Government defends New Year Honours after 'croynism' claims

Pic:Theresa May's government have defended the New Year Honours list
Political reporter(wp/es):

 The government has defended the New Year Honours and insisted it is unfair to criticise awards given to Tory donors, despite allegations of cronyism.

Prime Minister Theresa May has previously pledged to shake up the system and in November joked that she "retched" when she saw David Cameron's resignation honours list.

But Labour has slammed the Tories for rewarding "cronies" in the New Year Honours.

Tory donor David Ord, who has given the party £930,000, has been knighted for "political service".

Dominic Johnson, associate treasurer of the Conservative Party and now CBE, gave the Cameron family somewhere to stay when they left Downing Street in July.

The Government emphasised the independent oversight of honours nominations, which can be submitted by Whitehall departments and members of the public.

A Government source said: "Honours are rewards for hard work and contributions to civic society. 

All nominations for honours are assessed by one of the nine independent honours committees.

"It is unfair to criticise individuals being honoured just because they have also chosen to donate to a political party.

"Donations should be transparent, but it's not an excuse to knock people for broader philanthropy, enterprise and public service."

But a spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "The Conservatives are making a mockery of our honours system.

"Every crony appointment is an insult to the incredible people from right across Britain who are rewarded for the great contributions they make to our national life."

The Prime Minister could also face complaints over the 14 honours handed to officials from the Home Office, which she ran from 2010 to 2016.

The New Year Honours have also faced criticism for "rewarding failure", with the head of Britain's foreign aid department coming under fire after being awarded a knighthood.

Mark Lowcock has been honoured just weeks after the Department for International Development was reprimanded for building a £285 million airport on the remote island of St Helena, where it is too windy for commercial planes to land.

The Beatles' first manager Allan Williams dies aged 86

Pic:Allan Williams has died aged 86 
Entertainment reporter(wp/es):

The man credited with discovering the Beatles, Allan Williams, has died aged 86.

The owner of the Jacaranda Club in Liverpool took the fledgling musicians under his wing after employing them to clean and decorate his business.

He then drove the foursome to Hamburg, Germany to hone their skills and kick-start their path to stardom.

The Jacaranda announced the death of the stalwart of the city's music scene on Friday, writing on Facebook: "Today is one of the saddest days in our history.

"The Jacaranda's original owner and the man who discovered The Beatles, Allan Williams, has sadly passed away at the age of 86.

"All of our thoughts and wishes go to his family and his wife Beryl.

"His legacy has allowed us to remain at the heart of the Liverpool music scene for almost 60 years and his memory will live on through every band that plays our famous stage. 

Allan, you will be missed."

When the band first asked to play at the Jacaranda, Mr Williams instead gave them jobs renovating the venue in Slater Street before deciding to send them to Hamburg. 

Mr Williams, from the Sefton Park area, parted ways with the band - then comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best - in 1961.

Sir Paul described him in The Beatles Anthology as "a great guy, a really good motivator".

They signed with Brian Epstein the following January.

The Beatles Story exhibition said Mr Williams' role as their first booking agent and manager "helped shape the band in to what we see and know today".

Its director Martin King said: "Allan was a friend to many of us at the Beatles Story and his legacy will continue to be told for years to come." 

Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn tweeted: "No Allan Williams, no Hamburg. No Hamburg, no Beatles."

Man fighting for life and police officer mowed down after assault outside east London DLR station

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A man is fighting for life and a police officer has been injured following an assault outside a DLR station in east London in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.

The victim, aged in his 30s, was found with head injuries close to Star Lane DLR station shortly after 4.45am on Saturday.

He was rushed to a hospital in east London where he remains in a critical condition.

A man was arrested at the scene in Bidder Street on suspicion of attempted murder.

A car then ploughed through a police cordon outside the station and mowed down a police officer, Scotland Yard confirmed.

He was treated by paramedics before being taken to an east London hospital with minor injuries shortly after 5am.

The driver of the car has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, police said.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Enquiries continue.

“Whilst a scene remains in place, trains will not be stopping at Star Lane DLR station.”

Young man stabbed to death outside block of flats in south London

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A young man was stabbed to death in the street outside a block of flats in Peckham.

The victim, aged in his 20s, was knifed outside the Deerhurst House apartment block on Friday afternoon. 

Medics fought to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Murder detectives have launched an investigation following the fatal stabbing in Haymerle Road at about 5.30pm.

Scotland Yard said the man’s next of kin have been informed but he has not yet been formally identified.

A post-mortem was scheduled to take place on January 1.

A Met Police spokesman said: “An incident room has opened under Detective Chief Inspector Lee Watling of the Homicide and Major Crime Command.

“Detectives would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Haymerle Road at the time who may have information that will assist the investigation.  

“There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.”