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Banks 'should build up cash levels'

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Banks 'should build up cash levels' British banks must strengthen their balance sheets against potential future crises without damaging the wider economy, the Government's new financial watchdog has warned. Eurozone debt fears have made it harder for banks to hoard cash to prepare for the shocks ahead without choking off lending to households and firms, the Financial Policy Committee (FPC) said. In its first meeting in June, the FPC said banks should build up cash levels when earnings are strong - but has now admitted this may not always be possible given increasing risks to the economy. The latest quarterly update from the FPC, set up to oversee the country's financial stability in the wake of the credit crunch, comes after the International Monetary Fund warned the eurozone debt crisis had added 300 billion euro (£260 billion) to the risk exposure of European Union banks. The FPC, an official committee of the Bank of England, chaired by the Bank's governor Sir Mervyn King, currently meets on an interim basis before it is given full legislative powers next year. The committee in June urged banks to withhold dividends and retain profits to deal with the impact of the eurozone debt crisis - which it singled out as the biggest threat to UK financial stability. But the FPC acknowledged that "severe strains" to financial markets had weakened the outlook for bank earnings, which will hit their ability to strengthen balance sheets. In minutes from its September meeting, the committee said: "The committee had advised UK banks in June that, if their earnings were strong, they should seek to build capital levels further, given the risks to the economic and financial environment. "But events had lowered the likelihood that banks would be able to strengthen their balance sheets in this way over the short term." The committee went on: "Banks should take any opportunity they had to strengthen their levels of capital and liquidity so as to increase their capacity to absorb flexibly any future shocks, without constraining lending to the wider economy."

Two thirds back travellers eviction

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Two thirds back travellers eviction Two thirds of the British public support Basildon Council's plans to evict residents from the UK's largest illegal travellers' site, according to a YouGov poll. Basildon Council is attempting to clear 51 illegal plots from Dale Farm in Essex which is home to about 400 travellers. The High Court could rule on how much of the clearance will be allowed to go ahead on Thursday. The survey found that 66% of the public back the eviction bid. A further 17% said the council's actions were wrong while the same proportion said they did not know. Older people are more likely to support the eviction, with 74% of those over 60 agreeing, compared to 59% of those aged 18 to 24. The planned clearance was due to begin last week but was halted following a High Court injunction while legal appeals are heard. It follows a decade-long row over unauthorised plots on the six-acre site. Meanwhile, Essex Police confirmed that two men, aged 22 and 29, of no fixed address, have been charged with using threatening words or behaviour to cause alarm or distress. The charges follow at protest at Basildon Council's offices on Tuesday during which two people scaled the building and hung a banner calling on the council leader to resign. The men will appear at Basildon Magistrates Court on October 6.

Right to die case 'very important'

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Right to die case 'very important' A High Court judge has ruled that a brain-damaged, minimally conscious woman should not be allowed to die in a decision described as "very important" by lawyers. Mr Justice Baker said an English court had never before been asked to consider whether life-supporting treatment should be withdrawn from a patient who was not in a persistent vegetative state but was minimally conscious. The judge, who heard legal argument during a Court of Protection hearing in London in July, had described the case as unique and said it raised "very important issues of principle". Relatives wanted life-supporting treatment withdrawn and said the woman, who turned 52 earlier this month and lives in a care home in the north of England, would not want to live "a life dependent on others". But a lawyer appointed by the High Court to represent the woman, referred to as M in court, opposed the relatives' application for nutrition to be withdrawn, arguing that she was "otherwise clinically stable". The local health authority responsible for commissioning her care also opposed the relatives' application and said the woman's life was "not without positive elements". Mr Justice Baker said: "The factor which does carry substantial weight, in my judgment, is the preservation of life." He added: "I find that she does have some positive experiences and importantly that there is a reasonable prospect that those experiences can be extended by a planned programme of increased stimulation." The judge said all parties agreed that an existing "do not resuscitate" order should continue. Lawyer Yogi Amin, a partner with law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represented M's family, said after the hearing: "The family learned of the judge's decision yesterday and were deeply disappointed." He said the family's lawyers were considering an appeal. He added: "This is a very important judgment. The law has been clarified and, going forward, in all such cases of patients who are in a minimally conscious state, the High Court does now have the power to decide on whether it is in that patient's best interests for treatment to continue, or whether the patient should be allowed to die naturally, with dignity."

