Belfast Violence: Police And MP Injured

Sectarian tension in Belfast has spilled over into violence, leaving 23 police officers and an MP injured.

Democratic Unionist Party MP Nigel Dodds, who had been near the police lines talking to officers, was taken to hospital after being struck on the head by a brick during the fighting, a party spokesman said. His condition is said to be stable.

Officers were pelted with masonry, bottles and other missiles during clashes with loyalists in Woodvale Road.

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland said 23 officers had been injured in the north Belfast disturbances as they dealt with "serious public disorder".

Water cannon were deployed and around 20 non-lethal rounds known as Attenuated Energy Projectiles fired.

Officers were hit by an array of missiles including sticks and fireworks

Water cannon were also used by police in east Belfast in response to missiles hurled by crowds of people.

Trouble erupted as the Orange Order protested against the decision to ban a contentious July 12 parade from a north Belfast flashpoint.

Loyalist bandsmen played sectarian tunes at police lines while bricks and bottles were thrown.

At one point a rioter broke down a section of wall and threw it at police shields. Others used sticks and pieces of drainpipe to batter police vehicles, while some danced on top of the force's Land Rovers and tried to rip off protective plating.

Police were enforcing a Parades Commission ban. The ruling stops Orange Order lodges from walking on a stretch of road in north Belfast that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.

Water cannon is used on loyalist protesters

The Parades Commission - the adjudicating body set up after the Good Friday Agreement peace deal - had banned marchers from a 300-metre stretch of the Crumlin Road past the nationalist Ardoyne area.

Three lodges from the Ligoniel area had been able to walk the contested route out, but were prevented from making the return journey.

Trouble also broke out on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Bricks and bottles were thrown in both areas.

One man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and another for provocative behaviour.

Serious rioting has erupted after previous Orange Order evening marches in Ardoyne. Last year shots were fired at police, who also came under sustained attack from petrol bombs thrown by republican protesters.

MP Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital after his head injury

Before he was injured, Mr Dodds said: "This sort of situation here creating a bottleneck at this junction, the Parades Commission decision to block it here, this is the inevitable outcome.

"The police were well aware that was the danger the Parades Commission had put them in. I would appeal for everybody to stay calm, not to get involved in violence.

"The Grand Lodge have made it clear they do not want violence and the people who want to engage in violence should desist immediately."

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly blamed the violence on the Orange Order and unionist politicians.

"Speech after speech at the various (Orange) demonstrations were clearly designed to stir up sectarian tension and have alongside the Orange Order's failure to abide by Parades Commission determinations led directly to the violence in Belfast tonight.

"No amount of hand wringing or denial in the coming days from the Orange Order and unionist politicians can alter that reality.

Twenty-three officers were hurt during the 'serious disorder'

"People had a right to expect better, instead what we got was a very deliberate strategy with the inevitable results being seen on the streets this evening."

The Orange Order has appealed for calm and asked that all parades be peaceful.

In a statement, it said: "The Parades Commission must go, but violence is not the way to achieve it. All protests must be peaceful.

"In support of the Grand Orange Lodge's appeal for calm, the Ligoniel Lodges (north Belfast) have decided to suspend their protest over the determination for the Crumlin Road."

DUP leader and Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson called for calm.

"Violence and attacks on the PSNI and the wider community are wrong, can never be justified and must stop," he said.

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Dartmoor Deaths: Mum And Son Fall From Rocks

Police investigating the deaths of a woman and her young son, who died after falling 100ft from rocks on Dartmoor, have discovered a child's body at her home.

A murder investigation has been launched after the 24-year-old woman, named in reports as Katharine Hooper, and her five-year-old son Joshua died at Haytor in Devon - one of Dartmoor's most famous landmarks which is popular with walkers and climbers.

The body of a two-year-old boy, believed to be her youngest son Samuel, was later found at her home address in Dukes Close, Paignton.

Joshua was found with his mother

Neighbour Tracey Cole, told the Western Morning News: "The whole community is feeling utterly shocked and devastated. This is a close-knit community.

"We always looked after each other, especially because of the kids. With Kat we were always in and out of each other's houses. We would see each other every day.

Samuel's body was found at the family's home

"I really don't understand what happened. Kat was totally and utterly devoted to her children."

Detective Superintendent Paul Burgan said: "We are keeping an open mind about all three deaths, but at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Katharine with Samuel

"We are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information or might have been in the Haytor area earlier today, Friday."

An air ambulance, a police helicopter and members of the Dartmoor Rescue Group were called to the scene at 11.50am.

The family's home (Pic: Google Street View)

The Dartmoor National Park Authority asked members of the public to avoid visiting the area due to the tragedy.

Tributes were paid to the mother and child by members of the emergency services.

The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team tweeted: "The team were called to assist at a tragic incident at Haytor today. Our thoughts are with the family."

Post-mortem examinations are due to take place. Police said the next of kin have been informed.

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Paris Train Crash: Human Error 'Not To Blame'

Human error did not cause a packed train carrying hundreds of passengers to derail outside Paris in a crash that left at least six people dead, France's transport minister has said.

Frederic Cuvillier said Saturday that it was unclear what did cause the accident, but authorities are looking into a possible mechanical error in the points system as well as other possibilities.

The seven-carriage service was about 20 minutes into a three-hour journey to Limoges when it crashed 12 miles south of the capital at about 5.15pm local time on Friday.

Part of the metal roof over the platform was crushed as carriages slid towards and smashed into Bretigny-sur-Orge station.

The French interior minister has called it a 'catastrophe'

An investigation into the cause is under way after the train, with 385 passengers on board, came off the tracks.

Interior minister Manuel Valls said at least six people had been killed. He added that nine people were gravely injured, and warned the number of dead could rise. In all, nearly 200 people were hurt.

A large, heavyweight crane is expected to be brought in later to try to lift one of the carriages which toppled over.

Sky's Ian Woods, at the scene, said: "They don't know for certain, but there may well still be people underneath that carriage they haven't been able to get to.

It's unclear whether anyone at the station was hurt by the impact of the train and flying debris, or whether all of those injured were on the train," he added.

Seven carriages piled up

The Friday night crash was France's deadliest in years, but Mr Cuvillier said it could have been worse and praised the driver who sent out an alert quickly, preventing a pile up.

The head of the SNCF rail authority, Guillaume Pepy, said the third and fourth carriages initially came off the track, then knocked the others off.

He called it a "catastophe", adding: "Some cars simply derailed, others are leaning, others fell over."

Footage from the scene showed crushed metal on the platform and debris from the crash clogging up the stairs.

Emergency services went on red alert with 300 firefighters, 20 paramedic teams and eight helicopters deployed to the area.

All Paris regional hospitals were put on standby to deal with casualties.

Rescuers pull survivors from the wreckage. Pic: @aishakurdish

Within hours French President Francois Hollande was at the scene and said: "I want to express our solidarity to all the families.

"It will take a long time to identify the victims. Investigations are under way and as soon as possible we will name them and inform their families - I understand their anxiety and pain."

Briton Graham Hope, a passenger in the third carriage, told Sky News: "The carriage I was in was bouncing for several seconds before we came to a halt.

"Everyone was very calm. A couple of people were quite concerned, but we worked together to get out of the carriage.

"When I got out we could see the rest of the train was further up the line ... I would be very surprised if people got out of the front carriage unscathed."

