9am Briefing: Five British troops killed by rogue Afghan policeman

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 08:50

FIVE British soldiers have been killed by a rogue Afghan policeman, British and Afghan officials said today.

The policeman turned on them and started firing inside a military compound.

The soldiers, three from the Grenadier Guards and two from the Royal Military Police, died in the Nad-e'Ali district of Helmand Province yesterday afternoon.

Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield said: "The soldiers concerned were mentoring Afghan police. They were working inside and living inside an Afghan national police checkpoint.

"It would appear, and it is our initial understanding, that an individual Afghan policeman possibly acting with another started firing within the checkpoint before fleeing the scene."

Lung transplant joy for mum

A MUM who thought she would be dead by Christmas has told of her joy at a life-saving double lung transplant, it was reported today.

Cindyanne Forster, 41, from Livingston, was so ill with the lung disease emphysema that she was confined to a wheelchair and oxygen supply.

But now the mum-of-four has taken up cheerleading following her successful operation.

She said: "This time last year I thought I'd be dead by Christmas. I laugh all the time now because I'm just enjoying life so much."

Woman in hospital after crash

A WOMAN was taken to hospital this morning following a car crash in the Capital.

The 58-year-old was rushed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary following the accident on Slateford Road, near to the Matalan clothing shop.

The accident happened just after 7am and involved only one vehicle.

University warning over English plans

SCOTTISH universities may end up lagging behind those in England if Government plans for education south of the border go ahead, according to a former Edinburgh University principal.

Lord Sutherland of Houndwood warned that if proposals for a ten-year strategy in England – which may include permission to charge higher fees – are approved, the plan has the potential to boost funding of English universities.

Lord Sutherland said: "The implication is that the best universities in England, which are top of the class in the world, will have more concentrated resources available to them – and that will put extra pressures on other universities."

New Cockburn leader vows to fight for city's heritage

THE new leader of Edinburgh's Cockburn Association has vowed to fight to protect the city's heritage by insisting she "loves having an argument".

Marion Williams said she will oppose any development that is out of place, through her role as director of the watchdog body – the fourth in ten years.

She said: "It's important for me to have a profile and stick my head above the parapet. I love having an argument.

"I won't be intimidated by anyone who doesn't agree with us, but I also feel I can talk to anybody.

"We have a role to play in bringing people together."