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Emwazi's Old Schoolmate: 'He Was Like Any Of Us'

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 28 Februari 2015 | 18.25

A classmate of Mohammed Emwazi - the Londoner unmasked as "Jihadi John" - has told Sky News that "nothing in his high school could have left him radicalised".

The fellow pupil of the Quintin Kynaston academy, who was two years older than Emwazi and does not wish to be named, believes the IS militant's education beyond high school may be responsible for his transformation into a cold-blooded killer.

"It wasn't like university where you'd have speakers coming over from certain societies to give talks," he said. "I suppose there was potential for him to be groomed, that is a possibility. But at the time, at secondary school, he was like any of us."

Emwazi went on to study at the University of Westminster between 2006 and 2009 - finishing his computer programming degree in the same year he was reportedly questioned by an MI5 officer in Amsterdam, accused of attempting to travel to Somalia to join a terror group.

According to the classmate, there was nothing to suggest Emwazi was religious during his teenage years. He was quiet, rarely made eye contact, and always wore a baseball cap - but was known to get into the occasional fight.

"He wasn't someone who was loud, talkative and provocative," the ex-pupil added. "There were more violent people than him."

There has been widespread shock at Emwazi's old high school following his apparent involvement in a series of Islamic State videos which show the gruesome beheadings of Western aid workers and journalists.

The classmate, who has watched some of the videos, continued: "Something has gone wrong somewhere - whether in the UK, or when he went abroad.

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  1. Gallery: Jihadi John's University Academic Record

    Mohammed Emwazi, aka Jihadi John, studied a computing course at university. Sky News has exclusively obtained his student record

His file shows mostly middling academic grades for his course modules. He graduated with a lower second (2.2) degree

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18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM Defends MI5 After 'Jihadi John' Named

David Cameron says Britain will do "everything we can" to bring terrorists to justice after Londoner Mohammed Emwazi was identified as the Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John".

The Prime Minister also expressed his support for Britain's security services as questions were raised about whether appropriate actions were taken to stop Emwazi from travelling to Syria.

Speaking at an event in Cardiff, Mr Cameron defended MI5 and praised the service for its "dedicated and courageous" work protecting Britain.

"They are having to make incredibly difficult judgements, and I think basically they make very good judgements on our behalf," he said.

"I think while we are in the middle of this vast effort to make sure British citizens are safe, the most important thing is to get behind them."

The security agency has been criticised for its handling of Emwazi's case. The 27-year-old travelled to Syria in 2013, several years after MI5's first contact with the militant. 

In 2009 he was reportedly questioned by an MI5 officer in Amsterdam who accused him of attempting to travel to Somalia to join a terror group.

Asim Qureshi, a director of the CAGE campaign group, has claimed Emwazi was harassed by the security agency over the following years as agents tried to recruit him as an informant.

Sir Menzies Campbell, a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee, has indicated that the parliamentary committee is likely to seek answers from MI5 over what information they held on "Jihadi John".

The families of Western hostages killed by Islamic State have expressed mixed reactions to the identification of Emwazi

A spokesman for relatives of Steven Sotloff, the US journalist beheaded in an Islamic State video, says they have "full faith" that Emwazi will eventually face justice. 

While refusing to address specific cases, Mr Cameron said the security services and the police would do "everything" to bring those who commit "appalling and heinous crimes" to justice.

He described Britain's security services as "incredibly impressive, hard-working and dedicated".

"I'm satisfied we have in place the right ways of scrutinising the work that these extraordinary men and women do on our behalf," Mr Cameron said.

"Even in the last few months their dedication and work has saved us from plots on the streets of the United Kingdom that could have done immense damage.

"So I think it is a moment to stand up and thank them for the work they do on our behalf."

Speaking to Sky News, the executive director of the Human Security Centre, an independent foreign policy think tank, criticised CAGE for suggesting that Emwazi was radicalised as a consequence of his contact with MI5.

"This narrative was put forward by CAGE, which is often described as a human rights organisation, or a civil liberty organisation, but which is actually a pro-Islamist organisation," she said.

"They have a long record of supporting terrorists and of apologising for their actions."

Meanwhile Boris Johnson has told Sky News of his concern about youth being "sucked into" Islamist ideologies in London and across the country.

Mr Johnson was speaking to First News readers and contributors from Sky News' Stand Up Be Counted campaign.

Asked whether people should feel safe in Britain, Mr Johnson said: "We should feel safe in this country. (The) police are doing a great job... and we're a safe society.

"But... we do have a problem with terrorism, with young people who are just being driven into an ideology that in my view is leading them into dangerous and criminal, catastrophic behaviour."


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cameron 'Sickened' By Boris Nemtsov Killing

David Cameron has condemed the killing of Russia's former deputy prime minister Boris Nemstov as despicable and callous.

