MPs and peer deny expenses fraud

Three Labour MPs and a Tory peer accused of expenses fraud said they would plead not guilty when they appeared in court for the first time.

MPs Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine face charges of theft by false accounting.

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Straw meets James Bulger's mother

Justice Secretary Jack Straw has met James Bulger's mother to discuss the return to prison of her son's killer Jon Venables, a Ministry of Justice spokesman confirmed.

Mr Straw, who has repeatedly refused to confirm the details of why Venables was returned to custody, met Denise Fergus in his Blackburn constituency.

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High-speed rail link plan unveiled

Plans for a new £30 billion high-speed rail (HSR) network, with 250mph trains, have been announced by the Government.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis gave Labour's backing to a new 335-mile London to Scotland HSR network which would drastically reduce rail journey times.

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Man 'tormented to death' by yobs

A 64-year-old man with learning difficulties was "tormented to death" after being bullied by yobs for more than a decade, neighbours have claimed.

Police had been warned David Askew was being targeted before he was found dead at his home in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday night, said local residents.

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Thousands cheated admissions system

Thousands of parents used underhand tactics to get children into preferred secondary schools last year, it has emerged, as Government figures showed nearly one in six youngsters failed to secure their first choice place.

Chief schools adjudicator Ian Craig estimated 4,200 fraudulent applications were made last year.

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Hunt for boy continues in Pakistan

Hopes that five-year-old British boy Sahil Saeed had been found were dashed as the police chief leading the investigation in Pakistan confirmed the search is ongoing.

Muhammad Aslam Tareen, a detective based in Punjab, said he could "categorically confirm" the youngster, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was still missing.

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Border Agency 'indifferent' to tip

The Government is set to investigate claims that Border Agency (UKBA) officials told a potential whistleblower they were "indifferent" to concerns on illegal immigrants.

Tory former minister Christopher Chope told MPs of a constituent who had informed the UKBA of some illegal workers but then had his appointment cancelled.

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Anti-social behaviour action plea

Urgent action must be taken by senior officers to improve understanding of the toll anti-social behaviour is taking on their communities, the head of the police inspectorate has said.

Chief Inspector of Constabulary Denis O'Connor said the recording of information about harassment, criminal damage and verbal abuse was "inadequate" and must be improved immediately.

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Mark Owen deeply sorry for affairs

Take That star Mark Owen has said he is "deeply sorry" after admitting a string of affairs behind his wife's back.

The 38-year-old singer acknowledged the "pain" he had caused to his wife and friends through his flings with as many as 10 women.

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Network Rail staff vote for strikes

Thousands of Network Rail maintenance workers have voted strongly in favour of strikes in a row over jobs, bringing the threat of industrial action over Easter closer.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union said 77% of its members who took part in the ballot backed strikes, with 89% supporting action short of a strike.

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