Name of pit death miner released

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Name of pit death miner released A miner who died when a roof collapsed in a pit has been named by the mine owner. Gerry Gibson, 49, died at Kellingley Colliery, North Yorkshire, on Tuesday when he was trapped with a colleague, who was rescued. UK Coal, which owns the pit, said Mr Gibson was a "highly-skilled and well-respected coalface worker". In a joint statement with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), UK Coal said: "UK Coal and the NUM regret to confirm the name of our colleague and friend who lost his life in yesterday's tragic accident as Gerry Gibson. "Gerry was 49 years old and a highly-skilled and well-respected coalface worker, having worked in the industry since 1979. "Our other injured colleague is recovering at home and a full investigation is now under way. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Gerry during this tragic time." Andrew Mackintosh, UK Coal's communications director, said the initial inquiry had shown no problems with the coal seam or the equipment, which he said was almost brand new, costing millions of pounds.

Labour announces police review

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Labour announces police review An independent review to create a "serious vision" of the future of the police service has been announced by Labour. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the review, chaired by former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens, would be "vigorous and challenging" on the changes needed to create forces fit to fight crime in the 21st century. Proclaiming Labour as the party of law and order, she repeated Tony Blair's promise to be "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime" as she tore into the Government's police cuts in her keynote speech at her party's conference in Liverpool. Announcing the review, she said the Government had refused to listen to police officers who had called for a royal commission into policing. She said: "What the Police Federation and the Superintendents Association has called for is right. Now is the time for a serious vision for the future of policing, a royal commission or a heavyweight independent review. "The Government has refused to do so, so we will. We are setting up an independent review to look at the crime challenges of the 21st century and how policing needs to adapt and respond. Building on the best of British and international policing, vigorous and challenging on the changes that are needed, but working with the police, not trying to undermine them." In a speech which won her a standing ovation, Ms Cooper told delegates: "The Tories claim to be the party of law and order but look at the facts: every Tory government since records began has seen crime go up, not down. "Tories in government do not cut crime. In the end, they just don't believe in the things you need to do, they don't believe in active government, they don't believe in strengthening society." Under Labour crime fell, she said, adding: "Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime, strong powers, strong safeguards, strong prevention and backing the police: Labour is the party of law and order and that is how we will stay." But she admitted Labour had been wrong to press for 90-day detention without charge for terror suspects and the party should have done more on immigration.

OAP charged with child sex attacks

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OAP charged with child sex attacks A pensioner in Australia has been charged with a 23-year campaign of London child sex attacks dating back to 1949. Reginald Davis, 77, will appear before magistrates accused of 16 historic offences, including several counts of raping a child under 12. The offences are alleged to have taken place in the capital until 1972, Scotland Yard said. He was charged with four child rapes, three attempted rapes, eight indecent assaults and one count of inciting a child to commit gross indecency. The majority of the attacks took place in the 1950s. He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Scotland Yard said.

