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Irish PM quits as party leader

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Image Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has announced he is standing down as leader of the ruling Fianna Fail party but will remain at the head of the country's government until the March general election. After more than a week of political turmoil and a string of ministerial resignations, Mr Cowen said the election should be fought on policies not a leadership issue. "I'm concerned that renewed internal criticism of Fianna Fail is deflecting attention from this important debate," Mr Cowen said. "Therefore, taking everything into account after discussing the matter with my family I have taken, on my own counsel, the decision to step down." Voters will go to the polls on March 11. Mr Cowen said he made the dramatic decision to resign after sitting down with his family on Friday night. "I have been in touch with no senior party figures in relation to this decision," he said. Mr Cowen said he spoke to John Gormley, leader of the junior coalition party the Greens, before making the announcement. He said his resignation will not affect Government business. "My political assessment is that this is the right thing to do for the party," he said. "But it's about me directing my attention to the country."

Prejudices 'damage adoption rates'

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Image The adoption rate has collapsed because of prejudice towards ethnic minority children being placed with white parents, according to the outgoing chief executive of the UK's largest children's charity. Martin Narey from Barnardo's said the adoption rate of babies should increase fourfold, and more toddlers and older children also needed to be placed with new families. He told The Guardian: "Only 70 babies were adopted last year compared with 4,000 in 1976. "We need that figure to get back into the thousands so we need to quadruple it over the next few years - and quadruple it again. "Early adoptions are particularly successful and yet it remains out of fashion." He went on to say that local authorities and adoption agencies were reluctant to allow white couples to adopt children from different ethnic backgrounds. "The law is clear. A child should not stay in care for an undue length of time while waiting for adoptive parents of the same ethnicity. "But the reality is that black, Asian and mixed-race children wait three times longer than white children," he said. Mr Narey, who ran Barnardo's for more than five years, said attitudes needed to change and that some social workers and local authorities believed adoption to be "an entirely unreasonable intervention". He has been replaced in his role by Anne Marie Carrie, former deputy chief executive of Kensington and Chelsea children's services.

Newspaper hacking scandal widens

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Image The phone hacking scandal that led to the resignation of David Cameron's communications chief has widened as a media lawyer revealed it now involves newspapers other than the News of the World. Mark Lewis, who acted for Gordon Taylor of the Professional Footballers' Association in a damages claim against the NOTW, said he was representing four people who believe they were targeted by other newspapers. He said phone hacking was used by several publications, and that one of the four claims was being made by a journalist. "This was almost kids' play time. It was such a widespread practice," said Mr Lewis. "Although it is a crime, people were regarding it as though it was driving at 35mph in a 30, that you just sort of do it and hope you don't get caught." Former NOTW editor Andy Coulson resigned as the Prime Minister's head of communications saying the drip-drip of claims about illegal eavesdropping under his editorship meant he could not "give the 110% needed". "I stand by what I've said about those events but when the spokesman needs a spokesman it's time to move on," he added. Mr Cameron said he was "very sorry" Mr Coulson felt "compelled" to go after months of intense pressure, insisting he was being "punished for the same offence twice". However, Labour frontbencher Chris Bryant said he hoped the Metropolitan Police would now conduct a thorough investigation into the phone hacking. It is understood Mr Coulson informed the Prime Minister of his intention to leave on Wednesday evening. No decision has yet been taken on a replacement. Mr Coulson resigned as editor of the News of the World in 2007 after the paper's former royal editor, Clive Goodman, and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed for phone hacking. Although he accepted ultimate responsibility for the illegal activities, he has always denied knowing they were taking place.

