Councils call for lorries to banned from using car sat-navs

Pic:A lorry strikes a railway bridge in Tulse Hill
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Lorry drivers should be banned from using sat-navs designed for cars after a spate of smashes up and down Britain, councils have claimed.

The plea was made by the Local Government Association (LGA) after recent “chaos” on British roads where lorries exceeded the weight or height limit.

The group, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, want legislation introduced so only commercial sat-navs should be used by HGV drivers.

The models are slightly more expensive than regular sat-navs and include information on bridge heights and narrow roads.

The group said recent accidents involved lorries ripping off their roofs on low bridges and wedging themselves in historic town centres causing mayhem for motorists.

Network Rail figures show there were more than 1,700 such incidents in Britain during 2015/16.

Rail services on a commuter line on the outskirts of Birmingham were delayed on Monday after a lorry smashed into a bridge, ripping the roof off its trailer.

A historic bridge in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, was closed for months after it was driven over by a lorry more than 10 times heavier than the structure's weight limit in September last year.

Residents in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, reported chaotic scenes when a lorry got stuck after being driven through the town's main shopping street in October.

Local authorities in Wales and London have the power to take action if lorry drivers break the law, but councils are urging the Government to roll this out across the whole of England.

The LGA said the money raised from fines could be put towards tackling the backlog in fixing potholes, which could reach an estimated £14 billion over the next two years.

LGA Transport spokesman Cllr Martin Tett said: "There has been a spate of recent accidents involving lorry drivers driving irresponsibly and causing chaos. 

“The Government must start taking this issue more seriously and give councils the legislative tools to help their communities and other motorists.

"It is common sense that all lorry drivers should use satnavs designed for trucks, but this is only going to become a reality when it is a mandatory requirement. 

“We are talking about a very small extra cost to drivers.

"Lorry drivers who get wedged in narrow roads or under bridges not only endanger themselves, other road users and pedestrians, but also cause massive disruption.

“This has a significant impact on local economies, particularly in rural areas.

"Some rural communities are fed-up with lorries ignoring weight restrictions and using their streets. The additional noise, vibration and pollution make their lives miserable.”

An AA spokesman called on councils to ensure warning signs are clearly visible.

He said: "If a particular road has a particular problem then it's up to the local authority to come up with the signage to deal with that. 

“And obviously if the lorry or any other road user contravenes that road order and that signage then they are open to a penalty."

Veteran British actor Sir John Hurt has died from cancer aged 77.

Pic: Sir John was awarded a lifetime achievement award in 2012. 

Entertainment reporter(wp/es):

Veteran British actor Sir John Hurt has died from cancer aged 77.

Tributes have poured into the star, who was best known for his roles as the title character in The Elephant Man, wizard Mr Ollivander in the Harry Potter films and Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant.

During his illustrious career Sir John was twice-nominated for Oscar and received four Baftas including a lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution to British cinema.

His agent, Charles McDonald, confirmed on Saturday Sir John had died after suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Hollywood legend Mel Brooks described him as "a truly magnificent talent".

"No one could have played The Elephant Man more memorably. He carried that film into cinematic immortality. He will be sorely missed," he added.

Stephen Fry celebrated the "great man" for excelling as an actor, whether he was working in cinema, television or on the stage.

Richard E Grant tweeted: "So so sad to have lost such an extraordinary talent and friend. Sir John Hurt. R. I. P."

News broke of the actor’s cancer diagnosis in June 2015.

Sir John, who received his two Oscar nods for the roles in The Elephant Man and Midnight Express, said at the time: “"I have always been open about the way in which I conduct my life and in that spirit I would like to make a statement.

"I have recently been diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. I am undergoing treatment and am more than optimistic about a satisfactory outcome, as indeed is the medical team.

"I am continuing to focus on my professional commitments and will shortly be recording Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (one of life's small ironies!) for BBC Radio 4."

He later told the Radio Times: "I can't say I worry about mortality, but it's impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it.

"We're all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly. But my treatment is going terrifically well, so I'm optimistic."

Despite his illness, he continued to work at a prodigious rate, starring in Jackie Kennedy biopic Jackie, thriller Damascus Cover and the upcoming biopic of boxer Lenny McLean, My Name Is Lenny.

