PC Keith Blakelock: Man Charged With Murder

A 44-year-old man has been accused of murdering PC Keith Blakelock, who died during riots in Tottenham, London, in 1985.

Nicholas Jacobs is due to appear in court on Wednesday after being charged on Tuesday.

PC Blakelock was stabbed dozens of times while trying to protect firefighters as they tackled a blaze at a supermarket during the height of the unrest.

Alison Saunders, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service London, said: "Following a thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have decided that Nicholas Jacobs should be charged with the murder of PC Keith Blakelock during the disorder at Broadwater Farm in October 1985.

Police officers on the Broadwater Farm estate following the 1985 riots

"We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute.

"We have also concluded that no further action should be taken against five other individuals suspected of taking part in the death of PC Blakelock as there is insufficient evidence to warrant a prosecution."

Three men - Winston Silcott, Mark Braithwaite and Engin Raghip - were convicted in March 1987 of PC Blakelock's murder but all three convictions were quashed four-and-a-half years later after forensic tests on pages of key interview records suggested they had been fabricated.

In 2003, Scotland Yard reopened the murder investigation after a review indicated there were possible new lines of inquiry and in 2010 14 men were arrested in connection with his death and the attempted murder of his colleague PC Richard Coombes.

Nine were told in August 2011 that they would face no further action and Scotland Yard said on Tuesday that another four had also been released from bail.

Prosecutors have advised that a fifth person should also face no further action.

A statement on behalf of PC Blakelock's family said: "The family of PC Keith Blakelock have never given up hope in getting justice for him.

"We welcome this news, and extend our eternal gratitude to the Metropolitan Police Service."

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Weather: Heatwave To End With Torrential Rain

Britain's three-week heatwave will be brought to an end by strong and violent storms, weather forecasters have said.

Thunder, lightning and hail will last intermittently throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. Torrential rain will increase the risk of flash floods.

Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "There are thundery showers this morning across Ireland, Wales and England.

"These showers will be heavy with lightning, hail at times and strong winds.

"There will be a lot of rain in a very short space of time so there is the risk of localised flooding in some of these areas."

A car drives through a deep puddle caused by heavy rain in Worcestershire

It follows weeks of scorching temperatures, which peaked on Monday at 33.5C in London - the hottest day since July 20, 2006.

The storms will thunder over the Midlands as well as eastern, central, northern and southern parts of England, with the East Midlands, London and Kent seeing the worst of the weather.

Temperatures will dip to the high 20s and remain humid in the South East, but the west of England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be far cooler before the rest of the country gradually follows.

The humid conditions will bring big hailstones, which have already been seen in south London.

The Met Office issued a low-level alert warning of storms and torrential downpours across England, Wales and Scotland.

Britain has been basking in the highest temperatures since 2006

It said: "The public should be aware of the risk of localised disruption to travel, and more generally to summer holiday activities, due to, for example, surface water flooding."

The overall trend for the rest of the week will see the UK gradually cool down, with a continuing risk of showers and thunderstorms.

By next week the temperatures are expected to settle in the low 20s in most places.

The hot weather has taken its toll on the UK in recent weeks, with grass fires in London, mountain blazes in the Welsh valleys and forest fires in Fife, Scotland.

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Help To Buy Extension Sparks New Warnings

Experts Divided Over Help To Buy

Updated: 1:41pm UK, Tuesday 23 July 2013

By Tadhg Enright, Business Correspondent

The Chancellor says that Help to Buy will "fix a broken housing system" but critics claim it risks creating another bubble at taxpayers' expense.

Anyone looking to buy a new home will have noticed Help to Buy branding on the hoardings outside new developments across the country.

It offers buyers the opportunity to buy a new home with a deposit of just 5%.

An additional 20% of the property's value is provided by way of a five-year, interest free loan to the buyer leaving a shortfall of 75% to be made up by a mortgage lender which is a lot less risky.

Homebuilders attending a round-table discussion at Downing Street toasted its success in boosting business.

