Denis MacShane Jailed Over Expenses Claims

Former Labour minister Denis MacShane has been jailed for six months after admitting making £13,000 of bogus expense claims.

The ex-MP previously pleaded guilty to false accounting by filing 19 fake receipts for "research and translation" services from 2005 to 2008.

MacShane, 65, used the money to fund a series of trips to Europe, including one to judge a literary competition in Paris.

His guilty plea followed more than four years of scrutiny into his use of Commons allowances.

Mr Justice Sweeney, sitting at the Old Bailey, stressed that this expenses case was different to others because it was not for "personal profit".

But he added: "The dishonesty involved was considerable and was repeated many times over a period.

"In your case you have no one to blame but yourself."

Flanked by two security officers, MacShane, wearing a dark suit with a blue striped tie and glasses, said "Cheers" as the sentence was delivered, before adding, "Quelle surprise" as he was led from the dock.

MacShane resigned as MP for Rotherham

Sky's Darren McCaffrey, at the court, said MacShane argued with the dock officer before sentencing after being told he could not take his luggage and mobile phone in with him.

MacShane was told he must serve half his sentence in prison and was ordered to pay costs of £1,500 within two months.

Parliamentary authorities began looking at his claims in 2009 when the wider scandal engulfed Westminster, and referred him to Scotland Yard within months.

But the principle of parliamentary privilege meant detectives were not given access to damning correspondence with the standards commissioner in which MacShane detailed how signatures on receipts from the European Policy Institute (EPI) had been faked.

The body was controlled by MacShane and the general manager's signature was not genuine. One message, dated October 2009, said he drew funds from the EPI so he could serve on a book judging panel in Paris.

It was not until after police dropped the case last year that the cross-party Standards Committee published the evidence in a report that recommended an unprecedented 12-month suspension from the House.

MacShane, 65, who served as Europe minister under Tony Blair, resigned as MP for Rotherham last November before the punishment could be imposed.

Police then re-opened their inquiry in the light of the fresh information and he was charged in May - even though the letters are still not thought to be admissible in court.

MacShane is reportedly in a relationship with Vicky Pryce, the ex-wife of former Energy Secretary Chris Huhne.

Huhne and Pryce were released from jail in May after serving sentences for perverting the course of justice.

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Paris Bar Pair Shot Dead At Point-Blank Range

A man and a woman have been shot dead in a Paris bar by a gunman who then fled the scene on foot.

The two were shot at point-blank range with one bullet each, police said.

They were sitting outside the Cafe Chineur in a residential area of the French capital's southern 14th arrondissement when the attack happened.

They tried to take refuge inside, but died as a result of their wounds. The two victims have not been named.

A local resident, who lives across the street from the bar, said: "I saw a trail of blood that went from the entrance to the inside."

Police investigator Jean-Jacques Herlem called the shooting "mysterious" and said no motive for the attack has yet been established.

Paris mayoral candidate Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, who lives nearby, went to the scene after learning of the shooting from friends.

"My children go to two schools in the neighbourhood. I'm shocked," she said.

"It's impossible not to make the connection with the growing concerns over security issues, even if we don't know anything at this stage."

France occasionally sees fatal attacks by armed criminals in bars, most often in southern cities such as Marseille, but sometimes also in Paris, though in places well away from the heavily policed centre favoured by tourists.

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Weather: Pre-Christmas Storm 'Everywhere'

Dozens of flood alerts are in place as driving rain and winds of up to 80mph sweep across the country, bringing chaos for Christmas travellers.

The stormy weather started this morning in the South West and is moving eastwards and northwards as the day continues.

Almost all of the UK will be affected by the relentless rain falling on already saturated ground and winds whipping to 70-80mph in eastern and central areas through this afternoon and overnight.

Around 3,000 homes are without power in Cornwall and a further 2,000 in other parts of the South West after high winds brought down power lines.

The Dartford QE2 bridge is closed until 4am tomorrow morning and the M48 Severn Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles.

An Essex police spokesman said: "The tunnels will remain open to help maintain the flow of traffic, but congestion is expected so drivers are advised to seek alternative routes if possible or avoid the Thurrock and Dartford areas of Essex and Kent."