Sir John enjoyed a big hit with sci-fi horror Alien in 1979 and his character's final scene has been frequently named as one of the most memorable in cinematic history.

He was knighted by the Queen for services to drama at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in 2015.

Four adults and child rescued after blast rips though roof of home

Pic:Sidcup Hill was taped off.
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Firefighters pulled four adults and a child from a south east London house after a gas blast ripped through their home.

The five people had to be rescued after the gas explosion in Sidcup at around Saturday lunchtime.

One man was injured in the blast and treated by paramedics at the scene.

The explosion happened at a house on Sidcup Hill and left roads in the area choked up as police, ambulances and fire engines raced to the scene.

Photos taken in the aftermath of the blast show a large police cordon along the pavement with police officers and firefighters guarding the area.

One photo appears to the roof of a house partly damaged with tiles collapsing into the house.

People nearby complained of long delays as Sidcup Hill was shut between Foots Cray High Street and Sidcup High Street and buses were diverted.

Helen Tamblyn-Saville said on Facebook: “It’s a nightmare, husband is trying to pick up a van and the road is a disaster.”

Elaine Roles said: “If you are planning on coming to Sidcup today allow extra time due to Sidcup Hill being closed due to a gas explosion.”

Over an hour after the blast police said the road had reopened.

A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said firefighters had evacuated four adults and a child following the blast and made the house safe. 

Tube strike:Two walkouts in February in row over jobs and ticket office closures

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Tube workers are to stage two strikes next month in a row over jobs and ticket office closures.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out for 16 hours from 6pm on February 5 and for 15 hours from 10am on the 7th.

The strike was announced after talks between transport bosses and the union broke down this afternoon. 

The RMT and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) staged a 24-hour strike earlier this month which crippled Tube services.

The RMT said it is also planning further strikes in March.

Over 3,000 RMT station staff members were balloted for action over the impact on safety from the axing of nearly 900 front-line workers alongside the closure of Tube ticket offices.

The unions have warned that the job cuts have left safety on a "knife edge" with repeated reports of dangerous overcrowding on stations and platforms.

Union members have been banning overtime, which they say has exposed the "massive deficiencies" in station staffing.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: "RMT will not stand by while safety is compromised on London Underground off the back of cash-led cuts to staffing levels that the union has warned would have a serious, lasting and corrosive impact for staff and passengers alike. That is why our members are taking this further action.

"RMT members on the London Underground stations see day in and day out the toxic impact of the job cuts programme and they are reporting back that it is horrific.

"It has now also been shown that at management level there is agreement with the union that the cuts have been a disastrous mistake.

"With the constant overcrowding on stations and platforms it is only a matter of time before there is a major tragedy if we don't act decisively.

"Our dispute is about taking action to haul back the cuts machine and put safety back at the top of the agenda.

"The union remains available for further serious talks."

Astonishing moment would-be motorbike thief attacks man with nunchucks in Norbury

Pic:The man was attacked with his own weapon
Crime reporter(wp/es):

This is the astonishing moment a man is attacked with nunchucks by would-be motorbike thieves before a heroic barefoot neighbour helps chase them away.

Police say the bike’s owner had been wielding the weapon himself while trying to ward off the crash helmet-wearing pair, but it was grabbed from his hands.

One of the duo then appears to start swinging the nunchucks towards the man, aged 46, before they are seen wrestling against a car.

A neighbour is then seen running barefoot out of a house in Arnull’s Road, Norbury, to chase them off.

Detectives say the two men, clad in motorcycle helmets and balaclavas, had turned up on a stolen motorbike just before 1.30pm on December 10.

One of them then attempted to steal a three-wheeled motorcycle parked in the street using a screwdriver before being confronted by the angry owner.

The victim received injuries to his hand during the struggle before the men ran off towards Gibson Hill, abandoning their vehicle.

 One of the men is described as wearing a dark coloured jacket with a red logo on the back, black trousers with a blue line down the side, black trainers with white soles and gloves.

The other is described as wearing a dark jacket with grey at the top, dark trousers, black trainers with white soles and a helmet with a Nike tick on the back.

Detective Constable Ania Casey, investigating officer from Croydon, said: "If the owner had not locked his motorbike with a heavy chain, his bike may have been taken in seconds. 

“Those extra minutes were sufficient enough to alert the owner and his neighbours to deter the two suspects.”

