Peaches Geldof's Husband 'Not Under Suspicion'

Peaches Geldof's husband is "not in any way under suspicion of any involvement" in her death, police have said.

Kent Police said musician Thomas Cohen has not been arrested or interviewed under caution and that "there is no plan to do so".

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham said he was clarifying the situation following recent media speculation.

Mr Cohen found Ms Geldof, 25, dead in a spare bedroom at the family home in Wrotham, Kent, on April 7.

Mr Fotheringham said at the opening of her inquest yesterday that recent heroin use by Ms Geldof "was likely to have played a role" in her death.

He has also now revealed that drugs paraphernalia was seized from the home on the day she was discovered.

Mr Fotheringham said: "Following recent speculation in the media, I would like to make it clear that Thomas Cohen is not in any way under suspicion of any involvement in Peaches Geldof-Cohen's death or our concurrent investigation into the supply of drugs.

"He has not been arrested or interviewed under caution and there is no plan to do so. The only statement he has provided related to his discovery of Peaches' body, which is a standard requirement.

A number of celebrities attended Ms Geldof's funeral

"We are in regular contact with both sides of the family to keep them apprised of our progress. Our investigation into the supply of drugs is continuing and remains a live investigation.

"Inaccurate reports have also been made suggesting that no drugs paraphernalia was found at the address, with suggestions that the scene had been 'tampered' with prior to police arrival.

"While no detail will be provided around specific items, to prevent further speculation I will confirm that contrary to rumour in the media my officers did seize drugs paraphernalia from the address on 7 April. The coroner has authorised the disclosure of this information.

"Our investigation on behalf of the coroner continues and there will be no further information released at this time."

It is believed the last contact anyone had with Ms Geldof was when she spoke with a friend on the phone at 7.45pm on the night before her body was found.

Ms Geldof's mother, Paula Yates, died of an accidental heroin overdose in 2000, aged 41.

Hours before she died, Ms Geldof, the daughter of musician Sir Bob Geldof, posted a picture online showing the two of them together.

Her funeral was held at the same church as her mother's, with a host of celebrities attending the service in Davington, near Faversham.

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Gerry Adams Questioning Extended By 48 Hours

Police investigating the murder of Jean McConville have been given an additional 48 hours to question Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

The 65-year-old, who has always vehemently denied allegations levelled by former republican colleagues that he ordered the murder of Ms McConville, voluntarily presented himself for interview on Wednesday.

His custody was extended hours after Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness claimed the detention of his long-time party colleague and friend was politically motivated ahead of elections later this month.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her home by an IRA gang in 1972

Mr McGuinness accused "very senior people" in the PSNI who were opposed to the peace process of engaging in "political policing".

"There is a cabal in the PSNI who have a different agenda - a negative and destructive agenda - to both the peace process and to Sinn Fein," he said.

Mr McGuinness contrasted the treatment of Mr Adams with a series of cases involving the British military - such as the Bloody Sunday killings of 1972 - where no action had been taken.

Mr McGuinness said Sinn Fein would "reflect" and "review" its support for policing in the region if Mr Adams is charged but urged republicans to remain calm if and until that happened.

Police are questioning Mr Adams about the killing of the Belfast mother of 10 in 1972.

Martin McGuinness says the arrest of Mr Adams was politically motivated

She was wrongly suspected of being an informer to the British Army.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her children in the Divis flats in west Belfast by a gang of up to 12 men and women.

She was interrogated, shot in the back of the head and then secretly buried - so becoming one of the "Disappeared" victims of the Troubles.

Her body was not found until 2003 on a beach in Co Louth, 50 miles from her home.

Ms McConville's eldest daughter, Helen McKendry, has told journalists she is now prepared to name the people responsible for her mother's death.

Helen McKendry says she is ready to name the people who killed her mother

PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott has vowed the investigation into Ms McConville's death will be "effective, objective and methodical".

No one has ever been charged with the murder of the 37-year-old widow.

But after years without progress in the criminal investigation there have been a series of arrests in recent weeks.

