India: Tear Gas Fired At Gang Rape Protesters

Indian police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters who were demanding justice and safety for women following the brutal gang rape of a student on a bus.

Thousands of demonstrators in New Delhi surged towards the president's palace chanting "we want justice" and carrying banners reading "hang them now".

Clashes between the protesters and riot police erupted when a group tried to break through barricades and some started throwing stones.

The police responded by opening fire on the crowds with gas and water, and using batons to try to control the masses.

It is the sixth day of protests in the wake of the attack on the 23-year-old physiotherapy student and her 28-year-old male companion by six drunk men on a bus.

They took it in turns to rape her and attack her with an iron rod, causing serious intestinal injuries, before throwing her off the bus.

The men claimed it was her punishment for being out in the evening with a man.

The woman is still battling for her life in a New Delhi hospital but her story has sparked massive demonstrations in a country where rape is the fastest rising crime.

There have been six days of protests since the brutal rape of a student

The number of rape cases in New Delhi alone has risen 17% from 2011 to 661 this year, according to government figures.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, spokesman for the main national opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, said New Delhi "is becoming the rape capital" of India.

He urged the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, "to please respond to the deep sense of pain, agony and concern of the young people".

Experts say a combination of abusive sexual behaviour and a scant fear of the law because of the woefully low conviction rate, encourage such attacks in the city, which has a population of 19 million.

The government has appealed for calm and has said it will press for life sentences for the woman's six attackers, pay her medical bills and improve policing.

Junior home minister R.P.N. Singh told India's CNN-IBN television network: "The government is trying to do whatever it can to take measures and make sure that women are safe in the country."

Doctors at the hospital where the woman is being treated said in a statement she is in a critical but stable condition and had been removed from a ventilator.

Five suspects were arrested soon after the attack, which happened on Sunday, and a sixth was taken into custody on Friday.

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Royal Prank Call: CPS To Consider Charges

Police investigating the royal hospital prank call have handed a file to lawyers for them to consider bringing charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service will now consider the police evidence to see if criminal offences have been committed and whether charges should be brought over the call to the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated.

A nurse working at the King Edward VII Hospital, where the Duchess was being treated for severe morning sickness, killed herself after being duped by the hoax call from two Australian radio presenters.

Jacintha Saldanha, 46, transferred the call from the DJs pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles to the ward where the Duchess was being treated. Another nurse gave them details of her condition.

Jacintha Saldanha and her husband Ben Barboza

Ms Saldanha, a mother-of-two, was found dead in nurses accommodation just three days later on December 7. She had hanged herself.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will now consider whether any potential offences may have been committed, Scotland Yard said.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Following the death of Jacintha Saldanha, officers have liaised with the CPS as to whether any criminal offences had been committed in relation to the hoax call made to King Edward VII Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday December 4.

"On Wednesday December 19, officers submitted a file to the CPS for them to consider whether any potential offences may have been committed by making the hoax call."

About 2,000 people turned out for the funeral of Ms Saldanha earlier this week in the small Indian town of Shirva, near Mangalore, where her husband Ben Barboza was born.

Mr Barboza and the couple's two children, Lisha, 14, and Junal, 16, have said that her death has left them "shattered" and her loss has left an "unfillable void".

The Australian DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig have had death threats

Ms Saldanha left three notes, the opening of an inquest into her death has heard. It has been reported that one was critical of the hospital and its treatment of her.

However, officials at the hospital have insisted that they offered her a great deal of support during the fall-out from the hoax and did not criticise her or discipline her.

In a letter to the MP Keith Vaz, who has been supporting the family, John Lofthouse, the Chief Executive of King Edward VII Hospital, said: "Jacintha was reassured on a number of occasions by senior management that no blame was attached to her actions and that there were no disciplinary issues involved, because she had been the victim of a cruel trick."

Following the death of Ms Saldanha, the two DJ's Mel Greig and Michael Christian and other staff at the radio station 2DayFM received death threats.

As many as a dozen staff were moved to safe houses while executives at the broadcaster were given bodyguards.

Miss Greig and Mr Christian gave a television interview apologising to Ms Saldanha's family and saying they too were shattered.

They said their prank had prompted "a tragic turn of events no-one could have predicted or expected".

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), the parent company of 2Day FM, has ended the DJs' Hot 30 show and suspended prank calls across the company in the wake of Ms Saldanha's death.

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British Boy Dies Hiking In Australian Bush

A 14-year-old Scottish boy has reportedly died from heat exhaustion after collapsing during a hike with his father in Western Australia.

Local news reports have quoted police as saying the two were hiking in the Cape Range National Park, south of Exmouth, on Friday when the boy collapsed to the ground.

Police say the father and son were not carrying a great deal of water, according to Australian TV ABC.

Temperatures in the region were well above 40C (104 degrees Fahrenheit) at the time, police said, urging tourists to carry plenty of water when hiking in such conditions.

The boy's father called emergency services, and police located the pair around 700 metres down a gully and not far from a car park, according to the reports.

The boy was treated on the track before being transferred to Exmouth Hospital, where he later died.

The boy's father is a 49-year-old man from Geraldton, in Western Australia's mid-west, the reports said.

A police spokeswoman told The West Australian: "It is a known path and bush track.

"They were not lost. It is not suspicious. It is just a tragic accident."

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Weather: Floods Bring Christmas Misery

Families preparing for Christmas have been hit by floods and travel chaos as heavy rain batters Britain.

The south west of England has been particularly badly affected by the downpours and four severe flood warnings for Devon and Cornwall are now in place.

Conditions are so bad that train passengers in the south west and in Wales have been told not to travel unless it is essential.

Some residents in Helston, Cornwall, were evacuated overnight after river levels rose and the Environment Agency warned that widespread flooding was "imminent".

There are fears about the River Cober in the town with more rain expected later on Saturday, raising fears some families may not be back home for Christmas.

Cornwall Council spokeswoman Trisha Hewitt said: "There is expected to be 30mm of rainfall during a six hour period from 5pm.

"As this is falling on saturated ground, this could cause further flooding."

Floods in Helston, Cornwall, led to homes being evacuated

Across the county, more than 100 homes have been affected so far.

The River Fowey is also subject to a severe flood warning, with another two for the River Caen in Braunton, Devon.

Braunton, which is in north Devon, has already been effectively cut off after the river burst its banks.

Liz Spear, chairman of Braunton Parish Council, said a river was running through the centre of the town.

Mark Ridge, landlord of The London Inn, only moved into the pub seven months ago with his family and had spent £70,000 on renovation work.

"We were hoping this weekend would be our bumper weekend, to carry us through January, February, trade wise, but it's just killed it now," he said.

"You just can't put words to it how devastated you are, you work hard all year round and this happens three days before Christmas.

"It's not just the lack of trade and finances coming in, but having to replace everything as well."

Flood-hit streets in York

There are a further 101 flood warnings across the country, where flooding is expected, and another 301 alerts where it is considered possible.

The water has already led to major issues on road and train networks, spelling trouble for Britons travelling this weekend.

First Great Western urged passengers to avoid any journeys west of Taunton because of flooding and landslips and its Plymouth to Taunton service has been cancelled.

People were being transported by road but this replacement service has also been hampered by the amount of water.

Services between Par and Newquay and Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple have also been suspended.

In South Wales, signal problems are causing major disruption with no services currently between Newport and Cardiff Central. Flooding at Neath is also affecting Swansea services.

Near Brighton, a major signalling problem caused by a fire yesterday that affected electrical cables and railside signalling equipment at Preston Park has sparked problems.

Diversions are in place, with trains between Brighton and Gatwick airport travelling half-hourly and buses laid on for some passengers.

There are also signalling problems affecting some Cross Country and London Midland routes in and around Birmingham.

A man wading through Braunton, Devon

Flooding near Rhoose Cardiff International Airport is causing disruption on Arriva Trains Wales.

And there remain problems on all London Midland routes because of driver shortages that have been an issue since October.

Replacement bus services are also in place between Bedford and Bletchley because of a lack of crew and in Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall due to flooding.

A landslip has caused rail problems in the Glazebrook area near Warrington, affecting some First TransPennine Express services and links to Manchester.

On the roads, the A38 from Bodmin towards Exeter is currently closed because of flooding. The northbound exit slip road on the A19 in Cleveland at the junction with the A139 is also shut.

There are also delays on the A27 eastbound between B2144 and A285 near Chichester because of flooding.

Mike Williams, from the Environment Agency, said: "This is the last weekend before Christmas, so it will be particularly busy with people travelling through the region.