Diesel drivers will have to pay extra to park in central London

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Diesel car drivers are to be hit with a £2.45-an-hour “D-charge” to park in a swathe of central London to combat toxic air.

Westminster City Council is to become the first town hall in Britain to impose the surcharge for pay-to-park bays.

The “D-charge” will be trialed at 1,424 parking bays in Marylebone, and parts of Fitzrovia and the Hyde Park area from April 3.

Motorists driving diesel models will have to pay an extra 50 per cent on the normal charge, £4.90-an-hour, to park their car or van in a bay.

The maximum stay is four hours, so the diesel levy could total £9.80.

“Residents and visitors tell us all the time that air quality is a key concern in central London,” said Councillor David Harvey, Westminster’s Cabinet member for environment, sports and community.

“Additional charges for diesel vehicles will mean people think twice about using highly polluting cars and invest in cleaner transport that will make a real difference in the quality of air we breathe.”

Marylebone Road was one of at least 20 sites in London where particulate pollution soared to “very high”, or black 10/10, during the recent spike in toxic air.

The area, which includes Baker Street, Princess Grace Hospital, King Edward VII Hospital, the University of Westminster and Madam Tussauds, also frequently suffers from high nitrogen dioxide levels, exceeding recommended health limits.

The flagship Tory council’s move comes ahead of London Mayor Sadiq Khan introducing a “T-charge”, a toxicity levy, later this year, expected to be around £10-a-day, for the most polluting vehicles, diesel and petrol, to drive into central London.

The combination of the two surcharges, and the C-Charge, could equate to around £30 to come into Marylebone and park.

The new levies are likely to spark protests from motorists, especially as many bought diesel cars, which produce less carbon dioxide, after being encouraged through tax breaks to do so by previous governments to tackle climate change.

But the attempts to reduce the number of diesel vehicles in the city spewing out filthy fumes, harmful to human health, will almost certainly be backed by many local residents.

London is seen as trailing other capitals, including Paris and Olso, in having in place measures to tackle toxic air.

Westminster stressed that the “polluters pay” move was supported by groups in the Marylebone Low Emission Neighbourhood including the three business improvement districts (BIDs). 

Penny Alexander, chief executive of the Baker Street Quarter Partnership BID said “Improving air quality is a priority for us and needs to be a unified effort.”

Kay Buxton from the Marble Arch BID said: “We welcome Westminster’s first step to addressing air pollution through differential parking charges and hope to see a resultant behaviour change, with people choosing not to bring diesel vehicles into the area.”

The council stressed that funds raised from the D-charge, which will not apply to motorbikes, will be spent on initiatives to promote sustainable transport.

It could be made permanent or expanded to other parts of the borough if successful in cutting pollution.

Tim Carnegie, Chairman of Marylebone Association, said: “Marylebone residents’ are pleased that the Low Emission Neighbourhood is taking action to deter visiting diesel vehicles from driving into our community.” 

Several councils in London, including Islington and Camden, have introduced diesel surcharges on residents’ parking permits.

Teenage killer who stabbed friend to death at party is jailed for 14 years

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A teenager killer who stabbed his former friend to death at a girl's 16th birthday party after a row over a tracksuit has beenlocked up for 14 years. 

Aaron Gaiete, 17, plunged a kitchen knife into the heart of Charlie Kutyauripo outside a sports centre in Woodford, then stabbed him in the arm as he tried to get to his feet. 

The two teens had been firm friends, but fell out after Gaiete borrowed a tracksuit from Charlie, 16, and refused to give it back. 

Judge Rebecca Poulet QC, sitting at the Old Bailey, today removed Gaiete's anonymity as a deterrent against other teenagers carrying knives. 

The jury at trial convicted Gaiete of murder, but in an unusual step asked for "leniency" in his sentencing. 

Sentencing him to detention at Her Majesty's pleasure with a minimum term of 14 years Judge Poulet said she would not ignore the jury's request and said it was a "merciful" punishment. 

"I will take into account there was a background between you two boys and Charlie knew you had a short temper and he was making provoking comments during the confrontation", said the judge. 

But she added: "It must be understood that taking a knife out in public whether for an offensive or defensive purpose is in itself a criminal offence.

"It is the experience of the courts that far from preventing an attack on the carrier of that knife, it frequently results in the causing of serious injury or in this case death and therefore the inevitable outcome of a very lengthy sentence for the individual who takes it out."