Salon shooting: Son, 16, found dead

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Salon shooting: Son, 16, found dead The teenage son of a man who shot his estranged wife has been found dead in woods in Newport. The body of Jack Williams, 16, was discovered near where his father Darren died after the shooting in a Newport hair salon last month. Jack's mother Rachel, 39, who recently left hospital, was said to be devastated by her son's death. His loved ones said the youngster had found it hard to come to terms with the events of the past few weeks. A family spokesman told BBC Wales: "He was a sensitive young man - he wasn't coping with things. "His mother was shot and his dad found hanged, all within a couple of hours. "Now Rachel is going through hell all over again. She is aware that Jack was very, very upset by the whole business." The tragic death comes six weeks after Darren, 46, burst into the Carol-Ann Hair Salon in Malpas, where his estranged wife worked. He opened fire with a double-barrelled shotgun, wounding Mrs Williams, who needed a 10-hour operation to save her left leg. She has since undergone extensive reconstructive surgery at Morriston Hospital in Swansea. An inquest is set to be opened after a post-mortem examination is carried out.

Father grieves for blaze family

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Father grieves for blaze family A father who lost his wife and five of his children in a devastating house fire has led hundreds of mourners carrying the tiny coffin of his two-year-old son at a funeral service. Bassam Kua, 51, had bandages on both arms and burns across his face as he touched the white box containing Yehya as it was taken to be buried. Coffins with the bodies of mother Muna Elmufatish, 41, daughters Hanin Kua, 14, Basma, 13, Amal, nine, and brother Mustafa were lifted by grieving friends, family and community members at the Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery in Ilford, east London. The six members of the family died after their London home was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Saturday. Mr Kua survived the blaze with his 16-year-old daughter Nur, who is in a critical but stable condition in hospital. Mr Kua was described as being in a stable condition, but he will need to return to hospital after the funeral. A spokesman for the cemetery said it was the "right decision" for the funeral to take place without Nur, and was in keeping with the Islamic belief that a body should be buried as quickly as possible. London Fire Brigade said the family's chest freezer, which was in the hallway at the bottom of the stairs, was the most likely cause of the blaze, which became the capital's worst house fire in more than a decade. Gulam Ali, a funeral director from the East London Mosque, addressed the mourners after they prayed. He explained what he said to them. "We don't believe in death, we believe in everlasting life," he said. "We do not believe that man is born of sin. Anyone who dies, say, under the age of 15, we called 'masoom', which means blameless, and we believe they go straight to heaven. "I was basically saying to the congregation, thank you for your tears, for your respect, your prayers in your own way. We prayed for the daughter and the father, because they're left with less people in their family. Give them strength."

Hack probe duo in unfair sack claim

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Hack probe duo in unfair sack claim Two former senior journalists at the News of the World have launched claims for unfair dismissal against the paper's publishers. Ex-assistant editor (news) Ian Edmondson and ex-chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck have both lodged employment tribunal papers against News International, a source said. Detectives arrested Edmondson, 42, and Thurlbeck, 50, in April on suspicion of conspiring to intercept voicemail messages while working at the now-defunct Sunday tabloid. Edmondson was sacked in January after being linked to the phone hacking scandal in legal documents filed with the High Court, and Thurlbeck lost his job earlier this month. A preliminary hearing in Thurlbeck's case will take place at the East London Employment Tribunal on Friday, at which the journalist will claim he was a whistleblower, a source said. Thurlbeck's alleged role in the scandal has been closely scrutinised after details emerged of an email sent in June 2005 which was headed "for Neville" and contained transcripts of illegally intercepted phone messages. The email, which surfaced in April 2008, seemed to contradict News International's previous stance that phone hacking was confined to a single "rogue reporter". Meanwhile, Thurlbeck, Edmondson and former News of the World senior reporter James Weatherup, 55, have all had their police bail extended until March next year. They were the first of 16 people arrested since Scotland Yard launched a fresh investigation into illegal activities at the tabloid in January.