"We would urge people to take extra care when planning their journeys and we aware of the risk of flooding.

"Our teams have been out around the clock to minimise the risks and prepare for flooding.

Rain is affecting much of the UK (Pictures: Met Office)

"People need to keep up to date with the weather forecast and remain prepared for flooding in their area and stay away from dangerous flood water or attempting to drive through it."

Britons attempting to get to Heathrow have also been hit by changes to the Heathrow Express service, which on Friday forced thousands of passengers onto the Underground.

Trains are running normally on Saturday but are due to start later on Sunday and will then not run at all on Christmas Day and Boxing Day because of engineering work.

British Airways alone is set to handle nearly 31,000 passengers on Christmas Day as an estimated four million Britons travel abroad for the rest of the holidays.

There was some good news after two main line rail strikes that threatened to cause travel chaos over the Christmas period were called off.

But the train drivers' union Aslef is still striking on Boxing Day in a move that will hit the Underground and has already forced the cancellation of the Arsenal-West Ham United football match.

The other main train problem for the festive period is likely to be engineering work on the West Coast Line.

There are no direct services from London Euston to Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool or Glasgow on December 23 and 24.

Direct services resume on December 27 but with two of the four lines closed up to and including New Year's Eve.

:: Related Links

:: Travel and weather updates on the Sky News live blog

:: All the latest from Sky News weather

:: The latest Environment Agency warnings

:: SEND US YOUR WEATHER PICTURES - Email news@sky.com or use Twitter @skynews

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Apocalypse? Not Now, As World Survives

An ancient prediction that the world would end this morning has failed to come true.

As the clock counted down to - and then passed - 11.11am, people around the world used the moment as an excuse for a party.

December 21 marks the end of the 5,125-year Mayan calendar, which some said represents the end of the world.

But the claim was dismissed by everyone from Nasa and the US government to the Vatican.

The tiny French village of Bugarach drew global attention

People who paid just under £1,000 to take refuge in the underground bunker of former Soviet dictator Josef Stalin now stand to qualify for a 50% refund.

In the tiny French village of Bugarach in the Pyrenees, UFO watchers were left disappointed when aliens said to inhabit a jagged mountain failed to board a spacecraft and flee the Earth.

In Serbia, the place to be was Mount Rtanj, a pyramid-shaped peak, where local legend has it that the mountain once swallowed an evil sorcerer who will be released on doomsday in a ball of fire.

The end is nigh! How some were counting down the seconds

Old coal mineshafts were opened up as safe rooms for the dozens who arrived early.

Sirince, a small Turkish village known for its wines, was also being touted as a safe haven, thought to be because it is close to an area where the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived her final days.

In China, the authorities have been detaining more than 500 members of a fringe Christian group, Almighty God, who got into trouble after spreading rumours about the world's impending end, with leaflets, CDs, books and other material all seized.

A man in China made tsunami-proof survival pods

Closer to home, hundreds of people converged on Stonehenge for an End of the World party that coincided with the winter solstice.

In London, themed events included a Last Supper club.

Many scientists and historians argue that the Mayans had a cyclical sense of time, so that the end of a calendar simply signifies the end of one period and the beginning of another.

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X Factor Hopeful Who Glassed Man Avoids Jail

An X Factor hopeful who was axed from the show after she glassed her boyfriend has avoided jail.

Lucie Slater, 21 was sentenced to 51 weeks in prison suspended for two years, a two-year supervision order and 120 hours of community service.

Slater, from Ryton, Gateshead, had pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding DJ William Aitken in June.

Lucie Slater was part of a girl band called Quantro

The couple were drinking wine together at his house when she came across a message on Facebook that she did not like, the court heard.

"We were cuddling," Mr Aitken recalled. "Next thing I knew she swung round and hit me with a glass and my face began to pour with blood."

The woman also threw a laptop across the room.

Slater then drove him to hospital, where she first claimed he had fallen down the stairs but later admitted what happened, the court was told.

Slater, a bar promotion worker, was part of girl band Quantro but they were thrown off the ITV talent show when the attack came to light.

'I still love her and I want to know why she did it,' says Mr Aitken

Judge Toby Hedworth said "drink played a greater role than is now suggested."

"I also take into account the effect of your actions on Mr Aitken. All that he has ever sought in these proceedings was an acknowledgement of what happened."

Mr Aitken called the assault 'life changing'

Due to his injuries and the time he spent in hospital, Mr Aitken lost his business and modelling career, the court heard.

Mr Aitken said the experience was "life changing" and called the assault "an act of stupidness" that caused a lot of damage.

"I really really did not think she was capable of something like that. We are not speaking to each other now," he said.

"I still love her and I want to know why she did it. It's a really sad love story. We did not plan our future like this. Instead of us breaking up, we have been ripped apart."

Slater was initially charged with the more serious offence of wounding with intent but her plea to the lesser charge was accepted by the prosecution.

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BAE Systems Strikes £2.5bn Deal With Oman

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

A deal worth £2.5bn has been completed between British defence manufacturer BAE Systems and Oman.

It will see BAE provide the Gulf state with 12 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and eight Hawk training jets.

As well as supplying aircraft, BAE Systems will provide in-service support to the Royal Air Force of Oman's (RAFO) operational tasks.

Work to start building the aircraft will begin in 2014, with the first jets due for delivery in 2017.

But the markets did not seem too enthusiastic about the announcement, as the BAE share price was trading down 2% during the early hours of trading.

More importantly for the company's future financial health is the Salam deal for 72 Typhoon jets with Saudi Arabia, worth £4.5bn.

Earlier this week, BAE warned that its 2012 earnings would suffer if no agreement was reached on this deal by February 21.

Last month, Prime Minister David Cameron visited Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on a trade mission to promote BAE and persuade the states to buy British-made defence equipment.

PM David Cameron visited Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE last month

It is unusual for a British prime minister to promote defence companies so openly but the Government is seeking to build closer ties with friendly Middle Eastern states in the face of what it sees as a growing threat in the region from countries like Iran.

The move also demonstrates an attempt to forge links outside of the traditional Nato countries.

The deal is not only important for BAE Systems, but also for the companies that form the supply chain, many of which are based in the UK.

The deal will support BAE's assertion that it still has a strong business with a positive future after the proposed merger with EADS collapsed in October.

Cuts to defence budgets globally have resulted in a tougher and more competitive market, and BAE had hoped a merger with a company that specialises in civil aviation would lessen any effect of budget cuts.

Guy Griffiths, group managing director for BAE Systems' International business, said: "Receiving this contract is an honour and is excellent news for both BAE Systems and the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium.

"We look forward to working in partnership with Oman's Ministry of Defence, and the Royal Air Force of Oman, to ensure this is a highly successful programme that maximises the potential of both Hawk and Typhoon."

Oman becomes the seventh country in the world, and the second in the Middle East, to operate the Typhoon, joining the air forces of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Saudi Arabia.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "This is obviously a very good day for BAE Systems, its suppliers and the broader Eurofighter supply chain.

"We, and our partners in the Eurofighter consortium, are pursuing a number of opportunities at present and I hope that the decision by Oman to join the Typhoon family is followed by more of its friends and neighbours."

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Ex-Army Doctor Struck Off Over Iraqi's Death

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

Former Army doctor Derek Keilloh has been found guilty of misconduct over the death of an Iraqi detainee in British military custody.

The verdict on Dr Derek Keilloh, 38, came after a 47-day hearing by the Medical Practioners Tribunal Service, described as a watershed case in military history.

Dr Keilloh, now a family doctor in North Yorkshire, was a captain and regimental medical officer with the British army, 1st Battalion, Queen's Lancashire Regiment, in war-torn Basra in 2003.

He claimed that after being called to examine Mr Mousa he had noticed only dried blood around the arrested man's nose.

Mr Mousa had 93 separate injuries

The detainee had been hooded, handcuffed and beaten by soldiers. He had suffered 93 separate injuries including a broken nose, broken ribs and severe bruising to his face and neck.

In subsequent inquiries, Dr Keilloh stuck by his story under oath. But the 'fitness to practise' hearing found his conduct dishonest and misleading.

Mr Mousa was an innocent hotel receptionist and a father of two who had been arrested as a suspected insurgent. His wife had died of cancer some months earlier and his death left the couple's children orphaned.

The medical panel said that Dr Keilloh had been "a relatively inexperienced doctor unexpectedly thrust into a war zone at very short notice to supply the highest levels of clinical care with little support or supervision".

They said that his handover on arrival had been "ineffective and contained no written brief of procedures".

But it added: "Given the national and international importance of these investigations and the need to uncover the truth...your repeated dishonesty was wholly unacceptable."