A roof blew off a property in Hatherleigh, Devon. Pic: @Orchella49

The Met Office's has issued more than 100 amber "be prepared" warnings for London, southeast and southwest England, and South Wales.

Seven areas, including three in the South West, have been issued with "immediate action required" flood warnings.

Localised flooding is possible and winds of 50-60mph are forecast in inland areas, gusting up to 80mph along the coast.

Sky News' weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said rain would be the biggest problem for most people today.

"There will be heavy downpours bringing 20-40mm of rainfall quite widely and over 60mm likely across parts of the high ground.

"As the rain is falling on already saturated ground that could cause both surface water and river flooding in these areas."

:: See the latest weather forecast here

But it is the trains that are expected to bear the brunt of the nasty weather and at least 21 train companies are predicting changes to timetables and cancelled services.

More than 100 'be prepared' alerts have been issued

An emergency go-slow limit of 50mph is likely on many routes.

Train bosses say "hundreds of engineers" will be on call over the next two days to deal with any blocked tracks or technical problems.

Passengers are being urged to check the latest information before setting out.

Network Rail Managing Director Robin Gisby said: "I want to be very clear that our priority is running as many trains as we can safely, rather than worrying about hitting the timetable bang on."

Virgin Trains is one of many operators warning of delays and disruption

Many companies have removed limits on day tickets to deter people from travelling at the height of the bad weather.

Virgin Trains is advising passengers to travel before 3pm and says advance tickets for specific trains will be accepted on any service.

It says fewer trains than normal will run between London and Manchester, and London and Birmingham - where the 50mph limit is likely to be enforced.

South West Trains is another operator warning of "significantly reduced speeds" on its network.

Motorists are also being urged to be take special care on the roads and check the flood updates ahead of their journey.

The Environment Agency and the AA strongly advise not entering flood water that is moving or more than 10cm deep.

The A82 in Scotland, where there is an ice alert. Pic: @pressscotland

David Jordan, Director of Operations at the Environment Agency, said: "Tragically people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through flood water just to save a few minutes.

"Flood water is dangerous. If there is widespread flooding in your area then don't travel and if a road is closed then turn around and make a detour."

The Highways Agency said high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists should be especially careful in the high winds and and has put out a list of potentially treacherous routes.

John McTaggart, head of on-road services at the agency, said: "We are working closely with the Met Office to monitor conditions.

"In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close certain bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow the clearly signed diversion routes."

The RAC is predicting that 13 million people will take to the roads from December 24 to 26.

Visitor attractions are also playing it safe, with the popular Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park staying shut on Monday as well as Kew Gardens' Christmas attraction.

Festive revellers will get a brief respite from the unsettled weather on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but the stormy conditions are due to return on Friday.

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Delaney Brown Gets Christmas Wish For Carols

A terminally ill girl has been granted one of her final wishes after thousands of people gathered to sing Christmas carols outside her home.

Eight-year-old Delaney Brown, who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia in May, has been given only days to live by her doctors.

Family members and other supporters have spent the last few weeks trying to grant as many of her wishes as possible.

On Friday - her eighth birthday - Delaney known as Laney chatted via video with singer Taylor Swift.

Over the weekend, the streets around the Brown home in West Reading, Pennsylvania, were full of people singing Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and Joy to the World.

A dedicated "Team Laney" Facebook page has more than 45,000 followers.

The Facebook page for Laney

An update on the website said: "As jingle bells and other carols were being sung for Laney she was surrounded by nurses and paramedics assessing her breathing.

"The paramedics checked her oxygen level which ended up being okay. She still requires oxygen otherwise her levels drop very fast."

Some people even rearranged their holiday plans to attend the impromptu concert.

Carol singer Renee Kirkland-Hinton told WTXF TV: "I was actually supposed to be leaving to go out of town yesterday.

"I changed my plans just to be here tonight, just to be of support and be prayerful for the family."

James Lally said: "I couldn't even put myself in that situation to understand the devastation.

"I couldn't imagine losing one of my own."

