Couple Jailed For Lee Rigby YouTube Videos

A man has been sentenced to five years and four months for posting YouTube videos glorifying the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby.

Royal Barnes, 23, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, with his wife, Rebekah Dawson, getting a 20-month sentence.

The videos posted by the British Muslim couple were "offensive in the extreme", the court heard.

They published the clips shortly after the brutal murder of Fusilier Rigby in Woolwich last May.

Barnes filmed himself laughing as he passed flowers left for the soldier

The couple, from Hackney in London, made three videos - the first uploaded on the day after the attack, with Barnes calling it a "brilliant day".

It was edited together with pictures of a man holding a decapitated head, a scene from Woolwich, and images of the World Trade Center.

The second clip showed Dawson ranting about how British troops would be killed on London's streets.

Fusilier Rigby, 25, was hacked to death in broad daylight on May 22, 2013

A third video showed Barnes mocking the public's grief at Fusilier Rigby's murder and laughing uncontrollably as he and his wife drove past flowers at the murder scene.

Barnes pleaded guilty last month to inciting murder and three counts of disseminating a terrorist publication.

Dawson, 22, who insisted on wearing a full veil in court, also admitted charges of disseminating a terrorist publication.

Rebekah Dawson's video was posted shortly after the murder

Judge Brian Barker QC said the pair showed "a total and continuing disregard" for the effect it would have on the soldier's family and the wider public.

Fusilier Rigby's killers were jailed last month for the attack, which saw them hack the solider to death on the streets of southeast London.

Michael Adebolajo, 29, was given a whole-life term, and Michael Adebowale, 22, was jailed for at least 45 years.

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Gove Says Number Of PM's Etonians 'Ridiculous'

Education Secretary Michael Gove has criticised the "ridiculous" numbers of Old Etonians in David Cameron's inner circle.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Gove said such a "preposterous" concentration of individuals from the same privileged background at the top of government was unique among developed countries.

Labour said his comments showed the Conservatives were "out of touch" with the concerns of ordinary people in Britain.

Old Etonians around the Prime Minister - himself a former Eton boy - include his chief of staff, Ed Llewellyn; the head of his policy unit, Jo Johnson; the minister for government policy, Oliver Letwin; and Chancellor George Osborne's chief economic adviser, Rupert Harrison.

The Prime Minister at a Cabinet meeting last year

Mr Gove compared them to the cabinet of Eton-educated Tory prime minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, the Marquess of Salisbury, who was accused of nepotism and cronyism.

"At the beginning of the 20th century, the Conservative cabinet was called Hotel Cecil," he said.

"The phrase 'Bob's your uncle' came about and all the rest of it. It is preposterous.

"It doesn't make me feel personally uncomfortable because I like each of the individuals concerned, but it's ridiculous. I don't know where you can find some such similar situation in a developed economy."

Mr Cameron's inner circle was compared to that of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil (R)

Mr Gove, who went to a fee-paying school in Scotland, said the concentration of Old Etonians at the top of the Conservative Party was a due to the fact that "more boys from Eton go to Oxford and Cambridge than boys eligible for free school meals".

But shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Ashworth said it was a "reflection of the Conservative Party" under Mr Cameron.

"It's up to David Cameron who he puts into top jobs, and the fact is that the Prime Minister has chosen to surround himself with people just like himself," he said.

"He's leading a Government that's completely out of touch.

"That's why his decisions have helped a privileged few rather than hard-working families, with tax cuts for people earning over £150,000 while wages are down an average £1,600 a year."

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Hatfield Father Charged With Daughter's Murder

A father has been charged with the murder of his four-year-old daughter in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Alexa-Marie died at Lister hospital in Stevenage after police had been called to a house in Queen Bee Court at 9.36am on Thursday.

It is not known how  Alexa-Marie died.

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of her death will take place on Monday.

Carl Wheatley will appear before Hatfield Remand Court on Friday.

The family of Alexa-Marie's mother said in a statement: "We are completed stunned and devastated that our beautiful little girl has been taken from us so suddenly.

"She was truly the most gentle, loving, happy and amazing little soul we had the pleasure of knowing. We would be asked to be left alone to grieve at this traumatic time."

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Which?: Energy Bills To Rise £640 By 2020

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Annual household energy bills could rise by more than £600 within seven years so power companies can keep the lights on, consumer champion Which? has warned.

Sky News has learned the watchdog has written to the Treasury ahead of next week's budget to warn of rising costs.

In a new forecast, Which? has predicted energy companies will need to spend £118bn on new infrastructure between now and 2020.

