MP Douglas Carswell Quits Tories For UKIP

Conservative MP Douglas Carswell has announced he is defecting from the Tories and joining UKIP.

The MP For Clacton in Essex said he made the decision because he believes UKIP is the only party that can break up the "cosy Westminster elite".

Flanked by his new party leader Nigel Farage, Mr Carswell was cheered by supporters as he said he would take the unusual step of resigning from Parliament and fight to win back his seat for UKIP in a by-election.

Mr Farage told his latest recruit: "I think what you've just done is without doubt the bravest, most honourable and noblest thing I've seen in British politics in my lifetime."

David Cameron, who is in Scotland, was not told about his MP's decision

Mr Carswell was scathing in his criticism of David Cameron and his Government - accusing the Prime Minister of being insincere in his vow to reform Britain's relationship with Europe.

He said he had not told the PM of his decision to vacate the seat - which has a Conservative majority of more than 12,000 - in advance.  

Speaking to Sky News moments after the announcement, he said: "I don't think they're serious about the change this country needs. This country needs serious political reform.

"They're not serious about making government accountable to Parliament and Parliament accountable to the people."

He added: "I know David Cameron is not serious because I've heard him say it."

He admitted that he could lose the by-election but said he would trust the voters to make their own decision.

Nigel Farage insisted Mr Carswell was not the only sitting MP who backed his policies.

He told Sky News: "I've spoken to people in the Conservative Party and the Labour Party who do not want Britain to be borderless, who think this is doing great damage to the working opportunities of people in Britain.

"I don't think Douglas Carswell is going to be considered an isolated eccentric - there are other MPs out there considering their options."

A Conservative Party spokesman said: "This is a regrettable and frankly counterproductive decision.

"As he's said, the only way to get a referendum on the EU is to return a majority Conservative government.

"The Conservative Party will contest the forthcoming by-election vigorously to make the people in Clacton have a strong conservative voice in this parliament and the next."

William Hague, the Conservative Leader of the Commons, said Mr Carswell's decision would be " totally counter-productive".

Tory MP Bill Cash - a standard-bearer for the eurosceptic cause - told Sky Mr Carswell's move was a "monumental misjudgement".

Sky News Political Editor Faisal Islam said: "This is precisely the sort of move that turns what might have been called a protest vote in May into something more substantial.

"Douglas Carswell is known for his views on Europe but he's also popular for a variety of reasons.

"The Prime Minister's up in Glasgow trying to keep the Union together and now he's trying to stitch his party together.

"And the old Conservative problem of Europe raises its head again, at the worst possible time."

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Ukraine: Russia Has 'Entered' The Country

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says Russian troops have entered the country in support of pro-Moscow separatists.

He has cancelled a working trip to Turkey and called an emergency meeting of Ukraine's security and defence council.

Mr Poroshenko said it followed "the rapidly deteriorating situation in Donetsk region, in particular in Amvrosiyivka and Starobesheve, as Russian troops have entered Ukraine".

Earlier the defence council said the border town of Novoazovsk and other parts of Ukraine's south-east had fallen under the control of Russian forces who were staging a counter-offensive with rebels.

Convoy of armoured Russian vehicles seen two miles from the Ukraine border

"A counter-offensive by Russian troops and separatist units is continuing in south-east Ukraine," the council said in a post on Twitter.

It said Ukrainian government forces had withdrawn from Novoazovsk "to save their lives" and were now reinforcing troops in the port city of Mariupol.

It added that Russian forces and separatists were combining to launch attacks on Ilovaysk and Shakhtarsk, east of Donetsk.

A Ukrainian serviceman exchanges fire with rebels

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having "deliberately unleashed a war in Europe" and called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

He also appealed to the United States, European Union and G7 countries "to freeze Russian assets and finances until Russia withdraws armed forces, equipment and agents".

A strategic high point east of Donetsk taken by separatist rebels

Russia denies arming the rebels and sending troops across the border, and has declined to comment on reports of Russian tanks in Novoazovsk.