The Prime Minister added the Russian people had been deprived of a champion of their rights and that Mr Nemtsov was greatly admired in Britain, not least by Margaret Thatcher.

"I am shocked and sickened by the callous murder of Boris Nemtsov as he walked in the heart Moscow last night," he said.

"This despicable act must be fully, rapidly and transparently investigated, and those responsible brought to justice."

The 55-year-old, who was a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin, died after being shot four times by an unidentified attacker in a passing car in Moscow during the early hours of Saturday morning.

According to colleagues, he was working on a report which apparently included concrete evidence that Russia was directly involved in the separatist movement which erupted in Ukraine last year.

At the time of the attack, Mr Nemtsov was walking along a bridge with a Ukrainian woman, who was uninjured in the shooting. She is now being questioned by police.

Police spokeswoman Elena Alexayeva said: "Citizen Nemtsov was walking with his female acquaintance, who had come from Ukraine, along the Bolshoy Kammeny Bridge towards Bolotnaya Square.

"All of a sudden, a car pulled over and several shots were fired from inside the car. As a result, four bullets hit the back (of Nemtsov) and caused Mr Nemtsov injuries incompatible with life."

The politician had received death threats on social media, but no steps were taken by the police to offer him protection, according to his lawyer, Vadim Prokhorov.

Russia's investigative committee are pursuing several lines of enquiry include Islamist extremist attack and links to the Ukraine crisis.

A senior opposition politician, Mr Nemtsov was an outspoken detractor of Vladimir Putin's administration - and had planned to attend an "anti-crisis march" through the capital on Sunday.

The economist had said in an interview with Russian media: "Every time I called (my mother), she laments: 'When are you going to stop scolding Putin? He will kill you!'"

Mr Putin has condemned the death, which he said looked like a "contract killing" - adding that he will personally oversee the investigation into the shooting.

Meanwhile, the White House has demanded that the investigation is "prompt, impartial and transparent".

President Obama, who met Mr Nemtsov in 2009, described him as a "tireless advocate" for the rights of Russian citizens, and cited his work in fighting corruption.

Garry Kasparov, chairman of the Human Rights Foundation, tweeted: "Devastated to hear of the brutal murder of my long-time opposition colleague Boris Nemtsov. Shot four times, once for each child he leaves."

Widely regarded as the greatest chess player of all time, the political activist added: "Politkovskaya was gunned down. MH17 was shot out of the sky. Now Boris is dead. As always, Kremlin will blame opposition, or CIA, whatever."

According to the Financial Times, Mr Nemtsov had wanted to tackle the stagnant wages and soaring inflation that has blighted Russia's economy in recent times - with the rouble collapsing and Western nations imposing sanctions over the government's involvement in the Ukraine crisis.

"They believe that the embargo on imported foods is America's fault, and they were surprised when I told them no, that was not Obama, it was Putin. This is what we need to make people aware of: the crisis, that's Putin," Mr Nemtsov said.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Naming Of 'Jihadi John' Splits Victims' Families

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 27 Februari 2015 | 18.25

The family of Steven Sotloff, the US journalist beheaded in an Islamic State video, have said they have "full faith" that his alleged killer "Jihadi John" will be brought to justice - a day after he was identified as a Londoner called Mohammed Emwazi.

Speaking to Sky News, the family's spokesman Barak Barfi said: "They hope that he will be caught by American intelligence officials, brought to trial in the United States, and convicted for the crime of beheading their son.

"There's going to be no closure until these people are brought to justice. This is just one step in a long path. The Taliban were toppled in Afghanistan, al Qaeda was eradicated in Afghanistan, and we believe that one day, Islamic State's end will come.

"When that comes, people like Jihadi John will have nowhere to run."

Since the 27-year-old was unmasked as the frontman of IS, reaction from the families of the Western hostages killed in cold blood has been mixed.

The mother of James Foley, the first US journalist murdered by the militant group, has said she forgives "Jihadi John" - and described Emwazi's apparent involvement with the terror organisation as "an ongoing tragedy".

Diane Foley told The Times: "It saddens me, his continued hatred. He felt wronged, now we hate him - now that just prolongs the hatred. We need to end it."

Loved ones of David Haines, the British aid worker believed to have died at the hands of Emwazi, are also divided on what would bring closure to victims' families.

Whereas his wife, Dragana, told the BBC that Emwazi's death was "the last thing I would want for someone like him", Mr Haines' daughter, Bethany, told ITV News that she would only feel closure "once there's a bullet between his eyes".

Scrutiny is mounting over claims that Emwazi, a graduate from the University of Westminster, was already known to MI5 before he joined the ranks of IS in 2013.