This would include building new power stations, replacing grids and building wind farms as part of a drive to sustain Britain's power supply and cut down on carbon emissions.

Which? believes this cost will inevitably be passed on to consumers, and that households and businesses will foot the bill.

This would mean that the average bill would exceed £2,000 a year even if wholesale costs of gas and electricity remain stable - an annual rise of £640 per household.

Richard Lloyd, executive director of Which?, said: "I don't think consumers know that this is heading their way and that decision has already been made by the Government.

"This is a massive chunk potentially on everyone's bills. This means one thing: that household bills are set to rise, and to rise for many people very steeply for the foreseeable future."

Which? is campaigning for a full market investigation to find out if consumers are paying a fair price for energy.

Sky News also learned that at least one of the 'big six' energy firms is not guaranteeing to make the necessary investment should it not prove profitable for the company.

Energy companies rely on investors - who require a return on their investment - to finance certain projects.

Angela Knight, of Energy UK, the body representing the industry, said: "A lot of this is all about the policy that the Government and previous Government signed up to.

"Right now there is significant concern about the price of a bill and that is before much of this investment comes through.

"At the same time, a lot of our stuff is old and you do have to refresh and replenish."

One move Chancellor George Osborne may deploy to tackle the costs being passed through to consumer energy bills could be freezing the Carbon Floor Price in next week's budget.

The tax policy means polluting industries must pay a minimum amount of money for the right to pollute.

If Mr Osborne were freeze or abolish the Carbon Floor Price, the knock-on effect would prevent around £8 being added to bills each year, according to one energy company source.

In December 2013, HM Treasury released estimates of planned national infrastructure investments relating to 2013-2020 and beyond.

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Bob Crow: A Man Devoted To The Railways

Bob Crow left school at 16 and took a job as an apprentice track worker. He worked on the railways for the rest of his life.

The RMT leader was clear about the importance of taking action

The 52-year-old was born in east London on June 13, 1961, and moved with his family to Essex as a toddler.

He became one of the most high-profile, left-wing union leaders of his generation, sparking as much anger among passengers hit by rail and Tube strikes as praise from his members for winning pay rises.

Mr Crow started working for London Underground at 16

His first job was on London Underground as an apprentice track worker and he soon became involved in union activity, becoming a local representative at the age of 20 for what was then the National Union of Railwaymen.

He won the union's youth award - handed to him by veteran general secretary Jimmy Knapp, whom he later succeeded - and rose quickly through the ranks, via the executive, to the top job.

His formative years were at a time when unions enjoyed huge power and influence over the country, thanks to leaders such as Jack Jones, Hugh Scanlon and Joe Gormley.

Under his leadership, the RMT was one of Britain's fastest-growing unions

He took part in a TUC-organised nationwide day of action in 1980, and the next strike he joined was on the Tube - a day after returning from his honeymoon in 1982.

After that he took part in, or helped organise, official and unofficial strikes against London Underground and was clear about the need to take action to improve pay and conditions.

"I don't shirk from taking industrial action," he said. "Our job is to negotiate the best pay and conditions. Industrial action is the last resort and you don't take it lightly - but when you start you don't finish until you have won. That's what I have been brought up on."

Crow and colleagues adding their protest at the Leveson Inquiry

Mr Crow maintained he wanted to do the "very best" for his members, wherever they worked and whichever political party they belonged to.

"I will be the captain, steering the ship, but the members will make all the decisions," he said.

He was constantly involved in industrial disputes and campaigns and led a walkout by London Underground workers last month in a dispute over ticket office closures.

Mr Crow said he wanted to do the "very best" for his members

Apart from his devotion to Millwall football club - he had been supporting the team since first going to the ground as a young boy - Mr Crow had an unusual interest outside his job.

"I'm really interested in the weather," he admitted. "I spend ages looking at weather maps and graphs. I have a barometer in the house and if I could have been anything else other than a union official I would have been a footballer - or a weatherman."

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Bob Crow: Sudden Death Of Union Leader

Tributes Pour In For 'Tireless' Bob Crow

Updated: 3:05pm UK, Tuesday 11 March 2014

Union leaders and politicians have praised the tough-talking "giant of the labour movement" Bob Crow after learning of his death.

Labour leader Ed Miliband: "I didn't always agree with him politically but I always respected his tireless commitment to fighting for the men and women in his union. He did what he was elected to do, was not afraid of controversy and was always out supporting his members across the country."