"The Russian authorities clearly said many times there are no regular Russian troops there. Russia is not taking part in this armed conflict," said a Russian diplomatic source.

However, the US ambassador to Ukraine has said Russian troops have been directly involved in the fighting.

"An increasing number of Russian troops are intervening directly in fighting on Ukrainian territory," Geoffrey Pyatt wrote on Twitter.

"Russia has also sent its newest air defence systems including the SA-22 into eastern Ukraine and is now directly involved in the fighting."

On Wednesday a top rebel leader, Alexander Zakharchenko, admitted Russian troops were fighting alongside his insurgents, but said they were on "holiday" after volunteering to join the battle.

Russian paratroopers captured in Ukraine on Monday

Zakharchenko, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, told Reuters there were about 3,000 Russian volunteers serving in the rebel ranks.

Nato has said there could be well over 1,000 Russian soldiers operating inside Ukraine.

The spiralling tensions come two days after Mr Poroshenko and Mr Putin held their first talks in three months and agreed to work towards launching a peace process.

Mr Putin and Mr Poroshenko at the talks in Minsk on Tuesday

The day before Ukraine captured 10 Russian paratroopers around Amvrosiivka, a town about 12 miles (20km) from the border with Russia.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has demanded an explanation from Mr Putin about the alleged involvement of Russian troops in Ukraine, while French President Francois Hollande has said it would be "intolerable and unacceptable".

The European security body OSCE had begun a special meeting to discuss "Russia violations in Ukraine" just hours before the latest developments. 

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Rotherham: MP Calls For Criminal Investigation

Police Commissioner Shaun Wright should face a criminal investigation over the Rotherham child abuse scandal, a Labour MP has said.

John Mann told Sky News he is writing to Home Secretary Theresa May asking for police to investigate Mr Wright with a view to bringing a case of misconduct in public office against him and others responsible for childcare while hundreds of children were abused.

The Bassetlaw MP said an independent force, rather than Mr Wright's South Yorkshire Police, should take charge of the inquiry.

Speaking on Sky News Sunrise, he said: "I'm writing to the Home Secretary and to South Yorkshire Police asking for an investigation into misconduct into public office, which is a criminal offence, for wilful neglect of duty.

Shaun Wright is facing fresh calls to resign over the Rotherham scandal

"Having looked at the law, it seems to me that there is a case to be heard, potentially by him - also potentially by others involved in this scandal for wilfully failing to act."

Mr Wright has insisted he will stay in the £85,000 a year post, despite facing fresh calls to resign.

On Wednesday night he quit the Labour Party after he was threatened with being suspended from the party over his perceived failings in the key child protection role from 2005-2010.

Mr Wright was a Rotherham councillor, charged with heading up the local authority's child protection services at the height of the scandal, where an estimated 1,400 children are believed to have been groomed and abused by gangs of Asian men.

Sonia Sharp has apologised to victims of abuse in Rotherham

On Tuesday, a highly critical report highlighted widespread failings at both Rotherham Council and South Yorkshire Police for allowing that abuse to continue unchecked for more than 16 years.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg - speaking on his LBC radio phone-in - became the latest senior politician to call for Mr Wright to go.

He said: "As Theresa May said, she can't tell the police and crime commissioner, who clearly should do the decent thing and stand aside, to do so.

"All we can do, which is what I'm doing now, which is what everybody's doing, across parties, is to say 'please, do the decent thing and stand aside because you have to take responsibility and then let's try ... to go after the perpetrators."

Meanwhile, a former director of Rotherham's children's services has said sorry to children abused in the town and said she wished more could have been done to help them.

Sonia Sharp, who was in the key role from 2005-2008, said it was known "that there were many children in the community at risk and feared that this was the tip of an iceberg".

Dr Sharp, now working for the Australian state of Victoria's department of education and early childhood development, said: "You can't be a director of children's services and not take responsibility for what happens to children. 