But Mr Barfi, speaking to Sky News on behalf of the Sotloffs, rejected claims that British intelligence services had "dropped the ball".

He added: "The British have long been vigilant and have stopped a number of plans. This is not a replay of the Kouachi brothers, who were responsible for the Charlie Hebdo attacks.

"This is a completely different situation, and British intelligence has done as much as it could have, given the constraints of the democratic environment it works in."

Sir Menzies Campbell has said the Intelligence and Security Committee will likely seek answers about what information had been held on Emwazi - but this process will not take place until after the General Election.

According to Asim Qureshi, a director of the CAGE campaign group, Emwazi had been continually harassed by security agencies before he joined IS - and described the now-infamous militant as "extremely kind and gentle" and "the most beautiful young man".

Both Scotland Yard and Downing Street have refused to confirm reports of Emwazi's identity.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Jihadi John' Used To Be 'Kind And Gentle'

Mohammed Emwazi, the Londoner identified in reports as "Jihadi John", has been described as "extremely kind and gentle" by the director of a campaign group.

CAGE research director Asim Qureshi told reporters Emwazi was "the most humble young person that I ever knew".

The British group, which lobbies against the US-led war on terror, claims to have had extensive dealings with the alleged IS militant over several years.

Mr Qureshi was speaking after CAGE issued a statement claiming the behaviour of UK authorities had played a major part in the radicalisation of young Muslims like "Jihadi John".

CAGE says security services have "systematically engaged in the harassment of young Muslims, rendering their lives impossible and leaving them with no legal avenue to redress their situation".

It cites the case of Emwazi, who grew up in northwest London and studied computing at the University of Westminster, as an example of this.

CAGE says the 27-year-old first contacted the organisation in 2010 after he flew to Britain from his native Kuwait where he was due to get married.

His communications over the next two years highlighted "interference by the UK security agencies as he sought to find redress within the system".

CAGE said Emwazi told the group at the time: "I never got onto the flight, what was the point, I said to myself; I'll just get rejected.

"I had a job waiting for me and marriage to get started. But now I feel like a prisoner, only not in a cage, in London.

"A person imprisoned and controlled by security service men, stopping me from living my new life in my birthplace and my country, Kuwait."

Emwazi went on: "I have been trying to find out the reason for my refused visa issue from my home country Kuwait, and a way to solve the issue.

"So through my friends in Kuwait, it has been said to me that Kuwait has no problem with me entering, and the reason for my refusal is simply because the UK agents have told them to not let me in!!"

CAGE also cites the case of Michael Adebolajo, who murdered soldier Lee Rigby in London in May 2013.

Mr Qureshi said: "Like Michael Adebolajo, the suffocating domestic policies aimed at turning a person into an informant but which prevent a person from fulfilling their basic life needs would have left a lasting impression on Emwazi."

CAGE claims the "culture of abuse now runs so deep in the UK that there are virtually entire communities which, due to security services acting outside of the rule of law, no longer have access to due process".

"Individuals are prevented from travelling, placed under house arrest and in the worst cases tortured, rendered or killed, seemingly on the whim of security agents."

Mr Qureshi said: "We now have evidence that there are several young Britons whose lives were not only ruined by security agencies, but who became disenfranchised and turned to violence because of British counter-terrorism policies coupled with long- standing grievances over Western foreign policy.

"This case should trigger thinking about British domestic and foreign policy.

"What risk assessments, if any, have been made about British counter-terrorism policy and the key part it plays in radicalising individuals?

"How have the security services been allowed to get away with abusing British citizens without redress?

"Why are the long-standing grievances over Western interventions in the Muslim world been ignored?"

He added: "All parties genuinely interested in achieving peace and safety ought to realise that revising British foreign and domestic policy is the only way forward.

"Acting otherwise would be irresponsible."

On the question of whether the UK authorities' treatment of "Jihadi John" played a part in his radicalisation, Jonathan Shaw, a former head of cyber security at the Ministry of Defence, told Sky News: "I think we can all speculate on that.

"But I think precisely because of that very different impression of that character that existed then to the character we now know him to be, suggests how difficult it is for the security agencies to identify in advance the people who are going to turn into these jihadis.

"If you can turn from this gentle description of a human being to the sort of monster we see on our screens all the time makes it incredibly difficult to identify in advance who those people are."

"Jihadi John" is believed to be involved in the killings of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning, and American aid worker Peter Kassig.

Last month, the IS militant also appeared in a video with the Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto, shortly before they were murdered.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Glitter Child Sex Abuse Sentencing Under Way

Former glam rocker Gary Glitter is being sentenced for a string of historical sex attacks on three schoolgirls.

The 70-year-old is at Southwark Crown Court where he is facing a maximum of life in prison after being found guilty of having sex with a 12-year-old girl.

