Author: xaurav

David Laws: “I cannot escape the conclusion that what I have done is somehow wrong”

Liberal Democrat David Laws has resigned as Chief Secretary to the Treasury after admitting he claimed expenses to pay rent to his partner.

Mr Laws said he would be standing down with immediate effect in a statement given at the Treasury.

He had earlier apologised and said he would pay back the money which the Daily Telegraph said totalled £40,000.

The Yeovil MP said he wanted to keep his relationship with James Lundie private.

Mr Laws said he had informed both David Cameron and Nick Clegg, but it had been "his decision alone".

Explaining his decision, he said: "I do not see how I can carry out my crucial work on the Budget and spending review while I have to deal with the private and public implications of recent revelations."

Mr Laws said he had an "over-riding responsibility to those I love most and who I've exposed to scrutiny in this way," and it was time to redress that balance.

He said: "I can't escape the conclusion that what I did was somehow wrong."

Lib Dem Scottish Secretary Danny Alexander will take over the post, Downing Street has announced.

Responding to Mr Laws' resignation letter, Prime Minister David Cameron said he was an "honourable man", adding: "I hope that, in time, you will be able to serve again."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Dubovie was chosen to represent the UK in March

Acts from 25 countries are preparing to take part in the grand final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, taking place later in Norway's capital Oslo.

British hopes rest on 19-year-old Josh Dubovie, who will perform a Mike Stock and Pete Waterman song called That Sounds Good To Me.

The UK has not won Eurovision since 1997, when Katrina and the Waves triumphed with Love Shine a Light.

Bookmakers have made Azerbaijan favourite to win the contest.

Their chosen act, Safura, will open Saturday's show with her song Drip Drop.

Because the phone vote that decides the winner opens at the beginning of the show, it is thought the 17-year-old may have an advantage over her fellow contestants.

More than 125 million watched last year's competition in Moscow, when Norwegian violinist Alexander Rybak took home the trophy with a record 387 points.

The economic downturn has hit this year hard, though, with several countries having to pull out of the event because they could not afford to take part.

Graham Norton will host the BBC's live TV coverage of the event, which kicks off at 2000 BST on BBC One.

Bookmakers have made Safura from Azerbaijan favourite to win

Radio listeners, meanwhile, can hear Ken Bruce report on proceedings on BBC Radio Two from 2000 BST.

Speaking to the BBC earlier this week, Waterman admitted it was "highly unlikely" the UK will win this year's competition.

However, he added, "there is always an outside chance that something bizarre might happen."

Dubovie was chosen to represent the UK after securing the most public votes on Your Country Needs You! on BBC One in March.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes have given him odds of 175/1 – the lowest given to any UK Eurovision hopeful ever.

The UK is one of five automatic finalists, alongside France, Germany, Spain and last year's winners Norway.

The remaining 20 finalists have been whittled down from the 34 countries that participated in the two semi-finals that took place on Tuesday and Thursday.

Among them is Niamh Kavanagh, who is representing the Republic of Ireland for the second time after winning the competition in 1993.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

By Jon DonnisonBBC News, Gaza CityThe UN says Israel does not allow enough food into Gaza

Preparations are under way in Gaza to receive a convoy of ships that is trying to break Israel's economic blockade of the Palestinian territory.

The ships, carrying up to 10,000 tonnes of aid and human rights activists from around the world, will try to reach Gaza on Sunday.

Israel is adamant it will not allow them into Gaza.

The blockade was imposed in 2007 after the Islamist movement Hamas took power in Gaza.

Over the past decade Hamas has fired thousands of rockets i'nto Israel.

‘Cheap stunt’

At the main port in Gaza City Hamas are preparing a welcoming party with marquees and a buffet to greet the 600-odd human rights activists on board the flotilla of ships.

All the signs are, though, that they will not be allowed to set foot on dry land in Gaza.

Israelis have vowed to stop the ships

Israel which still still controls Gaza's territorial waters says its Navy is prepared to use limited force to stop the ships.