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Migrants: Cameron Warned UK Faces Isolation

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

The Bulgarian President has warned David Cameron that he risks being judged by history as a Prime Minister who has isolated the UK and damaged its reputation.

Rosen Plevneliev said his countrymen were watching Britain's immigration debate unfold and raising questions about the "democratic, tolerant and humane British society".

It comes as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says the Lib Dems will not accept any further curbs to migrants and a Tory backbencher warns that the rhetoric on immigration could stop non-white people voting Conservative.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has also insisted a cap on EU migrants is "not going to happen".

The Observer leads with a rebuke by the Bulgarian President

Transitional controls on Romanian and Bulgarian migrants will be lifted in under two weeks.

Some think-tanks have warned that 50,000 people could arrive from the two countries each year.

Mr Cameron has reacted to concerns about the move with a string of interventions including to limit access to benefits for those travelling to the UK.

And at the European Council meeting in Brussels this week he threatened to veto the EU accession of new countries such as Albania and Serbia without strict new immigration rules.

One idea put forward by the PM is to set a GDP limit below which countries will not be given free movement of labour if they join the EU.

Mr Plevneliev said he feared for the safety of Bulgarians in Britain. He said "iron curtains" should not remain in the 20th century, arguing that this was a time to bring down walls, not to build them.

"Mr Cameron should never forget that a politician is remembered in history not with the everyday business," he said.

Mr Clegg makes his comments in the Sunday Times. He has supported the crackdown on benefits for immigrants saying the right to move and work is not the same as the right to claim.

Mr Clegg has warned he will block moves to curb immigration from the EU

"But this is where we draw the line," he says, rejecting talk of "arbitrary" caps on EU nationals. That was a policy idea being considered by the Home Office that was leaked to the media in recent weeks.

Mr Clegg's party is traditionally liberal on immigration and did support an amnesty for illegal immigrants before the last election. But public fears have led the Lib Dems to drop the pledge, admitting that public trust in the immigration system is broken and it would be asking too much.

Mark Field, a Conservative backbencher, has also entered the debate saying the tough talk on immigration could turn off non-white voters.

He has warned Mr Cameron not to repeat the mistakes made by Mitt Romney, the US Republican candidate, in 2012. He said failure to reach out to the Hispanic community had meant it had failed to understand his stance on immigration.

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Deadly US Storm Cuts Power And Hits Flights

A deadly storm has been sweeping across the central and southern US, leaving thousands without power and forcing many flights to be cancelled or delayed.

Tornadoes and powerful winds, as well as ice and flooding, came as millions of people were preparing to head home by air and road for Christmas.

The "particularly strong storm" threatened to frustrate travellers from Texas to Nova Scotia as it affected a 2,000-mile area.

At least two people have been killed in the strong gusts, including a man whose mobile home overturned in northern Mississippi.

Another man died when his car hit a tree that fell across a road in the southeastern part of the state.

At the storm's height, more than 22,000 people lost power in northern Mississippi.

Trees were brought down by the storm. Pic: CBS News

In Arkansas, at least five people were injured and two dozen homes were damaged after two apparent tornadoes struck.

In the northeast, ice and whipping winds battered parts of New York and Vermont as officials urged motorists to avoid travelling in dangerously slippy conditions.

More than 10,000 customers were without power in upstate New York as the storm was forecast to linger into Sunday afternoon.

About 5,000 flights have been hit nationwide with most of the disruption in and out of major hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Some 94.5 million Americans were planning to travel by road or air during the holiday season, which runs from Saturday until New Year's Day.

The system was a strange swirl of wintry and spring-like weather as it passed over areas in the Midwest, where there were freezing temperatures, and places like Memphis, where temperatures surpassed 70F (21C).

The National Weather Service said severe storms with damaging winds were possible on Sunday in northern Georgia, including Atlanta.

Forecasters says the storm is 'particularly strong'. Pic: CBS News

A flood watch for the region was in effect until Monday.

Weather service spokesman Ed Danaher told CBS News: "This is a particularly strong storm with very warm, near record-breaking temperatures in the East and very cold air in the Midwest.

