By Charlotte Groves Saturday, 1 November 2008
The full scale of the management breakdown at Radio 2 began to emerge yesterday, as a traumatic week for the BBC ended with internal recriminations about the basic failure to follow editorial guidelines.
The chairman of the BBC Trust, Sir Michael Lyons, said that neither he nor the director-general, Mark Thompson, knew about the lewd phone calls made by the Radio 2 presenters Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross until they read about the row in last Sunday’s newspapers, eight days after the original broadcast.
Sir Michael suggested that the failure of managers to inform him and Mr Thompson of the matter was a reason why Radio 2’s controller, Lesley Douglas, had quit. He said: “That is itself an issue, of which I’m absolutely clear, and that is why people have acknowledged their responsibility in that failing.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brand-target-of-bitterness-at-bbc-981743.html
Saturday, November 1, 2008
BT to axe thousands after shock profits warning
By Amanda Andrews Last Updated: 7:36PM GMT 31 Oct 2008
BT is expected to cut thousands of jobs worldwide in its Global Services division following a disappointing performance in the second quarter, forcing the telecoms group to sound a shock profits warning and raising doubts about the dividend.
BT Group Chief executive Ian Livingston has drafted in group finance director Hanif Lalani as Global Services chief executive with a remit to cut costs, following the resignation of Francois Barrault. BT has still to find a replacement for Mr Lalani, who will be assisted by Ray Leclercq, the chief executive of BT's Openreach and an experienced cost-cutter. Mr Leclercq will become chief financial officer of the troubled division.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/btdota/3332017/BT-to-axe-thousands-after-shock-profits-warning.html
BT is expected to cut thousands of jobs worldwide in its Global Services division following a disappointing performance in the second quarter, forcing the telecoms group to sound a shock profits warning and raising doubts about the dividend.
BT Group Chief executive Ian Livingston has drafted in group finance director Hanif Lalani as Global Services chief executive with a remit to cut costs, following the resignation of Francois Barrault. BT has still to find a replacement for Mr Lalani, who will be assisted by Ray Leclercq, the chief executive of BT's Openreach and an experienced cost-cutter. Mr Leclercq will become chief financial officer of the troubled division.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/btdota/3332017/BT-to-axe-thousands-after-shock-profits-warning.html
Barclays' shareholders angry at generous terms of £7bn Middle Eastern fund raising
By Katherine Griffiths, Financial Services Editor Last Updated: 10:21AM GMT 01 Nov 2008
Barclays has angered shareholders by offering new Middle Eastern investors a more generous than expected package in return for capital which will see the UK bank raise £7bn from the private sector.
The deal will mean Barclays is the only major British bank which will not have to take money from the taxpayer, keeping it free of the constraints the Government has said it will impose on dividends, bonuses and lending levels.
But that freedom has come at a high price. Analysts yesterday estimated the financing will cost Barclays at least £1bn more than if it had used the Government’s bail-out package, which is being taken up by Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS.
Sandy Chen, an analyst at Panmure Gordon, said: “The terms of this capital raising are expensive, especially compared to the financing terms that had been on offer from the UK Government.” Alex Potter at Collins Stewart said: “Government intervention is being avoided at a very high cost.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/barc/3332533/Barclays-shareholders-angry-at-generous-terms-of-7bn-Middle-Eastern-fund-raising.html
Barclays has angered shareholders by offering new Middle Eastern investors a more generous than expected package in return for capital which will see the UK bank raise £7bn from the private sector.
The deal will mean Barclays is the only major British bank which will not have to take money from the taxpayer, keeping it free of the constraints the Government has said it will impose on dividends, bonuses and lending levels.
But that freedom has come at a high price. Analysts yesterday estimated the financing will cost Barclays at least £1bn more than if it had used the Government’s bail-out package, which is being taken up by Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS.
Sandy Chen, an analyst at Panmure Gordon, said: “The terms of this capital raising are expensive, especially compared to the financing terms that had been on offer from the UK Government.” Alex Potter at Collins Stewart said: “Government intervention is being avoided at a very high cost.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/barc/3332533/Barclays-shareholders-angry-at-generous-terms-of-7bn-Middle-Eastern-fund-raising.html
Exclusive: SAS chief quits over 'negligence that killed his troops'
By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent
Last Updated: 7:42AM GMT 01 Nov 2008
The commander of Britain's SAS troops in Afghanistan has resigned in disgust, accusing the Government of "gross negligence" over the deaths of four of his soldiers.