Knox has to wait over murder appeal

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Image Amanda Knox has seen her hopes of freedom delayed further as experts were granted three months to review crucial evidence used to convict her for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher. The 23-year-old American, dubbed Foxy Knoxy, hopes an analysis of disputed DNA traces found on a knife and on the clasp of Miss Kercher's bra will help clear her name. But an independent forensic team have now been given 90 days to conduct their examination, meaning she may not learn her fate until the summer. Knox, who is appealing her conviction, appeared tense as she arrived in court in the Italian hilltop town of Perugia. Speaking after the hearing, her step-father Chris Mellas said she was increasingly concerned for her future but insisted the developments were "definitely a step in the right direction". "We support anything they want to do in order to reach the truth," he said. "It's hard not to be impatient but what can you do? Amanda's not getting any younger and she has been in jail now for well over three years and she doesn't deserve being in there. "She's doing all right but I think the days of her relaxed attitude are behind her. "She could relax during the last trial because she felt she would be released because she is innocent but she knows that the truth didn't matter then and so now she is more apprehensive. She just wants to get this all out of the way." University of Leeds student Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was discovered with her throat slit on November 2, 2007, in her bedroom at the house she shared with Knox and others during her year abroad.

Banks must be able 'to fail safely'

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Image The head of the commission examining the potential break-up of Britain's biggest banks has said there needs to be a way of allowing unsuccessful financial institutions "to fail safely". Sir John Vickers used a speech in London to give an insight into the investigation by the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB). He said that it should not be down to taxpayers to provide "a generous safety net" to stop banks from collapsing. The ICB was unveiled by the coalition Government last June to consider reforms to the banks that would "promote financial stability and competition". Speaking at the London Business School, Sir John said: "For the most part, retail customers have no effective alternative to their banks for vital financial services, and hence there is an overriding economic, social and political imperative to avert any disruption to the continuous provision of those services. "The task is to find better ways of ensuring this, if possible, while allowing unsuccessful individual institutions to fail safely." He said that although customers of investment banks were more able to "look after themselves", it was vital to find ways for these services to fail safely too. "Ultimately, financial risks have to be borne, and in a market system they should not be borne by the taxpayer providing a generous safety net," he added. Chancellor George Osborne said he was pleased Sir John was asking "tough, searching questions about how we protect taxpayers".

Community mourns industrial deaths

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Image A rural community has been coming to terms with the loss of four men who died in an industrial accident as a health and safety investigation into the tragedy continued. The men had been working at the site of offshore engineering company Claxton Engineering in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Building work was being carried out by external contractors at the premises where the accident happened at approximately 2pm on Friday, the firm said. The men, believed to be aged between 26 and 42 and from the Bury St Edmunds area of Suffolk, were pronounced dead at the scene. Reports suggested a steel structure may have collapsed on the men as foundation works were carried out. Three of the men are believed to have links to the villages of Stanton and Walsham le Willows. Organisers of the two local football clubs said they had cancelled their matches in the wake of the tragedy. Mike Powles, chairman of Walsham le Willows FC said: "Two of the lads used to play for us. It's a real community where everyone knows everyone else. We called the games off as a mark of respect and we understand Stanton have done the same." Rev David Messer, of All Saints Church in Stanton, said the church had been kept openfor those wishing to attend and he said the men would be remembered during the Sunday service. He said: "It has hit many people in the village quite hard. Tomorrow we will be having our church service as normal, offering prayers and support for the loss of the young men and their families." A joint inquiry has been launched by Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Joanna suspect quiz continuing

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Image A 32-year-old man being held by police on suspicion of murdering Joanna Yeates is still being questioned by detectives. The suspect was detained in the early hours of Thursday after police investigating the 25-year-old landscape architect's death uncovered fresh evidence. Detectives can hold the man without charge until later on Saturday, but they may apply for a warrant to detain him longer. Avon and Somerset Police have refused to name the man. Soon after the man was arrested, specialist search teams moved into a neighbouring flat in the building where Miss Yeates lived at 44 Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol. Dutch engineer Vincent Tabak, 32, is registered as living at the address with his girlfriend, Tanja Morson. Workers have erected scaffolding and a 12ft-high green tarpaulin at the rear of the substantial converted Victorian property where Miss Yeates and Mr Tabak lived. The screen covers the entrance to Flat 2, where Mr Tabak lived, and the rear of Miss Yeates's rented home that she shared with her boyfriend, Greg Reardon, 27. Forensic examinations were continuing in Canynge Road. Police have also examined a converted terrace property about a mile away in Aberdeen Road, Cotham, where it is believed Mr Tabak was arrested in the early hours of Thursday. Officers have also been seen at the offices of Mr Tabak's employer, international consultancy Buro Happold, in Lower Bristol Road, Bath. The firm, and several colleagues, referred all inquiries to Avon and Somerset Police. Mr Tabak, a trilingual engineer, is an expert in the flow of people through buildings, including sports venues. Neither Mr Tabak nor Miss Morson, an analyst at Dyson, in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, could be reached by telephone. It is thought the Dutchman had just returned to Britain from a holiday, having reportedly spent Christmas in Holland with his family. Acquaintances described him as an intelligent and industrious young man.