"That contrast is the sort of conditions that are favourable for not only winter weather but also tornadoes."

Darren Hall, 45, of Raymore, Missouri., normally drives to St. Louis for the holiday.

But he decided not to risk it because of the freezing rain hitting the area and the promise of worse to come.

Instead, he waited for a train at Kansas City's Union Station.

He said: "You don't have to deal with all the roads. It's safer, less hassle."

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Syria: Body Of British Doctor Arrives In UK

The body of British doctor Abbas Khan, who died while in custody in Syria, has arrived at London's Heathrow Airport.

His mother Fatima Khan and brother Afroze were on the plane carrying the coffin which is being driven to Romford Hospital.

It was received by his family in Lebanon on Saturday - almost a week after his death - who intend to bury their loved one as soon as possible.

The 32-year-old father of two - and one of seven siblings - was arrested more than a year ago after travelling to the rebel-held city of Aleppo to treat injured civilians.

Dr Khan's family believe he was abused while in custody and have blamed the Syrian regime for his death, despite authorities in Damascus claiming he took his own life.

Dr Khan's brother and sister, Shahnawaz and Sara Khan

His brother and sister, Shahnawaz and Sara Khan, told Sky News earlier that nobody has explained to the family how or why he died and that they feel he was let down by the British authorities.

Shahnawaz Khan told Sky News: "We are still unclear why there's been such a protracted process in releasing his body.

"Everything that the Syrian government has done over these past 13 months to us has been arduous and has inflicted much insult upon us. I guess this was their final attempt to inflict as much misery upon us as they could.

"They had already embalmed him and carried out some tests that we had requested them not to.

"It has been a difficult time. We haven't had a chance to grieve properly because we are still fighting to get him back."

The married British surgeon was due to be released from prison and allowed home for Christmas.

Sara Khan said: "We still haven't been given a clear explanation as to what happened to him, which is absolutely despicable, that the Syrians can feel that they can give us multiple explanations for his death.

"We want the British Government to help the family in getting those answers from the Syrians as somebody needs to own up for this absolutely cruel injustice that has been done to my brother."

The family has criticised what they said was a lack of support given to them by the Foreign Office during Dr Khan's incarceration.

Foreign Office minister Hugh Robertson has said: "There is no excuse whatsoever for the treatment that he has suffered by the Syrian authorities who have in effect murdered a British national who was in their country to help people injured during their civil war."

An FCO spokesman said on Sunday: "Responsibility for Dr Khan's death lies with the Syrian authorities and we are pressing for answers about what happened. As Mr Robertson, the Minister of State for the Middle East, said there can be no excuse whatsoever for the treatment Dr Khan suffered from the Syrian authorities.

Dr Khan was arrested in Aleppo where he was helping civilians

"We are in regular contact with Dr Khan's family and are providing consular support to them.

"We consistently sought consular access to Dr Khan and information on his detention, directly and through the Russians, Czechs and others. In November, Minister Robertson wrote making clear our concerns about his welfare and treatment, stressing that the regime's failure to provide any information indicating Dr Khan's continued detention was legitimate meant his position should be reviewed immediately. These requests were consistently ignored.

"All UK consular services in Syria were suspended some time ago and we continue to advise against all travel to Syria."

Claims that the surgeon had picked sides and had jihadi links, and was in the country without a visa, were dismissed by his brother.

"The accusation of any sort of terrorist activities has never been levied to us," Shahnawaz Khan said.

"There is no sense that he was ever involved in any sort of activities.

"The only reason why that question is raised is because he is a British Muslim, and throughout he has been treated with a degree of suspicion by their authorities and unfortunately the authorities in the British Government.

"In Syria he has been executed for being British and he has been let down by his own government for not being British enough."

He added: "We will have to move on, but moving on now will include attaining some answers around the circumstances of his death and the steps that could have possibly saved him."

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Weather Warning As Travel Delays Expected

Millions of travellers preparing for the Christmas getaway are being warned to expect delays on the roads and railways as strong winds and heavy rain are expected across Britain tomorrow.

