The Independent

Cameron and PM apologise over Remembrance Day photo-ops
 Gordon Brown and David Cameron apologised after suggestions that they competed for photo opportunities at a Remembrance Day service attended by the Queen, it was revealed today. 
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:44:11 +0000)

Man held over stabbing death
 A man was being held under police guard in hospital today over the fatal stabbing of a woman at a former pub. 
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:42:16 +0000)

Teenager charged over mutilation murder
 A teenager was today charged with the murder of a mother-of-two who was left dying and mutilated in the street, police said. 
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:40:40 +0000)

Asbestos: A shameful legacy
They called it "the Barking cough". First it began like any other: a tickle in the chest and slight pain on breathing. Then, within a matter of months, the sufferer was in agony, gasping for air and eventually suffocating to death as a vicious cancer attacked their lungs waiting for the final lingering, inevitable end which might not come for decades.
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

New law saves 86 victims from forced marriages
The girl was 12 when she was "married" to her 16-year-old cousin. Her "husband" then raped her, with the approval of her father, his brother and sister-in-law. It sounds like a horror story from the past in some remote part of the developing world. It happened last year, in London.
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Fortunes of war: Iraq? Never did me any harm
Tony Blair No weapons of mass destruction, thousands dead, yet Mr Blair won a fourth term in 2005. He resigned in 2007, becoming the UN's Middle East envoy and adviser to J P Morgan and Zurich Financial Services. He now commands up to £150,000 for lectures. His earnings are around £7m a year, not including a £5m memoirs deal nor his properties – including a £4m Grade I home, two London houses, two in Bristol and his former Durham constituency home. Winner
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

The land of mud and destruction
People in Cumbria woke in misery and under threat of more rain today. Strong winds and heavy rains were sweeping across the region last night, causing rivers to rise again in an area that had been praying since Friday that the worst of its flooding was over. 
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Army faces new inquiry on Iraq torture deaths
An announcement this week of a new public inquiry into fresh allegations of torture against British troops will heap further pressure on the British Army and the Government regarding abuse in Iraq.
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

MEP clashes with bishop over 'climate alarmism'
A controversial Conservative Euro MP has careered into a clash with a bishop over his claim that the Church of England has "abandoned religion" to preach the gospel of climate change.
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Peer calls for radical steps to reduce rapes
Rapists will continue to walk free from British courts in the future, the peer leading a government review of sex crime admitted this weekend. 
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Ex-Scientologist sues the cult for loss of girlfriend and business
A businessman is suing the Church of Scientology for hundreds of thousands of pounds, claiming that he lost his girlfriend and business after she became indoctrinated by the controversial self-styled church.
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

What women want... and it may not be Dave
To borrow from a well-used abbreviation on the mothers' forum site Mumsnet, the response to David Cameron's online chat with the parenting website this week was a BFN – a Big Fat Negative.
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

New poll says Labour has closed the gap on Tories
The Prime Minister's attempts to stage a fightback in the run-up to the general election were boosted last night after a new opinion poll suggested that Labour had closed the gap on the Conservatives to just six percentage points.
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Maternity care should be safe from cuts, according to poll
Two out of three people in England believe maternity services should be spared from health service spending cuts, according to a poll out today. 
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Postcard art: Having a cool time. Wish you were here
They don't look much like contemporary art-lovers. There are no sharp suits, silly haircuts or bold spectacle frames. Instead, the queue snaking outside the Royal College of Art (RCA) is made up of a motley group – bleary-eyed and unshaven – dressed in woolly jumpers and waterproof jackets. 
(Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Brown visits flood devastation region
 Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived in Cumbria today to see flood damage and meet people affected by the record breaking rainfall in the area. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:18:18 +0000)

Man dies after nightclub shooting
 A man has died in hospital and another victim is being treated for gunshot wounds after a shooting at a nightclub early today. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:51:12 +0000)

British troops 'could withdraw from Germany' under Tories
 British troops could be withdrawn from Germany for good, nearly 70 years after the end of the Second World War, if the Conservatives win the general election, it was revealed today. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:29:08 +0000)