The disgraced singer, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was also convicted on one count of attempted rape and four counts of indecent assault.

His victims included a girl who was less than 10 years old when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975.

Glitter, who denied all the charges, was also guilty of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old.

As he arrived in court, he waved at two friends in the public gallery.

The former chart topper was at the height of his fame when he preyed on the youngsters.

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18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Madonna Blames Brits Stairs Tumble On Cloak

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 26 Februari 2015 | 18.25

Madonna Blames Brits Stairs Tumble On Cloak

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Madonna took a nasty tumble down some stairs after a costume malfunction during her first performance at the Brit Awards in 20 years.

Viewers were left shocked when the singer fell backwards and smashed into the stage after a dancer tried to yank off the cloak she was wearing.

The singer fell three steps before getting back on her feet to continue the performance surrounded by dancers dressed as devils.

She took to Instagram soon after the gaffe and explained that the Armani cloak was "tied too tight", but that she was "fine".

"Armani hooked me up! My beautiful cape was tied too tight! But nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up! Thanks for your good wishes! I'm fine! ❤️#livingforlove," she wrote.

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  1. Gallery: Fallen Madonna: Star Hits The Deck

    Madonna takes a nasty tumble during her performance of Living For Love at the Brit Awards

The accident happened when a dancer attempted to remove her cloak, sending her falling backwards down the stairs with her legs in the air

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Madonna was temporarily left on the deck but the Queen of Pop carried on with her performance despite the wince-inducing mishap

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Madonna Blames Brits Stairs Tumble On Cloak

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Madonna took a nasty tumble down some stairs after a costume malfunction during her first performance at the Brit Awards in 20 years.

Viewers were left shocked when the singer fell backwards and smashed into the stage after a dancer tried to yank off the cloak she was wearing.

The singer fell three steps before getting back on her feet to continue the performance surrounded by dancers dressed as devils.

She took to Instagram soon after the gaffe and explained that the Armani cloak was "tied too tight", but that she was "fine".

"Armani hooked me up! My beautiful cape was tied too tight! But nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up! Thanks for your good wishes! I'm fine! ❤️#livingforlove," she wrote.

1/8

  1. Gallery: Fallen Madonna: Star Hits The Deck

    Madonna takes a nasty tumble during her performance of Living For Love at the Brit Awards

The accident happened when a dancer attempted to remove her cloak, sending her falling backwards down the stairs with her legs in the air

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Madonna was temporarily left on the deck but the Queen of Pop carried on with her performance despite the wince-inducing mishap

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18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Savile: Hospital Staff Knew Of 10 Allegations

Staff at Stoke Mandeville Hospital knew of 10 allegations against Jimmy Savile during the period when he was abusing patients and visitors, new reports have revealed.

Victims of the disgraced entertainer ranged in age from five to 75, and included patients, staff and visitors, found one report.

And it warned there was evidence many aspects of the Savile abuse scandal could be repeated in the future.

There was also evidence to suggest Savile had unsupervised access to the mortuary at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire.

One report said: "Two witnesses gave evidence to the investigation that they had heard Savile was having sex with dead bodies in the mortuary."

While the inquiry found no evidence of this, it said it was not possible to investigate the allegations further.

But Savile had admitted spending a lot of time in the mortuary to a hospital electrician, telling him: "Actually, I often come here for a crafty smoke."

Those staff who complained about Savile's behaviour, were "severely reprimanded".

Dr Androulla Johnstone, who wrote the Stoke Mandeville report, told a press conference Savile was an "opportunistic predator who on occasion could also show a high degree of premeditation" when planning attacks.

She said: "The individuals to whom these incidents were reported failed in their duty to protect.

"Consequentially, no intelligence about Savile's behaviour was gathered over the years and no action was taken.

"Whilst witnesses told us it was an open secret within the hospital that Savile was a lecher and general nuisance, none stated that they knew about his sexual abuse activities."

Lawyer Liz Dux, who represents many of the Stoke Mandeville victims, said it "beggars belief" the report found no evidence of senior staff being aware of the abuse.

But Dr Johnstone rejected claims of a "cover-up" by staff, and said Savile's behaviour went unchallenged due to a "general disbelief".

Hattie Llewelyn-Davies, chairwoman of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust which runs Stoke Mandeville, apologised to Savile's victims on behalf of the NHS.

She said: "Together these accounts paint a bleak story of a deeply flawed and repellent individual who used his role as a fundraiser, his celebrity status and his national contacts to conceal his wicked activities.

"For too long people were taken in by this controlling and manipulative man."

Savile, who received a knighthood in 1990, died in 2011 and so never faced justice for his crimes.

Sam Brown was one of scores of youngsters abused by Savile at Stoke Mandeville.

