NHS Boss Nicholson 'Determined' To Stay On

NHS boss Sir David Nicholson has rejected calls for him to quit and insisted he is "absolutely determined" to lead the organisation through the coming health reforms.

Sir David warned that the NHS is currently at "maximum risk" and insisted his experience meant he was "absolutely the right person" to be in charge during the transformation.

The NHS chief executive has faced calls to quit in the wake of a damning report into serious failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

He was in charge of the strategic health authority (SHA) for part of the time when patients were mistreated and potentially hundreds died needlessly because of neglect.

Sir David, in evidence to the Health Select Committee, said he would not go back on his vow to see through the Government's radical reforms despite the criticism.

"I said two years ago that I would take the responsibility of leading the NHS through this enormously complex set of changes," he told MPs.

"I promised both the Government and the NHS that I would see that through and I am absolutely determined to do that over the next period."

Sir David (centre) flanked by Sir Bruce Keogh and Liz Redfern

Sir David denied he was just a "process man" but admitted patients had been sidelined across the NHS at the time of the scandal because of changes being pushed through.

"I put my hands up to that and I was a part of that, but my learning from that was to make sure it doesn't happen again," he said.

He stressed that, although he was responsible for three strategic health authorities, trusts like Mid-Staffordshire were in control of their own hospitals.

The chair of the SHA had never raised concerns with him about the standard of care and that the wider health authority had "no idea" what was going on, he added.

"I was running three [hospitals] and at the time I was responsible for national work on HR. The amount of time I could spend in each individual one was limited," he said.

Sir David admitted he visited Stafford Hospital during the time of the problems but said he was not alerted to any neglect or poor care, and also had no access to mortality rates.

And he pointed out that many senior figures at Mid-Staffs did go in the wake of the scandal so "it is not true to say that people weren't held to account".

Tory MP and GP Sarah Wollaston asked: "How far do you take personal responsibility for an organisation that has been shown to minimise patient complaints, to gag whistleblowers, to massage mortality data, and bury bad news and frankly to lose sight of the patient in the bed?"

Sir David rejected the description and said: "I have spent 35 years being a chief executive in the NHS and I am completely dedicated to improving services for patients.

"Of course when I hear bad stories about the NHS, of course I feel responsible. I have got the privileged position when I can try and do something about it which it seems to me is what I need to focus my attention on."

Sir David has faced calls to quit because of the Stafford Hospital scandal

Amid concerns about clinical staff being gagged to stop them blowing the whistle over patient safety, he insisted the practice was unacceptable and illegal.

"If they want my permission to speak out in public - speak out. Because we will protect them in whatever way we need to do," he said.

Sir David also expressed regret that he had not personally met Cure The NHS campaigners when they first raised concerns about Mid Staffordshire.

But campaigner Julie Bailey, who started the group after her mother Bella died at Stafford Hospital in 2007, said his evidence had been "shameful" and called him an "absolute disgrace".

"He is the chief executive of the NHS. He is paid an awful lot of money to ensure that the NHS is well-managed. He has failed so he needs to resign," she told Sky News.

"In any other profession, he would have been sacked. We are talking about hundreds of people here who have lost their lives - lost their lives years ago and we are still here today fighting for accountability."

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Loch Ness: Tiny Monsters In 'Lost World'

Scientists exploring a "lost world" near Loch Ness have discovered a host of tiny creatures never before recorded in the UK.

Biological surveys at conservation charity Trees for Life's Dundreggan Estate in Glenmoriston found eight new species, bringing the total number of species recorded at the site where forest restoration is taking place to more than 2,800.

The new species discovered at the 10,000-acre estate in Inverness-shire are a sawfly, an aphid, two types of aphid parasites, three fungus gnats and a type of mite.

Biologists surveying the area found an aphid among other species

Surveys in 2012 also discovered a rare Lapland marsh-orchid, which had never been found in that area of Scotland before.