It concluded that "given the gravity and nature of the extent and context of your dishonesty, it considers that your (Dr Keilloh's) misconduct is fundamentally incompatible" with continuing to practise as a doctor.

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Barack Obama Trapped By Spider-Man's Web

A photo of Barack Obama getting caught in Spider-Man's web outside the Oval Office has been released by the White House.

The playful encounter between the US president and a staff member's child dressed up for Halloween was captured by his official photographer Pete Souza.

Mr Obama raises his hands in mock fear as he pretends he has been trapped by the superhero.

The intimate snap has been seen by thousands of people since it was posted onto the president's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

On Wednesday Mr Obama was named as Time magazine's person of the year for the second time in four years.

The magazine said the US was in the midst of huge cultural and demographic changes and deemed the president to be both the symbol and in some ways a driving force behind that transformation.

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Plebgate: Second Arrest Over Mitchell Row

Key Dates Of The Plebgate Scandal

Updated: 12:34pm UK, Thursday 20 December 2012

The row over Andrew Mitchell's argument with a police officer in Downing Street has resurfaced three months on. Here are the key developments.

:: September 4 - Andrew Mitchell is appointed Chief Whip in David Cameron's first Cabinet reshuffle.

:: September 19 - Mr Mitchell tries to cycle out of the Downing Street main gates but is stopped by a police officer who tells him he must use a side exit.

The officer on duty makes a log of the encounter, claiming that the Chief Whip swore and called police "plebs".

:: September 20 - Deputy Chief Whip John Randall is sent an email apparently from a constituent claiming he and his nephew witnessed the altercation.

It claims passers-by had been shocked and suggests some could have filmed it, as well as repeating the "plebs" allegation.

:: September 21 - The Sun runs a story on the row titled "Cabinet minister: police are plebs".

Mr Mitchell apologises for not "treating the police with the respect they deserve" but denies using the language reported.

David Cameron says he has apologised and allows him to keep his job but the Police Federation insist he has to go.

:: September 24 - Mr Mitchell says sorry on television as the row refuses to die away but his apology is dismissed as lacklustre and calls grow for him to quit.

Labour calls on Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood to launch an investigation but the appeal is rejected.

:: September 25 - The Daily Telegraph publishes the full police log of the row, piling yet more pressure on the senior Tory.

:: October 4 - Mr Mitchell pulls out of the Tory party conference to avoid being a "distraction".

:: October 12 - The Chief Whip meets representatives of the Police Federation at his constituency office in Sutton Coldfield but officers remain dissatisfied.

:: October 17 - Labour leader Ed Miliband declares that Mr Mitchell is "toast" during Prime Minister's Questions and accuses the Tories of "double standards".

:: October 19 - Mr Mitchell meets David Cameron at Chequers and resigns but continues to deny using the word "plebs".

:: December 15 - Officers investigating the leak of the police log arrest a serving police officer with the diplomatic protection squad on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

:: December 18 - Allegations emerge that the officer was behind the email to Mr Randall in September but never actually witnessed the argument.

New CCTV footage which appears to conflict with the official police account is also revealed by Channel 4 News.

Mr Mitchell claims he is the victim of a "stitch-up" and demands a full inquiry. Number 10 calls the allegations "exceptionally serious".

Met Police Chief Bernard Hogan-Howe says nothing he has seen affects the original police account.

:: December 19 - Police widen their probe into the case to include the email allegations and the possibility of a police "conspiracy".

David Cameron calls for the claims that an officer tried to "blacken the name of a Cabinet minister" to be "seriously investigated".

Senior Tory figures brand the latest developments "appalling" and suggestions begin that Mr Mitchell could soon be back on the front bench.

A 23-year-old man is arrested at 8pm by Scotland Yard on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence in relation to the affair.

:: December 20 - The second arrested man is released on bail, to return in January.

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Queen's Christmas Message Will Be In 3D

The Queen's Christmas message is to be screened in 3D and HD for the first time, it has been announced.

The traditional broadcast will go hi-tech to allow viewers to scrutinise the Queen as never before in her Diamond Jubilee year.

However, viewers will also be able to see the 86-year-old monarch in normal definition during the speech, which will be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day.

Sky's royal correspondent Paul Harrison said it is the first time any member of the royal family has embraced 3D.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen thought it was "absolutely lovely" and was very keen on the idea.

A spokeswoman said: "We wanted to do something a bit different and special in this Jubilee year, so doing it for the first time in 3D seemed a good thing, technology wise, to do.

"The Queen absolutely agreed straight away there was no need for convincing at all, she was absolutely ready to embrace something new in this year."

It is not known what her message, which is being produced by Sky News this year, will contain but events such as the London Olympics and Diamond Jubilee are likely to feature prominently.

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Village Evacuation As Flood Alerts Spread

A Hampshire village is being evacuated as heavy rainfall continues to spread across the UK, with more than 260 flood alerts and warnings issued.

The Environment Agency (EA) said a severe flood warning for Wallington prompted the need for the evacuation notice.

It said: "The Wallington Village next to River Wallington will be evacuated imminently by Havant Borough Council and the emergency services.

"This is due to a failure in the flood defence around the village. The river is currently just below the top of the defence and cracks have formed in the wall.

"The river level is very high and will remain so for some time.

"If the cracks become bigger and the wall fails catastrophically the village will inundated rapidly. Please taken action now."

In addition to the severe flood warning for Wallington, near Fareham, the EA has issued 41 flood warnings and 215 flood alerts for England and Wales.

Meanwhile the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued 12 flood alerts and 7 flood warnings for Scotland regions.

More follows...

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News Boss Goes As BBC Slammed In Savile Report

The Deputy Director of BBC News has quit after the publication of a damning report into the axing of a Newsnight programme on Jimmy Savile.

At a news conference to address the highly critical findings, the BBC announced the departure of Stephen Mitchell, who had been with the corporation for 38 years.

Mr Mitchell was one of several high-profile figures at the organisation to be criticised in an independent report, led by Nick Pollard, former head of Sky News.

In a statement Mr Mitchell said that he had quit following the "strain over the past month" but rejected criticisms levelled at him by the review.

The report said that the decision by Newsnight's former editor, Peter Rippon, to shelve the programme into Savile's "dark side" was "seriously flawed".

But Mr Rippon immediately rejected the criticism and said he had never "shirked from my responsibilities".

However, BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten said the BBC accepted the review in its "entirety".

He said the BBC will publish the evidence it gets from Mr Pollard with redactions for "legal reasons".

The BBC also announced that it had put in place a new editorial team at Newsnight, as well as accepting Mr Mitchell's departure.

The report paints a picture of a top-down organisation with rivalries and faction fighting.

It said the BBC's management system "proved completely incapable of dealing" with the issues raised by the axing of the story.

It added that "the level of chaos and confusion was even greater than was apparent at the time".

The report found: "The decision to drop the original investigation was flawed and the way it was taken was wrong but I believe it was done in good faith.

"It was not done to protect the Savile tribute programmes or for any improper reason."

The report came at the same time as a review, by the BBC Trust, into a Newsnight report leading to the wrongful identification of Lord McAlpine as a paedophile.

That report concluded that the error had resulted largely from a failure by members of the team to follow the BBC's own editorial guidelines.

Among the senior figures criticised in the Pollard report are former Director General George Entwistle and director of news Helen Boaden.

The review blamed in part an "apparent adherence to rigid management chains" for the failure to deal with the issue.

It said Ms Boaden's attempt to alert Mr Entwistle to potential problems posed by the story during an industry lunch was "too casual".

She is also criticised for not taking "greater responsibility" as the crisis grew.

Mr Entwistle, who resigned after 54 days in the top job, was criticised for appearing to "have taken a long time to take any real control" of the problems at the BBC.

However, Mr Entwhistle responded with a statement saying he felt the report had cleared him of all responsibility over the Savile programme - as well as any personal failure over the McAlpine programme.

"I am pleased that the Pollard Report makes it clear I played no part whatever in Newsnight's decision not to broadcast the original Savile investigation - just as I was not personally to blame in any way for the journalistic failures on Newsnight when it broadcast its erroneous report about the North Wales care home," he said.

The review concludes that the BBC does not have to be taken down "brick by brick" but said the Director General's role as editor-in-chief needs to be examined.

It also said it "raises a question about the insularity of some people within the BBC" who are described as being unaware of wider industry practices.

Also criticised was Mr Mitchell, who decided to remove the Savile investigation from the corporation's Managed Risk Programmes List (MRPL).