Aged 11 she was indecently assaulted by the star in a room adjacent to a chapel at the hospital where mass was being held.

She told Sky News: "He used to put his hand over my face as well quite a lot and sometimes his fingers into my mouth.

"That wasn't to keep me quiet, I know what that meant, that was to reinforce his power 100% over me, I get that.

"He knew he had the back-up from the hospital, I feel, he knew there that they were lenient on anything he had done."

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18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Claudia Lawrence: Police Search Alleyway

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 25 Februari 2015 | 18.25

Detectives investigating the disappearance and suspected murder of cook Claudia Lawrence are carrying out fresh searches close to her home in York.

The focus will be the alleyway to the rear of her flat in Heworth Road.

North Yorkshire Police's Major Crime Unit will also be carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area as well as contacting former residents.

It comes as Miss Lawrence's family prepare to mark her 41st birthday on Friday.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, who is leading the investigation, said:  "The team are currently working on a lead that may indicate the alleyway at the rear of Claudia's house is significant.

"We still don't know if Claudia left for work on the morning of Thursday 19 March 2009 or whether something happened overnight within her house.

"If the latter is the case the person or persons responsible, in my view, would have used the rear alleyway as the front door leads onto a busy main road. This is why this specific piece of information needs to be fully investigated.

"Officers will be conducting house-to-house enquiries in the vicinity to jog people's memories about any vehicular access to the alleyway and how frequently this was used by neighbours or other pedestrians.

"We are also checking again that no CCTV recording equipment in the neighbourhood has been overlooked."

Det Supt Malyn added: "This remains one of several active enquiries at present that will be developed over the coming weeks and months.

"Together with Claudia's family, we remain absolutely determined to solve this case and bring those responsible for her disappearance and suspected murder to justice."

Miss Lawrence worked in a kitchen at York University and was 35 when she went missing.

She was last seen at around 3pm on 18 March 2009 as she made her way home from her shift and was reported missing by her father two days later.

Last May a 59-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of killing Miss Lawrence but was later released without charge.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

American Sniper Trial: Eddie Ray Routh Guilty

Eddie Ray Routh has been found guilty of murdering American Sniper author Chris Kyle and another man at a Texas shooting range.

Jurors returned the verdict against the former Marine, whose lawyers had mounted an insanity defence and argued he suffered from psychosis.

The 27-year-old was given an automatic life sentence without parole at a court in Stephenville, Texas, for the deaths of the Navy SEAL and his friend Chad Littlefield.

They had taken Routh out shooting at the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort on 2 February 2013 after the defendant's mother asked Kyle to help him.

Kyle had been helping to counsel troubled veterans with shooting trips and talks.

Family members say Routh suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq and Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

Dr Randall Price, a forensic psychologist, testified during the trial that Routh was not legally insane, and said he may have got some of his ideas from watching television.

He said Routh had a paranoid disorder which was exacerbated by his use of alcohol and marijuana.

Defence lawyers said Mr Kyle described Routh as "straight-up nuts" in a text message to his friend as they drove to the shooting range.

They added that the defendant, who had been prescribed anti-psychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia, believed the men were planning to kill him.

In a phone call between Routh and a reporter from The New Yorker magazine, he said he became annoyed because Mr Littlefield was not shooting, but appeared to be watching him instead.

During the call, he said: "Are you gonna shoot? Are you gonna shoot? It's a shooting sport. You shoot. That's what got me all riled up.

"I had to take care of business. I took care of business, and then I got in the truck and left."

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  1. Gallery: 'American Disgrace': Sniper's Killer Jailed

    Eddie Ray Routh confessed to shooting Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield when questioned by police

This is Routh in court at the start of his trial - he has since been given a life sentence for the killings

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SUBC: Speaker Takes Some Blame For Rowdy PMQs

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

The Speaker of the House of Commons has admitted he is partly responsible for the bad behaviour at Prime Minister's Questions.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News Stand Up Be Counted members, John Bercow MP said: "Do I accept some share of the responsibility for putting it right? I do."

He also gave his views on the "cash for access" scandal telling MPs Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw they will "cop it" if it is proven they have broken the rules over claims they offered to trade their influence in return for money.

Four young people challenged the Speaker on how he runs Parliament as part of Sky News' campaign to give a voice to 18-24 year olds.

Chris Robertson, 24, from Lincoln, said he finds MPs' conduct at PMQs "horrible".

He said: "I'm a student union president and if I acted like that around my members I'd have been sacked by now.

"You've been speaking out for six years. Do you not think it should've been curtailed by now? Does it mean that you have failed in your job as leader of the house and Speaker?"

Mr Bercow replied: "Do I accept that the unreformed Prime Minister's Questions is a problem? I do. Do I accept some share of responsibility for putting it right? I do.