It says the boats will be diverted to the nearby Israeli city of Ashdod.

There the government has set upa temporary passport control centre where Israel says the activists will be processed before being deported.

Israel has called the flotilla "a cheap political stunt" and the government's press officers have been working hard all week tobrief journalists that it is unnecessary.

Israel says it allows 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Gaza every week.

But the UN says this is less than a quarter of what is needed.

Construction materials are especially scarce and it is not uncommon to see Gazans sifting through rubble to recycle rocks for rebuilding buildings destroyed in last year's major conflict with Israel.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Hopper directed and starred in Easy Rider

Hollywood actor Dennis Hopper has died at the age of 74 following a long battle with prostate cancer.

Known for such cult classics as Easy Rider, Apocalypse Now and Blue Velvet, Hopper embodied the image of the Hollywood icon.

Hopper died on Saturday morning surrounded by friends and family at his home in Venice, California.

He was last seen in public in March when he was honoured with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

No political party is expected to win an overall majority

Two days of voting are about to begin in a general election in the Czech Republic, in what is predicted to be a tight race.

The poll will bring to an end the rule of a caretaker cabinet that has been in place for the past year.

The left-wing Social Democrats lead the opinion polls, but it is thought they will fall short of a majority.

Major campaign issues have included cutting the deficit, pension reform and stamping out corruption.

But with no party expected to win an overall majority, the political stability needed to tackle the issues effectively could prove elusive, says the BBC's Rob Cameron in Prague.

The country has had an interim administration since the centre-right government was toppled halfway through the country's European Union presidency in March 2009.

‘Big problems’

Polling stations are to open from 1400 (1200 GMT) to 2200 (2000 GMT), and then reopen on Saturday at 0800 (0600 GMT) until 1400 (1200 GMT).

Opinion polls put support for the Social Democrats at 30%, while the right-wing Civic Democrats (ODS) are on about 20%.

The Communists are predicted to take third place.

The three parties are the front-runners in a crowded field: 25 parties fielding some 5,000 candidates are competing for 200 seats in the lower house of Czech parliament.

The Czech Republic has managed to sail through the worst of the economic crisis, thanks to relatively low levels of debt and continued growth, our correspondent says.

But he adds that analysts say big problems such as an unsustainable pension system are being ignored.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

First Test, Lord’s (day three):England 505 v Bangladesh 172-2

Persistent drizzle in north London has delayed the start of the third day’s play in the first Test between England and Bangladesh at Lord’s.

There will be no play before lunch, which will be taken earlier than usual at 1230 BST.

The umpires will then make a pitch inspection at 1245 BST.

Bangladesh will resume on 172-2, 333 runs behind England’s first innings total of 505, with Junaid Siddique on 53 and Jahurul Islam on 16.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Israel says it will not take part in a conference aimed at achieving a nuclear-arms free Middle East, proposed at a UN meeting in New York.

Signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) – including Iran – backed plans to meet in 2012.

In a document agreed at the talks, Israel was singled out for criticism.

Israel, which has not signed the NPT, dismissed the document as "deeply flawed" and "hypocritical".

"It ignores the realities of the Middle East and the real threats facing the region and the entire world," the Israeli government said in a statement issued in Canada, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting.

"Given the distorted nature of this resolution, Israel will notbe able to take part in its implementation."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

The fire raged through the properties’ wooden Tudor beams

A fire which swept through the Devon resort of Dartmouth has destroyed parts of its historic Tudor centre.

The fire started in a fish and chip shop at lunchtime on Friday and quickly spread to adjoining properties in Fairfax Place.

At its height about 80 firefighters from across Devon fought to control the blaze.

Eight shops and 15 flats were destroyed in the fire, but no-one was injured. The cause is being investigated.

Mayor of Dartmouth, Richard Rendle, told BBC News it was a "human tragedy and a historic one".

Safety cordon

Mr Rendle said many of the people who lost their homes were taken in by residents on Friday night.

"Its rather rewarding to see how this town has rallied round," he said.