Major Sebastian Morley claims that Whitehall officials and military commanders repeatedly ignored his warnings that people would be killed if they continued to allow troops to be transported in the vulnerable Snatch Land Rovers.
As a result, he says Cpl Sarah Bryant – the first female soldier to die in Afghanistan – and three male colleagues, the SAS soldiers, Cpl Sean Reeve, L/Cpl Richard Larkin and Paul Stout were killed needlessly.
All four died when their lightly armoured Snatch Land Rover split apart after hitting a landmine in Helmand province in June.
In his resignation letter, Major Morley, the commander of D Squadron, 23 SAS, said "chronic underinvestment" in equipment by the Ministry of Defence was to blame for their deaths
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/3332417/Exclusive-SAS-chief-quits-over-negligence-that-killed-his-troops.html
Last Updated: 7:42AM GMT 01 Nov 2008
The commander of Britain's SAS troops in Afghanistan has resigned in disgust, accusing the Government of "gross negligence" over the deaths of four of his soldiers.
Major Sebastian Morley claims that Whitehall officials and military commanders repeatedly ignored his warnings that people would be killed if they continued to allow troops to be transported in the vulnerable Snatch Land Rovers.
As a result, he says Cpl Sarah Bryant – the first female soldier to die in Afghanistan – and three male colleagues, the SAS soldiers, Cpl Sean Reeve, L/Cpl Richard Larkin and Paul Stout were killed needlessly.
All four died when their lightly armoured Snatch Land Rover split apart after hitting a landmine in Helmand province in June.
In his resignation letter, Major Morley, the commander of D Squadron, 23 SAS, said "chronic underinvestment" in equipment by the Ministry of Defence was to blame for their deaths
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/3332417/Exclusive-SAS-chief-quits-over-negligence-that-killed-his-troops.html
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Five men arrested over plot to 'blow up government buildings'
By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent Last Updated: 12:19AM BST 22 Oct 2008
Five men have been arrested by counter-terrorism police in connection with an alleged plot to blow up government buildings.
A police officer leaves the home of one of those arrested Photo: PA
The men are being held in connection with an investigation into activities which date back more than a year and are no-longer considered active, the Daily Telegraph has learned.
Their arrests follow an investigation into a man called Parviz Khan from Small Heath, Birmingham, who was jailed for life earlier this year after pleading guilty to plotting to kidnap and execute a British soldier, sources said.
West Midlands Counter-Terrorism Unit said they had conducted a "long and complex investigation" before making the arrests in raids at 6am on Tuesday morning.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3236154/Five-men-arrested-over-plot-to-blow-up-government-buildings.html
The five men, aged between 29 and 36, were detained under the Terrorism Act and police searched their homes along with three other properties.
Five men have been arrested by counter-terrorism police in connection with an alleged plot to blow up government buildings.
A police officer leaves the home of one of those arrested Photo: PA
The men are being held in connection with an investigation into activities which date back more than a year and are no-longer considered active, the Daily Telegraph has learned.
Their arrests follow an investigation into a man called Parviz Khan from Small Heath, Birmingham, who was jailed for life earlier this year after pleading guilty to plotting to kidnap and execute a British soldier, sources said.
West Midlands Counter-Terrorism Unit said they had conducted a "long and complex investigation" before making the arrests in raids at 6am on Tuesday morning.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3236154/Five-men-arrested-over-plot-to-blow-up-government-buildings.html
The five men, aged between 29 and 36, were detained under the Terrorism Act and police searched their homes along with three other properties.
Britain faces threat from radicalised Muslims for 30 years, says security minister
By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent Last Updated: 7:19AM BST 22 Oct 2008
Britain will face a threat from radicalised young Muslims for another 30 years, the Security Minister Lord West has said.
Lord West warned that it will take decades to win the argument against terrorism and extremism in some sections of British society.
"To stop this radicalisation of extremists is going to take about 30 years," the minister told MPs on the Commons Defence Committee.
He added that no matter how much work the Government puts into improving Britain's ability to detect and thwart terrorist plots, the threat will only be overcome by persuading Muslims not to engage in violence.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3235448/Britain-faces-threat-from-radicalised-Muslims-for-30-years-says-security-minister.html
Britain will face a threat from radicalised young Muslims for another 30 years, the Security Minister Lord West has said.
