Swimmer Susan Taylor's Family 'Upset' By Hoax

The family of tragic cross-Channel swimmer Susan Taylor have said they are "disappointed and upset" after a six-figure donation for the fundraiser's charity efforts turned out to be a hoax.

Mrs Taylor, 34, collapsed just one mile from the French coast as she swam under the guidance of the Channel Swimming Association, which officially authorises attempts, on Sunday.

She was pulled from the water and on to a support boat by her brother David, a paramedic, who battled to save her life before she was taken to hospital in nearby Boulogne-sur-Mer, where she was later pronounced dead.

Her death prompted thousands of people to donate to Mrs Taylor's two fundraising pages, in support of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and Diabetes UK.

However, it has now emerged that one donation to Rainbows, of £150,000, was a fake - something the charity described as an "appalling act at such a tragic and emotional time".

It is believed a similar hoax pledge was made to Diabetes UK.

Ms Taylor was just a mile off shore when she collapsed

In a statement, Mrs Taylor's family said: "The family were obviously delighted when news of a donation pledge of £300,000 to the two charities was announced. Unfortunately, it would appear that this pledge was bogus since the funds have failed to materialise in the charities' accounts.

"(We) are disappointed and upset that an individual has taken actions which have misled the family and Susan's chosen charities in this way.

"The family wish to emphasise that they are extremely grateful for the support of members of the public and the generosity they have shown in supporting Susan's legacy.

"We do not intend to allow the actions of one person to detract from what Susan has accomplished and the pride we feel for her."

Legitimate donations to Mrs Taylor's fundraising pages have soared to more than £70,000 in the days since her death.

Comedian David Walliams - who swam the Channel in 2006 - is believed to have pledged £1,000 after a donation was made under the name of the Little Britain star with the message: "Sending all my love to Susan's family and friends".

Walliams tweeted later: "Despite the shock & sadness, it's good to see heroic Susan Taylor's charity total rising. Please give what you can ..."

Mrs Taylor had given up her full-time job to carry out charitable work and was working part-time as an accountant, her family said.

Before her solo attempt she told a newspaper that her training had been delayed a little by a shoulder injury and that she had put herself "through hell" training over the last year.

Geoff Ellis, chief executive at the Rainbows charity, condemned the hoax donations. He said: "We are shocked that a person would carry out this appalling act at such a tragic and emotional time.

"Susan devoted her life to Rainbows and since her sad passing, kind-hearted people - many of whom did not know Susan - have honoured her memory by pledging generous donations to her online fundraising page.

"We have relayed the news to the family who are devastated that someone would exploit this heart-breaking situation."

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Woolwich: Prison Staff Deny Adebolajo Assault

Five prison officers have been suspended following allegations that Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo was assaulted at one of Britain's top-security jails.

Adebolajo, 28, who is accused of killing soldier Lee Rigby, reportedly lost two teeth as he was being restrained at Belmarsh prison in southeast London on Wednesday.

The Prison Service has refused to comment on the detail of what happened, but the Met Police confirmed it was investigating an allegation of assault.

During an investigation of this kind, the suspension of staff is standard practice, the Ministry of Justice said.

Adebolajo is in Belmarsh Prison awaiting trial for the murder of Lee Rigby

The Prison Officers Association (POA) has denied any wrongdoing by the officers and said its members would challenge the allegations made by the prisoner.

"We are aware of an incident that took place on Wednesday July 17, which involved a prisoner being subjected to restraint using approved techniques called Control and Restraint," it said in a statement.

"Our members strenuously deny any wrongdoing and the POA will be supporting them legally and emotionally during this difficult time.

"The use of restraint is only used where necessary when dealing with incidents up and down the country."

It said it will fully co-operate with any police investigation, and expects the officers to be "fully exonerated".

The prison officers' trade union also accused the Ministry of Justice of not doing enough to avoid what they described as "sensationalist reporting" of the alleged assault.

