NHS Deaths: Health Sec Urges Police Probe

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has urged police to investigate the hundreds of deaths caused by neglect and abuse at Stafford Hospital.

In the wake of a damning report into care failings at the hospital, Mr Hunt said it was "absolutely disgraceful" that nobody had been "held to account" for the premature deaths of up to 1,200 people.

"I think it's absolutely outrageous that potentially more than a thousand people lost their lives because of poor care and not a single person has been brought to book," he told The Daily Telegraph.

"This was a public inquiry that was designed to help us understand why the system didn't pick up what went wrong but I think it is absolutely disgraceful with all those things happening, whether it is doctors, nurses or managers, nobody has been held to account."

Mr Hunt said the police should look at the evidence already in the public domain and insisted it was not for him to say who was guilty and who was not.

Jeremy Hunt wants individuals to be 'brought to book'

"As a politician, I am not in a position to say this nurse is guilty, this nurse is not, and all these things have to be decided at arm's length following due process. This is about people's careers and livelihood and there has to be fairness of course," he said.

Robert Francis QC, who led the inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, uncovered a "disaster" in the standards of basic care and medical treatment for some of the most vulnerable and elderly patients.

Reporting this week, Mr Francis said there were failings at every level of the NHS and that the culture among healthcare staff must change.

He said: "What we need to avoid is yet another wholesale reorganisation of abolishing organisations and creating new ones.

"This is about how people behave when they go to work and their ability to raise concerns and be honest about what's going on in their hospitals."

Stafford Hospital victim Alan Nash died after his bowel was perforated

His comments came after it emerged there were 3,000 more deaths than expected at another five NHS trusts between 2010 and last year.

A review has been launched into Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Patients' campaigner Julie Bailey, whose elderly mother Bella died at Stafford Hospital, called for individuals in the NHS to be held accountable for the failings in care.

She said: "This is an opportunity to put down the gauntlet and say enough is enough. From today you will be held accountable for your actions - it's no good saying in the future you will be held accountable.

"We want accountability for the hundreds of deaths and the suffering our loved ones had to put up with."

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Brit Held Over Threats To Kill 200 US Students

Detectives are questioning a British man in connection with alleged threats to shoot dead 200 children at a US school.

Sky Tyne and Wear reported Northumbria Police arrested Reece Elliott, 24, from South Shields, on Friday on suspicion of making threats to kill.

An anonymous post made on Wednesday on a Facebook memorial page set up for a deceased student threatened a mass killing spree, saying: "I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself."

Elliott is being held at South Shields police station.

Homeland Security in the US has been informed, and the threats led schools in Warren County, Tennessee, to tighten security.

Some reports said as many as 3,000 students did not attend classes the next day.

The post said: "My father has three guns. I'm planning on killing him first and putting him in a dumpster. Then I'm taking the motor and I'm going in fast.

"I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself."

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Kristin Helm said its cyber crime agents are helping in the investigation and the source of the post had not been identified.

It is not yet known whether any potential prosecution will be brought in England or the US, or both.

Warren County Schools tightened security following the threats

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "At 2.12pm on Friday February 8, police received notification that a man had posted threatening information on Facebook.

"A 24-year-old man from South Shields has been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and is currently in custody.

"The message is believed to have been posted on Wednesday. There is nothing to suggest it posed any physical threat to any school either here or in America."

Bobby Cox, director of Warren County Schools in Tennessee, said: "As most of you are aware we received notice of violent threats directed at Warren County High School late Wednesday evening, February 6.

"We put an action plan together with the local authorities to ensure the safety of our schools and our campuses across the system.

"We wanted to make sure that we had all the facts before we sent a mass message out via our calling system to you.

"Currently the Sheriff's Department is working with the TBI and Homeland Security to trace down the person who posted this message.

"We have increased the presence of Police and Sheriff's Deputies in our schools today and tomorrow and all schools will limit access into each building to ensure the safety of our staff and students."

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported police officers were posted to 11 schools in the area.

In December, gunman Adam Lanza killed 27 when he opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

He died at the scene and the body of his mother, Nancy Lanza, was found at his family home. She had been shot in the face.

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Horsemeat Scandal: Aldi Takes Meals Off Shelves

Who's In Charge Of Keeping Food Safe?

Updated: 1:38pm UK, Friday 08 February 2013

There are a number of different agencies responsible for food labelling and safety in the UK.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for food standards legislation in England that is principally non-safety, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) monitors standards that are safety based.

