MPs Need Ethics Lessons, Says Sleaze Watchdog

MPs and peers should be given lessons in ethics to stop them from abusing their positions of power, according to the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

New members to both Houses of Parliament should be given "scenario-based ethics training" during their induction.

The proposal is one of a number of measures aimed at clamping down on lobbying issues following a number of scandals.

Earlier this year David Cameron was mired in a lobbying row when it emerged his election strategist Lynton Crosby once worked for the tobacco giant Philip Morris after the Government dropped its plans to enforce plain cigarette packaging.

Mr Crosby, who led Boris Johnson's re-election campaign, denied having any influence in the Government's decision to halt the plans.

On Sunday it was disclosed Mr Cameron, who once warned that lobbying would be "the next big scandal waiting to happen", had hired Mr Crosby to work full-time on his General Election campaign in a £500,000 deal.

Lynton Crosby

Lord Paul Bew, chairman of the Standards in Public Life Committee, said the public needed to know that vested interests were not having undue influence over decision-makers following a series of scandals.

He said: "We have concluded that a package of measures is urgently required to deliver a greater culture of openness and transparency around lobbying; provide greater clarity for public office holders on the standards expected of them; and to reassure the public that a more ethical approach to lobbying is actively being applied by all those individuals and organisations involved in lobbying."

The report urged "detailed disclosure" about contacts with lobbyists and the hospitality they provided, including dates of meetings and details of the subject matter and other guests. All to be given within one month of the meeting.

The report pointed out that "ethics training as a feature of other professions".

"The relevant codes of conduct and guidance are essential information to be received by Members of both Houses of Parliament on induction.

"Ethics training should be included in their induction and training programme.

"Scenario based ethics training is recommended as an approach to raising consciousness of and adherence to high ethical standards in lobbying."

Mr Cameron has suggested lobbying legislation would stop future scandals, but charities have complained legitimate activities would be curtailed while many other lobbyists would not be covered.

Labour civil society spokeswoman Lisa Nandy said: "Labour has repeatedly warned that David Cameron's Lobbying Bill is a bad piece of legislation that will make things worse, not better.

"The Bill in its current form will only cover 1% of lobbying activity and would let the tobacco lobbyist and David Cameron's chief adviser, Lynton Crosby, off the hook whilst gagging charities and campaigners.

"No wonder the public thinks the Prime Minister stands up for the wrong people."

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Plebgate Police Officers Appear Before MPs

Two police officers are appearing in front of MPs over giving "misleading evidence" over the Plebgate inquiry.

In a statement Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton said he regretted the distress that the incident had caused the former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell and his family.

His colleague Sergeant Chris Jones said he "could not apologise for something I've not done" but also said he regretted the distress the matter had caused Mr Mitchell.

Repeatedly pressed on the matter by Home Affairs Select Committee Chairman Keith Vaz, Sgt Jones insisted he did not wish to apologise.

Sgt Jones then went on to disclose, under questioning, that 13 complaints of misconduct had been made against him during his 28-and-a-half-year career.

In two of those cases, action had to be taken. The first was a "use of force" case in which Sgt Jones had pushed someone in the back, "resulting in an injury to his mouth".

In the second case involved "performance of duties" and occurred when Sgt Jones was asked to secure some CCTV footage. He said that he had failed to check he had the correct footage and when it was checked it had turned out to be wrong.

More follows...

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Essex Child Shooting: Eight-Year-Old Fired Gun

An eight-year-old boy fired a gunshot that left a five-year-old with serious injuries, police have revealed.

Officers were called to a house in Essex after reports that a gun had been fired. They believe the shooting was an accident.

A spokeswoman said: "It is thought to have been fired by an eight-year-old boy."

The force has refused to comment on the type of weapon used in the incident on Sunday or the relationship between the two children.

The injured child was taken to the Royal London Hospital with a serious but not life-threatening injury.

It is understood the owners of the property in in Upper Park Road, Wickford, were not at home at the time but were nearby.

An 18-year-old man was arrested for possession of a firearm and unrelated drug offences.

The weapon and other legally-held firearms at the property were handed over to police officers.