The MRPL is an internal mechanism to flag up stories that contain some element of potential danger including risk to the BBC's reputation.

Mr Pollard described that decision as "critical", adding: "It was important to establish why he had done this. Very unfortunately, he could offer no convincing reason".

Mr Pollard said that if it had stayed on the MRPL some of what followed "might well have been avoided".

The report also paints an unflattering picture of relations between staff on Newsnight and in the wider BBC.

It said the decision to cancel the story led to disagreements between show boss Peter Rippon and his journalists and "relationships... began to break down".

It found there was no "undue pressure" on Mr Rippon from his bosses to drop the story, but said his decision to do so "was seriously flawed".

It went on: "He made a bad mistake in not examining the evidence properly".

It also describes the background to his blog post on the issue, which was later corrected after being found to be factually incorrect, as "chaotic".

The evidence given to the review also reveals Mr Entwistle refused to speak to Newsnight reporter Meirion Jones off-the-record because he "didn't trust him to have an off-the-record conversation".

It also includes evidence from Ms Boaden that Mr Entwistle told her he would not accept her resignation but was going to make a public statement that would make "it impossible for Peter [Rippon] not to resign".

The report includes sections of an email sent to Mr Entwistle two years before becoming Director-General.

The email tells him an obituary for Savile had not been done because of "the darker side" to his life though Mr Entwistle told the inquiry he had not read it.

The review said the email, and others like it, indicates "there was knowledge, not just rumour ... about the unsavoury side of Savile's character" in BBC TV shortly after his death.

Meanwhile the BBC Trust review into the McAlpine error described the incident as a "grave breach which had been costly to all concerned".

The Trust said it resulted in the public being misled.

Yesterday Lord McAlpine agreed £310,000 in damages from the BBC and ITV over the wrongful allegations.

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Plebgate: Call For Inquiry After New Claims

Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell has demanded a full inquiry into the "plebgate" row that cost him his job after new revelations cast doubt on the affair.

Allegations have emerged that a police officer posed as a member of the public and falsely claimed to have witnessed the argument.

The officer wrote an email to his local MP giving details of Mr Mitchell's behaviour during the clash when he was blocked from cycling through the main gates.

Newly-emerged CCTV footage of the altercation on September 19 also appears to conflict with the official police version of events.

Mr Mitchell, who eventually quit in October after a month under intense pressure, has claimed he was the victim of a "stitch-up" and demanded a full inquiry.

David Cameron said at PMQs: "A police officer posing as a member of the public and sending an email potentially to blacken the name of a Cabinet minister is a very serious issue and does need to be seriously investigated.

"The Metropolitan Police Service is conducting a thorough and well-resourced investigation to get to the truth of this matter as quickly as possible.

"The Independent Police Complaints Commission will be supervising the investigation and I think we should allow them to get to the truth."

Andrew Mitchell wanted to cycle out of the main gates

Number 10 earlier issued a particularly strong-worded statement about the claims, which emerged after a member of the diplomatic protection squad was arrested last week.

"Any allegations that a serving police officer posed as a member of the public and fabricated evidence against a Cabinet minister are exceptionally serious," a spokesman said.

Scotland Yard is already investigating and has vowed to establish the truth "as quickly as possible".

"The allegation that a serving police officer fabricated evidence is extremely serious. It goes to the very heart of the public's trust in the police service," a spokesman said.

Mr Mitchell was thrust to the centre of a political storm when a police report about his rant at the Downing Street officer was leaked to the press.

It claimed the senior Tory had warned the policeman: "Best you learn your f****** place. You don't run this f****** government. You're f****** plebs."

The politician has always denied using the word "plebs", although he did admit swearing and getting angry. Instead, he claims he said: "I thought you guys were supposed to f****** help us."

But the "pleb" claim was seized on by the Police Federation and Labour who demanded that he stand down.

The email, now known to be from a fellow police officer, allegedly helped fuel the row and keep up the momentum that eventually cost Mr Mitchell his job.

The policeman wrote to his MP John Randall, apparently not disclosing his job and describing how he had been walking past Downing Street with his nephew when the spat happened.

It suggested Mr Mitchell had sworn repeatedly and called the officers "plebs", as well as claiming passers-by near the gates had been shocked.

The account closely matched the official police log's version of events, which was eventually leaked and published in full by the press.

David Cameron summoned his Chief Whip after being told about the email and suggested he had been "caught bang to rights", according to an investigation by Channel 4 News.

When Mr Mitchell flatly denied key parts, the Prime Minister ordered an investigation but this failed to establish who sent the email.

Mr Cameron apparently only learned over the weekend that the "witness" was a serving police officer and was said to be "furious".

Andrew Mitchell during an ill-fated TV apology in September

Contacted by Channel 4 News, the individual seemed to admit that he had never been present when the row happened.

Previously unreleased CCTV footage of the clash also showed no evidence of passers-by who could be a man with his nephew.

The video, which has no sound, shows Mr Mitchell talking to three officers by the main gate for around 20 seconds before wheeling his bicycle to the side gate and leaving.

Clips from other cameras suggest there were few members of the public close by at the time - apparently contradicting the police log.

Mr Mitchell said: "'Three phrases were hung around my neck for 28 days and used to destroy my political career and toxify the Conservative Party.

'They are completely untrue - I never said them. I have never called someone a f****** pleb and never would.

"I always knew that the emails were false, although extremely convincing. It has shaken my lifelong support and confidence in the police.

"I believe now there should be a full inquiry so we can get to the bottom of this."

Met Police Chief Bernard Hogan-Howe, speaking before Channel 4 broadcast its programme, said he did not think the new revelations "affected the original account of officers at the scene".

But Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "These are very serious allegations that must be investigated with all possible urgency.

"An allegation that a serving police officer posed as a member of the public whilst fabricating evidence is a matter of the utmost gravity."

Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, suggested the police watchdog or the HM Inspectorate of Police should investigate the affair instead of Scotland Yard.

"There is clearly a need for a robust, transparent and comprehensive investigation," he said.

John Tully, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: "The serious allegations aired in the Channel 4 News report are of concern to the MPF.

"However, as this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to make further comment, other than to say we support a full and thorough investigation to establish the truth."

Former Tory leader Michael Howard said he was "appalled" by the claims and hoped Mr Mitchell would be back in Government "at the earliest opportunity".

The Prime Minister's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister's view remains that he hopes in time Mr Mitchell will be able to return to public life."

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Lostprophets Singer Facing Child Sex Charges

Lostprophets vocalist Ian Watkins is due to to appear in court charged with child sex offences.

Police said the Welsh rock star - whose hits include Last Train Home - had been arrested as part of a continuing investigation.

A spokesman said: "A Pontypridd man has been charged with sexual offences against children and is due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates' Court today.

"The 35-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a female under 13 and possession/distribution of indecent images of children.

"In order to assist their investigation, South Wales Police has named the man as Ian Watkins, a member of the rock group Lostprophets."

Police added that two women, a 20-year-old from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and a 24-year-old from Bedford, had been charged with "similar offences" and are also due to appear in court.

All three have been questioned at Cardiff Bay police station.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Doyle said specially-trained staff were available to speak to anyone with concerns or information regarding the investigation.

"I want to encourage anyone who has any concerns or information which they think may be relevant to contact us," he added.

"Safeguarding children involved in such cases is always a high priority and as such measures have already been taken."

Police are asking anyone with any information concerning the investigation to contact the Operation Globe incident room on 0800 056 0154, or the NSPCC on 0800 389 5347.

Lostprophets have received several Kerrang! Awards and nominations, and have sold around 3.5 million albums worldwide.

Last Train Home and Rooftops were both Top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart, while Last Train Home took the No 1 spot on the Alternative Songs chart.

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Hillsborough: High Court Orders New Inquests

The High Court has quashed the original accidental death verdicts for the Hillsborough victims and ordered new inquests to be held.

The landmark ruling was welcomed by the families of the 96 Liverpool supporters who were killed 23 years ago, and came shortly after the Home Secretary announced a new police investigation into the disaster.

Three months ago, a damning report from the Hillsborough Independent Panel revealed a widespread cover-up by police to put officers in a favourable light and deflect blame for the disaster on to Liverpool fans.

More than 40 families had travelled to London to attend the High Court hearing, and many applauded when the ruling by Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge was announced in the packed courtroom.

Others watched by videolink from Liverpool, where some cried at the news and the mayor called it a "watershed moment".

Lord Judge expressed regret that the families had to go through such a "dispiriting and prolonged" process.

The Attorney General Dominic Grieve said the main basis for his application to have the verdicts quashed was new medical evidence made public in the report by Hillsborough Independent Panel.

The Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989. Pic: David Cannon/Allsport

"It is bitter-sweet. We have known the truth for 23 years," said Michelle Carlile, 44, clutching a photograph of her brother Paul, 19, who died at Hillsborough.

Trevor Hicks, chair of Hillsborough Family Support Group, told reporters outside the courtroom: "Justice is on its way. Everything we've said has been proven to be correct."

The Liverpool supporters died in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989, when their team played Nottingham Forest in a semi-final of the FA Cup.

Watching from videolink in Liverpool, Cathy Crane, whose brother Gary Jones died in the disaster aged 18, said she felt "pleased and delighted".

"It has just been very difficult over the last 23 years. Every day having to fight for the honour of someone who you love and today, at least, people will start to understand what we have gone through."

Marion Brady, whose son Paul was crushed to death, said: "At last we feel we are getting somewhere."

Trevor Hicks lost two daughters in the disaster

The new police investigation will be led by former Durham chief constable Jon Stoddart, and will focus specifically on the 96 deaths.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I am determined to see a swift and thorough response to the findings of the Hillsborough Panel to deliver justice for the 96 football fans who died and the families who have fought so hard on their behalf."

Mr Stoddart will be able to recruit investigators and staff to his team, but he will not be allowed to employ officers or former officers with any prior connection to the Hillsborough disaster.

He is also unable to recruit any officers or former officers who worked in the West Midlands, South Yorkshire or Merseyside police forces.

"I am aware of the great significance and personal responsibility which comes with leading this criminal investigation," he said.

"My first priority is to meet with as many of the families as possible and to establish a working open relationship with them throughout the investigation."

Mr Stoddart added he had already held some meetings and had been "struck by the families' humility and steadfast determination to see justice delivered for their loved ones".

Reacting to the ruling in London, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: "This is a watershed moment on the road to justice for the families of the 96, and I share their overwhelming relief that, after 23 very painful years, the inquest verdicts have been quashed."

He expressed hope that as a result of the new police investigation "those that played a role in causing the disaster and the monumental cover-up are brought to account."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron told campaigners for a tax break on sales of a charity single in aid of Hillsborough to expect good news.

The version of the Hollies' hit He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother by The Justice Collective will help cover the legal costs of the victims' families. Campaigners want it to benefit from a VAT waiver, granted in the past to similar charity singles.

"I think I can confidently predict there will be a decision that will go down well in Merseyside," Mr Cameron said.

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Sandy Hook Shootings: Protest At Gun Lobby HQ

Protesters have marched on the headquarters of the US gun lobby as the clamour for tighter firearm controls grows in the wake of the Newtown school massacre.

As the first two funerals for young victims of the Sandy Hook shooting took place, 75 activists descended on the Washington DC headquarters of the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA).

The protesters chanted: "Shame on the NRA," and demanded the organisation drop its hardline stance and make way for new gun control laws.

"More than anyone else, the NRA is responsible for the more than 12,000 people murdered by guns every year in this country," said Josh Nelson, the campaign manager for the progressive Credo Action group that organised the protest.

"We call on the NRA's lobbyists to stand down and allow Congress to pass common-sense gun laws."

The activists' cause has been backed by two pro-gun US senators, who have come out in favour of reform after the murder of 20 children and six adults at the elementary school.

Democrats Mark Warner and Joe Manchin, who have so-called "A" ratings from the NRA, said the Newtown massacre has convinced them the time for change has come.

Gunman Adam Lanza

West Virginia's Senator Manchin told MSNBC it was time to "move beyond rhetoric" on gun control.

He said: "I don't know anyone in the sporting or hunting arena that goes out with an assault rifle. It's common sense."

Senator Warner said "the status quo isn't acceptable" and in a later interview called for "rational gun control".

Connecticut governor Dannel Malloy called for changes to the law during an emotional news conference, where he broke down while describing the ordeal of parents who lost their children at Sandy Hook.

He said: "You try to feel their pain, but you can't. You try to find some words that you hope will be adequate, knowing that they will be inadequate, and you see little coffins and your heart has to break."

He added: "I'm a big believer in hunting rights and a big believer in supporting the Second Amendment, but there's a reality that this stuff has gone too far and is too easy to own.

"Do I think Washington DC needs to get its act together and enact stricter gun control laws at the federal level? You bet I do."

New York's popular mayor Michael Bloomberg made an appearance flanked by relatives of shooting victims and demanded that President Barack Obama make good on his promise to tackle gun violence in the US.

On Sunday, Mr Obama told residents at a vigil in Newtown the US must do more to protect its children.

Since then, White House spokesman Jay Carney has said tighter gun control laws are part of the answer to violence in the US, but the president did not have a specific policy to announce.

Mr Obama is understood to support reinstating a ban on assault rifles that expired in 2004.

Governor Dan Malloy was emotional after victim Noah Pozner's funeral

Since the shootings, the NRA has been silent.

Requests for comments have gone unanswered, and officials are turning down interview requests until they have more details.

The NRA's 1.7 million-strong Facebook group has disappeared, and the group's Twitter account - which is a favourite platform to communicate with supporters - has not sent a message since before the grim reality of Friday's shootings set in.

However, the industry remains powerful, directly employing more than 98,000 people and generating another 111,000 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries, according to the US firearms trade association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

It also says the firearms and ammunition industry was responsible for as much as $31.84 billion in total economic activity in the country in 2012 and, along with its employees, paid $2.07 billion in taxes.

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Cancer Boy Neon Roberts' Mum Blocks Surgery

The mother of a seven-year-old boy who is at the centre of a legal battle over whether he should have radiation treatment for cancer is also opposed to any further surgery on his brain tumour, a court has heard.

A High Court judge had been due to rule on whether Neon Roberts should have the radiotherapy against the wishes of his mother, Sally, at a hearing on December 8, but proceedings were adjourned after the tumour was found.

Ms Roberts' lawyer told the court on Tuesday that the tumour was part of the original one left behind after the initial operation.

Although this means there is a better prognosis for its removal, the lawyer said the 37-year-old was against any further surgery being carried out.

Ms Roberts said: "I feel I need more expert opinion on it before proceeding."

A doctor treating Neon said a scan showed that the surgery needed to be carried out "urgently" on the "residual tumour".

He said the tumour could spread without surgery and it was "highly likely" that Neon would die within a "relatively short period" without further treatment.

The judge will now have to rule on whether the surgery should go ahead and the issue of the radiotherapy put aside.

Ms Roberts, 37, a New Zealander who lives in Brighton, East Sussex, had initially refused the radiotherapy saying that after research she feared radiotherapy would a "damaging effect" on Neon's future.

The boy's father Ben, who lives in London and is separated from Ms Roberts, agreed to the radiotherapy but was "apprehensive", the court heard.

Doctors said Neon might die within months without radiotherapy treatment.

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Queen At Downing Street For Cabinet Meeting

The Queen has become the first monarch since the 18th century to attend Cabinet on a special visit to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The monarch was met by Prime Minister David Cameron on the steps of Number 10, which had been covered with a red carpet for the occasion.

She wore a deep blue coat and matching dress by Stuart Parvin - immediately dubbed "Thatcheresque" by commentators.

The Queen made the trip without Prince Philip to collect a present bought by the Secretaries of State to mark her 60-year reign.

Cabinet members clubbed together to buy her a set of 60 placemats - one for each year she has spent on the throne.

The mats, which are bespoke and show traditional images of Buckingham Palace, were suggested by the Queen's own aides and made by a Gloucestershire company called Lady Clare Limited.

Officials refused to disclose the value of the gifts. An unspecified donation was also made to the her Diamond Jubilee Trust.

Mr Cameron met the Queen outside Number 10

Ministers lined up to shake hands with the monarch before they all went into the final Cabinet of the year.

The Queen took her chance during the meet-and-greet to quiz George Osborne about Britain's gold reserves.

She then sat between Mr Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague for her half-hour stint at the famous Cabinet table.

The Queen is thought to be the first monarch to attend Cabinet since George III in 1781, despite earlier claims Queen Victoria did so.

She only stayed for the first section before leaving ministers to their discussions and moving on to the Foreign Office.

During the meeting, Mr Cameron offered her a "very warm welcome" and congratulated her "on a fantastic jubilee year".

He said Downing Street had researched the last monarch to visit Cabinet and believe it dates back to the 18th century.

Some of the 60 placemats given to the Queen

George VI, the Queen's father, met Cabinet during World War II, but apparently did not go to the standard meeting.