The train derailed at Bretigny-sur-Orge

A witness in a nearby train, 19-year-old Bazgua El Mehdi told Le Parisien newspaper: "I heard a loud noise. A cloud of sand covered everything. Then the dust dissipated.

"I thought it was a freight train, but then we saw the first casualties ... many passengers on the (train) were crying."

A police source said: "The train arrived at the station at high speed. It split in two for an unknown reason. Part of the train continued to roll while the other was left on its side on the platform."

But a passenger speaking on France's BFM television said the train was going at a normal speed and was not meant to stop at Bretigny-sur-Orge.

The station is expected to remain closed for several days during the investigation and clear-up operation.

It comes as France prepares to celebrate its most important national holiday, Bastille Day, on Sunday.

Many people have been heading out of Paris and other big cities to see their families or to go on holiday.

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Lee Rigby: Family Thank Public For Support

The family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby has said he has become "a hero" and that the intentions of his killers have "backfired".

Fusilier Rigby's mother, stepfather and widow said good wishes had flooded in from around the globe and across all religions in the last seven weeks.

The 25-year-old's funeral is being held in Bury, Greater Manchester, after hundreds of people lined the streets to pay their respects to him on Thursday.

A short ceremony at the parish church was attended by Fusilier Rigby's family and friends and colleagues in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

His two-year-old son Jack wore a Manchester United shirt emblazoned with his father's nickname 'Riggers'.

Ian and Lyn Rigby have been overwhelmed by the support they have received

His family gave an emotional news conference shortly after his death and have now spoken in public for the first time since, as they reflect on the thousands of goodwill messages they have received.

His wife, Rebecca, 30, said: "There are so many kind and generous people out there. It's just horrible that it takes something such as this to make you see how many good people there are."

Fusilier Rigby, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22.

Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been charged with murder and are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on November 18.

Fighting back tears throughout her interview, Rebecca Rigby said: "We have had an awful lot of support from across the world. It has been overwhelming.

Lee Rigby's coffin is carried into the church in Bury

"We have had masses of cards, letters and donations from everywhere. It's unbelievable really the things that have been coming in."

His stepfather Ian Rigby, 54, said: "Everywhere we have been, people have been supporting us. They have been incredible with us. Total strangers.

"They have been absolutely incredible, coming up - not in your face but shaking hands and saying God Bless, that sort of thing. And they have really meant what they said to us.

"And it's the same in the community. The support in Middleton - it's a small place - but the support we have had off everybody has been incredible."

Mr Rigby added: "It's just the continued support. Lee has become a hero. Whatever the intention was it's backfired because it's made Lee into the hero and the martyr.

Rebecca Rigby with their son Jack on Thursday

"The country is united whatever elements may wish to stop it. It's not working because it's working the other way."

Clutching a Fusilier teddy bear, Lyn Rigby said her "fun-loving" son had "fulfilled his dreams" by serving in the Army.

"He was so loving, he really was," she said. "He would do anything for anybody. He had a heart of gold. He wouldn't hurt anybody."

Her husband said: "He was a devoted soldier. He loved what he was doing. He believed in what he was doing but he was still a family man.

"His (four) sisters and his son, he was devoted. Whatever happened they came first.

"His job meant the world to him, being in the Army. But his family still came first."

Asked about how Fusilier Rigby would like to be remembered at his service, Rebecca Rigby said: "Lee always wanted his service to be a time that people would remember him and shed the tears. But then he always said a remembrance of his life.

"He wanted people to enjoy that and sit and talk about happy days and happy memories they have got of Lee and the things he used to do and say because he was always so full of life.

"He just wanted to put a smile on everyone's face."

Mr Rigby said: "I think today should be a celebration of Lee's life, what he has meant to us.

"Lee was a fun-loving lad and that is how he should be remembered."

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Edward Snowden Letter: US Blocking Asylum

Spy whistleblower Edward Snowden reportedly says US officials have been waging a campaign to stop him taking up offers of asylum.

The claim was made in a letter sent to a Human Rights Watch official, ahead of a meeting with human rights groups at the Moscow airport where he has been holed up for weeks.

The letter said: "I have been extremely fortunate to enjoy and accept many offers of support and asylum from brave countries around the world. These nations have my gratitude ...

"Unfortunately, in recent weeks we have witnessed an unlawful campaign by officials in the US government to deny my right to seek and enjoy this asylum under Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Demonstrations in support of Snowden include this one in Paris

"The scale of threatening behaviour is without precedent: never before in history have states conspired to force to the ground a sovereign President's plane to effect a search for a political refugee."

That remark appears to refer to how Austrian authorities last week searched the Bolivian president's plane when it was diverted to Vienna because the US suspected Snowden was on board.

The letter continues: "This dangerous escalation represents a threat not just to the dignity of Latin America or my own personal security, but to the basic right shared by every living person to live free from persecution."

Snowden is wanted by the US on espionage charges over a series of leaks about spying programmes, with his most recent claims involving collaboration between Microsoft and American intelligence services.

He fled to Moscow from Hong Kong on June 23 and has been in limbo in Sheremetyevo airport's transit area despite three countries - Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia - saying they would be willing to grant him asylum.

It is unclear whether Snowden could fly from Moscow to any of those countries without passing through the airspace of the US or its allies.

The head of Amnesty International in Russia, Sergei Nikitin, confirmed he had been invited to meet the former National Security Agency contractor there and said he planned to attend.

In the letter to Human Rights Watch he said he wanted to discuss the "next steps forward in my situation" at 2pm UK time. A top Moscow lawyer, Genri Reznik, said the meeting would be at 1.30pm UK time and that he expected Snowden wanted to explore the idea of getting asylum in Russia.

Snowden is seeking to avoid extradition after divulging embarrassing evidence about the activities of US spies, as well as the British eavesdropping agency GCHQ, to newspapers including The Guardian.

The latest files said Microsoft helped America's National Security Agency (NSA) to circumvent encryption so it could view web chats on the Outlook.com portal, which is replacing Hotmail.

Snowden's latest evidence concerns the NSA spying on Skype video calls

Evidence seen by the paper said Microsoft also worked to give the NSA easier access to its cloud storage service SkyDrive, which has more than 250 million users. And by July 2012, nine months after Microsoft bought Skype, the Prism intelligence programme was collecting triple the amount of Skype video calls.

Major tech firms in Silicon Valley have been calling on the Obama administration to let them reveal more about their co-operation with the NSA, to alleviate customers' privacy concerns.

Microsoft told the paper it only provides information about users when demanded to do so by the government.

Snowden's files revealed the NSA claimed to have access to the servers of web firms including Apple, Google, Facebook and Yahoo, while GCHQ scans vast amounts of internet traffic through a system of fibre optic cables.

The US on Thursday told China it was "disappointed" that Snowden was not handed over before he had a chance to leave Hong Kong. He had fled to the Chinese territory after he began to leak documents.

President Barack Obama expressed his "concern" as he met with Chinese officials in Washington, a month after he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had agreed to co-operate more on "difficult issues".

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UK Motor Industry Gets £1bn Hi-Tech Boost

Britain's motor industry is to receive more than £1bn in new funding over the next decade to improve its global competitiveness.

The joint UK motor industry and Government automotive strategy has agreed to the deal to help secure the growth and development of the vehicle and component manufacturing sector.