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Care Workers 'Abused Dementia Patients'

By Becky Johnson, Preston Crown Court

Three women have gone on trial charged with the abuse of vulnerable adults at a care home in Lancashire.

The trio, all care workers, are accused of mistreatment and abuse of people in their care at the Hillcroft Care Home, in Slyne-with-Hest, Lancaster, between May 2010 and February 2012.

Katie Cairns, 27, from Morecambe, Carol Moore, 54, from Lancaster and Gemma Pearson, 28, from Carnforth, all deny the charges against them.

A fourth care worker, Darren Smith, 35, has pleaded guilty to ill-treating eight of the residents who were in his care.

Opening the case against the three defendants, prosecuting barrister Kathryn Johnson told the court that the three women and Smith mocked and bullied their victims, who all suffered from dementia.

The jury at a Preston Crown Court was told that on occasions the four care workers deliberately assaulted the vulnerable adults in their care.

Other staff who witnessed their behaviour towards the residents described it as "cruel".

A cleaner, one of the staff members who reported the alleged offences, said Pearson tipped an elderly man out of his chair when he failed to stand up.

The same employee said Moore slapped the elderly man across his face after his wife complained about the lack of activities for residents.

Cairns was seen deliberately stamping on the foot of a resident, the court heard.

The jury was told that another staff member witnessed Smith in bed with an elderly male resident, who was said to be shouting and distressed. The witness reported the incident but was allegedly later called a "grass" by Smith.

The court was told many other staff in the home saw the defendants deliberately throwing bean bags and balls at residents "for entertainment as they were bored".

Ms Johnson told jurors: "These items should have been used as part of recreational therapy, however they were thrown hard and fast at residents so they were unable to catch them.

"This caused frustration and anger in the residents, whereas the defendants would laugh".

Concerns were first raised by other staff in 2011. Subsequently, anonymous emails were received by the Care Quality Commission alleging patients at the home were being mistreated. The matter was ultimately referred to the police in May 2012.

The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, continues.

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Prince Charles' Duchy Estate Defends Tax Breaks

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Duchy of Cornwall does not possess a "competitive advantage" over other businesses despite being exempt from hefty taxes, a spokesperson for Prince Charles' estate has told Sky News.

The comments come as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) publishes its report on the accounts of the 700-year-old Duchy of Cornwall estate.

Under the Duchy, established in 1337 by King Edward III, the heir to the throne is exempt from paying corporation and capital gains taxes on land and property transactions.

But while the current Duke of Cornwall, Prince Charles, is technically exempt from paying income tax, he has volunteered to do so since 1993.

The Duchy of Cornwall estate was established by King Edward III in 1337

The Duchy spokesperson told Sky News: "We do not believe we have a competitive advantage.

"The Duke of Cornwall's income is taxed at income tax rates. The Duchy is not subject to corporation tax and the Duchy is not a corporation ... any capital gains have to be reinvested in the business and cannot be distributed."

But the PAC's Margaret Hodge MP wonders whether the Duchy's unique tax arrangements allow for a level playing field when the estate stands alongside other businesses.

She said: "If you're letting property to a Holiday Inn in Reading or to Waitrose to run a big depot on an industrial estate, are the terms of that enabling other competitors in that market to compete on an equal and level playing field?

"What started off 700 years ago as a medieval estate, today demonstrates all the features of a modern big corporation, yet it hangs on to old habits such as exemption from corporation tax."

The Duchy's main activity is the management of land and properties which make up its estate, providing an income for the present and future Dukes of Cornwall.

Its portfolio is made up of 131,000 acres of land, properties spread across 24 counties and more than 3,500 individual lettings.

All together over the last financial year it generated £28.8m and the Prince received an income of £19m, up 4% on the previous year.

The estate owns property including the Kia Oval in south London

The money is partly used to fund his and his family's public, charitable and official duties and the Prince voluntarily pays income tax on the cash left after costs, around £9.2m last year, according to the PAC.

Margaret Hodge believes the Treasury falls short of proper scrutiny when it comes to the Duchy's finances.