Adebolajo is accused together with Michael Adebowale, 22, of hacking Drummer Rigby to death near Woolwich Barracks in southeast London on May 22.

The pair are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on November 18.

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Bond Actor Paul Bhattacharjee Found Dead

The body of an actor who disappeared from a London theatre a week ago has been found, police have confirmed.

Paul Bhattacharjee, who appeared in the James Bond film Casino Royale and EastEnders, had last been seen leaving rehearsals at the Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square, London, on July 10 and appeared to walk in the direction of a nearby Tube station.

The 53-year-old was said to be in good spirits that evening but after sending his girlfriend a text message at 9pm, no-one heard from him and he was reported missing.

Scotland Yard was contacted by officers in Sussex this morning and told that the body of a man matching his description had been found near cliffs at Splash Point in Seaford, East Sussex, last Friday.

Mr Bhattacharjee, from Redbridge, north-east London, was formally identified today and his next of kin have been informed.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

His friends and family had made pleas for his safe return, including his 24-year-old son Rahul Bhattacharjee-Prashar, who told the Evening Standard the disappearance was "completely out of character".

He added: "He was doing well in his career and everything seemed to be going okay."

The actor, who also appeared in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, White Teeth and Dirty Pretty Things, had been due to appear in this week's play Talk Show at the Royal Court.

Bhattacharjee and Meera Syal rehearse last year

His role in the play, which began last night, was recast.

He was part of the theatre's company of 14 actors performing in the Weekly Rep series, which sees six plays staged in six weeks, and had already appeared in two of the productions.

Tributes have been paid to the actor, with many from the theatre world taking to Twitter to express their sadness.

Director Jamie Lloyd wrote: "Very sad to hear about the death of Paul Bhattacharjee. He was a very fine actor. My thoughts are with his family."

Muzz Khan, who appeared in Much Ado About Nothing alongside the late actor, said: "Rest In Peace, Paul Bhattacharjee. I can't believe you're gone, mate."

Playwright Duncan Gates wrote: "'When you depart from me sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave'. RIP Paul Paul Bhattacharjee."

Actor Rick Warden wrote: "Having a bad time with the news about friend and colleague Paul Bhattacharjee's death. An intelligent & charismatic man. Very sad."

He played a doctor in Casino Royale in 2006 and was in several episodes of EastEnders as Inzamam between 2008 and 2010.

Other television credits for the actor included Waking The Dead, Spooks and The Bill.

Last year he appeared as Benedick opposite Meera Syal in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Much Ado About Nothing.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org

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David Richards: Armed Forces Head Stands Down

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

General Sir David Richards will formally stand down as Chief of the Defence Staff later today.

In a ceremony on Horse Guards Parade in Westminster he will hand over to his successor General Sir Nicholas Houghton.

Houghton will become the professional Head of Britain's Armed Forces and the senior military advisor to the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary.

General Houghton served as General Richards' deputy for a period of time before being appointed to the role.

Richards has been Chief of the Defence Staff since October 2010. During his tenure he has overseen a large-scale overhaul of the UK's Armed Forces including redundancies across all three services.

Houghton's primary task will be to oversee the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan.

General Sir Nicholas Houghton will take over

That process will near completion at the end of 2014. There is also expected to be a fourth and final tranche of redundancies announced early next year.

This will be concentrated on the Army whose number are set to fall to 82,000 personnel.

In a direct response to that, he will be involved in attempts to expand the Army Reserve from its current size of around 18,000 soldiers to 30,000 - a cornerstone policy for the Army's future.

He will also have equipment issues to address: can the UK afford both the new aircraft carriers that are under construction? And how many F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets will be eventually bought to fly off the carriers?

The question of whether the UK should renew its nuclear deterrent also needs addressing - a decision on that will be made in 2016.

Houghton's appointment is unusual in the respect that both he and his predecessor General Richards have both had careers in the Army.

The role typically rotates between the three forces in turn. But his appointment has been widely welcomed and he has been described as politically astute.