This new funding supports multi-billion pound investments announced in the last few years by global automotive companies to boost production levels and develop new technologies and models.

Developed under Automotive Council guidance, both industry and the Government will fund the investments.

The range of projects include the creation of an Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), thousands of new motor industry apprenticeships and the development of an Automotive Investment Organisation.

 The APC is expected to research, develop and commercialise technologies for the vehicles of the future.

What Car? editor-in-chief Chas Hallett told Sky News: "The British motor industry is booming at the moment but companies are still struggling to attract top quality young people.

"Any incentives to provide apprenticeships in order to attract the brightest and best should be welcomed."

The UK car industry covers several major regional areas

The development of the strategy also sees the provision of finance for tooling investments in the supply chain, and a renewed commitment to encourage the UK as a lead market in the production and sale of low emission vehicles.

The financial commitment is backed by 27 companies in the motor industry sector, including supply chain companies, and it is expected to secure at least 30,000 jobs currently linked to producing engines and create many more in the supply chain.

It was also announced that the Automotive Council, co-chaired by Mr Cable and Professor Richard Parry-Jones, is aiming to recruit more than 7,600 apprentices and 1,700 graduates over the next five years.

In addition, the newly-created Automotive Investment Organisation will aim to double the number of jobs created or secured in the automotive supply chain over the next three years to 15,000.

In a further announcement, the Technology Strategy Board launched a £10m competition that could see successful projects fast-tracked for commercialisation through the APC.

Businesses are being invited to bid for support on innovative, collaborative low-carbon vehicle projects.

Announcing the total initiative with Prof Parry-Jones at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex on Friday morning, Mr Cable said: "The UK automotive sector has been incredibly successful in recent times, with billions of pounds of investment and new jobs.

"With the next generation of vehicles set to be powered by radically different technologies we need to maintain this momentum and act now. Our industrial strategy will ensure we keep on working together to make our automotive industry a world leader."

Prof Parry-Jones said: "Businesses prefer consistency, stability and a clear path to the future in order to make investment plans.

"This is critical to sustaining and growing a thriving UK automotive sector in a highly competitive global industry."

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GSK: GlaxoSmithKline Denies China Drug Bribes

Britain's biggest drug maker has told Sky News it rejects claims by Chinese authorities that it offered bribes to doctors and hospitals.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) had been accused by China's Public Security Bureau (PSB) of offering free travel as "large bribes".

It said the bribes were "to open new sales channels and increase drug revenues" and given to doctors, hospitals, foundations and medical associations.

In a statement to Sky News, GSK said: "We take all allegations of bribery and corruption seriously. We continuously monitor our businesses to ensure they meet our strict compliance procedures

"We have done this in China and found no evidence of bribery or corruption of doctors or government officials."

It added: "We are aware of the statement from the PSB. We are willing to cooperate with the authorities in this inquiry.

"But this is the first official communication GSK has received from the PSB in relation to the specific nature of its investigation."

The Chinese authorities allegedly identified employees only as "high officials" but gave no details of the size of payments or who received them.

Sky News Asia Correspondent Mark Stone, reporting from Beijing, said: "What we don't know if the accused are British nationals or Chinese nationals.

"Last week police in a city in south-central China said they were investigating high level Chinese staff."

It said the investigation took place in Shanghai and the cities of Changsha and Zhengzhou.

"After questioning, the suspects confessed to the crime," the PSB statement alleged.

Police in Changsha announced two weeks ago that GSK employees had been detained for questioning about unspecified "economic crimes".

The company said at that time it was cooperating but did not know what authorities were investigating.

Brentford-based GSK said in June that it had investigated an accusation that its salespeople in China bribed doctors and found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Last week Chinese state media reported that the government was investigating production costs for 60 foreign and domestic drug companies in a possible first step toward changing state-set maximum prices.

The announcement gave no indication any companies were suspected of wrongdoing.

:: In early Thursday trading in London, shares in GSK remained virtually flat against a buoyant market.

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How A Big Pay Rise For MPs Can Be Justified

By Nicola Boden, Sky News Online

Handing politicians a pay rise when they are imposing austerity on millions of ordinary Britons is bound to be a hard sell - but some of the arguments in favour are hard to ignore.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) is later due to suggest an inflation-busting rise and then put its plans out for consultation.

The prospect of an increase comes as taxpayers, already mostly on far lower salaries, are facing a cost of living squeeze and public sector pay increases are limited to 1%.

Giving politicians up to another £10,000 in their pay packets will undoubtedly play exceptionally badly and make them even less popular than they are at the moment.

Workers who spoke to Sky News this month made clear they would consider the move "disgusting", and MPs themselves are well aware of the consequences.

Nick Clegg has declared the public will find it "impossible to understand" and David Cameron said making politics more expensive is "unthinkable".

But the Commons' expenses watchdog insists that there is never a good time to address the issue, and that there are some very good reasons for doing so now.

Here, Sky News examines both sides of the debate:

FOR

Better value for the taxpayer - The rise will come in tandem with curbs to MPs' gold-plated pensions and personal expenses, making the set-up more transparent and the overall cost of funding Parliament lower.

Quality of MPs - Supporters of a rise argue you will only attract top quality people into parliament if you offer bigger salaries - ie. you get what you pay for.

Ipsa chairman Sir Ian Kennedy

MPs may earn far higher than the national average but their salaries are significantly lower than that given to council bosses or other professionals in high-profile roles.

A change could encourage a shift from career politicians to candidates with more experience of public life, who can bring that knowledge into parliament.

Mix of MPs - There are fears a failure to address the issue could lead to a Commons full of multi-millionaires and aristocrats because only they could afford to enter politics.

Two homes - MPs from outside London have to run two households, ramping up the costs of taking on a parliamentary role (although critics would note expenses are available for this).

Retention - The discrepancy between ministerial and MPs' pay is so large that it is considered to encourage former Cabinet ministers to quit once they leave Government.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett has suggested the system currently almost says "you have done your time, get out" which strips the Commons of valuable experience.

Avoiding scandal  - Ipsa boss Sir Ian Kennedy has suggested not allowing a rise could lead to a repeat of the expenses scandal because MPs would find other ways to boost their salaries.

Greater Focus - If salaries were higher, politicians would potentially be less inclined to forge links with businesses and therefore avoid damaging conflicts of interest.

AGAINST

Timing - With the coalition pushing through austerity measures and making clear drastic cuts will last into the next parliament, the idea of a pay rise is toxic to the public.

As the cost of living crisis continues, taxpayers' salaries have risen just 0.6% on average this year and public sector pay rises are limited to 1% as part of a raft of savings.

Giving MPs an inflation-busting rise would be in stark contrast to the hardship faced by millions, and conflict with the idea "we are all in this together".

Nick Clegg: "Impossible to understand"

Furthermore, if the next government - as predicted by experts - has to impose tax rises to raise money, a pay rise in 2015 will be even less palatable.

Perception - Ever since the expenses scandal, politicians have been battling to restore public trust. A pay rise will reinforce the view held by critics that they are just out to line their pockets.

A large salary would also make it harder for MPs to argue that they are in touch with the concerns of ordinary workers.

Second Jobs - Many MPs already supplement their salary by taking on lucrative external opportunities or continuing in their previous profession.

