

This is higher than the UK average annual UK mortgage, which the report puts at £7,207.

Education and childcare minister Elizabeth Truss insisted the cost of childcare in England had stabilised for the first time in 12 years.

"In fact, once inflation is taken into account costs for the majority have actually fallen," she said.

"This means more parents are able to access affordable childcare and support their families.

"These reductions contrast with rising costs in Scotland and Wales, highlighting the difference this Government's reforms are making."

The Department for Education said that the survey shows that the cost of nursery for a child over two was now £106.19, compared to £106.52 per week last year, which it said was a 2% reduction in real terms.

Dr Steven Toole, head of policy at 4Children, said: "The cost of childcare remains a major challenge for too many families, resulting in some parents getting into debt and others having to give up or being prevented from taking up work.

"Recent 4Children research shows the scale of the struggle parents face with childcare, with one in four saying that affordable, flexible and accessible childcare would make the most real, positive difference to their family life."

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Moazzam Begg Remanded Over Terror Charges

Ex-Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg has appeared in court charged with providing terrorist training and funding terrorism overseas.

The 45-year-old British citizen, from Hall Green, Birmingham, was one of four people arrested earlier this week on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to the Syria conflict.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today alongside a woman, Gerrie Tahari, 44, of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, who also denied funding terrorism overseas.

Begg was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on March 14.

Both were arrested on Tuesday with two other men held on suspicion of facilitating terrorism overseas.

Begg was released from Guantanamo Bay in January 2005

The pair - a 36-year-old man from Shirley, Solihull, and a 20-year-old man from Sparkhill, Birmingham, who is the son of Tahari - remain in police custody.

Begg was held by the US government at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba for nearly three years after being arrested in Pakistan in February 2002.

He was detained on suspicion of being a member of al Qaeda before being released without charge in January 2005.

He was allowed to return to the UK where he was arrested by police before being released without charge.

Begg is a director of Cage - which campaigns "against the War on Terror" - and has always maintained that he has never been involved in any kind of terrorist activity.

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Leytonstone Murder: Victims Stabbed To Death

Police investigating a double murder say the two victims found in a car were stabbed to death.

Officers were called by paramedics to Montague Road, Leytonstone, northeast London, shortly before 1am on Saturday.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Post-mortem examinations found that Aaron Carriere, 21, died after being stabbed in the neck while the other, Josiah Manful, 20, died from stab wounds to the chest, shock and haemorrhaging, according to Scotland Yard.

Flowers were left at the scene of the killings in Leytonstone

No arrests have been made and a police incident room has opened in Barking.

Part of Montague Road was cordoned off while police forensic teams combed the area, including checking gutters and drains.

Flowers have been left at the scene.

A note attached to one bunch said: "rip aaron, always in our hearts, miss you. From jordan & mum xxx."

In one tribute a person wrote: "Nothing but love my brothers, may you rest in peace. Love Tony."

Young mourners turned up to pay their respects

One resident said: "I left and when I came back I saw it. It's horrible and I just heard what happened. I am so sorry - it's terrible."

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the killings to come forward, by calling the incident room on 020 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Connery 'Shakes And Stirs' Scotland Debate

James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery is urging fellow Scots to vote for independence as the opportunity is "too good to miss".

The Hollywood star claimed a "new nation" with more hope would be created if Scotland backs leaving the UK in September's referendum.

Sir Sean, who does not live in the country but is a well-known supporter of independence, said a Yes vote would "capture the world's attention".

He said: "I fully respect the choice facing Scotland in September is a matter for the people who choose to work and live there - that's only right.

"But as a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss.

He added: "Scotland has the chance to make a step change."

Sir Sean said a Yes vote would mean a "renewed focus on our culture and politics, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to promote our heritage and creative excellence".

David Bowie wants Scotland to remain part of the UK

He explained: "Simply put there is no more creative an act than creating a new nation."

The movie star, 83, said he was "particularly excited" about the prospects that independence could offer the film and creative industries.