Heritage bid to keep Dale Farm gate

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Heritage bid to keep Dale Farm gate Residents of the UK's largest illegal travellers' site in Essex have applied to English Heritage to gain official protection status for the scaffolding gateway at the entrance to the site. The gateway at Dale Farm near Basildon adorned with posters and banners, has become an "emblem of the struggle for travellers' rights", according to the applicants. A spokesman for English Heritage confirmed it had received the application. He added: "It is a highly unusual case without precedent. We are nonetheless legally obliged to consider it. "Buildings under 30 years old are normally listed only if they are of outstanding quality, in architectural and historic terms, and under threat. Our response will be released very shortly." The structure has been in place at the former scrapyard for five years and acts as part of the defence against bailiffs, a Dale Farm Solidarity spokesman said. Resident Kathleen McCarthy said: "We're here to fight for our rights to a normal family life, for our children to get an education and for us to have security for our homes. "The tower is all that stands between ourselves and the bailiffs. As long as it remains standing, we know that there are people outside our community who still care about our rights." The English Heritage website says that it designates the status to "protect and celebrate England's historic buildings, monuments, parks, gardens, battlefields and wreck sites, by highlighting their special interest in a national context". The clearance of Dale Farm was due to begin last week but an injunction preventing bailiffs moving in is in place while legal appeals are heard at the High Court. The planned clearance follows a decade-long row over 51 unauthorised pitches on the six-acre travellers' site.

No exits from euro turmoil: Hague

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No exits from euro turmoil: Hague William Hague has branded the eurozone a "burning building with no exits" amid frantic efforts to control the sovereign debt crisis. The Foreign Secretary said he believed Germans would have to subsidise weaker members such as Greece for "the rest of their lifetimes". Delivering the starkest comments so far by a senior British minister, Mr Hague also claimed the single currency was set to become an "historical monument to collective folly". The intervention emerged as the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, warned that the EU faced its "greatest challenge". However, Mr Barroso insisted Greece would remain in the eurozone despite fears that it will default on huge debts. Interviewed for The Spectator magazine, Mr Hague referred to a remark he made as Tory leader in 1998 while running a campaign to 'Keep the Pound'. "I described the euro as a burning building with no exits and so it has proved for some of the countries in it. But there are no exits," he said. He went on: "You can have burning buildings where they manage to put out the fire or control it or get more room or something. I might take the analogy too far but the euro wasn't built with exits so it is very difficult to leave it." Mr Hague warned that eurozone countries had to take difficult choices, without exchange rate flexibility to ease the pain. He suggested that "Greeks, or Italians or Portuguese have to accept some very big changes in what happens in their country, even bigger than if they weren't in the euro, and Germans will have to accept that they are going to subsidise those countries for a long time to come really, for the rest of their lifetimes".

Call to expand two national parks

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Call to expand two national parks Two of England's national parks should be significantly expanded, creating an extra 200 square miles of highly protected landscapes, it has been recommended. The Government conservation agency Natural England's board will recommend to ministers that the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks should be extended. The changes, which would bring areas such as parts of the Orton Fells, the River Lune, Birkbeck Fells Common to Whinfell Common and part of the Lyth Valley into the parks, must now be approved by the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman. If she does confirm the expansion of the two parks, it will increase their combined area by 500 square kilometres (193 square miles), and bring the two parks together - with the M6 marking the boundary between them. It would be the most significant addition to England's national parks since the South Downs National Park was established in 2009, Natural England said. The recommendation follows two years of consultations with the public, communities and various interested organisations which found that two thirds of those who responded were in favour of extending the parks. There was also widespread consensus that the proposals met the criteria for inclusion, which were the natural beauty of the landscape, the opportunities they provided for outdoor recreation and how desirable it was to look after them as national parks. Poul Christensen, chairman of Natural England, said: "The board's decision to proceed towards the designation of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park is the result of many years of detailed assessment work and public consultation. "It represents an important opportunity to ensure that these special landscapes are looked after for future generations to enjoy." The proposed changes to the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park include taking in parts of the Orton Fells, the northern Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang to the north and including Barbon, Middleton, Casterton and Leck Fells, the River Lune and part of Firbank Fell and other fells to the west.