The recent police activity followed a decision by a US court compelling a Boston university to hand over to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) recorded interviews with republicans about the murder.

Boston College interviewed a number of former paramilitaries about the Troubles on the understanding transcripts would not be published until after their deaths.

But that undertaking was rendered ineffective when the court ordered last year that tapes that contained claims about the killing be given to detectives.

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Stabbed Teacher's Family Lay Flowers At School

The family of teacher Ann Maguire have laid flowers at the entrance to the school where she was stabbed to death in front of her pupils.

Holding hands as they huddled beneath an umbrella, the 61-year-old's husband and two daughters spent several minutes reading some of the hundreds of tributes left at the gates of Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds.

They also visited the church next to the school, where pupils and teachers held a memorial service earlier this week.

Earlier, Mrs Maguire's family sat metres from her alleged killer, as he appeared briefly at a youth court in the city charged with murder.

Mrs Maguire's family read some of the tributes to her outside the school

The 15-year-old suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody ahead of a crown court bail hearing on Friday.

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt, in Leeds, said: "The teenager didn't have to say anything and appeared in the dock wearing a dark jumper and trousers.

"He showed no obvious signs of emotion as he was asked whether he understood the charge of murder, to which he nodded in response."

Mrs Maguire was stabbed as she taught at Corpus Christi Catholic College

Earlier, Mrs Maguire's family issued a moving tribute to "a loving wife, the best mother, a treasured sister (and) a true friend", describing her as a "shining light who brightened the world for so many".

"This horrific happening has robbed us of all of this and so much more," they said.

"We are devastated. Her selfless, genuine, caring nature will remain with us eternally."

Mrs Maguire had worked at Corpus Christi Catholic College for more than 40 years and was due to retire later this year.

She taught Spanish at the school and was also in charge of Year 11.

Headteacher Steve Mort reads messages attached to bouquets of flowers

Headteacher Steve Mort praised students for their handling of Mrs Maguire's death and thanked the public for their "overwhelming" support.

"I'm immensely proud to be headteacher at Corpus Christi," Mr Mort said.

"Our children have proven themselves to be great ambassadors for the school.

"I want to pay particular tribute to them and to the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by our staff at this very difficult time."

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Four Million Households Owe Energy Supplier

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Energy bills have risen by almost £800 since 2004

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Teacher Stabbing: Boy Charged With Murder

A schoolboy has been charged with murdering teacher Ann Maguire at a school in Leeds.

The 15-year-old will appear at Leeds Youth Court later today and then for a bail hearing at Leeds Crown Court tomorrow.

Peter Mann, Head of the Complex Casework Unit at CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, announced the charge in a statement outside Leeds Crown Court last night.   

Peter Mann reads out a statement announcing the charge

He said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has been working closely with West Yorkshire Police in connection with the death of Ann Maguire at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, on Monday, April 28.

"A 15-year-old male was arrested in connection with this incident and has been interviewed under caution by police.

"Having carefully considered all of the evidence presented to us by West Yorkshire Police, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge this youth with the murder of Ann Maguire and that it is in the public interest to do so.

A mass was held to remember Ann Maguire

"The defendant will first appear at Leeds Youth Court on Thursday, May 1, and at Leeds Crown Court for a bail hearing on Friday, May 2.

"The family of Mrs Maguire have been informed of this decision and they will be offered a meeting to explain the trial process and answer any questions they may have.

"The death of Mrs Maguire has attracted a very considerable amount of public interest and media activity.

"This defendant now stands charged with an extremely serious criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Ms Maguire, 61, died from multiple stab wounds at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, where she had taught for more than 40 years.

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'Fights' As IT Glitch Sparks Long Airport Queues

Fights among airport passengers have been reported after long queues formed at passport control desks due to IT problems.

A fault affecting UK Border Force computers on Wednesday afternoon led to travel disruption and extra staff have been brought in to try to reduce the lengthy lines.

Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester are among the airports across the country that were hit.

The problem is mostly affecting those trying to enter the country and is having a particular impact on non-EU airline customers.

The scuffles apparently broke out over accusations of queue jumping.