He claimed these could be boosted by more investment, helping to create jobs north of the border with the "international promotion of Scotland as an iconic location".

Writing in an article in the Sun on Sunday and the New Statesman, he said a bigger and more confident film and broadcast sector could help bring about an inflow of resources and new jobs and training.

But the Better Together campaign - which wants Scotland to stay in the UK - says independence would mean losing jobs, and create more uncertainty, instability and barriers for business.

Last month, singer David Bowie, in a message read by model Kate Moss at the Brit Awards, urged Scots to remain a part of the UK, saying: "Stay with us Scotland."

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Floods Fund: £2m To Support Tourism Firms

Tourism businesses affected by the recent flooding are to get a £2m boost from the Government.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller says the money will fund experts who will visit affected areas and offer practical advice to tourism firms such as how to access business support measures.

The advice sessions will be hosted by VisitEngland and run throughout March.

The fund comes on top of  the £10m set aside by Prime Minister David Cameron last month to help flood-hit businesses generally.

Ms Miller said: "We want to help all those tourism businesses that have been affected by the horrendous floods get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

"Experts will be put on the ground to help small businesses with practical advice and communications while a bespoke Easter marketing will bring people back to the areas hit."

Welcoming the funding, VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford said: "Our message to customers is 'Business as usual'.

"Despite many areas having been affected by bad weather and some travel disruption, the tourism infrastructure is largely unaffected."

VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe said: "International tourism is worth around £1.5bn to the economies of south west England and Wales.

"We are already getting out the message that it is a great time to travel to Britain and will be intensifying that activity over the coming months."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

:: Watch Sky News' special programme 'Battered Britain: From The Air' about the effect of the recent storms on the UK's landscape on Sunday, March 2, at 4pm.

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Moazzam Begg Remanded Over Terror Charges

Ex-Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg has appeared in court charged with providing terrorist training and funding terrorism overseas.

The 45-year-old British citizen, from Hall Green, Birmingham, was one of four people arrested earlier this week on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to the Syria conflict.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today alongside a woman, Gerrie Tahari, 44, of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, who also denied funding terrorism overseas.

Begg was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on March 14.

Both were arrested on Tuesday with two other men held on suspicion of facilitating terrorism overseas.

Begg was released from Guantanamo Bay in January 2005

The pair - a 36-year-old man from Shirley, Solihull, and a 20-year-old man from Sparkhill, Birmingham, who is the son of Tahari - remain in police custody.

Begg was held by the US government at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba for nearly three years after being arrested in Pakistan in February 2002.

He was detained on suspicion of being a member of al Qaeda before being released without charge in January 2005.

He was allowed to return to the UK where he was arrested by police before being released without charge.

Begg is a director of Cage - which campaigns "against the War on Terror" - and has always maintained that he has never been involved in any kind of terrorist activity.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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Leytonstone Murder: Victims Stabbed To Death

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8:46am UK, Sunday 02 March 2014

Police forensic teams combed the scene of the double murder

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Moazzam Begg Charged With Terror Offences

Ex-Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg has been charged with providing terrorist training and funding terrorism overseas, West Midlands Police have said.

The 45-year-old British citizen, from Hall Green, Birmingham, was one of four people arrested earlier this week on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to the Syria conflict.

He will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today alongside a woman, Gerrie Tahari, 44, of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, who is charged with facilitating terrorism overseas.

Both were arrested on Tuesday with two other men held on suspicion of facilitating terrorism overseas.

The pair - a 36-year-old man from Shirley, Solihull, and a 20-year-old man from Sparkhill, Birmingham, who is the son of Tahari - remain in police custody.

Begg was released from Guantanamo Bay in January 2005

Begg was held by the US government at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba for nearly three years after being arrested in Pakistan in February 2002.

He was detained on suspicion of being a member of al Qaeda before being released without charge in January 2005.

He was allowed to return to the UK where he was arrested by police before being released without charge.

Begg is a director of Cage - which campaigns "against the War on Terror" - and has always maintained that he has never been involved in any kind of terrorist activity.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More