The 'biblical' deluge that broke all the records
 Emergency services were today readying themselves for more heavy rain after England's wettest day on record claimed the life of a "heroic" policeman and left thousands of others counting the cost of flooded homes and businesses. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:14 +0000)

Minor British Institutions: Fisherman's Friends
 Almost a century and a half ago, a Fleetwood pharmacist named James Lofthouse developed a menthol and eucalyptus liquid for fishermen to take with them on their excursions into the cruelly cold waters of the North Atlantic. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Flood Chaos: 'For some people, everything has gone'
They knew the rain was coming in Cockermouth but nobody could have guessed how much and just how quickly it would fall. Yesterday, as the waters began to recede from the worst flood in memory, a thick layer of sludge coated the outsides of the pastel-coloured shops in the Georgian market square. Here, where a young William Wordsworth first mused on daffodils and the beauty of the Lakeland scenery around him, nature had shown a different more brutal face on Thursday night.
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Tories accuse Brown of selling out the City in deal with France
Gordon Brown was accused yesterday of failing to protect the British national interest by handing the French a powerful European post which could allow them to shackle the City of London.
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Authorities powerless to prevent this disaster
The calamity which has befallen Cockermouth and Workington offers a grim lesson for flood defence planners: there is only so much you can do. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Husband was 'killed on wife's orders to settle debts'
 A debt-ridden woman and her son masterminded the contract killing of her husband in a calculated move motivated by a "combination of greed and loathing", a court heard yesterday. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

The office Christmas party is cancelled
 Two years ago they would have been dancing until dawn, having sunk a three-course dinner and magnums of vintage champagne. Now workers in Britain's formerly booming banks are having to dip into their own pockets to fund their Christmas parties. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

David Curry: 'I'm Yorkshire's second-cheapest MP'
The Conservative MP who quit as chairman of Parliament's anti-sleaze committee after allegations that he misused expenses has described the claims against him as fiction "akin to Harry Potter".
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Man who killed his wife while sleeping goes free
A man who strangled his wife during a nightmare in the belief he was attacking an intruder walked free from court yesterday after the case against him was withdrawn.
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Village people: 21/11/2009
 The plot thickens *Yesterday, we learnt that the Tory MP David Curry has resigned the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Standards Committee because he has been claiming for a second home that he rarely uses because his wife allegedly would not let him because that was where she suspected he had conducted an affair. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Politics is a nice little earner – if you're a Tory
After revelations about duck houses, moats and fake mortgages, many suspected it. Now a Harvard study claims to have proof that the life of a politician really is a nice little earner.
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Bank loses appeal over wheelchair access case
The Royal Bank of Scotland has lost its appeal over a ruling that it failed to cater for the wheelchair access needs of a disabled teenager who was awarded £6,500 damages. 
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

'EastEnders' festive scripts stolen from writer
Scripts for EastEnders Christmas specials were stolen during a burglary at a writer's home, the BBC said yesterday.
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Rain clouds usually leave as quickly as they arrive. But not this time...
Weather experts talk about a moving "conveyor belt" of rain when describing Britain's continuous exposure to weather systems as they roll in from the North Atlantic. But the conveyor belt of rain over north-west England and southern Scotland over the past three days got stuck over the hills of Cumbria and southern Scotland.
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Carjacker who crippled mother told he faces jail
A crack addict carjacker was convicted yesterday of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a mother-of-four by running her over in her own vehicle, leaving her with such severe injuries she is confined to a wheelchair.
(Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

John May: Prevention is better than cure for the young unemployed
 Three months after official Government figures showed that one in five of 16 to 24-year-olds were out of work, latest figures show a worryingly high amount of young people are still searching for work. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:18:54 +0000)

Doctor accused of sex with 'suicidal' patient
 A French doctor accused of having sex with a suicidal patient during a night call to her home has been struck off, the General Medical Council (GMC) said today. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:26:02 +0000)