He has publicly backed the Ministry of Defence's tough decisions to balance its budget. Houghton is not expected to be a controversial Chief.

He is an Oxford graduate and served in the Green Howards. He was the senior British Commander in Iraq in 2006.

In that role he was responsible for the withdrawal of troops from the country; vital experience for the job he now faces in Afghanistan.

To maintain continuity and to help Houghton settle into his new role, General Sir Peter Wall the Head of the British Army will stay on in the job despite the expectation he was going to leave later this year.

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Lobbying: Crackdown To Spark Party Rows

By Lobbying Crackdown To Be Unveiled

A crackdown on political lobbying will be unveiled later, triggering rows over the role of trade unions and the Tories' election guru, Lynton Crosby.

The Government will publish long-awaited legislation on lobbying first promised by David Cameron in 2010, shortly before he became Prime Minister.

The Bill will include a statutory register of lobbyists and, more controversially, annual membership audits for trade unions and curbs on unions funding Labour in elections.

But Labour will attempt to ambush publication of the Government's Bill with a fresh assault on Mr Crosby, claiming he was responsible for the dropping of legislation on plain packaging of cigarettes.

Labour claims a tobacco firm linked to Mr Crosby, Philip Morris International, which makes Marlboro cigarettes and employs Mr Crosby's lobbying firm Crosby Textor, told health officials in January that plain packaging could boost cigarette smuggling.

Tory election guru Lynton Crosby

Tories have hit back by challenging Labour to back the trade union reforms, claiming that if Ed Miliband is serious about loosening Labour's links with the unions he should support the legislation.

Mr Cameron has been criticised for the long delay between his promise to legislate and the introduction of a lobbying crackdown.

His pledge, early last month, came only after a sting caught Tory MP Patrick Mercer making promises to undercover reporters posing as lobbyists and three peers also falling victim to a separate sting.

In his pledge, made in February 2010, Mr Cameron said: "It is the next big scandal waiting to happen. It's an issue that crosses party lines and has tainted our politics for too long, an issue that exposes the far-too-cosy relationship between politics, government, business and money.

"I'm talking about lobbying - and we all know how it works. The lunches, the hospitality, the quiet word in your ear, the ex-ministers and ex-advisors for hire, helping big business find the right way to get its way."

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Bodies Found In Water At Norfolk Beauty Spot

The bodies of two men have been recovered from the water at a popular beauty spot where swimming is banned.

Emergency services were alerted at 4.30pm on Tuesday to reports that a man had got into difficulties while in the water at Bawsey Pits in west Norfolk.

Once there, they were told another man was missing.

After a search involving firefighters, paramedics, police and RAF search and rescue, officers confirmed the discovery of the men, who have not been identified.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: "Both bodies were discovered within the water and inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding their deaths."

Police have asked people to stay away from the area.

Swimming is banned at the beauty spot, which is popular with sunseekers, but many ignore warning signs.

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Horsemeat: MPs Slam 'Slow' Investigation

MPs have condemned the "slow pace" of an investigation into the horsemeat crisis in the UK as no one has been prosecuted six months after the scandal erupted.

Horsemeat contamination was first revealed in January by officials in Ireland and the food crisis then spread across Europe.

Several supermarket products and school dinners across the the UK were found to contain horse DNA.

But authorities in both the UK and Ireland are yet to acknowledge the scale of the illegal activity involved, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee said.

Birds Eye products were found to contain horse DNA

"The evidence suggests a complex network of companies trading in and mislabelling beef or beef products which is fraudulent and illegal," Committee chair MP Anne McIntosh said.

"We are dismayed at the slow pace of investigations and seek assurances that prosecutions will be mounted where there is evidence of fraud or illegality."

The committee complained that there was still a "lack of clarity" over where responsibility lay in dealing with the contamination, and that role of the Food Standards Authority (FSA) was not clear.

"The FSA must become a more efficient and effective regulator and be seen to be independent of industry," Ms McIntosh said.