"We think the last time a monarch came to the Cabinet was in 1781, during the American War of Independence, but I'm happy to report that relations have improved slightly since then," Mr Cameron said.

The Queen joked "gently and humorously" that the Cabinet could make the next Queen's Speech on "the shorter rather than the longer side".

The only other moment she spoke was to wish ministers "happy Christmas" as she left.

Ministers described the visit as "a great honour" but constitutional experts warned that it blurred the boundaries between government and monarchy.

Sky's royal commentator Alastair Bruce said: "It is significant because in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year it puts a focus on what headship of the state is all about and that is supervising the democratic process."

The Foreign Office later announced that the southern part of British Antarctic Territory is to be named "Queen Elizabeth Land" to mark the jubilee.

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Norovirus: New Warning About Vomiting Bug

Almost 880,000 people could have been affected by an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, according to health officials.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says the number of confirmed cases of norovirus is 83% higher than the same time last year,

So far this season, there have been 3,046 cases in England and Wales, compared to just 1,669 cases last season.

But for every reported case there are likely to be a further 288 unreported sufferers, warns the HPA.

The bug has swept the country and has led to the closure of dozens of hospital wards.

It has also affected holidaymakers on two P&O cruise ships, the Oriana and the Azura.

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces and objects.

Anyone displaying norovirus symptoms is urged to stay indoors

It is known to spread rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

Symptoms include sudden vomiting, diarrhoea, or both, a temperature, headache and stomach cramps. The bug usually goes away within a few days.

Although people can suffer from norovirus at any time of the year, activity increases in the winter months, with most cases seen between January and March.

John Harris, a norovirus expert at the HPA, said: "The number of laboratory confirmed cases has risen again, following the drop in the number we reported last week.

"Norovirus is very contagious so we would urge anyone who thinks they may be unwell with norovirus to stay at home and stay away from hospitals and care homes.

"The infection is short-lived although it is very unpleasant while you are unwell. Most people will not need to go to see their doctor and will recover in a couple of days. It is important to take plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration."

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Newtown Shooting: Young Survivor Recalls Horror

By Tom Parmenter and Brian Donathan, Sky News

An eight-year-old consoled his classmates as Adam Lanza went on his shooting rampage, reassuring them his policeman dad was on the way to save them.

Luke Santana, a third grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School, said he was ushered into an adjacent classroom by teachers as the gunman began his killing spree.

He told Sky News: "It was awkward because everyone was piling up on each other, and I was saying, 'Don't worry ... stop crying. My dad is a police officer, he's going to help'."

Luke said his father was physically sick after facing the traumatic task of dealing with the aftermath of the massacre of 20 children and six adults at the school.

Luke's mother Lisandra Santana said her husband heard the call go out on the radio and rushed to the scene both as a father and a first responder.

"He wasn't sure if his son was alive," she said.

The Santanas did not have to confront the nightmare that has been thrust upon the parents of 20 murdered children in Newtown, Connecticut.

"I was really happy to know that he was OK," said Mrs Santana as she stood next to her son near a makeshift memorial not far from the school. "I just ran in there and hugged him and started kissing him."

"I just pray for those who didn't make it," she added.

Luke's father, also named Luke, agreed to allow his son to speak to Sky News, but declined to comment himself.

With his mother looking on, the younger Luke expressed his condolences for the families who lost loved ones, including a classmate whose little sister was killed and his former first grade teacher Victoria Soto.

Ms Soto has been praised for saving students by hiding them in a closet before Lanza entered her classroom.

"She shielded her students," Luke said.

Mrs Santana acknowledged her son's bravery as well.

"He's gone through a lot, but I'm so proud of him," she said.

"I'm glad he was brave and that he was able to talk to his classmates and tell them everything was going to be OK."

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US School Shooting 'Sparks Rise In Gun Sales'

Killer's Mum 'Prepared For Worst'

Updated: 12:23pm UK, Monday 17 December 2012

The mother of the Connecticut gunman, who was the first of his 27 victims and was killed with a rifle she owned, was "prepared for the worst", according to people who knew her.

Adam Lanza's aunt said Nancy Lanza had a survivalist mentality and was worried about protecting her home if the US economy nosedived.

She is reported to have been stockpiling food in the large home she shared with her 20-year-old son in Newtown, Connecticut.

Nancy Lanza, 52, who friends said kept her private life private, owned and registered the two handguns and rifle her son used in Friday's shooting.

The weapons were among half a dozen firearms legally registered to her, authorities said.

The divorced mother-of-two was found dead in her pyjamas in bed after being shot four times in the head with the rifle.

After leaving the house, the gunman then went to Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown with the weapons he took from her.

He got inside by breaking a window and began blasting his way through the building and murdering 20 children, all aged six or seven, and six women.

Investigators said Nancy Lanza had visited shooting ranges several times and that her son also went to a range.

Ginger Colburn, a spokeswoman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said it was still not clear whether Nancy Lanza brought her son to the range or whether he ever fired a weapon there.

Adam Lanza's aunt Marsha Lanza told the Chicago Sun-Times that Nancy Lanza wanted guns for protection.

"She prepared for the worst," Marsha Lanza told the newspaper. "I didn't know that they (the guns) would be used on her."

She also told CBS: "Last time we visited with her in person, yeah, we talked about prepping and 'are you ready for what can happen down the line when the economy collapses?'

"I didn't actually see them (guns), we just talked. I knew she had three."

Dan Holmes, who got to know Nancy Lanza while doing landscaping work for her, told The Washington Post: "Guns were her hobby. She told me she liked the single-mindedness of shooting."

Mr Holmes said Nancy Lanza never invited him in. She would pay him in the yard and the landscaper never saw Adam.

"I would ring the bell on the front door, and she would come out the side and meet me," he said. "It was a little weird. It's stranger now thinking back on what happened."

One law enforcement officer said Adam Lanza had been diagnosed with Asperger's, a mild form of autism characterised by social awkwardness.

The gunman has been described as "socially awkward", "shy", "a nerd" and "super smart".

As a teenager he would scuttle from class to class, pressing himself against walls and clutching a black briefcase "like an eight-year-old with a teddy bear".

Marsha Lanza could not confirm reports that Adam Lanza had Asperger's or any other learning disability.

But she said his mother had disputes with the local school district and eventually ended up educating Adam Lanza at home.

"(Nancy) had issues with school ... She battled with the school district. I'm not 100 per cent certain if it was behaviour, learning disabilities, I really don't know. But he was very, very bright. He was smart."

Education officials said they had found no link between Nancy Lanza and Sandy Hook school, contrary to news reports that said she was a teacher there.

Investigators said they believe Adam Lanza attended the school many years ago, but they had no explanation for why he went there on Friday.

Neighbour Rhonda Cullens said she knew Nancy Lanza from get-togethers she hosted where they played Bunco, a dice game. She said her neighbour had enjoyed gardening.

"She was a very nice lady," Ms Cullens said. "She was just like all the rest of us in the neighbourhood, just a regular person."

Louise Tambascio, who became a shopping and dining companion of Nancy Lanza said: "Her family life was her family life when we were together. She kept it private. That was her own thing."

Marsha Lanza described Nancy Lanza as a good mother. "If he had needed consulting, she would have gotten it," she said. "Nancy wasn't one to deny reality."

But friends and neighbours said Nancy Lanza never spoke about the difficulties of raising her son.

Mostly she noted how clever he was and that she hoped, even with his problems, that he would find a way to succeed.

Court records show Nancy Lanza and her ex-husband, Peter Lanza, were divorced in 2009. He lives in Stamford and is a tax director at General Electric.

When the couple divorced, he left their spacious home to Nancy Lanza and told her she would never have to work another day in her life, said Marsha Lanza.

The split was not acrimonious and Adam Lanza spent time with both his mother and father, she said.

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US Shooting: Obama Visits Newtown In Mourning

Barack Obama has told the families of the 26 people killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School that mass shooting tragedies "must end".

Speaking at a vigil in memory of the victims, the US president told an emotional audience: "Newtown, you are not alone."

He struggled to maintain his composure - and there was audible sobbing throughout the packed hall - as he read the first names of each of the 20 children killed in America's worst school shooting.

Mr Obama said: "God has called them home. For those of us who remain, let us find the strength to carry on and make our country worthy of their memory."

The president also promised to use the power of his office to safeguard Americans from further massacres, telling mourners that the country is "not doing enough" to protect its children.

"These tragedies have to end, and to end them we must change," he said.

The was audible sobbing throughout the service

"We, as a nation, are left with hard questions."