Lord West warned that it will take decades to win the argument against terrorism and extremism in some sections of British society.
"To stop this radicalisation of extremists is going to take about 30 years," the minister told MPs on the Commons Defence Committee.
He added that no matter how much work the Government puts into improving Britain's ability to detect and thwart terrorist plots, the threat will only be overcome by persuading Muslims not to engage in violence.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3235448/Britain-faces-threat-from-radicalised-Muslims-for-30-years-says-security-minister.html
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
UK is in recession, says Bank of England Governor Mervyn King
By Edmund Conway and Angela Monaghan Last Updated: 7:41AM BST 22 Oct 2008
Britain is now in recession after the banking system came closer to collapse than at any time since the beginning of the First World War, according to the Governor of the Bank of England.
Mervyn King has become the first major UK economic policymaker to warn explicitly that Britain is heading into technical recession, but he said that history was likely to judge the Government’s £37bn banking recapitalisation as the turning point in the sector’s crisis.
In an unusually frank speech in Leeds last night, Mr King laid bare the devastation left by the worst financial crisis in living memory, predicting that house prices would fall further and that economic hardship would last for years.
He said: “The combination of a squeeze on real take-home pay and a decline in the availability of credit poses the risk of a sharp and prolonged slowdown in domestic demand. It seems likely that the UK economy is entering a recession.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/3236580/Britain-is-in-recession-says-Bank-of-England-Governor-Mervyn-King-financial-crisis.html
Britain is now in recession after the banking system came closer to collapse than at any time since the beginning of the First World War, according to the Governor of the Bank of England.
Mervyn King has become the first major UK economic policymaker to warn explicitly that Britain is heading into technical recession, but he said that history was likely to judge the Government’s £37bn banking recapitalisation as the turning point in the sector’s crisis.
In an unusually frank speech in Leeds last night, Mr King laid bare the devastation left by the worst financial crisis in living memory, predicting that house prices would fall further and that economic hardship would last for years.
He said: “The combination of a squeeze on real take-home pay and a decline in the availability of credit poses the risk of a sharp and prolonged slowdown in domestic demand. It seems likely that the UK economy is entering a recession.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/3236580/Britain-is-in-recession-says-Bank-of-England-Governor-Mervyn-King-financial-crisis.html
George Osborne fighting for his political life
By Andrew Porter, Robert Winnett and Andrew Pierce Last Updated: 7:24AM BST 22 Oct 2008
George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, was fighting for his political future after he admitted discussing a substantial donation to the Conservative Party from a controversial Russian oligarch.
Oleg Deripaska, a billionaire who is banned from the US, is alleged to have offered to donate £50,000 to the Tories despite not being eligible to vote in this country.
The money was supposedly to be "channelled" via a British company that he owns, as foreigners are banned from donating to British political parties under electoral law.
The donation was offered following four meetings between the shadow chancellor and the aluminium tycoon in Corfu.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/3237135/George-Osborne-fighting-for-his-political-life.html
George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, was fighting for his political future after he admitted discussing a substantial donation to the Conservative Party from a controversial Russian oligarch.
Oleg Deripaska, a billionaire who is banned from the US, is alleged to have offered to donate £50,000 to the Tories despite not being eligible to vote in this country.
The money was supposedly to be "channelled" via a British company that he owns, as foreigners are banned from donating to British political parties under electoral law.
The donation was offered following four meetings between the shadow chancellor and the aluminium tycoon in Corfu.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/3237135/George-Osborne-fighting-for-his-political-life.html
Friday, October 17, 2008
OECD report attacks British failure to tackle corporate bribery and corruption
By Russell Hotten Last Updated: 12:01PM BST 17 Oct 2008
Britain's failure to tackle corporate bribery and corruption allegations was severely criticised in a report started after the Government blocked an investigation into a huge arms deal between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said it was "disappointed and seriously concerned about the UK's continued failure to address deficiencies in its laws on bribery of foreign public officials and on corporate liability for foreign bribery".
Compiled by the OECD's anti-corruption working group, the report said that British law makes it "very difficult for prosecutors to bring an effective case against a company for alleged bribery offences".
And the Government was slated for its failure to successfully prosecute a single firm for bribery, despite ratifying the body's anti-bribery convention 10 years ago
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/3215711/OECD-report-attacks-British-failure-to-tackle-corporate-bribery-and-corruption.html
Britain's failure to tackle corporate bribery and corruption allegations was severely criticised in a report started after the Government blocked an investigation into a huge arms deal between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said it was "disappointed and seriously concerned about the UK's continued failure to address deficiencies in its laws on bribery of foreign public officials and on corporate liability for foreign bribery".