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union: "Bob's strength, personal integrity and straightforward speaking won many battles for his members. He took his job very seriously and never stopped working. A giant of the labour movement. He is irreplaceable."

London Mayor Boris Johnson: "I'm shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character. Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news. Bob fought tirelessly for his beliefs and for his members."

Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef: "It's a tragedy that he was taken from us at such a young age. Bob always did his best for his members, and the industry in which he worked. Our thoughts, at this sad time, are with his family and all his colleagues in the trade union movement."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage: "Sad at the death of Bob Crow. I liked him and he also realised working-class people were having their chances damaged by the EU."

Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union: "Bob Crow was admired by his members and feared by employers, which is exactly how he liked it. It was a privilege to campaign and fight alongside him because he never gave an inch."

Sir Peter Hendy, London's Transport Commissioner: "We are shocked by this terribly sad and unexpected news. Our thoughts are with Bob Crow's family, friends and all those he represented."

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady: "This is shocking news. Bob was an outstanding trade unionist, who tirelessly fought for his members, his industry and the wider trade union movement."

Fire Brigades Union leader Matt Wrack: "Bob was a good friend to me personally and to the Fire Brigades Union as a whole. He was a strong leader for the labour movement and he'll be sorely missed by those who knew him."

Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne: "Bob possessed a deep understanding of the rail industry and his contribution to its success was significant, in particular the focus he gave to working with Network Rail on improving passenger and workforce safety."

Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone: "He fought really hard for his members. The only working-class people who still have well-paid jobs in London are his members."

Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives: "He was a staunch supporter and advocate of rights for workers and a fairer and more just world for working people. He invested his work with passion, commitment and dedication. He will be missed by his colleagues across the union world."

Millwall Football Club: "Millwall Football Club would like to extend our condolences to the family of Bob Crow who passed away on Monday night at the age of 52."

Prime Minister's Official Spokesman: "The Prime Minister expresses his sincere condolences to Mr Crow's family and friends."

Sir Brendan Barber, chairman of the conciliation service Acas, and former TUC general secretary: "His bluff exterior masked a shrewd and intelligent negotiator who actually won high respect from employers as well as deep loyalty and support from his members."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin: "While we may not always have agreed on how to run our railways, he was a powerful advocate who led his organisation from the front and made an important contribution to the debate around the future of rail services in this country."

Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite: "Bob was a life-long, and highly successful fighter for the interests of his members and for working people as a whole. I am sure that is the only epitaph he would have wanted."

Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis: "Bob was a tough, no-nonsense union leader who always did his best for his members, and it was very much down to his tough stance that their pay and conditions improved."

Communication Workers Union general secretary Billy Hayes: "Bob Crow was a great leader and he was a great inspiration to rail workers and trade unionists around the world."

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka: "Bob was a tireless fighter for RMT members and working class people and a towering force in the trade union movement."

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Barracks Murder Probe: Dead Soldier Named

A soldier who police suspect was murdered at a barracks in Shropshire has been named as Corporal Geoffrey McNeill.

The 32-year-old, from the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, was discovered at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill at 9am on Saturday.

A 23-year-old serving at the barracks has been arrested on suspicion of Corporal McNeill's murder.

Jason McNeill has paid tribute to his brother, who was born in Ballymoney, County Antrim.

"He served his country with the highest degree of honour and dedication," he said.

"He was a much loved son, brother, uncle and friend and touched the lives of all who had the pleasure of meeting him.

Corporal McNeill's body was found at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill

"The family would like to give thanks for the continued support of the Army, police and all who knew and loved Geoff."

Detective Inspector Steve Tonks, of West Mercia Police, said: "The investigation is in its early stages and extensive inquiries are continuing."

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Sunday, but police said further tests were needed to establish how he died.

An MoD spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends affected at this difficult time.

"We are assisting West Mercia Police with their investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this time."

Corporal McNeill was from the battalion deployed to help flood-stricken communities in Worcestershire last month.

Members of the unit met the Prime Minister when he toured flood defences at Upton-upon-Severn.

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Nigel Evans Sex Trial: 'MP Abused Power'

Former deputy speaker Nigel Evans used his "power and influence" to sexually assault men despite being warned about his behaviour, a court has heard.

Evans, who was very "well-known and powerful" within his own party was able to "make, or to break" the careers of young people aspiring to a political career, a jury was told.

The prosecutor said Evans used his position to abuse seven young men, even raping one of them last year, in the belief that his standing meant no one would complain about him.