Mr Obama paid tribute to the six adults who lost their lives when 20-year-old Adam Lanza went on a rampage through the school armed with an assault rifle.

He said: "We know when danger arrived the school staff did not flinch. They responded as we all hope we might respond in such terrifying circumstances. With courage and with love, giving their lives to protect the children in their care."

"I come to offer the love and cares of the nation. I'm very mindful that mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow.

"I can only hope it helps for you to know you're not alone in your grief - our world too has been torn apart ... we have wept with you."

Mr Obama struggled to maintain his composure

Mr Obama's visit comes as the town braces itself for the first funerals for victims of Friday's shooting.

Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy told the audience Mr Obama had said the day of the shootings had been the most difficult of his presidency so far.

Mr Obama also met emergency service workers who were among the first on the scene, minutes after the shooting started.

Kevin Paturzo, 25, said: "Just him coming to this town is much appreciated.

"It's a small community, everybody knows everybody around here. Him coming out here, reaching out to the families is deeply respected, but it's going to take a lot of grieving."

At a packed St Rose Catholic Church, the priest's announcements included news that the Christmas pageant rehearsal would go on as planned, but without six-year-old Olivia Engel, who died before she could play the role of an angel.

Shortly before Mr Obama was due to arrive, worshippers at the church close to the school were evacuated after a reported bomb threat.

Armed police were sent but it was quickly decided that there was no danger to the public.

Makeshift memorials have appeared around the town, the largest of which sits at the end of Dickenson Drive where Sandy Hook Elementary stands.

Lanza's motive remains unclear. He killed his mother before heading to the school and committed suicide as police closed in.

Authorities said on Sunday that Lanza was carrying hundreds of rounds of especially deadly ammunition, enough to kill just about every student in the school if given time.

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Shooting: Lanza's Mum 'Prepared For Worst'

The mother of the Connecticut gunman, who was the first of his 27 victims and was killed with a rifle she owned, was "prepared for the worst", according to people who knew her.

Adam Lanza's aunt said Nancy Lanza had a survivalist mentality and was worried about protecting her home if the US economy nosedived.

She is reported to have been stockpiling food in the large home she shared with her 20-year-old son in Newtown, Connecticut.

Nancy Lanza, 52, who friends said kept her private life private, owned and registered the two handguns and rifle her son used in Friday's shooting.

The weapons were among half a dozen firearms legally registered to her, authorities said.

The divorced mother-of-two was found dead in her pyjamas in bed after being shot four times in the head with the rifle.

After leaving the house, the gunman then went to Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown with the weapons he took from her.

He got inside by breaking a window and began blasting his way through the building and murdering 20 children, all aged six or seven, and six women.

Nancy Lanza was the first victim before 26 others were shot

Investigators said Nancy Lanza had visited shooting ranges several times and that her son also went to a range.

Ginger Colburn, a spokeswoman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said it was still not clear whether Nancy Lanza brought her son to the range or whether he ever fired a weapon there.

Adam Lanza's aunt Marsha Lanza told the Chicago Sun-Times that Nancy Lanza wanted guns for protection.

"She prepared for the worst," Marsha Lanza told the newspaper. "I didn't know that they (the guns) would be used on her."

She also told CBS: "Last time we visited with her in person, yeah, we talked about prepping and 'are you ready for what can happen down the line when the economy collapses?'

"I didn't actually see them (guns), we just talked. I knew she had three."

Lanza in his high school yearbook

Dan Holmes, who got to know Nancy Lanza while doing landscaping work for her, told The Washington Post: "Guns were her hobby. She told me she liked the single-mindedness of shooting."

Mr Holmes said Nancy Lanza never invited him in. She would pay him in the yard and the landscaper never saw Adam.

"I would ring the bell on the front door, and she would come out the side and meet me," he said. "It was a little weird. It's stranger now thinking back on what happened."

One law enforcement officer said Adam Lanza had been diagnosed with Asperger's, a mild form of autism characterised by social awkwardness.

The gunman has been described as "socially awkward", "shy", "a nerd" and "super smart".

As a teenager he would scuttle from class to class, pressing himself against walls and clutching a black briefcase "like an eight-year-old with a teddy bear".

The car Lanza drove to school for his gun rampage is towed away

Marsha Lanza could not confirm reports that Adam Lanza had Asperger's or any other learning disability.

But she said his mother had disputes with the local school district and eventually ended up educating Adam Lanza at home.

"(Nancy) had issues with school ... She battled with the school district. I'm not 100 per cent certain if it was behaviour, learning disabilities, I really don't know. But he was very, very bright. He was smart."

Education officials said they had found no link between Nancy Lanza and Sandy Hook school, contrary to news reports that said she was a teacher there.

Investigators said they believe Adam Lanza attended the school many years ago, but they had no explanation for why he went there on Friday.

Neighbour Rhonda Cullens said she knew Nancy Lanza from get-togethers she hosted where they played Bunco, a dice game. She said her neighbour had enjoyed gardening.

"She was a very nice lady," Ms Cullens said. "She was just like all the rest of us in the neighbourhood, just a regular person."

Louise Tambascio, who became a shopping and dining companion of Nancy Lanza said: "Her family life was her family life when we were together. She kept it private. That was her own thing."

Marsha Lanza described Nancy Lanza as a good mother. "If he had needed consulting, she would have gotten it," she said. "Nancy wasn't one to deny reality."

But friends and neighbours said Nancy Lanza never spoke about the difficulties of raising her son.

Mostly she noted how clever he was and that she hoped, even with his problems, that he would find a way to succeed.

Court records show Nancy Lanza and her ex-husband, Peter Lanza, were divorced in 2009. He lives in Stamford and is a tax director at General Electric.

When the couple divorced, he left their spacious home to Nancy Lanza and told her she would never have to work another day in her life, said Marsha Lanza.

The split was not acrimonious and Adam Lanza spent time with both his mother and father, she said.

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Newtown Shooting: Gunman Was Honours Student

The gunman behind the Connecticut school shooting was an honours student who lived in a wealthy neighbourhood with his mother.

Adam Lanza, 20, killed his mother Nancy at the home in Newtown they shared. He then drove her car to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where she had worked, and killed 20 children and six adults before taking his own life.

So far, authorities have not spoken publicly of any possible motive. They found no note or manifesto, and Lanza - who was armed with at least two handguns and a high powered rifle - had no criminal history. He did not speak during the shooting, witnesses say.

A law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity said investigators believe Lanza attended Sandy Hook Elementary School several years ago.

Lanza attended Newtown High School and several local news clippings from recent years mention his name among the school's honour roll students.

Adam Lanza was described as socially awkward

Officials have said Lanza may have suffered from a personality disorder - and the gunman's older brother, Ryan Lanza, believes he did as well.

Police reportedly earlier confused Adam Lanza with Ryan, whose identity card he had been carrying with him when he went into the school.

The shooter's brother had been extremely co-operative and was not under arrest or in custody, but investigators were still searching his computers and phone records.

Ryan Lanza told police officers he had not been in touch with his brother since about 2010.

Brett Wilshe, a friend of Ryan Lanza's, said he sent him a Facebook message on Friday asking what was going on and if he was OK.

Ryan Lanza, the gunman's brother, has been interviewed by police

According to Wilshe, Ryan Lanza's reply was something along the lines of: "It was my brother. I think my mother is dead. Oh my God."

Adam Lanza's aunt Marsha said her nephew was raised by kind, nurturing parents who would not have hesitated to seek mental help for him if he needed it.

Marsha Lanza said she was close with Nancy Lanza and sent her a Facebook message on Friday morning asking how she was doing. Nancy Lanza never responded.

She described Nancy Lanza as a good mother and kind-hearted. If her son had needed counselling, "Nancy wasn't one to deny reality," she said.

Marsha Lanza said her husband saw Adam as recently as June and recalled nothing out of the ordinary about him.

Catherine Urso, who was attending a vigil on Friday evening in Newtown, said her college-age son knew the killer and remembered him for his alternative style.

"He just said he was very thin, very remote and was one of the goths," she said.

Adam Lanza belonged to the school's technology club, which held LAN - short for local area network - parties, when students would gather at a member's home, hook up their computers into a small network and play games.

Joshua Milas, who graduated from Newtown High School in 2009, said Adam Lanza was generally a happy person but that he had not seen him in a few years.

"We would hang out, and he was a good kid. He was smart," he said.

"He was probably one of the smartest kids I know. He was probably a genius."

Responders gather at the scene of the school shooting

Lanza's parents filed for divorce in 2008, according to court records.

His father, Peter Lanza, lives in Stamford, Connecticut, according to public records, and he reportedly works as a tax director for General Electric.