Kay Perry, flying to the UK from Majorca, told Sky News: "We joined the queues at Gatwick's south terminal which actually extended out of the passport control room, up the stairs and along the corridors.

"We had people merging from the north and south terminal. Nobody really knew where they were meant to join the queues so fights started to break out."

Passport scanners are not working and staff are manually checking each passport. The problem is also affecting e-passports.

Queues extended up the stairs and along corridors at Gatwick

Chris Hyland, a 32-year-old company director from Islington, north London, said international passengers at Gatwick had been told to expect a wait of up to four hours.

He said: "We landed from Geneva at 5.20pm but it took until 6.40pm for us to get through passport control.

"It's an absolute nightmare. We've been told there is an IT failure but that's it. You would have thought there would be a back-up plan."

Mr Hyland said non-EU passengers were preparing for a long wait to officially enter the country.

He said: "It is very frustrating. Nobody is really saying anything.

"The international queue is pretty huge, so people have already started sitting down because they know they will be there for a long, long time."

Luggage awaiting collection at Gatwick amid the long queues

A Government spokesman said: "We are currently experiencing temporary IT problems which may add to the time taken to conduct passport checks.

"We are working to rectify this issue and are providing extra staff to get passengers through the controls as quickly as possible. Our priority remains security of the border.

"We apologise for any additional time this adds to passengers' journeys."

A Heathrow spokesman said: "There are some longer queues than normal in the terminals, but we have spoken to border force and they are putting on extra staff.

The glitch has affected UK Border Force computers. Pic: File

"Obviously, we want to sort the issue out but not risk the integrity of the border controls."

A Birmingham Airport spokesman said: "We are aware (of the glitch) and the impact it is having at the moment.

"It appears to be getting progressively worse but we are hoping it will be sorted out soon."

A Gatwick spokesman added: "We are experiencing similar (problems) to the rest of the airports, and we are working to get people through.

"People should be able to get off the plane, it is those coming through the immigration process which it is frustrating."

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Patrick Mercer: By-Election After MP Resigns

Former Tory MP Patrick Mercer has triggered a by-election after he resigned over allegations he was paid to ask questions in Parliament.

The decision to step down could provide an opportunity for Ukip leader Nigel Farage to contest a Westminster seat as polls show his party has gained popularity.

Mr Farage said he is "seriously considering" running for Mr Mercer's seat, but added it was "massively important" to focus on the European election on May 22.

Jon Craig, Sky News Chief Political Correspondent, said: "Mr Farage has always said he would not stand in a by-election until after the European elections.

"The European elections are on May 22, it's virtually impossible for a by-election to be held on the same day.

Mr Mercer was the subject of a BBC Panorama investigation in 2013

"So we're looking at really a by-election in June or July realistically, and it's possible Mr Farage may throw his hat in the ring and my goodness that would be an electrifying by-election, an absolute nightmare for David Cameron."

Mr Mercer made a statement on College Green following claims he set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group for undercover reporters posing as lobbyists.

He said: "I argue with nothing the Committee has said or may not have said because I still don't know officially.

"With great heaviness of heart, and I'm hoping the people of Newark will be able to tolerate me in future, I'm hoping they will, I'm going to resign my seat in God's county of Nottinghamshire in the town of Newark.

"I hope that my successor who has been very carefully chosen will be the Conservative candidate."

Mr Mercer admitted he was "ashamed" as he announced his resignation and apologised for what had happened.

The by-election could see Nigel Farage contest a Westminster seat

He added he wanted to put things right and that there was "no point shilly-shallying".

He said: "As an ex-soldier I believe that when I have got something wrong you have got to fess up and get on with it.

"No point in shilly-shallying and trying to avoid it. What's happened has happened and I'm ashamed of it."

Tory MP Julian Brazier said Mr Mercer's resignation was an "honourable gesture".

The Canterbury MP said: "I am saddened by three aspects of this matter - first Patrick Mercer, a gallant and decorated former soldier as well as a personal friend, made an error of judgement, which he has freely and openly acknowledged."