Residents evacuated after gas blast

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Image Fifty people have been evacuated from their homes following a gas explosion, police said. The blast in Lambeth, south London, did not cause a fire and no injuries were reported. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called by London Fire Brigade at approximately 6.40pm today to reports of a gas explosion on Oakden Street. Officers from London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade are in attendance." A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: "About 50 people were evacuated from four residential properties and the local authorities are now taking care of it. There are no reports of any casualties." He said there was no fire to be put out.

Neighbour charged with Jo murder

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Image A 32-year-old man has been charged with the murder of landscape architect Joanna Yeates, police said. Vincent Tabak will face Bristol Magistrates' Court on Monday accused of killing the 25-year-old. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones, who led the inquiry, said: "This evening we have charged Vincent Tabak with the murder of Joanna Yeates. "I would like to pay tribute to Jo's family and Greg for their assistance and dignity in the most difficult of circumstances. Their support to us has been invaluable. "I would also like to thank the general public for their help and the information they continue to provide to the investigation, and the residents of Canynge Road for their co-operation and patience."

Humanitarian award for Norgrove

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Image Scottish aid worker Linda Norgrove has been announced as the winner of the 2011 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award. Ms Norgrove, who died in October during a US military-led rescue mission to free her from her Afghan captors, was given the award posthumously in recognition of her humanitarian work in Afghanistan. Receiving the award on her behalf, her father John Norgrove said: "We are hugely honoured. "As parents, we are immensely proud of her achievements and are determined that her name will live on in the work of the Linda Norgrove Foundation, which aims to help women and children in Afghanistan". The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award is presented annually to a group or individual who has saved, improved or enriched the lives of others, through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service or hands-on charitable work. The award, now in its tenth year, was presented to Ms Norgrove's family at the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, South Ayrshire, on Saturday. Ms Norgrove's mother added: "Linda lived life to the full and worked hard to change things for the better, both for poor people and for the environment. "We do hope that her energy, compassion and sense of adventure will be an inspiration for other young people to say 'yes' to life's opportunities and choose to live a life that matters." Presenting the award, Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said: "Promoting tolerance and a shared humanity were of course themes that Robert Burns so often explored. Linda Norgrove clearly shared these values and through her work made a powerful difference in developing countries around the world." Graham Peterkin, chairman of the 2011 Burns Humanitarian Award judging panel, said: "The Norgrove family should be very proud of this brave and passionate woman who paid the ultimate sacrifice to help others - she was a true humanitarian and a very worthy recipient of this year's award."

Brothers die in industrial accident

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Image Two brothers were among four men who died in an industrial accident which is now at the centre of a health and safety investigation. The men, all from the same rural community, had been working at the site of offshore engineering company Claxton Engineering in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Building work was being carried out by external contractors at the premises where the accident happened at around 2pm on Friday, the firm said. The dead men were named locally as Dan Hazelton, 30 and his brother Tom Hazelton, 26, and Peter Johnson, 42, all from Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, plus Adam Taylor, 28, who lived close by. Reports suggested a steel structure may have collapsed on the men as foundation works were carried out. Organisers of two local football clubs said they had cancelled their matches in the wake of the tragedy. Mike Powles, chairman of Walsham le Willows FC said: "Two of the lads used to play for us. It's a real community where everyone knows everyone else. We called the games off as a mark of respect and we understand Stanton have done the same." Rev David Messer, of All Saints Church in Stanton, said the church had been kept open for those wishing to attend and he said the men would be remembered during the Sunday service. He said: "It has hit many people in the village quite hard. Tomorrow we will be having our church service as normal, offering prayers and support for the loss of the young men and their families." A joint inquiry has been launched by Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Further assessment of the site has been carried out by police and health and safety investigators.