Some 7,000 new homes have already been reserved as part of the scheme.

The economic filip of such schemes is that building new homes creates jobs for builders as well as the ripple effect that any new home purchase has across the economy when new owners invest in fixtures, fittings and furniture too.

And from January, the offer will be extended to purchasers of existing as well as new homes with the Government guaranteeing up to 15% of their mortgages up to a maximum property value of £600,000.

Good idea? It depends who you talk to.

Chief among those raising red flags was the former governor of the Bank of England, Lord King, whose parting shot was a warning not to allow Help to Buy become a permanent fixture.

Over the weekend I met Brunel University's Professor Moorad Choudhry to talk about prospects for the economy at large and he also felt the need to raise his concerns about the plans.

He said: "I'd like to ask why is the Government subsidising house purchases. That is something we got out of years back when we unwound tax relief on mortgages interest.

"If I inject cheap money into the stock market and it rises, that's not genuine growth. It's conceptually similar to subsidising anything and it's a false growth."

I also interviewed the former government economic advisor Vicky Pryce that day and she thought it was a fabulous initiative which would, in Keynesian style, raise the fortunes of the entire economy.

Ask anyone with a rudimentary understanding of property economics and they will tell you that if you boost the budget of the average homebuyer, that enables them to stretch that little bit further and offer that little bit more to get the place they want.

Economists at the estate agents Savills have already increased their forecasts for property price increases over the next five years from 11.5% to 18.1% by 2018.

Director of Savills residential research, Lucian Cook said:  "A combination of low interest rates and stimulus measures means there is capacity for improved price growth over the next three years or so.

"Help to Buy goes further than any of its predecessors in being aimed at all buyers, not just first time buyers, but we believe its primary impact will be increased transaction levels and that higher than expected price growth is a secondary impact."

It will give first-time buyers and ordinary homeowners seeking to trade up a greater ability to compete with property investors who are barred from the scheme but in the South East, where there is a shortage of housing, increased competition can only lead to increased prices.

Mortgage advisor Martin Wade, from Your Mortgage Decisions, sees another benefit.

He said: "What is great is that it's open to existing homeowners to remortgage. We've got a lot of people out there stuck on unattractive rates but because lending criteria have changed, they are effectively prisoners of their mortgage.

"What this will allow them to do is to remortgage, free up some capital, and it will be a huge relief for tens of thousands of people who are stuck on standard variable rate mortgages with very unattractive terms."

And talking of attractiveness, Capital Economics have singled out Help to Buy's most potent effect: the feelgood factor.

How do you help the disenfranchised feel like they have a real stake in life and society? Help them to buy a home.

Capital Economics' Michael Pearce said: "While the policy has been criticised for its ropey economics, it may be more successful politically.

"Indeed, the risk that it pushes up house prices may be positive for the Conservatives' election chances in 2015."

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Royal Baby Memorabilia Boost For UK Firms

By David Crabtree, Sky Correspondent

The Royal birth is generating a mass of souvenirs and memorabilia - providing a huge sales boost for British companies.

Pottery companies are on standby for the Duke and Duchess's baby to be named.

At Royal Crown Derby they are poised to produce several pieces priced from around £50 up to £16,500, which is a gilded, hand-painted table centrepiece.

Simon Willis, the sales and marketing director, said: "Obviously not knowing what the name is before time means we can only do so much work before we start producing the pieces.

"We at least know it is a boy so we are doing the blue range. The name will be in gold. We can print all the other colours and hold the name until the last minute.

"Fingers crossed, it would be nice to know by Friday and we can prepare over the weekend and get into production next week."

He said there was now a worldwide demand in the collectables.

Royal Crown Derby says it had workers in 20 minutes after the announcement

"We knew this was coming because we had nine months warning which was similar I suppose in many ways to the Royal wedding.

"The difficulty here has been is it a boy? Is it a girl? There is a great deal of international interest, which means exports for us and good news for the UK.

