Sex Abuse Victims To Withdraw From Inquiry

Families 'Confident' In Thai Murder Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 06 Desember 2014 | 16.12

The families of two young Britons murdered in Thailand say they are "confident" in the work being carried out to solve the "atrocious crimes".

Students David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and 23-year-old Hannah Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, were found dead on a beach on the holiday island of Ko Tao in September.

Two Burmese bar workers are accused of the murders, but claim they were tortured by the Thai police to secure a confession.

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into the allegations.

The families of Mr Miller and Ms Witheridge have issued statements thanking Metropolitan Police detectives for reviewing the case, and calling for the investigation to be allowed to take its course.

Ms Witheridge's family said: "We would like to thank the officers who travelled to Thailand to review the case and the Royal Thai Police for facilitating their visit."

They added: "We would like to stress that as a family we are confident in the work that has been carried out into these atrocious crimes and want to remind both press and public that they do not have the full facts to report and make comment on at this stage.

"Our thoughts, as always, are with the Miller family. Together we stand united and focused on seeing a fair and transparent trial process to bring about justice for our beautiful children."

Mr Miller's family said: "We would like to express our relief that progress is being made in Thailand and this case is finally coming to court.

"We would like to reiterate our gratitude to the UK Metropolitan Police, who received the co-operation of the Royal Thai Police in undertaking an independent review into the investigation."

And while "support for the Myanmar suspects has been strong and vocal" they urged the public not to "jump to conclusions" and said the "suspects have a difficult case to answer".

They added: "The evidence against them appears to be powerful and convincing. They must respond to these charges, and their arguments must be considered with the same scrutiny as those of the prosecution.

"Please remember that this is above all a story of two wonderful young people, David and Hannah, killed in the prime of their lives in a senseless and brutal way."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Britain Beefs Up Military Might In Bahrain

Britain is to build a new military base in Bahrain in a landmark deal which will enable the UK send more and larger warships to bolster security in the Gulf, amid the growing threat from Islamic State.

The move signals a marked expansion of the Royal Navy presence in the region.

The UK already has four minehunters permanently based at the Mina Salman Port, but the plans will see the existing facilities improved and extended.

These will provide a forward operating base, with a place to plan, store equipment for naval operations, and accommodate personnel.

While the deal is understood to have been in the pipeline for around two years, the rapid gains made by the IS extremist group and resulting instability, underlines its strategic importance.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond signed the agreement with Bahrain's foreign minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed al Khalifa.

Mr Hammond said: "This will guarantee the presence of the Royal Navy in Bahrain well into the future.

"The expansion of Britain's footprint builds upon our 30-year track record of Gulf patrols and is just one example of our growing partnership with Gulf partners to tackle shared strategic and regional threats."

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "This new base is a permanent expansion of the Royal Navy's footprint and will enable Britain to send more and larger ships to reinforce stability in the Gulf.

"We will now be based again in the Gulf for the long term."

Sheikh Khalid said: "It reaffirms our joint determination to maintain regional security and stability in the face of challenging circumstances, and gives further strength to our multifaceted partnership.

"Bahrain looks forward to the early implementation of today's arrangement and to continuing to work with the UK and other partners to address threats to regional security."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stag Do Disappearance: Hunt For British Man

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

The family and friends of a British man who went missing on a stag weekend in Prague have promised to keep searching the streets of the Czech capital until they get news "good or bad".

Builder Karl Law, 35, vanished after getting separated from his friends on a pub crawl three weeks ago.

There have been several potential sightings of him, but none confirmed and he has not contacted anyone who knows him.

His brother Craig Law, 30, said: "No news is good news, so we are thinking positively. We don't want to think of the worst and believe that Karl is alive and out there somewhere.

"Some of us will stay here for as long as it takes to get the answer to what has happened to Karl, good or bad."

A small rotating group of family and friends from Fareham, Hampshire, are taking turns to fly to Prague, travelling around the city and putting up thousands of posters with Karl's photograph and numbers to call for anyone who spots him.