"I am sorry that these children and young people suffered terrible abuse and I wish we could have done more to prevent the abuse of children and young people in Rotherham."

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Jolie And Pitt Marry In Secret French Wedding

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt got married at a chateau in France on Saturday, a spokesman for the couple has revealed.

The couple arrived in Malta this week to begin shooting their new film By The Sea.

It was thought they had just been on holiday in the south of France at the weekend but now it has emerged that they tied the knot in a private ceremony attended by their family and friends.

The wedding took place in a small chapel at Chateau Miraval, in the village of Correns, which the couple has rented since 2008.

In advance of the non-denominational civil ceremony, Pitt, 50, and Jolie, 39, obtained a marriage licence from a local California judge.

The judge also conducted the ceremony in France.

The spokesman said the couple's children took part in the wedding with Jolie's eldest sons Maddox and Pax walking her down the aisle.

Zahara and Vivienne threw petals while Shiloh and Knox served as ring bearers.

The Hollywood stars, who met on the set of Mrs And Mrs Smith in 2005, have been engaged for over two years.

They have been reported as saying they would not marry until it became an option for all couples.

Jolie was previously married to actor Jonny Lee Miller and actor Billy Bob Thornton.

Pitt was married to actress Jennifer Aniston.

More follows ...

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Darling Under Pressure After 'Losing' Debate

Alistair Darling insists the momentum is still with the 'No' campaign despite claims by his rival that he "muffed" the arguments in Monday night's final Scottish independence TV debate.

As the first postal ballot papers were sent out ahead of the referendum on September 18, polls suggest the  'Yes' campaign leader Alex Salmond came out on top in front of the TV cameras.

A key aspect of the debate was currency - with former Chancellor Mr Darling, who is fronting the Better Together campaign, admitting no one could stop Scotland using the pound.

Mr Salmond also outlined three 'plan Bs'.

Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday, Scotland's First Minister said the 'No' campaign's "bluff had been called" over use of the pound.

"He muffed his chance," said Mr Salmond.

There were angry exchanges over North Sea oil, the NHS and welfare

"We explained the currency options for Scotland - the three plan Bs, if you like.

"But we explained why the currency union between Scotland and England is what we're asking for a mandate for."

However, Mr Darling told Sky News the 'Yes' side remained "vague" on currency and had to "make up their minds".

"TV debates are important but the real debates are going on in people's homes," he said. "Increasingly, people are making up their minds and saying 'no' to the risks of independence.

"They're concerned that after three hours of prime time TV we still haven't had answers to basic questions about currency.

"The postal votes are going out and this is perhaps the biggest decision people will make in their lifetime - and he (Mr Salmond) still can't answer basic questions."

Alistair Darling said the 'Yes' campaign failed to answer basic questions

Sky's Political Editor Faisal Islam says that whether people believe Mr Salmond on currency could decide the outcome of the referendum.

"Mr Salmond views the currency debate as over and if that's right and people have heard enough, just maybe he can creep back up the vote share and reduce the 'No' lead.

"If Mr Darling is right, and currency is still impacting people on the doorstep, then surely 'No' will win."

There were also angry exchanges over North Sea oil, the NHS and welfare during the 90-minute debate, which was hosted by the BBC in front of an audience of 200 at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery.

Voters have to register to cast postal ballots by September 3, meaning some could cast their votes within days.

After the debate, a Sky News poll carried out on Twitter saw more than 2,000 retweets for a Salmond win, compared to under 500 claiming Darling had topped the debate.

Polls put the Better Together campaign in the lead ahead of the vote

A Guardian/ICM poll gave the debate to Mr Salmond with 71% of the vote.

Mr Darling was widely judged to have won the first.

A poll of polls, carried out by Sky News before the debate, put 39% in favour of Scottish independence, with 50% against and another 11% undecided.

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Putin And Poroshenko Handshake At 'Peace Talks'

Ukraine's security service has released video footage purportedly showing 10 Russian paratroopers who were captured by the army in the war-torn east of the country.