Neighbour charged with Jo murder

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Image A 32-year-old man has been charged with the murder of landscape architect Joanna Yeates, police said. Vincent Tabak will face Bristol Magistrates' Court on Monday accused of killing the 25-year-old. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones, who led the inquiry, said: "This evening we have charged Vincent Tabak with the murder of Joanna Yeates. "I would like to pay tribute to Jo's family and Greg for their assistance and dignity in the most difficult of circumstances. Their support to us has been invaluable. "I would also like to thank the general public for their help and the information they continue to provide to the investigation, and the residents of Canynge Road for their co-operation and patience." Dutch engineer Tabak, who lived next door to Miss Yeates at 44 Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol, was arrested on Thursday. Specialist search teams have been examining Tabak's flat, which he shares with his girlfriend, Tanja Morson, an analyst for Dyson, in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Miss Yeates shared her rented home with her boyfriend, Greg Reardon, 27. Tabak, a trilingual engineer, is an expert in the flow of people through buildings, including sports venues. Tabak's arrest was the second to be made by detectives since Miss Yeates's frozen body was found dumped in a lane on the outskirts of Bristol on Christmas Day. Her landlord, Chris Jefferies, 66, was arrested on December 30 and questioned for three days on suspicion of murder before being released on bail.

Sex 'part of undercover policing'

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Image Police used sex as a tool during undercover operations - and tactical "promiscuity", sanctioned by senior commanders, was viewed as "part of the job", a former agent revealed. The officer, who worked in a secretive unit of the Metropolitan Police for four years, said sexual relationships with activists were common among those gathering intelligence from anarchist, left-wing and environmental groups. His claims, made to The Observer, contradict comments made last week by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) which insisted the practise was forbidden. But the former officer, once a member the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), a covert unit formed to prevent violent disorder on the streets of London, said sex helped to maintain cover. The man, who was not named, admitted to sleeping with at least two of his female targets for information. "Everybody knew it was a very promiscuous lifestyle," he told the paper. "You cannot not be promiscuous in those groups. Otherwise you'll stand out straight away." Meanwhile, there was also no set of instructions dictating whether officers could or could not have sex with activists, he claimed. "Among fellow undercover officers, there is not really any kudos in the fact that you are shagging other people while deployed," he added. "Basically it's just regarded as part of the job. It'd be highly unlikely that you were not (having sex). When you are using the tool of sex to maintain your cover or maybe to glean more intelligence - because they certainly talk a lot more, pillow talk - you would be ready to move on if you felt an attachment growing." However, the officer, who infiltrated anti-racist groups between 1993 and 1997, said falling in love could jeopardise an investigation and was regarded as unprofessional. His revelations follow the controversy surrounding former Met officer Pc Mark Kennedy who monitored the actions of protesters across Europe under the guise of a long-haired, drop-out climber called Mark Stone.

Banks challenge insurance rules

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Image The major banks will this week begin their High Court challenge over new rules on the way complaints about controversial payment protection insurance must be handled. The British Bankers' Association is launching a judicial review against the Financial Services Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service over new regulations that came into force in December. The rules aim to ensure consumers are treated fairly, both when they buy payment protection insurance (PPI) and when they complain about being mis-sold the cover. To ensure people understand what they are buying, providers will have to talk potential customers through the key features of a policy, rather than just provide them with a document giving the information, as was previously the case. They will also have to provide evidence to show that it was made clear to the customer that the cover was optional if it was taken out alongside credit. But the banks are unhappy that the rules will apply to complaints relating to PPI policies which were sold before the new regime was brought in. The BBA said: "We believe the FSA is effectively creating a precedent which permits it to apply new rules to previous sales - even where those sales were regulated by other FSA rules." It said the policy was like having a road with a speed limit of 30mph, which was later changed to 20mph, and deciding to hand out speeding tickets to people who drove at 30mph before the limit was reduced. PPI covers debt repayments if the holder is unable to work due to an accident or illness or if they lose their job, but it has come in for heavy criticism after research found it had been mis-sold to many consumers who would never be able to claim on it while others felt pressurised into taking it out alongside a loan or credit card. The cover is currently the single most complained about product to the Financial Ombudsman Service, with the group receiving nearly 2,600 complaints during the past week alone. It is also finding in favour of consumers in 86% of PPI cases, suggesting the banks are not handling the complaints properly.