Food Standards Agency:

The FSA, a non-ministerial government department, is responsible for protecting public health in relation to food.

This includes food safety and hygiene, labelling for safety and allergies and food law enforcement.

It aims to:

1) make sure foods produced or sold in the UK are safe to eat

2) ensure imported food is safe to eat

3) make sure food producers and caterers give priority to consumer interests in relation to food

4) give consumers the information and understanding they need to make informed choices about where and what they eat

5) make sure regulation is effective, risk-based and proportionate, is clear about the responsibilities of food business operators, and protects consumers and their interests from fraud and other risks

6) ensure enforcement is effective, consistent, risk-based and proportionate and is focused on improving public health.

In the wake of the horsemeat scandal the FSA announced it is demanding a more comprehensive testing programme from food businesses.

Chief executive Catherine Brown said: 'Following our investigations into Findus products, the FSA is now requiring a more robust response from the food industry in order to demonstrate that the food it sells and serves is what it says it is on the label.

"We are demanding that food businesses conduct authenticity tests on all beef products, such as beef burgers, meatballs and lasagne, and provide the results to the FSA. The tests will be for the presence of significant levels of horsemeat."

There are separate FSAs for Scotland, Wales and the Irish Republic.

Defra:

In July 2010 food labelling was transferred from the FSA to Defra.

Food standards legislation sets out specific requirements for the labelling, composition and, in some cases, safety parameters for specific high value foodstuffs which are potentially at risk of being misleadingly substituted with lower quality alternatives.

The legislation makes sure consumers are not misled as to the nature of food products when it is sold to them.

It also makes the playing field level for food producers, so they have established standards they can work to when producing well known or traditional foodstuffs.

Most legislation on food standards is developed in Europe, with full involvement from UK Government officials.

Secondary legislation is then used to either implement the requirements or put in place enforcement powers, depending on the nature of the European legislation

Meat:

For a range of meat products there is legislation setting out specific compositional and labelling requirements.

The rules set out minimum meat content requirements for certain meat products sold using reserved descriptions such as sausages, burgers, corned beef, meat pies, pasties, etc.

In addition, there are very specific labelling rules for certain meat products that look like a cut, joint, slice, portion or carcass of meat.

Where any added water over certain limits as well as any added ingredients of different animal species to the rest of the meat must be mentioned in the name of the food.

Department of Health:

The DoH takes the lead on nutrition labelling police in England.

In October 2012 it announced proposals for front-of-pack nutrition labelling that displays how much fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar and calories foods contain.

This is colour-coded and shows a guideline daily amount.

The advertising of food is regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority.

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Child Poverty In UK: 'The Bigger Picture'

By Emma Birchley, East of England Correspondent

As many as 2.3 million children are not being included in official poverty statistics despite living "materially deprived" lives, according to a new report.

Households are currently deemed to be living below the poverty line if the money coming in is less than 60% of the average income.

But the think tank Policy Exchange says that definition is too narrow and that social deprivation should also be considered.

"It doesn't matter if you are just above the line or below the line," said the head of economics and social policy at the organisation, Matthew Oakley .

"If you have poor education, poor housing, you're struggling with family life, there's debt in the household, we should be trying to help these families... Just focusing on income clearly isn't enough."

Ruth Woodgate lives with her two daughters in the Nelson ward of Great Yarmouth, where nearly half of all children suffer poverty.

With £209 coming in each week, they are living way below the poverty line. All too often she relies on her bowl of coppers to find enough money for a loaf of bread.

"I find I'm constantly having to fight with myself not to feel bad about things because I know it isn't my fault, but the way I feel not having the money to do what I want to do for my children, to provide what I want for my children, makes me feel I'm a failure."

How child poverty is classified is being reviewed by the Government

Policy Exchange accuses politicians of increasing handouts to those not in work simply to push them above the poverty line, rather than helping them find work.

Ms Woodgate agrees: "I think it's a silly, silly mistake to make really because it's not dealing with the issues. It's just throwing money at the situation and that's not always what is needed.

"I don't need handouts, I need a job. People with alcohol and drug dependency issues don't need money, they need help to get off it."

The Government is reviewing how child poverty is classified and a consultation launched by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith ends next week.

Responding to the report, Mr Duncan Smith said: "This is exactly why we are consulting on a wider measure to capture the root causes of poverty, which include worklessness, educational failure and family breakdown.