"So when they talk about the massive amount of business that is going to be done in relation to the Royal baby, a lot of that will be exported."

He added: "It is amazing that the Russians, for example, are taking an interest in this.

"And other parts of Eastern Europe, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan - other countries we have probably never even heard of - are really taking an interest in this, which is fantastic for us.

"We have had three very good years with a Diamond Jubilee, a Royal wedding and now a Royal baby.

Dr Laura Cohen, chief executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, highlighted how foreign collectors, especially from countries such as America and Japan, prize items from the UK.

She said: "This will be a welcome boost for UK tableware and giftware manufacturers, generating significant sales for many companies in the UK and overseas.

The Royal couple's wedding was also a bumper time for memorabilia firms

"UK manufacturers are uniquely placed to commence manufacturing as soon as the baby's name is announced and so respond rapidly to orders.

"Many customers value the 'Made in England' back stamp on cherished family items such as these marking Royal occasions."

Memorabilia to mark the Royal birth will be led by the official range produced by the Royal Collection Trust.

In recent years, the organisation has produced high-quality bone china items to mark historic moments for the monarchy.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: "Royal Collection Trust has produced a number of commemorative china ranges to celebrate Royal anniversaries and events, most recently for the Royal wedding, the Diamond Jubilee, and the anniversary of the coronation in 2013."

Burleigh Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent is also waiting for the all-important name of the Royal baby.

They had two prototype mugs ready, one pink and one blue. Work is now starting on the blue mug.

"We are so excited about this baby," said the firm. "Being a part of it in the manufacturing world is wonderful."

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Mosque Blasts: Murder Suspect Is Charged

A Ukrainian man accused of murdering a pensioner has also been charged with three offences related to explosions near three mosques.

Pavlo Lapshyn, 25, has now been charged in connection with blasts close to mosques in Walsall, Wolverhampton and Tipton.

He was charged on Monday with the murder of 82-year-old Mohammed Saleem, who was stabbed just yards from his house as he walked home from a mosque on April 29.

Police last week found debris from an explosive device close to a mosque in Wolverhampton shortly after arresting Lapshyn - who was detained along with another Eastern European man.

Remnants from a home-made explosive device were also found outside a mosque in Walsall on June 22, and another device, containing nails, exploded near a mosque in Binfield Road, Tipton, on July 12.

Mohammed Saleem, from Birmingham, was killed on his way home from a mosque

No-one was injured in the explosions.

Lapshyn is now charged with carrying out a series of acts with the intention to commit acts of terrorism.

He also faces two separate offences of unlawfully and maliciously causing an explosion with the intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to a person or property.

It is alleged he bought batteries, chemicals, a lunch bag, clock and computer for making explosive devices, as well as carrying out internet research and visiting intended locations to plant the devices.

Prosecutors also claim he modified mobile phones to act as detonators.

Lapshyn is a student on a sponsored work placement at a software firm based in the Small Heath area of Birmingham.

Police have said they do not believe there is any "ongoing threat from this case", but they are working with the Ukrainian authorities to look into Lapshyn's past.

The new charges came during a 10-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Wearing a black round-neck top with short-cropped hair, he spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and to request to speak to his lawyer.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at a bail hearing at the Old Bailey on July 25.

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Alton Towers Closes Smiler Ride Over Bolt

Alton Towers has shut down its new multimillion-pound roller coaster amid reports of a metal bolt falling off the ride.

Visitors queuing for the £18m Smiler ride, which opened in May, claim they saw a piece of metal break away and land near them, leaving a gap in the track on Sunday.

Some 48 people had to be rescued from the ride, which was then closed so technical teams could investigate.

Fiona Gilbert, 20, from Wolverhampton, said: "We were stood there when all of a sudden we heard a massive clanging sound.

The ride, which cost £18m to build, was opened in May

"We turned around and there was a metal bar not even a metre away on the floor behind us. It was just under one foot long and about two inches thick."

The Staffordshire amusement park confirmed it had closed the ride while its technical team examined the roller coaster.

