Ireland And Britain Have A 'Fresh Canvas'

Ireland's President has hailed progress in relations with Britain, telling members of both Houses of Parliament the two countries have a "fresh canvas to sketch out our shared hopes" after centuries of fraught ties.

The Queen wore sky blue cashmere and green feather flowers in her hat

Michael D Higgins - a veteran left-wing politician, poet and human rights activist - said it was impossible to "wipe the slate clean" about the past, but relations between the two countries were good.

His address at Westminster - which comes before a state banquet on Tuesday evening - is a first for an Irish head of state.

In a wide-ranging address, Mr Higgins hailed the transformation of relations between Britain and Ireland, from doubt to trust and mutual respect.

Ties were now "strong and resolute", he said, adding: "Formidable flows of trade and investment across the Irish Sea confer mutual benefit on our two countries.

"In tourism, sport and culture, our people to people connections have never been as close or abundant."

The two nations should take "immense pride" in the peace that has been built in Northern Ireland, he said.

"There is of course still a road to be travelled - the road of a lasting and creative reconciliation - and our two governments have a shared responsibility to encourage and support those who need to complete the journey of making peace permanent and constructive."

Earlier President Higgins and his wife Sabina met the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle.

The couple travelled to Windsor with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall who had greeted the visitors at the Irish Embassy in London.

Watched over by Queen Victoria, the Irish tricolour and the Union flag

The two heads of state have already met informally but President Higgins' official welcome includes all the traditional pomp and circumstance.

He took part in a ceremonial carriage procession through the streets of Windsor which were decked out in Union flags and Irish tricolours.

After the guests were honoured with two separate gun salutes, the Queen and president entered the castle in the Australian State Coach, before Mr Higgins and Prince Philip inspected troops.

Major Andrew Seddon, captain of the Queen's Company Grenadier Guards, invited Mr Higgins to inspect the guard of honour, speaking to him in Irish.

The Irish Guards was represented by the regimental band as the troops are currently on peacekeeping duties in Cyprus.

The Queen and Prince Philip escort their visitors from Ireland

Mr Higgins presented a new ceremonial red coat to its regimental mascot, an Irish wolfhound called Domhnall of Shantamon.

The guest list for the banquet includes the British and Irish Prime Ministers and the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland.

It will be the second time Her Majesty has shaken hands with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, a former IRA leader.

The historic visit comes three years after the Queen became the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland.

Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said: "It is becoming a model relationship between two neighbouring countries.

"We are very close, respectful neighbours and I think the relationship we are building and working on is one that, given our very complex history, many people throughout the world will be able to draw some inspiration from."

The Queen spoke in Irish and commemorated those who had fought for freedom during her ground-breaking tour.

President Higgins will reciprocate by honouring Britain's war dead at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

The head of state, a former arts and culture minister, will attend an Irish concert in the Royal Albert Hall.

Professor Deirdre Heenan, who serves on the president's Council of State, said: "It's about promoting good relations but it's also about saying to the world that we're actually more interested in our commonality, our common love of culture, politics and our common economic interests rather than the focus which would generally have been what divides us."

Michael D Higgins is Ireland's ninth president, having succeeded President Mary McAleese when she left office in November 2011.

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Lee Rigby Murderer Appeals Life Sentence

One of the men who murdered soldier Lee Rigby has launched an appeal against his whole-life prison term.

Michael Adebolajo was sentenced to die behind bars, while accomplice Michael Adebowale was jailed for life with a minimum term of 45 years.

The pair were sentenced by Mr Justice Sweeney at the Old Bailey for killing the 25-year-old father of one near Woolwich Barracks in  London on May 22 last year.

Explaining his decision to give Adebolajo a whole-life term, the judge said the 29-year-old had "no real prospect of rehabilitation".

At the time the sentences were passed, relatives of Fusilier Rigby said "justice has been served".

Lee Rigby was 25 years old when he was killed

Now Adebolajo is seeking to have the sentence cut.

Leading judges at the Court of Appeal recently ruled that murderers who commit the most "heinous" of crimes can be sent to prison for the rest of their lives.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas said the court had held that it was "entirely compatible" with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Sentencing in a number of high-profile criminal cases, including the terms to be handed out to Fusilier Rigby's murderers, was put on hold pending the ruling in February.

The ruling followed a successful appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) by murderers Jeremy Bamber, Douglas Vinter and Peter Moore.