Karl's employer is still paying some of his wages and friends are rallying round to fund the appeal campaign.

The last person to see Karl was his cousin Steve Stock, wandering near Maxim's bar close to the centre of Prague's lively old town.

"We had split into two groups and I thought he was going off to another club or to get something to eat. Of course, we had all been drinking, but it was our second night and everybody seemed fine."

Sky News joined Karl's family and friends as they travelled the length of one metro line, hopping on and off at each station to stick up posters.

The next day they handed out more appeal notices among tourists in the packed Christmas market.

They also visited several homeless people living in makeshift shelters along the banks of the Vltava River.

Craig said: "It could be he has had an accident or banged his head somewhere and got disorientated. He could be confused and be sleeping rough."

The group has also been making regular checks at hospitals and homeless shelters.

On the night he disappeared Karl did not have his mobile phone or passport with him.

The searchers believe he is still in Prague, a feeling fuelled by possible sightings of him in a cafe, getting off a number 14 tram, or even walking close to Maxim's.

Prague police said they were doing all they could to find him, but released a statement suggesting his family had not disclosed that he had "consumed both alcohol and narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances extensively during the few days before he disappeared".

Anyone who sees Karl Law or knows his whereabouts is urged to call police or his family on +44 7584 035036 or +44 7807 759981.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sex Abuse Victims To Withdraw From Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 05 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Sex Abuse Victims To Withdraw From Inquiry

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Victims of alleged historical sex abuse say they are going to pull out of an inquiry led by the Home Office, Sky News has learnt.

The victims have sent a letter to Home Secretary Theresa May saying they have lost confidence in the investigation.

The letter states: "As survivors and associated professionals, we were very much hoping to take up the invitations to engage with your Ministerial Officers to discuss the Child Sex Abuse Inquiry, but we regret to say we have to decline.

"We, alongside many survivors, have made numerous representations to you regarding our view that the inquiry as it stands is not fit for purpose."

The 24 signatories said in the letter they had no option but to end their engagement with the inquiry until Mrs May scraps the current panel and replaces it "on a transparent basis".

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Gallery: Timeline Of Inquiry Into Westminster Abuse Claims

1 July - Leon Brittan called on to say what he knew about paedophile allegations passed to him in 1980s

7 July - Theresa May announces inquiry into how child sex abuse claims were investigated

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8 July - Baroness Butler-Sloss "honoured" at appointment to chair the inquiry

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9 July - Butler-Sloss called on to quit because brother Sir Michael Havers was attorney general in 1980s. 14 July - She stands down saying she is "not the right person" for the job

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5 September - Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf named new head of inquiry

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They also want Mrs May to declare a statutory inquiry and extend the cut-off date to 1945.

Mrs May told Sky News she was aware of the letter and reiterated that failings of parts of government and institutions must be investigated.

"The issues in the letter have been spoken about before," she said.

"But I am clear we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to the bottom of this issue."

The inquiry into historical child sex abuse allegations has suffered a series of setbacks and controversies in recent months.

The first chair of the inquiry, Lady Butler-Sloss, was forced to step down due to her late brother, Lord Havers, being an attorney general during much of the period under review.

City lawyer Fiona Woolf was then appointed in September to chair the panel, but soon faced criticism over her social links to former home secretary Lord Brittan and his wife.

Her connection with Lord Brittan came under scrutiny as he is likely to be called to give evidence to the inquiry about his handling of child abuse allegations.

He denies failing to act on a dossier of paedophilia allegations he received while in office in the 1980s.

In late October, Mrs Woolf announced that she would resign from the role after victims said they did not have confidence in her.

Sky's Jason Farrell said the victims gave three key reasons in their letter to Mrs May explaining why they no longer wished to engage with the inquiry.

"They say the terms of reference go well beyond the original idea for the inquiry, namely to investigate the government and the establishment over cover-ups of paedophiles in their ranks," he said.