The UBS said it had opened a criminal probe after soldiers from the 98th airborne division based in central Russia were detained near the village of Dzerkalne, around 30 miles (50km) from rebel-held Donetsk.

A Ukrainian military spokesman said the men were on a "special mission".

But Russian military sources quoted by state news agencies have claimed the soldiers crossed the border by mistake.

Ukraine's President Poroshenko arrives in Belarus for crucial talks

The videos emerged as Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko and Russian leader Vladimir Putin met for the first time in months and shook hands ahead of a meeting with top EU officials in Belarus.

In footage posted on the official Facebook page of the Ukrainian government's "anti-terrorist operation," the men were shown dressed in camouflage fatigues.

One of them, who identified himself as Ivan Melchyakov, listed his personal details, including the name of the paratroop regiment he said is based in the Russian town of Kostroma.

Vladimir Putin disembarks from his plane in Belarus

"I did not see where we crossed the border. They just told us we were going on a 70-kilometre march over three days," he said.

"Everything is different here, not like they show it on television. We've come as cannon fodder," he said in the video.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Valeriy Geletey said the soldiers were captured on Monday.

"Officially they are at exercises in various corners of Russia.

"In reality, they are participating in military aggression against Ukraine and their families know nothing about their true fate.

"I am addressing the relatives of Russian servicemen: find out immediately where your loved ones are. Take them out of Ukraine, where they are being forced to die."

Alexander Lukashenko, president of host nation Belarus, said a major breakthrough in today's talks was unlikely, but the talks could help to kickstart a peace process.

Separatists walk in front of garages set ablaze by shelling in Donetsk

Even as the Ukrainian president landed outside Minsk, his country's military said an attack by Russian separatists on the town of Novoazovsk was ongoing.

A spokesman said a hospital was on fire and 12 Ukrainian service personnel had been killed in the last 24 hours - while government forces had destroyed 12 armoured infantry carriers in the area using artillery and aircraft.

Kiev also claimed four guards were killed in an attack on a border post by Russian MI-24 helicopters on Monday.

Mr Poroshenko has pledged to "talk peace" with President Putin, but insists the withdrawal of pro-Kremlin forces is the only way to end the conflict.

Kiev has accused its neighbour of stoking the separatist insurgency but this is the first time authorities have claimed to have captured Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian soldiers inspect their bus, which was destroyed in fighting

Moscow continues to deny any involvement in the rebellion.

Russian tanks and armoured vehicles are reported to have crossed the border near the towns of Shcherbak and Novoazovsk.

Associated Press reporters say they saw three similar military convoys driving through the town of Krasnodon last week, coming from the direction of Russia.

Mr Poroshneko has dissolved Ukraine's parliament and called early elections, accusing some politicians of supporting the rebels in the conflict, which has left more than 2,000 dead.

"Snap parliament polls are part of my peace plan," he said, adding a change of leadership was vital to stop the fighting.

Meanwhile, Moscow has announced plans to send another aid convoy into eastern Ukraine "this week".

Russia unilaterally sent about 230 lorries carrying what it claimed was 1,800 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the rebel-held city of Luhansk on Friday.

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'Horrific' Cases Of Child Abuse in Rotherham

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

More than 1,400 children were sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, a report has concluded.

The abuse of children, some just 11 years old, has been described as "horrific".

The report also found it is "not confined to the past but continues to this day".

In the summary of her findings, independent reviewer Alexis Jay OBE says: "It is hard to describe the appalling nature of the abuse that the victims suffered.

"They were raped by multiple perpetrators, trafficked to other towns and cities in the north of England, abducted, beaten, and intimidated.

"There were examples of children who had been doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, threatened with guns, made witness to brutally violent rapes and threatened they would be next if they told anyone.

Alexis Jay presents her report

"Girls as young as 11 were raped by large numbers of male perpetrators."

The report highlights a variety of historical and serious child protection failings and concludes the council and other agencies should have done more to protect those at risk.