"Would I accept that it's all down to the Speaker? No I wouldn't. What I can't do, what no Speaker can do is make people behave decently if they don't want to behave decently.

"Members have got to take responsibility for their own conduct in the chamber.

"And I think my point would be to ask members who shout regularly - would you be content for your constituents to see and hear you if you if you were caught on camera?

"And if the answer is they would be content, there is something wrong, and if the answer is that they wouldn't be content then they should change the way they behave."

The Stand Up Be Counted contributors were given rare access to the Speaker in the Palace of Westminster as part of attempts to engage young people in politics.

Less than half of 18-24 year olds voted at the last election, with young women the least likely to vote by some margin.

Eighteen-year-old Ellie James, from Grimsby, challenged the Speaker about the lack of female MPs.

He criticised the main parties for not doing enough, saying: "I think the parties talked the talk and have made some progress but I don't think they anything like as effectively walked the walk, so I would look to the parties to do more there."

He also revealed that he seeks to make sure women are called to speak in the Chamber, adding: "I don't like calling lots of men in a row. I always have in mind what female colleagues I have called today. And if I may say so, and this isn't meant in a patronising sense at all, but the simple fact is women on the whole are better behaved in parliament than the men.

"They're just as tough, they're just as capable, they can withstand parliamentary life just as much as men can. They don't sit there like shrinking violets but on the whole they're better behaved and don't shout as much as men do."

Jaspreet Kaur, 18, from Birmingham, told Mr Bercow that when she looks at Parliament, all she sees is "grandeur and confusion" and that it can be difficult to understand.

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  1. Gallery: Stand Up Be Counted Poll Results

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18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cash For Access: Rifkind Steps Down As MP

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 24 Februari 2015 | 18.25

Sir Malcolm Rifkind has announced he is to step down at the General Election after cash for access revelations.

The Tory MP has also resigned from his role of chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee after pressure over the lobbying scandal intensified.

In a statement Sir Malcolm, who became an MP in 1974, said it was unfair to friends and colleagues in Kensington for him to continue to remain the candidate for the General Election but added the allegations against him were "contemptible".

He said: "This is entirely my personal decision.  I have had no such requests from my constituency association but I believe that it is the right and proper action to take.

"As regards the allegations of Channel 4 and the Daily Telegraph I find them contemptible and will not comment further at this time.

"Although I will retire from Parliament I shall continue my public and political life and am much looking forward to doing so over the years to come."

The MP for Kensington had been due at the regular ISC meeting this morning but admitted that the committee could be "distracted or affected by controversy" and that it would be better for him to step down.

Moments before he announced his resignation, Sir Malcolm was involved in a testy exchange with a Sky News reporter during which he told him to "mind his own business" and accused him of being "childish".

TheTory MP tried to laugh off the episode in an exchange with a woman on the other side of the road who shouted back: "You won't be doing that again will you."

His position at the helm of the influential committee had become increasingly untenable after former chairman Kim Howells said it would be "very difficult" for him to stay.

The Prime Minister had not offered Sir Malcolm his confidence following revelations that he had been secretly filmed telling reporters posing as a Chinese firm he could offer "useful access" to British ambassadors across the world.

He also said he could write to ministers for information without naming the client.

A Conservative spokesman said: "Sir Malcolm has had a long career of distinguished service both to the Conservative Party and the country.

"We respect and support his decision to stand down."

Sir Malcolm has referred himself to the parliamentary standards watchdog but told Sky News on Monday he intended to fight the allegations, insisting he had broken no rules.

Labour grandee, Jack Straw, was also caught by the newspaper sting boasting about working "under the radar" in a £60,000 consultancy role for a commodities company for whom he claimed to have altered EU regulation and Ukrainian law.

He has also referred himself to the watchdog, denying wrongdoing, but had already announced he would stand down as MP at the General Election.

The Labour leader Ed Miliband described the incident as "disturbing".

Some had assumed Mr Straw would move into the House of Lords but Labour sources say that could not happen while an investigation is ongoing. The MP agreed to be suspended from the Labour party.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Hits Back At Turkey Over Missing Girls

UK police have denied a claim from Turkey that it took three days to tell authorities there about three missing schoolgirls.

Scotland Yard issued a statement after criticism from Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc.

They claim Turkish authorities were told within 24 hours of east London teenagers Shamima Begum, Kadiza Sultana and Amira Abase going missing last Tuesday.

"Once we established that the girls had travelled to Turkey, police made contact with the foreign liaison officer at the Turkish Embassy in London on Wednesday, 18 February," the statement said.

"Since then we have been working closely with the Turkish authorities who are providing great assistance and support to our investigation."

Mr Arinc had said he hoped the girls would be found, but added that if they were not, Britain would be to blame.