Compiled by the OECD's anti-corruption working group, the report said that British law makes it "very difficult for prosecutors to bring an effective case against a company for alleged bribery offences".
And the Government was slated for its failure to successfully prosecute a single firm for bribery, despite ratifying the body's anti-bribery convention 10 years ago
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/3215711/OECD-report-attacks-British-failure-to-tackle-corporate-bribery-and-corruption.html
Financial crisis: David Cameron blames Gordon Brown for Britain's 'broken economy'
By Jon Swaine Last Updated: 12:45PM BST 17 Oct 2008
David Cameron has broken an uneasy truce over the financial crisis blaming Gordon Brown for breaking Britain's economy with policies that now "lie in ruins".
In a blistering criticism of the Prime Minister the Conservative leader accused Mr Brown of "complete and utter failure" in his management of the economy.
While defending his decision to approve Mr Brown's rescue package for Britain's banking sector, Mr Cameron added that he wanted to make "crystal clear" that this was as far as his party's support would go.
"This crisis has highlighted just how mistaken Labour's economic policy has been," Mr Cameron said in a speech in the City of London.
Accusing the Prime Minister of spending and borrowing "without restraint", Mr Cameron said: "The economic assumptions that Gordon Brown made in the last decade now lie in ruins."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/3214999/Financial-crisis-David-Cameron-blames-Gordon-Brown-for-Britains-broken-economy.html
David Cameron has broken an uneasy truce over the financial crisis blaming Gordon Brown for breaking Britain's economy with policies that now "lie in ruins".
In a blistering criticism of the Prime Minister the Conservative leader accused Mr Brown of "complete and utter failure" in his management of the economy.
While defending his decision to approve Mr Brown's rescue package for Britain's banking sector, Mr Cameron added that he wanted to make "crystal clear" that this was as far as his party's support would go.
"This crisis has highlighted just how mistaken Labour's economic policy has been," Mr Cameron said in a speech in the City of London.
Accusing the Prime Minister of spending and borrowing "without restraint", Mr Cameron said: "The economic assumptions that Gordon Brown made in the last decade now lie in ruins."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/3214999/Financial-crisis-David-Cameron-blames-Gordon-Brown-for-Britains-broken-economy.html
Friday, October 10, 2008
Councils trapped in £1bn black hole
By Martin Hickman and Ben Russell Friday, 10 October 2008
Council tax payers are facing increased bills or cuts in services to pay for a £1bn black hole in Britain's town hall finances caused by the sudden collapse of Iceland's banks.
One by one, 127 public bodies owned up yesterday to having multimillion-pound sums frozen with Icelandic financial institutions that have gone bust. Gordon Brown, threatened to retaliate against Iceland's "unacceptable behaviour" by taking legal action to seize its assets in the UK.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/councils-trapped-in-1631bn-black-hole-956683.html
Council tax payers are facing increased bills or cuts in services to pay for a £1bn black hole in Britain's town hall finances caused by the sudden collapse of Iceland's banks.
One by one, 127 public bodies owned up yesterday to having multimillion-pound sums frozen with Icelandic financial institutions that have gone bust. Gordon Brown, threatened to retaliate against Iceland's "unacceptable behaviour" by taking legal action to seize its assets in the UK.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/councils-trapped-in-1631bn-black-hole-956683.html
Terror trial: 'Bombers shouted God is great as they smashed Jeep into Glasgow airport'
By Duncan Gardham Security Correspondent Last Updated: 5:23PM BST 10 Oct 2008
Two alleged terrorists threw petrol bombs and shouted "Allahu Akbar" - meaning God is great - as they drove a flaming Jeep into Glasgow airport, a court heard.
The vehicle, driven by Kafeel Ahmed, a PhD student from India, smashed into the airport at 3.13pm on June 30 last year.
Ahmed, 28, who died a month after the attack, had prepared a will addressed to Osama bin Laden and the leaders of jihad [holy war] in Iraq, Woolwich Crown Court was told.
The alleged suicide attack was only launched after Ahmed and his associate, Bilal Abdulla, a doctor from Iraq, failed to blow up two Mercedes cars packed with gas canisters, petrol and nails a day earlier outside the London night club Tiger Tiger, it is claimed.