An official said it was not clear that Adam Lanza had a job, and there was no indication of law enforcement interviews or search warrants at a place of business.

A neighbour in Newtown, Rhonda Cullens, said she knew Nancy Lanza from monthly get-togethers the neighbourhood women had some years ago for games of bunco, a dice game.

"She was a very nice lady," Ms Cullens said.

"She was just like all the rest of us in the neighbourhood, just a regular person."

Sandeep Kapur, who lives two doors down from the Lanza family in Newtown, said he did not know them and was unaware of any disturbances at the Lanza house in the three years that he and his family have been in the neighbourhood.

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Victoria Soto Shot Dead After Saving Pupils

Gunman's Family Release Statements

Updated: 4:22am UK, Sunday 16 December 2012

The father of and uncle of dead gunman Adam Lanza have released statements, as America comes to terms with its most deadly school massacre.

Peter Lanza, who has been interviewed by police, said: "Our hearts go out to the families and friends who lost loved ones and to all those who were injured.

"Our family is grieving along with all those who have been affected by this enormous tragedy. No words can truly express how heartbroken we are.

Mr Lanza, who is an executive with General Electric, added: "We are in a state of disbelief and trying to find whatever answers we can. We too are asking why.

"We have cooperated fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so.

"Like so many of you, we are saddened, but struggling to make sense of what has transpired."

Meanwhile, Ms Lanza's brother has also released a statement for the families struggling to cope in the aftermath of the shooting spree.

James Champion, an ex-policeman who lives in Kingston in New Hampshire, said: "On behalf of Nancy's mother and siblings, we reach out to the community of Newtown to express our heartfelt sorrow for the incomprehensible loss of innocence that has affected so many."

According to the New York Times, Mr Champion confirmed that FBI agents questioned family members about Adam Lanza on Friday night.

Mr Champion declined to reveal what the FBI was told about his nephew, or if the gunman suffered from developmental disorders or mental illness.

He added that his sister had not working recently however she was previously a stockbroker.

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Sandy Hook Shooting: The Victims' Stories

The Sandy Hook victims have been described as "beautiful", "sweet" and as "angels", most of them just six or seven when they were gunned down.

As police released a list of the names of the 20 children and seven adults killed by gunman Adam Lanza, friends and relatives have paid their tributes to those who died.

:: Olivia Engel, 6

Olivia had been due to play an angel in the nativity play at her local church. "Now she's an angel up in heaven," Monsignor Robert Weiss said.

Dan Merton, a long-time family friend, described Olivia as a "teacher's pet" and said that she had "perfect manners".

"Her only crime," he said, "is being a wiggly, smiley six-year-old".

Emilie Parker, 6

:: Emilie Parker, 6

Emilie was studying Portuguese with her father, Robert, before school on the morning she died. He had left after hearing her say "good morning" in the language.

He said: "She was beautiful. She was blond. She was always smiling" and that "I'm so blessed to be her dad".

He said he would now struggle to explain to her two siblings, aged three and four, what had happened.

Dylan Hockley, 6

:: Dylan Hockley, 6

Dylan was born in Hampshire but had been living in Newtown since 2011 with his mother Nicole, father Ian and older brother, Jake.

The family lives in a house opposite the home in which Adam Lanza, the killer, lived with his mother Nancy.

Mrs Hockley, an American, had recently told the local newspaper that she was happy with life in the community and said: "Newtown is a wonderful place to live."

Family friend, Theresa Moretti, said: "Dylan was a lovely boy. He had dimples and blue eyes and a mischievous grin."

Charlotte Bacon, 6

:: Charlotte Bacon, 6

When she went to school on Friday, Charlotte had begged her mother to wear a new pink dress and boots that were supposed to be for Christmas.

It was the first and last time she would wear the outfit.

Her parents, JoAnn and Joel, had lived in Newton for around five years with Charlotte and her older brother, Guy, who also attended Sandy Hook but was not injured in the shooting.

Charlotte's uncle said that she could "light up the room for anyone."

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

:: Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Ana had only been at the school for a few months after her family moved to the area so her father, the Canadian jazz musician, Jimmy Greene, could take up a job as a music professor.

Described by a family friend as "vivacious and affectionate" Ana had been the subject of a song on her father's 2009 album Mission Statement, called Ana Grace.

Ana attended the school with her older brother, who was not hurt in the shooting.

Noah Pozner, 6

:: Noah Pozner, 6

Noah Pozner attended Sandy Hook school with his twin sister. He was killed, she survived the attack, as did his older sister.

Their mother, a nurse at the local hospital, completely broke down when she learned the news of her son's death.

Rabbi Shaul Praver, of Congregation Adath Israel, told MSNBC: "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and his little body could not endure so many bullets like that."

Grace McDonnell, 7

:: Grace McDonnell, 7

Described by her babysitter as a "beautiful, sweet girl", Grace lived so close to her killer Adam Lanza's house the family can nearly see it from their windows.

Neighbours say Grace, whose mother Lynn, 45, is a housewife, and father Christopher, 49, is a business executive, was "utterly adorable".

She has an 11-year-old brother, Jack.

Chase Kowalski, 7

:: Chase Kowalski, 7

Chase was looking forward to Christmas, he told a neighbour he was hoping to get his two front teeth back.

The first-grade student, who has two older sisters, loved being outside and playing on a slide or in the family's swimming pool.

He had completed and won his first mini-triathlon. His neighbour, Kevin Grimes, said: "You couldn't think of a better child."

Catherine Hubbard, 6

:: Catherine Hubbard, 6

Catherine's parents, Jennifer and Matthew, released a statement and a picture of their daughter.

In it they said: "We are greatly saddened by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Catherine Violet and our thoughts and prayers are with the other families who have been affected by this tragedy.

"We ask that you continue to pray for us and the other families who have experienced loss in this tragedy."

Jesse Lewis, 6

:: Jesse Lewis, 6

Jesse was supposed to be making gingerbread houses and his father Neil Heslin had been planning to go to Sandy Hook School to watch.

Mr Heslin told The New York Post that his son, who was in Victoria Soto's class, was happy when he dropped him off at the school gates. "That was the last I saw of him", he said.

He was keen on horse riding and had a collection of animals he enjoyed playing with.

James Mattioli, 6

:: James Mattioloi, 6

James is the son of Cindy Mattioli from the upstate New York town of Sherrill.

The mayor, William Vineall said: "Everybody will be there for them, and our thoughts and prayers are there for them."

Daniel Barden, 7

:: Daniel Barden, 7

Daniel was a budding athlete who was on the swim team and enjoyed playing soccer.

He was described by a family friend as "a sweet boy".

Josephine Guy, 7

:: Josephine Guy, 7

Josephine had celebrated her seventh birthday just three days before she was gunned down by Adam Lanza.

Victoria Soto, 27

:: Victoria Soto, 27, teacher

The teacher died a hero, putting herself between the children in her class and the gunman.

She had always wanted to be a teacher, it was her one goal. "She put those children first. That's all she ever talked about," said her friend Andrea Crowell.

Described by pupils as "really nice and funny", they fondly recalled how Miss Soto had a habit of chewing gum in class.

Lauren Rousseau, 30

:: Lauren Rousseau, 30, teacher

Miss Rousseau wanted to be a teacher when she was in primary school and was thrilled to finally realise her dream when she because a full-time teacher at Sandy Hook.

She has been described as gentle but spirited and active. She planned to watch The Hobbit with her boyfriend on Friday and had baked cupcakes for a party they were to attend afterwards.

Her mother, Teresa Rousseau, said: "Lauren wanted to be a teacher from before she even went to kindergarten. We will miss her terribly and will take comfort knowing that she had achieved that dream."

Dawn Hochsprung, 47

:: Dawn Hochsprung, 47, principal

The head teacher was fiercely proud of her school and fiercely protective of it too.

So much so she died after lunging at the gunman Adam Lanza as he launched his attack.

She had led the 700-pupil elementary school for two years and implemented the latest teaching techniques.

Mrs Hochsprung, who had two daughters and three step daughters, also installed new safety measures there, with the mantra "safety first".

Mary Sherlach, 56

:: Mary Sherlach, 56, school psychologist

Mrs Sherlach was preparing for her retirement after 18 years at Sandy Hook School.

Married for 31 years, with two daughters, aged 25 and 28, she loved her job and was dedicated to the education of young children.

Her son-in-law, Eric Schwartz, said that she had planned to leave work early on Friday but never got the chance. She had died, he added, doing what she loved.

He said: "Mary felt like she was doing God's work, working with the children."

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