"Secondly, they say that whilst the two heads of the inquiry have stood down, they also have issues around the people on the panel itself.

"The third thing that they are concerned about is that the scope for this only goes back to 1970. They feel that it should go back further."

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Written By Unknown on Kamis, 04 Desember 2014 | 16.12

George Osborne says a fairer Stamp Duty system is replacing current "badly designed" rules – he claims 98% of buyers will pay less. But how much better off could you be if you moved house?

:: What Is Stamp Duty?

Officially called Stamp Duty Land Tax, it has to be paid on most purchases of houses, flats and other land and buildings.

:: How Did The Old System Work?

Buyers would simply pay a fixed percentage on the purchase price based on the brackets below.

- Up To £125,000 – 0%

- £125,000 - £250,000 – 1%

- £250,000 - £500,000 – 3%

- £500,000 to £1m – 4%

- £1m to £2m – 5%

- £2m or more – 7%

:: Was It Unfair To Buyers?

Some criticised this "cliff edge" system.

For instance, if someone was buying a house for £250,000 they would pay 1% (£2,490) on the whole value.

But, if they were perhaps tempted by a slightly more expensive house for £250,001, then the 3% rate would kick in.

They would be have to pay £7,530 - more than £5,000 more.

:: How Does The New System Differ?

The "cliff edge" system has been scrapped.

Buyers will no longer be hit with sudden jumps in Stamp Duty when their house edges into a new price bracket.

It will be far more gradual, with buyers taxed in 'chunks'.

:: This Is How It Works…

The first £125,000 of a property's value is tax free.

The chunk between £125,000 and £250,000 is taxed at 2%.

And then 5% tax is due on any value between £250,000 and £925,000.

Buyers must pay 10% on the chunk between £925,000 and £1.5m.

Any value above £1.5m is taxed at 12%.

:: Will The New System Really Save Me Money?

The Chancellor says if you are buying a property that is under £937,000 you will pay less

Any more than that then you're a loser - and will have to pay more.

:: How Much Cash Could I Save?

Property value:

- Up To £125,000 – No change: £0 to pay.

- £185,000 – Old system - £1,850; New system - £1,200. Saving = £650

- £275,000 – Old system - £8,250; New system - £3,750. Saving = £4,500

- £510,000 – Old system - £20,400; New system - £15,500. Saving =£4,900

- £2.1m – Old system - £147,500; New system - £165,750. Loss = £18,750

Try other values using the Government's Stamp Duty Calculator

:: When Do The Changes Come In?

Midnight on Wednesday, 3 December 2014.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vicar And Daughter Held In Baby Murder Probe

A vicar, along with his wife and daughter, are being questioned by police over the suspicious death of a baby boy.

Rev Jim Percival was arrested, together with his 28-year-old daughter, Ruth, on suspicion of murder, conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child and sexual offences.

Susan, his wife, only faces questions about the alleged concealment.

Officers have been granted an additional 30 hours to talk to them after they were held on Tuesday in Freckleton, Lancashire, where Rev Percival is the vicar of Holy Trinity CE Church.

Officers had been called to a property - thought to be the vicarage - on 25 November, in response to reports that a woman had suffered a stillbirth.

In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary said: "When police attended, the body of a newly born baby boy was discovered at the address and an investigation was launched.

"The baby's mother, a 28-year-old woman, was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where she was treated and later released.

"Following numerous inquiries, the death of the baby boy is now being treated as suspicious. A post-mortem examination has been carried out and the cause of death is currently inconclusive."

One of their neighbours said: "They are a quiet family. I didn't even know the daughter was pregnant."

The Diocese of Blackburn has confirmed it "is aware of the situation regarding Rev Jim Percival and his family" and is working "closely" with police.

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Osborne Defends Plans Amid Fears Over Cuts

George Osborne has defended his economic plans after criticism that he is set to plunge Britain into a period of austerity not seen since the 1930s.