"It must have the power to be able to compel industry to carry out tests when needed.

Major supermarkets in the UK have been caught up in the scandal

"It must also be more innovative in its testing regime and vigilant in ensuring every local authority carries out regular food sampling."

The MPs were also "surprised" that in EU-mandated tests, 14 out of 836 samples of horsemeat from the UK tested positive for the painkiller bute.

But the committee acknowledged that horsemeat contamination was limited to a "relatively small" number of beef products sold in the UK, with 99% of products tested containing no horse DNA.

But they said more regular testing of products is necessary to protect consumers.

Horse DNA was also found in Birds Eye dinners

"Regular and detailed DNA tests are needed on all meat or meat-based ingredients which form part of a processed or frozen meat product," the MPs said.

"Consumers need to know that what they buy is what the label says it is."

The committee also said there were clearly "many loopholes" in the current system of horse passports and called for assurances that horse movements were being properly monitored.

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Trident Review: Warning Against Downgrade

A group of former defence secretaries and military chiefs has warned the Government not to "take risks with our security" by downgrading Britain's nuclear deterrent system.

Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister Danny Alexander's long-awaited review is expected to argue the case for a scaled-down Trident force.

A leaked version of the Trident Alternatives Review suggested it will include an array of options short of like-for-like replacement, including a proposal that the Royal Navy's fleet of nuclear-armed submarines could be cut from four to two.

But the five former defence secretaries and two ex-defence chiefs have voiced their support for a £25bn like-for-like replacement of Trident.

Mr Alexander has reviewed plans for the fleet

"In an uncertain world, in which the number of nuclear weapons remains high and some states are increasing their holding, we should not take risks with our security by downgrading to a part-time deterrent," they wrote in a letter to the Daily Telegraph.

"We cannot possibly foresee what threats will develop over the next 30 years.

"Reducing our submarine-based Trident capability would weaken our national security for the sake of a very small fraction of the defence budget.

"It is our view that if Britain is to remain a leading global power with strong defences, nothing less than a continuous-at-sea deterrent will do."

The letter was signed by former Conservative defence secretaries Liam Fox and Sir Malcolm Rifkind, alongside Labour's former defence secretaries Bob Ainsworth, Lord Reid of Cardowan and Lord Robertson, who was also a Nato secretary general.

Also signing were ex-chiefs of defence staff Lord Boyce and Lord Stirrup.

Treasury Chief Secretary Mr Alexander's review results from a compromise reached by Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in the 2010 coalition agreement which brought them into government together.

The issue is likely to set a clear dividing line between the parties at the next general election.

The fleet of four Vanguard-class submarines which carry the Trident missiles are due to be replaced from 2028.

The final decision on whether to replace all four boats is due in 2016, after the 2015 election.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond on Monday warned it would be "reckless" to downgrade Trident, insisting that two subs would not be able to offer the "continuous at-sea deterrence" which Britain has maintained since the 1960s.

Prime Minister David Cameron has left no doubt of his preference for like-for-like replacement of the ageing Trident fleet, which was also backed by Labour's Tony Blair in a 2006 review.

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Brecon Beacons Military Deaths In Heatwave

Two soldiers have died during a training exercise on the Brecon Beacons in Wales, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The pair were among three army personnel thought to have been affected by heat exhaustion on Saturday, the hottest day of the year for many parts of the country.

A statement released by the MoD said: "The MoD can confirm that it is working with Dyfed Powys Police to investigate an incident during a training exercise on the Brecon Beacons on Saturday in which two members of military personnel died.

"The two servicemen's next of kin have been informed. More information will be released in due course but it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

Temperatures in the Brecons are normally cooled by the 600m (2,000ft) and higher elevations that military personnel train at but on Saturday temperatures in Usk in nearby Monmouthshire reached 29.2C (84.5F).

Sky News' Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said sources had told him that two men had been "affected by conditions", with heat exhaustion thought to be involved.