"On Sunday 21st July, in line with our standard procedures, Alton Towers Resort closed The Smiler to investigate a small piece of debris that had allegedly fallen from the track," said an Alton Towers spokesperson.

"At no time was any visitor at any risk, and 48 guests on the ride at the time were safely disembarked.

"As the health and safety of our guests is our primary concern, the ride will remain closed whilst the resort's technical team investigate."

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Crete Stabbing: 18 Britons Held After Killing

Dozens of Britons were involved in a brawl that resulted in a teenage British tourist being stabbed to death on the Greek island of Crete, police have said.

According to a police statement the fight broke out among a group who were holidaying in the popular party resort of Malia.

The Briton suspected of the stabbing has been arrested, along with 17 others thought to have been involved in the fighting.

Police have said they are still searching for 12 other Brits.

The 19-year-old victim was found outside a closed bar on a pedestrian street at 3am local time in the town, which is renowned for its nightlife.

He had been stabbed in the chest.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Malia, Greece on July 23.

"We stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family."

Malia is one of the top five destinations for hundreds of thousands of young British tourists who travel to Greece every year.

Tourism accounts for nearly a fifth of the economy in Greece, which is visited by about 16 million people a year.

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Royal Baby Name: Odds In Favour Of Tradition

Thousands of punters are banking on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge picking a traditional name for their newborn son.

George is the favourite at odds of 9/4, according to Sky Bet, with James also in the running at 11/4.

Alexander, Louis and Henry are also among the top choices for those placing bets at the bookmaker.

Punters willing to take a long shot can get odds of 66/1 on Daniel, or 50/1 for Andrew - after the baby's great uncle.

The baby could have Philip as a middle name

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to follow tradition however, with most Royal infants having names that are passed down through the generations.

Charles Kidd, the editor of Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage, predicted that William and Kate would select a conventional first name for their son.

Charles is another possibility

"I do think that Prince William is quite a traditionalist - that's my feeling," Mr Kidd said.

"The fact that he chose to use the Royal dukedom (of Cambridge) and has followed Royal precedent, I wouldn't be surprised if they use a name that is already familiar in the Royal Family - something that has Royal associations."

The Royal parents may like grandfather Michael to share a name with baby

Midway through her pregnancy, Kate revealed she and William had a shortlist of names and that her friends were giving her ideas.

"We have a shortlist for both (boy and girl) but it's very difficult. My friends keep texting me names," she told a well-wisher.

And new uncle Harry may get a namecheck too

David Beckham has also had his say, jokingly suggesting to Sky News recently that David would be a good choice.

The baby, who will eventually be king, will be styled HRH Prince (forename) of Cambridge, with - when a surname is needed - Mountbatten-Windsor as his family name.

Royal babies also usually have a number of middle names. The Prince of Wales has four names, as does William.

Charles, Philip and Michael are in the frame as possible middle names in honour of the Royal grandparent and great-grandparent and the baby's maternal grandfather.

Francis is another name considered to be a possible middle name because it has strong ties with the Duchess's family.

William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was given the female version, Frances, as her middle name.

And then, of course, there is Henry - Prince Harry's real name.

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Royal Baby Boy 'Absolutely Beautiful'

The Duchess of Cambridge's parents have visited their grandson - the future king - in hospital and afterwards Carole Middleton told the world's media he was "absolutely beautiful".

She and husband Michael arrived by black cab and spent just over an hour at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London with the new baby boy, their daughter Kate and son-in-law Prince William.

Mrs Middleton said both mother and baby were "doing really well" and she was "so thrilled".

When asked how the first-time parents were doing, she answered "fabulously".

And asked what the first cuddle with her grandson was like, Mrs Middleton, who had been ushered forward by her husband to speak to the press, said: "Amazing, it's all coming back."

Carole Middleton said the first-time parents were doing 'fabulously'

Kate and her one-day-old son, whose name has not yet been revealed, were not expected to leave hospital until later tonight or tomorrow morning.