After leaving the cars, the two men fled by catching separate rickshaws to Marble Arch, before meeting up on Edgware Road and returning to Scotland, the court heard, stopping at Stoke-on-Trent to meet Mohammed Asha, a Saudi-born doctor who was on-call at the local hospital.
The next morning they drove to Loch Lomond to prepare for their attack on the airport.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3173783/Terror-trial-Bombers-shouted-God-is-great-as-they-smashed-Jeep-into-Glasgow-airport.html
Two alleged terrorists threw petrol bombs and shouted "Allahu Akbar" - meaning God is great - as they drove a flaming Jeep into Glasgow airport, a court heard.
The vehicle, driven by Kafeel Ahmed, a PhD student from India, smashed into the airport at 3.13pm on June 30 last year.
Ahmed, 28, who died a month after the attack, had prepared a will addressed to Osama bin Laden and the leaders of jihad [holy war] in Iraq, Woolwich Crown Court was told.
The alleged suicide attack was only launched after Ahmed and his associate, Bilal Abdulla, a doctor from Iraq, failed to blow up two Mercedes cars packed with gas canisters, petrol and nails a day earlier outside the London night club Tiger Tiger, it is claimed.
After leaving the cars, the two men fled by catching separate rickshaws to Marble Arch, before meeting up on Edgware Road and returning to Scotland, the court heard, stopping at Stoke-on-Trent to meet Mohammed Asha, a Saudi-born doctor who was on-call at the local hospital.
The next morning they drove to Loch Lomond to prepare for their attack on the airport.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3173783/Terror-trial-Bombers-shouted-God-is-great-as-they-smashed-Jeep-into-Glasgow-airport.html
BBC radio presenters suspended after mocking disabled people
By Nicole Martin, Digital and Media Correspondent Last Updated: 4:40PM BST 10 Oct 2008
Two BBC radio presenters have been suspended for using a derogatory term to describe disabled people live on air.
Andrew Hawes and Ian Hart have been taken off the airwaves at BBC Southern Counties after using the term "window licker" during a football phone-in show.
Action was taken after Mr Hart told a football fan to "go and lick a window" during a row about Mickey Adams the manager of Brighton and Hove Albion.
His comment was followed by Mr Hawes urging "any window lickers out there" to call the show.
A Mencap spokesman said the charity was "appalled" that such "offensive language" was still being used.
"People with a learning disability are a valuable part of our society and it is a disgrace that they are treated as objects to make fun of," he said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3172128/BBC-radio-presenters-suspended-after-mocking-disabled-people.html
Two BBC radio presenters have been suspended for using a derogatory term to describe disabled people live on air.
Andrew Hawes and Ian Hart have been taken off the airwaves at BBC Southern Counties after using the term "window licker" during a football phone-in show.
Action was taken after Mr Hart told a football fan to "go and lick a window" during a row about Mickey Adams the manager of Brighton and Hove Albion.
His comment was followed by Mr Hawes urging "any window lickers out there" to call the show.
A Mencap spokesman said the charity was "appalled" that such "offensive language" was still being used.
"People with a learning disability are a valuable part of our society and it is a disgrace that they are treated as objects to make fun of," he said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3172128/BBC-radio-presenters-suspended-after-mocking-disabled-people.html
FTSE 100 slumps to worst week ever
By Graham Ruddick Last Updated: 7:17PM BST 10 Oct 2008
The FTSE 100 has slumped to its worst week in history, slashing the value of Britain’s top companies by a fifth, as global stock markets endured another traumatic day on mounting fears of recession.
The FTSE 100 plunged more than 10pc this morning after dramatic overnight falls in stock markets around the world. The index of leading UK shares closed down almost 9pc today on 3932.06 points, meaning that the FTSE has fallen 1047.9 points this week, the biggest ever fall. In percentage terms the decline is 21pc , the most since the 28.2pc fall in the week of Black Monday in 1987.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/3171626/FTSE-100-suffers-worst-ever-opening-as-global-markets-slide.html
The FTSE 100 has slumped to its worst week in history, slashing the value of Britain’s top companies by a fifth, as global stock markets endured another traumatic day on mounting fears of recession.