Go-ahead for Dewani extradition

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Go-ahead for Dewani extradition Home Secretary Theresa May has signed an order for British businessman Shrien Dewani to be extradited to South Africa over his wife's murder. Care home owner Dewani is accused of arranging a hit on his bride Anni during their honeymoon in Cape Town last November. He now has 14 days to appeal to the High Court against his extradition, a Home Office spokesman said. The spokesman said: "On Monday September 26 the Home Secretary, having carefully considered all relevant matters, signed an order for Shrien Prakash Dewani's extradition to South Africa. "Mr Dewani now has the opportunity, within 14 days, to appeal to the High Court against the decision of the District Judge and/or the Home Secretary." Mrs May's decision came after District Judge Howard Riddle ruled at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court in south-east London last month that Dewani, 31, should be sent back to South Africa to stand trial. Suspicion fell on him after Mrs Dewani, 28, was shot dead when the couple's cab was hijacked in the dangerous Gugulethu township. Taxi driver Zola Tongo, who has admitted his part in the crime, claimed in a plea agreement with prosecutors that Dewani ordered the carjacking and paid for a hit on his wife. Dewani, who is said to be suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, denies any wrongdoing.

Labour launches review of policing

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Labour launches review of policing Labour has sought to position itself as the party of law and order, launching a review of policing policy headed by a former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. The party's annual conference was addressed for the first time ever by the chairman of the Police Federation, Paul McKeever, who told delegates that officers felt "greatly unloved" by the coalition Government. Mr McKeever's presence at the Liverpool conference, where he shook hands on-stage with leader Ed Miliband, sparked criticism from Conservatives. And Mr Miliband himself had to fend off criticism from the business community following his speech in which he pledged to use tax and regulation to take on "predators" and "asset-strippers". Former Labour trade minister and CBI chief Lord Jones branded the speech "divisive and a kick in the teeth" to business. But Mr Miliband took to the airwaves in a series of TV and radio interviews to insist that his approach was "not anti-business but anti-business as usual". He denied making a lurch to the left, insisting that Labour would remain "firmly in the middle ground of politics", but added: "The middle ground is changing." His "new bargain" with the British people would involve breaking with the political orthodoxies which have held sway since the Thatcher era, and were left largely unchanged by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Lady Thatcher created "a culture, an ethic, an idea that as long as people maximise their short-term interest everything will be okay in business and elsewhere", he said. Mr Miliband also dissociated himself from elements in the conference audience who jeered Mr Blair's name.

Jackson doctor 'sought CPR machine'

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Jackson doctor 'sought CPR machine' A lawyer for the promoter of Michael Jackson's final concerts said the singer's personal doctor asked the company for life-saving equipment just days before the pop superstar's death. Kathy Jorrie, who works for concert giant AEG Live, testified at the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr Conrad Murray that she questioned some of the doctor's requests, which also included the possibility of hiring a second doctor to assist him. "Dr Murray told me Michael Jackson was perfectly healthy, in excellent condition," Ms Jorrie testified. She said Murray told her not to worry about Jackson's condition. "He's great," she recounted the doctor telling her in a conversation the day before Jackson's death. Murray asked for a CPR machine in case one was not available at the concert venue at London's O2 Arena, Ms Jorrie explained. Prosecutors allege Murray caused Jackson's death by providing him with a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol and other sedatives without the proper lifesaving equipment or skills. Earlier in the day, a promoter told jurors that Jackson appeared strong during one of the final rehearsals for the highly anticipated comeback concerts. Paul Gongaware, an executive for AEG Live, said Jackson seemed engaged and energetic during the session just two days before he died. Mr Gongaware also testified that he saw Murray at one of Jackson's rehearsals after people affiliated with the planned concerts complained that the singer had been missing some of the sessions. Ms Jorrie also testified about drafting a contract for Murray to work as Jackson's personal doctor. At one point in negotiations, Murray requested his contract be modified to allow him to hire another doctor in case he was tired or unavailable while Jackson was performing in London, she testified. Prosecutors also planned to call one of Jackson's bodyguards and his personal assistant. Murray frantically called the assistant after he found the singer unconscious. Murray has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison and have to relinquish his medical licence.