Pair rescued after cliff plunge

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Image Two young women were taken to hospital after their car went over a cliff in the dark, the coastguard said. The pair managed to escape from the vehicle and were rescued by a lifeboat following the incident at 10.15pm on Saturday. Emergency services were called to the scene at Pendennis Point in Cornwall, a promontory boasting views across Falmouth Bay. Marc Thomas, watch manager at Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said: "The car's two occupants, both female, have been transferred by lifeboat to the Falmouth lifeboat house where they will then be taken on to the Royal Cornwall Hospital. "The car is in an upright and intact position but badly damaged and will be recovered in due course." It was not revealed why the women were at the coastal beauty spot. Falmouth Coastguard was deployed after receiving a call for assistance from Devon and Cornwall Police.

10 billionth App prize for UK woman

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Image A mother from the UK has spoken of her shock at becoming the customer to make the 10 billionth download from the Apple App Store. Gail Davis, from Orpington, Kent, said that it was her two daughters who purchased the Paper Glider game from the online store. Apple, who run the store for its 160 million iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users, have declared Ms Davis the winner of its Countdown to 10 Billion Apps competition meaning she will receive a 10,000 dollar (£6,250) iTunes gift card. Ms Davis told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I have to confess it wasn't me who downloaded it but my daughters. "It's a game to see how far across a room you can launch a paper plane. I had no idea when Apple phoned me, I thought it was a prank and I declined to take the phone call. "My daughters told me they had downloaded it and they knew there was a competition and that we may have won it. "I had that moment of blind panic but Apple kindly phoned me back and said I was a winner." Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said: "With more than 10 billion apps downloaded in just two and a half years, a staggering seven billion apps in the last year alone, the App Store has surpassed our wildest dreams. "The App Store has revolutionised how software is created, distributed, discovered and sold. While others try to copy the App Store, it continues to offer developers and customers the most innovative experience on the planet." The App Store offers more than 350,000 apps in 20 categories to users in 90 countries around the world.

Prayers for four accident victims

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Image Prayers will be said in church as a rural community mourns the deaths of four men, including two brothers, in an industrial accident. The men had been working at the site of offshore company Claxton Engineering in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Building work was being carried out by external contractors at the premises where the accident happened at around 2pm on Friday, the firm said. The dead men were named locally as Dan Hazelton, 30 his brother Tom, 26, and Peter Johnson, 42, all from Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and Adam Taylor, 28, who lived close by. A Norfolk Constabulary spokesman said: "Their families are currently being supported by specialist police officers." Reports suggested a steel structure may have collapsed on the men as foundation work was carried out. Organisers of two local football clubs said they had cancelled their matches in the wake of the tragedy. Mike Powles, chairman of Walsham le Willows FC said: "Two of the lads used to play for us. It's a real community where everyone knows everyone else. "We called the games off as a mark of respect and we understand Stanton have done the same." The Rev David Messer of All Saints Church in Stanton, said the church had been kept open yesterday for those wishing to attend and he said the men would be remembered during the service. A joint inquiry has been launched by Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Further assessment of the site was carried out this weekend by police and health and safety investigators.