It brings the total of species recorded at Dundreggan to 2,815, including 269 plants, 341 lichens, 92 birds, 20 mammals, 354 beetles, 207 moths and 125 sawflies.

Species found at the estate include black grouse, pine martens and water voles and juniper stands, while research is on-going to establish whether the Scottish wildcat is present.

The Dundreggan Estate in Glenmoriston

Trees for Life's executive director Alan Watson Featherstone said: "The surprisingly rich variety of life at Dundreggan highlights the vital importance of conservation work, and of protecting and enhancing habitats across the Highlands.

"The discoveries are not only demonstrating that the estate is a special site for biological diversity - they are also revealing that there is still much to learn about Scotland's biodiversity."

Cranefly on eared willow

Some 67 species which are considered to be a priority for conservation work have been identified on Dundreggan, which the charity said had been described as a "lost world" of wildlife.

Dundreggan was bought by Trees for Life in 2008, and with the help of volunteers, the charity is planting half a million trees on the estate as part of efforts to restore the Caledonian Forest to an area of 1,000 square miles in the Highlands.

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Bafta Games Awards: Indie Title Could Be Hit

Video gamers are gearing up for tonight's Baftas - with Journey leading the field with eight nominations, including best game.

The Walking Dead comes in with seven nominations, while Far Cry 3 has six and fellow indie game Dear Esther has five nods.

This year a total of 53 games have been recognised across 17 categories, showcasing some of the most popular and groundbreaking games of the last 12 months.

The full complement of titles chasing the coveted best game gong are Journey, The Walking Dead, Far Cry 3, Mass Effect 3, Dishonored and Fifa 13.

First person shooter fan Dara O Briain resumes his hosting duties

Journey and The Walking Dead are both nominated for game design, story and original music.

Journey also receives nominations for artistic achievement, audio achievement, game innovation and online-multiplayer.

The Walking Dead is also up for mobile & handheld as well as two nominations for performer.

Far Cry 3 and Dear Esther are both up for artistic achievement and audio achievement.

Far Cry 3 is also nominated for action, story and game design, and Dear Esther for British game, debut game and performer.

Halo 4 is nominated for action, artistic achievement, audio achievement and online-multiplayer.

Borderlands 2 receives nominations for action, artistic achievement, game design and online-multiplayer.

Assassin's Creed III is up for audio achievement, online-multiplayer, original music and performer.

The Room is nominated for artistic achievement, British game, debut game and mobile & handheld.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops II, Mass Effect 3, Dishonored, Forza Horizon, The Unfinished Swan and Thomas Was Alone all receive three nominations.

Fifa 13, LEGO: The Lord Of The Rings, Need For Speed Most Wanted, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, New Star Soccer and Diablo III all have two nominations.

The British Academy Games Awards take place at 9pm and will be hosted for the fifth consecutive year by comedian and gamer Dara O Briain.

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Philpott Fire Trial: Petrol Traces On Clothes

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

A forensic scientist has told a jury that low levels of petrol were found on the clothing of three people accused of setting fire to a house and killing six children.

Mick and Mairead Philpott deny the manslaughter of their children Duwayne, 13, Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, seven, Jessie, six, and five-year-old Jayden.

All died following the blaze at their home in Derby last year.

A third defendant, Paul Mosley also denies six counts of manslaughter.

Rebecca Jewell, who specialises in fire investigations, told Nottingham Crown Court, that branded fuel has a higher concentration of additives, which makes car engines run more efficiently, compared to supermarket petrol.

Ms Jewell said: "The liquid in petrol is not the part that burns, that is the vapours that sit above it.

"Petrol additives do not burn in fires, they are left behind. This means we can analyse them and unequivocally say which brand they come from."

She explained to the jury that additives remain on clothing for a long time, even when the fuel has evaporated.

Over six months, police sent the expert a series of exhibits, including clothing, from the defendants and the scene.