Mr Brazier also called for an inquiry into how the Standards Committee's recommendation that Mr Mercer be suspended from the Commons for six months became public before it was due to release its findings on Thursday.

It was claimed Mr Mercer tabled questions in the Commons and offered a Commons security pass after signing a deal with a lobbying firm that reportedly paid him £4,000 for seeking Fiji to be readmitted to the Commonwealth.

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Leeds House Fire: Two People Killed By Blaze

Two people have been killed in a house fire at a property in Garforth, Leeds.

Rescuers found one person dead at the scene in Farfield Court, while a man was taken to hospital with serious burns.

The man later died of his injuries, police said.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fountain, of West Yorkshire Police's Protective Services Department, said: "We are working closely with the fire service to establish the cause of this incident, which has left two people dead.

"Enquiries are still at a very early stage."

Police and firefighters remain at the scene as an investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

Local MP Alec Shelbrooke said on Twitter: "Terrible scenes from house fire in Garforth tonight. Prayers with the family.

"We're a strong community & will now come together to support."

The blaze comes after three children and two adults died in a another house fire in Sheffield this week.

A nine-week-old baby was among the dead in the fire, which broke out in the early hours of Monday.

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Half Of Cancer Sufferers Live Another Decade

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

More than half of all newly-diagnosed cancer patients now live for at least another decade, a landmark study has shown.

An analysis of more than seven million patients by Cancer Research UK reveals 10-year survival rates have jumped from just a quarter since 1971 as diagnostic techniques and treatments have improved.

The charity has set out an "ambitious" strategy to raise 10-year survival still further, to 75% over the next 20 years.

Dr Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "Up to now the metric (for success) has been five-year survival.

"But with the progress that's been made over the last few decades we think it's time to shift the narrative and thinking about 10-year survival.

"That's what patients would aspire to and it's now realistic to talk about it."

Dr Harpal Kumar says we have come "a long way" when it comes to cancer

Women with breast cancer now have a 78% chance of surviving at least a decade, compared to only 40% some 40 years ago.

Ten-year survival rates for men with testicular cancer have jumped from 69% to 98% over the same period.

But the charity said the outlook for some patients remains bleak, with just 1% of those with pancreatic cancer surviving 10 years.

It will step up research on the cancer - as well as lung, oesophageal and brain cancer - to improve the prognosis.

Professor Michel Coleman, head of Cancer Research UK's Cancer Survival Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "We want to see people with every type of cancer get the same chances of living a long life.

"This won't be easy, but the progress reported here over the last 40 years shows we're moving in the right direction."

Laurel Johnson was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer

The charity said survival could be improved by diagnosing cancer earlier, targeting effective new smart drugs at patients most likely to benefit, and reducing the proportion of adults who smoke from 20% to below 5%.

Laurel Johnson, 56, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2006 after suffering a persistent sore throat.

"The chemo literally knocked me off my feet," she said.

"I had to be fed through a tube because I couldn't swallow and I struggled to walk because the therapy left me so weak.

"But the treatment worked. It's thanks to research that I am here today."

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Max Clifford Found Guilty Of Sex Charges

PR guru Max Clifford has been found guilty of a string of sex attacks on teenage girls.

The 71-year-old became the first person to be convicted under the high profile Operation Yewtree sex crime investigation at Southwark Crown Court.

He was found guilty of eight indecent assaults, cleared of two and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on one other.

The guilty verdicts relate to four women, aged between 15 and 19 at the time of the offences, between 1978 and 1984.

The verdicts were taken in a hushed but packed courtroom, given by the forewoman of the jury on its eighth day of deliberations.

Clifford sat still in the dock as the jury forewoman returned the verdicts.

Max Clifford getting into his car after the verdicts

He could be seen breathing deeply as he listened through a hearing loop.

The publicist walked out of the courtroom with friends and supporters in complete silence, one of them patting him on the shoulder as he walked.

He walked outside to face the media, with his daughter Louise to his right, and said he had been "told not to say anything".

As he walked to his car, he was asked what it felt like to be the story, and Clifford replied it was "not the first time".