She said: "It [The Treasury] relies on the Duchy to provide it with accurate information without carrying out its own independent checks.

"Details of the Treasury's approvals for the Duchy's proposed land transactions over £500,000, of which there are around 15 a year, are not published.

"Greater transparency is needed."

In answer to the PAC findings, the Treasury said: "HM Treasury's role is to ensure that the Duchy of Cornwall is managed in a sustainable way and that the strategic choices made by the estate's managers are in its long-term interests and those of current and future dukes.

"The Treasury has a constructive working relationship with the Duchy, and challenges decisions where appropriate."

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Pakistan Forced Marriage Girl Made Pregnant

A 14-year-old girl became pregnant after being taken to Pakistan by her father and forced to marry a man of around 24, a High Court judge has said.

Mr Justice Holman told the court that the girl had said a gun was produced and she had been subjected to violence.

Two weeks after the ceremony, the marriage was consummated - following further "threats" - and the girl became pregnant, he added.

The teenager returned to England and her baby was born.

Detail has emerged in a written ruling following a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in Birmingham.

Mr Justice Holman said a local authority began care proceedings in relation to the girl and her baby.

Local authority officials wanted a "declaration of non-recognition" of the marriage, but Mr Justice Holman decided the girl would have to initiate proceedings to have the marriage nullified.

"The girl has given an account of the circumstances surrounding that marriage which are, frankly, harrowing," said the judge.

"On her account ... this was a grave example of a marriage which was forced under considerable duress, involving at one stage the production of a gun and physical violence upon her.

"The marriage was consummated about two weeks later after further threats to her if she did not permit her husband, who was then aged about 24, to have sexual intercourse with her.

"As a result, while still aged 14, she became pregnant."

Mr Justice Holman said the girl's parents were Muslim and had emigrated from Pakistan to England.

He said the girl's father became a UK citizen more than 30 years ago.

The girl was not identified.

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Terror Suspect's Height 'Made Disguise Easier'

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent

A friend of terror suspect Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed has told Sky News his small stature may have helped him disguise himself as a woman.

The 27-year-old, who is understood to have connections with the al Shabaab terror group, escaped police surveillance on Friday by changing into a burka at a mosque in west London.

He was being watched under a Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measure to "prevent his travel to support terrorism overseas", the Home Secretary said.

Mohamed's friend, a 26-year-old Somali shopkeeper in Acton, revealed the man being hunted by police is known as "Little Mo".

The suspect changed from fun loving to quiet after a trip to Somalia

He did not want to be identified, but said: "He's only around 5ft 7in or 5ft 8in so perhaps that was why he got past the cops dressed as he was - he probably wouldn't stand out as a man in hiding.

"I saw him last on Wednesday before he disappeared on the Friday - he seemed fine.

"I never suspected anything like this that the police were watching him.

"It is unbelievable to think it is him."

The friend said they used to play football together in Acton Park and used to enjoy nights out going clubbing in central London.

He added: "He didn't smoke, didn't drink and was quiet but could also be very funny - he liked a joke and could be a comedian."

But after returning to west London from Somalia, Mohammed became much quieter and withdrawn.

He said: "When he came back it is like a person you didn't know, he was not talking to people he used to know before."

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Hacking Trial: 'Pals Gave NOTW Milly's Number'

A News Of The World executive told police the tabloid got Milly Dowler's phone number from her friends and then listened to her voicemail, a jury has heard.

Prosecutors said a story in the paper on April 14, 2002, about the missing 13-year-old, who was later found murdered, was changed between the first and second editions to remove references to a message on her voicemail.

Then-editor Rebekah Brooks was on holiday in Dubai, but was in contact with her deputy Andy Coulson between the editions, the Old Bailey was told.

The jury heard that Brooks called the paper no more than she usually would when she was away.

Former NOTW managing editor Stuart Kuttner called Surrey Police on the afternoon of April 13, 2002, to inform them of a message left by a recruitment agency on the schoolgirl's phone, the court heard.

Kuttner, who was not in court due to ill health, told officers the newspaper gained access Milly's mobile phone number and pin, and urged them to check the lead, the court heard.