In just over a third of cases victims were previously known to services in the town because of child protection and neglect.

The report says there was a series of failings including poor leadership from senior managers in child protection services and a perceived "lack of interest" in, and understanding of, grooming as a model of child abuse.

Victims were not heard or believed and there was a perception that a "macho and bullying" culture within the council prevented child sexual exploitation from being properly discussed. Professional jealousies between organisations also prevented effective action.

There was "denial" that such events could happen in Rotherham and issues of ethnicity were "played down" by senior managers. "Almost all" the perpetrators were described by victims as being of Pakinstani origin, but the authorities "wanted to play down ethnic dimensions... for fear of being thought racist."

Ms Jay found a series of reports made available to both the council and police raising serious concerns were not apparently acted on, and there had been a series of missed opportunities to understand the scale of the problem since 2002.

In response Martin Kimber, Chief Executive of Rotherham Council, said: "(It) does not make comfortable reading in its account of the horrific experiences of some young people in the past, and I would like to reiterate our sincere apology to those who were let down when they needed help.

"I commissioned the independent review to understand fully what went wrong, why it went wrong and to ensure that the lessons learnt in Rotherham mean these mistakes can never happen again.

"The report confirms our services have improved significantly over the last five years and are stronger today than ever before. This is important because it allows me to reassure young people and families that should anyone raise concerns we will take them seriously and provide them with the support they need."

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Boris Johnson To Stand As MP In West London

Boris Johnson hopes to stand in the west London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip at next year's General Election.

Mr Johnson announced earlier this month that he would "in all probability… try to find somewhere to stand in 2015".

The constituency is available because Conservative MP John Randall is standing down.

The local party will pick its candidate from up to 100 hopefuls on September 12.

Mr Johnson said he hoped to "make his case" that he was the best person to represent the constituency.

David Cameron has welcomed Boris Johnson's candidacy

"I'm sure there will be plenty of excellent candidates and I hope very much to make my case to the association," he told the Evening Standard.

Prime Minister David Cameron was among the first to welcome news of Mr Johnson's candidacy when it emerged on August 6.

He tweeted: "Great news that Boris plans to stand at next year's general election - I've always said I want my star players on the pitch."

There has been speculation Mr Johnson will eventually challenge for the Tory leadership.

Johnson was MP for Henley between 2001 and 2008

Sky's Political Correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "David Cameron has welcomed him and thinks he could help the Conservatives win the 2015 General Election, but he might be a little worried about what happens after that."

Uxbridge and South Ruislip had a Conservative majority of more than 11,000 at the last election.

Mr Johnson has said that if he is elected to the Commons next May he will still serve out his term as Mayor, which ends in 2016.

The constituency's Labour candidate, Chris Summers, has claimed the high-profile Tory could face a backlash there because of his proposals to close the nearby Heathrow Airport and replace it with a new one in the Thames Estuary.

Mr Johnson was MP for Henley between 2001 and 2008 and served in the shadow cabinet.

News of his application comes on a day when Nigel Farage will battle with other UKIP members hoping to stand as an MP in the South Thanet constituency.

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Richard Attenborough: Director Dies Aged 90

Tributes are being paid to Oscar-winning director Richard Attenborough, who dominated the British film business for more than half a century.

Lord Attenborough, who won two Academy Awards for directing and producing Gandhi in 1983, died at lunchtime on Sunday.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) described its former president as a "titan of British cinema" who set an example of "industry, skill and compassion" that business would do well to live up to. 

2005: Lord Attenborough with his wife Sheila whom he married when he was 21

He was president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) and championed the British film business for more than 60 years as an actor, director and prolific movie-maker.

Gandhi was the highlight of his career, winning eight Oscars, including best film. He also directed Young Winston, A Bridge Too Far, Chaplin and Cry Freedom.

As an actor he won acclaim for starring roles in films such as Brighton Rock, The Great Escape and 10 Rillington Place. 