The FTSE 100 plunged more than 10pc this morning after dramatic overnight falls in stock markets around the world. The index of leading UK shares closed down almost 9pc today on 3932.06 points, meaning that the FTSE has fallen 1047.9 points this week, the biggest ever fall. In percentage terms the decline is 21pc , the most since the 28.2pc fall in the week of Black Monday in 1987.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/3171626/FTSE-100-suffers-worst-ever-opening-as-global-markets-slide.html
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sir Ian Blair to quit Scotland Yard
By Richard Edwards, Crime Correspondent Last Updated: 3:33PM BST 02 Oct 2008
Sir Ian Blair will quit as Britain's top policeman today. The Scotland Yard chief, who has been dogged by a series of controversies, will announce his departure this afternoon.
Despite intense scrutiny and renewed calls for him to resign in the past few months, the timing of his resignation has come as a shock to Scotland Yard colleagues and thrown the leadership of British policing into crisis.
The Daily Telegraph understands that Sir Ian was facing possible suspension from office over an investigation into the awarding of £3 million worth of lucrative Met police contracts to a friend and skiing companion.
It is believed that Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, was considering a vote of no confidence in Sir Ian, forcing the Home Secretary into a decision about his future.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3122796/Sir-Ian-Blair-to-quit-Scotland-Yard.html
Sir Ian Blair will quit as Britain's top policeman today. The Scotland Yard chief, who has been dogged by a series of controversies, will announce his departure this afternoon.
Despite intense scrutiny and renewed calls for him to resign in the past few months, the timing of his resignation has come as a shock to Scotland Yard colleagues and thrown the leadership of British policing into crisis.
The Daily Telegraph understands that Sir Ian was facing possible suspension from office over an investigation into the awarding of £3 million worth of lucrative Met police contracts to a friend and skiing companion.
It is believed that Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, was considering a vote of no confidence in Sir Ian, forcing the Home Secretary into a decision about his future.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3122796/Sir-Ian-Blair-to-quit-Scotland-Yard.html
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Teenager stabbed 'in £20 debt row' is 27th killed in London this year
By Chris Irvine and Richard Edwards Last Updated: 5:15PM BST 26 Sep 2008
A 19-year-old man has been stabbed to death after an alleged row about a £20 debt - taking teenage killings in London this year to a record level.
Craig Marshall staggered into a nearby police station after he was attacked in Acton Photo: PA One in four murder victims in the capital this year have been teenagers, as police struggle to cope with a surge in youth and gang violence.
The toll reached 27 with the death of Craig Marshall, who staggered into a nearby police station after he was attacked in Acton. Two men, aged 20 and 21 and believed to be Sri Lankan, were arrested and are being questioned by police.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3086739/Teenager-stabbed-in-20-debt-row-is-27th-killed-in-London-this-year.html
A 19-year-old man has been stabbed to death after an alleged row about a £20 debt - taking teenage killings in London this year to a record level.
Craig Marshall staggered into a nearby police station after he was attacked in Acton Photo: PA One in four murder victims in the capital this year have been teenagers, as police struggle to cope with a surge in youth and gang violence.
The toll reached 27 with the death of Craig Marshall, who staggered into a nearby police station after he was attacked in Acton. Two men, aged 20 and 21 and believed to be Sri Lankan, were arrested and are being questioned by police.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3086739/Teenager-stabbed-in-20-debt-row-is-27th-killed-in-London-this-year.html
Nine-year-old Midlands girl rescued from forced marriage
By David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent Last Updated: 1:57AM BST 28 Sep 2008
British children as young as nine are being forced into marriage by their families, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
The disclosure comes as official figures show that nearly 60 children aged 15 or under have been rescued by the Government's Forced Marriage Unit in the past four years.
The cases are feared to be the tip of the iceberg. They will fuel concerns, first raised earlier this year, that large numbers of children are disappearing from British schools to be forced into wedlock overseas.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3089375/Nine-year-old-Midlands-girl-rescued-from-forced-marriage.html
British children as young as nine are being forced into marriage by their families, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
The disclosure comes as official figures show that nearly 60 children aged 15 or under have been rescued by the Government's Forced Marriage Unit in the past four years.
The cases are feared to be the tip of the iceberg. They will fuel concerns, first raised earlier this year, that large numbers of children are disappearing from British schools to be forced into wedlock overseas.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3089375/Nine-year-old-Midlands-girl-rescued-from-forced-marriage.html
North London terror arrests linked to controversial Muslim book
By Andrew Alderson, Chief Reporter Last Updated: 8:48PM BST 27 Sep 2008
Four people were arrested in London yesterday over an alleged terror attack on the publisher of a controversial book on the prophet Muhammad.