At least 27 rail networks are expected to be affected by the weather on Mondaywith gusts of up to 60mph likely nearly everywhere in the afternoon, possibly reaching 80mph later in the day in some areas.

Weather disruption on the A9 southbound in Scotland (pic: @EuanWest)

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the day, and motorists are being told to brace for problems - particularly those heading to the southwest of England and parts of Scotland.

The Cumbrian Coast Line between Carlisle and Barrow is already shut due to a landslide, while flooding has closed part of the line in Crowborough.

The scene beside the A9 at Drumochter this morning (pic: @BEAR_Scotland)

Cumbrian Police are urging people to take extra care and be prepared for flooding caused by heavy rain.

The Highways Agency, in conjunction with the Met Office, is advising drivers of high-sided or other vehicles vulnerable to high winds to avoid several roads including the M4 from junctions 22 to 23 and the M5 from junctions 18 to 19.

Many delayed passengers vented their frustration on Twitter

John McTaggart, head of on-road services at the Agency, said: "We are working closely with the Met Office to monitor conditions ahead of tomorrow.

"Road users are urged to check traffic and weather conditions before setting out on journeys and to heed any advice such as speed restrictions once they are on the strategic road network.

"Be aware of sudden gusts of wind, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles plenty of space.

The Met Office 'Be Aware' warning covers the whole UK

"In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close certain bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow the clearly signed diversion routes. "

Arriva Trains Wales, c2C, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country, First Capital Connect and trains to Heathrow Airport are all expected to be affected.

Virgin Trains said delays were "likely" but that tickets dated for travel on Sunday or Monday would be accepted for travel "on any train on either day".

Approximately two trains per hour are expected to run between Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and all other stations into London St Pancras International from noon on Monday.

Rail operators say passengers with tickets for trains tomorrow should travel today if possible. East Midlands Trains have confirmed that anyone with ticket for tomorrow may travel today. Advance ticket holders may also travel on services earlier than the time specified on the ticket.

The Environment Agency say flood alerts are in place in several areas across the country and motorists are advised to contact the Highways Agency if roads start to flood with a build-up of surface water. The RAC is predicting that 13 million people will take to the roads from December 24 to 26.

Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Very strong winds are expected [on Monday] as the deep area of low pressure across the southwest moves northwards past the Western Isles of Scotland.

"Gusts are expected to reach 60mph almost everywhere during the afternoon. During the evening and overnight, wind gusts may reach 70-80mph across central and south-eastern parts of England.

"Heavy rain is also expected to spread eastwards to most of the UK during the afternoon and overnight. So it will be a very wet and very windy day for all areas."

The worst of the weather is expected to clear by the end of Christmas Eve.

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Christmas Shoppers To Spend £12bn In Four Days

By Emma Birchley, Sky News Reporter

Shoppers are expected to spend £12bn in just four days as they make the most of slashed prices and promotions, according to retail forecasters.

The deals are being offered as a fierce battle for sales rages both on the high street and online.

Alan Dadswell relies on Christmas to keep his shop Toys 'N' Tuck in Southend-on-Sea going and he says discounts are crucial.

He said: "To get people to spend the money they have got to feel they are getting a bargain and we have got to give them a bargain. We have to hunt with our suppliers to do good deals to get people in to the store."

A sluggish autumn has put added pressure on retailers.

But with 74% of shops offering deals, 13 million people are expected to shop on the high street on the last Saturday before Christmas.

It will help that many people finished work for Christmas on Friday.

Offering discounts at Toys 'N' Tuck in Southend-on-Sea is crucial

But Diane Wehrle, from the shop footfall monitors Springboard, says shoppers are getting increasingly canny.

She said: "Tactics definitely come into it. Shoppers are becoming much more savvy than they used to be. They understand that retailers are slashing prices. They understand they are doing one-off specials and they wait for them.

"So they perhaps go window shopping before the Christmas trading period starts, look out for what they want to buy and then buy them when they are on offer."

Lizzy Clarke, armed with bags of gifts in Southend, has made the most of the offers.

"They've got some great deals ... 75% off in some stores and I've just bought some jumpers that cost me £30 last week and this week have cost me £7," she said.