Tributes to 'well respected' miner

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Tributes to 'well respected' miner A miner who died when a roof collapsed in a pit has been described as a "highly-skilled and well-respected coalface worker". Gerry Gibson, 49, died at Kellingley Colliery, North Yorkshire, on Tuesday after he was trapped in a rock fall. Another miner, thought to be a close friend of Mr Gibson and named locally as Phil Sheldon, was rescued during a major emergency operation and suffered minor injuries. UK Coal - the company which owns and runs the pit - said initial overnight investigations showed no obvious cause of the roof fall and the firm was, at this stage, "at a loss" to know why it happened. The incident came just a few weeks after the flooding of the Gleision Colliery in South Wales, which claimed the lives of four miners. UK Coal Communications director Andrew Mackintosh said a full inquiry was under way at Kellingley with the Health and Safety Executive. Outside the mine, near Knottingley on the North and West Yorkshire border, Mr Mackintosh paid tribute to Mr Gibson, who was a married father-of-two grown-up sons from North Yorkshire. He said: "He was highly-skilled, highly-respected. As well as all that, he was a very close friend of most of the people who worked on the same shift as him. "It's been a huge loss. It hits an industry like coal-mining far harder, I suspect, than many industries because of that close-knit approach. "Gerry was a family man with a wife and two children and obviously our thoughts are with them at the moment."

Shark attack Briton 'ignored alert'

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Shark attack Briton 'ignored alert' A Briton has been mauled by a shark while swimming in South Africa, authorities said. The 42-year-old man is fighting for his life after the attack by a great white at Fish Hoek beach in Cape Town. Reports said the man, who is believed to live in the city, was rescued by a bystander after he ignored shark warnings to go swimming. National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon told the South African Press Association (Sapa): "It appears he was rescued from the water by a bystander who left the scene before we could identify him. "On arrival, a 42-year-old man was found on the shore suffering complete amputation of his right leg, above the knee, and partial amputation of his left leg, below the knee." Mr Lambinon said the victim was believed to live in the suburb of Plumstead. He was stabilised at the scene and then airlifted to Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic in a critical condition. Mr Lambinon said: "The man was conscious when paramedics attended to him on the beach, but was sedated on-scene by paramedics in their efforts to stabilise the patient." The city of Cape Town told Sapa that, when the man entered the water, the beach was still closed. A shark flag, indicating the presence of a great white, was flying. A shark spotter stationed on the beach was warned by a spotter on the mountain that someone had entered the water.

Travellers' heritage bid rejected

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Travellers' heritage bid rejected An application to gain official protection status for a scaffold gateway to the UK's largest illegal travellers' site has been refused. Heritage Minister John Penrose said he had accepted the advice of English Heritage and decided not to list the structure at Dale Farm, near Basildon, Essex. He said: "Although clearly a structure which is significant for the travellers at Dale Farm, the tubular steel, wood and rubber construction holds no special architectural or historic interest and does not therefore meet the criteria for listing." A source close to the minister added: "The listing process is designed to help protect the finest examples of our built heritage, not to be a thorn in the side of a democratic and civilised society. The truth is, hell will freeze over before the Dale Farm barricades meet such criteria." Travellers and supporters at Dale Farm have adorned the gateway with posters and banners. In their application they argued it has become an "emblem of the struggle for travellers' rights". The structure has been in place at the former scrapyard for five years and acts as part of the defence against bailiffs, a Dale Farm Solidarity spokesman said. Resident Kathleen McCarthy said: "The tower is all that stands between ourselves and the bailiffs. As long as it remains standing, we know that there are people outside our community who still care about our rights." Earlier, Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said the application threatened to "make a mockery" of planning laws. He said: "If travellers or their supporters think that the scaffold barricade at Dale Farm can contribute to the rich heritage of the Basildon area then they are within their rights to apply to English Heritage to consider their application. "Considering Dale Farm is in breach of planning regulations and with the ongoing health and safety concerns regarding the barricade, this is clearly another attempt to make a mockery of the planning process and laws of the land that apply to everyone." The clearance of Dale Farm was due to begin last week but an injunction preventing bailiffs moving in is in place while legal appeals are heard at the High Court. The planned clearance follows a decade-long row over 51 unauthorised pitches on the six-acre travellers' site.