Hart shines at UK Comedy Awards

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Image TV viewers crowned Miranda Hart the Queen of Comedy in a public vote. She picked up three accolades at the British Comedy Awards at a ceremony at the O2 in Greenwich, south-east London, scooping Best New TV Comedy Show, Best Female Comedy Actress and the People's Choice Award - chosen by viewers. She said she was "genuinely thrilled" by her success and hinted that her show, which ran on BBC2, might be moving channels. She said: "I heard BBC1 are interested and that is very nice to know that they think there might be an audience." The show, broadcast live on Channel 4, opened with a flurry of gags from host Jonathan Ross. He took aim at fellow comics and celebrities, branding Eamonn Holmes an "elephant in the room" and describing Simon Amstell's acting as "so wooden Ray Mears tried to make a canoe out of him". There was an Outstanding Contribution To Comedy award for Russell Brand. The controversial comic recorded a video message for the ceremony explaining he was unable to attend because a friend was "really ill". The first award, for Best Male TV Comic, went to Michael McIntyre. Next up was Best Comedy Panel Show which was won by Would I Lie To You. Accepting the award, one of the stars of the BBC1 show Lee Mack joked: "We'd just like to thank the creators of Call My Bluff for not suing us." Hollywood veteran Goldie Hawn handed out the award for Best TV Comedy Actor to the star of The Thick Of It Peter Capaldi. The Scottish actor, who plays foul-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, said he had got used to the public mistaking him for his famously short-tempered character. He said: "People often ask me to tell them to f*** off, so I do". Peep Show stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb gave the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award to its writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. Jo Brand won the Best Female TV Comic award, while teen comedy The Inbetweeners won Best Sitcom. Meanwhile the British Comedy Lifetime Achievement Award went to Roy Clarke, the writer of numerous hit shows including Last of the Summer Wine and Open All Hours, and Jo Brand won the Best Female TV Comic award.

May to reveal control orders revamp

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Image Controversial plans to reform the system of control orders for suspected terrorists will be outlined by Home Secretary Theresa May this week. The orders, which have been described as being akin to house arrest by critics, are likely to be replaced with "surveillance orders" The system of curfews will be eased, along with restrictions on the use of mobile phones and computers, but some controls are likely to be kept for a small number of individuals. The issue is particularly fraught for the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who campaigned at the general election on a pledge to abolish control orders completely. It is understood the revised form of control orders could include concessions over pastoral care, education and work. Lord Carlile, the independent reviewer of counter-terrorism powers, said everyone now understands that there is a small cohort of suspected terrorists who could not be prosecuted and "against whom some protection is required". "If we do not have curfews, and if we do not have limitations on meetings and the use of the internet, then we might as well not have them at all," he told MPs last month. "If we don't have them at all, then in my judgment there will be terrorists walking the streets who present a great danger to the public." A total of eight terror suspects are currently subject to control orders, but putting them under surveillance instead would be difficult with limited resources. Round-the-clock surveillance of just one suspect can involve up to 60 officers, it is understood. Civil rights group Liberty has said the "confused and conflicting" briefings coming out of government made it impossible to assess what was being proposed. Shami Chakrabarti, the charity's director, said: "The crucial question remains whether suspects are to be brought within the criminal justice system or branded criminals by executive order and left under permanent suspicion and restriction in the community."

Wartime autograph book unearthed

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Image An autograph book containing inscriptions written by First World War soldiers being treated in a military hospital more than 90 years ago has been unearthed by a pensioner. Roy Chamberlain, 90, discovered the book - which belonged to his mother Mary - among old photographs at his home in Foxton, Cambridgeshire. Soldiers being treated at a local village hall, turned into a temporary hospital in 1915, have written and sketched in the book and added names and dates. A private known to have died during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 copied lines from Thomas Babington Macaulay's poem "Horatius" which read: "And how can man die better, Than facing fearful odds..." Mr Chamberlain said his mother was a cook at a manor house in neighbouring Shepreth, where the hospital was set up, during the First World War. "I think it was quite common in those days for young people to have autograph books," he said. "Quite a few soldiers have written and drawn in the book and signed their names. My mother would have been in her 20s and single. I suppose she would have visited the soldiers. My grandmother worked as a nurse at the hospital." Mr Chamberlain unearthed the book a month after a 1915 postcard written to Private Edward Wolstencroft was found behind a wooden panel at Shepreth village hall by workmen. Data shows that Private Wolstencroft, who came from Edmonton, Middlesex, died when he was in his mid-20s on July 7 1916 - a week after British troops launched their fateful Somme attack on German lines. He has copied part of a verse from "Horatius" into the autograph book and copied a Mabel Lucie Attwell illustration, which would have probably featured on a postcard during the First World War.
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