Recent figures suggested almost half (295 of 650 MPs) declared some form of extra income and 20 made more from other work than their salary of £65,738.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has suggested there should be a limit on external earnings but while this situation continues, it is harder to argue for an increase.

Greed - The counter-argument to raising salaries to attract higher quality candidates is that more money could encourage people to enter parliament for the wrong reasons.

People want their MPs to consider it a vocation rather than a lucrative career so that they truly have their constituents' interests at heart.

The Hours - MPs have to work fluctuating hours during the week and shuttle between London and their constituency but they also enjoy long holidays most could only dream of.

They are about to go on holiday for six weeks, breaking up for the summer on July 18 and not returning until September 2.

Over the year, MPs also leave Westminster for half-terms, have two weeks off for Easter and then at Christmas and another three weeks in party conference season.

Public accounts committee chair Margaret Hodge called for longer parliamentary hours earlier this year, warning too much time was spent in recess.

"Members of the public would be forgiven for thinking that it is MPs who are lazy and that it is Parliament that is failing to provide good value for money," she said.

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MPs' Pay: Watchdog To Propose Rise To £75,000

MPs' Pay: For And Against Hike

Updated: 8:49am UK, Thursday 11 July 2013

By Nicola Boden, Sky News Online

Handing politicians a pay rise when they are imposing austerity on millions of ordinary Britons is bound to be a hard sell - but some of the arguments in favour are hard to ignore.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) is later due to suggest an inflation-busting rise and then put its plans out for consultation.

The prospect of an increase comes as taxpayers, already mostly on far lower salaries, are facing a cost of living squeeze and public sector pay increases are limited to 1%.

Giving politicians up to another £10,000 in their pay packets will undoubtedly play exceptionally badly and make them even less popular than they are at the moment.

Workers who spoke to Sky News this month made clear they would consider the move "disgusting", and MPs themselves are well aware of the consequences.

Nick Clegg has declared the public will find it "impossible to understand" and David Cameron said making politics more expensive is "unthinkable".

But the Commons' expenses watchdog insists that there is never a good time to address the issue, and that there are some very good reasons for doing so now.

Here, Sky News examines both sides of the debate:

FOR

Better value for the taxpayer - The rise will come in tandem with curbs to MPs' gold-plated pensions and personal expenses, making the set-up more transparent and the overall cost of funding Parliament lower.

Quality of MPs - Supporters of a rise argue you will only attract top quality people into parliament if you offer bigger salaries - ie. you get what you pay for.

MPs may earn far higher than the national average but their salaries are significantly lower than that given to council bosses or other professionals in high-profile roles.

A change could encourage a shift from career politicians to candidates with more experience of public life, who can bring that knowledge into parliament.

Mix of MPs - There are fears a failure to address the issue could lead to a Commons full of multi-millionaires and aristocrats because only they could afford to enter politics.

Two homes - MPs from outside London have to run two households, ramping up the costs of taking on a parliamentary role (although critics would note expenses are available for this).

Retention - The discrepancy between ministerial and MPs' pay is so large that it is considered to encourage former Cabinet ministers to quit once they leave Government.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett has suggested the system currently almost says "you have done your time, get out" which strips the Commons of valuable experience.

Avoiding scandal  - Ipsa boss Sir Ian Kennedy has suggested not allowing a rise could lead to a repeat of the expenses scandal because MPs would find other ways to boost their salaries.

Greater Focus - If salaries were higher, politicians would potentially be less inclined to forge links with businesses and therefore avoid damaging conflicts of interest.

AGAINST

Timing - With the coalition pushing through austerity measures and making clear drastic cuts will last into the next parliament, the idea of a pay rise is toxic to the public.

As the cost of living crisis continues, taxpayers' salaries have risen just 0.6% on average this year and public sector pay rises are limited to 1% as part of a raft of savings.

Giving MPs an inflation-busting rise would be in stark contrast to the hardship faced by millions, and conflict with the idea "we are all in this together".

Furthermore, if the next government - as predicted by experts - has to impose tax rises to raise money, a pay rise in 2015 will be even less palatable.

Perception - Ever since the expenses scandal, politicians have been battling to restore public trust. A pay rise will reinforce the view held by critics that they are just out to line their pockets.

A large salary would also make it harder for MPs to argue that they are in touch with the concerns of ordinary workers.

Second Jobs - Many MPs already supplement their salary by taking on lucrative external opportunities or continuing in their previous profession.

Recent figures suggested almost half (295 of 650 MPs) declared some form of extra income and 20 made more from other work than their salary of £65,738.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has suggested there should be a limit on external earnings but while this situation continues, it is harder to argue for an increase.

Greed - The counter-argument to raising salaries to attract higher quality candidates is that more money could encourage people to enter parliament for the wrong reasons.

People want their MPs to consider it a vocation rather than a lucrative career so that they truly have their constituents' interests at heart.

The Hours - MPs have to work fluctuating hours during the week and shuttle between London and their constituency but they also enjoy long holidays most could only dream of.

They are about to go on holiday for six weeks, breaking up for the summer on July 18 and not returning until September 2.

Over the year, MPs also leave Westminster for half-terms, have two weeks off for Easter and then at Christmas and another three weeks in party conference season.

Public accounts committee chair Margaret Hodge called for longer parliamentary hours earlier this year, warning too much time was spent in recess.

"Members of the public would be forgiven for thinking that it is MPs who are lazy and that it is Parliament that is failing to provide good value for money," she said.

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Royal Mail Privatisation Plans To Be Unveiled

The process of selling off the Royal Mail begins today with the promise of free shares for workers weighed against fears about layoffs and higher postage costs.

Business Secretary Vince Cable will outline details of the flotation to MPs in the Commons at 12.30pm.

He will be hoping the offer of shares worth £2,000 each to its 150,000 staff, as earlier revealed by Sky News, will stave off fierce opposition to the sale among workers and union ranks.

The Initial Public Offering (IPO) will value the business at up to £3bn while the stake offered to staff would represent a 10% interest.

Moya Greene, chief executive of Royal Mail, has held talks with scores of potential investors in recent months in an attempt to persuade them to back the plans.

But she faces opposition from unions and many employees, who fear privatisation will lead to a shake-up of services, higher prices and job cuts.

Steve Butts, a Royal Mail staff member for the past 32 years, told Sky News: "I think privatisation will only bring a race to the bottom for employees.

"Any private investor would always want to make money and the way they are going to do that is to drive down our terms and conditions."

The scale of resistance will be underlined when the Communication Workers Union delivers a giant postcard to Royal Mail HQ protesting against the move.

Supporters of the privatisation argue that it would raise hundreds of millions of pounds to help modernise the mail system in Britain.

Robert Hammond, director of post and market analysis at Consumer Futures, told Sky News: "I would hope that a privatised Royal Mail would be looking to expand on their products and services, and to make those services ready for 21st century consumers."

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San Francisco Plane Crash: Crew Were Ejected

Survivors Tell Of Plane Horror

Updated: 12:53pm UK, Monday 08 July 2013

Survivors have spoken of the terrifying moment a pilot tried to abort a landing seconds before it crashed onto the runway in San Francisco.

Two Chinese teenagers died after the Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 struck the runway shortly after the jet reportedly hit a sea wall.

Benjamin Levy said: "The nose of the plane, as you know, goes up a little bit. And then full throttle starts hitting hard and then we felt that we were going up again, so that's why I said maybe the guy is about to pull one of those almost mislandings and go back up.