In a victim impact statement, Charlie's mother Matilda, an A&E nurse, said the family was "crushed, hurt, torn beyond description" after her son was killed by a boy she had previously welcomed into her home.

She said: "No mother or family deserve to suffer the way we have."

The grieving mother said Charlie had been brought up in a "decent Christian family and law abiding citizens" and raised to have "good values". 

Both boys had attended King Solomon High School in Ilford and become good friends, but they had fallen out badly by the time of the murder, on January 9 last year. 

"There is some evidence that suggests the two may have fallen out about something as trivial as a tracksuit the defendant had borrowed and was refusing to give back", said prosecutor Louis Mably. 

The court heard the teenagers had been talking about having a fight in the run-up to the stabbing, which happened at a neon-themed birthday party which was supervised by adults. 

Gaiete arrived at around 9.30pm and confronted Charlie outside the sports hall in Chingford Road, Woodford, pulling out the knife he had hidden in his jacket pocket. 

Charlie was rushed to hospital but died within an hour of the attack. 

Gaiete, from Norfolk Road, Ilford,  denied murder, claiming he had acted in self-defence.

Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after policeman is injured in north London

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a policeman was seriously injured in north London.

Emergency services raced to the scene on Balls Pond Road at 4.15pm on Wednesday. 

Scotland Yard said the police officer was injured when he tried to stop the man leaving the scene on a moped.

He was rushed to hospital where his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was taken to a north London police station. 

Bodies of gardener, wife and child found in burnt

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A gardener and his wife and child were killed when a fire ripped through a cottage on a farm in Surrey. 

The victims of the blaze were today named after their bodies were reportedly found in a double bed following a fire that burned all night at the rural property near Reigate.

The fire was only discovered when colleagues went to check on a man living at the house who failed to turn up for work.

Firefighters, Surrey Police, the Surrey Fire Dogs and the National Police Air Service police helicopter were called to reports of a fire at Trumpets Hill Road yesterday morning “following concerns for the safety of occupants at the location”.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “Officers arrived at the location at around 11.10am. A property was found to have suffered serious fire damage and three people, including two adults and a child, were found deceased. Their next of kin has been informed.

“A joint investigation between Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service is under way into the cause of the fire.”

Fire brigade sources told the Standard the fire began in a 12m by 8m outbuilding of the farm which is attached to the main house, raising the possibility that it could have been started deliberately.

The source said: “The outhouse has all sorts of gardening equipment and materials in it. The fire started there and then spread to the main house.

“Obviously one line of inquiry will be that it was started deliberately but it is too early to say anything definitively at this stage.”

Worried colleagues had gone to check on the man when he failed to turn up for work, only to discover the property completely destroyed by flames.

It had apparently been burning all night without anyone realising what had happened.

A neighbour said the work colleague who discovered the blaze at the remote Little Santon Farm Cottage told emergency services a man, woman and child normally lived at the property.

When fire crews eventually got inside they made the discovery.

No attempt had been made to raise the alarm by the occupants and detectives are now trying to establish if there was any suspicious circumstances to their deaths.

The victims are understood to be the gardener for Little Santon Farm, his wife and child.

They were named locally as Tiago and Adriana Nunes and their son, also called Tiago.

Mrs Nunes’ brother Guilherme Alexandre Herrera Cruz told of his grief online.

Posting pictures of his dead relatives, he said: "My heart hurts too much! I expected too much live close and you were gone! May God comfort us! Without words!”

Friends offered their condolences and support. Cruzziani Vendetti wrote: “Your sister, brother-in-law and nephew, now rest in peace, all my support and strength to get you through with your family's tragic loss.”

The farm is owned by Adrian Smart, 81, a retired solicitor, and his wife Anne, 75, known by her middle name Sara.

Mr Smart, a businessman, is chairman and trustee at Gatton Park - a 600 acre park made famous by 18th Century English landscape designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. 

He is understood to have raised the alarm when Mr Nunes, who is believed to be Portuguese, failed to turn up for work.

Mrs Nunes is understood to be a cleaner in the village of Betchworth. 

One resident said the child who died was a little boy aged around seven years old and that his parents were in their 30s.

She said: “Mr and Mrs Smart live at Little Santon Farm. The gardener lives in the cottage on the grounds and that was the building that was on fire. 