"I know people who have previously never met, have opened their homes."

John Walker, a cameramen, who lives in the town described the fire as a "total disaster".

A large part of the town remains cordoned off for safety reasons.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Israel denounces plans for a major conference on a nuclear-arms free Middle East, and says it will not take part.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

David Laws said he regretted the situation “deeply”

David Laws should stand aside as Chief Treasury Secretary after he claimed expenses to pay rent to his partner, says the former Commissioner for Standards in Public Life.

Sir Alistair Graham said Mr Laws should step aside while an investigation is carried out.

Mr Laws said he will pay back the money which the Daily Telegraph said totalled £40,000.

He said he wanted to keep the relationship with the man private.

David Cameron said he agreed with Mr Laws's decision to refer himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.

Since 2006 parliamentary rules have banned MPs from "leasing accommodation from a partner".

‘Protect privacy’

The Liberal Democrat cabinet minister claimed up to £950 a month for eight years to rent a room in two properties owned by his partner, James Lundie, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Laws said he claimed back the costs of sharing a home in Kennington, south London, with Mr Lundie from 2001 to June 2007.

The Yeovil MP said his partner bought a new home, in London, in June 2007 and he continued to claim back his share of the costs until August 2009.

Continue reading the main story

My hunch is that he will keep his job but lose something else he valued much more – his privacy and a reputation for being a representative of a new and different politics

Nick RobinsonBBC political editorNick’s blog: ‘The mess’ David Laws finds himself in

The minister said he extended the mortgage on his Somerset property to help Mr Lundie purchase the new property.

Sir Alistair, former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said it was a shame to see expenses back in the news.

"I think all of us hoped that after the General Election, a line could be drawn – we've got a new independent Parliamentary standards authority – that we would be in a new era of transparency and cleanliness as far as our politics are concerned. Now there's a bit of a question mark."

He added the revelations made Mr Laws's position very difficult.

"At a minimum he should step aside while the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards carries out his investigation and reports to the Committee on Standards and Privileges."

His comments came after Mr Laws apolologised.

He said: "At no point did I consider myself to be in breach of the rules which in 2009 defined partner as 'one of a couple… who although not married to each other or civil partners are living together and treat each other as spouses'.

AnalysisContinue reading the main storyNorman Smith
BBC political correspondent

David Laws is well liked and highly regarded at Westminster.

Many Tories view him as their favourite Lib Dem – a deficit hawk; the ideal man to get to grips with government waste.

But politics is a brutal business. And so far Downing Street have been careful not to give him its unequivocal support.

The critical calculation those inside Number 10 will be weighing up is whether the damage to Mr Laws's credibility and standing is such that he no longer has the authority to force through difficult spending cuts.

If so, then he is unlikely to survive.

In Mr Laws's favour though is the fact Number 10 will be deeply reluctant to lose such a pivotal member of the coalition.

There may also be a desire not to be rocked by the media so early on in the life of this coalition government and a temptation to try and tough this out.

"Although we were living together we did not treat each other as spouses – for example we do not share bank accounts and indeed have separate social lives.

"However, I now accept that this was open to interpretation and will immediately pay back the costs of the rent and other housing costs I claimed from the time the rules changed until August 2009."

He added: "My motivation throughout has not been to maximise profit but to simply protect our privacy and my wish not to reveal my sexuality.

"I regret this situation deeply, accept that I should not have claimed my expenses in this way and apologise fully."

A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The prime minister has been made aware of this situation and he agrees with David Laws's decision to self-refer to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner."

Labour MP Alan Whitehead, a member of the standards and privileges committee in the old parliament, said Mr Laws's position would become "very difficult" if it was decided that serious breaches of the rules had been made.

But former Lib Dem leader, Lord Ashdown, said the revelations were a "personal tragedy" for Mr Laws, describing him as "Mr Integrity".

Mr Laws's parliamentary colleague, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton Deane Jeremy Browne, said the matter was "a human story, not a financial story" about a "deeply private man".