The Chancellor grabbed headlines with the historic stamp duty reforms he announced, but cuts of £60bn to non-protected areas like police, local government and justice will be required in the coming years if he is to meet his targets, the government spending watchdog said.

He told Sky News his plan to clear the deficit by 2020 was "balanced".

Mr Osborne said: "We're taking a number of years because I think that's the right pace. The path we're on has given Britain not just the fastest growing economy in the world, but it means...you've got real world evidence that we've got the right long-term plan."

The stamp duty changes that could cut £4,500 off the cost of an average home have come into force - a move welcomed by thousands of buyers.

Detailed verdicts from leading financial experts will be delivered later on all the contents of George Osborne's Autumn Statement.

But the Chancellor's shake-up of stamp duty was the most eye-catching policy.

He has scrapped the "slab rate" of stamp duty - which means huge increases in tax when house values enter a new band.

In future, he said, the tax would apply progressively, like income tax.

The new rates will see house-buyers pay 0% on the first £125,000 then 2% on the portion up to £250,000, 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5m and 12% on anything above that.

First-time buyer Martin Gaine, from west London, said the change could save him as much as £4,000 on his prospective purchase.

"It's a lovely surprise because it wasn't trailed in any of the newspapers," he told Sky News as he viewed a two-bedroom flat in Chiswick, on the market for £600,000.

"Stamp duty is a big outlay and it's an up-front cost that you don't get back so this is brilliant news. Every little bit helps at the moment, so to save that money will be fantastic for me."

Mr Osborne told the Commons: "It is a fair, workable, lasting reform to the taxation of housing."

The changes will cost the Treasury "nearly £400m" over the next four months, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

The Chancellor also announced a plan to cut the cost of air travel for millions of families by abolishing air passenger duty for children under the age of 16 over the next two years.

On the controversial issue of the deficit, Mr Osborne was cheered by his own MPs and jeered by the opposition as he revealed better-than-expected figures.

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Gallery: Stamp Duty: How Much Will You Save?

Homes bought for under £125,000, such as these terraced houses, are unchanged by the new rules and buyers still do not have to pay any Stamp Duty

Someone choosing a typical three-bedroom semi-detached costing £185,000 would pay £1,200 instead of £1,850 under the old rules - a £650 saving

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16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

Big Tobacco Firms Offer 'Misleading Evidence'

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 03 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Most studies that show the negative impact plain cigarette packets would have on the economy are funded by "big tobacco" firms, according to a damning report.

Such companies have warned standardised packaging would fuel a black market in cigarettes – citing research that echoes their concerns.

But the University of Bath claims more than 50% of such evidence comes from reports commissioned by the industry itself – or from third parties with financial connections to it.

The Tobacco Control Research Group, funded by Cancer Research UK, also found 66% of the industry's claims were just opinions – and that of the 51 MPs opposed to plain packaging, seven of them had accepted hospitality from the sector.

George Butterworth, from Cancer Research UK, said: "By failing to disclose financial links to misleading evidence, this is lobbying at its worst.

"For years, misinformation has been their currency, but as the success of plain, standardised packaging in Australia becomes clear – now with record low smoking rates – 'big tobacco' is looking spent.

"Independent evidence consistently demonstrates the role that standardised packaging can play in protecting children from a deadly addiction.

"Now, the UK Government must treat the tobacco industry's spin with the contempt it deserves – and introduce regulations without delay."

16.12 | 0 komentar | Read More

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Families 'Confident' In Thai Murder Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 06 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Britain Beefs Up Military Might In Bahrain

Stag Do Disappearance: Hunt For British Man

Sex Abuse Victims To Withdraw From Inquiry

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 05 Desember 2014 | 16.12

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Stamp Duty Changes: What You Need To Know

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 04 Desember 2014 | 16.12

Vicar And Daughter Held In Baby Murder Probe

Osborne Defends Plans Amid Fears Over Cuts

Big Tobacco Firms Offer 'Misleading Evidence'

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 03 Desember 2014 | 16.12

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