"But it didn't happen, we just crashed back. So as I say - if we flipped, none of us would be here to talk about it."

Xu Da, a product manager from China, was sitting with his wife and teenage son near the back of the plane.

He stood up and saw a gaping hole through the back of the plane where its galley was torn away along with the tail.

Xu and his family escaped through the opening. Once on the tarmac, they watched the plane catch fire, and firefighters hose it down.

In the chaotic moments after the landing, Wen Zhang grabbed her four-year-old son, who hit the seat in front of him and broke his leg.

Spotting a hole at the back of the jumbo jet where the bathroom had been, she carried her boy to safety.

"I had no time to be scared," she said.

Eugene Rah said: "The seat I was sitting in, it has one more strap coming across my chest here in addition to the one that goes around the waist because It was a sleeper seat. If I did not have that, I would have hit the ceiling: that's how hard the impact was."

Fred Hayes filmed the crash from around a mile away "I was watching it come in and I did notice that nose being up in the air. My initial reaction was that it was trying to abort the landing and go back up," he told CNN.

"There was big boom and then it pitched forward and bounced off its nose."

One of the flight attendants described the chaos as she and her colleagues began their evacuation of more than 300 people.

Sky's Asia correspondent Mark Stone said Lee Yoon Hae told South Korean media that she first went to the cockpit to see if the pilots were alive. She then made three announcements telling the 291 passengers to remain calm and prepare to evacuate.

There were four pilots on the plane: two in the cockpit and two more reserve pilots in the main cabin. One of the reserve pilots opened the front door with an axe and ordered the evacuation.

Stone said Mrs Lee, 40, explained how one of her colleagues had a leg trapped. She helped to release her leg and at the same time tried to calm the passengers, some of whom were panicking.

Mrs Lee said that many of the passengers were confused and disorientated.

She shouted to the Chinese passengers to evacuate immediately. Many of them tried to take their hand baggage with them, but she said she was forced to order them not to.

Mrs Lee said several fires broke out within the cabin and she was not aware that the tail of the plane had broken off because the ceiling between her and the rear of the aircraft had collapsed.

She helped one badly injured female passenger to the emergency slide and then returned back into the aircraft to help others and was one of the last to leave the aircraft.

Mrs Lee, who has already been given 14 awards for her work at Asiana Airlines, broke her coccyx in the accident, but was unaware of her injuries until she arrived at the hospital.

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Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood Spurns Cabinet Offer

The Islamist group of Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi is to reject an offer to join a new interim government.

Amid reports that the Muslim Brotherhood is to be offered positions in the transitional cabinet, a spokesman for the movement said: "We do not deal with putschists. We reject all that comes from this coup."

Egypt's new interim prime minister Hazem el Beblawi said he would start work on forming his new cabinet on Wednesday, first meeting liberal leaders Mohamed ElBaradei and Ziad Bahaa-Eldin.

The new leader said he accepted that it would be difficult to win the unanimous support of Egyptians for his new government.

Interim PM Hazem el Beblawi is trying to put together a cabinet

The ousting of Mr Morsi a week ago by the military, after mass protests calling for his resignation, has prompted widespread violence in the divided country, with dozens of lives already claimed.

Mr Beblawi, a liberal economist and former finance minister, was appointed prime minister by interim president Adly Mansour on Tuesday. He also made Nobel peace laureate Mr ElBaradei interim vice president responsible for foreign affairs.

Mr Mansour has set a timetable to hold elections early next year as part of a new charter to try to halt the unrest.

However, the plan has since been shunned by the Muslim Brotherhood, while the National Salvation Front, the main liberal coalition that called for Mr Morsi's overthrow, has demanded amendments - stopping short of rejecting the decree outright. 

Violent clashes have erupted between Morsi supporters and opponents

Tamarod, the movement that spearheaded the grassroots campaign against the former president, complained that it had not been consulted on the transition plan announced by Mr Mansour and would also make proposals for changes to the blueprint.

The decree, outlining the interim president's new powers, gives the country five months to amend the Islamist-drafted constitution suspended on Mr Morsi's ouster and ratify it in a referendum.

Parliamentary elections will then be held by early 2014 and Mr Mansour will announce a date for a presidential election once the new parliament has convened.

The continued standoff with Mr Morsi's loyalists, who demand the reinstatement of Egypt's first democratically elected leader, has exacerbated fears of further bloodshed after his overthrow.

In the worst incident on July 3, at least 51 people, most of them supporters of the ousted Islamist, died in clashes outside a military barracks in Cairo.

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San Francisco Crash: Trainer Was New To Job

The trainer charged with guiding the pilot of an Asiana Airlines plane that crashed in San Francisco was on his first day in the job, the airline has confirmed.

Asiana said Lee Jung-Min was in a new role as trainer to Lee Kang-Kuk, 46, who was at the controls when the jet clipped a sea wall short of the runway and skidded out of control.

Lee Jung-Min had previously built up more than 3,000 hours of flight time on the Boeing 777, a spokeswoman told the AFP news agency.

The airline had earlier revealed that Lee Kang-Kuk had just 43 hours of experience on the aircraft, although he had accumulated more than 9,000 hours of flying on other planes.

Asiana CEO Yoon Young-Doo defended both men at a news conference.

The planes tail section was torn away in the crash. Pic. NTSB/Twitter

He said the pilot had flown into San Francisco 29 times on an A320, while the trainer had landed at the airport 33 times in a Boeing 777 like the one involved in the fatal crash.

Fire officials have also admitted that one of the two teenage girls killed in the crash may have been struck by an emergency vehicle attending the scene.

Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White and Assistant Deputy Chief Dale Carnes both raised the possibility at a news conference with first responders.

"There was a possibility one of two fatalities might have been contacted by one of our apparatus at one point during the incident," Mr Carnes said.

San Mateo County Coroner Robert Foucrault said his office was conducting a post-mortem to determine whether the victim survived the Boeing 777 crash, but was run over and killed by a responding vehicle.

Wang Linija (left) and Ye Mengyuan died in the crash

He said his staff had been notified of the possibility by senior San Francisco Fire Department officials at the crash site on Saturday.

National Transportation Safety Board chief Deborah Hersman said investigators have reviewed airport surveillance video, but had not been able to reach any conclusions.

She said the possibility that the girl had been run over was a "very serious issue".

"I can tell you that the two fatalities were located in seats towards the rear of the aircraft," Ms Hersman said.

"This is an area of the aircraft that was structurally significantly damaged. It's an area where we're seeing a lot of the critical of serious injuries." 

Ms Hersman said the lower portion of the plane's tail cone was found embedded in rocks forming part of the sea wall.

Pictures of the plane interior show the damage caused by the impact

A "significant piece" of the tail of the aircraft was in the water and other plane parts were visible at low tide, she said.

Remarkably, 305 of 307 passengers and crew survived the crash, and more than a third did not even require a trip to hospital.

Only a small number were critically injured.

Investigators said Asiana Airlines Flight 214 had been travelling "significantly below" the target speed during its approach and the crew tried to abort the landing just before it smashed onto the runway.

What they do not yet know is whether the pilot's inexperience with the Boeing 777 and landing at San Francisco airport played a role.

Officials said the probe would also focus on whether the airport or plane's equipment could have malfunctioned.