"It is not just about money. Despite billions of pounds being paid out in tax credits in the past decade, the focus on income alone has not transformed people's lives.

"To have any real impact on tackling child poverty, we have to have a better understanding of what it means to live in poverty in the first place."

But not everyone wants a new definition. There is concern from some charities that what is an internationally recognised understanding of poverty could soon be ditched.

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Findus Beef Lasagne Meals 100% Horsemeat

Tests on Findus beef lasagne have revealed that some of the ready meals were made entirely from horsemeat.

Findus analysed 18 of its beef lasagne products and found 11 meals contained between 60% and 100% horsemeat, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said.

There is no evidence to suggest the horsemeat found in the Findus beef lasagne is a food safety risk, the FSA said.

However, the agency has ordered urgent tests on the lasagne for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone. Meat from animals treated with "bute" is not allowed to enter the food chain in Britain as it may pose a risk to human health.

All food companies have been told to test their beef products, with the FSA saying it was "highly likely" that criminal activity was to blame for the contamination.

Consumers who have purchased the ready meals - produced by French food supplier Comigel on behalf of Findus - have been advised by the FSA not to eat them and return them to the shop they were bought from.

Retail giant Tesco and discount chain Aldi have already withdrawn a range of ready meals produced by Comigel over fears they contained contaminated meat.

Findus UK has already started a full recall of its lasagne products. It withdrew its 320g, 360g and 500g lasagne meals from supermarket shelves as a precautionary measure earlier this week.

It came after Comigel alerted Findus and Aldi that their products "do not conform to specification".

It advised them to remove Findus beef lasagne and Aldi's Today's Special frozen beef lasagne and Today's Special frozen spaghetti bolognese.

Shoppers who have bought the product can get a full refund, says Findus

Findus UK apologised to customers "for any inconvenience caused" - and said anyone who bought the affected lasagne products could get a full refund.

A spokesman said: "We understand this is a very sensitive subject for consumers and we would like to reassure you we have reacted immediately. We do not believe this to be a food safety issue.

"We are confident that we have fully resolved this supply chain issue. Fully compliant beef lasagne will be in stores again soon."

Tesco also decided to withdraw its Everyday Value spaghetti bolognese, which is produced at the same Comigel site.

A Tesco spokesman said: "We are aware of the results of the Findus tests and we will of course assist Findus with their recall process.

"Tests on our frozen Everyday Value spaghetti bolognese product are ongoing under our new DNA testing programme. We will inform our customers of the results as soon as possible."

The FSA, Defra and the Department of Health are working with businesses and trade bodies to enforce food safety and assess whether there are significant levels of improperly described meat in a whole series of processed beef products in the UK, including supplies to schools and hospitals.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "The presence of unauthorised ingredients cannot be tolerated ... the responsibility and for the safety and authenticity of food lies with those who produce it, and who sell or provide it to the final consumer."

Labour has accused ministers of being "asleep on the job" and has called for a police investigation into what it believes is fraud.

Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh said she was "shocked and appalled" by the latest revelations.

She told Sky News: "The time has come for government ministers to pull their heads out of the sand and to take some swift action.

"We have had three weeks of damaging revelations about what is happening in the meat industry ... there is evidence that criminal gangs are involved in this, and frankly I cannot believe that the Government hasn't called in the police to investigate this in the UK.

"I don't see how we get to the bottom of it without getting in specialist teams and working out who is behind this fraud and why it is happening."

People must have confidence that the food they buy is properly labelled, legal and safe to eat, she added.

Anyone who has purchased a Findus beef lasagne can call the firm's UK customer care line on 0800 132584, those in the Republic of Ireland, 1800 800500, or email careline@findus.co.uk for a full refund.

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Salford Crash: Two Die As Parked Cars Hit

Two people have died in a crash involving seven vehicles in Greater Manchester.

Police were originally called to reports of an aggravated burglary taking place at a house in Farnworth where a red Audi was stolen.

The vehicle was spotted a few minutes later by a police patrol car travelling in the opposite direction.

Officers turned around in an effort to pursue the car but immediately lost sight of the vehicle.

A few minutes later, police received reports that the Audi had collided with parked cars in Leigh Road, Boothstown, Salford, and that the vehicle had exploded in flames.

The accident happened on this street in Salford, Manchester

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers attended the scene with firefighters from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and two people were pronounced dead at the scene."