He said: "It is a condemnable act for Britain to let three girls... come to Istanbul and then let us know three days later... They haven't taken the necessary measures.

"The search is ongoing. It would be great if we can find them. But if we can't, it is not us who will be responsible, but the British."

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  1. Gallery: Three Schoolgirls From East London Go Missing

    These pictures were taken from Kadiza Sultana (l) and Shamima Begum's (r) Twitter accounts

Kadiza and Shamima are feared to be on their way to Syria with a third girl, 15-year-old Amira Abase

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18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mugger Pleads Guilty To Assaulting Alan Barnes

A man has pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob Alan Barnes, the disabled pensioner who received £330,000 in donations after being left too scared to return home after the attack.

Richard Gatiss, 25, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to make his plea.

Mr Barnes, who has disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, broke his collarbone when he was pushed over by his attacker on 25 January.

An online fundraising page was set up by Katie Cutler, a beautician who was left upset after reading about the mugging in a newspaper.

Her campaign went viral, and more than £330,000 was pledged to Mr Barnes in a matter of days.

The visually impaired 67-year-old - who is 4ft 6in tall and weighs less than six stone - still has no concrete plans on how to spend the windfall.

More follows...


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Cash For Access' Claims: MPs Hit Back

Written By Unknown on Senin, 23 Februari 2015 | 18.25

Labour MP Jack Straw has insisted he has done "nothing wrong" after being covertly filmed apparently offering to use his influence in return for money.

Mr Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind are facing allegations of being involved in a new "cash for access" scandal following a joint investigation by the Daily Telegraph and Channel 4's Dispatches.

Reporters claiming to represent a Hong Kong-based communications agency called PMR contacted the MPs to say they were seeking to hire senior British politicians to join the company's advisory board.

At one meeting, Mr Straw is alleged to have described how he operated "under the radar" to use his influence to change EU rules for a commodity company which paid him £60,000 a year.

The newspaper reported he claimed to have used "charm and menace" to convince the Ukrainian prime minister to change laws on behalf of the same company.

Sir Malcolm is said to have claimed he could arrange "useful access" to British ambassadors.

He also described himself as "self-employed", and added "nobody pays me a salary".

Both of the MPs have referred themselves to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in light of the claims.

Mr Straw, who has also suspended himself from the Labour Party, told Sky News he was "mortified by the fact that I'd fallen into a trap", and insisted he was discussing what he might do when he stands down as an MP in May.

He said: "I also want to emphasise that in the 36 years I have been a Member of Parliament, I have acted with great probity, and I believe integrity as well, and I shall continue to do that in the future."

Mr Straw went on to add: "If I've done something wrong, it would be appropriate to resign, but I've done nothing wrong at all."

Sir Malcolm told Sky the allegations were "completely unfounded" and vowed to "fight them all the way". 

He said: "I wasn't embarrassed by them.

"I was annoyed, very angry, because when your reputation is being attacked that is something you hold dear to.

"I've been in public life for a long time, I know what is permitted, what is proper, and that's what I stick to."

Sir Malcolm, who chairs the parliamentary committee which oversees Britain's intelligence agencies, said he offered to answer the allegations on the programme, but Channel 4 refused.

Sky's Deputy Political Editor Joey Jones said: "The first thing to ask is of course whether the law might have been broken and I don't think there's anything that stacks up in that sort of way in the detail of the allegations that are laid out.

"The other is whether any parliamentary rules might have been broken and there it does get murkier, because clearly the fundamental issue is whether or not influence has been brought to bear to try to influence government policy, that is the sort of thing that brought people down in the past.

"Well it's not along those lines exactly, but Jack Straw does talk about the fact that he met the Ukrainian prime minister to try to persuade him to change European Union regulations."

Sir Alistair Graham, a former standards commissioner, has told Sky News "there are serious questions" for the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to answer.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has written to Prime Minister David Cameron, calling on him to ban MPs from holding paid directorships and consultancies.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Neil Patrick Harris 'Nervous' And 'Boring'

Neil Patrick Harris 'Nervous' And 'Boring'

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Neil Patrick Harris' debut as the host of the Oscars appears to have failed to live up to expectations with audiences around the world.

The How I Met Your Mother star was drafted in after a lacklustre few years with organisers hoping his song and dance background might reverse a fall in television viewing ratings.

:: See the full list of winners

Harris kicked off the proceedings on an edgy note, saying it was a night to celebrate "Hollywood's best and whitest - sorry, brightest" - a cutting reference to this year's total lack of non-white acting nominees.

But the reaction on Twitter to his efforts has been mainly negative and in some instances quite brutal.

One viewer, tweeting as MikeSheaAP, said: "Neil Patrick Harris is hemmed in by bad jokes. He also acts like he has so many restrictions on him he's nervous on how to improv safely."