The arrests are connected to a fire at a property in Islington, north London, which is used as the home and office of Martin Rynja, a publisher.
His company, Gibson Square, recently bought the rights to a novel which is considered by some to be more controversial than Salman Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses. The new book, about the prophet Muhammad and his child bride, is entitled The Jewel of Medina.
The blaze yesterday, which led to people being evacuated from the house, may have been started by a petrol bomb pushed through the letter box.
Initially, three men, aged 22, 30 and 40, were detained at around 2.25am yesterday after a fire broke out at a property in Lonsdale Square, Islington. Two were stopped by armed officers in Lonsdale Square, and the third was seized when a car was stopped by armed police near Angel underground station.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3092266/North-London-terror-arrests-linked-to-controversial-Muslim-book.html
Four people were arrested in London yesterday over an alleged terror attack on the publisher of a controversial book on the prophet Muhammad.
The arrests are connected to a fire at a property in Islington, north London, which is used as the home and office of Martin Rynja, a publisher.
His company, Gibson Square, recently bought the rights to a novel which is considered by some to be more controversial than Salman Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses. The new book, about the prophet Muhammad and his child bride, is entitled The Jewel of Medina.
The blaze yesterday, which led to people being evacuated from the house, may have been started by a petrol bomb pushed through the letter box.
Initially, three men, aged 22, 30 and 40, were detained at around 2.25am yesterday after a fire broke out at a property in Lonsdale Square, Islington. Two were stopped by armed officers in Lonsdale Square, and the third was seized when a car was stopped by armed police near Angel underground station.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3092266/North-London-terror-arrests-linked-to-controversial-Muslim-book.html
Financial crisis: Bradford & Bingley likely to be nationalised by Treasury
By Edmund Conway and Katherine Griffiths Last Updated: 2:17AM BST 28 Sep 2008
Taxpayers face a multi-billion-pound bill as part of a plan to rescue the stricken mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley, it has emerged.
The biggest buy-to-let operator is on the verge of being nationalised by the Government as time runs out on attempts to find a private buyer.
B&B’s shares will be suspended when the stock market opens on Monday. By that point, the Government will either nationalise the bank or announce a deal to sell it.
Senior Treasury officials are working on a plan to take B&B into public ownership. That could be followed by a swift sale to a bank, with Santander of Spain – which also owns Abbey – seen as the favourite.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/3094103/Financial-crisis-Bradford-and-Bingley-likely-to-be-nationalised-by-Treasury.html
Taxpayers face a multi-billion-pound bill as part of a plan to rescue the stricken mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley, it has emerged.
The biggest buy-to-let operator is on the verge of being nationalised by the Government as time runs out on attempts to find a private buyer.
B&B’s shares will be suspended when the stock market opens on Monday. By that point, the Government will either nationalise the bank or announce a deal to sell it.
Senior Treasury officials are working on a plan to take B&B into public ownership. That could be followed by a swift sale to a bank, with Santander of Spain – which also owns Abbey – seen as the favourite.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/3094103/Financial-crisis-Bradford-and-Bingley-likely-to-be-nationalised-by-Treasury.html
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Financial crisis: Stamp duty threshold has little impact on housing market, say Rightmove
By Myra Butterworth, Personal Finance Correspondent Last Updated: 12:26am BST 22/09/2008
Gordon Brown’s stamp duty initiative is appears to have had little impact on the housing market as new figures shows it is on its knees.
The latest gloomy property market survey reveals that house prices are continuing their down ward spiral, with the average asking price falling 1 per cent to £227,438 during the five weeks to September 13, according to property website Rightmove.
It brings further misery to home owners who are set to see the cost of mortgages soar following the deepening of the banking crisis last week and the increase in Libor – the rate at which banks lend to one another.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/09/21/bcnhomes121.xml
Gordon Brown’s stamp duty initiative is appears to have had little impact on the housing market as new figures shows it is on its knees.
The latest gloomy property market survey reveals that house prices are continuing their down ward spiral, with the average asking price falling 1 per cent to £227,438 during the five weeks to September 13, according to property website Rightmove.
It brings further misery to home owners who are set to see the cost of mortgages soar following the deepening of the banking crisis last week and the increase in Libor – the rate at which banks lend to one another.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/09/21/bcnhomes121.xml
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