Firefighters said they encountered smoke, leaking jet fuel and passengers coming down on chutes when they arrived at the crash site.

Lt Christine Emmons said she and her partner ran up a chute into the plane and found four passengers trapped in the back.

The conditions in the plane were changing rapidly, with the fire coming down on rescuers and the smoke thickening as the trapped passengers were pulled out to safety, she said.

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Ohio Kidnap Victims In 'Thank You' Video

Three women abducted and held captive in a house in Cleveland, Ohio for a decade have thanked the public for their support in a YouTube video.

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight broke their silence in the video, saying the encouragement of family, friends and the public had allowed them to restart their lives.

Former bus driver Ariel Castro is alleged to have kidnapped the women off the streets between 2002 and 2004.

Ariel Castro is charged with 329 crimes and could face the death penalty

He has pleaded not guilty to 329 charges, including 139 counts of rape, and aggravated murder over the death of an unborn child.

The women were rescued in May when Ms Berry broke through a door at the home and yelled to neighbours for help.

"I'm getting stronger each day and having my privacy has helped immensely," she said in the video.

"I want everyone to know how happy I am to be home with my family and my friends. It's been unbelievable.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped me and my family through this entire ordeal."

Ms Berry, now 27, was reportedly forced to give birth to daughter Jocelyn in an inflatable children's paddling pool, with fellow captive Michelle Knight giving the baby mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

In the video, Ms Knight said she had "been through hell and back" but that she was doing well and didn't want to be "consumed by hatred".

Taken at aged 20 and the eldest of three women, she spoke of how her faith in God had helped her deal with the situation.

The three women before they were taken between 2002 and 2004

"I have no problems expressing how I feel inside," she said.

"Be positive; learn that it is important to give than to receive. Thank you for all your prayers. I'm looking forward to my brand-new life."

The three victims' rehabilitation has been helped by more than $1m (£670,000) of public donations to the Cleveland Courage Fund.

Gina DeJesus, now 23 and the youngest of the kidnapped women, spoke briefly only to say "thank you for the support."

The three women were apparently held at Ariel Castro's home

However, her father, Felix DeJesus, and aunt Nancy Ruiz, also spoke in the video to thank people for being "awesome".

Castro, 52, was last week refused a visit with the six-year-old girl he fathered with Amanda Berry, with a judge calling the request "inappropriate".

An upcoming meeting will discuss the possibility of seeking the death penalty for the alleged crimes.

Castro's lawyers have previously hinted that he might plead guilty if talk of capital punishment was taken off the table.

A trial is scheduled for August 5, but the judge said it could be delayed.

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April Jones: Mark Bridger Attacked In Prison

Child killer Mark Bridger has been attacked by a fellow prisoner less than two months into his whole life sentence.

The 47-year-old, who was jailed in May for abducting and murdering schoolgirl April Jones, was slashed with a makeshift blade during the attack as he walked along a gangway at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

Bridger reportedly suffered facial injuries and was taken to a local hospital where he was given stitches.

Prison officers stepped in to save him from further injury, according to The Sun newspaper.

A spokesman for Her Majesty's Prison Service confirmed a prisoner had been injured and taken to hospital during the attack, which is now being investigated by the police.

Bridger kidnapped April before sexually abusing and murdering her and disposing of her body last October.

Police believe he dismembered the five-year-old's body before dumping the body parts at various locations in the hills, rivers and forests surrounding his home.

The high-security prison's inmates include many serious sex offenders

He was given a whole life sentence by judge Mr Justice Griffith Williams after a jury found him guilty following a month-long trial.

April had been playing with friends close to her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate in Machynlleth, Powys, when Bridger enticed her into his car.

Following his arrest, detectives found numerous indecent images on his computer and traces of April's blood around his home.

HMP Wakefield is a high-security prison which houses an average of 740 male inmates, many of whom are serious sex offenders.

The jail houses a number of child killers including Roy Whiting, Levi Bellfield and Mick Philpott.

Bridger had previously been kept away from other prisoners for his own safety, as attacks on notorious inmates are not uncommon in Britain's jails.

Soham killer Ian Huntley was attacked in Wakefield prison in 2005

Despite tight security surrounding high-profile inmates - including segregation for paedophiles and child killers - attacks with makeshift blades and other improvised weapons do take place.

Ian Huntley, the killer of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, was attacked at Wakefield when a fellow prisoner, murderer Mark Hobson, threw a bucket of boiling water over him in September 2005.

Huntley was moved to HMP Frankland in January 2008, where his throat was slashed by another inmate in March 2010.

Roy Whiting, killer of schoolgirl Sarah Payne, was stabbed by a fellow inmate in Wakefield in July 2011.

Double murderer Gary Vinter was given an indefinite sentence with a notional minimum five-year term after he admitted attacking Whiting with a sharpened toilet brush handle.

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San Francisco Plane Crash Pilot Was Training

The pilot who was flying a Boeing 777 when it crashed in San Francisco had just 43 hours' experience flying the plane, aviation officials have said.

Two teenagers were killed and around 180 people were injured, many of them seriously, when Asiana Airlines flight 214 slammed into the runway.

Air crash investigators said the crew tried to abort the landing less than two seconds before impact.

Although the captain had spent nearly 10,000 hours at the controls of other planes, he had never landed at San Francisco before.

The plane spun as it hit the ground. Pic: CNN/Fred Hayes

He was sitting alongside another pilot who had flown 3,200 hours in 777s and around 12,000 hours in total.

Meanwhile, officials are looking at whether one of the two teenagers killed in the crash was run over by a rescue vehicle.

It is not clear whether she died during the crash or whether she was knocked down as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

As air crash investigators continue to look for the cause of the crash, they published a series of pictures, including one taken inside the wreckage of the plane, showing oxygen masks hanging from the ceiling of the cabin and seats bent at various angles.

The mangled interior of the Boeing 777. Pic: NTSB/Twitter

They have recovered both black boxes from the 777, which should reveal exactly why the aircraft came down.

Deborah Hersman, head of the National Transportation Safety Board, said the plane was travelling well below its target speed of 157mph.

She said a piece of safety equipment that warns pilots of an impending stall went off moments before the crash.

The plane's landing gear was separated from the fuselage. Pic: NTSB/Twitter

Cockpit voice recordings revealed the crew's desperate attempts to climb back into the sky but did not suggest any mechanical problems.

No warnings were issued to air traffic controllers until seven seconds before impact.

Although the cause of the crash is yet to be confirmed, one theory is that the plane clipped a sea wall at the end of the runway as it came in to land.

Investigators study the aircraft's tail fin. Pic: NTSB/Twitter

Amateur video obtained by CNN shows the plane landing on the runway and then appearing to spin counter-clockwise before crashing down again with black smoke billowing from its tail.

Meanwhile, further tales from those on the flight from Shanghai, which travelled to San Francisco via a stop-off in Seoul, have emerged.

Fei Xiong, who was taking her eight-year-old son on a trip to Disneyland, said: "My son told me, 'The plane will fall down, it's too close to the sea.' I told him, 'Baby, it's OK, we'll be fine.'"

Xu Da, who was sitting near the back of the plane with his wife and teenage son, described seeing sparks - possibly from exposed electrical wires - and a gaping hole through which he could see the runway.