Brooks arrives at the Old Bailey

Police told Kuttner the message was thought to have been left by a "professional hoaxer", a claim which was repeated on page nine of the newspaper the following day, the jury heard.

Later that Saturday, chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck also called police and confirmed that the newspaper "had access" to Milly's voicemail, had obtained the number from "sources" and that it intended to run the story the following day, the court was told.

In the newspaper's first edition, the story quoted the voicemail message left by Mondays recruitment service, which said: "We're ringing because we've got some interviews starting, can you call me back? Thank you, bye bye."

By the second edition the text of the message had been edited out, while the third edition focused on "outrage" at the possibility that it had been a hoax, the court heard.

Surrey Police had earlier obtained an order which allowed them to access a voicemail message left on Milly's phone on April 13.

Prosecutor Mark Bryant Heron told the jury that someone could be heard saying: "Hello Milly, it's just we want you home soon, bye," followed by noise in the background.

One of those to give evidence was Surrey Police press officer Sarah McGregor who said the paper made no secret of the fact it had hacked the 13 year old's phone.

Ms McGregor told the court that senior officers were aware of the hack but none of them said to her they felt it ought to be investigated.

When Ms McGregor was asked whether she thought the hack was something that should have been investigated she replied: "I'm not a detective".

Brooks, Coulson and Kuttner all deny conspiring with others to hack phones between October 3, 2000, and August 9, 2006.

Thurlbeck has already admitted phone hacking.

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David Beckham Helps Launch Sky Academy

David Beckham has helped unveil the Sky Academy, which aims to create opportunities for one million young people by 2020.

The academy will work to support up-and-coming talent and inspire under-25s across Britain and Ireland through a range of initiatives, such as providing role models from television, sport and the arts.

Beckham, as Sky Academy ambassador, is heading up a team of top athletes, including Jessica Ennis-Hill, Darren Campbell and dancer Ashley Banjo, for the project.

"Mentors and role models have always been important to me," said Beckham.

Ennis-Hill is a Sky Sports Living For Sport ambassador

"When I was young, they helped me to believe in myself and gave me the confidence to follow my dreams. That's what Sky Academy will do and I'm excited to be a part of it."

The football star joined chief executive Jeremy Darroch for the unveiling at the Sky Studios in West London, where the academy will be based.

Mr Darroch said: "Building skills and nurturing talent are vital not just for business success, but for society as a whole.

"A generation has been born since Sky's launch and, as we look ahead to our 25th anniversary next year, we want to use our position as a successful company to support young people across Britain and Ireland.

"Sky Academy will create exciting opportunities to inspire young people and help them build skills and experience.

"We'll use our strengths as a leading media and technology company and work with inspirational role models to get people involved and make a lasting impact."

The academy includes a skills studio, where young people will learn to use state-of-the-art technology by going behind the scenes at Sky.

It will also incorporate Sky Sports Living for Sport, a schools-based initiative that for 10 years has been using sports stars and skills teaching to help motivate young people and increase their confidence.

The academy will also offer a range of scholarships for emerging talents in the sporting and creative fields.

:: For more information, go to www.sky.com/academy

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Danny Wake: Family Tribute To Hit-And-Run Boy

A three-year-old who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run was a very special boy with a "cheeky little smile", his family have said.

Danny Wake, from Darlington, was out walking with his mother and two siblings in the town when he was hit by a vehicle.

Describing him as "a loving and caring little boy", Danny's family said they did not have the words to describe how much they will miss him.

"Danny was a beautiful, loving and caring little boy, always laughing with a cheeky little smile," they said.

"He had lots of friends and was adored by his little brother Georgie.

The junction of Neasham Road and Falmer Road where Danny was hit

"We just can't find words to describe how much our very special boy will be missed by all of the family."

Police on Monday arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and he remains in custody.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened at a junction.

Superintendent Kevin Weir, leading the investigation for Durham Constabulary, said: "This is a tragic incident and we have set up an incident room at Bishop Auckland police station to co-ordinate our inquiries.

"Detectives from the force's major crime team and road policing unit are assisting the investigation."

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