Those currently serving whole-life terms in England and Wales include Moors Murderer Ian Brady, who tortured and murdered children along with accomplice Myra Hindley, and serial killer Rosemary West.

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Hillsborough: 'I Can Still Hear His Laughter'

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent, Warrington

After her 15-year-old son Kevin died in the Hillborough disaster, Anne Williams devoted her life to fighting for justice.

She refused to accept the original inquest verdict of accidental death and campaigned relentlessly for the truth about what happened to Kevin and the other victims of the crush at Hillsborough football stadium on April 15, 1989, that killed 96 Liverpool fans.

More than two decades later - in 2012 - Anne and the other victims' families finally heard the facts confirmed.

The report from the Hillsborough Independent Panel found evidence of a large-scale police cover up. It concluded that some of the victims could have been saved if there had been a better emergency response.

Shortly afterwards, Anne Williams was diagnosed with terminal cancer. By December 2012, already frail and in a wheelchair, she was determined to be at the High Court to see the original inquest verdicts quashed.

Mrs Williams was determined the truth about Hillsborough should come out

She won her fight, but last year, aged 62, she lost her battle with cancer.

She did not live to see the start of new inquests into the death of the victims, which are now under way in Warrington.

In her place, her daughter Sara read a moving tribute to Kevin. Standing alongside her brother Michael and Anne's brother, Danny Gordon, her voice broke down as she spoke about Kevin.

She told the inquest jury: "This statement is made on behalf of all our families and friend who knew and loved Kevin but, in particular, for my mum Anne, who would have been making this statement but for losing her battle with cancer in 2013.

"She would have loved to be standing here to tell you all about Kevin and his cheeky ways.

A total of 96 people died in the 1989 disaster

"Kevin, or 'our Kev' as I always knew him, was mad about football but crazy for Liverpool Football Club.

"Our Kev used to look after me a lot, especially on a Saturday night when mum and dad would go out.

"I really looked up to our Kev and I wanted to go wherever he went and hang around with him. Most older brothers would get fed up with a little sister following them everywhere but Kev didn't mind me tagging along.

"Kev's sense of humour was one of his most endearing qualities. I can hear his laughter still. He was always the joker.

"Kev's death was a great tragedy for us all

"Kev was really close to my mum and it would be absolutely no surprise to me that the word 'mum' was his last.

"It is only now that I have children of my own that I understand the relentless determination that came so naturally to her because of the love that she had for Kevin."

Pen portraits of all the 96 victims of the disaster are being read to the inquest jury by relatives. The inquests began last month and could last up to a year.

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Top Locations Named But How Does London Fare?

Paris, New York and Prague are among the glamour capitals pipped to the post by London as a favourite traveller destination.

The UK capital is placed third in the global rankings compiled by TripAdvisor from millions of reviews, with only Istanbul and Rome edging ahead.

On people's favourite world city, London beat the top two destinations from 2013 - Paris and New York - which fell to 7th and 12th places respectively.

Fourth in the world list was Beijing, with Prague fifth and Marrakech in Morocco sixth.

London beat both Paris and New York in the destination rankings

Meanwhile, the traditional seaside resort of Torquay in Devon, came behind only London and Edinburgh as the best destination within the UK.

It saw off competition from the likes of York, Bristol, Leeds and Birmingham.

Manchester, Glasgow and Blackpool all dropped out of the top 10.

TripAdvisor spokesman James Kay said: "These awards are based on millions of reviews and ratings by those that really matter - travellers themselves.

"There is no doubt the birth of the royal baby helped keep the eyes of the world on London in 2013, but the capital's continued appeal among travellers around the world surpasses any one event."

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Dorset School Loses £1m In Phishing Scam

A Dorset school with academy status has fallen victim to an online scam, reportedly losing more than £1m.

St Aldhelm's Academy in Poole was contacted by people pretending to be bank workers and requesting details of the school's bank account.

Staff subsequently passed them on and the criminals withdrew the money, part of a multimillion-pound government loan for rebuilding. 

The Department for Education is demanding the money be paid back at the rate of £75,000 a month, the Bournemouth Daily Echo reported.

The fraud happened last summer but has just come to light. The theft is believed to be linked to organised crime in eastern Europe.

Headteacher Cheryl Heron said in a statement: "St Aldhelm's was subject to an external fraud in July last year.