Wen Zhang climbed from the wreckage with her four-year-old son, who hit the seat in front of him and broke his leg in the crash.

"I had no time to be scared," she said.

The two pilots - part of a crew of 16 - had more than 10,000 flying hours between them.

There were 291 passengers on board, many of whom were Chinese.

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Egypt: Morsi Supporters Shot Dead At Barracks

Egypt: Timeline Of Morsi's Reign

Updated: 8:21am UK, Monday 08 July 2013

Key developments over the year since Mohamed Morsi became Egypt's first democratically elected president.

:: 2012

June 30: Mr Morsi, elected with 51.7% of the vote, is sworn and becomes Egypt's first civilian and Islamist president.

August 12: The new president scraps a constitutional document that gave sweeping powers to the military and sacks Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi who ruled after Hosni Mubarak's ousting in February, 2011.

November 22: Mr Morsi decrees sweeping new powers for himself.

November 30: Islamist-dominated constituent assembly adopts a draft constitution despite boycott by liberals, Christians.

December 8: The president annuls the decree giving himself increased powers.

December 15 and 22: 64% of voters in a two-round referendum back the new constitution. Egypt plunges into political crisis, with demonstrations by Morsi supporters and opponents sometimes turning deadly.

:: 2013

January 24: There is violence between demonstrators and police on the eve of the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled Mubarak. Nearly 60 people die in a week.

April 5: Four Christians and a Muslims are killed in sectarian violence.

May 7: President Morsi's cabinet reshuffle falls short of opposition demands.

May 16: Gunmen kidnap three policemen and four soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula. They are freed on May 22.

June 2: Egypt's highest court invalidates the Islamist-dominated Senate, which assumed a legislative role when parliament was dissolved, and a panel that drafted the constitution.

June 15: Morsi announces "definitive" severing of ties with Syria.

June 21: Tens of thousands of Islamists gather ahead of planned opposition protests.

June 23: Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warns the army will intervene if violence erupts.

June 28: The US says non-essential embassy staff can leave after an American is killed during protests.

June 29: The Tamarod ('rebellion') campaign which called rallies for June 30 says more than 22 million have signed a petition demanding Mr Morsi's resignation and a snap election.

June 30: Tens of thousands of Egyptians take to the streets nationwide determined to oust the president on the anniversary of his turbulent first year in power. At least 16 people die in protests across the country.

July 1: The opposition gives President Morsi a day to quit or face civil disobedience. The Tamarod calls on "the army, the police and the judiciary to clearly side with the popular will as represented by the crowds".

Egypt's armed forces warn that it will intervene if the people's demands are not met within 48 hours.

July 2: The presidency rejects the army's ultimatum, saying it will pursue his own plans for national reconciliation.

Foreign minister Kamel Amr becomes the sixth member of Mr Morsi's cabinet to resign.

US President Barack Obama calls on Mr Morsi to respond to the protests and resolve the crisis through "political process".

July 3: A day of drama as tanks and troops deploy near the presidential palace, with a military deadline for Mr Morsi to yield power passing.

He is overthrown late in the day as the country's most senior army official announces the suspension of the Islamist-tinged constitution and a "road map" for a return to democratic rule to stop "bloodshed".

July 4: As Mr Morsi is held by the army, the head of the constitutional court is sworn in as the interim president.

July 6: Fierce street battles between supporters of Morsi and their opponents leave at least 36 people dead.

July 8: Some 35 people are shot dead in clashes between Morsi supporters and the Egyptian army, outside the Republican Guard headquarters.

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Andy Murray: Win 'Huge Release Of Pressure'

Andy Murray has said his Wimbledon win is a "huge release of tension and pressure".

Speaking to Sky News, the champion said that he had only slept for an hour and a half after the champions' ball and that David Beckham had called to congratulate him on Monday morning.

"I feel very relaxed today. There was a huge release of tension and pressure yesterday," said Murray.

"Once I get back on the match court I'll feel how much more relaxed I am out there, or preparing for big events."

Andy Murray and Kim Sears arrive for the post-tournament party in Park Lane

He added: "I only slept for an hour and a half last night so I was pretty beat up when I woke up. But it's a beautiful day to wake up as Wimbledon champion."

Murray also paid tribute to the "unbelievable" support he received from the Centre Court crowd and people watching around the country.

The Scotsman - the first British men's champion at SW19 since Fred Perry in 1936 - partied on Sunday night at the traditional end-of-tournament event in central London.

He was joined by his girlfriend Kim Sears, his mother and father, Judy and William, as well as several of the VIPs who watched him defeat Serbia's Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Centre Court.

Earlier, the 26-year-old, celebrating his second Grand Slam victory, said his success would "take a little while to sink in" and admitted: "I don't really know what to say just now."

"Winning Wimbledon, I think, is the pinnacle of tennis," he added.

Marion Bartoli, the winner of the women's final, also attended the party at a hotel in Park Lane.

The 28-year-old French number one appeared to joke about comments made by BBC commentator John Inverdale, who suggested she was "never going to be a looker".

Speaking to Sky's Stephen Douglas, she said: "How do I look?"

Andy Murray celebrates with spectators on Centre Court

Murray squandered three championship points in a hard fought final game before beating Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 - a win Prime Minister David Cameron said had made Britain "proud".

"I worked so hard in that last game," he said in a post-match press conference. "It's the hardest few points I've had to play in my life ... I still can't believe it."

Murray leapt onto the roof of the commentary box on Centre Court to celebrate with his family, friends and coaching staff.

There was a hug for his girlfriend and a long embrace for coach Ivan Lendl, a former world number one who twice missed out on the Wimbledon title.

Murray almost forgot his mother, who was sitting just behind the players' box, before returning to hug her too.

Murray hugs his mother Judy moments after winning his second Grand Slam

In a Twitter message retweeted more than 87,000 times, Murray said: "Can't believe what's just happened!"

Later, he added: "Thanks for all the support!"

The champion's grandparents, Roy and Shirley Erskine, who celebrated at a sports club in Dunblane, said the atmosphere in Murray's hometown was "tremendous".

"We were telling him what wonderful support there was up here, " Shirley Erskine told Sky News.

Grandfather Roy said he did not think Andy would not let his historic success and all the extra attention go to his head.

"I don't think Andy will change in any way," he said.

"I think he will still be very committed to his tennis - he doesn't know anything else. It's been his way of life for the last 11 years."

Murray now has less than two months to prepare for the US Open - the title he won in 2012 in a thrilling five-set encounter with Djokovic that lasted nearly five hours.

It is not yet known whether he is planning to return to Dunblane, where he took an open-top bus tour in front of 20,000 people last summer to celebrate his Olympic and US Open titles.

Fans packed themselves into the town's community centre as well as Murray's former tennis club to see their favourite son lift the Wimbledon trophy in only his second Centre Court final.

Meanwhile, marketing experts have predicted Murray could become the third highest-earning British sportsman of all time.

He is expected to land a raft of new sponsorship deals and could be in line to earn up to £15m a year.

His manager, Simon Fuller, said only a World Cup win for England's footballers could match the enormity of his Wimbledon triumph.

"I think it's very much a moment now where Britain can really see Andy Murray 'the man' and not just 'the great sportsman'," he said.

"I think that by winning Olympic gold, the US Open and Wimbledon, he's proved himself to be a true champion. Anything's possible. I think everyone's in heaven."