“Betchworth is a small village, they were very well known and lovely people.

“I’m in shock.”

She added: “I was supposed to be picking Mrs Smart up and got to the farm at around 10.45am. Mrs Smart had just found out. “It must have happened quietly during the night.

“[The cottage] is far away from the farmhouse which is over a mound. Looking at the cottage I don’t think there were many houses that would have seen it.

“Adrian called the police, I was with Sara and the police arrived whilst I was there. 

“They [the family] have been there for a few years, maybe four or five.” 

Police in white forensic suits were carrying out their investigations at the scene today.

Jane Douglass, headteacher of North Downs Primary School in Leigh Village, where Tiago is understood to have attended, today told parents: “It is with huge sadness and regret that I write to inform you that we have received information from the police regarding a tragic incident, which we believe involves one of our Leigh pupils.

“There has been a house fire in Reigate in which two adults and a child have died.

“This is very likely to be a difficult time for us as a school and a community and we will all need to support each other, and particularly those most closely affected.”

Dozens of shisha pipes seized from east London café

Pic:The shisha pipes were seized from Byblos Gardens Shisha Lounge in Barking
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Dozens of so-called hubbly bubbly pipes were seized from an east London café after local residents tipped off the police.

Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers, alongside the Met Police, discovered customers smoking the pipes in an enclosed space during a raid at Byblos Gardens Shisha Lounge in Barking.

Four customers were given £50 fixed penalty notices as well as the manager, who was also given a £200 fine for allowing customers to smoke and not displaying ‘no smoking’ signs.

Councillor Laila Butt, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: “It’s been illegal to smoke or allow smoking in an enclosed premises since 2006 so it should come as no surprise to anyone caught smoking at the café.

“I can assure anyone else out there it will be no toil or trouble for us to seize more hubbly bubbly pipes to uphold the smoking ban as part of our drive to protect residents’ health.”

The raid took place on Friday, January 13, and 48 pipes were confiscated.

A council spokeswoman added: "As a result of this action, further investigation is ongoing which could result in legal action against the business owner and any other associate.

"Shisa pipes also pose a serious health risks to users including increasing the chances of chances of contracting TB and hepatitis.

"The average shisha-smoking session lasts an hour and research has shown that in this time you can inhale the same amount of smoke as from more than 100 cigarettes."

Murder investigation launched after body found in Milton Keynes

Crime reporter(wp/es):

 A murder investigation has been launched in Milton Keynes after a man’s body was discovered in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police were called to an address on St Leger Drive, Great Linford, at 4.05am where the body was found.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said that formal identification had not yet taken place and a post mortem examination would be carried out to establish the cause of death.

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Kirby said: "We have launched a murder inquiry following the discovery of this deceased man.

"At this stage we believe this was an isolated incident, there is no danger to the wider public, and arrests have been made in connection with this incident.

"We have a number of scene watches in place in Milton Keynes whilst we continue to investigate."

Superintendent Yvette Hitch said: "I am aware that this will be very worrying and shocking for the local community in Great Linford.

"In light of this we are increasing patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the community, and you may see an increased police presence over the coming days."

Man fighting for life after knife attack

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A man was left fighting for life after he was stabbed in Hackney.

The victim, believed to be aged in his early 30s, was knifed in the early hours of Sunday.

Police raced to the scene in Kingsland High Road at about 5.30am.

Scotland Yard said officers gave first aid to the victim before the arrival of paramedics.

London’s Air Ambulance was also scrambled to the scene and the man was rushed to hospital.  

The surrounding roads were cordoned off as police scoured the area.

Detectives from Hackney CID were investigating.

Hackney Officers posted on Twitter: “#ResponseE G1N GD20N call male with life threatening stab wound treated by #policemedic & @Ldn_Ambulance. Road closures in place. N16.”

Rail operator urges RMT union to call off 24-hour strike

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Southern rail has urged union bosses to call off a planned 24-hour strike.

The beleaguered rail operator called on the RMT union to suspend a walkout out by guards scheduled for Monday. 

The strike is in protest over Southern’s changes to the role of conductors and could cause fresh misery for hundreds of thousands of passengers.

It comes as talks aimed at resolving a separate dispute with the Aslef union over driver-only trains were set to resume. 