"The academy acted swiftly, referred the matter immediately to the police and the case is still being investigated.

"The fraud has not impacted on the day-to-day running of the academy or our recent building work, which was completed on schedule.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigations are ongoing."

A Department for Education spokesperson: "St Aldhelm's has been the victim of a sophisticated serious fraud by a third party.

"The matter was immediately referred to the police and Action Fraud by the academy trust and to the EFA. The matter continues to be investigated by the police."

The school, one of the first to be given academy status from Education Secretary Michael Gove, has had its share of bad luck over the past 12 months, posting England's worst GCSE results for 2012.

Formerly called Rossmore Community College, it was relaunched as Poole's first academy in 2010.

It is sponsored by the Diocese of Salisbury which told Sky News in a statement: "The Diocese can confirm that an academy it sponsors, St Aldhelm's in Poole, was subject to a sophisticated fraud by a third party in July 2013.

"The Academy and both of its sponsors, the Diocese of Salisbury and Bournemouth University, have been working with the Department for Education to ensure that the education of children is unaffected.

"Both the Academy and its sponsors have been co-operating fully with the police investigation and cannot comment further while this continues."

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Peaches Geldof: From Wild Child To Doting Mum

Peaches Honeyblossom Geldof was just 11 when she lost her 41-year-old mother Paula Yates in an accidental heroin overdose in 2000.

As the second daughter of Bob Geldof and Yates, much of her life was lived in the public eye as the family coped with the tragedy and she started to make a name for herself as a model and journalist.

She left home aged 16 and began a career which included writing for UK newspapers, Elle magazine and presenting TV shows including OMG!

Ms Geldof received constant attention from the paparazzi, and tabloids often compared her to other troubled young celebrities Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty.

Ms Geldof with her father and sisters in 2005

She admitted to experimenting with drugs and was often labelled as a "wild child".

In August 2008 Ms Geldof married rock musician Max Drummey in Las Vegas but the pair separated in 2009.

But it was meeting second husband Tom Cohen and the birth of their first son, Astala Dylan Willow, which triggered her transformation from a partying socialite to doting mother.

The couple married in 2012 at St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence Church in Kent, where Ms Geldof's parents got married and her mother's funeral was held.

Ms Geldof was often seen at fashion shows and parties

She said she felt Yates was "watching over" her that day.

She told Hello magazine: "I feel her presence all the time but especially today.

"Mum loved family celebrations and she would adore Tom and the fact that we've married here.

"I know that she is watching over me and feeling so happy for us."

The couple's second son, Phaedra Bloom Forever, was born last year and will turn one on April 24.

Ms Geldof spent a lot of time discussing parenting techniques and was an avid believer in attachment parenting, appearing on This Morning in a head-to-head debate with Apprentice star Katie Hopkins.

In the front row at London Fashion Week with Tom Cohen in February 2013

Midge Ure, Scottish musician and co-organiser of Band Aid with Bob Geldof, told Sky News Ms Geldof had become an "earth mother" figure, like her own mother Paula Yates.

"They embraced this whole motherhood thing so incredibly well, after what had maybe been ropey beginnings. They had completely found their niche in life."

Mother & Baby magazine announced in February that Ms Geldof was to be their new columnist.

A spokesman said it was after she had completed what they called, a "mama metamorphosis" from party girl to working mother. The magazine was to feature her attempts to juggle parenting, work and family.

A tribute posted online by the magazine reads: "We are extremely saddened at the tragic news that Peaches Geldof has died. Our hearts and sympathies are with her family and two little boys."

Ms Geldof with her late mother Paula Yates as a young child

Ms Geldof's Twitter and Instagram accounts were full of photos of her sons, dogs and husband.

Her last tweet, posted on Sunday at 10.17am, was a photograph of her and her late mother with the message "Me and my mum."

But her tweets also got her into some trouble.

Last year she apologised for breaking a court order and tweeting the names of the two women whose babies were abused by rock star Ian Watkins.

She tried to explain her actions by saying she had assumed the names were already "public knowledge".

The women's names were tweeted to her 160,000 followers after she reportedly read them on a US-based website. She later said: "I deleted my tweets, however, and apologise for any offence caused."

Ms Geldof's last public appearance was at a fashion show in London on April 3.

A statement from Ms Geldof's father and sisters - Fifi Trixibelle and Pixie and half-sister Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily - said they were "beyond pain" following her death on Monday.