But Rob Antoniazz, who is unconvinced, said: "The decent items in good shops are never up for sale because the demand is there to buy them."

Tesco's distribution centre in Erith, Kent, has gone into overdrive

Half of the money being spent in the four days to the end of Monday will be on food, with £900m going towards online groceries.

Tesco has sold twice as many turkeys over the internet than last year. At its distribution centre in Erith, Kent, staff are working around the clock preparing orders.

Simon Belsham, the managing director of Online Grocery for the chain, said: "This is a really busy time of year for us. It really reflects that customers are looking for more and more convenient ways to shop for their Christmas presents and Christmas food."

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Lockerbie Anniversary: Cameron Praises Victims

Relatives of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing are due to attend memorial services in the UK and US to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity.

Pan Am flight 103 was on its way from London to New York when it exploded above Lockerbie, in southern Scotland, on the evening of December 21 1988, killing 270 people - everyone on board and 11 on the ground.

British Prime Minister David Cameron described it as "one of the worst aviation disasters in history and the deadliest act of terrorism" ever committed in the UK.

Eleven people were killed on the ground in Lockerbie

He said: "Though 25 years have passed, memories of the 243 passengers, 16 crew and 11 Lockerbie residents who lost their lives on that terrible night have not dimmed.

"Over the last quarter of a century much attention has been focused on the perpetrators of the atrocity. Today our thoughts turn to its victims and to those whose lives have been touched and changed by what happened at Lockerbie that night.

"To families, friends, neighbours, loved ones, and all those caught up in the painful process of recovery, let us say to them: our admiration for you is unconditional. For the fortitude and resilience you have shown. For your determination never to give up. You have shown that terrorist acts cannot crush the human spirit. That is why terrorism will never prevail.

"And even in the darkest moments of grief, it is possible to glimpse the flickering flame of hope."

Memorial events attended by politicians, officials, families and members of the community are to take place in Lockerbie, London and at Arlington National Cemetery in the US, where most of the victims were from.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and Lord Wallace, Advocate General for Scotland, will attend a service at 2pm at Dryfesdale Cemetery in the Dumfries and Galloway town, followed by a 30-minute wreath-laying ceremony.

Later, simultaneous remembrance services in Lockerbie and the States will get under way from 6.30pm (UK time) during which relatives will read the names of the victims and hold a minute's silence at 7.03pm (UK time) to mark a quarter of a century since the tragedy.

Westminster Abbey will also hold a service for the victims, from 21 countries, which will begin at 6.45pm and will include readings and a moment of silence.

Mr Salmond said: "As the community of Lockerbie marks the milestone, memorial events will be held in Westminster Abbey, Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and at Syracuse University which lost 35 students in the bombing.

"But, inevitably, a focus of the day will be on the memorial in Lockerbie and it is there that I will pay my respects and condolences on behalf of the people of Scotland."

Abdelbaset al Megrahi was the only person to be convicted of the bombing

Dr Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora died in the disaster, told Sky News: "Anniversaries aren't in a sense that big a deal for the families of victims because we have to live with the lovely memories of those that we lost all that time ago, every day of every year. Bereavement in itself is sometimes a life sentence."

Graham Herbert, former rector at Lockerbie Academy which lost three students in the atrocity, said the market town "has always tried to move forward".

He told Sky News: "I know today there will be a lot of closed doors. A lot of people will not go out of their houses. The memories are just too bitter, there are still open wounds there.

"There are quite a lot of American families in the town today. Each year it just comes back to them, they are not allowed to heal. They want to commemorate, they want to be here where their loved ones fell, but it's hard, it's tough."

Libyan Abdelbaset al Megrahi was found guilty of the bombing in January 2001 and given a life sentence.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008, leading to a decision to free him under compassionate release rules.

Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill took that decision on August 20 the following year, sparking a row among politicians on both sides of the Atlantic.

Megrahi died in Tripoli, Libya in May last year. His family is considering lodging a fresh appeal to clear his name.

British relatives of victims who believe he was wrongfully convicted of the bombing are also planning another appeal against the conviction when they meet with lawyers in the new year.

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