9am Briefing: Children's charities welcome Thomson's departure from Hearts

The 20-year-old defender was fined and placed on the sex offenders register last month after pleading guilty to inappropriate conduct towards two underage girls over the internet.

The club originally said it would stand by the player, but suspended him two weeks ago after a public outcry.

But after meeting Thomson and his family yesterday, Hearts chief Vladimir Romanov said: "I have reviewed all the facts of his case and understand he has done a wrong thing. This is a very bad example and he will not play for the club again."

THE Government will face mounting pressure to freeze Rupert Murdoch's planned takeover of BSkyB today as the phone hacking scandal threatens to cause a major political storm.

Whitehall lawyers were reported to be scrambling to devise a safe way to put the brakes on in order to avoid the embarrassment of the Liberal Democrats siding with Labour in a Commons vote.

Mr Murdoch held talks with some of his most trusted lieutenants last night after flying in to the UK on the day the News of the World was shut down to take personal charge of the crisis.

FAMILIES and businesses in the Capital have spent the weekend mopping up after the flash floods.

The Central Library on George IV Bridge closed its reference library on Saturday to clean up after water damage was caused by the downpour.

Meanwhile, in one of the worst-hit streets, Balcarres Street in Morningside, householders and businesses were cleaning up as they awaited visits from their insurers following Friday's heavy rainfall.

AN EDINBURGH soldier killed after he left his Afghan base alone at night had gone in search of a missing pair of night-vision goggles, it was reported today.

Military investigators are to investigate whether Scott McLaren, 20, was under orders to retrieve the vital equipment, according to reports.

The 20-year-old Highlander, whose parents live in Sighthill, was captured on an army CCTV camera as he left a checkpoint in central Helmand about 2am in full-body armour and helmet and carrying his assault rifle.

A TEENAGER suffered smoke inhalation in a fire sparked by clothes being dried near an electric heater.

The 19-year-old, who did not require hospital treatment, was slightly injured during the blaze at a 9th floor flat in Wauchope House, Greendykes, at 11pm on Saturday.

Firefighters confined the fire to just one room of the property which was fitted with a smoke alarm but the batteries had been removed.