A number of homes on Leigh Road were also damaged during the collision.

Police said they had been working with fire crews to ensure the properties affected were "made safe".

They said inquiries were ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

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Mother Killed In Hinckley Shooting Named

A mother-of-two killed in a shooting in Leicestershire has been named by police.

Hayley Pointon, 30, died from a single gunshot wound at an address in Hinckley on Sunday night.

Police leading the investigation have appealed for witnesses who may have seen two hooded men nearby at the time of the shooting.

Detective Superintendent Tom Davies said: "Hayley's death has left two young children without a mother and it is vital that those involved are dealt with.

"We are still keen to speak to anyone who saw two men in the area at the time.

"The men both had their hoods up and were said to have left the scene in a dark car that was parked in the street.

"If you were in the area or you have any information about the incident or the events leading up to it, please come forward."

Three men have so far been arrested in connection with the shooting, including a 26-year-old man who has been released without charge.

The other two, who are aged 29 and 36, have been released on bail pending further investigation. Ms Pointon was from the Coventry area.

:: Anyone with information is urged to call Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Elderly Woman Struck And Killed By Tram

An elderly woman has died following a collision with a tram in Failsworth, Greater Manchester.

The victim, in her 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on Wednesday evening.

Shortly before 10.45pm, police were called to a Metrolink line near Old Road, following reports of a collision.

Officers found that a pedestrian, the elderly woman, had been struck by a tram.

The Metrolink line in the area was closed for the remainder of Wednesday evening, but services have now resumed.

Police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

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Dale Cregan Trial: Hearing Gets Under Way

The trial of a man accused of murdering two women police officers begins today.

Dale Cregan, 29, is accused of killing PCs Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, in a gun and grenade attack on September 18 last year.

He is also accused of the murders of David Short, 46, and his son Mark, 23, last summer.

Cregan denies four charges of murder, four of attempted murder and one of causing an explosion.

The trial will take place amid one of the tightest security operations ever mounted for a court case, with more than 150 police officers surrounding Preston Crown Court.

Some are armed with automatic weapons, while marksmen have been seen perched on the top of nearby buildings during previous hearings.

Security surrounding the court is tight

Cregan will appear in the dock alongside nine alleged associates.

They deny a range of offences including murder, attempted murder, causing an explosion, possessing a firearm and assisting an offender.

The jury for the 12-week trial was sworn in earlier this week and the lawyers have spent three days locked in legal argument about the details of the case.

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Alan Greaves: Funeral For Attacked Organist

By Tom Parmenter, Sky Correspondent

The widow of a man who was killed on his way to midnight mass has told Sky News they had a "truly wonderful marriage".

Church organist Alan Greaves, 68, was attacked on Christmas Eve as he made the short walk from his home to his church in Sheffield.

Speaking ahead of his funeral, Maureen Greaves said: "His death was a very great shock and I wasn't prepared for it. I wasn't expecting him to die.

"The fact that the community have responded so well has been a comfort.

"He truly was a gentleman and he was someone whose love and compassion came over very clearly to people."

The couple both worked for Church Army and gave up huge amounts of time helping and supporting others.

Just weeks before his death, Mr Greaves had helped establish a new food bank project for those in need in South Yorkshire.

His widow said: "Obviously the house is full of memories. One of the saddest memories is that the piano has fallen silent.

"It is not something I'm going to get rid of, I will keep it and Alan's two daughters can play the piano and one day one of them might inherit it."

The couple got married in Sheffield in 1972 and had four children together.

The couple were married for 40 years

Mrs Greaves added: "I can look back on 40 years that have been really truly wonderful, even with all its disappointments and things that happen in any marriage.

"It wasn't a perfect marriage, but it was a marriage that was perfect in the fact that we stayed in love with each other."

Since the murder, the family has been touched by the groundswell of support from people affected by his death.

Mrs Greaves said: "It has been very overwhelming and humbling.

"Whenever I have walked on the streets people have come to me to give me a hug to say how sorry they are and especially to ask if they can do anything for me.

"Some people that have done that I know well - others have been complete strangers."

She has written the eulogy to her husband and plans to read it at his funeral at St Saviour's Church in the High Green area of Sheffield.

Two men have been charged with murder.

Jonathon Bowling, 22, and 21-year-old Ashley Foster have both been remanded in custody as the case goes through the courts.

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