The Duchess gave birth on Monday afternoon as the world waits for the first glimpse of the new Royal arrival.

Crowds are gathered outside the hospital in anticipation of the departure while TV crews and photographers from around the globe have their cameras at the ready to capture pictures of the third in line to the throne.

Prince William was at his wife's bedside during her labour. The Duchess spent the night in hospital, as did her husband.

Signs the Royals could be leaving sometime later in the day came as Kate's aide Alice Cook Tucker arrived at the hospital with an assistant carrying a baby car seat.

Kate's aide Alice Cook Tucker (R) arrives with her assistant

When the new family of three do leave, is not yet known how the parents will negotiate putting their newborn into a car seat, as required by law.

No such legislation existed when Prince Charles and Princess Diana left the hospital in 1982 after the birth of Prince William.

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge issued a statement thanking the hospital where their baby boy was born for the "tremendous care" they received.

The Royal couple said: "We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received.

A 41-gun salute in London's Green Park

"We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone - staff, patients and visitors - for their understanding during this time."

A Kensington Palace spokesman added: "Mother, son and father are all doing well this morning."

The Royal baby boy, who will be known as the Prince of Cambridge, was born at 4.24pm on Monday, weighing 8lb 6oz (3.798kg).

The Prince of Wales today said he was "thrilled and very excited" about the birth of his first grandchild.

He and the Duchess of Cornwall were met by cheering crowds of well-wishers on a visit to East Yorkshire.

Villager after villager offered Charles and Camilla their congratulations as the royal couple walked around the green in Bugthorpe, which was decked out with Union flags and bunting for the visit.

It is not known what the couple will name their child

Many people asked whether the new baby had a name, but Charles gave little away.

Celebrations have taken place in London to honour the birth of the new Royal arrival.

Guardsmen marked the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace by playing 'Congratulations' and gun salutes sounded across the capital to mark the special occasion.

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company carried out the ceremonial royal salutes in honour of the new addition to the Royal Family.

This included a 41-gun salute at London's Green Park and 62 rounds fired at the Tower of London.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge did not find out if their baby was going to be a boy or girl prior to the birth, meaning they are believed to have considered a stock of names for a future monarch of either sex.

George, James, Alexander, Louis and Henry are currently among the favourites at the bookmakers.

The Queen will be informed of the baby's name before it is announced, which may even be weeks away.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were said to be "delighted at the news".

William's uncle and brother of the late Princess Diana also described his joy at the new Royal baby. Earl Spencer said: "We're all so pleased: it's wonderful news."

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Body In Suitcase: Man Held Over Murder

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was found in a suitcase near a sports ground in north London.

Earlier, detectives investigating the murder urged anyone who saw someone moving a heavy black trolley case to come forward.

Police were called to search among trees near a sports ground in Hendon, late on Sunday afternoon where they found the body of a young white woman.

"The homicide and serious crime command are still in the early stages of this investigation and urgently require the assistance of the public to help us establish the circumstances around the murder of this young woman," said Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall said.

The body was found in the Thornfield Avenue area

"We are specifically appealing to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious towards the latter part of last week. Did you see anyone moving a heavy black trolley-type suitcase on or after July 18, especially around the Thornfield Avenue/Dollis Road entrance of the wooded area?

"We are also interested in hearing from anyone who is concerned about any young adult females who have gone missing from the immediate area recently."

A post-mortem was due to take place and the woman has not yet been identified.

Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Usher, borough commander for Barnet, said: "The discovery of the body of a young woman hidden in a suitcase is a tragic and shocking thing to happen. I am sure local people will be feeling unsettled by this news.

"Crimes of this serious nature are incredibly rare in our borough, which may only add to local concern over what has happened. I would like to reassure the local community that we are working closely with specialist homicide teams to establish the full circumstances surrounding this murder."

Police patrols have been stepped up in the area where the body was found.

Anyone with any information can call police on 020 8785 8334, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

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