Drivers called off three days of strikes planned for this week on Wednesday in exchange for further talks chaired by the TUC.

Southern said that despite the strike action on Monday, it will run over 70 per cent of its trains – 10 per cent more than what it has operated on previous strike days.

It said this followed the completion of its programme to put drivers in sole control of the operation of the train, including closing the doors, on nearly 80 per cent of routes, and the transfer of many conductors to the new on-board supervisor role.

Angie Doll, Southern's passenger services director, said: "Whilst, inevitably, there will be disruption on Monday, the good news is that due to the changes we've now fully rolled out, we're now able to run more services on more routes serving more passengers and ultimately we'll have fewer cancellations and delays.

"On Monday, some 200 extra trains will be running and several routes will have their first service on an RMT strike day.

"The RMT should now recognise that their industrial action is wholly futile. They should stop the strikes, get back round the table with us and move forward together with us, delivering a better railway for our passengers."

The RMT has been in dispute with Southern for several months, warning of safety issues because of the changes and also complained of being "excluded" from talks between Southern and Aslef over the drivers' dispute.

The RMT has a small number of driver members at Southern who will strike on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Southern said it plans to operate a normal full timetable from Tuesday.

Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT, said: "Instead of repeating the same old threats and empty rhetoric, Southern should be engaging RMT in the same way that they have engaged with the TUC and the Government in the drivers' dispute.

"That is the way forward and the only way that we can deal with the safety issues that have led to the latest phase of strike action on Monday."

UK 'must relax immigration for Australians in exchange for free trade deal'

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Britain will have to relax immigration rules for Australians if it wants to strike a free trade deal post-Brexit, the country’s high commissioner to London has said.

Alexander Downer said Australia would seek better access for business people before reaching a post-Brexit trade agreement with the UK.

Theresa May has made clear that she wants to reform the UK's relationship with the EU customs union so it can agree trade deals with countries from around the world after Brexit.

Australia is ready to reach a deal with Britain and it may take on more urgency given United States president Donald Trump's wish to pursue an "America first" strategy, raising doubts about a potential UK-US agreement.

Mr Downer told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We would want to see greater access for Australian businesspeople working in the UK and that's often been a part of free trade negotiations - it hasn't always been by the way, but it's often been part of our free trade negotiations."

He went on: "It might just make it a bit simpler actually, for example an Australian company that invests in the UK might want to bring some of its executives to the UK.

"That can be done with what are called Tier 2 visas but maybe that could be made a little bit easier, I suspect they would be the only sort of changes you'd be looking at."

Any negotiation over visa arrangements could be conducted separately but at the same time as a deal for the free movement of goods and services between the two nations, he suggested.

An Australia-UK agreement could be reached very quickly after Brexit, given that Canberra struck a deal with the US in eight months during George W Bush's presidency, he said.

Mr Downer said a similar timeframe could be realistic if Britain does not want to protect certain industries and revealed exploratory discussions had already taken place at many levels.

He said: "Obviously once the UK leaves the EU it can negotiate free trade agreements but not before then.

"But we can scope it out and we've provided a scoping paper to the British Government to explain what we think the scope of a free trade agreement should look like."

Mayor Sadiq Khan in stinging attack on Theresa May's Brexit plans

Political reporter(wp/es):

Sadiq Khan today launched a blistering attack on Theresa May’s plans for Brexit, warning that her tough stance could “rip Britain apart”.

The Mayor claimed the Prime Minister’s ‘hard Brexit’ strategy was to paper over splits in the Conservative party and not in the best interests of the country.

He said Britons risked being left to explain to future generations why they had put the country’s economy and prosperity at threat.  

It came after Mrs May warned Brussels in a major speech she would walk away from talks if offered a bad deal, as she set out her Brexit vision for the first time.

She confirmed Britain would leave the single market, hinted at a cap on European Union migrants and said the final Brexit deal would be put to a vote in Parliament.

But writing in the Standard, Mr Khan said: “A hard-line approach to Brexit may hold the Conservative Party together, but it could rip Britain apart.

“And if we continue on this path - towards a ‘hard Brexit’ – we risk having to explain to future generations why we knowingly put their economy, their prosperity and their place on the world stage in such peril.”

The Mayor accused the PM of “brushing away” the importance of securing privileged access to the single market which would be “critical” for London to flourish. 