'Shoplifter' fails to halt deportation to US
 The High Court has refused to halt the deportation of a US citizen who fears he could spend at least 17 years in jail - and possibly life - if found guilty of shoplifting electric toothbrushes. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:20:04 +0000)

Illegal downloaders face broadband limits
 Internet users who illegally download films and music will run the risk of being cut off from the web under new laws published by the Government today. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:20:16 +0000)

Cumbria deluge breaks historic rainfall record
 The unprecedented downpour over Cumbria was the highest level of rainfall measured in the country since records began, forecasters said today. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:05:37 +0000)

Teenager stabbed to death in street
 Detectives launched a murder hunt today after a teenager was stabbed to death in the street. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:10:28 +0000)

Man walks free after killing wife in bad dream
 A man who strangled his wife during a nightmare in the belief he was attacking an intruder walked free from court today after the case against him was withdrawn. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:09:19 +0000)

Brief respite before more rain sweeps in
 Parts of Cumbria worst hit by floods will get some respite from the rain tonight but more bad weather is expected over the weekend, a forecaster said. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:47:13 +0000)

Dizaei cleared of misusing police credit card
 Suspended senior Scotland Yard officer Ali Dizaei was cleared today of misusing his corporate credit card. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:19:28 +0000)

Expenses-row MP dismisses 'house ban' claim
 The head of the Commons committee that deals with MPs' expenses abuse dismissed an allegation that his wife banned him from the constituency home he claimed for as "akin to Harry Potter" today. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:34 +0000)

Brown: We'll provide what's needed in flood crisis
 The Government will provide anything needed to help during the flooding which has seen hundreds of people evacuated from their homes, Gordon Brown said today. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:01:32 +0000)

'Wicked' grandmother jailed over dowry dispute
 A "wicked" grandmother and the two sons she ordered to kidnap and beat her estranged son-in-law over a £25,000 dowry dispute, have each been jailed for seven years. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:36:26 +0000)

Man who gouged out ex-partner's eye jailed for 12 years
 A man who gouged out his ex-girlfriend's eye and threw it away was jailed for 12 years today. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:22:35 +0000)

Police chiefs issue threat over Tory plans
 Chief constables could resign if a Tory government presses ahead with plans to put police forces under the control of directly-elected local commissioners, the senior officers' leader warned today. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:13:10 +0000)

The Big Question: Are there too many police forces, and does the system need an overhaul?
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

BNP signs its first non-white member...
An elderly Sikh who describes Islam as a "beast" and once provided a character reference for Nick Griffin during his racial hatred trial is set to become the British National Party's first non-white member. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Ashcroft asked questions in Lords about tropical idylls
Michael Ashcroft has asked a significant number of questions in the House of Lords about British policy in a region of the Caribbean where he has extensive business interests. Half the questions he has put to ministers since late March have concerned Belize or the Turks and Caicos Islands.
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Borrowing to exceed Darling's worst forecast
The Government is heading for borrowing more of than £200bn this year, on the basis of the latest figures on the Treasury's finances, which have been branded "dismal" by economists.
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Britain knew CIA tortured detainee
Britain knew that American agents were using barbaric torture techniques on terror suspects, including British resident Binyam Mohamed, it emerged yesterday. Secret reports sent between MI5 and the CIA in 2002 reveal that the American security services were using torture practices which included waterboarding, facial slaps and stress positions.
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Brown appeals to Labour MPs over Afghan war
Gordon Brown and three cabinet ministers have moved to shore up wavering support among Labour backbenchers for the war in Afghanistan.
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Harman faces driving charges
Harriet Harman, the deputy Labour leader, is to be charged with driving without due care and attention and driving while using a mobile phone, the Crown Prosecution Service announced last night.
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Chaos as a month's rain falls in 24 hours
 Fears were growing for the lives of hundreds of people trapped in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth last night, as rampant floods tore through the town sparking a major overnight rescue operation. 
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Cameron keeps Mumsnet waiting
Gordon Brown got in trouble for dodging an unexpected question on his favourite biscuit during his live webchat with the popular parents' website, Mumsnet.
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