Voter registration change 'concern'

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Voter registration change 'concern' Ed Miliband has been accused by a disgruntled Labour Party member of allowing feuding with his brother David to hold the party back. Minal Supri, a special constable from Leeds, said that the rift between the Milibands was "a cloud hanging over Labour". But the party leader insisted that his brother had been "incredibly supportive" and was a "massive asset" to Labour. "I have always said I would be happy to have him back, I want to have him back, but in the end he has got to decide what is the right thing for him to do," he said. The exchange came as Mr Miliband fielded questions from members of the public in a special session at Labour's Liverpool conference designed to open up the party to the views of non-members. He asked his audience for "hard questions please" and spoke on issues ranging from the EU to strikes, the Arab Spring, energy pricing and the economy. But a large proportion of the questioners turned out to be party members. Star of the show was 15-year-old Jasmin Beckett, from Liverpool, who won the hearts of the audience and praise from Mr Miliband with the story of cuts at her school, Holly Lodge Girls' College. Ms Supri asked Mr Miliband: "Don't you think it's time to bring David out of political Siberia and for once end all the rumours and innuendo about backbiting? Because this party is not going to win if people focus on that and that is what the media is focusing on." Mr Miliband acknowledged that last year's leadership contest - when he defeated the former foreign secretary - had been "difficult for us". Speaking to the Press Association later, Ms Supri said: "I wanted a straight answer and I didn't get one. We want the party to unite and Ed to put an end to this once and for all. This is a cloud hanging over Labour."

Apology after maternity unit deaths

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Apology after maternity unit deaths The chief executive of a hospital trust has apologised for failings in the standard of care given to two women who died after using its maternity service. Channel 4 News reported that Queen's Hospital in Romford is facing legal action by 12 women or their families over the care they received in the maternity unit. The programme's website said that a report into the death of Violet Stephens in April after she had been admitted with pre-eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition in pregnant women, had uncovered a "succession of failures" in her care. The serious untoward incident report found there was a failure to administer a blood transfusion as planned, a delay in making the decision to deliver her baby, and when she was found unresponsive with gasping breath, it took 25 minutes for a cardiac arrest call to be made, Channel 4 News said. The 12 women or their families taking legal action against the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust include the husband of Tebussum Ali, known as Sareena, who died along with her newborn baby in January this year, it added. The report into those deaths said hospital staff failed to spot the signs of a ruptured womb, and they then tried to resuscitate her with a disconnected oxygen mask, it said. Averil Dongworth, the trust's chief executive, said: "Our hospitals deliver nearly 10,000 babies each year, and it is our highest priority to ensure each woman receives the highest standard of care in this important moment in their lives. "I am so sorry that both Violet Stephens and Sareena Ali did not receive the standard of care they were entitled to expect, and I am determined to address problems we identified in their care, so that other women can be confident about our maternity service in the future. "We commissioned an investigation into their deaths so we can learn lessons from them and take action to make sure our maternity service is safe and that every woman can have the best possible experience of childbirth. "These actions have included recruiting an extra 72 midwives this year, improved staff support and training, and new guidelines to safeguard women who need to have their labour induced or who are experiencing complications. We have ensured we have one of the highest levels of specialist doctor coverage of any maternity unit in the country."
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