In a speech at the global economic summit in Davos, he warned that without access to the EU trading bloc many businesses in the capital could struggle to survive.

“Securing privileged access to the single market must be the top priority for the negotiations. It’s critical for London. Nothing else will do. It can’t be brushed aside – as it was yesterday,” he was expected to say.

“The benefits of Britain retaining privileged access are real and tangible. Having access to the single market would mean the difference between businesses thriving and growing, or struggling to survive.”

The Mayor urged European businesses leaders to press their governments for a workable Brexit deal during his 24-hour visit to Davos - warning that a hard Brexit would be a “lose-lose” for the whole of the EU.

He was expected to meet heads of government including Erna Solberg, prime minister of Norway, which is a member of the single market but not the EU, as well as the chief executives of Siemens, Hitachi and Mastercard.

In a keynote speech hosted by Morgan Stanley, he said: “A ‘hard Brexit’ would cut Europe off from its only truly global financial centre. This would be bad news for Europe as well as Britain. So a hard Brexit really would be a lose-lose situation.

“Tell your political leaders that a ‘hard Brexit’ deal is not in the best interests of your company. This won’t be easy. But I’m confident that despite the Prime Minister’s rhetoric, there is still a sensible deal to be done.”

Student, 19, stabbed to death near Wembley Stadium

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A university student stabbed to death near Wembley Stadium has been named by police.

Djodjo Nsaka, 19, a business studies student from Streatham, was attacked in the early hours of Friday morning.

A post mortem has found that Mr Nsaka, who studied at Middlesex University, died from a single stab wound to the chest, Scotland Yard said.

He is believed to be the first teenager murdered on the streets of London this year.

Police were called to Fulton Road at around 1.15am on Friday following reports that a man had been assaulted.

Officers and London Ambulance Service fought to save Mr Nsaka but he died at the scene shortly afterwards.

An inquest into his death was yet to be set. A 20-year-old man was also treated for minor injuries.

The road, which is a few hundred yards from the stadium, was closed while forensic officers scoured the scene.

Scotland Yard said that a man in his 20s, who had been arrested on suspicion of murder, has been released with no further action.

Detectives from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command are leading the investigation.

Man stabbed in stomach in south-east London

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A man was rushed to hospital after being stabbed in the stomach in south-east London.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service to reports a 36-year-old man had been stabbed in Austen Road, Erith, shortly after 5.20am on Tuesday.

He was found in a nearby road with a stab wound to his stomach and rushed to a south London hospital in a life threatening condition.

His injuries are no longer believed to be life threatening.

Police had initially been called at 5.20am to an address in Austen Road to reports that a woman had received a cut to her hand.

A Met Police spokesman said the 34-year-old woman and a teenage boy were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and currently remain in custody at a south London police station.

Piccadilly Circus billboards switched off as work begins on new state-of-the-art advertising screen

Pic:The advertising screens before they were switched off.
Staff reporter(wp/es):

The Piccadilly Lights were this morning turned off as major redevelopment work on the central London landmark began.

At about 8.30am on Monday, the Lights, the large advertising screens in Piccadilly Circus, first showed a montage of historic images before a countdown was started and the screens turned off.

The Lights have only been blank on a handful of occasions before - for the duration of the Second World War, Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965 and Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.

The screens will be replaced with one curved screen of the same size that will be the highest resolution LED display of its size in the world. The work is set to be finished by Autumn.

Six advertisers will share the screen, which will be able to live-stream video, show weather and sports results and social media feeds. 

Coca-Cola, which has had a advertising space at the Lights since 1954, has renewed its advertising deal at the Lights, with other brands yet to be announced. 

Vasiliki Arvaniti, Portfolio Manager at Land Securities, which has owned the Lights since the Seventies, said: “This is a huge day for Piccadilly Lights and though it will be a strange feeling to see them go dark, we’re incredibly excited about their future.”

Ros Morgan, Chief Executive Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “The light’s transformation into Europe’s largest single digital screen is a showcase of London’s innovation and will bring visitors an enhanced entertainment experience, whilst offering businesses a world-leading platform to engage with the 400 million people who visit the wider area each year.”

An estimated 100 million people pass through Piccadilly Circus and pass the lights annually. The first illuminated advertising space in Piccadilly Circus as a sign for Perrier which was installed in 1908.