Clifford was released on bail until his sentencing on Friday, but Judge Anthony Leonard QC warned him this was no reflection on the sentence that will be passed.

He said: "You must realise that the fact I have given you bail is no indication of what the final sentence will be."

Clifford repeatedly denied the claims, calling his arrest and prosecution "a nightmare" and protesting his innocence.

Jurors in the trial - six men and four women - had started an eighth day of deliberation this morning.

They were sent out on April 15 at the end of a six-week trial in which Clifford was accused of manipulating seven girls and women into performing sex acts between 1966 and 1984.

He was arrested by detectives from Operation Yewtree in December 2012, and charged in April the following year.

Clifford has described the charges as a 'nightmare'

The court heard from a string of women who testified about Clifford's behaviour, romping naked in his New Bond Street office.

Prosecutors portrayed him as a well-practised manipulator, who promised to boost his victims' careers and get them to meet celebrities in exchange for sexual favours.

He offered to get them casting appointments, pretending to be Hollywood bigwigs including Steven Spielberg, Albert "Cubby" Broccoli and Michael Winner on the phone.

He even bizarrely bragged about having a tiny penis, telling one victim: "Is it the smallest you've ever seen?"

The exact size of his manhood became a matter of contention during the trial, and his defence team asked a doctor to measure his penis as part of the evidence.

Victims included a dancer who received a phone call while she was at a nightclub from someone pretending to represent producer Broccoli, and was told to find out whether Clifford was circumcised.

The trial heard from Clifford's daughter Louise who said he was 'her rock'

She then "froze" and realised she was "stuck", and feared she would be raped when Clifford took her into the toilet and assaulted her.

Another girl, a teenage model, said Clifford groped her when she went to his office for career advice in 1983, bragging that he could get her a part in a James Bond film.

He then masturbated while he was on the phone to his wife, and tried to put his penis in her mouth.

The court also heard from a woman who claimed Clifford had impressed her parents with celebrity tales and went on to abuse her from the age of 15.

She said she was driven to contemplate suicide when he falsely told her he had a photograph of her giving him oral sex, and in 2011 sent him a letter claiming he had made her life "a living hell".

For his part, Clifford branded his accusers as "fantasists and opportunists".

The investigation, Scotland Yard's inquiry into historic allegations of sexual offences, was prompted after claims were made against the late DJ Jimmy Savile.

DCI Michael Orchard, of the Metropolitan Police, thanked victims for coming forward, while Jenny Hopkins, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said Monday's verdicts had given victims a "long, denied justice".

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Afghanistan Helicopter Crash Victims Named

Tributes have been paid to the five British servicemen killed in a Lynx helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan.

The victims included Captain Thomas Clarke, Warrant Officer Spencer Faulkner and Corporal James Walters from the Army Air Corps.

They were all based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, along with Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan from the Royal Air Force, who also died, said the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas of the Intelligence Corps was another victim.

An investigation is taking place into why the aircraft crashed on Saturday morning in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar, 30 miles from the Pakistan border.

The crash site has been cordoned off and the wreckage will be inspected.

The MoD has denied Taliban claims that insurgents shot down the helicopter, and initial investigations indicated a "tragic accident" during the routine flight rather than enemy action.

Captain Clarke, 30, from Cowbridge, Wales, was described by his commanding officer as a "fantastic young officer, full of life and immensely committed to his soldiers and friends".

The helicopter involved in the crash was a Lynx (file pic)

He added: "In the short time he had served in the unit he had proven to be an exceptional aviator and forthright leader who always placed himself at the centre of squadron life."

Captain Clarke's family said: "Tom brought so much happiness and love to everyone he knew with his sparkling blue eyes and cheeky smile. He had an absolute passion for life and was the best part of us; we are all poorer today without him."

Warrant Officer Faulkner, 38, was an "experienced aviator, loving husband and hugely dedicated father to two children" who had been deployed to Afghanistan on numerous occasions.

His commanding officer said he had been "a stalwart of the squadron for many years" and "consistently displayed the guile, leadership and bravery so closely associated with his squadron".