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Charles Saatchi Files For Divorce After Row

Art collector Charles Saatchi has announced he has filed for divorce from Nigella Lawson - citing her refusal to defend his reputation after he was pictured with his hand around her neck at a restaurant.

In a statement, the 70-year-old told The Mail On Sunday: "I am sorry to announce that Nigella Lawson and I are getting divorced.

"I feel that I have clearly been a disappointment to Nigella during the last year or so, and I am disappointed that she was advised to make no public comment to explain that I abhor violence of any kind against women, and have never abused her physically in any way."

The couple were pictured on June 9 during an alleged row at Scott's restaurant in Mayfair, central London.

Images showed Mr Saatchi with his hand around the 53-year-old celebrity chef's throat.

Ms Lawson, the daughter of former chancellor Lord Lawson, was reportedly seen weeping following the episode. She did not make a complaint to police.

Mr Saatchi voluntarily attended a central London police station and accepted a caution, saying he did not want the incident "hanging over all of us".

But he claimed his wife has refused to answer calls after apparently leaving the family home with her two children from her previous marriage, Cosima, 19, and Bruno, 17.

Mr Saatchi told the newspaper: "This is heartbreaking for both of us as our love was very deep, but in the last year we have become estranged and drifted apart.

"The row photographed at Scott's restaurant could equally have been Nigella grasping my neck to hold my attention - as indeed she has done in the past."

A spokesman for Ms Lawson said: "There is no comment from Nigella."

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Boeing Plane Crash Lands In San Francisco

Two people have been killed and more than 150 others injured after a plane crash landed at San Francisco International Airport, according to the city fire department.

The Asiana Airlines flight, from Seoul, South Korea, was believed to be carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members.

The San Francisco Fire Department, said 181 people have been taken to various hospitals - 49 of whom are in a serious condition.

Terrorism had been ruled out as a cause of the accident, the FBI confirmed.

The debris of the aircraft's tail is seen on the runway after the crash

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane's tail section break off during the crash. South Korea's transportation ministry said the tail of the plane hit the runway before it crashed.

A fire started when the plane landed and passengers were forced to use emergency inflatable slides to escape the aircraft, witnesses added.

Parts of the plane's tail and the landing gear were strewn across the runway. TV footage showed the top of the fuselage had been burned away and one engine appeared to have broken off.

David Eun, believed to be a passenger on the aircraft, posted on Twitter: "I just crash landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine. I'm ok. Surreal."

He added: "Fire and rescue people all over the place. They're evacuating the injured."

A plume of smoke rose from the plane after the crash landing

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said the Boeing 777 was supposed to land on runway 28 left at San Francisco International Airport.

She said the sequence of events was still unclear, but it appeared the plane landed and then crashed.

Sky News Correspondent Tom Parmenter said: "There were large plumes of smoke coming from this plane.

"The tail seems to be the initial problem on landing, and then the fire seems to have started once the plane was on the runway.

"People have been pictured walking away from the wreckage."

Flights have been diverted to other airports, including Los Angeles.

The wreckage is visible next to one of the runways at the airport

Debbie Hersman, chairman of the Transport Safety Board, said: "Teams are going to be focused on operations, human performance, survival factors, the airport, airport operations and they are going to be focussing on the aircraft - the systems, the structures and the power plants.

"It's still too early for us to tell (what happened).

A statement from San Francisco General Hospital said 10 patients from the crash - eight adults and two children - were in a critical condition.

Asiana is a South Korean airline, second in size to the national carrier Korean Air. 

It has recently tried to expand its presence in the United States, and joined the oneWorld alliance, anchored by American Airlines and British Airways.

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Abu Qatada Leaves UK And Arrives In Jordan

Radical preacher Abu Qatada has arrived in Jordan after being flown out of Britain in the early hours.

Home Secretary Theresa May told Sky News that she was "very pleased" to have finally succeeded in deporting the cleric.

"He is now where people wanted him to be - which is not in the UK, but back in Jordan," she said.

Qatada left RAF Northolt in west London on a military plane bound for Jordan to stand trial on terror charges.

It is understood Jordanian authorities allowed his family to greet him on his arrival.

Qatada became a household name for all the wrong reasons

It marks the end of an eight-year legal battle to remove the radical cleric, who the Government has described as a "truly dangerous individual" and a "key player" in al Qaeda-related terrorism.

Sky News correspondent Mark White said: "He has been a thorn in the side of five home secretaries who have tried to get rid of him. As far as the British Government and senior politicians are concerned, there will be quiet celebration that he has finally left the country."

Qatada used his human rights to make a series of costly challenges to moves to deport him to his native country.

The case became a national embarrassment, which critics of European human rights legislation claim has rendered UK politicians powerless to remove someone who they believed to be a clear threat to national security.

Ms May said: "Abu Qatada was deported today to his home country of Jordan to face terrorism charges.

"His departure marks the conclusion of efforts to remove him since 2001 and I believe this will be welcomed by the British public."

Theresa May believes his departure will be widely welcomed

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I am absolutely delighted. This is something this Government said it would get done and we have got it done.

"It is an issue, like for the rest of the country, has made my blood boil. That this man, who has no right to be in our country, who is a threat to our country, and that it took so long and was so difficult to deport him.

"But we've done it, he's back in Jordan, that's excellent news."

The Home Office spent a total of £1.7m on legal fees from the many court proceedings.

Mrs May added: "I am glad that this government's determination to see him on a plane has been vindicated and that we have at last achieved what previous governments, Parliament and the British public have long called for.

"This dangerous man has now been removed from our shores to face the courts in his own country.

The military plane with Qatada on board

"I am also clear that we need to make sense of our human rights laws and remove the many layers of appeals available to foreign nationals we want to deport. We are taking steps - including through the new Immigration Bill - to put this right."

It was a treaty signed between the UK and Jordan that finally secured Qatada's departure, giving him the assurances he needed to leave his taxpayer-funded home behind.

The agreement, announced by Mrs May earlier this year, aimed to allay fears that evidence extracted through torture will be used against the father of five at a retrial.

In a shock decision, Qatada pledged in May to leave Britain - with his family in tow - if and when the treaty was fully ratified, a process that to the relief of many concluded earlier this week.

After landing at an isolated airstrip near the Jordanian capital Amman, Qatada was being transferred to the maximum security Muwaqqar prison, which houses dozens of convicted terrorists.

It is understood he will be held in solitary confinement at the jail, until the Jordanian authorities can put him on trial.

Qatada was taken from Belmarsh to RAF Northolt under police escort

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Abu Qatada should have made this decision to face justice in Jordan before, as this has dragged on far too long, but it is extremely welcome news that this saga is now at an end."

Qatada originally fled the Middle East and arrived in the UK in 1993. He was granted asylum the following year.

His increasingly radical sermons caught the attention of the security services in Britain and in numerous other countries.

A Spanish judge described him as the "spiritual head of the mujaheddin in Britain".

A number of people arrested on terrorism offences, including British born "shoe-bomber" Richard Reid, admitted seeking religious advice from him.

His sermons were found in the Hamburg flat used by a number of the 9/11 hijackers.

In 2001, on the eve of tough new British anti-terror laws allowing for the detention without trial of foreign terror suspects, Qatada went on the run, before later being arrested and held in Belmarsh prison.

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