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Max Clifford Trial: O'Connor Gives Evidence

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent

Veteran TV entertainer Des O'Connor has described his showbiz friend Max Clifford as a man of "integrity".

The 82-year-old former chat show host told the court the two knew each other through their showbiz and charity work, although Clifford had never officially represented him.

Giving evidence in the publicist's defence, Mr O'Connor said: "I have never known him to behave in any way other than with honesty and integrity."

He added that he found Clifford "always pleasant, always charming".

Clifford denies all the charges against him

Talking about their work for children's charities, the entertainer said: "He impressed me with his care. He seemed to care and was genuinely concerned about the illness of the child." 

Des O'Connor, who has had a long career as a singer and entertainer, is the latest celebrity to appear at the publicist's trial.

Yesterday, Birds of a Feather actress Pauline Quirke gave evidence and, earlier in the case, 1973 New Faces winner Tom Waite also spoke in Max Clifford's defence.

A series of women have made serious sexual allegations against Max Clifford which date between 1966 and 1984.

The celebrity publicist, who is now 71, denies all the charges he faces and his trial continues.

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Peaches Geldof 'Gone But Never Forgotten'

Peaches Geldof's older sister Fifi has paid tribute to her "beautiful baby sister" by posting a photo online of the pair of them as children.

 said they were continuing to investigate

her death, adding that a post-mortem examination will be carried out "in the

next few days".

The message on Instagram said: "My beautiful baby sister ... Gone but never forgotten. I love you, Peaches x" and was accompanied by a picture of the girls posing in summer dresses.

It comes as Fifi and her family must come to terms with the sudden death of Ms Geldof at her home in Kent on Monday.

The death of the mother-of-two, who had worked as a DJ, model and television personality, is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.

Police were called to her house in the village of Wrotham, Kent, at 1.35pm after receiving a report of concern for the welfare of a woman.

Fifi and Peaches (L) as children. Pic: fifigeldof Instagram

Officers said Ms Geldof was pronounced dead at the scene and they are continuing to investigate her death, adding that a post-mortem examination will be carried out on Wednesday.

Ms Geldof had previously admitted drug use as a teenager but said in 2009 that she was "sober now".

In her last message on Twitter, she posted a picture of her as a child with her mother, Paula Yates, who died of a heroin overdose in 2000 when Peaches was 11.

Lily Allen is among a host of celebrities to pay tribute following the sudden and tragic death of the 25-year-old.

The singer Lily Allen was among the stars to pay tribute

The singer said: "My thoughts are with Peaches' family at this awful time. I hope they get to grieve in peace. Peaches, rest in peace gorgeous girl."

Scottish musician Midge Ure, who co-organised Band Aid with Bob Geldof, told Sky News the news was "astounding" and "hideous".

"It's just unbelievable that any one family can have so much tragedy and loss in their lives, it's just horrible."

As news of her death emerged, Kelly Osborne, a childhood friend of Peaches, tweeted: "Words seem inadequate 2 express the sadness I feel about @peaches_g death We are here 2 support U @pixiegeldof1 stay strong my little Pepsi!"

TV and radio presenter Dermot O'Leary said: "Met Peaches several times. Really sweet girl. So so sad for the Geldof family. Thoughts and prayers..."

The Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon said: "No words can express any comfort at the loss of a child and mother as beautiful as Peaches Geldof. God bless."

Coleen Rooney, wife of England footballer Wayne, tweeted: "Can't believe what I have just heard. RIP Peaches Geldof, such sad news."

X Factor creator Simon Cowell tweeted: "So sad to hear about Peaches. Rest in peace."

He said later: "The few times I met Peaches she was a sweet, funny warm person. Much love to her family she has left behind."

A private ambulance drives away the body of Peaches Geldof

Sharon Osborne wrote: "Devastated about @peaches--g. Sending condolences & respect to the Geldof family. It's unimaginable what they must be going through right now."

Presenter Myleene Klass tweeted: "The news of beautiful Peaches is utterly devastating, God bless her babies. RIP mama xxx"

This Morning host Phillip Schofield, who appeared with Ms Geldof on the ITV show, wrote: "Utterly stunned at the terrible news of the death of Peaches Geldof! The dreadful loss of a really lovely woman."

His co-host Holly Willoughby said: "Just heard about Peaches, so unbelievably tragic. So shocked and sad. Sending my thoughts and love to her family".