MPs' expenses 'still a mess'
Ministers faced accusations of presiding over a "shambles" last night as they insisted they remained committed to overhauling the MPs' expenses system. They were surprised by protests that the Queen's Speech contained no fresh proposals for reforming Commons expenses.
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Benefits could be axed to fund care for the elderly
Plans to reform social care for the elderly came under fierce attack yesterday when it emerged that key benefits received by millions of pensioners could be axed to pay for the overhaul. Downing Street confirmed it was possible that Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, paid to disabled pensioners, may be reviewed to pay for a new system of free personal care, labelled by Gordon Brown as a National Care Service. However, ministers made clear that no decisions had been made and anyone who lost benefits would be compensated.
(Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

MP quits sleaze watchdog role amid expenses probe
The MP in charge of the Commons sleaze watchdog stood down tonight pending an inquiry into his second home allowance claims.
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:08:01 +0000)

Harriet Harman prosecuted after crash 'while using phone'
 Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman faces prosecution for her involvement in a car smash in which she was allegedly using her mobile phone, the Crown Prosecution Service said tonight. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:05:03 +0000)

Tube workers start voting on strike action
 The threat of disruption on London Underground came closer today when workers started voting on strikes in four separate disputes, while union leaders released the timetable for a Tube-wide industrial action ballot over pay. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:03:15 +0000)

Social worker filmed up women's skirts
 A social worker who filmed up women's skirts during shopping trips for his own "personal gratification" was removed from the register today. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:58:32 +0000)

Cleaning managers held over blackmail tip-off
 Three managers at an NHS hospital cleaning company were arrested today on suspicion of blackmailing foreign colleagues. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:55:38 +0000)

Dog breeder jailed over dead puppies under stairs
 A dog breeder was jailed for 20 weeks yesterday and banned from keeping animals for life after being found with 15 dead and dying puppies in suitcases in a locked cupboard under her stairs. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:38:50 +0000)

Police appeal over savage attack on guide dog
 This shocking video shows a blind woman's guide dog being savaged by a terrier-type dog at a railway station. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:13:27 +0000)

Rain batters Britain, with more forecast
 Heavy rain battered parts of Britain overnight as householders were warned of a high risk of flooding today. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:22:40 +0000)

'Night stalker' suspect in court over attacks on elderly women
 A man accused of a series of sex attacks on elderly women was remanded in custody today to appear in court again later this month. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:45:18 +0000)

Third woman in court on paedophile charges
 A woman appeared in court today charged with child sex offences following the investigation into paedophiles Vanessa George and Colin Blanchard. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:43:43 +0000)

Teenager jailed for killing man with one punch
 A teenager was jailed for 20 months today for killing a man with a single punch in an unprovoked attack. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:15:32 +0000)

Woman questioned after fatal blaze
 Detectives were questioning a woman today after firefighters found a body after a suspicious fire engulfed a house. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:11:39 +0000)

Photo bid to catch good Samaritan's attackers
 Police released a picture of a "good Samaritan" who was beaten by a group of youths when he tried to stop them stealing a bike. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:03:22 +0000)

Borrowing higher than expected at £11.4bn
 UK borrowing ballooned by a higher than expected £11.4 billion in October, official figures showed today. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:34:46 +0000)

Government plans 'unravelling' over expenses, says Cameron
 Tory leader David Cameron today claimed the Government's legislative programme was "unravelling" after ministers were forced to concede they could introduce laws to complete the clean-up of MPs' expenses. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:44:31 +0000)

Gambler faces extradition over wife's death
 A professional gambler was facing extradition today after allegedly killing his wife then dumping her body in a US national park and spending her money during a "playboy" weekend in Las Vegas. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:05:27 +0000)

Brown tries to put policy above personality
Gordon Brown and David Cameron offered two different directions for the country yesterday as the longest general election campaign in recent history got under way.
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Why were expenses spared? PM asked
The anti-sleaze watchdog attacked Gordon Brown last night for failing to include new legislation to clean up MPs' expenses in the Queen's Speech.
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Woman charged with child sex offences
A woman has been charged with child sex offences following the investigation into paedophiles Vanessa George and Colin Blanchard, police said last night. 
(Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Secret evidence blow hits Guantanamo seven
 Britain’s security services should be able to withold evidence from claimants in civil court cases, the High Court ruled today. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:45:36 +0000)