Police confirmed a third man was taken to hospital and is in a serious condition.

Bunkall said all the men were in the army. He said the MoD is releasing no details about what sort of training they were on.

Thirty members of Central Beacons, Brecon, Western Beacons and Abergavenny-based Longtown Mountain Rescue teams joined the operation near Pen y Fan - the highest mountain in south Wales.

The Brecon Beacons are well known as a training destination for both the regular army and for special forces like the Special Air Service.

The SAS has its regimental headquarters in nearby Hereford and the Army infantry has its Infantry Training Centre in the town of Brecon.

Earlier this year Army Captain Rob Carnegie was found dead on Corn Du mountain. He is thought to have been attempting a 17-40 mile march in freezing weather through the Brecon Beacons as part of a selection process for the Special Air Service.

The mountain range is among the highest in the UK, with peaks like Pen y Fan reaching 886m (2,907ft).

In winter, conditions are regularly gruelling, which army chiefs say mimic the toughest conditions soldiers may have to face.

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Belfast Violence Flares For Third Night

Loyalist protesters hurled several petrol bombs and a range of other missiles at police for a third successive night in Belfast.

Trouble again flared in the Woodvale Road area in the north of the city as the fall-out from a decision to ban a controversial Orange Order parade passing through the nearby republican Ardoyne area continued.

But the violence was on a much smaller scale than previous nights.

There was also "some public disorder" in Newtownabbey on the outskirts of the north of the city, police said.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said one officer had been injured in the violence.

On Sunday night, seven police officers were injured.

Injured MP Nigel Dodds was released from hospital on Sunday

Those police casualties came after 32 officers were injured on Friday night and MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital after being struck by a missile thrown by a rioter. He was discharged on Sunday morning.

Around 35 arrests have been made since Friday though police expect to make many more after analysing video footage of the disorder.

A special sitting of Belfast Magistrates' Court was held on Sunday with contingencies in place to keep courts open if the trouble continues.

Loyalist protesters have taken to the streets since Friday

Stormont's Justice Minister David Ford warned of the consequences of getting involved in the violence.

"To young people in particular I would say this: 'Do you want to leave home today with a clean record and by tonight have a criminal record, which could have consequences which will stay with you for the rest of your life?'," he said.

"My message is clear; do not get involved in rioting on our streets, but if you choose to do so then be prepared to face the courts within hours."

Trouble first broke out on Friday as police attempted to enforce a decision banning Orangemen from passing the Ardoyne on the Crumlin Road on their way back from traditional Twelfth of July commemorations.

Hundreds of extra UK officers have been drafted in

Around 400 extra British police officers were deployed to Northern Ireland on Saturday.

The Orange Order had originally called for protests against the Ardoyne determination of the Parades Commission adjudication body but, in the wake of Friday's violence, senior Orangemen called for protest action to be suspended.

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott has condemned those responsible for the trouble and also criticised those within the Orange Order leadership who called for protests.

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Trident Review: US Warning Ahead Of Debate

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Reducing or scrapping Britain's nuclear deterrent would have "a very negative effect on the special relationship", according to a senior former US diplomat.

John Bolton, who was the US Ambassador to the United Nations during George W Bush's Presidency, made the warning in an interview with Sky News days before the Government's Trident Alternative Review is published.

The review will form the basis of what is set to be a divisive political debate over the future of Trident, before a decision has to be made in 2016.

The US, the UK's closest military ally, will be watching closely. Although Washington might feel it inappropriate to air its views in public, there is no doubt opinions will be made perfectly clear through diplomatic channels.

John Bolton is known for often having robust opinions on matters of foreign affairs, but his view on Trident will be shared by many in Washington.

"It, (scrapping or reducing the deterrent) would also have a negative effect on Britain's own self-defence capabilities," he predicts.

"This is a very important decision, and one that I think, not just because of the special relationship but because of Britain's own needs, should see a complete replacement of Britain's nuclear submarine capability."