Evans denies the charges

Mark Heywood QC said: "Within the Palace of Westminster, in his constituency and in his own political party, Mr Evans was, during the decade with which you are concerned, a very well-known and powerful individual.

"Part of his influence included the ability to make, or to break, the careers of those young people who themselves would be politicians or work for those who govern.

"The prosecution case against Mr Evans is that he, often when in drink, pressed his sexual attentions on those younger men, using or trading on his position of influence."

The jury was told that the first offence happened at a bar in Soho in 2002 when Evans put his hand down his 27-year-old victim's trousers without "warning or invitation".

The second man was allegedly assaulted at a bar in Blackpool during the 2003 Conservative Party conference by a "plastered" Evans who tried to put his hand down the victim's trousers, the prosecution claimed.

Mr Evans, who was then shadow secretary of state for Wales, was moved away by a Conservative Party Board member but returned 10 minutes later and "did exactly the same thing again".

Another of the men, a 21-year-old, alleges that Mr Evans assaulted him in the Stranger's Bar at the House of Commons in 2009, attempting to kiss him behind a curtain, the court heard.

A fourth alleged sexual assault, in July 2009, is said to have taken place in Evans' house in Pendleton, Lancashire.

Speaker John Bercow will be called as a witness

A man claimed he woke to find Evans sitting near him as he slept on a sofa in the sitting room of the home following a night out drinking in a local pub. He alleged Evans than reached inside his boxer shorts.

A fifth offence also allegedly took place in the Stranger's Bar in the House of Commons shortly after the 2010 General Election.

Evans is alleged to have touched a man's genitals through his clothing.

The sixth alleged sexual assault involved a young gay man who came forward to police after hearing of Evans' arrest.

He was drinking at bars in the Palace of Westminster in February 2011 when he and others were invited to go to Evans' office in the House of Commons.

Nine MPs and two former MPs have been named as prosecution witnesses in the trial of the former deputy speaker. Among them are House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and the former Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik.

Also named were MPs Sarah Wollaston, Michael Fabricant, Alexander John Randall, Conor Burns and Tom Blenkinsopp, and the former MP Adam Pryce.

On the first day of the trial of the Conservative MP for Ribble Valley, the jury at Preston Crown Court was told by the judge to put political views out of their minds when considering the case.

The jurors were asked if they knew any of the MPs who were to be called as witnesses.

Evans, 56, faces nine charges dating between 2002 and 2013 against seven different men. There are two counts of indecent assault, six sexual assaults and one rape. He denies all the charges.

Judge Mr Justice King told the jury: "No doubt you will have worked out, I am sure, that this case involves a public figure. It involves a politician. It involves Members of Parliament.

"Don't be overawed by that. Be dispassionate throughout the case.

"Try Mr Evans only on the evidence. Put out of your mind any political views or prejudice you may have. Try this case only on the evidence."

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Dementia: Alzheimer's Blood Test Offers Hope

A new test which could detect if a person will develop dementia within three years has been called a "major step forward".

US scientists have said the discovery of changes in the blood may signify the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease - a condition which affects 35 million people worldwide.

For the first time, they have shown differences in blood biomarkers between those with Alzheimer's before symptoms occur and those who will not develop it.

And the scientists claim the test using 10 identified molecules has a 90% accuracy rate.

The research may help treatment strategies at an earlier stage - when therapy would be more effective at slowing or preventing onset of symptoms.

Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Centre examined 525 participants aged 70 and over and monitored them for five years.

Halfway through the study, the authors analysed blood samples from 53 patients who already had one of the conditions and compared them with those from 53 "cognitively normal" people.

They found the biomarkers could predict with 90% accuracy whether participants went on to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's.

One of the study's authors, Professor Howard Federoff, said: "We consider our results a major step toward the commercialisation of a preclinical disease biomarker test that could be useful for large-scale screening to identify at-risk individuals."

At the moment, the test is only going to be used for research.

Dr Simon Ridley from the charity Alzheimer's Research UK said: "Alzheimer's disease begins to develop long before symptoms such as memory loss appear.

"But detecting the disease at this pre-symptomatic stage has so far proved difficult.

"More work is needed to confirm these findings, but a blood test to identify people at risk of Alzheimer's would be a real step forward for research."

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UK Economy 'To Reach 2008 Peak In Summer'

The size of the UK economy will surpass its pre-recession peak by the summer, according to an upgraded forecast from the British Chambers of Commerce.

The business lobby group believes the UK will grow by 2.8% this year and that the second quarter will see gross domestic product rise to the level seen in the first quarter of 2008.