Bar victim traces attacker on Facebook
 A woman who was glassed in a nightclub turned detective on social networking site Facebook, helping police to catch her attacker, it was revealed today. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:12:56 +0000)

Vicar forgives bullies who drove daughter to death
 Two teenage girls who bullied and beat up a vicar’s daughter shortly before she threw herself out of a third floor window were today found guilty of causing her death. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:00:12 +0000)

Rabbi 'offered cocaine for sex'
 A wealthy rabbi financed a drug dealing business and offered cocaine to girls in exchange for sex, a court heard today. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:32:29 +0000)

Andrew Grice: The long election campaign has begun
 Dress rehearsal for the general election this afternoon when Gordon Brown and David Cameron clashed in the Commons at the start of the debate on the Queen's Speech. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:30:41 +0000)

South African president to make state visit
 South African President Jacob Zuma will make a state visit to Britain in March, the Queen announced today. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:09:40 +0000)

215 trapped by online child sex abuse sting
 Police have snared more than 200 online sexual predators in a major operation targeting social networking sites, it was revealed today. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:53:19 +0000)

'Laughing thief ran woman down with her car'
 A mother was run over and dragged up to 65ft (20m) by her own car after a laughing thief leapt behind the wheel and mowed her down, a court heard today. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:51:11 +0000)

Floods precede more severe weather
 Heavy rain caused flooding in parts of the country today as more severe weather was predicted for the days ahead. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:11:19 +0000)

Government lays out election agenda
 Labour will seek to rush through measures to reform public services and regulation of the banks in the final session of Parliament before the general election. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:58:01 +0000)

New rules could see bonus contracts torn up
 Bankers will see excessive pay and bonuses contracts torn up if they promote undue risk-taking under tough new rules outlined today in the proposed Financial Services Bill. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:15 +0000)

Brown lays down election battle lines
 The Government unveiled its final legislative package before the general election today, with pledges to help the neediest pensioners and crack down on excesses in the financial sector. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:40:15 +0000)

Care-at-home plans for elderly outlined
 Plans to extend care for the elderly are at the heart of the Government's final legislative programme before the general election. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:39:19 +0000)

List of Bills in final legislative programme
 Here is a list of the bills in the Government's final legislative programme before the general election: 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:28:23 +0000)

Temporary workers to get new rights - in 2011
 The Government today confirmed plans to give temporary workers the same rights as permanent staff, but not until 2011, much later than unions had been expecting. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:28:20 +0000)

PCSO to be sentenced over webcam child sex
 A police community support officer (PCSO) who persuaded a 12-year-old girl to perform sex acts on a webcam will be sentenced today. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:26:17 +0000)

£3m Lottery jackpot prize unclaimed
 Players of the National Lottery were today being urged to check their tickets after a Halloween night jackpot prize of £3,204,588 still remained unclaimed. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:37:12 +0000)

Final flypast: RAF pulls out of Northern Ireland
 Nine Puma helicopters disappear into the skies as the last RAF squadron based in Northern Ireland flies out of Aldergrove for the final time. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:21:19 +0000)

Trust faces prosecution over mother's death
 A Swindon hospital trust faces prosecution over health and safety breaches linked to the death of a mother who had just given birth. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:34:31 +0000)

Prisoner realeased in error hands himself in
 A prisoner who was charged with murder and released from custody "in error" has handed himself in, police said. 
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:48:31 +0000)

Police budgets to be cut by 20 per cent, says senior officer
One of Britain's most senior police officers has proposed widespread mergers of the country's police forces in what would be the biggest shake-up of policing in a generation.
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)

Osborne will 'break up the Treasury empire'
George Osborne has vowed to slim down the Treasury should the Tories win power, breaking up the empire built by Gordon Brown during his time as chancellor.
(Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000)