Lord 'Dickie' Attenborough was born in Cambridgeshire in 1923 and educated at Wyggeston Grammar School and Emmanuel College Cambridge.

Richard Attenborough was a 'titan' of cinema for decades, says BAFTA

He was the older brother of naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

He married the actress Sheila Sim when he was 21. His son Michael was born in 1949, followed by two daughters, Jane and Charlotte.

Tragedy struck on Boxing Day 2004 when his elder daughter Jane Holland, her daughter Lucy, and her mother-in-law, also Jane, died in the south-Asian tsunami.

Director Steven Spielberg said: "Dickie Attenborough was passionate about everything in his life -  family, friends, country and career. 

With his brother, naturalist David

"He made a gift to the world with his emotional epic Ghandi and he was the perfect ringmaster to bring the dinosaurs back to life as John Hammond in Jurassic Park.

"He was a dear friend and I am standing in an endless line of those who completely adored him."

David Cameron said: "His acting in Brighton Rock was brilliant, his directing of Gandhi was stunning - Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema."

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Labour's leader in the House of Lords, said she was "proud" that the actor was a Labour peer.

Former Cabinet minister Peter Hain also paid tribute to the "brilliant actor and film director" who he also hailed as an "anti-Apartheid, Labour and Chelsea Football Club stalwart".

In a statement on their website, Chelsea said: "Chelsea Football Club is tonight deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Life President Lord Attenborough.

"His personality was woven into the tapestry of the club over seven decades. He will be greatly missed."

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Mikaeel Kular's Mother Jailed For His Killing

Mother Admits Beating Mikaeel Kular To Death

Updated: 2:10pm UK, Friday 25 July 2014

Mikaeel Kular's mother has pleaded guilty to killing her three-year-old son, who she subjected to repeated assaults.

Rosdeep Adekoya had been accused of murder but admitted a reduced charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Edinburgh.

She confessed to wrapping Mikaeel's body in a duvet cover, putting it in a suitcase and driving to Dunvegan Avenue in Kirkcaldy, where she hid the case under a bush in woodland behind a house.

Mikaeel's disappearance from his Edinburgh home in January sparked a huge search involving police officers, firefighters, mountain rescue teams and the coastguard, as well as members of the public.

His body was eventually found 25 miles away in woodland in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Adekoya had called 999 to report her son missing to police, telling officers he got out of bed and climbed on a stool to unlock the front door of his home.

But in court she admitted to beating her son to death, repeatedly punching him and causing his body to hit against a hard object or inflicting blunt injuries on his head and body between January 12 and 15.

She also pleaded guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice by pretending to police he had gone missing.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice told the court: "The basis for the plea tendered being accepted is that the Crown accepts that the accused had no intention to kill Mikaeel and that the assault perpetrated upon him, although severe, fell short of the wicked recklessness required for murder."

Explaining the charge of culpable homicide, Sky's James Matthews, at the High Court in Edinburgh, said: "Basically she beat up her son causing his death but she didn't mean to kill him, and that's been accepted by the prosecution authorities."

He said after killing Mikaeel, Adekoya had done the school-run taking her four other children to school before continuing on to dump his body behind a property where her sister was staying.

"Her concocted story unravelled under questioning by police, and it was when they spotted inconsistencies in her story that she broke down and told them where Mikaeel's body was," Matthews added.

Adekoya's internet history showed searches including "I find it hard to love my son", "I love all of my children except one", "Why am I so aggressive with my son" and "Get rid of bruises".

The court heard Mikaeel died on the night of Tuesday, January 14, from injuries inflicted the previous Sunday.

His mother "lost her temper" when he was repeatedly sick following a trip to a Nando's restaurant at the city's Fountain Park.

Mikaeel had more than 40 separate injuries to his body, including bruises to his back, chin and cheek, trauma to the brain, haemorrhage in the spinal cord and injuries to his arms.

Mr Prentice said: "If medical assistance had been called for, death might not have resulted."

Sentence was deferred until August 25 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

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