"This is not about David being motivated by money," he said.

HOUSING EXPENSES RULESContinue reading the main story

Housing allowance must not be used to meet the costs of renting a property from:

yourself;a partner or family member (including a spouse or civil partner);a close business associate; or an organisation or company in which you or a family member have an interest (other than as an ordinary investor).

*Source: The Green Book

Mr Laws was one of five Liberal Democrats named in Mr Cameron's coalition cabinet following the election, working with Chancellor George Osborne at the Treasury.

A press release on Mr Laws's website, dated 18 June last year, said he had not "gained" through the taxpayer from buying a property because he rented accommodation in London.

The release said: "Recent publicity means that there is particular interest in which homes MPs have designated as their second homes, how much they have spent on these, and what items have been purchased.

"I have rented a property in London, rather than buying one, so I have made no gain from buying a property with help from the taxpayer."

In an interview with the Times newspaper, carried out on Thursday, Mr Laws had said he was single.

But, speaking to the newspaper after details of his relationship emerged, he said: "When I grew up, being gay was not accepted by most people, including many of my friends.

"So I have kept this secret from everyone I know for every day of my life. That has not been easy, and in some ways it is a relief not to have to go on misleading those close to me about who I am."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

The burials took place in Rabwah, the Ahmadi headquarters

Mourners in Pakistan have buried the 93 victims of co-ordinated attacks by gunmen on two mosques of the minority Ahmadi Islamic sect in Lahore.

The attackers fired guns and threw grenades at worshippers during Friday prayers. Three militants later blew themselves up and two were captured.

An Ahmadi leader called for greater government protection after the attacks by suspected Taliban militants.

Lahore has been the scene of a string of brazen attacks.

The victims were buried in Rabwah, the religious headquarters of the Ahmadi community.

‘Easy targets’

Security was tight at the two mosques on Saturday.

A day earlier, several attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles, shotguns and grenades, held people hostage briefly inside a mosque in the heavily built-up Garhi Shahu area.

WHO ARE THE AHMADIS?Continue reading the main storyA minority Islamic sect founded in 1889, Ahmadis believe their own founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who died in 1908, was a prophetThis is anathema to most Muslims who believe the last prophet was Muhammad, who died in 632Most Ahmadi followers live in the Indian subcontinentAhmadis have been the subject of sectarian attacks and persecution in Pakistan and elsewhereIn 1974 the Pakistani government declared the sect non-MuslimWho are the Ahmadis?In pictures: Lahore attacksAnalysis: Soft target for militantsEyewitness: Mosque attack

Some took up positions on top of the minarets, and fired at police engaged in gunfights with militants below.

Police took control of the other mosque in the nearby Model Town area after a two-hour gunfight.

Pakistan's Geo TV channel said the Pakistani Taliban had claimed responsibility for the assaults.

Members of the community have often been mobbed, or gunned down in targeted attacks, says the BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad.

But this is the first time their places of worship have suffered daring and well co-ordinated attacks that bear the mark of Taliban militants, our correspondent adds.

Ali Dayan Hassan of Human Rights Watch told the BBC the worshippers were "easy targets" for militant Sunni groups who consider the Ahmadis to be infidels.

While the Ahmadis consider themselves Muslim and follow all Islamic rituals, they were declared non-Muslim in Pakistan in 1973, and in 1984 they were legally barred from proselytising or identifying themselves as Muslims.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

The three women all worked as prostitutes in Bradford

Officers investigating the deaths of three women in Bradford have recovered what are thought to be human remains in the River Aire.

The discovery was made at about 1200 BST about 200 yards from where the remains of Susan Blamires were found, West Yorkshire Police said.

Officers said it was too early to speculate who the remains belonged to.

Stephen Griffiths, 40, is charged with the murder of sex workers Ms Blamires, Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

A gay couple who were jailed in Malawi have been pardoned by President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Mr Mutharika, speaking as UN chief Ban Ki-moon visited Lilongwe, said he had ordered their immediate release.

Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were given 14-year jail terms after being convicted of gross indecency and unnatural acts.

The case has sparked international condemnation and a debate about homosexuality in the country.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Forensics experts at the scene of the shooting on the Shankill Road

A 40-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a man on Belfast's Shankill Road.

Bobby Moffett, 43, was shot in the face shortly before 1300 BST on Friday.

The police said Mr Moffett, had strong links to the Ulster Volunteer Force, and was well known in loyalist circles.

Dawn Purvis, leader of the Progressive Unionist Party which is linked to the UVF, said there would be consequences for the paramilitary group if it was behind the killing.

"Regardless of whether or not Mr Moffett was a member or not or had previously been a member or not, he has been shot dead in broad daylight and it's absolutely wrong.

"This could have broader implications in terms of the ceasefire and decommissioning."

The shooting happened on Belfast’s Shankill Road

The UVF said last June it had put all its weapons beyond use.

At least two masked gunmen wearing fluorescent jackets shot Mr Moffett at the corner of Conway Street and the Shankill Road.

He died in hospital. Police do not believe the shooting was sectarian.

There is speculation that Mr Moffett may have been involved in a fight with a member of the UVF in recent days – but this may have been a personal dispute rather than anything to do with the organisation.

The attack happened in an area that was crowded with shoppers.

In a statement, the police said it was "a cold-blooded, ruthless killing".

"It is a chilling reminder of a violent past that everyone in the community hoped we had left behind," they added.

The gunmen were seen running off along nearby Conway Street.

One witness said: "I heard about four shots and saw the gunmen standing in the middle of the road wearing balaclavas and orange tops.

He said he saw the victim lying on the ground.

"I think he was shot in the head or the face," he said.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

By Emma WilkinsonHealth reporter, BBC NewsThe effect was seen in men and women

Comparing your income with those of family and friends is a recipe for unhappiness, a study has suggested.

Researchers analysing data from a Europe-wide survey found three-quarters of those asked thought it important to compare their incomes with others.

But those who compared salaries seem less content, especially if they looked at those of friends and family rather than work colleagues.

The paper in the Economic Journal also found the poor were most affected.

The researchers, from the Paris School of Economics, used data from the European Social Survey covering 19,000 participants in 24 countries.

They found that those who compared their incomes with others tended to be less happy.

Continue reading the main story

We need to know what comes first – is it those who are glass half empty types who do the comparisons as a consequence of that, or is it the comparison that makes them unhappy?

Professor Cary CooperLancaster University Management School

The responses showed that the greater the importance people attached to such comparisons, the lower they ranked themselves on measures of satisfaction with life and standard of living, as well as on feeling depressed.

There was no difference seen between men and women in how much they compare their income with those around them.

But limiting comparisons to work colleagues seems to be the most innocuous – as comparisons with friends appeared to be twice as painful as comparisons with colleagues.

People in poorer countries were found to compare their incomes more than people in richer ones and, within countries, poorer people were more likely to compare their incomes than richer people.

Glass half empty

The researchers suggest that when it comes to comparing your salary with colleagues' earnings, it may help boost feelings about the prospects for potential future income.

They concluded: "Constantly looking over one's shoulder seems to make the world a less happy – and more unequal – place."

Study leader Professor Andrew Clark added that the larger effect seen in poorer groups was a surprise.

"I had thought that richer people would compare more because if you're down towards the bottom what really matters is just getting the minimum required, but it didn't come out that way."

Professor Cary Cooper, an expert in organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University Management School, said the kind of people who constantly compare themselves with others tend to be unsure of themselves.

"We need to know what comes first – is it those who are glass half empty types who do the comparisons as a consequence of that, or is it the comparison that makes them unhappy?"

He said comparisons with school and university friends were probably most damaging.

"With work colleagues it's a fairness issue, but with school friends who had the same opportunities as you you might think 'They've done much better than me so I must be less competent'.

"I would advise people to not compare themselves and be happy with who they are and the situation they're in – remember those you're comparing yourself with may not actually be more content."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.