Police at the address where the 25-year-old was found dead

Coronation Street star Antony Cotton said: "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest".

In a post on Twitter, rapper Professor Green said: "never knew Peaches but the loss of a life so young is a horrible thing, especially leaving behind two children".

Singer Ellie Goulding said: "Even if you think you've got it all figured out, some things still can't be explained or understood. Two beautiful children. RIP Peaches".

Her friend the model Daisy Lowe posted a picture of a broken heart on Twitter.

Author Irvine Welsh said: "Very sad to hear of the tragic, untimely death of Peaches Geldof. Thoughts with Bob G and the family."

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IMF Sees UK Growth Remaining Fastest In G7

By Ed Conway, Economics Editor, In Washington DC

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its forecast for Britain's economic growth more than any other major economy for the third time in a row, in a boost to the Chancellor's fortunes.

The Fund said it expected Britain's economy to expand by 2.9% this year – faster than any other G7 economy, and a significant upgrade from the 2.4% rate it predicted only three months ago.

The upgrade, which is likely to be seized on by the Chancellor as further evidence of British success, comes one year on from the IMF chief economist's warning that George Osborne was "playing with fire" with his austerity policies.

At that stage, Britain was facing the prospect of a possible triple-dip recession.

Now, the Fund says that not only is growth strong in the UK, there is a significant chance of an "upside risk" - in other words even stronger growth than its central prediction.

George Osborne was accused of 'playing with fire' by the IMF a year ago

However, the Fund added that the growth was being fuelled by the same imbalanced elements - consumer spending and credit - that contributed to the crisis.

"Growth has rebounded more strongly than anticipated in the United Kingdom on easier credit conditions and increased confidence," the report said.

"However, the recovery has been unbalanced, with business investment and exports still disappointing."

It pointed out that as a result, interest rates would be likely to rise sooner in the UK than in the US or Europe.

The Fund recommended that the Bank of England keep monetary policy "accommodative" - keeping rates low for the time being.

It added that "the Government's efforts to raise capital spending while staying within the medium-term fiscal envelope should help bolster recovery and long- term growth."

Labour's Ed Balls has accused the Government of complacency

The benign tone of the report, which forecast only slightly milder growth of 2.5% in 2015, is likely to be regarded within the Treasury as a victory over the Fund and Olivier Blanchard, who repeatedly urged the Chancellor to change course on austerity in recent years.

However, the Fund itself is likely to point towards the fact that the pace of Mr Osborne's spending cuts has been reduced in recent years - such that by some accounts he has already adopted a "plan B" on austerity.

A Treasury spokesperson responded: "The IMF forecast the UK to be the fastest growing major advanced economy this year.

"This is further evidence that the Government's long term economic plan is working, providing economic security for hardworking people.

"But the job is not done. Budget 2014 set out the next stage of the plan that is creating a more resilient economy through support to businesses, savers, and exporters.

"The biggest risk now to the recovery would be abandoning the plan that's delivering a brighter economic future."

Ed Balls, Labour's shadow chancellor, said: "These forecasts are welcome news after three damaging years when the economy flatlined and growth forecasts were repeatedly downgraded.

"Yet millions of working people, who are on average £1,600 a year worse off since 2010, are still not feeling any recovery at all.

"The IMF is right to warn about an unbalanced recovery and it is concerning that growth is expected to slow down next year.

"The Government should also heed the IMF's warnings about surging house prices by taking action to boost housing supply, as we have called for. 

"Instead of complacently trying to claim that everything is going well, we need a Government which understands that there is a deep-seated cost-of-living crisis and will act to tackle it."

The Fund said it expected the world economy to grow by 3.6% this year and 3.9% in 2015.

Among the countries facing a downgrade was Russia, whose growth prospects were cut by 0.6%, reflecting the economic impact of its involvement in Ukraine.

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Miller's PPS Defends 'Witch-Hunt' Text To MPs

Under-fire MP Maria Miller's private secretary has defended a text message she sent to backbenchers that claimed the culture secretary was victim of a "witch-hunt".

In an interview with Sky News, Mary Macleod admitted sending a message Conservative MPs that said: "I believe there is a media witch-hunt on Maria due to Leveson.

"How do you feel about it? Happy to answer any questions you may have She would really appreciate your support. Many thanks Mary."

More follows...

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