She said low level traces of Total and BP petrol additives were found on Mick Philpott's tracksuit bottoms, traces of Total petrol were detected on his socks, slippers and left trainer, and traces of Shell petrol additives were found on his boxer shorts and right trainer.

Ms Jewell said low levels of Total petrol additive was also found on Mairead Philpott's leggings, sandals and thong, and on Mr Mosley's jeans, jumper and right shoe.

She said that she had found no evidence of an "ignitable substance" on the door mat, but there was "limited scientific support for a low level of Total" in the U-bend of the sink.

Under cross examination, Ms Jewell admitted that petrol additives make up a "minute amount" of the product.

The court also heard that Mairead Philpott's sandals, which were found to have more additives on than her other items of clothing, were given to her by a neighbour after the blaze.

The trial continues.

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Navy's Tennis Ball-Hunting Radar Revealed

A new radar that can detect a tennis ball travelling at three times the speed of sound from more than 15 miles away has been fitted to a Royal Navy warship.

The Artisan system, which was developed by BAE Systems, was installed on HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 frigate.

BAE says the medium range 3D surveillance radar is five times more efficient than any other radar currently used by the fleet.

HMS Iron Duke is the first ship in the class to have received the new radar as part of its five-yearly refit and will return to service next year. 

Iron Duke has carried out anti-drug smuggling operations in the past

The Artisan system is designed to detect smaller and quicker targets against a background of electronic noise and interference that can affect radar efficiency.

The new radar is also able to navigate its way through environments that are densely populated by other signals.

BAE said another major advantage of the Artisan system is the spread and range of targets it can track.

The system is capable of monitoring more than 800 objects at the same time - from the very small to the largest aircraft carriers and destroyers - at a range of between 200 and 200,000 metres.

The radar is being installed as part of a £100m programme to equip Type 23 frigates and amphibious ships.

Artisan was tested in a special chamber before being fitted to the warship

It will also be used on the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, where it can be used to help the ships' air traffic controllers.

Artisan has been proposed for the new Type 26 frigates, which are due to come into service after 2020.

The radar is made out of the same lightweight carbonfibre materials found in Formula One racing cars.

Weighing 700kg, the Artisan system is designed to take a single team of engineers 21 days to fit, which is said to be a vast improvement on previous systems.

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British Army Bases In Germany To Shut By 2019

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Seven UK army sites will be axed as part of a major shake-up as soldiers return from Germany, it has been announced.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the changes would save £240m a year in running costs as soldiers move into "clusters" in key locations.

Repatriating all troops from Germany will end Britain's long military history in the country, which dates back to the end of World War Two.

Most of the 15,000 still serving there and their dependents will come home by 2016, ahead of schedule. The remainder, around 4,500, will return by 2019.

The moves will primarily affect the RAF and Army.

Returning forces will mainly be stationed around Salisbury Plain, Edinburgh and Leuchars, Catterick, Aldershot, Colchester, Stafford and the East Midlands.

But several other sites will lose their military presence as the army shrinks.

These include Claro Barracks in Ripon, North Yorkshire, Howe Barracks in Canterbury, Craigiehall Barracks in Edinburgh and Cawdor Brracks in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire.

Parts of Redford Barracks in Edinburgh, Forthside Brracks in Stirling and Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury will also be available for disposal.

Under the plans, almost £2bn will be invested in army housing and bases. Around £1bn of that will go on new houses for service families and accommodation for single soldiers.

Another £800m will be spent on infrastructure and refurbishment of bases.

Some 1,900 new homes will be built for military families and accommodation to house 7,800 single soldiers.

Mr Hammond said the plans would give troops and their families greater stability.

He also defended the decision to drop plans to double the size of the army in Scotland and said the changes would ensure Britain retains an adaptable, capable force.

General Sir Peter Wall, Chief of the General Staff, said: "The plan provides an excellent springboard for operations overseas and it affords welcome certainty over where people will live."

But shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy told MPs: "There will be real disappointment at the closures across the UK today - from Canterbury, Ripon, Shrewsbury and Brawdy, where historic bonds are now being broken."

The decision not to send thousands more troops to Scotland was a "real blow" and "will not be forgotten", Mr Murphy added.    

The intention to carry out the changes was first announced in 2010 after the Strategic Defence Review.

Further details were expected before Christmas but were delayed in light of the Autumn Statement because the Ministry of Defence had to re-examine the figures.

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Hotel Room Rates Slide Despite Olympics

Hotel prices slipped by 4% in 2012 as the year's wet weather hit bookings, research by Hotels.com has revealed.

Guests paid on average £100 a night according to the company's Hotel Price Index, which is based on the amount paid by those booking through the website.

In the capital, rates fell 3% to an average of £126 - despite concerns that the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games would push up prices.

Hotels in St Andrews were the priciest at £135 on average, although this was 12% lower than the town's rate of £154 in 2011.

Prices also fell by more than 10% in Jersey and Perth, and were down by 9% in Scarborough

Hotels.com said 2012's wet weather affected the number of visitors to the UK, with seaside resorts especially badly hit.

After St Andrews and London, the location with the highest rates last year was Windsor at £114, although this was down 4% on the year before.

The location with the cheapest rooms was Coventry, with an average rate of £50 per night - exactly half the national average.

A Hotels.com spokesperson said that although London's profile was boosted by the summer's events, it did not translate to a rise in prices.

"The number of visitors during the Games did not meet expectations and hotels lowered their prices in subsequent months to stimulate demand," they said.

"This price still placed the capital at number two in the table and the city will be one to watch in 2013 to see whether its moment in the global spotlight has an impact on its average hotel prices going forward, particularly as the royal birth keeps the country in the public eye."

Although flat or falling prices were recorded across the majority of the UK, some areas did buck the trend.

The Titanic Centenary helped push room rates up 10% in Belfast, and Aberdeen - which saw a 9% rise - was boosted by those visiting the city on business in the energy sector.

Marriott's boss said its Moxy hotel rooms would be modern and stylish

The research comes as Marriott International reveals plans to launch a budget hotel chain called Moxy.

Its president and chief executive, Arne Sorenson, told Sky News the company planned to "go after" its rivals in the low-cost sector.

"As we look across this space, what we see is a couple of million rooms in the economy space which have been sort of under-demolished - they're past their prime," he said.

"We think there's an opportunity to bring something new; that has a sense of style, which will perform well in these markets."

He said Moxy hotels would have better bedrooms and bathrooms than its competitors, despite a room size of around 17 square metres.

"It's going to be modern and it's going to be current in terms of its design," he added.

"And I think if you bring these things to this space, we ought to perform really well against the hotels that are already in this segment in Europe."

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Kate Keeps Mum Over Royal Baby's Gender

The Duchess of Cambridge can feel her unborn baby kicking but is remaining silent on whether the potential heir to the throne is a boy or a girl, it has emerged.

Kate, whose baby is due in July, made the revelation to a member of the public she met on a royal visit to Grimsby.

When asked by a woman: "Can you feel the baby kicking?", the Duchess replied: "Yes. I can feel it kicking."

The Duchess met dozens of well-wishers while on a visit to Grimsby's National Fishing Heritage Centre - her first of three engagements.

It is not known whether she knows the sex of her unborn baby, but when asked by those she met, she avoided giving any clues.

The Government has proposed changing the law of succession to allow a first-born female to become queen in the event that Prince William's wife gives birth to a girl.

The bill forcing the change is currently at the report stage in the House of Lords and is expected to become law.

The Duchess had arrived nearly one and a half hours late after her helicopter from Kensington Palace was severely delayed due to fog.

The crowds which had started to assemble early, waved flags and chanted "We want Kate".

Finally they cheered as the Duchess - her baby bump just visible beneath her chocolate-coloured three-quarter length Hobbs coat - began her visit at the North East Lincolnshire town's National Fishing Heritage Centre.