Journalist Tina Brown called him "smirking" and "clueless", while Empire Magazine's Chris Hewitt said: "As star of How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris has form with unfunny formats being stretched out beyond their natural finishing line."

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  1. Gallery: Who Won What On The Night?

    Julianne Moore was thrilled with her win for Still Alice

Moore received the prize from Matthew McConaughey

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Eddie Redmayne was almost speechless after his win for best actor

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Alejandro G Inarritu walked away with best director and original screenplay for Birdman

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Neil Patrick Harris 'Nervous' And 'Boring'

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Neil Patrick Harris' debut as the host of the Oscars appears to have failed to live up to expectations with audiences around the world.

The How I Met Your Mother star was drafted in after a lacklustre few years with organisers hoping his song and dance background might reverse a fall in television viewing ratings.

:: See the full list of winners

Harris kicked off the proceedings on an edgy note, saying it was a night to celebrate "Hollywood's best and whitest - sorry, brightest" - a cutting reference to this year's total lack of non-white acting nominees.

But the reaction on Twitter to his efforts has been mainly negative and in some instances quite brutal.

One viewer, tweeting as MikeSheaAP, said: "Neil Patrick Harris is hemmed in by bad jokes. He also acts like he has so many restrictions on him he's nervous on how to improv safely."

Journalist Tina Brown called him "smirking" and "clueless", while Empire Magazine's Chris Hewitt said: "As star of How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris has form with unfunny formats being stretched out beyond their natural finishing line."

1/21

  1. Gallery: Who Won What On The Night?

    Julianne Moore was thrilled with her win for Still Alice

Moore received the prize from Matthew McConaughey

]]>

Eddie Redmayne was almost speechless after his win for best actor

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Alejandro G Inarritu walked away with best director and original screenplay for Birdman

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18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Oscars: Redmayne And Birdman Come Up Trumps

Oscars: Redmayne And Birdman Come Up Trumps

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Birdman has scooped best film at the Oscars, with British star Eddie Redmayne winning best actor for The Theory Of Everything.

Mexican director Alejandro G. Inarritu also won best director for Birdman, which featured a career-resurrecting performance by Michael Keaton.

It also won for cinematography and original screenplay.

:: See the full list of winners

Redmayne's memorable portrayal of Hawking saw off competition from fellow Brit Benedict Cumberbatch, Bradley Cooper, Michael Keaton and Steve Carell.

Accepting his award Redmayne said he was a "lucky, lucky man".

"This belongs to all of those people around the world battling ALS," said the 33-year-old actor.

"It belongs to one exceptional family; Stephen, Jane, Jonathan and the Hawking children."

Handling his iconic statuette, he added: "I promise you I will look after him, I will polish him, I will answer his beck and call and wait on him hand and foot."

Julianne Moore took the best actress prize for Still Alice, where she plays a woman with Alzheimer's disease. Britons Rosamund Pike and Felicity Jones had also been in the running.

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  1. Gallery: All White On The Night At Oscars

    Nominee for best actress Marion Cotillard arrives on the red carpet for the 87th Oscars ceremony

Best supporting winner Patricia Arquette

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Julianne Moore goes for pale and interesting

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Jennifer Aniston and Emma Stone share a hug

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Felicity Jones gives the crowds a wave in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress

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Oscars: Redmayne And Birdman Come Up Trumps

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Birdman has scooped best film at the Oscars, with British star Eddie Redmayne winning best actor for The Theory Of Everything.

Mexican director Alejandro G. Inarritu also won best director for Birdman, which featured a career-resurrecting performance by Michael Keaton.

It also won for cinematography and original screenplay.

:: See the full list of winners

Redmayne's memorable portrayal of Hawking saw off competition from fellow Brit Benedict Cumberbatch, Bradley Cooper, Michael Keaton and Steve Carell.

Accepting his award Redmayne said he was a "lucky, lucky man".

"This belongs to all of those people around the world battling ALS," said the 33-year-old actor.

"It belongs to one exceptional family; Stephen, Jane, Jonathan and the Hawking children."

Handling his iconic statuette, he added: "I promise you I will look after him, I will polish him, I will answer his beck and call and wait on him hand and foot."

Julianne Moore took the best actress prize for Still Alice, where she plays a woman with Alzheimer's disease. Britons Rosamund Pike and Felicity Jones had also been in the running.

1/32

  1. Gallery: All White On The Night At Oscars

    Nominee for best actress Marion Cotillard arrives on the red carpet for the 87th Oscars ceremony

Best supporting winner Patricia Arquette

]]>

Julianne Moore goes for pale and interesting

]]>

Jennifer Aniston and Emma Stone share a hug

]]>

Felicity Jones gives the crowds a wave in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress

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18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More
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