UK News: Prisoner allowed to father child from jail

A PRISONER is being allowed to father a baby from behind bars following a decision based on human rights laws, it emerged today.

According to reports, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke approved the inmate's request to have the child with his partner by artificial insemination.

Gagging orders blasted

ALMOST three-quarters of the public believe judges have been too ready to issue gagging orders enabling high-profile celebrities, politicians and businessmen to protect their privacy, a new opinion poll has revealed.

Seventy per cent agreed that courts were "too willing" to grant injunctions.

Hospital staff arrested over abuse film footage

THE operator of a residential hospital has apologised and suspended a number of staff following allegations that carers routinely abused vulnerable adults with learning difficulties.

Police have also launched a probe and arrested four people after undercover footage of the apparent misconduct at Winterbourne View, in Bristol, was recorded by the BBC's Panorama programme.

The hospital's operator, Castlebeck, said it was "distressed" and "shocked" by the accusations.

Gunman family's guilt

THE family of mass killer Derrick Bird have spoken of the guilt they feel over the atrocity.

In their first television interview since the shootings on June 2 last year, the wife and three daughters of Bird's twin brother, David - who was gunned down in the rampage - tell how they constantly feel the need to apologise to his 11 other victims and the wider community of West Cumbria.

Vegas enters shed heaven

COMIC Johnny Vegas is to head the cast of a new Radio 4 comedy series about the joys of living in a shed.

The funnyman made the four-part series Shedtown - about a community living in sheds on a beach - with his own production company, Woolyback.

West Midlands: Two people are being held by police in connection with the death of a pensioner at her home.

The 94-year-old woman was found with a head injury at her address in Albion Road, Brownhills, at 7.10am yesterday and was later pronounced dead in hospital.

London: Londoners may need to rethink their journey plans during next summer's Olympics, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond warned today.

He said he could not promise there would be no disruption to normal travel patterns during the games in July and August next year.