She was shown around by former trawlerman John Vincent, who is now a guide at the award-winning museum.

While there, she called into a mocked-up 1950s pub and had her photograph taken sitting next to one of the life-sized figures.

She also discussed environmental issues, such as the sustainability of North Sea fishing, with local trawler owner Kurt Christensen.

Mr Vincent said: "It's been fantastic, a great honour. She's a great lady."

The Duchess then went on to Grimsby's Peaks Lane Fire Station where she was greeted with more loud cheers from the estimated 200 who were waiting for her.

The Duchess's bump has begun to be visible

One of the women who had been waiting up to three hours to meet her, Claire Moss-Smith, 86, said she had said to the Duchess: "I'm waiting for you to be Queen."

She said Kate laughed and replied: "You might be waiting a long time."

Inside she met around 10 adults and children who were patients at nearby St Andrew's Hospice and also a number of local youngsters who had been helped by her father-in-law's Prince's Trust.

It was the first time she had met people on the ground involved with the charity. Some were past members of the scheme, while others were part-way through the 12-week programme delivered in partnership with Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.

As well as meeting with the young people, Kate was also introduced to the fire crews working at the station and shown the fleet of fire engines.

She was shown a fire pole inside the station and said: "That reminds me of the scene in the Bridget Jones film."

In the movie, the character Bridget Jones is made to slide down a fire pole as part of her job as a television journalist but makes an ungracious landing on top of the cameraman.

Also at the fire station, Kate was presented with a posy by 11-year-old Evie Oxley, whose father Pete is a firefighter but is undergoing treatment for blood cancer. Evie's mother has also been given the all clear from breast cancer.

Evie said Kate asked her about her swimming and told her she had been brave with her parents both being ill.

She went on to meet students from Havelock Academy.

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Justin Bieber Blames Technical Issues For Delay

Justin Bieber has blamed technical issues for his late arrival on stage at last night's gig at the O2 Arena.

In a series of tweets to his 35 million followers the teenage singer apologised to his fans.

"Last night i was scheduled after 3 opening acts to go on stage at 935 not 830 but because of some technical issues i got on at 10.10..so ...

"I  was 40 min late to stage. there is no excuse for that and I apologise for anyone we upset. However it was great show and Im proud of that.

Bieber claimed he was not due on stage until 9.35pm, not 8.30pm

"And tonight we will run on time and look forward to putting on an amazing show for everyone in attendance."

The 19-year-old Canadian - who disputed fans' claims he was two hours late - went on to grumble about the media and added he was "trying".

"My relationship with the media is not always easy but im trying. Im all about the music and the performance and i respect my fans."

The singer said that tonight's show will be 'great'

But some fans have claimed this is not the first time the star has left them disappointed. Rachel Leslie paid £330 a ticket for her and her daughter Freya, 14, to meet Bieber after he played an earlier gig at Nottingham at the weekend.

She claimed they arrived at 2.30pm to start queuing for check-in at 3.45pm but no one was allowed through until 5.55pm.

"When we eventually got in there it was 'click', 'click' and we were ushered out again - the whole thing lasted no more than 20 seconds," Mrs Leslie told the Nottingham Evening Post.

Two upset Beliebers leave the O2 after the concert

"My daughter came out and was absolutely distraught about the whole thing. She didn't even want to stay for the show.

"I spoke to so many people afterwards and they were all very disappointed, and when we came out there were kids everywhere in floods of tears, not because they'd met him, but because it was over so quickly."

At the O2, some fans claimed Bieber had not taken to the stage until 10.30pm, but the singer insisted this had been "exaggerated".

"I never have any intent to upset or let anyone down," he tweeted. "Im not okay with things being exaggerated. once again sorry for anyone upset.

Parents arrived at the O2 to collect their children before the gig started

"Now we have a show to do today and Im gonna focus on the positive and put on a great show tonight here in London.