"The loss of a warrant officer of his calibre and commitment will leave a huge void in the close knit fabric of the unit."

His family said: "Spen was a loving husband to Cally and devoted father to Natasha and Jack, and will be greatly missed. A huge gap has been left in our hearts forever. He has been tragically taken away whilst serving his Country, a job he loved. God rest his soul".

Corporal Walters, 36, was a "highly competent" crewman, deploying to Afghanistan on a number of occasions.

Flowers have been left at RAF Odiham following the tragedy

His commanding officer said: "Corporal James Walters, or 'Bungle' as he was known, was a hugely committed soldier who had served with distinction throughout the Army Air Corps.

"Respected and well liked, he was always a mentor and friend to the less experienced members of the Unit. Never afraid to face the challenges of operations in Afghanistan, he served with immense skill and bravery.  A huge character, the loss of Bungle has devastated the squadron."

His family said: "We cannot begin to comprehend the tragic loss of a beautiful and loving husband, daddy, son, and brother. James has left a huge hole in all our hearts."

Flight Lieutenant Chauhan, 29, from Birmingham, was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan as an intelligence officer when he died.

His commanding officer said he was "a hugely influential and well respected officer whose enthusiasm and professionalism permeated every aspect of his work. Charming, funny and sharp as a tack, he was immensely proud of his role and of his service."

He added he was an "exceptional officer, he clearly had a bright future ahead of him. His loss has devastated the station."

Lance Corporal Thomas, 26, who was from Brecon in Powys, Mid-Wales, volunteered to be mobilised from the Army Reserves for deployment to Afghanistan and arrived last December to be part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

His commanding officer said: "This tragic incident has taken a young, enthusiastic and highly capable Intelligence Corps soldier away from us and his loss is deeply felt by all members of the unit and the Intelligence Corps as a whole."

His family said: "Oliver was a truly amazing person, living his life to the full, while fulfilling some of his many dreams and adventures. He was very much loved and will be greatly missed by his grieving family and friends."

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Children Over Five 'Wearing Nappies In Class'

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

Children are still wearing nappies in class after the age of five in hundreds of schools across the country, a Sky News investigation has found.

Teachers have reported pupils as old as 15 who have no medical conditions or developmental issues, but who are unable to use the toilet on their own.

In what is believed to be the first survey of its kind, Sky News commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research to ask head teachers and staff in England about their experiences of children coming to schools wearing nappies.

Almost one in 10 heads and senior staff who responded said in the past year a child aged between five and seven had worn a nappy to school.

The figure was 5% for classroom teachers.

Almost one in 20 heads and senior staff said that in the last year a child aged seven to 11 had worn a nappy to school.

And 1% of classroom teachers surveyed had experience of older children in nappies.

The survey was completed by 602 teachers in primary schools and 561 teachers in secondary schools.

The figures suggest that head teachers and senior staff at a substantial number of England's 16,000 primary schools have experience in the past 12 months of at least one pupil above the age of five still wearing nappies.

There has been growing evidence in recent years that increasing numbers of children are starting school in nappies.

But this is the first research to suggest the problem extends beyond the Reception year.

And experts say it is not just pupils from deprived backgrounds who are not being toilet trained, but those who have working parents too busy to address the issue.

Anne-Marie Middleton, a deputy head teacher from Dover, says many pupils are too embarrassed to admit they still wear nappies.

She said: "We're seeing more and more children wearing nappies. We find that more and more children have an issue with toilet (training) further up the school.

Ms Middleton says that the busy lives of parents are often at the root of the problem, with pupils arriving at school without many basic skills including toileting, or being able to use a knife and fork.

Janet Marsh says it is an 'incredibly serious situation'

Janet Marsh runs a programme at a Kent school to try to help pupils toilet train.

She said she knew of 14 or 15 year olds without medical problems who still had toilet-training issues.

"It's an incredibly serious situation," she said.

"There are children who miss 25% of their education in Reception because they're being taken out to be changed. How are they going to catch up?"