Nick Clegg has hinted he will not support a like-for-like replacement

In a sign of the inevitable coalition disagreements that will follow, Nick Clegg has given a clear hint that he won't support a like-for-like replacement of Britain's nuclear deterrent.

"I don't believe that the only future choice that we need to make is a carbon copy repetition of the Trident system as it is configured at the moment, namely ready to be fired at any minute, of any hour, of any day, 365 days a year, which was obviously appropriate for the Cold War environment in which the Trident system had to be ready to flatten Moscow at the push of a button," the Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister said.

Mr Clegg's comments are of particular significance not just because of the timing, but because he has had the final document sitting on his desk for more than a week now. David Cameron was also given a copy.

The 18-month study was insisted upon by the Liberal Democrats as part of the coalition agreement in 2010.

It was initially led by former defence minister Sir Nick Harvey but Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander took it on at the end of last year.

He will present its findings on Tuesday morning although many details will remain secret for national security reasons.

Four Vanguard Class submarines carry the Trident D5 ballistic missile

The review has worked to a narrow remit and has not examined the diplomatic reasons for maintaining a deterrent. Its focus has been to explore the viability and cost of different options. It is likely to cause tensions within the coalition.

Mr Cameron and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond have been clear about their support for a full renewal of the nuclear deterrent but the Liberal Democrats generally oppose that.

It's expected that one suggestion to come out of the review will be to cut the fleet in half to two submarines. This would result in the loss of the full time deterrent the UK currently maintains.

The Labour Party is conducting its own review although shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy told Sky News that he would like to see the constant deterrent retained.

"A Labour government would not scrap a nuclear deterrent," he said. "We would retain an minimal credible independent deterrent. How you configure that, how you drive savings out of it is something we have to look at."

Britain currently has four Vanguard Class submarines which carry the Trident D5 ballistic missile. At least one submarine is at sea at any one time, giving Britain a constant deterrent. Its whereabouts is known to only a handful of people.

But the submarines need replacing in 2028. A decision on their successor has been delayed until 2016 but already vital initial work has begun, should a full replacement be agreed upon.

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Belfast: Clashes In Second Night Of Rioting

Police have used plastic bullets against protesters during a second night of rioting in parts of Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Police use water cannon to disperse protesters in Belfast

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said so-called attenuated energy projectiles (AEP) were used in one location.

Water cannon were also deployed against demonstrators in several areas.

Police said they fired "a number of AEPs" in the Woodvale area of north Belfast on Saturday night.

It was the second night of trouble in the area.

Bottles and other missiles were thrown at officers on Woodvale Road.

Over 30 police officers were injured in the first night of clashes

Sky News Ireland Correspondent David Blevins said: "For a second consecutive night police came under sustained attack.

"It is mainly from youths pelting police lines with bricks, bottles, masonry and fireworks.

"There has also been a number of petrol bombs."

Youths set fire to bins and threw objects at officers

The PSNI also responded to isolated incidents elsewhere in north Belfast, at Rosapenna Street and North Queen Street.

Police said the disorder in the Woodvale area was "sporadic", but said one officer was struck by a petrol bomb.

The PSNI said the officer had been examined by medical personnel and remained on duty.

Officers said a 40-year old male was arrested in the Castlereagh St area of east Belfast on suspicion of breach of the peace following a protest in the area.

Over 30 police officers were injured in the first night of clashes

A 17-year-old male and a female, also 17, were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of riotous behaviour during Friday's clashes in east Belfast.

The Woodvale Road and the Newtownards Road in east Belfast witnessed the worst violence on Friday, with 32 police officers injured.

MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital amid the clashes in Woodvale after being struck by a brick.

He was discharged from hospital on Saturday morning.

Around 400 extra police officers have been sent to Northern Ireland after the clashes.

More than 600 officers from forces in England, Scotland and Wales were already in the region supporting the PSNI operation.

On Saturday PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott condemned those responsible for the trouble.

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