"NIGHT 2 at the 02 is gonna be even better. get ready. thanks."

The Canadian star had infuriated parents and upset fans who waited almost two hours for him to appear on stage.

Many complained they had been left waiting with no explanation or apology from O2 staff.

Gemma Ferguson from Chessington told Sky News her five-year-old daughter was falling asleep by 10pm: "I can't quite believe what just happened.

On time? Bieber was pictured last month wearing two watches

"He spent more time changing his clothes and showing videos of his childhood than he did singing.

"When we complained were were told 'Justin will come out when he is ready,' but he had all day to get ready."

A spokesman for the O2 Arena backed up Bieber's account of what happened.

"He was due onstage at 9.30pm, which makes him 49 minutes late," the spokesman said.

"He was always due on at 9.30 - possibly the media have got the wrong end of the stick here.

"There were three support bands first who played on time - Jaden Smith (Will Smith's son) played at 7.30, followed by Cody Simpson at 8pm and Carly Rae Jepson at 8.30pm."

He added: "We will do everything in our power to make sure Justin gets on stage tonight at a reasonable time."

The singer has three more gigs planned at the O2 on March 5,7 and 8.

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'Fast Eddie' Jailed For Stealing Security Van

Notorious fugitive Eddie 'Fast Eddie' Maher has been jailed for five years for stealing a security van containing £1.2m two decades ago.

The former security guard admitted the theft from his employer Securicor after being extradited from the United States where he had been on the run for 19 years.

Judge Mr Justice Nichol told him: "You committed a gross breach of trust. You made a very substantial gain even if, as you say, the money has now gone."

Maher, 57, was delivering cash for Securicor in Felixstowe, Suffolk, in 1993 when he left a colleague at Lloyds Bank and drove off in the van.

Eddie Maher admitted stealing a Securicor van in 1993

Witnesses later saw up to four people transferring "sacks" from one vehicle to another, before Maher's own car was found burned out some miles away.

The same day he flew to the US using his brother's passport and a green card resident's permit.

Last year Maher, originally from South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, was shopped by his daughter-in-law, who discovered his past and hoped to collect a reward.

He had denied the charges and was due to stand trial but entered a last-minute guilty plea at Southwark Crown Court in London.

Maher had bought a number of properties with the spoils of his crime

Maher, who used the false identities of Stephen King and his brother Michael Maher while on the run, intended to fight the allegation on the grounds that he had been forced to commit the crime after racking up "significant debts".

But Suffolk Police and the Crown Prosecution Service built up evidence proving that the former soldier and firefighter had profited to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

During his time on the run, Maher built a new life with his partner, Deborah Brett, and their son Lee, who was three-years-old at the time of the theft.

After his conviction, detectives revealed details of a series of property investments they say he funded from the proceeds of the crime in Suffolk.

This included a house in Colorado bought with $120,000 (£79,300) in cash just six months after the theft.

Later Maher built a ranch on 80 acres in Colorado before moving around various US states.

The false passport used by Maher

At the time of his arrest on February 9 last year, he was working as a cable engineer in Missouri.

But his attempts to escape justice unravelled as he was arrested for illegally possessing firearms.

Speaking outside court, Detective Inspector David Giles, from Suffolk Police, said: "Maher said he was forced to carry out this crime and that he only got a small amount of money from it.

"He never named the people who he claimed forced him into it and never put forward a credible story.

Another of Maher's homes

"We have succeeded in proving that he profited substantially from the theft and was a key player in the planning and execution of it.

"Since his arrest, he has displayed no remorse for what he did - but I get the impression he has spent 20 years looking over his shoulder and hoping the law would not catch up with him."

None of the £1.2m stolen from the van, which filled 30 sacks, has ever been found.

Ms Brett, 47, Maher's sister Margaret Francis, 64, and a 54-year-old man, from Woodford Green, east London, are all on bail after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft.

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