Asked if teachers are being asked to do too much by expecting them to act as surrogate parents, Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, replied: "I do think hard about how much we ask of teachers, because we do ask a lot."

Mr Gove said the Government needed to support frontline teachers and listen to their concerns.

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Paedophile Teacher's Abuse 'Led To Suicides'

A former student of paedophile William James Vahey has said she believes three of her classmates killed themselves after being abused by the teacher.

Alicia, who was taught by Vahey during the 1980s in Saudi Arabia, said she heard rumours about the teacher years after she left school.

"The rumours were, later on, when we would have reunions ... that certain people in my circle, there were three suicides of very popular students of his that were molested by him," she said.

"That was the rumour, and I cannot believe that this guy was still teaching students.

"That was the rumour: that Bill Vahey molested children and that ultimately three children had committed suicide as a result."

Asked to clarify the rumour further, Alicia said: "It's not a rumour. I mean, I know these people."

The FBI application for a search warrant

Vahey, who killed himself last month, is thought to have abused up to 90 boys during his career as a teacher, many of them in Britain.

The FBI says it is believed Vahey abused dozens of pupils at a London school. The American agency is leading the investigation into Vahey's crimes.

FBI special agent Shauna Dunlap said: "Without a doubt, this is certainly one of the most prolific suspected sexual predators that we've seen, given the numbers of children, potential victims, his position of trust, and so forth.

"And some of the allegations and the methods that are being alleged that he may have employed while committing these crimes."

Ms Dunlap added the FBI would not "stop seeking justice" because Vahey is dead.

FBI agents are in the UK to assist with the investigation into abuse at Southbank International School in London. The 64-year-old taught history and geography there from 2009 to 2013.

Executive principal Graham Lacey said images of between 50 and 60 pupils at the school were found on the American national's computer.

The FBI is in possession of pictures of at least 90 different boys aged 12 to 14 and is concerned there could be more.

Because Vahey drugged some of his victims, many might not even know they were abused.

Southbank International School in London

The school was closed on Friday and is asking for any pupils with disturbing experiences to come forward.

Parents of children there will have to chance to express their concerns to police at a meeting on Monday.

Chair of Governors Sir Chris Woodhead said: "The main anxiety of parents is predictable, they want information as soon as possible about whether there are images of their children discovered on Vahey's computer."

One of those concerned he may have been abused by the serial child molester during a field trip has spoken to The Guardian.

Jonathan told the newspaper: "I had my suspicions from the beginning. There was something a bit off about him.

"This was discussed among the boys: it was a case of Mr Vahey - the paedo."

Sky News has also obtained an FBI affidavit which reveals the extent of Vahey's abuse.

The document explains how Vahey reported a theft from his apartment in Nicaragua in 2013.

His maid was dismissed, but handed a memory stick she stole to the American Nicaraguan School in Managua, Nicaragua.

The images it contained "depict minor males in various states of undress" who "appear to be asleep, unconscious or possibly drugged".

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PM: Paedophiles Will Be Treated Like Terrorists

Paedophiles will be given the same treatment as terrorists as part of a crackdown on child abuse, the Prime Minister has said.

David Cameron wants to close a loophole that allows sexual predators to produce and possess manuals containing tips on identifying victims, grooming them and avoiding capture.

Under a new law to be included in the Queen's Speech, paedophiles will face the same kind of punishment as extremists who download guides to bomb-making.

Mr Cameron told the Sunday Times: "It's completely unacceptable that there is a loophole in the law which allows paedophiles to write and distribute these disgusting documents.

"I want to ensure we do everything we can to protect children - and that's why I am making them illegal."

William Vahey was being investigated by the FBI when he took his own life

The loophole emerged after the intelligence agency GCHQ and the National Crime Agency found examples of the guides in the chaotic part of the internet known as the "dark web".

The move comes in the week it was revealed a prolific paedophile abused up to 60 children at a London school before killing himself.

William James Vahey taught history and geography at Southbank International School from 2009 to 2013.

The law is expected to be in force by the general election next year, and the Sunday Times reports it could be implemented in an amendment to the Obscene Publications Act 1959.

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