A year ago, the BCC predicted the pre-recession peak would not be reached until 2016.

The group's director general, John Longworth, said Britain's economic recovery is gaining momentum.

"Businesses across the UK are expanding and creating jobs, and our increasingly sunny predictions for growth are a testament to their drive and ambition," he said.

The BCC expects the first increase in interest rates will happen in the autumn next year - one quarter earlier than previously envisaged, before rising to 1.5% in the second half of 2016. GDP will be 2.5% next year and in 2016.

The BCC boss says unemployment remains a 'major issue'

But Mr Longworth warned business investment is likely to remain below pre-crisis levels for some time to come.

"Major issues remain, such as the unacceptably high level of youth unemployment," he added.

"We urge the Chancellor to use this month's Budget wisely by incentivising businesses to hire young people so that the next generation of workers are not left behind.

"We just hope that as the general election gets closer, politicians are not tempted to abandon a drive for long-term economic security in favour of short-term vote winners.

"No government over the next decade can afford to get distracted - and our leaders must do everything in their power to ensure the economy goes from being merely good, to being truly great."

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Clare's Law Rolled Out To Expose Abusers

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

New measures to protect victims of domestic abuse come into effect today.

Clare's Law, which enables people to check the police records of partners, has been launched across England and Wales after being piloted by four police forces.

The father of murder victim Clare Wood, whose name has been given to the scheme, has welcomed its introduction, describing it as "a bittersweet moment".

Clare's killer George Appleton

Michael Brown discovered five years ago that his daughter had been raped and strangled at her Salford home by ex-boyfriend George Appleton, who set fire to her body before going on the run. He was found hanged several days later.

Appleton, who Clare met on Facebook, had a history of violence against women, including knife-point kidnapping.

Mr Brown told Sky News: "When you lose a family member in these circumstances it is always with you. To realise that the last moments of your daughter's life were kicking and screaming in a room in Salford sticks with you."

The 70-year-old said Clare's Law was "not a panacea for domestic violence" but added: "If it can help others - just one - I and all the other campaigners will have succeeded. 

"This is just another piece of armour plate for people to put on when they are in trouble."

The launch coincides with International Women's Day and also marks the introduction of Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs), which are designed to provide support for victims in the immediate aftermath of violent incidents.

Michael Brown has fought for a new law to help women like his daughter

DVPOs can last for up to 28 days, during which time a perpetrator can be prevented from having contact with the victim.

Speaking about Clare's Law, Home Secretary Theresa May said: "What we saw from the pilots was a real benefit for women who were able to go to the police where they had suspicions about the behaviour of their partner.

"As a result of that, they were able to make a decision about whether to stay with that partner or to leave."

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TV Licence Dodgers May Not Be Prosecuted

Pressure Grows Over TV Licence Prosecutions

Updated: 1:18pm UK, Saturday 08 March 2014

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

What crime led to 180,000 people being hauled in front of magistrates in 2012, resulted in 70 prison sentences and accounted for one in nine of all cases heard by the courts?

OK, OK, I know you've read the news story and realise the answer is failure to pay a television licence fee.

Magistrates have long objected to being asked to deliver criminal records to these offenders, who tend to be poor, are often older and about two-thirds of whom are women.

They think it is an over-reaction and a waste of court time.

Instead, they want to divert cases to the civil system, along with parking offences or failure to pay your gas bill.

So could their argument be gathering steam in Parliament?

An amendment calling for the change by Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen is gathering support from across the political divide with a variety of motivations.

Some object to the "poll tax" nature of the fee - a £145.50 levy on the rich and poor is clearly regressive.

Others feel that criminal sanctions including prison are simply not the right response, particularly given the vulnerability of those it affects.

Then there is the idea of easing pressure on courts and prisons appeals across the political system.

And finally, there are those who simply detest the BBC.

The corporation itself would be uneasy about the change because of fears it would reduce the incentive to pay.

Even a 1% rise in evasion would cost £35m, which the Beeb tells us is equivalent to 10 local radio stations (or, to put a different spin on it, 11 Jeremy Clarksons).

What is notable about this story is that Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, has called Mr Bridgen's intervention "really interesting".

He says Maria Miller, the Culture Secretary, agrees and both departments will be doing some "serious work on the proposal".

In reality, any such change would be discussed as part of BBC Charter renewal.

The next round is due to be completed by the end of 2016, with talks starting around 18 months beforehand.

That means the middle of next year - probably not until after the General Election.

The magistrates, it seems, will have to wait.

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